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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Frankly, the Azure Sky Group, founded by Namgung-Woo, had lost its purpose as a mercenary band.
Why had they chosen to be mercenaries instead of forming a sect or a faction?
It was because being mercenaries best suited their two main goals.
One: to move freely without being tied to a specific location or organization.
Two: to secure a steady stream of income.
Being mercenaries was the easiest way to achieve both, and so they had formed the Azure Sky Group without hesitation.
But now, there was no need to be bound by those conditions. The second goal, in particular, had been completely fulfilled.
Funds? With the Five Tiger Token, they had unlimited access to the resources of the Hebei Peng Family’s trading posts and affiliated businesses.
Not only that, but Namgung-Woo also possessed another token, given to him by none other than Moyong-hye, the matriarch of the Hebei Peng Family.
Before he left, Moyong-hye, saying she had nothing else to offer, had given him her personal token.
‘I am a married woman now and cannot promise you the support of the Moyong Family. However, I still have personal assets from my time there.’
Initially, Namgung-Woo had refused. He had already received plenty from the Hebei Peng Family.
Besides, how much could Moyong-hye’s personal savings be? It felt awkward, like taking pocket money from her.
But he was wrong.
Moyong-hye’s wealth was beyond imagination.
‘There’s a saying that the wealth of the north flows to the Moyong Family, and the wealth of the south flows to the Nine Dragons Society.’
The Moyong Family, practically monopolizing the trade between the north, Haedong, and the Central Plains, was the wealthiest merchant family in the land.
They had once been among the top-ranking families in terms of martial arts prowess, but after tasting the sweetness of wealth, they shifted their focus from training to commerce, and their martial strength now ranked among the lowest, alongside the Zhuge Family.
However, it was said that the Moyong Family single-handedly contributed 30% of the Martial Alliance’s operating costs and 10% of the Imperial treasury’s revenue.
Their financial power was unmatched.
The wealthiest family under heaven.
That was their moniker. They were the epitome of capitalist corruption.
Naturally, Moyong-hye’s personal assets, as a cherished daughter of the Moyong Family, rivaled the entire fortunes of most sects.
Overcoming his guilt, Namgung-Woo accepted her token.
In any case, the Azure Sky Group now had a budget that surpassed even established sects.
There was no need to chase after commissions for money.
Yet, Namgung-Woo decided to follow Yang Jeong’s suggestion.
‘There’s a certain romance to being mercenaries.’
It brought back fond memories of his time playing Chu-rok Murim.
He recalled the days when he, Namgung-Pung, and Namgung-Mae roamed the game world, taking on various missions. His improved memory, a benefit of his new body, vividly recalled the joy of those times.
‘And there are definite advantages to being in a group.’
While their progress might be slower, there were benefits to gathering information from others and avoiding unnecessary conflicts.
There was a reason Peng Ha-ryeong wore a veil. It was best to avoid pointless confrontations.
It took them two days to travel the roughly 120 li (60 km) from Zhenjiang to Nanjing.
They treated it as light exercise, practicing their movement skills, and reached Nanjing quickly.
“Wow! I’ve heard Nanjing was impressive, but it’s even grander than Beijing!”
Yang Kwai exclaimed, standing before the city walls.
Nanjing had a quadruple-layered structure.
The outer city, enclosed by the outermost wall, the inner city within its own walls, and within the inner city, the palace city and the imperial city at the very heart of Nanjing.
As the base from which Zhu Yuanzhang, the Hongwu Emperor, had conquered all under heaven, Nanjing had been transformed into the greatest city in the Central Plains, thanks to his patronage.
Although it had lost its status as the capital to Beijing, following the Yongle Emperor’s decree, it still surpassed Beijing in size and prosperity.
“Yaofang Gate…”
Namgung-Woo softly read the inscription on the gate they passed through.
Yaofang Gate was one of the eighteen gates in the outer wall, located in the northeast. Those coming from Zhenjiang usually entered Nanjing through this gate.
As they entered the city, a massive wall loomed before them. The outer wall was impressive, but the inner wall was even more so.
Buildings, vying for dominance, stretched towards the sky, while the majestic slopes of Mount Zhong stood as a testament to nature’s enduring power.
While Beijing was a meticulously planned administrative city, grand but somewhat monotonous, Nanjing, despite its planned layout, blended harmoniously with nature, showcasing a diverse range of values.
Of course, this was from Namgung-Woo’s perspective, enhanced by his Ever-Clear Vision, which allowed him to observe the city as if from above.
“Instead of just standing here, let’s get moving.”
Peng Ha-ryeong tugged at Namgung-Woo’s sleeve, pulling him from his reverie.
They bumped into other pedestrians, but no one seemed to mind. The streets were so crowded that such contact was commonplace.
‘Honestly, modern buildings are more impressive in terms of sheer scale…’
But the unique charm of these pre-modern walls and buildings, from Namgung-Woo’s perspective, was captivating.
“Ha-ryeong.”
“Yes?”
“Let’s take a proper tour on our way back.”
“Yes!”
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Yang Kwai led the way.
While none of them had been to Nanjing before, he confidently took on the role of guide.
“Even though Nanjing is huge, mercenary guilds are always in the same general area, Boss.”
Where did mercenaries find work?
While some received personal requests, that was usually reserved for those with established connections or reputations.
Most mercenaries found work through mercenary guilds, which existed in every city.
“Are there mercenary tokens or something? Something used within the guilds?”
Namgung-Woo asked, recalling novels he’d read and the setting of Chu-rok Murim.
“Wow, as expected of the Boss! If such a thing existed, mercenaries would become a fully organized force. But that would create all sorts of problems.”
“Mercenary guilds are just intermediaries. If what you’re saying were true, Boss, they’d need independent authority and management, which would require a massive budget and manpower. It’s not practical.”
“Most mercenary guilds are run by retired mercenaries who gather their connections. But grudges don’t disappear easily. So they spread rumors, claiming they’ve washed their hands of past grievances. They shift the blame, saying, ‘I announced my retirement, so it’s your fault if you didn’t come to me then.’”
Nanjing was big—very big.
Even walking briskly while chatting, they couldn’t estimate when they’d reach their destination.
“We should probably find lodgings first.”
“Ah! Oppa, our family has a trading post here in Nanjing.”
Peng Ha-ryeong spoke up, eager to contribute. Her clear voice, despite the veil, drew the attention of passersby.
“Using the family’s resources will spread rumors.”
The news of the Zhuge Family’s movements had already reached Zhenjiang from Wuhan in Hubei Province. What would happen if rumors of their visit to a Peng Family trading post spread?
They were already attracting attention due to Namgung-Woo and Peng Ha-ryeong. It wouldn’t be long before rumors spread that the Peng Family was also vying for a commission at the Four Seasons Gathering.
“We’re almost there, Boss. Mercenary guilds are usually located away from commercial areas, but in a big city like Nanjing, there are several, so we should find one soon.”
Yang Kwai was right.
After nearly an hour of walking, they arrived at a mercenary guild bustling with people who clearly looked like martial artists.
“See? I told you.”
As Yang Kwai proudly pushed aside the curtain that served as a door and stepped inside, a loud voice boomed from within.
“I’ve told you a hundred times! I need a Peak Realm expert!”
A young man was shouting at what appeared to be a guild employee.
Yang Kwai grinned and turned to Namgung-Woo.
“This seems like the perfect opportunity for Yang Kwai, the Peak Realm expert, to make his grand entrance, wouldn’t you say, Boss?”
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