Episode 48. It’s selling a lot with little profit.
A gentle smile appeared on Baek Mi-ju’s face.
“Who said we’d send out the rising star right away? We’re planning to send it out next spring, so don’t worry too much.”
“Mother, the disciples… … have their own lives.”
Now, Waryongjang was being run irregularly. Even the Yeon clan, who had been hoping for the rise of the martial arts world, were criticizing Waryongjang for selling out their disciples to the upper class. Whenever the wife of the great master, Yeonmu Baek, heard such things, her heart ached.
“Yes, you are right. They should live their lives. But not yet. If you have learned the ultimate martial arts at Waryongjang, you should pay the price.”
Yeonmu Baek felt suffocated by his mother’s overly calculating words.
The Waryongjang led by his mother was so different from what he had seen and learned at Namgung Se-ga.
Namgung Se-ga treated his disciples like direct blood relatives. Of course, he differentiated them in terms of passing on martial arts skills, but he did not consider his disciples as a means of making money.
So, the disciples of Namgung Se-ga were completely loyal to Namgung Se-ga. In Hap-bi, the name of Namgung Se-ga was not just respected, but was close to worship.
Compared to him, Waryongjang was worthy of the term ‘villain.’ After teaching him for only six months, he sent him to the higher-ups under the pretext of practical training.
There is no word yet, but someday the disciples will also become dissatisfied. When that time comes, it is doubtful whether anyone will step forward to help Waryongjang’s work, let alone respect him.
“If it’s about price, then don’t you receive training fees every month?”
“Even so, it’s only fifty mun per person. Ten mun for children. That’s not even enough for food. Do you know how much money is spent on food, clothing, shelter, weapons, and medicine? If you knew that, you wouldn’t think it was expensive.”
“but…….”
“You just have to become a great ambassador. Don’t worry about the rest, I’ll take care of it. It’s my job to establish Waryongjang as a great martial arts family. Once you become the head of the household, then do as you wish.”
“When can I become a head of household? Mother.”
“The day when Waryongjang stands shoulder to shoulder with the Five Great Kings.”
“As long as you continue to sell out your disciples like this, that day will never come.”
In that moment, Baek Mi-ju’s face hardened.
She also knew well what the Yeon clan was gossiping about behind her back. She tried to ignore it, thinking that someone had to be cursed at anyway. However, it was shocking to hear such words from the mouth of her son, whom she considered to be on her side.
“Do you think I’m doing this to satisfy my greed? Of course not. I’m doing this for you, Seungbaek, and Seolju. Waryongjang is yours. When you get older, you’ll understand why I’m doing this.”
Yeonmu Baek rose from his seat.
He didn’t want to talk anymore because his mother treated him like a child.
Yeonmu Baek, who had been walking a few steps, turned around and spoke quietly.
“Mother, I am old enough to know. Don’t tell me that everything is for our sake. You are just trying too hard because you resent your father.”
“Shut up! What do you know?”
“… … .”
Yeonmu Baek, who was sighing, left the guest room without looking back.
Baek Mi-ju, who had been whining because she couldn’t control her anger, opened her ledger nervously.
They say that he is the child in your arms, but now that his head has grown, he doesn’t have any choice but to say things.
As time passed, Baek Mi-ju’s feelings also subsided.
After thinking about it carefully, I think my son’s point isn’t entirely wrong.
The son’s words about selling his disciples pierced my heart.
I think maybe you could think of it that way.
When the Yeon clan was gossiping, I ignored them, but when my son came to see me and spoke, I couldn’t ignore them.
Baek Mi-ju immediately summoned the commander-in-chief, Yeon Mu-dok.
“Brother, how much are you giving to the disciples of the Blue Dragon and White Tiger groups right now?”
“The monthly salary is 500 Moon.”
“Starting next month, please increase the amount to one nyang.”
Since the money coming in from Baeksesangbang was three nyang, I thought one nyang would be okay.
Yeonmu-dok looked at Baek Mi-ju with a puzzled expression.
From the perspective of managing finances, unplanned spending was not welcome.
“If that happens, there won’t be a single penny left in the reserve fund… … Why are you suddenly doing this?”
“You don’t have any reserve funds?”
“Haven’t you accepted new disciples? A lot of money goes into them.”
“Just hold on for a while. If we send the ascending line upward, you’ll be able to breathe.”
“until when?”
“I plan to sign a contract for the rising band next summer when the upper band gets very busy.”
“Okay, I’ll do that.”
Yeonmu-dok glanced at Baek Mi-ju with regretful eyes.
But Baek Mi-ju, who no longer needed his help, didn’t even pay attention to him.
The hesitant Yeonmu-dok slowly got up from his seat.
As the smoke disappeared, Baek Mi-ju sneered and said, “Huh!”
Even if you just go to Gaebong, young warriors will swarm you to wait in line. Why would you hang out with an old smoke detector when there are young men who listen well?
***
Bobonghyun.
Hagachon.
Finally, the Five Bong Ten Heroes arrived at Mt. Obong.
It was a journey that left in early summer and a full four months later.
The five Bongsipgeols, their shoulders hunched in the chilly weather, walked briskly from spot to spot. They wanted to fill their stomachs with oily food before climbing the mountain.
As the five Bong Sip Geol entered Sahaeru, the owner greeted them with a cheerful smile and ran to greet them.
“Oh my! Our precious heroes! It’s been a while since you’ve been here! Your face looks better than before.”
Chaeju Poongyeoncho smiled and waved his hand.
“Haha! What the hell is going on? I’ve been shivering in the cold on the street for a month. Serve the best dish this restaurant makes according to the number of people.”
“Yes, yes, I will take good care of it.”
The owner guided the five men to their seats and then ran to the kitchen.
Han Chae-yeon, who was sitting down, stretched out both arms and stretched.
“Ah! Still, it’s nice to be back. It was hot on the way there, but why is it so cold on the way back?”
“Yeah. It feels like I’m home already. Doesn’t it?”
Lee Cheol-san listened to Han Chae-yeon’s words affectionately.
Ha So-baek, who was watching the conversation between the two, pouted his lips.
“Aren’t you two being too close these days? I wonder if you’ll start a family soon.”
“Oh my! What is he talking about?”
Han Chae-yeon hit Ha So-baek with a surprised face.
But it seems like he doesn’t mind the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.
Poongyeoncho looked at Han Chaeyeon and Lee Cheolsan alternately with meaningful eyes.
In Han Chae-yeon’s case, she had been hovering around Yeon-jeok-ha for quite some time. However, it seemed that she eventually turned her heart towards Lee Cheol-san because of her past working at Giru.
‘Should I prepare a bridal chamber in the mountains?’
There are also Chanmo and his family, so setting up another bridal chamber is not a problem.
While Poongyeoncho was thinking about this and that, the guests came up to him one after another and greeted him.
“Your Majesty, it’s been a while.”
“How have you been? I heard you went away. It’s good to see you again.”
“Hello. My name is Baek An-gi, the head of the Hwafungdae branch of Baekhwasangbang. I just passed by Sanchae, and I will come to greet you formally soon.”
As befitting the reputation of O Bong San Chae, the number of people who recognize it and greet it first has increased.
While Poongyeoncho was greeting them, food was served.
As food began to be laid out on the two tables, people stopped coming closer. They were careful not to disturb Poongyeoncho’s meal.
The five Bongsipgeols ate until their bellies were full and slowly got up from their seats. It was still 5 p.m., but the winter sun set early, so they had to hurry and return to the mountain village.
***
The year has changed.
After returning from the Green Forest Competition, the Obongsipgeols did not go hiking often.
Gumilbokgum Simyanggak also skipped the mountain hike to save face.
After the return of the Five Bongsipgeol, the poisonous man Hwang Yo-myeong continued to lead the bandits.
In their spare time, the Five Bongsipgeols practiced in the backyard. They wanted to hide their martial arts from other bandits. There was an unspeakable reason for this.
After the Green Forest Competition, there was a slight change between the Oh Bong Sip Geol and Yeon Jeok Ha. Oh Bong Sip Geol regarded Yeon Jeok Ha as a sworn brother and martial arts master. In that atmosphere, a consensus was formed that the secret techniques of the school should not be shown to the outside world.
In fact, revealing one’s own martial arts to outsiders was a dangerous thing.
As the new year came, a strange current flowed through the mountains.
There was a slight gap between the Five Bongsipgeol and the bandits. After all, the relationship between sworn brothers and other bandits could not be completely the same. In addition, the fact that other bandits had run away at the moment of crisis also played a part.
Still, Obongsanchae was doing better than ever.
The thieves stopped arguing with each other because they were keeping an eye on Yeonjeokha, and even though it was winter, the merchants were receiving enough tolls to live on.
When the Lunar New Year came, the bandits gathered at Sanghwagak and had a drinking party.
When the intoxication took hold and the words inside her began to come out more easily, Huang Yeoming said.
“Master Chae, my superior has been playing pranks a lot lately.”
“what are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the number of merchants. It’s a waste to pay one nyang per merchant. How about we just receive it all at once like other wild vegetables?”
“All at once?”
“Yes, honestly, if the merchants are determined to deceive, it’s not easy to find out.”
The thieves nodded in sympathy.
But Poongyeoncho thought differently.
“It’s okay. Leave me alone.”
“But I dare to cheat… … .”
“Leave it alone. It must be a burden, so they’re lying. What is that? Is it called selling a lot for a low price? Is that right?”
“Ma, does that seem right?”
“Yeah, that’s the same thing, Inma. If the tolls are lowered, more merchants will come. What happens then? The overall income will increase a little bit. You understand? So don’t worry about it.”
“If you don’t let them cheat, they’ll get more… … .”
“Yanma! Just leave it alone. Even if your child explains it to you, you’re still going to fail miserably if you try to cut open a chicken’s stomach and eat its eggs. Answer me. Has our income decreased or increased?”
“It has increased a little.”
“The merchants cheated, but their income increased?”
“yes.”
“Jascha! That’s what I want. Don’t think about taking a big cut from a few places, just collect a little bit from various places. Got it?”
“……yes.”
Although he answered, Huang Yeomyeong’s mouth stuck out.
I was annoyed that I was only getting pennies when I could have made more money.
Poongyeoncho pointed his finger at Hwang Yeomyeong.
“Ah! Look at that kid’s mouth sticking out. He’s so greedy. I know you’re having a hard time these days, but don’t think about squeezing the merchants. We’re eating well and living well these days. Have you even started a household? Do you need more money?”
Poongyeoncho, who was less greedy than other lenders, distributed the money he received from the upper class fairly. The bandits of Mt. Oh Bong received more than three nyang per month.
“That’s not it.”
“Stop talking about money and practice martial arts, Inma. You never know who might act crazy and try to attack you. Don’t you think there are a few guys out there desperate to make a name for themselves?”
As Nokrimsanchae became more famous, it attracted the attention of the Jeongpa. For the Jeongpa warriors who were trying to gain fame quickly, there was no better prey.
As the thieves seemed to ignore the news, Poongyeoncho continued to nag them.
“Listen carefully, everyone. Even if there’s a sword fight at the foot of the mountain, you can’t tell from the mountain. If you go hiking with your brother, wouldn’t you know? On days when you’re not hiking, you have to protect yourselves. Don’t loiter when you’re not hiking. If I let you go, there might be some guys who play the role of swordsmen hanging around Mt. Obong.”
Then Tak Go-myeong said something.
“What Chaeju said is right. Did you know that our Obongsanchae’s name is gradually becoming known in Hanam? There might be some guys who come here and wield swords, claiming to be on a journey to the world of martial arts. If you want to live a long life, don’t neglect your training.”
Some nodded, but most just dismissed it as a pointless complaint. It didn’t feel real that the political elite might be after it.
Wuxia,
