Chapter 128
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Ambush (1)
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One couldn't just blindly dig through a mountain to develop a mine. They had to survey the geology and lay the groundwork before tunneling. The longer and deeper the shafts went, the slower the work became, and the risks grew.
Finding a gold vein promised instant riches, but if mine development were easy, everyone would jump in. There were plenty of cases where massive investments led to bankruptcy.
Mine development was a form of gambling.
Success recovered all costs and more, but failure brought devastating blows.
This was why the government or major merchant groups invested. Mid-tier merchants or landowners couldn't withstand the fallout from failure. With so many chasing quick fortunes, the authorities managed it to avoid economic damage.
The Jeongun Merchant Group's mine development was officially secret but permitted by the government, so it wasn't hidden. Anyone could verify it if they tried. Yet it had been nothing but failures so far.
Repeated setbacks had dulled outside interest. To others, it looked like they were persisting out of stubborn pride despite running out of resources. Rumors spread that it was now too late to continue or quit.
Ttang, ttang!
The sound of pickaxes echoed, and soon after...
A miner burst out like a shot and reported to someone.
Han I-gwang, in charge of mine development, had to calm his pounding heart at the miner's words. He immediately wrote a report and sent it to headquarters.
"Keep your mouths shut, everyone."
"Yes, sir."
He sealed the miners' lips. Rumors leaking out would be disastrous. Caution was essential now.
Upon receiving the message, Merchant Leader Neung Baek-hwan summoned the Chief Steward and acting deputy. It was too early to tell everyone. They needed to keep the secret as long as possible. He trusted the inner circle, but he couldn't leave the merchant group's fate to chance.
"They found a gold vein."
"Really? How big is it?"
Finding a vein wasn't the end. If it wasn't profitable enough, mining it could cost more than it yielded.
"We'll know more after digging deeper, but they say it's thicker than any previously developed gold mine."
"Hah, it really was as that lord said."
Mujin had offered to fund the development, but designating Gyeongjeong Mountain had raised doubts. Abandoning the mountain they'd already invested in felt wasteful. If someone else picked it up and struck gold, it'd be like fattening others for free.
"Unbelievable. Even miners don't trust it until they've dug it themselves. How did he know?"
"That's impressive enough, but preparing another site on Gyeongjeong Mountain just in case? That takes real conviction."
Conviction in the vein was remarkable, but developing two mines to deflect rival merchant groups' attention was genius. It kept prying eyes off the real target.
The decoy sites had indeed failed.
Still, mining costs were enormous. Even as smokescreens, two busts meant huge losses. If the final site flopped too, it'd be pure waste.
"Allying with that lord is our merchant group's fortune. We must never let go."
"But didn't he marry?"
"He has a younger sister, and sons and daughters too. We can't approach too directly. He seems sensitive about that."
"If the deputy says so."
Yeo Un-sang, the acting deputy, had an uncanny eye for people. Mujin might seem eccentric on the surface, but his insight was razor-sharp. He pierced through pretenses. They'd seen it with O Seong-mun, who approached with ill intent and suffered for it.
"Focus solely on extraction for now. Once we hit our target amount, report it and sell."
"Understood."
For Neung Baek-hwan, this was like pulling a rotten tooth. The reckless investments had drawn internal criticism. Now he had the momentum and justification to rise again.
'This time, I'll crush them for sure.'
It signaled an earthquake in Anhui's merchant world. And it birthed fervent followers.
Chaeng, chaeng!
Swordsmanship drills ended with spars. Full-force bouts mimicking real combat.
The Pine Tiger Sect's armed forces—Crimson Tiger Squad, Azure Tiger Squad, Black Tiger Squad—were strengthening under Kang Muho's guidance, but they lacked seasoned veterans.
Amid this, Heavenly Lord Divine Spear Guo Yunbai's arrival was like gaining a heavenly army.
The gap between spear and sword techniques posed no issue. At Guo Yunbai's level, he transcended weapon limitations.
"Your progress is astounding."
"I couldn't have done it without Master Guo's teachings."
"You're flattering me. You would've managed without."
"You're too kind."
The forces' growth came from Guo Yunbai's addition, but also superior weapons. Their old swords were trash compared to the new ones. The sect's iron forge allowed replacements.
"Master Hwang is incredible."
"I was shocked too. Same iron, but totally different. How'd he do it?"
"Forges have their secrets, like our martial arts. Not for outsiders."
"Can't argue there."
Hwang's brilliance lay in using ordinary steel to craft extraordinary weapons. They didn't surpass rare materials like cloud iron or cold iron in new blades, but came close. That alone was masterful.
And that wasn't all.
Maintenance mattered more than production. Weapons dulled or broke with use. Discarding them wasn't an option—repairs were vital. The Hwang iron forge streamlined supply and upkeep.
'Where did he find such a genius forge master?'
Muho marveled at the forging skills his brother had brought via Hwang U-cheol. He now understood why sects vied for top smiths. Better weapons elevated warriors.
'I thought he was just shooting blindly.'
His brother often returned from outings with new allies, like Guo Yunbai. The sect was transforming. The difference from before was night and day.
'Impossible without him.'
Whether his brother had truly come to his senses was unclear, but for Muho, the change marked hellish times. Sect-wide, though, growth was phenomenal. Pure combat power? The old Pine Tiger Sect wouldn't last against them.
'What corner? They'd surrender instantly.'
Yet elders and disciples credited Muho for it all. Whether they believed it or wanted to, they acted as if denying his brother's role invalidated their lives.
'Me too.'
Telling the truth wouldn't convince anyone. His brother had glimpsed his true self lately, but even that fell short of reality.
Honestly, Muho didn't fully grasp his brother's strength. The guy was a monster. Even as kin, facts backed it.
"Good work, Master Guo."
"Spar often."
"I'd be honored."
"That's my line."
Guo Yunbai couldn't hide his admiration for the brothers. They said no brother matched his sibling, but these two transcended that. Even the younger had peerless talent. He could thrive in the jianghu now.
'Their humility shames my years.'
The master's misconceptions burdened Muho. Those eyes screamed it. Whatever facade his brother showed outside left Guo enchanted. Muho shook his head at his brother's con artist streak.
'He got duped too.'
No courage to correct it.
Muho focused on the present.
No bandwidth to help others. My nose is stuffy first—that was truth. Brother's absence eased things, but he could thunder back anytime. No room for complacency.
Dismissing the squads' training, he allowed personal time. But squad leaders and below trained extra. Visible gains fueled zeal.
Warriors' greed for martial prowess ignited. The better they got, the more they craved.
'No way!'
Suspecting his brother orchestrated it, Muho swiftly denied it. Monster strong, sure—but foresight? Not expecting that.
'Absolutely not!'
If brother's mind matched his power, escape was hopeless.
I want to breathe too!
Mind tangled, Muho left the sect. Training spots from brotherly sessions cleared his head, reminding him to grow stronger.
Eh?
Heading out the main gate toward the mountains, an old man and woman approached. Nothing special at first glance. Ordinary-looking pair.
Gasp!
The pressure Muho felt was anything but ordinary. Especially the old man, emanating no aura yet looming like a mountain range.
"Heh heh, this should suffice, no?"
The old man's words drew a woman's sharp gaze raking Muho from head to toe.
Muho ignored her.
"Who might you be, elder?"
"Nangong Seong."
The unassuming aura erupted into something unbelievable. Sword Emperor?
Then the woman beside him—Great Lotus?
"You, his little brother, right? What do you think?"
"Pardon?"
"Let's have a match."
"Ah~~!"
What the hell did that damn brother do now?
Meanwhile, a carriage bearing the Jeongun Merchant Group's flag approached in a cloud of dust, from afar.