Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 45

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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 45

 

I shook my head. This was enough.

 

I drew the sword from my waist and kicked off from where I stood.

 

Jin Jang-hyeok looked at me as if I were ridiculous, and that expression remained even as I swung my sword.

 

His legs pushed against the ground as he slid to the side.

 

In an instant, internal energy burst from Jin Jang-hyeok’s body, and just as he was putting strength into his feet to kick off—

 

Thunk—!

 

My sword pierced Jin Jang-hyeok’s heart.

 

“…Huh…?”

 

Jin Jang-hyeok collapsed to the ground with a thud, wearing an expression of complete incomprehension.

 

I would have reacted the same way.

 

When executing the Change Step, there’s a momentary gap precisely on the second step.

 

As I mentioned before, the Cloud Outer Dust Step is among the highest tier of Heaven-grade movement techniques. Since it was created by a master of the Five Realms of Martial God, depending on how it’s used, it could even become a Martial God-grade technique.

 

When a warrior of the Flame Qi Four Stages uses such a technique, problems naturally arise, and Jang Cheon-ryong knew this too.

 

He knew, so he tried his best to compensate, but there was still one gap that simply couldn’t be fixed.

 

The second step.

 

The internal energy gathered in the first step concentrates mainly in the heel, and when transitioning to the second step, it moves to the toes. That brief moment when balance becomes problematic—that’s the opening.

 

I pulled out the sword.

 

“Cough…”

 

After severing the head of the blood-spitting Jin Jang-hyeok, I turned around.

 

I could see the escorts of Cheonha Trading Company holding weapons along with other warriors.

 

“I will count to five.”

 

I continued speaking while wiping the blood from my sword.

 

“If Cheonha Trading Company’s leader Cheon Eo-jin doesn’t kneel before me within that time, everyone here today will die.”

 

I didn’t even need to count to five.

 

Before I could even count to three in my head, Cheon Eo-jin came before me and knelt.

 

He must have been nearby.

 

Cheon Eo-jin’s first words were:

 

“I’m sorry!!”

 

“Sorry?”

 

“Yes. I apologize. All this time, our Cheonha Trading Company has been working with the Four Major Sects as well as Jeong Mu-gi, who was Yang-ryeong’s county magistrate, to steal Han-reung Jade Crystal from Seol-ap!”

 

I paused for a moment. Wasn’t this nothing but plain facts without a single lie added?

 

He was confessing this so directly?

 

Having only dealt with those who made excuses, this was somewhat refreshing.

 

I crouched down in front of him.

 

“Surprisingly, you’re someone I can have a conversation with.”

 

“…I am a merchant. I believe that as a merchant who sells goods, one should always keep the door to dialogue open.”

 

“Then this will make things easier. You have committed a crime worthy of death against me. The Four Major Sects paid for it with their lives, and County Magistrate Jeong Mu-gi also paid for it with his life. But we can’t leave Cheonha Trading Company out of this discussion.”

 

“You’re right… You’re absolutely right.”

 

“Then how do you plan to take responsibility?”

 

“…As a merchant, all I can offer you is money. I will compensate you to the fullest extent.”

 

“Compensation… I don’t usually charge interest or anything like that, but do you know something?”

 

“What… do you mean?”

 

“One day. That’s how long it’s been since I took over Yang-ryeong.”

 

“…”

 

“During that one day, I was staying at the government office. The distance to this place isn’t that far, yet you didn’t come personally, nor did you send even a single letter.”

 

“…That’s…”

 

“So I came personally. But as you well know, I’m not someone with time to spare. Since you made me use my time, naturally you’ll have to pay the price for that too. Any objections?”

 

“…None.”

 

“Good. After killing a few hundred people, finally someone I can reason with appears.”

 

Cheon Eo-jin flinched at my words. But I need to make this clear. I’m completely serious.

 

Until now, there have been countless people who couldn’t understand what I was saying, but literally after killing a few hundred, finally one proper person has emerged.

 

This is truly an unprecedented achievement.

 

“Listen carefully. From now on, Yang-ryeong will become the land of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace. The building the county magistrate used will now become the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace Yang-ryeong Branch, and while I plan to use the building as is, I will modify the structure. I’ll expand the warehouse, make the training ground larger, and build a new Medicine Hall that can supply training resources. Your Cheonha Trading Company will be fully responsible for this.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

“I’ll give you one day. Within one day, finish establishing an appropriate plan and come report to me. And naturally, you’ll bear all the costs.”

 

“Yes. How could there be any question? I will do so.”

 

Giving only the stick would be foolish.

 

“The Han-reung Jade Crystal mining will be handled jointly by Blue Cloud Trading Company of Seol-ap and your Cheonha Trading Company. But remember just one thing. The moment you try any tricks, Cheonha Trading Company will disappear from this world. Understood?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“And.”

 

I leaned my head forward and whispered quietly in his ear.

 

“County Magistrate Jeong Mu-gi made a plan to gather the Four Major Sects and your Cheonha Trading Company in one place to attack Seol-ap and kill me. You should have evidence of that plan.”

 

At these words, Cheon Eo-jin blinked.

 

“…Evidence… you say…? No, before that, did he really make such a plan? Even if he did, I wasn’t present at that meeting.”

 

This guy.

 

“I thought you were quick with calculations, but you’re slower than I expected.”

 

“…”

 

“Let me say it again. There was such a meeting, and you were also present at that meeting, along with all the core members of the county magistrate and the Four Major Sects. They signed a petition document, and they entrusted that petition document to you.”

 

Only then did Cheon Eo-jin’s eyes begin to tremble violently.

 

He understood what my words meant.

 

“I’d like you to bring that petition document when you come tomorrow…”

 

“…”

 

“I think you can handle things like handwriting well enough without me having to mention it.”

 

Cheon Eo-jin seemed to be contemplating now. That’s fine. Whether he contemplates or not, in this current situation and in all situations that will unfold, he’ll have no choice but to make the choice I want.

 

I patted his shoulder.

 

“As a trading company leader, try doing some calculations.”

 

“…Calculations… you mean.”

 

“I have ledgers. And you are someone who can represent the positions of the Four Major Sects and Jeong Mu-gi. If you and I coordinate our stories, just how much money do you think we can extract from the Yang-je Kingdom?”

 

Cheon Eo-jin took a deep breath.

 

“I have no intention of using background as a weapon, but if they use background as a weapon, then I’ll have no choice but to do the same. If the Yang-je Kingdom and the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace went to war, who do you think would win?”

 

“…”

 

“Figure out how much would be most ideal to extract, and bring that plan tomorrow as well. Of course, the amount you’ll receive will be in coins, not in large denominations, but think big picture. Like a trading company leader should.”

 

Only then did a smile begin to form on Cheon Eo-jin’s lips.

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll adjust things to be as profitable as possible.”

 

“Good. And it seems there’s one decent talent in your Cheonha Trading Company.”

 

“…There are several decent talents, but I’m not sure who you’re referring to…”

 

“There should be a low-level general manager named Han Seok-hyeon.”

 

Cheon Eo-jin’s brow twitched slightly as if he knew that name.

 

“Give him a good position and bring him along tomorrow.”

 

I stood up from where I was.

 

He would fully understand what all these conversations meant.

 

He’d have to be at least that capable to run a trading company.

 

Just as I was about to turn around.

 

“Hyeon Seol-rin.”

 

An unexpected voice came from an unexpected place.

 

It was right beside me.

 

Everyone who noticed his presence was shocked on the spot, and the moment they saw his face, several people buried their heads in the ground as if they couldn’t even make eye contact.

 

That was understandable.

 

The White Command Guard of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace wielded absolute influence, at least within the territory of this Snow Palace.

 

Especially Hyeon Sim, the commander of the White Command Guard, went without saying.

 

“It’s been a while. Commander.”

 

“Yes. But more than that… you really did it.”

 

“It came to that.”

 

Hyeon Sim, who had been looking at me with strange eyes, spoke briefly.

 

“The Palace Lord has summoned you.”

 

I said with a slight smile.

 

“Understood. I have some backlogged work, so I’ll handle this first before going.”

 

“…Shouldn’t you go right now?”

 

“That’s not what I want, and it’s probably not what the Palace Lord wants either.”

 

“…”

 

“Since you’re here, I have a few things to tell you. Let’s move locations.”

 

Hyeon Sim, who seemed to be thinking about something for a moment, nodded.

 

So Hyeon Sim and I moved to the Yang-ryeong Branch.

 

* * *

 

In the small office of the Yang-ryeong Branch, I sat facing Hyeon Sim with a table between us.

 

Manager Seong approached us both, set down a cup of tea for each of us, then bowed his head and went outside.

 

He even closed the door, and until then, Hyeon Sim, who hadn’t said anything, asked in a quiet voice.

 

“Did you know?”

 

At those words, Woon-hwi smiled slightly.

 

“Whether you’re referring to the effects of the Seol-yeong Tea placed before us, or the identity of our Manager Seong who went outside, I’m not quite sure.”

 

“The latter.”

 

“I’ve noticed before, but you have a talent for asking again about things you already know.”

 

“I don’t have such a talent, but it’s a feeling that strangely arises when conversing with you, Young Master. But how did you know? The Baekseol Wiryeong Dan should possess movement techniques that even masters of the Five Realms of Martial God would find difficult to properly detect.”

 

“It’s a small talent of mine.”

 

“…That sounds like you’re saying it’s difficult to answer.”

 

“You see correctly.”

 

Hyeon Sim looked at Woon-hwi with emotionless eyes, and Woon-hwi also looked at Hyeon Sim with emotionless eyes.

 

“…I just can’t get used to it. You’ve changed far too much.”

 

“Whether I’ve changed or not, such things aren’t important. The me from back then and the me now, I am still me. Commander.”

 

“…I see. Perhaps I failed to see the essence.”

 

“No one would have seen it. But there’s something I’d like to ask.”

 

“I can guess what kind of question it is. May I speak first?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Hyeon Sim looked around and lowered his voice as he spoke.

 

“I’m telling you this because you are a Polar Descendant, and though you wouldn’t, you must never reveal this anywhere else.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Good. Previously, you told me, Young Master. To examine the White Command Guard, that there would surely be traitors.”

 

“I did.”

 

“You were right. We caught a total of five people.”

 

At those words, Woon-hwi’s brow twitched.

 

Five.

 

This was definitely not a large number. Five people out of over one hundred fifty White Command Guards? Honestly, that degree wouldn’t even require discussing so secretly.

 

But if those five weren’t ordinary warriors of the White Command Guard, the story would be different.

 

“Three Cold Spirit Warriors of the Harmony Realm, and two of the Twelve Cold Spirits.”

 

“I see.”

 

Rather, Hyeon Sim was surprised by Woon-hwi’s calm response.

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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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