Chapter 773: Wait... Do I Get Land Too?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 773: Wait... Do I Get Land Too?
"This proposal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make the Tang Clan the greatest power under heaven."
Tang Seo-yoon continued, her eyes sparkling like starlight. Her gaze was filled with absolute conviction.
"I’m against it."
Yorang shook her head and continued.
"I agree that the profits would be enormous. And I can acknowledge that it’s an opportunity to make the Tang Clan the greatest. But the risk is too high. The very pillars of the Tang Clan could be pulled out by the roots."
Yorang maintained a serious expression as she spoke.
"If the clan's foundations are uprooted, hundreds of our kin will suffer. They’ll be forced into a life so destitute they’ll have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Are you really planning to gamble the current lives of the clan members for the sake of the future?"
Yorang fixed Tang Seo-yoon with a sharp gaze. During her time with the Tang Clan, Yorang had received the kindness of countless clan members. Her dual status as the Tang Clan Head’s sixth wife and the Head of the Jaegyeong Pavilion had allowed her, an outsider, to feel like part of the family.
Having built deep bonds through their boundless goodwill, Yorang had no choice but to oppose the plan. It was obvious that if things went wrong, the many people who cared for her would be the ones to suffer.
"Even if the pillars are pulled out, the clan members won't fall into poverty," Tang Seo-yoon replied calmly.
"I need an explanation."
Yorang looked at her, unable to understand. The moment the businesses were liquidated, the clan members would become unemployed. They would have to wait until suitable new work was found. How could Seo-yoon be so sure they wouldn't be destitute?
"It’s entirely possible if we guarantee the employment of our clan members as a condition for handing over the businesses at a low price," Tang Seo-yoon said, her eyes gleaming.
"Guaranteed employment?"
"Yes. If we do that, then regardless of the clan's internal situation, the members themselves won't face poverty."
"Do you really think they’ll accept such favorable terms?"
Business owners weren't philanthropists. They wouldn't accept any condition unless there was a profit in it for them.
"They’d be absorbing someone else's business at a bargain price; why wouldn't they accept? Besides, wouldn't it make running the business easier if they have people who know the industry inside and out working under them?"
Generally, when a business is absorbed, the majority of the existing staff is retained. An insider who knows the overall situation of the workplace is a necessity. From the perspective of those acquiring the business, it was a condition that wasn't bad at all.
"......Are you planning to send our kin out as subcontractors?" Yorang asked, her expression darkening.
"That's right."
Tang Seo-yoon nodded firmly.
"Do you think the clan members will accept that?" Yorang’s sharp eyes flashed.
It was unthinkable—sending the bloodline of the Tang Clan to work as subcontractors for someone else's business. Typically, a Murim clan assigned its members to work in businesses operated by the clan itself. It was considered a matter of pride; entering the service of someone outside the bloodline was seen as a blow to one's dignity.
The clan members took great pride in this arrangement. Not only were they taught martial arts, but they were also given a lifelong career. How could they not be proud?
And now, she wanted to send them out as subcontractors? There was no way they would understand. How could they agree to something that crushed the clan's pride? It was preposterous.
"Without this method, it will be difficult to provide stable employment for over several hundred clan members," Tang Seo-yoon said, her face solemn.
She knew. She knew exactly how much of a stir her words would cause. But she had to see her plan through if she wanted to reorganize the businesses without leaving the clan members in misery.
"The clan's pride is the members' pride. Do you really think they’ll support something that breaks that pride?" Yorang looked at her with infinite seriousness.
Though she was an outsider, she understood the pride of the clan members well. Whenever she spoke with them, they never failed to show their deep affection for the clan. There was no way such people would work under others as subcontractors. Everyone would condemn Tang Seo-yoon for making such a decision.
"I intend to pay them a corresponding price."
"Do you think pride can be bought with something like money!?"
"I plan to give them shares," Tang Seo-yoon said flatly.
"Shares?"
"Yes. A certain share of the land where the Uicheon Alliance will be established."
"............"
Yorang fell silent. She hadn't imagined Seo-yoon would even mention such a condition. It was unprecedented. No, it was beyond unprecedented—it was shocking.
The land where the Uicheon Alliance would be built... wasn't that the land where speculation was permitted? Giving them shares of that land was no different from allowing them to participate in the speculation themselves.
"......Really?" Yorang asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Really."
"Is that allowed?"
"Why wouldn't it be? The Tang Clan can do as it pleases with the land it owns."
Tang Seo-yoon spoke as if it were a trivial matter.
"How much are you going to give?"
"I'm thinking roughly a hundred thousand pyeong."
"......A hundred thousand pyeong...... That’s about two hundred pyeong per person......"
Yorang began to stammer, her eyes wide with shock. She hadn't expected Seo-yoon to be so generous. Two hundred pyeong of land per person? And prime real estate at that?
It was an offer so staggering it made her jaw drop. How could she make such a decision?
"With this kind of compensation, I believe the clan members will be more than satisfied," Tang Seo-yoon said calmly. "Don't you agree?"
She looked back at the stunned Yorang.
Nod, nod, nod.
Yorang couldn't find the words and simply nodded. The logic was undeniable. Who in their right mind would refuse two hundred pyeong of land that was guaranteed to skyrocket in value, given to them for free? Unless they had been hit in the head with a hidden weapon, it was an offer they couldn't possibly refuse.
The clan members' pride was great, but it seemed likely to bend under the weight of that much compensation.
"Then, I'll leave the business reorganization to you, Yorang. I will send a letter to Sun-woo."
Having secured Yorang's agreement, Tang Seo-yoon spoke with a soft smile. She intended to inform Sun-woo of the matter in advance.
"Wait!"
Yorang suddenly raised her voice urgently.
"Yes, go ahead."
"Maybe...... do I get land too?"
Yorang’s eyes sparkled like stars as she asked. Her gaze was filled with anticipation.
Seeing this, Tang Seo-yoon let out a small chuckle. Yorang could be incredibly cold and professional when working, but at times like this, she was simply adorable. Adorable enough to bite.
"No," Tang Seo-yoon replied with a refreshing smile.
Upon hearing those words, Yorang’s expression visibly slumped. Her face was a mask of disappointment. Seeing that, a gentle smile played on Tang Seo-yoon's lips. She couldn't help but find it cute.
*
"Why not! I'm part of the Tang Clan's household too!"
Yorang raised her voice, looking at Tang Seo-yoon with a face full of anger. She seemed truly upset about not getting any land.
"You don't need land, do you, Yorang? You're going to become a Yokai Immortal," Tang Seo-yoon said with a gentle smile.
"I need land!"
"Why?" Tang Seo-yoon asked, feigning ignorance.
"........To become a Yokai Immortal...... I need...... a sunny plot of land......"
"Then I'll give you a different piece of land. Somewhere very sunny."
"No... No!" Yorang hurriedly refused.
"Why not?" Tang Seo-yoon asked back with a mischievous look.
"............"
Yorang clamped her mouth shut. She couldn't think of a proper excuse.
"Uuu...... uuu...... uuu......"
Soon, she began to look like she was about to cry. Everyone else was getting land, but she wasn't; a sense of alienation surged within her. Why was she the only one being discriminated against?
'Oh dear.'
Tang Seo-yoon realized she had gone too far. Yorang's reaction was so cute that her teasing had crossed a line.
"I hate you, Seo-yoon!"
Yorang shouted at her and immediately bolted out of the room.
"Yorang!"
Tang Seo-yoon called out in a hurry, but Yorang ignored her and kept running. Tang Seo-yoon stared blankly at Yorang's retreating back, looking quite troubled.
"It seems she's quite angry," Geum Jeok-hwa remarked from beside her.
"......I didn't mean for it to go this far......" Tang Seo-yoon said, looking flustered.
She had only meant to tease her a little, not actually make her angry. But it seemed things had gotten tangled.
"I'll go and soothe her," Geum Jeok-hwa said with a gentle smile.
"No. I'm the one who made her angry... I should be the one to comfort her."
Tang Seo-yoon shook her head. Since she was the cause of the anger, she had to be the one to fix it.
Thump.
Tang Seo-yoon slowly stood up.
"I'll be back shortly," she said to Geum Jeok-hwa.
"Since you're up, you might as well take a little break before you come back," Geum Jeok-hwa suggested. She was encouraging Seo-yoon to recover while she was away from her desk.
"I'll return as quickly as possible," Tang Seo-yoon replied, flatly rejecting the suggestion. It was as if she had no time to rest.
Step, step, step.
Tang Seo-yoon walked briskly and headed outside. Geum Jeok-hwa watched her go with a worried gaze. Soon, Seo-yoon's figure vanished completely, leaving Geum Jeok-hwa alone in the office.
*
Whoosh.
Stepping outside the office, Tang Seo-yoon closed her eyes.
Vrooooooom.
She began to circulate the Ten Thousand Streams Return to the Source Divine Art, a technique that only direct-line descendants of the Tang Clan could learn. A green current began to shimmer around her. It was the energy of the Ten Thousand Streams Return to the Source Qi.
Flash.
She allowed the shimmering energy to spread out from her body. She was extending her Qi-sense to find Yorang.
Swishhhhh.
The range of her Qi-sense grew wider and wider. After expanding it for some time...
Twitch.
Her body suddenly gave a small shudder. Her Qi-sense had detected an energy that was both familiar and repulsive.
Snap.
Tang Seo-yoon's eyes flew open. She whipped her head around toward the source of that repulsive energy.
And there she saw her. A woman walking toward her.
The woman exuded two completely contradictory auras at once. Her venomous eyes and a beauty that could easily be called peerless created a bizarre atmosphere.
Click, clack.
The woman walked forward with a leisurely stride.
"My, were you waiting for me?"
The woman spoke as she looked at Tang Seo-yoon.
"..........Sister."
Tang Seo-yoon spoke, her expression becoming incredibly grim.
"Why the face? It’s as if you’ve seen something you shouldn't have."
Her sister, Tang Jin-seol, let out a dizzyingly beautiful smile as she spoke.
"............You should be banned from entering the Tang Clan estate......?" Tang Seo-yoon said, her face frozen stiff.
"I didn't know it was forbidden to come see my beloved younger sister."
"I didn't realize you were someone so overflowing with sisterly love."
Tang Seo-yoon's voice was cold.
"Family should love one another," Tang Jin-seol replied with a soft smile.
"What is your business?"
Tang Seo-yoon asked directly. She didn't want to talk to her for long.
"You seem to be in quite a hurry, Seo-yoon."
Tang Jin-seol smiled as if she found Seo-yoon cute.
"I won't eat you. Don't be so tense, Seo-yoon."
"I simply have no desire to speak with you."
Tang Seo-yoon glared at her with cold eyes.
"That hurts my feelings," Tang Jin-seol said, feigning disappointment. "To think our sisterly bond has fallen to such depths."
"I doubt our bond was ever that deep to begin with," Tang Seo-yoon replied, her expression hard as stone.
"Well, fine. We can work on our sisterly love slowly."
Tang Jin-seol shook her head at her.
"Shall we move somewhere else first? Your big sister has something important to tell you."
She began to wear a cold, snake-like smile as she looked at her only younger sister, Tang Seo-yoon.