Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 60

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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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Chapter 60

 

“…How much is all this exactly?”

 

Inner Chamber of Geumokru.

 

Baekdwang swept his trembling hands over the silver ingots and bundles of promissory notes piled on the table.

 

Silver waves filled the room.

 

Even at a rough estimate, it was over twenty thousand taels of silver—an enormous fortune that could buy an entire merchant guild.

 

All of this had been created in just one month.

 

“I report to you.”

 

Naengcheolsan stepped forward, unfolding a thick ledger.

 

Though his eyes were sunken, his voice was full of strength.

 

“One thousand tea certificates brought—all sold completely.”

 

For the past month, Baekdwang and Naengcheolsan had traveled throughout Anhui Province.

 

Under their meticulous command, the thousand tea certificates vanished without a trace, their place filled by heavy silver ingots and promissory notes.

 

And today.

 

All the work was finished.

 

“Excluding the share given to Jeonjang Master Jo Gyeongsan, the pure profit alone is twenty-two thousand taels.”

 

Twenty-two thousand taels.

 

Namgung Cheon nodded.

 

Thanks to Baekdwang and Naengcheolsan’s capabilities, it was a bit more generous than expected.

 

Converting this scale of funds to cash in just one month while avoiding Sangdocheon’s eyes was nothing short of miraculous.

 

Of course, it was thanks to Jo Gyeongsan keeping his mouth thoroughly shut as promised.

 

Moreover, he went beyond mere silence, secretly informing them of routes where Sangdocheon’s surveillance network was loose.

 

It seemed he hadn’t forgotten this was a life-or-death transaction.

 

“Well done.”

 

At Namgung Cheon’s brief praise, Baekdwang smiled, forgetting his fatigue.

 

“Isn’t it all thanks to Young Master? We just ran errands… But what will you do with all this money now?”

 

Baekdwang gulped as he stared at the silver ingots and promissory notes.

 

Even though Jinquanpa’s circumstances had improved, this was such a tremendous sum that it would be difficult to prepare this much cash immediately.

 

What decision would Namgung Cheon make?

 

Namgung Cheon rose from his seat and opened a wooden chest.

 

It was full of silver ingots and high-value promissory notes.

 

He reached out and grasped a handful of silver ingots.

 

Heavy and cold to the touch.

 

This was power itself.

 

Independent power that could move according to his own will without having to mind the great families.

 

And Namgung Cheon had already decided where to use part of this money.

 

“Thirty percent—seven thousand taels will be invested in Jinquanpa.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Baekdwang asked back.

 

“Use this money to expand Jinquanpa.”

 

Namgung Cheon placed the silver ingots in his hand back on the table.

 

The clinking sound echoed through the room.

 

“Buy more eyes and ears. Deploy people who can bring news from all of Anhui Province, beyond just Hefei. And…”

 

Namgung Cheon’s eyes turned sharp.

 

“Buy swords that can protect the money. In this martial world, wealth without force is nothing but a fat pig. Hire masters who can slaughter the wolves that will come smelling the scent.”

 

Namgung Cheon looked straight into Baekdwang’s eyes.

 

“And gradually become not just a simple gang of thugs, but a great merchant who controls information and logistics. That’s why I’m investing this money in you.”

 

Baekdwang stared blankly at Namgung Cheon.

 

A great merchant.

 

His heart pounded.

 

It was a word he had never even dared to dream of.

 

But strangely, when those words came from Namgung Cheon’s mouth, they didn’t sound absurd.

 

He felt certain that if he followed this young master, it wouldn’t end as just a dream.

 

Baekdwang knelt on the spot.

 

“This Baekdwang will surely bring you profits greater than your investment!”

 

Naengcheolsan also bowed deeply.

 

“I will perfectly handle fund management and organizational expansion.”

 

Namgung Cheon smiled with satisfaction.

 

Money can make people work for you.

 

But true loyalty cannot be bought.

 

True loyalty only emerges when you show them higher places and plant the goal that they can reach there.

 

‘The new goal of becoming a great merchant.’

 

This was no different from a reward more valuable than money for Baekdwang.

 

“Keep the rest combined in the anonymous Guryong Jeonjang account we’ve been managing.”

 

Namgung Cheon pointed to the remaining chests.

 

Naengcheolsan snapped the ledger shut and answered.

 

“Understood. However… combining the existing profits with these new funds, the scale is truly enormous. It’s enough to buy an entire merchant guild and have money left over.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Namgung Cheon stroked his chin, lost in thought.

 

Wealth grasped by his own power, unrelated to the great families.

 

This was ultimately another form of power that could move according to his will.

 

‘It will have many uses ahead.’

 

The countless difficulties he would face while traveling Gangho.

 

Before them, these funds would serve as a solid shield, and sometimes become a sharp spear to open the way.

 

The value was great.

 

“Manage it well. So it can be withdrawn and used immediately when needed.”

 

“I will keep that in mind.”

 

“You’ve worked hard. I’ll visit again soon.”

 

“Take care, Young Master!”

 

Hearing Baekdwang’s booming farewell from behind, Namgung Cheon left Geumokru.

 

After Namgung Cheon departed, only the two men remained in the chamber.

 

Silver waves filling the room.

 

Baekdwang stared blankly at the chest containing the silver ingots, then suddenly spoke.

 

“Cheolsan.”

 

“Yes, Guild Master.”

 

“Can we really become great merchants?”

 

His voice was serious and trembling, completely unlike his usual boldness.

 

Naengcheolsan shrugged once and organized the ledger.

 

His gaze briefly turned toward Baekdwang before returning to the ledger.

 

“Probably possible, as long as Guild Master doesn’t cause any trouble.”

 

“This guy, I was trying to be moved but you’re dampening the mood.”

 

Baekdwang chuckled and picked up a silver ingot.

 

The heavy weight filling his hand.

 

“Still…”

 

He clenched his fist tight.

 

“We have to try, don’t we? Young Master has prepared the entire feast for us. If we mess this up, we wouldn’t be human.”

 

“Of course.”

 

Naengcheolsan snapped the ledger shut.

 

“Then starting tomorrow, I’ll immediately make contact with useful people. Those who can smell money like ghosts.”

 

Naengcheolsan slammed the ledger shut.

 

Baekdwang slowly closed the wooden box containing the silver notes.

 

Thud.

 

The heavy sound cut through the air in the room.

 

“Fine, let’s do it.”

 

Baekdwang’s eyes flashed sharply.

 

* * *

 

“So, what are you going to do with all that money?”

 

Inside the residence, Mujin asked as he tilted his wine cup while sitting across from each other at the table.

 

His eyes were full of curiosity.

 

“Who knows.”

 

Namgung Cheon answered calmly while playing with his wine cup.

 

He had no intention of blabbering about his funding plans to Mujin.

 

“Tsk. You’re consistently boring. If it were me, I would have bought a pleasure house first. Or maybe I’d buy an entire wine house that brews famous liquor…”

 

While Mujin chattered excitedly, Namgung Cheon’s gaze was directed outside the window.

 

The peaceful scenery of the clan with moonlight quietly streaming in.

 

But the tranquility was merely superficial; the reality beneath would not be so peaceful.

 

‘From the martial competition to this Gwimyeon-gye incident. There have been many events.’

 

The turbulent currents he had created were probably swirling beneath that tranquility.

 

Awe, jealousy, and wariness directed at him.

 

All of this gradually.

 

‘It’s time to sort things out.’

 

Just then.

 

Knock knock.

 

The sound of someone knocking on the residence door was heard.

 

“Young Master, this is the Head Steward. I request a brief audience.”

 

“Please come in.”

 

The door opened, and Namgung Un entered and politely cupped his fists.

 

“The Head of the Clan is looking for you, Young Master.”

 

Namgung Cheon asked Namgung Un.

 

“Do you know what it’s about?”

 

“She did not tell me anything specific.”

 

He was only told to bring him, that’s what he meant.

 

Namgung Cheon rose from his seat without complaint and followed him.

 

As they left the residence, the cool night air brushed against his cheeks.

 

Since it wasn’t yet deep night, quite a few servants and warriors could be seen moving about within the clan.

 

And their gazes turned toward Namgung Cheon as if by agreement.

 

The murmuring heard from afar stuck clearly in Namgung Cheon’s ears.

 

It was because his five senses had become sensitive as his realm increased.

 

“…That’s the Third Young Master.”

 

“Yes, I heard he did something remarkable in Honam this time.”

 

“To earn the title of Cheoncheon Sword Hero on his first outing, perhaps now…”

 

A different reaction from the past indifference toward the youngest master who had been a negligible existence.

 

‘It’s gotten noisy.’

 

Namgung Cheon frowned.

 

The old indifference was more comfortable than this bothersome attention.

 

But this too was an unavoidable process.

 

Even when he caused incidents in the Demonic Sect in his previous life, such reactions followed.

 

Thus, listening to various murmurings, they arrived at the top floor of Jacheon Hall.

 

Jegal Hwa was tilting her teacup while looking out the window.

 

Sensing a presence, she slowly turned her head.

 

“You’ve come.”

 

“You called for me.”

 

When Namgung Cheon took his seat, Jegal Hwa personally poured tea for him.

 

The fragrant tea aroma filled the room.

 

“Thanks to you, the clan is stirring.”

 

Jegal Hwa sipped her tea and continued speaking.

 

“Even the elders who never involve themselves in the clan’s affairs, big or small, are bringing up stories about you.”

 

The elders she spoke of were the clan’s true seniors, the former elders who had once dominated an era.

 

They were beings who stayed in a pavilion called Nakil Hall at the western end of the clan, occasionally exchanging a few words with the clan head, but rarely showing themselves.

 

Those who once shook the martial world with a single sword.

 

‘For my name to be mentioned by such people…’

 

It would mean his actions were being accepted as something that could influence the clan’s fate.

 

Namgung Cheon silently tilted his teacup.

 

“They said that while your martial prowess is beyond doubt, they regret that you still have no position within the clan.”

 

Jegal Hwa subtly hinted.

 

“So now you should establish your place within the clan, shouldn’t you?”

 

“What do you mean by place?”

 

“Jinsan Sword Division.”

 

Jegal Hwa said firmly.

 

“I intend to entrust this to you.”

 

Jinsan Sword Division.

 

It was an elite sword division belonging to the Cheonggung Four Swords, the core military force of the Namgung Clan.

 

It would be a proposal that any ordinary young master would gratefully accept.

 

It would be the most certain stepping stone toward becoming the heir.

 

But Namgung Cheon calmly drank his tea.

 

And as he set down his teacup, he said.

 

“I must decline.”

 

“What is your reason?”

 

Jegal Hwa smiled.

 

It was a reaction as if she had expected this.

 

“It’s not yet time.”

 

Namgung Cheon continued while looking at his teacup.

 

“The path I must take is long. Taking charge of a sword division now would be like stopping my steps.”

 

For him who had to advance toward higher places, the position of division leader would only be shackles that held him back, not glory.

 

It was natural to refuse.

 

At that coldness, a strange smile appeared on Jegal Hwa’s lips.

 

“Yes, I thought so. Who could keep pace with your speed?”

 

She set down her teacup and continued.

 

“However, the wind you’ve stirred up is too strong and causing trouble.”

 

“…?”

 

“Those who heard of your exploits are wavering. Unable to grasp whether the path they’ve walked is right or wrong, even their swords are becoming dull. It means the foundation of the sword division is shaking.”

 

Jegal Hwa’s eyes deepened.

 

“The clan head seems to think this needs to be resolved.”

 

She subtly added.

 

“So show those children the way.”

 

“…Are you telling me to have a martial contest?”

 

“Let’s call it instructional sparring. If you personally step forward to calm that confusion, you’ll not only gain the support of the warriors within the clan, but also silence the elders who are murmuring about you.”

 

The vague doubts harbored by the Elders.

 

Uneasy gazes suggesting that Namgung Cheon’s actions had strayed from the Namgung’s principles.

 

Jegal Hwa intended to use this opportunity to dispel those anxieties and solidify Namgung Cheon’s position.

 

There was no justification or reason to refuse.

 

“I understand.”

 

Namgung Cheon rose from his seat.

 

“When should we do this?”

 

“The sooner the better, so let’s do it tomorrow morning.”

 

Jegal Hwa said as she lifted her teacup.

 

“Come to the Great Training Ground. I’ll gather those who wish to spar.”

 

She slowly turned her head to look at her son.

 

“And you must show them.”

 

Jegal Hwa’s voice dropped low.

 

“How high the heavens are at the end of the path they walk.”

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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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