Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Self-Mastery Lies in My Heart (1)
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"Quite a few, aren't there?"
"Indeed."
Seok Ung's face was flushed with excitement. He must have been run off his feet with all the work and barely getting any rest, yet he looked more energized than ever.
"Most of them are businesses that were under the Ten Sword Sect's management. They're not the major players in terms of scale."
"The big operations would probably find us overwhelming anyway."
"Exactly."
Over ten businesses had cut ties with the Ten Sword Sect and reached out to the Murong Clan.
And their offers were generous to boot. They would have to pay hefty penalties for breaking contracts early, yet they were willing to go to extremes just to ally with the Murong Clan.
"Might the Ten Sword Sect try to harm them for it?"
Even in this situation, she was worried about them.
Seok Ung chuckled and shook his head.
"I was concerned about that too, but I doubt it."
"Why not?"
"Public opinion against the Ten Sword Sect is at an all-time low. If they went after merchants willing to pay penalties to sever ties now, who would dare contract with them in the future?"
"Good point."
"If it were major businesses, maybe. But these are small merchants. They're in a weaker position relatively, making it even harder to touch them without backlash."
"Plus, considering the Ten Sword Sect's wealth, it might not even hurt them much."
"Right."
Murong Sujing reviewed the letters and documents once more, then tilted her head.
"Still, the terms are too good."
Implying there must be something they're after.
She was considerate, but she drew clear lines between personal feelings and business.
"We'll know for sure after meeting them, but I personally investigated the histories and current situations of three among them."
That explained why Seok Ung had been running himself ragged lately.
"These were businesses essentially forced into contracts with the Ten Sword Sect—under highly unfavorable terms, at that. The Sect's protection kept them safe from interference back then, but things have changed."
"I see."
"It's all thanks to you, Young Master."
Many merchants had long been worn down by what amounted to the Ten Sword Sect's bullying.
And in the midst of it, Murong Bi had crushed Hwang Gyu head-on, exposing the Sect's disgrace to broad daylight.
The seeds of distrust that had been buried were finally sprouting.
"But why us instead of the Hong Sword Clan? Even with their patriarch and two sons dead, they must still wield considerable power."
"They probably agonized over it. There are rumors of internal strife, and the Hong Sword Clan isn't one for much external activity anyway."
"We'll have to discuss that angle too."
"Yes."
There was much to handle now, but it was good news all the same. It meant the Murong Clan's influence was growing.
"I've been monitoring the town's atmosphere daily lately. That's how I learned the merchants' goodwill toward the main house is far higher than we thought."
"Far higher?"
"You've done something monumental, Young Master. Merchants and townsfolk lived under the constant shadow of the Black Tiger Gang or Ten Sword Sect swordsmen—it was no different."
Murong Bi was the one who'd fixed it. It must feel like a rotten tooth finally pulled.
"Merchants chase profit above all, though. High goodwill doesn't guarantee deals. They must have assessed our potential."
"Potential?"
"You, Young Master. You overwhelmed Hwang Gyu, the Ten Sword Sect Lord who boasted supremacy at your age. They likely predict our power will explode exponentially soon."
Some merchants minimize risk for steady gains; others take gambles for big rewards.
In other words, those approaching the Murong Clan now were probably the latter.
Murong Sujing smiled faintly.
It was a smile that seemed both pleased and a touch bitter.
"That's a heavy burden. Our actual fighting force boils down to just Bi-a."
Of course, she and Suhyang were training in martial arts seriously now, as was the Flower Sword Squad.
But none had skills yet worthy of recognition.
Especially her—due to her blocked meridians, she focused on internal arts. Better than before, but hardly immediate combat-ready.
"Patriarch."
"Yes, Chief Steward?"
"I'm just an ink-stained fool who knows little of fighting, and after the Previous Patriarch passed, I was too busy keeping the household afloat to be of much use."
His sudden self-deprecation startled Murong Sujing.
"What are you saying? Without you, the clan would have collapsed long ago."
"But even I know one thing."
Seok Ung's joyful expression turned deadly serious.
"The Murong Clan's martial arts are the best."
"...!"
"I know nothing of martial arts myself. But I know ours are supreme. Do you know why?"
"..."
"Because I saw it up close—how our house's warriors, fierce as dragons and tigers, rampaged gloriously across the world."
Shed heard it before now and then. Aside from Old Man Gwak, Seok Ung was the only survivor from that era.
But the vibe was different from past tellings.
Back then, it was encouragement for the struggling bloodline: descendants of such greatness would persevere.
This was different.
Faith bordering on devotion shone in Seok Ung's eyes and voice.
"The great-grand patriarch and the elder who served as Martial Alliance Leader were incredible too. Without them, our clan wouldn't have spread its wings."
"..."
"Under their guidance and efforts, every warrior in our house was an elite. Those who mastered Murong arts dominated the jianghu, shaking the heavens."
Even hearing it again, her heart raced.
"A legendary Shaolin monk once called our house the Ascendant Martial God Clan. Even if plunged into the mud and fallen, it's a family of war gods that will soar again."
Seok Ung smiled confidently.
His assured grin soothed Murong Sujing's heart.
"Have faith. You and the young miss will surely become masters."
"I can only hope so."
"And don't we have those treasures that could spark another leap forward?"
"Ah."
Murong Sujing glanced sideways.
The dazzling heaps they'd stashed away, unsure how to handle, still too intimidating to unpack.
That was when it happened.
"Sis! Sis!"
A booming voice echoed from beyond the door.
"Bi-a, come in..."
Bam!
Murong Bi burst in like he might shatter the door, snorting like a wild boar.
"Sis! The prize for the Later Gen Tournament is insane!"
Murong Sujing blinked.
"Prize?"
"Prize! A hundred thousand nyang!"
"What..."
Stunned by Murong Bi's onslaught, Seok Ung recovered first, ever the seasoned steward.
"I believe you're referring to the winner's prize for the Hubei Later Gen Tournament."
"Ah!"
Murong Bi, panting heavily, took a deep breath.
Seok Ung's calm tone slightly quelled the blaze in his eyes.
"Yes, the tournament winner's prize."
"Young Master, are you thinking of entering?"
"The prize was a hundred thousand nyang back then—must be even more now!"
Seok Ung flinched.
The young master's eyes burned with madness fiercer than the sun, grinning at him.
People called that madness greed.
"It's possible, but..."
"A hundred thousand nyang without robbing or stealing! No reason not to join, right?"
"...True, if we can win."
"Winning's ours for sure! A hundred thousand nyang on our poor house is like rain in drought!"
Seok Ung looked a bit downcast. It stung, though he knew it was partly his failing as manager of that "poor house."
But true to form, he schooled his expression quickly.
"A hundred thousand nyang would certainly help immensely. The hundred seventy thousand nyang from the Black Tiger Gang—legally obtained, that is—is earmarked for business anyway."
"Exactly!"
Murong Bi whipped his head around.
So fervent his neck cracked audibly, yet he seemed oblivious to the pain.
"Martial arts are great, but money matters too—especially since more is always better! We can't miss this golden chance! Got it, Sis?!"
"Of course, but..."
Murong Sujing coughed awkwardly.
Shed never seen her brother this hyped; she didn't know how to respond.
"Why the sudden obsession with money?"
"What?!"
"I-I mean... sure, money's good in abundance, but maybe calm down a bit?"
She meant something else, but his intensity left her fumbling for words.
Murong Bi slammed the table with both hands.
Bang! Documents jumped.
"Sis."
His voice dropped ominously, like a bear's growl from a cave.
"Martial arts? Time will fix that. Right?"
"Right?"
"How do you fix money?"
"...Business?"
"Business matters. But ever heard this?"
"What?"
"Money calls to money!"
Murong Sujing glanced at Seok Ung.
He nodded awkwardly.
"There's such a saying, but... it means something slightly different, from what I know..."
"Doesn't matter— we need more money!"
"You're right, Young Master. So please, calm down..."
"Chief Steward, Sis—no, Patriarch!"
He was excited, but not thoughtless.
Murong Bi's face was earnest. Were it not beet-red, the other two might have taken him more seriously.
"I like calm. Test the bridge before crossing, right? But if you can leap across in one bound? No need to tiptoe."
An odd metaphor, but not wrong—they nodded, entranced.
"Murderer chasing you with a blade from afar—can you stay calm? No. But a cannon in front? Even a carriage-full of killers is nothing. Why? Blow 'em away!"
"...?"
"Only folks with time and money can afford calm. Time and money are power! Faster the better, more the better. Right or wrong?"
Deny it, and he'd charge.
"Right."
"Sis."
Murong Bi grinned.
"This tournament? We take it."