Chapter 145
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Opening Gambit (2)
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Of late, with failures piling up, his eyes betrayed a growing impatience. Gone was the refined composure and leisurely air of old; his demeanor had shifted entirely.
'Damn it.'
Three days prior, an order had come down from the cult. Another failure could mean being summoned back. A summons signaled incompetence, and replacement meant death. If it ended in death, that would be fortunate. The cult's punishments annihilated the soul itself.
Creak!
The door swung open, and Black Water returned.
"How did it go?"
"Preparations are complete."
"Failure is not an option."
"Understood."
Anhui's merchant world needed unification under one banner. Only then could funds flow smoothly to the cult. To that end, he'd long cultivated ties with two major merchant groups while systematically undermining Jeongun Merchant Group.
Recent cash flow had eased operations, delaying the plan somewhat, but without new mines opening, the outcome remained unchanged.
'Can't stop at Anhui.'
Anhui would serve as the base to swallow up Jiangsu's merchants next. As insurance, he'd forged links with the Five Saints Sect. They'd lent aid before, but now it was time for full commitment.
'When did I start...'
He'd always prepared for variables, never failing before. But accumulated setbacks bred haste. Was that why? He found himself contemplating contingencies unbidden.
'All because of that bastard!'
That freak had derailed everything. Not even confronting him directly, yet his mere presence twisted plans into ruin. Proof they were utter nemeses.
The moment this wrapped up, he'd kill him for sure. Leaving him alive promised endless trouble.
"What about that guy?"
"He's been quiet since challenging the Bandit King."
"He hasn't caught on, has he?"
"Impossible."
The seeds planted in the bandits hadn't ripened. Besides, despite his public image, Jang Pil-do had a fox's cunning. Revealing intent prematurely risked exposure.
'No way. Doesn't make sense!'
The map to the Mythical Horse Spirit Armor had vanished, Nangong family's schemes had crumbled, and supply disruptions had drawn tails on their tracks.
Originally, Nangong's plan would've cleared the Five Great Families, dominating Anhui merchants. From there, bandits and the Yangtze could've seized Guju's trade.
'My grand design, ruined by that damned fool!'
Mentioning him boiled his blood, flushing his once-calm face red.
Hence the unease.
Who could've imagined that madman challenging the Bandit King without knowing his place? Only someone dismissing the Five Kings' elite.
Assuming knowledge strained causality. No links amplified the anxiety.
Why?
The man defied patterns.
Unpredictable, he obscured countermoves. For now, endure. Poking clumsily might spark backlash.
'He should've died to Jang Pil-do!'
Another blind spot.
Bribed to release him, then brothers? Absurd. Checks revealed Continental War Theater bills circulating.
"We need Black Dragon Fortress."
"The master comes first. Besides, it's too risky."
"Prepare for contingencies."
"Understood, Dark Lord."
He couldn't let that bastard and his clan slide. He'd uproot them entirely, burn every trace.
'This isn't like him!'
Black Water knew the Dark Lord's icy nature well, yet this was new. Could that guy be exceptional? Illogical doubts crept in.
A fine day.
Two carts loaded with Pine Tiger Sect goods rolled in. The drivers sought Mujin at the gate, citing prior arrangements.
Confirming the literati escort seal, Mujin welcomed them warmly. More precisely, their cargo.
"No chance the count's off, right?"
"They added extra, said not to feel shortchanged."
"Shortchanged? Who? I trusted them."
"For future business, just send word to the villa."
Fox through and through.
He'd hidden himself ingeniously. Explaining his post-incident reemergence. Who'd link a bandit to literati? Don't judge by looks.
That only endeared him more. The cover had saved him in the Demonic War too. Such wariness meant room for counterplay.
They unloaded into his private storehouse, stacking neatly. Contents? Gold bars, of course. Traded Jang Pil-do's bills back for payment. Distrust ruled this world. He'd yielded deeply to spread those notes.
Gold bars made fitting recompense.
"Bandits never hit recession, huh."
Two hundred thousand nyang in bars at once, as promised. A man of his word.
Mujin resolved to spend those dogged gains like a prime minister. Kept this up, he could grow a merchant group via bandits later.
'Did he anticipate this?'
-War's foundation is logistics. Obvious.
'You prepared thoroughly.'
-Fools fight unprepared.
'Likely the master's targets too.'
-Probably.
Demonic Cult's rise owed much to merchants. Most backed the cult over Murim Alliance. Betrayed by trusted traders, the war wrought havoc.
Supply failures starved troops. Imagine midwinter mountains, bellies empty in battle.
'Right after Jeongun fell, mine intel might've reached the cult?'
-Not sure if Jeongun. If bandit raids ramped up then, success.
Details eluded even Mujin or Demon King—mere hunch. If true, Jeongun fed the dog with its own meat. That future Gold Mine Blood War? Maybe Jeongun's target site. Speculation, though; certainty unwise.
'Not full war, Sword Emperor handles.'
-Unless certain.
Gold bars worried him now. Seeing tempts greed. Better entrust to front lines, but first, underground vault.
"You called?"
Na-reung arrived via Mujin's Thousand-Li Mind Voice.
One of Five Night Guests? She'd handle it. As lord, trusting retainers this much felt right. Faith earned reward.
He opened the crate.
Na-reung eyed the bars suspiciously.
"One missing's on you, got it?"
"Pardon?"
"No regrets in life? Bars don't matter then."
"I'll build an impenetrable vault!"
Thief's pride stung.
Crafting others' vaults? Life's regrets loomed, but lately, Heavenly Martial True Scripture's fire stage hit Four Stars. Mere One Star before, yet realm elevated. To keep gains, guard lord's gold with life.
Leaving storehouse for his room, guests arrived.
"It's Neung So-ryeo."
"Kang Hero, long time."
From Jeongun: Yeo Un-sang deputy head, and merchant lord's daughter Neung So-ryeo, Snow Lotus Flower. Prior visit clashed schedules; back now on hearing his return.
Like a shy lotus in snowfields, her beauty dazzled. No wonder the pampered jewel drew suitors.
"You found the gold mine."
"Knew you'd know. Veins half-worked. Once official permit, we'll circulate."
"Merchant Lord agonized, but thanks for trusting."
"Don't say that. You're our savior."
Daily yield dwarfed old mines; purity high. Pure bars circulating? Anhui trade quaked.
Jeongun's fate hung on it.
Jeongun's deference natural. Sans contract, old mines meant bankruptcy inevitable.
"On Father's behalf, my thanks, Hero Kang."
Post-deputy chat, she bowed properly. But Mujin sought more than words. Lip service? Reconsider contract.
Thankfully, she didn't.
Family heirloom ornament. No ordinary trinket. Ancient relic from sages, secret unsolved by time.
"Humble partial contract payment. Victory day, fitting reward follows."
"Just honor the deal."
Three refusals virtue, but Mujin took it. Treasures aid later, whatever form. Her dutiful courtesy pleased anyway.
Neung So-ryeo explained her visit.
"Father wishes to see Hero Kang. Details to draft—can you spare time?"
"If Merchant Lord calls, how refuse?"
Mujin would've gone regardless. Mine ops and circulation spread rumors inevitably. "Master" decided by annual profits, not assets. Circulation solidified that base.
'Won't leave this feast untouched.'
Lazing home with wives tempted, but ignoring threats yielded nothing. Post-blow too late. Better lure aggressively.
Fight on my turf—Mujin's tactic boasting full victory odds.
'Big fish hooks better.'
-Overreliant on luck.
'End it now? Not bad.'
-Nine Great Clans not fully in; sideshow.
'Trim branches, trunk follows.'
Multiple failures? Cult's nature bred impatience. Another flop? Limbo terror underneath.
Good omen.
Amitabha and Qingcheng mobilized? Proof of jitters. Past Cult avoided such. Wouldn't harvest future seeds early. Desperation peaked.
-Spot-on.
'High psychology warfare.'
-Bullshit!
'Deny? You fell for it.'
-Damn!
Psychology? Just press till frantic—success. Caught again? Gains dwarf prior.
"Neung Maiden, dare challenge?"
"Pardon?"
"Sending daughter? Intent obvious. No beating around bushes. Unwed men home: brother, son. Son's age gap leaves one."
"May I challenge?"
Oh ho.
Shy lotus bloom, yet backbone steel. Most flustered at exposed aims.
Neung So-ryeo unchanged, countering. Instead, Yeo Un-sang sweated glances.
'All gems.'
His brother, introverted. Needed lead mare. Sword Empress, Fist Empress, Snow Lotus—wives' caliber or near. Political ties essential for sect future.
"Sounds nepotistic, but brother's hero material. Three wives, four concubines inevitable. Heart swayed once. Still challenge?"
"Heroes demand pursuit."
"Unyielding spirit—approved."
"Thanks, brother-in-law!"
Well now.
Impressive.
Merchant's daughter tallying abacus sharp. Maybe never factored brother's orbit. Thus, Mujin held nothing back. Could've lied no women; didn't sell soul.
"Play hard to get, topple him—principal wife."
"Ho, premium intel."
First come? Pivotal in marriage. Wife or concubine split fates. Rare scoop.
"Bolder than looks."
"Brother-in-law no ordinary."
"Brother- or stranger-in-law? Watch."
"I'll make you brother-in-law."
Yeo Un-sang's head throbbed. How report this? Truth? Explosion. Softened? Tavern banter sans courtesy. Brother-sister-in-law chat? Beyond norms, way beyond.
'Misjudged?'
Self-proclaimed eye for people reevaluated. Hero's talk too crass. Accepted gift sans refusal? Omen.
'...Didn't hear.'
Better ignore than rebuke. Age wearied strife.
Yeo Un-sang human too.
But this excessive!
"Drug him off-limits?"
"Formula key. Done right, works."
"Not poison-proof. Thanks for tip."
"Said nothing."
Neung So-ryeo's affability drew Mujin's fond smile. Good addition home—blessing. Fit as next chief steward after wife.
'For Yujin.'
-Madman!
Yet Mujin's schemes doomed Muho untimely death. Turbulent fate awaited.