Chapter 422
## Chapter 422. The Price of Fame (2)
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“Ugh…… I truly cannot bear to watch this!”
A smooth brow furrowed deeply, and her elegant, curved eyebrows raised sharply in irritation. Even with her features twisted in anger, she possessed such a refined grace and striking allure that most onlookers would have been utterly captivated, their mouths hanging agape.
However, the current crop of disciples from the Tai-eul Sect were well aware that this stunning woman transformed into an unyielding, freezing specter whenever her temper flared. They quickly and cautiously moved to soothe her frayed nerves.
“Wang Sa-jeo, please, compose yourself.”
Even Gang Yu-seong, who stood at the absolute pinnacle of martial skill among the junior generation of the Tai-eul Sect, treaded lightly as he attempted to calm her down, nervously reading her expression.
“Yu-seong Sa-je! Do you honestly believe this situation is acceptable?”
“…….”
Confronted by words that cut through the air like a piercing shard of ice, he chose to remain silent and shut his mouth tight. It was hard to process how someone who normally looked after him and the other younger disciples with the warmth of a mother could shift into such a terrifyingly detached state in the blink of an eye. The youthful Yu-seong simply lacked the experience to handle her when she was like this.
At that moment, Gwak Sam-nam, who had been quietly observing the interaction from the sidelines, offered a measured perspective.
“For the time being, word has it that a message has already been dispatched to the Dae-sa-hyeong. The senior leaders within our order will likely come to a resolution on the matter shortly as well.”
The sole catalyst for Wang So-so’s icy fury was the crowd of agitators staging a demonstration right outside the boundaries of the Tai-eul Sect. Before anyone had realized it, the mob assembling near the front entrance had swelled to over seventy individuals, causing the surrounding environment to grow increasingly hostile.
Every single time the younger initiates attempted to cross the threshold of the Tai-eul Sect’s main gate, they were subjected to increasingly venomous and intense glares. People who had initially confined themselves to muttering a few disgruntled complaints were now openly hurling vulgar insults and aggressively provoking the young children.
Yet, the moment the senior elders of the Tai-eul Sect walked out, these agitators would instantly feign total innocence, acting as though they had done nothing wrong. This duplicity caused a stifling and deeply uncomfortable tension to settle over the entire sect.
To make matters worse, the parents who had sent their young children to train at the Tai-eul Sect were becoming gripped by an escalating anxiety. Consequently, young students began missing their scheduled lessons one after another.
As an emergency fix, the Tai-eul Sect instructed the children to utilize the rear entrance instead. However, a portion of the mob quickly caught on, shifting their positions to blockade the back gate and continuing their harassment there.
“No matter how one looks at it, isn’t this incredibly underhanded? Are people who call themselves martial artists truly reduced to committing such petty acts!”
Gwak Sam-nam could only offer a hollow, cynical smile in response to Wang So-so’s outburst. In his younger days, he too had harbored romantic illusions about the denizens of the Murim. But as the years passed and he matured, those illusions shattered into disappointment, leaving him in a state where he no longer expected anything honorable from them.
“As it stands, there is simply no legal or moral leverage to force their dispersal.”
This wasn’t a coordinated assault by a singular, rival group that they could openly fight; it was a loose collection of individual martial artists supposedly acting on their own whims. Even the local Hefei branch of the Murim Alliance merely shrugged, maintaining the stance that they were powerless to interfere in a voluntary gathering. After all, no actual physical violence or crime had been committed yet.
“Augh! It drives me mad!”
“Sa-jeo, please, try to lower your voice and calm down.”
Both Gwak Sam-nam and Gang Yu-seong found themselves breaking out in a cold sweat as they desperately tried to placate Wang So-so. Naturally, their frantic efforts only served to make Wang So-so feel more stifled and exasperated.
*‘Seriously!!!’*
Having actively assisted with the operations of the Daicheon Merchant Group, Wang So-so possessed a much broader view of the crisis. She understood perfectly well that the immediate nuisance of these external protesters was merely the tip of the iceberg.
The genuine, catastrophic threat was unfolding within the finances of the Daicheon Merchant Group itself.
With the primary channels of capital abruptly frozen, cries of financial distress were already echoing from various sectors of the business. While a steady stream of small-scale coin was still being generated by retail outlets, lodgings, and eateries scattered across the Cheonmok Mountain territory, the foundational pillar of the Daicheon Merchant Group relied heavily on large-scale trade involving raw materials, particularly mining products.
Because the financial transactions for these ventures involved astronomical sums of money, a simple delay in capital fulfillment from even a single major partner could jeopardize the stability of the entire Daicheon Merchant Group. Even if they wished to pivot their business model to avoid this stranglehold, the perpetual shortage of available hands made executing such an abrupt shift nearly impossible. Furthermore, launching a brand-new commercial enterprise required an immense amount of time just to stabilize, leaving them caught in a brutal, inescapable trap.
Having been raised around the intricate workings of trade since her infancy, Wang So-so recognized better than anyone that this systemic financial paralysis would not magically vanish the moment the Tai-eul Sect threw open its doors.
“Even so, this leaves a terrible taste in one’s mouth. Even if we are barred from striking back at them directly, it would serve us well to devise an indirect method to make them pay.”
Hearing Gang Yu-seong’s measured words, a sudden spark of realization flashed through Wang So-so’s mind, causing a visible shiver to run down her spine.
“Exactly! How did that slip my mind?!”
If a frontal assault was out of the question, they could easily strike from the flanks. If those scoundrels were willing to resort to such underhanded, miserable tactics, then there was absolutely no reason for her side to cling stubbornly to fair play and honor.
“Sam-nam! If I recall correctly, your father works as the head chef over at the Hwa-eom Inn, isn’t that right?”
“Pardon? Ah…… yes, that’s correct.”
“And Il-nam’s father operates a metalworking forge?”
“Yes. It’s a modest establishment, but he relocated out to Hefei to run his blacksmith shop.”
“Precisely. Because turning a profit in So-eum-hyeon became an impossible task.”
So-eum-hyeon was the closest settlement to the estate of the Tai-eul Sect. However, as Hefei expanded and the regional highways were properly maintained and paved, the vast majority of essential provisions could be acquired in Hefei with vastly superior quality and much fairer pricing. Naturally, this economic shift left So-eum-hyeon populated almost exclusively by aging tradesmen struggling to get by.
Yet, the martial artists currently making a nuisance of themselves outside the Tai-eul Sect weren’t about to journey all the way to Hefei for basic necessities, given that the trip took over half a day even at a brisk pace. Consequently, they had no choice but to procure their sustenance and lodging within the immediate confines of So-eum-hyeon.
“Move out!”
“Uh, yes? Where exactly are we going?”
Wang So-so gave her heavily weighted coin pouch a firm shake, a sharp glint appearing in her eyes.
“To restructure a village.”
“Excuse me?”
Utterly baffled by Wang So-so’s cryptic declaration, Gang Yu-seong and Gwak Sam-nam exchanged confused glances. Nevertheless, they fell into step right behind her. Experience had taught them that following Wang So-so’s lead never resulted in failure.
Upon stepping into So-eum-hyeon, Wang So-so immediately sought out the proprietors of every single tavern and lodging house in the area.
“My gratitude.”
Without wasting a single moment, she confronted the landlords and purchased the properties outright. While it was true that these businesses had recently experienced a minor surge in patronage due to the influx of people heading toward the Tai-eul Sect, there was zero guarantee of how long this artificial boom would last. Thus, the owners found it impossible to turn down Wang So-so’s staggering offer, which was double the market value of their properties.
To sweeten the pot, Wang So-so included a condition allowing them to retain their positions as managers while drawing a guaranteed monthly wage. It was an arrangement so incredibly lucrative it felt as though a mountain of gold had dropped out of the sky into their laps while they slept. There was simply no logical reason to decline.
Having acquired the primary lodgings and taverns in a flash as if she were merely buying cheap confections, Wang So-so marched down the main thoroughfare, buying out the modest dining establishments and even the makeshift street stalls. In a mere half-day, the entirety of the small settlement known as So-eum-hyeon had transitioned completely into Wang So-so’s possession.
“Listen closely, for I am about to outline your directives for the day.”
Assembling the local merchants and laborers who were now her direct employees, Wang So-so delivered her orders with absolute authority.
“Effective immediately, we are tripling the cost of all meals, spirits, and overnight accommodations. Every single rate will be increased by three times.”
“What? Surely you jest!”
“What could possibly possess you to do that…… won’t that drive every last patron away?”
“Is that so? We shall soon see whether they truly have a choice.”
Though the mandate left them completely dumbfounded, not a single soul dared to countermand the orders of Wang So-so, their new benefactor and master. In truth, they risked absolutely nothing of their own capital.
Predictably, the individuals who erupted in sheer outrage when the sun rose on tripled prices were the independent martial artists relying on So-eum-hyeon for their daily survival.
“There must be a limit to greed! To arbitrarily triple the cost of living in a single night is madness!”
“Never in all my years in the Jianghu have I witnessed such blatant, extortionate profiteering!”
“Where is the master of this establishment? Tell the owner to show themselves this instant!”
Stepping forward to confront the angry mob were Wang So-so, Gang Yu-seong, and Gwak Sam-nam. Naturally, a formidable contingent of elite guards from the Wang Family Manor stood closely behind them, hands resting on their weapons.
“I am the proprietor of these establishments. My name is Wang So-so.”
The agitators, momentarily dazed and rendered speechless by her breath-taking appearance, quickly shook off their daze and began loudly venting their grievances directly to her face.
“Even if you represent the prestige of the Wang Family Manor, we will not sit idly by and accept such malicious price-gouging!”
“Is that a fact? And what, precisely, do you intend to do about it?”
“Uh, what?”
A cold smile, chilling enough to freeze an alpine flower, swept over her features, instantly cowing the loud-mouthed crowd.
“Are you planning to march over to the gates of the Wang Family Manor and stage a protest there as well? Just as you have so boldly done at the Tai-eul Sect?”
“…….”
Wang So-so stared down the menacing crowd of warriors, refusing to yield even an inch of ground.
“If the rates here do not align with your coin purses, you are perfectly free to journey to Hefei. The Wang Family Manor has no interest in forcing our services upon unwilling patrons.”
“…….”
Faced with a sudden threefold spike in daily expenses, the martial artists were left with two choices: they either packed their bags and trudged off toward Hefei while muttering bitter profanities, or they stubbornly sat on the dirt roads, attempting to weather the storm out of sheer spite.
As the taverns, inns, and local markets steadily emptied of patrons, the former shop owners, who had expected a thriving business, actually began to feel a deep anxiety on behalf of Wang So-so.
“Young mistress, wouldn’t it be far wiser to lower the rates back to normal before we lose everyone?”
“There is no need to fret. Simply look at this as an unexpected period for internal maintenance and renovations.”
At her command, a massive wave of carpenters and laborers who had previously been contracted to rebuild the Tai-eul Sect and the Wang Family Manor descended upon the village, immediately beginning extensive repairs on the dilapidated shopfronts.
In the meantime, the agitators maintaining the blockade outside the Tai-eul Sect began to experience a harsh reality check after two or three days had slipped by. They quickly discovered that trekking all the way to Hefei for every single meal was an exhausting ordeal, and relying strictly on foul-tasting Fasting Pills and dried jerky without a proper roof over their heads was a miserable existence.
Those who had been keeping a close eye on their peers quietly began to slip away, migrating back toward So-eum-hyeon one by one under the cover of night.
And then—
“The rates have adjusted. You must pay double the current listed price.”
Capitalizing on their desperate return, Wang So-so remorselessly doubled the already inflated rates once more.
“What kind of wretched, despicable trickery is this!”
“The baseline price from three days ago was already an extortionate triple the standard rate!”
“Ah, it seems you lack a basic understanding of commerce. The volume of travelers seeking refuge within So-eum-hyeon has multiplied exponentially compared to a few days ago. With such a massive surge in demand, it is only natural that the premium doubles to reflect the scarcity.”
As the total count of martial artists descending upon the vicinity of the Tai-eul Sect climbed well into the hundreds, a wealthier tier of warriors emerged who simply did not care if the price was doubled, tripled, or worse, so long as they secured comfort. The moment the crowd realized that the available rooms and tables in So-eum-hyeon were finite, the situation deteriorated into a frantic, competitive bidding war just to secure a place to sleep. Under such chaotic conditions, the concept of a fair price ceased to exist entirely.
“If the terms are unacceptable, you are more than welcome to vacate the premises. I certainly won’t stand in your way.”
Faced with Wang So-so’s unwavering, icy demeanor, the martial artists, though bursting with profound indignation, refused to give up their hard-won spots. They knew with absolute certainty that the second they relinquished their place, another desperate warrior would instantly snatch it up.
Watching this masterclass in economic warfare unfold, the two junior disciples could only look on with bated breath, utterly terrified.
“She is absolutely terrifying…….”
Gang Yu-seong gave a solemn, slow nod in agreement with Gwak Sam-nam, who had barely managed to squeeze the words out of his throat.
“An old innkeeper uncle told me a long time ago that there is a breed of human far more perilous than a madman swinging a blade around.”
“More…… perilous than that?”
Gwak Sam-nam tilted his head, visibly intrigued.
“Indeed. He told me that an individual who wields vast sums of money like a weapon is the most terrifying entity you will ever cross in this world.”
Sam-nam’s eyes drifted back toward So-so. There she stood, elegantly masking her mouth with the back of her hand, letting out a delicate ‘Ohoho’ laughter as she utterly mocked and manipulated the desperate martial artists before her.
“…….”
He turned his gaze back to Yu-seong, a look of profound understanding dawning upon his face as he gave a firm nod.
“……Let us make an absolute vow never to cross Wang Sa-jeo, no matter the circumstance.”
“Agreed!”
The two junior disciples locked eyes and gave each other a resolute, unyielding nod of agreement.
Despite the massive uproar that had consumed the estate, I ultimately managed to avoid being dragged away for interrogation by the Inspection Pavilion.
When you really strip away the drama, the logic is entirely transparent. I committed absolutely no wrongdoing, so by what right should I be forced to stand before the Inspection Pavilion or the Enforcement Pavilion to clear my name?
Thus, I spent my days in total tranquility, leisurely sipping premium tea inside the comfort of my personal quarters.
“What you are describing is fundamentally referred to as house arrest.”
“My apologies, but my ears seem to be entirely blocked to your voice.”
“…….”
I am merely sitting perfectly still within my own lodging, appreciating a fine brew. How could anyone misinterpret this as house arrest? This is nothing short of a blissful, well-deserved vacation after an incredibly taxing period.
“Sigh…….”
Eun-ho rubbed his temples with tremendous force, clearly battling a massive, stress-induced migraine. The poor bastard…… despite the countless warnings I gave him to stay far away from the Mantong-bu, he just wouldn’t listen. Tsk.
“I gave you fair warning, did I not? I explicitly told you that immersing yourself in the affairs of the Mantong-bu would turn your hair white before your time…….”
“And whose fault do you think it is that I had to go there in the first place!”
*Slurp—*
What was that sudden, unseemly shouting?
“As we speak, the entire collective of the Wudang Sect is absolutely boiling with rage. The leadership at their primary mountain sect will undoubtedly demand formal accountability regarding this incident.”
I calmly dabbed away a stray drop of tea that had trickled down the side of my lip. Look, I understand perfectly well what kind of anxiety is eating away at Eun-ho’s heart. However, there is a fundamental flaw in his outlook.
“Then what exactly would you have had me do? Are you suggesting I should have stood there like an idiot and allowed them to beat me to a bloody pulp?”
“That isn’t what I mean at all…….”
Eun-ho muttered under his breath, grumbling, ‘You should have at least thrashed them with a bit of moderation.’
I am fully aware of the boundaries. I know exactly how much force to apply to keep an incident from spiraling completely out of control.
But how could anyone expect me to pass up such an incredibly magnificent opportunity? To be presented with a flawless, legitimate excuse to thoroughly break the pride of the Wudang Sect into pieces while remaining completely insulated from legal reprisal? Unless I decided to throw away my righteous standing and join the Black Path, an occasion this perfect would never present itself again.
“Listen to me carefully, Eun-ho. Allowing such a glorious opportunity to slip through your fingers is the height of foolishness.”
“Even if you frame it that way…… the economic fallout from this mess is multiplying exponentially by the hour.”
“Hmm?”
Eun-ho reached into the folds of his robes and pulled out a sealed parchment.
“An express courier delivered this from the Tai-eul Sect.”
“What could possibly be written in there to make you act so dramatic…….”
The very instant my eyes scanned the contents of the missive, my entire skeletal structure locked up in pure shock.
“The letter states that the mob gathered outside the gates of the Tai-eul Sect demanding the lifting of the Seclusion has swelled past the hundreds. To make matters worse, because of your recent stunt, the martial artists from the Wudang Sect are going to converge on the location as well. If this persists…… the Tai-eul Sect will be backed into an impossible corner.”
Eun-ho continued to drone on about various logistics at my side, but his words completely failed to register in my brain. The specific details transcribed upon the parchment caused a tidal wave of pure, unadulterated fury to erupt from the very depths of my soul.
“You…… those miserable, wretched…….”
“Sa-hyeong, are you finally waking up to the gravity of the political situation…….”
“How dare those insolent parasites attempt to block the flow of my wealth!!!”
To think that the scheduled transactions and payouts for the Daicheon Merchant Group were actually being stalled because of this!
“……Ah, so it was the coin that triggered your wrath?”
Glancing over at Eun-ho, I noticed the fellow had somehow adopted a blank, serene expression reminiscent of a stone Buddha statue.
“It appears that ending the Closed-Gate Seclusion ahead of schedule is now an absolute certainty. However, if the Dae-sa-hyeong is barred from appearing at the formal opening ceremony, won’t that create a massive diplomatic crisis?”
“And why on earth would I be barred from attending?”
“Because you savagely beat the junior disciples of the Wudang Sect.”
“That was a clear case of self-defense against agitators who initiated the conflict.”
“Do you honestly believe the Wudang Sect will simply brush this under the rug? They require the satisfaction of seeing the Dae-sa-hyeong face a formal reprimand—even if it is a complete sham—just so their sect has the political justification to discipline their own members.”
In a crisis like this, shouldn’t a martial brother unconditionally back my play? Why on earth has he turned so cold and analytical? Does the wellspring of the Mantong-bu only serve up freezing water loaded with shards of ice?
“Yes, indeed. Thaaaaank you so very much for offering such a chillingly detached analysis of my predicament.”
I really nurtured a tiger cub only to be bitten; I raised a feral beast.
The projected timeline for the Tai-eul Sect to dissolve its Seclusion was already roughly aligned with my original estimates anyway. Ultimately, the moment the junior disciples of the Tai-eul Sect were scheduled to begin their mandatory public service, the barrier would have had to come down regardless.
“I am not jesting about this. Our current positioning is incredibly disadvantageous.”
The core issue was that the surrounding political landscape was completely stacked against us. After pondering the matter for a brief moment, I reached over and gave Eun-ho’s shoulder a reassuring pat.
“Banish your worries. I have a definitive countermeasure.”
“A countermeasure?”
The corners of Eun-ho’s anxious eyes narrowed into thin, deeply suspicious slits.
“By any stretch of the imagination, are you plotting a prison break from the Golden Prison?”
“…….”
“No! Then perhaps…… if you are harboring any insane thoughts about summoning the forces of the Black Dragon Fort, you must absolutely abandon that notion immediately!”
What?
“The same goes for the Four Black Lotus! If you dare to call upon them in the midst of this volatile situation!”
I began to wonder what kind of unhinged monster I actually represented in Eun-ho’s imagination.
“Eun-ho.”
“Absolutely not! Under no circumstances will I allow it!”
“Eun-ho, look at me.”
“Whatever madness you are cooking up, drop it this instant!”
“Eun…….”
“Just remain confined within these walls in absolute silence……!”
“It seems your physical existence has been far too comfortable and devoid of pain during my travels. Seeing as you feel entirely comfortable defying your Dae-sa-hyeong with such blatant irreverence.”
“No, that isn’t what I meant…… Gack!”
The exact moment I was preparing to channel the advanced principles of my newly mastered Shura Gold-Shattering Jade-Breaking Finger directly into Eun-ho’s pressure points with a healthy dose of fraternal affection—
“We have arrived on official business from the Palace of the Alliance Leader. You are requested to accompany us immediately.”
An envoy from the leadership of the Murim Alliance had arrived at the threshold.
I shifted my gaze back and forth between the trembling Eun-ho and the entranceway, a massive, predatory grin spreading across my face.
“It has finally arrived. The perfect opening to completely shatter and rebuild the board.”
