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“I told you so.”

“You mean that? All of that?”

First Elder’s mouth fell open in disbelief.

No, of course, he understands leaving the building behind. They can’t unroot and move it, nor can they destroy it all just because they’re leaving the island either.

However….

“Why are you leaving behind the ships, the ships?! Do you know how much money each of those ships costs!”

“Tsk, tsk. A bandit is greedy for a ship. After living near the water for so long, have you picked up a hobby for water looting?”

“It’s not about that! If we just take that and sell it…!”

“This man. You need a buyer to sell. Selling ships isn’t something you do overnight.”

Im Sobyong spread his fan with a snap.

“And it’s not the money that matters. It’s the intention. If you only focus on money this and money that, you’ll miss what’s truly important.”

The First Elder couldn’t say a word and just helplessly thumped his chest.

They’ve always thought that Nokrim King had a strange side, but it feels like it’s gotten worse since he met that Mount Hua’s taoist. The Elder couldn’t make heads or tails of this yangban’s actions.

“So, the withdrawal is complete?”

“…It’s almost. The collected wealth was escorted to the Eunha Merchant Guild, and all the people on Plum Blossom Island were also moved to land. The rest have packed their bags and left, so we’re the only ones to go now.”

“I see. I see.”

Im Sobyong waved his fan gently. A small wind tickled his cheek. He looked at Plum Blossom Island with a hint of regret in his eyes.

“It was a good place.”

“I never really liked it. Pine caterpillars should feed on pine needles! What business can the proud heroes of Nokrim make by carrying other people’s luggage and earning money?”

“You say that, yet you’re wearing an incredibly expensive outfit. Did you buy a new one?”

“W- Well, this is…….”

The First Elder’s face turned a bright red.

Since Plum Blossom Island earns a lot of money, even the portion Nokrim received was substantial. That’s why even the Elders have their pockets full of silver coins.

The First Elder twisted his body, but how could that hide the expensive silk clothes that covered his entire body?

“If First Elder decides to go back into the mountains and make a living by banditry, I have no intention of stopping?”

“It’s, it’s just a figure of speech. Just words…”

“Tsk, tsk. You are a bandit who wears silk clothes and does business. If the ancestors found out, they would foam their mouths.”

“Keueueuh.”

As soon as the word “ancestors” came out, a groan came out of the First Elder’s mouth. Certainly, if the previous Nokrim King had seen this, he would have tried to tear off not only his clothes but his entire body.

Im Sobyong gazed across the river, clicking his tongue.

‘Three years.’

Over the past three years, Im Sobyong and Nokrim have gained so much. For Im Sobyong personally, it was time to stabilize the turbulent Nokrim. Money might not solve everything in the world, but it does solve most things.

Those who had opposed Im Sobyong becoming the Nokrim King shut their mouths when they saw the wealth falling into their hands.

However, compared to what Nokrim truly gained, wealth was nothing.

The biggest thing is that the commoners are no longer afraid of Nokrim.

Changing the business to a way of safely escorting people going up and down the mountain by collecting toll fees, rather than harming them, has had a clear effect. Also, showing many people their hardworking side through Plum Blossom Island had its benefits.

However, it is also Evil Tyrant Alliance that has received a greater impact than them.

Evil Tyrant Alliance declared the Unification of Evil Sects and sucked all the Evil Sects under its banner. At the same time, it absorbed all the hatred of the people in the world.

In the meantime, Nokrim was at odds with the Evil Tyrant Alliance and came out in support of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, so those who hated the Evil Tyrant Alliance began to look at Nokrim quite warmly.

“The halo of Mount Hua played a part. Anyway, that Taoist sure is useful.”

“Yes?”

“No, nothing.”

Im Sobyong smiled quietly.

‘This is how gambling works.’

When he, the leader of Nokrim, joined hands with Mount Hua, was it just one or two people that considered him insane?

They may not have been able to say it out loud because he was in a situation where the power was gathered by sweeping away the Daebyeolchae, but no one would have truly agreed with his thoughts.

But the gamble paid off perfectly.

“No. No. Not yet.”

However, Im Sobyong’s eyes sank cold again.

‘Only after wiping out the Evil Tyrant Alliance and putting a sword in Jang Ilso’s throat can we talk about success.’

Briefly imagining this scenario, he soon burst into laughter.

“Well, that won’t be up to me.”

“What have you been mumbling about all this time? You sound like you’ve lost your mind.”

“…….”

Veins appeared on Im Sobyong’s forehead at the sudden rude remark.

‘I should use this opportunity to change into Righteous Sects, for heaven’s sake…’

He didn’t expect them to be as obedient as Tang Family, who wouldn’t hesitate to feign death at their Gaju’s word. But even that crazy Taoist of Mount Hua didn’t dare to talk back to their Sect Leader. Why was Nokrim in such a state?

His insides were boiling with frustration.

But before he could say anything, the First Elder asked with a serious face.

“Rather than that, are you really going to back out like this?”

“Why are we repeating a story that has already ended?”

“I can’t help but feel it’s such a waste, a waste. Plum Blossom Island is Plum Blossom Island, but…….”

The First Elder’s gaze turned backward. Large buildings stretching from the dock came into view.

How much effort had gone into building this city?

But when they tried to take their feet away, leaving this all, he couldn’t help but feel like he was cutting off one of his arms. However, Im Sobyong shook his hand and cut the First Elder’s disappointment.

“Enough. Get ready. We’re going to have guests soon.”

“Guest?”

” “Yes, a guest. A very dark one… Hmm. Looks like they’re already on their way.”

“Yes?”

The First Elder turned his head in the direction Im Sobyong was looking.

“Uh…?”

But when I tried to take his feet away, leaving him all alone, I couldn’t help but feel like I was cutting off one of his arms

“Tha- That?”

The ship approaching them appeared at least three times larger than the other escort ships next to it. The sails were painted in the shape of a black dragon that dominated the Yangtze River as if they were alive.

And the First Elder was one of those who knew the identity of this ship better than anyone.

“Is, is that not the Black Dragon Ship?!”

When the First Elder asked in surprise, Im Sobyong calmly fanned himself.

“Hmm, I didn’t expect him to show up in person. Seems like the Black Dragon King was quite eager.”

The ship and the black dragon flag it bore signified the personal arrival of the Black Dragon King himself, here to claim this small island for himself.

Im Sobyong chuckled.

“No… The Black Dragon King himself…?”

The First Elder opened his mouth in inexplicable shock.

Im Sobyong became the Nokrim King, but he is not like the common Nokrim King, so it is not surprising that he wanders lightly. However, a person generally called a ‘King’ does not move very easily.

And now, the Black Dragon King himself had appeared here?

“He must have come to claim Plum Blossom Island now that we’re leaving before anyone else gets a chance.”

Not fully grasping the situation, the First Elder widened his eyes, looking at the approaching Black Dragon Ship.

But at that moment, a different thought flashed through Im Sobyong’s mind.

‘Within a day?’

A mysterious smile played on his lips.

Just before leaving Mount Hua, Chung Myung had asked him to confirm one thing. Who will be the first to come after they withdraw from Plum Blossom Island and how soon they would appear.

‘The fact that water fortress went to occupy this place in less than a day implies that they didn’t seek permission from Ryeonju of Evil Tyrant Alliance.’

Even if they had appeared within two days, it would have been considered a success. But the Black Dragon King showing up in just one day?

That meant clear cracks were beginning to show in their relationship. Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s scheme had bitten deeper than expected, providing irrefutable evidence.

“Kukukuk. This is why I like that Taoist.”

Im Sobyong laughed quietly.

No matter what anyone says, the person who took the lead in Kangho for the past three years was Jang Ilso of Evil Tyrant Alliance. Shaolin, who once held the hegemony of Kangho, could not handle the quickness of the Evil Tyrant Alliance and simply stayed away with their senses sharpened.

There was no major conflict, but no one could deny that Kangho had been dancing to Jang Ilso’s tune.

However, as soon as Mount Hua returned, Jang Ilso’s hegemony began to twist. Without drawing a sword or shedding a drop of blood, they delivered a strike more piercing than any sword.

Lost in thought for a moment, Im Sobyong then shook his head.

“Let’s go. We might get struck by lightning if we stay here any longer.”

“N- No, Nokrim King. If the water fortresses devour this place….”

“Nothing’s going to happen.”

Despite the concerns of the First Elder, Im Sobyong said in a confident voice.

“Of course, the person who would have been most upset by the sight of us abandoning the mountains, mingling with the commoners, and comfortably gathering wealth, would have been the Black Dragon King.”

“…….”

“Moreover, we know how to bow down to Mount Hua, but that proud man doesn’t know how to bow down to Jang Ilso. So, they will somehow try to gather wealth here and strengthen water fortresses’ power.”

“That sounds plausible, but…”

“It will happen.”

Im Sobyong covered his mouth with his fan and smiled meaningfully.

“Who do you think was the most frightened by the sight of Jang Ilso gathering power?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Let’s just go.”

Im Sobyong, who folded his fan and turned around, began to walk away alone.

“Nokrim King! Le- Let’s go together!”

The First Elder quickly followed him. As he tried to ask more questions, Im Sobyong just smiled meaningfully and quickened his pace.

‘Now, how will Shaolin come out?’

Indeed, there’s nothing as entertaining as watching a fight unfold.

* * *

“We have arrived! Black Dragon King!”

“Hmm!”

The Black Dragon King, standing at the bow, stared intently at the small island before him.

“I never thought something so trivial would upset me so much.”

If Jang Ilso hadn’t blatantly stood in their way, they would have swept away that island long ago. Because of that one island, the water fortresses’ plan to control the Yangtze River was completely ruined.

But….

‘This must be what they call a blessing in disguise.’

The past doesn’t matter anymore. Properly collecting tolls rather than clumsily plundering goods has proven to be far more profitable, as he has seen with his own eyes.

What’s more, he’s the head of water fortresses. Unlike them, he has a firm grip over those traversing the Yangtze. It is not that difficult to earn several times the amount of money that Mount Hua used to earn on that island if he is determined.

“If that happens… I could establish a force even surpassing the money of Black Ghost Fortresses. Then, Jang Ilso would be nothing.”

The Black Dragon King gritted his teeth

The status of Evil Tyrant Alliance increases day by day, but Black Dragon King’s influence is not as strong as it used to be. Even the common folk regard him as a mere subordinate of Jang Ilso.

The Ryeonju of Evil Tyrant Alliance is Jang Ilso, while he is just a Buryeonju, so it’s not entirely wrong to think that way. But….

“What a ridiculous notion.”

I’ll show them now. Who is the true Ryeonju of Evil Tyrant Alliance?

“We’re approaching the shore!”

Black Dragon King nodded heavily.

“Disembark and take control!”

“Yes!”

The Yangtze River, which had been quiet, began to boil again.