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6. <혼란을 잠재우는 흑염룡>“끄, 끝났군요.”
진태산의 목소리엔 감동이 잔뜩 묻어 있었다.
왕금산 또한 눈가의 검은 그림자가 턱까지 내려왔었지만, 표정만큼은 세상을 다 얻은 듯했다.
“이제 버젓한 상단의 상단주라 부를 수 있겠구먼.”
“장주님 또한 이제 사대 상단이 아닌 이대 상단의 주인이라 해야 하지 않겠습니까.”
“아! 그런가? 진 상단주?”
“그럼요. 왕 대인.”
“음하하하하.”
“하하하하!”
고난의 시간이었다.
진태산은 갑자기 떠안게 된 창궁상단을 대천상단으로 탈바꿈하기 위해 잠을 자는 날보다 자지 못하는 날이 더 많았고.
왕금산은 갑자기 개척된 서역과의 거래 때문에 두 배로 늘어난 천하의 지부들을 관리하기 위해 잠을 줄여야 했다.
더구나 왕소소는 그 와중에 대천상단과 왕가장의 상단들의 합작을 통해 강서의 상권을 확장할 방안을 내놓았다.
그 시작이 바로 태을문이 가진 철광석 광산.
태을문이 가진 철광석 광산은 안휘성 내에 가장 많은 철 매장량을 가지고 있었고, 왕가장은 이를 통해 안휘성과 강서 일대의 철 가격을 조절하며 상권의 지배력을 펼쳐 나갔다.
“전 오늘부터 일주일간 계속 잠만 잘 생각입니다.”
“진 상단주도 그렇소? 난 앞으로 보름간은 집에서 나오지 않을 생각이오.”
술잔을 나누던 진태산이 두 손을 모아 공손하게 포권을 쥐었다.
“어쨌든 대천상단이 이리 빨리 자리 잡을 수 있었던 것도 다 장주님 덕분입니다.”
“이를 말이오. 태을문이 철을 공급해 주지 않았다면 애당초 우리 또한 이리 성세를 크게 확장할 수 없었을 것이오.”
왕금산이 겸양을 담아 이야기했지만 진태산은 그가 태을문을 위해 엄청난 배려를 해왔다는 것을 알고 있다.
천하의 왕금산이 뭐가 부족하여 왕가장을 두고 합비의 대천상단에 와서 일을 한단 말인가.
“정말 다시 한번 감사드립니다.”
“하하, 그리 말해 주니 고맙소. 어찌 되었든 나 또한 빚을 갚았다 생각하니 마음이 한결 편해진 느낌이오.”
벌써 이 년 전의 일이었지만 왕금산은 아직도 술만 먹으면 진소운에 대한 칭찬을 쉬지 않았다.‘……
빌어먹을 놈.’하지만 제 아들을 칭찬하는 말에도 진태산은 절로 이가 갈린다.
좋은 일이긴 하나, 어찌 되었든 이 모든 과로의 원인은 진소운이었으니까.
“그럼 이제 대천상단도 슬슬 세를 넓혀야 하지 않겠소?”
그의 말마따나 자리를 확실히 잡은 대천상단은 밀려드는 일감에 절실한 세력 확장이 필요했다.
하지만 인력도 시간도 부족한 진태산의 입장에선 또다시 자기 몸을 깎아가며 무리하고 싶은 마음이 없었다.
“아직 사문이 봉문 중이니 확장은 조금 쉬엄쉬엄하려 합니다.”
왕금산이 혀를 찼다.
“쯔쯧, 장사라는 것은 기세를 타는 것인데. 이리 게을러서야 언제 대천 상단을 안휘성 제일 상단으로 키울 생각이오?”
“…….”
진태산이 정색하며 왕금산을 바라봤지만, 왕금산은 멈추지 않았다.
“계룡상단이 결국 무너지지 않았소? 그 자리를 얼른 채갈 생각을 해야지. 요즘 장사꾼들은 기백이 없어, 기백이. 나 때는 말이오.”
“……
왕소소가 무림맹과 거래를 트고 싶어 하던데 왜 말리신 겁니까?”
음?”
“무림맹을 통해 전국에 오가는 물자의 양과 안정성 때문에 소소가 탐내지 않았습니까. 그거 왜 말리신 겁니까?”
왕금산이 기침을 내뱉었다.
“나 같은 거상은 백과 흑, 어느 한 곳에 적을 두면 힘들어지는 법이라 그렇소.”
“그래서 저희 대천상단이 도와드리겠다 하지 않았습니까. 더구나 태을문의 아이들이 맹에 가면…….”
“어허! 괜찮소. 이 이상 태을문에 빚을 질 순 없소이다!”
왕금산은 단호했다.
하지만 진태산 또한 물러서지 않았다.
“저희 태을문은 그걸 빚으로 생각하지 않을 겁니다!! 이미 베풀어 주신 바가 워낙 대단하니 말입니다!”
“아니 빚을 질 수 없다니까!! 은인에게 빚을 지는 건 내 신념에 맞지 않소!”
서로가 서로에게 일을 주기 위해씩
-씩
– 거리는 동안 사용인이 들어왔다.
“상단주님.”
사용인의 부름에 두 사람이 동시에 대답했다.
“왜?”
“왜 그러느냐?”
사용인은 험악한 분위기에 눈치를 보다 진태산을 보며 말했다.
“손님이 찾아오셨습니다.”
“손님?”
“네. 진소운 공자 편으로 왔다고 전해달라 하시던데요.”
두 사람이 또 동시에 대답했다.
“소운이 그 자식을?”
“우리 진소운을 찾아왔다고?”
왕금산이 헛기침을 하자 진태산이 손님을 안으로 모시도록 했다.
“험, 그럼 진 상단주 나는 이만 가보겠소…….”
“궁금하신 거 아닙니까? 같이 만나시지요.”
“아무리 그래도 난 외부인인데…….”
“할 말도 있으니 계십시오!”
“크흠…… 알겠소.”
잠시 후, 고령의 노인이 안으로 들어섰다.
“진 태산 상단주님 되십니까?”
신기하게도 노인은 진태산을 보자마자 그를 바로 알아보았다.
“그렇습니다. 근데 어찌 아셨습니까?”
“소운이 녀석과 똑 닮아 모를 수가 없더군요.”
노인이 너털웃음을 짓다가 사과했다.
“아, 죄송합니다. 초면에. 워낙 친분이 있었던지라.”
진태산은 고개를 끄덕이며 자리를 안내했고, 노인은 자리에 앉자마자 품 안에서 전표를 꺼내었다.
이게 뭡니까?”
“소운이와 약속한 돈입니다.”
“돈이요?”
“엥?”
진태산이 급히 전표를 펼치자 전표 안에는 금자 육십 냥이라는 금액이 적혀있었다.
“이제 막 마을이 살아난 터라 아직 수익이 그것밖에 되지 않습니다.”
“……?”
이상한 분위기에 노인이 말을 이었다.
“혹여, 이야기를 하지 않은 겁니까?”
“무슨 이야기 말입니까?”
“저희 흑룡현의 수익을 배당하겠다 말했는데.”
“흑룡현?”
“흑룡현이라면…….”
진태산과 왕금산이 동시에 눈을 마주쳤다.
최근 천목산 인근에서 패악질을 부리던 쌍막채가 사라지고 그 자리에 쌍룡채가 들어섰다.
Since Ssangnyongchae charged only a reasonable toll and even provided escort while passing near Mt. Cheonmok, the merchant caravans that had previously circled around Mt. Cheonmok began to visit the mountain again, one by one.
Thanks to that, rumors circulated that nearby villages were also affected by the boom and new commercial districts had emerged.
One of those villages is Heukryonghyeon.
“I definitely heard such news, but…….”
Jin Tae-san also considered the area near Cheonmoksan to expand into a new commercial district, but he felt burdened by the presence of a large mountain stronghold called Ssangnyongchae right next door.
However, it is only natural that both Jin Taesan and Wang Geumsan were stunned to hear such strange talk about suddenly distributing the profits from that place.
“Could it be… that Soun didn’t tell you?”
So-un clearly promised to return the profits from each village in Heukryong-hyeon, as well as Geumpyo-hyeon, Eunho-hyeon, and Dongryong-hyeon, to the Taeeul Sect.
Ah, that is also the reason why the village was named after those children.
Jin Taesan and Wang Geumsan’s mouths dropped open.
I dismissed it, thinking it was surely a coincidence, but who would have thought it was actually related to Taeeulmun?
“What on earth happened?”
The old man told Jin So-un in detail what he had done during the examination process, and Jin Tae-san, having heard the whole story, gnashed his teeth.
“This damn bastard…….”
Leaving aside the fact that you took the priests and carried out such a dangerous undertaking, if such an important matter had occurred, why didn’t you tell me sooner?
“Haha, it seems So-un didn’t take our talk about allocating the quota very seriously.”
I am sorry. It is because I raised my child poorly.
As Jin Taesan bowed his head, the old man was startled and waved his hand.
“Please don’t say that. If it weren’t for Soun, not only would my family not be able to live the way we do now, but our village wouldn’t be able to either.”
Jin Tae-san could not lift his head out of shame at the old man’s words about gold plating, but Wang Geum-san nodded with a proud expression as if it were his own work.
Then, sir, did you come all this way to keep that promise?
The old man waved his hand at Wang Geum-san’s words.
“Oh dear, calling a simple country bumpkin ‘Elder’? Please just call me Old Man Heo. I came to pay my respects and keep my promise, but I couldn’t enter because the Taeeulmun Gate is currently sealed, so I came here instead.”
“Haha. You also possess a truly fine character, Mr. Heo. By any chance, do you enjoy drinking? Would you like a drink?”
And so, the drinking session of the three people began, with Village Head Heo also present.
And since you mentioned you run a trading company, I am asking if you happen to have any plans to open a branch in our village?
The branch?
“Yes. As the volume of goods increases and people come and go, there are those looking to buy land and buildings in the village. However, since Taeeulmun owns a merchant guild, wouldn’t it be better for them to move in?”
Just as Jin Taesan was about to refuse, thinking that work was going to suddenly increase.
Wang Geum-san rushed in immediately.
“Oh! That’s a great idea. The Daecheon Merchant Guild was actually looking for a place to invest.”
“No, Lord Wang, what do you mean… …”
Before Jin Taesan could even refuse, Old Man Heo quickly intervened.
“Oh! Is that so? Just then, we reserved the best spot in our village.”
“We can start there and expand the commercial area. Hahaha.”
Since they are coming directly from Taeeulmun, our villagers will also feel very relieved.
The matter proceeded before Jin Taesan could even try to stop it, and Wang Geumsan looked at Jin Taesan with a triumphant expression.
Jin Tae-san felt dizzy at the thought of sinking back into the mountain of work.
And that resentment naturally turned back on the one who was the cause of the matter.
*Crunch*. ‘Jin So-woon, you bastard!!’#“Ah!”
Seong Moran opened her eyes wide at my sudden scream.
“What’s wrong?”
My ears suddenly started itching. Is someone talking ill of me?
“seed
– You surprised me.
Perhaps it was because of the eerie atmosphere, unlike the docks and entertainment districts, but Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa breathed a sigh of relief.
Here it is.
Our group entered Yujangmun under the guidance of Jang Woo-jae.
“……!”
I firmly suppressed the curses bursting out at the view unfolding before my eyes. ‘Damn it.’ The scenery before me stimulated my memories, bringing vivid recollections of my past life at Taeeulmun.
Was my expression serious? Jang Woo-jae said as if making an excuse.
“Those children were born and raised in Yujangmun. We tried to temporarily evacuate them to an orphanage or childcare center, but there was nowhere that would take them in…”
The children, who looked as though they hadn’t even reached puberty yet, held real swords that didn’t fit their bodies and could not relax their tense expressions.
Just as I was about to answer Jang Woo-jae’s words, a vivid memory surged up faster and stopped me from speaking.
The children of Taeeulmun were afraid of the real sword they were receiving for the first time.
The Mukhyeolbang is notorious for its cruel and persistent methods, so we are prepared for our ultimate demise.
The elders of the Yujangmun clan were torn cloth to secure their swords and their hands.
The elders of Taeeulmun each held a Blood-Explosion Pill in one hand and prepared for battle.
“If the war starts, it probably won’t last a day.”
Large braziers were lit throughout Yujangmun, and broken pottery was stuck to the walls in the mud.
The women of Taeeulmun were making rice balls and delivering them as they went back and forth inside the sect. No one took more than one rice ball.
The mud beneath the calm surface billows up, making the lake of memory murky.
At the same time, a sharp scream piercing the eardrums comes to mind.
-Aaaargh
-S-save me!
– *Gasp*.
The screams and images of the Taeeulmun people who died at the hands of the Demonic Cult in their past lives were so vivid that it gave me a headache.
While I remained silent, Namgung Seon-hwa cautiously asked.
Aren’t you surrendering?
“I had thought of that, too, but…”
The Sinjeongmun and Hyeonsinmugwan clans, who had already declared surrender, were annihilated.
“No matter how dark the path is…”
We, too, cannot understand the current situation. It has already gone beyond the realm of common sense.
It is not just a war of nerves, but a level that can be called war.
“Even so, I don’t think it’s right to involve the children in the fight. How about sending just the children to the Changgung Merchant Guild for now?”
Jang Woo-jae could not contain his surprise.
Are you going to do that for me?
“That is exactly what I had in mind from the very beginning when Young Master Jin said he would join us. Of course, the Changgung Group of the Changgung Merchant Guild will also be coming to provide support.”
Thank you. Thank you.
Jang Woo-jae bowed his head several times.
Shortly after, we were able to meet the Sect Leader and the Elders at Yujangmun’s Grand Training Ground.
They, too, had faces full of worry, just like the other warriors of the Yujangmun.
“Father, I’m here.”
So, how did it turn out?
“Unfortunately, I was told by Jeong Do-hoe that they cannot help.”
“Huh… how….”
The head of the Yujangmun clan slumped into a chair in despair.
But who were those people?
“Ah, yes. This is Representative Jin So-un, our student center representative.”
“Greetings. I am Jin So-un of the Taeeul Sect.”
“Black Flame Dragon!”
Is that friend the one?
Although I have never once spoken of my nickname, it seems that “Black Flame Dragon” has now firmly taken root as my undisputed title.
You are truly amazing, Lord of the Four Emperors.
It’s good to see you. I’ve heard so much about you that my ears hurt. Thank you for coming.
You’re welcome. Of course I am here.
“I am truly grateful that you think so. Even you, a young child, rushed over here.”
Moon-ju’s face was still full of worry.
Jang Woo-jae stepped forward quickly.
“Father, and over here are Miss Seongmoran of the Iron Sword Sect and Miss Namgung Seonhwa of the Namgung Family. Miss Namgung Seonhwa has pledged to support the Changgung Group.”
Exclamations erupted from the people surrounding Munju.
“The Azure Sky Group!”
I am so grateful.
“Thank you so much, Miss Namgung.”
It was Namgung Seon-hwa who felt rather embarrassed by Yoo Jang-mun’s heated reaction.
“I would like to help as much as I can, but 100 people is probably the maximum. In a situation where the entirety of Akyang is in such chaos, there is a limit to the number of people we can deploy.”
Moon-ju shook his head.
“No. That alone is tantamount to us incurring a huge, unpayable debt. If Yoo Jang-moon survives this war, I will never forget the debt I owe to the Namgung family for the rest of my life.”
The atmosphere becomes solemn once again at Munju’s words.
Jang Woo-jae quickly moved and sent the children to the Changgung Merchant Group.
After the commotion subsided, my party, Jang Woo-jae, and the academy students gathered in one place.
“Young Master Zhang, how many people are in the Liu Zhang Sect?”
Currently, excluding the children, it is just under 300.
How is it that even the numbers are so similar?
That’s exactly a five-fold difference.
The Mukhyeolbang has a total of over 1,500 members. Although the numbers are a mix of peak and third-rate fighters, when the disparity in numbers is this great, skill levels become irrelevant. ‘To begin with, even the Yujangmun could not be considered a sect with many masters.’ No matter how much one fights and struggles, it is not a number that can be matched.
Judging by the broken pottery plastered on the wall, there is no mechanical formation or Qimen formation.
“CEO.”
As I looked at Jang Woo-jae, he replied with an even darker expression.
“There are even more people gathered in Mukhyeolbang right now.”
“I heard that they are sending seal letters not only to Hunan Province but also to neighboring provinces to gather skilled martial artists.”
According to Jang Woo-jae, it is clear that the Black Sect of Akyang is testing the Murim Alliance by annihilating even those who surrendered.
And, convinced that the Murim Alliance would not move, he was planning to take this opportunity to swallow Akyang whole.
It really isn’t going to be easy.
Did you hear me talking to myself?
Jang Woo-jae’s face turns black.
I quickly comforted him.
“Young Master Jang, there is no need to worry too much. Fortunately, I am acquainted with the Branch Manager of Aeyang. If we mediate through him, a negotiation should be possible to some extent.”
Is that really true?
If Deputy Director Akyangji, who is from the Tang family, gets involved following Namgung Seonhwa, they will also feel a sense of crisis.
“Then the war in Akyang will subside a little. Akyang will eventually fall back into the hands of the Murim Alliance anyway. The blood they are shedding now is meaningless.” I spoke to the assembled party.
I’ll go to the Murim Alliance Akyang Branch for now.
“You mean now?”
It is a critical situation where time is of the essence, day and night cannot be distinguished.
“The Mukhyeolbang will likely try to move as quickly as possible. So before that…”
Ding ding ding ding ding.
A loud bell rang out loudly inside Yujangmun.
Jang Woo-jae and the warriors of Yu Jang-mun all rose from their seats.
I asked Jang Woo-jae.
“What is it?”
Jang Woo-jae stared at the sound of the bell with a pale expression.
It is a sign that the enemy is coming.
“enemy?”
At that moment, a huge roar echoed across the night sky.
““Waaaaaaah!””
“Strike! Don’t leave a single one alive!”
““Waaaaaaah!””
That shout, filled with murderous intent, began to be heard getting closer and closer.
