novelraw Chapter 30 : Chapter 30
Chapter 30 : Chapter 30
Chapter 30 - Is it a natural disaster or a man-made one?
Why hadn't I thought of that?
That since one spot in the Nine Sects One Union was empty, someone else could fill the vacant position.
My fists clenched tightly, and my eyes became bloodshot.
So these guys in front of me are the ones who joined the Nine Sects One Union in place of the Diancang Sect?
Biyoung suppressed his boiling anger and asked Yi Gwon-su.
“How could a new and rising faction enter the Nine Sects One Union?”
“Haha. My friend. The True Dragon Sect was merely waiting for its time like a hidden dragon; its history is quite long.”
“Hidden dragon or salamander. If people don't know about it, it’s no different from a new and rising sect.”
Daebyeong, unable to listen any longer, frowned and interjected.
“Look here, Young Master Biyoung. What rudeness is this…….”
“Don’t interrupt. If you don't want to die.”
“?!”
Daebyeong’s eyelids twitched a couple of times.
Then, he unknowingly cleared his throat.
For a moment, Biyoung's momentum was so fierce that he had unknowingly flinched and backed down.
‘Did I get scared? Of a brat like that?’
It was so absurd that he couldn't help but laugh.
Was it a misunderstanding?
He didn't know why, but Daebyeong had felt a murderous aura he couldn't stand against.
On the other hand, he was unbearably angry at the fact that he had been scared by such a brat.
“The more I look, the more insolent you are. To act like a fool who knows no fear, trusting in your meager talent!”
It was just as Biyoung’s gaze was about to turn even fiercer.
“Haha. Great Master Daebyeong. Isn't he still a child? Please show him some tolerance. And please, think again about the purpose of this meeting today.”
When Yi Gwon-su spoke while even cupping his fist, Daebyeong could no longer let his emotions get the better of him.
“Young Master Biyoung. I apologize for bringing others without giving you prior notice. But after you hear the story, you will realize that it is by no means a bad thing for you, Young Master Biyoung. Moreover, isn't Great Master Daebyeong your senior in both age and in the Murim?”
His feelings about the True Dragon Sect had not completely subsided.
But since Yi Gwon-su had stepped in to mediate, Biyoung could no longer bare his teeth.
“Yes. Please forgive my rudeness.”
Biyoung gave a perfunctory nod of his head, feigning an apology.
At his half-hearted demeanor, Daebyeong had to exercise extreme patience.
Perhaps finding the situation strange, Yi Gwon-su quickly got to the main point.
“Young Master Biyoung. I would like to formally thank you again. Thank you for saving our merchant caravan from the threat of bandits. I hope you eat and drink to your heart's content today. The reward for the young master will be calculated and sent as soon as the caravan returns. And this is……”
Yi Gwon-su took out a small object from his bosom.
“My personal gift of gratitude.”
“?”
While Biyoung was tilting his head at the object before him, Yi Hae-dong asked with wide eyes.
“Father. Isn't this the Phoenix Knife? Why would you give such a precious object……”
To this guy?
He couldn't bring himself to say the words.
Because the recipient of the gift was right in front of him.
But Yi Hae-dong knew the value of the Phoenix Knife all too well.
This item was put up for auction at a jewelry shop in Luoyang that was said to sell only the most expensive items.
The blade was forged with iron of much better quality than a typical dagger, and the hilt was studded with countless dazzling jewels of all kinds.
It wasn't just a few jewels embedded in the hilt; the entire hilt was made of various jewels, to the point where you couldn't find any normal material.
Its value was hard to compare even with all the goods of the caravan that had just left.
So it was no wonder that Hae-dong was surprised.
“Is this thing good?”
Sedong was just as surprised.
Sedong answered Biyoung’s question, even stuttering.
“I-it's good. Very. With just this one, you could probably buy a couple of houses in Yiliang County. You’ve got your hands on an incredibly valuable item.”
“Hoh.”
Only then did Biyoung’s face seem to relax a little.
As said, it was bought from a jewelry shop, so it was a dagger that didn't seem very useful in a real fight.
But if it was that expensive, using it in a real fight would be a foolish act.
Biyoung slowly put the Phoenix Knife into his bosom.
Gulp.
It seemed the two men from the True Dragon Sect were also well aware that the Phoenix Knife was an expensive item.
Even Elder Mayeon swallowed silently while looking at the Phoenix Knife, and Daebyeong licked his lips slightly as the Phoenix Knife entered Biyoung's bosom.
“Thank you, Family Head. I’m not sure if I've received a reward too excessive for what I’ve done.”
“Haha. What the young master protected was not just the goods. The people of the family, who are more important than the goods, all survived safely, so their value is beyond measure.”
Hmm.
Was he really such a warm-hearted person?
It felt quite different from the nickname Master of Intrigue that was rumored around.
Maybe he was conscious of the two True Dragon Sect trash here.
Once the tense atmosphere had settled, Yi Gwon-su called for the butler.
“Is Butler Yi outside.”
“At your command.”
“Bring the alcohol and food.”
“I will prepare it immediately.”
Before long, a feast of all kinds of delicacies, enough to break the table legs, was served.
The faint aroma of alcohol flowing from the bottle proudly boasted of its high quality.
Biyoung extended his cup towards Yi Gwon-su.
“Please give me a glass too.”
“Hmm? Will you be alright?”
Since Biyoung was of a similar age to Sedong, Yi Gwon-su also seemed to hesitate for a moment.
“They say a hero must know how to enjoy the finer things in life. It’s good to get a head start.”
“Hahaha. That’s true too.”
Yi Gwon-su readily poured the alcohol.
Biyoung drained the cup in one gulp.
“Keuuuugh! The taste of the alcohol is as amazing as the meat!”
“Hahaha. I can already feel the air of a hero!”
Biyoung drank cup after cup, trying hard to compose himself.
If it were up to him, he would have wanted to beat up the two from the True Dragon Sect, but rationally speaking, the True Dragon Secthad just stepped into an empty spot.
The original sin would lie with the Diancang Sect, who foolishly sent all their masters to war without thinking about the aftermath, and with those who had stabbed them in the back.
As long as the True Dragon Sect were not the dark factions that had annihilated the Diancang Sect, Biyoung could not hold them responsible.
That was why Biyoung was drinking, to soothe his bitter heart.
“Keuuuugh! Can I have another bottle?”
“Of course! If I had known, I would have brought out plenty of alcohol from the start!”
“If you bring it out in advance, the alcohol will just get cold!”
“Haha! That's true too!”
Watching Biyoung eat and drink with a purpose, the two martial artists from the True Dragon Sect also seemed to have relaxed to some extent.
Although they had no way of knowing about the sharp reaction from a moment ago.
“Young Master Biyoung. Now that you've had a glass, please receive my glass as well.”
“Ah. Good, good.”
Yi Hae-dong, after observing the situation, poured a glass for Biyoung.
He was already rambling on about how much money he had earned for the Yi Family Clan, and what kind of business acumen he had.
Biyoung, engrossed in the alcohol and meat, let it in one ear and out the other, but Sedong next to him began to grow more and more dispirited.
He could feel that Hae-dong was trying to win Biyoung’s favor.
People from merchant families of scale do not hesitate to support promising sects and martial artists.
In a way, that was what yielded the best efficiency for the investment.
“Two months ago, I succeeded in a tea trade with the Potala Palace in Tibet. There is no difference between the Central Plains and Tibet when it comes to liking good quality tea. Haha.”
Biyoung, who had been listening to Hae-dong's story with half an ear, suddenly showed interest.
“Hearing your story, it seems the First Young Master has both excellent business talent and luck on his side. Trading with Tibet is a difficult task even for experienced merchants. The road to Tibet is also heavily influenced by the climate.”
“Haha. I didn’t know Young Master Biyoung was so well-versed in the affairs of a merchant caravan. That’s right. No matter how well a caravan is planned, one never knows what variables may exist. No wonder they offer a rite to the heavens before setting up a long-distance caravan. This is all to avoid natural disasters.”
“Natural disasters…… indeed. The saying that heaven helps those who help themselves is perfect.”
“Hahaha. I didn’t know I would get along so well with Young Master Biyoung.”
On the surface, it seemed like a conversation that clicked perfectly.
Every time Hae-dong and Biyoung burst into laughter, a satisfied smile appeared on Yi Gwon-su's lips, while Sedong, on the other hand, became more and more dispirited.
Biyoung, who had laughed and talked for a while, suddenly threw a question.
“By the way, what about a case like this?”
“Hm?”
Biyoung raised his body slightly and whispered in Yi Hae-dong’s ear.
“After deciding on the trade goods, suddenly unknown people appear and sweep away the goods, or the pigs bought in large quantities for slaughter all get sick and die collectively on the same day.”
“……!”
Hae-dong’s cheerful face instantly froze.
On the other hand, a demonic smile spread on Biyoung’s slightly flushed lips from the alcohol.
“Shall I tell you another interesting story? I heard it from the bandit leader, Jang Pae. He said that while he was returning empty-handed, someone sent him a letter with an arrow. The letter contained the location of the merchant caravan leaving from the Yi Family Clan and the list of goods. Even the departure time and route, which only an insider would know. He even advised on which point to wait at for the most effective robbery.”
“!”
Yi Hae-dong’s face turned as pale as a person with a serious illness.
He could tell without asking what intention was contained in Biyoung’s words.
Biyoung slowly returned to his original seat and smiled gently.
“What do you think? In a case like this, is it a natural disaster, or a man-made one?”
“………….”
Yi Hae-dong couldn't bring himself to answer Biyoung’s question.
It was even more so because he couldn't be sure to what extent he knew.
It was a great relief that he had at least whispered it instead of saying it out loud.
If his father had heard, he didn't even want to imagine what would happen next.
Yi Gwon-su was a man who was certain about his rewards and punishments.
And that was no different just because it was family.
Right now, since he was the eldest son and the son of the legal wife, he was being supported, but he was a person who could cast him aside at any time if he was deemed a failure.
“What are you two talking about so affectionately? And what’s this about a natural disaster and a man-made one?”
Yi Gwon-su asked with interest, and because of that, Yi Hae-dong’s back was soaked with cold sweat.
“For now, we’ll keep it a secret between the two of us. I’ll tell you when the time is right.”
“Haha. Saying it like that makes me even more curious. Well then, since the mood has ripened, shall we talk about the second main topic?”
“There was another main topic?”
That’s right.
He had saved it because the atmosphere had been ruined in the middle, but Yi Gwon-su had a second purpose.
The Phoenix Knife was for that, he had turned a blind eye to Biyoung's behavior for that, and he had brought the two from the True Dragon Sect for that.
“Young Master Biyoung. I understand that you have not entered any particular sect. Am I correct?”
“That’s…… right?”
Hmm.
Is it?
He hadn't re-entered the Diancang Sect after reincarnating, so at least by Biyoung's standards, it wasn't a wrong statement.
“It's truly amazing. To have that much talent without even entering a sect. On the other hand, I had a thought. That if you were to learn martial arts systematically and let your talent bloom, you could become a peerless master.”
“Learn martial arts systematically? Where?”
Instead of asking that question, Yi Gwon-su looked to the side.
The elder of the True Dragon Sect, who had been silently watching the conversation.
Mayeon brought up the words he had been waiting for.
“Young Master Biyoung. Join our True Dragon Sect. I will make you the greatest swordsman.”
“!”