Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 48

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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 48

Mak So-hong wore a puzzled expression.

Benefit? Where exactly?

Reading that expression, Song Hak spoke with a look of exasperation, as if scolding him.

“Don’t you understand? The military withdrawal may look like our defeat on the surface. But if you look closely, this means they’re excluding us from the upcoming conflicts between Murim forces. The ruffians of Bong Rae and its surroundings, those bastards from ‘Shinsam Valley’ who don’t pay taxes but only offer bribes.”

Song Hak placed the documents on the table.

“Seol Woon-hwi’s fangs are aimed at their throats. If our military withdraws, that place becomes purely Murim territory. And if Seol Woon-hwi wins that fight, we’ll actually gain an opponent who’s easier to deal with from our perspective.”

“But Lord Seong Tae-su…”

“10,000 nyang? It’s not a small amount, but it’s not money we can’t afford either. The taxes we can skim from the Geonkon Castle jurisdiction for half a year would amount to that much, so it actually sounds like a proposal for a deal to me.”

“…”

“Well, now that I look at it, this man called Seol Woon-hwi seems to have quite extraordinary cunning.”

Song Hak looked at Mak So-hong.

“Go back and tell them we accept all conditions. And… ask this question.”

“What question…”

“Ask ‘What do you think about the gold mine between Yang-ryeong and Bong Rae, as well as the nearby resources?'”

“The gold mine… and resources, you mean?”

“Yes. If he answers ‘I’ll choose practical benefits over taxes’…”

Song Hak’s eyes gleamed.

“My guess is correct.”

Seol Woon-hwi had definitely said this.

Please deliver it to someone who can understand.

Whether it’s the Imperial Court or Seong Tae-su or whatever.

Deliver it to someone who gets it.

Mak So-hong blinked.

What exactly are these two men… what conversation are they having with just one message?

And what kind of moves are they making?

Mak So-hong was overcome by the feeling of being like a stone placed on a Go board.

Song Hak said to him.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you going?”

“…Yes…Yes! I’ll go.”

Mak So-hong left with the documents.

Left alone, Song Hak wore a strange smile and muttered quietly.

“Seol Woon-hwi… This is truly a dangerous man…”

* * *

Two days later, Mak So-hong visited Yang-ryeong with a cart loaded with 10,000 nyang in gold coins.

He also brought back the ledger and petition document I had given him intact. When I asked why he brought them back instead of burning them, he answered like this.

“…You are truly a wicked person.”

“Me?”

“Whether this is the original or a copy, if we tear it up, wouldn’t it become the original from that moment?”

Not really.

I didn’t bother to say it out loud.

That it becomes the original not from the moment of tearing, but from the moment of receiving, even if it’s just scribbled garbage.

“Lord Seong Tae-su of Geonkon Castle took full charge of everything, and he reached a conclusion. We will implement all those things we discussed then. This incident is the fault of our Yang Empire and Magistrate Jeong Mu-gi.”

“It seems like you’re drawing a line.”

“Correct. We are drawing a line now. Frankly speaking, it makes no sense for the Yang Empire to wage war with the Snow Palace over one magistrate’s mistake. We could have reduced the money if we wanted to haggle, but we didn’t.”

“The reason?”

“Please consider it sincerity.”

“Sincerity…”

“The non-aggression between Gangho and the Imperial Court remains, and we don’t want to make things big by awakening the northern giant, nor do we want to see bloodshed. And our Lord Seong Tae-su of Geonkon Castle asked me to convey this message.”

“Let me hear it.”

“…He asked me to inquire about what you think regarding the gold mine between Yang-ryeong and Bong Rae, and the nearby resources.”

A smile formed on my lips.

I had asked them to send it to someone who could understand, and it seems they really sent it properly.

I brought out the words Mak So-hong wanted to hear, and the words I intended to say when I first set up this game.

“I will choose practical benefits over taxes. However, that will be done at the time I decide, in the manner I decide.”

Mak So-hong, who had been listening to the first part, showed a brightened expression, but then frowned at my following words.

“Is that not a satisfactory answer?”

“…The latter part concerns me.”

“Concerns you… It’s exactly as I said. There’s no need to rush, no reason to rush. While friction can occur when unexpected, there might be someone with brains among them who could make the right judgment.”

“…”

“If you convey that, the man called Seong Tae-su will actually smile.”

After pondering, Mak So-hong slowly nodded.

“…And you know. Both you and our Lord Seong Tae-su seem like truly tiresome people.”

“Do I seem that way?”

“…I’ve come to realize that I’m just a common man.”

I laughed.

“A person’s limits are not set by others, but by oneself.”

Mak So-hong raised his head.

“If you consider yourself a common man, you will end as a common man. But if you don’t define your own limits and look beyond them, you will no longer be a common man.”

Mak So-hong opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again.

Then he let out a deep sigh and said briefly.

“…I don’t know about others, but in front of you and Lord Seong Tae-su, I do seem to be a common man. I’ll be going.”

I am always open to people who can communicate.

“And, I’d like to mobilize some prisoners.”

“…Prisoners, you say?”

“There are two mines in Seol-ap. I’m thinking of bringing people to increase the mining speed of those mines, but there aren’t many volunteers due to the cold weather.”

This was true.

“If there are irredeemable prisoners, send them this way. I’ll pay handsomely.”

Mak So-hong let out a hollow laugh and nodded.

Thus, the Yang Empire’s messengers left Yang-ryeong faster than when they came.

With this, Yang-ryeong was officially designated as Snow Palace territory in the documents.

Now I need to establish actual control.

When I waved my hand, the three branch members who had been practicing swordsmanship in the corner all approached me at once.

“You couldn’t have just been playing around in Yang-ryeong for the past three days. Tell me what each of you investigated.”

Won Yang was the first to speak.

“With the disappearance of the Four Major Sects that previously ruled Yang-ryeong, there are no longer any ruling families in Yang-ryeong. Taking advantage of this, a total of five factions have begun expanding their influence: Jade Tiger Gate, Blue Cloud Gate, Yeong Family Clan, Shin Family Clan, and Cheonha Trading Company.”

When a familiar name popped up at the end, Woon-hwi chuckled.

“Cheonha Trading Company?”

“Yes. Over the past four days, rumors that you were backing them spread instantly, and accordingly, they began rapidly expanding their power.”

“For example?”

“Exactly two days ago, they forcibly acquired two blacksmith shops, two medicine halls, three small trading companies, and five inns. Yesterday, they built pavilions on the land of the destroyed Hyeon-cheon Palace and Long Sword Gate.”

Laughter burst out.

“What do you think?”

“…If you’re asking for my opinion… I think Cheonha Trading Company is crossing the line.”

“Cheon Pung, what about you?”

“I feel the same way.”

“Han Mu-rin, you speak as well.”

Han Mu-rin was originally a man of few words. Known for his taciturn nature, he spoke very briefly.

“Just leave them be.”

“Your reason?”

“If we leave them alone, Cheonha Trading Company will become a major force controlling more than half of the Yang-ryeong territory. Then, when we annihilate the trading company’s leader and his entire family, their power will naturally become Your Lordship’s power.”

It was beyond ordinary—almost at an extraordinary level.

At those words, Won Yang and Cheon Pung blinked their eyes. This was… it was hard to tell if he was human or demon spawn.

But unexpectedly, Woon-hwi seemed to find it interesting.

“I like that idea.”

Cheon Pung and Won Yang whipped their heads around. They wore expressions asking if he was serious, but Woon-hwi paid no mind and opened his mouth.

“I like it, but for now, I’ll put it on hold.”

Han Mu-rin, who had suggested it, didn’t seem to actually intend to carry it out either, as he stepped back without saying anything more.

“Han Mu-rin.”

“Yes.”

“Your method is certainly efficient. I won’t deny that, but Cheonha Trading Company has already come under my command. So I’ll give them one chance.”

“…Even if they cross the line?”

“Even if it seems like they’re crossing the line by your standards, by my standards, they haven’t crossed it.”

“…”

“Expanding their influence? For an organization like Cheonha Trading Company that serves both as a sect and trading company, that’s naturally what they should do. Rather, if they had done nothing, I would have questioned their qualifications. However, as you said, I should give them a warning.”

A cold smile formed on Woon-hwi’s lips.

“No matter how much I’ve accepted them as subordinates, it won’t do for those subordinates to become masters of the land.”

The solution Woon-hwi proposed was very simple.

“We’ll hold a banquet this evening.”

“…A banquet?”

“Where is the largest pleasure house in Yang-ryeong?”

“Yang-ryeong Hall.”

Yang-ryeong Hall.

Named directly after the place called Yang-ryeong, it was a six-story building, and the level of courtesans there was called the finest in Yang-ryeong.

Especially since their musical skills were above advanced level, many people came from other regions to visit.

“This evening, summon all the sect leaders of Yang-ryeong to Yang-ryeong Hall.”

“I obey your command.”

With that, the three men rushed outside, and Manager Seong approached Woon-hwi, who remained alone.

“Um, Young Master.”

He turned his head.

“…I just heard this from the leader, but he told me to subtly probe about when exactly you’ll be coming to the Main Palace.”

The matter of swallowing up Yang-ryeong was still in progress and not yet finished.

To finish it would take at least another day or two.

Then.

“Tell him I’ll go in two days.”

“Two days from now, understood.”

As Manager Seong turned to leave, Woon-hwi asked him.

“Don’t you need more people?”

Manager Seong smiled broadly.

“Won Yang comes to help from time to time, so I’m still fine handling things alone.”

Manager Seong was certainly a martial artist, but it had been very long since he had used force.

He had no real combat experience for over ten years, and during that period, working only as a butler and manager in such administrative roles, his identity as a martial artist had become very blurred.

Even so, it was fine.

At the Body Establishment Boundary level, no matter how little real combat experience he had, he still possessed the power to protect himself.

“If you want to return to active duty, tell me anytime.”

Manager Seong burst into laughter.

“I’m satisfied with my current work. And looking at how things are flowing, it seems you don’t need my level of martial power.”

“It’s not a matter of martial power.”

At Woon-hwi’s words, Manager Seong tilted his head. Not a matter of martial power?

“I don’t want to see my people being forced to do work they don’t want to do.”

At those words, Manager Seong seemed deeply moved, as he flinched. Seeing even his eyes reddening, it was quite significant.

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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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