Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: Interview
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"Phew..."
The long-awaited end of the workday. A wave of exhaustion washed over me, likely from scrutinizing applicants all day.
*Hiring people is never easy.*
Still, being able to separate the gems from the stones among so many applicants was a success.
*And it's all thanks to the application notice I created...*
The thought sent a sudden shiver down my spine.
To possess not only martial arts and strategic prowess but also this innate administrative talent.
Was I not the very embodiment of Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang combined?
I touched my forehead and shook my head slowly.
*Tsk, tsk. It's not good to stand out too much...*
The richer the grain, the lower it bows.
It seemed I needed to don a thicker armor of humility.
After about fifteen minutes of walking while pondering how to conduct myself in the future, the inn came into view.
*I should have a drink with my meal today.*
On hard days, a glass of liquor is the best way to soothe the night.
"Hey, I'll have some pork and two bottles of white liquor... Huh?"
As I was calling out my order and opening the inn's door, I witnessed a baffling scene.
"Ah! There he is!"
A crowd of people surged forward.
"General Manager Jin, it's me! Pung Cheol-san, Master of the Hanzhong Sword and Saber Hall."
"Gwak Gwi-san, Master of the Fist Arts Hall, at your service."
"It's been a while. I'm Du Yeo-ul, wife of the Head of the Hanzhong Academy."
"I'm from the Lee Family Merchant Guild..."
"From the Yu Family Martial Arts Hall..."
The influential figures of Hanzhong and its surroundings had all gathered here.
"Ahem. It's been a long time."
Even the Lord of the Dragon-Slaying Gate, Bukgung Janghwan!
I was momentarily flustered, but I soon realized why they had come.
*They're here to ask for hiring favors!*
That was it.
Even if it was only a one-year position, it was a post for a warrior at the Nine Dragons Fortress's Hanzhong branch, which managed the city.
Not only could one boast of being from the Nine Dragons Fortress, but it was also an excellent opportunity to build connections in the Central Plains, where relationships were everything.
Furthermore, since it was a one-year contract, returning to their own factions would be easy, making it the perfect opportunity for them.
*Why didn't I think of this?*
If I had known beforehand, I would have run away.
Thanks to them, the inn instantly descended into chaos.
I wanted to roar at them to get lost and not ruin my peaceful evening, but I couldn't.
Most of them were people who had taken up arms and joined when the mobilization order was issued last time.
Even if no actual battle took place, the merit of having answered the call could not be ignored.
*Ugh... I have no choice.*
There was no other way but to take the time to placate them one by one and send them back.
"Ahem... Please, not here..."
Just as I, weary and drained, began to speak slowly...
*Clank!*
"What is all this commotion! I can't sleep with all this noise!"
The back door leading to the inner courtyard opened, and Myo Hyang appeared.
"Can't you see General Manager Jin is tired! If you're going to ask for hiring favors, you should do it during the day!"
When the word "favors" came from her lips, everyone hastily glanced around.
"Ahem, young lady, your words are too harsh. I may look young, but I'm old enough to be your great-uncle..."
"You're old enough to know better, so is it okay to bother others?! And what's so proud about this that you have to come all the way here?! Coming here like this!"
"Hmph! Your words are too much! I know you're the general manager of the Hanzhong Merchant Guild, but everyone here is..."
Myo Hyang cut him off with a chilling look.
"Anyone who doesn't leave right now can consider all their dealings with the Hanzhong Merchant Guild terminated. Understood?!"
At that, the favor-seekers who had come to the inn quickly cleared out.
In Hanzhong, being unable to do business with the Hanzhong Merchant Guild was a surefire way to starve.
*...Impressive.*
I thought as I watched Myo Hyang, who had subdued the influential figures of Hanzhong with just a few words.
Perhaps she was the most powerful person in Hanzhong.
* * *
The next day.
"Ugh... my head..."
The drinking session with Myo Hyang, who had single-handedly quelled the previous day's chaos, had lasted late into the night, leaving me with a splitting headache.
After a quick wash, I went outside to find Cheong So-so, once again enjoying her photosynthesis while lying on the outdoor bench. She held out her hand with her eyes still closed.
"Here."
"What is it?"
"A hangover remedy. I've improved the scent and taste from last time, so it should be more palatable."
"...Thanks."
Even as a complete freeloader, Cheong So-so did what she needed to do.
Thanks to her, I quickly resolved my hangover and headed straight to the branch office.
I was able to attend the third test, the interview, without being late.
The location was the same training ground as yesterday.
However, today, five chairs for the interviewees were placed across from the chairs where I, Geum Ja-hwan, and the Reconnaissance Squad Leader sat.
"First group, enter!"
The interview began with the shout from the branch member assisting.
The applicants entered with expressions of grim determination.
"Number one! I am Yang Cheon-hwa. It's a pleasure!"
"Number two! Jin Cheon-do! It's a plea—"
"Number three!"
"Fo—"
Listening to the flood of self-introductions, Geum Ja-hwan and the Reconnaissance Squad Leader carefully reviewed their applications.
To be honest, when I first planned the test, I hadn't expected so many to make it this far.
I had planned to chat with the applicants and pass most of them.
I had even hoped that if we were lucky enough to have a couple more people than needed, we could form a reserve unit to allow for more flexibility in personnel management.
But now, with over fifty people remaining, the competition was at a five-to-one ratio.
I had to separate the gems from the stones as much as possible, so I had prepared a rigorous interview.
Just like this.
"Applicant Yang Cheon-hwa, your place of residence is unclear. Why is that?"
"Since I was young, I loved to travel, so I've wandered from place to place. Thanks to that, I was able to see the world and broaden my horizons, learning the cultures of various regions. I believe this will be a great help in my service at the Hanzhong branch!"
The guy answered fluently. If this were modern-day Korea, he might have received high marks for his pioneering spirit, but he was a failure here.
*What's so great about wandering around with a sword?*
Besides, this was the world of martial arts.
Just calculating the cost of inns and meals, you'd have to spend at least three silver taels a month.
There was a possibility he had raised travel funds through immoral means.
Sure enough.
*Scribble, scribble.*
I glanced to my side and saw Geum Ja-hwan writing the character for "no" next to his name.
"Failed."
*As expected.*
Seeing him weed them out on his own without me having to say anything was incredibly reassuring.
As the first group left and the second entered, I saw the applicant I had taken note of yesterday.
He was the warrior who had even managed to counterattack with his excellent sense and martial arts during the spar with the Black Mountain Tigers.
"Sama Heun."
He sat down after a brief introduction.
"...?"
The other applicants who entered with him stared at him with expressions that said, 'What's with this idiot?'
I slowly reviewed his application.
*'From Wen County in Henan Province, uses a saber, trained in his family's martial arts, and at nineteen, his prowess has reached the peak of the first-rate realm...'*
This made it highly likely that he was from a fallen noble family.
After all, geniuses who could create something from nothing, the kind you hear about in legends, weren't that common.
*I wonder which one...*
After pondering for a moment, I looked at his name again, and the name of a noble house that had long since been delisted came to mind.
*The Sama Noble Family.*
They were one of the most prestigious of the Five Great Families, famous before the martial world was reorganized under the Five Supreme Hegemons.
Only then did the pieces start to fit together.
*I should hire him first and then ask the Red Dragon Hall to investigate.*
We had completed a simple verification before calling him for the interview, but due to time constraints, we hadn't been able to dig deeper.
I pointed at Sama Heun and said.
"You pass."
Everyone's eyes widened at the super pass given before even the first question was asked.
"Wait in the main hall."
"Yes, sir."
Sama Heun gave a silent bow and walked toward the main hall.
Geum Ja-hwan sent me a telepathic message, asking for the reason.
[Have you perhaps received a request for a favor?]
What does this kid take me for?
[His martial skill is decent, and as someone from a noble family, he should be literate. Isn't that good enough?]
Geum Ja-hwan then nodded as if he understood.
The Reconnaissance Squad Leader, who seemed to have heard the explanation from Geum Ja-hwan, also quickly regained his composure and resumed the interview by asking questions.
Six hours passed like that.
By the time fatigue began to set in from the interview that had continued through lunch, the final group finally entered.
Coincidentally, the two men from the Dragon-Slaying Gate and number ninety-nine, whom I had noted before, entered together.
"Greetings! Applicant number eighty-six, Jin Hu-myeong..."
"Number eighty-seven, Jeong Won-pyeong. It's a pleas—"
After finishing their introductions in turn, the applicants sat down at my nod.
Geum Ja-hwan and the Reconnaissance Squad Leader began the interview, showing a favorable attitude.
"Disciples of the Dragon-Slaying Gate. Just looking at you is reassuring. What do you think, Reconnaissance Squad Leader?"
"I feel the same. Few know Hanzhong as well as the disciples of the Dragon-Slaying Gate, and their martial arts are outstanding. Their identities are also certain, as the Lord of the Gate has vouched for them."
In truth, those two were already halfway to being accepted.
As Geum Ja-hwan said, they were the perfect candidates to become temporary branch members.
However, there was one concerning aspect, which was why we were conducting the interview.
"When a suspicious person appears, you ask? We just grab them and beat them a few times. They'll spill everything once they've been hit enough."
"Hmm, if we encounter a drunkard causing trouble during patrol... I believe it's right to knock them out and then escort them away. Huh? What if they're a person of high status? What does that have to do with anything?"
It was the extremism of the Dragon-Slaying Gate.
No matter how great their grievance, for just ten people to storm the branch office was something difficult to comprehend with an ordinary person's mindset.
There was another problem.
"If you buy something worth thirteen copper coins and pay with one silver tael, how much change should you receive?"
"Um... well..."
"Ahem... Isn't the shopkeeper supposed to give the correct change?"
Most of the Dragon-Slaying Gate disciples were idiots.
High-level martial arts are generally perfected through outstanding comprehension and excellent physical constitution.
Among those who have reached the first-rate realm, there may be some who can't read, but it's rare to find someone who is unintelligent.
However, the Dragon-Slaying Arts they learned were different.
As long as one's physical constitution was outstanding, it could be learned one way or another.
*'Though the entry barrier is that an ordinary level is insufficient; one must be incredibly sturdy.'*
That's why the Lord of the Gate must have accepted disciples primarily based on their physical constitution in order to revive the Dragon-Slaying Gate.
The result was the two men standing before me.
"..."
I wondered if I should really hire such fools, but I couldn't afford to lose talent of this caliber.
In the end, I decided to accept them.
"You pass. Wait in the main hall."
"We will work with our lives on the line!"
"There's no need to go that far..."
"We will work like bears!"
"It's an ox, not a bear."
I wondered if this was the right decision, but I figured it would work out if I trained them well.
*'They said they were scammed in a real estate deal...'*
I hoped that the Dragon-Slaying Gate would get back on its feet soon with the money these men sent back.
Now, only one person remained.
Number ninety-nine, the one I had my eye on yesterday.
"Let's see... you are Ma Wol-ryong?"
"That is correct."
"From Liaoning... You've come a long way."
"I've wandered here and there in my quest to see the pinnacle of martial arts."
*Clap, clap, clap.*
"Your attitude toward martial arts is truly admirable. It's something I'd want to show my own subordinates."
"You praise me too much."
"However."
I continued, slowly observing Ma Wol-ryong.
"Why do you reek of the rotten stench of the Ten Demon Alliance?"
*Shwwwiing!*
As soon as I finished speaking, a sword came flying at me.
Beyond it, I could see the back of Ma Wol-ryong as he fled.
*Clink.*
After knocking away the flying sword, I flicked my fingers lightly.
An iron nail shot forward, aiming for his back, but...
"Ack!"
Ma Wol-ryong twisted his body and barely managed to dodge it.
It was a shame I missed, but it didn't matter.
I had already ordered Sama Heun to be on standby.
*Thud, thud, thud, thud.*
Sama Heun charged toward Ma Wol-ryong, who was too busy fleeing to notice his surroundings.
"You...!"
Ma Wol-ryong, spotting him too late, was horrified and tried to block, but he had already thrown his sword at me.
A swordsman couldn't possibly block a saber wielder without a sword.
*Shwack!*
As Sama Heun's gleaming willow-leaf saber swung, both of his legs were severed in an instant.
Watching the spy meet his end, I said.
"Ja-hwan, prepare a bonus."
"Yes, sir."