Chapter 585
Episode 585
Episode 585 Backroom Deal (6)
I said to the Sect Leader of the Hainan Sect and the Cheongryu warrior.
“To be honest, even if I wanted to give you more, I hesitate because I think the two of you would feel burdened.” (MC)
At my words, the Sect Leader answered awkwardly.
“Ahem. As I said earlier, our sect is poor, so there is nothing we can do for you.” (Sect Leader)
“That is not true.” (MC)
“Hmm?” (Sect Leader)
“Does the Hainan Sect not know pirates well?” (MC)
“That is true.” (Sect Leader)
In that instant, killing intent bloomed from the Sect Leader.
It was hatred toward pirates.
“Our Hainan Sect knows pirates better than anyone.” (Sect Leader)
“Ahem. Sect Leader.” (Cheongryu Warrior)
The Cheongryu warrior spoke carefully, and at that, the Sect Leader quickly withdrew his killing intent.
“My apologies. Whenever I merely hear the word pirate, rage boils up in me without my realizing it....” (Sect Leader)
“I understand. Was the Hainan Sect not founded in the first place to fight against pirates?” (MC)
“That is right. Thank you for understanding.” (Sect Leader)
I smiled lightly and began speaking.
“In truth, our Eunhae Trading Company sent a merchant expedition to the Great Yue Kingdom, and previously made a great profit. The problem is that the pirates who heard this rumor are interfering with Eunhae Trading Company’s sea expeditions.” (MC)
“Mm, I suppose they would.” (Sect Leader)
“Those bastards are absolute sons of bitches who would do that and worse.” (Sect Leader)
At that rough way of speaking, I gave a small laugh.
“So I was wondering, do you perhaps need a Trading Company to sponsor you? It would be enough if you secured support from martial artists who can fight the pirates and a safe anchorage.” (MC)
“......”
They wore expressions of deep thought.
“Of course, I am not saying you must decide right now. Still, I would like you to decide before this friendly martial arts competition ends. Once the friendly martial arts competition ends, I plan to leave immediately.” (MC)
“Understood.” (Sect Leader)
“And this.” (MC)
I took a promissory note out from my breast.
It was the promissory note for ten thousand taels of silver that I mentioned earlier.
“Are you truly giving this to us?” (Sect Leader)
“Of course.” (MC)
“Then is this also included in that sponsorship you just mentioned?” (Sect Leader)
“No. Please think of this simply as my goodwill toward Hainan Island.” (MC)
I continued.
“If it truly makes you uncomfortable, I would be grateful if you prayed for all things to go well for me. While you are at it, please pray that our Eunhae Trading Company becomes the world’s best Trading Company.” (MC)
“That is not difficult.” (Sect Leader)
The Sect Leader said to the Cheongryu warrior.
“Look, has a lump of gold not fallen from the sky like this?” (Sect Leader)
“Hahaha. It really has.” (Cheongryu Warrior)
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I parted from the two people of the Hainan Sect and returned to Yeonpung Inn.
And until the next day came, no word arrived from the Ji Clan.
Well, it seemed they were trying to find some way to prepare the money in their own way, but there was no way that would be easy.
Three million taels of silver was not money that could be prepared easily.
That was why they had accepted their proposal.
Those who had lured them into the trap had all been eliminated, but that did not mean the debt the Ji Clan owed had disappeared as well.
It was about time they bent their pride.
Dawn broke.
Starting today, the main round of the Jijo begins.
Fifteen people who passed the preliminaries, plus me, making sixteen.
Even thinking about it now, it is rather annoying.
Why did they have to recommend me....
I was merely planning to make an appropriate profit from the merchant expedition and leave.
“Kkui?” (Geumryeong)
At Geumryeong’s telepathy, I became embarrassed.
Well, not exactly appropriate. I was planning to make quite a large profit.
Thanks to running two temporary shops, the income I had expected had nearly doubled.
Mm, good.
While eating breakfast, I called Jinho Hyung.
“Jinho Hyung.” (MC)
“What?” (Jinho)
“Are your ribs a bit better?” (MC)
“Yes. It feels stuffy because I’m wearing the breastplate you gave me, but it’s much better.” (Jinho)
That was a breastplate I had specially made by asking the Baekyeom Trading Company, and it was shaped to cover the entire chest and back.
The physician said the bones would set properly only if he stayed as still as possible.
But with Jinho Hyung’s personality, staying still was impossible.
That was why I had it made in that form.
Because it was armor made of iron, I lined the inside with quilted cloth so he would not get metal poisoning, and so that it would not feel uncomfortable to wear.
At that moment, the physician who had been eating on one side spoke.
“Third Young Company Head.” (Physician)
“Yes, Physician.” (MC)
“Could you have a few more of the breastplates the Second Young Company Head is currently wearing made?” (Physician)
“That breastplate?” (MC)
“Yes.” (Physician)
The physician continued.
“In truth, there are quite a few warriors of the Silver Wind Corps who suffer rib injuries from training or battle. But even though they must stay still, they end up training, which aggravates the injury and causes problems. Therefore, I think that breastplate may be of considerable help.” (Physician)
“If that is the reason, then of course I should have them made for you.” (MC)
As I said that, a thought suddenly came to mind.
“By any chance, it is not only the Silver Wind Corps who suffer such injuries, is it?” (MC)
“Of course not, but....” (Physician)
As if Father had noticed what I was thinking, he smiled and asked.
“Are you thinking of selling them?” (Father)
“Yes. I think they would sell quite well.” (MC)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
Seeing Geumryeong’s reaction, it seemed worth trying.
That fellow could smell money of the future, too.
“Come to think of it, aren’t we already making and selling wheelchairs in our Trading Company right now?” (Jinho)
At Jinho Hyung’s words, I nodded.
“That’s right.” (MC)
“The wheelchair is like that, and so is this breastplate. They’re all for people who are hurt. At this rate, won’t we just enter that field altogether?” (Jinho)
At those words, a good idea flashed through my mind, and I grabbed Jinho Hyung’s hand.
“Hyung. That is a very good idea!” (MC)
“Huh?” (Jinho)
“Why did I not think of that?” (MC)
I turned my head and spoke to Father.
“We should make and sell tools for people whose bodies are uncomfortable at our Eunhae Trading Company. In other words, it would be something like a medical tool shop.” (MC)
“A medical tool shop....” (Father)
“Yes. Profit is profit, but people’s perception of our Eunhae Trading Company will also improve greatly.” (MC)
“There is sense in what you say. Once we return this time, I shall discuss it with the Pavilion Masters.” (Father)
In that way, the warm meal came to an end, and I quietly approached Father.
“May I speak with you for a moment?” (MC)
“There is still time, so let us go to my room.” (Father)
“Yes.” (MC)
I followed Father to his guest room.
Father personally poured the tea brought by the attendant.
“So, what is it you wish to say?” (Father)
“I have come to hear your answer regarding what I mentioned last night.” (MC)
Last night, after returning to the inn, I had told him about becoming the sponsoring Trading Company of Hainan Island.
Father had said he would think about it for a while.
“You rascal, you seem to be in quite a hurry. Not even a full day has passed yet.” (Father)
“I cannot help it. I urged them as well, you see. I told them I would prefer it if they decided before the friendly martial arts competition ends.” (MC)
“Mm... In truth, if we become their sponsoring Trading Company under such conditions, it is not a loss for us either.” (Father)
Father continued.
“In the future, the number of ships our Eunhae Trading Company owns will increase further, and once that happens, the anchorages we currently have will reach their limit. Yet using the anchorages in Nanjing would be too expensive, and it would also catch the eyes of others.” (Father)
That was the problem.
Catching other people’s eyes.
We could not fully reveal our true strength.
“I said it while considering that part as well.” (MC)
“I also think it is a decent plan, but even if they accept those conditions, I am thinking the officials of Hainan Island may be a problem.” (Father)
Father let out a sigh.
“Officials in such places are people whose specialty is filling their own bellies, are they not?” (Father)
Ah... Father knew about the corruption of Hainan Island’s officials as well.
Well, it had been the same back in Chungyeong Fortress in Yunnan, and since the borders were not well controlled when it came to officials, there were often many cases of them becoming corrupt.
“I was told that quite a bit of the money meant to be used for recovery and relief from the damage caused by this typhoon disappeared midway. But why are their heads still firmly attached to their necks?” (MC)
The Emperor’s eyes and ears are everywhere, too. Could there be a problem with the Royal Guards and the Eastern Depot this time as well?
At my question, Father spoke.
“Because there is no evidence.” (Father)
“Pardon?” (MC)
“There is no evidence that they embezzled it. They submitted a report saying the ship sank on the way to Hainan Island, and even if it is investigated, how would one investigate a ship sunk deep beneath the sea?” (Father)
“Ah... I see.” (MC)
In the end, it meant that if we could not do something about those officials, joining hands with the Hainan Sect would have no meaning at all.
Phew. Once this matter ends, I will have to go straight to the Emperor.
Just then, Palgap’s voice came from outside.
“Young Master! It is about time you got going, sir!” (Palgap)
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A little while later.
I headed to the martial arts arena with my family.
Today was the day Hyangok Noona’s main round duel would begin.
Mine was tomorrow.
Boom, boom, boom!
The drum sounded, and Captain Geum Yeonhwa climbed onto the dueling stage.
“Then, we will now begin the first duel of Jijo’s main round. The first duel is....” (Geum Yeonhwa)
Soon, two disciples from fairly famous sects climbed onto the dueling stage.
The two warriors began an intense duel that stained the dueling stage with blood.
How did the matchups turn out like this?
Just as the Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect are, that Bigyeok Sect and Pungha Sect are also famous enemies.
Still, since the Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect have their honor as great sects, they maintain courtesy while exchanging blows, but those people have none of that.
They are places that fight like dogs, truly.
“Haat!” (Bigyeok Sect Disciple)
“Haak!” (Pungha Sect Disciple)
The two desperately aimed for each other’s tags and defended, so the outcome did not come easily.
The two shed so much blood that I wondered whether the floor of the dueling stage had originally been red.
Would they not die of excessive bleeding at that rate?
It was around the time that thought occurred to me.
“Stop!” (Geum Yeonhwa)
That was when it happened.
Captain Geum Yeonhwa stepped between them.
“This duel will be halted under the authority of the referee. It will resume after your wounds are treated.” (Geum Yeonhwa)
Once a duel begins, stopping it is extremely rare.
However, it can be stopped under the authority of the referee, and one such case is when it is judged that if the duel continues as it is, their lives will be in danger from excessive bleeding.
In such cases, bleeding is stopped with golden wound medicine and such, wounds are treated, and then the duel resumes.
“Damn it!” (Bigyeok Sect Disciple)
“Kuh!” (Pungha Sect Disciple)
The martial artists of the Bigyeok Sect and Pungha Sect could not hide their resentment, but they had no choice but to follow the referee’s words.
Being dragged away and locked in prison would be a disgrace to their sects.
At that moment, someone spoke.
“See here, Captain Geum. Would it not be fine to continue as it is?” (Bigyeok Sect Leader)
“What do you mean by that, Sect Leader of the Bigyeok Sect?” (Geum Yeonhwa)
“When people fight, do they not shed a lot of blood and such? I would prefer you not think of the disciple of our Bigyeok Sect as being on the same level as that weak disciple of the Pungha Sect.” (Bigyeok Sect Leader)
“What did you say? Then it seems the Bigyeok Sect does not even cherish its disciples. You heartless, cold-blooded bastards! If he has shed that much blood, it is only proper to look after him so his life will not be endangered, but what? Continue? You damned bastard!” (Pungha Sect Leader)
“A warrior is a warrior because he fights!” (Bigyeok Sect Leader)
“There is a time, a place, and a situation for that too!” (Pungha Sect Leader)
Their argument grew more and more heated.
Ugh, at this rate they will even draw weapons.
Perhaps because everyone knew they were bitter enemies, they merely clicked their tongues or shook their heads.
But why was no one stopping them?
However, my question was soon resolved.
“Sect Leader of the Bigyeok Sect, Sect Leader of the Pungha Sect.” (Geum Yeonhwa)
Captain Geum Yeonhwa called them softly.
“You are proving before everyone’s eyes that the two of you are enemies. Well, that is fine. In life, one’s relationship may worsen, or things like that may happen.” (Geum Yeonhwa)
Captain Geum Yeonhwa’s gaze changed.
“But you see. Why now?” (Geum Yeonhwa)
“Urk!” (Bigyeok Sect Leader)
“Ugh!” (Pungha Sect Leader)
At her gaze, they flinched.
“Do you wish for me to visit the Bigyeok Sect and the Pungha Sect?” (Geum Yeonhwa)
“N-no! That is not it!” (Bigyeok Sect Leader)
“Hoho, Captain Geum is a busy person, so there is no need for you to go so far as to come to our Pungha Sect....” (Pungha Sect Leader)
Why are they that horrified by Captain Geum Yeonhwa’s visit?
I am curious.
“If neither of you has any objection, this duel will be halted under my authority.” (Geum Yeonhwa)
They nodded, and once their permission had been given like that.
Thud.
Splatter.
The two warriors who had been clinging to consciousness seemed to lose their tension and collapsed right there on the dueling stage.
And people from the infirmary ran over, loaded them onto stretchers, and ran to the infirmary.
Then the assistants began cleaning the dueling stage thoroughly.
In the meantime, simple snacks were provided. However, there were some who could not enjoy those snacks.
Well, eating something while looking at a bloody scene is certainly something that turns the stomach.
As for me, I was used to it, so I ate the snacks deliciously.
Soon, the dueling stage was cleared.
“The next duel is Emei Sect’s Hyangok! Her opponent is Huangbo Homyeong of the Huangbo Clan!” (Geum Yeonhwa)
“Waaaaaaaa!”
Amid the cheers of the people filling the dueling arena, the two warriors climbed onto the dueling stage.
The Huangbo Clan... The one who bought the match during the last Dragon and Phoenix Martial Arts Competition was a young master of the Huangbo Clan, was he not?
But seeing that this young master had made it to the main round of this friendly martial arts competition, it probably meant he had some skill.
Each wore seven tags on their body and faced each other.
They did not say anything, but the emotion in Young Master Huangbo Homyeong’s eyes was contempt.
Boom!
At that moment, the sound of the drum rang out.
When Noona took her starting stance, only then did Young Master Huangbo Homyeong also take his starting stance.
Why was his reaction slow?
Should he not quickly take his starting stance when he hears the drum?
As I tilted my head and studied Young Master Huangbo Homyeong, something strange caught my eye.
He blocked his ears with beeswax?
Wow, in order not to hear Hyangok Noona’s words, he melted candle wax and used it like earplugs.
Seeing that, I gave a bitter smile.
Since he did not know Hyangok Noona’s martial prowess, he must have thought Noona was a warrior whose tongue was the only thing alive.
Well, in the preliminaries, Hyangok Noona subdued her opponent with words alone, without even fighting.
That was why he blocked out sound to defend against Noona’s venomous tongue.
But is Noona’s terror only in her venomous tongue?
Of course, Noona’s venomous tongue is quite sharp, but why would the Emei Sect have sent Noona out as their representative in the friendly martial arts competition?
It is because they judged that she had the qualifications to uphold the Emei Sect’s dignity.
So if he looks down on Noona, he will pay dearly.