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6.
As Jin Tae-san entered, Hong Mun-gi and Kang Chae-seok welcomed him warmly.
Why do you seem to be getting older day by day?
Jin Tae-san’s face contorted in a grimace at the remark Kang Chae-seok tossed out.
A guy who just loafs around wouldn’t be able to understand. That is the burden of life.
“No, who are you talking about, just loafing around!”
Jin Taesan’s eyes narrow even further.
“When on earth do you plan to extract the sword energy?”
“……
“Do you really think that’s something you can just pick out easily, like a lottery ticket?!”
Kang Chae-seok, who was originally the strongest member of the Taeeul Sect, welcomed the recovery of the Taeeul Jingyeong more than anyone else, and he devoted himself to training with triumphant confidence, believing that he could finally transcend his limits.
However, perhaps due to his age, there was no significant progress.
“If Yusung masters the Sword Energy first, I suppose we must change the head of the Kaihwadang to Yusung. When that time comes, you should also resume your training at Kaihwadang.”
“…….”
Kang Chae-seok, who had cracked a joke only to be met with words in return, gulped down his glass after another as if to shake off the bitterness in his stomach.
Hong Mun-gi, who had been watching the two men bickering, asked Jin Tae-san.
“Are you alright?”
Hong Mun-gi, who had passed on all the burdens of the Taeeul Sect to Jin Tae-san, always felt sorry for him.
However, Jintesan, who knew the sect leader’s heart better than anyone, gently shook his head.
It’s fine. In terms of conditions, things are a hundred times better now than they were ten years ago.
Although he said that, Hong Mun-gi felt nothing but pity for the sight of him washing his face with his hands.
Upon hearing those words, Jin Taesan shook his head once again.
“Don’t worry. If I hadn’t been ambitious, I wouldn’t have worked this hard. If I were to just let this opportunity slip away after working so hard to seize it…”
Then he looked toward the training ground where the children were.
“Won’t you regret it for a long time?”
With a gaze that showed not the slightest wavering, Hong Mun-gi also silently gulped down his drink.
“Right, what wind blew today that brought you here?”
Have I come to a place I shouldn’t have? Why are you acting this way all of a sudden?
“Haha, look at this man. Someone who hasn’t come to Taeeulmun for a single moment these past few months.”
As Jin Taesan scratched his cheek in embarrassment, Hong Mun-gi smiled benevolently.
“Don’t worry. I’m not trying to blame you for that. Your face is full of worry, and I asked because I wanted to share it with you.”
After hesitating for a long time at Munju’s words, Jin Taesan opened his mouth with difficulty.
“Opening the gates of Taeeulmun… how much longer will it be possible?”
“huh?”
Hong Mun-gi and Kang Chae-seok also raised their eyebrows.
Unless the door has not been sealed, since it has been sealed, sufficient preparations must be completed.
Moreover, as of now, they even possess the Daecheon Merchant Guild.
It is evident that as soon as the gates of Taeeulmun open, pressure will come in from all directions.
Since Jin Taesan was not unaware of this, there must have been an intention behind his question.
Hong Mun-gi let out a low groan and asked cautiously.
“Why are you doing this?”
Jin Tae-san looked at Kang Chae-seok and Hong Mun-gi one by one and slowly began to speak.
“Someone has been sent from the Suramun.”
He said he wanted to buy the Daecheon Merchant Guild.
“what?”
The eyes of the two widened, and finally, Kang Chae-seok slammed his fist on the table.
“Daecheon Merchant Guild is already like a pillar of Taeeulmun, so who are you to dare talk about buying and selling it so carelessly?!”
Only then did Hong Mun-gi realize the reason why Jin Tae-san had taken time out of his busy schedule to come all the way to Taeeulmun.
Did you build the Shaolin Temple behind it?
I did mention it.
I suppose it makes sense that they would be so blatant.
Daecheon Merchant Guild has already surpassed the level of the previous Changgung Merchant Guild branch.
It monopolizes the distribution of supplies for the Martial Arts Alliance branches throughout Anhui Province and also holds part of the commercial power in the area of Tianmu Mountain, which serves as a gateway connecting Anhui and Zhejiang Provinces.
The day is not far off when we will expand into Hangzhou, the largest tourist destination in Zhejiang Province, and the day is not far off when we will dominate distribution throughout the entire province.
That is why it is only natural that nearby merchant guilds and sects covet the Great Heaven Merchant Guild.
“Master Wang was very indignant and said he would get involved as well, but doing so would only give the Shura Sect a pretext to drag the Shaolin Temple into it.”
“Right. And if that conflict continues, the Murim Alliance will eventually step in.”
I can roughly guess what happens after that.
As punishment for causing the conflict, the Murim Alliance will reclaim the distribution monopoly in Anhui Province, and merchant guilds from various sects, including the Shura Sect, will divide the distribution rights among themselves.
And the Daecheon Merchant Guild would end up shrinking back to the level of a neighborhood guild, just as before.
Jin Taesan clenched his fists with both hands.
Would it be difficult to open the door?
At that question, Kang Chae-seok hesitated and sighed.
Hong Mun-gi shook his head firmly.
I’m sorry to say this, but I can’t open the door right now.
“If we open the door now, the children will be forced into a fight. As long as we hold a sword, we must not fear battle, but even so, we cannot send unprepared children into a death trap.”
Jin Taesan also nodded.
I had a rough idea. No, I already knew on my own that it wouldn’t work.
I just wanted to relieve this stifling feeling, even if only a little.
“I was thinking the same thing, too.……”
“instead!”
Jin Taesan, who was about to raise his glass, paused.
I’ll be leaving.
“Master!”
Kang Chae-seok could not hide his shocked expression.
I’ve been passing the burden on to you all this time, so isn’t it my turn now?
Jin Taesan stared blankly at Hong Mun-gi.
After obtaining the Taeeul Jingyeong, the sect leader Hong Mun-gi did not rest from training for even a single day.
His skills, which had remained at the second tier, quickly improved, and recently he reached the level of a Sword Energy Merchant.
But that is all.
While the level of the Sword Energy Merchant is formidable within the Taeeul Sect, even in Hefei alone, there are countless masters superior to him.
The biggest chronic problem of the Taeeulmun is the absence of masters to provide teachings.
Since Kang Chae-seok was the greatest master in the history of the Taeeul Sect, those aspiring to higher levels were forced to undertake deep studies alone. ‘It would be better if there were at least someone who could teach me…’ I couldn’t afford to take on other responsibilities when personal training alone was already overwhelming.
After finishing his thoughts, Jin Taesan shook his head.
“No, Master. There is no need for that.”
Because I have already prepared another method.
Hong Mun-gi’s eyes are filled with bewilderment.
“Another way?”
“yes.”
Of course, I don’t have a plan in mind, but right now, I have no choice but to carry this burden myself.
Instead of answering the two curious people, Jin Tae-san forced a smile.
Because if I were to blurt out useless words, it was obvious that both Hong Mun-gi and Kang Chae-seok would throw away their lives.
In times like this, you have to make up an excuse and handle it on your own.
So, please don’t worry.
Jin Taesan, forcing a smile under the weight of his burden, suddenly recalled his son’s face. ‘Did he also force a smile every time?’ Come to think of it, Jin So-un had always smiled only in the worst situations like this.
In a situation where no one inside the door could help, he smiled, saying he could do it himself.
Just how heavy a burden was he carrying?
As I suddenly realized how heavy a burden my son had been carrying all this time, something welled up inside me. ‘You rotten bastard… Did you really not trust your father that much?’ I cursed, overwhelmed by a sense of guilt.
But eventually.
I wish that unworthy son would smile in front of me.
I earnestly wished that I could solve this difficulty together with him.
This is no ordinary matter.
As soon as I saw the secret message the waiter handed me, my brow furrowed involuntarily.
“What on earth, om nom, is going on?”
I looked up at the slurred pronunciation.
Dang Seo-hui is staring with wide eyes, her mouth covered in the sauce for the mixed pork dish.
Good grief…
Come here.
Just in case, I took out the cloth I was carrying and wiped the corners of Dang Seo-hui’s mouth clean.
I honestly can’t tell if I came as an envoy or a nanny.
Still, I breathed a sigh of relief thanks to him not running around trying to play the role of a chivalrous hero anymore.
I hear there is a problem at the sect.
“Mungje?”
“Master Jin, what’s the problem?”
Ilmyeong and Akbyeongbi also look this way.
Just then, a Shaolin disciple is here?
I seriously asked Il-myeong.
“Do you know of the so-called Senior, Shuramun?”
The ‘problem’ of Taeeulmun and ‘Suramun’.
The clever so-called “Illegible” furrowed his brow, having immediately realized what had happened from just these two words.
“Is this a matter between the Sura Gate and the Taeeul Gate?”
I nodded.
It seems the Sura Sect is preparing to expand its influence… and it looks like their target is the Taeeul Sect.
“Amitabha Buddha…….”
While Il-myeong closes his eyes for a moment to think, Ak Byeong-bi asks me.
Are you thinking of going?
“well.”
In any case, the delegation achieved its intended purpose.
Even if I were to briefly step away, it wouldn’t cause any problems with the delegation’s schedule, and the delegation would manage the academic calendar, so aside from the issue of attendance days, there shouldn’t be any major issues.
“Daecheon Merchant Guild is the Taeeulmun’s sole asset and source of revenue. It would be a lie to say I’m not worried.”
When I deliberately spoke as if to make Il-myeong hear, Il-myeong, who had his eyes closed, slowly opened them.
I don’t know much about what the elders in the temple do, either.
Of course! I suppose so.
I just stared intently at Il-myeong without saying a word.
“C-cough…….”
Until he opens his mouth first.
Eventually, a short while later.
Il-myeong let out a small sigh and said.
Please lend me your wisdom on what to do.
Anyway, I’m telling you, he’s a monk you can really get along with, unlike some people.
This is why I like you, senior.
I answered immediately.
“Please ensure that the Shaolin Temple does not get involved. After all, isn’t it because the Shura Sect relies on the Shaolin Temple’s backing that they can act so cocky? Surely not… Blue, more than anyone else in the world.
Ryeom.
The monks of a temple wouldn’t try to expand their influence out of greed, would they?
However, I wonder if the elders of this mountain will listen to my story…
Crunch crunch
I had no choice but to loosen my wrist.
“Then…… I guess I’ll have to take this opportunity to fight the Shura Sect in earnest.”
As Il-myeong acts defiantly, his eyelids flutter.
After pondering for a long time, Il-myeong lets out a long sigh.
I will inform the elders of this mountain.
Akbyeongbi spoke in a voice filled with concern toward me as I watched the so-called vibrating scalp.
Are you going to go right now?
I would want to go too.
Hey, I’ll just swallow what I was eating… *Sigh*, never mind.
I shook my head.
“No, it’s alright. If the Shaolin Temple doesn’t get involved, I don’t really need to go.”
“Huh? The Shura Gate occupies a mid-to-upper rank even among the 108 Peaks.…….”
Taeeulmun is not that weak either.
Even though I spoke confidently, Ak Byeong-bi still seemed disbelieving.
“Hey, Commander, why the look on your face…?”
“Ahem, it’s nothing.”… …
As soon as I lift the seal, I will immediately challenge the Shandong Yue family to a friendly duel.
Then again, that is how the public eye looks at the time.
“I don’t think the current Taeeulmun can withstand the pressure from the Suramun either. ‘I’ve prepared something else instead.’ I wiped the corners of Dang Seo-hui’s mouth, which was covered in sauce, once again. #“What did you decide to do?”
Jin Taesan answered Wang Geumsan’s question as if nothing were wrong.
There is nothing to think about. It is not time to open the door yet.
“Hmm… I knew it, didn’t I?”
As pity settled on Wang Geum-san’s face, Jin Tae-san burst into hearty laughter.
“You do not need to worry. Though it is just a title, the Taeeulmun occupies a spot on Baekpalbong. They will not be able to act recklessly just because they are the Suramun.”
Wang Geum-san knew better than anyone that Jin Tae-san was not at ease even as he spoke like that.
On the other hand, I was more drawn to the fact that he did not ask for help despite being in such a critical situation.
I have spent my whole life seeing only people reaching out to me for help; was there ever anyone who tried to help me in return?
Wang Geum-san thought that perhaps he became friends with Jin Tae-san because Jin saw him as a human being rather than just a wealthy head of the Wang family.
And for such a friend, he could use his strength to his heart’s content.
“Don’t worry! Shura Sect? If those guys start messing around, our Wang clan won’t sit idly by. After all, isn’t the Wang clan handling the Murim Alliance’s supplies as well?”
However, Jin Taesan merely smiled and avoided answering.
Because he knew very well how much of a burden it would be for Wang Geum-san for the Wang family to get involved in the affairs of the martial arts world.
“Why! Don’t you trust me? I am the one who pressured even the Hwasan and Jeomchang sects! Do you know how much of a headache those bastards had over financial problems because of me!”
Although it has been restored now thanks to the Western Regions route pioneered by Wang Xiaosuo, didn’t that cause the branches throughout Shaanxi Province to be utterly destroyed and the Wang clan to be shaken to its core?
I know that well.
Just as a sigh was about to escape from the situation where, despite their deep concern for each other, no concrete solution emerged.
A servant cautiously entered the office.
“Master Jin. A guest has arrived.”
Wang Geum-san’s face hardened at the servant’s words.
They must be really hot-tempered guys.
Are you from the Sura Gate?
The servant shook his head.
“No. They say they came after being introduced by someone named Jin So-un. Since they share the same surname as the Merchant, I am reporting this just in case.”
“Jin So-woon?” At the mention of “Jin So-woon,” the two people met each other’s eyes.
“Bring him inside.”
A short while later, a middle-aged couple and a girl who appeared to be their daughter entered the building.
The white-haired man exuded a bold and solid aura, while the middle-aged woman stood out with her calm demeanor.
The rosy-cheeked girl was half-hiding behind her mother’s legs, as if afraid to step forward in front of strangers.
Jin Taesan rose from his seat.
“Hello. My name is Jin Taesan. I heard you came through Soun’s introduction?”
Jin So-un would occasionally send people to the Taeeul Sect and the Daecheon Merchant Guild.
Since there were quite a few people like Yoo-seong and Jang Do-won who had come to Taeeulmun through So-un and settled down, he had come to accept it.
As Jin Taesan lightly clenched his fist in greeting, the man followed suit and spoke.
I tried to survive on my own, but it was not easy, so I have moved forward with heavy steps like this.
At the middle-aged man’s words, Wang Geum-san, who was standing behind him, muttered softly, “The money ghost has entered again,” and Jin Tae-san gave him a look to shut his mouth.
In any case, he is a guest sent by his son.
If he sent them, there must be a reason, and wouldn’t helping them as much as he can be the best way to help his son?
Jin Taesan asked politely.
“If it is not too presumptuous, may I ask for your name? I will look to see if there are any letters left by your son.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t even tell you my name.”
A middle-aged man scratching his head in embarrassment.
A moment later, the man once again grasped the bow and politely introduced himself.
My name is Baek Haegwang.
He was the person who gave the most straightforward self-introduction I have ever seen.
