I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 19

A smile slowly spread across Yoo Chu-saeng’s face.

“Those words saved you. You’re a worthy replacement for Yang Cheong. Clever. You know how to survive.”

“You flatter me.”

Money has no name tag. Even if the owner changes, money is still money.

The money changed from Yang Cheong to Jo Gwang-yun.

Yoo Chu-saeng thought that if this money came into his pockets, and even more of it, Jo Gwang-yun wouldn’t be so bad.

Hadn’t he already given him these enormous land and house documents?

“You don’t have to pretend to be humble. More importantly, there’s something I need you to do.”

“Tell me.”

“It’s not easy for me to keep these documents. Especially owning fields and having to manage tenant farmers… it’s not something a martial artist like me should be doing.”

He understood immediately.

“I’ll liquidate everything and bring it back as gold.”

“Exactly. You’re much quicker than that bitch Yang Cheong. Haha.”

Yoo Chu-saeng laughed loudly and leaned back in his chair.

They had both confirmed their true intentions: work hard to make money, give it to the Murim Alliance [a powerful martial arts association], and take a reasonable cut of the leftovers.

“But there’s one thing I’m curious about.”

“Yes.”

“How did you kill Yang Cheong? Did you twist her neck? Or smash her head with a rock?”

Jo Gwang-yun was momentarily taken aback. He couldn’t understand why he was bringing up a finished story again. But looking at Yoo Chu-saeng’s expression, he knew it was simple curiosity.

A swordsman who had lived a plain life in Gaebong without any thrilling sword fights. Was he trying to satisfy his craving for blood through vicarious experience?

“I used a dagger.”

“A dagger? Where? The heart?”

“I stabbed her in the neck.”

“The neck?”

Yoo Chu-saeng suddenly frowned.

“That’s where a lot of blood splatters. If she coughs when the blade goes in, it’s a mess. Next time, stab the heart.”

Was he joking or serious…? Jo Gwang-yun simply nodded.

“And one more thing.”

“…?”

“Have you ever learned martial arts?”

Again with martial arts. Even though he had obtained a huge amount of gold, why was he so curious about whether someone had learned martial arts or not? Jo Gwang-yun barely managed to hold back a burst of laughter.

“I only learned how to swing a sword while doing embroidery at the escort agency. It’s embarrassing to call it martial arts.”

“Even Lee Hak-lin thought highly of your potential, but you refused to learn martial arts? Why?”

Jo Gwang-yun paused to gather his thoughts before asking a question in return.

“Sir, may I ask you something?”

“Speak.”

“Which is more difficult, studying martial arts (武) or studying literature (文)?”

“It’s hard to see the end of martial arts… and although I’ve neglected my studies, I’ve heard that literature also requires a lifetime of learning. It’s hard to say which is superior, right?”

“Then how much martial arts do I need to learn to be considered proficient?”

“Your natural talent is excellent, but your age is a disadvantage. So you’d have to dedicate yourself to training for at least ten years to avoid getting beaten up wherever you go.”

“Yes. That’s why I don’t have my mind on martial arts. The money I can earn in ten years of work versus the level of martial arts I can achieve in ten years of training… Even a simple comparison shows that the former is much more profitable, isn’t it?”

“What? Hahaha.”

Yoo Chu-saeng slapped his forehead and laughed loudly.

“So you’re saying you’re too busy making money to train in martial arts? That’s the most absurd answer I’ve ever heard.”

“Of course, I could take some time out to learn martial arts in my spare time. But what master would teach a disciple who only shows up when they have time? That’s not the attitude to have towards a master, is it?”

Yoo Chu-saeng waved his hand as if he didn’t need to hear any more.

“So you mean you don’t have the time or the circumstances. Understood. Get out.”

As Jo Gwang-yun politely bowed and turned to leave, Yoo Chu-saeng said,

“By the way, aren’t you greatly mistaken about something?”

“Yes?”

“No matter how much money you make, that money belongs to our Murim Alliance, so you’ll never be rich. Did you forget?”

Yoo Chu-saeng glared at Jo Gwang-yun as he turned away, but Jo Gwang-yun quietly smiled.

“I haven’t forgotten. But even a great power holder’s slave shares in that power, even if their status is low.”

“A slave with power?”

“The eunuchs of the imperial palace are slaves of the emperor. But many high-ranking officials are mindful of the Chief Eunuch’s every move, aren’t they?”

“That’s because the Chief Eunuch has been serving the emperor since he was young, so the emperor trusts and cherishes him. It’s impossible without the emperor’s trust.”

“If I earn a lot of money for the Murim Alliance, wouldn’t I become like a Chief Eunuch who is deeply trusted by the emperor?”

Jo Gwang-yun finished speaking and met Yoo Chu-saeng’s gaze.

“There’s some truth to that. I’ll look forward to it.”
Yoo Chu-saeng nodded and stood up, then rummaged through the bookshelf on the wall. He dusted off a dusty book and threw it to Jo Gwang-yun.

“I’m giving this to you since you say you don’t have time. Learn it in your spare time. It’s the first gift I’m giving you.”

He took the book and saw that it was titled ‘Soul Severing Sword Technique (斷魂劍法)’.

“It’s a sword technique that aims for speed (快), but it’s not a very high level. However, there’s nothing better for learning how to hold a sword and move it like your own hand. Learn it when you have time. It’s hard to expect any martial arts achievement, but at least you can take care of your health.”

Jo Gwang-yun laughed at the word ‘health,’ reminded of his past when he signed up for a gym membership and only showered twice, but Yoo Chu-saeng saw it as a sign that he liked the gift.

“Thank you, sir.”

“And when you turn the documents into gold bars… no, you keep two parts and use it wisely when you need it. It’s the second gift.”

What did that mean again?

Was he sharing the ill-gotten gains to create a sense of complicity? Or was he being generous because there was too much? Or…?

‘Ah… I see. He’s subtly telling me the profit-sharing ratio.’

It was 9 to 1 with Yang Cheong, and 8 to 2 with him. But Yang Cheong might have taken 90%.

“It’s alright.”

When Jo Gwang-yun feigned refusal, Yoo Chu-saeng said firmly,

“Use it. Don’t make me say it twice.”

“I am grateful for your grace, sir.”

As Jo Gwang-yun left, a smile spread across his face.

“Thanks to that guy, I might be able to make a fortune myself? Hehe.”

* * *

“Boss. Are you really thinking of expanding the business?”

“How much money have we given them so far, and they want us to expand even more?”

“Even though the Green Blood Clan are country bumpkins from the mountains, they have guts. If we start a fight, a lot of our guys will get hurt. And the Murim Alliance won’t compensate us for that.”

It was a meeting to decide whether to keep the fire that Jo Gwang-yun had started alive or to put it out, but most people said it should be put out.

Wi Dal drank his wine without saying anything, even as his men babbled on.

After a long time of talking, the men gestured towards Ok Gang-il. They wanted him to express their opinions well.

But Ok Gang-il pretended not to see their eyes and quietly sipped his wine.

He knew that no matter how much they talked, it was useless unless Wi Dal asked him directly. They had been together for years, but most of them didn’t know this simple fact.

Eventually, everyone closed their mouths and drank their wine for a long time until Wi Dal slammed his glass down and opened his mouth.

“Fuck the Murim Alliance and all that bullshit!”

Everyone except Ok Gang-il’s face lit up. They would avoid the fight. Then the only thing left was the Murim Alliance, which was a problem for the higher-ups to deal with. They just had to watch, so they didn’t have to worry about anything.

But Wi Dal’s next words were like dropping fire on their feet instead of watching a fire across the river.

“But we’re going to crush the Green Blood Clan. Everyone, be prepared!”

End