Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: War King Gate
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After deciding to found a sect, I moved quickly.
With notices posted all over the southwest that Nine Dragons Fortress was looking for mercenaries, it was now a race against time.
The first thing I did was persuade the members of my hall.
To be honest, this was my biggest worry.
There were surely those whose dream was to become a warrior of Nine Dragons Fortress.
However, all seven hundred members willingly agreed to follow my lead.
“To think you've made such a huge decision for our sake. Hall Master, no, Sect Master, I don't know how we can ever repay your kindness.”
Some even shed tears of gratitude.
“Ahem, if you understand, then do your best. From now on, you'll be disciples of the War King Gate.”
“……”
Ah, I decided to name the sect I was founding the War King Gate.
When it was suggested we call it the Bukgung Clan, Master Bukgung shook his head.
“It's a new wineskin for new wine. There's no need to carry on the remnants of the past.”
“…Weren’t you hoping to revive the name of the Bukgung Clan?”
“You're not even a Bukgung, so why call it the Bukgung Clan? Just inherit its spirit.”
“What spirit should I inherit?”
“The decisiveness to leave no loose ends, the ruthlessness to repay what you've suffered tenfold, and the ambition to grow stronger.”
“……”
“But there’s something more important.”
“What, something like the ambition to unify the world?”
“Love for the people.”
“…Out of nowhere?”
“The Bukgung family motto was to ensure no one starved within a hundred-li radius.”
“As far as I know, almost no one starves within the territory of Nine Dragons Fortress even now, right?”
“……”
So, that's how it went.
Of course, just giving it a name changes nothing.
Our opponent was Nine Dragons Fortress, whose stock was rising higher than any other, alongside the Martial Emperor Fortress, among the Five Hegemons of the World.
You can't become a first-tier partner to a conglomerate like that just by having the numbers, can you?
So, what was needed?
Connections. It's all about connections.
The kind of connections that could truly back me up.
That's why, for my second mission, I visited the Red Dragon Hall.
I figured it would be easier to start with those I was close to, and there was no better place to get information about the inner workings of the fortress.
“Welcome.”
When I arrived, Jeok Il, the Red Dragon Sword, greeted me personally.
However, since I had requested the meeting not as Jin Mujeon, Squad Leader of the Outer Hall, but as the direct disciple of Master Bukgung, the atmosphere was quite serious.
And the same was true for me.
“Grandfather is waiting inside.”
“It is truly an honor to be received like this despite my sudden request.”
“Save that kind of greeting for my grandfather inside. You're giving me goosebumps.”
“Hahaha.”
Matching the mood, I entered the Hall Master’s residence with him.
I could see the Red Dragon Hall Master, the Red-Blooded Grim Reaper Jeok Sa-jung, sitting at the very end of a long table.
And next to him, lined up in a long row, were the executives of the Red Dragon Hall.
“……”
The atmosphere was completely different from usual, and I knew instinctively.
‘This isn't going to be easy.’
But what could I do?
I had to face it head-on.
“Jin Mujeon, disciple of the Bukgung Clan, pays his respects to the venerable elder of the Red Dragon Hall.”
Though no one spoke, I could feel a stir in the room.
This meant the name ‘Bukgung Clan’ carried significant weight.
“…It seems the Outer Hall Master has finally made up his mind.”
From his cryptic words, I realized there was some misunderstanding, but I saw no need to correct it.
Using my master's name would be much more effective in this setting.
“So, you're founding a sect?”
“That is correct.”
“So you're saying you want Hanzhong.”
“I have not thought that far ahead. The reason I wish to found a sect is…”
*Thwack.*
Jeok Sa-jung raised his hand, cutting me off.
“There's no need to hide your true intentions. Hanzhong was originally the Bukgung Clan's territory.”
“……”
A smile spread across Jeok Sa-jung’s face, as if his guess had been proven correct.
“A man should harbor such ambitions. Isn't that right, everyone?”
“Hahahaha, Squad Leader Jin is finally showing his true colors.”
“Isn't there a saying about a crouching dragon and a fledgling phoenix? It seems he acted all meek and unassuming for this very day.”
Jeok Sa-jung’s words were met with a flood of agreeable opinions.
‘Wait, when was I ever meek and unassuming…?’
Someone had made an inaccurate observation, but the overall atmosphere wasn't bad.
It seemed that my good relationship with them over the years was having a positive effect.
“What does our Red Dragon Hall stand to gain?”
“Pardon?”
“If something is given, something should be received. If there is no benefit for us, we will not help you.”
Wait, we have a special… actually, I guess we do.
‘Right…’
It couldn't be helped.
After all, a man who was essentially the CEO of a major corporation couldn't move the company based on personal relationships.
Still, after all the time we’d spent together, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
“Speak. Tell me the benefit our Red Dragon Hall will gain by helping you.”
“I can scratch the Red Dragon Hall right where it itches the most.”
“Oh? And what might that be?”
At my words about scratching an itch, curious gazes focused on me.
In truth, I had already prepared what I was going to say.
This was a presentation in front of a corporate CEO; I couldn't just wing it, could I?
That’s why I had stayed up all last night creating anticipated questions and answers.
Ah, for reference, I had Yong Ma-san do the research and Yu So-pyeong prepare the answers.
Since I was the one giving the presentation, it was only fair that someone else did the research and made the PowerPoint.
“Wealth.”
“…We have more than enough wealth.”
“But you're also spending it in droves. That's why you partnered with the Hanzhong Merchant Guild.”
This was something I had first learned through Yong Ma-san.
‘Their financial statements showed they were heading for a classic case of profitable bankruptcy.’
Sure enough.
“It seems you've brazenly dug into our Red Dragon Hall's affairs.”
“…I just did a little research.”
The Red Dragon Hall's main business was its distilleries.
They held a near-monopoly on sales throughout Sichuan, generating immense revenue.
However, their primary business of intelligence gathering required a massive budget, and with high-level personnel being dispatched, labor costs were also becoming a burden.
But since they provided the information they gathered to Nine Dragons Fortress for free, even if their overall business was in the black, the Red Dragon Hall's financial statements were growing more precarious by the day.
As soon as I pointed this out, Jeok Sa-jung’s demeanor sharpened.
“…Alright, how will you scratch it?”
“The Hanzhong Merchant Guild has entered Nine Dragons Fortress. This means a new trade route connecting Hanzhong and Sichuan has been established.”
“But you partnered with the Gold Dragon Hall, did you not?”
A subtle rebuke.
I quickly explained the reason.
“Because I didn't have to pay a price…”
“You saved that brat from the Geum family, so I suppose you paid the price in advance.”
As expected of the Red Dragon Hall Master, who could see a thousand li while sitting down.
“Since you already know everything, there’s no need for me to beat around the bush.”
I met Jeok Sa-jung’s gaze and continued.
“I will take the liquor from the distilleries run by the Red Dragon Hall to Hanzhong.”
“Is that all? I thought it was something big, but you're just offering to sell our liquor.”
His voice held a hint of disappointment.
“Forget it. It won't sell even if you take it there.”
“Why do you think so?”
“The liquor brewed in that region would be much cheaper. Unless the merchants of Hanzhong are fools, there's no reason for them to choose ours.”
He wasn't wrong.
In this era, transportation costs were anything but cheap. You had to hire warriors to escort the goods, not to mention two or three workers per cart.
Furthermore, it was a thousand-li journey from Chengdu, where the Red Dragon Hall's distilleries were, to Hanzhong.
If transportation costs were added to the original price, it would have virtually no competitive edge.
But.
“There is a way.”
I had an idea that would solve all of that.
“What is it?”
“First, have the Red Dragon Hall create a merchant caravan. I will secure the largest and best spot for you in the Hanzhong Merchant Guild.”
“Even so…”
“You will only bring expensive liquor. Don't even look at the cheap stuff.”
A kind of luxury branding strategy. The demand for expensive liquor was always steady, so it was bound to work.
Moreover, with the Red Dragon Hall's expertise in brewing famous liquors, the chances of success were high.
As proof, wasn't Honghwaju, which cost over two silver taels a bottle, selling like hotcakes?
Above all, Hanzhong was a center of trade and a transportation hub.
Selling there meant their products could be sold not only in the Central Plains but also in Tibet and even as far as Arabia.
In other words, sales were bound to trend upward over time.
‘Because word will spread.’
Of course, this wasn't all I had prepared.
“Still, this alone probably won't satisfy you, Hall Master. Therefore, I plan to prohibit the sale of any high-end liquor above a certain price, aside from the Red Dragon Hall's.”
Exclusive rights.
The most profitable and most dangerous of rights.
It might seem like I was conceding a lot, but this was a win-win condition for both the Red Dragon Hall and the Hanzhong Merchant Guild.
Why?
“In exchange, the condition is that you allow the Guild's merchants to travel with you to and from Hanzhong.”
“You want to use the Red Dragon Hall as free bodyguards?”
“It’s mutually beneficial.”
They wouldn't have to hire escorts, which accounted for a large portion of transportation costs.
“What if the Guild's merchants object?”
“If the temple is not to the monk's liking, shouldn't the monk be the one to leave?”
At my firm words, Jeok Sa-jung’s shoulders shook.
“Hahahaha! You've become quite the villain since I last saw you!”
“So?”
“When you put it like that, how can I not back you! Tell me what you need.”
“Thank you! In that case…”
I had two requests for the Red Dragon Hall.
To find out the selection criteria for partner organizations and to support the War King Gate with all their might.
And everyone in the Red Dragon Hall very readily agreed to my terms.
“Actually, you could have just said that my grandson-in-law succeeding is a benefit to the Red Dragon Hall in itself.”
“……”
“But since I've received such a great gift, I'll attend the Hall Masters' meeting with a sword in hand.”
“I will gather dirt on the key figures of each hall. A few threats should be of great help to Squad Leader Jin's plan.”
“As expected of my eldest grandson. To think of something even this old man couldn't.”
“No.”
Are they really part of the Righteous Faction?
* * *
After that, I continued to meet with many people.
“Of course, I have to back you. We're in the same boat, aren't we?”
“Thank you.”
“But I heard a rumor you went to the Red Dragon Hall first?”
“Ah… Ha. Ha.”
The Gold Dragon Hall, which had now become a decent ally.
“Until now, our Black Dragon Hall has not involved itself in the Fortress's internal politics. This is not a decision I can make lightly.”
“Hall Master, just close your eyes and back me this once, please? I mean, to put it bluntly, are we strangers?”
“……So?”
“Aren't we family? If you keep this up, I might just sell my shares in the Black Dragon Martial Hall to the Gold Dragon Hall.”
“……”
“And frankly, I'm not doing this just for my own sake, you know? I'm doing this to earn money and put meat on the kids' tables. And while I'm at it, get some good liquor for the elders, too.”
The Black Dragon Hall, like a blood-sworn ally.
“Give up on meeting my master.”
“…My goodness, as the head disciple, can't you even build a simple bridge?”
“He is facing a crucial trial. A trial that might… allow him to ascend to the heavens.”
“…My goodness, as the head disciple, what are you doing? Hurry up and go stand guard for him.”
“No. Since you're here, let's have a spar… Huh?! Phantom Step!”
And so, I even prodded the Blue Dragon Hall, knowing it was a long shot.
Ah, for the record, I didn't go to the Gray Dragon Hall.
I was told the Hall Master was at the mines.
I had a feeling I'd be put to work if I went there.
Anyway, just as I was meeting everyone I could reach.
Jeok Il personally brought me the information containing the selection method for the subcontracting sects.
“Thank you.”
“Good luck.”
*Rustle.*
After seeing Jeok Il off, I checked the contents and was so dumbfounded I couldn't close my mouth.
“…A public contest?”
Because the selection method for the subcontracting sect was a public audition.
“Seriously.”
What is this, Show Me the Martial Arts?