Pay‑to‑Win King of Martial Arts (Novel) - Chapter 146 - Central Plains Merchant Union Council (1)

Chapter 146 – Central Plains Merchant Union Council (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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When I returned to the Wudang Sect, the place was in utter turmoil.

There was no helping it. One of the hall masters had suddenly left a note asking to be expelled from the sect and gone down the mountain.

On top of that, after grabbing the nearest Senior Brother and asking around, I learned that Cheong-su had apparently honestly laid out his circumstances and his crime. He must have thought he was going to die, which was why he could be so candid.

Lastly, I heard that Cheong-hwa, who had been the last to meet Cheong-su, was also being investigated by the Enforcement Hall. As for me, I was summoned to the Three Purities Hall the moment I arrived.

“Did you know?”

The moment he saw me, Cheong-ui asked that question in a stiff voice. He was very different from the sect leader who usually greeted me and asked after my well-being whenever I returned from a trip outside.

I hesitated briefly, but then lowered my head. There was no helping it.

“Yes.”

Cheong-ui let out a sigh, as if he had expected that answer.

I did not know exactly how much Cheong-su had written in his note, nor did I know how much Cheong-hwa, who was being investigated by the Enforcement Hall, had already said. In this situation, telling a careless lie would only lead to another lie.

“Then do you also know how far the Taiji Wisdom Sword was leaked?”

Cheong-ui asked again.

“Cheong-hwa, who currently has the copied manuscript of the Taiji Wisdom Sword, says he truly does not know. He says he has no idea who obtained it where, or how far it spread.”

I clicked my tongue. He should have simply said he had received it from me, but it seemed he was keeping his mouth shut because he was worried it might bring harm to me.

But that was plainly needless worry. Unlike Cheong-hwa, I could explain exactly how the Taiji Wisdom Sword had ended up in my hands.

“Know? I do. I am the one who gave Master the copied manuscript of the Taiji Wisdom Sword.”

“Depending on what comes after that, I may have to subdue you, or I may not.”

“Then let me explain.”

Now that things had become tangled to this extent, there was nothing else to be done.

Originally, I had wanted to keep the Imperial Palace and Heaven’s Gift Merchant Company from becoming entangled with the Wudang Sect, but this was no longer the time to think about that. If I made one wrong move, I would end up taking the entire blame for the leak of the Taiji Wisdom Sword.

I explained slowly. Prince Xian of Gansu was the source currently spreading prestigious orthodox-sect martial arts throughout the Central Plains, and Heaven’s Gift Merchant Company had tried to sell the Taiji Wisdom Sword at his request.

However, I had recovered the Taiji Wisdom Sword from Prince Xian, and based on that I had intended to catch the mole. But Master had knocked me out and taken it away.

“After that, I do not think you need to say more. I heard from Cheong-hwa that Cheong-su sold the Taiji Wisdom Sword for the sake of his entire family, and that Cheong-hwa copied it out and handed it over.”

Cheong-ui, who had been listening with a grave expression, cut in.

“That is correct.”

“Then you must have gone after Cheong-su.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know where Cheong-su went?”

I hesitated to answer. This was not acting. It was real hesitation. Even though it was a lie, the words did not come easily. In the end, I forced them out.

“He passed away.”

“…What?”

Even Cheong-ui looked as though he had not expected that, his eyes widening.

After that, I also explained Cheong-su’s revenge. I told him about the ill-fated enmity tied to the Fang Estate.

Naturally, I did not forget to say that although the Fang Estate had been turned upside down once, I had wrapped it up neatly before returning.

“…I see. So that is what happened.”

After hearing everything, Cheong-ui closed his eyes.

The silence that followed was heavy. Cheong-su had been a Junior Brother he had known for at least several decades. No matter how deeply cultivated a sect leader might be, he could not possibly remain without emotional disturbance.

“So in the end, the Taiji Wisdom Sword was not leaked anywhere else.”

“In the end, no. I brought it back.”

“To think Prince Xian of Gansu was doing such a thing. I knew the people of the Imperial Palace looked down on the martial world, but I did not know they would act to that extent.”

Cheong-ui sighed.

As sect leader, becoming entangled with the imperial clan or a royal preceptor must have been an enormous burden. If things went wrong, the very roots of the sect could be torn out. Of course, if they tried to do that to the Wudang Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects, it would create a great clash between the martial world and the government.

“Then why did you not tell me this when you returned from Gansu? At that time, you had the Taiji Wisdom Sword with you.”

“…Well.”

After hesitating, I opened my mouth.

“First of all, I did not want the Imperial Palace or Heaven’s Gift Merchant Company to get the Wudang Sect involved. Since the contents of the Taiji Wisdom Sword had not actually leaked out, I intended to resolve it on my own.”

“Was that all?”

“To be honest, the biggest reason was that I thought there was a chance even the sect leader might be the mole.”

“I see. It could have looked that way. Even so, it is regrettable. If I had known from the beginning…” Cheong-ui fell silent. He was probably talking about Cheong-su.

“If Martial Uncle Cheong-su had returned to the Wudang Sect with me, what would you have done?”

“…I would have beheaded him.”

In the end, Cheong-ui let the agony show plainly on his face. The Junior Brother who had been virtually family to him was dead. And even if that man had returned alive, he himself would have had to kill him. Yet despite that, he still wanted him to be alive. Those conflicting feelings seemed to be sweeping through Cheong-ui’s heart.

“My cultivation is lacking.”

“No.”

I watched Cheong-ui carefully. To tell the truth, what I was truly curious about had been something else from the beginning. I had been reading the room the entire time, looking for a chance to ask.

“Then what will happen to my Master?”

“Mm.”

I forced myself to ask. Just as expected, Cheong-ui let out a troubled groan.

“Cheong-hwa copied out the Taiji Wisdom Sword and gave it to Cheong-su, but he surely had no intention at all of leaking it to the outside.”

“That is probably true.”

“Even so, we cannot leave him unpunished. Cheong-hwa also bears responsibility for the leak of the Taiji Wisdom Sword, and privately teaching martial arts to another disciple of the same generation is likewise a violation of the rules.”

I nodded. No matter what Cheong-hwa’s intentions had been, he had still broken the rules. Naturally, it was nowhere near enough to warrant beheading like Cheong-su, but that did not mean Cheong-hwa’s crime was light.

“He will probably be confined in the Cave of Repentance.”

“For how long?”

“That will have to be discussed with the Enforcement Hall.”

I nodded. If it ended at that, then all things considered, it was a fairly peaceful conclusion.

“In any case, you have done something very great. Not only did you stop the leak of the Taiji Wisdom Sword, you also caught the culprit.”

“I only did what had to be done as a disciple of the Wudang Sect.”

I bowed my head. Cheong-ui shook his head.

“No. You accomplished something more admirable than any other disciple of the Wudang Sect.”

There was a firmness in Cheong-ui’s voice that allowed no rebuttal. If I kept denying it, the picture would only look strange, so I simply kept my head bowed. To be honest, because I had lied about Cheong-su’s death, I also felt a measure of guilt, so those words sat uneasily with me.

“So as sect leader, I am giving you this.”

With those words, Cheong-ui pulled something from the drawer. It was a rich tassel, woven together in blue and red.

The Songmun Ancient Sword had a small hole drilled into the hilt, and this knot ornament was something meant to be fastened there. And I knew what it meant.

“…Isn’t that the symbol of a Taiji Sword Guardian?”

“It is. So you know.”

“How could I possibly accept that? Isn’t that something even main-sect disciples have to pass an examination for?”

I waved my hands in refusal. A Taiji Sword Guardian of the Wudang Sect was an honor on the same level as Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword Guardian and Shaolin Temple’s Eighteen Arhats. It was naturally a position allowed only to main-sect disciples.

“Do you know what we look at when selecting Taiji Sword Guardians?”

“Talent, I suppose.”

“No. We look at how much they can devote themselves to the Wudang Sect.”

Cheong-ui continued.

“That is why we choose them from among the main-sect disciples. A lay disciple cannot easily devote himself to the Wudang Sect. But I believe you have already shown more than enough devotion.”

“Even so, this still seems a bit much. I imagine the other Taiji Sword Guardians or the elders would object strongly.”

“Did I not tell you? Selecting a Taiji Sword Guardian is the sole authority of the sect leader.”

“Isn’t it part of the rules that they are chosen from among the main-sect disciples?”

“Ever since you came, the rules of the Wudang Sect have been interpreted rather flexibly.”

In other words, if you hung it on the nose it became a nose ring, and if you hung it on the ear it became an earring. Cheong-ui pulled the sword from my waist, then personally tied the tassel that represented Taiji onto the sword hilt.

To tell the truth, I more or less understood why Cheong-ui was pressing this so hard. Cheong-su was dead, and Cheong-hwa was going to be imprisoned in the Cave of Repentance. If things were wrapped up that way, the atmosphere in the Wudang Sect would clearly sink.

What he needed was some kind of happy event, something to forcibly change the mood and draw people’s attention elsewhere.

It was a political judgment worthy of a sect leader, and even I thought it showed sound administrative sense.

Of course, the fact that the position of Taiji Sword Guardian felt burdensome to me was another matter. At some point, explaining every day that I was a lay disciple of the Wudang Sect had already become tiresome, so perhaps this made things easier. If I simply showed the tassel, those who knew would give me the treatment due a Taiji Sword Guardian on their own. In any case, it was better than not having it.

“Here. Take this as well.”

“And what is this?”

Cheong-ui handed me a box. It was a rather familiar-looking box. When I opened it, a fragrant scent spread out.

“Did you not know? Does not every Taiji Sword Guardian receive one Supreme Clarity Pill?”

“…Ah.”

Even if he had given me the position for political reasons, he still intended to provide everything that came with it. There was truly no reason to refuse this, so I bowed my head deeply.

“Thank you.” And just like that, I became a Taiji Sword Guardian, while the matter was settled with Cheong-hwa being confined in the Cave of Repentance for two years.

Before entering the Cave of Repentance, Cheong-hwa spent one final evening with the disciples, myself included. That was likely Cheong-ui’s own act of consideration.

The children all wailed at the thought that they would not see Cheong-hwa, who was like a father to them, for two years, while I merely smiled bitterly.

“Now you have to act as their Master.”

Once the children had cried themselves to sleep, Cheong-hwa quietly said that to me. I snorted.

“I’m the youngest.”

“Youngest in name only. In practice, the children already follow you a lot, don’t they?”

“That is true.”

“Right. I am counting on you.”

After hesitating, Cheong-hwa quietly asked me something.

“Is Senior Brother Cheong-su really dead?”

Cheong-hwa looked extremely anxious. I looked at him for a moment, then shook my head.

“No. But do not try to find him. He is trying to live a new life.”

“Ha ha. Then that is a relief. Only now can I go in with an easier mind.”

And just like that, Cheong-hwa entered the Cave of Repentance the next day.

I watched him go in together with my Senior Brothers. Cheong-hwa waved at us as he entered. The heavy worry that had been hanging over his face was already gone.

* * *

“You have scarcely paid any attention to the merchant company at all.”

The moment I entered the headquarters of the Radiant Crystal Merchant Company, Jo Chung-heon threw that barb at me. Even I had to admit I had strayed too far from the merchant company.

“My apologies.”

“There is no need to apologize. If the Branch Master’s fame keeps growing, the number of commissions to our merchant company will only keep rising.”

Jo Chung-heon nodded as if he had just rationalized it for himself. He really was an excellent subordinate who thought through his superior’s circumstances on his own.

“By the way, the person you brought back is remarkably capable.”

“Ah. Really? That is good to hear.”

As Yu Cha-ryeon herself had said, she truly handled work extremely well. She was sharp as well. After hearing things once, she grasped the entire flow of how matters in the business world were handled. Her daughter, Fang So-hwa, also seemed to be sticking close to Yu Cha-ryeon and learning many things from her.

On top of that, the merchant company had achieved truly remarkable growth even without me. Then again, if we used Heaven’s Gift Merchant Company’s distribution network, all we had to do was prepare goods and sell them. Considering the cost and difficulty of building a distribution network from scratch, it was virtually a matter of putting money down and eating money.

So even without me, money had been piling up steadily in the warehouses of the Radiant Crystal Merchant Company, and before I knew it, we seemed to have become a merchant company with a respectable name inside Hubei.

“Ah, but Branch Master. A letter arrived for you.”

“A letter?”

“Yes. It came from the Central Plains Merchant Union Council.”

“Ah. Those old men.”

I let out a sigh. I had known that once the merchant company grew to a certain size, the time would come when I had to face them, but there had been too many urgent matters recently, and I had forgotten.

The Central Plains Merchant Union Council. It was, quite literally, a council joined by all the major merchants of the Central Plains, including the Huizhou merchants and the Shanxi merchants.

Of course, not all of them had joined willingly. The men occupying the high seats in that council were, for the most part, washed-up relics who had once been somebody.

To put it bluntly, it was a place where people lived by sucking the blood of active merchants, so merchant company masters usually hated it. Even so, the reason such a place continued to survive was because those old men possessed the connections to make life difficult for merchant companies.

Clicking my tongue, I opened the letter.

“It truly does not deviate from my expectations by even an inch.”

Predictably, the letter contained an order to attend a council session. The agenda of the meeting was approval of the Radiant Crystal Merchant Company’s admission into the Central Plains Merchant Union Council.

The letter was written as if, now that our company had finally grown to a certain scale, we had at last earned the qualification to join the council. It was revolting to read.

I read the letter all the way to the end. Naturally, because it was a council joined by all merchant companies, not everyone attended every time it was called. So at the end of the letter, they had listed the people scheduled to attend.

In other words, only the merchant companies interested in this agenda would show up.

“…What is this?”

I rubbed my eyes and looked at the letter again. The agenda consisted of just one item. Approval of the Radiant Crystal Merchant Company’s admission into the Central Plains Merchant Union Council. So I had assumed that not many merchant companies would attend.

Heaven’s Gift Merchant Company.

Janggyeong Merchant Company.

All-Under-Heaven Merchant Company.

Yunchang Merchant Company.

Qin-Jin Merchant Company.

Oui Merchant Company.

…

The names of the merchant companies attending this session were listed in a long line. It meant that all of them were interested in the agenda concerning the Radiant Crystal Merchant Company and intended to cast votes. The merchant companies of the Huizhou Fifteen Clans, the merchant companies of the Shanxi Four Families, and even other merchant companies known for their prominence in their respective regions had all declared that they would attend.