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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Phoenix of Sichuan Spreads Its Hardened Wings, Part One
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At Mujin's direct question, the three men looked embarrassed.
"Well... We didn't exactly intend to press you for the debt."
"Yes. We simply came to offer our congratulations, as it seems the Yeomhwa Family, which has been dormant for so long, is finally rising again. It's embarrassing that the conversation has turned to this."
"We didn't mean to make you uncomfortable..."
It would have been better if they had made him uncomfortable, drawn their swords, and demanded payment. But these men held goodwill toward the Yeomhwa Family.
In fact, as he listened, it seemed that the Pungyang Merchant Guild and the Geumeo Bank had consistently provided financial support to the Yeomhwa Family for the past seventeen years.
Their relationship began when the Flame Emperor was still alive, and though many cut ties after his death, these three establishments had not.
'Merchants are the type to sever even blood ties if there's no money in it.'
Could it have been easy to lend money for seventeen years, maintaining a connection with a failing martial family that offered neither profit nor aid?
"I'll ask you directly. It hasn't been long since I recovered from my illness, and I haven't even held the succession ceremony yet. So please don't misunderstand my question."
At Mujin's words, the three men nodded.
"Please, ask freely."
"How much is our family's total debt?"
At Mujin's question, the three men looked at each other, speechless for a moment.
"Y-Young Master..."
Chief Steward Do called out to Mujin, but Mujin raised a hand to silence him.
"How can I say when and how I'll repay the debt if I don't know the extent of it?"
At Mujin's words, the Chief Steward closed his mouth and stepped back.
The first to speak was Pung Gwan-o, the head of the Pungyang Merchant Guild.
"The Yeomhwa Family's debt to our Pungyang Merchant Guild is five thousand three hundred gold taels."
"..."
5,300 taels. In gold.
"Ahem. I see."
Mujin, who had been lifting his teacup, set it down and nodded.
Next, Hwang Yeo-cheong, the owner of the Geumeo Bank, spoke.
"Ours is three thousand two hundred taels. In gold."
"In gold... 3,200 taels... I see."
Finally, Dong Gwan-yeo of the Muryeong Merchants spoke with an abashed expression.
"From our Muryeong Merchants, it's one thousand nine hundred taels."
"In gold, of course?"
At Mujin's hopeful question, Dong Gwan-yeo nodded and gave an awkward smile.
"All together... that's ten thousand four hundred taels."
"..."
No one spoke.
"That includes interest, I assume?"
If that was just the principal and the interest was separate, he was planning to let this damned household go bankrupt and liquidate everything.
He didn't have the slightest desire to live a second life that ended with him just paying off debts, let alone becoming the greatest in Sichuan.
"Young Master. These gentlemen have never once collected or added any interest over the past seventeen years."
At the Chief Steward's words, the way Mujin looked at the three men changed.
Some bandits would charge over twenty times the principal in interest in a single year, yet these men hadn't added a single coin of interest in seventeen years.
"My grandfather was blessed with good people. To think he had connections with such fine gentlemen. I don't know how to express my gratitude."
As Mujin spoke and extended his hands to the three men, the three elders took his hands with their own wrinkled ones and shook their heads.
"We are just grateful that you have recovered from your illness. Compared to the grace we received from the esteemed Flame Emperor, this is nothing."
"Indeed. We are just relieved that you can now lead the family in good health. That alone is as good as receiving all seventeen years of interest."
"Yes! That's right. If not for the esteemed Flame Emperor's protection, our Muryeong Merchants would never have become what it is today. We would have all lived difficult lives, bled dry by the forces of the underworld."
At the three elders' words, Mujin found himself bowing.
"Such grateful words..."
Only after bowing did Mujin realize it was the first time he had ever bowed to anyone other than his Master.
'So this is how frightening debt can be.'
Returning to his seat, Mujin spoke with difficulty.
"Well, for now... I'd like to repay the most urgent debts. How much does everyone have in mind...?"
As the topic returned to money, the three elders exchanged apologetic glances.
"Please, speak freely. Our finances haven't fully normalized, but we have recovered enough to repay a certain amount."
"Well... I'm very sorry to say this, but... if you could repay as much as possible..."
Pung Gwan-o's face flushed as his voice trailed off.
Dong Gwan-yeo of the Muryeong Merchants continued in his stead.
"The truth is, those of us based in Geumdang and Ssangnyu have been under pressure from the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild to hand over the Yeomhwa Family's bonds..."
At the mention of the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild, Mujin's atmosphere changed in an instant, and a frown began to form on his brow.
"Young Master..."
At the Chief Steward's words, Mujin quickly reined in his aura.
"My apologies. Please continue."
"Yes. We had been refusing, knowing that handing over the bonds would surely harm the Yeomhwa Family. But after that duel, the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild began to pressure us with their financial power. They've seized control of our guilds' trade goods, bought up all the bonds and notes from the Geumeo Bank, and even poached the managers of the Pungyang Merchant Guild, overtly pressuring us. We simply don't have the strength to withstand a massive enterprise like the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild. That is why we have come today. We are sorry."
When he finished speaking, Mujin barely suppressed the rage boiling inside him.
It meant that the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild, having lost the duel against him and their justification, was now taking out their frustration on innocent merchants to pressure him.
"I once heard that our family used to have twenty elders, all of whom were renowned masters in Sichuan. I also heard there were at least thirty resident guests who stayed here due to their friendship with my grandfather."
"..."
No one could speak in response to Mujin's words.
"Of them all, as the family's fortunes declined, the only ones who remained are Chief Steward Do and Elder Jo here. And the three of you. I may not be well-educated, and all I know is how to swing a sword, but I do remember being taught to be clear about debts of gratitude and enmity."
At Mujin's words, the three elders' expressions brightened considerably.
"Chief Steward Do."
"Yes!"
"How much cash does the family have available right now?"
"About twelve thousand gold taels."
At the mention of twelve thousand taels, the three elders' eyes widened.
They had heard rumors that a new wind was blowing through the Yeomhwa Family with the awakening of the Hidden Dragon, but they never imagined that the family, which had been collapsing under massive debt, would suddenly have such funds.
However, upon hearing "twelve thousand taels," Mujin's eyes widened as he looked at the Chief Steward.
'F-Five thousand taels.'
The money he had received from dealing with the Bangho Faction was easily around seventeen thousand taels.
But in less than a month, five thousand taels had vanished.
"Well... I was settling the debts in the Seochang area..."
'Just how much debt does this damn household have?'
Mujin shook his head and spoke.
"Repay the debts of these three gentlemen in full. I apologize that I cannot pay the interest."
"N-No, not at all! Just repaying the principal is a great help!"
The elders replied, waving their hands.
They hadn't come today with any expectation of receiving all the money they had lent.
They would have considered it a relief just to get a firm promise on when even ten percent of the debt would be repaid.
"That's not to say I'll forget the interest entirely. As I said, I am a man who repays every debt, be it of gratitude or enmity. I will repay the interest with my body."
At his words about repaying with his body, the three elders' expressions became peculiar.
"W-With your body..."
"How..."
"...do you mean to repay us?"
Mujin looked at the three elders and slowly opened his mouth.
"Are you certain the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild is only pressuring you financially? From my experience with them, they aren't the type to play fair."
"W-Well, that is..."
"If a situation arises where the three of you, who have helped the Yeomhwa Family for so long, require the strength of a warrior, the Yeomhwa Family will step forward. Isn't that what the relationship between a martial family and a merchant family is all about? If such a thing happens, do not hesitate to ask."
At Mujin's refreshing words, the elders' faces lit up.
And so, over ten thousand taels of gold left the Yeomhwa Family's coffers.
After the three elders left, Mujin squatted on the floor, his expression drained.
"Hey, Chief Steward Do."
"Yes!"
"Just how many more debts does this damned household have that I don't know about?"
At Mujin's question, the Chief Steward spoke.
"With their debts, we have now... paid everything."
The Chief Steward's voice choked up, overcome with emotion at the words "paid everything."
Memories flashed through the Chief Steward's mind: the years of borrowing from here and there, with no income and most of the warriors having abandoned the family, all while caring for a maddened Mujin and two young children.
There were many days when they ran out of firewood in winter and had to go to the mountains with the warriors to chop wood, or ran out of rice and had to hunt in the mountains.
Those were truly sorrowful times, endured alongside his friend and elder, Jo Hwan-bong.
Mujin's voice broke the Chief Steward's reverie.
"Phew. It would be a problem if another creditor I don't know about pops up."
At Mujin's words, the steward rubbed the corners of his eyes and nodded.
"Yes! It's really over now. More importantly..."
"What? What else do you have to say?"
"Are you really going to lend them your strength?"
"I told you. I repay my debts, both good and bad. Besides, I had no intention of letting those bastards from the Cheonghwa Merchant Guild off the hook anyway. They started it, so they have to pay."
The steward nodded, but spoke with a worried expression.
"The Kongtong Sect might not stand by idly."
"So what if those damn baldies don't stand by? If those damn bald-headed bastards interfere, I'll crush..."
"Brother!"
"Big Brother!"
Mujin, who had been clenching his fist with killing intent, turned with a smile to face his siblings running toward him.
"How was your training?"
"Finished!"
"It's finished! Big Brother! But who are those scary-looking men over there? They said they're our family's warriors... Is that right?"
Soyeon glanced at the Four Demons of Mount Jung standing near the carriage behind them, whispering the last part of her question.
Following Soyeon's words, the steward, who had casually glanced behind him, stared wide-eyed at the four imposing warriors.
"Y-Y-Young Master?"
"That's right. They're new warriors I've brought in. They may look like that, but they're younger than this big brother of yours, so you don't have to be too formal. Their skills aren't bad either."
At Mujin's words, the steward's eyes grew even wider.
How could these warriors, who looked to be in their thirties or forties even on a good day, be younger than Mujin?
"Younger than you, Big Brother? Then why do they look so old?"
"They say it's because they've suffered all the hardships of the world since they were young."
"Oh. The poor men."
Mujin nodded at Soyeon's words.
"Right. So treat them well."
"Okay!"
"Yes!"
"Your big brother is a bit tired today, so shall we postpone your movement technique training until tomorrow?"
At Mujin's words, Soyeon furrowed her pretty brow and puffed out her cheeks, but Dojin pulled her away by the arm.
Seeing Dojin, who had become more mature than before, Mujin's heart was not entirely joyful.
"Now, speak."
The steward, who looked like he had a mountain of things to say, spoke as soon as the two children were gone.
"H-How could you bring warriors of unknown origin into the family without any consultation?"
"Did you consult me when you ran away? Putting my siblings in danger."
"T-That was..."
"That was what?"
When Mujin brought up the past incident, the steward bowed his head.
"I am sorry. Regarding that matter, I have no excuses, even if I had a thousand mouths. If you wish to punish me, I will accept any punishment..."
"Enough. I let it go because I believe your actions were born of loyalty to the two children and this household. But! I'm the one who will be the Family Head. Don't get it twisted. If there's someone I like, I'll bring them in. And anyone who falls out of my favor, I have no intention of keeping in the family."
The steward could not fail to understand that he was saying he would cast out anyone who displeased him.
Just then, Elder Jo, who had been overseeing the children's training, came out to greet Mujin upon hearing of his return.
"Young Master! Welcome back!"
Elder Jo ran up and bowed in greeting.
His attitude had clearly changed since the fight with the assassins.
"Yes. You see those four men over there?"
At Mujin's words, Elder Jo glanced over and flinched with a startled expression.
"Are they from the Assassins' Guild?"
Elder Jo asked, his hand going to the sword at his waist.
"No. They're new warriors. I picked them myself, so take good care of them from now on. For your information, they're younger than me."
"Hmph. I understand."
Elder Jo, who he expected to say something like the Chief Steward, surprisingly did not argue with Mujin's words.
Mujin led the two men toward the carriage.
"These two old-timers are the family's Elder and Chief Steward. Introduce yourselves."
"A pleasure to meet you! I am Cheol-muk, the first of the Four Demons of Mount Jung!"
At his booming self-introduction, the faces of Elder Jo and Chief Steward Do began to turn deathly pale.