Chapter 168: Why Aren’t You Sleeping?
Yeon Jeokha sat down without even glancing at Pung Wooseong, the Demon of the Sword, or Chun Sang-gong, the Bloody Phantom.
“Hehe, welcome. What would you like to order?”
The waiter approached with a bow.
Shim Tong and Yoo Geun-sik ordered food for the group.
After the waiter left, Yeon Jeokha’s group began to quietly drink tea. They looked more like ordinary customers than visitors with a specific purpose.
Chun Sang-gong leaned over to Pung Wooseong and whispered.
“The man sitting furthest in among the four is the Grand Inspector.”
Pung Wooseong slightly frowned.
The man didn’t seem like a great martial arts master; he looked more like a loafer. It was hard to believe that someone so ordinary could launch sword energy from the sky. But he had no reason to doubt Chun Sang-gong, so it had to be true.
Pung Wooseong immediately stood up.
He approached Yeon Jeokha and bowed deeply.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Pung Wooseong from the Heukwoon Sect. I greet the Grand Inspector of Nokrim.”
Yeon Jeokha looked at him disdainfully.
“Who are you?”
“I am Pung Wooseong of the Heukwoon Sect.”
“So what?”
Yeon Jeokha’s defiant attitude hardened Pung Wooseong’s expression.
“I heard that my men committed a grave offense against you. I apologize on their behalf…”
“And if I forgive you?”
The direct question made Pung Wooseong swallow hard.
How much should he offer to calm this man?
‘Three thousand taels of silver? Four thousand taels of silver? It can’t be five thousand…’
After a moment of hesitation, Pung Wooseong spoke cautiously.
“We thought of buying a new carriage, but since there are no carriages in the village, we’ll repair it. As an apology, I offer you three thousand taels of silver…”
Pung Wooseong watched Yeon Jeokha’s reaction.
Yeon Jeokha nodded, seemingly satisfied with the amount.
“We’ll give you three thousand taels of silver.”
“That’s fine. I’ll accept the money, but make sure you don’t go back on your word.”
Yeon Jeokha was content. They had damaged the roof of a carriage that cost two hundred taels of silver, and they were offering three thousand as compensation.
“Of course. I’m not one to break my word.”
“Alright. But…”
“Yes?”
Pung Wooseong looked at him anxiously. His heart pounded, fearing what might come next.
“Why are you fighting with the Cheongsan Sect?”
“Ah, the Unhak Chamber of Commerce wanted us to sell our Huangseonlu at a low price. When we refused, they brought in the Cheongsan Sect to attack us.”
“Why start a fight if you don’t want to sell?”
“The Cheongsan Sect is trying to leverage their influence.”
“So you’re at war with the Cheongsan Sect?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Jeokha scratched his head.
The world is never what it seems. He thought the Heukwoon Sect was the villain, but it turned out the Unhak Chamber of Commerce had started the fight.
Namgung Cheon, who had been listening, asked.
“So, how long will it take to repair the carriage?”
“I called all the carpenters in the area, so it should be ready in a day.”
“Hmm. Should we stay here for today?”
“We’ll make sure the Grand Inspector and his group are comfortable. This inn is operated by a disciple of our sect.”
“That’s a relief. Jeokha, it seems we can stay here for today.”
“That’s fine with me.”
Shim Tong issued a warning to Pung Wooseong.
“Hey! Our Young Master hates it when someone breaks a promise. If the carriage isn’t ready tomorrow, you know what’s coming.”
Shim Tong silently mouthed the word “death.”
Terrified by Shim Tong’s intense gaze, Pung Wooseong nodded vigorously.
Outside Heungjung Village.
Shindo’s Sanjang.
Jong Daseo, the Hell Demon and right-hand man of the sect leader, reported to Nok Sajo, the Ancient Sword Master of the Cheongsan Sect.
“On the way, I saw the men of the Heukwoon Sect attack and destroy the carriage of people from the Justice Alliance.”
“Was there a fight with the Justice Alliance?”
“No, it seems the Justice Alliance decided to let it go.”
“What a pity.”
“But as long as the Justice Alliance is in the village, the men of the Heukwoon Sect will remain quiet.”
“Did you see anyone useful among them?”
“They all seemed quite skilled. Especially an old man who gave me chills just by looking at him.”
“Do you think they’ll help us if we ask?”
“I tried to sound them out, but they’re seasoned people. They didn’t seem likely to move.”
“So, we’ll have to deal with the Heukwoon Sect on our own.”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t think the Heukwoon Sect’s resistance would be this strong.”
“Sir, why is the Unhak Chamber of Commerce so interested in Huangseonlu?”
“They want to turn it into a second Hwanghakru.”
“Hwanghakru! That won’t be easy.”
“They say the businesses around Huangseonlu are already generating quite a bit of money. If it prospers, the amount of money will increase significantly.”
“Then the Unhak Chamber of Commerce won’t want to let go.”
“If money doesn’t work, the next step is the sword. It’s not the first time a Chamber of Commerce has used a martial sect to resolve conflicts.”
“I hope this doesn’t get out of hand.”
“The bigger it gets, the better. The Cheongsan Sect will also make a name for itself. We can’t always stay on the outskirts of Wuchang. We must rise high with the Unhak Chamber of Commerce.”
As they discussed the battle with the Unhak Chamber of Commerce, a voice was heard from outside.
“Sir, Yiwolchun has returned from the village. Should I let him in?”
“Let him in.”
Shortly after, a young man in his twenties cautiously entered.
Nok Sajo observed him carefully.
“So, what’s the status of the Heukwoon Sect?”
“They’re still at the Yeolrae Inn. From what it looks like, they’re treating their wounded at the inn.”
“Tch! They’ve learned not to let their guard down. How do we get them out of there?”
Jong Daseo asked curiously.
“Did you see anyone strange in the village?”
“Oh, I heard that the Grand Inspector of Nokrim and his group are at the Yeolrae Inn.”
“The Grand Inspector of Nokrim?”
“Yes, it seems the men of the Heukwoon Sect attacked them by mistake. They’re repairing the carriage as an apology.”
“Didn’t you say they were from the Justice Alliance?”
Jong Daseo’s eyes widened.
“Yes, they said they came from the Justice Alliance branch in Zhengzhou.”
“Well, well! Justice Alliance and Nokrim…”
Nok Sajo murmured as he turned back to Yiwolchun.
“Whether it’s the Justice Alliance or Nokrim, it doesn’t matter. Did you say they’re at the Yeolrae Inn?”
“Yes, they promised to repair the carriage by tomorrow.”
“And if they don’t?”
“They threatened to kill the sect leader. The men of the Heukwoon Sect are scared and have brought in carpenters from the whole village.”
“So, they messed with Nokrim’s carriage. They promised to repair it by tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
“And if they don’t? Will the Heukwoon Sect suffer severe consequences?”
“Yes.”
“Oh!”
Nok Sajo smiled maliciously.
He knew that Nokrim was a ruthless organization.
They wouldn’t need an excuse to torment someone.
If they don’t keep their promise…
The Heukwoon Sect Leader would be dead. Hence, the desperation of his people.
‘This could be useful.’
He could get someone else to do the dirty work for him.
“I understand. You may leave.”
“Yes.”
After Yiwolchun left, Nok Sajo looked significantly at Jong Daseo.
“We could resolve this more easily than we thought.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Don’t you see? We just need to make sure they don’t finish repairing the carriage by tomorrow. Then, Nokrim will take care of the Heukwoon Sect.”
“You want to sabotage the carriage repair?”
“Is there an easier method?”
“No. But if Nokrim finds out we interfered…”
Jong Daseo paused, fearing the consequences.
“Obviously, they mustn’t find out. If it succeeds, we’ll end this battle without suffering any losses. The Cheongsan Sect will move into the center of Wuchang.”
“How do you plan to do it?”
“It’s not complicated. Just find a moment when no one’s around and damage the carriage.”
“Me? What if the men of the Heukwoon Sect come out at the sound?”
“Do it quietly.”
“That sounds difficult. How am I supposed to damage the carriage without making noise?”
“Ah! Don’t think negatively. You can do it. Do it quietly.”
“But…”
“Do it. You can do it.”
“Yes…”
Jong Daseo couldn’t refuse the order.
Destroying the carriage might be easier than repairing it.
Yeolrae Inn.
Late at night.
Shim Tong, who was lying down with his eyes closed, smiled.
“Hehe, it seems Miss Namgung has good news lately. She smiles a lot. Isn’t that right, Young Master?”
“Unlike others, she makes the atmosphere better whether she smiles or not.”
“Are you referring to me?”
“I don’t like beating around the bush. Old Shim, try not to laugh. That ‘hehe’ gives me chills. I can’t sleep with that sound.”
“What if I laugh like this: ‘haha’?”
“Shut up and sleep.”
Yeon Jeokha shook his head and got out of bed.
“Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“Hah! I told you I can’t sleep with your laughter. It’s unsettling to hear that in the middle of the night.”
Yeon Jeokha left the room grumbling.
Shim Tong, watching his back, joked.
“Hehe. Are you sure you’re not going to meet someone else?”
Yeon Jeokha went down to the dining room.
‘Meet someone else? Did he see me talking to the sister?’
He took a bottle of liquor from the kitchen and sat by the window.
The moonlight was enough; he didn’t need to light a lamp.
Shim Tong’s joke made him think of Namgung Yeon. It seemed like she might appear at any moment and talk to him.
‘Huh?’
Yeon Jeokha opened his eyes in surprise.
Despite the late hour, Namgung Yeon was coming down the stairs.
“Sister?”
“Oh? Jeokha? Aren’t you sleeping?”
Namgung Yeon approached smiling, and Yeon Jeokha pinched his cheek to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.
Namgung Yeon sat across from him and looked out the window.
“The carriage is there.”
“Yes, they repaired the carriage in front of the inn instead of taking it to the workshop.”
“Horses are very sensitive.”
“Ah, I see.”
Yeon Jeokha felt inexplicably happy and smiled while looking at Namgung Yeon.
Suddenly, a heavy, discordant noise was heard outside.
Yeon Jeokha’s face immediately darkened.
Who dares to ruin this good moment?
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