I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 38

“I was about to call for you. I hear things are unsettling outside. Are you aware?”

“Yes, I’m working on it from all sides. But I think some sacrifice will be unavoidable.”

“Sacrifice? What kind of sacrifice?”

“We need to reduce the size of the Five Mountains Sect and maintain only covert operations. We must give up the inns and brothels…”

“So? What’s the conclusion? Are you saying our income will decrease?”

Yu Chusaeng grilled Jo Gwangyun, his only concern being the potential loss of revenue.

Jo Gwangyun replied even more respectfully.

“No, sir. I will manage to secure the funds for the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance] no matter what. Please don’t worry.”

“That’s right. That’s the Jo Gwangyun I know.”

Watching Yu Chusaeng chuckle with satisfaction, Jo Gwangyun cautiously broached the subject.

“Sir, I have something to tell you.”

“Speak. You’re the only one who can speak freely in front of me.”

Jo Gwangyun offered him a bowl of raisins.

He was no different from the magistrate. He couldn’t stop himself from picking up and eating the raisins.

“How are they?”

“Incredible. Are these the precious grapes dried?”

“Yes. If we make them like this, we can enjoy grapes all year round.”

Jo Gwangyun cast his bait.

“I offered some dried grapes to the magistrate, and he told me to prepare about two baskets next year.”

“This?”

Yu Chusaeng’s hand, which was reaching for the raisins, stopped.

“Yes. He says he will use them as tribute to the Emperor. So, I’ve been thinking… If we sell these throughout Henan Province, we could make quite a bit of money.”

“Why is that?”

“Aren’t they the Emperor’s tribute? There are plenty of wealthy people who would pay anything for something precious. They’ll sell like hotcakes.”

“Oh ho. That’s a good idea. Anyway, you have an amazing nose for money. Hehe.”

“To do that, we need to secure the grapes that will come out next summer in advance, but I’m short on funds. If you’re interested, sir…”

Jo Gwangyun trailed off, watching Yu Chusaeng’s expression. Seeing his troubled face, he threw in more bait.

“I’m thinking of charging thirty silver taels [a unit of currency] per 되 [a unit of volume]. It’s a business that will yield at least five times the profit.”

“Thirty taels?”

“Since it’s the Emperor’s tribute, we could probably sell it for even more. I’ll set the exact price based on next year’s situation.”

He took the bait.

“So, you’re saying you want me to provide the funds to secure the grapes?”

“If you’re uncomfortable with it, I’ll drop it. I’ll just prepare the amount to give to the magistrate…”

“No.”

Yu Chusaeng quickly waved his hand.

“I appreciate you coming up with this idea for me, how could I refuse? I’ll give you all the ‘my money’ you’re holding and all the money I have. Use it.”

“Understood, sir.”

Permission was granted, but he didn’t forget to warn him.

“Five times! It better not be nonsense.”

“At least five times. If not, I’ll stake my life on it.”

“Your life isn’t that light. If things go wrong, you’ll have to work your bones off to earn the money back, understand? Hahaha.”

The laughter of a ruthless businessman who never loses could be heard. Now, that laughter must end.

“Of course, sir. And I have one difficult request.”

“I told you not to hesitate to speak.”

“I want to borrow your power.”

“My power?”

“Yes. As you know, the government and the Azure Dragon Sect annihilated the Green Blood Sect together, and they plan to strike the Five Mountains Sect soon. I’ve taken measures, but there’s always a chance of something going wrong, isn’t there?”

“So?”

“I’d like you to protect the life of Ok Gangil, the leader of the Five Mountains Sect…”

Before Jo Gwangyun could finish speaking, a loud voice erupted.

“What? Are you telling me to protect that piece of trash!”

Jo Gwangyun quickly bowed.

“Sir, you shouldn’t see Ok Gangil as a person.”

“What?”

“He’s trash as a human being, but to us, he’s just a tool for paying money. Just like those dried grapes you’re holding. If someone tries to get rid of the grapes, which are a means of making money, shouldn’t we protect them?”

Yu Chusaeng, who had been venting his anger, became quiet. The weight of the money that the Five Mountains Sect paid in tribute was hard to ignore.

“Of course, you could send Yu Daein’s subordinates, but wouldn’t it be better to move discreetly with a minimum number of people?”

With a sigh, he nodded.

“We must protect the source of money. That’s my job too. Fine.”

“Thank you for your decision, sir.”

“Enough… When do we need to move?”

“I’ll let you know through Lee Geon. We should move together.”

Yu Chusaeng waved his hand.

“Leave for today and come back tomorrow evening. I’ll have the money ready.”

Jo Gwangyun’s lips curved upward as he bowed and retreated.

It was true that he was securing the grapes with Yu Chusaeng’s money. But the profits would go into his own pocket.

* * *

Tonight, Lee Geon went to the battlefield with Yu Chusaeng.

The place where the Azure Dragon Sect was wiping out the Five Mountains Sect.

But the battlefield was already an empty shell, with only husks left. Ok Gangil, as well as the clever and strong-fisted guys, had already gone into hiding long ago.

Jo Gwangyun hoped that Lee Geon’s confidence was not arrogance, but he couldn’t help but consider the opposite possibility.

That’s why he prepared the young man standing calmly beside him.

A martial artist confidently lent by Im Bonjae, the leader of the Azure Dragon Sect.

He couldn’t guarantee it because he didn’t know Yu Chusaeng’s level of martial arts, but he was confident that he had a good chance of winning if Lee Geon was injured.

He didn’t ask what was going on and didn’t seem nervous at all, even though he had come to the place where the martial artists of the Murim Alliance lived. It was worth Im Bonjae’s recommendation.

“You don’t talk much.”

Jo Gwangyun said to break the awkward silence.

“My brother told me. Refrain from unnecessary words.”

“Was that all?”

“No. He told me to protect Jo Daein even if it meant throwing away my life.”

“Without saying why…?”

“I just do as I’m told. I think there’s a valid reason if my brother, who is the sect leader, tells me to do it.”

He seemed to have everything: loyalty, trust, and devotion. Seeing this man reminded him of someone.

“Achim. There should be a child I sent… Do you know him?”

“Are you talking about Gu Seung?”

“Yes. How is he?”

“My brother teaches him directly. That means he has talent. If he didn’t have talent, he would have been handed over to me or my brothers.”

As they lowered their voices and shared stories, the man’s eyebrows suddenly twitched.

“Someone’s coming. A hundred paces away.”

Jo Gwangyun raised one arm.

“Use your sword as soon as I give the signal.”

The man gripped the sword hilt.

Now, Jo Gwangyun could hear the sound of footsteps outside the door as they got closer.

Jo Gwangyun swallowed hard.

Who could it be? Yu Chusaeng? Lee Geon?

“Ahem. Brother Jo. It’s me. I don’t know who’s with you, but tell them they’ll die if they draw their sword. Hehe.”

It’s Lee Geon’s voice.

“Come in, Brother Lee.”

Jo Gwangyun let out a long sigh of relief and lowered his arm.

“It’s okay. There won’t be any bloodshed here today.”

The hand holding the sword loosened, and the door opened.

“This… I’m disappointed. You prepared thoroughly because you didn’t trust me. Hehe.”

Seeing Lee Geon casually entering the room, he realized that he had been worrying unnecessarily.

If it weren’t for the few drops of blood on his clothes, he would have looked like he was just out for an evening stroll. He was a skilled man, as he had boasted.

“Better safe than sorry, isn’t it? Haha.”

As Jo Gwangyun gave an awkward smile, Lee Geon raised his hand and pointed to the young man.

“It would have been difficult for that friend to face Yu Chusaeng.”

The young man bit his lip. He already looked flustered. He seemed to have realized that Lee Geon’s martial prowess was far above his own.

“If Brother Lee had faced him, Yu Chusaeng wouldn’t have been unscathed, would he? Still, would it have been impossible?”

“Well… If that’s the case, it might have been possible.”

Lee Geon put down the blood-stained cloth.

“Yu Chusaeng’s head. What are you going to do with it?”

Jo Gwangyun said to the young man.

“It’s the head of the leader of the Five Mountains Sect. Tell Im, the sect leader. He’ll take care of it.”

The man must have had a lot of questions, but he picked up the cloth without saying a word and only bowed his head.

“Then, I’ll be going…”

As the man left, Lee Geon picked up a bottle from his waist.

“I bought a bottle on the way. We can’t leave out the alcohol on a day like today, right?”

Jo Gwangyun smiled and took the bottle, placing it on the table.

“This isn’t enough. Let’s go out. I’ve prepared good liquor and beautiful women. We should drink our fill. Haha.”

The two men laughed heartily and headed towards the brothel.

End