Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 64
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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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#064
The Hwangbo Clan declared their seclusion.
All business ventures except the Shandong Trading Company were distributed as compensation to the victims.
Even the Shandong Trading Company only retained the mining operations related to the government office.
The supreme power of Shandong Province had vanished, leaving behind abundant stories and rumors in its place.
The small and medium merchant guilds and sects that had been trampled by the Hwangbo Clan revived and returned to their rightful places, raising their voices high to praise Deungmyeong Manor.
What made Ja-gang-cheon happiest was the fact that he could see his friends again.
“Gangcheon!”
“Hyeongnim!”
“Lord!”
Their welcoming greetings seemed to wash away all the fatigue he had accumulated.
“Lord! You must be hungry, so let’s have a meal first.”
The dining hall had already been cleaned spotlessly, and a sumptuous feast was prepared for Ja-gang-cheon.
“Can we really eat like this? We couldn’t have earned any money for over a month.”
“I was only focused on cooking, so I don’t know about such things. Today I prepared everything as I pleased.”
The middle-aged cook had truly displayed his skills.
While it wasn’t worthy of being called a heavenly delicacy, it had a familiarity that couldn’t be felt in other foods.
“Indeed, food eaten at my own home tastes the best.”
However, there were too many people staring intently at Ja-gang-cheon’s meal.
“Ahem! How about everyone waiting outside? You’re all staring too much while the Lord is eating…”
At the cook’s words, everyone came to their senses.
With more than ten manor residents surrounding him in a circle to watch, it couldn’t help but be uncomfortable.
“No, it’s fine. Everyone stay here. I like this.”
Ja-gang-cheon smiled brightly and filled his mouth with food. He ate so deliciously that the watching people swallowed their saliva.
“Father. I’m hungry.”
At the youngest So Cheon’s words, Pansuk reacted.
“Me too!”
The person most pleased by those words was Ja-gang-cheon.
“Then let’s eat together!”
Eventually, the meal was prepared again, and simple refreshments and fruits were prepared for those who were already full.
When the meal ended, the manor residents waited for Ja-gang-cheon’s story with sparkling eyes.
Among them was Song Ja-in, who had returned to Jiao-nan a month earlier.
She had stepped aside after receiving the Gaebang Bangju’s proposal.
-I admit that I misunderstood and turned away from you. Will you give me a chance to make amends?
The Gaebang Bangju had said he would create a negotiation table to end this fight.
-It’s called negotiation, but it will be a place where the Hwangbo Clan admits their crimes and compensates for the damages.
Song Ja-in had made concessions for the greater cause, and Ja-gang-cheon accepted it after long consultation with the victims including Ak-pung-jin.
Thus, they waited a month for the Hwangbo Clan to desperately realize their situation and led a one-sided negotiation.
“Then I’ll start from the beginning. Since you all know up to Gu Dong-gu’s story, I’ll tell you from the negotiation with Hwangbo Baek.”
Ja-gang-cheon told them in great detail from the beginning to the end of this fight.
The residents listened with bated breath to the story that lasted a full hour.
Feeling their concentration, Ja-gang-cheon excitedly told everything as if he had become a storyteller in the market.
“In the end, the Hwangbo Clan declared seclusion, and Hwangbo Taejin took responsibility for everything and entered closed-door training. The new lord will probably be one of his cousins.”
“Wow!”
Clap clap clap!
When the story ended, So Cheon clapped and rejoiced. Starting with him, the others also smiled brightly and returned to reality.
They all felt their hearts filled with elation at the fact that they had won.
“We made many allies in Shandong Province. It will be easier for us to move around from now on.”
“But Lord, Jangpung Pyohyeon and Iseongsadan Merchant Guild were revived and everyone else got their businesses back, but what did we bring?”
At So Cheon’s question, Ja-gang-cheon tilted his head.
“Hmm. Something I brought back specifically… Ah! There is something!”
“What is it?”
“I don’t know either.”
“Huh?”
Instead of answering, Ja-gang-cheon looked at Song Ja-in.
He was sorry to So Cheon-i, but it was a matter he couldn’t speak about.
‘The item the Subordinate had wrapped in golden cloth.’
It was a wooden box containing five elixirs and three books. This was not handed over to Hao-mun.
When attention focused on her, Song Ja-in answered rather calmly.
“We obtained what we needed most.”
“What’s that?”
“Reputation.”
“Reputation?”
“In Gangho, reputation is power. Now no one will dare treat us carelessly, and small sects will bow down on their own.”
“Ah! That’s what it is!”
“So do your best in everything and be careful with your actions. You too are a proud member of Deungmyeong Manor.”
“Yes! Aunt!”
Song Ja-in was right.
Though not immediately visible, the reputation Deungmyeong Manor gained would bring great changes to their future endeavors.
“Everyone worked hard. Now let’s get energized again.”
“Yes! Lord!”
“You worked hard, Lord.”
“We will trust and follow only you, Lord.”
Their encouragement always gave Ja-gang-cheon great strength.
***
Ja-gang-cheon fell asleep early and slept long until the next morning.
Though he didn’t realize it, fatigue had accumulated from being away for a long time.
As he stretched and left his room, he felt the blazing sunlight.
“It’s summer now.”
This spring had been quite long.
“Wow! Hyeongnim! This is the first time I’ve seen you sleep in since your winter hibernation!”
Pansuk seemed to have been washing up, with his bare upper body and water droplets on his hair.
“Is morning training already over?”
“Yes, Hyeongnim.”
“How long did I sleep?”
“About seven hours.”
It was the longest sleep time in Ja-gang-cheon’s life.
“Subordinate Hyeongnim said you would. It would have been terrible if we had made a bet.”
“What did Cheon-gu say?”
“He said since you were lying down in a comfortable place after a long time, you would sleep late.”
“As expected, Cheon-gu knows me too well. Sometimes it seems like he knows me better than I know myself.”
“Do you feel that way too, Hyeongnim? It’s scary sometimes. I can’t lie to him.”
“You originally can’t lie anyway. Your face turns red first.”
“Can you do it, Hyeongnim?”
“I don’t need to.”
In Pansuk’s eyes, Ja-gang-cheon’s confidence looked cool.
“But what lie were you trying to tell?”
“What?”
“You were just about to lie.”
“Th-that’s… No, I wasn’t!”
Ja-gang-cheon found his reaction quite unfamiliar.
“Hyeongnim. You’re making me feel hurt. Don’t tell me it’s a secret from me too?”
“Ah… well, actually…”
Seeing Ja-gang-cheon’s sparkling eyes, Pansuk reluctantly began to speak.
“This time, while helping Subordinate hyeongnim and Jingeuk Wuguan, I met someone unusual.”
Pansuk had helped various people including Ak-pung-jin along with Cheon-gu. Naturally, Jingeuk Wuguan was included among them.
“Who’s this unusual person?”
“Someone named Jin Hwajin.”
“Wait. Isn’t Jin Hwajin the daughter of Director Jin Hyeon-pil?”
Ja-gang-cheon had heard about her during conversations with Jin Hyeon-pil.
“Yes. That’s right. While I was staying at the Wuguan, she kept requesting sparring matches, so I accepted a few times. But later, when she said she wanted to follow me to our manor, I told her it wasn’t possible.”
“So some woman wanted to follow you to our manor?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“Why did you say it wasn’t possible?”
“Our manor has many secrets, doesn’t it?”
“That’s true. From your position, you had no choice.”
“Exactly. But then Subordinate hyeongnim asked me if I really didn’t want to bring her, not knowing my true feelings. So I said no.”
“Hmm.”
Ja-gang-cheon nodded as if he understood. Then he felt something was strange.
“So that was the lie?”
“What?”
“If saying ‘no’ was a lie, then it means ‘yes,’ right?”
“Th-that’s right.”
“But why do you want to bring her? Did you enjoy the sparring too?”
Just as Pansuk was about to answer Ja-gang-cheon’s question,
“Stop.”
Cheon-gu appeared.
“From now on, you two don’t talk about women.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Don’t discuss techniques when you don’t even know basic martial arts.”
“Ah! I understand.”
Cheon-gu looked at Pansuk and said,
“Pansuk hyeongnim.”
“Yes. Subordinate hyeongnim.”
“Just be honest. That’s your greatest strength and charm.”
“Ah! I understand, hyeongnim. I’m sorry for lying.”
“It’s fine. But there’s more to discuss about that matter.”
While speaking, Cheon-gu handed a water cup to Ja-gang-cheon.
“Thanks.”
Ja-gang-cheon drained the cup in one gulp and naturally began walking.
Cheon-gu walked beside him, discussing important matters.
“Among the groups we worked with this time, quite a few lost their bases. Many also grew tired of their original regions after going through hardships.”
Places like Jangpung Pyohyeon and Iseongsadan Merchant Guild had bases to return to immediately, but many were still contemplating their options.
“I understand the situation. The same thing happened in Jiao-nan.”
“Right. When Shandong Trading Company appeared, all the merchant guilds in Jiao-nan turned their backs on East Sea Merchant Guild. Places that experienced such betrayal lost their attachment to those regions.”
“So what do we do?”
“Many people want to come to Jiao-nan. They long for the safety of a secure fence. After being attacked by Hwangbo Clan, they must have felt an even greater need for security.”
Ja-gang-cheon nodded.
“Jingeuk Wuguan is one of them. Actually, when I went there, you could hardly call it a Wuguan. There was no signboard, just a daughter and three disciples living together.”
He already knew from hearing that they had closed down.
“Jungshin Fabric Shop said from the beginning they wanted to come to Jiao-nan if things went well. The blacksmith from Palseong Iron Foundry even wants to change his name to Deungmyeong Blacksmith.”
“They must be quite anxious.”
“It’s not just anxiety. They want to be with you.”
“With me? Why?”
“Gaebang Bangju apologized this time too, right? That’s the reason. You showed them what true fairness really means through your actions. Since you showed it through actions, not words, they naturally trust you.”
Though Cheon-gu spoke calmly, Ja-gang-cheon felt secretly proud.
“This is something to seriously consider. Jiao-nan’s current market size can accommodate them. However, we’d need to accept them with the mindset that we’re taking responsibility. There are issues of harmony with existing people, and excessive expansion could cause various problems.”
“Hmm. So what do you think?”
“You did understand what I said, right?”
“Of course. I know how the world works now too. I learned a lot this time. I saw how much power a group’s size can be, and what happens when it collapses.”
Many of Ja-gang-cheon’s experiences were becoming lessons.
“Honestly, I want to accept them all. But I can’t make such decisions emotionally, right? That’s why I’m asking the person I trust to make the best decision. What do you think?”
Cheon-gu was pleased with Ja-gang-cheon’s answer and shared his thoughts.
“Just providing protection would be difficult. It would be better to absorb them into Deungmyeong Manor and East Sea Merchant Guild. Even if it’s selfish, we need the authority to control them. If they don’t like that, it’s better to approach them only with indirect conveniences.”
Ja-gang-cheon trusted Cheon-gu’s words.
“You’re right. Let’s clearly explain that to the people who want to come to Jiao-nan.”
“Got it. I’ll convey the message.”
As they passed through the rear garden and reached the courtyard,
Worker Jang Geon approached Ja-gang-cheon with quick steps.
“A guest has come to see you. He came last night too, but when we said you were sleeping, he left.”
One person naturally came to Ja-gang-cheon’s mind.
“Is it Jinmyeong Dosa?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll go out myself.”
To reduce the waiting time even a little, Ja-gang-cheon ran to the manor entrance.
Someone was standing in front of the wide-open gate, and seeing him somehow made his heart ache.
“Gangcheon. You’re safe. What a relief.”
It was truly strange.
He, who was usually as stuffy as dust on a paper window, was actually showing honest emotions.
‘Because he has nothing to be ashamed of.’
You could tell what was most important by watching his actions.
Ja-gang-cheon responded to Jinmyeong Dosa’s sincerity, which was filled with righteousness.
“Welcome, hyeongnim.”
Ja-gang-cheon smiled brightly.
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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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