Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 65

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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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#065

The person who played the most decisive role in moving Gaebang Bangju Ho-bang-gae was none other than Jinmyeong.

Having sided with Ja-gang-cheon, he didn’t hesitate to clash with not only the Hwangbo Clan but also Gae-bang.

Calling the Gaebang Bangju, who was even acknowledged by the Wudang Sect, a hypocrite was clearly crossing the line. Of course, he formally apologized after his emotions settled, but it was a risky move for Jinmyeong.

Anyway, he had also accepted Ja-gang-cheon’s request and returned to Jiao-nan with Song Ja-in, but he heard the news a bit late since he was staying at an inn.

“Thank you so much, brother.”

“I merely followed justice.”

They had a pleasant conversation in the rear garden, drinking tea served by Cheon-gu.

‘Hmm.’

Certainly, it had been a joyful mood at first.

He forgot the uncomfortable past and only looked at the person before him.

Then he saw it.

“Brother, back then I had only been off the uninhabited island for a few days, so I really didn’t know the world.”

“That’s how it was.”

“Now I understand why people call Dosas worthless window dressing and dust rags.”

“Dust rags is a new one to me.”

“Really? Somehow that term fits perfectly.”

“Ahem.”

Jinmyeong cleared his throat and lifted his teacup. But he burst out in admiration at the tea he casually drank.

“Wow. There’s tea like this in the world. Even my Mentor who’s in meditation would turn around for this taste.”

“I’ll give you as much tea as you want. But you’re leaving for the Wudang Sect today?”

This was why Ja-gang-cheon felt frustrated.

“Now that I’ve seen you’re safe, I must return and seek forgiveness. I’ve been away from the sect for too long.”

“What did you do wrong that you need to seek forgiveness? Was believing in me wrong?”

“Believing in you wasn’t wrong. But going against the sect’s will and acting independently was clearly wrong.”

“Weren’t those two things the same matter? Can right and wrong coexist together?”

“I don’t know the truth either.”

“Then why do you do that?”

“That’s how I fight. Living this fiercely, I’ll eventually realize that truth.”

Ja-gang-cheon finally sought help.

“Cheon-gu, did you understand?”

Cheon-gu, who had been refilling tea beside them, spoke for the first time since greetings.

“Getting scolded by adults and being persuaded is ultimately part of the studies that Jinmyeong Dosa pursues.”

“Huh?”

Ja-gang-cheon looked at Jinmyeong with a hopeful heart.

Surprisingly, Jinmyeong nodded with a pleased expression.

“Gangcheon, you have a really good friend by your side. I’m relieved.”

“Cheon-gu being a good friend is right, but I don’t understand your studies, brother. I guess I still need to learn more about the world.”

For the first time, Ja-gang-cheon thought it was fortunate he had been expelled from the Wudang Sect.

“I learned about what you’ve been doing. Inner cultivation and outer strength, righteous battle without hesitation, no but no defeat. You’re the one truly practicing the Way. You’re worthy of being Un-hak’s son. I’ve learned much.”

Inner cultivation and outer strength.

Soft on the outside but firm and deep inside.

Righteous battle without hesitation.

If it’s a righteous fight, fight without hesitation.

No but no defeat.

Don’t recklessly, but if you, you must win.

These were the principles the Wudang Sect pursued.

“You’re good at compliments like Cheon-gu, brother.”

“I don’t speak empty words. This is my evaluation of how admirably you’ve lived.”

Jinmyeong held the teacup with both hands, feeling its warmth, then slowly savored it in his mouth like meditation.

After carefully appreciating the last cup, he stood up with a benevolent smile.

“Are you really leaving like this?”

“I’ll come back once things are settled.”

Jinmyeang also politely cupped his fists toward Cheon-gu.

“I’ve had excellent tea. Thank you for the generous hospitality.”

“Not at all. Please come again anytime. You’re welcome.”

“Then please take good care of our younger brother.”

“Don’t worry.”

Ja-gang-cheon felt a pleasant tickle at the words “our younger brother.”

“Please come back for sure.”

“Of course.”

Jinmyeong walked quietly to the main gate and spoke at the moment of parting.

“Gangcheon, I understand what you said about disliking Wudang. And I won’t force you to like Wudang either. But know this one thing.”

He grasped Ja-gang-cheon’s shoulder as he spoke.

“I am Wudang. And your father is also Wudang.”

Though his emotions were complex, Ja-gang-cheon nodded. This is how he learned to hide his feelings a little for the sake of others.

***

“Sister, how many times did you meet with brother Jinmyeong?”

“I didn’t expect that to be your first question.”

After Jinmyeong left, Ja-gang-cheon went to find Yeon-hee at the black market.

There were various things to settle with her, but he questioned her relationship with Jinmyeong first.

“While he was in Jiao-nan, we met every day.”

“Why?”

“Do I need to tell you that? It’s private life.”

Ja-gang-cheon was about to say something but looked at Cheon-gu beside him.

“Gangcheon, investigating that won’t lead to a solution. It’s better not to ask in the first place.”

“Is that so?”

When Cheon-gu nodded, Ja-gang-cheon gave Yeon-hee one last glare.

“If you’ve become close, treat him well.”

“Oh my. I thought you’d oppose it?”

“I’m thinking of monitoring, but I don’t intend to oppose.”

“That’s somewhat touching.”

When Yeon-hee smiled with satisfaction, Ja-gang-cheon smiled back.

“From now on, Cheon-gu will provide the touching moments. I’ll just sit beside and drink tea.”

Cheon-gu picked up where Ja-gang-cheon left off.

“Now let’s begin settling accounts for everything that happened.”

“Good. Finally, our time has come.”

They began a number battle more fierce than swords.

***

The negotiation that continued for one hour ultimately wasn’t concluded.

“Let’s continue at the manor tomorrow.”

They decided to continue tomorrow, and Ja-gang-cheon came out to the port with Cheon-gu.

But a strange sight was visible at the ice storage at the port.

“What’s that?”

As summer had begun, many people always came and went in front of the ice storage.

Especially since he had been away for a month, things were even busier. Fortunately, since Deungmyeong Manor’s ice production was so fast, meeting the supply quota wouldn’t be difficult as long as there were enough workers.

But today, among the busily moving workers, there were people pleading with uncomfortable expressions.

“Those are other merchant guild leaders from Jiao-nan.”

“They must have come to apologize to the East Sea Merchant Guild.”

They had rushed over upon hearing that the Merchant Guild Leader had come to check on the ice supply situation.

“I heard they requested a meeting with the merchant guild but weren’t even granted one.”

Since they had nearly been ruined because of the Shandong Trading Guild, the East Sea Merchant Guild had no intention of forgiving them this time.

“Ahem.”

Ja-gang-cheon deliberately cleared his throat and headed to the ice storage.

“Lord!”

“Lord! How are you!”

“Don’t mind me and keep working.”

Cheon-gu whispered something beside him. Hearing this, Ja-gang-cheon smiled and raised his voice.

“You’ve been working late into the night lately, haven’t you? Have dinner at Hangagaekjan tonight. I’ll have a feast prepared.”

Hangagaekjan was a high-class inn at the port. It was also where Song Ja-in had stayed when she first came to Jiao-nan.

Since it was an expensive place for workers to dine, their cheering at Ja-gang-cheon’s words was natural.

“Lord, thank you!”

“Excellent! Lord!”

“Can I have a bottle of alcohol too?”

“Hey! Read the room!”

“Haha. You can drink. I’ll mention that too. But don’t drink too much, just one cup each.”

The merchant guild leaders who had been watching approached Ja-gang-cheon, who received another round of cheers.

“We greet the Lord.”

“Have you been well all this time?”

These were the same people who would never bow their heads to the young Ja-gang-cheon before.

Those who used to dislike even calling him Lord and would omit the title now bowed deeply.

Just from their behavior, one could see Ja-gang-cheon’s changed status.

“Where is our Merchant Guild Leader?”

Just then, the East Sea Merchant Guild Leader, who had been checking ledgers inside the warehouse, hurried out.

“Lord, welcome. Are you out for a walk?”

“Yes. But there are many unwelcome guests.”

“I keep refusing them, but they come and persist like this. I don’t know what to do.”

Ja-gang-cheon confirmed Merchant Guild Leader Jo Pilsang’s opinion and turned his gaze.

“Don’t force something on our people when they dislike it.”

“But Lord, at this rate, not only I but all the merchant guild members will starve to death.”

“No, they won’t starve to death. Everyone knows there are plenty of jobs in Jiao-nan right now. The East Sea Merchant Guild is constantly looking for workers too. Only the merchant guild leaders and their families will be ruined.”

Though Ja-gang-cheon was innocent, he knew at least this much.

“When you helped the Shandong Trading Guild and turned your backs on the East Sea Merchant Guild, you should have been prepared to be turned away yourselves. Looking at you all now reminds me of the Hwangbo Clan that used to torment our manor.”

When he mentioned the Hwangbo Clan, the merchant guild leaders flinched and stepped back.

“When the opponent who tried to kill you comes begging for their life, should you spare them?”

The merchant guild leaders could no longer speak and bit their dry lips.

As leaders of merchant guilds, they were naturally well-versed in rumors and information. They had naturally assessed Ja-gang-cheon’s disposition.

-He has an innocent face, but becomes a demon when fighting begins.

Since he had shown this several times in Jiao-nan, the merchant guild leaders dared not argue back.

“Leave. If you come again without permission, you’ll meet me at an unwelcome time.”

“S-sorry.”

The merchant guild leaders fled with their tails between their legs.

“I only troubled the Lord unnecessarily.”

“Cheon-gu said doing things like this is the Lord’s role. Right?”

When Cheon-gu nodded, the Merchant Guild Leader laughed pleasantly.

“I was just about to come greet you since I’ll be away from the merchant guild for a while.”

“Where are you going?”

“I need to visit the Southern Trade Port once more. The demand for Deungmyeong Divine Pills is extraordinary. Even though they’re ten times more expensive than the existing Deungmyeong pills, bulk purchase orders are lining up. Foreign traders are even offering to pay extra.”

The effects of busily traveling around for the past month were showing.

“Aren’t you afraid of boats anymore?”

“Why wouldn’t I be afraid? But I have to do it.”

“Who’s going with you?”

Dan-ju Cha and Seok-ho will go together. I’m thinking of taking about two more people.”

“Isn’t that too few?”

“We have our herbal medicine shop at the Southern Trade Port. Since we even expanded it, we have quite a few of our people there.”

The Southern Trade Port was bustling every day, so there were about twenty workers alone.

“Hmm. You know that having many people is useless anyway.”

With the current personnel, they couldn’t expect any military strength. But there was no one from the manor who could accompany them right now either.

‘We have too few people.’

Ja-gang-cheon knew there was nothing he could do this time, but he made one decision for the future.

“This won’t do. From now on, Uncle Merchant Guild Leader, you should come to the manor every morning too.”

“To the manor?”

“Yes. Learn the Deungmyeong exercises. Do them while you’re on the boat too.”

“Ah! Come to think of it, I did hear that it improves your health. If you’ll teach me, I’ll gratefully learn.”

He had been secretly worrying about this.

“Really? Then we should increase the number of people while we’re at it. We should tell Uncle Chief to come too. Bring everyone who’s going to the South together this time. Ah! Tell the Subordinate to come too.”

“The merchant guild’s Subordinate is seventy years old.”

“That’s exactly why he should do it.”

“At this rate, you’ll be calling all the merchant guild members.”

“Huh? That wouldn’t be bad either.”

“What? Then all the people of Jiao-nan would be doing exercises.”

“What’s wrong with that? It’s good if we all become healthy together.”

“As expected, I can’t match the Lord’s magnanimity.”

“For now, I’ll discuss that part with Cheon-gu, so Uncle Merchant Guild Leader, please definitely come starting tomorrow morning. I’ll teach you intensively.”

After repeatedly getting promises from the Merchant Guild Leader, Ja-gang-cheon returned to the manor.

“What are you thinking about?”

At Cheon-gu’s question, Ja-gang-cheon said.

“There are many people to protect, but few people who can protect them.”

“That’s certainly true. Now we’ve become a famous place in Gangho too.”

For any group that had set foot in Gangho, it was a necessity, not a choice.

“I need to create a force that can protect my people too.”

Ja-gang-cheon was about to take another step forward.

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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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