Chapter 93
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Change Course to South-Southwest (3)
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Children have a tendency to see only what they want to see and hear only what they want to hear.
Even if this were some backwater village, the kid's claim of a "sister kidnapping" might have a shred of credibility.
"My name is Little Dragon!"
"Whoa, now that's a strong-sounding name."
Big cities have their own rules and order.
Chongqing in particular was a strategic military hub, so the government's influence was stronger here than in other regions.
Would unorthodox sect thugs really stoop so low as to kidnap women for unspeakable crimes?
"Let's go check it out."
Regardless, as an upright orthodox warrior, I couldn't just ignore such a claim.
Time to hear the details first.
"This is the place...!"
"Hmm..."
The spot Little Dragon dragged me to was a pleasure house.
A brothel, to be exact.
Two third-rate punks, oozing "we're unorthodox" from every pore, blocked the entrance.
"Hey, kid, we told you not to hang around."
"Mister, come back at night. Bring the kid too. Tsk, kid's got no fear wandering into a place like this."
What the hell?
Their tone was pure thug, but the content felt oddly upright?
Normally, violence would be the best way to get answers.
But I activated Great Sage Geum Sihyeon mode, arming myself with the wisdom to navigate obstacles cleverly.
Smart Magical: Open the door.
Silver coin toss!
"Hmm... that's a bit short."
Of course, it's not a 100% success rate.
Sometimes, greedy fools overreach.
It was a rational judgment, really.
If they pushed hard enough to squeeze out even one more piece, they could live comfortably for a week.
Too bad— no other options now.
Pfbt!
"Gasp...! Sword qi firework...!"
"Wh-what can we do for you, sir...?"
One Smart Magical sparkle blast auto-installed humility.
Kindness normalized.
Of course, being far kinder than the average martial artist, I wouldn't stoop to snatching back the silver I'd offered.
"They say Little Dragon's sister is here. Nothing shady—just a quick meet?"
"R-right this way, sir...!"
Service quality: vastly improved.
A moment later.
Out bounced Little Dragon's sister, Little Red—her looks a bit lacking for even empty flattery like "beautiful."
"You! I told you not to come here...!"
"Waaah, but sis, you never come home...!"
I sighed, watching the not-exactly-heartwarming family reunion.
I'd half-suspected as much from the start.
Unlike the love, passion, and abundance at Hundred Flowers Academy—or even the average martial artist's life—
life for ordinary folk in this primitive ancient uncivilized China was far from prosperous.
The five silver pieces I'd just handed over for politeness? That's one tael of silver.
Depending on lifestyle, but a tael could cover a commoner's monthly expenses easily.
"Um, hero...? Sorry, I don't know what my Little Dragon said, but I came here willingly. Please don't misunderstand because of my brother..."
Overage women rarely entered brothels by choice.
Probably sold off instead of debt-ridden family.
Hard to grasp with modern sensibilities.
But I wasn't about to hoist the red flag of revolution and overthrow the entire primitive ancient uncivilized Central Plains system.
"No, I knew that already."
"Then..."
"Just a few questions."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Little Red's face, but I ignored it coolly.
Might come off as narcissistic.
Maybe she'd hoped for a prince on a white horse...
"You borrowed from Black Tiger Gate?"
"Yes."
"What's the interest rate?"
Little Red looked baffled.
"Interest. The interest."
"Oh... six parts per tael."
Practically third-tier loan shark rates, like no-collateral quick cash.
With her body price and brothel earnings, it shouldn't be impossible to repay.
A bit rude, but I asked straight-up.
"Sigh... I figured as much. But lately, too many customers are content just watching Mutube..."
"Ah."
I got the picture.
Even in my past life.
Sure, there were scum like Manager Kim blowing big bucks on nightlife.
But far more were the types getting vicarious thrills at home via videos, too drained for the real thing.
Plus, comparing the girls from Mutube I'd glimpsed to Little Red here...
"Your gaze is a bit rude..."
"Ah, sorry."
Frankly.
Her competitiveness was rock bottom—no exaggeration.
A few more questions.
How Black Tiger Gate treated people normally.
Any illegal debt collection tactics.
Bits to grab as leverage.
"Hmm... aside from vicious debt collection, they're not bad. Honestly, better than rotting at home..."
"S-sis..."
"Hush. I said wait and I'll take care of you, Little Dragon."
A tad materialistic, maybe.
But she clearly cared for her brother.
"Gasp. Hero..."
"Such a large sum..."
I paid generously for the escort and testimony.
: : Little Dragon begged around. I get the relief of leaving home, but look after him more. : :
For daring to waste my time.
I tattled to Little Red via transmission.
Bowing to her wide-eyed face, I shut the door and left.
"A-all done, sir?"
The doorman waited outside.
But with a barrier up, he hadn't overheard.
"Nothing happened today. Right?"
"Pardon?"
"Nothing happened. And if Little Dragon shows up again, let him in. Family's family—chasing away a kid visiting his sis? Nah."
"Yessir, hero! Saw nothin'!"
One more silver tael, and he turned into trusty blind henchman on the spot.
Patted the honest-seeming guy's shoulder and exited the brothel.
Back at Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress's Chongqing branch.
I grabbed Ryu Hayoung, who was distracted playing with the wolf pup I'd left in her care, for cross-verification.
"Miss Ryu. What's the legal interest rate in Chongqing?"
"Uh... three parts three fen per year max, I think. Ah! We only charge one part five fen. Branch Lord's orders."
"Hmm... so why borrow from Black Tiger Gate instead of us?"
Ryu Hayoung gave me a look like, You don't know?
What.
Pretty insolent for the chaebol heir's eyes.
"Young master. If we lent to individuals, the whole Treasury Fortress would be at risk."
"Why?"
"No enforcement muscle for collections. Plus, small loan houses and sects would riot."
"Ah..."
No debt recovery power.
And they'd scream, "You're killing the back-alley shark market!"
Definitely a dumb question for the third-in-line successor.
"Do we have loans out to Black Tiger Gate?"
Ryu Hayoung sighed deeply and nodded.
"Quite a bit, huh?"
"Bad debtors... But they're hurting too. Jeomchang Sect bailed, but their turf was all gambling dens. In this Chongqing slump, who's splurging on bets?"
Orthodox sect... running gambling dens?
Well, fair man's wager.
Quick orthodox brain: compartmentalized.
"Got it. Thanks for the info."
"Kya?"
"Ah, keep the wolf pup one more day."
"Y-yes...!"
Dumped the wolf pup again.
Stopped by a nearby clothier.
"Black clothes and a mask, please."
"Pardon...?"
Clink.
"How about this?"
Gear acquired.
As the sun dipped low, I sorted my thoughts.
Offense one: Excessive interest demands.
Offense two: Won't repay us.
Offense three: Dared whisper in my ear.
Dad pressuring via branch staff would help commoners' lives, but not recoup Treasury losses.
And.
Realistically, I can't play commoner president fixing everyone's prosperity.
But for cheekily borrowing at one-part-five from us,
then sharking six-part-six on others? Time for some exemplary punishment.
Deep into the night, when darkness fully cloaked the city.
I used Bone Shrinking Art to sharpen my features, tweaked my vocal cords.
"Ah, ah."
Instead of my usual silky voice, a rough, gravelly tone emerged.
Perfect.
Might as well don the custom-tailored new black garb and mask, checking my look eastward.
Flawless.
This disguise? No one would peg me as righteous Geum Sihyeon.
Beep-beep—
Smartphone alarm I'd set chimed, and I melted into the shadows.
Midnight, when day turns to night.
Geum Sihyeon—no, Kildong—time to serve justice.
Shadow Time.
Dead of night.
Black Tiger Gate's lord tossed sleepless again.
"Damn it all, when the hell...?"
He'd cheered when thorn-in-side Jeomchang got the boot.
Now? Wished they'd hurry back and sort it.
Whatever happened,
goods from Yunnan had dried up almost completely.
Logistics brokerage—one key to Black Tiger Gate thriving under government eyes and orthodox skirmishes.
Especially their monopoly: Yunnan's famed products.
Prime silver ore.
Pu'er tea as biscuit or brick.
Unique Yunnan herbs.
Rare imports from Dai Viet or Burma.
Desperate squeezes filled the gap, but temporary fix.
Rumors of Blood Cult, jiangshi hordes attacking—nonsense, he thought.
Confucius said no talk of monsters or spirits.
Jiangshi? In this world?
"No way those damn Jeomchang bastards are intercepting midway...?"
If life's nadir existed, it was now. He poured another drink.
Glug—
As the cup filled,
a breeze stirred faintly.
And.
"—!"
"Pleased to meet you. I'm the righteous robber Kildong."
No presence felt—till a blade kissed his throat.
Black Tiger lord instinctively knew: there's always a lower bottom.