Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Schemes and Grudges
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“Well then, I’ll leave you to it.”
“Yes, Branch Manager. I don't know how to thank you for the Peng Family reaching out to us like this.”
“It's only natural. We'll be keeping a close eye on you lot, who were associated with the Sea Dragon Escort Service—no, the Demonic Cult.”
“…Yes.”
A middle-aged man with graying sideburns and a young man.
The middle-aged man, dressed as a merchant, bowed repeatedly, while the young man turned away with an arrogant expression, his hands clasped behind his back.
Some might see this and think it rude, but those who knew the situation would consider it a matter of course.
The Geumseom Merchant Guild, run by the middle-aged man Ho Gye-cheong, had maintained close ties with the Sea Dragon Escort Service.
After it was revealed they were the Demonic Cult, he immediately severed ties and, after requesting several meetings with the Peng Family, finally managed to arrange this one.
Only after offering a whole chest of gold...
An excessive amount, you say?
You don't know what you're talking about.
Weren't they the Peng Family, who had already taken over most of the commerce and shipping in the Three Gates Gorge?
To travel by boat through the Three Gates Gorge and escape the threat of river pirates, the Peng Family's help was essential.
So, of course, he had no choice but to grovel before the young man—no, before Peng Yuanji, the Peng Family's branch manager.
“By the way, you set sail tomorrow?”
“That's right.”
“Hmm, that's rather short notice. But don't you worry. I'll have the branch send a few of the Peng Family's warriors to accompany you. Even the river pirates wouldn't dare to mess with you when you're flying the Peng Family's flag.”
“Thank you, Branch Manager.”
Seeing Ho Gye-cheong bow so low his nose nearly touched the ground, Peng Yuanji smirked and left the merchant guild.
But despite having expanded his influence by securing another merchant guild, Peng Yuanji's expression was not bright as he headed back to the branch.
“That bastard, the Third Young Master, is back?”
“Yes.”
A warrior beside Peng Yuanji answered respectfully.
“Damn bastard… Where has he been wandering off to?”
“It seems he was sailing the Yellow River on a Sea Dragon Escort Service ship.”
“He's insane. Has he not heard the rumors that Mak Cheong-ju is obsessed with fishing and roams the entire Yellow River?”
“I wouldn't know about that. From what I've heard, the ship was undamaged, so it doesn't seem like he ran into any river pirates.”
“Tch, the damn bastard is lucky. It would have been better if he'd met a band of pirates and his ship had sunk.”
Peng Yuanji gritted his teeth, stroking his own arm, which was wrapped tightly in bandages.
“Hey, Yuanji.”
Just then, as he was walking, a man in a wide-sleeved scholar's robe approached him from a distance.
The man was Zhuge Min, the third son of the Zhuge Family.
They were the same age and had been close since childhood. It was Zhuge Min who had devised the plan that allowed Peng Yuanji, who lacked ability and was always overshadowed by his brothers, to become the Peng Family's branch manager in the Three Gates Gorge.
He had even left home, claiming he wanted to study at an academy in Shanxi, just to help Peng Yuanji. It was safe to say they were quite close.
Seeing Zhuge Min, Peng Yuanji waved happily.
“Looks like your studies are over for the day.”
“Indeed. By the way, it seems things with the Geumseom Merchant Guild went well?”
“I did as you said, and the guild master couldn't stop bowing.”
“Of course he would. Especially given his sin of associating with the Demonic Cult. So, how much did he offer?”
“A chest of gold.”
“A modest sum.”
“He tried to offer only half a chest at first.”
“That's merchants for you. But from the look on your face, you're still angry?”
“You think I'd be over it?”
“My friend, try to look on the bright side.”
“How can I? Because of that incident, I have to hand over all of the Peng Family's shops on the east side street to the Demonic Cult. You know how hard I worked to get those, don't you?”
Peng Yuanji pouted and turned his head away sharply. Zhuge Min placated him with a subtle smile.
“I know. But you have to give what's due. And that should be enough to keep the Demonic Cult quiet, right? Same for Elder Jin San… I heard your father didn't say much either?”
“I was prepared for a scolding, but he praised me instead.”
“Of course he did. You secured three additional merchant guilds for him. It would be strange for him to get angry over losing a few measly shops.”
“…”
He was right. The profits from forging a connection with a merchant guild were on a different level compared to acquiring a few shops.
And it was Zhuge Min who had come up with that scheme.
Since what was done couldn't be undone, he had advised him to report an achievement that would overshadow the mistake.
Moreover, he had even dictated what to write in the letter.
The Demonic Cult had attacked due to his mistake, but he had endured it and gotten injured because he was conscious of public perception.
Thanks to this, the Demonic Cult had lost public favor, and the plan to seize control of the Three Gates Gorge's interests could be accelerated.
It wasn't a lie.
He had just added a few words and explained the situation a little differently.
He was beaten not because he was weak, but because he was being patient.
And that, as a result, he had instilled in the public the impression that the Demonic Cult was evil.
By highlighting those two facts and enclosing a list of the newly allied merchant guilds, he received a reply filled with nothing but praise.
“By the way, I hear the Third Young Master is back?”
“You heard too. The madman took an empty ship for a joyride on the Yellow River, they say.”
“It was probably to show the merchant guilds that they're still going strong. They've established a branch, but with all their trade routes cut off, they're practically cornered.”
“Anyway, thanks to that bastard's return, it looks like I'll have to go to the Demonic Cult's branch.”
“To deliver the agreement, I presume.”
“That's right. Dammit, Elder Jin San has been nagging me relentlessly… I don't know why he's being like this.”
“I agree. It was strange that he came with you in the first place.”
“Damn old man… He must be completely insane. How can a renowned master of the Orthodox Faction help the Demonic Cult?”
“I think I'll have to look into that relationship.”
At Peng Yuanji's grumbling, Zhuge Min nodded with a serious expression.
Hadn't he heard that the Zhongnan Sect suffered because of what happened in Shaanxi?
Corruption, bribery…
With a little effort, it seemed he could put the Zhongnan Sect in an even more difficult position.
“Anyway, you've been a great help.”
“Now, now, saying that hurts my feelings. Are we just ordinary acquaintances?”
“…”
“Didn't I tell you before? That I would help you become a key figure in the Peng Family. My feelings haven't changed.”
Zhuge Min put an arm around his shoulder, and Peng Yuanji grinned, not looking displeased.
Any resentment Peng Yuanji might have felt toward Zhuge Min for not stepping in when he was being beaten by Neung Un-bi had long since vanished from his mind.
“By the way, have you heard the news?”
“What news?”
“They say the Sword Dragon of Mount Hua won't be participating in the Nine Dragons Tournament this time.”
“What?”
At Zhuge Min's words, Peng Yuanji's eyes widened.
“Why?”
“I don't know either. I heard the Sword Saint unilaterally informed the Orthodox Murim Alliance.”
“The Sword Saint? Why?”
“Didn't I just say I don't know the reason? But thanks to that, they've decided to send someone from the Five Great Families.”
“What? The Five Great Families are participating in an event of the Nine Great Sects?”
“It's a good opportunity.”
“…”
“Wasn't it originally an event to promote friendship? The Nine Great Sects used to be the main players, but now the power of our Five Great Families is considerable. Even they, with their aloof act, can't ignore us.”
“Well, I'll be. That's something.”
“We live in a world where the Demonic Cult is setting up branches in the Central Plains, don't we? For that reason alone, fostering friendship between the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families is necessary.”
“So? Did they say who's going?”
“Several names are being mentioned, but it seems… the name Peng Yuanxu is gaining the most traction.”
“Peng… My eldest brother?”
Along with his surprise, Peng Yuanji's brow furrowed deeply.
“Why? Don't you like it?”
“No… it's not that I don't like it, but…”
Seeing Peng Yuanji's sour expression, Zhuge Min smiled faintly.
Peng Yuanxu was the eldest of the Peng Family's five sons.
Lacking talent, Peng Yuanji had fallen behind even the children of the collateral branches, and as a result, he had lived his life enduring all sorts of contempt and ridicule from his brothers.
The resentment hadn't faded, so it was no wonder he wore such an expression.
“Don't worry. This will be helpful to you as well.”
“Helpful?”
“Yes. Let your brother make a name for himself at the Nine Dragons Tournament. The eyes of the world will turn to the Peng Family.”
“I suppose so. But how does that help me?”
“Look at the bigger picture.”
“Huh?”
“Once the Peng Family makes a name for itself, those wishing to form ties with them will flock from all directions like clouds.”
“Well…”
“And you are already at the forefront of the Peng Family.”
“What do you mean?”
“Who was it that greatly expanded the Peng Family's interests, which were once confined to Hebei?”
“…!”
“It was you.”
At Zhuge Min's words, Peng Yuanji's eyes flew open.
The Peng Family's expansion into the Three Gates Gorge was solely due to his own insistence. Of course, Zhuge Min's timely help had been the foundation of it, but only he knew that fact.
When he first came to the Three Gates Gorge as the branch manager, the Peng Family offered no support whatsoever.
That's just how Shanxi was. For the forces of the Orthodox Faction, it was practically barren land.
Furthermore, the Three Gates Gorge was a place where even the Unorthodox Faction couldn't easily establish roots. The reason was the presence of Mak Cheong-ju. Any friction with him could put both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions in a difficult position.
Was he called one of the Three Great Calamities of the Murim for nothing?
Nevertheless, the reason the Peng Family had sent Peng Yuanji to such a place was because he was essentially a disposable pawn from the start.
It was understandable. For someone like him, who lacked talent in martial arts, receiving the family's expectations was an impossible feat.
So, they had sent him with the thought that it was better than him doing nothing at home. If it worked out, great. If not, oh well.
But it wasn't bad. He no longer had to suffer at the hands of his brothers.
But what happened?
Backed by the Peng Family's name, he had absorbed merchant guilds that had severed ties with the Demonic Cult, expanding his influence in one fell swoop. Thanks to that, the family head, who had never paid him any attention, had even sent a personal letter to encourage him.
This time was the same. He had clearly been humiliated by the Demonic Cult, yet far from a harsh reprimand, he had received nothing but praise.
Zhuge Min placed a hand on Peng Yuanji's shoulder and continued.
“What do you think will happen if you solidify your interests in the Three Gates Gorge and earn the family head's trust?”
“Ah!”
“The family head will see you as the right person to expand the Peng Family's territory in the future. After all, you established a branch in a place where the great Mak Cheong-ju resides.”
“I-I see. So that's why you said the Peng Family's rising fame would be good for me too?”
“Of course. Just maintain a good relationship with the river pirates. That's all you need to do.”
“I know. I know that well. Just as you said, I've already arranged to secretly offer a portion of the money received from the merchant guilds to the pirate gangs.”
“Keep it a secret. If word of that gets out, you'll lose everything you've worked so hard to build.”
“Don't worry. Only I and a few people at the branch know. Even if it gets out, I'll never mention your name.”
“Now, now, my friend. Who said that's why I'm concerned? I'm worried you'll suffer hardship.”
“Right! I know you wouldn't think like that about me. I'm just stating my resolve.”
At Peng Yuanji's words, Zhuge Min's lips curved into a strange smile as he patted his shoulder.
“Good. Just keep doing what you're doing.”
As they approached the Peng Family's branch, someone was pacing back and forth in front of it.
“Look, Elder Jin San is out there. You should hurry. It seems he's waiting to go to the Demonic Cult's branch with you.”
“Damn it, that blasted old man… Alright. I'll see you later then.”
“Don't get into a pointless scuffle with that Demonic Cult fellow. Since it's come to this, just let it go smoothly.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
Taking Zhuge Min's advice to heart, Peng Yuanji headed to the Demonic Cult's branch with Jin San.
But in the end, Peng Yuanji couldn't contain his anger.
“Is that… an apologetic attitude? Do you think I'm here just to get an agreement to hand over a few shops?”
“…”
All because of that damn Neung Un-bi, who was finding fault with him for not bowing his head properly.