Chapter 795: How Dare a Mere Regional Military Commissioner!
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 795: How Dare a Mere Regional Military Commissioner!
"There is no reason to follow words that aren't worth listening to, is there?"
Sun-woo’s eyes flashed with a sharp light as he spoke.
Tremble.
Meeting that gaze, Lee Geom-han began to shake all over. A profound sense of humiliation welled up from deep within his heart at the thought of being ignored by a mere commoner.
'You arrogant brat!'
The urge to bring in the army and blow the man's head off right then and there surged within him.
'Patience... stay patient.'
However, he soon began to calm himself. He realized that if he pushed too aggressively now, the entire matter might spiral out of control.
"…I will give you ten gwan of gold."
Lee Geom-han made the offer with a heavy, serious expression. In silver, that amounted to the staggering sum of twenty thousand nyang. It was a fortune so vast that an ordinary person could work their entire life and never even lay eyes on it.
The monthly salary of an ordinary martial artist in the Cheonmu Alliance was roughly fifteen nyang. Ten gwan of gold was an amount so immense that such a martial artist could never hope to obtain it even if they worked until the day they died.
"................"
Hearing the offer, Sun-woo met his gaze with a calm, steady look, remaining silent.
'Hehehe... He’s stunned by the size of the amount. Beggarly wretch.'
Seeing this, Lee Geom-han began to smirk with a repulsive smile. It looked to him as if Sun-woo had lost his senses after hearing of such a massive sum for the first time in his life.
He was certain. There was no way this commoner, who was acting so high and mighty, would refuse his offer. Where else would a thug who only knew how to throw punches ever get to touch such wealth?
"I refuse."
At that moment, an unbelievable voice pierced Lee Geom-han’s ears. Jang Sun-woo had rejected his proposal.
"What!?"
Lee Geom-han asked back, his face a mask of disbelief.
"Conviction is not something that can be bought with money," Sun-woo continued, his expression remaining composed.
"…Are you trying to haggle with me?"
Lee Geom-han glared at him through narrowed eyes. He assumed Sun-woo had refused only to drive the price up.
"Fine. I shall give you twelve gwan of gold. That is equivalent to twenty-four thousand nyang of silver. Surely you are satisfied now?"
"Money is not the issue," Sun-woo replied dryly.
"You truly are greedy. Is your greed as peerless as your martial arts? Fine, I shall yield once more. I will give you fifteen gwan of gold. That is thirty thousand nyang! Thirty thousand! It is enough for three generations to live in luxury if spent wisely!"
Lee Geom-han spoke as if he were making a great concession.
"I tell you again, the amount does not matter. No matter what sum you offer, the relocation of the Uicheon Alliance will not be canceled."
Sun-woo’s voice was firm.
Crumple.
Upon hearing those words, Lee Geom-han’s face contorted in rage. He could feel Sun-woo’s absolute refusal to compromise.
'You son of a bitch… even after I showed you this much… consideration.'
Lee Geom-han felt his insides boiling. He had held back once. He had even tried to win the man over with money, thinking that things would become difficult for himself if the situation escalated further.
But his goodwill had been completely ignored—and by a mere commoner, no less. How could he not be seething with rage?
"Youuuuuu!!!!"
Finally, Lee Geom-han roared, unable to contain his simmering fury any longer.
"I have shown you more than enough favor! And yet you persist with this attitude?! You dare to mock me?!"
"I have simply stated my thoughts."
"That very thought is an insult to me!"
"How is refusing a bribe an insult to the Regional Military Commissioner? I fail to understand."
"Shut up! You lowly wretch!"
Lee Geom-han spat out a curse, raising his voice.
"If you do not accept my proposal, I will throw you in prison for the crime of insulting me!"
He glared at Sun-woo with burning eyes, making his threat quite blatant.
"Punishing an innocent citizen just because they won't listen to you… I’m sure the Imperial Court would be delighted to hear of this."
Sun-woo spoke with an incredulous expression, finding Lee Geom-han’s blatant intimidation absurd.
"Innocent? You have used your wicked tongue to deceive the public and even insulted me, the Regional Military Commissioner. How can you say you are innocent?"
Lee Geom-han began to speak with a sinister smile. If there was no crime, he could simply manufacture one. He possessed more than enough power to do so.
"I shall inform the Imperial Court," Sun-woo said calmly.
"Hahahaha! You think the Imperial Court will listen to the words of a mere commoner like you? How truly laughable."
Lee Geom-han burst into jovial laughter. The sheer stupidity of this naive commoner felt incredibly amusing to him.
"It seems your intelligence didn't increase along with your years of training," Lee Geom-han sneered. "Think logically. Between the word of a Regional Military Commissioner and that of a mere commoner, whose word do you think the Imperial Court will believe?"
There was a saying that 'crayfish side with crabs.' In the end, those of similar status would always take each other's side. The idea that he would appeal his grievances to the Imperial Court was nothing short of hilarious.
"Isn't that something we can only know once I've spoken to them?" Sun-woo replied in a level tone.
"There is no need to even speak. The Imperial Court will not lend an ear to the likes of you."
He was confident. There was no way the Imperial Court would listen to a lowly commoner. To begin with, the relationship between the Imperial Court and the Murim was not particularly good. They merely coexisted, watching each other like a cow and a chicken. There was no reason for the Court to listen to Jang Sun-woo’s plea.
"…Well, I think differently."
A soft smile played on Sun-woo’s lips.
"Tsk, tsk. Foolish man."
Lee Geom-han clicked his tongue. How could someone be this dim-witted? He felt nothing but pity.
"You will be locked in a dungeon. The deepest, darkest one of all," Lee Geom-han warned.
"It won't be that easy," Sun-woo replied with a small smile.
That sight was enough to make Lee Geom-han’s irritation skyrocket. Seeing Sun-woo acting so relaxed made his blood boil.
"Do you truly believe that the hollow fame of being the 'World's Greatest' will protect you? If so, I suggest you wake up from that dream. The government does not bow to mere reputations."
"I do not rely on reputations. I only believe in myself," Sun-woo said calmly.
"Hehehe… You believe in yourself… How entertaining."
Lee Geom-han chuckled. Sun-woo’s arrogant attitude seemed ridiculous to him. He might be acting proud now, but surely he was trembling inside.
"Are you relying on your meager martial arts? If so, I recommend you change your mind—unless you want to see the Murim destroyed."
The army was the hands and feet of the Emperor. Opposing the army was no different from declaring opposition to the master of this country. It meant facing a million-man army. Thus, he gave his warning: do not make a foolish choice if you don't want the Murim to be wiped out.
"Well? Is your mind still the same?"
"My mind remains unchanged."
Sun-woo looked at him with an expressionless face.
"Hehehe… You’re bluffing. I know your heart is burning with anxiety, even if you don't show it on the outside. You are only human, after all."
Seeing this, Lee Geom-han laughed as if he were enjoying himself, convinced that Sun-woo was merely putting on a front.
"I will give you a special chance to save face. I will give you one week. Within that time, withdraw the plan to relocate the Uicheon Alliance."
Lee Geom-han began to speak as if he were ordering a subordinate.
"As long as you don't relocate, you can do whatever you want in Jinan—whether you revive the Cheonmu Alliance or establish the Uicheon Alliance. Well? Isn't that a fair condition?"
Lee Geom-han wore an amused expression.
"I refuse."
"Hehehe… Yes, I thought you would say that. You have to keep up appearances, of course. For commoners like you, pride is everything."
Lee Geom-han let out a nasty smile and slowly stood up.
"Keep your pride for exactly one week. I shall allow you that much."
He looked down at Sun-woo with cold eyes.
"But if you exceed that, you will find yourself facing the Imperial Army."
Step, step.
Having finished his piece, Lee Geom-han began to walk away with a very leisurely stride. Sun-woo simply watched his retreating back in silence.
'Interesting.'
A smile touched Sun-woo’s lips. He found the man’s attempt to use his authority for all sorts of threats quite amusing.
'One week, huh...'
Sun-woo thought to himself. One week was more than enough time.
'I should write a letter.'
Sun-woo slowly began to walk toward his office. His steps were the picture of composure.
*
"Ebebebe~!"
Yorang stuck out her tongue and began to wag it violently from side to side.
"Kyahaha! Haha!"
Seeing this, Yeon-woo burst into fits of laughter, as if Yorang’s antics were the funniest thing in the world.
"Ebebebebe~!"
This time, Yorang wagged her tongue up and down.
"Kyaaaaa~!"
Yeon-woo’s laughter grew even louder.
"Yeon-woo, do you like Mommy Yorang?"
Yorang tucked her tongue back in and asked while looking at Yeon-woo.
"Kyaaa~"
Yeon-woo began to babble.
"You do? Really? Then do you want to play more with Mommy Yorang?"
"Habububuda~!"
"You do? Okay, then we'll play some more..."
Yorang spoke with a satisfied expression.
Grab.
"Don't try any tricks, Yorang."
Someone grabbed Yorang’s shoulder and spoke.
"Didn't we clearly agree to take turns every half a shijin? Why are you trying such nonsense?"
Neung So-hwa looked at Yorang with cold eyes.
"Yeon-woo said he likes me."
"That is your delusion."
"But he's laughing so much!"
Yorang lifted the beaming Yeon-woo and argued.
"Yeon-woo naturally laughs a lot because he takes after his father."
"No, it's because he's with me."
"Stop being so stubborn!"
"I'm not being stubborn!"
The two of them began to bicker.
"Kyahahahaha~!"
Watching them, Yeon-woo laughed as if it were a game. It seemed this wasn't the first time he had seen them fight.
"Stop fighting. You'll make Yeon-woo cry."
Bukgung Yeon spoke in a sharp voice as she watched the scene.
"Yorang keeps trying to pull a fast one!"
"Yeon-woo likes me more!"
The two women raised their voices, both sounding aggrieved.
"Sohwa, why don't you yield a little? Unlike you, who are idle, I am buried under heavy work every day. Do you really have to disturb my rest like this?" Yorang said in a subtle tone.
"I know very well that you play around all the time. How can you call it 'heavy work' when you only work ten days out of the month!"
Neung So-hwa immediately protested. She knew Yorang spent most of her time slacking off, so what was this nonsense?
"Even so, isn't it better than you, who plays all month long?"
"What! Have you said everything you wanted to say?!"
"No, I haven't! What of it!"
The two of them resumed their childish argument.
"…I give up."
Bukgung Yeon shook her head. She had reached her limit.
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Bukgung Yeon asked calmly.
"It is Geum Jeok-hwa."
"Come in."
Bukgung Yeon immediately granted permission.
Creeeeeak.
The door opened on its hinges, and a noblewoman with a wealthy aura appeared. It was Geum Jeok-hwa.
"What is the matter?" Bukgung Yeon asked curiously.
"I am looking for Commandery Princess Gyeonghwa."
"Me?"
Neung So-hwa, who had been in the middle of her spat, asked back in surprise.
"Yes. Lord Sun-woo has sent a letter addressed to the Commandery Princess."
"Sun-woo did?!"
Neung So-hwa’s face lit up. The thought that her beloved husband had written a letter specifically for her filled her with joy.
"Give it to me quickly!"
Neung So-hwa rushed over to Geum Jeok-hwa and held out her hand, eager to check it as soon as possible.
"Here it is."
Geum Jeok-hwa took a letter from her robe and handed it over.
"Hehehe..."
Taking the letter, Neung So-hwa giggled as she immediately tore it open. She began to read, expecting to find sweet words of affection.
But as time passed, her expression grew increasingly grim, until finally, it was clouded with rage. It was the complete opposite of her previous joyful look.
"What an insolent man!"
Slam!
Neung So-hwa slammed the letter onto the desk and raised her voice. An uncontrollable fury surged from the depths of her heart.
"How dare a mere Regional Military Commissioner!"
Neung So-hwa’s face flushed red with pure rage.