Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 80

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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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#080

The busy winter had passed.

The New Year at Deungmyeong Manor was like an indicator that showed them how much they had developed each year.

“Cheon-gu. We’re not going bankrupt, are we?”

“We’ve made too much money for that.”

There was a reason why Ja-gang-cheon was making such jokes.

-Next year, come with all your families. I’ll prepare a proper feast for you.

These were the words Ja-gang-cheon had said during last year’s Spring Festival.

To keep this promise, Ja-gang-cheon prepared a proper banquet.

He slaughtered thirty pigs alone and prepared expensive southern fruits without shortage. Not only that, but he also brought out all the Donghaejoo that the East Sea Merchant Guild had stored.

The problem was that there weren’t enough people to prepare all this food, but fortunately the wives of the merchant guild members stepped forward to help.

“Our manor looks small.”

Before noon, over a thousand people had arrived, and the number continued to grow.

“It’s not just merchant guild members coming.”

People who wanted to greet Ja-gang-cheon began to form a line.

Since they all brought precious gifts, Jang Geon recorded and stacked them one by one, while Ja-gang-cheon exchanged greetings in between.

The merchant guild leaders who had established themselves in Jiao-nan came first. Since they were acquainted, he welcomed them with smiles, but honestly, it was bewildering from then on.

“I am the director of Toryeong-won.”

“I am Son Myeong-seok, the lord of Sonhyeon Manor.”

“I am Wang Eon-seong, who served as a county magistrate and returned to my hometown.”

The influential figures of Jiao-nan came to greet Ja-gang-cheon.

Having conversations with people he had never met and would likely never become close to was quite an ordeal for Ja-gang-cheon.

“Cheon-gu. My stomach hurts a bit.”

“That can’t be.”

“Huh?”

“Just do it today. We only do this once a year.”

“Just once a year?”

“Seeing the lord’s face and greeting him directly is the easiest way to gain their trust. If you endure just today, I’ll meet with them from tomorrow.”

“Is this the weight of being eighteen years old?”

“You’ll do well.”

After that, Ja-gang-cheon had to pretend to be friendly and greet strangers for about half a hour more.

Over three thousand people visited the manor that day, causing a situation where food and alcohol had to be hastily replenished.

“Should we not hold banquets anymore?”

When all the events were over, Ja-gang-cheon asked with a voice full of regret.

“Now many people want to belong to the manor. Today we saw that desire.”

“That’s good, right?”

“We need to manage it properly.”

“Good. Then let’s really have fun now.”

“Do you still have energy left?”

“Of course. I train martial arts to have fun.”

These were words that only Ja-gang-cheon in the entire country could say.

“But what should we do? It seems like you’re the only one who can have fun right now.”

Cheon-gu pointed to Pansuk. Drunk Pansuk was dozing off with his back against a pillar of the guest quarters.

“He must have drunk three jars of alcohol today.”

“People were flocking to him especially. Is it because he has a good personality?”

“It’s the opposite. Since they think Gangcheon won’t work on you at all, they approach your brother who seems relatively easier.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s why we need to manage well. I’ll talk to brother Pansuk separately.”

“Got it.”

Ja-gang-cheon looked at Pansuk quietly, then made a subtle suggestion to Cheon-gu.

“Cheon-gu. Should we drink alcohol?”

“Alcohol? You said you don’t drink because of internal energy training?”

“I can drink now. That period has passed.”

Through last winter, Ja-gang-cheon had absorbed more than half of the energy from Gongcheong Seokyu.

He had passed the stage where drinking would disturb him.

“Good. I’ll try drinking after a long time too.”

“Huh? Isn’t this your first time?”

“No. I’ve drunk a lot. When you work, mischievous adults tell you to try drinking. I drank a few times because I didn’t want to be looked down upon.”

“Then today is your first time too.”

“Why?”

“Because today is the first time you’re drinking happily.”

“That’s right.”

When Cheon-gu accepted, Ja-gang-cheon smiled brightly. And he drank his first alcohol in life alone with Cheon-gu at the rear garden pavilion.

“Ugh!”

The fragrant smell that was pleasant before drinking was buried in the hot alcoholic energy once it entered his mouth.

“This is supposed to be delicious? I don’t understand.”

“They say people who say that become drunkards.”

“Really? How about you?”

“When life is bitter, alcohol is sweet.”

“Is it sweet for you?”

Cheon-gu looked at his cup that was only half empty.

“No. It’s just bitter. It’s not that life is bitter, but the alcohol is bitter.”

“Hehehe. I thought so too.”

The two looked at each other and laughed. It was laughter very fitting for the New Year.

***

Deungmyeong Manor announced three new businesses while welcoming the New Year.

Deungmyeong Martial Arts Academy, Deungmyeong Stamp Bureau, Eungmyeong Chulbang.

The East Sea Merchant Guild was already so large that they decided to maintain its existing name and location.

The stamp bureau and iron foundry were businesses expected from the time of construction, so there was no great shock.

But Deungmyeong Martial Arts Academy was different.

Since it was a martial arts academy operated by Deungmyeong Manor, people’s interest was explosive.

However, since they had no intention of imitating large sects from the beginning, they placed restrictions on accepting students.

In the first place, there were only four people who could teach martial arts excluding the sect leader. They were the disciples and the sect leader’s daughter who had stayed by his side even during difficult times. So they decided to strengthen their foundation first without overexerting.

-First, we will select young disciples first. They will be exempted from academy fees, and those in need will be provided with room and board.

In the first year, they decided to teach children and organize the martial arts system within the sect.

Clang! Clang!

Eungmyeong Chulbang, located not far from the manor, had already started work.

The first customer was Chosunhoe, who requested hand shovels and hoes.

Although he could have refused since he was considered the best craftsman in Shandong Province, blacksmith Seok O-chil did not do so.

He accepted the request, saying it was an excellent item for teaching his five disciples.

And the blacksmith shop had another role.

“It’s become a gathering place for craftsmen.”

The stonemason who had quickly joined the manor and the carpenter who entered through his introduction spent time at the iron foundry when they had nothing to do.

Although their fields were different, since they shared the common ground of being craftsmen, they became good friends who relieved each other’s boredom.

“Lord. But when will you start using the training hall?”

“We put our heart and soul into making it.”

During last winter, the stonemason and carpenter had built an underground training hall inside the rear garden dense with coniferous trees.

It was something Song Ja-in had requested.

However, they didn’t know what purpose that place would serve either. They had only built it according to Song Ja-in’s wishes.

“You both worked so hard. I saw it myself and it was absolutely amazing.”

“Hehe. I knew Lord would appreciate it.”

“Then we’ll enjoy ourselves without any guilt. Please call us anytime if there’s more work to be done.”

These were the two who had suffered the most during last winter.

It wasn’t empty words – you could see how much effort they had put in. The walls of the training room made from the stone chamber were clean without even a speck of protrusion. Moreover, it was sturdy enough to withstand strong internal energy emissions, and there was sufficient air coming through the ceiling.

It sounded easy, but the two craftsmen had put their heads together for a long time to create that structure.

“Enjoy yourselves until you get sick of it.”

Since the topic came up, Ja-gang-cheon moved to the underground training room.

In the training room that only permitted people could enter, Song Ja-in was organizing items.

“Are you fitting the energy stone there?”

“Yes, Lord. Since you’re here, would you like to try it?”

Ja-gang-cheon didn’t refuse and sat cross-legged in the location Song Ja-in indicated.

Then the energy stone fitted in a wooden frame and placed against his back touched the Myeongmun acupoint. It was one of the most important acupoints as a pathway for external energy to flow.

Additionally, a wooden frame adjusted for the Biyeon incense was positioned in front.

On the right was placed a Cheongryujeongok (Clear Flow Stabilizing Jade) called an internal energy stabilizing crystal, and on the left was placed a Cheongshimjeong (Clear Mind Gong) that helped with mental concentration.

Cheongryujeongok was made from blue crystal extremely rarely harvested from the sea, originally created for medical use to treat qi deviation.

But when it became known that this reduced the dangers of ascending internal energy cultivation methods, it was treated as a treasure of the martial arts world.

Cheongshimjeong was a gong that made clear sounds – striking it directly would create noise, but when it responded to internal energy, it produced clear vibrations that clarified the mind.

Seureurung. Seureurung.

The cheerful sound of Cheongshimjeong echoed in the stone chamber.

When Ja-gang-cheon began circulating his energy in rhythm with that beat, the air inside the stone chamber instantly became heavy.

With this dramatic change, Song Ja-in clearly felt the effects of the internal energy training room.

“Huuu.”

Ja-gang-cheon, who had briefly finished circulating his energy, was equally satisfied.

“This is really good?”

With this level of effect, it seemed he could completely absorb the internal energy of Gongcheong Seokyu within this year.

“If we add the Sammae Sword and Okbongok here, it will be complete.”

Both were divine weapons that helped with internal energy circulation.

“I guarantee you, no opportunity in the world will match this training room.”

“Isn’t meeting each other the most precious opportunity for both Aunt and me?”

“I’m already engraving that deep in my heart.”

He was someone who had saved her son, so naturally it was the greatest opportunity for her.

“But this kind of training might actually strain the body if done for too long.”

As they say, excess is as bad as deficiency. He wanted to practice cultivation methods all day long, but doing so would destroy his dantian.

“About two hours a day seems good. We can each set our own time for training.”

“Yes. I’ll prepare it that way.”

With the completion of the training room, this year became even more anticipated.

***

“Dan-ju. This is the data calculating last year’s profits.”

Cheon Byeong-il, her trusted subordinate, placed the ledger calculating the black market’s annual profits in front of Yeon-hee.

“Hohoho.”

Seeing this, Yeon-hee couldn’t help but laugh. This was a New Year’s gift for her.

“This would be the maximum achievement for a single business.”

Just looking at the numbers, they had gained overwhelming profits excluding the overseas smuggling business.

“If we maintain this for just two or three years, the Shandong Branch chief will change.”

Yeon-hee shook her head.

“Just maintaining isn’t enough. We need to boost profits even more to definitely get to Jinan.”

“Then how about securing Deungmyeong Divine Pills?”

Deungmyeong Divine Pills, which were causing nationwide shortages, were not easy to obtain even in Jiao-nan.

If they could just secure the supply, they could sell them for any premium price.

“Business related to Deungmyeong Manor is likely to end in penny-wise, pound-foolish.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

When Cheon Byeong-il, who had given his answer, didn’t leave immediately but remained nearby, Yeon-hee asked.

“Is there something left to report?”

“Geumgang-gae has left Jiao-nan.”

Naturally she should feel relieved, but she didn’t.

“That means the branch is completed.”

“It’s in the warehouse district behind the market. The place the former Haeshin Guild used.”

Yeon-hee knew where that was.

The warehouse of a ruined merchant guild had now become Gae-bang’s branch.

“Completely ignore Gae-bang. Don’t even talk to them, and fighting is absolutely out of the question. Even if those beggars pick fights, never respond. If we ignore them, there’s nothing they can do.”

“Understood. I’ll convey that to all disciples.”

Just as she was about to wrap up the report with those words.

“Dan-ju.”

Seeing a subordinate rush in urgently, she knew something had happened.

“What’s the matter?”

“Bimuma Hon Mugyeong was on a boat that came up from the south.”

“Mugyeong? What business does the Bimugwishin of Sanseong have here?”

“Isn’t that obvious? He heard rumors about the young lord rising as a new powerhouse, so his body must be itching.”

“Haa. Why does that damn Deungmyeong Manor keep attracting people? At this rate, all the madmen of Gangho will gather.”

Yeon-hee had a premonition.

“This year won’t be peaceful either.”

She sighed and stood up from her seat, but soon shook her head and sat back down.

“Dan-ju. What’s wrong?”

“Don’t get involved in Deungmyeong Manor affairs for the time being. I decided to give them time.”

She deliberately turned away from her worries. Then she casually said to Cheon Byeong-il.

“But we should let them know that Bimugwishin has come.”

“I’ll go and come back.”

Cheon Byeong-il moved with quick wit.

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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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