Chapter 30
The hall was quiet as if cold water was poured.
Not only the Hall Masters but also the elderly elders tried to bring up something then stopped, and only brought cooled teacups to their lips, not knowing what to do.
“……Outer Hall Master.”
The one who broke the silence was Sect Leader Hong.
“Yes. Sect Leader.”
“By chance, is there a trustworthy miner and blacksmith?”
Father, thinking for a moment, nodded.
“Heo Il-nam’s father always supplies weapons to our Taeeul Sect at a cheap price. And I heard that the father of the three brothers Geum, Eun, and Dong was a miner in the past.”
“Then as quickly as possible…….”
“I will check right now.”
“Right, and after doing so, the broker…….”
“I will buy Stone-Pillar Mountain immediately.”
Father answered readily before the Sect Leader’s question even finished.
But even that, Sect Leader Hong, as if somewhat dissatisfied, looked at me intently. Then as if deciding something, spoke with a firm expression.
“By chance, is there money to buy Stone-Pillar Mountain?”
“Stone-Pillar Mountain is a stone mountain that had no owner from before. Even slash-and-burn farmers never settled there because the land is barren.”
“Then, buy Stone-Pillar Mountain first, and verify the mine after that.”
“Sect Leader!”
“Do so.”
Father looked at me and Sect Leader Hong alternately, then nodded.
“Understood.”
“Kwaehwa Hall Master.”
“Yes.”
“Visit Geum-ryong’s father and Heo Il-nam’s father and request cooperation.”
“Understood.”
“Move quickly. Bear in mind that perhaps the fate of the sect depends on this matter.”
“Order received!”
Father stopped by the government office immediately and sounded out the purchase of Stone-Pillar Mountain.
The officials, who usually demanded bribes when buying and selling the country’s items, only asked for the usage purpose at the words that he would buy Stone-Pillar Mountain. They didn’t nitpick much.
After Stone-Pillar Mountain fell into the hands of the Taeeul Sect, Heo Il-nam’s father and the Geum, Eun, Dong three brothers’ father immediately went up Stone-Pillar Mountain and confirmed that it was a place where an iron ore mine could be established.
According to them, such a case is rare, but they said, ‘Because someone dug deeply into the middle of the cliff, confirmation was easy.’
Although we bought Stone-Pillar Mountain and discovered the mine, we couldn’t enter development immediately.
Funds were funds, but since the Taeeul Sect never possessed a huge asset like a mine, they didn’t know what to do.
Moreover, if someone found out there was an iron ore mine in Stone-Pillar Mountain, they might do harm to the Taeeul Sect.
Eventually, Sect Leader Hong and Father asked for help from the Wang Clan.
“Hahaha, as they say heaven helps those who help themselves, eventually it bestows such a huge blessing.”
“I am ashamed.”
“I worried whether the Taeeul Sect might stagger at the conduct of the Rooster Dragon Merchant Group. Still, isn’t it my daughter’s sect?”
“Thank you even just for the words.”
“Right, how should I help?”
“The Taeeul Sect does not have the capacity to develop the mine by itself. It would be perfect if the Manor Master helps together.”
“Hoho, for people who will become owners of a big mine in the future to be this loose. Like that, being weak to affection, can you earn big money? Let’s do this. I will invest in the mine. I will develop the mine and bring miners. Instead, sell half the amount of iron ore coming from the mine exclusively to us for 10 years.”
Jin Tae-san was astonished. This was literally no different from swimming while touching the ground.
“Is it okay to do so? Then the Manor Master seeing a loss…….”
“I will see a little loss in the beginning, but that is all investment. I investigated separately and they say the iron coming from Stone-Pillar Mountain is high-quality dark steel. The reserves are also substantial so there will be no worry for half a century. If we sell half the amount of that exclusively, considering the market price, it is a much more profitable condition for the Wang Clan.”
When Jin Tae-san tried to develop the mine jointly with the Wang Clan, he thought of giving up a part of the profit.
However, the condition Wang Geum-san held out was a good condition that gave complete profit to the Taeeul Sect while completely wiping out the worry about the capital to go in initially.
“I hear the Hall Master’s son discovered the mine.”
“It seems the guy who wanders around all directions of heaven and earth discovered it luckily.”
“You are too modest.”
“He is undeserving of praise.”
“If you have a grateful heart toward me, please tell So-un to come play at the Wang Manor once. Since he doesn’t come no matter how many times I invite him, perhaps because of the mistake at the first meeting, my heart is truly uncomfortable.”
Jin Tae-san spat out curses at his son inwardly. This kind of person is calling, but who is he to hold out?
Jin Tae-san couldn’t understand even though it was his own child.
***
“So you are telling me to visit the Wang Manor?”
“Anyway, isn’t he the person who presented good conditions to the Taeeul Sect? Leaving aside conveying greetings of gratitude, visiting the house of a junior disciple and greeting as the Eldest Brother is also naturally something to do.”
At Kang Chae-seok’s words, I opened axe-eyes and spoke.
“You aren’t thinking of selling me off to the Wang Clan, right?”
“Keuheome. Sell off, who sells off…….”
“No, seeing back then, you wanted to wrap me up nicely and deliver me to the Wang Clan.”
“Ahem. This is all for the Taeeul Sect…….”
“I am not going.”
“What!”
“Why would I go there. Anyway, Manor Master Wang is also investing because of his own profit.”
“No, still…….”
“Then please recognize that I completed the Kwaehwa Hall.”
“What?”
“Then I will go to give greetings.”
“What nonsense is that out of the blue.”
“I have work I must do. For that, I must move right now, but doesn’t completing the Kwaehwa Hall need half a year more time?”
Sect Leader Hong, who was listening quietly, opened his mouth.
“What are you thinking of doing that you cannot do it half a year later?”
I couldn’t speak honestly here. If I say I will lead the junior brothers and take the regular exam as the Eldest Disciple of the Taeeul Sect, he will look at me like seeing a crazy person like Sa-ryeon did.
“I am sorry. I cannot tell you yet.”
“How can we help this damn guy when he does things he can’t even speak of.”
“I will tell you when the time comes half a year later.”
“Groan.”
Kang Chae-seok shook his head and only drank glass after glass of wine continuously.
“Is it an important matter?”
“Yes. It is an important matter.”
“How important is it?”
“It is a matter on which the future of the Taeeul Sect depends.”
“Kehehek!”
“!”
“!”
At my words, Kang Chae-seok, who was drinking wine, choked and coughed, and Father, who was holding a wine glass quietly, also opened his eyes wide and looked at me.
Sect Leader Hong looked at me intently, then looked at Jin Tae-san.
“What are your thoughts?”
“……He is a wicked guy who says nothing to his own father in the first place. I do not know well.”
Father was pouting his lips unsuitably as if somewhat hurt.
“Does the story of asking to treat it as completing the Kwaehwa Hall mean you have already learned all the martial arts?”
“Yes.”
“……Hmm. Good. Do so.”
“!”
“Sect Leader!”
Sect Leader Hong continued calm words.
“All actions you have done so far were for the Taeeul Sect. I think the actions you will do in the future will be no different. Since you are doing what we should have done instead, I do not want to break those wings at least.”
“…….”
“…….”
While Kang Chae-seok and Father lowered their heads deeply, Sect Leader Hong smiled broadly at the corners of his mouth and spoke.
“Instead, make sure to give greetings to the Wang Clan and go.”
***
Stagger stagger.
The way back to the lodging leaving the Great Wise Hall.
Father’s gait, having drunk four bottles of Bamboo Salt Clear Wine given by Sect Leader Hong unlike usual, was reminiscent of the footwork of Drunken Fist.
“Please wake up. Father.”
“Let go. You rascal. This father is fine.”
“Then walk straight.”
“Enough. If this useless father cannot even walk by himself, you will throw me away in the mountains, right?”
“Ah, why are you being like this.”
“You rascal, the worst child in the world is a child who says nothing to parents.”
“What about the best child?”
“A child who comes and chatters about every single detail.”
“Then you should have had a daughter. Why did you give birth to a pitch-black son.”
“Even without that, when the Sect Leader had a daughter, I wanted to swap instantly.”
“Goodness.”
I took out the Seven-Colored Jewel from my bosom.
Inside the Taeeul Sect where only moonlight was shining, seven-colored brilliant light clusters were illuminating all directions.
Father’s posture, which was showing off Drunken Steps, stood straight like bamboo.
“……W-What is that?!”
“I prepared this to become the best child. But since I won’t be anyway, I should just exchange it for taffy.”
“Y-You will give that to me?”
Father looked completely sober already.
“Forget it. Since I already became an unfilial child. What use is filial piety now.”
Father suddenly cleared his throat and spoke.
“Do you know that? Above the best child, there is a child sent by heaven.”
“…….”
“A child sent by heaven brings a jewel shining with brilliant colors to the parents.”
Saying so, Father took the Seven-Colored Jewel from my bosom and brought it before his eyes.
“Goodness.”
“I-Is this real?”
“I do not have the ability to appraise jewels so I do not know, but since Namgung San said it could buy three palace-like mansions, wouldn’t it be real?”
“N-Namgung San? Why did Namgung San give this?”
“Actually I made a bet with Senior Namgung San. I received it after winning that bet.”
“Hoho…….”
“Please use seven tenths of the money from selling the jewel as Father pleases, and with three tenths, please buy up the blind spots around the Taeeul Sect recklessly.”
I said use it as he pleases, but that money will eventually flow into the Taeeul Sect.
Because Father is a person who has lived such a life.
“Blind spots? Why?”
“We will make some into fields to grow relief crops, and we need space to install mechanism formations on some. If by chance the disciples increase further, shouldn’t we increase the pavilions?”
“Mechanism formations? Do you know how much that is?”
Father tilted his head as if it didn’t enter his head well.
“If money comes out from the mine steadily, wouldn’t we be able to install mechanism formations? Just in time, I know a person whose skill is good but price is cheap.”
I spoke recalling Je-gal Cheon-gi who would be suffering hardships in prison about now.
“If we install mechanism formations, we can defend more against outside invasion, and grow power based on that. Isn’t that the foundation of a great sect.”
“…….”
Father looked at me with complex eyes like the jewel emitting seven-colored light.
“Let’s go, Father. This filial son sent by heaven will offer a glass of wine to Father.”
“……Come to think of it, didn’t you drink wine secretly earlier?”
“What do you mean. A filial son sent by heaven does not eat things like wine.”
“Anyway, if only he couldn’t talk.”
***
Sa-ryeon packed a large bundle and joined the group of Inspection Envoys.
It is to enter focused training to match the level with those entering after taking the regular exam before entering the Murim Academy.
All people of the Taeeul Sect saw me and Sa-ryeon off.
Sa-ryeon greeted the Hall Masters including the elders first, and in front of Sect Leader Hong and the Mistress, tears welled up as if she would cry at any moment. Leaving the parents’ embrace for the first time seemed quite anxious.
“Do well. And take good care of the disciples at the Murim Alliance.”
Sa-ryeon just nodded instead of answering.
Then the junior brothers flocked in a rush, surrounded Sa-ryeon, and made a fuss to greet her, and only after it became quiet barely did she stand in front of me.
“You really have no regrets, right?”
Sa-ryeon still seemed to have a lot of apologies remaining.
“The focused training period is only half a year. To not be pushed back by those entering through the regular exam, you will have to train hard enough to die.”
“……If it seems too much, I will give up the regular exam anytime. Because I will succeed enough to take care of all the junior brothers even if I exert myself.”
“Right. If it’s that much determination, it’s done.”
Even though I smiled, Sa-ryeon stood in front of me for a long time fidgeting with her fingers as if she had something to say.
“We will depart.”
Then soon, when Lee Ja-gon said they would depart, she joined the procession not knowing what to do.
And she looked back several times.
I remained for a while after all the people of the Taeeul Sect went in and waited until that procession was not visible to the eye.
At that moment, the Geum, Eun, Dong three brothers approached next to me smoothly.
“Senior Brother.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Please take us too.”
“Hm? Where?”
“You said you are taking the regular exam. We want to follow there too.”
“!”
Where on earth did the secret leak? Only then could I know the reason Sa-ryeon looked back several times while being dragged away in the procession.
“Do you think the regular exam is some child’s play? Do you know what Jianghu people call the regular exam?”
“They call it Hell Regular Exam. Please make sure to take us on that path too.”
“Please make sure to take us.”
“Please make sure to take us.”
The three brothers had a determined appearance as if they would grab onto my pant legs.
