Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: The Chief Steward's Negotiation
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“Greetings. I am Sima Jin, the Chief Steward of the Hyeok Clan.”
Hearing it straight from his mouth made their headaches throb even more.
Facing Sima Jin head-on, they tossed out questions laced with bewilderment.
“Why are you here?”
Sima Jin was clearly a close aide to the Cult Leader, with no connection whatsoever to the Hyeok Clan.
For such a man to suddenly pop up in this crucial position—it was only natural to feel both puzzled and flustered.
“By the Cult Leader's order, I have become the temporary Chief Steward of the Hyeok Clan. I look forward to working with you.”
“Temporary Chief Steward...”
Even if temporary, had there ever been a direct descendant of one of the Seven Great Demon Clans taking the steward position in another house?
At least in their memories, there had been no such precedent.
“What happened to the original Chief Steward? I understand he'd held the post for quite some time.”
As Yagul Hyeon looked to Hyeok Gongun and asked, the man shook his head with a regretful expression.
“Feeling responsible for the recent deterioration in our clan's situation, he resigned on his own. We tried to hold him back, but he'd already vanished. Seems he's already headed back to his hometown.”
The sudden news of the former Chief Steward's dismissal sent a chill of cold sweat down Bu Yulgyeong's spine.
Who under the heavens could have predicted the current state of affairs?
Sima Jin was a figure they all knew well—a genius of the century who had made his name from childhood even among the sharp minds of the Sima Clan.
But rumors about him had died down after he reached adulthood, only for his brilliant talents to shine anew as he served as the Cult Leader's aide.
'This is a disaster.'
Dealing with the original steward would have been like tearing into succulent, well-roasted meat.
But facing Sima Jin was akin to filleting a fish full of bones—already, he could envision the grueling negotiations ahead.
Just then, a voice transmission reached Bu Yulgyeong's ear.
『No need to worry so much. No matter how exceptional his talents, he can't turn a stone into gold.』
Yagul Hyeon's calm tone snapped him back to focus.
'Right, the Patriarch is correct.'
The Hyeok Clan's dire situation was plain as day.
No matter how genius Sima Jin was, there were limits to dressing up an empty shell.
Reminding himself that the Yagul Clan still held the stronger hand, his mind eased.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
At Yagul Hyeon's gesture, Sima Jin settled lightly into his chair.
After that, they exchanged pleasantries over drinks in good spirits before diving into the real talk about the agreement.
“If the entertainment district project proceeds as planned, twenty wine houses will link up along the street. So, what would be the total number of warriors the Hyeok Clan can dispatch?”
Sima Jin replied to Bu Yulgyeong's question.
“Two hundred.”
“Two hundred. And among them, how many are at the Peak realm or higher?”
“We can spare up to twenty elite warriors at the Peak realm or above.”
Having thoroughly investigated the Hyeok Clan—perhaps even more than the Patriarch himself—Sima Jin fielded the questions without hesitation.
“Twenty elites and one hundred eighty regular warriors... Not a bad number, but...”
As Bu Yulgyeong trailed off with evident regret, Sima Jin seized the initiative.
“No transport firm in the entire Divine Firmament region could dispatch twenty Peak realm warriors long-term to one location. Plus, the symbolic weight of Hyeok Clan warriors guarding the place would add deterrence against troublemakers.”
“Hm...”
Unable to refute Sima Jin's logic, Bu Yulgyeong reluctantly nodded.
“Understood. Then, for this dispatch, how about a total of two thousand silver taels per month?”
“Five thousand taels.”
“What?!”
Bu Yulgyeong's voice rose at Sima Jin's curt reply.
“That's absurd!”
“The Seven Great Demon Clans have never guarded another house's business before. Factoring in the impact of that symbolism, it's hardly excessive.”
“Even so, five thousand is too much!”
Bu Yulgyeong, who wouldn't yield a single tael of the five thousand even on pain of death, clashed stubbornly with the iron-willed Sima Jin, dragging the haggling on.
Even after debating for a while with no progress—their positions running parallel—Yagul Hyeon finally intervened.
“There's quite a gap between your proposed amounts.”
“Dispatching warriors from the Seven Great Demon Clans to another house isn't a simple matter. In this unprecedented situation, we can't apply standard rates, can we?”
“Hmmm...”
Yagul Hyeon let out a low hum at Hyeok Gongun's response, stroking his chin in thought.
At last, he slowly spoke.
“Very well. What if we settle at four thousand taels?”
It was two thousand more than the Yagul side offered and one thousand less than the Hyeok side demanded.
Not quite the midpoint, with the Yagul Clan paying an extra thousand, but Yagul Hyeon didn't mind.
If the venture succeeded, a mere thousand taels extra wouldn't make a dent.
Securing the agreement mattered more than pinching pennies.
With his financial leeway, Yagul Hyeon conceded cleanly.
Hyeok Gongun didn't press further and accepted immediately.
Sima Jin's initial call of five thousand had been a ploy to gain the upper hand, not to take it all.
“Agreed. We'll settle at four thousand taels.”
With the patriarchs mediating, they reached a smooth consensus at four thousand taels.
Swallowing his slight disappointment, Bu Yulgyeong summarized the agreement's terms.
“Then, it's confirmed: four thousand silver taels per month for twenty elite warriors and one hundred eighty regular warriors. We'll draw up the documents with the agreed details and send them to the Hyeok Clan later.”
At that moment, Sima Jin spoke up as if there was more.
“One moment, please. The Hyeok Clan seeks more than just dispatching warriors to the Yagul Clan. Tying us financially would make the agreement even stronger, wouldn't it?”
“...?”
Bu Yulgyeong eyed him with a look that said, 'And what exactly are you getting at?'
Sima Jin met his gaze and stated clearly in a firm voice.
“Please accept an investment from the Hyeok Clan in this venture.”
“...!”
Bu Yulgyeong's pupils dilated in shock.
Sima Jin, meanwhile, simply held their stares calmly.
Having reviewed the entertainment district project himself, he saw it as a guaranteed success.
Thus, he wanted the Hyeok Clan not just earning dispatch fees, but reaping greater profits through investment.
As Bu Yulgyeong glanced at Yagul Hyeon—something bigger than expected—he pondered briefly before slowly curving his lips.
“I understand your intent. But a minor stake is pointless. Invest one thousand gold taels, and we'll give you a tenth share.”
Yagul Hyeon upped the ante, offering a substantial portion.
Given their intel on the Hyeok Clan's finances, one thousand gold taels was an impossible sum, even if the heavens split.
No additional capital was needed anyway, so he aimed to price them out with an exorbitant figure.
But locking eyes with Sima Jin, Hyeok Gongun nodded confidently and spoke up.
“In that case, our house will invest two thousand taels.”
Cough!
Not content with accepting the offer, they doubled it—causing Yagul Hyeon, who had been elegantly sipping his liquor, to choke out a sputter.
As his plan shattered like lightning, he questioned in disbelief.
“What did you just say?”
“We'll invest two thousand taels. That should earn us a fifth of the entertainment district shares, right?”
Hyeok Gongun smiled, his eyes crinkling warmly.
They had no idea the Hyeok Clan had recovered the wealth the Paegum Sect had hidden away.
Keeping their spies under wraps had proven decisive.
“Are you aware the investment must be paid in full upfront?”
“If you wish, we can deliver it tomorrow.”
...He's serious.
They really have two thousand gold taels.
Faced with Hyeok Gongun's razor-sharp response, Yagul Hyeon gave up.
He had no clue how they possessed such a fortune, but a spoken word couldn't be retracted.
With a sigh, he accepted the investment, brightening Hyeok Gongun's face.
Sima Jin, as if he'd foreseen it, lifted the corner of his mouth and added,
“And one more thing we've considered.”
Next, they agreed to exchange martial forces and business divisions between their clans to shore up each other's weaknesses.
The Yagul Clan would gain countermeasures and tactics against sword inspectors, while the Hyeok Clan would receive sound business advice—a win-win with no downsides.
As the negotiations wrapped up, Hyeok Gongun cleared his throat and said,
“Actually, the surest way for clans to ally is through blood ties between direct descendants, isn't it? We have a very promising young heir here...”
“We must decline.”
When Hyeok Gongun subtly broached marriage, Yagul Hyeon refused with unwavering resolve.
Faced with that ironclad expression, Hyeok Gongun scratched his sideburns with genuine regret but pressed no further.
With the agreement successfully sealed and all matters concluded, they resumed drinking in relaxed spirits.
Savoring rare delicacies from land and sea, they basked in the enchanting melodies played by several courtesans.
Clink!
Amid it all, the clear chime of glasses toasting rang out between both sides.
At a glance, it might seem the Hyeok Clan had gained disproportionately in money, tilting the deal.
But the true significance lay in the alliance between two of the Seven Great Demon Clans.
If the Hyeok Clan, showing martial potential, continued to advance, the Yagul Clan would gain an invaluable ally.
Compared to that, the money was trivial.
Thus, though not the absolute best for either side, the agreement ended as a satisfying outcome for both.
“Hm.”
Yet as the liquor flowed, Yagul Hyeon eyed Sima Jin with real regret.
Without him, they could have sealed the deal while minimizing financial concessions.
Blending a hint of his true feelings into a displeased murmur, Yagul Hyeon intoned,
“For a direct descendant of the Sima Clan to attend talks between the Yagul and Hyeok Clans—what an odd gathering this has become.”
Why was the Cult Leader's deputy strategist here fighting for the Hyeok Clan's gains?
To that lamenting tone, Sima Jin nodded.
“I'm wondering the same thing.”