Chapter 23
Chapter 23
23.
The Head of the Construction Sect
There's a lot of construction work in the Martial World.
This is because strongholds are frequently smashed to pieces by hostile forces.
Creating battle formations or mechanical devices also falls under the umbrella of construction. Harmoniously linking and combining them with the location isn't the task of those who train in martial arts.
It's entirely the responsibility of construction experts.
Moreover, in the Martial World, when major battles erupt with a sect's fate on the line, it's common for the sect or its branches to be completely burned down. A sect that collapses from a single downfall is considered finished in such cases, but prestigious clans or powerful Martial World families would spend vast sums to rebuild their structures even more magnificently.
In that sense, architects also gain their own reputation, and those who handle mechanical devices are treated as artisans in the Martial World.
Yeon Ja-seong was one of the top three Martial World architects even when I was known as the Low Filth Sect Leader in the Martial World, a master craftsman frequently invited for large-scale projects.
Of course, now he's twenty years younger, just like me.
When Yeon Ja-seong actually came up and greeted me, he looked like a young man a year or two younger than me, except for his deeply tanned face.
Yeon Ja-seong looked straight at me and said,
"I am Yeon Ja-seong. I was entrusted with this project through the introduction of Geum Cheolyong."
I smiled and welcomed Yeon Ja-seong.
"I am the owner of the Purple Glow Inn."
I introduced myself as the owner of the Purple Glow Inn, but Yeon Ja-seong's reaction was different.
"Our Sect Leader is indeed as young as I've heard."
"Our Sect Leader?"
As Cha Seong-tae and I exchanged glances, Yeon Ja-seong said with a determined expression,
"Geum Uncle specifically told me to call you Sect Leader. He said that if I complete this project excellently, he might even give me the position of Head of the Construction Sect. He also said that there's no need to pay any tribute to the sect. Is that correct, Sect Leader?"
I nodded.
"That's correct."
Yeon Ja-seong smiled.
"Good. I liked that very much. I will make the Purple Glow Inn magnificent this time, so I will take the position of Head of the Construction Sect. I have great ambitions when it comes to architecture."
Alright, welcome.
And I know better than anyone how great this man's ambitions are.
As I smiled, Yeon Ja-seong looked at the empty lot and said,
"It's the site of a small inn, but the land is very spacious and good. It's a good place to build, and since it's on a slightly elevated hill, the evening scenery is very nice. Anyway, you can entrust the construction entirely to me, Sect Leader."
Yeon Ja-seong turned to me and said as if urging,
"I heard that you will protect those who work hard, Sect Leader. Is that correct?"
When I nodded, Yeon Ja-seong smiled brightly and said,
"I want to make it clear that I offered the lowest possible price because it's being built under your orders, Sect Leader."
At these words, not only I but also Cha Seong-tae laughed together.
"Haha..."
Yeon Ja-seong pointed to one side of the empty lot and said,
"I will set up a temporary camp over there. It's a place to solve accommodation and meals. There are basic cooking utensils, but there's a limit to making food every time. I would appreciate it if you, Sect Leader, would occasionally buy delicious food for the workers and me at your own expense."
Yeon Ja-seong was truly a magnanimous man in his words and actions.
And he always demanded what he needed with confidence.
He was a man who knew that he could survive in the midst of the Martial World people only if his words and actions were clear.
In fact, Martial World people have a tendency to respect men whose words and actions are clear.
There are cases where Heukdo doesn't kill Baekdo, and Baekdo doesn't kill Heukdo, and this happens when they like the other person's words, actions, or personality.
Yeon Ja-seong's personality was like this, so he would have continued to build relationships with Martial World people and achieved great success.
He was definitely a smart man.
After talking to him, I had a desire to seat Yeon Ja-seong as the Head of the Construction Sect and not let him be taken away by any other force.
I nodded and looked at Yeon Ja-seong.
'You are now a member of the Low Filth Sect.'
I immediately ordered.
"Seong-tae."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Always treat the people working at the Plum Blossom Brothel, Pear Blossom Tower, and Poetry Blossom House to dinner. Treat them to the most delicious food. And where are those thugs who burned down the inn back then?"
"I've instructed them to do the hardest work, so don't worry. I, the Life Gate's Leader, will take responsibility for handling that."
Yeon Ja-seong looked at Cha Seong-tae as if he was a little surprised.
"Life Gate?"
Cha Seong-tae nodded as if feeling some kind of competitive spirit.
"I haven't had a chance to tell you. I am the Leader of the Life Gate. You can think of the Life Gate as a lower organization to which those who work in the houses of pleasure belong."
Yeon Ja-seong nodded.
"Ah, I see. I understand. Anyway, you're below our Purple Glow Sect Leader, right?"
Purple Glow Sect Leader? It was a new way of expressing it.
Cha Seong-tae immediately acknowledged it.
"Of course. The Life Gate, Construction Sect, Iron Gate... they are all allied forces of the Low Filth Sect."
I asked.
"When did you two start speaking informally?"
At my remark, Yeon Ja-seong said as if he had forgotten.
"Ah, Seong-tae Hyung is older than me, so I told him to speak comfortably. I know that Sect Leader is also older than me. Please feel free to speak comfortably."
I replied without much thought.
"Alright. Ja-seong."
As soon as I spoke informally, Yeon Ja-seong replied, slightly flustered.
"Yes, Hyung."
"Ja-seong, it was nice meeting you. See you again."
My delight was genuine.
I was able to hold onto a man who would later become famous for his architecture.
I felt like I should treat Geum Uncle to a bowl of gukbap at Chunyang Restaurant. I was also curious about how he managed to bring him here. Geum Cheolyong, of course, had far more connections in this area than Cha Seong-tae, who was a former inn Shop Assistant, or the manager of the houses of pleasure, so they must have been connected, but I couldn't help but be curious.
* * *
"How was Ja-seong?"
"He's a magnanimous man. I like him."
"I knew it. I expected you to like him."
I asked Geum Uncle while eating gukbap.
"Where did you get such a talented person?"
I was really curious.
In my past life, Geum Cheolyong had only ever made handles with dragon heads, so he was somewhat distant from famous people. Of course, he ran the Iron Squad itself well. However, Yeon Ja-seong was playing in different waters, so I couldn't help but be curious.
Geum Cheolyong said.
"Ja-seong is a man who goes around day and night to get work on his own. He once visited our Dragon Head Smithy and asked if there was any work. He also made several suggestions to expand the Iron Squad. I didn't really have any intention or means to do so."
"Isn't it because you didn't have the means, but you didn't want to stand out?"
"Of course, that's also true. Anyway, I couldn't give him work, but he still visited and greeted me from time to time. He's a man who knows innately how a merchant should survive. Of course, I should call him an artisan, not a merchant. I felt sorry and curious, so I arranged a few construction projects for him in other places, and now he calls me Big Brother."
"I see. A man who went around to get work..."
Later, he became famous, and Martial World people sought out Yeon Ja-seong, but of course, it wasn't the case in this era. It was fortunate for me that Yeon Ja-seong diligently went around and got to know Geum Cheolyong.
"Is there any progress with the Mad Blade?"
At my words, Geum Cheolyong paused to drink the soup and smiled.
"There's no particular progress like that. But I'm finding it interesting to start working on it. I'm also worried. It was always the same day, but I feel a little more energetic thinking about the Mad Blade. The Deputy Squad Leader is the same. We're wondering if we can create Weaponry that doesn't break. We're repeatedly pondering it. It's like the entire Iron Squad has a purpose."
I nodded.
"That's good."
"Wait and see. People know me as a man who only makes handles well, but I'll change that perception this time."
Could Geum Cheolyong really make it? It wasn't something I could predict either.
However, I didn't feel too bad seeing Geum Cheolyong moving with a purpose, unlike in my past life.
Jang Deuk-su, who had been wiping the dishes while listening to the conversation, said.
"Ilyang Prefecture seems to be bustling a bit. I passed by the construction site there and saw that the Purple Glow Inn is being built very large."
I looked at Geum Uncle and Jang Deuk-su. I thought he seemed to want to say something.
Jang Deuk-su continued.
"I wonder if we should have a party. In commemoration of the disappearance of those Cho Family bastards who used to cause trouble."
"A party?"
Jang Deuk-su wiped the water from his hands and turned around.
"The Purple Glow Inn, I mean. Anyway, it's being made with the Cho Family's assets. The Cho Family bastards caused a lot of trouble in Ilyang Prefecture. I thought it would be nice to put all sorts of things aside and treat the elders of the neighborhood to a celebration. If you're willing, I'll gather the owners of the restaurants and inns and talk to them once. We'll have to make the food anyway."
Geum Cheolyong nodded.
"That's good. We should all get together and see each other's faces. There used to be a lot of these parties in the old days. It's too desolate now."
I tilted my head and looked at Jang Deuk-su.
"Is that all you wanted to say?"
Jang Deuk-su paused for a moment before answering.
"If there's no one suitable to take on the role, I'm thinking of becoming the Head of the Shop Gate. I thought there should also be an organization for the Shop Assistants, inns, restaurants, and liquor store owners."
Geum Cheolyong made a 'pooh' sound and spat the water he was drinking at Jang Deuk-su.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
Jang Deuk-su wiped his face and replied.
"It's alright."
I said.
"Life Gate Leader Cha Seong-tae, Iron Gate Leader Geum Cheolyong, Construction Sect's prospective Leader Yeon Ja-seong, and Shop Gate Leader Jang Deuk-su."
It wasn't a big deal, but I didn't know why it was so funny.
Jang Deuk-su looked at my expression and asked.
"Are you laughing? Am I funny?"
"No. If it's Deuk-su Hyung, you'll do well. Let's do that."
Now, if the Slaughter Gate was added, the foundation for the Low Filth Sect would be completed as another Low Five Gates.
I hoped that this Low Filth Sect would last a long time.
In addition, it was time to start looking for the Leader of the Slaughter Gate.
While I was talking with Geum Uncle and Jang Deuk-su, I was reviewing my memories to find the Leader of the Slaughter Gate.
Who would be the right person.
I knew most of the powerhouses from the time I was active and the incidents that occurred in the Martial World during this time.
Because of this, there was a lot to think about.
After a while, Geum Cheolyong said as if suggesting to wrap things up.
"Alright, alright, now that we've had our meal, let's go back to work. I ate well today."
Jang Deuk-su smiled and asked.
"Yes, customer. Who's paying?"
"Of course, our Sect Leader has to pay. I introduced a great man, so I think I should get free meals for the next ten years."
It was naturally my day to pay, but it felt a little strange that I kept paying all the time. Anyway, I took out money from my pouch and paid for the gukbap.
"Deuk-su Hyung, I ate well."
Jang Deuk-su replied while receiving the money.
"You're welcome. Please visit again."
I got up and said to the two of them.
"Then, let's see each other again, our Sect Leaders."
Geum Uncle boasted.
"I'll be waiting. I'll give you an unbreakable conviction..."
I nodded and replied.
"I'll look forward to it."
While leaving Chunyang Restaurant and returning to the Plum Blossom Brothel, men who clearly seemed to be looking for me blocked my path.