My Younger Siblings Are the Greatest Masters in the World - Chapter 136

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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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136.

The training she chose not out of a desire to become strong like ordinary martial artists, but because she had something she needed to do, was interesting.

The martial arts that hadn’t improved much before were now advancing day by day as she trained with Hwangbo Cheonak.

The secret manual Biryeon Taksu that Seol Mujin had brought her was a great help, but the biggest reason was Hwangbo Cheonak.

Hwangbo Cheonak gave her strength whenever she wanted to give up, and shared the pain of their mutual suffering.

So now Namgung Hyemin had become strong.

The martial arts she had given up on had somehow risen far above her beauty.

Even if her face were covered entirely with scars and people averted their eyes, she was confident she wouldn’t be hurt.

Because Hwangbo Cheonak had loved her even when her face was stained with red scars.

Having just one person in the world who loved her was enough.

It felt ridiculous that it had taken her this long to realize that.

So she didn’t wear makeup.

Even if she could perfectly conceal it with makeup, Namgung Hyemin would no longer wear such things.

The person she looked at and wanted to be looked at by didn’t care about facial scars.

Jegal Jaeryeong whispered to Namgung Hyemin.

“Sister, you seem much happier than when I saw you before.”

“Really?”

“It must be because you’re in love. Ah! Should I try dating too?”

“Do you have a man in mind?”

Jegal Jaeryeong’s gaze flickered toward Seol Mujin.

“Your romantic front line will be treacherous too.”

“Why? Is Seol Podoo someone I could never even look at?”

“He’s a tree that too many people are looking at.”

“True. But Seol Podoo is the only one who interests me.”

“Because he’s handsome?”

“Because he’s hard to figure out.”

“Hm?”

“He’s the first person I’ve met who hides his inner thoughts so well. With Cheonag brother or Hyeonguk, you can see their feelings just by looking.”

“Their moods do show clearly on their faces. Is Seol Podoo hard to read?”

“I have to be really alert to barely catch a glimpse?”

“So there was someone difficult even for our mind reader?”

“That’s what makes it interesting. Isn’t it better for lovers to have a bit of tension?”

“You talk like a dating expert?”

“I’ve always been sharp with theory. Hoho!”

While exchanging small talk, they arrived at Yeonji-ru.

The courtesans guarding the main gate welcomed Seol Mujin.

“Mujin-i!”

“Why haven’t you come for so long!”

Seol Mujin was enthusiastically welcomed by six courtesans.

“Is the Yeonhwa Room empty?”

The courtesan in charge of guidance looked puzzled at Seol Mujin’s group.

“Are those young ladies also guests?”

“Yes. Just send in a few of the gisaeng sisters. Make the food delicious. You know about the drinks, right?”

“Y-yes.”

Seol Mujin had to greet the courtesans before he could even take three steps.

Jegal Jaeryeong asked Hwangbo Cheonak.

“Brother, I heard that Seol Podoo rules the nights of Jinan.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Anyway, it’s true, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

“But why do the courtesans like Seol Podoo so much?”

“Mujin-i grew up here.”

“Even so, people usually change when their power grows.”

Mujin-i doesn’t change. He wouldn’t change even if he became emperor. Mujin-i is a consistent person.”

Going up to the third floor and settling in the Yeonhwa Room, Yeon Seobi entered.

Now a proper brothel owner, Yeon Seobi politely greeted everyone who entered the Yeonhwa Room.

“Sister.”

Yeon Seobi embraced Seol Mujin who had spread his arms.

“Isn’t it too infrequent just because Madam isn’t here?”

“I’ve been busy.”

“I told Suksoo to pay special attention.”

“Sister, please contact Jegal Hooju and Byeon Chongwan that I’d like to see them.”

“Alright.”

After Yeon Seobi greeted them and withdrew, food was brought in.

A dining table large enough to be used as a bed was completely filled.

To the accompaniment of gisaeng performances, they ate, drank, and spent a pleasant evening.

They laughed heartily at jokes that weren’t even that funny, and quarreled like siblings who didn’t get along.

After about half a hour, word came that Zhuge Sangun and Byeon Taebang had arrived.

Seol Mujin excused himself and moved to the next room.

When Seol Mujin entered, Zhuge Sangun and Byeon Taebang quickly stood up.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?”

To Byeon Taebang’s question, Seol Mujin replied with a smiling face.

“Of course not. I have something to discuss with you.”

Zhuge Sangun asked.

“Since you called me too, it must be about the underworld?”

“Yes. I have to go to Hebei Province tomorrow, so today is the only time I have to discuss this.”

“The underworld?”

To Byeon Taebang’s question, Seol Mujin explained the plan he had made with Zhuge Sangun.

“What? Unify the Central Plains underworld?”

“It takes enormous money to establish and maintain a sect.”

“That’s why they run escort agencies, operate inns, farm, and do various businesses. But touching the underworld is like a taboo in Murim, would that be okay?”

“That’s why we need to unify as an underworld organization, not as a Murim sect.”

“We also need to consider relations with the government office…”

“I’ll handle that myself.”

“Are you telling me about the underworld because you’re thinking of entrusting that work to me?”

“Unifying the underworld would be more interesting for Byeon Chongwan than being a foundry manager.”

The corner of Byeon Taebang’s lips twitched.

“Of course it would be.”

“Since Byeon Chongwan is completely unknown in Murim, I think you’re perfect for unifying the underworld.”

“Still, I can’t do everything by myself…”

Zhuge Sangun said.

“If it’s fighting between underworld organizations, there’s no problem, right? The Wangho Gang Leader position is becoming vacant this time, how about Byeon Chongwan taking it?”

“Me, the Wangho Association?”

“Yes. First unify Jinan’s underworld, then gradually expand your influence. Just taking Shandong Province alone would bring considerable income.”

Byeon Taebang asked Seol Mujin.

“Would that be okay? There’s been a connection between Jinan’s underworld and Seol Podoo.”

“We won’t drive them out. Rather, we should give them bigger positions.”

“Bigger positions…?”

“The places close to Jinan are Wucheng County, Zhangqiu County, and Tai’an County.”

“Those three places are quite large. Not comparable to Jinan, though.”

“The gang leaders of Jinan’s underworld will move to positions overseeing the underworld of the territories we’ve taken.”

Byeon Taebang nodded.

“Since they’ve had connections with Seol Podoo all this time, they’ll listen well. They also know how fearsome Seol Podoo is.”

Zhuge Sangun said.

“The gang leaders of Jinan’s underworld wouldn’t even think of betraying Seol Podoo.”

“Byeon Chongwan can take over my current role.”

At Seol Mujin’s words, Byeon Taebang finally smiled.

“This sounds like it’ll be interesting.”

“While Seol Podoo visits Hebei Province, Byeon Chongwan and I will work out the detailed plans. How long do you think it will take?”

If Seol Mujin went alone, four days would be enough, but with many people, it would take much longer.

“I think we should allow about ten days.”

“Understood. In ten days, the groundwork should be finished.”

***

“Ugh… hangover…”

After drinking until dawn, Jegal Jaeryeong mounted her horse like a walking corpse.

“But why does it seem like only I drank alcohol?”

Jegal Hyeonguk asked with a puzzled expression.

“Didn’t you dispel the alcohol with your internal energy?”

“You can do that with internal energy?”

“You can do it easily with circulating energy and breathing. You don’t even know that?”

“Damn! It was my first time drinking, how would I know that? And why would you dispel the intoxication when we drank such expensive alcohol?”

“Because I don’t want to suffer from headaches like you are now.”

“It’s not just headaches… Urgh—!”

“Ugh! Let’s solve the hangover first before departing.”

Jegal Jaeryeong waved her hands dismissively.

“It’s fine. This is also a good experience.”

“You’re probably the only person who would call a hangover a good experience.”

“I want to experience everything I can.”

On the way to Hebei Province, Seol Mujin was able to hear detailed information about Habuk Paengga.

Habuk Paengga’s martial arts weren’t weak compared to the other Odaesega.

The reason Habuk Paengga’s influence wasn’t large was because they were located in Hebei Province, close to Beijing.

No matter how much the government and Murim didn’t interfere with each other, having a Murim force near Beijing where the Imperial Palace was located was bound to be concerning.

It was natural that Habuk Paengga’s influence wasn’t large due to government restraint.

Growing to become one of the Odaesega under such disadvantageous conditions showed Habuk Paengga’s true strength.

Most of the information about Habuk Paengga came from Jegal Jaeryeong’s mouth.

“According to what the Jegal Family has determined, the ruler of Hebei Province is Yeongchun Wang. He’s the Emperor’s third brother.”

“Does Yeongchun Wang also have ambitions for the throne?”

“In times like these, would there be any imperial family member not interested in the throne?”

“It’s strange to place an imperial family member with imperial ambitions in Hebei Province.”

“There’s no justification to drive him out. As you know, the current Emperor doesn’t care who becomes the next Emperor. He’s wasting every day indulging in debauchery. It’s amazing the country is still functioning.”

“Then it’s likely that Habuk Paengga is aligned with Yeongchun Wang.”

“Since they’ve been close normally, it’s probably eight or nine out of ten.”

“It won’t be easy to pull Habuk Paengga, who’s in the same boat as Yeongchun Wang, out and put them on a different boat…”

Jegal Jaeryeong asked with an interested expression.

“What will you do if persuasion doesn’t work?”

“We’ll have to probe first. We need to see how solid their relationship is before deciding. Do you have any good ideas?”

“For now, I agree with Seol Podoo’s… no, big brother’s thinking.”

“What?”

“Why? Is the title ‘big brother’ uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s just sudden…”

“You’ll get used to it if you keep hearing it. Big brother. You should also speak casually to me.”

Hwangbo Ryeoseon, who had been riding ahead, slowed her horse’s pace and came alongside Jegal Jaeryeong.

“When did our little one grow up so much to be wagging her tail like this?”

“Sister has sharp ears too. Were you bothered by Mujin big brother and me talking affectionately?”

“If I’m bothered, will you stop talking affectionately?”

“Why would I miss the chance to get close to Mujin big brother?”

Not wanting to get caught up in the two women’s war of nerves, Seol Mujin increased his horse’s speed and took the lead position.

He felt a slight regret thinking, ‘I should have just come alone.’

“Hyung-nim.”

Hwangbo Hyeonguk, who came beside Seol Mujin while calling him, asked.

“Do you think we’ll end up fighting with Habuk Paengga?”

“I don’t hope for it, but we should keep that possibility in mind.”

“I’ll try my best to persuade them.”

Seol Mujin didn’t say anything negative, but he didn’t think persuasion would work.

A fight involving the survival of an entire family wouldn’t be swayed by a few words.

Thus, they entered Qinghe County in Hebei Province, where Habuk Paengga was located.

As the name suggested, Qinghe County had a large river flowing from north to south.

The name was also Qinghe, so the river’s name became the county’s name.

Qinghe County, where fishing and commerce were developed, was quite a large city.

As was typical of places with large Murim families, Qinghe County also showed Habuk Paengga’s influence everywhere.

Paeng Family Inn, Paeng Family Textile, Paeng Family Dye Factory, and so on – it was like seeing a Paeng clan village.

They first rented rooms at an inn.

After leaving their horses at the inn, they headed toward Habuk Paengga.

As they walked down the main street wide enough for four carriages to pass side by side, pedestrians suddenly split to both sides.

Clatter! Clatter!

The quite loud sound of hoofbeats wasn’t from just one or two horses.

The cavalry wearing martial uniforms numbered roughly a thousand.

From the pedestrians’ reactions, encountering cavalry didn’t seem very unusual.

The flag at the front of the cavalry unit had five characters written on it: “Yeongchun Wang’s Personal Guard.”

Watching the cavalry, Jegal Jaeryeong whispered to Seol Mujin.

“Those cavalry seem to be Yeongchun Wang’s private soldiers, don’t they?”

“Looking at the characters written on the flag, it seems so.”

“Raising private soldiers is strictly forbidden by national law, but seeing them move so openly like that, Yeongchun Wang’s intentions are clearly visible.”

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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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