Chapter 152: Demanding Compensation-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 152: Demanding Compensation-2
"This is preposterous!"
Upon hearing Sun-woo’s words, Cheol Mu-deuk’s face flushed crimson as he raised his voice.
In a single year, the Geumcheol Sect’s total revenue, excluding net profit, was just under 700,000 Nyang.
And yet, he was being asked to hand over 400,000 Nyang?
Wasn't that more than half their earnings?
Even a common thief wouldn't be this brazen.
"Did you not say you would give me whatever I desired?"
Sun-woo continued calmly, watching the Geumcheol Sect Leader.
The man had been putting on such airs, telling Sun-woo to take some money and get lost, so why was he throwing a tantrum now?
"Even so, 400,000 Nyang is far too much! Let us settle on 100,000!"
"400,000 Nyang."
"How can you quadruple a penalty fee that should only be around 100,000 Nyang! Fine, I shall be generous! Let us agree on 150,000!"
"400,000 Nyang."
"You truly are a man who cannot be reasoned with! How can a martial artist from a prestigious family act so ruthlessly!"
Infuriated by Sun-woo’s resolute stance, the Geumcheol Sect Leader’s voice grew even louder.
How could someone be this unreasonable?
The penalty fee he had anticipated was 100,000 Nyang at most. That was exactly the amount of profit they had made by selling off the Tang Clan-made weapons.
Of course, there was a clause stating that the penalty for mid-term termination would be four times the amount, but since when did the world work strictly according to contracts?
Wasn't a contract something that shifted and changed depending on the situation?
If this were the Tang Clan of old, the so-called "Greatest Power in the Central Plains," it might be different. But the current Tang Clan lacked the strength to actually enforce such a penalty.
They should be grateful just to get their 100,000 Nyang back.
Yet, this insolent man was ignoring the Geumcheol Sect’s great "consideration" and demanding a fortune like 400,000 Nyang.
It was impossible not to be angry.
"I believe the 150,000 Nyang I just offered is more than enough consideration for the Tang Clan."
Cheol Mu-deuk suppressed his rage and spoke in a measured tone. He felt that showing too much emotion during a negotiation was a poor tactic.
"Let me ask you, Sect Leader Cheol. What was the scale of the contract signed with the Tang Clan this year?"
"It was 100,000 Nyang!"
"Then is it not correct that the penalty fee, at four times that amount, is 400,000 Nyang? Why then do you refuse to pay it?"
"On paper, perhaps. But according to customary practice, one rarely pays the full fourfold amount."
That was indeed the custom.
Usually, when a contract fell through, the parties involved would look toward future dealings. Even if a contract was difficult to maintain now, who knew what the future held?
Therefore, unless they intended to never see each other again, it was rare to demand the full penalty fee just to leave some room for reconciliation.
Customarily, one would either return the deposit or settle for double the amount, rather than four times.
However, the Tang Clan was ignoring this custom and demanding the full fourfold penalty.
This was equivalent to declaring that they intended to become enemies with the Geumcheol Sect.
"Then let me ask you again. According to customary practice, is it acceptable to unilaterally demand the cessation of trade?"
"............It is not."
Customarily, regarding contract termination, it was proper to reach a final adjustment through sufficient mutual agreement.
"How very strange. You ignored every custom and simply sent a unilateral notice when you terminated the contract with the Tang Clan, yet you seek customary practice when it comes to paying the penalty?"
".........."
Hearing Sun-woo’s words, Cheol Mu-deuk’s eyes darted around as he searched for a rebuttal.
"I have no need for 'customs' that you only summon when it suits you. If the world only moved according to custom, how would anything function? We shall proceed exactly as written in the contract."
Sun-woo spoke with a firm voice, staring directly at Cheol Mu-deuk.
Grit.
The Geumcheol Sect Leader clenched his teeth.
Nothing Sun-woo said was technically wrong, but he despised this treatment that disregarded custom. And to disregard custom was to declare enmity with the Geumcheol Sect.
A massive surge of fury began to rise from deep within him.
What was the Geumcheol Sect?
Was it not a massive union of numerous ironworks spread throughout Shandong, a group with such immense financial power that none in the province could match them?
And yet, the Tang Clan—a clan so ruined they weren't even counted among the Six Great Clans anymore—had just declared they would make an enemy of them.
He felt insulted.
The inferiority complex toward the Tang Clan that had been hiding deep in his heart poured oil onto the flames of his rage.
He had hated the Tang Clan for a long time.
He hated them with a passion.
He knew the truth: no matter how much effort the Geumcheol Sect put in, they could never catch up to the Tang Clan. Facing the reality where weapons they spent days and nights crafting were outperformed by the Tang Clan’s mass-produced goods, the Geumcheol Sect had felt both despair and resentment.
There was no way to defeat the Tang Clan, who possessed martial prowess, wealth, resources, and superior technology.
But things were different now.
Due to the Demonic Cult’s raid, most of their direct bloodline had been wiped out. They no longer had the martial strength to protect themselves.
That was why every bit of this defiant attitude grated on his nerves.
He suddenly wanted to see this cold-looking middle-aged man weeping and wailing, covered in tears and snot.
As long as the Tang Clan lacked martial power...
There was no reason to be afraid of them.
"I refuse!"
Having made up his mind, Cheol Mu-deuk shouted in a resolute tone.
"The Tang Clan must choose! Will you take the 150,000 Nyang and leave, or will you be driven out without a single copper because of your greed!"
".........."
Sun-woo watched the obstinate Cheol Mu-deuk in silence.
Seeing the Sect Leader’s reaction, he realized just how much the Tang Clan was being looked down upon. To be dismissed by a mere money-grubber in the Shandong countryside...
He realized then that the Hwangbo Clan wasn't the only one that needed to be made an example of.
"I have made my choice."
Sun-woo finally spoke, his voice slow and steady.
"The Tang Clan will collect the 400,000 Nyang right here, right now. No matter what it takes."
Sun-woo glared at Cheol Mu-deuk. His eyes were filled with grim determination.
Under that gaze, Cheol Mu-deuk’s face turned a mottled shade of purple and red.
*
"Do you truly intend to take this to the bitter end?"
Cheol Mu-deuk spoke to Sun-woo, his voice thick with rage.
Sun-woo’s demand had long since moved past the point of a negotiation. This was a declaration of war against the Geumcheol Sect.
"The one who took it to the end was you, Sect Leader. How can you refuse a legitimate demand for a penalty fee?"
"I told you, it is the custom!"
"And I told you, I have no need for your customs."
Sun-woo maintained his cold demeanor, simply countering the Sect Leader’s stubbornness.
"I cannot talk sense into you! Bring me someone of higher rank!"
Running out of arguments, the Geumcheol Sect Leader issued an expulsion order. He had decided there was no point in listening further.
If it were anyone with a modicum of sense, they would recognize the influence the Geumcheol Sect held in Shandong and would never demand a fourfold penalty like this. This had to be the flawed judgment of a foolish martial artist.
"Leave at once!"
Cheol Mu-deuk shouted at Sun-woo.
However, despite the order to leave, Sun-woo remained perfectly still in his seat.
"So you truly intend to be this way?"
Seeing that attitude, Cheol Mu-deuk’s expression hardened as he questioned Sun-woo.
"I told you. I am leaving with 400,000 Nyang."
"Guards! Is anyone there? Our guests are leaving! Escort them out!"
Hearing Sun-woo’s firm reply, Cheol Mu-deuk quickly shouted toward the door. It seemed this man wouldn't learn his lesson until he saw his own coffin.
Even if the man before him was a Tang Clan martial artist, there was no way the clan had any significant masters left after most of the direct line had perished. The Geumcheol Sect’s guards would be more than enough to throw him out.
Thud.
At that moment, the doors to the reception room swung open, and the warriors of the Geumcheol Sect appeared. Every one of them exuded an extraordinary aura.
Step, step.
"Please leave. We shall escort you," they said in gruff voices as they slowly walked toward Sun-woo.
"And if I refuse?" Sun-woo asked, looking back at them.
"Then we will have no choice but to be rude to our guests. We ask for your cooperation so that such an unfortunate incident does not occur."
The guard spoke with a polite yet confident voice. That confidence likely stemmed from a firm belief in his own skills.
"I should be the one asking you. Please, do not force me to be so rude as to slam you all into the floor."
Sun-woo spoke with a serious expression. He was being sincere.
How embarrassing would it be for these men, so full of themselves, to be face-down on the floor all at once? It was his own way of being considerate.
"What did you say!"
Of course, to the guards who took pride in their strength, it sounded like nothing but a baseless insult.
"A guest who doesn't understand words, I see!"
The man in the lead reached out toward Sun-woo. He intended to grab him and throw him out bodily.
However...
His hand, reaching for Sun-woo, remained frozen in mid-air.
"Huh?"
Then, his vision flipped. The world began to appear upside down.
That was the last thing he remembered.
CRASH!
The Geumcheol Sect guard was slammed into the floor and knocked unconscious instantly.
"You bastard!"
"How dare you!"
Clang!
Clang!
Seeing their comrade floored in the blink of an eye, the other guards drew their swords simultaneously. They lunged forward as one.
Swoosh!
With the sound of whistling wind, a flurry of blades descended upon Sun-woo.
Clink!
Clatter, clatter!
But before their swords could even reach Sun-woo...
They were all snapped clean and fell to the floor.
The guards' eyes widened in shock. Why had their perfectly fine swords suddenly been severed?
They quickly turned their heads to find the culprit.
Standing there was a woman in white robes wearing a veil. In her hand, she held a sword that shimmered like a ray of light.
Looking at her, they realized the truth. Their swords had all been cut by this woman.
"The swords made by the Geumcheol Sect must be quite pathetic. They cannot even withstand the blade of a mere woman."
Ok-ryeong’s voice, as soft as a spring breeze, echoed in their ears. Of course, the content of her words was as cold as a winter gale.
She was incredibly angry. How dare they point their blades at her beloved?
Cold vitriol poured from the lips of a woman who usually spoke only kind words.
"Eeeek!"
Hearing her voice, Cheol Mu-deuk’s face turned even redder. The swords the Geumcheol Sect took such pride in had been insulted by a mere girl.
"Gaaaaah! What are you all doing! Call more warriors! Subdue them at once!"
His pride wounded beyond repair, he began to scream. It seemed the idea of simply kicking them out had long since vanished from his mind. The inferiority complex he carried as a craftsman had exploded at her remark.
At his command, the guards quickly turned and ran to call for reinforcements.
"It is the Sect Leader’s order!"
"Intruders!"
"All warriors, assemble in the reception room!"
"The Sect Leader has been attacked!"
Hearing the commotion, scores of Geumcheol Sect warriors began to swarm toward the reception room.
Rumble.
Before long, the large reception room was packed with warriors. Their expressions were grim, and every one of them radiated a formidable aura. The weapons at their waists only added to the threat.
"Now, what will you do! Do you still intend to collect your 400,000 Nyang!"
Seeing the sheer number of his warriors, Cheol Mu-deuk asked Sun-woo with a triumphant expression. No matter how great one's martial arts were, handling this many people was impossible. The warriors of the Geumcheol Sect were all at least first-class experts. This was a force that could rival most mid-sized sects.
The opposition was only three people. And that included a woman.
An individual could never overcome a group. Surely, they would now fall to their knees, begging through tears and snot.
"Yorang."
It was then. Sun-woo turned to Yorang after hearing the Sect Leader’s words.
"Yeah?"
"If anyone attacks, beat them up."
"Really?"
"Yes. But only kill the ones who show murderous aura."
Sun-woo added the condition. If he didn't force her to restrain herself like this, a massacre would surely follow.
"Don't worry, don't worry!"
Yorang nodded as if to say there was nothing to fear. Having recently learned how to control her strength while being pummeled by the Yin-Yang Demon, subduing people without killing them wouldn't be too difficult.
Full of confidence, Yorang clenched her dainty fists. Though she appeared human, her essence was that of a predator that toyed with and killed creatures weaker than itself. While that tendency had lessened because she had only encountered opponents stronger than her lately, her nature hadn't changed.
A wide smile spread across Yorang’s lips.
To her, the numerous warriors before her looked like a delicious flock of sheep.
Yorang’s eyes sparkled.