I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 205

Jo Gwangyun, who had been asleep in his chambers at the Blue House, abruptly opened his eyes.

He focused his senses for a moment, still with his eyes open, then sat up.

“Hey, wake up.”

Jo Gwangyun woke the two beauties sleeping soundly beside him. They rubbed their eyes and sat up.

“My lord, is there something you need?”

“Bring me my clothes. And you two, get dressed and leave.”

The two women jumped out of bed and knelt.

“My lord, if you would just tell us what we’ve done wrong…”

Jo Gwangyun shook his head, looking at them trembling with fear.

“No. Something urgent has come up. Go and get some rest.”

Only then did the women relax, attending to Jo Gwangyun as he dressed.

After the women left the chambers and Jo Gwangyun straightened his attire, he bowed in the empty, spacious room.

“You can show yourself now, Master.”

Before his bowed form, Quick Sword Master Gwon Jungwon appeared.

“I thought you were enjoying the life of a hermit surrounded by beauties in the Peach Blossom Spring, but you haven’t neglected your training.”

“Isn’t that my strength as a disciple? I’m diligent and hardworking. I handle mountains of official duties every day, but I repeat Master’s teachings without missing a single day.”

When he raised his head, he saw his master’s smiling face.

“I knew you were… Oops… How rude of me, a mere commoner, to the Prime Minister of this nation…”

As Gwon Jungwon feigned politeness, Jo Gwangyun hurriedly rushed over and grabbed his arm.

“Why are you doing this? Stop with the insincere words and take a seat.”

Once seated, Jo Gwangyun called out towards the door.

“Prepare a simple meal with wine at once.”

“Yes, Prime Minister. I will carry out your order.”

With the reply, bustling sounds could be heard. Gwon Jungwon smiled.

“I was just going to leave if you had prepared tea, but your senses haven’t dulled yet. And…”

Gwon Jungwon avoided Jo Gwangyun’s eyes and cleared his throat.

“I appreciate you thinking so highly of my son.”

“Not at all. Your son is skilled enough to hold the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard. I’m just using him according to his abilities, so there’s no need to thank me.”

Gwon Jungwon’s eyes gleamed. Isn’t a parent always happy to hear good things about their child?

As the wine was brought in, Jo Gwangyun respectfully poured a glass.

“I doubt you’ve come because you missed your disciple’s face, considering how busy you are. Did you come to see your son?”

“No, it’s enough to know that my son is doing well. I came to see you.”

“Is there something you particularly want to tell me?”

His master wasn’t one to check on his disciple’s well-being without a reason. He only met people when he had a clear purpose.

“Now that you’ve become the supreme leader of this country, I thought you might not care, so I came in advance. It’s about the affairs of the Murim [martial arts world].”

It’s not that he doesn’t care. It’s just that there’s nothing to care about anymore.

No matter how unruly and daring the Murim people are, they can’t touch the finger of the supreme leader who represents the Emperor.

The Azure Dragon Gate is already closer to a national institution than a Murim sect.

It protects the Jo Family Bank, which prints money-like bills, monitors local officials, and uses a fast messenger service that is incomparable to the postal service to inform the central government of local conditions.

Jo Gwangyun grasps the local situation faster than anyone in the court, and Jo Gwangyun’s instructions are mostly delivered to the Azure Dragon Gate through the messenger service.

The local officials have to be mindful of the Azure Dragon Gate’s surveillance and carry out their administration by receiving documents issued by the Azure Dragon Gate.

In this situation, neither the Orthodox Sect, the Unorthodox Sect, nor the Black Faction dared to approach the Azure Dragon Gate.

Everyone knew through experience that if they touched it carelessly, they would be branded as a rebellious group that attacked the government.

“Isn’t the Murim quiet? I’ve even heard rumors that Alliance Leader Moyeonghwi is stepping down?”

“He was certainly thinking about it. But a variable has arisen.”

“A variable, you say…?”

Gwon Jungwon shook his head.

“You’ll know the details soon. The Murim Alliance will probably come looking for you soon. Hear them out.”

“So, there’s another reason why you came first, Master.”

“Yes.”

Gwon Jungwon took a sip of wine.

“I know you’re incredibly busy. But work with the Murim Alliance.”

Jo Gwangyun frowned slightly.

“Is the Azure Dragon Gate involved?”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“If the Azure Dragon Gate isn’t involved, I don’t want to get involved. The Murim’s affairs should be resolved by Murim people. Isn’t that the law of the Jianghu [the martial world]?”

“I’m not telling you to help. I’m saying this because it might be quite deeply related to you.”

Jo Gwangyun’s eyes changed, and Gwon Jungwon continued.

“I know you don’t dwell on the past. If you delve into this, you might find out about your past. Of course, I can’t be sure. That’s all I know.”

“Are you talking about my past?”

Jo Gwangyun’s eyes widened.

The word ‘past’ reminded him of his days as a section chief at Life Group, a distribution company in South Korea.

Could it be that past?

Gwon Jungwon’s finger pointed towards Jo Gwangyun’s chest.

“That indelible mark on your body. Now, the whole country praises it as proof that you are a celestial being sent from the heavens. Heh heh.”

“Master, it’s true that I’m a celestial being sent from the heavens.”

“Enough. I’ll acknowledge that you were born with heavenly luck and talent.”

There’s no point in arguing. He’s just saying it as a joke over drinks, as always.

“Anyway, you’re saying that this Murim affair is deeply related to this thing of mine?”

Jo Gwangyun lifted his clothes and looked down at his chest.

“If I could guarantee it, I would have already grabbed you by the hair and gotten involved. I can’t guarantee it, so I’m just saying this.”

Gwon Jungwon couldn’t say everything he knew. There were reasons why he only had suspicions, and the choice was up to Jo Gwangyun.

“I understand. I’ll meet with the person from the Murim Alliance and decide.”

Gwon Jungwon put down his glass and stood up.

“Are you leaving already?”

Jo Gwangyun grabbed his sleeve.

“Since you’re here, rest for a while. Meet your son, too.”

“I’m going to the club to rest anyway. I have to enjoy that much luxury since I have the supreme leader of this country as my disciple. That’s how I can brag about being your master. But leave my son alone. His mind shouldn’t be disturbed while he’s protecting His Majesty.”

“I understand. I’ll send someone to prepare. Take your time.”

Gwon Jungwon suddenly slapped his forehead.

“Oh, dear. What a mess.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you have someone under you? A nimble one.”

“Are you talking about Gu Seung?”

“Yes. I touched his pressure point. I wonder if he’s okay.”

At Jo Gwangyun’s dumbfounded expression, Gwon Jungwon smiled and said.

“But that guy has made great progress. Although I wasn’t extremely careful, he caught my presence. He’s quite useful.”

“Master, you need to release his pressure point quickly. His body will stiffen.”

Gwon Jungwon ran outside faster than Jo Gwangyun.

Jo Gwangyun, who belatedly went out, only found Gu Seung, who had regained his senses.

“Y-Your Excellency… Are you alright?”

“Get up.”

Jo Gwangyun reached out his hand, pleased that Gu Seung was concerned about his safety first.

“I’m fine. It was my master.”

“Yes? Are you talking about the Grand Master?”

“Yes. He said he was going to the club, so go quickly and make sure there are no shortcomings. You should greet him too.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And inform the Commander of the Imperial Guard as well. Tell him his father has come and he should show his face. My master said he was fine, but he probably wanted to see his son’s face and will stay at the club for a few days.”

“Yes, I’ll prepare everything.”

As Gu Seung disappeared, Jo Gwangyun lay back on the bed.

But the affairs of the Murim kept coming to his mind, making it difficult for him to fall asleep.

* * *

“Seriously… Alliance Leader. It’s not too late now. Let’s just go back. What is this embarrassing situation? What are you going to do meeting a powerful figure?”

“Enough. I have my reasons for coming. Just follow me without complaint.”

Murim Alliance Leader Moyeonghwi snapped at No Hyegwang, who had been grumbling the whole way.

“Alliance Leader. This is a gray area. Prime Minister Jo was a Murim person, but now he is the sole Prime Minister of this country, representing the Emperor. If you put the two identities on a scale, the Prime Minister’s weight is overwhelmingly greater. Besides, he himself maintained the image of a merchant called Jangju [head merchant] rather than a Murim person in the past, so it’s hard to call him a Murim person…”

Moyeonghwi clenched his fist and bit his lip.

“Especially you, I told you not to open your mouth, right? Do I have to show you how spicy old ginger can be before you understand?”

Yu Gyuseong of the Wudang Sect closed his mouth at Moyeonghwi’s glare.

“His master already… No, the Prime Minister’s master… Damn it!”

Moyeonghwi even stopped walking and sighed.

“Hey! Do we… No, do I have to bow when I meet the… Prime Minister? Should I call him Prime Minister? Or should I call him Jo Jangju like before? This is driving me crazy.”

“That’s why I’m saying let’s just go back. Isn’t it too ambiguous? I’m even sworn brothers with him, so I can’t bow to him.”

“Great Hero No, this is a matter of the Murim, but it’s also official business. He’s representing His Majesty, so it could be a big problem if you put personal relationships first. How could I stand by and watch a commoner like you treat him disrespectfully?”

“Hey, Yu, just stay quiet. You don’t know what kind of relationship I had with that guy.”

“Hey, watch your words. ‘That guy’? Someone might hear you.”

The three bickered all the way to the Blue House as soon as they entered the capital.

Standing in front of the Blue House’s main gate, which boasted tremendous grandeur, the three began to size each other up.

“No Hyegwang! You go and tell them.”

As the Alliance Leader spat out the words, No Hyegwang waved his hands.

“No way. Why should I bow down to those gatekeepers?”

“You idiot! Did I tell you to bow down? I told you to inform them.”

“The gatekeepers of powerful families are as arrogant as their power. What if I get angry and beat them up? Wouldn’t that be a big problem?”

Moyeonghwi clicked his tongue, looking at No Hyegwang glaring.

“Okay. You’re a bit dangerous. Hey! Yu Gyuseong! You go and tell them!”

“Me?”

No Hyegwang clapped his knees as he watched Yu Gyuseong, who was startled.

“Yu, you like to speak logically and reasonably, right? Go and argue with them and say what you need to say. It’s not like the Alliance Leader can personally bow down to those gatekeepers, right?”

Yu Gyuseong, ignoring the glares of the two, approached the soldiers surrounded by armor.

“Excuse me. I’ve come to see the Prime Minister. Could you please inform him?”

Fortunately, No Hyegwang’s prediction was wrong.

The soldiers bowed and asked politely.

“Could you please state your identities first?”

“We are…”

Yu Gyuseong stopped as he was about to say his name.

He realized that it was more natural for officials to call each other by their titles rather than their names.

“The old man over there is the current Murim Alliance Leader, and the middle-aged man is the greatest swordsman of Mount Hua and the Prime Minister’s sworn brother. I am… the next Murim Alliance Leader.”

The soldiers’ eyes changed.

They were truly top masters of the Murim.

Although they didn’t carry swords, they were no different from holding the best cavalry in the world, even with their bare hands.

“Could you please tell us what this is about?”

“Please understand that we cannot disclose the details as it is a matter of the Murim. As you may know, the Prime Minister was once involved in the Murim, so please tell him that we have come in connection with that matter. Of course, if the Prime Minister refuses to meet us, we will quietly turn back.”

Yu Gyuseong’s extremely polite attitude slightly eased the soldiers’ tension.

* * *

End