Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 51

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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 51

“This is absolutely ridiculous. No matter how much Young Master is an illegitimate son, he’s still the Palace Lord’s legitimate bloodline, so how could they order his death? Just some measly maternal sect!”

This is how it should be.

This is the normal reaction, but those fools blinded by power think differently. And they are more cunning than expected.

“Manager Seong, you’re good at investigating but don’t you know people that well?”

“…Yes?”

“If Han Jang-kwang had killed me, would Han Bing Gate really have cleaned up the mess?”

“…What do you… mean?”

“Han Bing Gate never intended to clean up from the beginning. To them, Han Jang-kwang was nothing more or less than a blade to use briefly and discard. If I had been killed, Han Bing Gate would probably have led the charge to destroy Ju-ryeong Sword Gate.”

“…Kill and Destroy All, and…”

“Discarding after use.”

Woon-hwi said while loosening his neck.

He had already finished organizing everything in his head.

“Manager Seong.”

“Yes. Young Master.”

“Can you prepare five horses and one carriage, along with training resources and spirit pills?”

“…Right now?”

“Not right this moment, but I’d like you to have them ready and waiting within one da-gyeong (roughly 15 minutes) at the latest.”

“…Don’t tell me I’m going too?”

“You seem to dislike hiding your identity as a Baekseol Wiryeong Dan member, so shouldn’t we start revealing it soon?”

“…Young Master, you don’t need to go that far for me. I’m fine just living as a manager like this.”

“From what I saw earlier, that didn’t seem to be the case.”

Woon-hwi reached out and patted Manager Seong’s shoulder.

“Whether you work as a manager or do anything else, I will respect Manager Seong as much as possible. But the organization called Baekseol Wiryeong Dan is nothing but shackles to Manager Seong and gives no meaning beyond that. Just until yesterday, weren’t you trembling with fear that the commander’s reprimand would come down? Am I wrong?”

“…You’re wrong.”

“Wrong?”

“Yes. I wasn’t trembling with fear.”

Woon-hwi chuckled.

“Let’s say that’s true, I intend to remove Manager Seong’s shackles. Even after they’re removed, Manager Seong will be by my side anyway, so is there any reason to say more?”

Manager Seong scratched his head.

“I’ll come after one da-gyeong, so have everything prepared.”

“Understood.”

“And I plan to hold Baek Myeong-gaek’s funeral before we depart, so I’d like you to gather some firewood too.”

“…The work keeps piling up, doesn’t it?”

“You should have hired more people when I told you to.”

“…”

“Have that ready within one da-gyeong as well.”

“…Understood.”

Thus, Woon-hwi departed with three branch members.

To Yang-ryeong Hall.

* * *

The influential figures of Yang-ryeong had gathered at Yang-ryeong Hall, including Jin Ho-rin, the sect leader of Jade Tiger Gate, Cheong Myeong-ja, the sect leader of Blue Cloud Gate, Yeong Woon-gok, the head of the Yeong Family Clan, and Shin Jang-hu, the head of the Shin Family Clan. Additionally, Cheon Eo-jin, the leader of Cheonha Trading Company, was also present.

They were all somewhat bewildered by the current situation.

First, the reason they had gathered like this was simple.

Seol Woon-hwi, who had become the new ruler of Yang-ryeong, had summoned them.

What kind of person was he?

A truly terrifying individual.

Regardless of what the world called him – Seol San Ma-gun or whatever – at least those present here had witnessed with their own eyes.

Just how vicious this man was.

Hundreds had been massacred in a single night.

Most importantly, he had devastated Yang-ryeong in the dead of night, carrying the head of Han Jang-kwang, who had been strutting around Yang-ryeong as a master of Five Energy Harmonizing Origin.

Unless they were insane, they couldn’t refuse to come when summoned.

Before long, Woon-hwi began entering Yang-ryeong Hall.

Six feet tall with a solid build.

Disheveled hair and sharp eyes.

A prominent nose bridge and tightly pressed lips.

Overall handsome features, but a face that showed tremendous stubbornness.

Behind him were three men and women.

The massive-bodied Cheon Pung.

Despite being merely at Jucheon Gyeong level, his incredible strength that didn’t lose in contests of power against masters of Yang Gwang I Hyeon or Five Dragon Peak Realm was famous – strength so unbelievable it seemed impossible.

And the beautiful woman walking beside him.

Her name was Won Yang.

Her level was Yang Gwang I Hyeon.

When Woon-hwi devastated Yang-ryeong, that woman was always by his side. That woman, who was first to step forward and stain her hands with blood, not only had decisive skills but was also incredibly beautiful.

She could easily be called the greatest beauty of Yang-ryeong.

Next was Han Mu-rin.

Though at the same Jucheon Gyeong level as Cheon Pung, everyone present was looking at Han Mu-rin with trembling eyes.

That man… was insane.

He laughed every time he killed someone, and killing intent overflowed from him.

That madman, who seemed interested in nothing but killing, was dangerous in many ways – more so than Seol Woon-hwi himself.

Woon-hwi stopped in place.

Then the three following behind also stopped.

Those who were curious about what Woon-hwi was going to say were greatly shocked by the subsequent actions of the three people.

Without a moment’s hesitation, the three branch members excluding Woon-hwi drew their swords.

An atmosphere of terror was instantly created.

Everything proceeded slowly.

Woon-hwi took out a large rolled-up petition document from his chest and spread it on the ground at his feet.

Then he clasped his hands behind his back and slowly opened his mouth.

“I think you all know who I am, so I won’t introduce myself. Therefore, I’ll get straight to the point. From now until I finish speaking, I will not allow any questions. If anyone interrupts me, I will mercilessly cut off their head, so listen carefully with your ears open.”

The sound of someone gulping could be heard from somewhere.

Woon-hwi slowly continued speaking.

“Since I have become the ruler of Yang-ryeong, no one may go against my will.”

It was a cold voice.

“If anyone goes against my will, I will execute them immediately without question.”

He slowly moved his steps.

“But if I only demanded rights and duties, I couldn’t be called a great man. I will make a firm promise here. If you sign your name on this petition document spread before me, I will definitely protect those whose names are written there until the moment I, Seol Woon-hwi, die.”

Jin Ho-rin’s eyes widened greatly. So did Cheong Myeong-ja’s, Yeong Woon-gok’s, and Shin Jang-hu’s.

“If I cannot protect you, Snow Palace will. This is a promise made in the name of myself and Snow Palace, so you need not doubt it.”

At Woon-hwi’s words, Yeong Woon-gok drew in a breath. When Snow Palace’s name was mentioned, the atmosphere became even heavier.

“Now then, what happens if you don’t sign? This will be beneficial to those who sign and detrimental to those who don’t. Listen carefully with your ears open.”

He stopped walking abruptly.

“Whatever happens in Yang-ryeong, I will thoroughly turn a blind eye to it.”

Cheong Myeong-ja asked with surprised eyes.

“What… what? Turn a blind eye…?”

“That’s right. I will turn a blind eye. Whether those who didn’t sign the petition have their sects destroyed or their entire families massacred, I won’t care about such things at all.”

Jin Ho-rin and Shin Jang-hu looked at each other with their mouths agape.

Seeing it directly, wasn’t this guy truly an absolute madman?

“Then what about those who signed the petition? If anyone touches even a hair on their heads without my permission, they will become my enemy from that moment. I will use everything I have to hold them accountable, and if one dies, I will kill two; if two die, I will kill four.”

Cheong Myeong-ja’s face turned pale.

There was no one who didn’t understand that meaning.

It meant he would thoroughly protect those he embraced and take them to the end.

Those present here at least had the brains to understand that much.

But there was exactly one thing that needed to be addressed.

“And listen. Even if you signed the petition, there’s one thing that can absolutely never be tolerated…”

Woon-hwi’s gaze turned toward Cheon Eo-jin.

“For example, if the Cheonha Trading Company over there, though it’s unlikely, were to foolishly try to get all of Yang-ryeong in their grasp, then regardless of whether they signed the petition or not, I would destroy their sect. If there’s a separate master but a servant tries to act like the master, what choice is there? I’d have to cut off their head.”

He moved his steps and stopped in front of Cheon Eo-jin. Cheon Eo-jin of the Cheonha Trading Company gulped.

“Master Cheon.”

“Yes… Yes… Lord Hyeon Seol-rin…”

“I heard you built pavilions on the estates of Hyeon-cheon Palace and Long Sword Gate. Could you tell me clearly here? Why did you build pavilions there?”

“That… that is…”

“Please, I hope you’ll think carefully before speaking.”

Cold sweat formed on Cheon Eo-jin’s forehead. Each word from Woon-hwi seemed to become a sharp blade aimed at his throat.

Cheon Eo-jin answered with a trembling voice.

“That… taverns… I thought I’d try building taverns and inns…”

“Taverns?”

“Yes. Originally, the estates of Hyeon-cheon Palace and Long Sword Gate are famous for having very good locations in Yang-ryeong. Of course, the best is the Government Office. There’s no place as good as where Lord Hyeon Seol-rin will reside. But it would also be strange to just leave those two pieces of land idle, wouldn’t it?”

As he spoke, the words flowed smoothly. This was his breakthrough, the moment when his instincts as a merchant shone.

“So if we build large taverns and inns there, they’ll generate profit in some way. Now Yang-ryeong will become a strategic point for the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace, and many people will come. While other regions have a very hostile atmosphere due to the territorial disputes over Divine Ginseng Valley below, at least this place isn’t quite to that extent.”

“I see. Then what were you planning to do with those profits?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

This was the important part now.

He had to speak well from here on.

“Naturally… I was planning to offer them to Lord Hyeon Seol-rin. The ratio would be… fifty percent of net profits… no, sixty percent…”

A gentle smile appeared on Woon-hwi’s lips. He reached out and lightly brushed Cheon Eo-jin’s shoulder.

“As expected of the Cheonha Trading Company.”

“…”

“Still, you’ll be working that hard, so you should have something left over, shouldn’t you?”

“Yes… yes?”

“If you give me sixty percent of net profits and also pay the taxes owed to the Snow Palace, there won’t be anything left, which seems too excessive. About twenty percent of net profits seems appropriate.”

“Ah… th… thank you!”

“And I don’t know how large a tavern you plan to open, but shouldn’t there be proper benefits for those who signed the petition?”

“…That… would be right…?”

“Whether you give discounts or whatever else, I trust Master Cheon will handle it well, so I’ll leave it entirely to you.”

“…I understand.”

He stood up from his seat and spoke briefly.

“I’ve said everything I had to say. If there’s still anyone who doesn’t understand, raise your hand.”

Fortunately, no one raised their hand.

“Sign the petition.”

Without exception, everyone present rushed to the petition document and inscribed their names.

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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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