Chapter 139
Chapter 139
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: There Won't Be Any Danger
-----------------------------------------------------------------
< There Won't Be Any Danger >
"Agh! What's gotten into them all of a sudden? Are they crazy?"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages plopped down on the ground, panting and grumbling.
Beside him, the One-Needle Eccentric collapsed in the same posture.
"You call yourself a master of information, yet you're so out of the loop?"
"Do you know something, old friend?"
"Of course."
The Divine Doctor of the Ages looked at the One-Needle Eccentric with suspicion. His eyes and expression clearly conveyed his disbelief.
"Get that filthy look off your face."
"Hah. What are you talking about? Filthy? I bathe twice a day. Compared to someone like you who bathes once every two days, I'm as pure as the driven snow."
"Hey! Why are you spreading false rumors?"
The One-Needle Eccentric, half-flustered and half-furious, glanced around before glaring at the Divine Doctor.
Their voices were so loud that they briefly drew the attention of those nearby.
"I bathe at least once a day! What's your problem?"
The One-Needle Eccentric shouted, then glared at the Divine Doctor and lowered his voice.
"Are you really going to be like this? You want me to air out your dirty laundry?"
"What laundry do I have to air?"
The One-Needle Eccentric scoffed.
"Five days ago might not count as the past, I suppose. But I know everything you did at the Blue Wind Pavilion. Should I shout it for everyone to hear?"
"Oh, please, old friend. I know for a fact you were in the room next door. You want us to expose each other?"
The One-Needle Eccentric groaned.
"Ugh. Let's drop it."
"I agree."
"One day, I'll find some real dirt on you."
The Divine Doctor of the Ages cackled.
"You have so much dirt of your own, I doubt you'll have room for mine."
The One-Needle Eccentric clenched his fists, trembling.
"Stop shaking and finish what you were saying. So, why are they all acting like that?"
The Divine Doctor's gaze shifted to the training grounds.
The two were sitting at the edge of the grounds, resting, while the training area itself was filled with a fiery intensity.
Anyone with free time would invariably come to the training grounds, dedicating themselves to their training as if their lives depended on it.
The Divine Doctor and the One-Needle Eccentric couldn't push themselves to that extent.
Even if they wanted to, they had to hold back, since they were the ones who would have to treat anyone who got injured.
That's how intense the training fervor was.
"And why is Cho Seoran training here? She's only practicing the Limitless Steps."
Cho Seoran had started practicing the Limitless Steps not long ago.
Most of the people at the Golden Jade Villa had already completed their training in the Limitless Steps and were now practicing other techniques.
Even the Divine Doctor and the One-Needle Eccentric had finished their training.
Only Cho Seoran was still engrossed in the Limitless Steps.
It was truly painful and difficult, but she persevered, clinging to the technique.
Having witnessed its effects firsthand, how could she refuse to learn it?
The reason Cho Seoran was so dedicated to the Limitless Steps was none other than the Divine Doctor and the One-Needle Eccentric.
Despite their advanced age, the two men, having aligned their mind, spirit, and body, were no less vigorous than most young men.
If not for the wrinkles on their faces, no one would think they were old men.
Recently, even their wrinkles had begun to fade.
And with the Limitless Steps being the cause, who would refuse to train?
"They all have a grand purpose for doing this."
"So what is this grand purpose? Anyone would think the Young Master ordered them to do it."
The One-Needle Eccentric's eyes widened, and he clapped his hands.
"Oh. You're close."
The Divine Doctor gave him a sour look.
"For some reason... I have a bad feeling about this."
The One-Needle Eccentric cackled, mimicking the Divine Doctor.
"That's how I always feel when I talk to you, you rascal."
"Anyway, stop with the nonsense and just tell me. Why are they acting like this?"
"You know the Underworld Sect guys are scouring the entire Hubei region, right?"
"How could I not? It's not just the Underworld Sect; our people are there too."
"Then you must know what they're looking for."
"Isn't it obvious? They're raiding the bases of those Nameless scumbags, or whatever they're called."
In truth, they hadn't planned to limit the search to Hubei, but since the number of bases there was overwhelmingly higher than in other regions, they had focused their efforts.
They judged that simply clearing out Hubei would deal a significant blow to Nameless.
"But why bring that up now?"
"After they find the locations, what do you think happens next?"
"They'll go and raid them for real, won't they? Those guys are as good as dead."
"Exactly. And who do you think is going?"
"Well... our Young Master..."
Given Byeok Taesan's personality, it was unlikely he would just give orders. He would probably move himself and wipe them all out.
The nearby Underworld Sect would move with him, but Byeok Taesan would be the real force. The Underworld Sect would likely just secure any assets, subdue any survivors, and interrogate them.
The Divine Doctor finally nodded in understanding.
"So, the Young Master must have said he'll take those who train hard with him? Is that right?"
"Something like that. He said... he'll only take those who are worthy."
"That's just another way of saying 'train until you drop.' The Young Master's standards are anything but ordinary."
The Divine Doctor said, looking back at the training grounds.
"But... doesn't it seem like it's all women out there?"
"What are you talking about? Cheon Gyeongwan is right there. He looks like he's working the hardest."
The Divine Doctor of the Ages cackled.
"All the maids over there have passed the test. It'll be hilarious if he's the only one left."
As if he'd heard them, Cheon Gyeongwan's movements suddenly became much more intense.
"Tsk, tsk. He's going to kill himself at this rate."
The Divine Doctor and the One-Needle Eccentric rested leisurely.
Since they had no intention of going along, they were quite relaxed.
"Aigoo, it would be a pain to go. Don't you think?"
"You're right, old friend. Our Young Master is no ordinary man."
The Divine Doctor cackled again.
"What if he makes us walk there on our hands this time? That would be hilarious."
The two laughed cheerfully, delighted by the mere thought.
* * *
Byeok Taesu meticulously reviewed the Golden Jade Trading Company's transaction records.
The company's profits had been steadily increasing lately.
Whether profits rose or fell, it was crucial to understand the cause.
Only then could they generate more profit or prepare for any shortfalls.
But that wasn't what he was looking at now.
"Her interference has become too severe."
The meddling of his wife, Chae Miryeong, had grown deeper and deeper, and recently, it had become excessive.
She had even gone so far as to cut off existing clients and bring in new ones.
All for the simple reason that the new deals were more profitable.
That wasn't how business should be conducted.
If you cut ties with partners just because they're facing immediate difficulties, you can never build trust.
Byeok Taesu's expression grew grave.
Giving Chae Miryeong a bit of authority had led to this.
She had used the authority she was given to its fullest extent, gradually expanding her influence.
Byeok Taesu had been willing to tolerate it to a certain point, so he had let it be.
But now, it had reached a point where he could no longer turn a blind eye.
He had to sort this out before the tide shifted completely. Otherwise, it would become incredibly difficult to handle.
Just as he finished reviewing all the transactions, the general manager entered.
"Master, I have the information."
"Good. Who was it?"
"The Golden Moon Trading Company."
Byeok Taesu's expression hardened.
The general manager had conducted a background check on the new clients Chae Miryeong had brought in.
"All of them?"
"Yes. Without a single exception, it was the Golden Moon Trading Company."
"For them to offer such prices, they must have all but abandoned any hope of profit..."
"They needed a justification, did they not?"
No matter how much authority one had, you couldn't just change business partners recklessly. You needed a valid reason.
And the justification Chae Miryeong had presented was profit.
Byeok Taesu looked at the general manager with a serious expression.
"What do you think the Golden Moon Trading Company's goal is?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"That's why I'm asking. As far as I know, the Golden Moon Trading Company isn't the type to devour other companies like this."
What the Golden Moon Trading Company was doing was redirecting all of the Golden Jade Trading Company's clients to themselves.
In short, their aim was to make the Golden Jade Trading Company subordinate to them.
It was by no means easy, but with an inside collaborator, it wasn't entirely impossible.
And right now, Chae Miryeong was playing the role of that inside collaborator.
"I suppose it's time to clean house."
"Yes, you must. The timing is just right."
In any case, this was the limit of what Chae Miryeong could do with the authority she'd been given.
Byeok Taesu had already set a limit on what she could do and had taken measures to ensure she couldn't move beyond it.
Chae Miryeong was likely completely unaware that she was trapped within certain boundaries.
"As for the original clients who were replaced by the Golden Moon Trading Company, I want you to look after them."
"Yes. Do not worry. This is what I always do."
"And... the Golden Moon Trading Company is a very dangerous entity. It's best not to get involved with them, but... since it's come to this, we have no choice. See if you can arrange a meeting."
"You intend to meet them yourself?"
"I must. I need to meet them and settle this. Otherwise, they'll keep this up. We can't afford to fight to the death. We must negotiate a proper give-and-take and maintain a good relationship."
"It could be dangerous."
"Still, I need to find out what they want. I'm certain they don't want our company itself. And as for the danger... I have a plan for that."
The general manager looked at Byeok Taesu with a puzzled expression.
Byeok Taesu smiled gently and continued.
"I will take my younger brother with me."
"What? You mean the second young master?"
Byeok Taesu smiled with satisfaction and nodded emphatically.
"I doubt there will be any danger."
* * *
Jang Gagu and Yuk Taegu lay sprawled on the ground, drenched in blood and sweat, gasping for breath.
"Are you okay?"
"What about you?"
The two had just finished an intense sparring session.
They had fought as if their lives were on the line, and the result was a draw.
The two met once every ten days to fight like this.
The excuse was to check their skills, but in truth, it was no different from a battle for dominance.
Yuk Taegu was quite surprised as he fought Jang Gagu.
Yuk Taegu was someone his former master had personally groomed. Naturally, he had received special support and was exceptionally skilled.
But for a mere squad leader from the Secret Heaven Group to be his equal in skill!
In any case, both men were from the Secret Heaven Group, and they were among the few individuals recruited by Byeok Taesan who could handle combat, so their competitive spirit was particularly strong.
Yuk Taegu was the first to sit up.
"Ugh. If you're tired, stay down. I'm starting to feel alive again."
"Ugh. Who's tired? I'm feeling fine now, too."
The two glared at each other while sitting, then soon broke into a smirk.
"I heard the Young Master is leaving for a big job. Did you hear?"
"I did. Since he'll have to deal with a lot of enemies... don't you think he'll take one of us? Along with all our men."
"I think so too, but... our Young Master is so unpredictable..."
"He'll probably take the mercenaries this time. They're more convenient for long-distance travel."
"Dream on. Escort agencies are best for long-distance travel. I'm going to turn all my underworld boys into proper escorts soon."
"Is that escort agency still in business?"
"Why would I close it when it's so profitable? We're running it with regular escorts, not my boys."
"Ha! Fine, we'll see. Let's see who gets to go."
A brief silence hung in the air.
Soon, Jang Gagu asked with a slightly darkened expression.
"The real, proper warriors of the Demonic Cult... they're much stronger than me, aren't they?"
Yuk Taegu smirked.
"Who knows."
"Our Young Master... is he really the son of the Cult Leader?"
"How would I know?"
"If he is, can we really survive?"
Yuk Taegu smiled and looked at Jang Gagu.
"Why? Worried you won't last because the Cult's warriors are too strong?"
When Jang Gagu nodded, Yuk Taegu shook his head.
"You're not that weak. Even if you joined the Cult right now, it wouldn't be easy to find someone stronger than you."
"What?"
"Among the regular warriors, there's no one stronger. Same goes for the squad leaders."
Jang Gagu fell silent. Could that really be true?
Yuk Taegu patted Jang Gagu's shoulder.
"I guarantee it. If you improve just a little more from where you are now, you could become a vice-commander."
Jang Gagu's eyes widened.
Yuk Taegu grinned.
"Just know this: the martial arts our Young Master gave us are no ordinary techniques."
"I figured as much."
"So train like your life depends on it."
Jang Gagu nodded with a determined expression.
"I will. And I'll be the one to accompany the Young Master this time."
"Forget it. Let's go see the Divine Doctor. If we leave our bodies like this, it'll affect tomorrow's training."
The two slowly got up and headed toward the Golden Jade Villa.
They figured they'd heal quickly, since at least nothing had been chopped off.
* * *
Byeok Taesan was listening to Hwaok's report.
Hwaok had been steadily investigating the Golden Moon Trading Company.
She suspected there was definitely some connection between them and Nameless.
So, she had focused her investigation on that aspect, but some unexpected information had surfaced.
"Those bastards are targeting the Golden Jade Trading Company?"
"It seems less like targeting and more like they're scheming something."
"That's the same thing."
"However, they have done too little to be truly plotting against the Golden Jade Trading Company."
As she spoke, Hwaok reported that the Golden Moon Trading Company had approached Chae Miryeong and begun to change the Golden Jade's clients one by one.
She calmly explained how they had proceeded and how the Golden Jade Trading Company was responding. After hearing it all, Byeok Taesan nodded.
"It's nothing much. He's quite capable."
Of course, the compliment was directed at Byeok Taesu.
According to Hwaok's analysis, there was almost no possibility that the Golden Moon Trading Company could cause any real harm to the Golden Jade.
"But why are they doing this?"
"It seems they're after something."
Byeok Taesan looked at Hwaok, as if telling her to specify what that something was.
"I don't know what it is they're after, but the price they are paying to ensure their plan succeeds is too great. It must be something significant."
What could it be? No matter how much he thought, nothing came to mind.
As he was pondering, he heard a presence outside the door.
"Young Master, the general manager is here to see you."
"The general manager? Let him in."
A moment later, the door opened, and the general manager entered.
The general manager glanced at Hwaok before turning his gaze to Byeok Taesan.
"Young Master, the Master has decided to visit the Golden Moon Trading Company."
At the mention of the Golden Moon Trading Company, a flicker of interest appeared in Byeok Taesan's eyes.
He had just been talking about them, after all.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. And so... the Master wishes for you... to accompany him."
Byeok Taesan grinned.
"Fine. I'll go with him."
The cheerful acceptance brightened the general manager's face. But the words that followed painted his expression with alarm.
"I'll decide who else comes with us."
< There Won't Be Any Danger > End