Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Translator: Penny
Chapter 33
My Beginning (4)
"For the home of someone responsible for financial matters, this place is awfully dilapidated," Gwangdu whispered to me, lowering his voice.
Indeed, the house looked so old and run-down it seemed on the verge of collapse. I wondered if we had come to the wrong place.
"As long as the person inside isn't dilapidated, that's all that matters. Call him out."
"Yes, sir!" Gwangdu shouted.
"Is anyone home?"
The door creaked open, revealing a man in his mid-thirties. Tall and lean, with long, unkempt hair and a thick, shaggy beard, he looked like he belonged in this dilapidated hut.
Gwangdu quickly whispered in my ear, "Even the person inside looks dilapidated!"
"As long as what's in his head isn't dilapidated, that's all that matters."
After whispering to Gwangdu, I politely asked the man, "Are you Master Gong?"
"Master? What nonsense. Yes, I'm Gong. What brings you here?"
"Chief Steward Jong of the Byeok Clan Sword School recommended you."
Gong Suchan flinched in surprise. He clearly hadn't expected Chief Steward Jong to recommend him.
"Come in."
We entered the small room, its walls lined with stacks of books.
"Forgive my rudeness, but what is your relationship with Chief Steward Jong?"
"He's my master."
Gwangdu and I were both stunned. We never imagined the eccentric Chief Steward Jong would have a disciple.
"How is your master doing?"
"He's in good health."
"That's a relief. But what brings you here to see me?"
"I am Byeok Ridan, heir to the Byeok Clan Sword School. I came to see Master Gong because I need a Steward."
He looked surprised and asked, "You want me to be your Steward?"
"Yes. My master recommended you."
"Did he happen to mention why I've been living in seclusion?"
"No."
"I see."
"Everyone has their reasons."
Gong Suchan suddenly blurted out, unprompted, "I killed a man. I killed the master who hired me."
He stood up, his posture suggesting there was nothing more to say.
"Farewell. I won't see you out."
But I had no intention of leaving.
"There's no need to worry about that. I'm not weak enough to be killed by an abacus."
I said, meeting Gong Suchan's flustered gaze directly.
"He must have deserved to die."
Otherwise, he wouldn't be here. If he had killed an innocent person, he would have paid the price. And he certainly wouldn't be saying such things himself.
"What kind of person was your Master?"
Gong Suchan looked taken aback, as if he hadn't expected me to ask such a question.
"He deserved to die."
"Then you killed him well."
"You mean you don't care at all?"
"That's right."
"This is a first. Everyone said I killed him well, but no one ever tried to hire me afterward. They all seemed uneasy about it."
"I'm not worried about that at all. What I want to ask is this."
"What is it?"
"Are you ready to start working?"
A moment of silence hung in the air.
Finally, Gong Suchan asked, "Do you trust me?"
I shook my head.
"If I said I did, I'd be lying. I don't know anything about you yet."
"Then why are you taking me with you?"
"Because I trust the person who recommended you."
And because I believed in the power of fate. If Chief Steward Jong had walked into my life to introduce me to this man, this connection must hold some significance.
"Will you join me?"
"I have just one question for you."
"Ask me anything you like."
"What is your dream for the future?"
"To make the Byeok Clan Sword School the foremost sect of the Central Plains."
Silence fell again.
After a moment, Gong Suchan said with a determined look, "I'll pack my things and come see you tomorrow."
"Thank you."
Only after they had left the room did Gwangdu finally voice his suppressed thoughts.
"You seem to like him."
"Isn't he refreshing? A Steward who reeks of blood."
"Well, as long as he does his job well, that's all that matters."
"Will he really do well?"
"Huh?"
"He's an idealist. When he asked me a question, he didn't ask about my capital or his monthly stipend. He asked about my dream."
"Then why did you choose him?"
"If our goal is to become Foremost in Shandong, we'll need a very practical Steward. But if we aim to be Foremost in the Central Plains, someone like him might actually be suitable."
Gwangdu wore a puzzled expression.
"This is a bit complicated."
"There's nothing complicated about it. If he can't do the job, we'll just fire him and find another Steward, right?"
"That's ruthless!"
"It's cold-blooded."
In truth, we hadn't even begun to tap into the "cold" part of cold-bloodedness yet.
I know what it's like to deal with those obsessed with power. Dreamers stand no chance against them. Goodness becomes a laughingstock, and dreams are torn to shreds.
To defeat them, we must become even more cold-blooded than they are.
The next day, Gong Suchan arrived at the Byeokli Sword School with his luggage.
After changing into clean clothes, taking a bath, and shaving his beard and hair, he looked like a completely different person from the day before.
As he was unpacking, Chief Steward Jong, having heard the news, came to greet him.
"You've arrived?"
Gong Suchan immediately prostrated himself in a deep bow.
"It's been a long time since we last met."
Though it was just a formal greeting, I sensed an unspoken history between the two men.
The atmosphere was awkward, but beneath Chief Steward Jong's gruff demeanor, there was a clear warmth toward his long-absent disciple. The wistful look in Chief Steward Jong's eyes was something I had never seen before.
Chief Steward Jong turned to me.
"Go buy some wine."
"Yes, I will."
I understood. This was his way of thanking me for accepting his disciple.
If this master-disciple relationship proved mutually beneficial, accepting Gong Suchan would ultimately benefit the Byeok Clan Sword School as well.
After such a long reunion, one might expect a few warm words to be exchanged. Instead, Chief Steward Jong said only this:
"Your future master is severely lacking, so you'll need to pay extra attention."
He delivered this remark as if for my ears alone before turning and leaving.
What a spiteful old man.
I chuckled and said, "As you heard, that's the situation."
With that, I handed him the remaining Three Thousand Taels, minus the Five Hundred Taels I had kept.
"This money must feed twenty Sword Guard members, including your own monthly stipend."
"Yes, I understand."
He showed no sign of worry.
"Are you sure you can handle this?"
"Didn't you call me here precisely because of our dire circumstances?"
I preferred this confident attitude to hearing complaints from day one.
"I'll need a lot more money in the future."
"I'll do my best."
"Thank you. I'm counting on you."
We had established the Sword Guard and now had a Steward to manage our finances.
Twenty Sword Guard members and one Steward.
Compared to the Martial Arts Alliance, our scale was laughably small.
But the crucial thing was that we had taken our first step.
News arrived that the Martial Arts Alliance's Alliance Leader Inauguration Ceremony had taken place.
Invitations had reportedly been sent only to the most prominent families in the Central Plains. While sects like the Yang Association and Song Family Manor received invitations, our family was conspicuously absent from the list.
This omission spoke volumes about our family's current standing.
If I hadn't met Gal Saryang and Baek Pyo last time, I would have moved heaven and earth to attend this inauguration ceremony.
But now, I had no interest.
Baek Pyo would be busy digging for business at the Wind Tavern, and Gal Saryang would undoubtedly be handling himself well.
After dinner, I sought out my father. Though he showed no outward signs, I suspected he might be feeling bitter about the snub.
I understand the leaders' feelings better than anyone. They must be upset about not receiving an invitation to the Martial Arts Alliance's inauguration ceremony, especially since it's for the Alliance Leader's ascension.
"Father, how about we share a drink together for old times' sake?"
I shook the wine bottle I'd brought, and Father's expression turned to surprise. Byeok Ridan had likely never done anything like this before.
"Since we're drinking anyway, let's go outside."
"Agreed."
We sat together in the garden pavilion, the full bloom of spring making me glad we'd come out.
I poured him a drink and accepted the wine he offered in return.
"Here's to a toast!" Father declared, clinking his cup against mine with vigor.
This was my first time drinking with my father like this. It felt a little strange.
"How's the Sword Guard going?"
"It seems to be off to a decent start."
"Handling people isn't easy. Don't underestimate your subordinates. Always make it a habit to think from their perspective."
"I'll keep that in mind."
My father emptied his cup, and I followed suit. I don't usually enjoy alcohol, but tonight it tasted surprisingly good, perhaps because of my mood.
We drank and talked about various things.
Until the end of the evening, neither of us mentioned the invitation. I felt that simply being together like this was a better form of comfort.
A month later, Gong Suchan came to see me, saying he had something to tell me.
"What is it?" I asked.
"First, I've diversified two thousand taels of the money you gave me into three merchant guilds."
He handed me a sheet of paper listing the guilds and the amounts invested in each.
Merchant guild investments came in two forms: long-term and short-term.
Normally, guilds funded their ventures with their own capital, but they also accepted external investments, sharing profits with investors. Naturally, high-risk ventures offered higher returns.
All of Gong Suchan's investments were short-term.
"The investment in the Jonghwa Merchant Guild has yielded a profit," he announced.
"How much did you earn?"
"After deducting the principal of four hundred taels, we made a profit of one hundred and fifty taels."
"Oh! You've made quite a profit."
"The results from the other two Merchant Guilds will be available in two months. The expected return is four hundred taels."
Investing two thousand taels and earning five hundred and fifty taels in three months was a remarkable feat of business acumen.
Whether he was an idealist or not, he had certainly proven his competence as a steward. Moreover, his confident investment from the start indicated a thorough understanding of the Central Plains Commercial Circle.
What pleased me most was his avoidance of risky investments. It would have been tempting to try to impress me with such a gamble.
"Although we've only invested in three ventures this time, I plan to gradually expand our investments."
"To be honest, I'm not well-versed in commercial matters. You handle it as you see fit, Steward. Just keep me regularly updated on the progress."
"Of course. Ah, and as you well know, there are other ways to earn money."
"Such as?"
"The Merchant Guild sometimes requires martial artists. Either they don't fully trust the Escort Agency, or they need additional martial force for specific tasks."
This was also a common way for sects to earn money. Local elites often provided voluntary patronage, and in return, the sect would step in to assist them during times of trouble.
However, apart from a few renowned sects, relying solely on patronage was rarely enough to sustain a sect. Thus, they often engaged in their own business ventures or formed partnerships with other sects or merchant guilds to generate revenue.
I knew the Byeok Clan Sword School was involved in various such activities as well.
"I understand. But it's still too early for our Sword Guard. When the time comes, I'll bring it up myself."
"Yes, I understand."
The Sword Guard's training continued relentlessly.
Gwanhwi completely dominated the atmosphere. He led by example, working tirelessly and setting the pace. As a result, any potential complaints about the young Squad Leader never surfaced.
With the Sword Guard functioning so smoothly, our influence began to spread to the established Sword Guard units as well.
Word of the Minor Sword Guard's rigorous training and disciplined lifestyle reached the older units, prompting discussions about the need for both sides to remain vigilant.
Indeed, they should be vigilant.
Soon, our Minor Sword Guard would surpass them all.
Two months had passed since the Sword Guard's formation.
News arrived of a major personnel reshuffle within the Martial Arts Alliance.
Many said there had been a major reshuffle. Sama Cheon had been appointed as the new Chief Strategist, a man known for his close ties to the Heavenly Blade Gate.
There was no news of what had become of Gal Saryang. He had likely been demoted or reduced to the rank of a regular strategist.
But I wasn't worried. I trusted he would manage to weather the storm on his own.
My priority was to bring Gal Saryang and Baek Pyo under my wing as quickly as possible.
If they genuinely refused, I wouldn't force them. But if they proved to be the kind of people who shared my dreams, we could work together.
To achieve this, I needed to become stronger. My Sword Guard needed to become stronger. Just as the first button is crucial for any task, the growth of this Sword Guard would significantly impact all subsequent Sword Guards.
Fortunately, the past two months of training had completely transformed the Sword Guard's movements.
In particular, Gwanhwi and a few others who had participated in separate dawn training sessions had clearly improved their skills. The atmosphere within the Sword Guard was also positive.
I judged that the time had come and immediately summoned Gwanhwi.
"Squad Leader Gwan."
"Yes, Captain."
Looking into Gwanhwi's vibrant eyes, I declared firmly, "The time has come."
It was time for live combat training.
"Gather everyone."