Chapter 272
Chapter 272
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 272
Chapter Title: Kingmaker
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The day after I arrived at Nine Dragons Fortress.
I headed to the Lord's Hall to report my return.
Normally, I would have rested for a day or two before going, but I had something to ask, so I hurried a little.
“You’re here?”
“...Sir, can’t you put on some clothes? I hear the handmaidens come by morning and evening. Aren't you embarrassed?”
“Not at all.”
My master, sitting shirtless on the eaves and drinking, greeted me.
But one thing was different.
“Though you are master and disciple, in public, he is the Lord. The Hall Master of the War Dragon Hall should show proper respect.”
Today, the old-fashioned Confucian Grand Chancellor was sitting next to my master.
“I don’t think so.”
“……”
“……”
The gazes of the two men sharpened at my reply. Realizing my mistake, I launched into a long tale about what had happened at Dongting Lake.
“Ah, but that’s not to say I did nothing. What happened was…”
From being mistaken for a disciple of the Lion Alliance and fighting Son Baek, to gathering them and providing the idea for the establishment of the Hoyeon Society, and even lending them the initial funds, I told them everything, leaving only the part about meeting the Master of the Prajna Fortress.
As I cautiously observed their reactions, my master spoke with his characteristic mocking smile.
“The Grand Chancellor is fine.”
“Ah, in that case… Lastly, I had the Prajna Fortress move to Yueyang to help the Hoyeon Society. One side needed an information network, and the other needed a stable source of income, so I thought it was a perfect match.”
Hearing this, the Grand Chancellor’s eyes widened.
He probably knew the true nature of the Prajna Fortress.
Meanwhile, my master gave a small nod.
“So that’s why you left Ningxia.”
“You heard the news.”
“I didn’t hear the details. We only exchanged general stories.”
“That won’t be the case anymore.”
I showed him the initiation papers signed by Bukgung Ri, the Master of the Prajna Fortress.
I had brought it along to show off to my master.
Recognizing the meaning of the signed document at a glance, my master burst into a roaring laugh.
It was a very unusual reaction compared to his usual cynical self.
“Khahahaha! That stiff-necked bastard signed that thing?!”
“He did it right away when I said I’d give him the Map of the Seven Senses.”
My master asked in surprise.
“Where did you get that?”
“In the Lightning Prison. You know, when I was locked up because of the Hwangju Merchant Guild incident. I happened to get it then.”
“...They say a man destined for success will break his nose even when falling backward.”
“I don’t think that’s what it means…”
As I muttered under my breath, my master turned to the Grand Chancellor.
“What do you think? Doesn’t he have the bearing of a Hall Master now?”
“Honestly… I’m astonished. To not only gather the warriors of Hunan but also to give them money and push them forward. It’s something one wouldn’t dare imagine without exceptional drive.”
The Grand Chancellor caught his breath and continued.
“What’s more surprising is Hall Master Jin’s intention behind it all.”
“Intention?”
“Thanks to Hall Master Jin, Nine Dragons Fortress has gained a shield called the Hoyeon Society, and the Lion Alliance now has a blade at its throat.”
“Indeed.”
“What do you think will happen if the Hoyeon Society grows? Not to the level of the Five Hegemons of the World, but if it becomes as large as four or five great sects combined.”
“...The Lion Alliance would grow desperate. The Hoyeon Society would be blocking their path. But isn’t that nearly impossible?”
“That’s right. In the current situation, it’s certainly impossible. They lack people and funds, they have no system to speak of, and most importantly, besides the Five Hegemons of Dong, they have no master who can act as a central figure.”
“And yet?”
“What would happen if we filled in those gaps? We could dispatch masters and lend them funds. So they can build their strength.”
“...We might even be able to make the Hoyeon Society a branch of Nine Dragons Fortress.”
“Furthermore, since Hall Master Jin not only invested the initial funds but also connected them with the Prajna Fortress, his influence will be anything but small. He has even taken on the role of advisor, though it’s an honorary position.”
My master nodded as if in agreement. The Grand Chancellor continued confidently.
“Is that all? By bringing in the Master of the Prajna Fortress, it’s as if the two eyes of the Hoyeon Society are now in Hall Master Jin’s hands.”
My master exclaimed in admiration.
“Truly, the cunning worthy of a Bukgung successor.”
The image of the Bukgung family in my mind and the one in my master’s seemed completely different.
It was awkward to correct him here, so I stayed quiet. The Grand Chancellor chuckled and said.
“First the Western Plains, and now you intend to devour Hunan. I thought you had no greed for power, but it seems I was wrong. As they say, after three days' absence, a scholar should be seen in a new light. Hall Master Jin’s growth is truly dazzling.”
“No.”
I never had such thoughts.
But with two adults so pleased, I couldn’t just rain on their parade.
I might as well just agree with them.
“Hahaha, you’ve seen through me perfectly. As the disciple of the Lord of Nine Dragons, I proceeded with this matter intending to devour Hunan as well.”
At that, the Grand Chancellor replied with a sharp gaze.
“Why did you not inform the Fortress while undertaking such a massive endeavor?”
“Ah… that’s.”
As I was loading up an excuse, the Grand Chancellor spoke with a look that said he already knew.
“Were you not trying to make the Hoyeon Society your personal force? Ah, don’t worry, I have no intention of blaming you. I am a man who believes that a strong Lordship creates a strong Nine Dragons Fortress. Is not Hall Master Jin’s power the Lord’s power?”
“...Yes, well, that’s right. As expected of the Grand Chancellor.”
“It has been over twenty years since I took charge of the strategy for Nine Dragons Fortress. If I couldn't even notice this much, I wouldn't be qualified for my position.”
It looked like it was about time for that old man to consider retirement.
***
On my way back, having been misunderstood as a grand schemer aiming to unify the world.
As soon as I left the Lord's Hall, I realized I had forgotten the real reason I went to see my master.
‘Ah, the poster.’
I had gone to ask about the election poster for choosing a Vice Lord, but I got caught up in the back-and-forth between my master and the Grand Chancellor and completely forgot my original purpose.
‘What should I do? Go back?’
I was a bit conflicted. If I went to my master, he’d likely give me a half-hearted answer, and asking the Grand Chancellor was also awkward.
‘This is no time to be idle. I will convene a general meeting of the Military Affairs Department at once. We must properly capitalize on the opportunity Hall Master Jin has painstakingly created.’
He had left in high spirits, excited at the thought of playing tycoon with the Hoyeon Society alongside the scholars of the Military Affairs Department.
‘Hmm… what to do?’
Just as I was about to resign myself to going back to my master.
“Gaga.”
Jeok Hwa-ran approached me, grabbing my arm with an urgent expression.
“You can’t be here right now. You have to leave quickly.”
“What? What do you mean…”
“Hurry!”
Just as I was about to move at her firm words.
“Hall Master Jin! A word, if you please…”
“Hall Master of the War Dragon Hall! Our Hall Master is currently…”
“Hall Master! Please spare us a moment! It won’t take long!”
Several warriors came running, calling out to me.
Every one of them was a high-ranking officer from their respective halls, people I couldn’t afford to ignore.
“Why all of a sudden…”
“This is why I rushed over…”
Jeok Hwa-ran bit her lip and glared at them.
I didn’t know what was going on, but I felt that getting out of there was the priority.
“Excuse me.”
“Oh my?!”
I grabbed Jeok Hwa-ran by the waist and used the Flying Heavenly Wind.
“The Hall Master of the War Dragon Hall is kidnapping Lady Jeok!”
“That’s not what’s happening!”
Though I was strangely misunderstood.
A short while later.
We arrived at the foot of Mount Guryong, and I set Jeok Hwa-ran down.
“Phew… what’s all this commotion? Huh? What’s with you?”
“...Ki-kidnapped… what are you… it’s still… too soon… no, not that I can’t… I can… but then… a bath first…”
“……”
It seemed there was a problem with her CPU.
“Tsk.”
What could I do? I had to fix it.
*Flick!*
“Agh! What was that for?!”
I flicked her right in the center of her forehead, and she immediately protested.
As expected, a good hit is the best cure for a simple malfunction.
Having come to her senses, Jeok Hwa-ran caught her breath.
“Phew, we somehow managed to escape.”
“What in the world is going on?”
“You saw the poster, right?”
“I was just wondering about that. An election to choose a Vice Lord… What’s that all about?”
Jeok Hwa-ran sighed and answered.
“It’s all because of you, Gaga.”
“No.”
Why is it my fault again?
“Here’s what happened…”
Jeok Hwa-ran’s explanation was this.
At the recent Hall Masters’ meeting.
After dealing with the usual major agenda items, the last item brought up was the basic strategy against the Lion Alliance.
In truth, it was not a significant matter.
It was just about confirming the basic duties of each hall, assuming a war with the Lion Alliance.
The problem was.
‘How dare you discuss war without me?’
My master started being stubborn.
‘The moment war breaks out, I will rush in and snap the neck of the Lion Alliance’s leader.’
He even said he would stand at the vanguard.
The Grand Chancellor was at a loss.
What kind of leader in the world stands at the vanguard in a war?
If something went wrong, the warriors’ morale would plummet past the underworld and straight into the earth’s mantle.
He tried to persuade him with various examples, but my master was not one to listen to others in the first place.
‘Did the previous Lord not personally lead the troops?’
‘I believe that was due to a long-standing grudge.’
‘I, too, have a long-standing grudge against the Lion Alliance.’
‘…….’
In the end, the Grand Chancellor had no choice but to revise the strategy with the scenario of my master going to war, and that was where the position of Vice Lord came from.
“So, if a war breaks out, this person’s role is to be the center of command in place of my master?”
“That’s right.”
“And the Hall Masters of four halls have applied for it?”
“That’s also right.”
“But why? It’s just an honorary position, isn’t it?”
“It was an honorary position, but not anymore.”
“What?”
“The Lord said he would place the Disciplinary Corps under the Vice Lord’s command.”
“But why?”
“He said it was to show respect for the Vice Lord, but…”
“He just can’t be bothered.”
“...I think so too.”
The three greatest powers of the Lord were the financial authority to collect taxes, the military authority to command warriors, and the inspection authority to monitor the interior.
Handing over one of them was no different from handing over one-third of the Lord’s power.
Especially, given the nature of the organization, having the Disciplinary Corps under one’s command was tantamount to being able to wield powerful internal influence.
As I tried to guess my master’s thoughts, a question arose.
What did the creation of the Vice Lord position have to do with an election?
And what was this nonsense about it being my fault?
“But why is it my fault?”
“...Didn’t you tell the Lord about something called an election, Gaga?”
“Ah…”
He must have remembered that before the wedding, when he asked how best to choose the head handmaiden, I had suggested holding an election.
“After several days of debate over the Vice Lord position, the Lord suggested letting the warriors and citizens living in Nine Dragons Fortress choose directly. The Grand Chancellor, worried about deepening internal division, agreed to this.”
“Wait, he’s giving voting rights to the citizens too?”
I asked again at the unexpected news, and Jeok Hwa-ran nodded as if it were obvious.
“The warriors will have no choice but to vote for the Hall Master of their own hall anyway.”
“...Well, that’s true. But why is everyone so desperate to get to me?”
“You’re asking because you don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“The Western Plains Merchant Guild.”
“Ah…”
Indeed, the number of affiliated merchants alone was a hundred, and the number of workers was three hundred.
Considering the custom in the martial world of living in large extended families, just securing the Western Plains Merchant Guild would mean gaining over two thousand votes.
In other words, whoever gets me is one step closer to becoming the Vice Lord.
‘Could it be?’
As my thoughts reached that point, a chilling hypothesis occurred to me.
Could it be that my master suggested an election with the intention of having me recruit the one who would become the Vice Lord?
If I, his direct disciple, took the position of Vice Lord, people would inevitably say that the master and disciple were taking everything for themselves.
‘Nah, that can’t be it… Given my master’s style, he’s not that deep of a schemer.’
As I shook my head, having reached a conclusion, I heard Jeok Hwa-ran’s voice.
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
“Oh, just… wondering why my master would stir up something like this. A gentleman is bound to consider ten things before taking a single step, after all.”
“I see.”
Hearing my answer, she gave me a look full of suspicion.
I wanted to flick her on the head, but I let it go since she had informed me of the situation.
“Thanks. If it weren’t for you, I would have been dragged around everywhere without knowing why.”
“Really?”
“...Ye-yes.”
“Then…”
Jeok Hwa-ran brought her index fingers together and twisted her body shyly.
“Hwa-ran, I’m sorry, but I’m a married man now. If you get clingy, Myo Hyang might get the wrong idea…”
“That’s not it.”
As I firmly rejected her, she looked at me with an expression of disbelief.
“I was asking you to support my grandfather.”
“……”
There really wasn’t a single person in this world you could trust.