Chapter 11
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Setting the Trap
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What do you mean, you dont know whos going to get ripped off?
Its nothing.
Wi Ji-cheon offered an awkward laugh, while Wi Ji-mu heaved a sigh so deep it could have cracked the earth.
Theyll demand more than ten times the market price. How are we supposed to afford such an exorbitant rate? Buying it is a guaranteed loss! But my meddlesome brother says we have no choice and insists we buy it anyway. Dammit, Im the only one who ends up looking like the bad guy!
We couldnt charge more for treatment just because we paid a high price for medicinal herbs.
After all, the main patients of the Medical Immortal House were all poor commoners.
If the cost of medicine was too high, they would simply refuse treatment.
Even if it cost them their lives.
That was why the family head, Wi Ji-seon, argued that the Medical Immortal House should absorb the loss for the sake of the people, which led to the clash with Wi Ji-mu, who was in charge of the familys finances.
Who doesnt know the common folk are pitiful? But whos going to cover our losses? Hah! I lose a handful of hair every time I think about the familys debt!
Youre right, Uncle.
Hm?
Im saying that I agree with you, Uncle.
In truth, who could be said to be right or wrong in this situation?
Neither Wi Ji-seon, who couldnt turn a blind eye to the suffering of his patients, nor Wi Ji-mu, who was thinking of the family, was wrong.
Still, if I had to choose a side, Im with my uncle. The family is more important than a bunch of strangers.
This might be a thought Wi Ji-cheon had because he wasnt a proper doctor.
He may have been born into a medical family, but his identity was far from that of a physician.
To him, his family was all that mattered.
If he ever had to choose between his family and a multitude of strangers, he would choose his family without hesitation.
Even if it meant sacrificing thousands, or even tens of thousands.
But.
This time, theres no need to go that far.
If they just dealt with the Namjung Medical House, everyone could be happy.
Did you know? That I respect you, Uncle.
S-Suddenly?
You act angry, but arent you planning to somehow acquire the Coptis root again this time?
How did you know?
Because thats the uncle I know.
Wi Ji-mus eyes turned bright red.
The passionate manager, Wi Ji-mu.
Contrary to his gruff appearance, he was highly sensitive and easily moved.
Ahem, why is there suddenly dust in my eyes! You rascal! They call you the Young Hero of Nanyang, and it seems youve truly matured.
Seeing that the groundwork had been laid, Wi Ji-cheon got to the point.
I have a way. A way to not only get the Coptis root but also make a great deal of money.
What is it?!
However Im not sure if youd be alright with it Its a bit.
What are you talking about?! If theres a way, we must do whatever it takes!
Right? The uncle I respect is someone who would do anything for the sake of the family.
Thats right, I am Wi Ji-mu, the Steward of the Immortal Realm!
Wi Ji-cheon nodded and whispered in Wi Ji-mus ear.
After hearing the story, Wi Ji-mu said,
Are you insane?
I guess this method is a bit much, isnt it? We have no choice but to buy from the Namjung Medical House for ten times the price
Wait!!
Grab!
Wi Ji-mu seized Wi Ji-cheons hand.
Are you sure about this information?
Wi Ji-cheon smirked inwardly.
He was hooked.
This is why I like you, Uncle.
Unlike the situation with the Black Ghost Sect, this one couldnt be solved with brute force alone.
It wasnt that he lacked the strength.
If Wi Ji-cheon put his mind to it, sneaking in at night and slitting the throat of the Namjung Medical Houses head would be a piece of cake.
But that wouldnt solve the problem.
There was another way.
However, to use this method, I need my uncles cooperation.
He could trust Wi Ji-mu.
Are you absolutely sure about this? Is it really okay to do this?
Dont worry. We have the great warrior Jang Sam here to vouch for it, dont we?
Jang Sam, who had been dragged along, played his part with a sour expression.
For the record, Jang Sam had been forced to take a poison and was now bound to follow Wi Ji-cheons orders.
It is an honor to meet you, Master Wi Ji-mu. My name is Jang. What Young Master Wi Ji-cheon said is true.
Is it really true that the Namjung Medical Houses pharmacy had a problem and a large quantity of Omokja was ruined?
Yes, I heard it myself.
But then, why hasnt a rumor like that spread at all?
If word got out, the price of the herb would skyrocket, so they must be keeping it quiet, don't you think? Omokja is hard to come by this season.
Wi Ji-cheon interjected.
Even Wi Ji-cheon knew of Omokja.
It was an ingredient for elixirs and was used like a staple in many precious medicines.
It could be considered an essential component in almost all medicines prescribed to wealthy patients.
Unlike our Medical Immortal House, the Namjung Medical House even uses Omokja when treating cholera.
So
Wi Ji-mu gulped.
Youre saying we should corner the market on Omokja first and then rip off the Namjung Medical House?
He asked repeatedly, as if he couldnt quite grasp the audacity of the plan.
Yes, thats right.
But!
What cant we do for the sake of our family? Didnt you say you would do anything for the family?
Thats not it, its the money to hoard it! Omokja is expensive!
Who does business with their own money? We can just borrow it. Thankfully, the great warrior Jang Sam has agreed to co-sign the loan, so we should be able to get it at a low interest rate. Thank you once again, great warrior Jang Sam!
Jang Sams face soured again, having been roped into co-signing a loansomething even parents and children refuse to do for each other. He quickly schooled his expression under Wi Ji-cheons fierce glare.
In the end, Wi Ji-mu made his decision.
After borrowing a large sum of money from a lender introduced by Jang Sam, he set off to buy up all the Omokja.
What are you thinking? Why lie about the Namjung Medical Houses Omokja being ruined? Theres no way they would be careless with their medicinal herb management.
Its not a lie.
Pardon?
No one knows what the future holds. Just because theyre storing it well now, theres no guarantee it will stay that way, right? Who knows? Maybe the heavens will get angry and strike the Namjung Medical House with a divine punishment.
Jang Sams face went pale.
This crazy monster was planning to raid the Namjung Medical Houses herb warehouse!
B-But, no matter how skilled you are, Young Master, something like that is impossible, isnt it?
In a medical house, the herb warehouse was the most heavily guarded location.
Even a small place like the Medical Immortal House had guards specifically for its warehouse. For a place the size of the Namjung Medical House, it would be easier to sneak in and assassinate the family head.
Hm? Why would I do something like that? What if something goes wrong?
Then who? Are you perhaps telling me to do it? I-I cant! Co-signing the loan was enough, you hell-spawned demon! Just kill me instead!!
Are you done?
N-No, I apologize. But its really impossible. I might act tough in these back alleys, but you know Im just a worthless nobody, right?
Dont you want to get back at the Namjung Medical House?
Wi Ji-cheon asked suddenly, and Jang Sam ground his teeth.
What was there to say?
They were the ones who had turned him into this horrifying demons slave. The Namjung Medical House was as good as his mortal enemy.
Theres something your Black Ghost Sect can do for me. Spread a rumor throughout the streets of Nanyang that the Namjung Medical House is monopolizing the Coptis root.
That wont be difficult, but they wont even bat an eye. The officials at the magistrates office have been thoroughly bribed and will be on their side.
Just spread the rumor. Ill take care of the rest. Oh, and take this.
It was a book.
The ink looked fresh, as if it had been written recently.
New Ghost Soul Heavenly Arts?
The Ghost Soul Heavenly Arts was Jang Sams unique martial art.
As evidenced by the fact that a lifetime of training had only brought him to the peak of the first-rate level, it was a second-rate martial art despite its grand name.
But now.
!!
Reading the contents, Jang Sams eyes widened as if they would tear.
The Ghost Soul Heavenly Arts had been improved!
Th-Th-This is?
I touched it up a bit. Try learning it.
Th-Thank you!
Despite the casual phrasing, the Ghost Soul Heavenly Arts had been transformed into a martial art of a formidable level.
It was now truly worthy of the name Heavenly Arts!
It might not be a Divine Art, but it should at least be a Supreme Art.
Meaning it was on par with the martial arts of the great, prestigious sects.
He gave this gift with the intention of working Jang Sam to the bone in the future.
I was originally planning to use him for a bit and then dispose of him, but hes just the right amount of cowardly and timid, which makes him easy to manage.
Look at him now.
Forgetting what Wi Ji-cheon had done to him, he was bowing at a ninety-degree angle.
Ah, for such a fortuitous encounter to befall me. I will pledge my utmost loyalty from this day forward! My utmost loyalty!
Filled with motivation, Jang Sam carried out Wi Ji-cheons orders.
Soon, the rumor spread throughout the streets of Nanyang.
The Namjung Medical House is monopolizing the Coptis root!
Cholera is coming, and countless people will die without proper treatment because of them!
Of course, the Namjung Medical House remained unfazed.
The common people were never their concern in the first place.
They simply made a plausible excuse.
There is a Coptis root shortage across the entire central plains, so we moved quickly to secure our supply.
We are willing to sell the Coptis root to anyone who pays a fair price, so this is not a monopoly.
The common people were enraged by such a response, but what could they do?
Was this any different from other times?
When famine struck, it was common for merchants to hoard rice, causing countless people to starve to death or be sold into slavery.
About ten days later.
It was around the time cholera began to spread in earnest.
Wi Ji-cheon was walking down an alley.
It wasnt the southern road he usually frequented.
Between the southern and northern roads.
In a particularly filthy street, beggars had gathered.
These were not ordinary beggars.
Their knots were tied in a conspicuous manner.
They were from the Beggars Sect.
Well, if it isnt the Young Hero of Nanyang? What brings a young master from a medical house to such a humble place?
A neatly dressed beggar approached Wi Ji-cheon.
Five knots.
He appeared to be the highest-ranking beggar here.
I came because I have something to say to the righteous heroes of the Beggars Sect. Could we speak privately for a moment?
The beggar-like man nodded readily at the polite request.
What is it?
Ive come about the Namjung Medical House.
Ive heard the story. Its regrettable, but we cannot help you. Even if the Namjung Medical House is in the wrong, we of the orthodox martial world cannot persecute a medical house.
Its not because the Branch Leader is taking bribes from the Namjung Medical House, is it?
!!
The beggars expression changed.
What are you talking about?! Me, Hong Gae, the Righteous Beggar, taking bribes!
An enraged reaction.
In truth, he had never taken a bribe.
But what was strange was Wi Ji-cheons response.
Oh? Thats strange. Im sure you did.
What did you say?
The bribe. You definitely received it, didnt you? Theres no way you didnt.