Backroom Deal (7)
At that moment, Young Master Hwangbo Ho-myeong spoke up.
"You'd do well not to think you can shake me with that flimsy tongue of yours."
But Sister Hyang-ok made no retort and charged straight in.
Crack!
The plaque shattered in an instant under her strike.
Is that the Tiger-Subduing Great Sword Technique?
True to its name—subduing even tigers—it exuded an overwhelming pressure.
It was the signature technique of her master, the Divine Nun Hae-cheong.
Yeah, basically "shut up and fight."
Young Master Hwangbo Ho-myeong looked flustered but quickly assumed his stance, ready for a proper fight.
The Hwangbo family mainly specialized in fist techniques, rivaling even the Jinju Yeon family.
While the Jinju Yeon focused on body-tempering arts to harden themselves against cold weapons, the Hwangbo had no need for such things.
They were innately burly with exceptional recovery, it seemed.
That said, the Hwangbo were once renowned for their bold, upright demeanor...
But that family tradition seemed to have faded these days.
Enough for one of their own to stoop to something as shady as match-fixing.
Young Master Hwangbo Ho-myeong's fist shot forward fiercely.
Sister Hyang-ok dodged it nimbly and swung her sword.
Her blade targeted the exact spot where his plaque hung.
As if anticipating it, he swung his fist that way too.
But in a flash, her sword path shifted, striking the plaque elsewhere squarely.
Snap!
He'd fallen for the feint hook, line, and sinker.
Was Sister Hyang-ok's skill just that much stronger than expected?
Young Master Hwangbo Ho-myeong's face began to twist in frustration.
"Damn it! You rat-bitch!"
Ah... he really shouldn't have said that.
Ami Sect disciples often wore gray robes, and their footwork was swift and elusive.
Because of that, with their hit-and-run style, some in the martial world disdainfully called them "rats."
"What did you say?"
"That bastard!"
Naturally, the Ami Sect disciples watching from below the stage—and even their sect leader—bristled with anger.
"Ahem. That's not the Hwangbo family's intent, so please don't misunderstand."
The Hwangbo family head quickly drew a line.
This was a friendly sparring event with countless sects and families gathered officially—one wrong word could spark major trouble.
Then it happened.
"...!"
Young Master Hwangbo Ho-myeong's body jolted violently.
His face twisted as if he'd swallowed sewage.
I quickly realized what was up and grinned.
Sister Hyang-ok...
Did you just hit him with a vicious sound transmission?
He'd overlooked one thing: anyone skilled enough for this stage could use sound transmission.
And it wasn't like plugging your ears blocked it.
So what exactly did you say to make his face like that?
He ground his teeth and charged at Sister Hyang-ok.
A reckless bull-rush, no holds barred.
But.
Whoosh!
She sidestepped effortlessly without even countering, and he tumbled right off the stage.
"...."
The match ended in the blink of an eye.
Gold Lotus Alliance Leader climbed onto the stage and declared,
"This spar goes to Hyang-ok!"
"Wooooah!"
"Snow Sword Lady Hero! Snow Sword Lady Hero!"
As cheers filled the arena, Young Master Hwangbo Ho-myeong stared in dazed defeat before scrambling up, yanking out his wax earplugs, and shouting,
"How cowardly! Toying with me with your three-inch tongue!"
"Toying with you with my three-inch tongue? I didn't even open my mouth."
"You just did it with sound transmission!"
"Got proof?"
"...."
Just as Sister Hyang-ok said.
Sound transmission was private—nobody else could hear.
"And even if I did toy with you via sound transmission, you'd have no comeback. Unlike you, I didn't plug my ears, so I heard it crystal clear. 'Rat-bitch,' right?"
"W-When did I ever..."
Then the Gold Lotus Alliance Leader spoke.
"We all heard it."
Her eyes were icy cold—and come to think of it, she was Ami Sect too.
"...."
Plug your ears to block sound, and you end up speaking louder without realizing.
That's why elders with hearing issues or night watchmen often bellowed.
So why plug your ears and make that mistake?
People who looked like Hwangbo clansmen shook their heads from the sidelines.
In any case, Sister Hyang-ok safely advanced to the next round.
At lunchtime, I went with Mother to find her.
"Congratulations on advancing, Sister."
"Thanks."
Mother followed up,
"Congratulations."
"Thank you, Aunt."
"To celebrate your win today, how about inviting the Ami Sect folks to dinner tonight?"
"You don't have to."
"Buying a meal to cheer on my niece-in-law? Your mother would nag me later if I didn't. Hohoho."
"In that case... I'll let Master know."
Sister Hyang-ok checked with Divine Nun Hae-cheong and confirmed we'd all head to Yeonpung Inn that evening.
"By the way, Sister."
"Yeah?"
"What exactly did you transmit to that Hwangbo punk?"
She chuckled at my question.
"Your curiosity's a real problem sometimes."
"I know, but curious is curious."
"You really wanna know?"
"Yes."
"No regrets."
She transmitted to me what she'd told him earlier.
I instantly understood her warning.
And why he'd reacted that way.
Snow Sword Lady Hero...
Whoever coined that nailed it.
.
.
.
The day's spars wrapped up.
After the fourth match, the first-round pair—who'd finished treatment—resumed their bout.
The Feng Ha Sect disciple eked out a narrow win.
Bi-geuk Sect would be mourning for a while.
Parents and Brother Jin-ho had already returned to the inn.
Probably prepping since we'd invited Sister Hyang-ok and the Ami folks.
I planned to browse the temporary market before heading back.
I was sparring tomorrow, but no extra training needed.
I trained hard every morning anyway.
And I had no intention of going all-out to win.
Of course, dropping in the first round would irk the Alliance Leader, so losing after a couple wins sounded right.
After checking the stalls and the whole commercial district, I headed to Yeonpung Inn—and ran into someone.
"How have you been?"
It was none other than Young Master Ji Kyung-hwa of the Ji family.
"Fine, getting by."
"First off, apologies for the rocky state of our contract."
Yeah, you should apologize.
But flaunting it openly was amateur hour.
A merchant wore masks as needed.
Though I'd curse inwardly.
"What can you do? That's how it shook out."
"Thank you for understanding."
I never said I did... but interpret as you will.
"So, what's up?"
"Ah, Grandfather and Father asked me to fetch you."
Didn't love them summoning me instead of coming themselves, but since Young Master Ji Kyung-hwa came personally, I'd let it slide.
"Lead on."
I followed him to the Ji family manor and met the family head and young head.
"Merchant Eun Seo-ho greets the family head and young head."
"Come in."
I sat before them.
"Calling me here—does that mean you're accepting my prior proposal?"
The family head cleared his throat at my question.
"Ahem. Yes."
"I know you've been scrambling everywhere for funds. Didn't pan out, huh?"
He averted his gaze, looking evasive.
Just sects and families at the大会, and none would lend three million nyang lightly.
As I'd said before, martial sects weren't as wealthy as people thought.
...Except maybe Namgung family.
"Did even the Namgung family refuse? They're the richest right now."
"Ahem, we can't bow to Namgung."
I'd figured they wouldn't beg Namgung—pride wouldn't allow it.
"Anyway, we want to borrow from you."
"Let's clarify: Do you want me to cover the debt directly, or just lend the money?"
"Lend us the money."
So borrowing to pay debts, avoiding full Eunhae takeover?
No matter—profitable either way.
Though practically the same.
"Fine. I'll lend it."
"How much can you do?"
"How much do you need?"
The young head answered.
"Four million nyang in silver. Possible?"
Spot on.
Based on the silver I'd found in their Luoyang cave hideout and what I knew of the Ji family.
"Yes."
I nodded, then sensed something off.
Hold up.
Why just the family head, young head, and Young Master Ji Kyung-hwa?
Financial talks needed the chief steward present.
Shaanxi wasn't that far—they could've come.
I asked carefully,
"Is your chief steward not joining?"
"We're selecting a new one."
"Did something happen to the old one?"
"Ahem, he was in league with those who deceived us. Locked in the ancestral hall."
"I see. But there must've been stewards before him..."
"Fired."
"Then recall him?"
"Can't face him."
Shame? Or pride?
Latter, in my view.
At least he's alive—small mercy.
"Serious advice: Bring back that steward. He's held the family together for years. Essential for recovery now."
"...Fine. But if you lend us money, we won't need him, right?"
Tsk tsk. I clicked my tongue inwardly.
"Even with my loan, mismanagement could sink you again. Botch it, and the collateral's mine."
"...Understood."
I moved on.
"Now, collateral."
"Collateral? Do you distrust the Ji family?"
"Did you expect me to lend without it?"
"...."
"That's what collateral's for—against unforeseen risks. I'm cautious. Four million nyang's big even for me. Pay it back fine, no issue."
"T-True."
"Your assets are already collateralized fully, right?"
"...Yes."
"Then just transfer the rights to me."
In other words, fail to repay, and all Ji assets are mine.
"Interest at 15%."
"Th-That high?"
"Cheap. Check the markets—30-40% common."
"...."
"No worries. As I said, repay in full, done."
Four million nyang was huge.
Even frugally, repaying fast was tough.
They'd be under my thumb for years.
No escaping the leash.
Hence, practically no difference.
Selling this Luoyang manor or land could trim debt, but their pride said no.
"Shall we draft the contract?"
I drew it up with the family head, signed mutually, and sealed the deal.
"Want to reduce the debt a bit?"
"Hm?"
"Can shave off ten thousand nyang."
"What do you mean?"
"Literal. You need unity to overcome this—rallying morale."
"Not wrong, but what's your angle?"
"Angle? See this clause?"
It read: [The Ji family actively works to reduce debt, and Eun Seo-ho actively supports this.]
"Basing it on that."
"Ah, right."
"Not a bad offer," the young head said.
The family head nodded.
"Approved. Proceed."
"Thank you."
Now I've got grounds to summon Sister Hyang-ok.
I left the Ji manor.
Young Master Ji Kyung-hwa, seeing me off, said,
"Thanks for your patience."
He's the most awake one. Family's future isn't hopeless.
"And for saving our house."
"Depends on what you do next. Not fully revived yet."
"I know. But the fire's out for now."
He clearly disliked the head and young head's conduct too.
"Sparring tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"...Be careful. Your opponent has bad rumors."