I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 74

After a period of huffing and puffing, Namgung Hyeon calmed down and regained his composure.

“The start of a war requires justification, but the end is about practical gains. Changryong Mun started this fight with justification. What do you think the end result will be?”

Everyone had only considered winning or losing, but never the spoils of war.

“They might be annihilated, leaving only a few leaders, but they won’t even flinch. Aren’t they just a group of disciples gathered with money? If they pool their resources again, they’ll recover their current strength within two or three years. Moreover, they’ve gained notoriety for challenging the Namgung family, haven’t they?”

Most people dismissed them as a motley crew assembled with money, failing to realize how quickly they could bounce back.

“Think about our situation in two or three years. At least half of our blood relatives will die. It will take twenty years to have children and raise them again. We’ll be living in misery for two decades. No, the bigger problem is: who will even be around to see the descendants? Will those of you over sixty be having children and raising them from infancy?”

Namgung Hyeon’s words jolted everyone awake.

A sect solely composed of blood relatives cannot compete with a sect built on money in the race against time.

There was also a danger Namgung Hyeon didn’t mention.

The Changryong Mun, reorganized in two or three years, would likely provoke them again. In that case, the Namgung family would have difficulty avoiding complete destruction.

“Brother, how about sending someone to Gaebong [丐帮, Beggars’ Sect, known for their intelligence network] now to eliminate that brat from Changryong Mun?”

Namgung Hyeon shook his head.

“How do we even know where he is? In the past, we could have gotten help from the Gaebang to pinpoint his exact location, but with the issue of resolving the grievances between the two sects, would the Gaebang get involved? No, rather, we’d be criticized for sending assassins in an unjust manner.”

Namgung Hyeon suggested a more realistic plan.

“If we only knew why Changryong Mun is trying to fight us, we could avoid the war altogether. Negotiation is possible. If necessary, I’ll meet Jo Gwangryun, that brat, myself.”

The men of the Namgung family once again felt that the family’s prosperity was due to Namgung Hyeon. The head of the Namgung family is someone who will do anything to protect it.

As long as his father is alive, the boastful Namgung Hyosin will never become the head of the family.

* * *

While Jo Gwangryun was preparing materials for the all-out war, unexpected guests flocked in: the minor factions of the Murim Alliance [武林盟, martial arts alliance].

“Sect Leader Jo, we want to contribute our strength, however small, to the war against the Namgung family. We have suffered so much humiliation from the Namgung family’s power. We truly want to repay them.”

Jo Gwangryun felt a sense of pity for them, but he didn’t show it.

They don’t know their place.

Instead of repaying the humiliation, they should be praying not to be annihilated. This isn’t about intention or chivalry. Moreover, it’s not revenge. It’s just a senseless outburst.

However, the more meat shields, the better. Jo Gwangryun welcomed them with pleasure, though his words conveyed something different.

“I understand your hearts, Sect Leaders, but I will gratefully accept only your goodwill.”

They even showed displeasure at Jo Gwangryun’s polite refusal.

“Do you think our martial arts are too weak and will only be a hindrance? Or do you think Changryong Mun is strong enough without our help?”

“That’s not true. It’s neither.”

“Then why are you refusing?”

“I have staked the lives of the entire Changryong Mun on this war. But I can’t bring myself to send even your disciples to their deaths.”

“Listen, Sect Leader Jo. We also know that our lives are precious. But we also know when to give them up. So don’t refuse. Isn’t it an honorable death?”

Jo Gwangryun knew exactly when to back down.

He put his hands together and bowed politely to them.

“I will risk everything to ensure that your honor is not tarnished. Instead, I earnestly ask you to send only disciples who are prepared to die.”

As they returned, satisfied with Jo Gwangryun’s answer, he felt less guilty because of them.

Driving innocent young martial artists to their deaths is no different whether it’s him or them doing it.

The difference is that they gain nothing, but Jo Gwangryun gains a lot, and there is compensation for the dead.

Their sects only bury their dead disciples, but at least Changryong Mun will provide adequate compensation to the bereaved families. It’s difficult to say that even one person died in vain.

It will cost a lot of money to compensate the families of Changryong Mun’s victims. Jo Gwangryun had no intention of using his own money to raise that money.

That money must be covered by war reparations. And war reparations must be paid by the defeated country to the victorious country.

When the Changryong Mun martial artists all over the Central Plains set off for Hwangshan [黄山, Yellow Mountain] in Anhui Province one by one, Jo Gwangryun joined them.

* * *

Jo Gwangryun booked accommodation in the detached building of the most luxurious brothel in Hwangshan. It was a place where access was restricted and only high-ranking officials and wealthy people came and went, so it was suitable for concealing his identity.

Before recovering from his journey, Jo Gwangryun entered the Hwangshan branch of the Dae Ryuk Jeonjang [大陆钱庄, Continental Bank], adorned with silk clothes and expensive accessories.

Since they are money-making guys, they have an amazing sense for money. The employees of the Jeonjang bowed to welcome Jo Gwangryun.

“Welcome, sir.”

Jo Gwangryun didn’t even glance at the employee and said.

“Who is the person in charge here?”

The employee knew how to deal with customers who suddenly look for the highest-ranking person. That is, to prick their pride.

“Sir, I’m sorry, but our branch manager only receives customers who trade more than Geumwonbo… [金元宝, gold ingot, a unit of currency]”

Before the employee could finish speaking, Jo Gwangryun took out two lumps of gold.

“Isn’t this enough to warrant seeing the branch manager’s face?”

The employee thought that Jo Gwangryun was not a rich man, but a crazy one. To carry such gold around alone without a bodyguard or servant.

“Just, just wait a moment. I’ll bring him right away.”

Jo Gwangryun said in a very arrogant voice.

“Okay, I can’t stand the foul smell here for even a moment. Tell the branch manager I’m staying at the brothel across the street, and tell him to come there. Do you understand?”

“Ah, yes. The branch manager will rush there immediately.”

Jo Gwangryun quickly returned to the brothel and said to the gatekeeper guarding the front.

“A man named the branch manager of Dae Ryuk Jeonjang will come. Bring him to me secretly so that he doesn’t attract attention.”

He gave him some money, and the gatekeeper bent over.

“Leave it to me, sir.”

Jo Gwangryun left the gatekeeper’s greeting behind and waited for the branch manager in the detached building.

About an hour later, the gatekeeper’s voice was heard.

“Sir, a guest has arrived from Dae Ryuk Jeonjang.”

“Bring him in.”

Jo Gwangryun examined the face of the branch manager who opened the door and came in.

It was an unremarkable, ordinary face.

A face no different from the many salarymen he had encountered countless times in the Life Group headquarters building. Even the smile on his face as he came in was the same as that of a salesperson visiting a client.

“I am honored to meet you, sir. My name is Hwang Yu (黄喻) from the Hwangshan branch of Dae Ryuk Jeonjang.”

“Welcome. I hope I haven’t bothered you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m rather grateful for the opportunity to see such a splendid place.”

The brothel’s gatekeeper did his job properly.

He must have been excited, saying that the guest who had rented the detached building for a few days was a wealthy man who used it for evening drinking parties, so he must have a lot of money.

“I heard that you are going to deposit a lot of money, sir.”

“I was going to, but I changed my mind.”

“Yes? What does that suddenly mean…?”

He just went to the Jeonjang with gold. His mind changed in less than an hour? The whims of the rich are already famous, but this is a bit much.

“I forgot for a moment. I forgot that there will be a big fight here soon. If Murim people kill each other, this place will become a lawless zone…”

“Oh, no. I think you’re talking about the power struggle between the Namgung family and Changryong Mun… It’s close, but they will never come out to this Gimmun [妓门, brothel district]. Even if this place suffers some damage, our Dae Ryuk Jeonjang is safe.”

“How can that be?”

“Yes? What do you mean? Do you know something?”

“The Namgung family must have deposited a lot of gold and silver treasures, right? If the Namgung family is destroyed, that money will become unclaimed… Won’t the Murim people stay still? They will raid your Jeonjang to steal it all.”

Hwang Yu’s bright face returned.

“That’s what you thought. You’re mistaken.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“Yes. The Namgung family does not deposit money in the Jeonjang. Isn’t the Namgung family, the best martial arts family in the Central Plains, the safest place? Who would dare to covet the family’s wealth?”

“So you mean that even if the two sects fight a war, the Dae Ryuk Jeonjang will be safe.”

“That’s right.”

“I don’t think so… You’re wrong.”

Hwang Yu did not understand Jo Gwangryun’s words.

“The Namgung family will soon deposit all of their wealth in the Dae Ryuk Jeonjang. Of course, even if there is a Jo Ga Jeonjang [曹家钱庄, Jo family bank] here, they won’t even look at it because it has a close relationship with Changryong Mun.”

Hwang Yu asked cautiously.

“Sir, the Namgung family is depositing all of their wealth… I am too foolish to understand the meaning.”

“If the house becomes a sea of fire, Namgung Hyeon, the head of the Namgung family, is not stupid enough to leave precious treasures as they are.”

“Sea of fire? Sir, I think you’re mistaken. No matter how fierce the war between martial artists is, they are not bandits. They will cut off your head with a sword, but they will not set fire. They decide the victory or defeat with martial arts.”

“This time will be different.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Hwang Yu was initially annoyed by the story of the Namgung family’s war, but now he was even curious.

What does the young rich man in front of him know?

“Because I’m going to set fire like a gang of bandits. This war will end when the Namgung family turns into ruins.”

Hwang Yu’s face changed.

“Yo, you… Maybe…?”

Although he didn’t show it, Jo Gwangryun was impressed by Hwang Yu’s quick wit.

“Do you have any idea who I am?”

“Jo Gwangryun of Jo Gaja [曹家, Jo family]… Is that right?”

Jo Gwangryun smiled and nodded.

Hwang Yu stood up abruptly with an unpleasant expression.

“Even if you are a rich man, what are you doing calling people here and doing this? Are you that bored?”

“When a rich man talks about money, it’s not because he’s bored. It’s to handle a lot of money. Sit down again. I’m giving you an opportunity that will never come again in your life. Don’t you want to become a great tycoon who deposits a lot of money in the Jeonjang?”

Jo Gwangryun nodded and gestured as Hwang Yu hesitated, looking at Jo Gwangryun with a smirk.

“It’s okay. People’s minds change all the time, right? Even if you sit down again now, no one will laugh at you.”

When Hwang Yu sat down slyly, Jo Gwangryun was sure. This guy will not refuse his offer. If he refuses, it just means that the amount of money is too small.

But the Namgung family’s wealth will not be small enough for ordinary people to refuse.

“Now, I’m going to tell you a story that will change your destiny, so listen carefully.”

Hwang Yu swallowed hard, looking only at Jo Gwangryun’s mouth.

“Before Changryong Mun and Namgung family start fighting in earnest, the Namgung family will secretly call you.”

“Me?”

“That’s right. To ask you to take care of the Namgung family’s precious items.”

If it becomes a sea of fire, that could happen.

“Moving the property will be done secretly when it is dark, so only you must be there. There must be no employees at the Hwangshan branch.”

Hwang Yu frowned.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to steal the Namgung family’s property? Are you crazy? How are you going to handle the aftermath?”

“The aftermath will be taken care of by the martial artists of the Black and Evil factions. The criminals will be them, not us.”

No matter how quick-witted Hwang Yu is, he still couldn’t understand Jo Gwangryun’s plan.

End