The establishment of the Underworld Alliance was officially declared.

The first Leader, Cha Seokdu, announced the justification for establishing the Underworld Alliance to the world.

[-Demonic, evil, wicked, and poisonous arts.

Those of you who have borne the stigma of disturbing Jianghu since ancient times. I wish to ask if your true nature is genuinely as such.

I ask you, who possess the human nature to desire strength, yet had no choice but to become the Underworld due to your lowly innate status and having nothing.

Are you truly the ones who disturb Jianghu and shake the world?

Just as humans took up sabers and swords to cut down their enemies, we, too, merely take up demonic, evil, wicked, and poisonous arts to protect ourselves.

I wish to ask if it can truly be called 'justice' to deem us as chaos itself simply because the color of our martial arts is chaotic.

From tomorrow onward, a 'new justice' will also take root in Jianghu.

We will not evaluate you as wicked simply because the weapons you have chosen are wicked.

Those without a background, those who wish to be free, and those who wish to rise in the world solely through their own abilities—all of you, come to the Underworld Alliance.

Unlike 'certain people,' we do not discriminate and employ people based on their background, the wealth they possess, or the connections they have built.

We will acknowledge only your own abilities and efforts, and we will evaluate you based on them.

Even if you were among those who hated demonic, evil, wicked, and poisonous arts, if you wish to set foot in the Underworld Alliance, we will not judge your past.

There is only one most important proposition that the Underworld Alliance aims for.

'Freedom' and the 'responsibility' that follows it.

We will give you freedom equal to the responsibility you bear.

Come to the Underworld Alliance anytime!

The doors of the Underworld Alliance will not close.]

As Cha Seokdu's declaration spread across the world, Jianghu was in an uproar.

Within the long history of Jianghu, it was not the first time the formation of an Underworld Alliance had been attempted.

However, clumsily made organizations often quickly disappeared or became privatized, causing their power to shrink.

Even after being somehow formed, they quickly collapsed, unable to overcome internal strife.

However, Cha Seokdu's Underworld Alliance showed themselves reorganizing their interior in perfect order alongside their establishment ceremony, raising expectations for Underworld figures and concerns for Orthodox figures.

In particular, the fact that the first Leader, Cha Seokdu, was not the number one person in the Underworld Murim brought even more certainty regarding the Underworld Alliance's persistence.

Since when did the Underworld bastards ever listen to someone weaker than themselves?

However, a subordinate who follows out of fear of the rod can stab them in the back at any time.

The alliances made by the number one person in the Underworld up until now had collapsed in that manner.

Therefore, the fact that they formed an organization through a system, rather than forming power by utilizing the Underworld's fundamental nature of survival of the fittest, was something that brought surprise to both the Underworld and the Orthodox faction.

Because of this, the factions of the Underworld Murim that had been watching the Underworld Alliance with a wait-and-see attitude began flocking to Shanxi Province, competing with one another out of anxiety that it would be too late if they delayed.

Of course, the Orthodox sects could not applaud and rejoice at the birth of the Underworld Alliance.

If the Underworld sects rallied together and the Underworld Alliance's sheer size grew, it was obvious that they would attempt to extend their influence over the world just like the Murim Alliance.

To those who were already dreaming of expanding their sect's power, it was the same as a new enemy appearing.

Thus, petitions demanding the subjugation of the Underworld Alliance rained down upon the Murim Alliance.

However, for the Murim Alliance, which had yet to conclude its war with the Blood Cult, the subjugation of the Underworld Alliance was a distant matter.

Moreover, in a situation where they had just signed a peace treaty with the Underworld Alliance for the sake of subjugating the Blood Cult, they were instead careful lest any talk of subjugating the Underworld Alliance leak out.

The Murim Alliance's lukewarm response was delivered as a new message to the various sects.

That they would acknowledge the Underworld Alliance and, at the same time, treat them as future competitors.

Those who were quick to catch on realized that the Underworld Alliance's power was ultimately bound to grow, and they came to the conclusion that they needed to increase their sect's power before the Underworld Alliance could spread its influence.

Due to this, because of the Underworld sects swarming around the Underworld Alliance, as well as the movements of the Orthodox sects trying to maximize their power before the Underworld Alliance could settle, Jianghu boiled with heat despite facing a cold winter.

* * *

"You must be happy. To have such an excellent son."

"..."

Wang Geumsan made a fuss next to Jin Taesan, who had a pale complexion from still being buried under a flood of work.

"I hear the Underworld bastards open the path on their own as long as you raise the Daecheon Merchant Group's flag? Kyah! Just how amazing is that?"

He spoke as if he were genuinely envious, but Jin Taesan's face flushed beet-red.

"The Daecheon Merchant Group won't need to use escort agencies from now on. If the Underworld Alliance's influence grows, what Underworld figure in the world would dare obstruct the Daecheon Merchant Group's path!"

Seeing Jin Taesan—whose face was red as if it would explode at any moment—obstinately focusing on stamping documents with trembling hands, Wang Geumsan thought he was holding it in quite well today.

However, there was no way Wang Geumsan, who finally had a friend he could open up to and tease after a long time, would stop here.

"Ah! Did you hear the news? I heard a new alias has been made for your amazing son."

Flinch.

Even Jin Taesan, who was desperately ignoring Wang Geumsan's words, had no choice but to raise his head when the topic of his son's alias came up.

"An alias?"

How much had that incredibly ominous alias, Black Flame Dragon, bothered him all this time?

Just as The Geum-eun-dong Brothers' alias had changed from the Black Blood Three Dragons to the Iron Wall Three Dragons, Jin Taesan had been hoping that the alias Black Flame Dragon would quickly change to something else.

Wang Geumsan wore a meaningful smile as he looked at Jin Taesan's face, which, despite pretending otherwise, was full of anticipation.

"The thing is..."

Just as Jin Taesan's brow was about to furrow at Wang Geumsan deliberately taking his time.

"It's Black Maitreya. Black Maitreya!"

"!"

... Jin Taesan's entire face crumpled fiercely like a yaksha.

He was so shocked that he absentmindedly dropped his brush, uncaring whether the documents he was reviewing were stained black.

Wang Geumsan even shook his head and let out an exclamation of admiration.

"Kyah! Isn't it amazing? To think a disciple of a Daoist sect received the alias 'Maitreya'."

"D-Don't tease me. There's a limit even to jokes!"

Jin Taesan even started stuttering, but Wang Geumsan had an incredibly excited expression.

"Hard to believe, right? That's why I personally checked with the Beggars' Sect and Haomun."

"... The Beggars' Sect and Haomun...?"

"Yes. Like how such an alias was created, and what the reason behind it was."

Wait, you paid money to those expensive information organizations just to check a single alias?

"Don't be surprised."

Wang Geumsan put on a serious expression as if he were telling a secret.

Jin Taesan felt an indescribable anxiety washing over him...

"They say your son uses 'mind-reading'!"

Fuck, what kind of nonsense is this again?

"Whenever your son's gaze fell upon the Underworld figures of the Underworld Alliance. Those vicious bastards apparently avoided his eyes and bowed their heads on their own. Isn't it truly amazing!"

"..."

"Kuhahahahahaha!"

If it hadn't been for that last laugh, he might have believed the man was genuinely impressed.

Jin Taesan quietly stood up from his seat.

"Please stop."

His voice sank chillingly.

Though he was a Third-Rate, he was still a warrior.

Wang Geumsan forcefully, forcefully suppressed his bursting laughter.

Then, Jin Taesan politely extended his hand toward the door.

"If you are done teasing me, would you please leave now? I have work to do."

Jin Taesan spoke as if it were nothing.

With a stiff expression added to his already gaunt face, the man looked quite terrifying.

"Uh... This is my office as well, though."

"... Then do your work."

"Ahem, ahem..."

In the end, Wang Geumsan sat across from Jin Taesan.

While pretending to work and gauging the mood of Jin Taesan, whose anger had reached the top of his head, he stealthily opened his mouth again.

"May I ask one thing?"

"... Is it about my son?"

Wang Geumsan slowly shook his head.

"No. It's about a different matter."

"Speak."

"Hmm..."

Silence settled around them for a moment.

Wang Geumsan's voice continued.

"How long does the Taiyi Sect plan to continue sealing its gates?"

"..."

Jin Taesan, who had been looking at the documents, turned his head to Wang Geumsan.

Wang Geumsan wiped away the smile from his face, and his expression had somehow turned serious.

"Why do you ask?"

"While gathering the world's information through the Beggars' Sect and Haomun, I also heard something else. Namely, the rise of the Orthodox sects."

"..."

"Rumor has it that they are launching a show of force to expand their power before the Underworld Alliance can settle in."

When the Underworld Alliance did not exist, they only had to mind the Murim Alliance.

However, if the Underworld Alliance appeared and even the Underworld sects spread their power, there was a risk that even the little influence they possessed would diminish.

To prevent this, the Orthodox sects were moving aggressively to increase their sect's influence before the Underworld Alliance could establish branches.

"There's no one who doesn't know that the Daecheon Merchant Group is owned by the Taiyi Sect. There are already places within Anhui Province keeping the Daecheon Merchant Group in check. It won't be long before the merchant group's operations face obstacles."

"I suppose so."

The Iron Sword Sect, the longtime resident of Hefei, and the Namgung Clan, the hegemon of Anhui Province.

Though they maintained close relations with these two places, that was strictly on a level of cooperation.

If an actual armed conflict broke out, it was unknown whether they would step forward.

In addition to this, since there were many who looked disapprovingly at the Taiyi Sect engaging in economic activities while their gates were sealed, the closer the Daecheon Merchant Group grew in power, the closer the crisis approached as well.

Wang Geumsan, who had been studying Jin Taesan's expression, brought up the main point.

"How about slowly opening your gates? It seems the Taiyi Sect also needs to prepare before they reach their hands out to the Daecheon Merchant Group."

Of course, this was not a matter Jin Taesan could decide.

However, as for Wang Geumsan, he merely wanted to somehow point out the direction the Taiyi Sect should take in the current situation.

Jin Taesan, who was lost in thought for a moment, shook his head.

"Though the Taiyi Sect has developed a lot compared to before, it's still not at a level where we can open our gates."

"I suppose so."

Even if they had reclaimed their martial ancestor's martial arts and were earning money through the mine, military power was not something that could be built in a day or two.

They were buying spiritual elixirs and various things helpful for martial arts with the money coming in through the mine and the Daecheon Merchant Group, but they lacked the 'absolute time' to catch up to their competitors.

"As you know, Wangga Manor does not make enemies in either the White Path or the Underworld. Therefore, barring matters of the government, we cannot interfere in the affairs of Jianghu."

"I am aware."

Even if that weren't the case, they had already received so much help from Wangga Manor that they couldn't possibly repay it.

Just looking at now, despite it being a situation where Wangga Manor couldn't step forward, wasn't he worrying about it first as if it were his own problem?

However, Jin Taesan could only shake his head once again.

"Even so, it's not like we can pluck the fruit when the flowers haven't even bloomed yet, can we?"

The time for flowers to bloom and fruit to bear cannot be hastened by human strength.

And right now, the Daecheon Merchant Group absolutely needed time.

"Well, I suppose that's true."

Wang Geumsan, who had been wearing a serious expression, forced a smile.

"Still, don't worry too much. If someone comes picking a fight with the Taiyi Sect and the Daecheon Merchant Group, and it really doesn't work out, we can just pour money into the ronin market and push them back with sheer numbers."

The moment Wang Geumsan's money helped the Daecheon Merchant Group, it would be the same as Wangga Manor stepping into this power struggle.

Just how much loss Wangga Manor would suffer because of this could not even be estimated.

That was why Jin Taesan would never easily ask Wang Geumsan for help.

Nevertheless, a soft smile formed around Jin Taesan's lips.

It was because he could feel the heart of a 'close friend' who cared for him and the Taiyi Sect more genuinely than anyone else.

Jin Taesan politely cupped his fist toward his close friend.

"Thank you. Patriarch Wang."

"Ehey! This guy! Why are you suddenly acting like this between us!"

Wang Geumsan, scratching his cheek as if embarrassed, added with a voice full of certainty.

"Though I said it like this, who would dare look down on the Daecheon Merchant Group?"

"Pardon?"

The Daecheon Merchant Group had grown rapidly, but it wasn't exactly a threatening existence.

The moment Jin Taesan tilted his head in confusion.

"Isn't it the merchant group operated by the sect of the world's Black Maitreya, Jin Sowoon...! Unless they have no fear of his mind-reading, who would dare target the Daecheon Merchant Group..."

CRASH!

"P-Put that down and talk...!"

Wang Geumsan panicked at the sight of Jin Taesan suddenly picking up an inkstone and dashed out of the office.

* * *

"Where did you say you came from?"

At Jin Taesan's question, the man answered arrogantly.

"Sura Sect."

And for a moment, he gauged the mood of Wang Geumsan sitting next to him and added.

"... I said."

The Sura Sect.

It was a sect established when Shaolin's lay disciple, Jang Yeonggi, created his independent martial art, the Sura Fist Technique.

Starting with Jang Yeonggi, subsequent generations had been walking an independent path based on their new martial arts, but recently, they were called a lay sect of the Shaolin Sect and also served the role of the Shaolin Sect's Anhui Province branch.

"For someone from such... a place to be here, what brings you..."

When Jin Taesan trailed off with a bewildered expression, the man immediately brought up his main point.

"I've come because I have a proposal for you."

"A proposal?"

"That's right."

After receiving the Shaolin Sect's backing, the Sura Sect had come to occupy a high rank even among the 108 Peaks.

For such a grand sect to come to the Daecheon Merchant Group, what on earth could their business be?

Jin Taesan, who tilted his head for a moment, said.

"I will hear it for now. Please speak."

"..."

The man from the Sura Sect briefly turned his gaze and looked at Wang Geumsan.

It was a clear expression of his intention that he didn't want an outsider to listen.

Noticing this, Wang Geumsan furrowed his brow.

"Ahem... How unpleasant. There shouldn't be anyone who doesn't know that I, Wang Geumsan, have promised to become sworn brothers and in-laws with Jin Taesan."

Jin Taesan wore a baffled expression.

"... What sworn brothers, and what in-laws?"

"Ahem! You stay quiet. I'll do the talking."

Wang Geumsan didn't stop growling as if he had caught wind of something.

Jin Taesan ultimately sent Wang Geumsan outside.

"Make sure to tell me what this is about later...!"

THUD!

Jin Taesan managed to kick Wang Geumsan out of the office with difficulty.

"I apologize."

"Not at all. I am well aware that Wangga Manor and the Daecheon Merchant Group have a close relationship."

"Hmm... Is that so."

In the space where only the two of them remained.

The man from the Sura Sect stared piercingly at Jin Taesan.

Jin Taesan, who had been pretending it was nothing, opened his mouth first.

"What was it you wanted to discuss?"

"Are you aware that the Sura Sect recently opened a small merchant group?"

Major information on Anhui Province was delivered to Jin Taesan every day through Wang Geumsan.

He had already known this news, but since it wasn't a threatening opponent to the Daecheon Merchant Group or Wangga Manor, which had already firmly established their ground in Anhui Province, he hadn't paid it any mind.

"Yes. I am aware."

"Then this will be quick."

The man nodded as if that were good, and continued his words.

"Our sect is thinking of expanding our merchant group a little. To be of help to the 'Shaolin Sect' in the future, that is."

The man distinctly mentioned the 'Shaolin Sect,' emphasizing it.

Jin Taesan found it inexplicably bothersome, but quietly waited for the man's next words.

"However, whether it's because the people of our sect simply have no talent for business, we are experiencing difficulties in running the merchant group."

"Hmm..."

"Thus, we came up with another method."

The office where Wang Geumsan had disappeared from.

The man from the Sura Sect, looking around once, spat out with an expression that bordered on arrogance.

"The Sura Sect would like to buy the Daecheon Merchant Group."

"..."