novelraw Chapter 133 : Chapter 133
Chapter 133 : Chapter 133
Chapter 133 - Who is a fool and who is a pushover is determined at the end
“Hahaha! Look who it is!”
The master of the Yi Family Clan.
The family head, Yi Gwon-su, welcomed Biyoung enthusiastically with open arms.
At that sight, Biyoung smiled bitterly inwardly.
‘The treatment is at the extremes every time I see him…’
The day they protected the merchant caravan from the mountain bandits and met the warriors of the True Dragon Sect.
Not only was the place of invitation the ‘Guest Pavilion,’ but Biyoung was actually treated like a distinguished guest.
But after that.
After their business was concluded, it became difficult to even see Yi Gwon-su’s face.
When they did meet, he had looked at him as if he were a cow looking at a chicken.
And now.
Biyoung, who had brought wealth that would make one’s eyes pop open, was once again invited to the Guest Pavilion.
Yi Gwon-su acted as if he had no memory of his past behavior.
A thorough pragmatist who put in effort only when there was something to gain.
He was a rather unlucky bastard.
But on the other hand, it also made him think that perhaps he could become the family head because he was this kind of person.
“It’s good to see you after a long time.”
“Have you been well?”
“A merchant never has a peaceful day until he dies. It’s my job to be anxious and on edge all day long.”
“For someone like that, you look well.”
“Haha! Do I?”
A hearty laugh burst out from his small mouth, just like Sedong’s.
“Even if I look well, can I compare to you? Truly, not just in Yiliang County, but in all of Yunnan, it is a rare jade face. I doubt there are many rivals even in the entire Murim.”
“What’s so important about a face when you’re swinging a sword?”
“You don’t know. The support of the people cannot be obtained just by being strong in martial arts. The saying ‘if you’re going to get it, get the pretty one’ didn’t come out of nowhere, did it? If swordsmanship skills are equal, the one with other charms will gain popularity. The reputation of a sect can be obtained not only through the right path but also through side paths.”
Seeing him appropriately mix advice and well-wishes, he looked like an irreplaceable supporter in life.
My goodness.
How absurd.
“The rumors about you arrived before you did. I heard you caused quite a stir in Hunan.”
Biyoung didn’t bother to deny it.
“Yes. I went to set things right that had gone wrong. Though not all of it.”
“Not all of it… Then there’s still much to do in the future.”
Yi Gwon-su showed a brief curiosity, but as it wasn’t a money-making affair, he soon lost interest.
“The goods you brought this time are of a scale that is considered top-class even within our Yi Family Manor. Just in time, an order came down from Kunming, and there is much to do. If you permit, I believe I can use these funds usefully.”
Kunming.
If large funds were to be used in the capital of Yunnan, it would surely be related to the government.
For the Yi Family Clan, it was an opportunity to gain both profit and honor.
In any case, the money was too large for the Diancang Sect to manage, so it had come here.
He could just let them handle the funds as they saw fit.
But there was something that needed to be clarified.
“I brought the funds with the intention of entrusting them to Sedong.”
“Hmm? This person. Haha.”
Yi Gwon-su laughed in a deliberately exaggerated manner.
“My second son has recently awakened to his talent for business, but he wouldn’t have the skill to handle such a large sum of money. The heavier the money, the more one has to bear. At this scale, it’s right for me to handle it directly.”
“Well. Then do as you wish. But the profits from these funds must be reflected in Sedong’s performance.”
“Is there any doubt? I haven’t forgotten the blow you dealt to the O Family Manor last time.”
Tea leaves, which could be said to be almost the only specialty of Yunnan.
At the time when they needed to purchase them in large quantities, the O Family Manor had run out of cash.
Because of the Diancang Sect’s ledgers that Biyoung and Jeong-i had brought.
Thanks to that, the Yi Family Clan, which got to bid alone, was able to secure an exclusive contract and even lower the price of the tea leaves.
It was a case where the saying ‘money begets money’ applied all too well.
Having obtained Biyoung’s permission, Yi Gwon-su felt extremely pleased.
So much so that he provided information he didn’t necessarily have to.
“Oh. Be wary of the True Dragon Sect’s movements.”
“The True Dragon Sect?”
“Yes. Weren’t you once given a good scare by them before? I don’t know about other places, but the True Dragon Sect is quite wary of your sect. Geographically, they are right next to you.”
“Hmm.”
Initially, the True Dragon Sect had sought a meeting to accept Biyoung as a top disciple.
The shock they must have received from him beating a second-generation disciple to a pulp on that spot would be difficult to describe in words.
It was a sect with a short history, but it had newly joined the Nine Sects One Union in place of the Diancang Sect.
The news that such a power was wary of the Diancang Sect was by no means good news.
However.
Biyoung’s reaction was ridiculously simple.
“Looks like they haven’t been beaten enough yet.”
“………….”
“It’s something I said in Hunan as well, but tell them to come and pick a fight whenever they want.”
“Hoho. My dear man. What do you mean by a fight? Would those who call themselves prestigious orthodox sects carelessly pick fights with other sects?”
Yi Gwon-su waved his hands, but Biyoung did not miss his expression.
It was the face of someone anticipating an interesting spectacle.
‘Because of that man, the True Dragon Sect will surely visit the main headquarters once.’
This time, Biyoung asked Yi Gwon-su.
“Have you seen Sedong’s face recently?”
“That is… it’s not going as well as I thought. It’s not something to say while living in the same space, but my second son also travels to other regions frequently for business, and I am also a busy person.”
Had he not seen him?
Or was he pretending not to have seen him?
The man called a master of intrigue.
There was not enough information to see into Yi Gwon-su’s intentions.
“Sedong’s physical condition is not very good. You didn’t know, did you?”
“My second son? Oh dear…!”
Yi Gwon-su’s pupils trembled once.
Seeing his expression darken, it seemed he still thought of him as his child.
“It seems his mind and body are quite exhausted because of the Awl Selection Period. I hear that as the two sons compete, the business that would have brought profits becomes a self-destructive one. What is the meaning of this kind of competition?”
One of the sons falls ill, and the family’s profit decreases.
Although it was a process to decide the successor, the loss was not small.
“Young Hero Biyoung.”
However, Yi Gwon-su spoke in a firm tone.
“I appreciate your concern for our manor. But the Awl Selection Period is a tradition of the Yi family that has been observed for over two hundred years. It is not an event that an outsider can deny with a small clue.”
“I see.”
Yi Gwon-su, who had only been praising him as if his tongue were coated with honey, was no longer there.
There was only the family head, who emphasized the word ‘outsider’ and put up a wall regarding family matters.
Biyoung also did not think his words would be accepted.
He had just said it because the man didn't even know his own child was sick.
As Biyoung meekly accepted, Yi Gwon-su’s expression quickly relaxed.
“The saying Who is a fool and who is a pushover is determined at the end. Do you know it?”
“No. It’s my first time hearing it.”
“It means that who is a fool and who is a pushover is determined at the end. It is the family motto of the Yi family, and a saying I use like a habit.”
“Who is a fool and who is a pushover is determined at the end… so you mean the overall profit can only be calculated after the Awl Selection Period is over? And fools like me who tell you what to do can also be sorted out.”
“Hahahaha. This person.”
Yi Gwon-su laughed loudly.
He didn’t seem to be denying it.
Who is a fool and who is a pushover is determined at the end.
Seeing as he even brought up the Yi family’s motto, it seemed the Awl Selection Period would proceed as it was.
In that case…….
‘I’ll have to respond in my own way too.’
“Those are good words. I hope one day those words will come out of my mouth too.”
“Hmm?”
At Biyoung’s meaningful words, Yi Gwon-su tilted his head for a moment.
But Biyoung brought up another topic instead of an explanation.
“The elders of the Diancang Sect who moved the goods will be returning tomorrow morning. Please treat them generously until then.”
“Do you even have to ask? It’s just that the seats in this Guest Pavilion were too small to accommodate everyone. While the distinguished guests from the Diancang Sect are staying, the Yi Family Manor will serve them with the utmost care.”
“That is something to be thankful for. And I plan to stay for about a week. Is that okay?”
“A week?”
“Yes. Since I’m in Yiliang County, I have things to do and places to see. Are you perhaps thinking the food is a waste or something…?”
“Haha. My dear man. What do you take our Yi Family Manor for? Even if you lived here in luxury for the rest of your life, I wouldn’t stop you.”
You’re kidding me.
Yi Gwon-su was the type of person who would kick him out faster than anyone else if he became useless.
But Biyoung smiled brightly and nodded.
“Thank you. Family Head.”
***
“A whole week?”
Mujin of the Diancang Sect asked with round eyes.
“Yes. I have some business to attend to.”
“Didn’t you say you met Young Master Yi yesterday? Could it be…”
“Could it be?”
Mujin’s expression was covered with suspicion.
“You’re not thinking of living in luxury since you’re at the Yi Family Clan, are you? Eating and drinking to your heart’s content for a while.”
At Mujin’s words, the crowd sent gazes full of doubt.
Wasn’t Biyoung the type to jump up from his sleep at the mention of alcohol and meat?
In that sense, this Yi Family Manor was like heaven.
Biyoung waved his hands as if to say, what are you talking about?
“Hey! What a disappointing thing to say! I’m Biyoung! The person who hates wasting time more than anyone! Do I look like I’m only thinking about playing and eating?”
“Swallow the meat in your mouth before you speak.”
“Hup.”
At the sight of him gulping down meat early in the morning, the gazes of the crowd became even sharper.
This bastard.
No matter how you look at it, he’s suspicious.
“Hey. I said it’s not like that. Do I look like someone who would go around doing foolish things?”
“Are you the type to do foolish things? You’re the type to set off a bomb, if anything.”
Mujin smiled bitterly and patted Biyoung’s shoulder with one arm.
“It’s better if you’re just playing and eating. Just don’t cause any trouble. I hear our sect’s name is spreading in the Murim again.”
“I told you not to worry. Oh, and when you return to the main headquarters, please pass on my message.”
“What is it?”
This time, Biyoung’s eyes became very fierce.
“Tell them not to be lazy with their training while I’m gone. If they skip even a single day of the homework I assigned, I’ll see it all. I’m Biyoung… mmph!”
The hand that was patting his shoulder covered Biyoung’s mouth.
He had already caused enough commotion in someone else’s house.
“Wouldn’t they? Those kids wouldn’t even dare to think of deceiving you.”
The Diancang Sect party, now without their luggage, turned around with much lighter movements.
“Please make sure to tell them. If they skip training, they’re dead!”
Behind the backs of the departing Diancang Sect elders, Biyoung’s nagging voice could be heard endlessly.
***
Gulp gulp gulp gulp.
A cask full of alcohol danced in the air.
“Keeeeuhhhhhh!”
Papapat!
The chopsticks moving dazzlingly over the side dishes looked like a sword dance.
“Chomp chomp chomp chomp!”
It had already been four days.
It was the fourth day of living like a loafer, eating and drinking all day.
The very same guy who had made such a fuss about the junior disciples not skipping their training.
If they saw this scene, they might have shed tears of blood and pulled out all their hair.
The attitude of the servants, who had initially looked at Biyoung with favorable eyes, also began to change gradually.
‘How can he just play and do nothing all day?’
‘Did he come from the Beggars' Union, not the Diancang Sect?’
‘A guy like that was active in Hunan?’
On the sixth day of eating and drinking.
Everyone in the Yi Family Manor, except for a very few, was convinced.
That bastard.
He was born with the blood of a loafer.
One would think he’d be tired of playing and eating by now, but Biyoung ate and drank every day as if he were a new person.
The rumors of his exploits in Hunan were also likely to be untrue.
After all, rumors are bound to be exaggerated.
“Keo keo!”
Biyoung, napping while stroking his bloated belly.
Now, no one regarded Biyoung as a distinguished guest.
The wish for the week to pass quickly.
And the anxiety of what to do if he didn’t leave even after a week.
Only those two emotions remained.
“Is it okay to leave him like that? The wind is cold.”
“Let him be. It’s his own fault if he gets sick.”
“We had to forcibly carry him yesterday when he was sleeping in the main hall. I can’t do it anymore.”
To the servants, Biyoung was no more than a son or the youngest brother.
There was no way they would like the sight of such a person playing and eating all day.
The day grew darker, and no one paid any attention to Biyoung, who was stretched out in the main hall.
And finally.
“………….”
Seuk.
At a time when even the moonlight was hidden by the clouds and had turned whitish.
Biyoung quietly raised his body.