Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: The White-Clothed Sect Leader's Fury
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Baek Yang-hui and the White-Clothed Sect Leader were old acquaintances.
More precisely, it was only from Baek Yang-hui's perspective.
'By the calendar, it's been well over twenty years.'
In his previous life, during the head-on clash between the White-Clothed Sect and the Jeongwol Sect.
The White-Clothed Sect Leader had been Baek Yang-hui's employer. As a peak expert, he had put on a brilliant show, so they'd shared quite a few conversations.
'Back then, I thought he was a pretty capable sect leader.'
People's standards truly change based on their circumstances and experiences.
To the twenty-two-year-old Baek Yang-hui of his previous life, the White-Clothed Sect Leader had no real flaws.
He'd more than doubled the White-Clothed Sect's power, fueled by immense ambition, so calling it merely "flawless" wouldn't do—it was outstanding competence.
'And yet this same man shows such shortcomings now.'
Judging from his words, the White-Clothed Sect Leader clearly had no idea what sort of relationship Baek Yang-hui and Yeo Gu-wi shared.
The White-Clothed Sect should have a decent intelligence network, making this quite odd.
'Well, a tool's true value depends on the hand that wields it.'
With that thought, he continued speaking.
"The Changil Escort Agency became the Namchang branch of the Heaven-Covering Escort Agency a few days ago."
"You bought out the Changil Escort Agency?"
"That's right."
The White-Clothed Sect Leader snorted dismissively before barking an order at Yeo Gu-wi without further ado.
"Agency Head Yeo. Change your mind. If you're selling the escort agency, I'll buy it myself."
"The problem is, the deal's already done."
Tak!
Baek Yang-hui rapped the table and turned to Yeo Gu-wi.
"Changil Branch Leader."
Not "Changil Escort Agency Head," but "Changil Branch Leader."
A single phrase telling him not to cling to the past now that their positions had changed.
He'd only spoken the title, but it was enough to snap Yeo Gu-wi back to his senses.
"Sect Leader Gong. What right do you have to give orders to this branch leader?"
"What did you say? Have you forgotten all the favors the White-Clothed Sect bestowed on the Changil Escort Agency? How can anyone be so ungrateful!"
"Favors? What favors! I've been annoyed by your way of thinking for a long time now, Sect Leader Gong. We got paid fairly for doing escort work—so why is that a debt!"
The spark had ignited. Yeo Gu-wi began listing every humiliation he'd endured from the position of the weaker party.
"It's called a commission, but every single time, we had to slip you extra kickbacks on the side! And you call that a favor? Ridiculous!"
"That was the price for monopolizing every single one of the White-Clothed Sect's commissions! Thanks to it, you clawed your way to Namchang's top escort agency—and now you sing a different tune?"
"Are you insulting my agency right now!"
"We raised you up nice and proper, and now this ungrateful backstabber dares whine about insults!"
"Backstabber? Did you just call me a backstabber? I won't stand for any more of your insolence!"
"You dare! Who do you think you're talking back to!"
Yeo Gu-wi trembled, his anger sharpening like a blade.
"I didn't want to stoop to this, but I have no choice. This Yeo has plenty to say to the White-Clothed Sect's elder council."
"You're really crossing the line. You think I'll just sit here?"
"And if you don't? Cut off the escort runs and business guard requests—what else can you do?"
"Urgh!"
Baek Yang-hui crossed his arms, a look of keen interest on his face.
'Well now, looks like there's been quite the drama brewing.'
It even felt like there were things they hadn't gotten around to mentioning yet.
That said, this Gong Ya-hyeok fellow. He was sorely lacking compared to his previous-life self.
Had age worn him down, or was there some other factor at play?
Either way, it was working in the Baek Clan's favor for now.
'Maybe I should stir the pot a bit more to smooth things along.'
"Branch Leader Yeo!"
He called out just a touch louder, and both Gong Ya-hyeok and Yeo Gu-wi whipped their heads around.
"Eldest Young Master. I showed you an ugly display. My apologies."
"Hm? I'm not here to scold you. Anyway, congratulations."
"On what?"
"You've become the owner of Yeongnak Street. You're on track to be Namchang's top tycoon—how could I not congratulate you?"
"Haha, it's all thanks to you, Young Master Baek. What have I done to deserve congratulations?"
"That's exactly why you deserve them. You sat there and reaped a massive windfall."
The White-Clothed Sect Leader's face grew rigid as he listened.
"Agency Head Yeo. You're the owner of Yeongnak Street?"
The sect leader knew the Baek Clan Manor was clearing out the slums to build a new street called Yeongnak Street.
But Yeo Gu-wi as the owner? That was completely out of left field.
"I heard the Baek Clan Manor was handling the entire slum cleanup. They're footing the bill too—so how are you the owner?"
"Nothing for Sect Leader Gong to meddle in."
"Answer me right now!"
The White-Clothed Sect Leader roared in fury at Yeo Gu-wi's impudent retort.
Baek Yang-hui answered in his place.
"The clan gave Branch Leader Yeo three thousand nyang in gold."
"What? Three thousand nyang in gold...?"
The sect leader's shock was so profound his face drained of color.
Three thousand nyang in gold.
Enough to open around a hundred decent taverns and inns—but to be precise, it was hard to grasp just how enormous a sum that was.
Three thousand nyang was enough to control an entire city.
A big one at that, the size of Namchang, the provincial capital.
'To put it simply, enough to shake the White-Clothed Sect to its foundations.'
"Lies! The Baek Clan Manor couldn't possibly have that kind of money!"
True enough. Not before they'd raided the Sword King's Mausoleum.
"What's a real man good for if he turns pale over a mere three thousand nyang? The total investment in Yeongnak Street is a whopping six thousand."
The sect leader's eyes nearly popped out.
Crisis had gripped him at three thousand alone—and now it doubled in an instant.
"Of which four thousand nyang in shares belong to Branch Leader Yeo."
The reason it was four thousand instead of three was simple.
Yeo Gu-wi had thrown in an extra thousand nyang from his own pocket after hearing the proposal.
Not only had the clan's three thousand been put to perfect use, but he'd even drawn in outside funds. The ideal outcome.
"Hahaha! Why talk of shares, Young Master? We're of one body now—no need to draw lines."
"Is that so? Nice words to hear, even if they're just for show."
"Just for show! You recognize this Yeo's loyalty, don't you, Young Master?"
He smiled softly and turned to the White-Clothed Sect Leader.
"Eternal Radiance Street will fade into obscurity."
Six thousand nyang in gold gave them more than enough power to make it happen.
It'd be a laughable sight for a street boasting such an arrogant name—"eternally shining"—to be overshadowed by the newcomer Yeongnak Street.
The White-Clothed Sect Leader's expression twisted into one reserved for blood-sworn enemies.
As if ready to fight to the death.
"So you betrayed the sect to leech off those masterless Baek rabble. Crystal clear now. You're all enemies of the sect."
You just figured that out? We've been at this 'previous life' business for days already.
"You've been slapped—so I'll take your heads. I'm cutting off every last commission from the White-Clothed Sect right now. How long do you think you can hold out?"
Sensing Yeo Gu-wi stiffen ever so slightly, the sect leader pressed on with supreme confidence.
"And that's not all. Yeongnak Street, was it? Looks like you're trying to make something rivaling our Eternal Radiance Street—but fat chance. Gamblers! Chefs! Courtesans! Namchang's very best in every field are all gathered at Eternal Radiance. Yeongnak?"
Unpleasant laughter filled the guest hall.
"Puhahaha! Eternal pleasures? Second-rate at best! You lot will never touch Eternal Radiance's glory!"
The White-Clothed Sect Leader bellowed arrogantly before kicking open the door and storming out.
"That guy—rattles just like an empty cart."
A jab at his loud voice backed by nothing substantial.
"Gong Ya-hyeok's always had that side to him. He became sect leader thanks to the groundwork laid by his father and grandfather, yet he thinks it's all his own brilliance. Anyway, my apologies, Young Master."
"For what?"
"Showing such an unsightly scene in front of you. Shameful as both your subordinate and your senior."
The corners of Yeo Gu-wi's mouth twitched up briefly before falling again.
"But he's not wrong. Namchang doesn't have any real signature attractions. Not like Muju County's Ak-an District where your clan... no, our Baek Clan is located, hugging a lake with such fine scenery."
True enough. Namchang had grown into a provincial capital purely thanks to its prime location as a transport hub.
Being convenient for travelers also meant no towering mountains, vast rivers, or expansive lakes nearby.
"If scenery can't draw crowds, we've only got one card left: people. On that front, Yeongnak Street surpassing Eternal Radiance really is a tall order."
Dishes crafted by chefs with exquisite palates.
Magnificent halls designed by master carpenters and adorned with paintings by peerless artists.
Inside, virtuoso musicians' melodies accompanied dances by stunning courtesans.
Eternal Radiance had it all—and every one was Namchang's undisputed best.
The secret behind it being the city's busiest street and red-light district.
"Just recruit from elsewhere. Throw money at them, and we'll snag top artisans and performers."
"Can't argue there—but courtesans are another story."
Courtesans were typically classed as top-rank, second-rank, or third-rank.
Top-rank courtesans—il-pae—matched great scholars in poetry, painting, and conversation, charming the windswept scholars and dandies alike, all while boasting peerless beauty. They were anything but common.
"Without top-rank courtesans, convincing Eternal Radiance's patrons to set foot in Yeongnak Street won't be easy, Young Master."
Namchang's most exceptional courtesans were all tied to brothels on Eternal Radiance Street.
Unlike other performers, courtesans were often bound to their establishments, impossible to poach even with premium pay.
"On top of that, Namchang's elites and power brokers all have ties to the White-Clothed Sect."
The sect was sure to apply subtle pressure, sweet-talking and coercing them.
Meaning it'd be an uphill battle to lure them away to Yeongnak Street.
"Now that I think about it, I'm starting to lose confidence. Can we really bring down Eternal Radiance...?"
Yeo Gu-wi trailed off, shooting Baek Yang-hui a sidelong glance.
His tone and expression hinted at second thoughts about the deal.
"Branch Leader Yeo."
"Speak, Young Master."
"Looks like crisis has struck."
"...You don't have something prepared?"
Baek Yang-hui sipped his cup leisurely as he replied.
"Not at all. When crisis hits, there's something I gave you to unfurl."
"Hm? You mean the sealed strategy booklet?"
Yeo Gu-wi's expression began to shift ever so slightly.
Watching him, Baek Yang-hui couldn't suppress a grin.
"Unfold the page marked with 'one'."
"Ooo—did you predict all this?!"
Face brimming with anticipation, Yeo Gu-wi tore open the envelope containing the booklet.
The paper marked with 一 bore exactly three lines.
[Above is Heaven itself—below, Su and Hang.]
[Hangzhou's Three Generations of Beauties]
[Hangzhou's Su Clan, descendant of Little-Little]
And yet, Yeo Gu-wi couldn't help but let out a cry of shock.
"No way! You mean that Su Su Su?!"