Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 25

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#025

Donghai Merchant Guild Headquarters.

Jo Pilseong personally brewed tea and filled the teacup across from him.

“Subordinate, you’ve accomplished something great.”

“Merchant Guild Leader. Please don’t call me that. It makes me uncomfortable.”

“Deungmyeong Manor’s reputation is rising. I can’t keep calling you by name forever.”

The one receiving this treatment was Cheon-gu.

He had come to relay the details of negotiations with Hao-mun, but Jo Pilseong called Cheon-gu, whom he had once taken in, ‘Subordinate’ and showed him proper respect.

Though treating subordinates well was never easy, Jo Pilseong showed no hesitation.

“Deungmyeong Manor is a patron of our Donghai Merchant Guild. If the manor’s subordinate is disrespected, both the manor and guild would become laughingstocks. I hope you won’t take this matter lightly either.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Cheon-gu realized the duties that came with his position.

“But I’m surprised Hao-mun accepted all of this.”

“It wasn’t an easy negotiation. She’s quite formidable.”

“She’s the Dan-ju of Hao-mun, no less. I heard she’s unmatched in negotiations.”

“Fortunately, she couldn’t beat our Lord.”

Thanks to Ja-gang-cheon creating a winning situation beforehand, they could push through the important terms.

Deungmyeong Manor’s demands were largely three things.

First. Hao-mun cannot engage in new businesses within Jiao-nan, excluding existing operations and the black market.

Second. Human trafficking, underage prostitution, loan sharking, and manufacturing and selling aphrodisiacs are prohibited. Also, anyone or group found engaging in these activities must be reported to Deungmyeong Manor immediately.

Third. Once every three months. Pay 5,000 taels of silver as payment for ice taken from the manor.

The amount of ice wasn’t specified here. To avoid responsibility, they called it ice payment rather than a donation. This meant they could give just one chunk and receive 5,000 taels.

Even looking at it again, Jo Pilseong found the results amazing.

“But didn’t Hao-mun offer up to 30% of their profits? That would be much more money.”

5,000 taels every three months meant 20,000 taels a year – a fortune. But compared to the revenue from the black market, it wasn’t really big money.

“We couldn’t examine their books. I thought those ledgers would become a source of conflict every settlement.”

Items entering the black market had no fixed prices for either purchase or sale.

It was a structure that could be manipulated as much as one wanted.

“True, considering bribes, management fees, and entertainment expenses, there would be plenty of room for manipulation.”

Thinking this far, Jo Pilseong had to acknowledge Cheon-gu’s judgment.

“My thinking was shallow. With a Merchant Guild Leader lacking such insight, only the guild members suffer.”

“You’re being too modest. The best thing about joining the Donghai Merchant Guild was that the person I serve was you, Merchant Guild Leader.”

Jo Pilseong was truly grateful for those words.

“That gives me strength.”

Having someone who recognized his efforts and sincerity was deeply appreciated.

“Actually, I feel the same way. I’m truly fortunate that the one who saved me was our Lord.”

The two felt a sense of kinship.

First he had saved their lives, then he saved the Donghai Merchant Guild. As if that wasn’t enough, now he had given them wings through the ice business.

In truth, taking 70% of the profits from transporting and selling ice produced at the manor to nearby villages was no different from giving it away for free.

“Though his clear sense of gratitude and grudges can be frightening.”

When facing hostile opponents, Ja-gang-cheon became cruel beyond his years.

“Behind that innocent face lies both extreme good and evil.”

“Without that, he couldn’t have come this far. I think that’s also part of our Lord’s strength.”

Having received so much help, their evaluation could only be generous.

“Since dealing with Shandong Owak, our Lord’s name comes up frequently. Now there’s probably no one in Jiao-nan who doesn’t know him.”

“Gangcheon will be disappointed. He enjoyed going to the market.”

“We’ll make sure to persuade people not to bother him.”

Cheon-gu lightened the mood with laughter, then brought up what Ja-gang-cheon had asked him to mention.

“By any chance, do you know any trustworthy people who manufacture medicine?”

“Do you mean physicians or apothecaries?”

“Current profession doesn’t matter – ability is important. Naturally, trustworthy people come first.”

“There is someone who comes to mind. He has connections with the Labor Office director rather than me, and I heard he originally made aphrodisiacs for the Blue Pavilion in the black market.”

As stated in the second treaty with Hao-mun, such items had now disappeared from the black market. Naturally, those who worked in that trade had either left or returned home.

“If it’s personnel needed at the manor, I’ll verify him once more.”

“Yes. If there are no problems, please send him to the manor.”

“Understood, Subordinate.”

Having finished all his business, Cheon-gu rose from his seat.

“I couldn’t properly say goodbye when I left the guild. Let me say it now. It was an honor to serve you, Merchant Guild Leader.”

Jo Pilseong smiled warmly and replied.

“In the future, I’ll consider this greeting my honor.”

Through Ja-gang-cheon as their focal point, they had forgotten the past and been reborn with a new relationship.

With a light heart, Cheon-gu left the guild and headed outside the village to return to the manor.

But just as he left the market, he had to stop walking.

“Please give me a coin! Please!”

There was a young boy begging desperately, half-sobbing.

He was around the same age as himself, and through his torn clothes, wounds from beatings were visible.

“Dae-sik.”

When his name was called, the beggar looked up.

Recognizing Cheon-gu, Dae-sik’s eyes shook greatly.

Tears quickly welled up in Dae-sik’s eyes as he gathered his few coins and left, avoiding eye contact.

“Why?”

Why was he running away after seeing him?

Should he chase after him?

Many thoughts arose. But soon he shook his head.

“It’s not my place to intervene. Let me forget.”

“Forget what?”

At the familiar voice, Cheon-gu turned and nearly threw a punch.

Fortunately, the familiar face under the half-raised mask made him quickly stop his hand.

“You startled me.”

“Too slow. You should have struck immediately.”

“If I struck? Were you planning to take the hit?”

“No. Should I take it?”

“You want me to hit my benefactor, friend, and superior?”

“Can’t we just be friends?”

“Now I have to consider outside appearances too. That’s all part of the manor’s dignity.”

When Ja-gang-cheon showed disappointment, Cheon-gu changed the subject.

“But what’s with the mask?”

He was wearing a red goblin mask, which had startled Cheon-gu.

“People keep greeting me…”

“Lord! Hello!”

A passing fabric shop worker greeted Ja-gang-cheon. Though they had talked a few times while browsing, they had no special friendship.

“Yes! Hello!”

Still, Ja-gang-cheon returned the greeting.

However, as soon as the worker passed, he quickly put on his mask.

“Why is everyone suddenly greeting me?”

“They saw you directly when you dealt with Shandong Owak.”

“So they’re doing that because they’re afraid of me?”

“It’s not fear, but fame you’ve gained. The people greeting you have bright expressions, so it’s not infamy.”

“This is getting complicated.”

“Just think of it as the process of becoming famous. It’s the reward for all the actions you’ve taken so far.”

“I didn’t really do anything for other people though?”

“You eliminated the Black Society in Jiao-nan and abolished protection fees. You also cleaned up problematic businesses in the back alleys. And there’s something even more important.”

“What’s that?”

“The Donghai Merchant Guild competed fairly without special privileges. Even though you had power, you didn’t use it. Fair and just. That’s what you did.”

Seeing that Ja-gang-cheon seemed to understand a little, Cheon-gu mentioned the most direct incident.

“That feeling you had when you first met Jinmyeong Dosa from the Wudang Sect. That’s how other people see you.”

Jinmyeong, the White-Robed Sword of Wudang.

Ja-gang-cheon had felt overwhelming emotions at the chivalry he displayed.

“Tch. I don’t want to be compared to the Wudang Sect.”

“Anyway, your chivalry is changing Jiao-nan.”

“So do I have to wear a mask forever?”

Ja-gang-cheon felt the immediate inconvenience of walking around wearing a mask more acutely.

“Lord! Hello there!”

They even recognized him despite wearing the mask.

“I think I got caught because of you.”

“Wearing a mask was strange to begin with.”

“Is that so?”

“Fortunately, you won’t have to wear a mask forever. It’s completely useless anyway.”

Eventually, Ja-gang-cheon also took off his mask and walked through the market with Cheon-gu.

“By the way, who was that kid from earlier? And what did you mean about forgetting?”

Cheon-gu spoke without hiding anything.

“He was a child from Haejeonggol. It just brought back old memories.”

“Haejeonggol? What’s that?”

“There’s a place south of Jiao-nan that takes in abandoned children. I’m from there. I escaped when the First Mate of the Eastern Trade Guild took me in.”

When dealing with the pirate captain, Cheon-gu had taken revenge for the First Mate with his own hands.

“So is Haejeonggol a good place?”

“No. The First Mate paid a high price to take me away. They make the children work there, and on days when they can’t find jobs, they even make them beg like today.”

“What a bastard. Do you want to rescue those children?”

Cheon-gu thought for a moment before answering.

“No. I’m not sure if Haejeonggol disappearing would be the right thing. The children there didn’t get captured – they went there on their own feet.”

“They go to such a place voluntarily? Why?”

“It’s a place where children with truly nowhere else to go end up to survive. Because it solves the problems of food and shelter. Plus, they’re cleanly released when they turn twenty and even get help finding jobs. If such a place disappeared, many children would either die on the streets or fall into worse paths.”

Ja-gang-cheon didn’t like hearing those words.

“It feels like justifying bad deeds somehow.”

“I don’t like it either. But I can’t think of a better way. Most of the children who didn’t go to Haejeonggol ended up in the black market. There’s no way to even know what happened to those children.”

Ja-gang-cheon had already seen those results in the back alleys. At least if they stayed in Haejeonggol, they wouldn’t suffer such fates, so they could endure until twenty.

“They’re exploiting hope as collateral. As long as they maintain that hope, children will come looking for them on their own. Some merchants even say it shows good business acumen.”

“A smart bastard makes me feel even worse.”

“Let’s just forget about it. I will too.”

“Mm.”

Even after hearing Cheon-gu’s words about having no lingering attachments, Ja-gang-cheon fell into thought. After walking in silence for a while, he spoke as if tossing out the words.

“We need manpower too. How about we take them in instead?”

They needed to supplement people for both the merchant guild and the manor. Pansuk couldn’t handle all the odd jobs forever.

“It’s not such a simple problem. Even if we could step in and solve many issues, I’d be against it.”

“Why?”

“The boss of Haejeonggol has connections with the Hwangbo Clan.”

What would be the strongest force in Shandong Province?

One hundred out of one hundred people would answer without hesitation.

The Gwon-wang-se-ga, called the compendium of martial arts techniques.

That was the Hwangbo Clan, known as one of the Five Great Martial Families.

In Shandong Province, there was even a saying that connections with the Hwangbo Clan were more precious than money.

Upon hearing that absolute name, Ja-gang-cheon said.

“So what?”

This wasn’t the reaction Cheon-gu had expected.

“My father is from Wudang and my mother is from North Cheon City.”

For Ja-gang-cheon, backgrounds and such were not a consideration at all.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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