Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 39
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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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#039
When martial artists think of Hubei Province, the first thing that comes to mind is the Wudang Sect, but for ordinary people, the most famous place was naturally Wuhan, the provincial capital.
Particularly Donghu, the massive lake east of Wuhan, was famous for its beautiful scenery that countless poets had left their songs about.
Thanks to Donghu being connected to the Yangtze River, commerce also flourished greatly, so Wuhan was always overflowing with people.
Naturally, residential areas formed not only inside Wuhan city but also outside, and there was a famous guest quarters there.
The reason this place was famous was because it produced the finest medicinal herbs in Wuhan.
You could purchase the highest quality medicinal materials, and their processing methods were excellent, so countless wealthy people came and went.
That’s why it was called the Hobukyaowang Family.
The Lord of that place was none other than Chae Geonra.
He was the person who led the revival of Chosuhoe.
“Today is the final meeting.”
It was a leisurely morning after breakfast time had ended.
The people who had been exhausted to their limits yesterday gathered again at the Central Hall of the Village.
Everyone arrived on time, but no one looked hopefully at the meeting results.
Still, there was a reason they attended until the end.
‘I need to find suitable collaborators and create a new organization.’
Each was dreaming different dreams.
“Shall we go in?”
The one who always announced the start of meetings was Chae Geonra.
“Lord Chae. How about we don’t drag it out long today and reach a conclusion?”
The Northern Leader, who had the largest force, suggested while twitching his thick tiger-like eyebrows.
“Let’s do that.”
When Chae Geonra agreed, everyone made puzzled expressions. Then they soon nodded as if understanding.
-He’s given up now.
-He’s done enough, so it’s time to quit.
Everyone thought Chae Geonra had given up. Noticing this, Tiger Eyebrow stood up first.
“For the reconstruction of Chosuhoe, we need powerful allies and forces. Everyone must know that I am the person who meets these conditions. So please entrust that responsibility to me. Instead, I promise that we will formally elect a new leader again after one year.”
“Is there a guarantee that it will be chosen fairly after one year?”
The one objecting was the Southern Leader. He was a person whose mole at the corner of his mouth caught attention, and he was the largest medicinal herb merchant in the south. Though his gathered forces were inferior to the north, his overall financial power and connections were by no means lacking.
Naturally, those two were the most fierce, and negotiations were always at a standstill.
And today that same thing was repeated.
“Are you doubting me now?”
“If we cooperate with martial arts forces, won’t we become nothing more than their subordinates? That’s not revival of Chosuhoe but subjugation.”
“Nokrim are mountain people like us from the beginning. On the other hand, what about you who joined hands with Geumryong Merchant Guild? Isn’t it obvious you’ll only fill Geumryong Merchant Guild’s belly instead of our interests?”
“Saying Nokrim are like us! How can you say bandits who only steal others’ money are like us!”
The west that cooperated with various Demonic Sect alliances led by Heukpungdan.
The east that was present here relatively purely.
They were in a position where they had to choose someone because their forces were weak.
If they returned without results here, they would have nothing to say to the people who had trusted them.
The same was true for central leader Chae Geonra.
“Both of you, please stop.”
Despite Chae Geonra’s restraint, the two’s war of words continued.
“You want to offer us up to bandits!”
“Has Geumryong Merchant Guild ever treated us well? They beat down medicinal herb prices! They cut them down calling them inferior goods for no reason! Now you want us to cooperate with such people?”
Bang!
Finally Chae Geonra struck the desk and stood up.
Since he had shown a gentle appearance until now, it was natural for the other four to be surprised.
“You two have no interest in rebuilding Chosuhoe from the beginning, do you?”
“Lord Chae! What are you saying…”
“What are you talking about now!”
Thud!
When Chae Geonra silently placed an object on the desk, a silence flowed as if time had stopped. Then the Eastern Leader, who had graying hair and was the oldest, hurriedly knelt down.
“Serve the green mountain! Follow the earth! The mountain’s breath guides us! Become one with friends and live like the wind!”
It was Chosuhoe’s slogan.
“The leader’s sacred object…”
The Western Leader also soon knelt and bowed.
Mountain Spirit Shovel.
It was what the previous leader carried around, and since it wasn’t used as a weapon, it was always clean and shiny. And that shine was the same today.
“Is this really the Mountain Spirit Shovel?”
“Please check for yourself.”
Since he had already confirmed it several times last night, he could speak confidently.
Eventually the Northern and Southern Leaders checked even the inscription directly and knelt down.
Chae Geonra looked down at the assembly once and spoke while gripping the Mountain Spirit Shovel.
“The leader said this. Whoever possesses the Mountain Spirit Shovel is selected to convey my words, so follow his words as if they were mine. However, if he gives unreasonable orders, he would be our enemy, so you must eliminate him.”
The Mountain Spirit Shovel had these two meanings.
Successor or beast.
Chae Geonra commanded them.
“I have received the Mountain Spirit Shovel. Begin the verification.”
“Why didn’t you tell us in advance?”
“I won’t take questions. I declare the reconstruction of Chosuhoe based on the Mountain Spirit Shovel. If you think this order is unjust, eliminate me as the leader commanded.”
At the unexpected declaration, everyone shut their mouths.
“Until midnight today. After that, I won’t acknowledge any objections.”
Leaving those words, Chae Geonra gripped the Mountain Spirit Shovel and left the meeting hall.
***
Returning to his lodging, Chae Geonra sighed with the feeling of coughing up hundred-year-old dust.
“Huaaaa!”
As the tension he had been holding back was released, even his legs trembled.
“My Lord!”
Chae Geonra, who barely sat in a chair with his retainer’s support, looked at Ja-gang-cheon standing in front of the bed.
“I did as you said.”
“Anyone listening would misunderstand. I said I support Chosuhoe’s reconstruction, but you two thought of the method.”
“That’s true.”
Ja-gang-cheon spoke with a relaxed expression.
“Now it’s time to execute the next stage.”
“Will this go well too?”
“If you two’s heads are about as good as Cheon-gu’s, it will succeed.”
“Who is Cheon-gu?”
“Ah. He’s my friend and subordinate. It would have been easier if Cheon-gu were here, which is regrettable.”
The plan to be executed going forward was devised by Chae Geonra and his retainer.
However, there was one prerequisite for this.
-Please make a plan under the condition that I can defeat everyone and will absolutely never betray Lord Chae.
They did make a plan as he said, but honestly, even thinking about it again, it was reckless.
‘Should I stop even now?’
Even while having that concern, he couldn’t stop since he had already come this far.
Eventually evening came while harboring his worries.
“There’s a lot of talk going around. It seems like it’s time to start.”
Ja-gang-cheon approached Chae Geonra.
“Do it with confidence. The Lord won’t be in any danger.”
Honestly, just looking at Ja-gang-cheon’s age, it wasn’t believable at all. But hearing the words that followed, they had no choice but to comply.
“If you have a better method, go ahead and use it.”
At those words, Chae Geonra and Gashin forced themselves to believe.
‘There’s no other way.’
Sometimes the only choice eliminates all worries.
Unlike the tense Chae Geonra, Ja-gang-cheon who went outside executed his plan without hesitation.
Center of the village.
It started with bringing three chairs to the open space right in front of the guest quarters where the meeting had been held.
When he confidently claimed one chair and sat down, naturally all eyes turned to him.
“Who are you?”
Tiger Eyebrow, who was displeased with the current situation, approached.
“I’m the bodyguard for Chairman Chae here.”
“You’re a bodyguard?”
Tiger Eyebrow let out a ridiculous laugh and looked around. Those following him wore the same expression.
“I wondered what Lord Chae was trusting when he suddenly changed his mind, but it seems he trusted you.”
Open mockery was directed at Chae Geonra.
“Acting like a lone crane. Let’s hear it then. This young man must have some special background.”
“If you mean background, I have one. I’m thinking of helping rebuild Chosuhoe and buying necessary medicinal herbs.”
“A merchant guild?”
“I just run a pharmacy that makes elixirs.”
“So you also came for profit after all.”
“That’s right. But unlike you, uncle, I don’t only look out for my own interests.”
“What did you just say?”
“Here, I’ve written down the items I want and their unit prices. I do have a purpose, but unlike you, uncle, I wasn’t trying to enjoy special privileges.”
Ja-gang-cheon openly revealed all the contract details he wanted to everyone. Since he had moved to overcome the crisis from the beginning, he had no intention of driving down prices.
“You really mean this is all?”
The medicinal herbs were priced 10% lower than what they had been purchasing for. Instead, the quantity was enormous.
For that amount of quantity, it was an acceptable price, and above all, it was a whopping 30% higher than what the current Chosuhoe herb gatherers were selling to merchant guilds.
This meant the merchant guilds were taking excessive profits.
“Now. I’ve proven my intentions, so it’s your turn, uncle.”
“I too am upright with nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, I can also solve what this young man wants, so don’t interfere in others’ business and step back.”
“It seems like there are more people on your side interfering in others’ business, uncle.”
“What?”
Ja-gang-cheon looked at the person behind Tiger Eyebrow.
“That uncle must be a Nokrimdo. And there are probably more Nokrimdo beyond the fence.”
“There’s a Nokrim stronghold nearby. They’re trying to protect us all, so it’s rather something to be grateful for.”
“So that’s why I’m asking why Nokrim is protecting Chosuhoe. According to you, uncle, they’re strangers.”
Ja-gang-cheon glanced at the middle-aged Nokrimdo who had sharp eyes, then asked Tiger Eyebrow again.
“Or did you hire Nokrim, uncle? Then they’d follow your orders?”
At those words, the Nokrimdo’s expression crumpled.
“No? Don’t tell me Nokrim is controlling you, uncle?”
“Nonsense! We’re strictly in a cooperative relationship where everything is equal!”
“Really? Then you must know well how many Nokrimdo are around here.”
“Why on earth do I have to have this conversation?”
Finally, Tiger Eyebrow exploded. But seeing this, Ja-gang-cheon’s eyes turned coldly.
“Answer me. How many Nokrim do you think there are? I’m giving you a chance right now.”
Killing intent was thickly embedded in his low voice.
Whiiing.
A heavy aura that pressed down on the audience forcibly created silence. In that suffocating quiet, only Ja-gang-cheon spoke freely.
“Speak.”
At the repeated urging, Tiger Eyebrow shouted irritably.
“About a hundred! That much would be needed to protect this place!”
Not understanding why he was answering this, he raised his voice trying to shake off the suffocating aura.
“As expected, you were deceived.”
“What did I deceive?”
“Not you. The guy behind you.”
Ja-gang-cheon explained why he asked this question.
“Just the personnel I confirmed number five hundred.”
“What?”
“That’s too many people to call bodyguards. Unless you’re planning to capture everyone here.”
“Crazy talk!”
Tiger Eyebrow turned around. But the Nokrimdo who came with him didn’t refute and glared at Ja-gang-cheon with cold eyes.
“This young brat has a long tongue.”
With that single statement, Tiger Eyebrow realized what he had done.
“So you mean the completely fallen Chosan Association wanted to be equal with our Nokrim? We’ll give you time to grow nicely under our shadow. This is what Chongpyopalja specially promised.”
“That’s not what you said!”
“We said we’d help, and we are helping. Was there anything else we promised?”
Tiger Eyebrow could only tremble, unable to say anything. But someone else who was watching stepped forward.
“Our Chosuhoe doesn’t want Nokrim’s help, so leave this place immediately.”
It was Chae Geonra.
“Trusting one brat, you’re getting too cocky. Must you see blood to understand?”
“We have no intention of joining with those who steal others’ belongings.”
These were words that should never be said to a Nokrimdo. Being actual bandits, they go mad at being called bandits.
“How dare you!”
As expected, the Nokrimdo moved, and his hand went toward Chae Geonra’s neck.
When everyone couldn’t even react to the sudden attack.
Thud.
That hand was caught by another hand and stopped in mid-air.
“Think carefully about what you just did.”
Crack!
Ja-gang-cheon twisted and broke the Nokrimdo’s arm.
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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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