Chapter 42 : Chapter 42

Chapter 42. Tsk, Can't You Understand When I Say It Like This? (4)

At the woman's words, Cha Museong didn't blink an eye.

Continuing to stroke the woman's cheek mockingly, he said with composure.

“Ho, the reason being? Try saying it.”

Anyway, it will be meaningless, but I will listen.

That was the attitude.

But she continued speaking regardless.

“I am already promised to be married to another person. So I cannot become the Elder’s.”

“It doesn't become much of a problem.”

“…….”

“Just say it. Which bastard dares to say he will take you?”

I will cut off that bastard's head and make this problem not a problem at all.

That was the spirit.

But she continued speaking calmly without being intimidated at all.

“It is Young Master Namgung Sang of the Namgung Clan.”

“……Namgung?”

Cha Museong’s eyes, which had been oily, changed for the first time.

He lowered the hand stroking the girl's cheek and said with a stiff expression.

“You are having a marriage with the son of the Namgung Clan?”

“That is the agreement.”

“At best a daughter of a brothel becomes the daughter-in-law of that high-nosed Namgung Clan? Will anyone believe that?”

She continued speaking clearly in a quiet voice.

“As you know, my father’s business means are very excellent.”

“……That is true.”

How excellent those means were, that he, the second-in-command of the Limitless Gate, had to come personally.

What it means is…….

Originally, eighty percent of the brothels in Yueyang are places that pay money to the Limitless Gate and receive protection.

But the tribute money coming from those brothels dropped sharply. Naturally, the Limitless Gate pressed the brothels, and the brothels blamed Jinju Tower for the cause.

There was no need to lie.

Because they only needed to tell the truth.

[A newly created brothel called Jinju Tower took all the guests.]

[Since all the rich guests go there, we are about to close the business like this.]

[That is why the protection fee decreased. We didn't embezzle a penny. It is true.]

Upon investigating by sending people at those words, it was true.

A suddenly appeared competitor swept money crazily in the brothels of Yueyang, and due to that, income decreased.

So the Limitless Gate’s income also decreased.

Naturally, the Limitless Gate also moved.

If Jinju Tower is earning that much money, the answer is one of two.

Swallow it?

Or destroy it?

Since the estimated income of Jinju Tower was so much, Cha Museong, the second-in-command of the Limitless Gate, came personally.

That means.

That much, the amount of money this Tower Lord of Jinju Tower earns cannot be ignored.

“Hmm, so he took all his business talent and business entities and pushed his daughter into the Namgung Clan, is that it?”

“Even the Namgung Clan needs money after all.”

“So those stiff-necked bastards are coming all the way from Anhui to Yueyang?”

“Even the second-in-command of the Limitless Gate came, is there a reason they cannot come?”

“Hmm…….”

It is clever eloquence.

If he doubts further here, the Limitless Gate looks lighter than the Namgung Clan.

‘Smart wench.’

Cha Museong glanced at the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower.

Seeing him glaring at himself with sorrowful eyes while bleeding from the mouth, he smirked.

“More ambitious than I thought.”

“Cough……. Kueuk…….”

“And having a covetable treasure too.”

Cha Museong looking at the woman in front of his eyes again.

He said toward the woman.

“Come to think of it, I still don't know your name.”

“……I am called Jang Munhui.”

“Hmm, the name is pretty too. What if I kidnap you right here now?”

“The Namgung Clan will be enraged, right?”

“Would our sect fear mere scholars of Anhui?”

“But it could become the trigger for a full-scale collision between the Eight Gates of the Evil Way and the Righteous Murim.”

“Do you think your value is that great? If someone hears, they would think a Great War between Righteous and Evil would break out just because of you alone.”

“It is a sufficiently possible matter.”

“Arrogan…….”

“In the first place!”

She cut off Cha Museong’s words and intervened.

“The trigger of war is always trivial and insignificant things. Meeting eyes with each other or a slip of the tongue spat out while drunk at a drinking party can become the spark of war.”

“Khm…….”

It is true.

Certainly, Jianghu is such a place.

“The important thing is not the motive of the war but how big the board will become if war breaks out. That is, one must focus on how huge and tense the forces of both sides are.”

“…….”

“Currently, Righteous and Evil have accumulated power for a long time, and the power of the Eight Gates of the Evil Way and the Murim Alliance is just before saturation. In such a touch-and-go situation, if this wench…….”

She, who poured out words like a rapid-fire gun, finished speaking slowly with a smile leisurely enough to be enchanting.

“……Could I really not become the spark of war?”

“…….”

“Really?”

“…….”

The atmosphere changed.

Before anyone knew it, Jang Munhui, who had little power, was implicitly pushing Cha Museong, the Elder of the Limitless Gate and a giant of the Unorthodox sects.

Using logical assumption as a weapon, she is threatening someone overwhelmingly stronger than herself.

‘This bitch dares…….’

Cha Museong realized this fact, and his face turned red with shame and anger.

If he just reaches out his hand, he can twist that slender neck like a sick chicken's neck right now. But…….

‘If this wench's bluff is truth, it is true that it is troublesome.’

Cha Museong actually thought her words were a bluff.

Words coming from the mouth of a human cornered are mostly bluffs or excuses. But…….

If by any chance it is real, it becomes a headache.

Really, if this wench is connected with the Namgung Clan, the absurd bluff coming from this wench's mouth cannot be dismissed as mere delusion.

It means there is a possibility that a full-scale war breaks out between the Murim Alliance and the Eight Gates of the Evil Way.

‘I cannot cause such an accident coming to increase one money line.’

He doesn't fear the Namgung Clan.

But if friction arises with the Namgung Clan and his older brother holds him accountable for that responsibility…….

‘Kuk…….’

Just thinking about it makes his spine chill.

Although Cha Museong lives committing tyranny as his heart desires violently as if there is nothing to fear in the world, there is something he fears too.

His older brother and the Sect Leader of the Limitless Gate, Iron Blood Fist King Cha Mugyeom.

In his childish younger days, he tried hard and attempted to surpass his brother, but what returned was only greater fear and terror.

“Tsk, I will trust you once this time.”

Eventually, Cha Museong backs down.

And looking at Jang Munhui of Jinju Tower, he said.

“I will find out separately if your words are true.”

“…….”

“In the unlikely event that it is a lie, you will regret being born into the world.”

“Do as you please.”

Jang Munhui bowed her head and answered.

A small emotion of relief appeared on her face.

‘Somehow passed.’

It was truly a narrow escape.

Although the crisis hasn't passed completely yet, she lived for now.

Cha Museong opened the door roughly and went out. Then Jang Munhui approached her fallen father and said.

“Are you alright.”

“I…… I am fine. But…….”

“It’s fine. As long as the Namgung Clan comes on time, the Limitless Gate won't attack recklessly either.”

“…….”

What Jang Munhui said wasn't a bluff.

Although she hid quite important facts, it is true that marriage talks are going back and forth between her and the Namgung Clan.

And once that marriage is concluded, no matter if it is the Limitless Gate, they won't be able to persecute them recklessly. The important thing is…….

“Father. When did you say the Namgung Clan is coming?”

“I received a reply saying fifteen days from now.”

“Fifteen days…….”

Long.

It is too long a time to endure with a tiger nearby. But there is no other way.

“Until then, we have to hold out by ourselves somehow.”

“Will that work? We don't have the power to oppose the Limitless Gate right now.”

“There are guard warriors hired this time, aren't there? We have to use them.”

“They are rabble of the Unorthodox sects. Will they fight against the Limitless Gate?”

“We have to use money.”

Then the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower frowned and said.

“We already put up ten thousand taels of gold, you mean spend more?”

“Father. Money has no meaning just by possessing it.”

“…….”

“The true power of money is revealed when used.”

And Jang Munhui spoke as if she had firmed her resolve.

“Tomorrow. Please gather all the guard warriors undergoing the second round test. And…….”

* * *

Next day.

Jinju Tower gathered all warriors currently testing in one place.

Most were full of dissatisfaction, but that wasn't what was important right now.

“To the warriors striving day and night to protect our Jinju Tower, this Jang Mo expresses gratitude sincerely.”

Words of appreciation spoken while bowing politely.

But there was not a single answer returning.

The warriors who continued practically unpaid labor under the excuse of a test began to feel skepticism slowly, and above all…….

‘Fire fell on the foot.’

‘Indeed, since they got marked by the Limitless Gate.’

‘Is it the end here too now?’

Rumors in Jianghu are surprisingly fast.

The story that the Limitless Gate came to the multi-decked ship of Jinju Tower yesterday and threw its weight around has already spread.

Since it happened in broad daylight in front of everyone, it is natural.

And no matter how confident they are in their skills, there was no reason for them to confront the Limitless Gate, a corner of the Eight Gates of the Evil Way.

‘Although ten thousand taels of gold is a waste…….’

‘Can't be helped.’

Most of them already had their hearts leave.

And the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower also roughly guessed their feelings. However…….

‘Cannot end like this.’

The Tower Lord of Jinju Tower spoke the main point abruptly.

“Khm……. As those who know already know, this Jinju Tower is receiving unreasonable demands from the Limitless Gate.”

“So? Are you telling us to fight the Limitless Gate?”

“I will say in advance, I refuse.”

“Same for me too.”

“Ten thousand taels of gold is too cheap for the price of life.”

Toward such them, the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower spoke firmly.

“One hundred thousand taels of gold.”

The audience murmured.

The amount suddenly increased ten times.

And continuing to speak…….

“I am not giving it to those who fight. It is the amount given to the one who gathers the most people from now on.”

“What does that mean?”

“Our Jinju Tower also has no intention of fighting the Limitless Gate. Whichever side wins, isn't it inevitable to suffer damage?”

The expression ‘whichever side wins’ was a bit too shameless, but the amount of one hundred thousand taels of gold was valuable enough to focus on the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower’s words.

“From now on, this Jinju Tower will increase guard warriors.”

“How many?”

“All as much as possible.”

“…….”

“Traditionally, the four seas are brothers. I think heroes like you must have many friends who help and rely on each other.”

Let’s keep listening.

“We will gather as many numbers as possible and increase the force from now on. We will gather enough personnel that the Limitless Gate would be reluctant to confront.”

“Ideally, that would cost a lot of money?”

“We can easily afford to spend up to one million taels of gold.”

“Crazy…….”

Just how much money does the owner of a mere brothel have?

One million taels of gold.

It is not an amount that comes out easily in Jianghu.

It is an amount that would come out when Magistrates governing land of province unit budget in the country.

To afford that…….

“Of course, the one million taels of gold we pay here is a promissory note. It will be paid in ten-year installments.”

The interest cooled down slightly.

“However, I promise to pay the one hundred thousand taels of gold to be paid to the one who brings the most force in cash right on the spot.”

Cool down my foot.

The heat is flaring up even hotter.

That is, this means…….

“You mean you will pay one hundred thousand taels of gold to the one who gathers the most people?”

“Right on the spot.”

“……You aren't going back on your word, right? In the first place, using tricks this time too…….”

It was then.

When the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower gestured behind, men with rugged muscles brought heavy boxes.

Thud!

Boxes making a heavy sound every time put down. A whopping ten of them. One can roughly guess what that is without saying.

The Tower Lord of Jinju Tower says.

“Open the boxes.”

And as the lids of the boxes opened, the spectacle everyone was thinking unfolded.

Gold ingots full in every box.

“Gasp……. Surely really……?”

“Oh…… Ooh…….”

Gold sufficient to bewitch people unfolded before eyes. And the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower said.

“As you see, there are actual goods.”

There is no answer heard.

Instead, only the sound of someone swallowing saliva is heard. And the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower said.

“It is ten days from today. The one who brings the most personnel within that time is the owner of these boxes.”

“Oh…… Ooh…….”

“Let’s go! Go quickly and move.”

“Send letters to surrounding sects randomly. The level is fine, so tell them to send as many numbers as possible somehow!”

“Move quickly! Quickly!”

Seeing them moving frantically, the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower sighed in relief.

‘Anyway, Unorthodox bastards are……. But thanks to them, we lived.’

Jinju Tower’s plan is simple.

Increase the headcount as much as possible and buy time so that the Limitless Gate cannot act rashly.

Of course, he knows.

Generally, in the fight of Jianghu, quality is more important than quantity.

It is the war of Jianghu where a few absolute masters decide victory or defeat.

But there is a degree to that too.

If you gather one thousand ordinary civilians who don't know a single martial art move and give them spears, power worthy of being called military force arises.

At least, even third-rate martial arts are fine, so what if you gather that many warriors with even a strand of internal energy?

‘Even the Han Dynasty of the distant past eventually collapsed triggered by the disturbance of the Yellow Turban Rebels.’

Headcount becomes power.

The more, the better.

Of course, the enormous financial expenditure was painful.

Although he said one million taels of gold would be paid as a later promissory note, just the one hundred thousand taels promised as success reward is already most of the cash available to Jinju Tower.

It's a waste. It cannot be not a waste. However…….

[If you think you threw the winning move, there should be no looking back.]

That saying is correct.

And even if that saying is wrong, he had to follow. Because…….

“Excuse me.”

“Mm?!”

Startled.

In this place where everyone ran out, someone remains in front of the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower.

One is a young warrior holding a spear, and behind him is a young man with a sharp impression wearing a green robe.

What is it? Why didn't these two go out?

‘Do they have no people they know?’

To the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower, the warrior holding a spear said.

“Even if we don't particularly gather people, we are not fired from guarding right now, right?”

“That is true.”

Indeed, they must have no friends.

Pitiful things. However…….

“Then, before that, may I talk a bit with the Tower Lord of Jinju Tower?”

“With me?”

“No. I mean I want to talk with the person representing this Jinju Tower.”

“That is me.”

“Tsk, can't you understand when I say it like this?”

“……?”

“Then I will speak more precisely.”

And the young warrior holding a spear smiled and said.

“I want to talk with the current Clan Head of the Jinju Eon Clan.”

“……!”

The Tower Lord of Jinju Tower was greatly shocked.

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