My Younger Siblings Are the Greatest Masters in the World - Chapter 133

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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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133.

“It’s frustrating that no reply has come from Jeonseoggu.”

“Shall I pay them a visit?”

Jegal Songseon asked in surprise.

“You, Seol Podoo?”

“I’m not sure if I’m qualified, but we can’t just keep waiting for a reply, can we?”

“You’re more than qualified. After all, you’d be going as the Third Prince’s envoy.”

Hwangbo Hyeonguk said.

“It would be best for you to go, hyung-nim. Even if Habuk Paengga or Sichuan Dangga have joined hands with other imperial relatives, you would be able to handle it.”

“If those two families have joined hands with other imperial relatives, that itself would be a threat to Seol Podoo. How could one person’s strength resolve that?”

Hwangbo Hyeonguk smiled at Jegal Songseon’s question.

“In the martial world, hyung-nim is probably the only one who could resolve such a threat.”

“I’ve heard that Seol Podoo’s martial arts are excellent, but still…”

“Hyung-nim’s martial arts are much higher than you think, Uncle.”

“Just how high are they for you to say such things?”

Seol Mujin interrupted their conversation.

“It would be better to stop talking about my martial arts. If I do go, please have each of the three family heads write me a letter of credence. That way Habuk Paengga and Sichuan Dangga will trust me.”

Jegal Songseon said.

“I don’t know about Habuk Paengga, but you must be careful with Sichuan Dangga. Though they’re grouped together as one of the Odaesega, they’re quite different from us. And they’re far away too.”

Seol Mujin had also heard about Sichuan Dangga.

“I’ll be careful.”

“And I want you to know that the Jegal Family has completely severed ties with other imperial relatives.”

“A wise decision.”

That settled the matter for the time being.

Seol Mujin moved to the annex building in the Jegal Family residence backyard with Zhuge Sangun.

Between them, a bottle of alcohol and simple snacks were prepared.

Seol Mujin filled Zhuge Sangun’s cup with alcohol and asked.

“How does it feel to return home?”

Zhuge Sangun also poured alcohol for Seol Mujin.

“This isn’t really my home.”

“Pardon?”

“My home is Jinan. The Jegal Family has never been my home. If it weren’t for you, Seol Podoo, I would have lived my entire life as a rootless wanderer.”

“That’s bittersweet but also pleasing to hear. It seems Gang Leader Jegal will need to stay in Jinan.”

“It seems you have work for me.”

“I’m thinking of establishing a martial sect. Please become the strategist there.”

“What? A strategist?”

“Cheonag-i has agreed to become the sect leader.”

“If it’s a sect that Seol Podoo is opening, it won’t be just any ordinary sect. What scale are you thinking of?”

“It’s based on Myeoncheonhoe, but nothing’s decided yet.”

“Myeoncheonhoe? That’s unexpected. The scale won’t be small, and you’ll need to grow it to at least the level of Odaesega in the near future, right?”

“Doesn’t that goal seem too big?”

“Not at all. Since Seol Podoo is establishing it, it should at least reach the level of Odaesega. Ultimately, it should become the largest sect in the martial world.”

“Wouldn’t that be difficult? For now, we need to position ourselves not as a righteous sect, but somewhere between righteous and unorthodox.”

“That’s not bad. Especially if the sect leader is Hwangbo Cheonak, there are many advantages. Opening a sect in Jinan with Hwangbo Cheonak as the sect leader. You’ve really used your head well, Seol Podoo. Ah! I apologize if I’m overstepping.”

“It’s fine. You’re the strategist, Gang Leader Jegal.”

“If you’re not the sect leader or the strategist, what role will you play in the new sect, Seol Podoo?”

“I’ll just remain as a supporter. I don’t particularly want to become a martial artist, and it would be troublesome if I became the main force.”

“Are you perhaps planning to enter government service…?”

“No. I’m satisfied just being Jinan’s Podoo. It’s the most comfortable way to live.”

Zhuge Sangun, who muttered ‘Situations can change at any time,’ fell into thought.

Seol Mujin poured alcohol into his empty cup and waited for Zhuge Sangun to speak.

“Ah! I understand your big picture, Seol Podoo!”

“What’s my picture?”

“You’re planning to unite the righteous sects around the Nine Great Sects and Odaesega, and integrate the unorthodox sects through the newly established sect, aren’t you?”

He had been thinking about this since coming to the Jegal Family.

It was just a vague plan, but Zhuge Sangun had instantly read Seol Mujin’s thoughts.

“Would that be possible?”

“Anything’s possible in corner-room fantasies. But the walls we’ll have to face in reality will be high. How could uniting righteous or unorthodox sects be easy?”

“What do you think the difficulty level would be? If it seems completely impossible, I’ll have to find another path.”

“Do you know what’s the most interesting thing in the world? Turning imagination into reality. I’ll try making a plan. Once I make a plan, I should at least get an outline of how feasible it is.”

“Then please take the trouble, Strategist Jegal.”

“How long will you keep calling me Gang Leader Jegal? I’d prefer to be called strategist.”

“We haven’t even established the sect yet.”

“Well, think of it as an advance payment.”

Zhuge Sangun seemed much more relaxed than when he was the Wangho Gang Leader.

That made Seol Mujin feel good.

“Alright then. Strategist Jegal.”

“There will be a mountain of work to do. Your next destination is Jinan, right, Seol Podoo?”

“It has to be. I have things to wrap up when I return.”

“Then let’s go together. I’ll finish establishing the sect within six months.”

“That quickly? It should take at least a year.”

“I’ll work hard with Sect Leader Hwangbo. But have you chosen a name?”

“No.”

“Let’s decide on a name first. Then we can recruit talent. What would be disqualifying factors for talent we need to recruit?”

Since he had already thought about it, Seol Mujin’s answer came immediately.

“No matter that we’re a sect between righteous and unorthodox, we can’t accept evil people.”

He expected a different opinion, but Zhuge Sangun’s head nodded up and down obediently.

“Understood. I also dislike truly bad people. I’ve seen too many of them in the underworld.”

“They say righteous sect people are hard to move with money. Will there be talent we can recruit?”

“There are quite a few people who are classified as unorthodox because their learned martial arts are tyrannical or because of their origins. There are also those who have no choice but to get involved with unorthodox sects because of money. But, do you have a lot of money?”

“I’ll squeeze some out of the First Prince and Third Prince, but it won’t be abundant.”

“Then shall we use some unconventional methods?”

“Unconventional methods…?”

“The underworld.”

“The underworld…?”

“All the underworld organizations in the Central Plains. As you know, the underworld is a goldmine, right? Since the martial world isn’t paying attention to it for various reasons, we’ll take it.”

“We’re also a martial sect, so if we try to take it, things will get very murky.”

“That’s why it has to be secret. If we work quietly with suitable people as fronts, how would other places know?”

Why did Byeon Taebang come to mind when he mentioned suitable people?

Come to think of it, Byeon Taebang might prefer the underworld over being a foundry general manager.

“I think I have a suitable person in mind…”

“That works out well. I know underworld operations well, so I’ll make plans for that side too.”

“Doesn’t Strategist Jegal have too much work?”

Zhuge Sangun grinned.

“Since I’m helping Seol Podoo, the busier the better.”

***

The letter from Habuk Paengga arrived on the morning Seol Mujin was about to leave for Jinan.

Jegal Songseon spread out two letters side by side and showed them to Seol Mujin and Hwangbo Hyeonguk.

One contained the contents of a letter the Jegal Family had sent to Habuk Paengga, and the other was Habuk Paengga’s reply that had arrived this morning.

“It’s a polite refusal.”

Jegal Songseon nodded at Seol Mujin’s words.

“That’s right.”

The contents of the letter sent by the Jegal Family weren’t very specific.

It only contained perhaps theoretical phrases about the Odaesega joining forces in these turbulent times.

But the fact that Habuk Paengga refused even that meant they had already sided with someone.

Habuk Paengga, being closest to Beijing and in the most strategically important position, joining under the Second Prince, Fourth Prince, or other imperial relatives was quite troublesome.

Seol Mujin said.

“First, we need to find out who Habuk Paengga has joined hands with.”

“You’re going to Habuk Paengga even though they sent a letter of refusal?”

“To properly investigate, there’s no choice but to go see for ourselves. We also need to assess how strong their alliance is.”

“What if it’s an unbreakable alliance?”

Seol Mujin asked in a heavy voice.

“How close are you with Habuk Paengga?”

“Are you asking about just the Jegal Family, or…”

Jegal Songseon glanced at Hwangbo Hyeonguk and continued his question.

“Including the other Odaesega as well?”

“The latter, of course.”

“It’s difficult to say. The Odaesega are closer to each other than to other orthodox sects, but we’re not blood allies.”

“Would the Jegal Family help if Habuk Paengga were in danger?”

“It would depend on who the threat is.”

“What if it were me?”

When Jegal Songseon’s answer was delayed, Hwangbo Hyeonguk spoke first.

“The Hwangbo Family will unconditionally side with hyung-nim.”

Jegal Songseon seemed slightly surprised by the firm answer.

“I understand your personal feelings, but the Hwangbo Family’s position might be different.”

“My opinion right now is the Hwangbo Family’s opinion.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. When it comes to matters involving hyung-nim, the Hwangbo Family’s stance is always consistent. Our Hwangbo Family will stand by hyung-nim’s side no matter what happens. The Namgung Family probably won’t be any different.”

Jegal Songseon smiled.

“Since you put it that way, my heart feels a bit more at ease. Actually, I’d rather side with Seol Podoo too. Both emotionally and realistically.”

Jegal Songseon asked Seol Mujin.

“But will you really make Habuk Paengga your enemy?”

“I don’t want that, but if they become enemies of His Highness the Third Prince, there’s no choice.”

“Still, I’d prefer if we didn’t become enemies. When are you planning to leave for Habuk Paengga?”

“I’m thinking of going right after handling a small matter in Jinan.”

“Could you travel with my daughter?”

Hwangbo Hyeonguk was startled.

“By any chance… Jaeryeong?”

“There’s no one more suitable than Jaeryeong for finding out Habuk Paengga’s true intentions.”

“That’s, that’s true.”

Looking at Hwangbo Hyeonguk’s expression, he seemed uncomfortable with Jegal Jaeryeong.

Seol Mujin asked Jegal Songseon.

“It could be dangerous.”

“As the daughter of a Murim family, she must accept the risks.”

They left the office.

While Jegal Songseon went to fetch Jegal Jaeryeong, Seol Mujin asked Hwangbo Hyeonguk.

“Who is Jegal Jaeryeong that you’re so nervous?”

“I’m, I’m not nervous.”

“You are nervous though?”

Just then, Hwangbo Ryeoseon and Sang Chiyeon arrived.

Seol Mujin asked them about Jegal Jaeryeong.

“Jaeryeong? I like her. She’s cute.”

Hwangbo Ryeoseon’s answer was simple.

Sang Chiyeon said.

“She’s cute. To us.”

Seol Mujin asked.

“It seems like Hyeonguk isn’t included in that ‘us’?”

Hwangbo Ryeoseon looked at Hwangbo Hyeonguk and said.

“Men might feel that way. Especially men who have a lot to hide.”

“I don’t have anything to hide!”

“Then why are you uncomfortable?”

“It’s just, it’s a bit unsettling when someone can see right through your heart.”

“See right through your heart? Did she learn mind reading or something?”

When Hwangbo Hyeonguk nodded, Seol Mujin chuckled.

“Where in the world does mind reading exist?”

“Jaeryeong really did learn mind reading. Hyung-nim will be shocked when you experience it too.”

“I’ve heard many people say they learned mind reading, but that’s not mind reading, it’s experience.”

“Let’s see if hyung-nim stays relaxed after meeting Jaeryeong.”

And so the mysterious woman Jegal Jaeryeong appeared with Jegal Songseon.

With her large eyes and delicate features, she was cuteness itself, just as Hwangbo Ryeoseon had said.

Her height was just over five feet, making her look like she was barely fifteen years old.

Hwangbo Hyeonguk whispered to Seol Mujin.

“She’s eighteen, the same age as me.”

Eighteen was fully grown, but there was no trace of womanly feeling about her.

“This is Seol Mujin Podoo-nim.”

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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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