Ok Hobang
He was the Treasurer, managing all the finances of Dongpyoseorang. Four years ago, however, the Leader of the guild entrusted him with full authority to run Dongpyoseorang before entering secluded training.
This was because Ok Hobang possessed an exceptional sense for money and a keen eye for recognizing talent at a glance, placing them in the right roles. As the Leader had hoped, under Ok Hobang’s management, Dongpyoseorang flourished even more.
Work poured in from all over the Central Plains, and skilled mercenaries flocked to join the guild.
“Until the Leader returns, why not make Dongpyoseorang mine?”
As Dongpyoseorang rose as a new power in the martial world, Ok Hobang harbored dark ambitions. He resolved to build his own faction, ensuring that even when the Leader returned, there would be no place for him.
“Recruit skilled and ambitious mercenaries!”
He ordered his subordinates to seek out and recruit mercenaries who were not only exceptional in skill but also eager to make a name for themselves in the martial world.
Most of them were of questionable character or had committed serious crimes, but Ok Hobang didn’t care.
“Aren’t mercenaries just people who do dirty work anyway?”
He promised the mercenaries he gathered high status and wealth. Among them, he recruited four of the eight most skilled mercenaries, known as the Eight Great mercenaries, to serve as his loyal enforcers.
Thus, having gained both money and power, Ok Hobang began to manipulate Dongpyoseorang to his liking.
***
In the office of Ok Hobang, within the Gold Coin Hall.
Four mercenaries, each dressed in distinct attire, stood with their swords at their sides.
These were Ok Hobang’s trusted lieutenants, among the Eight Great mercenaries who dominated Dongpyoseorang under his command.
“What should we do about this?” Ok Hobang said, his face contorted with arrogance. “The Yeongsasin Sword was originally meant as a tribute to the Lord of Hell’s Blood Fortress. We caused quite a stir through the Martial Tournament, but… this man named Bu Eunseol came out of nowhere and ruined everything.”
“Well, at this point, don’t we have to give him the sword?” said Ghost Scythe, a mercenary standing by the office window. “Countless martial artists witnessed him winning. We can’t just go back on our word now, can we?”
“Easier said than done,” Ok Hobang replied irritably. “Do you think Hell’s Blood Fortress will accept that?”
Sitting across from him, Blood Awl spoke up. “Didn’t Master Yang forfeit the match himself? If he gave up, does it matter if we don’t hand over the sword?”
“Master Yang was only supposed to retrieve the sword. The promise to offer the Yeongsasin Sword to Hell’s Blood Fortress must be kept,” Ok Hobang countered.
“Is that so? But why did he forfeit in the first place…?” Ghost Scythe trailed off.
Ok Hobang’s expression darkened. “I don’t understand it either. After the final match, he left Dongpyoseorang without a word…”
A heavy silence settled over the office.
To maintain an even greater influence moving forward, Ok Hobang had sought a close alliance with Hell’s Blood Fortress. But if things went wrong from the start and they fell out of favor? It would be difficult to survive in Guizhou any longer.
“Then how about giving him a different sword instead of the Yeongsasin Sword?” Blood Awl suggested.
Ok Hobang shook his head. “I already sent someone to propose that, but… he insisted we hand over the Yeongsasin Sword as promised.”
“Then the conclusion is clear,” said Orchid Flower, a woman toying with an iron fan next to Blood Awl, her smile laced with venom. “We either give him the sword as promised or we don’t.”
Ghost Scythe, meeting Orchid Flower’s murderous gaze, scoffed in disbelief. “Are you mad? Didn’t you see the skill he displayed when he fought Seomun Kyung? Whatever else happened, that duel was real.”
“Hmph. Is there anyone here who rose to this position solely on martial prowess?” Orchid Flower said, placing a hand on her slender waist. “Bu Eunseol, that greenhorn, may have impressive martial skills, but he’s just a novice in the martial world. Once he gets a taste of my beauty and the Ecstasy Powder, he won’t be able to resist.”
Ok Hobang waved his hands dismissively. “A honey trap is absolutely out of the question. If it fails, the guild’s reputation will hit rock bottom.”
Orchid Flower pouted. “If force won’t work, and a honey trap won’t either, then what’s the plan…?”
As the conversation threatened to circle back, a hulking man who had been silently standing in the corner, White Mask, finally spoke.
“Then there’s only one option left.”
“What’s that?” Orchid Flower asked.
White Mask bared his white teeth in a grin. “All the schemes we’ve discussed so far.”
***
Bu Eunseol was walking through Dongpyoseorang with Black Leopard.
The sight of the mercenaries market, thriving across Guizhou, was like a crescent moon waxing into a full moon—brimming with prosperity.
“That’s where they check the health of contracted mercenaries. Over there is a shop selling provisions and antidotes. And that’s for mercenaries heading to the outer regions…” Black Leopard explained every corner of Dongpyoseorang as if he were a guide at a famous landmark.
“But why hasn’t the Leader shown his face even once while holding a Martial Tournament in his own front yard?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Black Leopard’s cheerful expression froze. “That’s…”
With a troubled look, he replied in a low voice, “The one running Dongpyoseorang right now is Treasurer Ok.”
“Treasurer?”
“Yes. The Leader has been in secluded training for four years. Before leaving, he entrusted the management of Dongpyoseorang to Treasurer Ok, who handled the finances.”
Black Leopard, frowning deeply, scanned the surroundings and continued, “Since Treasurer Ok took over, the atmosphere here has changed significantly. It used to be smaller, but everyone was good-hearted, like a family that cared for one another. But now…”
“Now?”
“The influence has grown, but so have the number of criminals and ruthless killers. Even the Eight Great mercenaries, who became Treasurer Ok’s loyal followers… Well, since Yeop Hwa died, I suppose they’re now the Seven Great mercenaries.”
“The Eight Great mercenaries?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Black Leopard’s expression turned grave. “It refers to the eight most skilled mercenaries in Dongpyoseorang. Four of them are already Treasurer Ok’s trusted allies.” As they spoke, they arrived at a massive building on the western outskirts of Dongpyoseorang.
It was the Great Armory, storing enough weapons to arm all the mercenaries of the guild.
“Young Master, this is the Great Armory,” Black Leopard said.
“Hmm.” Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes as he looked up at the imposing structure made of dark stone. “Is the divine sword kept here?”
“To be honest, I don’t know exactly where the Yeongsasin Sword is stored,” Black Leopard admitted.
“A divine sword coveted by martial artists, stored in an armory…” Bu Eunseol shook his head, his eyes narrowing further. “It’s customary to award the prize immediately after a tournament victory. I don’t understand why they’re making me go through this.”
Black Leopard scratched his nose awkwardly. “To be frank, the guild has never offered a treasure like the Yeongsasin Sword as a prize before. This time, it was a treasure Treasurer Ok personally acquired.”
As Black Leopard began to lead Bu Eunseol toward the armory, a guard blocked their path.
“The Treasurer instructed that only Young Master Bu may enter.”
“It’s fine. I’m officially contracted with Young Master Bu…” Black Leopard protested.
“Only Young Master Bu may enter,” the guard repeated firmly.
Bu Eunseol nodded. “Wait outside.”
“But…” Black Leopard hesitated.
Bu Eunseol’s usually cold eyes were now burning with a fiery red intensity. Meeting his gaze, Black Leopard swallowed hard.
Something’s wrong.
“Follow me,” the guard said, leading Bu Eunseol into the armory.
With a heavy thud, the massive iron gate opened, its thickness appearing to be at least a foot. As the armory’s doors swung wide, a vast space revealed countless weapons meticulously arranged.
The aligned weapons gleamed with sharp killing intent. In a corner, massive war machines like giant crossbows and catapults were displayed, meant for battlefields.
“Impressive interior,” Bu Eunseol remarked in awe.
The guards should have beamed with pride or offered explanations, but the one guiding him only wore a tense expression as he led the way.
Clank. Thud.
The armory was vast and deep, requiring Bu Eunseol to pass through several locked gates. Each time they crossed a section, the guard awkwardly pulled a torch on the wall.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes glinted as he observed.
They don’t usually bring people this deep.
Creak.
They finally arrived at a small training hall. In a space about three jang wide, an armory had been set up with several tables, likely for brief sparring or discussions.
“Come in, Young Master Bu,” said a man in white robes standing beside a strikingly beautiful woman with an alluring air.
“I’m White Mask, the overseer of the Great Armory.”
“I’m Orchid Flower,” the woman added. Both bowed respectfully to Bu Eunseol.
He returned the gesture impassively and said in a low voice, “The sword?”
“It’s being retrieved. It’s stored deep within the armory, so disabling the mechanisms takes time,” White Mask explained politely, gesturing to a table. “Please sit and wait. We’ve prepared Sun-Moon Tea from Beksan.”
Sun-Moon Tea from Beksan was a luxury comparable to Wulong Tea from Iron Staff Mountain or Dragon Well Tea from Seoho. As he spoke, Orchid Flower placed a steaming teacup on the table.
“Please, have a seat,” she said.
Bu Eunseol sat, and White Mask and Orchid Flower raised their cups. “Congratulations on your victory, Young Master Bu.”
They each took a sip of tea. But Bu Eunseol only stared at them, not touching his cup.
“Is the Sun-Moon Tea… not to your liking?” White Mask asked.
Bu Eunseol glanced at the tea, its clear and refreshing aroma wafting up. “It’s fine.”
“Shall I bring another tea?” Orchid Flower asked cautiously.
“No need to bother,” Bu Eunseol said in a low voice. “I’ll wait for the sword and leave.”
White Mask and Orchid Flower exchanged glances.
Unbeknownst to Bu Eunseol, the Sun-Moon Tea they offered was laced with Ecstasy Powder, a potent drug that induced hallucinations and lust.
He’s an odd one, as expected… To not even touch the tea we offered.
The first scheme was a honey trap.
The plan was for Bu Eunseol to drink the drugged tea, fall into a state of hallucination and desire, and then, with White Mask stepping away, Orchid Flower would seduce him. If he succumbed, they would rally the mercenaries to accuse him of immorality and strip him of his winner’s title.
No choice, then. On to the next step…
White Mask tapped the table. “Is the sword still not ready?”
A low voice came from outside. “The guards have brought the sword.”
“Let them in,” White Mask ordered.
The door opened, and two guards brought in a large metal box, placed it on the table, and left. White Mask opened the box with a cautious expression, revealing a radiant sword gleaming inside.
“This is the Yeongsasin Sword,” he said.
Reflected in the light, the Yeongsasin Sword was like a work of art.
Its slightly golden blade bore mystical dragon-like patterns, and the hilt’s edge was adorned with blue-glowing gems.
“So this is the divine sword,” Bu Eunseol muttered.
White Mask blinked. “Does it not meet your expectations?”
Bu Eunseol let out a faint smirk, his icy gaze piercing them.
“If this is a divine sword… then there isn’t a sword in the martial world that isn’t.”
