Chapter 69
I’d already noticed after trying it a time or two: going to the Hao Sect every time I needed information was tedious.
So I made it so that if I left a mark, the Hao Sect would come looking for me first.
And I did it in a way that worked heavily in my favor — like this.
“Good.”
I stepped briefly outside the manor and placed a small stone beneath the left garden wall, about three paces away from the gate. That was the signal to tell the Hao Sect I needed them; once set up like that, someone would usually arrive within an hour or so.
In fact, after visiting the Zhongwang residence, the Hao Sect had faithfully kept to that arrangement for three days straight.
On the fourth day I wondered how they would behave, and headed toward the steward’s hall.
I felt I needed to pass the information I’d heard from the Hao Sect the previous day along to the Goldenwood (Geumdanmok).
The information was this:
‘Who’d have thought the Guzhong Association would fall into internal chaos this fast.’
According to the Hao Sect’s intel, the Deputy Head had struck first at the Head. Whatever the details, it was good news for the Golden Silk Guild.
They would be too preoccupied to bother with us for a while.
‘We should use that time to grow stronger.’
That was why I was going to see Geumdanmok today.
There was no time to be giddy about having survived the immediate danger. The Golden Silk Guild needed to change for real.
It had to be not only a trading guild, but also a force capable of defending itself.
If we were a martial school, we’d accept disciples and train them in the usual way, but the Golden Silk Guild was a merchant guild, and we didn’t have time for that.
So we had to build strength the merchant-guild way: by hiring fighters with money.
In short, I was on my way to ask Geumdanmok for funds.
Of course, money alone wouldn’t be enough. History in the martial world showed clear limits to what money can do.
‘No matter how much you spend, the true masters won’t move for coin alone.’
The real deal was different. Their loyalty couldn’t be bought with cash. Massive wealth could sway things — history had examples, like the Golden Citadel — a power that rose through money and once even overwhelmed the Martial Alliance.
But the Golden Citadel didn’t last; when it clashed with the Martial Alliance, it didn’t hold for ten days. It had only been a fragile façade despite its size — a perfect example that money can hire masters, but it cannot win their hearts.
If you tried to solve everything with money, you’d just become an easy mark.
So money alone wouldn’t do. I needed another plan.
‘Fighters are surprisingly simple creatures.’
They risk their lives usually for two things: better martial arts, or for loved ones.
There are other reasons too, but those two cover most cases.
‘I can teach martial arts myself.’
I was only first-rate for now, but the depth of what I’d learned and realized was beyond even my own estimation. I was confident I could teach someone like Gongjin, whom I’d met earlier, and bring them up to a high level. There were many fighters desperate to learn.
I planned to tempt them with what I had — to attract some strong fighters this way. How many top-class people I could lure was uncertain.
‘And for family or lovers, divine healing can help.’
Harm to people isn’t only by blades. Accidents or incurable illnesses plague many more people than you’d think. I couldn’t possibly help them all; that would be arrogance. But I could do what I could, and choose cases that would also be useful to me.
For example: treat a master’s family or lover, and in return they do some work for the Golden Silk Guild.
Some might call that hypocritical or selfish. I understand. But one thing was certain: my priority now was not charity — it was building the strength to protect the Golden Silk Guild.
‘I’ll ask the divine healer for help, but I can’t just dump a flood of patients on them.’
I needed to be careful. Cross the line and their attitude might change. So I set a condition.
‘At least an ultra-peak expert.’
If a top-tier fighter were involved, the divine healer would be persuaded to act.
‘Too calculating?’ I smiled wryly, but I had no intention of changing the plan. I knew the future of the guild and its families could hinge on my choices. This wasn’t only about me. I didn’t think I was wrong for the Golden Silk Guild.
“Then let’s push ahead.”
Lost in thought, I found myself at the steward’s hall. How much could the Golden Silk Guild actually spend to build a new force? It was time to settle things with Geumdanmok.
Twenty-two.
That was the number of people in the Golden Sword Unit — the guild’s only armed group. For a large merchant house and estate, that was not many. Twelve of them were assigned to outside trade duties, so fewer than ten seasoned fighters remained inside.
And three of those ten were recent recruits from the household — hardly enough to call them fighters.
But no one to blame. All this was the work of the Black Front and their traitors. They had all paid the price — sent to the afterlife by my hand. Guzhong Association remained the biggest enemy, but now wasn’t the time for blame; it was time to fix immediate problems. And that started with the Golden Sword Unit.
“From today the Golden Sword Unit is disbanded. In its place we will form the Sword-Soul Unit.”
That was the decision after long talks with Geumdanmok.
No one opposed it. The Golden Sword Unit had failed to protect the Golden Silk Guild against the Black Front — a mark of defeat they would want to erase. So the proposal was easy to bring up.
“To the newly formed Sword-Soul Unit, three thousand silver pieces will be allocated every year.”
Three thousand silver per year. That was the condition I got from Geumdanmok — an enormous sum. The previous average pay for the Golden Sword Unit had been about five silver per person.
“That— is that really that much?” someone asked in astonishment. It was a huge amount; on average it could hire five hundred fighters. Everyone gasped. Five hundred fighters would elevate the guild to the level of a regional hegemon. As far as I knew, no merchant house had ever hired so many. If we had five hundred fighters, we could challenge major powers.
“Even if we staffed five hundred at the previous (average) level, we still couldn’t control Honam Province.”
I corrected them. Honam Province lacked a single local hegemon equal to something like the Guzhong Association; instead many medium and small powers coexisted. Why would Guzhong use the Black Front to absorb the Golden Silk Guild rather than act directly? Because of the backlash. In the past, many had tried to seize Honam, but none truly succeeded.
“There would be immediate countermeasures — from all the forces in Honam.”
When a giant tried to swallow Honam, the local forces tended to rally together. Five hundred fighters would indeed be threatening, and that would be a self-defeating move.
“Then we should raise pay per Sword-Soul member to increase individual skill levels. Numbers are visible, but individual skill is harder to assess from outside.”
Chief Captain Noh seemed to read some of my thoughts, though not exactly right.
“We will increase the pay.”
At that, Songgok’s eyes shone. The whole room of former Golden Sword fighters brightened — but they faltered at my next sentence.
“Henceforth, Sword-Soul pay will range from five silver to a maximum of one hundred silver, depending on individual skill.”
I expected pushback; evaluating only by skill rather than loyalty could be controversial. In the martial world, personal skill matters most, but in groups, other factors sometimes count more. I thought that might be the case here — but I’d misjudged.
“Wonderful! That could bring real masters into the Sword-Soul Unit! I’m all for it!” Songgok shouted, raising both hands in approval. The former Golden Sword fighters agreed too.
“I agree! Five silver is still more than we had!” “The stronger they get, the safer the Golden Silk Guild — there’s no reason to oppose.”
Their wholehearted support left no pretense; they all wanted to avoid repeating past failures. I’d been mistaken: they were family of the Golden Silk Guild first, fighters second.
“…To the former Golden Sword members I’ll pay a special allowance, so don’t be upset.”
An unplanned expense — I’d use my own funds. Worth it.
Once the former Golden Sword fighters backed me, everything moved quickly.
“We’ll post the notice as soon as preparations are ready; exams to recruit members will begin in ten days.”
“Confirmed the mark you left. I’ve brought the information you asked about too.”
After the meeting, a Hao Sect swordsman was waiting for me. He had news about Gongjin — the ultra-peak master I’d met in this life.
But before hearing that, there was something I had to check first.
“What on earth have you been doing?”
“Huh? Suddenly?” the swordsman tilted his head, puzzled.
I understood his confusion. But I could see something clearly: the day of his death I’d seen earlier had noticeably shortened.
It meant a fixed fate had been altered.
“You’re going to die. Within two days.”
