Chapter 40

As soon as Joo Hwi mentioned the relocation of the Namgung family, Namgung Jangho's brows furrowed deeply.

The Namgung family was not a mere estate but a massive clan that dominated Anhui. How could one so casually talk about relocating such a large family?

However, conflict was inevitable because what Joo Hwi offered was none other than martial arts manuals.

Joo Hwi was a master who had achieved the highest level of the Seven Martial Seats and was now known as the Little Sword God in the martial world, surpassing even his father in martial arts.

Moreover, he was the family's martial arts instructor, where he could freely display his skills.

It would be difficult to find a more perfect master in the entire martial world.

"Namgung, don't get angry and frown like that. Let's think about this calmly. Where did I give the land to the family head? It's none other than Yiripo, Yiripo! Have you never heard of Nanchang Dayirizhao?"

Namgung Jangho had to admit that Yiripo was the largest commercial hub in the vast Poyang Lake.

It was hard to believe that Joo Hwi had given up such prime land.

"Think about it, Namgung. Is the Namgung family making full use of Yiripo? You only have a single estate there. That's because you haven't properly invested human resources!"

"Hmm..."

Joo Hwi's eloquence was unrelenting.

"Imagine if you properly invested human resources and established a martial academy, inn, brothel, tavern, merchant guild, and escort service. How much money would that prime land generate? At least twice as much as Hefei, right?"

"..."

"It's time for the Namgung family to transform from a 'clan' into a 'power.' How long will you play king in Anhui?"

Dang Baewoo, who had been watching the scene, was flabbergasted.

To so casually urge the establishment of a branch!

Was he not considering what would happen when the family declared itself a 'power'?

Such actions were tantamount to declaring that they would step out of the alliance.

The Martial World Alliance would not let this go.

The Namgung family led one of the Five Great Clans.

If some families joined the Namgung family to declare independence from the Martial World Alliance, it would split the orthodox forces into two.

Given that the Namgung family had monopolized the attractive goods of the Jia Family Trade Fair, such a scenario was entirely possible.

It was already known that the Jia Family Trade Fair had an alliance with the secluded and proud Sichuan Tang Family.

Dang Baewoo could no longer stand idly by.

He placed the cold tea brought by his attendant on the table and stood up.

"You... are entertaining a rather dangerous idea. To so casually declare a 'power' in the presence of a Martial World Alliance officer like me."

However, Joo Hwi responded with a natural smile.

"I meant for you to hear it."

"Ha! You meant for me to hear it?"

Joo Hwi nodded with a blank expression.

"Anyway, for the Jia Family Trade Fair to operate in Jiangxi, it's impossible without declaring ourselves a power. It's absurd to think we can take over the land previously managed by the Three Tyrants under the name of a mere family or merchant guild."

His words were true.

But the implications hidden in Joo Hwi's words were extremely dangerous.

"Moreover, if we don't declare ourselves a power, it's obvious that officers like you will keep coming to harass us. It's troublesome, so we must declare ourselves a power."

Dang Baewoo's eyes darkened.

This was what made Dang Baewoo terrifying.

Despite the situation where he could have leaped up and shouted, he never lost his composure.

"The Martial Force is just a single unit made up of the Black Heaven Alliance's ragtag group. Can you really declare and maintain a 'power' with just the newly created Jia Family Martial Stage?"

For Joo Hwi, it was a painful critique.

In fact, the Jia Family Trade Fair was only superficially impressive. Upon closer inspection, there were still many rough spots that made it difficult to declare themselves a power.

"What about the Sichuan Evil Heaven Society, which borders us? You managed to defeat the Black Heaven Alliance because they were unprepared, but now they will relentlessly and effectively target the Jia Family Trade Fair's weaknesses."

At that moment, Joo Hwi's companions all stiffened with dark expressions.

Zhuge Yun had been continuously warning Joo Hui about this.

After the Black Heaven Alliance's downfall, figures suspected to be spies of the Sichuan Evil Heaven Society were found all over Jiangxi.

They likely viewed the now leaderless Jiangxi as an unclaimed territory.

It was only a matter of time before the greedy Sichuan Evil Heaven Society revealed its ambitions.

However, Joo Hui's expression showed no sign of wavering; rather, it appeared relaxed.

"May I speak now?"

"Go ahead."

Joo Hui suddenly looked out the window to the north.

"I will make the most of the 'Sword God' title engraved in my pseudonym. I will hold an annual sword competition, gathering all the sword sects in the martial world, and bestow the title of 'First Sword Sect of the Martial World' to the most outstanding performer, under the authority of the Sword God."

"What...?"

Dang Baewoo was suddenly extremely flustered.

Joo Hui's words were a declaration to bring all the sword sects of the Central Plains under his, the Sword God's, authority and influence.

Dang Baewoo knew very well how terrifying this was.

Joo Hui was imitating the Martial World Alliance, which gathered high-level experts under the overwhelming prestige of the Martial Emperor.

"Hey, listen...!"

"Furthermore, I will give all the sword sects the opportunity to learn the 'Sword Intent' of the Sword God. Each sword school will send their promising young disciples. Then, what will happen to our Jia Family Trade Fair, or rather, Jiangxi?"

The sword sects of the Central Plains would gather like clouds to inherit the legacy of the Sword God.

The more they gain, the more Jiangxi will become the holy land of the Central Plains' sword sects!

Wudang Sword Sect, Huashan Sword Sect, Zhongnan Sword Sect...

All the sects that claim to be sword sects in the Nine Schools would envy the legendary prestige of the Sword God.

The authority of the Sword God in matters of swords was absolute.

Dang Baewoo's face twisted like a demon.

"Are you planning to wage war against the Alliance?"

Joo Hwi's transparent gaze turned to Dang Baewoo.

"What about the justification?"

"Justification?"

Joo Hui chuckled.

"Isn't that right? For the sword sects of the Central Plains, the teachings of the Sword God are a great blessing to the martial world. If the Alliance were to block this, there must be a justification. I can't understand what justification they could have to block it."

"..."

Only then did Dang Baewoo truly realize how Joo Hui had become the hegemon of Anhui and Jiangxi.

He was surrounded by promising young disciples, but he was deeper and more terrifying than anyone Dang Baewoo knew.

He must stop this man.

By force, if necessary!

As if reading Dang Baewoo's thoughts, Joo Hui revealed his previously concealed martial soul.

The oppressive force of his martial soul, akin to being crushed by a massive mountain, enveloped Dang Baewoo.

Instantly, his martial robe was drenched in sweat.

"Ugh!"

Dang Baewoo, trying to resist Joo Hui's martial soul, staggered.

The immense power was beyond imagination!

His inner strength, accumulated over three decades, was instantly depleted, and his mental strength drained like a flood.

Just as he was about to faint,

Joo Hui concealed his martial soul again with a mental barrier, and Dang Baewoo, barely holding onto the table, panted heavily.

"Huff, huff!"

Joo Hui politely bowed to Dang Baewoo.

"I'm sorry. I react to killing intent immediately."

"..."

Dang Baewoo, frozen in despair.

He had momentarily forgotten that the man was among the promising young disciples.

That he was a master of mental maps.

To reveal killing intent in front of a master of absolute martial soul!

After experiencing it firsthand, Dang Baewoo could not calm his shaken heart.

'He's on par with the Alliance Leader!'

No, perhaps even more tyrannical than the Martial Emperor's martial soul.

In the end, Dang Baewoo had to acknowledge that Joo Hui was a man capable of leading a power.

"Forgive me."

Dang Baewoo's sudden bow.

And a heavy salute.

Finally, the powerful leader of the Martial World Alliance recognized Joo Hui as an absolute figure in the martial world.

Joo Hui's eyes gleamed sharply.

A man who so easily lowered himself was more terrifying than one who flew into a rage.

Moreover, he was a surveillance officer with immense power in the Martial World Alliance.

Joo Hui decided not to provoke him further.

"No, I was just curious about the Alliance's stance."

Dang Baewoo, after a long moment of contemplation, finally spoke calmly.

"Please reconsider the unification of sword sects under the name of the Sword God. Such a radical move could cause great chaos in the martial world."

"Hmm."

Joo Hui, after a deep sigh, clasped his hands and seemed to fall into deep thought. Then, with a calm gaze, he looked at Dang Baewoo.

"What would the Alliance offer in return for not provoking the sword sects of the martial world?"

Faced with Joo Hui's bold demand, Dang Baewoo was forced into deep contemplation.

He was continuously pondering what the maximum leverage he could offer with his authority.

When he finally looked at Joo Hui after organizing his thoughts,

He was speechless, as if his thoughts were being read.

"Ah... Do you have something in mind?"

Joo Hui nodded naturally.

"Yes, three things."

"Three...?"

"If you think my demands are unreasonable, you can leave at any time. There's no need to waste energy on a deal that benefits neither of us."

This was a matter of the unification of the martial world's sword sects. The negotiation could not end without a resolution.

"I will listen."

Joo Hui, after a nod, finally spoke.

"First, an absolute alliance between our Jia Family Trade Fair and the Alliance."

An alliance is one thing, but what did he mean by an 'absolute alliance'?

"Please explain clearly."

"An alliance without a set term. It cannot be unilaterally dissolved."

The answer was too abstract.

Dang Baewoo continued with direct, practical questions.

"Is it a simple military alliance, or an alliance where we share life and death?"

"Of course, the latter. A relationship where we face all threats together and share the benefits."

"Share the benefits?"

In fact, the Jia Family Trade Fair, which dominated the commercial sectors of Anhui and Jiangxi, was as powerful as