I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 71

< The Curtain Rises 1 >

Yeom-sin couldn’t take his eyes off Gu-seung, who was standing tall and proud.

‘That guy… What happened to him? Could it be…’

Yeom-sin alternated his gaze between the mountain of spiritual herbs and Gu-seung before approaching him.

“Eating good stuff alone will give you trouble.”

“Ah, Brother. What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play innocent! Anyway, it seems you’ve achieved something great. I feel proud just watching.”

“Thank you, Brother. It’s all thanks to the Sect Leader’s consideration.”

“The Sect Leader?”

“Yes.”

Gu-seung recounted the events of the Amjeokbang [a secret organization or event] a few days prior.

“Oh, you got lucky. They say every treasure in the world has its owner, and you’ve had such a fortunate encounter.”

“But, Brother, is it possible to imitate the Taecheongdan [a specific type of elixir] of the Wudang Sect?”

Gu-seung had experienced that the spiritual medicine imitating Taecheongdan was by no means easy. He felt that he had not yet properly absorbed even thirty percent of the medicine’s energy.

“It’s not impossible. The most difficult thing is to obtain the precious medicinal ingredients that go into Taecheongdan, but whether it’s Wudang, Shaolin, or Mount Hua, they all have their own pharmacies, so a disciple there might have leaked the recipe. Most of them don’t learn martial arts, so their mindset is different from that of a direct disciple.”

Yeom-sin asked what he was most curious about.

“But Sect Leader Jo has a constitution that makes it difficult to accumulate Qi [vital energy]?”

“Yes. The Great Master said so, so it must be true.”

“Hmm… So that’s why the Sect Leader doesn’t learn martial arts. His physique is that of a born martial artist. It’s a very peculiar constitution.”

Yeom-sin had solved a very old question, but he also felt sorry.

“By the way, have you made all the medicine’s energy your own?”

“Not yet. I’ve been circulating my Qi for two days straight, but it’s not easy.”

“Really? Should I help you a little?”

Gu-seung’s eyes lit up, and he bowed his head.

“I’d be shameless, but if you could do that for me, I wouldn’t refuse.”

“What’s with the shame? If one more expert is born before a big event, what could be better than that? Let’s go.”

Yeom-sin lightly tapped Gu-seung’s shoulder, who had his head bowed.

* * *

When Je Gal-mogeon entered the secluded room of the brothel, he saw Jo Gwang-yun flirting with two courtesans.

“The Grand Assembly is tomorrow; you shouldn’t have time to drink with women.”

“I have plenty of time.”

Jo Gwang-yun handed Je Gal-mogeon a glass of alcohol.

“I don’t want alcohol. Tell me why you wanted to see me.”

“Do you remember what I said before? That I would tell you what to do within your capabilities?”

Je Gal-mogeon nodded silently.

“It’s nothing much. Just tell me everything you know.”

It was a request he had already anticipated.

“You’re telling me to betray the Namgung Family right in front of their eyes.”

“No. You’re acting like a righteous martial artist pursuing *hyeopui* [chivalry or a sense of justice].”

“What if I refuse?”

It was a meaningless question, but he wanted to know Jo Gwang-yun’s true colors.

“Before going to war with the Namgung Family, we could destroy one family as practice. The weakest family in the Murim Alliance [martial arts world].”

Jo Gwang-yun pointed his finger at Je Gal-mogeon.

“You son of a bitch.”

He doesn’t forget to threaten, even though he knows he has no choice since the Namgung Family thinks of him as a traitor anyway.

“Don’t be like that. I’m just trying to survive too.”

Jo Gwang-yun, having confirmed that Je Gal-mogeon had no choice but to accept his request, got up from his seat.

“Then enjoy yourself here with these girls until tomorrow. And if you show up drunk, you’ll be the star of tomorrow.”

Jo Gwang-yun winked at the courtesans, and they moved to Je Gal-mogeon’s side.

* * *

Finally, the day the stage curtain rises had arrived.

Even the farthest Hainan Sword Sect and Sichuan Tang Clan had gathered at the Murim Alliance, and most of the attendees were either the heads of their respective sects or their successors, which speaks volumes about how important today’s meeting is.

For the first time in the history of the Murim Alliance, a person who colluded with the Black Faction, and if it’s not true, an innocent fabrication spread by someone who murdered a fellow Righteous Faction member to avoid a crisis—these two issues are intertwined.

Especially since the targets are the Namgung Family, known as the strongest in the Righteous Faction, and the rapidly rising Changryong Sect, with its large number of disciples and enormous funds. Depending on the conclusion of today’s meeting, the Murim Alliance will undergo a tremendous upheaval. In any case, the result is already out. One of the two will be completely destroyed.

Jo Gwang-yun calmed his rapidly beating heart, confident that today’s events would unfold according to his plan.

Every moment in today’s meeting is important. The people, actions, and words that must appear at the right time. If even one thing goes wrong, he will be in danger.

Namgung Hyo-sin constantly recalled the strategy he had devised with his father.

Frame Jo Gwang-yun as a spy for the Black Faction and declare the Changryong Sect as an enemy of the Righteous Faction. Then, starting with the Sichuan Tang Clan, draw in the Jinju Eon Family and Hwangbo Family, who sympathize with the Namgung Family, as well as the Nine Sects, who grind their teeth at the Black and Evil Factions, to thoroughly crush the Changryong Sect without leaving any doubts.

If the opportunity arises, there is a good chance that they could sink the Moryong Family, which had been protecting the Changryong Sect, in one fell swoop and become the undisputed rulers of the Righteous Murim.

He glanced at the Alliance Leader, Moryong Hwi, sitting at the head table.

The sight of him sitting at the head table, receiving everyone’s attention, was enviable no matter how many times he saw it.

That gaze contained respect, awe, and even a bit of fear, so it couldn’t be better.

He reaffirmed once again that he would definitely turn the direction of that gaze to himself after today.

Namgung Hyo-sin shifted his gaze to his empty seat on the left. Je Gal-mogeon, the owner of the empty seat, had not yet appeared.

The fact that this seat was empty was proof that Je Gal-mogeon had betrayed the Namgung Family. He figured that the smart guy had already read the situation and disappeared.

Well, he’s just a flea jumping around.

Whether to close down the Je Gal Family or to forgive them with great generosity and draw out even greater loyalty was up to him.

Namgung Hyo-sin’s thoughts were interrupted by the words of Alliance Leader Moryong Hwi.

“The fact that so many Murim fellows have attended shows how important this matter is. As it is an urgent issue, we will first hear the Namgung Family’s position.”

Everyone began to stare at Namgung Hyo-sin.

Namgung Hyo-sin cleared his throat once and bowed politely to the heads of the sects.

“I understand the various slanders and rumors against my family, as envy and jealousy towards those who are ahead, stand out, and are strong can be seen everywhere in the world.”

Namgung Hyo-sin did not forget his father’s advice to start the first statement in a very 부럽게 [enviable] way.

“But there is a limit. Even though the Murim wears swords and death like clothes, murder is never a light matter. Moreover, to murder a fellow member of the Murim Alliance who seeks *hyeopui* [righteousness] together is a slander that goes beyond the limit and brings tears of blood.”

Namgung Hyo-sin’s voice grew louder and seemed a little excited. It would be strange to be calm when appealing to injustice.

“Such slander is something that only happens in the imperial court, where they claim *yeokmo* [treason] and try to kill their political enemies. The claim that the Namgung Family murdered a disciple of the Changryong Sect is no different from the slander of *yeokmo*. Was the Namgung Family such an insignificant existence in the Righteous Murim that it would be okay for them to be destroyed?”

Now, the Changryong Sect has committed a crime that deserves to be destroyed. If the truth is revealed, or if everyone agrees that it is the truth, then the Changryong Sect will be destroyed.

“It has been revealed that the Changryong Sect has had a close relationship with the Mukdo Association, the leader of the Black Faction, from the past to the present. Since they have a relationship with the Black Faction, who kill as easily as eating, how can they avoid the misfortune of murder?”

Namgung Hyo-sin glared at Im Bon-jae of the Changryong Sect and Jo Gwang-yun beside him.

“Now that it has been revealed to the world that they are trying to erase the traces of the Black Faction on their bodies by using the internal misfortune as a means to slander the Namgung Family, today’s meeting should be a place to judge those evil beings.”

Namgung Hyo-sin pointed his finger at the two, and everyone’s eyes turned to them.

Now it’s their turn to explain.

Namgung Hyo-sin glanced at Moryong Hwi. He was still wearing a nonchalant expression, but he was very curious to see how the old man’s expression would change once the Changryong Sect’s guilt was confirmed.

Im Bon-jae, who had been receiving everyone’s attention, slowly stood up. No signs of anxiety or embarrassment could be found.

“Murim fellows. I have this thought. Why is it that the last victim of such an event is always a minor sect? Is this place a place to reveal the truth? Or is it a place to find a victim to erase the embarrassing problems of the Righteous Faction?”

“Stop talking nonsense and just tell us the facts!”

Dang Chae-myeong of Daejeonggak shouted.

He was the one who first handled the murder case, but he had been in a difficult situation ever since, so he was grinding his teeth.

“Don’t push too hard. Today won’t be too long.”

Im Bon-jae picked up a teacup and slowly quenched his thirst.

‘Why? Why is he so relaxed?’

Namgung Hyo-sin began to feel a little uneasy. What if things don’t go as planned? At that moment, Im Bon-jae uttered words like a bolt from the blue.

“It’s true.”

The power of these words. Everyone had a surprised expression, as if they had misheard.

Suspicion should end as suspicion, and the truth should never be known. All that is needed is someone to take responsibility for the suspicion. But the suspicion is true. The most embarrassed person was Namgung Hyo-sin.

‘What is this? Why is that guy admitting it so readily?’

It was impossible. If he admits in this place that he is a spy for the Mukdo Association, he cannot avoid destruction. Even if the Namgung Family doesn’t step in, the Nine Sects won’t stand still.

There was no way Im Bon-jae, who couldn’t possibly not know this fact, would say such a thing unless he was crazy.

Namgung Hyo-sin began to feel anxious.

A loud voice echoed again in the bustling hall.

“Everyone be quiet! I haven’t finished speaking yet!”

It became quiet again. Im Bon-jae raised his voice for the first time since joining the Murim Alliance.

“Facts and truth are different. But isn’t it you powerful people who always exaggerate facts rather than truth, and rumors and suspicions rather than facts? You use those rumors to always fabricate the truth in your favor, eliminate those who are like thorns in your side, and then bury the truth and the facts. Am I wrong?”

“Seeing you admit it so readily, have you resigned yourself to death?”

Namgung Hyo-sin shouted.

“Don’t speak carelessly, you brat! I am also the head of a sect. Where are you speaking so *hamburo* [disrespectfully]!”

“What? Are you crazy and want to die? How dare you!”

“Namgung Fellow, please be polite. You are not alone in this place.”

Namgung Hyo-sin closed his mouth at the words of the Mount Hua Sect Leader. The Mount Hua Sect Leader can be said to represent the Nine Sects.

“Sect Leader Im, please continue.”

Im Bon-jae lightly bowed his head towards the Mount Hua Sect Leader and then opened his mouth again.

“In the past, when the Changryong Sect was weak and could not protect Sect Leader Jo Gwang-yun, he reluctantly continued his life by paying money to the Black Faction, unable to overcome their coercion. But after *wasinsangdam* [enduring hardship for future success] and enduring harsh times, the Changryong Sect finally drove out the Oryun Sect and Nokheol Sect, who were the Mukdo Association’s underlings, from Gaebong.”

Im Bon-jae said to Namgung Hyo-sin.

“You say we were plotting? The *seongse* [rise or prosperity] of the Changryong Sect, which had even advanced to Anhui Province, was displeasing to you, so you killed three innocent martial artists to *geopbak* [intimidate] us, and when suspicion grew, you dug up an old past to cover up the truth. Isn’t that your doing!”

He couldn’t stand it when Im Bon-jae, who wasn’t even worth a *hanjumeokgeori* [a fistful], called him *nom* [a disrespectful term], but he had to *chamaya* [endure].

“Can’t you shut that mouth? There’s no need to listen to your nonsense anymore. You’re a guy who needs to see a coffin!”

Chaeng!

Namgung Hyo-sin drew his sword with the intent to kill Im Bon-jae.

“Put your sword away. Even your father doesn’t *hamburo* [recklessly] draw his sword in front of me, how dare you!”

Moryong Hwi’s sword was already touching Namgung Hyo-sin’s neck.

Few people would have seen his movements as he approached Namgung Hyo-sin in an instant and the way he drew his sword from its scabbard.

< The Curtain Rises 1 > End