The Battle for the Heavenly Sword - Chapter 43

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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43
Woo Geom-san Competes for Supremacy
“What a shame.”
Leaving the Zhuyang Inn, So Seol-yeong clicked her tongue.
So Seol-yeong was currently traveling through the branch offices and sub-divisions of the Man-sang Alliance to undergo her training as the successor.
This was to assess the current situation of each branch office and sub-division so she could plan how to operate them in the future.
So Seol-yeong was a born genius.
Even before she was old enough to understand the world, she had watched her father operate the Man-sang Alliance by his side, and above all, she was quick at calculations.
Her mind, which could instantaneously determine what would be advantageous to her, was so brilliant that no one in the Man-sang Alliance could match her.
Everyone at the Main Headquarters acknowledged her mercantile talent and genius. However, those leading the four major sub-divisions or the various branch offices had only heard of her genius through rumors, so they did not truly realize it.
Rather, as was the case with most rumors, they believed it was highly exaggerated.
So Seol-yeong needed to prove her ability to them. That was why she had intended to negotiate personally earlier when Master Seo’s deal fell through.
But because Master Seo successfully concluded the negotiation, her chance to intervene vanished.
“Well, it can’t be helped. I have no choice but to aim for the next opportunity…”
Even if it wasn’t this place, there were plenty of branch offices where she could display her abilities.
She had no choice but to be patient until then.
So Seol-yeong suddenly lifted her head and looked straight ahead.
Beyond Guangu County, a massive mountain range came into view.
The majestic mountain range, with white clouds draped over its mid-slopes, was none other than the Cheonbaeksan Mountain Range.
It was the place where the village of the people who traded the tea was located.
“To think people live in a place like that.”
So Seol-yeong genuinely found it remarkable.
If she were told to live in such a deep mountain, she felt like she would run away before even a single day passed.
“Then again, because it’s such a deep mountain, it must produce such excellent tea.”
So Seol-yeong also enjoyed drinking Yunjung Tea.
It was because of its deep flavor, which other teas could not match.
That was why the moment she heard Master Seo was going to trade with the people of Yunjung Village, she followed along. However, Master Seo finalized the negotiation without giving her any room to step in.
The Man-sang Alliance granted a certain degree of autonomy to each sub-division and branch office.
As long as it did not cause great harm to the Main Headquarters, they were allowed to negotiate based on their own judgment.
Unless there was a significant cause for blame, the Main Headquarters could not intervene in this matter.
Even if she was the young chief, So Seol-yeong could not nitpick Master Seo’s negotiation results.
It was then.
“Young Lady, we have come too far out. Let us head back now.”
A martial artist’s voice drifted from behind her back.
It was the voice of the martial artist dedicated to guarding her.
The Lightning Sword, Sado Cheong, was precisely his name.
Sado Cheong was a martial artist in his early to mid-fifties who had protected So Seol-yeong since she was a child.
Having grown close over many years, they now felt less like a contractual relationship and more like blood relatives.
So Seol-yeong nodded her head and spoke.
“I understand, Uncle Sado.”
“You must always be careful. Especially in an unfamiliar place like this…”
“Well, what could possibly happen? Uncle Sado is protecting me like this.”
“I am getting old now, so my body is not what it used to be.”
Sado Cheong replied with a bitter smile.
If he were any other martial artist, he would have retired already at this age.
Sado Cheong also wanted to retire now and live comfortably. However, So Seol-yeong remained constantly on his mind, preventing him from stepping down from the front lines just yet.
Even when the other escort guards were resting comfortably at the inn, he had followed along to protect So Seol-yeong.
So Seol-yeong said with a laugh.
“You’re still perfectly fine, you know!”
“I am at an age to retire. Young Lady!”
“I cannot permit retirement. You must continue to protect me.”
“I cannot protect you forever either, Young Lady. You must find a new guard suited to your age.”
“Uncle…?”
“Of course, I will protect you for the time being. But you must absolutely find a new face. Someone whom you can completely trust and rely on.”
“Let’s stop talking about that.”
So Seol-yeong shook her head and walked forward.
With a bitter smile, Sado Cheong followed behind her.
It was right when they had almost arrived back at the Zhuyang Inn.
“Urgh!”
From a nearby alleyway, someone’s suppressed groan drifted out.
Driven by curiosity, So Seol-yeong approached the alleyway where the sound had come from.
“Young Lady!”
Sado Cheong called out, but it was no use.
As if possessed by something, So Seol-yeong entered the alleyway where the groan was heard, and there, she witnessed a gruesome scene taking place.
“How dare you leak information?”
“A young brat dares to…”
“Die! Just die…!”
Five men surrounded a boy and were unleashing ruthless violence upon him.
Having been beaten terribly, the boy’s face was a complete mess, and his body was bleeding heavily.
Every time the men inflicted violence, the boy’s body jolted.
Even though the pain must have been immense, he suppressed his screams until the end and glared up with wide eyes.
The boy’s attitude only further fueled the anger of the men inflicting the violence.
“This insolent bastard still dares to…”
“Damn it! Gouge this bastard’s eyes out.”
One of the men in the group actually tried to gouge the boy’s eyes out with his fingers.
At that moment, the boy opened his mouth and bit down on the man’s fingers.
“Aaagh! You crazy bastard…!”
The man screamed at the top of his lungs from the pain of his fingers being severed.
The boy clung on, biting down as if he would truly tear the fingers off.
“Look at, look at this! This madman…”
“Open your mouth, hurry!”
Only after the other men forced the boy’s mouth open were they able to pull the fingers free.
The man’s fingers, which had been bitten by the boy, were gouged so deeply that the bone was exposed.
If they had been even a little later in pulling them out, they would have genuinely been severed.
Spitting out the blood that filled his mouth, the boy muttered.
“Even if I die, I won’t die alone.”
The boy who looked up at the men with eyes full of venom, even while completely battered, was none other than Jin Seo-ho.
Having been caught secretly making contact with Woo Geom-san, he was being beaten by the Cheongmun Gang sect members.
“This won’t do. Let’s just kill him.”
“An orphan brat is disgustingly vicious. If we leave him alive, he will definitely harbor a grudge.”
Overwhelmed by Jin Seo-ho’s venomous aura, the Cheongmun Gang sect members drew their daggers.
They intended to kill Jin Seo-ho to completely eliminate any future trouble.
Watching this scene play out, So Seol-yeong looked at Sado Cheong.
“Uncle!”
“We do not know the circumstances, so we cannot carelessly intervene.”
“I will take responsibility. Please save him.”
So Seol-yeong said resolutely.
Her gaze was fixed on Jin Seo-ho’s eyes.
His unyielding glare, even while completely broken, became engraved in her heart. It was her first time seeing such an intense gaze.
“Please.”
“Sigh!”
In the end, Sado Cheong gave in.
He let out a sigh and approached the Cheongmun Gang sect members.
Noticing his presence late, the Cheongmun Gang sect members shouted.
“Who the hell are you?”
“This has nothing to do with you, so get lost!”
They threatened him by thrusting their daggers forward, but Sado Cheong did not even blink an eye.
Swish!
Sado Cheong’s sword was drawn from its scabbard at a terrifying speed.
The Cheongmun Gang sect members did not even see how he drew and swung his sword.
Slash!
The daggers held by the Cheongmun Gang sect members were sliced apart like sheets of paper.
Only then did they realize that the man in front of them was an expert they could not dare to cross.
“Hieek!”
“Aaaah!”
Discarding their halved daggers, they turned and fled.
Once the obstructors vanished in that manner, So Seol-yeong approached Jin Seo-ho.
“Are you okay?”
“Not… at all!”
Jin Seo-ho said with great difficulty, lying spread-eagled on the ground.
“It looks that way. Still, consider it a relief that you didn’t die.”
“What is your name?”
“I’m So Seol-yeong. But why ask for my name?”
“Because I need to at least know the name of the target I’m selling myself to.”
“Selling yourself? To me, whom you’re meeting for the first time in your life?”
“Yes! Buy me.”
“Amusing!”
At Jin Seo-ho’s proposition, So Seol-yeong formed a deep smile.
＊＊＊
Although they had handed over all the Yunjung Tea they brought to Master Seo, Woo Geom-san’s group could not leave immediately.
Since they had earned money, they had to buy the goods necessary for the village people before going back.
That was also the reason they had brought as many as twenty donkeys along.
Since it was an environment where carts could not be pulled, they loaded the luggage fully onto the backs of the donkeys. Even then, if it wasn’t enough, the young men had to carry it on their backs and climb the mountain.
Baek Do-gyeong gathered the young men and spoke.
“Everyone remembers the items they individually need to buy, right? You must buy all of them without leaving out a single one.”
“While we’re buying, can’t I also buy some snacks for my daughter?”
“My mother also mentioned that she wanted to eat the sweet pastries sold in Guangu County…”
“My wife’s shoes are worn out, so I’d like to buy new shoes.”
The young men cautiously voiced the items they personally wished to purchase.
Baek Do-gyeong laughed and said.
“Why wouldn’t that be allowed? We’re rich now. If there’s something you want to personally buy for your family, buy it to your heart’s content.”
“Woaaaah!”
“As expected of the captain.”
The young men raised both arms and cheered.
It was because until now, their money had been tight, so they could only buy essential daily necessities absolutely required by the village.
In addition to the money previously distributed to the young men, Baek Do-gyeong provided one additional silver tael to each of them.
Receiving the money, the young men smiled and walked outside.
Baek Do-gyeong approached Woo Geom-san as well.
“Is there anything you need?”
“No.”
Woo Geom-san shook his head.
He also received compensation while helping with farming in the village.
He received it in rice, not money.
Since the village people took care of his side dishes, there was no reason for him to spend money separately. For that reason, he had no greed for money.
Baek Do-gyeong smirked and spoke.
“I figured as much. Buy something anyway.”
“Pardon?”
“If it weren’t for you, we would have kept selling Yunjung Tea for a pittance in the future as well. If we had kept selling it for fifty silver taels for ten or twenty years, just think how much the loss would be. You allowed us to get its proper price. In my heart, I want to give you all the money in my possession.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know! I know that even if I gave it, you wouldn’t accept it. Still, that’s just how I feel.”
Baek Do-gyeong pressed ten silver taels into Woo Geom-san’s hand.
“Brother?”
“Please accept it. Only then will my mind be at ease.”
“Then it’s only for this time. Because I absolutely won’t accept it next time.”
“Alright!”
“Sigh!”
Letting out a sigh, Woo Geom-san accepted the silver taels.
Only then did Baek Do-gyeong display a satisfied expression and speak.
“Then let’s go out.”
“Right now?”
“Of course! Money is best spent when it’s earned.”
“If you squander it like water like that, you’ll go bankrupt in no time.”
“It’s just a manner of speaking. Would I really spend it like that? To climb the mountain tomorrow, we have to diligently buy and gather the goods today.”
“Should I help?”
“Forget it! Just buy your own things. If you really don’t need anything, at least buy something for your grandfather.”
“Understood.”
Woo Geom-san nodded his head.
He had received an grace as vast as the heavens from Baek Ho-yang, but he had never once repaid him.
Since he had earned money with his own hands, he felt that using that money to buy an item needed by Baek Ho-yang would be highly meaningful.
‘What would be good?’
Thinking about buying an item for Baek Ho-yang made him feel happy.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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