Episode 421
“It’s been a while. Lord of the top.”
“I don’t know how long it’s been since Ist saw you face to face like this.”
“sorry. “I should havee to see you sooner.”
“There is no need to apologize. “Is there anyone who doesn’t know that you are both public and private?”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
The reception room in the temporary base of Cheonan Gambu.
The identity of the friendly face sitting across from me across the table was Hwayang Sangdanju.
It seemed that he came to the headquarters in person because he had something to discuss with the leader regarding the delivery of supplies.
“How is your son doing?”
“of course. “We are probably conducting interviews with prospective members right now.”
“I don’t really feel it. It seems like only yesterday that I was begging to learn martial arts, but now I am in a position to evaluate other martial artists. “When did my immature son grow up this much?”
“Now, he is an indispensable talent for the Cheonan Inspectorate. “I’m telling you this in case you misunderstand, but I’m not saying this because it’s in front of the head of the business.”
“Isn’t that just making things sound too nice to listen to?”
“Do you think I made Hua Xiaohyeop my deputy for no reason? It’s true.”
“Enough. “It’s so burdensome that I can’t bear it.”
Contrary to what he said, his expression was not one of disgust.
Danju, a member of arge business, was just like an ordinary person when he was happy when his children were praised.
“Besides, I have a few things to tell you.”
“Please speak.”
“First, the Gangsoak family haspleted its internal reorganization and officially started its activities.”
“It’s faster than I thought.”
I looked slightly surprised.
Although the Yue Family had absorbed the foundation of the Sima Family, I thought it would take some time to utilize it properly.
First of all, it will take a considerable amount of time just to build a building for the Gasols to live in.
“It has no choice but to be fast. “Because we recycled everything that Samasega had previously used.”
“Did you?”
“As he receives full support from argepany, he could be greedy, but he thoroughly considers practicality.”
A faint smile appeared on the corner of Hwayang Sangdanju’s mouth.
As the Sima family was closer to a martial arts family than a martial arts family, the family’s premises must have felt small for a musician.
Due to the nature of the sound technique, severalrge practice halls may be needed.
‘More than anything, you probably want to quickly erase any traces of the Sima family.’
Nevertheless, the tendency of the owner of the Ak family could be guessed from the fact that he did not bring up any stories rted to renovation, extension, or expansion.
“It’s probably about rifying priorities. “I think he may have decided that following your advice is more important than focusing on appearances and such.”
“advice?”
“You don’t remember? That’s what the evil family man said. He said that it is important to first blend into the lives of local residents and receive their recognition.”
I nodded awkwardly, scratching my cheek with my index finger.
When I thought about it carefully, it seemed like he had said something like that.
I felt somewhat embarrassed.
The owner of Hwayang Sangdan, who quenched his thirst with tea, continued talking.
“When the rumor spread that Cheonan Gambu was recruiting new members, there was a lot of talk about it within the music family. “There was an uproar over whether it would be a good idea to select a few of the family’s main warriors and send them there.”
“…….”
“But when news spread that the Taesang family had decided to join the Cheonan Inspector General, that im was swept under the rug and he disappeared.”
I burst outughing.
It was only natural that a single sound demon had greater power than all the musicians of the music familybined.
“The second thing I want to say is a continuation of what I just said.”
“Is it rted to recruiting members?”
“I see. There are people who hope to join the Cheonan Kambu. “He asked to speak to you in private.”
“It means that there are people who have made a request to the owner of the merchant.”
“I see. “I’m sure they are people you know well.”
“It doesn’t feel that good. “If you want to join, you can apply as usual.”
“I guess you didn’t ask me for a favor because you weren’t confident you could pass the test. “I guarantee that.”
“I’m curious because the Lord of the Sangdan says that. “Who on earth are you?”
“Geomhu (劍后) of Botaam (普陀庵).”
“…!”
“And the Master of Huagon of the Guangdong Jin family.”
As I lifted the teacup to my mouth, I froze.
I couldn’t believe it even after hearing the story.
Both of them were members of the delegation that went to the Beast Pce with me.
He was a famous master in Zhejiang and Guangdong who had reached the peak of Hwajing and Guangdong, respectively.
In particr, in the case of Geomhu, he was the strongest among the strong, ranked at the top of the 100 great masters.
The best person in Zhejiang and the best sword among women.
These were all adjectives given to her.
“Is that true?”
“Do you think it’s a joke?”
“The Lord of the Sangdan would never make a joke like that to me.”
If you think about it, Botaam has had a good rtionship with Hwayang Sangdan for a long time.
To be precise, the Hwayang Sangdan is pouring a considerable amount of money into Botaam in the name of donations, so their rtionship was bound to be close.
Didn’t Hwadaerang himself improve his internal energy by sharing the Heavenly Dan from Botaam?
It wasn’t that strange that Geomhu sent a message to me through Hwayang Sangdanju.
‘on the other side.’
It was a little surprising that the Great Master of Hwagon contacted me through Hwayang Sangdan.
Doesn’t this mean that there is a point of contact between Hwayang Sangdan and Jinga?
“They are both warriors who represent the region. “I think he asked me for a favor because he thought that applying normally would attract too much attention.”
“understand. “Are you two in Honam now?”
“Maybe so. “I said that if you refuse, I n to take the test officially.”
“Do you have any way to contact them?”
“I told you to use an inn owned by Hwayang Merchants when you arrive in Honam. “I guess I can meet you when Ie to you.”
“If you do, please tell me the story. There is no need to take an entrance exam. “I will set a time soon ande visit you in person.”
“I will do it.”
“But how did youe to know the Great Lord of Hwagon? “Guangdong is probably an area outside of Huayang Sangdan’s influence.”
“Who said that? “The Huayang Sangdan’s influence does not reach Guangdong.”
“yes?”
“Hwayang Sangdan’s business scale continues to grow. More than you think. As for the Great Master of Hwagon… it is difficult to go into detail, but I will just say that I met him when I visited the Jin family for official reasons.”
“…….”
I had nothing to say.
It seems that while I was promoted to a key position in the Murim Alliance and was running towards my goal, I was not just sitting idle as the Hwayang Sangdan.
Well, what would be difficult in a situation where the entire foundation of the Geumryong Trading Company was absorbed and a material supply contract was signed with the Murim Alliance?
‘If this continues, I don’t know if it will swallow up the entiremercial district of Jungwon.’
I once again realized that the man in front of me was the leader of the grand prize.
I was fortunate to have such a great person on the same side.
“And thest thing I want to tell you is that there is an elder who would like to contact you secretly.”
“Is it a right way to rule?”
“You guessed right. “At the moment, there is no one who is in such a difficult situation.”
Ho Jeong-kwon, an elder from the Kunlun faction.
He lost the foundation of his power due to the copse of his monastic order due to demonic religion, and managed to make aeback with financial support from the Hwayang Sangdan.
However, this time, as the Senate and I came into conflict, he found himself in a very difficult situation.
In order to continue to receive support from Hwayang Sangdan, you have to maintain a friendly rtionship with me, but that is no longer possible.
‘I thought it was time to make some contact.’
How a thirsty person digs a well.
In the end, the one who was disappointed was bound to bow his head.
The reason why Ho Jeong-kwon wanted to meet with me in secret was not to attract public attention, but to avoid the gaze of fellow elders.
‘Everything is going ording to n.’
Invading the Senate and rioting under the pretext of punishing the spiritual seal was by no means an impromptu act.
The only reason was the spiritual stamp.
The n itself has been in the works for a long time.
In order to take away the position held by vested interests, there is a need to ovee the high wall they have erected.
The Hojeongwon was one of the paving stones prepared for use after the rtionship with the Senate had soured.
‘The easiest way to win a siege is to nt ganja that will open the door inside the castle.’
Even though they were at odds with me for the benefit of the group, the Senate was ultimately a coalition.
There wasn’t enough unity for everyone to unite and fight against me.
Because each elder’s position and situation is different.
There was a gap there.
“Please tell me I will refuse.”
“Are you not nning on meeting me?”
“Of course I n to meet you. But now is not the time. You have to work hard. “Until the opponent bes desperate.”
“I understand what you mean. “I sometimes think about it, but it would have been better if you had been a businessman instead of a martial artist.”
“I decline. “If that’s the case, wouldn’t we have topete with the merchant lord?”
“Is that how it works?”
The owner of Hwayang Sangdan tilted his head andughed.
As I was leisurely drinking my tea, I naturally changed the topic.
“Now that we have met, there is one thing I would like to ask of the Lord of the Sangsan.”
“Tell me.”
“It’s not a big deal, but I think I’ll make a big donation this time.”
“You suddenly want to donate?”
“As the war against the Demonic Cult prolongs, aren’t the martial arts sects and families in the areas adjacent to the front lines suffering? “I would like to donate funds as a way of congratting them on their hard work.”
“It would cost a lot of money.”
“Of course, I have no intention of covering the entire amount with my own expenses.”
“if?”
“Please raise donations by selling my name. “If you put a message asking for strength to the heroes of Moorim, there will be a certain amount of response.”
“I understand. “It’s not that difficult.”
The owner of Hwayang Sangdan answered lightly and put the tea cup down on the table.
I couldn’t feel so reassured by him saying that he would grant me a favor before even revealing his purpose.
“It’s not a difficult task, and I can say that because I am the owner of the top. “I can’t ask anyone else to do this.”
“You’re putting gold on my face. Anyway, is it okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Even if we collect donations, the money we have to spend separately will not be small. Still, if you want to set the amount to a level where you can show some condescension.”
“it’s okay. I think I’ve said something simr before, but for me money is a means, not a goal. You should use it when necessary. “It’s not something I will take with me to the afterlife when I die.”
“As someone who leads the top, it is difficult for me to sympathize with that way of thinking. So, may I ask why you are asking this?”
“It’s simple.”
I picked up the kettle and poured tea into the empty ss.
As he fiddled with the steaming cup, the curiosity on Hwayang Sangdanju’s face grew even deeper.
“Just because you have a falling out with the elders, there is no need to have a falling out with their monks.”
“……Right.”
The owner of Hwayang Sangdan smiled meaningfully and nodded.
A warm breeze came through the window and blew through the living room.