Chapter 141 : Chapter 141
Chapter 141. Family Harmony Brings All Success (2)
Is martial arts for men?
If I were to give a personal answer, it would be correct to say no.
It is not because I was influenced by the arguments of thinkers known as egalitarians, who are known to exist in very small numbers in the Jianghu Murim, but simply because the result derived from a rational and logical thought process was so.
I admit the fact that men are innately superior to women in muscle strength, but martial arts does not simply mean muscle strength.
For a martial artist of second-rate or lower, innate muscle strength might be a decisive factor determining victory or defeat, but once one reaches the first-rate realm, victory or defeat in a life-and-death duel is determined by the application of techniques, understanding of profundities, and appropriate circulation of internal energy rather than muscle strength.
In particular, when one reaches the Peak Realm and enters the state of Sword Qi Injuring People, where internal energy is materialized, the art enables killing with just the strength used to lift chopsticks; thus, the argument that women are unsuitable for martial arts due to a lack of muscle strength should rightly lose its credibility.
However, one must not forget that all premises lie in the fact that one has ‘learned martial arts.’
Therefore, this story has absolutely no relevance to my mother, Baek Yeo-hae.
This is because my mother, Baek Yeo-hae, despite being a descendant of a martial family, has not learned martial arts at all.
But as you know, it is also a self-evident fact that my mother, Baek Yeo-hae, holds a great position and power within the family.
I also know the fact that that power does not stem solely from her position as the mistress of the family.
In other words, it means Mother has built a great position within the family through power other than martial force.
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The Dancheon Clan Head’s Chamber.
“Sister-in-law said she has summoned Myeong-ie.”
Bang Yeo-baek spoke with a voice slightly tinged with concern.
Originally, Bang Yeo-baek was a man who knew how to clearly draw lines and observe formalities.
It is a well-known fact that, aside from his personal dislike of the woman named Baek Yeo-hae, he always treated her with respect, addressing her as ‘Clan Mother.’
The fact that such a Bang Yeo-baek addressed Baek Yeo-hae as ‘Sister-in-law’ meant that this time was not the time of Clan Head Dancheon Gang and Escort Captain Bang Yeo-baek, but the time of Cousin Dancheon Gang and Younger Cousin Bang Yeo-baek.
“I know.”
“…….”
Silence is also a form of expressing one’s intent.
Especially for those who have spent a long time together like Dancheon Gang and Bang Yeo-baek, they often read more sentiments from silence than from words.
“Do you still dislike Yeo-hae?”
Dancheon Gang asked his younger cousin.
“No. How could I dare.”
Bang Yeo-baek quickly denied it, but Dancheon Gang smiled as if he guessed his inner feelings.
“How can a person be perfect in every aspect? Yeo-hae made a mistake in the past, but that also stemmed from her heart for Hak-ie, so it would be right to forget it now.”
“……Yes.”
Bang Yeo-baek answered, but a sullen look still remained.
To be precise, it would be correct to think that Bang Yeo-baek tried to hide his sullenness but failed to escape Dancheon Gang’s discernment.
“Yeo-baek.”
“Yes.”
“The current Dancheon Sword Clan is developing day by day. At this rate, we might even surpass the Five Great Families and rise to the position of the Number One Family under Heaven.”
“That is true.”
Isn’t Bang Yeo-baek the Escort Captain, a pillar of the Dancheon Sword Clan?
Bang Yeo-baek would be one of those who most keenly felt the development of the clan.
“Why do you think that is?”
“It must be due to the Clan Head’s virtue.”
It is true that Bang Yeo-baek’s loyalty is deep, but his nature was not one to act like a treacherous sycophant who plays the tongue inside the mouth.
In other words, that remark was his wholehearted sincerity, so it was enough to please Dancheon Gang.
“I appreciate your words, but that is not the truth. Firstly, it would be thanks to Myeong-ie’s active role.”
“That is also a correct statement.”
Dancheon Gang always maintained neutrality when evaluating his sons.
In other words, he does not distort facts, so he did not deny the achievements Dancheon Myeong had accomplished.
“However.”
“Please speak.”
“I believe the greatest credit belongs to Yeo-hae.”
“…….”
Bang Yeo-baek kept silent again.
This time, it wasn't a silent protest, but it seemed he genuinely couldn't fully understand the preceding remark.
“Yeo-baek.”
“Yes.”
“Keep this in mind. The prestige of a famous clan is not achieved solely through martial arts. If you also think carefully, you will be able to realize the things Yeo-hae has done for the family.”
“Ah…….”
Only after Dancheon Gang’s kind explanation followed did Bang Yeo-baek seem to understand the words to some extent.
“Yeo-hae is that kind of person. Even if her direction is different from yours, her heart for the family will not be different from yours.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Dancheon Gang’s head nodded naturally. I was satisfied with himself for having a person like Bang Yeo-baek by his side.
“Since the delusion clouding her eyes has been cleared, Yeo-hae is surely an excellent Clan Mother. Summoning Myeong-ie must also inevitably be for the sake of the family.”
“Yes.”
“And one more thing.”
“Please speak.”
“You should also get along a bit more affectionately with Yeo-hae. If the Escort Squad’s budget gets cut because of that, there is nothing I can do for you.”
“Hup.”
As the Dancheon Clan Escort Squad required an increasing budget day by day befitting the rapidly developing status of the Dancheon Clan, Bang Yeo-baek could not bear to deny Dancheon Gang’s words.
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Earlier, I had discussed power.
Martial power, financial power, influence, and information power are precisely that.
The greatest power in the Jianghu Murim is martial power, no matter what anyone says.
Then, what is the power equivalent to martial power?
If we look at the entire Jianghu Murim as the board, information power would be next after martial power, and influence would be next. Financial power should be seen as being at the end of that list.
However, the story changes if the board is limited to within a clan.
Since it is a family under one roof anyway, the value of influence has its majesty reduced, and in the narrow world called a clan, information power is difficult to fully exert its strength.
In other words, if limited to the narrow world of a sect or a clan, it is correct to view Financial Power as the power next to martial power.
Isn’t that the reason why the Finance Hall holds great power in many sects?
The women of the clans were wise, so lacking martial power, they succeeded in seizing financial power.
The unofficial institution called the Internal Affairs Department in many clans was created that way.
In the Dancheon Clan, the head of that Internal Affairs Department is exactly my mother, Baek Yeo-hae.
Perhaps, the actual second-in-command of the family might not be Uncle Yeo Baek, but my mother, Baek Yeo-hae.
* * *
“I hope you don’t misunderstand.”
Mother Baek Yeo-hae, who brought up the name Yang Su-rin, repeatedly asked me.
She has a cold-looking expression as usual, but her pupils are shaking and the corners of her mouth are minutely stiff.
Since Mother Baek Yeo-hae’s basic expression is so cold, an ordinary person wouldn't be able to gauge her inner thoughts, but I know she is feeling sorry towards me right now.
My discernment, trained during my Myeong-gae days, is so high that it wouldn't be wrong.
Actually, although it ended as a mere attempt due to my agile response, Mother Baek Yeo-hae might be feeling guilty because she has the experience of plotting a conspiracy together with Yang Su-rin.
No, setting everything aside, the conduct of a mother calling her son early in the morning and bringing up the name of his former fiancée might be hard to see as proper.
However…….
“I do not misunderstand.”
Nevertheless, the reason I don't feel bad is that Mother’s attitude of constantly caring about my feelings is welcome.
Doesn't this also mean that she respects me as her son?
“Could you explain it to me?”
Mother Baek Yeo-hae is not a foolish person, so it is correct to judge that there must be a reason.
“Huu-”
The explanation Mother Baek Yeo-hae unleashed contained her joys and sorrows.
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The Internal Affairs Department is not an official institution of the clan like the Council of Elders or the Escort Squad, but it should be evaluated as an institution comparable in importance.
This is because it is responsible for the clan's finances and household affairs overall.
How important is the Internal Affairs Department?
Without going far, if we think based on the Dancheon Clan’s standards, the answer will come out.
The first pillar of the Dancheon Clan, Clan Head Dancheon Gang.
He is a person who wields a sword and explores martial arts.
He always maintains dignity and strives for peace within the family and external expansion.
He can be called a transcendent martial artist who has received the family martial arts since childhood and polished himself to far surpass the average of his age group.
The second pillar, and the Clan Head’s closest aide, Escort Captain Bang Yeo-baek.
Ditto.
The details might differ, but he is also a martial artist who has only wielded a sword all his life.
The third pillar, the Council of Elders of the Dancheon Clan.
This is also ditto.
What interest would old men who have achieved old age by surviving safely after only wielding swords all their lives have other than martial arts?
To conclude, all three pillars of the prestigious Sword Clan Dancheon know nothing but martial arts.
To put it differently, they are martial arts idiots.
It is a natural story, but a prestigious martial family is not formed by martial arts alone.
If it starts with martial power and ends with martial power, it can never obtain the name of a Prestigious Clan.
The prosperity of a prestigious martial family is achieved through various processes, but it usually goes through the following process.
Gaining fame through martial power based on superior martial arts, and expanding influence with that as the main axis.
If there is martial power and influence, what follows is financial power.
Using financial power and influence to even acquire information power.
A martial family equipped with influence, financial power, and information power can recruit or train high-quality martial artists to possess even stronger martial power.
Building greater influence and expanding information power.
…….
If a virtuous cycle like this continues uninterrupted, the name reached at some point is the Prestigious Clan.
However, most of the pillars of the clans are martial arts idiots who know nothing but martial arts.
Then what would happen?
Didn't I say early on that there are no breeds as unproductive as martial artists?
I guess a clan made up only of martial artists would become no different from a group of human butchers.
The ones who cultivated a prestigious clan in the midst of those martial arts idiots are precisely the Internal Affairs Department.
It is because they are the only ones among the martial arts idiots who discuss gains and losses and build the long-term vision of the family.
Actually, the fact that the mistresses of the clans came to hold financial power might be due to their own efforts to hold power, but it might also have been an inevitability for the survival of the family.
But there is a fact that must be known.
The fact that the women who became mistresses of prestigious clans were also once just daughters of other clans.
They might become accustomed to counting through effort, but it means not all women can possess outstanding business acumen like the Young Branch Lord of the Yang Clan, Yang Su-rin.
“The family’s money has become too much.”
Ten percent of the appraised value of the elixirs obtained from the Garden of Joy.
What Mother was talking about was exactly that money.
Her appearance talking about that good news as if lamenting was unfamiliar.
“Um.”
Because I just thought it was good to have a lot of money.
Anyway…….
The wealth of the Dancheon Clan had already become too large in scale to be called ‘household savings.’ It was a situation that the Internal Affairs Department could not handle.
“Do you know? Money is something that rots if kept stagnant. It means its value drops.”
“……Pardon?”
It was harder to understand than the Zen riddles of Wuji Jin-in.
“What that means is…….”
Mother Baek Yeo-hae explained the principles of economics she had studied, but frankly, I couldn't understand it all.
“Ah…….”
It is because I am also born a martial arts idiot, and because in the Beggar’s Gang, a den of beggars, there was no opportunity to learn and master economics.
“…….”
“Khm.”
I decided to ignore Mother Baek Yeo-hae’s gaze, which clearly contained the meaning ‘I thought you were a little different.’
Anyway…….
Although she knew it was an opportunity to leap forward as a large sum of money came into the family, at the same time, Mother Baek Yeo-hae said she knew it was a task far beyond her capability of just managing household affairs.
However, Baek Yeo-hae, the head of the Internal Affairs Department who could not miss this opportunity, said she searched everywhere to find a ‘place to roll the money.’
The person she found that way is exactly the Young Branch Lord of the Yang Clan, Yang Su-rin.
“I went to find the Young Branch Lord of the Yang Clan.”
Apart from personal feelings, she said she could not deny the fact that Yang Su-rin is the most capable merchant recently.
In the sense that she could put personal feelings behind and act for the benefit of the family, I thought Mother Baek Yeo-hae might truly be a magnanimous person.
-Well, fine. Since money has no emotions.
There was no way a capable merchant like Yang Su-rin would miss such an opportunity.
-However, there is a condition.
-……Condition?
-I want to share a conversation with Young Master Dancheon Myeong. Please arrange a seat. That is the condition.
-Wouldn't it be fine for the Young Branch Lord to do that directly?
-Let’s just call it a woman’s pride.
She said it turned out that way.
“Can you…… help me?”
I saw Baek Yeo-hae asking with a sheepish expression.
Of course, that is also a story based on Myeong-gae’s discernment. Because in the eyes of others, Mother Baek Yeo-hae’s expression still has a cold wind blowing.
Since it is the first time I have shared such a long conversation with Mother Baek Yeo-hae, I understand for sure now.
Mother Baek Yeo-hae seems to be a person who is extremely clumsy at expressing emotions.
Probably even more than Father Dancheon Gang.
Nevertheless, I now know Mother Baek Yeo-hae’s sincerity.