Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Agreement
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Hundred Li Clan.
Do Cheon and the Hundred Li Clan Leader sat facing each other alone.
"You show up right on time for my return. Coincidence?"
"Hardly."
"Were you waiting for me?"
"Do you know Yoo Geon of the Yoo Merchant Group?"
"Investigating you made it impossible not to."
Do Cheon nodded at the Hundred Li Clan Leader's words, his expression one of acknowledgment and understanding.
"Indeed, it seems you and young master Yoo, the second son of the Yoo Merchant Group, are plotting something intriguing."
"That's right. We're aiming to seize control of the Yangtze."
"I figured as much."
The Hundred Li Clan Leader nodded, his face showing no great surprise. He had suspected that opening the Dongting Lake waterways might be a prelude to eyeing the Yangtze. That suspicion had solidified into certainty once he learned of Do Cheon's prowess—from the lips of Heaven-Rending Legion Kang Yi-wi himself, who had called him a martial god.
"Yoo Geon told me that if things go according to plan, we could have the Yangtze in five years."
"...!"
This time, the clan leader's face changed. He was shocked. Do Cheon stared straight at him and continued.
"But he also said that partnering with the Hundred Li Clan could make it happen in two years—and that holding the Yangtze would be far easier to defend afterward."
"...!"
The clan leader's expression shifted again, now layered with doubt atop the shock. But it didn't last; he quickly regained his composure.
"You were so aggressive back then, and now you're saying you've changed your mind about our clan? Hard to believe."
"Can't bow and scrape to a business partner, can we?"
"Business partner... It sounds like you're putting the Iron Lion Sect on equal footing with the Hundred Li Clan."
"If the Hundred Li Clan looks down on the Tyrant Emperor Sect, then sure, we'd bow our heads."
The clan leader's face stiffened slightly at Do Cheon's loaded words.
'Has he truly mastered the Generation's Heavenly Demon's techniques? Or is he as strong as Heaven-Rending Legion claims—a martial god?'
On the surface, he seemed utterly ordinary. No overwhelming aura or commanding presence. He wasn't deliberately suppressing his energy, which might make him seem even more formidable—but still, he didn't appear to match someone like Heaven-Rending Legion, one of the Ten Masters of the world...
"Such confidence. From what I know, the Iron Lion Sect's only real fighter is you."
"Ever heard of 'one against a hundred'?"
"That's why they don't say 'one against a thousand.'"
"Depending on the 'hundred,' one could outmatch a thousand—or ten thousand."
"If you're so sure, why not sweep the Yangtze 18 Strongholds right now?"
"Wiping them out? No reason we couldn't do it today. But the reason no one's touched the Yangtze despite coveting it for so long? They can't hold it stably."
"So partnering with us makes defending it easier?"
"That's the confidence we have."
He exuded self-assurance. His demeanor resembled a cocky young upstart puffed up by his own power—nothing more. If even this was deliberate, he must be exceptionally cautious.
"Elder Sang's been quite busy lately. Related?"
"I have the martial might; I asked him to provide the finances."
The clan leader furrowed his brow. Do Cheon's intentions were unclear. Here he was, proposing an alliance—yet he'd sent Elder Sang to sweep up ships on Poyang Lake. Which tune was he dancing to?
"So you sic Elder Sang on our clan's Poyang Lake ships, then come to me with an outstretched hand?"
"Exactly."
"Why?"
"Yoo Geon said for the Dongting Lake waterways to thrive, nearby commerce needs to boom—and that means flooding the market with Elder Sang's capital."
"So you're striking him from behind?"
"That's how it looks right now."
"Buying those ships must've cost a fortune, but is that enough to boost Dongting Lake's trade?"
"We'll squeeze out more."
"How?"
"If the Hundred Li Clan joins as a partner, I'll explain."
Do Cheon answered calmly.
The clan leader stared piercingly, as if tempted by the devil himself, unsure how to respond.
Elder Sang succeeded in buying up about ninety percent of the ships on Poyang Lake. The result of deploying massive funds.
"This should be enough to make them take my financial power seriously."
With a satisfied smile, Elder Sang headed to the Iron Lion Sect. He'd planned to buy a few more strongholds first, but Do Cheon had contacted him to meet.
"He already knows how much I bought?"
It made him wary of their swift intelligence network—but also reassuring.
"Please, come in."
Steward Seo awaited at the sect's main gate.
"Lead the way."
Elder Sang spoke with hands clasped behind his back, exuding arrogance. The steward bowed and guided him ahead.
"Impressive as ever. The Iron Lion Sect truly was something great."
"It's even grander up close. Filled with Iron Lions and warriors, it could dominate a corner of the world."
"Exactly. That's how it has to be!"
A pleased smile spread across Elder Sang's face. Just imagining his great peng soaring ten thousand li lifted his spirits. But that mood shattered the moment he entered Lion Hall at the sect's heart. His own heart skipped a beat.
Three people sat with Do Cheon.
One was Yoo Jang-hae of the Yoo Merchant Group, another Yoo Geon—and the last, astonishingly, the Hundred Li Clan Leader.
"Your shock tells me my suspicions were spot on."
The clan leader spoke calmly.
"Ahem! Business is business."
Elder Sang forced composure and sat in the empty seat that seemed meant for him.
"We'll see if it ends as business... or turns disastrous."
At the clan leader's pointed words, Elder Sang could only look to Do Cheon, his face screaming confusion. But Do Cheon stayed silent; instead, Yoo Geon spoke.
"Now that everyone's here, let me explain the plan behind this meeting."
"Plan? What plan?!"
"The one to make Elder Sang hand over his entire fortune."
Elder Sang shoved back his chair and stumbled away. The clan leader snorted as if expecting it, while Yoo Jang-hae let out a long sigh.
Elder Sang was a seasoned merchant, quick to read situations like any powerhouse dominating local trade.
"So you all conspired to stab me in the back?"
"If that were the case, why reveal it?"
"Then what did you just mean?"
"Sit down. Two people here could end your life with a flick of a finger."
Elder Sang glanced between the clan leader and Do Cheon, then reluctantly sat.
"Thank you."
"Threaten someone, then say thanks?"
Elder Sang snapped at Yoo Geon, who smiled faintly in response.
"The Yangtze waterways are truly vast."
The atmosphere shifted slightly at Yoo Geon's words. Elder Sang focused, sensing there was more he didn't know.
"Many gangs eye the Yangtze. The Hundred Li Clan does now, and any gang nearby has eyed it at least once—it's prime prey. But its master has never changed hands. Why?"
"Why?"
"The math doesn't add up."
Yoo Geon answered Elder Sang's question, but the old man scoffed.
"Wrong. Yangtze transport dwarfs Dongting or Poyang Lakes. Dozens—no, hundreds of times the profit. The math adds up fine."
He shook his head, deeming it unworthy of further talk. Then the clan leader spoke.
"The math not adding up is correct."
Elder Sang couldn't dismiss him lightly and looked expectant.
"True, profits could be dozens or hundreds of times greater. But seizing it costs even more in blood. A gang could vanish trying, so of course the math doesn't work."
"...!"
Elder Sang's eyes widened.
A merchant's view versus a warrior's.
That difference recalculated the Yangtze's equation.
"Are the Yangtze 18 Strongholds that strong?"
"With the Yangtze Waterway King holding them, they're no pushovers. Spread along the river, attacking one or two risks a counterstrike from behind—very burdensome."
The clan leader explained.
Yoo Geon added,
"Once the Waterway King falls, everyone pounces. The victor will be weakened, drawing more challengers. Chaos ensues—who wins is anyone's guess. Even victory leaves you battered, ripe for distant watchers eyeing that massive prize."
Elder Sang finally grasped the Yangtze's peril. Merchant rivalries were fierce but resolvable with compensation. Warriors' worlds offered no such mercy. Death couldn't be undone.
"Mentioning the Yangtze was bait to lure my money!"
"Half right."
"How so?"
"We're taking the Yangtze."
"...!"
"...?"
Not just Elder Sang—the clan leader and silent Yoo Jang-hae all looked stunned.
"Despite knowing how hard it is?"
"Sounds like they've got a solid plan."
The clan leader followed Elder Sang. That's why he'd come—to hear how they'd claim the Yangtze. His gaze flicked to Do Cheon, then back to Yoo Geon.
As eyes met, Yoo Geon nodded vigorously and dropped an unexpected bombshell.
"Trying to monopolize it alone is the problem."
"...!"
The clan leader looked punched.
How to claim it with minimal sacrifice? He'd pondered endlessly but never considered allies. Partnerships weren't easy, and sharing profits cut margins—unsatisfying after costs.
"Chasing it solo prevents alliances. Boost its value and share the feast."
Yoo Geon seemed to read the clan leader's mind.
"How to boost it further?"
"Even the mighty Yangtze has limits on water routes alone."
"Open land routes too?"
"Yes. Pair land routes everywhere it reaches. Logistics explode, enough profit to satisfy ten clans your size."
"Ten?"
"Not partnering with ten. Just Iron Lion Sect, Hundred Li Clan, and maybe one or two more."
"One or two where?"
"Can't say yet. It's a paradigm shift—radical and groundbreaking. Once you commit and things progress, then I'll reveal."
"Hm."
Knowing the partners would clarify judgment, but hiding it was frustrating.
The clan leader pondered deeply.
This tied to his clan's survival; he couldn't decide lightly.
Yoo Geon's gaze turned to Elder Sang, who seized the moment.
"Meticulous plan. You always intended to drag me in?"
"Your finances were essential."
"Knew I'd buy Dongting ships?"
"Everyone nearby coveted those routes; with your capital, you'd stop at nothing."
"Predicted I'd come here?"
"Hoped you would. It let us demonstrate our capabilities again."
Those "capabilities" being fleecing his fortune—it infuriated him. Yet astonishing: a veteran like him danced to these youngsters' tune.
"Hah...!"
"Elder, many giants trod this land, but few left lasting footprints. Invest, and our feats become your legacy."
"Even that rehearsed?"
"You've pulled back from most ventures lately. Earning money alone no longer satisfies."
"Insolent brat!"
"My apologies."
Yoo Geon bowed his head.
Elder Sang scowled; the clan leader pondered.
Meanwhile, Yoo Jang-hae watched Yoo Geon in awe, stunned at orchestrating this with two titans.
'Such talent beside me, unnoticed? Pathetic.'
He wished to turn back time, involve him early for surefire success.
'From now on, let him lead!'
As Yoo Jang-hae resolved this, Do Cheon broke his long silence.
"We don't ask much of the Hundred Li Clan."
"...?"
The clan leader looked over.
"Once I control the Yangtze waterways, righteous sects won't sit idle. Just lend our clan your name then."
"Block the righteous sects for you?"
"Keep us from becoming their targets. Anyone who attacks us will pay dearly."
Arrogant words.
The clan leader frowned.
"If so confident, why worry about righteous notoriety?"
"Alone, I wouldn't care. But this involves the whole Iron Lion Sect, Yoo Geon here, and everyone trusting us—their lives, futures. We need someone to shoulder it all."
The frown lingered, but no rebuttal came. Reckless kids with sudden power? Or bold geniuses?
For a moment, the clan leader forgot himself, eyeing Do Cheon and Yoo Geon curiously.
"I've devoted my life to making money."
As the clan leader fell silent, Elder Sang spoke.
All eyes turned to him.
"No marriage, no children. As death neared, even profit lost its thrill. Dongting's routes tempted every local merchant, but none dared—so I did. But the Yangtze? You eyed those waterways even this old man never dreamed of."
He paused, glaring at Do Cheon and Yoo Geon. They met his gaze steadily. Finally, with fierce eyes, he declared,
"Golden Flower Money House is mine. I'll entrust everything there—take it all. One condition: you'll move money, so relocate your office there."
His gaze fixed on Yoo Geon.
Yoo Geon rose and bowed deeply.
"Thank you."
Do Cheon stood too, offering a respectful fist salute.
"One thing I guarantee: it'll be endlessly entertaining to watch."
"I trust you."
Elder Sang nodded to Do Cheon, sending trust. Words from one whose great peng would soar ten thousand li—how could he not?
Elder Sang was content.
Even being toyed with on their palm satisfied him; it proved their skill. Smiling, he glanced at the clan leader. He wanted to urge alliance, but couldn't—the clan bore many lives unlike him.
As eyes converged, the clan leader spoke.
"Until you take the Yangtze, we do nothing?"
"Use your strength to shield us from righteous infamy."
Do Cheon replied.
To the clan, it was effortless gain—but circumstances might demand more, lest they share the notoriety.
"Answer one thing. If so, we'll join as discussed."
"What?"
"How far have you mastered the Iron Lion King's techniques?"
He truly wanted to ask about the Generation's Heavenly Demon's arts but couldn't with others present. He stared intently, demanding an answer.
"Self-taught, so not precise—but just shy of completion."
"...!"
The clan leader's eyes bulged.
Curiosity about the Heavenly Demon's arts vanished. The Iron Lion King, a contemporary rival to that demon—mastering his arts near completion in three years? No time for another manual.
As the clan leader reeled, Yoo Geon's resounding voice filled the brief pause.
"Profits to satisfy all—no room for failure. Land routes funnel the world's logistics into that vast Yangtze, yielding astronomical gains for us all."
