Chapter 364: A Request for Support Arrives - 2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 364: A Request for Support Arrives - 2
"It would be great if there were a place that would lend it to us interest-free..."
As Tang Seo-yoon’s expression grew heavy, Yorang, looking equally serious out of concern for her friend, spoke up. It pained her to see Seo-yoon struggling.
Slowly, Yorang turned her gaze toward Geum Jeok-hwa.
Flinch.
Feeling the sudden weight of that stare, Geum Jeok-hwa trembled.
"Geum Jeok-hwa."
"Y-yes, go ahead."
"How is Mangeum Bank doing these days?"
"...We’re getting by, I suppose."
"So, business is booming?" Yorang asked with a bright, beaming smile.
"It... it’s impossible."
"I haven't even said anything yet."
"You’re going to ask for a million nyang interest-free, aren't you!"
"No, we’ll pay interest," Yorang said, shaking her head. "Just... a very small amount."
"Absolutely not!"
"And why not?"
"Even if we are in-laws, business is business. Lending a sum as massive as a million nyang all at once would cause an enormous loss for Mangeum Bank."
"It’s fine. You’ve used the Tang Clan’s name to expand your business plenty of times, haven't you? Just consider it payment for that." Yorang continued with a sly smirk.
"Wait, what does that have to do with—!"
"It’s not a lie, is it?" Yorang’s smile was now thoroughly mischievous.
"Ugh... I don't know if my father will accept..."
"He’ll have to. That is, if he wants to keep using the Tang Clan’s name for business in the future." Yorang looked at Geum Jeok-hwa with eyes full of certainty.
She was sure of it. The head of Mangeum Bank would have no choice but to agree.
"......What interest rate were you thinking of?"
"I was thinking around thirty percent annually."
"Hmm."
Geum Jeok-hwa’s expression shifted into one of contemplation. Thirty percent a year wasn't bad at all. In fact, it was quite good. They would be getting three hundred thousand nyang back in interest.
"Of course, it’s interest-free if we pay it back within three months."
"Then you’re just saying you want to borrow it for free!" Geum Jeok-hwa snapped, her voice rising.
What kind of thievery was this? Given the Tang Clan’s current financial state, they had more than enough capacity to pay back a million nyang within two months. Three months of interest-free grace was no different from a free handout.
"Mangeum Bank has raked in plenty of profit using us anyway!"
"Honestly, Yorang, where do you learn such crude language?!"
"Sun-woo taught me!"
"That’s a bad word! Don't use it!"
Yorang and Geum Jeok-hwa began shouting back and forth.
"Enough."
Tang Seo-yoon spoke in a calm, level tone.
Silence.
The two women immediately clamped their mouths shut. They had felt an unsettling pressure emanating from her.
"I would prefer it if you two didn't fight," Seo-yoon said calmly.
"But Mangeum Bank really is the best solution!" Yorang insisted, pointing at Geum Jeok-hwa.
"It is true that we could borrow money on favorable terms, but I do not wish to intimidate Mangeum Bank. How could we call ourselves an Orthodox sect if we abandoned our principles?"
"......It’s not intimidation..." Yorang grumbled under her breath.
She thought to herself: If it were Sun-woo, he would have bled Mangeum Bank dry without a moment's hesitation.
"For now, we will tighten our belts as much as possible to raise what we can. We will borrow the remainder from Mangeum Bank. Naturally, it will be at a standard, fair interest rate."
"Thank you for your consideration, My Lady," Geum Jeok-hwa said, bowing her head slightly in gratitude.
In truth, she also wanted to borrow the money interest-free for the sake of the Tang Clan, which was now her home. However, such an extreme arrangement would deal a heavy blow to Mangeum Bank, and the family members dependent on it would suffer as well. Though she was an out-married member, she didn't want to place such a heavy burden on her blood relatives. Tang Seo-yoon’s consideration was deeply appreciated.
"I will speak to my father and ask him to provide as much convenience as possible."
"Thank you, Third Madam."
Tang Seo-yoon nodded slightly. She was grateful just for the gesture. A warm smile passed between the two.
"However, My Lady."
The elegant voice of Madam Tang, the Great Matriarch, cut through the air.
"Yes, please speak."
"What was the second requirement?" she asked, her face clouded with doubt.
She couldn't help but wonder. Tang Jin-seol had already demanded a staggering million nyang; what else could she possibly want?
"Actually, this is the bigger problem," Tang Seo-yoon said, her expression hardening. "My sister has requested a master."
"A master?" Madam Tang tilted her head, asking for clarification.
"The Cheonmu Alliance is holding a Succession Contest this year. Apparently, the key to the contest is how many talented individuals one has under their command."
"Doesn't she already have numerous experts serving her? Why ask the Tang Clan...?"
"Because she wants the strongest Rising Star under the age of thirty."
"The... strongest Rising Star?"
Madam Tang’s mind began to race. Soon, her eyes widened in shock.
"Surely... not Sun-woo..."
"That’s right. Sister has requested Sun-woo." Tang Seo-yoon waved the letter.
"But how on earth does she even know about him...?" Madam Tang asked, bewildered. How could Tang Jin-seol possibly know about Sun-woo’s existence, let alone call for him?
"It seems she heard the rumors about the Disciple of the Poison King."
"What?"
"Didn't he humiliate the Rising Stars of the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering recently? I believe the rumors spread from there."
"Ah." Madam Tang let out a soft gasp as she remembered. Sun-woo’s reputation had indeed spread like wildfire after that incident.
"But Sun-woo is in the North Sea right now," Madam Tang said with a worried face. "We can't even ask for his opinion, can we?"
"That is why I am troubled. We are in a position where it is difficult to refuse, yet the one who must decide is absent."
"Could we not just tell her the truth?"
"How?"
"That Sun-woo has gone to the North Sea."
"It won't matter. This is a letter sent to the Tang Clan Head," Seo-yoon replied flatly. "In other words, Sun-woo’s own intentions aren't considered important."
"..........."
Madam Tang fell silent. She realized just how difficult the situation was. In the grand affairs of a clan, an individual's opinion carried little weight. If the Clan Head—the ultimate authority—gave an order, it had to be followed. Whether Sun-woo was at the Tang Clan or not didn't change the fact that the decision rested with the Head.
"The problem is that the Clan Head and Jang Sun-woo are the same person."
Since the Tang Clan Head and Jang Sun-woo were one and the same, there was no one present to make the decision. It was a total deadlock. While Tang Seo-yoon had the authority to approve the million nyang, she couldn't make a decision for Sun-woo. His own will was paramount.
"Could we use the excuse that the Clan Head is away?"
"That will only work for a few days at most." Tang Seo-yoon’s face remained grim. Logically, there was no reason for the Tang Clan Head to be absent now that the honeymoon period was over.
"Then what do we do? It’ll be months before Sun-woo returns." Madam Tang paced anxiously.
".........."
Tang Seo-yoon had no answer. No matter how much she thought, no solution came to mind.
"Why don't we just agree to it for now?" Geum Jeok-hwa suggested quietly.
"Agree to it?"
"Tell her that since he is currently in the North Sea, we will send him as soon as he returns," Geum Jeok-hwa said calmly.
"Third Madam, we cannot make such a decision without Sun-woo." Tang Seo-yoon rejected the idea firmly. This concerned his personal movements; how could they handle it so arbitrarily?
"But do we have any other choice? We need the protection of the Cheonmu Alliance and the goodwill of Tang Jin-seol right now."
"That... is true, but..."
"I think it’s better to accept Lady Tang Jin-seol’s request for now and buy some time."
"Hmm."
"You must think carefully, My Lady. If we refuse and Lady Tang Jin-seol decides to visit the Tang Clan herself, she might discover that the Clan Head is missing." Geum Jeok-hwa’s expression was dead serious. "We have to buy time. Until Lord Sun-woo returns."
"And what do we do once he’s back?"
"We can make another excuse then. Say he suddenly fell ill or was injured. Anything like that."
"Will such excuses work?"
"It doesn't matter if they don't. Once Lord Sun-woo is back, we won't need the protection of the Cheonmu Alliance anyway, so what is there to worry about?"
Tang Seo-yoon fell into deep thought. It wasn't a bad point.
"Indeed, that seems like the best course of action," Seo-yoon eventually nodded. Ensuring their safety until Sun-woo’s return was the top priority.
"Yorang, please raise as much money as you can."
"Got it." Yorang nodded her small chin.
"And Third Madam, please speak to the head of Mangeum Bank so we can borrow the remaining amount."
"I will."
"And Madam Tang, could you send a letter to the Mangeum Bank branch closest to the border? Just a brief update on the situation."
"Understood."
Madam Tang nodded. Having received their orders, the women quickly filed out of the office.
Tang Seo-yoon watched their retreating figures with a heavy heart. Her gaze grew infinitely deep.
*
Slurp.
A sharp-featured, beautiful middle-aged woman, Tang Jin-seol, was savoring her tea. She was exceedingly elegant; grace seemed to seep from her every movement.
"Hmm."
She inhaled the aroma of the tea, a blissful smile touching her lips.
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the door.
"What is it?" she asked, looking toward the entrance.
"A letter has arrived from the Tang Clan, Madam."
"Oh? Come in."
Creeeeak.
The door opened, and a maidservant entered, carrying a letter. Tang Jin-seol silently reached out her hand, and the maid carefully placed the letter upon it.
"You may leave."
Having received the letter, Tang Jin-seol immediately dismissed her.
The maid bowed deeply and exited the room.
"Hmm-hmm-hmm..."
Humming to herself, Tang Jin-seol unfurled the letter. Her eyes scanned the contents slowly.
Her pleasant mood soured instantly as she reached a certain passage. Her brow furrowed deeply.
"He’s currently on a mission to the North Sea and they don't know when he’ll return?"
Tang Jin-seol fell into thought, troubled by the news. This was quite inconvenient.
Her plan was to invite her brother’s disciple, Jang Sun-woo, before the succession struggle began. She wanted him to bond with her child, who was destined to lead the Cheonmu Alliance. Since they were the future pillars of the Murim, she thought it would be beneficial for them to become close early on.
She never imagined she would hit such a snag.
The North Sea? Why on earth would he go there when it takes at least two months just to travel one way?
Tang Jin-seol bit her lip. Things weren't going according to plan.
'It can't be helped.'
She soon relaxed her expression, resigning herself to the situation. She couldn't exactly demand someone who wasn't even in the Central Plains to appear instantly. Even if he rushed back, it would take months.
For now, the fact that Jang Sun-woo was participating at all was enough. For the sake of her child.
"Hehehehe."
A satisfied smile spread across her face.
Jang Sun-woo was currently the hottest rising star in the Murim. Rumors were flying that he had suppressed dozens of Dragon and Phoenix elites in an instant. Once word got out that she had recruited such a person, many would surely flock to her faction. They would realize exactly who held the advantage in this succession struggle.
Tang Jin-seol began to envision the future—a blissful future where her child commanded the Cheonmu Alliance and the Sichuan Tang Clan dominated the Central Plains.
Her eyes began to glaze over with a dreamy haze.
'Child, return to the Central Plains quickly.'
She prayed and prayed that Sun-woo, far away in the North Sea, would return as soon as possible. All to secure the position of successor.