novelraw Chapter 132 : Chapter 132
Chapter 132 : Chapter 132
Chapter 132 - I Can't Stand to See a Loss
Biyoung’s party followed Steward Yi So Hyeon.
Since the manor was so large, the path to Sedong’s residence was quite long.
He wanted to run if he could, but thinking of the Diancang Sect elders behind him, he had no choice but to walk at a leisurely pace.
“Wow……”
The scenery inside was splendid and beautiful.
Enough to make one forget the weight of the gold on their backs.
Flowers adorned in five colors were in full bloom in various spots on the wide lawn, and in the lake, yellow water lilies peeked out their heads from among the lush lotus flowers.
Watching the sect elders marvel, Biyoung smiled bitterly.
To those who had lived a hard life hiding their identities in Simao, the current Yi Family Manor must feel like a palace.
Just then, So Hyeon, who was walking in front, slowed his pace and stood next to Biyoung.
“Young Hero Biyoung.”
“Yes?”
“I always wanted to express my gratitude to you, Young Hero Biyoung, and today I finally have the chance.”
“To me?”
The skinny So Hyeon nodded with a serene smile.
“Young Master Yi was always an outsider within this manor. He was brighter than anyone, but he was more interested in the affairs of Murim than in business. No one avoided him because of his pure nature, but no one thought of Young Master Yi as a successor.”
“Hmm.”
Biyoung recalled his memories of the past.
Not only the people of the Yi Family Manor, including So Hyeon, but even the person selling Tanghulu in the marketplace had shown a liking for Young Master Yi.
It felt like they liked Sedong’s humane side, not because he was the son of a prominent family.
“Young Master Yi is a kind person who treats even the lowest servants with kindness. He is also fundamentally a bright person. However, there were times when a shadow would cast over his face.”
“Because of his father?”
At Biyoung’s direct question, So Hyeon let out a short, dry cough.
Indeed.
A steward couldn’t possibly speak ill of the family head.
“But one day, a change began to occur in Young Master Yi.”
“A change.”
“His face became more lively, and there were more days when he smiled brightly. For some reason, his body also grew stronger and stronger.”
“Oh.”
It wasn’t difficult to find the cause of the change.
What reason would the steward of the Yi Family Clan have to be grateful to him?
All of Sedong’s positive changes had occurred after he met Biyoung.
“Young Master Yi was a person who lived with loneliness. It was difficult for him to make friends easily due to his status, and his interests were different from the children of other merchants. It was during that time that he met you, Young Hero Biyoung.”
So Hyeon stopped walking and bowed politely.
“Before being a steward, as a person who assists Young Master Yi, I thank you. I ask that you continue to be a source of strength for Young Master Yi in the future.”
Biyoung felt somewhat awkward.
“I didn’t treat him well to receive such thanks. It’s a natural thing between friends.”
“A natural thing… a truly heartwarming thing to say. I hope that natural thing continues this time as well.”
Biyoung, who was scratching the back of his head, lifted his eyelids.
It was because he felt a strange sense of incongruity in So Hyeon’s words of gratitude.
“This time as well?”
“Young Master Yi’s condition has not been good since the Awl Selection Period began. You will know when you see him for yourself.”
So Hyeon bowed once again.
“It is a shameless request, but I hope you will comfort Young Master Yi’s heart. As he is the one Young Master Yi has waited for more than anyone, you will be a great source of strength to him.”
“……”
Once, a thanks.
Once, a request.
The sight of So Hyeon repeatedly bowing to Biyoung, who was like a son to him, was nothing short of loyal.
Biyoung replied to him in a soft voice.
“Helping in a difficult situation is also what friends do. Don’t worry.”
***
“Biyoung. I missed you.”
“Sedong?”
Biyoung’s pupils trembled slightly.
Was this the reason Steward So Hyeon had made a special request?
This was not the Sedong of the past, who was full of life and just cute.
His facial skin was rough for his age, and dark half-moons were deeply etched under his eyes.
If there was anything that remained the same, it was only the gentle expression with which he looked at Biyoung.
Sedong, who had been half-lying on the bed, immediately shot up and grabbed his hand upon seeing Biyoung.
“It’s really been a long time.”
“I know. Have you been well……”
The words ‘Have you been well’ couldn’t come out of his throat.
Anyone could see that he was not in a good condition.
As if reading Biyoung’s expression, Sedong gave a shy smile.
“I’m in a bit of a state, aren’t I? Don’t look at me like that and come sit here.”
While sitting in the chair, Biyoung surveyed Sedong’s room.
Thick ledgers that made one dizzy just looking at them were piled up like mountains, and torn pieces of paper, as if he had given up on his calculations, were rolling around here and there.
‘Strange.’
Biyoung’s eyes turned sharp.
No matter how much one did something that didn’t suit their aptitude, could a person become like this in just a few months?
The last time he saw Sedong, he was very sturdy and full of life.
Having taught him the basic breathing techniques and having him train in the Diancang Sect’s basic martial arts every day, it was impossible for him to be unhealthy.
But his current appearance seemed far from healthy.
Very much so.
There were things he wanted to check, but Biyoung first asked about his recent situation.
“I heard from Steward So Hyeon. He said you’re doing well. It’s a close match with your brother, I hear.”
“Hehe. It’s not a close match, I’m just barely hanging on by his ankle.”
Seeing him scratch the back of his head shyly, it seemed his personality was still the same.
A sigh of relief somehow escaped him.
“Trying out the Awl Selection Period, I now know how heavy the position of the head of the Yi Family Clan is.”
“It seems so.”
Biyoung gave a bitter smile as he looked at the piles of ledgers and paper bundles.
“I heard the rumors. You took revenge on the Diancang Sect’s enemies in Hunan. Congratulations. I knew you could do it.”
“I’ve only just caught the tail. And even that was a tail cut off from the main body. The future is what’s important.”
“Hehe. You and I both have a long way to go.”
Watching Sedong smile faintly, Biyoung gestured with his chin to one side.
“I prepared a gift on my way here.”
“A gift?”
“The ones who attacked our sect. They’ve been doing things crudely all this time. I took everything that could be turned into money.”
“Hey, you mean you plundered them?”
Sedong’s already round eyes widened.
Conquering a region and plundering its resources was something that ordinary prestigious orthodox sects did not do.
But Sedong soon nodded his head.
“Well… considering what those bastards did to the Diancang Sect, they deserve it. You could say it’s interest on their sins.”
“Kilkil. Excellent. That was a calculation worthy of the future head of the Yi Family Clan.”
“D-Don’t tease me.”
“The gift I was talking about is that. The goods we took from them. I’m going to entrust that as your share.”
“To me?”
“Yes. The Diancang Sect doesn’t have the talent to manage such a large sum of money yet. Even before that, it’s overwhelming just to handle the plundered… no, accumulated wealth. Such matters should be left to the experts.”
“Biyoung……”
A sense of emotion was evident in Sedong’s voice.
Attracting a large amount of goods would definitely be a source of strength for Sedong and the Yi Family Clan.
Moreover, it was currently the Awl Selection Period.
It would be of great help at this time when the young family head was being decided.
“I’m not sure if you really want the position of family head. But still.”
“……?”
“I can’t stand to see my friend lose.”
“……Thank you so much, Biyoung.”
“Let’s stop talking about business, and give me your hand.”
“My hand?”
“Yes. Let me take a look.”
As if he was somewhat aware of his own condition, Sedong rolled up his sleeve without a word.
Ssssss.
After circulating the Profound Heaven's True Energy Unification Art once, Biyoung checked Sedong’s pulse.
It was an internal energy technique second to none in terms of purity and depth.
Even if a fog had spread inside the target’s body, he could see through it like a microscope.
Biyoung planned to examine Sedong’s internal energy and, if necessary, infuse his own energy into him.
Just as he had done when the junior disciples were in crisis, it would be able to invigorate his body for a while.
And soon.
‘…………!!!’
Sparks flew in Biyoung’s eyes after he checked Sedong’s body.
***
“That bastard came?”
A voice of clear alarm.
The First Young Master of the Yi Family Clan seemed quite displeased with today’s visitor.
“Yes. He visited Young Master Yi’s residence a little while ago. But……”
“What now?”
“He is said to have brought an enormous bundle of money.”
“M-Money bundle?”
His eyes, buried deep in fat, were wide open for once.
The First Young Master of the Yi Family Clan.
Yi Hae-dong quickly asked again.
“What does that mean? A bundle of money.”
“There is a group that came with Young Hero Biyoung. They said they were from the Diancang Sect… and most of the luggage they brought consists of gold bars and goods. Five servants who are quick at counting have been assigned to get an accurate calculation.”
“This is crazy……”
Yi Hae-dong endlessly wiped his face with a high-quality handkerchief.
From the looks of it, he seemed quite flustered.
Indeed, if it took five people just to count the money, just how much was it?
“Where did those beggars from the Diancang Sect get money from?”
“According to rumors, they subdued the hegemon of the Changsha area in Hunan. The wealth brought today seems to be the spoils of that battle.”
“This is driving me crazy. Of all times…!!”
Bang!
Yi Hae-dong slammed his fist on the desk irritably.
He was already on edge because the situation was not good.
There wasn’t a big difference in the money Yi Hae-dong and Yi Sedong had earned during the Awl Selection Period.
Considering their respective connections and clients, there were many who whispered that it was practically his defeat.
With the situation being like this, Biyoung’s visit was not welcome.
It was even more so considering the last day Biyoung had visited.
Hadn’t he dried up the O Family Manor’s cash and brought immense profit to the Yi Family Clan?
It was one of the major reasons why Sedong was able to do well in the Awl Selection Period.
“What do I do about this? If those two collude and scheme again, the situation could really be overturned.”
Hae-dong’s desperate gaze turned to the middle-aged man in front of him.
The middle-aged man had to force a bitter smile inwardly.
If he was shaken by such a small wave, how would he be able to steer the great ship that was the Yi Family Clan in the future?
But that was a relief.
If the character of the future young family head was at this level, it would be easy to control him when he became the family head.
“Do not worry too much. Borrowing funds is like ammunition, but if the direction of the muzzle is off, isn’t it better not to shoot at all?”
“Y-You think so?”
Hae-dong’s expression finally relaxed after hearing the middle-aged man’s words.
He knew what he meant.
The direction of the muzzle.
That would be pointing at Sedong.
If Sedong used the funds recklessly, he would receive a much worse evaluation than if he had just borrowed the funds.
“But I can’t let my guard down. That bastard Sedong, he’s a completely different person now that he’s determined to take on the Awl Selection Period. You can tell just by looking at how a guy with no decent clients is making a similar profit to me, can’t you?”
“He wasn’t interested before, but he was always a bright person, wasn’t he?”
Yi Hae-dong’s expression contorted at the praise for Sedong.
If Sedong was bright, then what about him?
Resentment and jealousy surfaced on his face side by side.
As if to soothe Yi Hae-dong’s heart, the middle-aged man smiled gently.
“But do not worry. If we sprinkle a little more ‘salt,’ even the faint trace of intelligence he has left will disappear.”
“You think so? Yes. Sprinkle it on, generously, as long as he doesn’t die.”
At the word ‘salt,’ Hae-dong’s face brightened noticeably.
He had already confirmed the effects of the salt.
After all, his ever-so-clever younger brother’s eyes had turned dull and hazy.
“I’ll trust only you. Since you are the one Sedong trusts more than anyone, he won’t suspect anything this time either. In the one-in-a-million chance that the salt doesn’t work, you jump in yourself and screw up the business.”
“Is there any doubt?”
The middle-aged man who bowed his head politely.
Steward Yi So Hyeon.
The corners of his lips rose even higher.