I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 111

< Two Birds with One Stone 1 >

It wasn’t a long time, but it felt like being dragged to a battlefield and returning after decades.

Seeing Gu Seung, Jang Cheon-yang, Yeom-sin, and others welcoming Jo Gwang-yun, Gaebong felt like home.

Especially Yeom-sin’s eyes were extraordinary.

“You have obtained a great opportunity. Congratulations, Sect Leader.”

“I was lucky. But is it that obvious?”

“Your aura has been extraordinary since before, so I was half-doubtful, but I knew it when I saw your eyes. Most people will have difficulty looking directly into the Sect Leader’s eyes.”

“Even on the way here, my master kept nagging me that I need to conceal my inner energy.”

“With such overflowing energy, it doesn’t seem easy. Haha.”

Yeom-sin didn’t hide his envy as a martial artist.

“I have a favor to ask of you, Great Man.”

“Tell me, Sect Leader.”

“I made a big promise in Hwasan [a prestigious Taoist sect]. It’s hard to ignore it because the name of Hwasan carries weight.”

“Is it a promise to learn Hwasan’s martial arts?”

“How did you know?”

Surprised, Jo Gwang-yun asked, and Yeom-sin said nonchalantly.

“Isn’t that the nature of a sect? To have their martial arts learned by talented individuals and raise their name in Gangho [the martial arts world]. The older the sect, the stronger the desire. Because they want to maintain their history.”

“I see.”

“Ah, right. What were you about to say earlier…?”

“So, I have to learn Hwasan’s martial arts, but I don’t have a training room, do I? I’ve never trained in martial arts before, so I don’t even know how to make a training room. Could you make one near my residence?”

“I will do that. Since you are learning Hwasan’s martial arts, I should make it especially sturdy. Please sleep somewhere else while I make the training room. I will make it in the basement of the Sect Leader’s residence.”

“Bring as many workers as you need. The faster, the better.”

“It won’t take many days. But may I ask a favor of you, Sect Leader?”

“Don’t hesitate to speak.”

“After you have mastered the Plum Blossom Sword, would you spar with me once?”

“Spar?”

“Yes. I haven’t yet seen the essence of Hwasan…”

“Just a moment.”

Jo Gwang-yun took out a few books from the drawer.

“These are handwritten copies I received from Hwasan. Look at them until the training room is completed. No, make another copy and train with it.”

Yeom-sin was startled and took a step back.

“No, what are you saying right now?”

“Why? If Great Warrior Yeom learns Hwasan’s martial arts, won’t he become stronger?”

“That is impossible. Absolutely not. Just in case, don’t give them to other disciples. It will be a disaster.”

Jo Gwang-yun was taken aback by the completely different reaction, expecting him to be grateful.

“If it gets out that I have learned Hwasan’s martial arts, all the Hwasan disciples will hunt me down with fire in their eyes. And they will ask about the source of the martial arts. No, they won’t even ask. Everyone knows that I am part of the Changryong Gate. Then the Sect Leader will be guilty of leaking the sect’s martial arts.”

Yeom-sin didn’t bother to say what kind of punishment he would receive. Jo Gwang-yun, who had received Hwasan’s grace, would not lightly regard what Hwasan valued.

“Geez, copyright is scary everywhere I go.”

Jo Gwang-yun waved his hand as Yeom-sin blinked at his muttering.

“It’s nothing. Anyway, I understand what you mean, so don’t worry. I’ll keep it to myself. Haha.”

* * *

The joy of returning to daily life was fleeting, and the work at Hwasan was quickly forgotten as he received reports on pending issues and began processing them.

What had changed was that he spent a little more time in the training room prepared in his residence.

He found it more interesting to handle the throwing knives given by Noh Hye-gwang than to read the difficult texts of the Hwasan martial arts manual.

Giving up the desire to handle all eight at once and starting one by one, he was sometimes able to draw the trajectory as he intended, though not perfectly.

It was fun to see something he had only seen in movies become possible with his own power, and he sometimes stayed up all night training.

However, the work he had started did not give him time to focus on training.

Like that guy Lee Geon, who suddenly came to him and appealed to the crisis.

“I am relieved to see you in good health, Sect Leader.”

“Lee Geon, the Inspection Department Head of the Mukdo Association [a martial arts organization], appearing makes me nervous for no reason. You’re not here to collect tribute, are you? Haha.”

“Your jokes are too much. Hehe.”

Lee Geon flinched at Jo Gwang-yun’s changed appearance but didn’t ask in detail. The urgent matter was a priority.

“So, how is the Mukdo Association? Has Great Man Lee Hak-rin completely taken over?”

“Before that, let me ask you one thing. Is Association Leader Hyuk Si-mok definitely dead?”

“Yes. We buried him and all his subordinates ourselves.”

Lee Geon sighed in relief after hearing Jo Gwang-yun’s confirmation.

“It seems that Great Man Lee Hak-rin hasn’t told Lee Hyeong everything yet.”

“Isn’t he in a position where he can’t trust anyone right now? I understand well enough.”

Looking at his troubled expression, it seemed there were many problems.

“Looking at Lee Hyeong’s face, I think I’ve heard the answer to my question.”

Lee Hak-rin had not yet completely taken control of the Mukdo Association.

“What’s the problem?”

At the direct question, Lee Geon hesitated for a moment and said.

“They are ignorant and have no thoughts, but… there are some who have an amazing sense of smell. Those guys think that Great Man Lee Hak-rin killed Association Leader Hyuk Si-mok and took over the Mukdo Association.”

“I don’t know if they have good judgment or a good sense of smell.”

“No. They are just quick-witted.”

“I’d be disappointed if Great Man Lee Hak-rin can’t even suppress that much?”

“I told you once before, didn’t I? Lee Daein’s personality is too much of a stretch to call him a member of the Black Faction [a group known for their ruthless methods]. It seems he is looking for justification. If it were me, I would have killed them all and pacified them.”

Combining Lee Geon’s words, it wasn’t a situation to be too concerned about.

No matter how righteous Lee Hak-rin’s personality is, he is a member of the Black Faction. The Black Faction eventually solves problems with blood when cornered.

Lee Hak-rin, the strongest member of the Black Faction, would not be easily defeated.

‘This friend… has other intentions.’

That was Jo Gwang-yun’s thought.

“So what’s the conclusion? Do you think Great Man Lee Hak-rin will be ousted? Or will he be killed like Hyuk Si-mok?”

“I don’t know yet. But it is true that Great Man Lee Hak-rin is in a very difficult situation.”

Jo Gwang-yun smiled at Lee Geon, who still didn’t reveal his true feelings.

“You don’t want to seize the opportunity in this time of change that will never come again, do you?”

“Yes?”

“I know very well that you are not satisfied with just being the head of the Inspection Department. The Lee Hak-rin system will solidify over time, and you want to earn his favor by making achievements before that happens, don’t you?”

Lee Geon couldn’t meet Jo Gwang-yun’s eyes as he stared straight at him.

People can change after overcoming a near-death experience, but their nature does not change.

If it were the Jo Gwang-yun that Lee Geon knew, he would not have spoken so openly. If he knew the other person’s intentions, wouldn’t he be a cunning person who would think about how to use them?

But the current Jo Gwang-yun was different.

The eyes looking at him are complicated. He seemed annoyed by being bothered by trivial matters, and he also seemed disappointed in Lee Geon for not being honest.

The most certain thing was displeasure.

Lee Geon felt that Jo Gwang-yun was displeased with him right now.

And at this moment, he also knew that the equal relationship in which the two called each other ‘hyung’ [an honorific term for older brother or close male friend] was over.

It’s not because of the deep relationship between Jo Gwang-yun and Lee Hak-rin, who took over the Mukdo Association. Considering the relationship between the two, Jo Gwang-yun doesn’t even need to deal with Lee Geon in the future.

But the reason why the equal relationship ended now is simpler.

Lee Geon was afraid of Jo Gwang-yun’s eyes.

Jo Gwang-yun, knowing or not knowing Lee Geon’s heart, said without showing any expression.

“When internal affairs are turbulent, it is standard practice to turn your eyes outward.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you drive out all the guys who are likely to cause big accidents inside, then the fight must be done outside. The one who gets hurt the most when a fight breaks out in the house is the leader.”

The first political act of kings who seized power by unscrupulous means is war.

You can wage a big war under the pretext of conquest, or you can wage a small war under the pretext of suppression.

War is the most effective way to suppress internal rebellion.

“Aren’t they people who like to fight? Tell them to turn their eyes to that side because there is a good cause for expanding their power.”

“If the Mukdo Association comes forward, will the other side stay still? The place where we will clash is the Orthodox Murim [the orthodox martial arts world] anyway.”

“Lee Hyeong has changed a lot too. Seeing him start to be aware of this and that, it seems he is comfortable now.”

“Ah, no… It’s not that, but if a big game is about to happen, I think Lee Daein will be reluctant…”

Jo Gwang-yun smiled at the flustered Lee Geon.

“Go and rest for a while.”

“Yes?”

“While you are resting, I will write a letter. Give it to Lee Daein. Anyway, the final decision will be made by Lee Daein.”

Lee Geon confirmed another fact.

He was now nothing more than a messenger delivering Jo Gwang-yun’s letters.

* * *

Lee Hak-rin tore open the letter that Lee Geon had given him. Judging by the seal, it was clear that Lee Geon did not know the contents.

“Then I will step down.”

Lee Hak-rin gestured to Lee Geon, who was bowing his head.

“Wait.”

“Yes.”

Lee Geon was on pins and needles while Lee Hak-rin read the letter.

He was worried about what to do if the letter contained content criticizing him.

The letter that had been read turned to dust in Lee Hak-rin’s hands.

“So, is that guy okay?”

“Yes.”

He didn’t say that he was not only okay but also changed beyond comparison from before. He didn’t want to recall his appearance in front of Jo Gwang-yun.

“That’s a relief. I thought it would be difficult to recover.”

Lee Hak-rin said briefly and closed his mouth again, and Lee Geon’s anxiety continued.

After a long time, Lee Hak-rin put the contents of the letter into words.

“Jo Gwang-yun said you hold the answer.”

“Yes?”

“He says the answer is Sichuan [a province in China], what does that mean?”

Sichuan?

Lee Geon was puzzled by the absurd words.

If it’s Sichuan, isn’t it all about going with Jo Gwang-yun when he went to buy silk before? But there is a solution in Sichuan?

Lee Hak-rin frowned as Lee Geon shook his head, not knowing why.

“Jo Gwang-yun is overestimating you. The guy who holds the answer doesn’t even know what he’s holding.”

Lee Geon racked his brains.

This is a test.

Clearly, the letter will contain the reason why Sichuan is the answer. It’s just that he doesn’t know whether the person testing him is Jo Gwang-yun or Lee Hak-rin.

“Ah…!”

Something flashed through his mind.

The answer is the Sichuan Tang Clan [a powerful clan known for their poison and assassination techniques].

Lee Geon carefully opened his mouth.

“The Tang Clan controls the Sichuan region.”

“Is there anyone who doesn’t know that?”

“It’s more than the influence of the Se-ga [powerful aristocratic families] of the Orthodox Faction. If other sects knew, they would be pointed at.”

“More details.”

Lee Geon was convinced that his answer was correct when Lee Hak-rin showed interest.

“The Tang Clan controls the underground business, which is usually the domain of our Black Faction, in Sichuan. It’s such a remote and remote area that our Mukdo Association doesn’t pay much attention to it.”

“So?”

“If the Mukdo Association wants to expand its power, I think Sichuan is suitable. It’s difficult for the Tang Clan to come forward openly.”

“Hmm…”

Lee Hak-rin stared at Lee Geon and asked briefly.

“But I have no intention of expanding my power? Even if I expand, why would I touch that distant Sichuan? There are many places nearby?”

Lee Geon was speechless.

He felt like he had been caught up in something because he was talking nonsense without knowing the contents of the letter.

< Two Birds with One Stone 1 > End