Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: A Generous Offer
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“Hey, you got all the materials, right?”
“Yes!”
“And the tools?”
“We've got every last one.”
“We need to drag this out as long as possible to maximize our profit, so pace yourselves... you know what I mean?”
“Come on, boss. This isn't our first rodeo. We even brought plenty of booze for our afternoon break on purpose.”
“Good.”
Gong Tae-seok, a carpenter from the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild, smiled and nodded.
The Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild's workforce was divided into five teams. The third team, led by Gong Tae-seok, was in charge of construction in the nearby areas.
The job they had taken on was the restoration of a village called Anbin, which had been damaged in the recent floods.
However.
“Huh?”
Just as he entered the village entrance, pulling a cart laden with materials alongside the other carpenters, Gong Tae-seok stopped in his tracks at a perplexing sight.
“Over there! Raise the pillars first!”
“Stack the stones over here!”
“...”
The construction was already in full swing.
Staring blankly, Gong Tae-seok tilted his head.
“Did we take a wrong turn?”
“No, sir. I'm sure this is Anbin Village...”
“Then what's all that?”
“...”
As Gong Tae-seok pointed toward the bustling construction site, the carpenter under him pressed his lips together.
He was just as baffled.
The Anbin Village construction project had clearly been contracted to the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild. Moreover, they had secured the contract directly from the government office.
So why? Why were other people doing the work?
“Huh? Registrar Jang?”
Dumbfounded, Gong Tae-seok blinked his eyes, then spotted a man in an official's robe and hurried over.
It was Jang Ik-seong, the registrar from the county office in charge of this project.
“Registrar Jang! Registrar Jang!”
“Ah! Who do we have here? If it isn't Carpenter Gong?”
“Yes, sir.”
After greeting him and catching his breath, Gong Tae-seok asked cautiously.
“What is going on here?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the Anbin Village restoration project was supposed to be handled by our Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild...”
“Ah, my apologies. This was decided so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to send word.”
“What? Decided suddenly?”
“This morning, the county magistrate changed the contractor.”
“Ch-changed?”
“You should introduce yourselves. This is...”
Jang Ik-seong abruptly introduced a young man.
“A pleasure to meet you. My name is Neung Un-bi.”
“Neung... Th-the Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult?”
“Oh, you know of me? It seems my name is quite well-known.”
Seeing Neung Un-bi greet him with a gentle smile, Gong Tae-seok felt his mind go blank.
*What are you doing here?*
*And why is a martial artist involved in flood restoration work?*
“Ahem! But what brings the Young Master Neung here?”
“What do you mean? I heard that the flood victims were suffering without even a place to sleep, so I went to the county office and offered to help.”
“Help?”
“Yes. And the county magistrate burst into a hearty laugh and told me to go right ahead.”
“He told you to... What on earth does that mean? Why the Demonic Cult?”
As Gong Tae-seok repeatedly expressed his confusion, Registrar Jang interjected.
“From what I hear, the Demonic Cult established a branch recently and has partnered with the Sinpyeong Brewery to enter the civil engineering business. The name of the carpentry guild is...”
“Onjeong.”
“Ah! That's right. Onjeong Carpentry! It means 'Warmth and Affection'... A truly fine name, isn't it?”
Onjeong Carpentry or whatever, the name wasn't what was important to Gong Tae-seok right now.
“Why the Demonic Cult? This is the territory of the Orthodox Faction... Is the government just going to stand by and watch?”
“Hm? What are you talking about?”
“Pardon?”
“The Demonic Cult, the Orthodox Faction, they're all people of the martial world. Why would the government get involved?”
“Ah, that's true, but...”
Seeing a hint of displeasure on Registrar Jang's face, Gong Tae-seok realized his slip of the tongue and quickly changed the subject.
“But didn't you already have a contract with us?”
“We did.”
“Then how could you suddenly...”
“I apologize for not explaining that part to you in advance.”
“...”
“But the Demonic Cult said... what was it again?”
“A talent donation.”
At Neung Un-bi's answer, Registrar Jang slapped his forehead and laughed.
“Ah, that's it! A talent donation! He said he would use his surplus talent for those in need. What could be more gracious than that?”
“...”
Of course, Gong Tae-seok could only find it absurd.
*Donating what? Not money, but talent?*
“In any case, I apologize. The Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild has made a trip for nothing because I didn't contact you beforehand.”
“W-wait a moment, Registrar Jang. So this 'talent donation' means?”
“Yes, it's free of charge.”
“F-free of charge?”
“Sacrifice and service, you know? I was already so worried about how the flood victims would ever afford the enormous construction costs... Isn't this a wonderful turn of events?”
“...”
Gong Tae-seok blinked his eyes ceaselessly.
It made no sense.
The entire village had been flooded. Although the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild had inflated the construction costs, the price of materials for the repairs alone would easily amount to several *gwan* of gold.
And they were doing it for free?
That was impossible, even if they had more money than they knew what to do with.
Moreover, he'd heard that the Sinpyeong Brewery's finances weren't in great shape lately...
“The county magistrate was also greatly pleased. And the villagers, they couldn't stop praising him for this decision. Even I was gratified to hear it. This is all thanks to Young Master Neung.”
“You're too kind. It is thanks to the county magistrate's wise decision, born from his compassion for the people's livelihood.”
“Nonsense. Too much modesty can be a flaw.”
“Is that so? Hahaha!”
“Of course! We shouldn't just stand here. Let's go over there. I must treat you to a drink.”
“Shall we? I happen to have some fine liquor I received from the Sinpyeong Brewery...”
“Wh-what? Liquor from the Sinpyeong Brewery? You brought something that precious?”
“They gave it to me for the afternoon break. I will make sure to treat you specially, Registrar.”
“Hahaha, my ears were already feasting on the praises for Young Master Neung, and now my mouth will feast as well.”
“...”
Registrar Jang and Neung Un-bi were already getting along splendidly, laughing heartily together.
Watching them, Gong Tae-seok's mind was in turmoil.
“Carpenter Gong.”
“Yes?”
“You may leave now.”
“Pardon?”
“Or would you like to offer free service like the Demonic Cult?”
“...”
Gong Tae-seok couldn't even answer.
What was he supposed to do in this situation? Who could have possibly imagined the government would suddenly switch contractors?
Besides, if he lost the job like this...
Yeom Seong-in would not let it slide.
They had poured no small amount of money into the government office to win this contract.
But if he returned after losing the job?
Knowing Yeom Seong-in's personality, he would undoubtedly shift all the blame onto him. He had to come up with some way to save face before he went back.
“U-uh! Registrar Jang!”
“Hm? What is it?”
“If you change contractors so unilaterally, according to the contract, a penalty fee will be incurred...”
“...”
A sudden silence fell. Not only Registrar Jang, but everyone nearby stopped what they were doing and stared at Gong Tae-seok.
He should not have said those words.
One person felt such pity for the flood victims that he was spending his own money to help, yet instead of offering to help as well, he was talking about a penalty fee. The atmosphere naturally turned icy.
Weren't these people already in a difficult situation?
Gong Tae-seok's words were no different from stomping on the hands of someone dangling precariously from a cliff.
“A penalty fee...”
Registrar Jang's voice grew low.
At the same time, his cold gaze was like one looking at a disgusting insect.
“Th-that's not what I meant...”
He tried to explain himself hastily, but everyone had already heard him. No one felt any sympathy for Gong Tae-seok.
“Fine. A contract is a contract. However, this is not a matter to be discussed here. Tell the master of the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild to come to the county office in person soon.”
“R-Registrar Jang.”
“Is there anything else?”
“...”
“You should leave now. Standing there gaping will only get in the way.”
“B-but, Registrar Jang...”
Gong Tae-seok called out again, but the registrar had already turned his back on him.
As he walked away with his head bowed low, all that followed him were the people's criticisms regarding the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild's past deeds.
And Neung Un-bi, watching this unfold, smiled insidiously to himself.
*Now, it begins.*
*I'll start by dragging your reputation—no, the reputation you were already criticized for—down into the depths of the earth.*
*What's needed at a time like this?*
“Wang Cheon.”
“Yes?”
At Neung Un-bi's quiet call, Wang Cheon approached.
“You remember everything that just happened, right? Down to the last detail?”
“Yes.”
“You can do it, can't you? I'd like it done as quickly as possible.”
“...Heh, don't worry. Who do you think I am?”
Wang Cheon wore a sly grin.
The skills he had honed by spreading rumors about Neung Un-bi as quickly and as exaggeratedly as possible would now be on full display.
“I'm counting on you.”
“Hehehe, by tomorrow morning, it will have spread throughout all of Shaanxi.”
“Good. Be careful not to reveal your identity.”
“Yes, sir.”
Wang Cheon, who had discreetly stepped back, had eyes gleaming with excitement.
* * *
“What? What are you talking about! They've demanded to terminate the contract?!”
Already infuriated from spending the last few days searching every place he could remember for the token, Yeom Seong-in roared at the absurd news.
“Father, it's not just one or two places.”
“What did you say?”
“Those who had contracted us for construction are demanding termination one after another.”
“What in the world are you talking about! Why! Why are they demanding termination!”
“They say it's too expensive, and the construction period is too long...”
“Those crazy bastards! Have they all lost their minds? So what did you do? Did they still say that even after knowing the penalty fee is no small sum?”
“They said they will pay it all.”
“What? They'll pay?”
“Yes. They said they would pay the penalty fee and sign a contract with someone else.”
“Someone else!”
“That is...”
“Spit it out!”
“They... they've signed with the Onjeong Carpentry Guild, which was established by the Sinpyeong Brewery...”
“Wh-what did you say? Sinpyeong Brewery? Onjeong? Does that mean Hwang Ja-seong and that bastard Shin Gong have joined hands to pick a fight with me!”
“It seems the Demonic Cult behind them is making a move.”
“That brat from the Demonic Cult?”
“Yes.”
At Yeom Byeong-tae's words, Yeom Seong-in was utterly flabbergasted.
What was this bolt from the blue?
It had only been three days since he'd started neglecting the operations of the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild to search for the token.
“What about the secular families of Zhongnan! The merchant guilds associated with Zhongnan!”
“Our contracts with them are still valid, but... not only the government, but all our other clients have turned to the Sinpyeong Brewery's side.”
“Goddammit! What the hell were you and the manager doing while things got this bad!”
Yeom Byeong-tae shrank back at Yeom Seong-in's furious voice, while Han Yeol-bi, as if having thought of something, carefully opened his mouth.
“It seems to be because of the rumors circulating recently.”
“Rumors? What are you talking about?”
He hadn't heard anything. Hadn't he been away for only three days?
“A few days ago, Gong Tae-seok, who was in charge of the Anbin Village construction, disappeared.”
“Carpenter Gong?”
“Yes.”
Before Han Yeol-bi's long story had even finished, Yeom Seong-in's face had turned pale, and it was only natural that a roar erupted from him soon after.
“That idiotic bastard! He caused such a mess! What the hell were you doing!”
“I apologize. I only learned of it myself after hearing the rumors after Gong Tae-seok disappeared...”
“You son of a bitch!”
His blood was boiling, but this was no time to just be angry.
It was even less of a time to be worrying about his hidden assets.
A war for his livelihood had begun.
“This won't do. Byeong-tae, gather all the leaders of the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild right now! Hurry!”
“Yes, Father!”
Watching Yeom Byeong-tae's back as he ran to deliver the summons, Yeom Seong-in ground his teeth.
“Guild Master.”
“What is it!”
“Why don't you try this instead?”
“What?”
“This is the Central Plains. A place where prejudice against the people of the Demonic Cult is deeply rooted.”
“...?”
At Manager Han Yeol-bi's words, Yeom Seong-in's ears perked up.
And when he finished speaking, a sinister smile was playing on Yeom Seong-in's face.
“Good, very good... That should work.”
“Shall I look for some suitable men?”
“Mm, just look into it. I will handle the execution of this matter myself.”
He couldn't entrust everything to Han Yeol-bi forever.
He didn't trust him that deeply, after all.
And with things having come to this, he also needed a shield in case things went wrong.
“It will cost a fair amount of money.”
“Don't you worry. I'll bear any cost if it means I can drive out that damn brat.”
“Understood.”
After Han Yeol-bi received his orders and left the room, Yeom Seong-in laughed with a vile expression.
“Brat of the Demonic Cult... so this is how you want to play? Fine, then I won't sit idly by either.”
*You're like a swallow that brazenly builds its nest under another's eaves.*
*I will forcibly drag out the true intentions you've hidden behind your acts of benevolence.*
Yeom Seong-in's eyes began to gleam with a cold, blue light.