I Prayed for a Murim Reincarnation, But I Was Born as the Youngest Imperial Prince - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 38
White Moon Sect, An’ye County.
The balance of power in An’ye County was not particularly different from that of Sangdang County.
There was the local government, and there were the local influential families.
There were branches or offices of large organizations, and there were independent local sects.
That local sect was the White Moon Sect.
Although the character for ‘white’ was in its name, it was actually part of the Unorthodox Faction, not the Orthodox Path.
In other words, it was an unorthodox sect.
The only reason it was called White Moon was because the sect’s main martial art was the White Moon Saber Technique.
Compared to the Heuksa Sect, their notorious reputation among the local common people was far worse because, separate from collecting protection fees, they ran the Yama Debt Ring—which meant high-interest loan sharking.
An interest rate that doubled the debt in a single year was monstrous enough, but once someone borrowed from them, they would routinely refuse to accept timely payments just to prevent the debtor from easily clearing it.
By continuously inflating the money owed in that manner, they would eventually seize every last bit of the debtor’s assets, buy the person’s very body, and sell them off.
Because they amassed wealth in such a fashion, their infamy was great.
And today, they were in the middle of dragging away someone who had fallen victim to that exact scheme.
“Mercy, masters! Take me instead, but please leave my daughter alone!”
“You old codger! How much do you think we’d get from selling an old, withered body like yours to be talking such nonsense? If you borrowed money, you have to pay it back!”
A martial artist kicked the old man.
The old man coughed up blood and rolled on the ground.
Then, grabbing the hair of the woman who was trying to stop them beside him, they dragged her away.
“A child pays the debts of the parent! Taking your daughter should at least cover the interest.”
“Aaargh! Save… Save me…”
“Who said anything about killing you? You’re going to work to pay off the debt.”
Watching the noisy alleyway, the people passing by averted their eyes.
‘Rotten bastards…’
‘What is heaven doing? Just leaving those kinds of bastards alone.’
‘Sigh, even the local government pretends not to see it.’
Even if one complained to the constables, they would just dismiss it, saying one shouldn’t have borrowed in the first place.
Of course, it was common sense that one must never borrow from the Yama Debt Ring.
It was not an interest rate that anyone in the world could afford to repay.
In just one year, the interest would equal the principal.
However, even knowing that, when humans were driven into a corner, they would occasionally borrow anyway, thinking they might somehow find a way to pay it back later.
Since it was a place where over twenty thousand people lived, even while hearing rumors of others ruining themselves like that, someone would always appear who vaguely thought, ‘Something will work out for me.’
The White Moon Sect spun their spiderwebs and waited for exactly those kinds of people.
‘That old man also ended up running up debts just to try and get medicine…’
As a result, he was suffering now, and his daughter’s future was bound to be miserable. Was it not like losing two rabbits while trying to catch one?
But since even the government said it couldn’t be helped because it was a debt relationship, what could they themselves possibly do?
It was at that moment, as everyone clicked their tongues and turned away.
“Jeok Myeol.”
“Yes, Senior Disciple.”
“According to the Great Long Code, a debt is a debt, but isn’t human trafficking forbidden?”
“That is correct. Human trafficking on the grounds of debt is prohibited.”
Seonwu reconfirmed the legal knowledge he knew.
“And aren’t there restrictions on collecting a parent’s debt from their child?”
“Yes, there is also a law stating that one must not collect more than what was inherited from the parent.”
Thinking about it, it was similar to how one could renounce an inheritance in modern Korea if the inherited liabilities exceeded the assets.
The difference was that the scope of that ‘inherited’ part was interpreted somewhat broadly depending on the case.
For instance, although it was rare, there were cases where a court ruled that a child who achieved great success in business must pay it all back because they had inherited that very business acumen, even if they hadn’t inherited much money from their parents.
It was a law that allowed for some discretion on the front lines…
But at least considering the intent proclaimed by the Emperor, taking a daughter away to sell her into slavery was out of the question.
‘To be honest, I didn’t expect the Wulin to follow the law and rely on the government like this.’
Waren’t disputes between Wulin contractually settled by calling over some famous person to hold a martial duel?
Or if not even that, wasn’t it the norm for the winner to take everything after slicing each other up in the dark of night?
‘Most of the wuxia novels I read did it that way.’
Perhaps because the dignity of the Imperial Family in this country was so formidable.
Or perhaps because the founding Taejo was the strongest master active in his time.
It was truly astonishing that the Heuksa Sect had immediately hidden behind the government as a shield the moment things went south.
What a joke the non-interference between court and Wulin turned out to be…
However, this time with the White Moon Sect, it was different.
‘This time, it’s undeniably illegal.’
The County Magistrate here might not have cracked down on this, but at the very least, he wouldn’t defend it.
This time, the White Moon Sect wouldn’t be able to hide behind the government either.
In other words, it meant this was his chance to actively perform like a chivalrous xia.
“Who the hell are you bastards!”
“Ha, what kind of scholar thinks he can interfere when our sect is collecting a debt—”
The White Moon Sect disciples, who were about to shout imperiously, instantly cowered from the killing intent unleashed by Dan Suyeong.
Quite literally, their whole bodies trembled, goosebumps broke out, and cold sweat poured down.
Furthermore, their energy channels were severely shaken, causing capillaries to burst and inflicting internal injuries.
The expression ‘a mouse before a cat’ was far too mild.
Something like ‘a rabbit standing before a tiger’ seemed more appropriate.
“Oh, Junior Disciple. If you pour out killing intent like that right from the start, I can’t even talk to these guys.”
“My apologies.”
Seonwu shook his head.
‘Of course, from Dan Suyeong’s perspective, he was just enraged because a mere unorthodox faction underling spoke recklessly to me…’
But shouldn’t he avoid getting angry so easily while we’re incognito?
Still, since he got angry on my behalf, it felt wrong to just scold him.
‘No. Even so, it’ll be troublesome if things keep going like this in the future.’
“Even if you get angry, don’t recklessly unleash killing intent; from now on, wait for my word first.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Still, you subdued them well.”
Seonwu stepped toward the trembling White Moon Sect disciples.
In the meantime, he checked on the woman who had pulled herself away and the fallen old man.
‘The woman is startled for now, but she doesn’t seem to be heavily injured anywhere.’
On the other hand, the old man seemed quite badly hurt where he had been kicked.
Seonwu swiftly performed acupoint sealing near the old man’s injury and gently infused some inner energy.
When it came to tending to injuries in such a weakened body, the Peerless Prajna Divine Art among the four martial arts he had mastered was the best.
With just a small amount of energy entering him, the old man’s breathing became noticeably easier.
“Ah… noble benefactor…”
“Passing by, I heard that these bastards were trying to take your daughter away using a debt as an excuse. Is that correct?”
“Yes, master. I became senile at this age and borrowed money for medicine…”
Regarding Seonwu as his lifeline, the old man bowed low.
“I must have been mad to use the Yama Debt Ring.”
“The interest must have multiplied in an instant.”
“Yes, back then I thought that once the illness was cured and my body became healthy enough to work again, I could somehow pay it back. But no matter how much I paid, the debt grew so fast.”
“How much was the interest?”
The old man wiped away his tears.
“It was ten percent a month, and if I couldn’t pay on time, interest was added to the interest again.”
‘Wow, it’s not even one hundred percent a year, but ten percent a month with compound interest?’
If the interest went unpaid and was left as it was for a single year, it was a staggering interest rate where the money owed would instantly exceed 3.13 times the principal.
‘An interest rate of over 213% per annum?’
By this point, even the word ‘vicious’ was insufficient; what should it be called?
‘Ah, right. It really is Yama’s debt.’
Yama might actually find it offensive.
Did they call it Yama’s Debt in the sense that borrowing it would send one’s life straight to Yama?
“There must be more than just a few people who, like you, mistakenly used the Yama Debt Ring with these bastards and were ruined, right?”
“Yes, Lee from the fabric shop had his funds tangled up and borrowed thinking he could pay it back once his goods arrived after passing this crisis, but he ended up on the streets. And the Chang family over there borrowed for wedding expenses and was ruined… There are many victims.”
‘Tsk, people really do have a tendency to think that they will be the ones able to pay it back.’
Seonwu clicked his tongue.
Of course, an interest rate of ten percent compound interest per month could technically be paid back depending on the circumstances.
But if even one thing went wrong, that was the highway to ruin.
“Old man, we fellow disciples will resolve this matter, so for now, please take your daughter and hide somewhere safe for a moment.”
“Understood, master.”
“I’ll take care of the White Moon Sect, so do not worry.”
“Yes, but… will the two of you be alright? Shouldn’t you escape even now?”
Seonwu smirked.
“It’s not us, but the White Moon Sect that will have to run away to avoid us, so you don’t need to worry.”
“I place my trust in you, master.”
The old man bowed his head, and Seonwu released the acupoints of the four men he had subdued, then kicked them in the backside.
“Lead the way right now, you bastards.”
* * *
The scene of Seonwu dragging the White Moon Sect disciples down the street was witnessed by several people.
And they immediately averted their eyes.
‘It’s a fight.’
‘Are Wulin people fighting among themselves?’
‘Commoners like us will get hurt if we get involved.’
Just making eye contact for no reason could lead to some dispute later on.
Let’s just avoid them.
‘But who are those two?’
‘They’re young martial artists I’ve never seen before.’
‘Still, isn’t it reckless for just the two of them to touch the White Moon Sect?’
‘That depends on where those two belong.’
People who couldn’t even breathe properly when the two were present whispered cautiously after they disappeared from sight.
‘What was it? Could it be Namgung?’
‘Or maybe the Shaolin secular disciples who came over from Henan.’
Certainly, if they carried the name of Namgung or Shaolin behind them, it would be difficult for the White Moon Sect to touch them, even if they were just two young martial artists.
It wasn’t that the total strength of the White Moon Sect couldn’t defeat two youths, but after doing so, they would have to worry about the Namgung Clan or Shaolin that stood behind them.
And the news of the two approaching in that manner was delivered ahead to the White Moon Sect this time as well.
In the first place, Seonwu was intentionally moving slowly.
‘Our rumors probably haven’t spread to a place like this yet.’
Later on, when the rumors of the two fellow disciples became widespread, going about it this way might cause the targets to just flee instead.
But not yet.
The news of them smashing the Heuksa Sect in Sangdang County wouldn’t have traveled all the way here yet.
‘So for now, they will choose to gather all their strength into one place.’
How annoying would it be if they were scattered here and there?
Gather them all at once and finish it cleanly.
* * *
Just as Seonwu hoped, the Munju of the White Moon Sect, who received the news first, jumped up with a shout.
“They say the bastards who went to fetch the daughter of that old man from the Wang family who didn’t pay his debt are being beaten and are coming this way.”
“What? Someone dared to touch our White Moon Sect in this An’ye County? Who is it? Which bastard is it?”
“They say it’s two young martial artists seen for the first time.”
“Ha? What, it’s not like our boys touched the Manjin Bank or the Seven Stars Escort Agency, right?”
“Aigo, would they lack that much sense?”
Do not touch anyone belonging to the branches of giant organizations.
Even the White Moon Sect disciples had enough brains to understand that level of instruction.
If they didn’t, it was beaten into their heads until they did.
“True, like the tiger of the mountain and the shark of the sea, we don’t invade each other’s territory.”
The Leader of the Baekwol Sect drained the rest of the wine he was drinking and fell into thought for a moment.
‘Since they said young martial artists, it’s not the government.’
And it’s not a branch of a giant sect either.
‘Then at best, children of an influential local family?’
No. If they were children of a prominent local family, the underlings would have recognized them.
“Hmph, it seems some wandering chivalrous xia is putting on airs in his own way. He doesn’t know his place. Boys, gather everyone.”
“Yes, sir.”
Still, just in case, he needed to increase his numbers first.
“Hehe, it’s been a while since my blade tasted blood.”
The Leader of the Baekwol Sect drew his saber, rechecked the edge, and laughed.
Even fearless martial artists who picked fights would instantly become docile once a long wound was carved onto their bodies.
‘Bastard, I have finally attained great mastery in the White Moon Saber Technique, but it was awkward to spread the word.’
He had finally reached the Peak Realm.
However, even if he claimed with his own mouth that he had reached the peak and achieved great inner power, the rumors didn’t spread very satisfyingly.
Although his subordinates said, ‘Congratulations, chief,’ wouldn’t a rumor only spread to the world if he actually showed that power?
In this regard, medium and small sects were at a disadvantage compared to great sects.
Yet, there were no suitable opportunities to show it off, and invading neighboring counties was unreasonable.
While wondering what to do, such a perfect sacrificial lamb had appeared for him.
“Bwahahaha! My White Moon Saber is hungry. Let them come!”
He shouted gallantly.

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