Monopolizing Fortunes (53)
Monopolizing Fortunes (53)
Namgung Seol-rin flinched and covered her mouth.
"Ah...... no, that's......."
Do Tong-dal still hadn't told anyone that he had learned the Mind-Reading Art. He had let it slip without thinking, and Jang Yu-seom and Seon Hye-min were now shooting him looks full of curiosity.
"It's a secret, you see......."
"If Coordinator Do wants to keep it secret, then there's no need for us to hear......."
Seon Hye-min quietly grabbed the hem of Jang Yu-seom's clothes as he tried to stand and forced him back down.
"What secrets could there possibly be between Coordinator Do and us? We're practically family. Aren't we?"
"It's true we're like family, but......."
"What is this Mind-Reading Art? The name sounds like it has the answer in it."
With Seon Hye-min going that far, he could no longer keep the secret. And if it was these two, it seemed all right to talk about the Mind-Reading Art.
"It's a strange secret art that Tong-dal learned."
Namgung Seol-rin told them about the Mind-Reading Art. Of course, she did not tell them how he had obtained it; that would not make for a good story.
"Oh-ho! So you're saying Coordinator Do can know what someone is thinking just from their expression?"
"Yes. It's astonishing. So the two of you should be careful in front of Tong-dal. Though I doubt being careful will do much good."
Jang Yu-seom and Seon Hye-min looked at each other, then said in unison.
"We don't mind."
"Pardon?"
"Because we have nothing to hide from Coordinator Do. It'll be convenient, not having to say things out loud. Right?"
Jang Yu-seom nodded as well. Namgung Seol-rin simply let out a soft laugh.
"Aren't there too many good people around a thug like him?"
* * *
Hwang Tae-gun asked in surprise.
"What did you just say?"
"I said those two would be in no way inferior to you in martial arts, Sect Leader."
Yeo Cheol-seon always spoke as bluntly as that. But Yeo Cheol-seon had not been blunt. If he had spoken truly bluntly, he would have said, "You could never beat those two."
That was how Yeo Cheol-seon viewed Jang Yu-seom and Namgung Seol-rin's martial arts. Throughout their spar, he kept imagining himself in the place of either fighter.
The moment he imagined himself there, he had no confidence he could withstand even a single move. Though he bore the rather grand epithet Lightning Spear, compared with Jang Yu-seom's blade and Namgung Seol-rin's sword, he was closer to a crawling grub than a bolt of lightning.
"So what Do Tong-dal told the branch chiefs was not entirely empty talk."
"The situation can only flow as Do Tong-dal said. You entrusted me with eliminating Do Tong-dal and those two, but I apologize—I have no confidence I can eliminate people who are several times more skilled than I am."
Yeo Cheol-seon was arrogant and self-assured enough to carry a spear in a sword sect. This was the first time that Yeo Cheol-seon had looked so deflated, like a puppy with its tail down.
"So you're saying we should pull out?"
"The decision is yours to make, Sect Leader. What is clear is that if we fight the Red Tiger Society, we may have to stake the Red Wind Sword Sect."
They faced three masters whom even the Sect Leader would struggle to handle, and one wrong move could put them at odds with the authorities as well. Yeo Cheol-seon's warning that they were staking the Red Wind Sword Sect itself was no exaggeration.
"I'll have to think on this matter a little more."
* * *
"There's no need to think it over. We must pull out, Sect Leader."
Strategist Jeon Hae-pyeong's words were uncharacteristically firm. Deep wrinkles formed on Gang Ho-cheon's forehead.
"That seems like too hasty a decision."
"Sect Leader, a fight should only be undertaken when the probability of winning is seventy percent or higher. If it isn't seventy percent, you wait until you can create that situation. And if creating that seventy percent seems impossible, the wise move is to pull out quickly."
"So in the Strategist's view, our odds of victory don't reach seventy percent."
"They don't even reach thirty percent. No, less than that. Right now, Do Tong-dal has chosen a way to win without fighting."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Do you think the Black Dragon Society and the Haerang Society would willingly accept martial sects? Not when their Society Leader is in prison, at any rate. Rather than submit to the rule of martial sects, it's only natural they'd want to join hands with the Red Tiger Society, a fellow underworld group."
"According to the reports, our terms are far better. We promised fifty percent, while the Red Tiger Society offered only twenty."
"This isn't simply a matter of money. Rather than serve a tiger as their leader, choosing a fellow wolf as their leader even if they go a little hungry is a matter of instinct. The underworld we were supposed to rule is becoming our enemy. Do Tong-dal must have factored this in as well."
"You seem to rate this Do Tong-dal fellow too highly."
"Everything that has happened so far says otherwise. A man of Do Tong-dal's caliber could have kept a meeting with the branch chiefs secret from us. Yet fifteen people gathered there. It was a meeting that could never have stayed secret. The fact that he laid all his cards on the table means he is that confident."
"You're saying he also showed the sparring of the Red Tiger Society's two Protectors?"
"That's likely. He proved that his words were true. 'I am not a wolf but a tiger, so what will you do?' He put the ball in our court."
"If we break his expectations and choose to fight, our odds would rise."
Jeon Hae-pyeong let out a sigh as if frustrated.
"Sect Leader, a rabbit never digs only one burrow. Do you think Do Tong-dal, who laid out such a meticulous plan, failed to prepare a second or third one? He would have prepared for the possibility that we might fight. The problem is that we have no idea what those second and third plans are."
"Are you saying our Black River Blade Sect should retreat because we're afraid of a single thug?"
"Will you stake the fate of the Black River Blade Sect on victory or defeat against a mere thug?"
"The fate of the sect, even?"
"He has three masters who cannot be ranked above or below you, and he even has the county magistrate at his back. If we fight such an enemy, do you think it will end with just a bloody nose?"
If what they stood to gain was money, what they stood to lose was their lives. They had started this thinking, 'Will we get the money or not?' but it had turned into a matter of life and death.
"If we back down like this, we'll look ridiculous."
"It's a disgrace that will be forgotten with time."
"Is there truly no way?"
"If we received help from the Iron Bell Sect, it would be possible."
The Iron Bell Sect, one of the Five Martial Banners, could be called the parent sect of the Black River Blade Sect. Gang Do-gwang, who founded the Black River Blade Sect, had originally come from the Iron Bell Sect.
"The moment we receive help from the Iron Bell Sect, they'll harvest all the fruit while we're the ones who bleed."
"That is the price of pride."
"Asking the Iron Bell Sect for help would wound our pride too."
"Then I think we have our answer."
Gang Ho-cheon let out a long sigh.
"Withdraw them."
* * *
"In Sun Tzu's Art of War, it says winning without fighting is the best strategy."
Wang Chil stared at Do Tong-dal for a long while, then asked.
"Whose grandson said that?"
Wang Chil's ignorance was always endearing. Jo Jin-ho spoke.
"Now that we've pulled out the disciples the Black River Blade Sect dispatched, only the Red Wind Sword Sect remains."
"If they have any sense, they'll withdraw soon too."
"Then all that's left is absorbing the two underworld societies."
"A good number of branch chiefs and officers have come over, but it's not as simple as planting a flag. They'll have to hold some kind of vote to choose their Society Leader. Now it's your turn to step up, Boss."
Wang Chil, who had caught Do Tong-dal's gaze, was startled.
"M-me? Do what?"
"Then you'll truly be the emperor of Hangzhou's nights, in name as well as in fact."
Wang Chil didn't look happy—he looked miserable.
"Can't I just stay the Red Tiger Society Leader?"
"Thick and long."
"It's too thick, that's the problem! My asshole's gonna tear!"
"Go see the physician in black. They'll stitch it up properly."
Do Tong-dal's attention turned to Jo Jin-ho.
"Boss, you handle the coordination with the two underworld societies. Don't make it too soft. We're the occupying force."
"So I just have to hold the line you set?"
"Discuss that with the Society Leader."
"Why are you dragging me into it again?"
Do Tong-dal suddenly shouted.
"Ah, do some work! Work! The Society Leader should set an example!"
"Ah...... fine. Why are you yelling?"
Muttering, "I spoon rice into his mouth and he still complains," Do Tong-dal rose from his seat.
"Where are you going?"
"I need to get some rest now too."
Of course, he had no intention of resting. He had been planning to go home and train, but a guest came looking for him.
"An uninvited guest, right?"
The person standing in front of the gate with an awkward smile was Namgung Cheol-hyeon. Do Tong-dal looked at Namgung Cheol-hyeon for a moment, then spread his arms.
"Good to see you."
Namgung Cheol-hyeon, who had been staring at the open arms with surprised eyes, suddenly threw himself into Do Tong-dal's embrace.
"You're better! You're all better!"
"Not all better, but it won't be long now."
"So this was why Seol-rin sent me that letter. Hahaha!"
"What letter?"
"Are you going to keep me standing out here while we finish talking?"
"Come on in."
"By the way, this house is really nice. Is it really yours?"
"Hmph! The price per pyeong here is probably higher than the Namgung Clan's."
"My friend's gotten rich. Now I can entrust my little sister to you with peace of mind."
Do Tong-dal stopped dead in his tracks.
"What?"
"Why act so surprised all of a sudden?"
"Ah...... no, that's......."
"Brother!"
Namgung Seol-rin, who had come running out just then, cut off Do Tong-dal's awkward conversation.
"What brings you here?"
The siblings' faces were full of delight. No trace of sorrow remained.
"I brought what you asked for."
"You could have sent someone."
"I couldn't pass up a chance to see Tong-dal and you."
"Please go inside. I'll prepare tea."
"Huh? You're making tea?"
"Why? Are you afraid I can't even brew tea?"
She couldn't. Putting tea leaves into hot water is not all there is to brewing tea. Only when you know the proper water temperature and the proper steeping method can you truly say you have brewed tea.
"Hmm. I didn't know Seolhyang tea could taste like this."
"Why?"
"Never mind. I just think Tong-dal's going to have a hard time."
"It's fine. It's not a frequent occurrence. So what did you come to deliver to Protector Namgung?"
Namgung Cheol-hyeon, thinking, 'So that's how he refers to Seol-rin now?' took out a book. The book, titled Three Severings Blade Art, was clearly a martial arts manual.
Do Tong-dal asked Namgung Seol-rin.
"Protector Namgung, are you planning to learn a blade art?"
"It's for you, Tong-dal."
"For me?"
Do Tong-dal, who had been staring blankly at the Three Severings Blade Art, shook his head.
"I don't think this is right."
"Why?"
"I'd like you two to stop feeling indebted to me. My arm is nearly healed, and thanks to Protector Namgung, Hangzhou was pacified without incident. You already gave me the footwork and the kick art. That's enough."
Namgung Cheol-hyeon asked.
"What about the debt I owe you? It's practically the same as you saving my life."
"You can repay that by buying me a drink. And as it happens, there's good liquor."
Namgung Seol-rin muttered, "He'll find any excuse to go to Cheonsangru."
"If this were some sacrifice of mine, I'd understand, but the Three Severings Blade Art means nothing to me or our clan. It's been shoved in the archives so long that the clan doesn't even know this martial art exists. If not for you, it would rot away to dust."
"But......."
"Can't you just accept it? If a genius like you brings glory to the Three Severings Blade Art, that's a good thing for this martial art too."
"Genius, my ass!"
"Huh? In her letter, Seol-rin couldn't praise you enough, saying you were a genius surpassing me."
"B-Brother! When did I ever......!"
"The letter is right here......."
As Namgung Cheol-hyeon reached into his chest, Namgung Seol-rin suddenly shouted.
"I said you were comparable to my brother!"
"No letter."
Only then realizing she had been tricked, Namgung Seol-rin fumed.
"Is it fun teasing me?"
"Yeah. Unlike before, you're fun to tease now. Hehehe......."
Namgung Seol-rin shook her head with a sigh.
"My brother never used to be like that."
"So you don't like it?"
"Well, it's better than him always being serious. And you, stop jabbering and just take it!"
"I haven't even mastered the Mujung Manbyeon Steps and the Heavenly Shadow Flash Kick......."
"Martial arts are meant to be learned broadly. You never know which one will turn out to be the star pupil."
"Seol-rin's right about that. Everyone has martial arts that suit them. Besides, you originally used a blade. So you'll pick up the Three Severings Blade Art quickly. You're a genius, after all."
Do Tong-dal, who had been staring blankly at the secret manual, spoke.
"I'll accept it gratefully. And in that spirit, I'll buy the Sagiju at Cheonsangru today."
"Don't go to Cheonsangru! You're trying to corrupt my brother too!"
"What's corrupting about a man going to a pleasure house!"
"Taking a man who's never so much as glanced at a pleasure house his whole life and staining him—that's corruption!"
"Huh?"
Do Tong-dal asked Namgung Cheol-hyeon.
"You've never been to a pleasure house?"
* * *