Chapter 07
The Gold Crow Trading Company.
One of the Ten Great Merchant Houses of the world, and the largest trading company in Anhui Province.
It was located not far from the Namgung Family estate.
Because of this, Namgung Hyuk’s group was able to arrive at the Gold Crow Trading Company in a short time.
“Are you the people from the Namgung Family?”
The one who came out to greet them was Heo Ji-won, the chief administrator of the Gold Crow Trading Company.
“I am Namgung Hyuk. These are my companions.”
Namgung Hyuk introduced himself as the representative of the group.
Namgung Pyo felt displeased at being lumped in as just “companions,” but since Namgung Hyuk was officially in charge of the mission, he did not step forward.
“I’ve heard the general situation, but could you explain the details?”
“Of course. Please come inside.”
Heo Ji-won led them into a large reception hall within the trading company.
After instructing servants to serve tea, he began his explanation.
“The incident began twenty-five days ago. An arrow was suddenly shot and stuck into our main gate. It carried a message stating that on the thirtieth day—during the full moon night—the head of the young master would be taken.”
“May I see that warning letter?”
“Yes. Here it is.”
As if prepared in advance, Heo Ji-won took a yellow parchment from his robes and handed it to Namgung Hyuk.
As described, it contained a chilling threat.
“That is why our trading company has requested assistance from the Namgung Family. We do have skilled martial artists among our retainers, but none can compare to the renowned warriors of the Namgung Family.”
“You made the right decision. It is always wise to prepare for the worst.”
Namgung Hyuk returned the parchment after reading it. After a brief pause, he asked:
“Do you have any suspects?”
“We cannot be certain, but we suspect a demonic martial artist known as the Blue-Eyed Sword Ghost.”
“The Blue-Eyed Sword Ghost?”
“Yes. A notorious figure with eerie blue eyes. It is said he was once humiliated and driven out of an inn by our young master.”
“For a so-called demonic martial artist, it seems odd that he would simply walk away.”
Namgung Hyuk tilted his head.
A man with such a reputation would not normally leave after being insulted.
“That time, the company’s top expert, Elder Eom, was accompanying the young master. Elder Eom is a peak-level master, so the Blue-Eyed Sword Ghost had no choice but to retreat.”
“And this Elder Eom is not here now?”
“No. He is usually assigned as personal escort to the company head. He cannot move freely.”
“I see.”
Namgung Hyuk nodded.
“Then I would like to meet the young master first.”
“I will inform him immediately.”
Soon after, they met the young master of the trading company, Geum Won-tae.
He looked visibly anxious.
“You… you must be the warriors dispatched from the Namgung Family. I am Geum Won-tae, the young master of the Gold Crow Trading Company.”
“I am Namgung Hyuk of the Namgung Family. Now that we are here, nothing will happen to you. Do not worry.”
“T-thank you very much. I will entrust everything to you.”
“There are five days left until the full moon night mentioned in the warning. Even after that, there may still be attacks, so we will protect you for at least ten days. Ah, and—”
Namgung Hyuk suddenly added:
“Do you have siblings?”
“I have one younger sister. But why do you ask…?”
“No particular reason. From today onward, we will assign protection accordingly. Pyo.”
“Yes.”
“From today, you will take the Heavenly Sky Unit and fully guard Young Master Geum. Do not allow any suspicious individuals to approach.”
“Us?”
Namgung Pyo looked slightly startled.
He had assumed Namgung Hyuk himself would personally take charge of guarding the target.
Namgung Hyuk smirked.
“So you don’t want to?”
“Ah—no! We will do it!”
Fearing a change of mind, Namgung Pyo quickly responded.
Namgung Hyuk then turned to Geum Won-tae.
“That does not mean I will not be guarding you as well. And these men are more capable than you might think.”
“Of course. They are from the Namgung Family after all. How could I doubt them?”
“Good. Then arrange lodging for us.”
“Right away.”
Geum Won-tae called attendants and arranged rooms for them.
After settling in, they gathered again for a meeting.
“Is that Blue-Eyed Sword Ghost really the culprit?”
Namgung Pyo asked with doubt.
Namgung Hyuk narrowed his eyes.
“Of course not. If he were the culprit, he would not leave such obvious traces.”
“Then you think he’s unrelated?”
“I can’t say that. But I don’t think the young master is the real target.”
“What? Not the young master?”
“It’s simple logic. What kind of assassin announces his attack in advance?”
“……”
Namgung Pyo was momentarily speechless.
“There are two kinds of people who do that. One is someone confident enough to show off. The other is someone with another agenda. The first doesn’t fit. No matter how confident, it is strange to target a major trading company like this—and if it were for show, he would have written his name clearly on the warning.”
“Then you think it’s the second type?”
“Yes. The real target is likely not the young master, but something else. While attention is focused on him, they will strike elsewhere where security is weaker.”
“Ah… that’s why you asked about siblings earlier.”
Namgung Pyo looked impressed.
“Shouldn’t we inform the company then? It would make things easier…”
“No. There may be spies among them. If information leaks, everything we discussed becomes useless.”
“So we can’t fully trust even the company’s people.”
“Exactly. That’s why we split our forces.”
He gave orders:
“Pyo, you and the Heavenly Sky Unit protect the young master. The possibility that he is the target is still high.”
“Yes.”
“Ho Yeong, you guard the company head.”
“If the young master isn’t the target, then the company head might be.”
“Got it.”
Ho Yeong pointed at Jeon Wook and So Yeon.
“And these two?”
“The two of you will protect the company head’s daughter. So Yeon stays openly by her side. Jeon Wook, remain hidden and observe. With your skill, you won’t be detected.”
“Yes.”
“We will follow your command.”
The two replied respectfully.
“I will guard the warehouse. If manpower is lacking anywhere, I will reinforce them. The enemy may target stored valuables.”
“Understood.”
As the group dispersed, Namgung Pyo and the Heavenly Sky Unit could not hide their surprise.
Is this really the same man from ten years ago? His judgment and command ability are extraordinary…
Originally sent to monitor Namgung Hyuk, Namgung Pyo now found himself unconsciously admiring and following his orders.
He did not even realize that his respect for Namgung Hyuk was steadily growing.
* * *
Five days passed.
On the fifth night, tension reached its peak.
It was the night of the predicted attack.
Everyone—including the retainers and martial artists of the trading company, as well as the Heavenly Sky Unit—stood on high alert around the young master’s residence.
“It’s finally the day. But the security is tight, so you should be safe.”
“I-I see… that’s a relief.”
Geum Won-tae replied nervously.
Just then, Geum Tae-sang, the company head, arrived with his personal guard Elder Eom and Ho Yeong.
“F-Father?”
“I came because I was worried. I’ll stay with you tonight.”
“Father…!”
Geum Won-tae was moved.
Elder Eom was a peak-level master. With him present, their safety was even more assured.
Of course, Geum Won-tae also thought nothing might happen at all.
An assassin announcing the attack in advance? That’s ridiculous.
Most people thought the same.
But—
“Intruder!”
That thought was shattered by a sudden shout.
A masked man in black had drawn his blade and was rushing in.
Geum Won-tae was truly shocked.
He actually came on the exact day he announced?
Has he lost his mind?
“Stop him!”
Company warriors rushed forward, but the masked man cut them down with fluid, deadly sword techniques. He was clearly a top-tier expert.
“Heavenly Sky Unit, capture him!”
Namgung Pyo ordered immediately.
The Heavenly Sky Unit charged forward, forming formation and clashing with the intruder. Steel rang out as blades collided.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
And at that same moment—
In the relatively quiet warehouse area,
Namgung Hyuk slowly rose.
Srrrng.
His sword slid free from its sheath.
Three black-clad men stood before him, staring coldly.
Namgung Hyuk understood instantly.
So this was the real plan. A distraction.
While attention was drawn to the young master, the real target was the warehouse.
They intended to burn it down and destroy the supplies.
Perhaps there were even more teams elsewhere.
Still—
It’s surprising they really showed up on the announced day.
Maybe they thought striking during maximum attention was optimal.
Or perhaps something important had arrived in the warehouse today.
But it didn’t matter.
Flames erupted along Namgung Hyuk’s blade.
The black-clad men hesitated.
Namgung Hyuk smirked faintly.
“Come.”
At that moment, the three assassins lunged at him at once.
