I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 64

From Today, I Will Do Business in the Central Plains – Episode 64 (64/212)

Namgung Hyun sighed deeply before slowly speaking.

“I’ll ask one last time. Who directly wielded the sword? Surely, it wasn’t one of you?”

His younger brothers hesitated, exchanging glances before the youngest cautiously spoke.

“We borrowed the strength of Guest Chief [a position within a clan or organization, often filled by an outsider with specific skills] Lee Jung.”

Upon hearing the name, Namgung Hyun’s expression immediately darkened.

“Lee Jung? Are you serious? You’re all out of your minds. Asking a guest to commit murder?”

Perhaps relieved in a way, he didn’t scold them further.

If it had been someone from the Namgung bloodline, they might have had to offer their life to the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance] in the worst-case scenario.

“Brother, don’t worry too much. Even if the Alliance Leader investigates thoroughly, he won’t find any traces of our family. Also, the Daejeonggak [a powerful intelligence agency within the Murim Alliance], which has launched the investigation, will cover up our tracks rather than uncover them.”

“Such frustrating words!”

Namgung Hyun shouted again.

“Do you think that old man Moryong Hwi will present evidence and reveal it? He’ll interrogate in front of everyone, and if he doesn’t get the answer he wants, he’ll pressure even harder, creating only suspicion.”

“Th-Then…?”

“Even if there’s no evidence, if everyone *thinks* our family committed the act, that old codger will have gotten everything he wants. Hyo-shin becoming the Murim Alliance Leader will be a pipe dream. No, anyone with the Namgung name will *never* sit on the Alliance Leader’s seat again.”

“Surely, the Alliance Leader wouldn’t think that far, would he? That old man is just a martial artist who wields a sword… Because you’re so clever, Brother, you’re anticipating his thoughts.”

“Do you think Moryong Hwi is like you lot? Do you think someone who can’t even turn his head that much could hold the Alliance Leader’s position? He has to balance the Nine Sects [major martial arts sects], the aristocratic families, and the small to medium-sized factions. That’s the only way it’s possible.”

Namgung Hyun looked disapprovingly at his younger brothers, his words like daggers.

“Have you ever seen a supreme master with a bad head? Achieving martial prowess requires intelligence too. The reason your martial arts remain mediocre, the reason Hyo-shin, despite being born with excellent physique, isn’t called the best under heaven, is precisely that! Don’t underestimate Moryong Hwi.”

Namgung Hyun paced back and forth for a while, lost in thought, before speaking.

“Is Zhuge still acting as Hyo-shin’s strategist?”

“Yes, he is.”

“Then I need to see that guy. I’ll go to the Murim Alliance. Find a quiet place near the Gyunhyeon Murim Alliance that won’t attract attention and empty it out.”

“Yes, I understand, Brother.”

* * *

“Why are you here?”

As soon as Namgung Hyo-shin stepped into the empty inn, he heard a familiar voice.

Looking up, he saw his father’s gaze from the second floor was unusually stern.

“Ah, Father.”

“It’s been a while. Have you been well, Elder [a respectful title for a senior member of a clan]?”

Zhuge Mo-gun bowed respectfully.

“I’m always well unless that guy is around. Come up.”

The two men nervously went upstairs.

Namgung Hyun, after his son and Zhuge Mo-gun sat down, spoke to his son first.

“I already know what you’ve done, so I won’t ask any further. What’s the situation now?”

Namgung Hyo-shin, wary of his fearsome father’s gaze, said.

“The Alliance Leader is moving around, but nothing has come of it. It’s all just noise, so it’ll quiet down soon. The Changryong Gate [a martial arts sect] has also returned to Gaebong. They’ve decided to follow the Murim Alliance’s conclusion, so nothing much will happen.”

Namgung Hyun began to glare at his middle-aged son, the eldest of the family, with a look of disappointment.

“That’s just your guess, and you don’t sense it, do you? You don’t know anything?”

He was trying to gloss over it and send him back, but the old man was still as sharp as ever.

“Give me a little more time, and I’ll resolve it.”

“You still don’t understand the seriousness of the situation. Listen carefully.”

Namgung Hyun still didn’t withdraw his sharp gaze.

“This matter must stop here. The Alliance Leader, the Beggars’ Union, and the Daejeonggak must not move any further. If this matter continues to be the talk of the town, our family will be in danger.”

*Danger*? The Namgung Clan, the strongest in the orthodox Murim [the righteous martial arts world]?

Namgung Hyo-shin thought that his father had become an old man he hadn’t seen in a while. He had suddenly become fearful.

“Danger? We are the Namgung. Who dares…?”

“Shut that mouth and listen!”

At his father’s roar, the son, whose head wasn’t working well, became speechless.

“Those who are after us are not just one or two. Being strong means there should be no sign of weakness. We still have many weaknesses. If rats come and go through a gap in the granary, it’s only a matter of time before the granary is empty.”

Namgung Hyun took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress his anger at his foolish son.

“Right now, there’s a hole in our granary. A swarm of rats will rush in to steal. Stop them before even one gets in. It’s a race against time. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Father.”

He didn’t perfectly understand the meaning of his father’s long lecture, but he fully understood that the hole had to be blocked quickly.

“If you don’t resolve this matter quickly, you’ll only maintain the name of Namgung. I’ll give the position of Namgung Family Head to someone else.”

Namgung Hyo-shin was jolted awake. His father was the type to ignore the order of birth. This old man’s threat wouldn’t end with just words.

The words Namgung Hyun poured out to his son were a warning to be careful. He knew well that it would be difficult for his son to step up and stop this.

He had no choice but to rely on the clever young man beside his son.

“Strategist Zhuge, do you have a solution?”

“What the Murim Alliance has started is like spilled water. There’s no way to stop it right now.”

Zhuge Mo-gun’s answer was not what Namgung Hyun wanted to hear.

“So, you’re saying we should just leave it alone?”

“Fortunately, no facts that could threaten the Namgung family have come out. So, I was thinking…”

“Anything is fine. Don’t hesitate and speak.”

Namgung Hyun’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Just as you can’t pick up spilled water, you can cover it with other water. How about pushing aside the Seoan incident and bringing up a new issue?”

“A new issue?”

“Yes. That the Moryong family is trying to make the culprit a member of the Namgung family in order to keep the Namgung family in check. They don’t care about finding out the truth.”

“To keep us in check…”

Namgung Hyun stroked his chin, lost in thought, as if Zhuge Mo-gun’s opinion was plausible.

“There are unknowingly gangs from the Demonic or Black organizations [evil or morally ambiguous martial arts groups] in Seoan. They just don’t operate openly because of Jongnam and Hwasan [prominent martial arts sects]. The Changryong Gate’s branch protects the Jo family’s business. If they grow, the Demonic and Black organizations’ money dries up. In fact, these two places have the most definite motives.”

Namgung Hyo-shin wanted to add a word, but he turned his head at his father’s fierce gaze.

“In fact, the culprit is likely to be from the Demonic or Black organizations, but the Alliance Leader is completely ignoring this possibility in order to keep the Namgung family in check.”

“That’s right.”

Namgung Hyun shouted at his son.

“It’s because *you* committed the act, so you flinched and didn’t make any objections. From now on, erase what you’ve done from your head. That’s the only way you can act as Strategist Zhuge said. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

Namgung Hyun gave Zhuge Mo-gun a warm smile.

“As expected of Strategist Zhuge. You’ve come up with a very good plan. If we take advantage of this opportunity, we might be able to corner Moryong Hwi.”

“That’s right. The Moryong family is all about Sword Saint Moryong Hwi. If he is cornered and steps down, the Alliance Leader’s position will naturally belong to the Namgung family.”

Namgung Hyo-shin’s mouth tore open at the word Alliance Leader’s position, and Namgung Hyun clicked his tongue at the sight of his pathetic son.

“Even if the Alliance Leader comes from our family, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be you. Can’t you keep your head straight?!”

As the scolded eldest son lowered his head again, Namgung Hyun held Zhuge Mo-gun’s hands tightly.

“I feel reassured with you here. Please take care of this lacking guy with all your heart. I won’t forget your kindness.”

*Take care*? The Namgung family’s people, who regarded him as a vassal, were tiresome, but he smiled and said.

“No, Elder. Hasn’t our Zhuge family always been one with the Namgung family since our ancestors? I will do my best.”

Zhuge Mo-gun squeezed the hands he was holding.

“Thank you. Strategist Zhuge, I was wondering if I could educate this guy a bit… Could you give us some space?”

“I will. It’s been a long time since you’ve had a father-son reunion, so please have a conversation and catch up. I’ll go back first.”

Zhuge Mo-gun glanced at Namgung Hyo-shin, whose face had already turned pale. He had heard secret rumors that Namgung Hyun’s temper was unusual, but he wondered if he would really do anything to his grown son.

As Zhuge Mo-gun left the inn, Namgung Hyun faced his terrified son.

“Listen carefully to what this father is about to say.”

“Yes, Father.”

Seeing that there would be no punching, Namgung Hyo-shin felt relieved.

“Don’t trust that guy.”

“Yes?”

“Zhuge, that guy has other intentions.”

“That can’t be. He’s been my right-hand man. He’s not the type to have other thoughts.”

Namgung Hyo-shin couldn’t understand why his father suspected Zhuge Mo-gun.

“What did this father say a little while ago?”

Namgung Hyun asked his son, who had his eyes wide open, but his son still didn’t get it.

“Yes?”

“We still have many weaknesses, and there’s even a hole. A swarm of rats is rushing in, and that guy is one of them.”

Zhuge Mo-gun is a rat? Namgung Hyo-shin still found it hard to believe.

“Look. Even if you’re a little careless, there will be someone who turns his back and aims for you from behind, right?”

“Why would Mo-gun…?”

“Isn’t he trying to make me and the Alliance Leader, the Namgung family and the Moryong family, point swords at each other?”

“Well, isn’t it because Moryong Hwi is the one targeting our family right now?”

Namgung Hyun shook his head violently.

“If it were me, I would have devised a way to destroy the Changryong Gate. But that guy left the root of the problem, the Changryong Gate, alone and brought in the Moryong family. Let’s say we ousted the Moryong family. Even so, the spark that could become a problem is still alive. If there’s a fire, you have to put it out. Why fight with the spectators?”

His father’s words made sense.

“I’ll get that guy right now!”

Namgung Hyo-shin shouted, but when he saw his father with his lips tightly shut, he shrank back again.

“Don’t be rash and don’t show your true feelings. That’s what a weakness is.”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

‘Zhuge Mo-gun. That bastard is dead now.’

Namgung Hyo-shin gritted his teeth. The more he thought about it, the more resentful he became. How had he taken care of him until now? This was the ultimate betrayal.

“Think carefully about who that guy has joined hands with. Can’t you guess anyone? The Zhuge family can’t do anything alone. Someone must have put wind in his sails. Or maybe that guy has someone in mind.”

No matter how much Namgung Hyo-shin thought, he couldn’t think of anyone.

It wasn’t one of the Nine Sects, and the Moryong family was the party involved, so it was even less likely. There was no force to join hands with.

Namgung Hyun looked at his son, who was working hard to turn his head, and asked more easily.

“Tell me who Zhuge Mo-gun has met recently.”

“I wouldn’t know if he met them without my knowledge… There’s nothing special to tell you. Ah, he did meet that guy Jo Gwang-yun.”

“Jo Gwang-yun? The Changryong Gate’s money source?”

“Yes. He met him to smooth things over this time, but there was no gain.”

“Really? He met the money source, not the Changryong Gate Lord?”

If he had met Im Bon-jae, it wouldn’t have been anything. But meeting a young merchant, especially one who had accumulated enormous wealth in a short period of time, gave him something to think about.

Having a good head wasn’t the exclusive property of the Zhuge family. Namgung Hyun had established his family’s name at the forefront of the Five Great Families. It wasn’t something that could be done with martial arts alone.

End