Chapter 121
Chapter 121
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: The Hanzhong Branch (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*Crack! Thud.*
As I slammed my fist into the last guy's jaw, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.
"Wh-what is this?!"
A murmur spread.
Geum Ja-hwan and the other branch warriors stared in shock at the fallen men.
It was no wonder they were surprised; not a single one of the downed men could be considered lightly injured.
I couldn't be sure, but they'd need at least ten days of recovery to get better.
"Don't just stand there. Move these guys."
"T-to where, sir?"
"Where else? The training grounds."
"Understood!"
The branch warriors hurriedly began to move the strike team.
I asked Geum Ja-hwan again.
"Where did you say the reconnaissance team was?"
"Well..."
Just as he was hesitating, stalling for an answer.
"We're late!"
"Our apologies! We were on an external patrol and didn't hear the summons."
Twenty members of the reconnaissance team ran up and prostrated themselves before me.
"Oh?"
It seemed someone who'd watched the situation unfold had told them they were screwed.
Honestly, I was annoyed, but I decided to play along.
"Seven hundred laps around the training grounds. If I catch anyone using their internal energy, you'll start over from the beginning. Understood?"
After all, I'm a man who values love and justice as much as Sailor Moon.
"What are you doing? Not running? Do you all want to die?"
"Hup!"
*Whoosh.*
The twenty reconnaissance members, their faces pale with fright, scrambled toward the training grounds.
Two hours later.
*Snap.*
All the warriors belonging to the branch were lined up in the middle of the training grounds, their discipline razor-sharp.
"I am Jin Mujeon, and I will be serving as your Acting Commander."
"..."
*Fwoosh.*
Seeing their lack of response, I frowned and released my aura. Applause immediately erupted.
*Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.*
"Ahem. It's a pleasure to meet you all as well."
*Clap, clap, clap, clap.*
"Enough."
*Silence.*
The hundred or so warriors of the branch desperately focused their gazes on me.
The strike team, staggering and barely able to stand, did the same.
"This commander is very disappointed in all of you."
*Thump.*
I stomped my foot, unleashing a shockwave.
The stone floor cracked as a heavy, explosive sound echoed across the training grounds.
"I can overlook the insubordination on the very first day, but what use are men who don't even know basic formations?! From now on, I will teach you the official Nine Dragons Fortress formations. Everyone, pay attention."
And so, the sun set on my first day of work.
* * *
On my way back to the inn I was using as my quarters, I ran into Myo Hyang.
"Getting off work?"
"Looks like our quitting times matched up perfectly."
"They did. It seems a hard day's work has its rewards. I get to see your face, Squad Leader."
Myo Hyang, a hint of exhaustion on her face, smiled brightly and linked her arm with mine.
Something soft and firm pressed intensely against my bicep.
"Gah! What are you doing all of a sudden?"
"Hehe, what's the big deal? It's not like anyone knows us here."
"N-no, that's not it..."
Isn't this kind of intimate contact something you're supposed to do after getting married?
Sure enough, passersby were giving us uncomfortable looks.
"Ahem, hem."
It was the kind of physical contact that would be considered excessive even in the modern world, so it was only natural for the Confucian-minded people of the martial world to be displeased.
When I hastily pulled my arm away, Myo Hyang feigned a hurt expression.
"Wh-why are you being so embarrassing?"
"What's the matter? I used to bathe you when you were little..."
For a moment, I had a PTSD flashback to my time at the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion.
*'Please, just wash properly! You just splash some water on and come out, so your clothes are starting to smell! This won't do. Come here. If Young Master Jin won't wash, I'll have to wash you myself.'*
"Someone might get the wrong idea if they heard you. You only scrubbed my back, you didn't bathe me..."
"Same difference."
Myo Hyang said with a pout.
"Since we ran into each other, should we get dinner before heading back? Maybe have a drink, too."
"What about So-so? Will she be okay alone at the inn?"
"What about her? She's not a toddler. She can feed herself. Besides..."
"..."
"She's been looking a bit... dirty lately. I'd rather not eat with her."
She had a point.
Sometimes, it seemed like she'd given up on being a woman.
To exaggerate a little, you could say she was like a budding member of the Beggars' Sect.
*'The daughter of a general hospital director, turned into a beggar in an instant...'*
Indeed, the corruption known as laziness is a terrifying thing.
"You're right about that. So, where should we go?"
"The Wolhyang Pavilion. It's a bit pricey, but the food is excellent."
"..."
"Let's go. My treat."
"What are you doing? Aren't you coming?"
Can't turn down a free meal.
A short while later.
After a short walk, Myo Hyang and I arrived in front of a five-story building.
The brilliant carvings etched into every pillar and the incredibly bright lights showcased the grandeur of the Wolhyang Pavilion, known as the finest tavern in Hanzhong.
The place was bustling.
Upon entering the first floor, we saw that quite a few people were already seated and eating.
Considering the average menu price was ten copper coins, it was a scene that spoke to the high per capita GDP of Hanzhong's citizens.
A waiter, having belatedly noticed our arrival, approached us.
"Welcome."
His calm response was impressive, different from the usual waiters who would rush out shouting, 'My goodness! Esteemed sir!'
"Please show us to a quiet table."
"For that, you'll have to go up to the second floor. Would that be all right?"
"No, the first floor is fine..."
"It's fine."
Just like the Honghwa Pavilion, the Wolhyang Pavilion's food and alcohol prices increased the higher you went.
"Sis, isn't this a bit too expensive for just one meal?"
"This much is fine. Besides."
Myo Hyang smiled brightly and continued.
"You'll be known as a tycoon from now on. You can't keep eating cheap food, can you?"
"Ah..."
That was true.
It hadn't fully taken off yet, but I was now the owner of the Hanzhong Merchant Guild, a robust cooperative.
In my past life, even the chairman of a local credit union walked around with his chin up. Considering that, I could certainly afford this level of luxury.
The problem was.
"I'm just not used to it."
They say only those who have spent money know how to spend it. Since coming to the martial world, the habit of saving every grain of rice and every single coin had become ingrained in my very bones.
*'Can I even digest this?'*
Could my stomach, which had only ever digested cheap things like plain noodles, handle such high-class cuisine?
I followed the waiter to the second floor, worrying inwardly.
And...
*Chomp, chomp.*
*'Can I digest this?' my ass. As expected of high-class cuisine, it was just delicious.*
So much so that I thought I should come once a month as a gift to myself.
"It's good to see you enjoying your food."
*Gurgle.*
Myo Hyang poured a drink into my cup. It was an expensive liquor, called Baek-something.
"Kyah. This is good."
One sip, and I was in heaven.
"You have a drink too, Myo Hyang."
"Hehehe, alright. Pour me one."
As we drank cup after cup, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.
"How's work? Do they look down on you for being a woman?"
That's right.
When the alcohol starts flowing, it's time to talk about work.
It was a stiff topic, so it would have been hard to bring it up at any other time.
Besides, Myo Hyang was working at the Hanzhong Merchant Guild as my representative, so it was only natural that I should listen closely.
"...It's not bad."
As expected, there seemed to be some difficulties. Myo Hyang began to speak, her expression sullen.
"It might be because it's only been a few days, but the atmosphere is mostly cautious. They're all very polite when dealing with me."
"That's not good news."
"Exactly. I need to blend in with them, but it won't be easy like this."
"Want me to help?"
"I'm not sure how you'd help, but not right now. I'll try to do it on my own."
"That's cool and reassuring."
"Hmph, what kind of compliment is that? To a woman... Tell me I'm pretty. Or beautiful."
"...You're pretty, you're pretty. Happy now?"
"It's like forcing you to bow... Well, it's still nice to hear."
Myo Hyang glanced sideways at me and continued.
"But I did find a few problems."
"What is it?"
"It's about the Mangeum Bank. It turns out there are a lot of overlapping shares among the businesses."
"That could be a problem."
"Exactly. Since things ended on bad terms, it's highly likely they'll interfere in every little thing."
"What to do..."
This was a problem that couldn't be solved with force.
If we clashed, the main fortress might dispatch their masters.
"For now, let's hold out. If it gets too bad, we can ask the Red Dragon Hall for help."
"Okay."
Unless we kill them so secretly that not even a mouse or a bird would know.
*'If we're going to do it, I should ask them to make it look like an accident. So there's no suspicion.'*
After that, there wasn't much else to talk about.
We talked about people like Cheong So-so and Jeok Hwa-ran, or trivial things like how pretty some mountain was.
Still, it was nice to have this rare moment of leisure.
Just as Myo Hyang and I were deep in conversation.
"Excuse me..."
The waiter who had shown us to our table approached.
He was carrying a tray laden with expensive liquor.
"Hm? We didn't order this."
"The owner of the pavilion wishes to treat the new Commander."
I acted nonchalant at the waiter's words, but inwardly I was surprised. I expected word to get around, but for them to recognize me in less than a day...
"This much?"
Befitting a top-class tavern, the price of the liquor was no small sum.
There looked to be over ten bottles of such liquor, which would cost more than two silver taels.
Offering such an expensive gift meant they wanted something.
"I'll accept one bottle. Take the rest back."
I sent back all but one bottle.
I couldn't start accepting bribes on my first day in office.
After all, shouldn't a public official abide by the laws prohibiting improper solicitation and bribery?
Though a small gift might be acceptable.
"...I will relay your message."
"Thank you."
After the waiter left, I said to Myo Hyang.
"It would have been rude to refuse their sincerity completely."
"Hehe, that was wise of you. The person who offered wouldn't feel too bad about being turned down that way."
However, both Myo Hyang and I had overlooked one thing.
Most of the people on this floor were influential figures in Hanzhong, and they had all witnessed what just happened.
"Excuse me, but are you by any chance the Fighting Dragon, Great Warrior Jin, who was appointed as the Acting Commander of the Nine Dragons Fortress's Hanzhong branch?"
A middle-aged warrior with a sword at his hip approached and greeted me.
"I am, but..."
"Haha, I knew it. I am Pung Cheol-san, the master of the Hanzhong Sword Academy."
"Ah, I see."
"It must be fate that we've met like this. I was wondering if I could join your table..."
"My apologies, but we're in the middle of a private conversation."
"Then may I offer you a bottle of liquor instead?"
"...I suppose that would be fine."
He wasn't the only one who approached us like that.
"The head of the Jeongga Merchant Guild..."
"The director of the Hanzhong Medical Hall..."
"I am Han Ri-hyang, the head of the Yehwa Academy."
After meeting five or six people like this, the table was soon piled high with bottles of liquor.
And still, dozens of pairs of eyes were watching our table, waiting for their chance.
It became difficult to remain seated, so I said to Myo Hyang.
"...I think we should go."
"Next time, we should get a private room."
"It seems we'll have to."
"Take the liquor with you. We can't just throw away gifts in front of everyone."
But this barrage of gifts didn't end there.
A crowd had gathered.
The next day, when I arrived at the branch for work, a huge crowd had gathered.
What's more.
"Let us see the new Commander!"
"Hey! Why are you cutting in? Didn't you see I was here first?"
"We're all here to slip him some money, what's the point of arguing about the order..."
"What? Have you said your piece?!"
There were so many that they were forming a line.
Seeing this reminded me of my recent conversation with the Red Dragon Hall Master.
*'Tsk tsk, for a mere branch master to build a grand manor and live with three wives and four concubines... that says it all.'*
Ah...
So that's how he could afford to build a manor and live like that.
Normally, I would have welcomed this with open arms, but with the audit having just ended, I wasn't in a position to accept anything.
Seeing this scene in such a situation, a thought naturally came to mind.
*'I should use this opportunity to start an anti-bribery campaign.'*
I can't be the only one who has to refuse, can I?