Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: It Won't Take Long
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Two days had passed.
Thud thud thud!
Someone was pounding on the front gate.
"Wh-who is it?"
Iron Mountain scratched his belly as he went out to check.
He had snuck out near the gate to peek around, hoping to dodge his eldest senior brother's watchful eyes. If not for that, he wouldn't have even known someone had come calling. The grounds of the Iron Lion Sect were that vast.
"If you're here sellin' somethin', just turn around and go!"
Iron Mountain swung open the front gate, figuring it was probably some passing peddler clueless about how dirt-poor the Iron Lion Sect was.
There stood about ten burly men, four of them carrying a palanquin. And perched atop it was Sky-Spanning Gang Leader Man Gwa-hae, grinning from ear to ear.
The moment Iron Mountain spotted Man Gwa-hae, he freaked out and bolted back inside.
"Eldest senior brother! They've come to attack! The Sky-Spanning Gang! Eldest senior broooother!"
"No! No, it's not like that! Iron Mountain, young master! That's not it at all! Don't misunderstand! Iron Mountain, young master!"
Iron Mountain's panicked flight and Man Gwa-hae's desperate cries that it was absolutely not an attack shook the Iron Lion Sect's morning.
The commotion drew everyone out in a rush. Well, everyone amounted to Yi Yeol, Little Sparrow, Young Ki, and Yeop Mun-wi. Neither Do Cheon nor Sect Leader Sa Jung-gyeong made an appearance.
Sa Jung-gyeong had such faith in his disciple Do Cheon that he didn't even bother looking out. Do Cheon, hearing the shouts of "Sky-Spanning Gang," had his suspicions and came out yawning, taking his sweet time.
Man Gwa-hae hadn't set even a single foot past the front gate. Iron Mountain, who had been shocked and terrified at the sight, now just stared blankly. Yi Yeol stepped forward and asked,
"What do you want?"
"I have business to report to Do Cheon, young master."
Man Gwa-hae was grinning like a fool.
Riding in the palanquin, his legs broken and wrapped tight in white cloth, he cut anything but an intimidating figure for storming the Iron Lion Sect.
"Come in."
Yi Yeol opened the front gate.
The creaky hinges squealed as it swung wide, and the palanquin bearers stepped inside.
"You lot wait out here."
As the ten or so burly men started to follow the palanquin in, Man Gwa-hae quickly shouted to stop them. Then he flashed a grin at Yi Yeol and Iron Mountain.
Iron Mountain was the one who ended up feeling awkward.
"Damn it, if that's the case, just say so from the start."
"Y-yes. My apologies."
Only then, as Man Gwa-hae was bowing and scraping from his palanquin, did Do Cheon finally show himself.
"Even Martial Uncle came out?"
"Iron Mountain was kickin' up such a fuss, how could I not be startled?"
"This is nothing for Martial Uncle to worry about. Even if something like this happens again, just leave it to us and pretend you didn't hear a thing. Rest easy."
"You sure I can trust you?"
"Don't complain later that you didn't have time—focus on mastering the Immortal Command instead."
Do Cheon said with a smile, and Yeop Mun-wi nodded before heading back inside.
"Little Sparrow, Young Ki—you two go inside too."
Little Sparrow led Young Ki away.
Only now did Do Cheon turn his gaze to Man Gwa-hae.
"Do I need to look up at you?"
"You idiots, put me down! Now!"
Man Gwa-hae yelped in panic, and the bearers lowered the palanquin. He stretched out his broken legs and bowed low at the waist.
"I came to report to you, Do young master."
"Fine. Speak."
"We've received a thousand taels of gold from the White Sword Sect. And I've gathered signed pledges from every merchant in Trading Town promising to pay protection fees directly. As for the White Sword Sect, since you left no other instructions, I passed on that they'd just keep a low profile and stay quiet."
Man Gwa-hae offered the documents with both hands, politely.
At the mention of a thousand taels of gold, Iron Mountain's eyes went wide as saucers. He darted forward and snatched the papers.
"Whoa! So this is a gold certificate! A thousand... taels of gold!"
Man Gwa-hae glanced at Iron Mountain's excited waving of the certificate, then bowed to Do Cheon again.
"I've liquidated all my assets and deposited them at the Golden Flower Money House. It's about a hundred thousand taels in gold. I put it in your name, young master, so you can withdraw up to that amount anytime by visiting them."
"A hundred... a hundred thousand taels!"
Iron Mountain yelped again in shock.
"If I'd had more time, I could've squeezed out another twenty thousand, but I had to rush it. As for the two brothels, it'll take a bit longer. They're expensive properties, so finding buyers isn't easy."
Man Gwa-hae groveled as he explained.
Do Cheon watched him steadily, then chuckled.
"Movin' quick on your own saved your neck."
"...!"
"Give those pledges back to the merchants. The Iron Lion Sect never took protection money. They donated it themselves to repay a favor."
With that, Do Cheon held out his hand to Iron Mountain.
Iron Mountain's hand instinctively shot behind his back, hiding the papers, while his feet and eyes edged away from Do Cheon.
"Nice weather today. Guess I should help prep breakfast."
As Iron Mountain's feet started moving faster,
Smack!
A spark flew from the top of Iron Mountain's head.
"Ow! You could've just told me, why hit me, you jerk!"
Iron Mountain rubbed his head furiously, protesting.
Do Cheon's angry glare met his eyes.
"Here you go, eldest senior brother."
Iron Mountain quickly offered the certificate with both hands.
"Words represent you too. Low-class talk makes you low-class."
"Y-yes, sir."
Iron Mountain meekly replied.
Ever since the White Sword Sect incident, Do Cheon scared him even more.
Do Cheon took the certificate from Iron Mountain and handed it to Man Gwa-hae.
"Get me some people."
"What kind?"
"Folks to handle the kitchens and chores here at the Iron Lion Sect. And someone to oversee them."
"Understood. Leave it to me."
Man Gwa-hae bowed deeply—no need to spell out the details.
"You're dismissed."
"Um."
"More to say?"
"What should I do with the Sky-Spanning Gang...?"
"How many men under you?"
"About three hundred."
A hefty number. They were barely a cut above street thugs, but kicking that many to the curb might just see them band together elsewhere and cause trouble.
"You said two brothels left?"
"Yes. Haven't sold those yet."
"Can you hold out with those?"
"Young master."
"What?"
"There are five brothels in Trading Town alone. Even excluding the ones under me, that's three more. Plus two gambling dens beyond the ones I ran. And pleasure houses with courtesans—all funneling massive cash straight to the White Sword Sect. If you permit it, I can step up, clean house on all of them, and route the proceeds to you."
"Plannin' to spill some blood?"
"No need. The White Sword Sect knelt—your word alone will suffice."
"Do it then. Keep the Sky-Spanning Gang legit, and don't do anything that'll draw fingers pointin' our way. We're not righteous sect folk, but we ain't unorthodox either. Got it?"
"Yes, sir. I'll handle it smartly."
"Good. Go."
"Thank you for sparing me."
"Yeah, play it smart, and you'll live to see your black hair turn white as roots."
"My deepest gratitude."
Man Gwa-hae bowed once more.
As he withdrew, Iron Mountain approached with his mouth agape.
"Eldest senior brother, we're rich! Filthy rich! Second senior brother, you hear? We're loaded!"
"Not us. Me."
"...!"
Iron Mountain looked like he'd been slapped.
"Was I wrong?"
"Well..."
Iron Mountain blinked, speechless.
Do Cheon turned away laughing, but only Yi Yeol caught the smile.
Yoo Geon.
Second son of the Yoo Merchant Group head, but shunned as the black sheep because his mother was a courtesan. Even grown, he idled away with nothing to show for it, so the guards looked down on him constantly.
As a child, his father hid his existence to bury the shame. By his teens, Yoo Geon hid himself, leaving him isolated.
But Yoo Geon had one friend.
Back when he endlessly lamented his lot, he met him by chance at a rundown tavern on the outskirts, drowning sorrows in drink.
That friend came looking for Yoo Geon after three years.
"You been well?"
"...!"
Yoo Geon, skeptical even at the news, gaped in shock but couldn't speak.
"Forgot how to talk while I was gone?"
"You really came back?"
"Yeah."
"You said if you couldn't conquer the Yangtze, you wouldn't come back to the Iron Lion Sect—or seek me out."
"I did."
"You're really here for me now?"
"Yeah."
"For real?"
"Yeah. I came because I'm confident I can keep that promise we made."
Yoo Geon's one true friend, Do Cheon, smiled faintly.
Staring at the smile, Yoo Geon puffed out his chest and straightened his back.
"Dongting Lake?"
"I'll see the family head first."
"You're really doing this?"
"If you get me in to see him, it starts."
"Let's go."
No need for more catching up. Their reunion was promised three years ago—this was it. Yoo Geon led Do Cheon to the Yoo Merchant Group head.
"He says wait."
The door to the family head's office loomed before them. But even that, Yoo Geon couldn't cross.
"Guest inside?"
"No."
No guest, yet told to wait? It meant no time wasted on Yoo Geon.
Yoo Geon wasn't disappointed.
Being treated like a person would be the real shock.
Yoo Geon stepped forward.
"It's Geon. I've brought the one chance I can offer Father—the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you'll regret forever if you pass it up."
He said it and waited.
No response from within. Still he waited. Three years he'd endured; what was a moment? But moments became half a geng, then a full one.
No reply after a geng meant no interest in seeing him.
Do Cheon waited too.
It was Yoo Geon's call, his choice.
Yoo Geon's choice wasn't to turn away.
Bang!
"No, you can't!"
The guard at the door had no time to stop him.
Yoo Geon flung the door open and strode in.
"What do you think you're doing!"
A roar echoed.
But not from the family head.
It came from a man in his early thirties.
Yoo Jung-gang!
The eldest son of the Yoo Merchant Group roared.
Normally, Yoo Geon would've shrunk back in silence, but not now. Ignoring Yoo Jung-gang, he marched straight to the family head.
"Drag him out this instant!"
As Yoo Jung-gang bellowed, the door guard tried to enter. But Do Cheon blocked the entrance.
Pushing him aside did nothing—he wouldn't budge.
By then, Yoo Geon stood before the family head.
"You can use Dongting Lake's waterways."
"Enough nonsense—get out!"
Yoo Jung-gang shouted again. But Yoo Geon's words piqued the family head's interest.
Using Dongting Lake's waterways from Trading Town to Yiyang was the dream of every savvy merchant there.
Trading Town to Yiyang was just half a day to a full day by land. But even that short haul needed horses, carts, and porters—costs that weren't cheap.
Ships could halve those fees. And from Yiyang, linking to the Yangtze proper meant savings ballooned with longer hauls.
"Explain in detail."
The family head looked up, eyes icy. Nonsense, and he'd pay dearly. Yoo Geon met the gaze, then stepped aside. The family head's face twisted in disappointment. But only briefly—then he spotted Do Cheon.
As Yoo Geon moved, Do Cheon approached.
Yoo Jung-gang blocked his path. With a sturdy build and martial training, he cut an imposing figure.
"Step aside."
Yoo Jung-gang obeyed the family head.
Do Cheon stood beside Yoo Geon and cut straight to it.
"What'll you pay to open Dongting Lake's waterways?"
"You own Dongting Lake?"
"Not yet."
The family head's face soured at Do Cheon's reply.
Right then.
"Ten percent."
"...!"
Yoo Geon spoke, and the family head scowled, ready to snap.
"No tolls. Instead, ten percent of the cargo value for waterway use."
Do Cheon clarified. But the family head balked.
"Ten percent's too steep, isn't it?"
"Merchants wanting Dongting Lake's waterways will come straight to the Yoo Merchant Group first. Only this friend here can grant permission. That's an irreplaceable edge for you. Right?"
The family head had to nod.
Having to visit the Yoo Merchant Group for waterway access? That alone was a bargaining chip beyond price—a power usable anywhere.
"Ten percent's fair then. But you're missing the key piece."
"That's what I'm off to get now."
Meaning he'd conquer Dongting Lake right away.
"We'll wait."
"It won't take long."
With that, Do Cheon turned to leave.
As Do Cheon headed out, Yoo Geon bowed to his father.
"Forgive my rudeness."
The family head said nothing.
Yoo Geon straightened and turned. Yoo Jung-gang spoke up.
"You eyeing the Yoo Merchant Group?"
"If I were, I'd have competed with you since childhood."
"So you never even thought to compete?"
"No interest in small fry."
"Dongting Lake bigger than the main house?"
"Dongting Lake's just the start. We'll rule the Yangtze."
"...!"
With that, Yoo Geon followed Do Cheon out.
Yoo Jung-gang could only watch in stunned silence. So could the family head.
Outside, Do Cheon and Yoo Geon walked side by side.
"The wheels are turning."
"They won't stop till the Yangtze's end."
Do Cheon picked up Yoo Geon's words.
Yoo Geon stared hard at Do Cheon.
"Don't know what you did these three years, but I didn't idle either. Investigated the merchant groups using Dongting Lake now—and the ones that'll use the Yangtze later."
"Good work."
"You too."
"Need cash? Don't beg your old man—hit the Golden Flower Money House. Drop my name; you can borrow tens of thousands in gold."
"Got it."
Yoo Geon didn't ask where the money came from. Figured Do Cheon made it happen, somehow, anywhere. In his eyes, Do Cheon was worth more than a million taels.
The pair stopped at the Yoo Merchant Group's front gate.
"Go on. Got a mountain of work now—I'm swamped."
"Yeah, danger's mine, busywork's yours."
Do Cheon nodded, clapped Yoo Geon's shoulder, and walked off. Yoo Geon watched him go for a long while before turning away.