Chapter 142
Translator: uly
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: The Difference Between Guest, Customer, and Regular
“ Where did you learn all that?”
Myo-yo stared straight at Ak Muyoo as she asked.
She had been shocked to see him handling the Hundred Mad Demons.
They were absolute arts, traded like goods, but the Hundred Mad Demons were known as fiercely proud warriors that even the lord of Demon Horse Heaven struggled to command.
Yet Ak Muyoo had turned them into his subordinates. The Radiant World Divine Art had played a decisive role, but the way he offered it was ingenious. If he had said, “Become my subordinate and I’ll give you this,” they might have refused.
Instead, he had asked them to study it.
Studying without practicing was impossible. Asking them to study was essentially permission to practice. There was a world of difference between “I’ll allow you to learn it” and “Study it and teach me.” By the time he asked them to study, the Hundred Mad Demons were already hooked.
And then he went further, telling them to combine the three arts, pool their heads together, and create something stronger than the Absolute Six Thousand Supreme Martial Art.
Even naming it the Hundred Mad Demons Dance manual.
Those words were the clincher—and the noose.
No doubt that was why Noe-baek had turned back. Ak Muyoo’s skill in handling people was astonishing the more she saw it.
“I told you I have a lot of business experience.”
“Does that have something to do with business experience?”
“Do you know the difference between a guest, a customer, and a regular?”
“Aren’t they all the same?”
“No. A first-time visitor is a guest. A frequent visitor is a customer. Someone who builds the shop with you is a regular. For example, when a restaurant develops a new dish, they ask regulars to taste-test. Regulars give brutally honest feedback on the food. Because they don’t want the place to fail.”
“So regulars are people who work together for the restaurant’s success?”
“Exactly.”
“But why do they look like your subordinates to me?”
“They’re not even regulars yet.”
“How do they become regulars?”
“It takes time and trust.”
“What if they don’t become regulars and leave? You’d be the one who loses out.”
“That’s a risk the boss has to take.”
“It’s a kind of gamble, then?”
“You could say that.”
“Will they become your regulars?”
Myo-yo nodded toward the three men entering the meeting hall with her eyes. They were the leaders of the Great Bandit Trio.
“Aren’t they your regulars?”
“No.”
Myo-yo shook her head.
“Then what?”
“Somewhere between guest and customer.”
“Why are those kinds of people following you?”
“They owe a debt to Admiral Dong-chang. They’re tagging along to repay a bit of it this time.”
“Ah!”
Ak Muyoo nodded. Then he asked,
“No plans to turn them into regulars?”
“I’m no good at building relationships.”
“Isn’t building relationships the most important thing for success in politics?”
“Politics is mostly fake relationships. It’s not weird if someone you drank with at night betrays you by morning. Trust is only needed when it benefits you.”
“No real bonds, huh?”
“Right.”
“And the reason I’ve come this far is partly because I’m a woman.”
“You mean you used your body?”
“Yes. For us, the body is just one of the tools for success.”
“That seems extreme.”
“Compared to you, I’m tame.”
“I don’t resort to pretty-boy schemes.”
“I wasn’t talking about pretty-boy schemes. I meant that body of yours covered in scars. You’ve survived by using your flesh as a shield. And you’re not even good-looking enough to pull off pretty-boy tactics.”
The biggest reason Myo-yo thought well of Ak Muyoo was the scars covering his body. He used his body to survive; she used hers to succeed. The goals and methods differed, but using their bodies was the same. And using your body meant you had nothing else.
“Is my face that ugly?”
“Not ugly, but compared to Beijing men, you’re a total country bumpkin.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
Ak Muyoo shrugged.
“But don’t you regret it?”
“What, the martial arts?”
“Arts that could turn the Central Plains upside down.”
“What good are amazing arts if they’re useless to me?”
“How many people cling to useless things?”
“I’m the generous type who gives without holding back.”
“That makes sense.”
Myo-yo smirked.
“If you need anything, just say so.”
“You’ll give to me too?”
Myo-yo’s eyes widened.
“Don’t go handing out freebies recklessly now.”
“Why?”
“What kind of question is that?”
“We’re not even friends. I might just use you and toss you aside. No, I definitely will. You’ve been in business long enough to know that, right?”
“That’s exactly why I’m giving. Business is about give and take. You have power; I have martial arts. If you need arts, I give them, and I get what I want. Deal done. No need to expect or want more.”
“You give me martial arts, and in return, I clear your name?”
“Not asking you to do it blindly. When the conditions are right, when someone with power like you speaks up and it all gets sorted—don’t hide then, step forward.”
“So, you’re proposing an alliance?”
“Yes.”
Ak Muyoo nodded.
“One more condition has to be met.”
“What condition?”
“I’ll tell you later. But are you giving arts to Ha-mi too?”
“Gotta lure her in if we want the alliance smooth…….”
“True enough.”
“Then you should.”
“Ha-mi would love that.”
“I already heard.”
Ha-mi poked her head out of thin air and said.
“I was wondering when you’d show.”
“You knew I was here?”
“Yeah.”
“How?”
“I could feel it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re a monster.”
“How about the Wave Storm Blade? Interested?”
“…….”
Ha-mi stared at Ak Muyoo blankly.
“Why?”
“D-Do you really know that art?”
“If I don’t know the art, how would I know the name? Especially one from fifteen hundred years ago. Right?”
“Y-Yeah.”
“What’s your connection to Eastern Ocean Storm Heaven?”
“How did you know that?”
“The Wave Storm Blade is an Eastern Ocean Storm Heaven art. Freaking out over the name means it’s connected to them.”
“You’re quick.”
“I am. Connected to Miyamoto?”
“You know Miyamoto too?”
“Didn’t greet him, but I saw his face.”
“What do you think?”
“Seemed healthy. What’s your relationship?”
“I’ll tell you when we bathe together later.”
“Then I guess I won’t hear it.”
“Don’t like bathing with me?”
“Not big on bathing with women.”
“Same issue as Admiral Dong-chang down there?”
“Enough.”
“Anyway, just say the word anytime.”
“Scout Western Xia Alliance first.”
“What should I find out?”
“Just check the situation. Go with Mu Hyang.”
“Got it.”
Ha-mi’s head vanished into thin air like a door closing.
“Hey!”
Myo-yo shouted.
“Yes.”
Ha-mi poked her head out again.
“I didn’t tell you to go.”
“You two are allies.”
“Not yet.”
“Soon enough. I’m off.”
Ha-mi left immediately.
“What was that about just now?”
Ak Muyoo asked.
“What?”
“She said, ‘Soon enough,’ right?”
“Yeah, there’s that. Let’s go in.”
Myo-yo entered the inn.
Ak Muyoo tilted his head at her back, then followed.
* * *
Deep into the night.
Thousands pierced the darkness, charging forward.
Heading north were Western Xia Alliance and Ten Thousand Demon Poison Clan warriors. The group racing from the right was Western Xia disciples; those from the left were Ten Thousand Demon Poison Clan.
Whoosh!
The leaders up front raised their hands sharply. The charging warriors halted in unison. Ten Thousand Demon Poison Clan’s patriarch Dok Go Yong and his two sons, Dok Gunpae and Dok Gun Ha, moved to Yi Yang’s side.
“That’s Great River Inn, and the entrance to Forward Forest Unit.”
Yi Yang pointed to the inn in the distance.
It had colorful lanterns hanging from the eaves and main gate.
Yi Yang had allied with Ten Thousand Demon Poison Clan because they offered 2.5 million taels.
Half the initial demand, but still an enormous sum. Add the one million taels from Hoe-ong and the 500,000 tael bounty on Black Wind, and it totaled four million. The best deal possible.
‘Preparations to head to the Central Plains are complete. Finish this and go.’
Yi Yang muttered inwardly.
“Let’s proceed as planned.”
Yi Yang said to Dok Go Yong.
Before setting out, Ten Thousand Demon Poison Clan would encircle Forward Forest Unit from the Great River Inn side, while Western Xia would swing wide around the inn and strike from the north.
“Exactly one shichen from now.”
Dok Go Yong said.
“We’ll head north.”
“Good luck.”
“You too.”
Yi Yang led his men leftward.
At that moment, as Yi Yang and the Western Xia elites raced north, six figures sped south. Ak Muyoo, Myo-yo, Geuk Chal Ra, Ha-mi, Mu Hyang, and Yo Pung. Their speed was incredible. Ak Muyoo trailed at the rear, giving his all to keep up with the five. After a while, Geuk Chal Ra glanced back.
‘Whoa!’
His eyes widened slightly. Ak Muyoo was one zhang behind. And his speed was impressive.
—Is that guy really without internal energy?
Geuk Chal Ra sent a transmission to Yo Pung.
—Yes.
Yo Pung nodded.
—But that speed……
—Seems like some unknown force is at work, but I don’t know what. And he doesn’t realize we’re going all out.
—Thinks we’re matching his pace?
—Yes.
—Feels like you didn’t tell him on purpose. Right?
—Seems like he’s gaining strength unconsciously. Might be enlightenment, so I’m playing dumb.
—Good call.
—Gotta tell the others to play along too.
Yo Pung sent a transmission to Myo-yo’s group.
Only then did the three women sneak glances at Ak Muyoo.
‘Huh?’
Their eyes widened.
Until now, they’d forgotten Ak Muyoo had no internal energy. Not fighting, just running with lightness skills, they’d run thoughtlessly.
But now, his speed matched theirs.
—He seems to be realizing something, so I said nothing. Play along, everyone.
Yo Pung said.
—Got it.
The women nodded.
The group kept running.
One shichen later.
They arrived at Western Xia Alliance.
“Piggyback.”
Ha-mi turned her back to Ak Muyoo.
“Why?”
“Need to carry you for stealth arts.”
“I’ll do it.”
Geuk Chal Ra said.
“What strength do you have, Grandpa, carrying a young guy? I’ll do it.”
Ha-mi yanked Ak Muyoo onto her back with void grasp. Then she activated her stealth art. She and Ak Muyoo melted into thin air simultaneously.
“Can’t see us, right?”
Ak Muyoo whispered in Ha-mi’s ear.
“Don’t whisper in my ear.”
“Why?”
“Ears are my weak spot.”
“…….”
“Where to?”
“Western Xia center.”
“Got it.”
The group pierced the darkness. Soon they reached Yi Yang’s quarters. Everyone except Ak Muyoo scattered to eliminate the remaining guards.
Ak Muyoo entered Yi Yang’s quarters immediately. He scanned the interior.
“Where is it?”
He muttered to himself.
“What are you looking for?”
Ha-mi asked, poking her head from thin air.
“Secret vault.”
“Finding hidden spaces is my specialty.”
Ha-mi appeared. She looked around briefly, then sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard and groping the edge.
“This is it.”
Ha-mi pulled something.
Grind!
With a low sound, the wall behind the bed parted left and right.