Plum Blossom Swordsman, Have You Heard? (5)
Jin Yang-geon swallowed hard, his throat suddenly parched.
It must be expensive.
The orchid in the hanging painting on the wall looked so vivid it seemed alive. Even someone like him, who knew next to nothing about paintings, could tell at a glance that it was worth an outrageous sum.
And that wasn't all.
The chair he was sitting in was no ordinary thing either. It was black, yet faintly tinted with a deep red glow; it had to be made of zitan wood, the legendary wood he had only ever heard about.
Just that one zitan chair, the sort used only by the imperial family or those of very high rank, was enough to hint at the wealth of the room's owner.
Needless to say, this thing’s expensive too.
Jin Yang-geon stared at the teacup in front of him, his fingertips trembling.
The ornate patterns etched into the pure-white porcelain drew the eye at once. He couldn't even bring himself to touch it, terrified that if he so much as dropped and broke it, he might be forced to pay a fortune in compensation.
So they say the wealth of the Geum-geom-bu shakes the world. That’s not an exaggeration at all.
The things he'd seen on the way here, all the way to the vice-leader's quarters in the inner depths of the Geum-geom-bu, had been dazzling beyond reason. He'd had to struggle just to keep his mouth from hanging open.
But the splendor of this room was on a completely different level from anything he'd seen before.
Gulp.
Swallowing dryly again, Jin Yang-geon hurriedly smoothed his expression before anyone could notice.
Now it begins.
From here on, he could not afford even the slightest mistake. If he bungled this and everything went wrong, he felt he might never forgive himself for the rest of his life.
After taking several deep breaths and trying to steady his face, he heard movement beyond the door. A moment later, the door swung open and three people entered.
Jin Yang-geon slowly lifted his gaze from the teacup.
He wore an expression that looked as calm and composed as he could manage, without a trace of panic.
Behind the middle-aged man in blue robes, two others followed. Anyone with even a little discernment would have known at a glance that the man walking in the center was none other than the vice-leader of this Geum-geom-bu, the Golden Sword Sunset, Sang Man-hui.
Sang Man-hui approached with a dignified stride and bowed deeply with clasped hands.
"I am Sang Man-hui, vice-leader of the Geum-geom-bu. Please forgive me for not coming out to greet you immediately after receiving a guest."
"Think nothing of it."
Jin Yang-geon gave a light shake of his head and returned the salute.
"Who in the world wouldn't know that Vice-Director Sang, the Golden Sword Sunset, is a righteous hero of the martial world? Those who walk the path of righteousness are always busy and burdened. If one were to complain about their busyness, the world would only call me petty and small-minded."
"...Indeed. Just as I've heard, you have the bearing of a true hero."
"It's nothing but outward show."
With a gentle smile, Sang Man-hui took a seat across from Jin Yang-geon.
"I've long admired the name of Mount Hua, and when I heard that a hero from Mount Hua was visiting Nam-chang, I couldn't possibly fail to receive you properly."
"That's very kind of you."
"If I may be so rude, could I ask exactly what rank you hold within Mount Hua...?"
"I'm sorry."
Jin Yang-geon lowered his head with a slightly troubled smile.
"As you know, Mount Hua is a sect that does not advertise itself."
"Yes, of course."
"For that reason, Mount Hua doesn't allow its disciples to reveal their own generation when they go out into the martial world. Those who take part in official Mount Hua events do have their generation made public, but that's unavoidable..."
"Ah... How peculiar."
Watching Sang Man-hui's expression with studied calm, Jin Yang-geon added,
"Please understand. As you know, Mount Hua's reputation has grown excessively in recent times."
"Indeed, indeed. Is there any place under heaven that does not praise Mount Hua's name?"
At that, Jin Yang-geon smiled quietly.
"When reputation grows too great, people easily become arrogant. This is a measure taken by the sect leader to prevent the disciples from growing overconfident. I only hope Vice-Leader Sang can understand our sect's difficulty."
Sang Man-hui nodded in admiration.
So this is what they mean when they call Mount Hua a sect of righteousness.
Every word lowered himself and considered the other person first. He could easily see why Mount Hua's name had risen so high of late.
"How could we possibly understand all the intentions of a sect leader who possesses such deep wisdom? We can only assume it must be the right thing."
"Thank you for understanding."
Jin Yang-geon smiled softly, inwardly letting out a breath.
So far, this is going exactly as expected.
If they started probing too deeply, the strange parts would eventually come to light. So it was better to brush things aside early by invoking the will of some exalted person.
The vice-leader of the Geum-geom-bu would no doubt be eager to curry favor with Mount Hua as well, so there was no way he would dare question something done in the sect leader's name.
"Still..."
Jin Yang-geon continued in a more relaxed tone. It was best to keep such talk to a minimum. He needed to steer the conversation, but keep his voice loose enough that the other side wouldn't sense his desperation.
"A busy man like the vice-leader of the Geum-geom-bu wouldn't have summoned a nameless nobody without reason. Perhaps there is something you'd like to say to me?"
"Hahaha. How can you call yourself a nameless nobody? The story of how Hero Jin defeated the Taehang Three Swords yesterday has spread all across Nam-chang. And before you came here, we also heard that you had repeatedly performed righteous deeds and elevated Mount Hua's reputation."
"I only acted according to the teachings of my sect."
The vice-leader kept nodding repeatedly.
"Exactly. Mount Hua's righteous acts are famous, after all. I've heard that even the Mount Hua Divine Dragon and the Righteous Sword of Mount Hua, who are now renowned throughout the world, perform righteous deeds as naturally as breathing."
Jin Yang-geon smiled, even nodding with apparent pleasure.
"They're still children with much to learn."
"Ah... In that case?"
As Sang Man-hui's eyes lit up for an instant, Jin Yang-geon flinched and waved a hand.
"Ah, forgive me. Please forget what I just said."
"O-of course! This Sang Man-hui heard nothing at all."
Though he said he had heard nothing, Sang Man-hui's eyes were shining brilliantly.
He called the Righteous Sword of Mount Hua a child, which means his rank must be above that at the very least.
The plum blossom embroidery on his robes. His skill in cutting down the Taehang Three Swords with a single strike. And then there was the way he casually referred to the Righteous Sword of Mount Hua as a child.
Verification could be considered complete.
Setting everything else aside, why would a master capable of cleaving the Taehang Three Swords in one blow impersonate a Mount Hua disciple? With that level of skill, he could make a name for himself without belonging anywhere at all.
At that level, this discussion can work!
Sang Man-hui's face brightened as he spoke carefully.
"Hero Jin."
"Yes, Vice-Leader."
"The fact is, as the vice-leader of the Geum-geom-bu, I have a favor to ask of you."
"A favor, you say...?"
"First... is Mount Hua truly a sect that pursues righteousness?"
At that, Jin Yang-geon gave a wry smile.
"How could a mere disciple dare define Mount Hua?"
"Ah... That was a poor choice of words on my part..."
"And yet, I hope you will understand one thing: among all the sects under heaven, it is a place that strives hardest to walk the correct path."
Sang Man-hui nodded again and again, looking deeply moved.
"Then I shall speak frankly. Perhaps you've heard already, but we are currently at war with the Cheol-mo-bang nearby."
"Mm. I've heard bits and pieces."
"The Cheol-mo-bang and our Geum-geom-bu were never exactly on good terms. Still, until now, there were only minor skirmishes between us; nothing serious ever broke out... but recently, the Cheol-mo-bang began hiring masters from Maninbang, and the problem grew far worse."
"Did you say Maninbang?"
Jin Yang-geon's eyes sharpened. Sang Man-hui silently rejoiced.
The rumors were true—Mount Hua and Maninbang really are sworn enemies. Just look at that reaction.
"Yes. Unknown masters from Maninbang began helping them. And I believe they haven't merely sent a few experts—they're providing direct support."
"Hmm."
As Jin Yang-geon's expression hardened, Sang Man-hui let out a long sigh.
"Hero Jin, I am not trying to preserve the Geum-geom-bu for my own benefit. As you know, there is no proper sect in Nam-chang. If the Geum-geom-bu falls, those Cheol-mo-bang brutes will seize Nam-chang, and before long Jiangxi itself may fall into the hands of Maninbang."
"That would be a tremendous disaster. But... have the other sects simply stood by and watched?"
"Who would step forward?"
Sang Man-hui shook his head.
"The great sects that stand beside prosperous, fertile cities have no interest in a little place like Nam-chang. Even if they had some interest, the moment they heard the name Maninbang, they turned away at once."
"Such a thing..."
"Hero Jin!"
Sang Man-hui suddenly grabbed Jin Yang-geon's hand.
"Please help us!"
"......"
"Now, Mount Hua is Nam-chang's only hope. I've heard Mount Hua cannot tolerate injustice. Please protect Nam-chang from those vile Maninbang bastards."
"Mm..."
Seeing that Jin Yang-geon still hesitated, Sang Man-hui quietly slipped a hand into his sleeve.
"We aren't asking you to help for free."
From within the sleeve, he drew out a bundle of promissory notes and discreetly held it out.
"If you help us, I will make sure the gesture is properly rewarded."
Jin Yang-geon's gaze fell on the stack of notes. But as if he had little interest in money, he quickly looked away and turned to gaze out the window.
"...Hero Jin?"
"Vice-Leader, I think you may be mistaken about something."
"...Pardon?"
Jin Yang-geon shook his head.
"Mount Hua is not a sect that moves for money. To speak of righteousness and then offer money is to insult Mount Hua's righteousness."
For a moment, Sang Man-hui's face blanched. He felt the mistake immediately.
"I... I only meant to show my sincerity..."
"You truly want to show your sincerity?"
Jin Yang-geon looked straight at him and said,
"We cannot simply stand by and watch the vile schemes of those Maninbang scum. Of course the sect leader would draw his sword. But to do that, we need justification."
"Jus-justification?"
"Bring me five times this amount."
"Five times?"
"Yes. Five times."
Sang Man-hui stared at Jin Yang-geon, dumbfounded.
Didn't he just say that offering money was an insult to Mount Hua? And now he wanted more money? What was this supposed to mean?
"Have you perhaps heard what happened in Wuhan?"
"Ah..."
Sang Man-hui nodded.
"We will use the money you give Geum-geom-bu to help the poor and needy in Jiangxi and Nam-chang. That will raise Geum-geom-bu's reputation as well. As for us at Mount Hua, we won't take a single coin of the money you provide."
"T-then?"
"Yes. Geum-geom-bu will become a noble sect that cares for the poor, and then we will have the justification to draw our swords on its behalf."
Jin Yang-geon's voice grew weighty.
"So if you give the money meant for the poor, I will also send word back to Mount Hua and call disciples from the main sect here. Can you do that?"
For an instant, conflict flickered across Sang Man-hui's face. Jin Yang-geon smiled faintly.
"If you lose to the Cheol-mo-bang, that money will be taken away from you anyway. Wouldn't it be better to give it to the naked and starving instead of handing it over to them?"
Those words seemed to strike the final blow. Soon, Sang Man-hui nodded with a hardened face.
"I'll do it!"
"A wise decision."
"But... it will take a little time to gather that much in promissory notes. If I deliver them after the matter is settled..."
"Impossible."
Jin Yang-geon shook his head.
"As I said, this isn't a fee for services. It's money meant to be distributed among the people. If Mount Hua is to intervene in this war, we must first provide relief in the name of Geum-geom-bu and Mount Hua. Only then will it mean anything."
"Ah... r-right."
"How long will you need?"
"...Well..."
Jin Yang-geon's eyes narrowed slightly.
"It seems the threat of Maninbang isn't quite as urgent and severe as I thought. Very well, take your time. Though if you drag this out too long, I do have other matters to attend to..."
"N-no! It's urgent! Please wait just a little! Two shichen! I will prepare it within two shichen!"
"There's no need to rush that much..."
"No! We must save every moment we can. Please wait just a bit!"
"If you say so, then I shall wait here."
Sang Man-hui shot to his feet without the slightest hesitation.
Even so, his eyes kept darting involuntarily toward the bundle of promissory notes on the table. But Jin Yang-geon never once looked at the money, as if it had never belonged to him in the first place.
"Thank you for your help, Hero Jin! And thank you as well for Mount Hua's help."
"Think nothing of it. I am only doing what must be done."
"Then, if you'll excuse me!"
Sang Man-hui dashed out in a hurry. Once outside, he ordered the two stewards at his sides.
"Go to the battlefield and fetch the promissory notes! At once!"
"V-vice-leader. I understand your urgency, but we've not even confirmed that man is really a Mount Hua disciple, and there is no guarantee Mount Hua will act on his word. To hand over the notes first..."
"What nonsense!"
Sang Man-hui barked angrily.
"Finding a master who can beat the Taehang Three Swords is one thing! But finding a master who can drop them with a single strike is something you won't discover even if you scour the earth. And why in the world would someone like that pretend to be a master of Mount Hua instead of Shaolin or Wudang?"
"......That is..."
"It's not a small sum, but compared to moving Mount Hua, it's practically nothing. If we can use that much money to hire a bunch of foolish Daoist geezers who only know righteousness, then that's a bargain! So stop talking nonsense and go get it!"
"Yes, understood."
After the stewards finally bowed and hurried off, Sang Man-hui laughed to himself in triumph.
Foolish Daoist geezers. They're so innocent it's almost laughable. We'll use this chance to sweep away those Cheol-mo-bang brutes completely.
What he didn't know was that the man left alone in the vice-leader's room was wearing the exact same expression.
And then...
"Hrrrrrrr..."
White vapor poured out between his parted lips.
Chung Myung, his eyes glinting with murderous light as he looked left and right, muttered in a voice like a devil crawling up from hell,
"So this is Nam-chang?"
A hungry beast was approaching the two snakes coiled up in the hope of devouring each other first.
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