Chapter 91
—List of Candidates for the New Martial Alliance Leader.
1st Candidate—Plum Blossom Sword of the Huashan Sect, Ye Jong-do.
2nd Candidate—Sword Empress of the Emei Sect, Hong-ryeon.
3rd Candidate—True Man of Wudang, Jong-ryeo, Jang Ha.
4th Candidate—Seven Forms Invincible Fist of the Kongtong Sect, Yeong-chun.
5th Candidate—Head of the Namgung Family, Namgung Won.
The five people written on the letter that Yuk Seon-dal handed over.
Among them, except for the fourth candidate, the Seven Forms Invincible Fist, Yeong-chun, all were people who had proudly placed their names on the list of the Ten Great Masters of the Orthodox Path.
Moreover, they had a high contribution to public affairs, each had a powerful force, and were composed of respected leaders of their respective sects, so one could not help but agree when looking at the faces of the candidates…
Just then.
“Ahem! So-ah. Well… ahem!”
Moyong Baek let out a forced cough, trying to dilute the atmosphere.
It was because it seemed that So-ah was acting too much like a trumpeter for Hong-ryeon in front of Yuk Seon-dal.
Of course, the fact that the Moyong Family and the Emei Sect were close was something that most martial artists knew.
Because the Sword Empress would support So-ah’s words without question, and So-ah was a person who would carry firewood and enter a fire pit if the Sword Empress said so.
Since it was clear that the relationship between the two was deep, Yuk Seon-dal also did not seem very surprised.
In that moment.
So-ah smiled slightly and said.
“Uncle. The alliance must have already done their calculations. Isn’t that right? Mr. Yuk?”
So-ah’s direct question was directed at Yuk Seon-dal.
At that, Yuk Seon-dal also smiled brightly and opened his mouth.
“Haha. That’s right, Young Master Jin. All the officials assigned to the <Alliance Leader Election Management Team> had expected it. Because it’s a matter that the alliance cannot help but calculate.”
Only then did Moyong Baek also nod and ask.
“…Has the election method been decided for sure?”
“As you know, the election method has changed slightly each time. But the main framework remains the same.”
“…Then?”
“After gathering the opinions of the comrades of the Jianghu, the former Martial Alliance Leader will make the final decision in consultation with the elders.”
“Aha…!”
At Yuk Seon-dal’s words, Moyong Baek’s face brightened.
‘The former Martial Alliance Leader is also close to the esteemed Sword Empress, and the Dragon Head of the Beggars’ Sect, Hong In-geol, is also an elder, so if public opinion supports it, it’s clear that the Sword Empress will become the Martial Alliance Leader!’
Moyong Baek, who had that thought, continued to speak.
“Great Hero Yuk. Our family strongly supports the esteemed Hong-ryeon, who is one of the Ten Great Masters of the Jianghu and has made numerous contributions to the Orthodox Path. I hope you will convey our family’s intentions to the alliance without any misunderstanding.”
At the same time, Moyong Baek performed a polite cupped fist salute to him.
Yuk Seon-dal, seeing the head of a martial family maintain such a polite attitude, did not know what to do and stood up from his seat and performed a cupped fist salute together.
“Of course! Head of the Moyong Family. I will definitely convey it that way.”
***
Yuk Seon-dal, who had politely refused Moyong Baek’s suggestion to rest comfortably, set out on his way.
Seeing him hurry, it seemed that the tasks assigned to him and the sects he had to visit were considerable.
After he left like that…
Before long, the chief steward had also joined, and three people, So-ah, Moyong Baek, and the chief steward, were seated in the family head’s office.
“So-ah. What do you think are the chances of the Sword Empress becoming the Martial Alliance Leader?”
“Very high. I will also help her in every way possible. If public opinion gathers, she will surely be able to become the Martial Alliance Leader.”
“Hoho. You’re as happy as if it were your own business. Is it because the Sword Empress is the master of your childhood friend, Young Lady Myo-seon? Or is it because she cherishes you?”
At Moyong Baek’s question, So-ah’s gaze turned to the ceiling.
As if recalling a piece of an old memory.
“Was I nine? Anyway, at that time, my grandfather told me something.”
At the sudden story of his father, Moyong Baek pricked up his ears.
“What was it?”
“At that time, my grandfather entrusted Myo-seon to Grandma Hong-ryeon and made a promise. That someday, he would lend his strength so that Grandma Hong-ryeon could become the first female Martial Alliance Leader in the history of the Jianghu.”
“Ah…!”
Hearing the past anecdote related to his father, Moyong Baek could not help but let out a short sigh.
“So, in the sense of upholding my grandfather’s will, the Moyong family should support Grandma Hong-ryeon with all our might.”
“I see. Then we should do so even more. We shouldn’t be like this, we need to meet with the leaders of the small and medium-sized sects and martial arts schools in Liaoning and unite our opinions. That would be a great help to the Sword Empress.”
So-ah nodded with a bright face, as if agreeing with Moyong Baek’s decision.
Just then, a subtly bitter voice flowed from the chief steward’s mouth.
“If the head of the Emei Sect, who is close to our family, becomes the Martial Alliance Leader, it is truly something to be congratulated for, but on the one hand, I am disappointed.”
At that, Moyong Baek asked with a questioning look.
“Why is that, Chief Steward?”
“Didn’t you say that the names of the great hero Yeong-chun of the Kongtong Sect’s Seven Forms Invincible Fist and the head of the Namgung Family, the great hero Namgung Won, were on the list of candidates for the Martial Alliance Leader?”
“That’s right…”
“The great hero Yeong-chun and the great hero Namgung are of the same generation as the Family Head, aren’t they? So, I was just thinking how happy I would be if the Family Head had also put his name on the list of candidates.”
Only then did Moyong Baek realize the chief steward’s intention.
But he couldn’t sympathize.
Whether it was martial arts, financial power, or the size of the family.
Because it was true that when Moyong Baek was compared to Namgung Won and others, it was embarrassing to even compare.
“Chief Steward. I know your loyalty, but that’s absurd. Not only my personal martial arts, but our family is also small in scale, isn’t it? Also, to become the Martial Alliance Leader, a huge amount of financial power is needed. I am not qualified in many ways.”
At Moyong Baek’s words, the chief steward’s face became solemn.
Although his words were correct, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed whenever he saw such a selfless and carefree family head.
‘As expected, his character resembles the former family head. He’s a person who has no interest in fame and fortune.’
Just then.
An unexpected word from So-ah suddenly came out.
“I’ll help you, Uncle.”
“…So-ah?”
“As it happens, I had something to tell you and the Chief Steward.”
“Yes?”
“I…”
***
“So, you’re saying that we should gather the scattered people with the Moyong surname and at the same time, register outstanding talents as external disciples… is that what you mean?”
“That’s right.”
So-ah’s suggestion, which he presented to Moyong Baek and the chief steward, subtly shook their hearts.
“That would be quite a complicated matter…”
“That’s right, Family Head.”
The two also agreed.
Because it was clear that if they could do as So-ah said, the power of the Moyong family would be greatly enhanced.
But the problem was manpower and money.
To gather the people with the Moyong surname scattered all over the world, there had to be a place to accommodate them.
Also, to register outstanding talents as external disciples, human resources to teach and supervise them would be needed.
For the current Moyong Family, it was a difficult task.
But So-ah’s thought was different.
“Hey! What’s so difficult and complicated about it?”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Young Master Jin…”
At So-ah’s confident attitude, Moyong Baek and the chief steward had a look of anticipation.
At that, So-ah said calmly.
“First. We earn a lot of money.”
“…”
“Second. We build a house to accommodate the people with the Moyong surname.”
“…”
“Third. We start recruiting external disciples.”
At that.
“Hah… hoho… yes. It’s easy. Easy. Yes? Isn’t it just a piece of cake?”
“That’s right. For Young Master Jin, it’s as easy as blowing your nose without using your hands. Keke.”
For some reason, Moyong Baek and the chief steward seemed to be laughing at So-ah.
But.
“Just you wait and see. Whether it’s possible or not. Hehe.”
So-ah really seemed to think that it was an easy task.
***
“Hohohot. Young Master Jin. Are you really going to be like this? No matter how busy you are with public and private matters, what should I do if a business partner doesn’t even visit the business like this?”
So-ah, who had visited the inn run by the Moyong family, immediately sought out Yuk Jeong-ran.
After the <Triad Wipeout Operation>, the Moyong family and Yuk Jeong-ran had become business partners through a kind of cooperation agreement, and Yuk Jeong-ran, by demonstrating her outstanding business and business skills, had brought a huge profit to the Moyong family.
Also, Yuk Jeong-ran, thanks to the Moyong family, was able to display her business capabilities without having to worry about gangsters or the government office, so this was a mutually beneficial relationship.
“Haha. I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy with the academy’s affairs.”
“Is it because of the academy’s affairs? Or were you busy not only achieving a draw with the Ten Great Masters of the Unorthodox Path, Jang Beon-pal, but also becoming sworn brothers with him, and suppressing the peerless master of Shaolin who suddenly appeared? Hohong.”
Yuk Jeong-ran shook her head and said, as if she couldn’t believe it even thinking about it.
“Hot. The news travels fast.”
“Of course. The talk of the town that Young Master Jin should occupy a seat among the Ten Great Masters of the Orthodox Path is shaking the Jianghu.”
“You know I don’t care about such things.”
“But I know you have great ambitions. By the way, what’s the matter?”
“I have a mountain of things to consult with you about.”
“Oh! Consulting with me. I’m deeply moved.”
“Aren’t we business partners? Hahaha.”
“Then you mean you came because of money, right? Hoho.”
“You’re so quick-witted.”
The two curled up the corners of their mouths and stepped into the special room on the fifth floor of the inn, which had a rather nice view of the scenery below the window.
***
“Young Lady Yuk. I have a few requests.”
“What are they?”
“Do you know any construction contractors?”
“Of course. The biggest customers of the entertainment district are the building owners and construction contractors. Because it’s an industry where that much money circulates.”
“I think we need to build a big house near our family’s residence.”
At So-ah’s words, Yuk Jeong-ran asked with wide eyes.
“How big of a house?”
“About five times the size of our current family’s residence.”
“Gasp! That would cost a huge amount of money.”
“Of course, we have to bear the bleeding.”
“May I ask the reason?”
“I’m thinking of gathering the people with the Moyong surname scattered across the four seas. In addition, I’ll also accept external disciples, and furthermore, I’ll also establish a secular martial arts school.”
Only then did Yuk Jeong-ran realize that So-ah was planning something huge, and with a thoughtful expression, she rested her chin on her hand and murmured.
“…Hmm. First, we’ll have to buy the land near the Moyong family’s residence, and we’ll also have to select contractors who can handle such a large-scale construction well. It won’t cost a penny or two.”
“Will it be difficult with our current financial situation?”
“If we dispose of all the shares that the Moyong family and I currently have in the taverns, inns, restaurants, and small money houses, it might be possible. But in the future, if you want to operate and manage a family of that size, you’ll need a continuous source of income.”
At Yuk Jeong-ran’s words, So-ah’s worries deepened.
Although the current Moyong Family had secured a financial power that could not be compared to before through his recent exploits, he needed more money to realize the big picture in his head.
“Phew… isn’t there a good way.”
In that moment.
As if a good idea had come to Yuk Jeong-ran, she snapped her fingers and opened her mouth.
“Hey! Young Master Jin. You said you had a connection with the North Sea Ice Palace before, right?”
“That’s right. The young lady of the North Sea and I are very close.”
“Then, by any chance, can you get a line to the North Sea?”
“…What kind?”
“Recently, earrings, nameplates, and accessories made of North Sea snow ice stones are very popular in the Jianghu.”
“Aha…!”
“But because the North Sea doesn’t trade with the Central Plains, their prices are sky-high.”
“Then?”
“If the Moyong family can get the trade rights with the North Sea!”
Gulp.
“The Moyong family will be playing with a thousand gold pieces.”
At Yuk Jeong-ran’s words, So-ah’s heart began to pound.
‘This could be a huge hit if I’m not careful.’
(End of Chapter)