Chapter 302
Chapter 302
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 302
Chapter Title: The Brewmasters' New Dawn
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Among the fiercely competing brewmasters, these ones had barely managed to qualify for the Great Manju Competition.
Now, they walked together with trembling hearts.
Suddenly, Gaebul had summoned all the brewmasters participating in the Great Manju Competition and led them somewhere.
"Calling us out of the blue like this."
"This is a first, isn't it?"
"No idea what he wants to talk about."
"As long as it's not about speeding up production."
"Even if it is, what can we do?"
"No choice. We're all in the president's grip, after all."
The brewmasters under the Manju Association let out worried sighs one after another.
They were all renowned brewmasters, tied to Chu Paegwang through what they called a partnership.
But in truth, it was closer to blackmail.
At first, the Manju Association treated them well, so they had joined without suspicion.
But after Chu Paegwang became president, his influence grew, and their authority dwindled like grains of sand.
In the end, Chu Paegwang monopolized the distribution of their brewed liquor, raking in the profits while they received no fair compensation.
On top of that, he kept demanding more of the established famous brews with guaranteed quality, sidelining any new experiments.
Creating new brews had become no easy task.
Yet they had entered the Great Manju Competition again, chasing the single honor of becoming the Great Brewmaster.
They glanced sideways at Byok Jangho and shook their heads.
'Who could've guessed a genius newcomer like him would join.'
If they'd known in advance, they never would have set foot here again.
The brewmasters were filled with regret, but they couldn't turn back time.
And when they arrived at their destination, despair washed over them once more.
Chu Wol Hall.
It was none other than Chu Paegwang's private quarters.
They had hoped when they heard Gaebul say the Manju Association was dissolving.
Finally free from the vicious Chu Paegwang.
But returning here dashed those hopes—it had all been a pipe dream.
"This way."
Gaebul strode down the corridor, while the brewmasters trailed behind, forcing down their reluctance and shuffling along like turtles.
At last, they reached the president's chamber.
Standing before the door, the brewmasters swallowed hard.
This was where the culprit who had turned them into slaves under Chu Paegwang resided.
Accepting his offer in this very room had been the start of their suffering.
So they dreaded going inside.
They couldn't even guess what coercive demand he might make today.
As they hesitated at the door, Gaebul, tired of watching, flung it open.
Screech—
The startled brewmasters cautiously peered inside.
It resembled their old memories.
A long table laden with a feast and several bottles of liquor.
But one thing was different.
'...Not Chu Paegwang?'
The man seated at the head.
It wasn't Chu Paegwang, but a familiar face.
The man selected as Manju Master, who had won the bet against the president and gifted fine liquor to all the drinkers.
As the brewmasters stared in bewilderment at Hyeok Mulin's appearance, he spoke.
"Sit."
Following his instruction, they entered one by one and took their seats. Gaebul then exited and closed the door.
A tense silence settled in.
Amid it, Hyeok Mulin gestured to the feast.
"Eat first."
They reluctantly picked up their utensils.
And Hyeok Mulin said nothing more until the meal concluded.
'This is damn awkward.'
'But the food's delicious.'
Somehow enduring the uncomfortable yet tasty feast, the brewmasters finished.
Clack.
Hyeok Mulin set down his utensils last.
He then directed Gaebul to clear the table.
Once the feast was cleared away, all eyes naturally turned to Hyeok Mulin.
In that moment, he slowly wiped his mouth.
"As you heard, the Manju Association will be dissolved."
Joy lit up the brewmasters' eyes.
Yet some still clung to seeds of doubt and pressed him.
"Is the dissolution of the Manju Association real?"
"Where's the president? We want to hear it from him."
Hyeok Mulin answered simply.
"Chu Paegwang is dead. Right here in this seat."
"...!"
The declaration stunned them.
Hyeok Mulin didn't hide Chu Paegwang's death from the brewmasters.
There was no point in concealing it forever, nor any reason to.
Besides, these weren't mere drinkers—they were brewmasters he'd work with going forward.
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
Fear began mixing into their gazes toward Hyeok Mulin.
Even martial artists like Gaebul marveled at Chu Paegwang's prowess.
To the martial-ignorant brewmasters, he had been overwhelmingly intimidating.
Now, with him dead and Hyeok Mulin in his place, their fear inevitably shifted to the newcomer.
Then, someone asked cautiously in a trembling voice.
"If so, why did you summon us here?"
"The Manju Association is dissolving, but on its foundation, a new organization will be formed."
"A new organization... you say?"
"Yes. It will be called the Mangwoo Association. A community solely for brewmasters, excluding martial artists and drinkers."
Shadows darkened the brewmasters' faces.
'Of course.'
'Pretty words, but it means he'll replace Chu Paegwang and treat us like slaves.'
'No escaping this yoke in this lifetime.'
They weren't martial artists and had no power to resist.
Clutching their despair, they bowed their heads in resignation.
At that moment, Hyeok Mulin spoke.
"However, if anyone wishes to leave, I won't hold you back. Feel free to go."
"Is that for real?"
They snapped their heads up, eyeing him suspiciously.
They couldn't rule out this being a loyalty test.
Declaring intent to leave might get them eliminated on the spot.
So they hemmed and hawed, unable to respond clearly. Then, a middle-aged man mustered courage and stood.
"In that case, this humble one wishes to leave."
"Go ahead."
With Hyeok Mulin's permission, he truly opened the door and departed.
The others were shocked to see him casually let the man go without repercussions.
He really meant it—no strings attached.
Emboldened, some began to rise, but Hyeok Mulin's voice rang out.
"However."
His low,grave voice instantly drew their attention back.
"If you choose to stay in the Mangwoo Association, you will never regret it."
Hyeok Mulin never forced anyone to stay.
Working with those whose hearts weren't in it only bred discomfort—that was his principle.
He sought to build bonds on conditions and trust.
"First, we'll adjust the profit split. Half. I promise to divide half the revenue among you."
"H-Half?!"
They had received a mere tenth, at most two-tenths, from Chu Paegwang.
Even without calculating, considering the manpower for distribution and the Manju Association's trade networks, seven-tenths from the brewmasters' perspective was far from insignificant.
It was generous treatment.
And Hyeok Mulin's conditions didn't end there.
"I'll fully support developing new brews, securing any needed ingredients on priority—even if they're rare treasures scarce in the world."
Those words struck their hearts.
Forced by Chu Paegwang to endlessly produce the same old brews, they knew the spark in their chests had faded.
Now, they could develop new ones with full backing?
Light returned to their eyes, hearts pounding fiercely.
'From my perspective, it's no loss anyway.'
One might call it a loss for Hyeok Mulin, but it was structured for mutual gain.
p>The Manju Association had catered mostly to unorthodox sects.
But he planned to expand sales of these brewmasters' fine liquors across the Central Plains and even to Xinjiang.
Competition for premium brews would intensify.
'If it's expensive, they won't buy?'
That applied to ordinary goods.
Wealthy clans and merchants preferred the priciest top-shelf items.
Sales would rise, and even with equal splits, profits would hold steady.
And crucially.
'Plenty of ways to make money. People are what matter now.'
Financials were covered by battlefields and trade caravans.
What mattered more: talent.
Securing these rare brewmasters of fine liquors was the true goal.
Monopolize a commodity completely.
Then, the possibilities were endless.
Gulp.
The short, powerful, thrilling proposal hit the brewmasters hard.
They desperately wanted to accept.
But one final doubt lingered deep in their hearts.
'Can we trust him?'
What if he treated them well at first like Chu Paegwang, then reneged and enslaved them?
That worry kept them from speaking up.
As they exchanged glances in silence.
"Ah. One more thing."
Hyeok Mulin spoke again.
"The president of the Mangwoo Association will be Master Byok."
"What?! You mean me?"
They turned to Byok Jangho in surprise, but none matched his shock.
Frozen at being named president, he waved his hands in refusal.
It was far too grand for him.
How could a young whippersnapper lead these renowned brewmasters?
He respected Hyeok Mulin, but this was impossible—he meant to say so.
As he opened his mouth to protest.
"...!"
Byok Jangho met Hyeok Mulin's gaze, who merely wore a faint smile.
With endless duties as Heavenly Demon, managing the Mangwoo Association himself was impossible.
He wanted to delegate to someone trustworthy: Byok Jangho.
Realizing this, his mouth slowly opened.
"I will devote myself body and soul so you never regret entrusting it to me."
"I trust you."
The brewmasters whispered, glancing between Hyeok Mulin and Byok Jangho.
"Master Byok really president?"
"His skills are beyond doubt."
"Humble guy, easy to talk to."
"Can't be bad for us."
They were brewmasters ignorant of martial arts.
A fellow brewer who understood them as president was a positive, never negative.
In that atmosphere, Hyeok Mulin spoke his final words.
"That's all from me. If anyone still wishes to leave, do so now."
"...">
The brewmasters exchanged looks.
And after.
Though time flowed like running water, not a single one rose from their seat.