Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Crisis at Baekse Old Bookstore
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“Ugh, ugh, heuheuk...!”
Chui-dal sobbed for a good long while, tears and snot streaming down his face.
Watching him like that brought a moment from his previous life to mind.
‘Never seen this kid cry before.’
He had first met Chui-dal a few years before turning one in his previous life.
By then, he was already fully grown and had experienced every wind and wave the martial world could throw at him, so seeing him cry felt even stranger.
Even so, Chui-dal had always been an emotional guy.
He’d freely express whatever he felt, in a way that wasn’t very manly.
‘I’ll make sure you can live that way in this life too. No, you’ll have a far better life than before.’
In his previous life, Yang-hui had always felt a pang of regret whenever he saw Chui-dal.
The kid was a true prodigy, brimming with talent even if he didn’t measure up to Yang-hui himself.
But he’d grown up without proper support, leaving his skills far below what his gifts deserved. That had always gnawed at him.
‘This time, let’s go not just a hundred li, but a thousand—no, ten thousand li.’
Yang-hui smiled warmly, waiting for Chui-dal to stop crying.
Soon enough, Chui-dal wiped his tear-streaked face and expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you for your grace, brother.”
“Grace? What grace?”
“You broke through that Heartless Art I forced myself to learn.”
“Oh, that. You’re too good for trash like the Heartless Art anyway. Once we get back to the clan manor, you can learn proper martial arts.”
Conveniently, Yang-hui already had someone in mind as a teacher for Chui-dal.
Born nimble like a cat, with an uncanny knack for moving silently—Chui-dal was perfect for it.
And the ideal master for him was right there in Baek Clan Manor.
“Anyway. Now that you’ve calmed down, let’s get going. Sit next to me.”
“Yes, brother.”
“Hey, you brats! Who said you could just plop down like that? You’re both conscious now—get off!”
Yang-hui called out innocently to the fuming Gu-ak.
“Aigoo! My internal injuries from that bloody fight at the gambling den, ugh!”
“I know you’re not hurt, you punk!”
Oh, not buying it. Time for Plan B.
Yang-hui began trembling like a leaf in the wind.
“Heuk, the mental shock from my first kill...! If only I’d reached the Peak Realm, I wouldn’t have had to kill at eight years old...”
“......”
Gu-ak fell silent for a moment. Come to think of it, an eight-year-old had just taken his first life.
He’d overlooked it because the kid was so un-childlike... but logically, it must have been a massive trauma.
‘No matter how mature he acts, he’s still a kid. The fact that he’s not acting like one might mean he’s hiding it well.’
“......You okay?”
“Of course not. My hands are shaking, and I’m barely holding back tears.”
“I’m sorry. As your guard, I failed in my duty.”
“So... I can keep sitting?”
“......Do that.”
Yang-hui grinned at the back of Gu-ak’s head.
Of course, there was no shock from a first kill.
‘After twenty years wandering as a ronin, what shock from killing?’
Mission accomplished.
“......I’ll get down. I think I can walk.”
Yang-hui stopped Chui-dal, who was eyeing a chance to slip off Gu-ak’s back.
“Hey now. Chui-dal, Brother Gu here has a generous heart. He’s not the type to make a kid who just fainted and woke up walk.”
“......Yeah. You stay up there too.”
“See? Told you.”
“Thank you.”
“Good. Remember: obey your big brother, and you’ll get rice cakes even in your sleep.”
Gu-ak inwardly fumed. Why’s this punk getting the thanks when I’m the pack mule?
Meanwhile, Yang-hui stretched out his hand and shouted.
“Alright then, to Baek Clan Manor!”
“Straight to Baek Clan Manor? Didn’t you say we had to stop at the Baekse Old Bookstore in Nanchang on the way, little brother?”
“It’s on the way anyway. Same difference.”
To get from the valley where Chui-dal had stayed to Baek Clan Manor in Wuju, they had to pass through Nanchang.
“Alright, giddyup!”
“......”
“Not going? Giddyup!”
Gu-ak vowed to himself.
If they hit a mud puddle on the way, he’d give this brat a good thrashing.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ It took three days to reach Nanchang.
It would’ve been over six by carriage, but Gu-ak’s diligent lightness skill made the difference.
“Chui-dal, what do you think? First time in the capital?”
Nanchang, the provincial capital of Jiangxi Province. Its size and bustling streets dwarfed Ak-an County.
But instead of answering right away, Chui-dal shot Yang-hui a sullen glare.
“If I say yes, you’ll tease me for being a country bumpkin?”
He’d always been polite before, but now his tone matched his pouty eyes.
Blame the past six days of Yang-hui’s relentless teasing.
Chui-dal had felt indebted for the rescue, but he couldn’t endure the tongue-lashing.
“I can tell from your eyes. Take a good look around. We’re only staying a few days before heading to Baek Clan Manor.”
“Hmph! I passed the age for gawking at markets ages ago!”
“Says the seven-year-old.”
“Brother’s only eight!”
“......You little shits! How long are you gonna yap on my back?!”
Gu-ak finally snapped.
He poked Yang-hui and Chui-dal, who hopped down.
It’d been fine so far, but the marketplace had eyes everywhere.
Gu-ak prized his pride and face; giving him some now would let Yang-hui ride him again later.
“So how do we find the Baekse Old Bookstore in this huge Nanchang? Know the location, little brother?”
“Brother Gu. You’re my guard, and you didn’t even scout that much?”
“......”
“Chui-dal, Brother Gu’s so thoughtless. Don’t ever learn from him.”
Chui-dal couldn’t nod.
Gu-ak’s face was flushed purple with rage.
‘How does brother not flinch at that face?’
Just a year older, but worlds apart in guts.
Or maybe his gall bladder was swollen solid.
Chui-dal couldn’t help thinking it.
“Don’t worry, Brother Gu. I know the way.”
Yang-hui led them to the southern market district of Nanchang.
“That’s Baekse Old Bookstore.”
“Heard they only sell books, but it’s pretty big.”
“It’s called a bookstore, but it’s really a merchant house specializing in books and paper.”
“Got it. Let’s go eat first. Days of camping and rations have my mouth all dry.”
Unfortunately, Gu-ak’s hopes were dashed.
Inside the Baekse Old Bookstore was total chaos.
Yang-hui spotted Chu Yong-wol among those grimly cleaning up and called out.
“Sister Chu!”
“Eek, oh, Young Master Baek...?”
“What happened here?!”
“W-Why did you come all the way from Wuju...?”
“I invested money and haven’t heard a peep in over half a year. Had to check.”
He’d handed over three manuscripts total.
Even accounting for carving woodblocks and printing, half a year was too long with no word.
That’s why he’d planned to stop by.
“......I have no face.”
Chu Yong-wol bowed deeply to Yang-hui, sincerity in her eyes.
“I’m sorry. Not only did we miss the deadline, we didn’t even warn you.”
“Baek Clan Manor isn’t harsh with partners. Was it unavoidable?”
Chu Yong-wol nodded faintly and gestured aside.
“......Not a talk for here. Come this way.”
In the parlor behind the bookstore, they sat and waited. A servant brought tea.
Chu Yong-wol let out a deep sigh heavy with hardship, then began.
“Truth is... Baekse Old Bookstore has debts.”
“Debts? Why not say so?”
“It wasn’t serious. Merchant houses take loans to expand all the time. The problem is...”
Nanchang had three top merchant houses by scale.
Namgeum Merchant House made its coin from usury and wartime profiteering.
Baekse had borrowed from them to expand.
That was the root of it all.
“They kept extending a month, two months past due without pressing, so we let our guard down. Our mistake.”
They’d believed no need to renew the contract if no rush.
But rumors of Baekse’s huge investment spread, and Namgeum showed its true colors.
“Namgeum lent to swallow us whole from the start, letting payments slide without renewing the contract.”
“Can’t you pay it off?”
Recovering investment funds for expansion took time.
Yet Namgeum sent thugs daily to wreck the place.
“And we can’t hand over Baek Clan Manor’s investment either. That’s why we’ve been holding out—until you arrived.”
After Chu Yong-wol’s tale, Yang-hui summed it up.
‘In a way, this is our fault.’
Baek Clan Manor’s huge investment.
Namgeum scrapped plans to devour Baekse, now squeezing for profit instead.
‘No. They’d have bared fangs eventually. This is why Baekse rose as a new powerhouse only after ten years.’
Chu Yong-wol became a famed merchant in a decade.
That silent decade? Likely Namgeum’s shadow.
“When can you sell the books?”
Chu Yong-wol steeled her expression.
“Woodblocks are done. Print on blank books, and we’re ready. But...”
“Buying blank books in bulk would tip off Namgeum, giving them ammo.”
“Exactly, Young Master.”
‘Hmm. What to do.’
They had failed to deliver as promised.
But scolding her now was shortsighted.
Better to show leniency, build trust and goodwill.
Chu Yong-wol was a future merchant legend.
“I understand the situation. Father will be understanding too.”
“Young Master...”
She gazed at him, moved.
Score.
Now, to pile on the debt.
‘Perfect timing. Let’s help and grab more benefits for the clan.’
“One question, Sister Chu. No Namgeum interference, and sales start right away?”
“Of course. I stake my name—no, Baekse’s all on it.”
“Good. I’ll clear them out.”
“Pardon? How...?”
“I have ways.”
‘Namgeum falls in about fifteen years, right?’
Daring to mess with Baek Clan business?
Time they crashed sooner.
With a big juicy bite too.
Yang-hui grinned wickedly.