Chapter 584
Chapter 584
Chapter 584. Backroom Deal (5)
The duels continued, and before long, only two martial artists remained in Cheon Group.
“At last, this is Cheon Group’s final duel! These are people who need no introduction! Hundred Stratagem Cold Sword Jegal Yua! And Honghae Sword Hero Cheongryu!” (Geum Yeonhwa)
“Waaaaaaaaah!” (Crowd)
“Hundred Stratagem Cold Sword! Hundred Stratagem Cold Sword!” (Crowd)
“Honghae Sword Hero! Honghae Sword Hero!” (Crowd)
The spectators chanted the two people’s aliases and cheered them on.
The two climbed onto the duel stage, attached seven plaques to each of their bodies, and faced each other.
“I hope this will be a good duel.” (Cheongryu)
“Yes.” (Jegal Yua)
Young Clan Head Jegal Yua answered Martial Artist Cheongryu’s words.
“I also hope it will be a good duel.” (Jegal Yua)
Boom!
With the sound of the drum, the duel began.
Martial Artist Cheongryu was holding his sword in his left hand.
He was a martial artist who had defeated Martial Artist Gyeongsu of the Wudang Sect and advanced.
The left-handed sword, the foundation of the Hainan Sect’s martial arts.
It was the part that differentiated them from other sects, and the reason could be found in the history of the Hainan Sect.
The Hainan Sect was a sect located on Yeomobong of Hainan Island, in the southern part of the empire.
Originally, that place had been no different from a punching bag for pirates.
So in order to protect themselves, they accepted martial arts from various places and developed them based on that.
That was why they developed not martial arts focused on being flashy or looking impressive, but thoroughly practical martial arts.
It could be said that they were similar in nature to Martial Artist Gongmin, Captain Yong’s older brother.
Because they mainly had to deal with pirates, they often used tactics where they boarded pirates’ ships and attacked.
In the middle of that, there were many times when they had to hang onto something, so they would grab a structure with their right hand and support their body while using a sword with their left hand.
Also, because they had to strike and withdraw quickly, they mainly used quick swords, and to efficiently take the lives of pirates, they also often used reverse-grip swords, holding the sword backward.
For a short while, they fiercely probed each other.
Tat!
Taaat!
And as if their judgment had ended, without there being any need to say who moved first, they kicked off the floor and charged at each other.
Against Martial Artist Cheongryu’s sword, which swung in all kinds of strange ways, Young Clan Head Jegal Yua clenched her teeth and faced him.
It must be because he was more difficult to deal with than expected.
It was then.
Slice!
Martial Artist Cheongryu’s sword, moving along an entirely unexpected trajectory, cut the plaque on Young Clan Head Jegal Yua’s shoulder.
And beyond the plaque being split, it seemed even her shoulder had been cut, as blood flowed down from her shoulder.
But she paid it no mind and thrust out her left fist.
Pukeok!
At the same time, Martial Artist Cheongryu’s plaque shattered.
Blood splattered onto the floor.
Well, Young Clan Head Jegal Yua was not someone who would yield to a wound of that level.
Changchangchangchangchangchangchang!
In an instant, more than ten exchanges continued, and the spectators watched the fierce duel with sweaty palms.
I also watched the duel between the two of them with focus.
A fight where neither side yielded an inch.
While bleeding, their plaques began breaking one by one.
How much time had passed?
Parts of both their clothes were dyed red, and only a single plaque remained on each of them.
They were truly evenly matched, a dragon and tiger locked in battle.
A tense moment.
Taaat!
The one who moved first was Martial Artist Cheongryu.
Young Clan Head Jegal Yua also immediately launched herself forward, as if she would counterattack.
At that moment.
“……!” (Jegal Yua)
Young Clan Head Jegal Yua let go of the sword in her hand. And…….
Slice.
Martial Artist Cheongryu’s sword cut her side, and blood splattered. She clamped down tightly on his sword with her side and grinned.
Immediately, another sound rang out.
Puk!
It was the sound of Martial Artist Cheongryu’s plaque breaking under Young Clan Head Jegal Yua’s fist.
A strategy of giving flesh to take bone.
It was a strategy everyone knew, but for her to use it like this.
Young Clan Head Jegal Yua staggered back, then raised the corner of her mouth and said,
“I won.” (Jegal Yua)
Martial Artist Cheongryu, who had been standing there blankly, came to his senses at those words and lowered his head.
“I lost.” (Cheongryu)
From how I saw it, he was probably awed by that insane decisiveness of winning by letting herself be cut by a sword.
Captain Geum Yeonhwa climbed onto the duel stage and declared the victor.
“The final victor of Cheon Group is Jegal Yua!” (Geum Yeonhwa)
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!” (Crowd)
A tremendous cheer that seemed enough to shake the sky filled the duel arena.
“Hundred Stratagem Cold Sword! Hundred Stratagem Cold Sword!” (Crowd)
“Hehe. I won.” (Jegal Yua)
Young Clan Head Jegal Yua muttered that, then collapsed onto the duel stage just like that.
“Yua! Aigoo, you girl!” (Jegal Clan Head)
And over there, the Clan Head of the Jegal Family was beside himself with worry.
Soon, assistants rushed over, loaded her onto a stretcher, and moved her to the infirmary.
Hoo, now there was one more reason to go to the infirmary.
I let out a sigh and looked at Martial Artist Cheongryu, who was coming down from the duel stage.
An expression full of emptiness.
Understandable.
But his expression seemed somewhat heavy….
“Then with this, Cheon Group’s duels will come to an end.” (Geum Yeonhwa)
Like that, Cheon Group’s duels concluded, and starting tomorrow, Ji Group’s main tournament would begin.
I would be competing in Ji Group’s main tournament.
That aside, I should go to the infirmary.
A short while later.
I headed to the infirmary with my guard warriors. And there, I saw Martial Artist Daenok hurriedly eating dumplings.
“You brat, stop eating already.” (Suam)
“Ah, Senior Brother. I’m still hungry no matter how much I eat, so what am I supposed to do?” (Daenok)
“Ehew…… At this rate, you’ll spend all the money you received this time on dumplings.” (Suam)
“Huh! That cannot happen.” (Daenok)
I could not shake the reasonable suspicion that the reason the Sect Leader of Yeongyeolmun had not told them the secret of Yeongyeolmun’s martial arts was truly because they lacked food.
After all, quite some time had passed since Martial Artist Daenok’s duel ended, and yet he was still eating dumplings.
I smiled and joined the conversation between the two.
“It is all right. I will pay for the dumplings.” (Eun Seoho)
“Huh! Master!” (Daenok)
“Is your body all right?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Daenok)
Martial Artist Daenok said with an embarrassed expression.
“I am sorry. I ended up losing.” (Daenok)
“It is all right. Young Clan Head Jegal Yua is not such an easy opponent. And she became the final victor of Cheon Group.” (Eun Seoho)
“I see.” (Daenok)
“If your body is all right now, instead of staying here like this, I think it would be best for you to go to Yeonpung Inn and eat a meal.” (Eun Seoho)
“Th, I will do that.” (Daenok)
He carefully watched my expression. I felt like I knew what it meant.
“And there is nothing for you to worry about. I will not cancel the sponsorship or anything like that. I did not set winning as a condition in the first place.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you.” (Daenok)
“Thank you very much.” (Suam)
“If your treatment is finished, go to Yeonpung Inn and eat comfortably. And do not eat too hastily. If you get indigestion, you will suffer terribly.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Daenok)
Like that, Martial Artist Daenok and Martial Artist Suam headed to Yeonpung Inn, and I said to Palgap,
“Good work.” (Eun Seoho)
“It was really hard.” (Palgap)
“So how many trays of dumplings did he eat?” (Eun Seoho)
“Probably thirty trays.” (Palgap)
“…….”
At a number greater than I had imagined, I was speechless for a moment.
“All that actually went into his stomach?” (Eun Seoho)
“I find it amazing too.” (Palgap)
I laughed faintly and headed to the place where Young Clan Head Jegal Yua was.
The Clan Head of the Jegal Family was there with her as well.
“I pay my respects to the Clan Head.” (Eun Seoho)
The Clan Head accepted my greeting gently.
“Yes, it has been a while. Good to see you.” (Jegal Clan Head)
“How is the Young Clan Head?” (Eun Seoho)
“She lost quite a lot of blood. It seems I will have to feed her a Blood Replenishing Pill. But she was cut quite deeply, so stopping the bleeding is no easy task.” (Jegal Clan Head)
That was only natural.
Her side had been deeply cut.
I held out a small bottle to him.
“What is this?” (Jegal Clan Head)
“It is made from spiritual medicine with excellent effects for stopping bleeding. It will help.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you.” (Jegal Clan Head)
Since it was the undiluted extract, its effect would be incredible.
I had given Young Clan Head Jegal Yua golden wound medicine before, but I could not very well tell the unconscious her to use that, so I had no choice but to give the undiluted extract I had.
The reason I gave this was because Miss Jegal Yua was an important part of the picture for my revenge.
That was true rationally, and emotionally, too, it felt very uncomfortable to see someone deeply connected to me lying unconscious with a serious injury.
“Ah, Clan Head. Please keep it a secret that I gave this to you.” (Eun Seoho)
“Why?” (Jegal Clan Head)
“You will know once you use that medicine.” (Eun Seoho)
Then I clasped my hands in greeting and left the infirmary.
Mm, because Cheon Group’s duels ended early, there was some time left.
By the way, has the Ji Clan still not made a decision?
I was walking while thinking that, when I heard a familiar voice.
Isn’t that Martial Artist Cheongryu’s voice?
“I am sorry, Sect Leader. I should have won no matter what and taken the prize money…….” (Cheongryu)
“It is all right. It is all right. I am the one who is sorry for placing such a heavy burden on you when you are still young.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
“Sect Leader…….” (Cheongryu)
“Do not be too discouraged. Hoho, who knows? A lump of gold may drop from somewhere with a thunk.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
“How could that happen?” (Cheongryu)
“I will try meeting more people and borrowing money.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
“Have you not already been refused by everyone?” (Cheongryu)
“You must not give up just because you were refused once. And if nothing else works, I can kneel again. Hohoho.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
“Haa, Sect Leader…… Should you not preserve some pride?” (Cheongryu)
“Pride does not feed you, you brat.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
What on earth is going on?
At a glance, it sounded like they needed some financial help…….
Was that why Martial Artist Cheongryu’s face had looked heavy?
By the way, at the Hainan Sect Leader’s words, I smiled without realizing it.
Perhaps because I had seen the Ji Clan’s closed-minded and contradictory appearance, a desire to help arose in me.
Of course, if it was a prestigious sect with tradition, pride was important.
But as the Sect Leader said, pride did not feed anyone.
Should I at least ask about their circumstances?
I approached them and clasped my hands toward Martial Artist Cheongryu.
“I am Eun Seoho of the Eunhae Trading Company.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, yes. I am Cheongryu of the Hainan Sect.” (Cheongryu)
“Today’s duel was truly splendid.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you.” (Cheongryu)
I smiled and also spoke to the Sect Leader.
“You truly have an excellent disciple.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you for saying so.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
“However, it was not my intention to listen, but it seems the Hainan Sect has a matter requiring financial help.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, they were flustered.
“So, if it is not too rude, may I hear the circumstances?” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Martial Artist Cheongryu looked at the Sect Leader awkwardly.
The Sect Leader let out a sigh and said,
“Hoo…… Since it is our fault for speaking of this outside, it cannot be helped.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
“Before that, you may speak comfortably. I am much younger than you.” (Eun Seoho)
“If that is so, well…… Hmhm.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
The Sect Leader cleared his throat and began explaining.
“In truth, this summer, a fierce storm swept across Hainan Island. Because of that, the people living there suffered a great deal of damage.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
Come to think of it, I felt like I had heard news like that.
Because I had nothing related to Hainan Island, I had merely heard it and let it pass.
“So there is much money that must be used for their sake, but as you know, our sect is not exactly wealthy.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
“If it is relief for the people, can you not receive support from the empire?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, he smiled bitterly.
“Is the whole empire not in a difficult situation due to the continuing years of poor harvest? Because of that, it is hard to hope for major support. Moreover, there are no few cases where that support money disappears in the middle.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
Hainan Island was far from the imperial capital, and due to the characteristic of being an island, the imperial family’s control was very weak.
In other words, it probably meant the officials of Hainan Island swallowed part of that money in the middle.
This, it looks like I will have a case after a long time.
I had been troubled lately because I had nothing to report to the Emperor as an inspector, so this worked out well.
“So such a thing happened. Then did the Hainan Sect participate in the friendly martial arts competition to earn money for their relief?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is more or less the case. As you also know, the prize money for winning the friendly martial arts competition is ten thousand nyang. So we intended to use that money to relieve the people of Hainan Island.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
I could feel sincerity in the Sect Leader’s words as he spoke.
Sect Leader. Are you a bodhisattva?
“Why are you looking at me like that?” (Hainan Sect Leader)
“Because I am deeply impressed by the hearts of the Sect Leader and the Hainan Sect.” (Eun Seoho)
I asked again.
“But why are you going so far?” (Eun Seoho)
“Because the people living on Hainan Island are no different from our Hainan Sect’s family. Among the people of Hainan Island, there are few who are not connected to our sect.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
“I suppose that would be true.” (Eun Seoho)
Even so, there was no reason for a murim sect to concern itself with the people’s relief.
Even so, seeing them work so hard for the residents’ relief, I felt I understood why the Hainan Sect was respected.
Relief……
If so, I could not stay out of it.
“You said you need ten thousand nyang?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
“I will provide that money.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, the Sect Leader showed vigilance.
“I am grateful for those words, but our sect has no strength, so we cannot help the Eunhae Trading Company.” (Hainan Sect Leader)
“It is all right. And there is no need to feel burdened.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“Because this money is being given by me personally, not by the Eunhae Trading Company.” (Eun Seoho)
“Such a vast sum?” (Hainan Sect Leader)
In truth, ten thousand nyang of silver was indeed a vast sum.
But for something like this, I was willing to donate it generously.
“By the way, why were you refused by other places?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, Martial Artist Cheongryu sighed and said,
“In truth, this is not the first time we have borrowed money. So far, it amounts to about three hundred thousand nyang. And…….” (Cheongryu)
“You have not been able to repay it.” (Eun Seoho)
“Even so, we are steadily paying it back. We are not such shameless people.” (Cheongryu)
In truth, though sects and clans looked as if they had a lot of money, there was a considerable amount of money spent on operating the organization and maintaining dignity, so their household finances were tighter than one might think.
In a situation where they could not immediately receive back the money they had lent, and the amount being repaid was small, it would be hard to lend more.
In truth, the ones with the most money were merchants.
That was why, normally, murim sects or clans tended to have trading companies that sponsored them.
The Ji Clan was strange.
By the way, the Ji Clan could not repay several million nyang of silver they had grandly squandered through business and gambling, yet their heads were held very high…….
While the Hainan Sect, for the sake of ten thousand nyang to relieve the people of Hainan Island, had its Sect Leader saying he would kneel to others…….
Ehew. They really do compare.