Chapter 138 : Chapter 138
Chapter 138 - Now Let's Go Make Some Money
“Heave-ho.”
Biyoung woke up in the morning, washed his face, and changed his clothes.
The sun, which had peeked its head out, clearly illuminated the hawk emblem on his chest.
He had chosen his companions, and had left plenty of fighting power at the main headquarters just in case.
Wasn’t this what you would call a smooth start?
“But……”
After finishing all his preparations, Biyoung smacked his lips.
“I’m really not in the mood for this.”
Biyoung didn’t have a particular talent for business, but it was somewhat predictable.
If he helped Sedong this time, there was a high probability that Sedong would become the winner of the Awl Selection Period.
That meant that Sedong would become the young family head of the Yi Family Clan.
“What a waste, what a waste.”
Biyoung stroked his lower abdomen like someone suffering from a hangover.
Business aside, Sedong had a talent for martial arts.
He was bright and understood martial arts quickly, and with his innate diligence, he learned difficult movements with ease.
Hadn’t he even demonstrated the Flying Eagle Steps to the junior disciples who came from Simao?
Sedong’s Awl Selection Period was like a trump card for Biyoung.
If Sedong became the young family head, he would have the best family in Yiliang County as an ally, and if he failed, he planned to have him enter the Diancang Sect.
He had already obtained permission from the family head of the Yi Family Clan regarding his entry.
However,
“That permission might not be necessary anymore.”
If Sedong became the young family head, it would be a permanent farewell to ‘Sedong the martial artist.’
Thinking of Sedong’s face, who would drop everything to get involved in the affairs of Jianghu, he didn’t feel all that happy.
But what could he do?
Just because he liked him, he couldn’t just bring him into the sect.
It was a reluctant step, but since it was the path Sedong had chosen for himself, he had to help him.
Because that’s what friends are for.
“Sect Leader. We will be back.”
The three men and women bowed politely to Jeokseo.
“Holholhol. You look just like children dressed in colorful clothes.”
Two young men who would be third-generation disciples in other sects, and a pretty girl who was just over ten years old.
Jeokseo’s description of them as colorful clothes seemed to have a point.
However.
If one were to carelessly touch those colorful clothes, a disaster-like situation would occur.
As if anticipating the coming disaster, Jeokseo left a word of advice to Biyoung.
“Don’t cause any trouble.”
***
“Father. It is Sedong.”
“Come in.”
It was an unusual summons.
Recently, the family head of the Yi Family Clan, Yi Gwon-su, and Sedong had rarely met.
Was it because he favored his eldest son, Yi Hae-dong, more?
No.
In fact, it was the same for Yi Hae-dong to have a hard time seeing Yi Gwon-su’s face.
The event of the Yi family to decide the position of the young family head.
As the important event of the Awl Selection Period was in progress, Yi Gwon-su was refraining from summoning his children.
If he were to periodically summon one child, it could lead to accusations of favoritism.
What was the big deal about seeing his child’s face once, but Yi Gwon-su’s attitude towards the Awl Selection Period was that thorough.
That was why today’s meeting was unusual.
“I heard about you from Young Hero Biyoung. I heard you haven’t been feeling well recently.”
“It is true that I am a little tired, but it is not something to be concerned about.”
“Is that so?”
Yi Gwon-su carefully examined Sedong’s entire body.
He certainly didn’t look as intelligent as he used to.
But, it wasn’t as serious as Biyoung had said.
“Then that’s a relief.”
As if he was relieved, Yi Gwon-su’s expression softened a little.
“But it is a shameful thing. No matter how busy we are with each other’s work, to not even be aware of the well-being of a child living under the same roof.”
“I am sorry. I will pay more attention to my health so that you do not have to worry, Father.”
“A person like that is going to Lijiang?”
“…………!”
Surprised, Sedong raised his head.
Yi Gwon-su’s face, which had been gentle for a moment, had already turned as bleak as a sandstorm.
“Even the candy seller in the marketplace knows that trade with Lijiang is difficult. There is a reason why everyone points in one direction. How unfortunate would it be if you were to be attacked by the Hojubang on your way to Lijiang City?”
“Father……”
Sedong could not continue his words.
To be honest, he was a little moved.
His tone was close to a reprimand, but the content was about worrying about his well-being.
No matter how important the Awl Selection Period was, it was not something to be done by risking a child’s life.
That was what ordinary people thought, and what Sedong thought as well.
But unfortunately.
It was not what Yi Gwon-su thought.
“The Hojubang are experts at robbing merchant caravans. Of course, they will also find out your identity soon. If you are captured by the Hojubang, they will surely demand a huge sum of money in exchange for handing you over to the Yi Family Clan. It’s already breaking my back just to allocate a budget for the Awl Selection Period, so do you have to empty my pockets once again by opening a trade route with no potential?”
“…………!”
Ah.
So that’s what it was.
In the end, he was just worried about losing more money.
He was a person who was surprisingly obsessed with profit.
Perhaps.
If someone offered him a huge sum of money, would he even sell his own child?
Sedong, who had raised his face in emotion, slowly lowered it.
His expression was the same as when he had heard about Steward Yi So Hyeon’s scheme.
“Maybe it’s for the best……”
“Hmm?”
“It’s nothing, Father. I understand your words of concern for your son. But……”
He couldn’t bring himself to say ‘the heart that worries about money.’
It wasn’t polite, and Sedong himself would only feel miserable.
“I remember what you told me before, Father. You said that there is no profit in a place that everyone pursues.”
“………….”
“It is true that everyone is reluctant to trade with Lijiang City. But on the other hand, if we succeed in doing that difficult thing, we will be able to leave a profit that far exceeds the normal level.”
Yi Gwon-su hummed lowly.
He could feel on his skin how firm Sedong’s resolve was.
Was he really planning to break through that rugged road?
If he made a mistake, his life could really be in danger.
‘He’s grown up so much in such a short time.’
He had thought that if he scolded and reasoned with him appropriately, he would tuck his tail and give up.
But Sedong looked tired, but not weak.
When the situation did not go as he had thought, Yi Gwon-su said something he usually didn’t.
“Then how about you send only the merchant caravan and stay here? There are many competent stewards here, and it’s not like trade can only happen if you absolutely go to Lijiang City.”
“Competent stewards……”
Sedong’s face contorted slightly.
As if he had been stabbed in the back by an invisible sword.
“I don’t want to leave this dangerous and important task to someone else. I want to do it myself.”
“You’re being stubborn……”
As if angry at his disobedient son, Yi Gwon-su’s earlobes turned red.
“Fine. Do as you please. But there is one thing you must keep in mind.”
“What is it?”
“The child I cherish the most is not you two, but the Yi Family Manor itself. If the survival of the Yi Family Clan is shaken, your well-being may be put on the back burner.”
It was no different from saying that he could abandon his sons at any time for the sake of money.
Was this something a father should say to his son?
But Sedong was gradually building up a tolerance.
His brother.
His steward.
And his father.
A tolerance for ‘heartlessness’ was steadily accumulating in Sedong’s chest.
After the conversation ended, Sedong bowed his head politely to the family head.
“I was prepared for it.”
***
“You’re going? To Lijiang City, of all places?”
His slender eyes, buried in fat, flashed open.
The eldest son of the Yi family, Yi Hae-dong.
In front of him stood Steward Yi So Hyeon.
“That is correct.”
“You met with your father this morning? I thought it was all going to be for nothing.”
“As you said, the Family Head asked the Young Master to reconsider the trade. But the Young Master’s will was said to be very firm.”
“Crazy bastard. There are other things to be stubborn about.”
Yi Hae-dong shook his head as if he was dumbfounded.
Lijiang City was a place that even the most skilled merchants found difficult to trade with and avoided.
If they were lucky enough to avoid the Hojubang, they would make a huge profit, but out of a hundred merchant caravans that crossed that large lake, maybe one would make it.
“Could it be because of that?”
“Because of that, you say……?”
“The ‘salt,’ I mean. The ‘salt’ in the Three-Eyed Snake Soup seems to have made him go crazy.”
“That is a possibility. And if there is one more thing……”
“Hmm?”
“Recently, the Young Master has been very anxious. There isn’t much time left, is there? He compared his performance with the First Young Master’s every day, and said like a habit that he needed a decisive move.”
“And that decisive move is the Lijiang City trade? How unfortunate.”
Yi Hae-dong buried his obese upper body deep into the chair.
“Enduring such anxiety is also a condition of being a family head, you know. Kilkil. I hope he meets the Hojubang in Elm Leaf Lake and just drops dead……”
Yi Hae-dong, who was so excited by his younger brother’s mistake.
He almost let out all of his true feelings.
Yi Hae-dong quickly shut his mouth, but his feelings were fully conveyed to Steward Yi So Hyeon.
“Such an unfortunate thing must not happen.”
“Hmph. You’re as bad at lying as I am. By the way, how did the thing I asked you to look into yesterday go? The movements of those Diancang Sect bastards.”
“You do not need to worry. I had people watch all day to see if any of them had come down to this Yiliang County, but they said they did not see the Diancang Sect’s martial arts uniform. Just in case, I also checked the identities of the escort warriors within the Yi Family Manor one by one. It seems there is no support from the Diancang Sect in this matter.”
“That’s a relief. I was worried they might help.”
“Even if they do help, the result will not be different. No matter how much of a mountain tiger they are, isn’t floundering in the water the same as other mountain beasts?”
“That’s true.”
As if he was satisfied with So Hyeon’s answer, Yi Hae-dong shrugged his shoulders and laughed heartily.
“Your contribution in this Awl Selection Period is immense. When I become the young family head, I will promote your position first.”
“I will not forget the First Young Master’s grace.”
Just like when he looked at Sedong, So Hyeon smiled benevolently.
***
The merchant caravan had just left Yiliang County.
“Just a moment.”
Sedong, who was in the carriage, opened the window and called the driver to a halt.
“What is it, Young Master Yi?”
“Please stop the carriage. I have someone to meet here.”
“Pardon?”
Sedong, who had looked around for a moment, soon smiled brightly.
“I think they’re coming over there. The guardians of our merchant caravan.”
The driver’s gaze followed where Sedong was looking.
Before they could even confirm their identities, a shrill voice was heard first.
“Agh! Damn! Why did you make us do this dog training? We were going to meet here anyway.”
“Hey now. You’re back to your old habits now that you’re down from Diancang Mountain? Want me to roll you over one more time?”
“I don’t want to. Why is a senior brother being so petty?”
“Am I only a senior brother at times like this?”
A cute pretty girl who chirped incessantly with her sparrow-like mouth.
And the handsome young man who was threatening her next to her.
A tall warrior who walked silently with an expressionless face.
The three men and women were slowly walking towards the merchant caravan.
“I told you I have my reasons for coming this way.”
“Reasons, what reasons. Senior Brother! You’re just trying to mess with us, aren’t you?”
“Hey. I told you it’s not like that.”
“Lies!”
“Hey.”
The driver was at a loss for words at their conversation.
Then he sent a subtle glance at Sedong.
Young Master Yi.
You said guardians.
Guardians to protect the merchant caravan?
Them?
But Sedong’s face, as he looked at the three men and women, was filled with deep trust.
“Now, let’s go make some money.”