Chapter 49
After the pleasant greetings concluded, Munseok Ajae asked me.
“I told you to visit once you’d settled down, but I didn’t expect you to come so soon. But...?”
“But?”
“The person hanging on your back is...”
“Ah.”
Now that we’ve arrived, I should untie her.
I set Somyung down on the floor and introduced her.
“Say hello. This baggage here is Yoo Somyung of the Shanxi Yu Clan.”
“Hmm...”
I had expected Munseok Ajae to be quite surprised to see me carrying a Rising Star of a Prestigious Family on my back, but he didn’t seem surprised at all.
No, he looked like he already knew.
“What? Do you two know each other?”
...I met her once before leaving Sichuan. This humble Mun (Mun) greets the Young Lady of the Prestigious Family again.”
As Munseok performed a Cupped Fist Salute and bowed his head, Yoo Somyung, now freed from her bonds, reciprocated the courtesy.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
I was a little surprised to see that. I expected Somyung to act this way, but for him to be so polite even to Munseok Ajae, who was from Haomun?
Munseok Ajae, perhaps having been ignored by those Righteous Faction types his whole life, smiled contentedly at Yoo Somyung’s polite demeanor.
This might go better than I thought.
“Young Lady Yu, I have something important to discuss with this Mister, so could you please step out for a moment?”
“...”
I wondered if she would throw a tantrum again and refuse to leave, but fortunately, Somyung nodded and quietly exited.
Seeing this, Munseok asked, puzzled.
“Is something wrong? Is there something you *must* discuss alone...?”
“Before that, Mister, is the Haomun Leader not here?”
I wondered if she was secretly listening from another hidden room, but I couldn’t sense any Qi in this room. At the very least, she wasn’t inside this Inn.
No, if she were even nearby, she would have rushed over to meet me.
“Well... Haomun is quite busy right now...”
“Because of the Tang Family?”
“That’s right.”
The Grand Elder, who could be considered the Second-in-command of the Sichuan Tang Family, died in a Haomun Courtesan House. Although Haomun took various measures, it wouldn’t be able to completely quell the Tang Family’s rage.
“Haomun is currently in a tug-of-war with the Tang Family. We’re threatening to expose the Grand Elder’s misdeeds to the world, and the Tang Family is reaching out with its claws, demanding that the Sect Leader appear in person to discuss it.”
“Hmm... sounds very busy.”
“Busy? That’s an understatement. The Sichuan Branch, one of the places where the most funds were managed, has been shut down, leading to a financial crunch... it’s utterly miserable.”
Ah... really? A financial crunch?
“Then you must need some quick cash, right?”
“Hmm? Well... we do need a lot of money, but it’s not like we’re in a situation where we have to use every last coin we have... Anyway, why the sudden question about quick cash?”
In response to Munseok’s question, I pointed outside, where Yoo Somyung was waiting, and said.
“Mister, I’m sorry, but I’d like you to sell the Shanxi Yu Clan’s items I sold you back to her as quickly as possible.”
“What...?”
Naturally, Munseok immediately looked flustered.
Although I felt a little sorry, I was in a hurry to get Yoo Somyung off my hands. I even proposed a specific price to him.
“I received 200 Gold Gwan when I sold them to you, Mister. So, let’s settle it at 250 Gold Gwan, leaving a reasonable profit for you. It’s a gain for Haomun anyway.”
“Hmm...”
Hearing my words, Munseok’s expression hardened into that of a Merchant, and he continued to ponder. *It would be like that, wouldn’t it?*
From Haomun’s perspective, they probably had no intention of reselling the Shanxi Yu Clan’s items so quickly.
After a bit more time, when the Shanxi Yu Clan’s desperation reached its peak, it could have gotten not just 250 Gold Gwan, but several hundred more.
“While it’s true I personally like you... don’t you think this is an excessive overreach of authority?”
I had expected Munseok Ajae to push back like this.
Munseok indirectly expressed his refusal. But...
“Oh ho.”
“...”
“How dare a mere Branch Leader defy me, who hold the Haomun Leader’s Ring?”
...I had the Absolute Ring.
When I pulled out the Haomun Leader’s Ring along with a paper bearing Haomun’s seal from my pocket, Munseok became speechless.
“Will you just return them, or will you accept 250 Gold Gwan? You decide, Mister.”
“Haa...”
Munseok ran a hand over his face.
“...Even so, 250 Gwan is too little. We should get at least 400 Gwan...”
“400 Gwan is a bit much... You should sell them quickly, or Haomun will incur losses.”
“Why?”
“Well... I already told her that Haomun has the Shanxi Yu Clan’s secret techniques and elixirs.”
“...”
That the daughter of the Shanxi Yu Clan knew that fact meant that the Shanxi Yu Clan would soon know it too.
Munseok Ajae, understanding the implication, cursed out loud.
“You crazy bastard...”
If the Sichuan Tang Family was the Hegemon of Sichuan, then the Shanxi Yu Clan was the Hegemon of Shanxi. Shanxi might not be as developed as Sichuan, but it still naturally had a Haomun Branch.
If the Shanxi Yu Clan found out that Haomun possessed their items, what would they do to Haomun?
...Haha, if the Shanxi Branch doesn’t want to close down like the Sichuan Branch, it should handle it itself.”
“...”
Sorry, Haomun. But you guys have a lot of money anyway.
“Ugh... fine, I understand. We’ll have to sell them then. All of the Shanxi Yu Clan’s items are stored elsewhere, so it will take some time to retrieve them.”
“Alright, that’s settled then. Now, let me tell you my business.”
“...What? You have *more* business?”
“I’ve told you about the Shanxi Yu Clan’s business, so now I should tell you about mine.”
“...”
I didn’t come here just because of Yoo Somyung. I slowly explained my situation to Munseok Ajae.
“Mister, you know I’m currently developing a mountain path in Hunan Province, right?”
“Of course. There’s no bigger topic of conversation in this backwater.”
“If you know, then this will be quicker. While we’re developing the path, we’re also building Pavilions that operate like Inns along the way. But the number of Pavilions is increasing, and we’re severely short-staffed because we’re busy developing the Mountain Path, aren’t we?”
“...So?”
Haomun has many people, but its roots lie in Inns and Courtesan Houses.
That means most skilled Attendants are from Haomun.
“Just pick a few capable Attendants and send them to work at our Pavilions. I feel bad making them work in the mountains, so make sure their salaries are generous.”
I had personally come all this way to solve my labor shortage with Haomun’s help.
When I made my bold demand, Munseok, flustered, retorted.
But...
“No, you’re giving the orders, but why are *we* supposed to handle their wages?”
“Ugh...! The Haomun crown on my index finger is throbbing...!”
“...”
Simply raising my finger and showing the ring was enough to end everything.
“At first, I was glad to see you... but now I can’t stand the sight of you.”
“Sorry, Mister. But...”
Haomun has a lot of money, after all.
*Taking a lot from those who have a lot, and little from those who have little.*
Isn’t that the truth of life?
*Creak.*
After finishing the intimidation... no, the negotiation, I came out to find Yoo Somyung leaning against the wall right next to the door.
I spoke to her as if delivering a verdict.
“250 Gold Gwan. With that, you should be able to get your items back within seven days.”
“2, 250 Gwan?”
“Don’t exaggerate. If it weren’t for me, it would have started at least at 800 Gold Gwan.”
It felt a bit awkward to take credit since none of this would have happened if I hadn’t stolen them, but my words weren’t wrong.
Fundamentally, Haomun is a group with a rather thuggish side.
If it weren’t for me, the Shanxi Yu Clan would have had to pay an unimaginable price to retrieve their items.
“Anyway, pay the price yourself and get your items back. And then, we part ways for good. Let’s not see each other again.”
“...No.”
Yoo Somyung shook her head and looked at me and said.
“You said it yourself that I don’t know the world. Can’t I learn various things by your side?”
“Bullshit.”
A Rising Star of the Righteous Faction learning about the world from a Bandit? That’s truly something that would make the Shanxi Yu Clan Head clutch his neck and collapse.
“I clearly told you to leave once you get your items back. If you don’t, I’ll spank your butt and kick you out.”
“...”
“You know me, right? I’m someone who actually does what I say.”
I spanked her a lot on the way here too.
Leaving behind me Yoo Somyung, who suddenly rubbed her backside as if recalling the pain, I moved to exit the basement.
“Haaam... First, I’m tired, so I’ll sleep today. I couldn’t sleep last night because of someone, so I’m exhausted.”
Even though I acted like a troublemaker, as long as the Absolute Ring was in my hand, I was still Haomun’s biggest patron.
Under Mister Munseok’s guidance, I was able to sleep in the most comfortable Guest Room in Hunan Province, not in this shabby Inn.
Led by my tired body, I fell into a deep sleep, but...
“Hey there! Wake up!”
“Uhm...?”
...Before dawn, I had to wake up to someone’s voice.
“...Munseok Ajae?”
The one who woke me was Munseok. For some reason, he had personally entered the Guest Room where I was sleeping soundly to wake me at this ungodly hour.
“No, I’m tired. Why...”
At this, I grumbled and tried to close my eyes again, but...
“...What’s wrong?”
His expression, different from usual, forced me to sober up.
And then...
And right now it’s information that just came in...
“...”
...Listening to what Munseok Ajae was saying, I froze.
“Haaam...”
Bangsam’s day began early in the morning. This was because merchants using the Mountain Path gathered early.
This is damn annoying. The Leader isn’t here, so I should just slack off.
As he thought that and sat down, he was swarmed by merchants wanting to receive their toll passes.
“Oh, for goodness sake's, why are you so late today?”
“Hey! I was here first! Don’t cut in line!”
As Bangsam watched the chaotic scene, he was about to pull out the stack of toll passes he had brought.
“Oh, come on... don’t fight so much, one at a time... ...!”
Several powerful presences were detected by his senses.
*What is it...?*
He turned his eyes towards the presences and saw men in unified martial attire approaching.
There was no one in the world who didn’t know the identity of those wearing such clothes. As soon as they saw them, even the Merchants who were fighting over their place in line fell silent.
*Swoosh-.*
Bangsam also put down the toll passes he had brought and drew his saber close.
The Subordinates who had come to assist Bangsam saw the Martial Artists approaching and spoke in anxious voices.
“B-Bangsam Hyungnim. Those guys...”
“Don’t panic. You run to the Mountain Stronghold right now and inform the Deputy Leader of the situation.”
“Y-Yes, sir...!”
As soon as he heard that, the Subordinate immediately sprinted towards the Mountain Stronghold. Even seeing this, the approaching Martial Artists took no particular action.
*Are they that confident...?*
And finally, they approached Bangsam and spoke.
“Is this the entrance to that famous Mountain Path everyone’s talking about these days?”
“...That’s right.”
Since he couldn’t ignore their words, Bangsam answered for now.
“Are you also then a Bandit under the Bandit King?”
“I serve someone even more wicked than the Bandit King.”
“Hmm... if that’s the case...”
As if understanding, the Martial Artist nodded and pulled something from his sleeve. Then, he sternly declared to Bangsam.
“I am Wi Sajun, Unit Leader of the Murim Alliance Extermination Unit Dragon Slaying Squad. I have come to exterminate the bandits’ Mountain Stronghold in the name of the Murim Alliance, so surrender now and clear the path.”
“...”
*...So it’s as expected.*
Bangsam sighed and counted the number of Martial Artists.
There were roughly 30 to 40 people. Among them, there was even someone who looked stronger than the Unit Leader Wi Sajun standing in front.
*If I fight... can I win...?*
Bangsam thought that to himself, then let out a wry chuckle.
Thinking he could fight and win against dozens of Murim Alliance Extermination Squad members, since when did he become someone who acts like a proper person?
My heart is pounding in surprise. I want to run away right now.
But I can’t.
No matter what anyone said, he was Rank 3. He had a duty to at least buy time until the Leader arrived.
*Shing-.*
Bangsam drew his saber as a sign of resistance and spoke.
“To hell with the Murim Alliance! If you don’t pay the toll, even the Murim Alliance Leader can’t pass, My Lord.”
“Hmm... then it’s forced execution.”
“Come on, you motherf*ckers.”
In response to Bangsam’s provocation, Wi Sajun also drew his sword.
And then...
*Whoosh-!*
They immediately leaped towards each other.