#30. The Second-Rate Warrior Seeking Legends (2)
The hall fell silent as if someone had doused it with cold water. Not only the hall lords but even the seasoned elders hesitated to speak, merely lifting their cooled teacups to their lips in bewilderment.
"…Outer Hall Lord."
It was Hong Moon-gi, the sect leader, who broke the silence.
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Do you perhaps know of any reliable miners or blacksmiths?"
My father nodded after a moment's thought.
"Heo Il-nam's father has always supplied weapons to our Tae-eul Gate at low prices. And I heard that the father of the gold-silver-bronze brothers used to be a miner."
"Then, as quickly as possible…"
"I'll check right away."
"Good. After that, the land agent…"
"I'll buy up Stone Pillar Mountain immediately."
Father answered each of the sect leader's questions before they were even finished. But even that didn't seem to fully satisfy Hong Moon-gi, who turned his gaze toward me with a measured look.
Then, as if he'd made up his mind, he spoke with a firm expression.
"Do you have the money to buy Stone Pillar Mountain?"
"Stone Pillar Mountain has been ownerless for ages—a barren rock pile. Even slash-and-burn farmers have never settled there due to the poor soil."
"In that case, buy Stone Pillar Mountain first. Confirm the mine afterward."
"Sect Leader!"
"Do it."
Father glanced back and forth between me and Hong Moon-gi before nodding.
"Understood."
"Quaehwa Hall Lord."
"Yes."
"Visit Gold Dragon's father and Heo Il-nam's father to request their cooperation."
"Understood."
"Move quickly. Remember, the fate of our sect may hang on this."
"Yes, sir!"
Father headed straight to the local government office to negotiate the purchase of Stone Pillar Mountain. The officials, who usually demanded bribes for any state land transaction, merely asked about the intended use and raised no objections.
Once Stone Pillar Mountain fell into Tae-eul Gate's hands, Heo Il-nam's father and the gold-silver-bronze brothers' father climbed it and confirmed it was suitable for an iron ore mine.
They said such straightforward discoveries were rare—"Someone had dug deep into the cliffside, making it easy to check."
We had bought the mountain and found the mine, but development couldn't begin immediately. Beyond the funds, Tae-eul Gate had never managed an asset as massive as a mine and had no idea where to start. Worse, if word got out about the iron ore on Stone Pillar Mountain, it could invite trouble from outsiders.
In the end, Hong Moon-gi and Father sought help from the Wang Merchant Group.
"Kehahaha! As the saying goes, heaven helps those who help themselves—and in the end, it bestows such great fortune!"
"You're too kind."
"I worried my Gyerong Merchant Group's dealings might shake Tae-eul Gate. But it's my daughter's sect, after all."
"Your words alone are gratitude enough."
"So, how can I assist?"
"Tae-eul Gate lacks the means to develop the mine on our own. Your partnership would be ideal."
"Heh, future owners of a major mine acting so carelessly? How could the weak-hearted make a fortune? Here's the deal: I'll invest in the mine. I'll handle development and bring in miners. In return, you grant us exclusive sales rights to half the iron ore output for ten years."
Jin Taesan was stunned. It was practically a gift on a silver platter.
"Would that be acceptable? You'd take a loss…"
"Some initial losses, sure—but that's investment. I've looked into it: the iron from Stone Pillar Mountain is high-quality black iron. With substantial reserves, it'll last fifty years at least. Exclusive half-shares at market price? Far more profitable for the Wang family."
Jin Taesan had expected to cede some profits for Wang Geumsan's joint venture. But this offer was pure gain for Tae-eul Gate, eliminating even startup capital worries.
"I hear your son discovered the mine."
"The kid wanders everywhere—got lucky, I suppose."
"Heh, only you don't see your son's true worth."
"You're too generous."
"If you're grateful, have Sowoon visit the Wang estate sometime. I've invited him several times since our first meeting mishap, but he never comes. It weighs on me."
Jin Taesan inwardly cursed his son. How could he refuse such a man? Unfathomable, even for his own flesh and blood.
#
"So you want me to visit the Wang estate?"
"They offered Tae-eul Gate great terms, didn't they? Beyond thanks, as senior brother, visiting your junior's family to pay respects is only proper."
I shot Gang Chaeseok a glare at his words.
"You're not planning to sell me off, right?"
"Ahem! Who said anything about selling…"
"Looked like you wanted to wrap me up pretty and hand me over."
"Ahem. It's all for Tae-eul Gate…"
"Not going."
"What?!"
"Why should I? The Wang lord's investing for his own profit anyway."
"Still…"
"Then count it as completing Quaehwa Hall."
"What?"
"Then I'll go pay my respects."
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
"I have important business. It requires moving now, but finishing Quaehwa Hall would take another half-year."
Hong Moon-gi, who had been listening silently, spoke up.
"What could it be that can't wait half a year?"
I couldn't be fully honest here. Declaring as head disciple that I'd lead the juniors through the entrance exam? They'd look at me like Hong Saryeon had—like I was insane.
"Sorry. Can't say yet."
"How can we help if you won't even tell us what you're up to, you brat?"
"I'll explain when the time comes, in half a year."
"Grr."
Gang Chaeseok shook his head and downed his cups one after another.
"That important, huh?"
"Yes. Very."
"How important?"
"Tae-eul Gate's future hangs on it."
"Kehhek!"
"!"
"!"
Gang Chaeseok choked on his drink, coughing violently. Even Father, who had been quietly sipping, widened his eyes at me.
Hong Moon-gi stared at me intently before turning to Jin Taesan.
"What's your take?"
"…He doesn't tell his own father anything—the rotten kid. No idea here."
Father pouted childishly, clearly hurt.
"Asking to count it as completing Quaehwa Hall—does that mean you've mastered all the arts?"
"Yes."
"…Hm. Fine. So be it."
"!"
"Sect Leader!"
Hong Moon-gi continued calmly.
"Everything you've done so far has been for Tae-eul Gate. I trust the rest will be too. You've shouldered what we should have—so I won't clip those wings."
"…."
"…."
As Gang Chaeseok and Father bowed their heads, Hong Moon-gi smiled faintly.
"But do pay your respects at the Wang estate."
#
Stagger. Stumble.
On the way back to the lodgings from Daehyeonjeon, Father's steps—fueled by four bottles of bamboo salt liquor courtesy of Hong Moon-gi—mimicked the footwork of drunken fist.
"Get a grip, Father."
"Leave me be, you punk. Your old man's fine."
"Then walk straight."
"Forget it. If this useless dad can't even walk himself, just toss me up the mountain, eh?"
"Why must you…"
"You know, punk—the worst kids in the world are the ones who tell their parents nothing."
"And the best?"
"The ones who chatter on about every little thing."
"Then you should've had a daughter. Why go and birth a dark lump like me?"
"Tell me about it. When the sect leader had his girl, I was tempted to swap."
"Good grief."
I pulled the Seven-Colored Jewel from my bosom. In the moonlit grounds of Tae-eul Gate, its radiant rainbow glow illuminated everything.
Father, who had been stumbling drunkenly, straightened like bamboo.
"…Wh-what's that?!"
"I prepared this to be the best son. But if it's hopeless, maybe trade it for snacks."
"Y-you're giving that to me?"
Father looked fully sober now.
"Forget it. Already a filial failure—too late for this."
Father cleared his throat dramatically.
"You know? Above the best son is the heaven-sent one."
"…."
"Heaven-sent sons bring their parents sparkling jewels."
With that, he snatched the Seven-Colored Jewel from my bosom and held it to his eyes.
"Sheesh."
"I-is this real?"
"No appraisal skills here, but Namgung San said it could buy three palace-like mansions. Gotta be real."
"N-Namgung San? Why would he…?"
"Bet with senior Namgung San. Won it fair and square."
"Heh…."
"Sell the jewel—use seven-tenths as you like, buy up all the prime land around Tae-eul Gate with the rest."
He'd use it all for the sect anyway. That's the man Father was.
"Prime land? Why?"
"Some for drought-resistant crops, some for mechanism arrays. If disciples grow, we'll need more halls too."
"Mechanism arrays? Do you know how much those cost?"
Father tilted his head, struggling to process.
"Mine'll bring steady cash—enough for arrays. I know someone skilled but cheap."
I thought of Jegal Cheongi, suffering in prison by now.
"Arrays bolster defenses against outsiders and build our strength. That's the foundation of a great sect."
"…."
Father gazed at me with eyes as complex as the jewel's glow.
"Let's go, Father. This heaven-sent filial son will pour you a drink."
"…Come to think, you snuck some booze earlier?"
"What're you on about? Heaven-sent sons don't touch liquor."
"Can't even talk straight, you."
#
Hong Saryeon packed a massive bundle and joined the group heading to the capital for the exam.
To match the level of those entering Murim Academy via the regular exam before enrollment, she dove into intensive training.
The entire Tae-eul Gate saw her off. After bowing to the elders and hall lords, she teared up before Hong Moon-gi and his wife, anxious about leaving her parents' embrace for the first time.
"Do well. Take good care of the juniors at the Murim Alliance."
Hong Saryeon just nodded, too choked to speak.
Then the juniors swarmed her, clamoring for goodbyes. Once they settled, she stood before me.
"No regrets, right?"
She still looked apologetic.
"Intensive training's only half a year. To not fall behind the exam entrants, it'll be brutal."
"…If it's too much, skip the exam anytime. I'll rise high enough to cover for all the juniors, even if I have to pull strings."
"Good. That's the resolve."
Even as I smiled, she fidgeted before me, words unspoken.
"We're off!"
At Ijagun's call to depart, she hurriedly joined the line, glancing back repeatedly.
After everyone returned, I lingered until the procession vanished from sight. Then the gold-silver-bronze brothers sidled up.
"Senior Brother."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Take us too."
"Take you where?"
"To the exam. We want to go."
"!"
How had the secret leaked? Now I understood Hong Saryeon's backward glances.
"Think the exam's child's play? Know what the jianghu calls it?"
"Hell's Exam. Take us on that path."
"Please."
"Please."
The brothers stood resolute, as if clutching my pant leg.