Mu Yun's Usury Revolution
Mu Yun laid out the usury plan exactly as he'd envisioned.
"A lot of our organization members are older and injured. This is to create jobs for them."
"What? I'm just floored. So you're saying you'll set up usury branches and hire them?"
"No, I'll make them all owners."
"......How many?"
"All of them."
"......?"
Gong Yaseong's eyes deepened. Mu Yun's calm gaze, and everything he'd shown so far, made it clear.
This isn't a joke. What the hell is he thinking?
A light thrill made the corners of Gong Yaseong's mouth twitch.
"You know all about usury thugs. What exactly are you planning?"
"Thugs, huh. Fair enough. So what's your solution?"
"Hm! Obviously, lower the interest rates and screen people who can't pay. Pick out the hardworking ones with real potential to repay......"
Mu Yun cut him off.
"Cut the obvious bullshit."
"Obvious?"
"Has usury disappeared in a thousand years with that crap? It's only spread from farmland to commerce now."
"So? What're you gonna do?"
"Send these guys out to become independent owners, and suddenly branches pop up everywhere. What happens then?"
"What happens? Fierce...... Oh! Competition drives down rates?"
"Exactly. That's the natural way. Plus, we'll gather the merchants we manage and set up a guild branch too."
"Why that?"
"Prioritize loans to guild members. Keep rates the same, but if they can't pay, we take their shops and hand them to our organization guys—in exchange for employing the original owners underneath."
"Ho! Lose the shop but keep the job guaranteed? That's solid."
"Once people believe that, next up are independent farmers."
"Same deal—guild branch for self-farming?"
"Yeah. Can't pay? Land goes to organization members, and they work it as tenants."
Gong Yaseong slapped his knee.
"Brilliant! That's gold."
"Yeah. I've tried everything else, but nothing beats this. Ahem! Anyway, it's the best."
Gong Yaseong grew eager.
"Everything else?"
"Thinking of setting up places to teach Sangsu embroidery and herb gathering."
"Why?"
"What's a better moneymaker for women?"
"And after?"
"Free training for a set period. Promise steady work to the good embroiderers—what happens?"
"Every woman in Chimju rushes in. But costs'll be high, right?"
"Crunched the numbers. Three years initial loss, pure profit after. Startup: three thousand silver taels."
"Got the funds?"
"Plenty stashed. Got rich friends too."
Gong Yaseong nodded at the herb idea.
"Same for herbs. Plus, tons of folks don't know shit and starve 'em—teaching cuts down hungry kids and women."
This sealed it completely.
"More?"
"Lay it out."
"Unpack first?"
"......!"
In the end, Gong Yaseong stayed. All ventures would run through the new Yeogwak Merchant Group—named after one from Yeo Dan and one from Gwak Ga.
Cheong-ho Bang remained unchanged. It had its own place. Those of the black path stayed in the black path—that was the order of that world.
A few days later, at the manor next to Cheong-ho Bang.
"Is this really sacrilege? How's a dance like this even here?"
Even as a gisaeng, Yu-seon blushed at parts of the Barata Natiam murals.
"I still feel awkward every time."
"This is really from a thousand years ago?"
"Yeah. Royal dance from Cheonchuk, infused with Buddhist flair. Those letters are Brahmi."
"But why show me? You gave me the heart method separately."
"Two reasons. First, to show you its true value."
"Work my ass off, got it. Second?"
"Study the dances there when you have time. What I'm really after is that dance."
Yu-seon tilted her head.
"It's unique, sure—blame Cheonchuk and Buddhism. Looks like assorted moves to me. What's special?"
"Alone, yeah. But pair it with the heart method, and you'll feel something. That's what I'm chasing."
"I get it. I'll try. But......"
"What?"
Yu-seon held out the scripture with trembling hands.
"It's a thousand years old—sure I should keep it?"
"Got it all memorized. You need it to study. Letters I could copy, but the drawings......"
"Still too precious."
"A newborn's precious too, right?"
"......!"
What he gave Yu-seon wasn't Yeo Hwi's annotated copy—it was the original. Even if stolen, ancient Brahmi made it just a picture book.
He didn't pry about the father. Reasons for silence ran deep. Saving her came first; she'd share if ready, or not.
Thankfully, in a month, Yu-seon formed her lower dantian and began gathering qi. Her passion, plus Mu Yun's constant super-senses awakening her body, made it possible.
Thus, Yeo Hwi's wish planted a tiny seed.
Three months later, Chimju Haomen branch.
Thwack!
"Damn! If not for martial arts, this guy's perfect—something's off."
Yeon Sa-gu's narrowed brow furrowed deeper.
Mu Yun from Nae-yang. Twenty-four now.
Escaped after learning demonic arts. Four years' movements, habits, age, build, pre-gang leader speech and behavior—all matched best.
But the puzzle.
Left as fresh first-rate, sword-only.
Cheong-ho Bang leader Dam Sa-un clearly surpassed peak. Sparring Ha Hu-jin, signaling him undetected.
Sword occasionally post-leadership, but mostly fists.
Two full realms in four years? Switched arts too.
Even elixirs or master couldn't explain it easily. Yet his infallible gut screamed this guy.
Yeon Sa-gu exhaled hot breath.
Always trusted gut in dilemmas.
Since when do I overthink? Clash and see.
Safety net: hint to uncle-branch head Yeon Dae-bo.
"Heading to Cheong-ho Bang. You know if I'm late."
"Why there? Found something?"
"I'll check."
"......You've gone plenty."
"Didn't ask around."
"......!"
Moments later, behind Cheong-ho Bang, gang leader's training ground.
Mu Yun shoved his face close to the sudden Yeon Sa-gu.
"What?"
"What're you curious about? Me? Why I'm here?"
"Not here for repair fees, I bet."
"......Repair fees?"
"Few roof tiles smashed. Watch it next time."
"......Bad sleep habits."
Mu Yun nodded.
"I know."
On roofs or in his house—always the same guy.
Yeon Sa-gu cut to the chase.
"When'd you know?"
A faint smirk crossed Mu Yun's lips.
"Thought something happened to drag you out. Ego bruised, jumped down?"
"Spill first."
Mu Yun grinned.
"No words for a backstabber. Got questions, though."
"Fight?"
"Nah!"
"Then?"
"Beat your ass."
Yeon Sa-gu's mouth twisted.
"Crazy bastard!"
Words barely out, Yeon Sa-gu's body slammed the ground first.
Whoosh!
Recently leaking qi on purpose. Knew him somewhat, meant total confidence.
He'd hidden power too, but Ha Hu-jin proved no slouch.
Old battle wisdom: strike first.
Preempt best!
Yeon Sa-gu's fist traced a meteor arc. Azure fist-force hurtled at Mu Yun.
Shuuuuk!
Mu Yun flashed a rare satisfied smile.
Enviable guy.
Always true to himself. Smiling or warrior.
What set warriors apart? Win first, sort the rest.
Twisted world, knotted life, relationships—thought one thing, swept another.
Even he faltered. Not this guy. Lived by whim. Might explode like today, but no regrets—his choices, his actions.
Guy to learn from.
But.
First, take a hit.
Like with Ha Hu-jin. Show the gap clear to those worth keeping. Aspiration for the strong was warrior instinct.
Plus, kept challenges upfront, not backstabs.
Yeo Hwi's iron rule as alliance leader.
No mercy.
Two months at mid-dantian peak—body-qi burst. Time to unleash moderately.
Mu Yun shot forward like an arrow.
Shaaak!
Yeon Sa-gu's eyes bulged.
Fast!
Five jang away, now inches. Expected peak, not this.
Fist bare of aura, yet killing intent roiled, soul-snatching waves.
Yeon Sa-gu's brows twitched fiercely.
What the fuck is this bastard!
No time. Pride rejected evasion.
Fuck it, die once, die twice?
Max inner power surged. Charged straight.
Fists collided.
Thud! Clang!
Azure force scattered. Shock shards sparked like fireworks, crumbling midair.
Clash force slid Yeon Sa-gu back.
Stagger!
Peak mid now, yet two jang retreat in one exchange.
How far'd he go?
Stunned, dozens of fist-winds crisscrossed.
Whooo! Shiiik!
Worm-like veins bulged on Yeon Sa-gu's forehead.
Ugh! What the—!
No think. Vast power packed into fist—abdomen vital targeted.
Ducked low, retreated.
Shameful, but space now.
Thud-thud!
Air surged like waves. Mu Yun's form leaped, smothering.
Shyiiiik!
Flowing pressure beyond imagine. Winds filled space, pressing.
Gap obvious. Few moves, defeat certain.
Yeon Sa-gu gritted teeth.
Won't end easy.
Milked every drop, qi peaked. Frosty force coiled fiercely.
Hummm!
Ultimate shock-force loaded.
This'll do!
Mu Yun's form veered sharply.
Shyik!
Wind-borne shift sharpened trajectory.
Shuuuuk!
Yeon Sa-gu sensed doom.
Fuck!
Sure enough, gale whipped side—lightning sparked eyes.
Thump! Crack!
Mind blanked, vision blurred. Body crumbled, consciousness fled.
“My Friend, the Heavenly Demon”