Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Man Gwa-hae
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Gu Il-san.
He was addressed as Great Gu and treated with respect.
It was because he was a wealthy man who owned two three-story taverns and two lavish estates on the busiest street in the merchant district. Last autumn, he had even bought two brothels from the Sky-Spanning Gang leader.
Brothels with courtesans brought in far more money than simple taverns that just sold liquor, so he figured he could recoup the purchase price within a year. After that, it would just be pure profit filling his coffers.
But then he heard that buildings were going up along the avenue right in front of the Iron Lion Sect's main gate. Inns, teahouses, taverns, brothels—all the businesses in the bustling district were lining up to set up shop there.
"You think that's gonna happen overnight? What a load of crap."
He scoffed.
But word was that the one pushing this was none other than the Sky-Spanning Gang leader.
"What the hell? Has that guy lost his mind?"
And that wasn't all. The Iron Lion Sect's name was growing by the day. People were saying the famed merchant district powerhouse had revived, and crowds were flocking to the sect's front gate.
"What is this? You don't think their street might actually boom?"
A chill ran down his spine. If the prosperity handed down through generations shifted to the avenue in front of the Iron Lion Sect, a man like him with taverns and brothels would go completely bankrupt.
"The Iron Lion Sect is dead set on strangling us all!"
Gu Il-san gathered the street's merchants. Even calling in everyone who ran businesses, he barely scraped together ten people. They all operated multiple shops.
"We won't get anywhere with this many...!"
Gu Il-san rounded up every street vendor as well.
"If the bustling district moves over there, we'll all starve!"
His argument won them over. The vendors led the charge, railing against the Iron Lion Sect. And there were plenty of them—at a glance, over thirty.
"Don't forget! If we stick together, they can't touch us! No martial sect can ignore local sentiment! Got it?"
They shouted their agreement, faces fierce with the desperation of men fighting for their livelihoods.
"Good! Let's go!"
Gu Il-san marched toward the Iron Lion Sect with over forty merchants and vendors from the bustling district, bold as brass.
Yi Yeol never slacked on his training. He wolfed down his lunch and bolted straight to the training grounds. But not even half an incense stick's worth of time had passed before an interrupter appeared—none other than Little Sparrow.
"Shouldn't you be training? What's brought you here?"
"This isn't the time for training."
"What?"
"A whole crowd's gathered, making a huge racket."
"Who?"
"Folks from the city with shops. A ton of them."
"What for? What do they have to do with us?"
"No idea. Anyway, Great Senior Brother's not here."
"Master's here."
"Master's not great at dealing with regular folks like that."
It was true. He could stand tall before mighty warriors, but he wasn't one to raise his voice against ordinary people.
"I'm no good at that stuff either."
"I know. That's why I'm heading to Senior Sister Byeon Ryeo-gun."
"Ah, she'll handle it well."
"What kind of nonsense is that!"
"...?"
"I might not step forward, but I can stand by her side and lend some strength!"
"Ah!"
"Now that you get it, let's hurry."
"Right."
Yi Yeol sheathed his sword and followed Little Sparrow. Outside the training grounds, Byeon Ryeo-gun was waiting.
"Juniors short on hands? I'll step in so you don't lose face."
Yi Yeol scratched the back of his head, conveying his apologies.
"No need. Everyone has their strengths. Let's go."
"Yes."
As the two started walking, Little Sparrow slipped right between them with a grin.
"Heehee! This is exciting."
"Exciting?"
"We've never done something like this together."
"...!"
"...?"
"Think about it. Great Senior Brother always handles everything, and we just train. I won't argue if you're bored of training, but it's true we've done nothing for sect affairs. Right?"
Yi Yeol couldn't refute her. He nodded, reflecting that maybe he'd been too focused on training. Noticing his thoughts, Byeon Ryeo-gun spoke up.
"Little Sparrow's right. We really haven't done much. But Little Sparrow."
"Yes?"
"We're martial artists, and the sect is a martial clan. Nothing matters more than getting stronger. In the jianghu, survival comes first."
"You're right."
Little Sparrow nodded in understanding. Yi Yeol did too. Byeon Ryeo-gun trusted the sharp pair to judge wisely.
By then, they neared the guest hall. As they approached the doors, Man Gwa-hae's firm voice boomed out.
"Where's the law that allows this? Are you telling us all to starve?"
Gu Il-san had veins bulging in his neck.
"Exactly! No matter how rich you are, setting up massive businesses right in front of the Iron Lion Sect will ruin the street we've built over decades of effort!"
"If business ethics aren't dead in this land, you can't do that!"
"Right! You should've consulted us at least!"
"If you're going to expand like this, you should've given us a chance to join! That's mutual prosperity!"
They had come prepared, unleashing a barrage at Sa Jung-gyeong without restraint.
When Sa Jung-gyeong first arrived at the hall, he'd been startled to see Man Gwa-hae at his side. To city merchants, the Sky-Spanning Gang—a black path faction—was far scarier than any orthodox sect. But with Man Gwa-hae staying silent, they grew bolder, venting freely.
"Is that all you have to say?"
Sa Jung-gyeong asked.
"Did you even listen? What more needs saying?"
"Right! What do you plan to do about this!"
"Mutual prosperity? Mutual ruin? Which way will it be?"
The merchants railed again. With over forty voices, even one word each filled the hall with clamor.
Once their tirade died down, Sa Jung-gyeong nodded as if understanding.
"I've heard you all clearly. As for the sect's stance on this, our guest here, Gang Leader Man, will explain. Gang Leader Man, if you would."
The merchants' faces hardened at Sa Jung-gyeong's words. They'd feared why the Sky-Spanning Gang leader was there—and sure enough, it seemed he'd chase them out with force. But livelihoods were at stake. They couldn't fight, but they had to speak.
"Trying to dodge responsibility?"
"Since when is Gang Leader Man the Iron Lion Sect's spokesman!"
"Let the sect leader speak!"
Their protests fell flat. Man Gwa-hae stepped forward boldly, as if on purpose. The merchants quieted, eyeing him warily.
Man Gwa-hae scanned the room. And he began pulling out the solution he'd pondered since hearing a horde of bustling district merchants was inbound.
"You there! And you, over there, and you! You're all street vendors, right?"
"Yes!"
"It's our livelihoods at stake!"
"We'll defend this street with Great Gu, no matter what!"
"Hear, hear!"
"Withdraw your businesses now!"
"Withdraw if you don't want us dead!"
They shouted in excitement. Man Gwa-hae waited for the noise to subside. Once it did, he met their eyes squarely and spoke.
"As you saw on the way, a plaza will go right in front of the sect gate. Bigger than now, with big trees planted for summer shade. Benches for anyone to sit and watch the sect. Grass for kids to play, flower beds for women to admire."
"Hmph! Planning to kill us off with that?"
Gu Il-san snorted. The merchants stirred again. Man Gwa-hae cut in swiftly before it escalated.
"And what's needed there? Street vendors. Candies kids love, accessories women adore, snacks to fill empty stomachs. Every vendor here fits perfectly."
The vendors' eyes went wide. They'd thought they were being targeted, but if he meant that...
"Hmph! Don't fall for sweet talk trying to divide us! Stick together!"
Gu Il-san scoffed at Man Gwa-hae and rallied the vendors. They nodded, trying to ignore him.
"You vendors get by fine because we don't charge stall fees, right?"
Their faces stiffened instantly.
"Showing your true colors? So what? Kill us all? Same difference either way. Kill me first if you dare!"
Gu Il-san stepped up, bellowing. Sky-Spanning Gang or not, Man Gwa-hae was invisible to him in his fury. Especially after buying those brothels from him.
"The Iron Lion Sect! Young Master Do of the Iron Lion Sect! He said no stall fees for you!"
Man Gwa-hae's shout refocused the vendors. He faced them with a resolute expression.
"The Sky-Spanning Gang will never charge stall fees. That's Young Master Do's will. Same for businesses before the sect. He said not to proceed if it harms you. That's why I suggested bringing all you vendors. It'll be better for you. Who'd dare charge stall fees to vendors in front of the Iron Lion Sect? That's why Young Master Do approved."
Man Gwa-hae paused, then hardened his face sternly. Just that shifted him back to the old, ruthless Sky-Spanning Gang leader.
"Business is business. The sect offers vendors a path to mutual prosperity. Take it or not—your choice. Know that and go."
The vendors panicked, milling uncertainly.
"Don't fall for it! They'll wash their hands of it later!"
Gu Il-san yelled. His fellow district bigwigs joined, trying to pull the vendors their way.
Then Sa Jung-gyeong boomed louder.
"Are you insulting the Iron Lion Sect, claiming we'll speak with forked tongues?"
"That's how it looks!"
"Great Gu!"
"What?"
"Say it again. We don't brawl with the martial-unwise, but we won't tolerate sect insults. I'll prove it right here!"
Sa Jung-gyeong's face was icy. He usually wore a friendly smile, but when angered, he exuded a tiger's ferocity.
"If I've overstepped, I apologize."
Gu Il-san backed down.
"We must discern right from wrong. But insulting and slandering helps no one."
Gu Il-san fell silent. Sa Jung-gyeong turned to the vendors.
"As sect leader, I promise: vendors may trade freely before the sect!"
His declaration captured the wavering vendors instantly. What surer guarantee than the Iron Lion Sect leader's word?
The vendors ignored Gu Il-san, murmuring. With this, they had no grievance. Man Gwa-hae let the mood shift, then spoke as it solidified.
"Later, we'll discuss stall placements and host you at the sect. Speak freely then. And as you saw, construction's far from done. Don't waste time—go sell."
Man Gwa-hae said politely.
"Really?"
"Can we trust it?"
Vendors needed final assurance, glancing between him and Sa Jung-gyeong. Just then, desperate Gu Il-san shouted.
"Trust what? You just want them gone! Go then! But no vending in front of my shops anymore. If that's fine, leave."
He threatened them.
Vendors who knew how he'd ousted those who'd crossed him paled, eyeing him fearfully.
Man Gwa-hae stepped up again.
"From this moment, the Sky-Spanning Gang watches over you vendors. Harm one, and see how we rule the merchant district's underworld."
He countered the threat with one of his own. Gu Il-san's impotence and Man Gwa-hae's dominance were clear.
"Go home. Any future issues, come to me. If I can't fix it, the sect will."
Man Gwa-hae said courteously to the vendors. Gu Il-san said nothing more. Relieved, the vendors filed out.
With vendors gone, the hall felt empty. Only eight remained, including Gu Il-san.
Man Gwa-hae eyed them. Unlike their bold arrival, they wouldn't meet his gaze. He turned to Gu Il-san.
"Great Gu thinks I'm a con man, huh?"
"You sold those brothels at a suspicious time."
"Buy 'em back from me then."
"...!"
"Price'll be lower, of course."
"How much?"
"Ten percent off. Agree, and I'll write the contract now."
"Do it."
Man Gwa-hae showed no hesitation. He drafted the sales contract with the hall's ready ink and brush, then eyed Gu Il-san.
"Last chance? Proceed per this contract?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Man Gwa-hae handed it over. Gu Il-san snatched it, tucking it deep in his robes with relief. Man Gwa-hae smirked faintly, then swept his gaze over the others and unleashed harsh criticism.
"What shameless folks! When you started businesses here, did any of you consult the sect even once? While you and your forebears fattened up generation after generation on that street, did even one come to discuss with the sect? Join? You offered the sect a chance to join? Mutual prosperity? Yours means hogging profits among yourselves when times are good, then swarming here whining when bad."
The merchants wilted. Man Gwa-hae continued scanning them.
"Before lecturing on business ethics, do you know loyalty? Loyalty's the human bond people ought to uphold. Thanks to Young Master Do, I reformed and studied sect history. This merchant district might as well have been founded by the Iron Lions. Before you tamed that street, the sect built the city itself. When the sect declined, did any of you reach out with aid? Any forebear?"
Man Gwa-hae looked around. No one raised a hand. None dared proclaim it. He bellowed coldly.
"Reform doesn't erase filthy habits overnight. If it were me, I'd have booted you all. But our sect leader practices that mutual prosperity you preached more than anyone."
A strange mood settled; they watched lips sealed. Man Gwa-hae noted merchants' quick wits, paused, then spoke.
"Depending on you, the current district won't fully collapse. Foot traffic may dip, but not enough to panic like this."
"How?"
Gu Il-san asked incredulously. Man Gwa-hae ignored him.
"Running brothels taught me: young folks shun taverns and brothels old timers use. They want to mingle with peers. I thought of splitting mine—youth one side, elders the other. Never did; business was fine without hassle."
They pondered. As merchants, they grasped his point fast. Man Gwa-hae let them stew a bit, then resumed.
"The sect-front street will serve all ages by day. But at night, under moon and stars, it'll draw young men and women. We'll survey what they like and tailor it. Taverns, brothels—all youth-friendly. Great Chu, your clothier's popular with youth. Great Sang, your butcher too. Shops like yours will fill it. Unless you refuse, then the sect opens them."
"You'll accept us?"
Chu Yang-man asked, stunned.
"Yes."
Chu Yang-man and Sang Je-jeong exchanged joyful glances.
"So two districts?"
Baek Sang-im, with tavern and brewhouse, asked.
"Precisely."
"Foot traffic splits, profits drop both sides?"
"Want to monopolize?"
"Not that, but..."
"Dongting Lake routes opened; trade booms. Money flows, merchants multiply—people too. Once Iron Lion Sect rises in the world, more will come. Already happening; your taverns, brothels, inns see rising income lately."
They nodded. Spring had visibly boosted earnings.
"Your job now: keep elders coming to the old district. Landowners, build houses. Sell or rent cheap to workers flocking for coin. They'll be your customers."
Their eyes widened. They'd come expecting ruin; this was opportunity lost at peril.
"Understood? Go. Once buildings done, sect keeps a few; rest auctioned publicly. But repeat today or badmouth the sect, and I'll show you what money-burning means."
"We were rash. Had you said this sooner..."
"Mutual prosperity means together. Need anything? Even trifles—I'll drop everything."
"Heavens! Let them go. Can't hold busy folks."
"Ah, right. Off you go."
Merchants flipped attitudes, bowed to Sa Jung-gyeong and Man Gwa-hae, and left. As they ebbed like tide, Sa Jung-gyeong sighed deeply.
"Well done. No need to yield, but these district notables had me stumped. You resolved it cleanly."
"Thank you."
Man Gwa-hae bowed.
"Advising house-building? Brilliant. How'd you think of that?"
"They're used to waiting for customers. Speaking of: huge chance for them. If I were one, I'd urge buying derelict buildings everywhere. Fix 'em up, clean streets with hires. Lure slash-and-burn folk here, line up jobs."
"...!"
"Dongting to Yangtze opens; more laborers needed. More laborers mean booming clothes, food, lodging. More jobs there too."
"Ha! Truly impressed. Amazing."
"Just talk. Near idealistic."
"No. Fully feasible. Excellent. Why not share sooner?"
"Sect Leader."
"Speak."
"You must lead the merchant district ahead."
"...!"
"Embrace not just jianghu, but merchants."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Your idea?"
"Leaders gather underlings' wills, choose, command."
"Ha!"
As Sa Jung-gyeong eyed the bowing Man Gwa-hae, rethinking Do Cheon's eye for people outshone his own, Yi Yeol, Byeon Ryeo-gun, and Little Sparrow entered.
"What's this?"
Yeop Mun-wi asked.
"Came to help, but overheard outside—sounded great."
Little Sparrow beamed at Man Gwa-hae, impressed anew. He was pleased but couldn't smile. Cold-faced Yi Yeol stood beside her. Neither forgot last autumn: using Iron Mountain, only for Yi Yeol to interfere, leading to his capture and torment at the Sky-Spanning Gang.
Man Gwa-hae approached Yi Yeol and bowed. Debts must be faced to lance wounds.
Crack!
A sudden thud.
Man Gwa-hae crumpled, head ringing with agony.
"What are you doing!"
Sa Jung-gyeong roared. Man Gwa-hae tried rising, head spinning. Then a hand grabbed his, pulling him up.
"...!"
Shaking off daze, he saw Yi Yeol had helped him. Yi Yeol turned wordlessly, bowed to Sa Jung-gyeong.
"Sorry. Old knots must untie for new ones."
As Sa Jung-gyeong frowned, Man Gwa-hae bowed to Yi Yeol.
"Thank you. Since Young Master Yi forgives for new ties, this one vows utmost propriety, no stain on the sect."
Past wrongs can't vanish. Man Gwa-hae sought no erasure. If this punch eased his old sins a bit, like his true new life's start, it sufficed.