Chapter 32
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Benefactor's Guests
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The Green Jade Hall was where the guest experts of the Shenzhou Merchant House stayed.
Since they were not a martial sect, they had only a few experts of their own, so large merchant houses in the Central Plains commonly invited renowned masters of the martial world to serve as guest experts.
The Shenzhou Merchant House was currently hosting five such masters as guests.
And they were all seated here right now.
It was time for them to earn their keep.
"House Lord, give us your orders whenever you're ready. We're all prepared."
This was Ha Jin, one of the guests, known as the Chasing Clouds Sword.
He was a lay disciple of the Wudang Sect who had dominated the Shaanxi region.
"Indeed. We've enjoyed the Shenzhou Merchant House's hospitality for so long. Now it's time to fulfill our duties, so command us at any time."
The man with the gravelly voice was Kang Pyo, a Shaolin external arts expert called the Tower-Climbing Hand.
But Jin Ichang's gaze fixed on the old man quietly sitting and sipping his drink.
Sa Hongcheon, the Life-Binding Sword Guest.
He was the leader among these guest experts.
"How do you think the Zhongnan Sect will respond?"
At Jin Ichang's question, the old man set down his cup and let out a sigh.
It was because he himself hailed from the Zhongnan Sect.
"I'll head up to Zhongnan Mountain tomorrow. At the very least, I should be able to secure a promise that they won't get involved in this matter."
Jin Ichang nodded.
That would be sufficient.
With that alone, Sa Hongcheon would have more than done his part.
At that moment, Seonwoyong rose to his feet.
"I'll take my leave first. As an outsider, I fear I might spoil everyone's mood if I stay longer."
"What are you saying? I've never considered you an outsider, brother."
"I think the same, of course, but not everyone here might feel that way. Please carry on at your leisure. I'll be going now..."
No one except Jin Ichang tried to stop Seonwoyong from rising.
But one person followed him out the door.
"I thank you for saving my life, Young Master Seonwoo."
As the two entered the serene garden, Jin Seolhwa, who had been silently trailing him, spoke up.
Seonwoyong halted and turned around.
"You saw it, then?"
"How could I not? The sight of you flicking that thug No Deuk away is still vivid in my mind."
"That was a relief. I arrived just in time..."
"But why hide the fact? May I ask your reasons?"
"There's no particular reason. I'm leaving for the Western Regions soon. I simply didn't want to get entangled in any debts of gratitude."
"Hmm... I thought as much. But you said that old man was a household servant..."
"I'm buying silk to take to the Western Regions, so they must have sent someone who knows a bit of martial arts. Since he's just a servant, there won't be any headaches, so that's what I told them."
"I see. In any case, you are my benefactor, so I will repay the favor later."
"Don't take it to heart. Such things happen often in the martial world, don't they? Besides, you're my sworn brother's sister, so speak freely."
"I couldn't do that. There are distinctions between men and women, and especially to my benefactor..."
"I understand. Do as you feel comfortable... I'll be off now."
Seonwoyong gave a slight bow and left.
But Jin Seolhwa's gaze lingered on his retreating figure for a long time.
The annex where they stayed was the most remote spot within the Shenzhou Merchant House.
As Seonwoyong opened the door to the annex, Old Man Jang, who had been standing in the garden as if waiting, greeted him.
From the room where Han Sojung stayed came the sound of him plucking the seven-stringed zither this way and that.
"You're back early, Young Master."
"Indeed. It wasn't the atmosphere for lingering over drinks."
"May I ask now?"
"What...?"
"Why did you let those guys go earlier?"
"What could I do? Cut off all their heads to feel better? We don't take lives lightly."
"Don't I feel like the only one who thinks you're being too lenient with them?"
"I don't care either way. The Gold Net Branch Master Jin Seolhwa probably noticed."
"The Gold Net Branch Master likely knows everything. Including that the gust of wind that shook Elder Deuk's subordinate was your doing, Young Master."
Seonwoyong nodded indifferently.
"Seems that way."
"So, when do we leave? Staying here long-term feels..."
"Tch, this old man's instincts are off today. With war practically at their doorstep, do you think the merchant house can just up and leave? Unless I'm wrong, they won't depart the West Bank until the dispute with the Hyeongyang Merchant House is resolved."
"Hmm... that could take quite some time, then."
"Who knows. Merchant house squabbles often fizzle out anticlimactically..."
In contrast to Old Man Jang's grave expression and sigh, Seonwoyong showed no interest and quickly retreated to his room.
* * *
No Deuk and So Myeongcho's lodgings were not inside the Hyeongyang Merchant House.
It was due to their habit of indulging excessively in women.
As guest experts of the Hyeongyang Merchant House, they had stayed inside for the first few days, but their shameless advances—not just toward the maids, but even married women within the house—soon caused problems.
In the end, they moved to a brothel in the red-light district east of the West Bank.
"Brother No, something feels off."
So Myeongcho muttered as he drained his cup.
Unlike usual, the two were drinking without even a courtesan by their side.
No Deuk's expression was heavy as well.
"It's that young punk, isn't it?"
"His skills aren't to be taken lightly. I've been mulling it over, and something just feels very strange."
"If you'd clashed directly, I'd trust your instincts. So, what level is he? Compared to Jin Ichang..."
"Hah! If not for that freakish gauntlet Jin Ichang wears, how could he have stood against you, brother? But that punk faced my sword blade with nothing but a paper fan on a bamboo frame."
"He directly blocked your sword qi? With mere bamboo?"
"That's the strange part. Truth be told, he never actually blocked my blade with his fan. He just cleverly dodged."
"Then he only matched you with superior footwork and forms?"
"That's what I thought at first when I used the Seven Plums Blade Method. But is our Bright Blood Residual Demon Blade Method so easily dismissed? Even after I unleashed it, he dodged around leisurely."
"Hmm... The martial world is vast, full of strange characters, but we've truly met an odd one."
The two sighed and lifted their cups again.
At that moment, the brothel door opened, and Yang Dongsang entered.
He appeared thoroughly drunk, having already indulged earlier.
"Well, well, you two are drinking without even a single courtesan to pour? Tomorrow the sun must rise in the west. Haha..."
Yang Dongsang sat down, full of banter.
"Did you report properly to the House Lord?"
"I gave a brief account."
"What did you say...?"
"That we went to protest their interference with the silk purchase, and there was a minor scuffle. Nothing major."
"Hmm, what did he say?"
"He actually seemed a bit pleased. Especially when I said Senior No's prowess surpassed the Jin House Lord... haha..."
"It wasn't surpassing."
"In terms of martial arts, it was. If not for that monstrous gauntlet. Right?"
No Deuk showed no reaction to Yang Dongsang's probing words and simply brought his cup to his lips.
"So, what's the plan going forward? The Shenzhou Merchant House won't just sit idle."
"What else? We use this chance to crush their momentum completely."
At So Myeongcho's question, Yang Dongsang replied with evident glee.
"Anyway, leave those matters to me. If you two need to draw your blades, just say when..."
"I'll trust you two."
"No issues until a real Shaolin expert steps in."
"Shaolin won't come all the way to the West Bank to meddle in merchant house affairs. They have to maintain relations with Mount Hua and Zhongnan too."
"True. Anyway, handle the Mount Hua side well. If they make an issue of our business..."
"Don't worry about that. I already told the Enforcement Branch Master. That you two came to assist me."
"But if we step out openly... just in case."
"No need for major concern. We've already sent plenty of tribute. As long as it's not direct clashes with their disciples, they won't make trouble."
"Got it. Then we'll..."
"Exactly. So don't hold back—call in some courtesans already. Just us men... heh heh..."
"Right you are. Go on, call some over. Hahaha."
As Yang Dongsang bellowed for courtesans, No Deuk added one more thing.
"By the way, look into that young punk who interfered today more thoroughly. Something about him bothers me."
"Don't worry. His name's Seonwoyong, disciple of Thunder Sound Zither Immortal Seong Manjo. He's about to load up silk and head west, so he has no position to get heavily involved."
"Hmm... Disciple of Thunder Sound Zither Immortal Seong Manjo... That explains why he avoided direct confrontation and dragged it out."
No Deuk nodded, and at that moment, the brothel door opened.
As fairy-like courtesans poured in, Seonwoyong vanished from the three men's minds.
* * *
Right after breakfast, Jin Ichang sought out Seonwoyong.
When Seonwoyong entered Jin Ichang's office, Jin Ichang, Jin Ugwang, and the Life-Binding Sword Guest Sa Hongcheon were already seated.
"I called you for a favor. Come, sit here."
Jin Ichang's request was obvious.
"Yesterday afternoon, I sent a letter to that Hyeongyang Merchant House Lord Yang. Saying that if he truly wants to ruin our relations, I'm not one to back down."
Jin Ichang took a sip of tea and unfolded the letter on the table.
"A reply came early this morning. They're merchants too—no desire to escalate, but if there's something to contest, they won't avoid it."
"So? What will you do?"
Jin Ugwang impatiently cut in, true to his hasty nature.
Jin Ichang gave his son a silent reproachful look before continuing.
"They propose settling it with a martial duel. Three experts each side—the winners take control of the Golden Gorge Market."