WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME NOVELS

Translator/Editor: Chen

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◈ The Former Supreme ◈

Chapter 4: Assume Office (1)

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Seven days later, at an estate near Wencheng in Zhejiang Province.

Im Chung, the head of the Murim Alliance's Wencheng Branch, sighed as he looked over the bodies laid out side by side in the courtyard.

"Which lunatic did this?!"

There were thirteen bodies in all. An entire household had been slaughtered.

The martial world might seem like a place where bloodshed was always in the air, but that was not actually the case. Incidents like this were never common. Unless there was a truly irreconcilable grudge, even martial artists would not kill family members and servants who knew no martial arts.

The victims were Liang Qiu and his family. Liang Qiu had been renowned as a great hero not only in Wencheng but throughout Zhejiang Province. Yet his entire household had met with disaster overnight.

"Branch Chief."

Beon Saeng, the squad leader who had gone out to question people nearby, walked over. He had warmly smiling eyes and an easygoing appearance.

Including the odd-job workers and the woman who cooked their meals, the Wencheng Branch had only nine people in total. Just six of them, including Im Chung, were martial artists.

There was one branch chief, one squad leader, and four ordinary martial artists. It was one of the smallest Murim Alliance branches. Calling it a branch was generous. It was more like a contact office.

"No one saw the killer."

Im Chung had expected as much. Anyone capable of killing Liang Qiu would have been a formidable master. Such a person would not have revealed their movements to the people nearby.

"No one heard anything either?"

"Even if they had, would they have stepped forward?"

"Fair enough. Send the bodies to Physician Hwang first."

"Yes."

Physician Hwang was Wencheng's only doctor and examined the bodies whenever there was a murder.

"Oh, and Branch Chief."

Beon Saeng glanced around before lowering his voice.

"Hall Leader Wang says he'll be waiting at the White Flower House tonight."

At the mention of Hall Leader Wang, Im Chung's brow furrowed.

"Why?"

"He didn't say."

Im Chung asked bluntly.

"Listen, Squad Leader Beon. Are you a martial artist of the Murim Alliance, or of the Mythic Gang?"

"What do you mean?"

"He's arranging a meeting with the branch chief of the Murim Alliance. He won't even state his business, and you simply set up the meeting?"

"My apologies."

Beon Saeng lowered his head deeply.

Hall Leader Wang was Wang Gon, a martial artist of the Mythic Gang.

The Mythic Gang was a newly established gang that had grown at a frightening rate after the war and become a major power in Zhejiang Province. Many rumors surrounded its mysterious rise.

Some said it was an existing gang from another region that had changed its name before moving into Zhejiang. Others claimed a wealthy figure of the martial world had founded it, or that a reclusive master had come out of seclusion to establish it.

The rumors were endless.

The Mythic Gang had grown at such a terrifying pace that no one in Zhejiang could ignore them now.

The Mythic Gang had dispatched four hall leaders to Zhejiang's eastern, western, southern, and northern regions. Wang Gon, the man Beon Saeng had mentioned, was the Southern Hall Leader who oversaw Wencheng and the rest of southern Zhejiang.

No one in Wencheng dared defy Wang Gon's authority. There were even rumors that the previous branch chief had been dismissed after offending him.

It seemed absurd, but Wencheng was too far from the main headquarters for common sense to hold much power there.

'Damn it!'

Im Chung had disliked Wang Gon from the start, ever since being assigned there last year.

Contempt filled Wang Gon’s eyes, his attitude, and every casually tossed remark. He made no effort to hide his confidence that he could replace a branch chief stuck in an idle post whenever he pleased.

Then again, Im Chung had not been sent down from the main headquarters. He was just a wandering branch chief who had drifted across the Central Plains. Why would Wang Gon find him intimidating?

"Tell him I don't have time."

"He says it's important and that he absolutely has to see you."

Beon Saeng added it in a weak voice.

"Why don't you just meet him?"

Im Chung was about to snap but stopped himself. Even he was intimidated by those men. How much worse would it be for Beon Saeng, who had to serve as the middleman?

"Where did he say to meet?"

"He reserved a private room at the White Flower House."

Im Chung grimaced.

'Damn bastard. If he wants to see me, he should come to the branch himself. Does he think booze and women solve everything?'

He might have been the branch chief of some backwater like Wencheng, but he had been formally appointed as a Murim Alliance branch chief. It truly grated on him that a mere hall leader of a gang could order him around.

He wanted to teach the man a lesson, but reality demanded that he bow his head.

Suppressing his rising anger, Im Chung changed the subject.

"Oh, a newcomer is arriving tomorrow."

"Oh! How many years has it been?"

"Go easy on this precious newcomer. Do you think he wanted to come here? He must have upset someone to get sent all the way out here. He should not have to endure harassment even in this backwater."

"I'll handle him with a woman's gentle touch. Ah, things will finally get easier."

Beon Saeng smiled broadly. Then another pleasure was added to his day.

"Come to the White Flower House with me tonight."

"Me too? Great. I'll make sure you have a good time!"

The thought of seeing beautiful courtesans brightened Beon Saeng's face. His meager monthly pay was not enough to enjoy even a drink at the White Flower House.

"Thank you, Branch Chief."

"I'm heading in first. Finish up and come inside."

"Yes."

Beon Saeng handled nearly all of the branch's practical work.

He was indispensable to both Im Chung and the branch, so Im Chung needed to keep him content. He did not even want to imagine the branch without Beon Saeng.

* * *

That night, Im Chung and Beon Saeng entered the private room at the White Flower House.

"It has been a long time, Branch Chief Im."

"Hall Leader Wang, have you been well?"

The man waiting for them was Wang Gon, the Southern Hall Leader of the Mythic Gang.

The sharp-looking martial artist seated beside him was Black Hand. He was Wang Gon's right-hand man and was said to be stronger than Wang Gon himself.

Black Hand was known for his exceptional pride as a martial artist. Yet, paradoxically, he would even do things no martial artist should do if Wang Gon ordered him to.

Instead of offering a proper greeting, Black Hand merely gave Im Chung a slight nod. He took pride in that sort of arrogance.

Wang Gon, on the other hand, warmly welcomed Im Chung while clasping both of his hands.

"I apologize for troubling such a busy man."

"Not at all. It is no trouble when it is you, Hall Leader. Call for me whenever you wish."

The words were insincere, but Im Chung was not inexperienced enough to let his displeasure show.

"Come now, I hear they have good liquor today. Let us drink our fill."

"Gladly."

The four men drank and laughed with the courtesans, emptying several bottles. Though Wang Gon was over fifty, he showed a capacity for drink that rivaled any young man.

Even as he drank, Im Chung tried not to get drunk.

'Nothing in this world comes for free.'

If someone entertained him, it meant they wanted something.

Im Chung did not like Wang Gon. The man was bearable when sober, but after a few drinks, his shallow habit of subtly putting others down would surface. Every time it did, Im Chung's revulsion reached its peak.

Still, what could he do? To keep even this backwater branch chief position, the worse he felt, the harder he had to laugh.

"Ha ha ha. As expected, Hall Leader Wang is truly impressive."

"Could we have accomplished all this without Branch Chief Im supporting us in every way?"

"I'm grateful that you think so highly of me."

Even then, Im Chung pretended not to notice Black Hand looking at him as if mocking him. He had heard many rumors about the man: assault, threats, even murder. There was plenty that warranted bringing him in for an investigation.

'I really want to start by beating that bastard senseless.'

Im Chung emptied his cup.

'This isn't the life I wanted.'

He had wanted to live upholding chivalry and justice, never bowing to anyone. That was why he had become a martial artist.

Yet at some point, he had surrendered before something called reality.

'This is who I really was...'

If just anyone could uphold chivalry and justice, would they be called chivalry and justice?

Lost in self-loathing, he emptied another cup. The liquor tasted especially bitter tonight.

Only after they had spent some time enjoying themselves did Wang Gon finally arrange for a private conversation. He sent Beon Saeng, Black Hand, and the courtesans to the next room, then revealed why he had requested this meeting.

"I asked to see you today because I have something to tell you, Branch Chief."

"Please, go ahead."

"Our gang intends to begin a small new venture here in Wencheng."

"Oh! Congratulations."

"It's nothing worth congratulating me over."

"What sort of venture is it?"

"We plan to build an ironworks."

"An ironworks?"

Im Chung was startled. It was not what he had expected at all.

Wang Gon did not provide any specifics.

"As you know, when one begins a new venture, all sorts of gossip are bound to arise, aren't they?"

It would be fortunate if it ended at gossip. There would be endless trouble, and judging by how the Mythic Gang had operated until now, victims would surely appear in droves. Im Chung inwardly cursed his luck.

"Even if such matters reach your ears, I wanted to ask that you not take them too much to heart and simply let them pass. That is why I asked to see you."

The fact that Wang Gon was laying the groundwork in advance made Im Chung feel certain that their plan would not end with simply building an ironworks.

Though he felt uneasy, Im Chung smiled.

"I understand what you mean."

"As expected, it is reassuring to have Branch Chief Im here. Now then, in that spirit."

Wang Gon casually held out a small box he had prepared.

"What is this?"

"I heard your son is learning martial arts. Have him take this."

Im Chung opened the box. The moment he saw its contents, he was startled.

"This is?"

"That's right. Hundred-Year Fleeceflower Root."

Im Chung's eyes widened.

It was a precious spiritual herb that could grant a martial artist anywhere from five to ten years of internal energy.

"I cannot accept something so valuable."

"That's right. It is a very valuable herb, but because it is so valuable, I am giving it especially to you, Branch Chief Im."

Im Chung's heart wavered. If that truly was Hundred-Year Fleeceflower Root, it would be a great help to his son.

'Still, I can't accept it.'

It was an obvious bribe. This was on an entirely different level from being treated to a drink at a pleasure house.

The Wang Gon he knew hated taking losses. If Wang Gon gave a Hundred-Year Fleeceflower Root, he would suck blood for a thousand years in return.

"My son lacks the talent to deserve something this precious."

With a smile, Im Chung held the box containing the Hundred-Year Fleeceflower Root back out to Wang Gon.

"Do not disregard my sincerity."

"Ha ha, I will accept only your goodwill, Hall Leader."

The Hundred-Year Fleeceflower Root was pushed back in front of Wang Gon.

At that moment, Im Chung felt Wang Gon's gaze turn cold. The disappointment and irritation were obvious. It went beyond pressure. It was a threat.

'Still, no!'

Im Chung knew that the moment he accepted a bribe, he would be in Wang Gon's hands forever. If he fastened the first button wrong, the final hole would be nothing but his grave.

'That is not a spiritual herb. It is a poisonous herb.'

* * *

The next day, at the Murim Alliance's Wencheng Branch.

Im Chung could only stare at the herbal tonic Beon Saeng had brought him for his hangover.

"Is something worrying you?"

Im Chung shook his head at Beon Saeng's question.

"No."

"But your face is full of concern."

Of course, it was because of Wang Gon.

'Should I have accepted the fleeceflower root after all?'

He had refused the Hundred-Year Fleeceflower Root to the end. He should have felt relieved after refusing a bribe, but he could not shake the unease. Whenever he recalled Wang Gon's displeased expression, it felt as if his heart were being squeezed.

"You..."

"Yes?"

Im Chung almost asked if Beon Saeng had accepted anything separately, but stopped himself. Even if Beon Saeng was his subordinate, it was not something he could ask carelessly. He asked something else instead.

"Did you hear anything from Black Hand yesterday?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Mythic Gang is building a new ironworks."

"Yes. He said it would be several times larger than the existing ironworks."

"Several times?"

"He bragged that it would be the largest in the Central Plains in terms of scale alone. Those bastards, how much money are they trying to rake in? But why do you ask?"

"It's nothing."

After drinking the herbal tonic, Im Chung pressed hard between his brows with his fingers.

The extermination of Liang Qiu's family, the Mythic Gang's new venture, and a bribe. Troublesome matters had arrived all at once.

Then one more was added.

The door opened, and someone stepped inside. The person who entered with a leather bag slung over his shoulder was Baek Socheon.

He walked over slowly, handed Im Chung his assignment order, and said,

"I am Baek Socheon, newly assigned here."

Footnotes:

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