Chapter 71
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: What Power Needs
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"Sometimes a five-hundred-won tea that suits your taste beats out million-won Yongjeong tea, doesn't it?"
"That's a famous saying right there."
A brief chuckle escaped him.
Rimon, seated at the table, picked up his chopsticks and snagged a piece of samgyeopsal, popping it into his mouth.
He then poured himself a bowl of makgeolli and downed it in one go before setting the empty bowl down with a clunk and speaking up.
"Alright, out with it."
"Out with what, sir?"
"Why you're treating me to all this. You must want something, right?"
"Heh heh, why ask something so obvious? It's just that you're going to be the pillar of our clan someday, Sword Duke, so I'm hoping you'll look after me from here on out."
"If you're just spouting empty flattery, I'm getting up and leaving right now."
"Oh dear, why won't you believe my sincerity?!"
"Want me to raid your company for real?"
Rimon smiled faintly as he spoke.
But Wang Gineung flinched at the sight of those golden eyes devoid of any mirth, despite the smile on his face.
He could tell from Rimon's quick instincts that the man meant every word.
He rolled his eyes for a moment.
Finally, Wang Gineung cleared his throat and spoke.
"Ahem, it's not the easiest thing to say, but not everyone in our Black Dragon Clan is against the princess marrying you, Sword Duke."
"Why's that?"
"Change is opportunity, and you, sir, do everything big."
Wang Gineung explained with a grin.
The Black Dragon Clan had fallen to rock bottom anyway. No matter what they did, revival from within was nearly impossible.
In that light, Li Chingwei choosing Rimon as her consort was a stroke of genius.
"No guarantee that what I do big will lead to your clan's revival, though."
"Heh heh, but it's clear you'll rise even higher than you are now, sir."
"Hmm... You don't know if your clan will thrive or fall, but you're betting I'll end up at its core someday, so you're cozying up early?"
"Think of it as an investment in the clan's future."
Wang Gineung spoke with a voice brimming with loyalty, as if he were some ancient sage minister.
But his sly, scheming eyes betrayed him utterly—no one would mistake him for anything but a conniving sycophant.
Rimon eyed him steadily for a moment.
Then he chuckled softly.
"Not a bad idea to build connections, but for that, a few pieces of meat and a bottle of makgeolli? Kinda stingy, don't you think?"
"Oh, don't think of me as some uncultured brute. Of course I've prepared a proper gift."
As if he'd been waiting for the question.
Wang Gineung swiftly pulled out a file and offered it.
Rimon took it, flipped it open, and skimmed the documents inside, narrowing his eyes.
Even a dog in a private school recites poetry after three years.
He was still awkward with paperwork, but thanks to diligently reading Weylin's reports like homework lately, he could grasp the gist.
"What's this contract?"
"It's what you've been looking for, sir. You're just starting your company—need money, jobs, and results, right?"
"Oh? So if I sign here, I can take over Black Dragon Construction's security and guarding gigs as I please?"
"Yes, sir. Write whatever you want for the contract fee or expenses—even ten times the usual amount goes through no problem."
Weylin, standing behind Rimon, furrowed her brow at the words.
It was as good as openly offering a bribe.
'So that's what this was about.'
She realized it then.
The reason Rimon had been tearing through Black Dragon Clan affiliates left and right.
It was to make guys like Wang Gineung pop out and kneel, offering bribes of their own accord.
'What a scheming bastard.'
Weylin shot Rimon a cold glance.
Of course, for the Black Dragon Clan, where schemes and plots were basic curriculum, bribes were just another fine negotiation tool.
In that sense, Rimon's tactic was brilliant.
A little show of force netted him jobs and funds for Guardian's operations, plus supporters—one stone, three birds.
So Weylin held her tongue.
Right now, she was Rimon's attendant.
Personal feelings aside, her role was to assist him, not hinder.
"You sure it's okay to just dump this work on me? If the previous contractors badmouth us, it'll be a hassle."
"Ah, no problem, sir. The jobs in that contract are just subcontracts or temp gigs anyway."
Oblivious to Weylin's thoughts, Rimon and Wang Gineung casually continued their bribery talk.
"Besides, I'm more comfortable entrusting it to you, Sword Duke, than those riffraff."
"Why not hand over the audits too? I could clean house thoroughly."
"Oh no, we couldn't burden you with such drudgery. We'll handle internal audits ourselves—just trust us."
"Oh, really?"
Wang Gineung rubbed his palms together, protesting that using a cattle butcher's cleaver on a chicken was ridiculous.
Rimon stared at him steadily for a moment.
Then he let out a soft chuckle.
And the next instant.
Crash!
"Guhk?!"
The brazier cooking the samgyeopsal flipped entirely, smashing Wang Gineung's face into the table.
At the sudden turn, even Weylin—who'd been watching impassively—flashed a startled expression.
But Rimon wasn't surprised.
He was the one who'd grabbed Wang Gineung by the collar and slammed him down without warning.
"S-Sword Duke, sir! What was that for?!"
"What for?"
Rimon's eyes flashed.
He yanked Wang Gineung's hair, forcing eye contact, and growled.
"Hey, you piece of shit. You think I'm a pushover? That a few bucks'll turn me into your silent hatchet man?"
"Absolutely not, sir!"
"Then what's this crap about tossing me some leftover contract scraps and opting out of audits? Hm? Telling the guard dog to know its place?"
"Th-that's not..."
"Not what? Speak up, you bastard!"
Thwack!
"Kwehk!"
That was the start.
Of Rimon's spectacular beatdown.
Thud thud thud thud thud!
"You fucking punk! I smiled at your little show, so you thought you'd end it with a show? Where do you get off overstepping?!"
"Euk, ugh, guk, krrk, sp-spare... khehk!"
He kicked, twisted joints, stomped and ground, rolled him around, shook him out like laundry, and more.
Weylin froze, watching Rimon pulverize Wang Gineung with dozens, hundreds of veteran techniques.
But whether she panicked or not.
Rimon sculpted Wang Gineung's body like a master carver, with utmost dedication.
Only when not a single inch from head to toe remained unscathed did he finally stop.
"Whew, fuck. Back in the day, I'd have just killed you. Guess I've mellowed."
'...At this point, a clean death would be mercy.'
"Hey, you slimy rat. I don't care if you grind your teeth for revenge or hold a grudge—just remember one thing."
Somehow still alive.
Confirming he was conscious, Rimon leaned in low.
He brought his mouth close to Wang Gineung's ear and whispered coldly, sharp as a blade.
"Underestimate me again, and you die."
No reply.
Just a trembling body.
But that was enough for Rimon to nod in satisfaction and turn away.
"Oh, and one more thing."
As he reached for the door, Rimon paused as if remembering something and turned back.
He picked up the file amid the overturned table, gave it a light shake, and smiled.
"I'll gladly take the gift."
Rimon's rampage didn't end there.
From solid performers like Black Dragon Construction down to tiny outfits with just one office.
He flipped every Black Dragon Clan affiliate he could hit that day.
Their responses varied.
Some caught off guard, some like Wang Gineung trying bribes to slide by, even a few digging in for resistance.
But the outcomes were all the same.
Every last one got smashed and turned upside down by Rimon.
"Hm, not bad at all."
After half a day of this.
Having wrecked 22 affiliates, Rimon finally wrapped up and grinned at his thick stack of documents.
"This should keep us busy for a year or so, right? What do you think?"
"You seem insane."
"...Smartass, why do you always treat me like a nutjob?"
"Who in their right mind would see this and think you're sane?"
Weylin shuddered.
The thick stack in Rimon's hands.
The bloodstains splattered here and there—who knew where from—made even her, who'd witnessed it all, doubt his sanity.
"You trashed everywhere you went and pocketed every bribe— what were you thinking?"
"Why? Problem?"
"Obviously."
Just taking the bribes would've been a solid win.
But this? Disaster.
"Who'd trust Guardian with work now? Sure, these contracts force some jobs short-term, but from here on, everyone dodges us."
"Yeah, probably."
To Weylin's sharp point, Rimon surprisingly nodded right away.
He set down the documents and said flatly.
"That's the point."
"...What nonsense is that?"
A soft chuckle.
Propping his chin on one hand, Rimon fixed his deep golden eyes on Weylin.
"Don't get it twisted, smartass. We slapped a fancy name like Guardian on it, but your princess doesn't want safety or trust from our company."
"Then what does she want?"
"Fear and unease."
Even a plain security firm would've gathered jobs over time.
But Li Chingwei added audit powers because she wanted something through this shell of a company called Guardian.
"Don't talk nonsense. Why would the princess sow fear and unease in her own clan?"
"You sure about that?"
Rimon smirked coldly at Weylin's blatant distrust.
Unlike her, who blindly believed her revered princess wouldn't harm the clan, Rimon had seen through Li Chingwei's intent from the start.
From emperors to presidents of great powers.
The reason mighty rulers created extralegal oversight agencies was set in stone since ancient times.
"Say there's a mad dog rampaging for no reason."
"..."
"How do you stop it? Complain to the owner? Or scramble to stay on its good side?"
"...!"
Weylin's cold eyes wavered.
She finally grasped why Rimon had played the mad dog—and why Li Chingwei wanted fear and unease.
"Better keep that in mind."
Rimon smiled coldly at her.
"Your precious princess isn't some fragile greenhouse flower. She's a schemer and power player—I approve."