I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 118

< Master and Disciple? 2 >

The magistrate’s perceptiveness was remarkable.

“As long as we keep the rats out of the granary, the damage will be minimal. But what about the hordes of rats in the mountains and fields? If they have nothing to eat, they’ll devour each other.”

“Or they might migrate to a faraway place.”

“Indeed. And while we may dislike flies, we can’t eliminate the outhouse. Humans are creatures that excrete, after all. Haha.”

“That’s right. We only need to prevent flies from disgustingly buzzing around the dining table. Enduring them buzzing around during excretion is tolerable.”

The magistrate smiled faintly, glanced at Jo Gwang-yun, and then addressed his senior colleagues, the former officials.

“You old fellows are truly fortunate. I thought you’d be benefiting from a wealthy disciple in your old age, but having such a wise one must make teaching a pleasure.”

“We haven’t been master and disciple for long, so I didn’t know, but it seems we old ones should be learning from him instead. Haha.”

The magistrate turned back to Jo Gwang-yun.

“The livelihood of the rogues is like an outhouse, is that what you mean?”

“Yes, it’s a place that satisfies the dark nature inherent in humans. Even if we mobilize government troops today to wipe them out, someone will start again as long as human nature remains.”

“So, we should just leave them alone?”

“I once drove out a group of black marketeers in Gaebong.”

“Oh, you’ve done such a thing?”

“Yes. It started with the collaboration of the Changryong Gate [a powerful merchant guild] and the government troops. But I intentionally didn’t completely eradicate them, only driving them to the outskirts of Gaebong.”

“You left a minimal place for humans to ‘excrete’ their desires.”

The magistrate clapped his knee in understanding.

“That’s right. But I thoroughly prevented them from coming into the light, so the rats wouldn’t gnaw at the granary’s provisions.”

“Then shouldn’t we do the same here in Seongdo? Drive those guys to a more remote place.”

“They are already killing each other. Their power will weaken, so it’s no different from chasing them out.”

Jo Gwang-yun looked at Dang Neung and continued.

“The esteemed Dang Dae-hyeop [Great Hero] here is a pillar of the righteous martial world. Thanks to Dang Dae-hyeop’s prestige, those vile fellows have never been able to come into the light. Isn’t that so? Great man.”

Dang Neung wanted to tear apart Jo Gwang-yun’s face as he smiled at him, but he had to force a smile. How could he say no?

“Jo Jang-ju [Head of the Jo Clan] is flattering this old man. Haha.”

He made a show of humility, but it was an admission that Jo Gwang-yun’s words were true.

The magistrate looked at Dang Neung and nodded approvingly.

“The name of the Dang family is not in vain, as everyone in Sichuan already acknowledges. Truly impressive, Dang Mun-ju [Head of the Dang Family].”

“You flatter me.”

“No, I’ve newly realized that the reason the martial world of Sichuan isn’t swept by a cold wind is because the Dang family is firmly standing guard. I trust you will continue to steadfastly hold that position.”

“Our family will do our utmost for the peace of Sichuan.”

Dang Neung bowed, and the magistrate rose from his seat.

“Then I’ll leave you martial artists to continue enjoying your entertainment. This official, disliked by martial artists, will take his leave. Haha.”

The magistrate repeatedly burst into pleasant laughter.

“Ah, Jo Jang-ju.”

“Yes.”

“Do you perhaps have any remaining business here?”

“No, I was just about to return to Gaebong.”

“Then stop by the government office for a cup of tea. With your masters, of course.”

“I am overwhelmed that you would invite a humble merchant to the government office.”

Jo Gwang-yun bowed his head and followed behind the magistrate.

Dang Neung gnashed his teeth as he watched them leave.

As soon as they were completely gone, Dang Neung immediately went inside, and his son announced that the meeting was over.

* * *

Dang Neung, seated with his sons, gripped his trembling hand tightly.

Seeing this, Dang Ok gnashed his teeth and said.

“Father, I will strike Jo Gwang-yun.”

“Be quiet.”

“No, it’s definitely possible if he leaves the government office and enters a secluded path. Didn’t you say all the escort warriors are in Misan?”

Dang Neung let out a long sigh. He didn’t raise his voice, thinking it was just youthful anger.

“What about those old men with him? Didn’t you hear? They are former court officials. If they die, do you think the magistrate will stay still? No, government troops will be spread throughout Sichuan Province. Naturally, our family will be the first to be suspected.”

His son closed his mouth, and he shook his head.

“Jo Gwang-yun brought hundreds of escort warriors… no, it’s as good as bringing thousands. With court officials and even a royal physician. Foolish thoughts are forbidden.”

“Then are we just supposed to watch this happen?”

“There is a more urgent matter than that right now.”

Dang Neung lowered his voice.

“Everyone who knows we are associated with the black market must disappear.”

“Father, if we eliminate them…”

“Yes. We lose everything. But this is necessary. We must erase everything and start again at the right time.”

Anger was more evident than regret on Dang Neung’s face.

“Today, Jo Gwang-yun’s expression and words said it all. That guy wants to expose our close relationship with the Sichuan black market. Even if he fails, at least one of our financial sources will disappear. Big and small, we must choose one to discard. Naturally, we must discard the small one, wouldn’t you agree?”

Dang Neung looked at Dang Ok and said.

“Ok-ah.”

“Yes.”

“You must exterminate those who contacted you. Not a single one must survive. Move without fail. Secretly.”

“Yes.”

Dang Ok looked around at his brothers with a determined expression.

“It might be difficult for me alone, so we will do it together.”

“Yes. There shouldn’t be any problems with the five of you. You know well that this task cannot be entrusted to someone else, right? Use your own hands.”

“Yes, Father.”

The five sons bowed their heads.

Dang Neung had never felt so reassured by having many sons as he did today.

* * *

Lee Geon arrived in Misan with a carriage.

A Changryong Gate warrior who had been waiting for him slightly bowed his head, and Lee Geon said.

“There are six. I’ve sealed their blood points [pressure points], so they’ll be quiet.”

“Six in that narrow carriage?”

“I just piled them in. They’re not nobles, so what does it matter?”

“Well, being dragged along tied up would be a luxury for them. Hehe.”

Lee Geon smiled along.

“They are the ones who directly met with the Dang family’s bloodline. There should be more, but it seems they died while being cut down.”

Lee Geon pointed to the carriage.

“I interrogated them severely, so it’s certain. They are the ones who met face-to-face with Dang Mun’s third son, Dang Ok, and delivered the money.”

“You’ve worked hard. Jo Jang-ju said to stop by sometime.”

“What hard work… it’s just securing our financial source anyway. Anyway, thank you. Please tell him I’ll visit as soon as things are finished here.”

Lee Geon returned to Seongdo with a light heart.

There was still work left to do.

* * *

Dang Ok went to an inn alone and ordered some alcohol.

He had been secretly searching for days, but there was no one to be found.

‘Did they all die?’

He thought it was rather fortunate. He wouldn’t have to stain his hands with blood, and his father’s concerns would be resolved.

If he had at least confirmed the corpses himself, this unease wouldn’t be there, but that was a bit regrettable.

“Tigers die the most when they are cubs because they travel with their mother and only see everyone running away. They think it’s because of their mother, not themselves, so they don’t know how scary the world is.”

“A tiger cub is as good as dead if it meets just one weasel. Hehe.”

Dang Ok bit his lip tightly.

It was his fault for not paying attention to his surroundings because he was lost in thought. And it was also because he was complacent, thinking that there was no one in Sichuan who would dare to touch the Dang family’s bloodline.

As three men with murderous intent entered, the guests at the inn left one by one.

“Looks like our guests have arrived. There are many seats, so sit anywhere.”

He spoke boldly, but it was too obvious that his voice was trembling.

“Oh, he’s about to cry. Hehe.”

The three men sneered and surrounded Dang Ok.

One of the men put his hand on Dang Ok’s shoulder and said.

“We didn’t come to kill you or fight. Our big brother came in person to deliver a message, so you just need to not forget your manners.”

“If you show even a little bit of impudence that goes against etiquette, you’re a dead man. This isn’t about the black or white market; it’s about human decency towards elders.”

Dang Ok was relieved just by the fact that he was still alive.

He looked towards the entrance and saw an old man with a white beard slowly walking in.

A man kicked Dang Ok’s chair, and Dang Ok jumped up.

“Haha. Just sit down. You should fill your stomach, as it might be the last meal you eat in this world.”

Red-Faced Devil Old Man, Gu Ye, sat heavily across from Dang Ok with a benevolent smile.

“The third son, is it?”

Dang Ok swallowed hard. Just from the aura he exuded, he was no ordinary old man. If there was such a figure in the black market, he thought it must be the Mukdo Association [a powerful underworld organization].

“That’s right.”

“The Dang family doesn’t know who we are right now, do they?”

“I didn’t know until now, but I know now.”

“Oh, a quick-witted fellow.”

“I didn’t know the Mukdo Association was eyeing Sichuan.”

Dang Ok wanted to escalate the current situation as much as possible. That was the only way to ensure his safety, even if just a little.

If it was a clash between the black and white markets, it would be difficult for anyone to recklessly intervene.

“Hey, third son. You need to speak properly. The Dang family has taken all the foundation of the Sichuan black market, and our Mukdo Association is now restoring it to its original state.”

As Gu Ye spoke calmly, the men chimed in.

“The rich get richer, and the Dang family is exactly like that. How could you even touch prostitution? A courtesan selling laughter in a brothel is one thing… even we avoid prostitution.”

“But at least they don’t traffic people, claiming to be righteous. Hehe.”

Gu Ye shook his head briefly and said.

“Stop it. It’s not ethical to openly talk about other people’s dirty laundry like that, especially while eating.”

The men closed their mouths.

“I won’t say much.”

Gu Ye grabbed a chopstick and spun it around.

“I know that you and your brothers are running around trying to erase traces. But stop wasting your efforts and go home. We’ve picked up all the traces of the Dang family and moved them elsewhere.”

Dang Ok was bothered by Gu Ye’s metaphor.

He couldn’t tell if moving them elsewhere meant the afterlife or not.

Gu Ye chuckled as he watched Dang Ok racking his brain.

“Don’t get your hopes up. They’re all alive. Instead, it means we’ve moved them to a place where your brothers can’t touch them.”

Dang Ok’s face hardened. He shuddered at the thought of them blabbing.

“Go and tell your father. The Mukdo Association will take over the shady areas of Sichuan, so tell him to pretend he didn’t see anything and stay still. It’s just each of us occupying our own territory, so there’s no need to feel too wronged.”

Gu Ye stood up abruptly as if he had nothing more to say.

“We didn’t come to fight. If the Dang family doesn’t cross the line, Sichuan will be just like it is now, with nothing happening. If you cross the line even a little, those guys who are alive will blab. You’ve met those guys often, so you know. Those guys are really talkative, like girls. Hehe.”

Gu Ye threatened very politely and left the inn with a smile.

Left alone, Dang Ok felt a sense of relief more than anger at being threatened.

< Master and Disciple? 2 > End