Chapter 1453
Please take care of me from now on. (3)
“Let’s see… In the warehouse, the current assets are…”
“Elder! How many rice warehouses do we have right now?”
“I don’t carry the ledger with me…”
“Wouldn’t it be better to send someone to the Northern Sea to get the ledger?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Huh? Why not?”
“If we do that, the General will say that the elder doesn’t even know how much assets his sect owns. I can’t bear to see him point fingers at me like that! I’d rather bite my tongue and die!”
“…”
“Ugh. Let’s see, so the night pearls*…”
Han Imyeong began to tear at his hair again. Seol Sobaek shook his head. He felt quite sympathetic, but…
‘At least compared to them, we’re somewhat better off.’
The real battlefield was elsewhere.
“Don’t we have thirty-seven taverns?”
“I thought it was thirty-eight?”
“Didn’t one close down last month?”
“We opened two more this month.”
“…This is driving me crazy.”
Namgung Dowi muttered, looking like he’d been threshed. His sunken, hollow eyes hinted at the severe ordeal he was currently enduring.
In reality, Namgung Dowi was the Young Lord of Namgung clan and had focused solely on martial arts, paying little attention to matters like finances. Suddenly becoming the Acting Lord of the family and trying to manage everything was overwhelming. It was no wonder he had no detailed knowledge of the family’s assets.
“Well… I’ll do what I can, so as the Young Lord…”
“No, Uncle. This is also part of my duty as the Young Lord. I cannot shirk it.”
“Then at least be of some help.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, nothing. Forget it.”
Namgung Dowi stared blankly at Namgung Myeong when a mocking voice suddenly pierced his ears.
“Hahaha. The esteemed Namgung clan doesn’t even know the extent of their assets.”
Namgung Dowi gritted his teeth and turned sharply. Im Sobyeong was smirking, fluttering his fan in an irritating manner.
“Tsk tsk. How can a leader be so incompetent? Or is it because you’re just the Young Lord? Haha, at this rate, you’ll remain the Young Lord forever.”
“You…”
Fire ignited in Namgung Dowi’s eyes.
“Ah, Nokrim seems to have already figured out its assets, fitting for a sect that lives off robbery. That’s why you’re snooping around other sects, isn’t it?”
“Haha. What do you take me for? Nokrim’s assets are all accounted for down to the last grain of rice! The ledger is already complete.”
“…How impressive of you.”
Although he was brimming with the desire to retort, he had no choice but to remain silent in the face of Im Sobyeong’s claim that everything was already finished.
At Nokrim, the grain gathered from the seventy-two strongholds spread across the world was still coming in. The ability to keep track of such vast assets in real time required an extraordinary level of skill.
“…Are you sure you’re not lying?”
“Hahaha. That’s the typical behavior of a fool. Unable to comprehend another’s exceptional abilities, you resort to mocking them. Such a lack of trust.”
“Ugh…”
“In my opinion, the Young Lord still has a lot to work on. Tsk tsk.”
Just as the infuriated Namgung Dowi was grinding his teeth, Tang Gunak, passing by, casually remarked.
“Nokrim has no choice but to do that. Since everyone guarding the strongholds are bandits and thieves, if they don’t keep track, not even a single grain of rice would be left.”
Im Sobyeong clamped his mouth shut, looking like a mute who had swallowed a bitter pill. Namgung Dowi seized the opportunity and nodded vigorously.
“Ah, now I understand. You must have a hard time.”
As Namgung Dowi smirked, Im Sobyeong’s face twisted with anger. This time, his ire turned towards the Tang clan.
“Oh, really? Then I assume the Tang clan, with all their mutual trust, has already completed their ledger?”
“Indeed.”
“Huh? Already?”
Tang Gunak smiled.
“The assets we had in Sichuan were either burned or stolen. There isn’t much to record.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“…Stay strong.”
Im Sobyeong and Namgung Dowi both bowed their heads solemnly. Tang Gunak shook his head.
‘Still, it could be worse.’
Chung Myung had casually given the instructions, but in reality, this was a more sensitive issue than it seemed. Revealing the full details of a sect’s assets wasn’t easy for any sect. Even within Cheonumaeng, where mutual trust was supposedly strong, it was expected that some would be cautious and hide parts of their wealth. Surprisingly, though, everyone was actively exposing their sect’s assets.
The reason was likely trust…
“Haha, is that all, Namgung clan? Not as impressive as the rumors.”
“That’s only thirty percent of our assets!”
“We haven’t even included the assets from the other strongholds aside from Nokrim.”
“Hah! How much could there be in a bandit’s lair, anyway?”
“Are you mocking bandits now? Do you have that much money? I wasn’t going to reveal this, but we also have businesses in Anhui. The most successful gambling house in Anhui is ours!”
“What? That gambling house was yours? I thought it belonged to Wudang! These crazy bandits opened a gambling house in the middle of Anhui? Do you have a death wish?”
Oh…
…Well, at least honesty counts for something.
Meanwhile, Hyun Yeong was also scolding Baek Sang over the ledger. Chung Myung, watching the scene from a distance, chuckled. Although Hwasan could wait until they reached Hwaeum to retrieve their ledger, elder Hyun Yeong was thorough in such matters. Perhaps it was this thoroughness that allowed Chung Myung to embark on such ventures in the first place.
“But you seem quite relaxed?”
“Are you talking to me? As you know, Beast Palace doesn’t have many assets.”
“Yet you made quite a bit from the tea trade.”
“Do you think I’m the one managing that?”
Maeng So’s muscles twitched. It was always a bizarre yet fascinating sight. Chung Myung laughed awkwardly.
“Doesn’t seem like it.”
“Exactly. The subordinates handle it. Besides… hmm, I don’t know if I could even bring any assets here, assuming we have them.”
“Ugh.”
Chung Myung groaned. Then, glancing at Maeng So’s face, he spoke in an unusually cautious voice.
“Are you okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Beast Palace. Sapaeryeon has gone to Diancang.”
Naturally, Chung Myung had to tread carefully. The Beast Palace was situated at the edge of Yunnan, where Sapaeryeon had flocked. Given the circumstances, no one mentioned it out loud, but there was no guarantee that the enemy wouldn’t attack Beast Palace as well.
“You’re worrying about unnecessary things. Haven’t you all seen it?”
“That’s true, but…”
Nevertheless, there was only one reason Chung Myung wasn’t actively moving to aid Nanman Beast Palace.
“Behind the Beast Palace lies a vast jungle. No matter how formidable the enemy is, it’s difficult to track people through that jungle. If they truly decide to flee, they can easily escape.”
Chung Myung slowly nodded.
“But if it were that easy, you wouldn’t have worried when Demonic Cult’s bastards attacked.”
“The situation is different.”
Maeng So shook his head.
“Demonic Cult was determined to annihilate us. But Sapaeryeon is different, aren’t they? They have no reason to go through the treacherous jungle just to kill those who aren’t even a real threat. They’re not as reckless as you.”
“Did you just insult me?”
“Did it sound that way? Haha.”
Maeng So laughed heartily and slapped Chung Myung on the back.
“Ouch!”
“Huh?”
Maeng So clicked his tongue as he watched Chung Myung topple over.
“Tsk tsk. You seem to have grown quite weak. Stumbling over such a light tap.”
“…Could you please consider your own strength?”
“I hit you lightly.”
“If you’d hit me hard, I’d be meeting the King of Hell by now.”
Chung Myung grumbled as he stood up. Maeng So smiled faintly.
“Anyway, there’s no need to worry. Our people aren’t so foolish. If they stay put and wait while seeing that Diancang was attacked and burned, they’d deserve to die.”
“You’re so cold.”
“That’s only natural. You just worry too much.”
Chung Myung let out a deep sigh.
“Still, thank you for saying that.”
“I’m not saying this just to ease your mind. From what I’ve experienced, that Paegun is no ordinary person.”
“…”
“If we don’t stop him now, even Beast Palace will eventually be trampled by him. We can’t invite a greater danger by avoiding the immediate crisis.”
Chung Myung nodded. Maeng So was a thoughtful person. If he spoke so confidently, it was reasonable to believe the Beast Palace wouldn’t suffer significant damage.
“Anyway, it’s a bit embarrassing given the situation. It seems we’re the only ones, along with Haenam, who can’t help financially…”
“What? Haenam?”
“Hmm? Ah… come to think of it, I didn’t properly inform you.”
“That’s understandable. After all, Lord Tang started this as soon as we joined. Is Haenam coming here?”
“That’s right.”
“Then why haven’t they come right away?”
Maeng So gave a bitter smile at those words.
“They said they’re coming after holding the Sect Leader’s funeral.”
“Oh…”
Chung Myung’s expression darkened for a moment. It seemed things had turned out as expected.
“When did he pass away?”
“He was an extraordinary person. He managed to hold on until they crossed the Yangtze River.”
Chung Myung slowly nodded. It seemed that the thread he was barely holding onto snapped as soon as his disciples’ safety was secured.
“I see.”
Chung Myung gazed westward. He didn’t have a particularly deep connection with him, but what he showed during their escape from Gangnam was more than worthy of respect.
“Since their destination is unclear, they decided to build a temporary tomb near the Yangtze River and hold a three-day funeral.”
“A temporary tomb?”
“A vow to eventually return to Haenam, I suppose.”
A vow to return. Chung Myung repeated those words in his mind and closed his eyes gently. Yes, it would be like that. Just as they had been.
Maeng So, glancing down at Chung Myung, asked.
“Do you feel burdened?”
“It would be a lie to say otherwise, but…”
Chung Myung opened his eyes and gave a slight smile.
“Well, I don’t know. I still think it’s most important to listen to people. I’m not as great a person as everyone thinks.”
Maeng So quietly observed Chung Myung, seemingly waiting for his next words.
“But now that things have come to this, I wonder if deep down, I’ve always hoped it would turn out this way.”
“It must have been frustrating.”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Hmm?”
“I need to repay him.”
For a moment, Maeng So closed his mouth tightly. A chilling light flickered in Chung Myung’s eyes. That cold gaze was fixed on the south – towards Sichuan, where Paegun Jang Ilso would be.
“There have been many times when I thought someone needed to be taken down.”
“Hmm.”
“But this is the second time I feel that someone absolutely, without a doubt, must be killed.”
“…What happened the first time?”
“He died. Haa… No, I killed him.”
Maeng So frowned. It was a statement somewhat hard to grasp at first glance – “killed him.” But he decided not to press further. The cold aura Chung Myung was exuding made it impossible to ask more.
In front of Chung Myung’s eyes, the image of a man appeared. As he recalled the man’s sneering, blood-red lips, Chung Myung’s own lips twisted into a smile.
“So, I need to make him realize what he’s done.”
From Chung Myung’s waist, the Dark Plum Sword emitted a long, clear sword cry.
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