Monopolizing Fortunes (175)
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Monopolizing Fortunes (175)
"The Third Prince has been so busy lately that it's hard to get a meeting with him."
It sounded like a complaint: 'It's hard for me just to see that man's face, so how do you manage to meet him so easily?'
"You know the current political situation better than anyone, so I'm sure you understand, Lord Jeon. How could the Third Prince not want to keep you close?"
"Well. I don't really know the current political situation."
Originally, he should have been the one leading everything, but Yang Su-pan had taken over the work that Jeon Su-bang was supposed to do.
It was plain to see that he was burning up inside, afraid that the position second only to the emperor might go to Yang Su-pan instead of him.
Jeon Su-bang's conclusion was that all of this was Do Tong-dal's fault. It was because Do Tong-dal was like a brother to Yang Su-pan that Ju Hyeong-seon only kept Yang Su-pan at his side.
Nor did the relationship between Do Tong-dal and Ju Hyeong-seon look as though it would end once the great undertaking succeeded. The way Ju Hyeong-seon looked at Do Tong-dal was like a woman gazing at the man she loved.
"I think it would be best if you simply continued as you are now, Lord Jeon."
'Keep doing nothing, just as you are now, and let Yang Su-pan steal all the credit!'
He wanted to snap that at him, but picking a fight with Do Tong-dal would only cost him.
"Was I not the first to stand by the Third Prince's side when he was alone and lonely?"
Even Do Tong-dal acknowledged that. Without Jeon Su-bang, they might never even have attempted to place Ju Hyeong-seon on the throne.
"How could I not know what you have done, Lord Jeon?"
"Then why do you leave me out and proceed with everything on your own?"
In the end, his unfiltered resentment spilled out. Do Tong-dal called Jeon Su-bang quietly.
"Lord Jeon."
"Hm?"
"The position second only to the emperor will ultimately go to you."
"No, it's not that I covet power..."
"Yang Su-pan is not a vessel large enough for that. To make this country run properly, we need someone of your ability."
"Hmph! Well, that's not far wrong. Of course, I'm not saying Censor Yang is incompetent, but he still has much to learn."
"The one who makes an emperor and the one who runs the country are naturally different people. As you can see from the atmosphere in the imperial palace, the Third Prince will be invested as crown prince within a few days."
"Within a few days?"
"At the latest, it won't be more than three days."
Jeon Su-bang's Adam's apple bobbed up and down sharply.
"That soon? Then what about the Second Prince?"
He didn't even use the honorific "Highness."
"At best, he might manage to save his life, but even that probably won't be easy. If by some stroke of luck he does survive... haah—! That would become a lingering worry..."
Jeon Su-bang did not miss the sigh mixed into Do Tong-dal's words.
"Indeed. Weeds must be pulled out by the roots."
The Second Prince had gone from being "Highness" to being a weed.
"I think so too, but I can't find the time because of martial-world affairs, and Yang Su-pan, well, he lacks the knack for it, which worries me."
"Do not worry about that matter. Since the peace of this country is at stake, I should naturally step forward."
If he used Yeo Seon-sang, who was under house arrest, it wouldn't be a difficult problem.
"If you step forward, Lord Jeon, that would be a great weight off my shoulders."
"It is for the sake of the country, so of course I must step forward. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Do Tong-dal quickly racked his brain.
'This old man just wants to sit quietly and then enjoy the sweet fruit of being a meritorious subject. What a nuisance.'
As always, when he was in a tight spot, Do Tong-dal's mind found a way.
"Then would you take charge of the purge, Lord Jeon?"
The moment the word "purge" came out, Jeon Su-bang understood immediately, which meant he had already been thinking about it.
"It is an essential task when a new emperor is born."
"And it is also the most important task. In truth, shouldn't the meritorious subject who has rendered the greatest service have the right to wield the sword?"
"Will the Third Prince grant me such power?"
"Who else could do this work if not you, Lord Jeon?"
Originally it was Yang Su-pan's job, but Jeon Su-bang was far better suited to it than Yang Su-pan. Yang Su-pan was secretly soft-hearted and would try to spill as little blood as possible.
But new wine must be put into new wineskins. An old wineskin with dregs left in it could ruin even the new wine.
"If such a weighty responsibility is given to me, I shall do my utmost."
"Your utmost is not enough. You must produce the best possible result."
Do Tong-dal's resolute expression was a signpost showing Jeon Su-bang the path he should take.
"If I do not go to hell, who will?"
"My eyes were not mistaken. You, Jeon Dae-in, are the person the next emperor needs most."
"Hoho! I am an old man who will soon retire to the back room. It is young people like you who should assist the next emperor, is it not? By the way, I've been hearing good rumors about you lately."
"Rumors?"
Jeon Su-bang lowered his voice.
"That you are to become Prince Consort..."
Do Tong-dal cut him off before he could finish.
"Absolutely not!"
"Is that true? The Second Princess seemed quite taken with you."
"That will never happen. Never!"
"Is that so? Then..."
Jeon Su-bang's gaze turned toward Jeon Hye-jin, who stood demurely to one side.
"My niece has come of marriageable age..."
"Lord Jeon."
"Hm?"
"I'm a confirmed bachelor."
No more women.
* * *
The Sect Leader was Jang Yeon-seon, and the position of Chief Protector went to Won Dae-yeon. Beneath them, Namgung Seol-rin and Jang Yu-seom became Protectors.
They had asked Do Tong-dal to become Chief Hall Master, but he firmly declined, so in the end Jo Seong-un took that seat.
For the time being, the sect was divided into six halls. Eleven members of the Twelve Zodiac Shadows took the positions of Hall Master and Deputy Hall Master for five of the halls, and the remaining one came under Do Tong-dal.
Then the one hundred fifteen people who had been reborn after being brainwashed by Do Tong-dal were dispersed among the halls.
Each hall was given four squad leaders. It seemed like a lot of squad leaders, but it was a selection made in preparation for the personnel to be recruited in the future.
The most awkward members of the Righteous Chivalry Sect were the Blood Spirit Three Swords. Their martial arts surpassed the level of the Nine Great Sects' elders, but fighting was all they knew how to do.
"How about making them instructors?"
At first, he thought, 'How could those guys teach anyone else?' in response to Namgung Seol-rin's suggestion, but then he realized it might actually work out surprisingly well.
In any case, the only people who would receive training from the Blood Spirit Three Swords for the time being were the one hundred fifteen who had come over from the Revenge Society.
Knowing each other's martial arts well was an attractive enough advantage to cover their other shortcomings. And so the Blood Spirit Three Swords became instructors.
Jang Yeon-seon, the Sect Leader, did not merely occupy the position either. Thanks to inheriting a merchant's blood, she had an excellent sense for money, and the household finances of the Righteous Chivalry Sect were her responsibility.
Four people had been sent from Jang Bu-ok's Jang Merchant Company to help, so there was no problem keeping the Righteous Chivalry Sect running.
And at last, the day of the sect's founding ceremony dawned. That day, he could keenly feel the power of the Beggars' Sect.
"Master, do we really have to go to the founding ceremony of such a small sect?"
The Sungui Sect in Zhengzhou was a sect of considerable size, founded by a lay disciple of Shaolin. Shaolin, as its title "the Great Northern Pillar" suggested, was the greatest sect in the martial world, always serving as its pillar.
The Sungui Sect, founded in Zhengzhou County by a lay disciple of such a Shaolin, had naturally prospered day by day, and its history now reached one hundred twenty years.
In answer to Gwak Jung-su's question, Han Tae-bong, an elder of the Sungui Sect, stroked his luxuriantly grown, half-white beard with the back of his hand and replied.
"Should we not guide a chick that has just begun to walk onto the right path? If our Sungui Sect shows interest, how moved that little sect will be?"
"Wouldn't that be a matter of simply sending a letter?"
"We must go and see its scale to gauge how much sincerity we should invest. And since we of the Sungui Sect are going, would they dare send us away empty-handed?"
"Ah! So there was such a deep meaning behind it."
"When you go to the Righteous Chivalry Sect, keep their Sect Leader in line. It doesn't matter if you're rude. I'll do the intimidating."
"I hope the Righteous Chivalry Sect has at least some size. That way, coming all this way will have been worthwhile."
"Even a household worrying about tomorrow's meal has something to offer. Our job is to make something exist when it doesn't."
At least within Henan Province, where Shaolin was located, the Sungui Sect could not be ignored. That pride, and the skill they had built through their own efforts, had allowed them to carry on a history of one hundred twenty years.
When they arrived in Luoyang, the two men sensed something strange.
"Has Luoyang always had this many martial artists? Huh? Those people over there look like they're from the Jongnam Sect?"
Where Gwak Jung-su pointed, four people dressed in Jongnam Sect attire were walking. Judging by the fact that one of them was quite advanced in age, he was likely a person of considerable standing within the Jongnam Sect.
Han Tae-bong was able to spot not only members of the Jongnam Sect but also figures from the Mount Hua Sect and the Jegal Clan.
The Sungui Sect could hold its head high enough within Henan Province, but even so, it was nothing more than a minor local sect.
Then he spotted someone he knew. It felt like meeting a protector among a pack of tigers.
Han Tae-bong walked quickly toward Master Jeong-u, who wore brown robes and had a white beard.
"Master Jeong-u, have you been in good health?"
Han Tae-bong respectfully pressed his palms together toward Master Jeong-u, who was in charge of the Jeonui Pavilion. But Master Jeong-u did not seem to recognize who Han Tae-bong was.
"Thanks to the Buddha's protection, I have been well. Please forgive this humble monk's dim eyes for not recognizing you."
In truth, he had only seen his face from a distance and had never exchanged a single greeting with him.
"I am Han Tae-bong, an elder of the Sungui Sect."
"Ah! You are a disciple of the Sungui Sect. It seems the Elder has also come because of the founding ceremony of the Righteous Chivalry Sect."
"That is so, but... have you also come for that reason, Master Jeong-u?"
"It is a good thing for a sect that shares the will of the orthodox path to appear in Henan Province. Amitabha."
Han Tae-bong spoke the words he had kept inside.
"But it is surprising that you, Master Jeong-u, would go to a small sect like the Righteous Chivalry Sect..."
But he could not even finish his sentence.
"Isn't that Master Jeong-u?"
A man in his mid-forties greeted Master Jeong-u warmly. Master Jeong-u's face, upon receiving the greeting, was wreathed in smiles.
"Meeting the Namgung Chief Hall Master here is a pleasure."
Han Tae-bong was startled. The Namgung Chief Hall Master was the younger brother of the Namgung Clan Head and effectively the second-in-command.
'Good heavens! Such a high-ranking person came to the founding ceremony of a mere Righteous Chivalry Sect? Just what is the Righteous Chivalry Sect?'
Han Tae-bong was completely invisible to the two men chatting amicably. Feeling awkward just standing there, Han Tae-bong half-heartedly bowed and left the spot.
"Um... Master."
"Hm?"
"It seems we had the wrong idea about the Righteous Chivalry Sect."
"Don't even dream of pressing their Sect Leader."
Far from pressing him, it seemed people of their status would not even be able to meet him.
"Still, we should go and watch."
The various minor sects of Henan Province, who had come with their shoulders squared, shrank like a man's thing(?) plunged into ice water at the sight of the great sect figures gathered at the Righteous Chivalry Sect's founding ceremony.
At that moment, Do Tong-dal was irritated by the flood of guests.
"Seriously, how hard did that old Beggars' Sect Leader work? All he had to do was bring a few sects to save face!"
Because of the guests who had been pouring in since dawn, the Righteous Chivalry Sect had trouble even setting up seats, and they had to put up tents in the courtyard.
When Jang Yeon-seon was first introduced as the Sect Leader, the guests' expressions were all the same.
'Is this some kind of joke?'
It showed on their faces. But the introductions continued, and Jang Yeon-seon received the guests as the Sect Leader.
"Goodness. The Beggars' Sect Leader praised them so highly, saying they would become a great pillar of the orthodox path, and yet their Sect Leader is a mere child..."
Such remarks came from here and there, but it was a reaction they had already anticipated. Of course, they had prepared a single move to overturn that atmosphere.
"Huh? Aren't you Jo Seong-un, the eldest of the Twelve Zodiac Shadows?"
No matter how much he kept his face hidden, if one was active in the martial world, one was bound to become acquainted with at least a few people.
The person who recognized Jo Seong-un was Daoist Wonhae, an elder of the Wudang Sect.
"It has been three years since I last saw you."
At Jo Seong-un's greeting, Daoist Wonhae was greatly surprised.
"So you have also come as a guest, Jo Seong-un. Hoho! The Beggars' Sect Leader praised the Righteous Chivalry Sect until his mouth was dry, but I did not know he had even invited you, the hidden dragon of the martial world. Hohoho!"
"I am not a guest. I have come to serve as a warrior belonging to the Righteous Chivalry Sect."
For a moment, Daoist Wonhae was at a loss for words.
* * *