Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Small Greed, Great Loss
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Sky-Spanning Gang.
"Young Master Do has arrived."
At the news that Do Cheon had come, Man Gwa-hae came scrambling out barefoot. His other leg must have healed up quite a bit too, since he was limping but still moving at a decent clip.
"Goodness! Why didn't you send word ahead that you were coming?"
The moment he spotted Do Cheon entering the front courtyard of the main hall, Man Gwa-hae started bowing and scraping.
Do Cheon narrowed his eyes and said,
"Why so jumpy? Were you up to something shady behind my back?"
"You came without notice, so I got worried something might be wrong. Shady dealings? My loyalty is steadfast, through and through."
"Your leg looks a lot better."
"Yes. If I take care for another ten days or so, it should be fully healed."
"Don't come running out barefoot next time I show up. And lose some weight."
"Understood. Please, come on in."
"No need. I came because there's something for you to do, Gang Leader Man."
"Just say the word."
"I want you to spread some rumors."
"Rumors?"
"Yeah. Spread the word that the Iron Lion Sect has recovered the Iron Lions' signature martial arts."
"...!"
"Why the shock?"
"It's just... I can't believe it's true. After you gave me a piece of your mind, Young Master Do, I did some research on the Iron Lion Sect. They were absolutely legendary back in the day. How could I not be surprised to hear you've reclaimed their lost arts?"
"Is that why you're so loyal to me? Because you think I've recovered the predecessors' techniques?"
"I couldn't deny that if I tried. But please don't doubt my loyalty. From now on, it's you and the Iron Lion Sect for me, and nothing else."
"Good. Keep it up, and we'll go far together."
"No worries there. I'll spread the rumors perfectly."
"One condition: make sure no one traces it back to the Sky-Spanning Gang. People might come sniffing around if they suspect the source."
"I'm touched that you're looking out for me too."
"I'm just being lazy."
"Even so."
"One more thing."
"Yes?"
"Those buildings on the main street in front of the sect."
"Yes."
"Buy up all the land and buildings there."
"Ah!"
"You catch on quick."
"It's obvious that'll become the flashiest commercial district around."
"Exactly. That's the plan. Got the funds?"
"It'll be tight."
"Go to the Golden Flower Money House and say I sent you—they'll lend you what you need. If that's not enough, liquidate the remaining brothels and gambling dens. You know business better than I do, so handle it."
"Just leave it to me. I've already got a clear picture in my head of how to pull it off."
"Good. It's yours—go wild. And seeing how you handled that merchant elder last time, the Sky-Spanning Gang has its uses. Keep it running, but trim the fat. Don't discard the excess; once you've bought up that main street, create suitable jobs there and assign them. They'll serve as our eyes and ears."
"Ah! Got it."
Man Gwa-hae looked impressed. Seeing how Do Cheon made practical use of black道 riffraff without looking down on them made the Iron Lion Sect's future seem bright indeed.
"How's the Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold doing?"
"Not great. The stronghold leader took a sword strike, and several subordinates lost arms—it's like a funeral home in there."
"How's the leader?"
"A master like him? It's his spirit that's wounded more than his body. I saw him this morning, and he seemed pretty down."
"Guess I should pay a visit."
"That's what I think too."
Do Cheon nodded, then stared straight at Man Gwa-hae before dropping one last line and turning to leave.
"Having you around, Gang Leader Man, feels like a godsend."
Do Cheon strode off briskly.
Man Gwa-hae bowed deeply, his face beaming with smiles.
Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold.
Just as Man Gwa-hae said, the place was like a house in mourning. Aside from the bandit guiding Do Cheon, no one even glanced his way—they were all sprawled about like defeated soldiers.
Do Cheon frowned and headed straight for Stronghold Leader Gwak Hyu's quarters.
The Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold had several waterside houses built from planks and logs along the Dongting Lake shore. The sturdiest and highest one was the leader's residence.
As Do Cheon entered, he saw Gwak Hyu.
He looked fine on the outside.
The sword wound was wrapped in cloth and covered by his tunic, so it wasn't visible. His complexion wasn't particularly bad either. But one thing stood out.
His eyes.
They were nothing like when they'd met before. These were the eyes of a man who had lost much.
"Young Master Do, you've come."
Do Cheon nodded and sat in the nearest spot. Gwak Hyu watched him, then rose from his seat and moved to sit across from him.
"I told you the leader's seat stays the leader's."
"You did, but it doesn't feel right anymore."
"The man I need is a master who can handle the Baekri Clan single-handedly."
"...?"
"Within a year or two, the Baekri Clan's front yard—Poyang Lake—will need someone to manage it."
"...!"
"Why so surprised? You think I can't take down the Baekri Clan?"
"...!"
"I can't promise exactly when—one year, maybe two—but I'll have the Yangtze in my grasp by then. When that happens, the waterways of Dongting and Poyang Lakes will be worth several times more. Tell me: are you going to hole up in Dongting Lake forever, or join me in ruling the Yangtze?"
Gwak Hyu's eyes widened to their limit. It was ambition beyond his wildest dreams.
"If you keep sitting there like that, I'll take it as a no."
With that, Do Cheon rose and walked out.
Whatever Gwak Hyu decided was up to him, but Do Cheon wasn't bluffing—he needed men like him. Bandits had their own world, and beyond peak experts to conquer the world with, he needed mid-tier masters to guard and watch the waterways.
"What are you all doing! The world's not over yet! Bring the booze! We'll drink hard today, and starting tomorrow, we'll play even bigger!"
Gwak Hyu's booming roar came from behind. Do Cheon smiled at the vigorous voice.
Clang!
The door burst open as someone barged in. Yoo Geon didn't even look up.
"What is it this time?"
"Did you know?"
The intruder—Yoo Geon's father and head of the Yoo Merchant Group—asked.
"Know what?"
"That the Iron Lion Sect has recovered the Iron Lions' signature martial arts."
"Is that so?"
"You didn't know?"
"I suspected when Cheon-i visited the temple. No one hands out peerless techniques lightly, and you don't just stumble into ultimate arts without some fateful connection."
"They say he laid low the Heaven-Rending Legion. The guy got careless in a rematch and they fought evenly."
Only then did Yoo Geon look up.
"Even with the Heaven-Rending Legion? That's disappointing."
"What?"
"I told you—we're not interested in the small stuff."
"The Yangtze...!"
"Exactly. We're aiming to seize the Yangtze. We'll clash with countless masters along the way, and even after, we'll fight to hold it."
"No matter how great the King of Yangtze Waterways is, can he compare to the Heaven-Rending Legion?"
"Have they ever fought?"
"Not that I know of."
"Why hasn't the Heaven-Rending Legion eyed the Yangtze?"
"Well..."
"If it were easy pickings, it'd be gone already."
"Ruling the Yangtze puts you in position to eye the world. There's a reason it hasn't changed hands in decades."
"And yet you're set on taking it?"
"I told him: come find me when he's confident facing the world."
"That means...?"
"Think of that guy. But never speak his name. If he falls, we all do."
"Ah!"
His father Yoo Jang-hae seemed to get it. Yoo Geon sat up fully.
"Father, care to go for a real score?"
"A score? What's the play?"
"Poyang Lake."
"Poyang Lake?"
"Yes. Once Dongting gets rolling, we need Poyang's waterways."
"...!"
"Not interested?"
"Poyang is the Baekri Clan's turf."
"Who says? That it's theirs?"
"Everyone knows the Baekri Clan controls Poyang's waterways."
"Exactly—they control it, but don't own it."
"...?"
"Dongting was under the Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold until recently. But who opens those routes and makes the money?"
"...!"
"If you want to run Poyang's waterways, buy up their ships. As many as possible. Once we have the vessels, we'll handle the rest."
Yoo Geon knew who "we" meant, and Yoo Jang-hae's ears perked up.
Clear Dawn Escort Agency.
"Brother, big trouble!"
Yeo Song-hae burst in yelling. It was the agency leader's office, so even he didn't usually barge in like this—must be serious.
"What on earth?"
Yeo Mun-rak's head snapped up.
"Rumors are flying that the Iron Lion Sect recovered the Iron Lions' signature arts."
"What?"
Yeo Mun-rak shot to his feet.
As a descendant of the Clear Dawn House, which knew the Iron Lion Sect's past glory better than anyone, he couldn't help but be stunned.
"They say the technique Do Cheon learned is the Iron Lion King's Thunderclap Fist. Two days ago, he crossed blades evenly with the Heaven-Rending Legion. Word is the guy even underestimated him early on, took a hit, and went down."
"Is... is that really true?"
"Seems legit. The Sky-Spanning Gang mess, White Sword Sect hiding things, pulling out of Dongting Lake—it all fits."
"It does."
"Do Cheon must've handed it to us bad."
Yeo Mun-rak's eyes widened.
Recalling recent events through Yeo Song-hae's lens, the pieces clicked perfectly. His brother had likely pieced it together too.
"Unbelievable! The Iron Lion King's arts!"
Yeo Mun-rak groaned and slumped back down, like a man who'd lost a priceless treasure.
"Brother, this isn't the time to mope."
"Th-then what do we do?"
"Cancel the White Sword Sect marriage first."
"What?"
"Think about it—does it make sense they'd hush up a thrashing from Do Cheon and still push the wedding brazenly?"
"W-well."
"Use your head. With the Thunderclap Fist, even the Baekri Clan couldn't budge."
"Thunderclap Fist! If it's real, it's beyond Baekri—world-shaking. You're sure it's the Thunderclap Fist?"
"Rumors say his punches echoed with thunder. Not a common technique."
"True."
"What'll you do?"
"Ah, the marriage?"
"Brother, snap out of it. That guy's a dragon—a dragon. While he's sweet on Su-a, we push hard. Swallow a bit of shame, and the Clear Dawn Escort Agency could rise from mid-tier to the world's top."
"World's top escort agency..."
Yeo Mun-rak shoved back his chair and stood.
"I'm off to White Sword Sect. You head to Iron Lion Sect. Now!"
"Got it."
The two rushed off to their destinations.
Iron Lion Sect.
At news of Yeo Song-hae from Clear Dawn Escort Agency, Iron Mountain was first on the scene. Charging like an angry bull, he flung open the guest hall doors. Yeo Song-hae jumped and turned.
"Ah, you startled me!"
"I told you—when heaven and earth flip, remember this day. It'll be fun."
Iron Mountain grinned wickedly.
"Why talk like that? Forget grudges, honor old ties, right?"
"What ties?"
"Everyone knows Clear Dawn House was the Iron Lion Sect's longtime vassal."
"That's ancient history."
"Clear Dawn House didn't vanish."
"You lot looked at us worse than enemies."
"Listen."
"Shut it. I know why you're here with that face—fat chance. Go home."
"Heh, it's not that simple between Su-a and young Cheon-i, is it?"
"Nephew? You bastard!"
"Hey now."
"Ah! I'm still too weak! Sorry about that. If a punk like me causes a scene and you strike back, with big senior brother's temper, Clear Dawn Escort Agency's done for. So just leave."
"Who said anything about striking? Let me see the sect leader before I go—tell him I'm here."
"Damn! You came because of the rumors?"
"I did."
"And you still want the master? He's been in closed-door training on Thunderclap Fist since big senior brother returned."
"Thunderclap Fist..."
"Heh heh! Yup, Thunderclap Fist. Sounds good, huh? Our big senior brother—that sly fox—already matches the Heaven-Rending Legion. Second senior brother's mastering the Ghost Sword Emperor's Nine Ghost Swords from the old second Iron Lion. Pretty little junior's got the last Iron Lion Lady's arts. Ah! Can't fall behind! Nice day for it—maybe I'll train Thunderclap Fist too. When lightning cracks from my fist, I'll smash everyone who's looked down on me. Uh-heh-heh-heh!"
After ranting, Iron Mountain spun and left chuckling, then paused and whirled back.
"Don't even dream of clinging desperately. If you try, I'll stake my life to attack. With my meager skill, I'll cling till you lop something off. Think twice—no, ten times—with that clever head."
Iron Mountain's face turned icy.
Yeo Song-hae could only stare in dismay.
'Coveting the small, we lost the great!'