Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Dongting Lake's Waterway
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The grounds of the Iron Lion Sect were vast. Many of the grand halls stood empty.
The Celestial Insight Maiden Byeon Ryeo-gun, Spear Freak Ga Gyeom-chang, and over fifty warriors from the Great Righteous Alliance had been assigned an entire massive three-story hall.
"Is it because he's the prime suspect that we're staying here?"
Ga Gyeom-chang asked.
Veterans and the sharp-minded all knew the answer already, had even predicted it, yet they still asked. It was to gauge the other's capabilities and true intentions through their response.
"It's just a hunch for now, but something like that. And since no other suspects have emerged, we're using this chance to thoroughly investigate the White Sword Sect incident as well. I hope I haven't made a mistake?"
"As if. You're doing splendidly, Pavilion Leader. I was only asking as your deputy to see if there was anything I needed to know."
Ga Gyeom-chang smiled faintly.
"It was a sudden decision amid unexpected circumstances, and this sect's great disciple doesn't seem ordinary. I'm sorry I couldn't get your approval first, Deputy."
Byeon Ryeo-gun apologized, and Ga Gyeom-chang hurriedly waved it off.
"No need for that. You are the Pavilion Leader. It's your place to judge and decide. As deputy, my role is to assist your judgments and swiftly carry out your decisions. That's why I asked if there was anything I needed to know."
One must apologize and seek permission in moderation. Excess in anything invites suspicion of hidden motives. Since Byeon Ryeo-gun herself wasn't a close aide to the Great Righteous Alliance Leader Yi Jo-yang, the deputy surely was, so she had to create an atmosphere of full transparency.
"I'm convinced he's the man I saw in the western capital. What do you think, Deputy?"
"It's plenty suspicious. No ordinary martial art could produce such growth in just three years."
"...!"
Byeon Ryeo-gun looked as if she'd been struck. Ga Gyeom-chang asked, puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
"I feel foolish. I'd thought he was hiding a great deal."
"And he's not?"
"No. He's revealed something truly crucial. As you said, no ordinary martial art could make someone this strong in just three years."
"So he deliberately exposed himself?"
"We'll have to find out. If he did it on purpose, there must be a reason. Uncover that, and we might get him to talk."
"How do we investigate?"
"By learning his personality in detail and piecing together how the clash with the White Sword Sect unfolded. That'll confirm if our guesses are right."
"Indeed. Staying here was an excellent choice. Those closest to him—his fellow disciples—will know him best."
Ga Gyeom-chang nodded.
"Yes. I need to meet his juniors."
Information on the Iron Lion Sect's disciples flashed rapidly through Byeon Ryeo-gun's mind.
Steward Seo Hwa-pyeong came to see Do Cheon.
"There's one issue."
"Issue?"
"Yes. The warriors from the Great Righteous Alliance number over fifty. The sect's kitchen can't handle meals for that many right now."
The kitchen lacked the manpower.
"Ah! I hadn't thought of that! What should we do?"
"We could hire kitchen help, solving the immediate problem. But once the Alliance members leave, we'd have extra hands. So either buy meals from an inn or hire temporary cooks for their stay."
"Steward."
"Yes."
"I plan to make the Iron Lion Sect a place where a thousand warriors reside year-round. It's just fifty for now, so don't worry about costs—hire as many as needed. But they must be as satisfactory as the ones you brought last time."
"It'll take five days."
"Then hire temporaries for those five days?"
"I'll do that."
"Things will get busier from now on, so don't try handling it all alone. Find a sub-steward."
"I'm managing for now."
The steward bowed and withdrew.
Do Cheon watched his retreating figure briefly before heading to the sect leader's quarters—not to meet his master, but to check up close on the progress of his meditation.
"By today, he should be reaching the fourth circulation..."
Clear Dawn Escort Agency.
Yeo Song-hae, who handled the agency's external affairs, rushed to see the Escort Leader.
"Brother, big trouble."
He burst into the leader's office shouting that, startling Escort Leader Yeo Mun-rak, who looked up in alarm.
"Big trouble?"
"Dongting Lake's waterway has opened."
"What?"
Yeo Mun-rak jumped in shock.
If Yeo Song-hae's words were true, their years-long scheme would come to nothing.
"Who the hell?"
"The Yoo Merchant Group."
"What power does the Yoo Merchant Group have to pressure the Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold?"
"I haven't dug that far, but the merchant circles are buzzing that the Yoo Merchant Group has opened the lake's waterway."
"Is it certain?"
"If even the Elder Merchant is moving, doesn't that make it certain?"
"Damn it!"
Hearing that the Elder Merchant, who controlled some forty percent of the money flow near Jangsa in Hunan Province, was involved, Yeo Mun-rak shoved back his chair and stood abruptly.
"Let's go."
"Where to?"
"To the Yoo Merchant Group, of course!"
"Ah! Right!"
The two hurried to the Yoo Merchant Group.
An hour later, at the Yoo Merchant Group.
The group head himself came out to greet the Clear Dawn Escort Leader.
"What brings you in such busy times?"
"That's disappointing."
Yoo Jang-hae let out a light laugh at Yeo Mun-rak's words.
"You've come about Dongting Lake."
"Yes. Exactly. To hear about your group's business from someone else's mouth? I'm truly disappointed."
"Hahaha! Don't be too upset. We were weighing when to announce it publicly, but word must have leaked. Besides, Second Son is handling it all. If it were me or the eldest, I'd have informed you in advance."
"Not the eldest nephew?"
"Can't let the second just play around. Chance came his way, so he's in charge. We're just watching how he does—gave him an office in the family compound and haven't interfered at all."
Yoo Jang-hae spoke with a continuous smile.
He artfully mixed lies and truth, concealing just enough and revealing just enough to make it seem like he was overseeing a grand scheme.
"Escort Leader Yeo."
"Yes."
"As I said, to test the second son's capabilities, we've stayed completely hands-off. So don't go through me—meet him directly."
"Even so..."
Yeo Mun-rak showed disappointment.
At his expression, Yoo Jang-hae rose from his seat.
"Considering our long ties, I'll arrange for you to see the second son right now. Talk it over with him yourself."
Yeo Mun-rak's face lit up at Yoo Jang-hae's words.
Quite a crowd of merchants had already gathered before Yoo Geon's office. Rumors had spread even before the official announcement of the waterway's opening—Yoo Jang-hae had leaked them himself. Though he claimed no involvement, the venture promised huge future gains, so he was closely watching reactions from merchants and the local trade circles. So far, signs pointed to a massive success.
"Group Head Yoo, how long do you intend to keep this up? You've strung us along enough—now speak plainly!"
"Indeed. Excess in anything brings trouble."
"Right! It doesn't make sense that the Yoo Merchant Group isn't leading this!"
The merchants clamored one after another.
This very outburst proved the Yoo Merchant Group's influence, filling Yoo Jang-hae's face with a generous smile.
"I've told you time and again: I've entrusted it entirely to the second son. Yet you haven't even met him?"
"He said wait a moment, and it's already been half an hour."
"No matter how vital Dongting Lake's waterway is, how is meeting him harder than seeing you? Isn't this too much disregard?"
"Exactly. It means the waterway only gains value if we use it!"
Irritated by the wait, their faces flushed red and purple.
"Calm down. I promised no interference, but leaving you waiting like this isn't right. I'll have him show his face at once."
As Yoo Jang-hae spoke, they nodded and quelled their anger.
Yoo Jang-hae approached Yoo Geon's office, Yeo Mun-rak close behind.
"Father."
After announcing himself, Yoo Jang-hae opened the door.
The office scene came into view through the wide-open door.
There sat Yoo Geon, furiously scribbling something at his desk.
"Please wait a moment."
Yoo Geon said without even looking up. As he strode in, Yoo Jang-hae's brow furrowed.
"You brat, with guests waiting outside—what are you doing?!"
Yoo Jang-hae bellowed. But Yoo Geon kept scribbling as if he hadn't heard.
"Hey!"
Yoo Jang-hae bellowed again, and only then did Yoo Geon set down his brush. He picked up a stack of tough paper for posters.
"It's cramped here—everyone, out."
Before Yoo Jang-hae could rage further, Yoo Geon grabbed over twenty sheets of pre-prepared poster paper along with his latest one and headed for the door.
"What exactly were you doing? What's that?"
"I'll explain outside."
With Yoo Geon's unhesitating words, Yoo Jang-hae could only follow silently.
They all stepped out.
"Sorry to keep you waiting so long. I know it's rude, but I thought my personal seal on detailed terms would mean more than ten vague words that could change anytime. Please forgive me."
Yoo Geon bowed briefly, then held up his last-written sheet high for all to see. It detailed the precise usage fees for the Dongting Lake waterway.
Fees were meticulously divided by cargo volume and passenger numbers, startling the merchants' eyes wide.
"Prices may vary slightly by cargo type, but this is the baseline. As you see, my seal is at the bottom—effectively an official announcement. Take one each."
At Yoo Geon's words, they surged forward eagerly.
"I've prepared enough for everyone, so no need to rush."
A bit of room opened up.
Yoo Geon handed one to each reaching hand.
"Having this paper won't get you special treatment, so take it and show your close associates too."
Those eyeing extras coughed awkwardly and backed off. The brief commotion settled.
"These rates are already quite cheap—do you really intend to stick to them?"
One merchant asked.
They all looked up at Yoo Geon, faces amazed. Nearly half the cost of land routes.
"As you've guessed, we plan thin margins, high volume. To keep using it affordably long-term, spread the word to your networks and bring more users."
The merchants were half-doubting, but some nodded soon after.
"Well, if everyone here just brings five each, we've got our base volume."
"True, but why are we the ones promoting?"
"At these rates, why not?"
"Fair point."
Quick calculators, they saw through Yoo Geon's intent instantly. But no reason to take offense—the biggest winners were themselves, using the waterway.
"With your seal, no backing out now!"
One merchant declared. They all eyed Yoo Jang-hae and Yoo Geon alternately for confirmation. Even if Yoo Geon handled it, it was still the Yoo Merchant Group's affair in their minds—unaware of Do Cheon.
Yoo Jang-hae, frowning at the far cheaper rates than expected, missed the mood shift. In that gap, Yoo Geon spoke.
"If I refused my seal, you wouldn't stand for it, right? Waterways matter because users like you exist. Only when our interests align—yours and ours with the route—does mutual prosperity follow."
Better than the merchants hoped.
They were satisfied enough. But one major issue remained.
"What of the Dongting Lake bandits? Has their chief really changed, agreeing to open the waterway?"
They could tell how the rumors started. Too sensitive for even Escort Leader Yeo Mun-rak to ask Yoo Jang-hae lightly.
'How did they manage it? Did the Waterway Stronghold's chief really change?'
Yeo Mun-rak watched Yoo Geon curiously, expecting more leaks from the less seasoned youth than the wily Yoo Jang-hae.
"Where is this? The Yoo Merchant Group. That answers it."
On the Waterway Stronghold, he stayed silent—but the waterway opened under their name, so judge for yourselves.
Yeo Mun-rak was disappointed, but most merchants content. A Yoo Merchant Group venture couldn't be fake. What did they care if the stronghold's chief changed? Safe, cheap access sufficed.
"We'll announce the official start date widely, so go prepare to use the waterway."
At Yoo Geon's words, they departed with bright faces. But a few lingered with more to say. One approached.
A sharp-eyed middle-aged man.
He glared at Yoo Geon, then abruptly turned to Yoo Jang-hae.
"Dongting Lake's waterway—Jangsa's long-cherished dream, suddenly open like this. Who'd have thought."
"In life, someone always leads."
Yoo Jang-hae's demeanor toward the man was notably cautious. He was the spokesman for the Elder Merchant, gripping forty percent of local funds.
"The Elder feels struck from behind. Know why?"
"Hmm."
"You knew it was his long-held wish."
"You called it everyone's dream yourself."
"Was it yours too?"
"For a long time."
"I see."
The man nodded.
But his lip curled slightly. A sneer.
Yoo Jang-hae felt foreboding.
"Has the Elder made his move?"
He had to ask. The Elder's vast funds could crush anyone in Jangsa.
"Already has. If you don't want to lose everything, come see him at once."
Yoo Jang-hae's face hardened gravely.
But right then—
"You're mistaken about something."
Yoo Geon interjected.
The man didn't even turn. Yoo Geon continued undeterred.
"The Dongting Lake waterway isn't the Yoo Merchant Group's. I'm just stationed here overseeing it. Threaten me if you must. Even if the Elder pours his entire fortune, it won't reverse this."
Only then did the man turn to face Yoo Geon.
Now eye-to-eye, Yoo Geon smiled—the same mocking sneer the man had shown.
'The Elder Merchant couldn't open Dongting Lake's waterway despite his wealth—not because of the Waterway Stronghold. Short-sightedness. Obsessed with this small lake, he missed the big picture. Cheon-i and I are different. We're aiming to swallow something far greater!'