Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 86
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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 86
Woon-hwi, who had returned to Yang-ryeong, immediately summoned Han Seok-hyeon from Cheonha Trading Company.
Han Seok-hyeon.
He who had formed a connection with Woon-hwi since Seol-ap was no longer a low-ranking manager.
“Hahahaha, Chief Manager Han Seok-hyeon of Cheonha Trading Company pays respects to the Young Master who is like the heavens.”
His appearance as he respectfully performed the Embracing Fist was so courteous that even Woon-hwi, who was watching, found it difficult to criticize.
To such Han Seok-hyeon, Woon-hwi showed the Snow Mountain Black Bears.
“…Snow Mountain Black Bears… They appear to be at least a hundred years old…”
“You see well.”
“As a merchant, I haven’t just been idling around… But why those black bears…?”
“Before that, recite more information about those black bears.”
At Woon-hwi’s words indicating he wanted to hear more, Han Seok-hyeon’s eyes lit up as he continued speaking.
“They possess much larger builds than ordinary black bears… Snow Mountain Black Bears that are about two hundred years old are said to develop inner cores. However, those two black bears you’ve shown me clearly haven’t formed inner cores yet. In about… forty to fifty more years they should be generated, which is a bit regrettable.”
A smile formed on Woon-hwi’s lips.
He wasn’t just making rough estimates by eye, but was clearly observing quite meticulously.
This level was sufficient to entrust work to him.
“No matter that they’re not yet two hundred years old, the thickness and quality of their hide is beyond words. I want to craft Snow White Fur Robes for the branch members using the black bears’ hide. Can you do it?”
“What timeframe are you considering?”
“As quickly as possible.”
“…Then I’ll try inquiring about skilled craftsmen.”
Usually, warriors of Snow Mountain don’t wear just a single long robe. They wear fur overcoats made from white sable or white fox hide over their long robes, which are called Snow White Fur Robes.
There’s no need to specifically measure a person’s torso length, arm length, shoulder width, and such things.
“The timeframe won’t exceed two weeks at most.”
“Good. Bring them as soon as they’re completed.”
“Yes, sir.”
To Han Seok-hyeon who answered thus, Woon-hwi asked.
“Are you still satisfied with your time at Cheonha Trading Company?”
“To speak honestly, I am satisfied. Though the young master is quite wary of me, his methods are crude, making him perfect to toy with.”
“If Cheonha Trading Company crosses the ‘line,’ report to me immediately.”
“How could there be any question?”
With that, Han Seok-hyeon departed.
Only then did Woon-hwi turn his head to look at Manager Seong.
“The gold mine excavation?”
“…Well, I was pondering when I should tell you this, but now seems to be that time.”
“Speak.”
“Warriors from Bong Rae have established themselves at the gold mine.”
“Bong Rae?”
“Yes.”
“Noejeong Sword Gate and three sects that follow Noejeong Sword Gate have dispatched warriors. According to what I’ve determined, there are twenty warriors of the Flame Qi Four Stages and about a hundred of the Divine Three Realm.”
And.
“Though not permanently stationed, there are also warriors of the Harmony Realm.”
“The sect leader of Noejeong Sword Gate?”
Song Ui-gyeong, the Thunder Lightning Single Sword and sect leader of Noejeong Sword Gate, is a master of the Harmony Realm.
And he dominates Bong Rae, so naturally when one comes to dominate, there are bound to be those who attach themselves nearby.
By his side are three sects, and they are precisely the Four Major Sects of Bong Rae.
However.
A somewhat unexpected answer comes.
“No. It’s the Martial Alliance.”
“The Martial Alliance?”
“Yes. Su Gwang-ho, the Cold Star Iron Sword, is said to travel between Bong Rae and the gold mine.”
After pondering for a moment, Woon-hwi chuckled.
“They’ve made their decision.”
It’s fine if the gold mine excavation is delayed.
The most important thing is information about who interfered and who is meddling.
Manager Seong had brought that information. This much was sufficient.
“Isn’t there a letter or something they sent?”
“A letter did come, but…”
Manager Seong, who had been trailing off, took out a crumpled letter from his chest, but that was as far as it went.
He had taken it out but didn’t give it to Woon-hwi.
“Let me see it.”
“…Well… Ah, this… It’s really a bit awkward to give this to you.”
With this level of reaction, even Woon-hwi became curious.
When he quietly just held out his hand, Manager Seong, who let out a deep sigh, finally handed the letter to Woon-hwi.
Woon-hwi, who unfolded it as it was, burst into hollow laughter.
He could understand why Manager Seong had shown such a reaction.
From Manager Seong’s perspective, he absolutely wouldn’t have wanted to give this.
The content was as follows.
-This is Song Ui-gyeong. Before we have a conversation, there’s something I must tell you first. The gold mine of Bong Rae was originally ours, and we were the ones who shared the Divine Ginseng Flower. Above all, even the Martial Alliance has stepped forward, so I trust you’ll make a wise judgment.
That really was everything.
It was absurd.
Manager Seong cautiously asked.
“What will you do?”
“What do you think I’ll do?”
“…Just one thing comes to my mind… It’s not that, right?”
“Seeing you anxious and worried as usual, it seems to be correct.”
“…This is driving me crazy. What kind of territory grabbing are you doing?”
“I want to stop, but the surroundings keep provoking me, so what can I do? I have to respond as much as they provoke.”
“But… it’s the Martial Alliance?”
“So?”
“…”
“They want to play a great game, so I don’t particularly want to avoid it.”
Manager Seong scratched his head.
Then he noticed Sim Mun-ryong panting on the other side.
“Haven’t you left yet?”
“…I was going to rest a bit before going. What, do you think I’d want to keep looking at you here?”
At those words, Manager Seong turned his head.
“You’re the newly appointed Han Ryeong Wi-sa of Baekryeong-wi?”
“So what?”
“It’s not ‘so what.’ Your way of speaking is truly irritating?”
“I always talk like this. If you’re going to nitpick, go do it somewhere else.”
Manager Seong quietly looked at Sim Mun-ryong and said.
“Young Master.”
“Speak.”
“Shouldn’t we kill that guy?”
Sim Mun-ryong, who had been resting, glared at Manager Seong with a chilling smile, and Manager Seong didn’t back down either.
Woon-hwi, who had been watching the confrontation between the two, spoke to Manager Seong.
“Fine. Just leave it be.”
“…But I think such disrespectful speech should be corrected now, even if it’s late.”
“As long as there’s respect within it, it’s not something that can’t be overlooked.”
“….”
“I’m the one who brought him here, so shouldn’t we make allowances for at least that much?”
Sim Mun-ryong chuckled softly.
That’s when it happened.
A Go board caught Woon-hwi’s eye.
Since he wouldn’t be going to the Main Palace for a while anyway, and wouldn’t have separate meetings with Sim Mun-ryong either… he figured it would be better to rack up some debt.
“Manager Seong.”
“…Yes, Young Master.”
“Back then in Yang-ryeong, we announced which sects would participate in the gold mine excavation. Has the list been finalized?”
“Of course. Jade Tiger Gate, Blue Cloud Gate, Yeong Family Clan, and Cheonha Trading Company.”
“Gather the branch members and the martial artists from those places.”
“…All of them?”
“We’ll start the gold mine excavation from today, so gather not only the martial artists but also the miners.”
He wasn’t sure if this should be considered fortunate or not. Usually miners are hired for money, but sometimes prisoners are also bought.
Manager Seong had bought quite a few prisoners from Geonkon Castle in preparation for the gold mine excavation.
About half of them were sent to Seol-ap’s mine, but the other half were currently idle.
That had been truly irritating.
“Understood. I’ll gather them all.”
“There’s no rush, so take your time. And Sim Mun-ryong.”
“…What?”
“Let’s play a game of Go.”
Sim Mun-ryong chuckled.
“Go? You? With me?”
“Are you confident?”
“You don’t seem to know. Before I was called Huashan First Peak, I was called the Gangnam Go Player. I played Go the best in Gangnam. All those famous scholars there were defeated, and I made some money from it too.”
“So?”
“So I won’t do it. Hey, Go isn’t just about placing stones randomly. You engage in meticulous battles with your opponent, target weaknesses, strike at vulnerabilities… It’s a battlefield where countless swords cross, and you’re seventeen, right? You against me? Come on. Don’t embarrass yourself for nothing.”
“So you won’t play because you’re afraid of being embarrassed?”
Sim Mun-ryong’s smile disappeared.
“…I’ve felt this before, but you’re really good at getting under people’s skin.”
“Bring it. Don’t make me say it twice.”
Sim Mun-ryong, who had been letting out incredulous laughs repeatedly, finally came before Woon-hwi with a Go board and stones.
“But just playing like this is boring, so shall we put up some stakes?”
“If that’s what you want, then do so. Is there something you want from me?”
“There is.”
“Tell me.”
“If I win, from now on whenever you see me, treat me like an older brother. Speak respectfully too.”
A smile formed on Woon-hwi’s lips.
“Quite an interesting stake you’re putting up. Fine. If I lose, I’ll speak respectfully to you and serve you like an older brother. And I’ll bow once every time I see you.”
“How refreshing. Then tell me what you want now.”
“I can’t think of anything in particular, but I’ll tell you when something comes to mind later.”
“Sure. Think hard about it. It won’t come to pass anyway.”
* * *
“You placed a stone in the corner.”
Woon-hwi said. Sim Mun-ryong had placed a black stone at the corner of the Go board, but his intention was clear. It wasn’t simple territory securing, but a move to establish a foothold for later penetration into the center.
“Oh, I like this.”
Though his tone was still arrogant, the tension contained within couldn’t be hidden.
He chuckled softly.
“Your technique is hasty. You called yourself the Gangnam Go Player, but has Gangnam’s level fallen this low?”
“…Hey, watch your words.”
He ignored him.
Woon-hwi’s white stone was placed in the center. It was a calm yet solid move. Like the peak of Snow Mountain, it was an unshakeable position.
Sim Mun-ryong blinked.
“…You can roughly tell from looking at the moves. What kind of person someone is. From what I can see, you’re an extremely cold person. That bear cub from earlier too. Each thing might be your judgment, but isn’t the degree too severe? An innocent kid, I mean.”
Perhaps it wasn’t a question he expected an answer to from the start, as Sim Mun-ryong hesitated for a moment while holding a stone. His contemplation deepened about where to place it.
Something was ambiguous.
It was really ambiguous.
But he had to place it.
A move.
As soon as he placed the move, Woon-hwi opened his mouth.
“Innocent? As I said then, he killed a person of Snow Mountain within Snow Mountain’s territory. That alone is sufficient crime.”
Woon-hwi continued speaking while placing a stone.
“Just like your Go game. If you invade enemy territory, you must pay the corresponding price.”
Sim Mun-ryong’s hand trembled.
“…Are you right now…?”
“Look.”
Woon-hwi pointed to the Go board.
“Your stones are extending in all directions solely for attack. But the connections protecting your territory are extremely vulnerable. Just like the Huashan martial arts you pursue.”
At those words, Sim Mun-ryong’s complexion changed drastically. Woon-hwi placed his final move. With that one move, several of Sim Mun-ryong’s black stones became precarious.
“Do you see it now? How futile the power you so desperately pursued was.”
“….”
“True power comes from the center.”
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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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