Chapter 15: The Fist King Needs Investment
The Fist King Needs Investment
Chapter 15: The Fist King Needs Investment
Lee Ja-eon, who had been grumbling under his breath, jumped like a thief caught red-handed as he passed through the inner courtyard.
"Ah! You startled me."
Why is Hyung-nim coming from there?
With a bewildered expression, Lee Ja-eon locked eyes with Dan Woo-sung.
Dan Woo-sung gestured at him.
"Come here. If you're going to review a fight, do it properly. Show me the sword technique. You were mimicking Guyang Hoo's last move pretty well earlier."
Lee Ja-eon glanced up at the sky.
Wow, he was watching that too?
Reluctantly, Lee Ja-eon raised his sword and thrust half-heartedly toward his shoulder. Dan Woo-sung snorted.
"Yeah, that's exactly how you stabbed—weak and sloppy. Anyone could tell it was a feint."
Lee Ja-eon's expression shifted.
At his eldest brother's words, he withdrew his sword and extended his left arm exactly as Guyang Hoo had done.
Dan Woo-sung countered with a fist and said,
"I'd already gauged the strength of your strike, so I was waiting for the follow-up. By the third move, I expected you'd pull out a decisive technique, so I planned to intercept it beforehand."
Lee Ja-eon nodded silently before aiming his sword at his brother's chest.
Dan Woo-sung stepped forward and seized Lee Ja-eon's wrist.
"A typical fast reaction would've been to clash head-on here, risking mutual destruction. Since we both had a free hand."
"That's true."
"But Guyang Hoo panicked and instinctively channeled his internal energy to protect his sword arm—his lifeline. Fear that his swordsmanship career might end in that instant. I anticipated deception or a counterattack, so I struck with my left leg while keeping my left hand ready to retaliate. But by then, it was already over. The next move was my fist, and after that, it didn't matter how I finished him."
The fact that this judgment had been made in an instant was proof of his overwhelming strength.
Lee Ja-eon's eyes widened involuntarily before he nodded again.
"Hmm, I see."
The psychological depth of the actual exchange far surpassed his own review. Then, suddenly, he wondered—why was his brother explaining all this so kindly? When he looked up, Dan Woo-sung smacked him on the head.
Thwack!
Lee Ja-eon winced.
"Why did you hit me again?"
"Because you're a brat."
Speechless, Lee Ja-eon scratched his head and lowered his gaze.
"Ah, my words were out of line. I'll be more careful."
When Dan Woo-sung raised his hand again as if to strike, Lee Ja-eon reflexively dodged and muttered,
"Please take care, Hyung-nim. You were magnificent today."
Dan Woo-sung walked away as if nothing had happened, while Lee Ja-eon glared after him. Strangely enough, it felt odd that his eldest brother didn't seem to hate him as much as he'd expected. At the same time, he realized with growing unease that his brother was starting to seem genuinely terrifying.
The day after the incident with Guyang Hoo.
Lee Sung-min, the patriarch of the Silver River Merchant Group, who had finally risen from his sickbed, listened silently to his second son's report.
The story of how his eldest son had fought Guyang Hoo in a duel to the death, and the schemes Guyang Hoo had been plotting... Though Lee Sung-min had suspected his son had trained in martial arts before returning, the news was still astonishing.
Lee Sung-min asked,
"So, you plan to purchase the rarest elixir in the martial world?"
Lee Hwa-eon nodded.
"Yes. Somehow, it feels like the fate of our merchant group now rests on Hyung-nim's shoulders. At the very least, we must avoid the storm brewing from the Guyang Clan."
The shrewd merchant spoke as if assessing a business venture.
"Hmm... Do you really think a single elixir will change our fate? Making money and protecting it sometimes requires bold investments. I won't consider this an expense. If you factor in the funds we've been funneling to the Guyang Clan, the gifts meant for Sosunpa, and the monthly stipends for their retainers, this isn't an excessive outlay."
"That's true."
"Let's assume the Silver River Merchant Group is seriously committing to raising a proper martial artist. And fortunately, that martial artist happens to be my son—your elder brother. There's no need to hesitate."
Lee Hwa-eon looked at his father in mild surprise. He had broached the topic cautiously, expecting resistance to the high cost of the elixir, but his father was already thinking on a different scale.
"Send letters to all our branch managers, my old friends, and the great merchants we respect. Tell them we're purchasing high-quality elixirs in bulk. Lay it on thick—say we have no choice if we're to overcome this crisis. If our merchant group falls, they'll suffer losses too, so they'll take it seriously. Emphasize that this is a request for mutual survival."
"Understood."
Lee Sung-min's voice grew stronger, as if he had fully risen from his sickbed.
"You, separately, gather detailed information on elixirs traded by martial sects and clans. Consult closely with your brother and spare no expense. Bringing Guyang Hoo in as the escort leader was my mistake, so I'll leave this matter entirely to the two of you."
Lee Hwa-eon bowed his head.
"No, Father. Calling it a mistake is too harsh. The outcome was simply unfortunate."
"Second Son, if the outcome is bad, then everything is bad. That's true for merchants and martial artists alike. It was my mistake."
"Yes."
Then, Lee Sung-min tilted his head curiously.
"This morning, the third son suddenly came to apologize for fighting with you. My sons are changing so fast, it's bewildering. Is it his turn now? That's what I thought."
Lee Hwa-eon suppressed a smile and replied,
"Did he? Come to think of it, he did apologize out of the blue."
Lee Sung-min nodded.
"Well... He must've gotten a beating from the eldest. They never got along. Looks like he got a few slaps. His cheek is still a bit swollen."
Lee Hwa-eon nodded.
"Considering the past, it's fortunate it ended with just that."
Lee Sung-min stroked his chin and asked,
"By the way, what's in our Mount Jiuhua retreat? The third son hinted around, asking about it. Said he wanted to rest there for a while, even though he's not sick. I refused."
"Ah, Father. Sending him there would just be another expense. That fool wouldn't go alone, would he? You did well. For now, we should focus all non-business expenditures on Hyung-nim."
Lee Sung-min nodded. Strangely, his second son seemed in better spirits than usual. Come to think of it, all three of his sons had changed in some way.
"Fine. Handle it as you see fit."
And so, the Martial World Fanatic's futile attempt was easily thwarted. Then Lee Sung-min asked what he was most curious about.
"The eldest hasn't gone out drinking, and it's making me uneasy. He's really changed, hasn't he?"
"After sharing drinks with Sa Ma-geuk, Joo Ja-ryang, and Goo Woong, he quit alcohol entirely. All he does now is train. Though, the servants occasionally panic when he spars with two large men in the annex."
"Why?"
"After finishing his personal training, he beats them mercilessly. I was worried and asked about it—he said it's part of a unique martial art's training method. Strangely, those two men seem oddly devoted to it."
That's how it appeared to Lee Hwa-eon. Lee Sung-min nodded.
"The ways of the martial world are truly mysterious. Getting beaten counts as training..."
As Lee Sung-min walked back to his bed, Lee Hwa-eon supported him.
A murmur escaped Lee Sung-min's lips, sounding almost like a soliloquy.
"It's fine. It's better this way. I've spent my whole life just making money, but somehow, life doesn't feel dull anymore."
Lee Hwa-eon stayed silent, unsure what his father meant. As Lee Sung-min lay back and stared at the ceiling, he added,
"Think about how we'll spend our money."
The old merchant's expression hardened with stubborn determination.
He had never liked the martial world, preferring peaceful resolutions. But now, his mindset had shifted. His son had stepped into that world, so he would support him in conquering it. His heart burned with resolve.
His eldest son would fight with martial arts—and his father would fight with money. With his family entangled in martial world affairs, how could he hope for peace? Lee Sung-min was determined to recover his health, damaged by stress, and stand strong.
The news of Guyang Hoo's death reached Sosunpa before the Guyang Clan.
"He's dead?"
"Yes."
"This is hard to believe."
Yum Ji-sang, the leader of Sosunpa, stroked his long beard as he received the report. His lips curled perpetually upward, giving him the appearance of constant amusement.
Yum Ji-sang asked,
"Is the Grand Prince really that strong? Did he kill him in one strike?"
His tone was oddly casual for a sect leader, but the subordinate answered as if accustomed to it.
"No, it wasn't instantaneous. Even accounting for the fight being split into two exchanges, it didn't exceed thirty rounds."
"Then he must be fairly strong."
The subordinate knew these details because he was a retainer of the Guyang Clan who had witnessed the fight firsthand—the same man who had relayed Guyang Hoo's messages to Sosunpa.
Yum Ji-sang asked,
"What weapon does he use?"
"His fists."
Yum Ji-sang clicked his tongue.
"Tsk, tsk. A swordsman losing to a young fist fighter—how embarrassing. The Guyang Clan will be furious."
The subordinate asked in a slightly displeased tone,
"Weren't the two of you friends?"
Yum Ji-sang stared at him before replying,
"Why would you ask such a stupid question?"
"Huh?"
"Are your ears not working?"
Suddenly, the subordinate glanced around and sensed killing intent emanating from all directions. He knew well how cruel Sosunpa's methods could be.
"Ah, I spoke out of turn."
"Exactly."
"Yes."
"In the martial world, you should mind your words. Understood? Now, go attend to your duties."
"Hmm..."
"Anything else?"
"What about revenge...?"
Yum Ji-sang looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"How could I seek revenge over the outcome of a fair duel? We're not the Black Path. How rude. Return to the Guyang Clan and help arrange my friend's funeral properly. I can't leave my post, but I'll send disciples if the situation calls for it."
They weren't the Black Path, but Sosunpa was still considered an orthodox faction in the martial world.
"Understood. Then..."
The foolish retainer bowed and left. Once he was gone, Yum Ji-sang's disciples gathered around.
Yum Ji-sang rubbed his hands together and said,
"The Silver River Merchant Group refuses to pay us tribute, and now they've killed Guyang Hoo. How should we take this?"
Despite his light tone, the disciples responded respectfully.
"They're disregarding Sosunpa entirely."
"Even if it was a fair duel, the Grand Prince won't survive long. The Guyang Clan may be orthodox, but they won't let the merchant group's heir live."
Yum Ji-sang replied,
"Who knows? Devouring the merchant group is more profitable than avenging a son. Speaking of which, what about us? We played along with Guyang Hoo's schemes and got nothing out of it. I don't care about revenge—I just want the Silver River Merchant Group's money. Lee Sung-min, that old fox, is rumored to be even richer than we thought. That's why Guyang Hoo targeted them."
The disciples fell silent at this point. The decision always rested with their master, and they could never predict his choices.
After some thought, Yum Ji-sang asked,
"How much would Lee Sung-min pay for his son's life? Killing people doesn't interest me anymore. In the end, money is what matters. Before the Guyang Clan swallows the Silver River Merchant Group, capturing that brat and extorting them might be our best move."
A senior disciple cautiously replied,
"But he seems quite strong..."
Yum Ji-sang clicked his tongue.
"Fool, if Sosunpa makes a move, we could kill a nobody like Guyang Hoo in three or four rounds, not thirty. With several disciples—and me—joining in, why worry about some youngster's strength?"
As Yum Ji-sang spoke at length, the senior disciple suddenly knelt.
"Master, this disciple spoke out of turn."
Yum Ji-sang waved it off casually.
"Be more careful, Disciple."
In any case, it meant Sosunpa would mobilize in full force. Yum Ji-sang tapped his chair as if refocusing and asked,
"So, how much do you expect?"
"Surely no less than a million nyang?"
"This is the Silver River Merchant Group. They'll pay at least two million."
As the staggering sum was mentioned, a pleased smile crept onto Yum Ji-sang's face. Stroking his beard, he said,
"Prepare thoroughly. Check your equipment meticulously. Even a tiger runs at full speed when hunting a rabbit, as they say."
Once the disciples left, Yum Ji-sang, suddenly feeling bored, picked his nose and muttered,
"The sun's already setting. Maybe I'll visit the pleasure quarters..."