I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 47

Beyond Kaifeng (1)

Changryong Mun had rapidly grown into a mid-sized sect, boasting the Great Master’s reputation, nearly two hundred disciples, and dozens of masters who volunteered as guests.

Recently, there was a one-on-one meeting between the Beggars’ Sect Elder and the Head of Imbonjae, and only the eligibility review as a member of the Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts clans and sects] remained.

This eligibility review required the approval of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families, but there were whispers of good news to come.

In this situation, the Head of Imbonjae’s expression was exceedingly bright.

However, Jo Gwangyun’s words changed his complexion back to an earthy hue.

“Yes? Two thousand?”

“Why are you so surprised? It’s about establishing Changryong Mun branches in ten key locations in the Central Plains.”

“No… How can the size of the branches match the main sect? Twenty or so people are enough.”

“I’ll be the judge of what’s enough.”

Imbonjae flinched at Jo Gwangyun’s glare.

‘That guy’s eyes are getting sharper by the day.’

“Divide the outstanding ones among the current disciples into ten groups. Send them as advance teams and recruit disciples. Of course, you must recruit martial artists, not complete novices.”

“I understand what you’re thinking, but it’s not an easy task.”

“Offer extraordinary conditions. Give them money every month, and provide generous compensation to their families if they get injured or die. Naturally, take responsibility for their food and lodging. Then you’ll fill two thousand in an instant.”

“It seems the Sect Leader thinks of the disciples as if they’re shop employees. What’s the point of just filling numbers like that?”

“There is a point. Look at the soldiers. They leave the fields to take up spears and go to war. Isn’t that how you get a million-strong army? When a million-strong army comes, any country is terrified. In the Jianghu [the martial arts world], the number two thousand has that kind of power.”

After a short sigh, Imbonjae said.

“The reason for the rush is to set up department stores and battlefields in key areas of the Central Plains, right?”

“Yes. Since you know it well, I won’t say more. Please put in the effort.”

“I will.”

Jo Gwangyun grabbed Imbonjae as he was about to get up.

“How’s the Murim Alliance matter going? No problems, right?”

“Yes. Changryong Mun’s name will be on the list within a hundred days at the latest.”

“Then it will be easier to fill the two thousand. Thank you for your hard work.”

Imbonjae’s shoulders drooped as if he felt pathetic about his situation, having to run around more for expanding the sect’s power than for martial arts training.

Jo Gwangyun chuckled as he watched his retreating figure.

In any field, if you can’t accept that you have to constantly do things you don’t want to as you climb higher, you’ll eventually be left behind.

It seemed that Head Im was not the type of person to see things through to the end.

Jo Gwangyun saw that it was getting dark outside and shook off his thoughts about Head Im and stood up.

When he arrived at a humble inn a little away from the center of Kaifeng, a young man who spotted Jo Gwangyun ran up with a lantern.

“You’ve arrived, Sect Leader?”

“Is everyone gathered?”

“Yes. And there are a few new faces as well.”

“Okay, let’s go in.”

Seeing Gu Seung leading the way with a light, a smile naturally formed.

His broad shoulders and sturdy back showed that he was no longer a child.

“Head Im praised you for practicing martial arts diligently.”

“I still fall short of the Sect Leader’s expectations.”

“Even humility. You’ve become an adult. Haha.”

As he entered the inn, over thirty men were waiting for Jo Gwangyun.

“We greet the Sect Leader.”

As they all bowed with their hands clasped, Jo Gwangyun said with a hearty laugh.

“Alright, alright, everyone sit down. And how many times have I told you? Eat first; you might be late.”

Jo Gwangyun picked up the wine glass in front of him.

“Alright, everyone fill your glasses… Let’s wet our throats first.”

As everyone emptied their glasses, three middle-aged men approached Jo Gwangyun.

“We’ll raise our glasses. To Sect Leader Jo.”

They volunteered as guests of Changryong Mun and were just eating and doing nothing… until now.

Jo Gwangyun also pushed back his chair and stood up to receive the glass.

“I’m extremely pleased that you understand my intentions and have joined our Hanahoe [a private organization within the sect] like this.”

“Rather, it is an honor for us nobodies to be accepted.”

It was humility. The three men were not supreme masters who had made a name for themselves in the Central Plains, but at least in the vicinity of Henan Province, their names were not light.

When Jo Gwangyun first entrusted Gu Seung to Changryong Mun, he didn’t have this in mind.

However, as Gu Seung emerged as a rising star in Changryong Mun and more people recognized him, Jo Gwangyun came up with a way to completely take over Changryong Mun.

It was the private organization within Changryong Mun, Hanahoe.

Of course, this idea and name came directly from the Fifth Republic of Korea [a period of South Korean history].

Gu Seung connected the talents of Changryong Mun with Jo Gwangyun, and Jo Gwangyun allowed them to taste a bright and splendid future, thereby changing their object of loyalty from Imbonjae to himself.

The talent gathered in this way numbered over thirty. And by carefully selecting and co-opting the masters among Changryong Mun’s guests, those gathered in this shabby inn today were the core of Changryong Mun.

After filling their stomachs with food and drink, Jo Gwangyun explained what he had discussed with Head Imbonjae today.

“…So, you will all now scatter to all regions of the Central Plains. This may be the last time we gather in one place like this.”

“So, you’re saying we’ll be establishing more than ten branches of Changryong Mun?”

“Not branches.”

Jo Gwangyun looked into the eyes of the people and continued.

“With over two hundred disciples, it’s no different from an independent sect, and you will become the heads of those sects. You must fulfill your roles as the leaders of a sect.”

Even at the sound of sect leader or independent sect, they were not excited and maintained calm eyes. It is because they know that the road is not easy.

“Some of you will remain here, and some will go to the same place. Then, branch out again from there, like branches of a tree, and advance to new places. We will not stop expanding until all of you gathered here become leaders with over two hundred disciples.”

Jo Gwangyun raised his glass.

“I believe in you, so I am confident that this is not an impossible dream.”

Everyone raised their glasses and steeled their resolve.

“Alright, alright, the necessary words are over, so let’s all enjoy this moment. Haha.”

After laughing and chatting, emptying the bottles and plates, everyone returned.

Gu Seung followed Jo Gwangyun, saying he would escort him.

When they were walking alone, Jo Gwangyun asked.

“How many of them do you think are lacking in ability?”

Gu Seung slowly recalled each person one by one and answered carefully.

“In my opinion, there are five. Their martial arts are excellent, but they are poor at handling people. They only try to suppress with force and cannot attract with virtue.”

“Hmm… If there are five that come to mind, there will be more. Think carefully for a few days and let me know.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“How about Head Im? Has he ever openly expressed dissatisfaction with me?”

“No. Imbonjae knows very well that without the Sect Leader’s power, there would be no Changryong Mun. So he doesn’t carelessly put his dissatisfaction into words.”

Jo Gwangyun stopped walking and made a fierce expression towards Gu Seung.

“What? That bastard dares…!”

Jo Gwangyun punched Gu Seung in the face, causing him to stagger.

“Imbonjae? You son of a bitch! Even if it’s not in your heart, your body is in Changryong Mun. How dare you speak the name of the highest elder there? Where did you learn such manners!”

Gu Seung immediately prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed [a deep bow showing respect].

“I’m sorry, Sect Leader. I was wrong.”

After watching him prostrate for a while, Jo Gwangyun picked up Gu Seung and started walking again.

After walking in silence for a while, Jo Gwangyun opened his mouth.

“Do you know why I couldn’t hold back my anger?”

Gu Seung couldn’t answer easily. This question itself meant that he wasn’t just blaming his manners.

After thinking for a while, Gu Seung carefully answered.

“Because you were worried it would become a habit.”

The smile slowly spreading across Jo Gwangyun’s face indicated that it was the correct answer.

“You must always say Head, Head. Titles are habits. If you ever speak like that in Changryong Mun, who knows what you might suffer.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

‘He’s a smart guy who immediately understands my true intentions, so I can’t help but trust him.’

“Go back now.”

“No. It’s not too late to go after seeing you enter.”

Gu Seung insisted to the end, and after confirming that Jo Gwangyun had entered his room, he returned.

* * *

“Now you even have subordinates to take care of?”

As he entered the room and lit the light, a man was standing there like a ghost.

The face and voice he had buried in his memory. It was Lee Hak-rin of the Silent Path Society.

Jo Gwangyun calmly clasped his hands.

“I greet Great Master Lee.”

For a moment, Lee Hak-rin’s eyes twitched slightly. It was because he had appeared so suddenly, but he wasn’t surprised at all.

“You’ve become a completely different person in the few years I haven’t seen you. Impressive.”

“You flatter me. What brings you here without any notice?”

Jo Gwangyun yielded the seat of honor and stepped aside.

“I heard there are many suspicious things happening in Kaifeng.”

‘Suspicious things? Is he talking about taking over the Kaifeng commercial district?’

“My expanding business isn’t a suspicious thing, is it? The money going up to the Silent Path Society is incomparable to before.”

From the first time he met Lee Hak-rin, he said he would do big business from the beginning, so it’s not a suspicious thing.

‘Why did this guy come?’

“It’s not comparable to before, but I found out that it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the money you’re earning.”

“Shall I double it?”

“Even a hundred times wouldn’t be enough?”

“Then I’ll go bankrupt. I told you before… It’s a big loss if you eat it all at once. Milk it little by little.”

Lee Hak-rin smiled quietly.

‘He’s an interesting guy. He’s the first ordinary person who doesn’t get scared or intimidated in front of him.’

Moreover…

He intimidated him with a bit of internal energy, but there wasn’t even a change in his expression.

“I asked what brings you here, right?”

“Yes.”

“Changryong Mun’s power has suddenly grown, and everyone is paying close attention. The Silent Path Society is no exception. The reason I came to Kaifeng is to judge whether to crush it before it gets bigger or just leave it alone.”

“Does crushing it mean killing the Head of Changryong Mun?”

“I was thinking about it, but I realized that Changryong Mun would collapse if I killed you instead of him.”

‘That’s a lie. Kaifeng is already the Beggars’ Sect’s territory anyway. There’s no reason for the Silent Path Society to be interested. Moreover, kill the money source instead of the head?’

Jo Gwangyun said calmly.

“Whether Changryong Mun grows or not, the fact that I am the Silent Path Society’s money source does not change.”

He doesn’t even flinch when his life is threatened. This kind of boldness seems to be the driving force behind taking over Kaifeng in such a short time.

“Changryong Mun has also made connections with the Murim Alliance, right? We’re a bit uncomfortable with the Murim Alliance growing bigger.”

Jo Gwangyun didn’t miss the fact that Lee Hak-rin kept smiling even as he continued to say harsh words.

“Great Master. I’m sorry, but please pretend you don’t know me or Changryong Mun. Then the Silent Path Society will have secured a strong source of funds. Forever.”

“You still think everything can be solved with money.”

The smile disappeared from Lee Hak-rin’s face.

“No. I know that there are many people in the Jianghu who wield their swords just because they feel uneasy. I know that the power of money is great, but martial arts must also support it, so I am growing Changryong Mun.”

“So that’s why you’ve invited that person outside the door?”

When Lee Hak-rin raised his hand and pointed to the door, the door opened.

“I need to meet the Kaifeng Warden and nag him a bit. A member of the Black Faction is brazenly walking around the Beggars’ Sect’s front yard.”

Kwai Geom Jongsa [title], Kwon Jungwon, entered the room with a frown.