Book 25 Chapter 6

The Mindset of a Capable Information Broker

— The Sea of Information

Countless rumors drift through the world. True stories, false stories, facts, truths, falsehoods, and so on. Both genuine and fake alike wear the guise of information as they circulate. However, these are still insufficient to be called information. They are akin to scraps of fabric before they are fashioned into clothes. Just as a tailor cuts fabric, stitches, and sews to create clothing, an information broker cuts and connects stories to craft garments of information. Just as clothes sell for more than fabric, stories processed into information fetch a much higher price.

Just as a tailor anticipates the supply and demand of clothes to stitch them, a true information broker should be able to predict the supply and demand of information. Even a story that no one needs yet can become information later if someone comes to require it. Therefore, a capable information broker must collect and process information whose demand is anticipated, keeping it in their unseen money pouch or secret drawer before a buyer appears. The more such stories are accumulated, the more readily they can respond to the requests of numerous clients at any time. This is what is known as custom tailoring.

One step ahead of others!

That is one of the secrets to success, regardless of profession, gender, or era. Keeping pace with others ensures mediocrity. But what if one can go one step ahead of others? They are sure to succeed. This is a success formula that was valid a thousand years ago and will remain valid a thousand years from now. To achieve this, one must always pay attention to and focus on what is unusual, what deviates from the everyday.

This is why countless trivial stories pour in from his eyes and ears scattered across various places, including Ganghorando. Such small stories can be acquired cheaply at any time. To bind and process these trivial, seemingly insignificant stories into usable information and sell it expensively, that is what he, Guisiban (Nine Ears, Ten Eyes) Durui, did as an information broker.

And when he heard that story—sixteen coffins were being moved simultaneously—he felt a thrill he hadn't felt in a long time.

'It's here! It's here! It's here!'

This sensation! This tingling that sharply stimulated the depths of his nostrils was undoubtedly a sensation of 'money to be made.'

'This information! It will make money!'

He had a hunch that a buyer would appear within a short time. If so, he needed to flesh out the story more plausibly and process it to sell it at a higher price. For that, he needed more information.

"This story will definitely make money!"

He would bet on it.

"So, you've finally felt that sense."

His subordinate, Jeonsang, said joyfully. When his superior felt that sense, they had never failed.

"Hahaha! Yes, the god of information has descended! Right here, right now!"

"Shall we cast the net?"

The net meant dispatching eyes and ears.

"Yes. Since it's a big catch, a big net would be good. Issue a general mobilization order. Focus eyes and ears on the port."

"Understood. I will execute it immediately."

"I will go out as well."

"What! You, yourself?"

It was rare for him to move personally.

"Yes, haven't you heard of total mobilization? Of course, I'm included."

As soon as he smelled money, he couldn't stand still.

"Well, shall we start catching the big fish! I'm fishing personally after a long time. I wonder if my skills have rusted?"

But precisely because of that, he had to go to the scene himself.

In the act of perception, the perceiver is paramount. This is because the quality of perception is directly proportional to the amount of knowledge and the quality of wisdom one possesses. In simpler terms, the more you know, the more you can gain. When the amount of information differs, even if what you see and hear is the same, there is a vast difference in the quality of information that can be extracted from it. Therefore, when important matters arose, Durui moved himself.

However, in his excessive focus on the god of information descending right before him, he forgot that another god had descended behind him.

***

Sixteen coffins were loaded onto four boats, divided equally.

The first was bound for Heukcheonmeng.

The second was bound for Jeongcheonmeng.

The third was bound for Cheonmu Hakwan.

And the last, the fourth, was bound for Macheongak.

Four coffins were loaded onto each of the four boats. Two strong men carried each coffin. However, their faces were not clearly visible due to their black hats. But Durui did not identify people by their faces. For the person he sought, a description was unnecessary.

'There!'

Durui rejoiced inwardly. That short, stout body, that waddling gait like a fat goose.

'No doubt. Donwang, that pig!'

He had suspected that Donwang would be involved, given the scale of the operation in Ganghorando.

'What in the world are they moving? Are they smuggling gold?'

He began to rack his brain with the seasoned thinking of a capable information broker. The important thing was to read their intentions. And to understand the meaning of this action. Only then could he get closer to the truth. What a true information broker must sell is precisely that 'truth.' The closer one gets to the truth, the more intense its purity, the higher the value of the information becomes. And a complete truth invariably gleams with a radiance like that of a jewel. He began to rack his brain again to witness that radiance once more.

'The question is, which one is real.'

It was impossible for all of them to be real. Most of the coffins were likely decoys for deception. The real one might be at least a quarter, or perhaps just one out of the sixteen. Of course, whether it's a quarter or just one is not important. What's important is the real item inside.

'What could it be? Treasure, perhaps? Or is that pig trying to move money he's earned elsewhere? If so, it would be a considerable sum…'

He was extremely curious as to what was inside. But he was an information broker, not a thief. Therefore, he couldn't rush in and demand that all the coffin lids be opened immediately. He lacked that capability. Thus, he had to use his intellect. He began to approach one individual who knew the truth more closely. Though his body was old, his movements were still agile. He cautiously approached the short, pig-like Donwang.

'Which boat is Donwang planning to board?'

Donwang had not yet boarded any boat. He was waiting for someone. At that moment, a man in a red robe, wearing a red hat, appeared. His appearance was so sudden. It was as if he had sprung from the ground, because Durui had not seen him walking at all. Durui desperately strained his eyes to observe him, but his face was hidden by his large red hat.

'He's one-armed.'

The right sleeve of the red robe worn by the man in the red robe fluttered loosely in the river breeze. Seeing him arrive, Donwang bowed. It was an extremely polite posture. Durui, who stealthily observed the scene, was shocked.

'That damned pig is bowing? The one who stepped over people's heads as if they were stepping stones? Who is this one-armed man?'

Another sense he possessed as an information broker warned him. Do not go any closer. This person is dangerous. But if he stopped here, the truth would recede further away. From this angle, his face could not be seen. This was the perfect opportunity, as he was not masked. While agonizing over what to do, Durui finally made a decision. To get closer to the truth. He could not resist his instincts as an information broker.

"Please board."

Finally, the man in the red attire boarded the boat. Donwang politely followed him. The destination of that boat was… and his face was…

Just a little closer. Just a little closer.

Durui, who had desperately moved closer, finally saw his face through the blind spot of the hat. To his surprise, it was a face he had seen before.

'That… that… that person…!!'

Why is that person here?

Durui's eyes widened in surprise, and in his shock, he accidentally brushed against a pile of hidden luggage.

Clatter!

'Ah!'

"Who's there?!"

The man in the red robe shouted, looking towards Durui. It was undoubtedly the eyes of a ferocious beast. No, the eyes of a demon.

'If I'm caught, it's over! Not a single bone will be left.'

Splash!

Durui jumped into the water without thinking. The vast waters of Dongting Lake were his most reliable ally.

"Pursue and kill!"

As soon as the order to chase and kill fell from the lips of the man in the red robe, three men in black simultaneously plunged into the water. However, Durui, who had disappeared into the water, was already gone without a trace.

Although it was not widely known due to the secretive nature of information brokers, Durui's most powerful ability was swimming. The fact that he could navigate the waters of Ganghorando as if it were his own backyard was due to this ability to move through water.

"It seems we've lost him."

"I apologize."

Donwang bowed his head with a look of shame.

"It doesn't matter, I have an idea who it is."

Donwang's head shot up.

"Who in the world…"

Remembering his rudeness, Donwang quickly lowered his head again.

"Isn't he remarkably fast? To have already evaded the pursuit of my subordinates. There aren't many who possess such swimming skills. Moreover, among them, there is only one who hastens his own death out of curiosity."

Problems needed to be cleaned up in advance.

"Janpung!"

Then, behind the man in the red attire, a figure in a black mask silently appeared.

"Subordinate, I am here."

The man in the red attire spoke the name of one person and then commanded.

"Go."

At that moment, his shadow disappeared from the deck.

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes, my lord."

The one-armed man in the red robe nodded with a satisfied smile.

"We depart."

Rattle!

The ropes connecting the dock and the boats were simultaneously released, and the boats began to move further away from the island. At a certain distance, the sails were raised, and the four boats spread out in a fan shape towards the wide Dongting Lake.

***

"Are you alright, my dear?"

Bingyuexianzi Ye Qing asked, lowering her twin swords.

"Thanks to you, I'm alive. I almost became a roasted whole."

Na Baekcheon said, brushing off the dust that had settled on his head. His neat attire was now scorched in various places.

"If someone of your stature as the leader of the martial arts alliance becomes roasted whole here, people will laugh."

After putting away her twin swords, Ye Qing began to brush off the dust clinging to his clothes.

"Are you two alright?"

After tidying himself up, he asked Hyoryong, who was lying sprawled on the floor.

"I was burned completely white. All that's left here is simple ash."

Hyoryong, stretched out on the floor like a character '大', panted as he spoke.

"You talk pretty well for someone who's just ash. I never thought there would be a mechanism that could burn everything whole… Not recognizing that was my mistake. I almost sent you all to the afterlife."

Jang Hong, lying on the floor just like Hyoryong, gasped for breath. He seemed extremely apologetic for making such a big mistake at the end after boasting about being an expert.

"You can pay this debt later."

Bilyeon, who had already gotten up and was sitting on the floor, grumbled, running his fingers through his disheveled hair from the explosion.

Smelling the burning fuse, he ran as fast as he could, but he was a step too late. The flames of the Explosive Inferno Formation, which had erupted along with the secret chamber, pursued the backs of the four people with the force of a tidal wave. They found themselves in a race against a storm of fire in a long corridor.

Even masters couldn't withstand such flames. Moreover, with the scorching heat chasing them directly from behind, there was no time to use other means. The waves of crimson flames, surging up like lava along the narrow passage, were terrifying. Though light was visible far above, it seemed they would be consumed by the flames before reaching it. The wave of flames had reached a distance of less than a quarter of a step.

"Everyone, duck!"

Ye Qing's voice was heard at that very moment. She stood at the entrance of the secret passage of the office, which Na Baekcheon had carved out, holding her twin swords, resembling an engetsu sword. A white, frost-like sword energy emanated from her body.

Bingyue Sword

Five Styles

Bingyue Yunmu

Her crossed twin swords scattered brilliant sword light.

A sword energy, imbued with a chilling coldness like a snowstorm, flew past the backs of their half-bent heads.

"Hieek!"

Hyoryong involuntarily gasped at the force.

*Swoosh!*

As they met the storm of cold sword energy head-on, the intensity of the flames lessened, and they were pushed back slightly. Seizing the opportunity to gain distance, the four made a final leap with all their might. In a nail-biting moment, they escaped the secret passage and threw themselves to the floor. Ye Qing also retreated. In the next instant, flames erupted like lava through the entrance. The force cracked the ceiling, and a lot of dirt and dust fell. However, the intensity was momentary, and the flames, upon entering the spacious area, soon subsided. Though covered in dust, the four managed to save their lives. If not for Ye Qing's help, they would have been in much greater trouble.

"Now you have to tell us why we had to run with the flames, right?"

Ye Qing asked, her eyes gleaming like cold stars.

"I'll tell you that later. More importantly, there's something we need to do now."

"What is it?"

"We need to go to the port immediately."