Chapter 74
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Triumphant Return (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"You'll need some help."
"That's right. It won't come cheap."
"Where is it?"
"I can't tell you that."
Developing a mine required permission from the state. Even if handled discreetly, word would get out through the officials, and other merchant groups would know. But announcing it publicly was another matter entirely.
"Not Hamsan."
"So you know about it. But we've surveyed it for years, and there's potential."
"I'll only invest in Gyeongjeongsan."
"We've poured a fortune into it already. We can't just switch overnight."
He hadn't heard of any mines being developed in Hamsan. Mujin had fought in the gold mine bloodbath at Gyeongjeongsan. Only he knew the exact location.
Gyeongjeongsan wasn't some small hill. Without the precise spot, it would be a wasted investment. That's why he'd named it. Even if they found out, it wouldn't be a problem.
"Follow my lead, and I'll give you half the profits from the mine. Naturally, I'll cover the full investment myself."
"You're guaranteeing the entire amount?"
The costs for mine development could be astronomical. If successful, it would be ideal, but the risk of failure was huge. That's why solo investments in mines were rare. But if one succeeded alone, the wealth amassed was immense.
"Stall too long, and the deal changes."
"This isn't a decision I can make on the spot."
"I won't wait forever."
"I'll report back and contact you through the Pine Tiger Sect."
The Demonic Cult of the Demon God probably hadn't gotten involved yet. But he couldn't be sure they wouldn't later. He had to secure the gold mine first and buy up the mountain rights.
'Is he serious?'
Yeo Woon-sang was torn. It was a matter for the merchant lord's decision. But if it panned out as promised, the Jeongun Merchant Group could rise to become Anhui's top trading house.
"What's your connection to the Five Saints Sect?"
"We did some business with them before, dealing in grain distribution and investments."
"Didn't go well, I take it."
"Not exactly, but every deal with the Five Saints Sect somehow veered toward failure."
Mujin got the picture. They'd transacted, but no trust had built. Being tangled with the Five Saints Sect didn't matter. A third-rate sect worse than trash wouldn't aid any grand plan.
"No loose ends, right?"
"Handle it as you see fit. Then I'll take my leave."
Mujin was testing if the Jeongun Merchant Group could commit. If they dug in their heels, he had plenty of options. What mattered was if they could trust and follow him.
Arriving at the docks, Mujin parted ways with Huangbo Jang-seong, promising to reconnect. It wouldn't take long. They'd agreed he'd formally request an audience later.
"Can't I come with you?"
"If you want to play house already, I won't stop you."
Just love each other and that's that?
As if.
Marriage bound families together. It wasn't a light decision made on a whim. He'd never seen a couple defy their parents and thrive.
As long as dirt didn't fill his eyes, he wouldn't allow it. A son had a clear duty to heed his parents' consent.
-Sounds like you're just doing what you want.
'Sons get a pass.'
Besides, Huangbo Seryeong was still young. A girl raised delicately in a prestigious clan might grasp marriage intellectually, but not until she faced it. Brains didn't exempt one from wifely woes.
"Father, that's too much."
"Taejin will visit soon. If he's delayed, send word."
Huangbo Seryeong was exceptional. More mature than her peers, with vast knowledge. Still, Mujin believed she needed to stay with her parents a while longer. Otherwise, regret would surely follow.
"Next time will be different."
"I'll look forward to it, brother."
He'd lost decisively, but Huangbo Jin-un's spirit remained unbroken. He'd vowed to master his clan's arts and turn the tables. As the Huangbo clan's young master, he showed some awareness.
"I'll be the one to beat that guy!"
Cheol-ho shattered the mood, but it was time to part from the Huangbo clan anyway.
Mujin boarded the carriage prepared by the Jeongun Merchant Group. Cheol-ho and Taejin took turns driving; both had trained rigorously. Even Cheol-ho, lacking basics in mounted combat, now handled the horse competently.
"Five Saints Sect, huh?"
"Yeah."
"They grumbled a lot on the boat."
"No wiping out the sect."
"Our boy's grown up—making jokes now."
Taejin, who'd spoken earnestly, switched to survival mode with a grin. He knew his father's nature best. Even if unreasonable, once resolved, he'd make it reality.
"If they walk into it themselves, they're welcome to."
"Pardon?"
As Mujin predicted, they encountered Oseong Sect's Lee Gi-ho and Hyeok Mu-sang en route to the Pine Tiger Sect. They'd only briefly introduced themselves aboard ship, no further greetings.
Mujin stepped from the carriage to face them.
"My apologies for the ship. I didn't know the Pine Tiger Sect had raised the Little Dragon Tournament's champion and runner-up."
"Easy mistake. But that's not what you want to say—you're here for a duel, right?"
Lee Gi-ho, who'd tried a modicum of courtesy, stiffened briefly before recovering. Age be damned, the man had no manners.
'Thinks fame makes the Pine Tiger Sect a major power!'
The Nangong clan's Little Dragon Tournament was child's play. Greenhorns without Dosan Sword Forest experience couldn't compare to him.
'Credit for not backing down.'
Retreating wouldn't have been bad. Just report to the Huangbo clan.
"Our sect has a tradition: at twenty, disciples embark on wandering trials. Would you be my final opponent?"
"For free?"
"Pardon?"
"No pretending. Let's wager."
Mujin openly revealed his greed. A simple bet: stake money, winner takes all.
'Father, getting money-hungry!'
'Greedy even for snot money—ruthless!'
Just ask for it outright—now beat them and rob too?
Taejin and Cheol-ho hid their shock at the viciousness. They'd suspected from the scribbling earlier.
'Heard everything.'
'Playing dumb.'
They'd crossed paths with the Oseong Sect aboard ship no more than twice. Conversation only at intros. Then ignored them—deliberately. No surprise; the silence amid their gossip hinted at intent.
Twitch!
This bastard.
Caught off-guard by the unexpected proposal, Lee Gi-ho hesitated. Then rage surged. It demeaned his warrior trial like cheap entertainment.
"Mind your words."
"Just win. If you're not confident, walk away. I don't force anyone."
Hyeok Mu-sang, aiming to mediate, glared sharply at Mujin. What gave this fool such boldness? Unless he didn't know who they were.
But pride stung too sharply to back down easily. A bet just meant winning. Losing's fallout wasn't worth considering.
'Psychological warfare.'
Hyeok Mu-sang saw it as Mujin slyly preying on insecurities. Maybe he'd roped in the Huangbo clan and Jeongun the same way.
'Think that cheap trick works on us!'
Lee Gi-ho barely contained his boiling fury.
"What are we wagering?"
"How about twenty thousand nyang?"
"Twenty thousand in silver?"
"Small-timer."
"Gold?!"
Even Lee Gi-ho, planning to accept a fair sum and humiliate him, faltered.
Hyeok Mu-sang struggled to mask his own astonishment.
Twenty thousand nyang gold was burdensome even for the Oseong Sect. They'd have to liquidate assets.
Grind!
Only then did Lee Gi-ho see the ploy.
He dropped the facade. He didn't acknowledge the Pine Tiger Sect. It just irked him they got undue respect beyond their station.
"Mocking our sect? You want to die!"
"Boys."
At his signal, Cheol-ho and Taejin fetched a chest from the carriage. Setting it down thudded heavily. Its contents' weight was palpable.
"What is this?!"
Cheol-ho and Taejin opened the hefty chest, unleashing a blinding golden gleam.
"Twenty thousand nyang. Check it."
Lee Gi-ho and Hyeok Mu-sang froze anew at gold's allure. They'd assumed an absurd sum to dodge the duel, but here it was, real.
"Win, and it's yours."
"You're serious?"
"Why show it if bluffing?"
"......I see."
Twenty thousand gold nyang made murder laughable. No need risking trouble. Yet casually wagering such a fortune nagged at them.
"Warrior trial, huh? Picky about every detail. Why not just spar at your sect then?"
"What?!"
Lee Gi-ho bristled.
Taken literally, it implied he'd only dueled sure wins, cherry-picking.
"Let's do it."
"Wait!"
Hyeok Mu-sang panicked at Lee Gi-ho's acceptance. Even as vice sect leader, twenty thousand was daunting. If things went south, the fallout would be severe.
"Need guardian approval, I see."
Mujin nodded understandingly.
With the look of an adult humoring a child.
Whoa!
Taejin and Cheol-ho couldn't hold back admiration. Their father and master was a provocation genius. Even watching, fury bubbled up!
'Father's truly diabolical!'
'Anything to learn from that guy?'
Mujin shrugged at the boys. Fights weren't just martial arts. Psychological ploys exploiting foes, tactical maneuvers on timing and terrain—essentials.
And intel's value: they clearly hadn't heard about the Present String Sword yet.
Shudder!
Sure enough.
Fuming, Lee Gi-ho drew his sword.
"Come at me."
"First, the contract. Folks love backtalk later. No misunderstandings."
He produced a pre-prepared document for Lee Gi-ho and Hyeok Mu-sang. Simple terms: loser pays winner twenty thousand gold nyang.
Of course, a clause demanded fitting penalty for default.
Hyeok Mu-sang frowned at the paper. No one carried such things casually. Producing it like he'd anticipated everything felt off.
"How about backing off here?"
"You want me to run from that punk out of fear? I can't do that!"
As Lee Gi-ho dug in, Hyeok Mu-sang's head throbbed. He resented Mujin for escalating this far. Tempted to thrash him, but unease lingered. Pieces fit too perfectly.