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Chapter 31. Help Us a Little
The first person to notice something strange was Han Chaeyeon.
Chaeyeon spoke to her closest friend, Ha Sobaek, about it.
“Listening to you, I think you're right. Lately, Elder Brother Jeokha has been acting a bit different.”
“Right? I told you. Do you remember the day he fought with that Nokrim messenger? Suddenly, he started wiggling his fingers and said 'Hello.'”
Chaeyeon demonstrated how Jeokha had bent and stretched his fingers in front of Ha Sobaek.
“Yes, that's true. Who thinks about joking in the middle of a fight?”
“And suddenly.”
Sobaek nodded her head but then dismissed it as something unimportant.
“Sister, isn't it better for him to be a prankster rather than someone boring?”
“Ugh, those jokes scare me. It's not something one says after piercing someone's palm.”
“So, are you afraid of Brother Jeokha?”
“Who said I'm afraid of him? It's just that those jokes seem strange to me. He wasn't like this before.”
“Ah! I wish Brother Jeokha would joke with me too.”
At that moment, Yeon Jeokha's voice sounded behind them.
“What jokes?”
“Ah!”
“Oh, what a scare!”
The two women quickly stood up from the bench.
Yeon Jeokha sat next to Sobaek and asked again.
“You said you'd like me to joke with you, what kind of jokes do you like?”
“Ah, I only said it because I feel a bit bored these days.”
Ha Sobaek blushed and sat down timidly.
“Are you bored because there are no fights even when we go out?”
“That's not it.”
Sobaek waved her hands vehemently.
Honestly, Sobaek was happier these days without fights.
Every time they fought with the warriors of the Chamber of Commerce, she felt uncomfortable and couldn't sleep well.
“If you're bored, train your martial arts more. I've noticed it seems endless. Martial arts.”
Chaeyeon looked at Jeokha and said.
“Wow! Even an expert like you feels it has no end? Then this is really serious.”
“What is serious?”
“If it's like that for you, for novices like us, there is no hope.”
“You're a fool. You know one thing but not the other. Do you know what the Taoist grandfather told me?”
“What did he say?”
The eyes of the two women sparkled, looking at Jeokha.
Jeokha, with a somewhat smug expression, said.
“He called it 'Manlyugwijong.'”
“What?”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that upon reaching the peak of martial arts, everything becomes the same. There are many paths to reach the top of the Main Peak of Five Peaks Mountain, but the peak is only one. Right?”
“Yes.”
The two responded in unison.
“So, whether the Taoist grandfather reaches the peak with the arts of the Wudang Sect, I reach it with effort, or you two reach it with the techniques I’ve taught you, the result is the same.”
Chaeyeon murmured with pursed lips.
“I'm not sure about that.”
“Me neither.”
Sobaek shook her head.
Jeokha hurried to explain.
“It's not what I say, it's what the Taoist grandfather said. You know he is very wise. So don't be too disappointed.”
The two women reflected on what Jeokha said.
Despite the recent jokes, they knew he was not someone who said nonsense.
Suddenly, Chaeyeon remembered something and said.
“Elder Brother, did you know you’ve become much more cheerful since you met the Sage of Heaven and Earth?”
“Me?”
Jeokha frowned.
He didn't feel he had changed, so he was confused.
Ha Sobaek commented.
“You also make a lot of jokes.”
“When?”
Chaeyeon raised two fingers in front of Jeokha and moved them.
“Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Han Chaeyeon.”
“Ha, ha.”
Jeokha laughed forcedly.
Chaeyeon insisted.
“You admit it has been like that, right?”
“Yes, I admit it. I've gone a bit too far. Happy?”
“Oh, it wasn't a complaint. It's good to see you so cheerful.”
“Me too. What did you do with the Sage of Heaven and Earth? You always came back drenched in sweat.”
“I learned a lot.”
Ha Sobaek opened her eyes surprised.
“Really? But he is weaker than you, how did you learn?”
“Tsk, tsk! You don’t understand. Look at that tree, do you see?”
“Yes.”
“The strength of the tree is that it is straight and sturdy, unlike the grass growing underneath. But think of a typhoon. What is a strength can become a weakness, and vice versa. Strength and weakness complement each other like yin and yang. In fact, that is what makes them durable.”
This was something the Sage of Heaven and Earth had told him.
“So, even if you’re a tree and the Sage of Heaven and Earth is grass, talking about strength makes no sense. Is that it?”
Ha Sobaek was still a bit confused.
Unlike Yeon Jeokha, who had studied, Ha Sobaek had barely learned Chinese characters, so it was a difficult concept for her.
“Something like that. Being strong isn't always being strong, and being weak isn't always being weak.”
“I understand a little.”
“Me too.”
Han Chaeyeon and Ha Sobaek nodded.
At that moment, the eighth brother, Lee Cheolsan, quickly crossed the yard and approached them.
“Brother Yeon, the elder brother asks you to go to the Pavilion of Harmony and Peace.”
“What is it about?”
“It’s to discuss the Nokrim meeting. You two come as well. The elder brother has called all the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks Mountain.”
The three followed Lee Cheolsan to the Pavilion of Harmony and Peace.
Pavilion of Harmony and Peace
The Ten Heroes of Five Peaks Mountain gathered for the first time in a long time in one place.
With a satisfied look, the gang boss, Pung Yeoncho, observed his younger brothers and said:
“As you know, I have gathered you to discuss our participation in the Nokrim meeting. According to Brother Shim's advice, we should leave within three or four days if we don’t want to be late.”
The second in command, Tak Gomyung, asked curiously:
“But elder brother, shouldn't someone stay to protect the base? We also need to take our members on the expeditions.”
“That’s precisely why I gathered you. Who do you suggest we leave behind?”
“Elder brother, first let’s ask who wants to stay. If someone wants to stay, we can leave him here.”
Pung Yeoncho nodded and asked his brothers:
“Did you hear that? It would be ideal for all the Ten Heroes of Five Peaks Mountain to go, but it seems prudent to leave someone to protect the base. Does anyone want to stay?”
Everyone seemed to want to go, looking away to avoid the question. Even Yeon Jeokha, who generally hated moving, did not volunteer.
“It seems no one wants to stay…”
Pung Yeoncho scratched his head, frustrated. They were all sworn brothers, and he couldn’t force anyone to stay against their will.
At that moment, the third brother, Ma Hyeongdo, intervened:
“Elder brother, do we really need one of the Ten Heroes to stay? We could entrust the guidance and protection to someone experienced, like Brother Im Wonyeong. He could take care of the base while we attend the meeting.”
“Do you want to leave the base under Im Wonyeong’s care?”
“Yes, with his skills, he will have no problems maintaining order.”
Pung Yeoncho nodded, considering the suggestion. Although Im Wonyeong was not as formidable as some, he had the necessary skill and experience to keep the base at peace.
“Tak, what do you think?”
“I agree, it seems a good solution.”
Finally, the other Ten Heroes also showed their support for the proposal.
“Let’s do it that way.”
“Yes, better than leaving just one of us.”
“I agree.”
“Me too.”
Pung Yeoncho nodded, satisfied with the decision:
“Then, all the Ten Heroes of Five Peaks Mountain will attend the Nokrim meeting. Yeon Jeokha, I just ask you to avoid unnecessary conflicts as much as possible.”
Yeon Jeokha nodded without saying a word.
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East of Luoyang, in Unsa
Waryong Manor
When Waryong Manor opened its doors, numerous wanderers who admired the swordsmanship of the Moon-Splitting Swordsman, Yeon Muryong, gathered there. Baek Miju had discreetly spread the rumor that they would also teach the Moon-Splitting Swordsman’s Swordsmanship to external disciples.
Being admitted as a disciple of the Seven Great Sects or the Five Great Families required significant connections. In comparison, becoming a disciple of Waryong Manor was easy, which explained the influx of wanderers.
Baek Miju appointed her eldest son, Yeon Mubaek, as the Great Swordmaster to teach the wanderers the Family Swordsmanship. However, she did not reveal all the techniques to everyone.
She first divided the wanderers into three levels according to their talent and loyalty. Those with high loyalty, the Celestial Level, learned six techniques; the Terrestrial Level learned four techniques, and the Human Level learned only two techniques.
The internal cultivation method taught was the Waryong Method, created by the ancestors of the Yeon Clan/Family. It was superior to the method commonly known as the Three Treasures Method, which pleased the wanderers.
By summer, the number of disciples in Waryong Manor had increased to about fifty.
With more disciples, Waryong Manor had to consider expanding its businesses, as feeding, clothing, and housing so many required funds.
Inside Waryong Manor
The owner, Baek Miju, and the general administrator, Yeon Mudok, were intensely discussing the business expansion. Baek Miju wanted to partner with the Chamber of Commerce, while Yeon Mudok proposed managing inns and guesthouses.
“Brother, if we get involved in inns and guesthouses, do you think the Uicheon Sect will leave us alone? Competing with them is not a viable option now. You know that, right?”
The Uicheon Sect is a powerful sect that started as a martial arts school and is now considered one of the Seven Great Sects. Their disciples are everywhere, from the army to inns and gambling houses.
“If it's difficult in Luoyang, why not start in Unsa?”
“Do you really think we can support more than a hundred people with just two or three businesses?”
“But we only have fifty disciples for now...”
“Yes, but I plan to increase it to a hundred before winter arrives.”
“That seems rushed. I don't understand why you need to do it so quickly.”
Baek Miju looked at Yeon Mudok with irritated eyes.
Strengthening Waryong Manor was progressing well under the direction of her eldest son, Yeon Mubaek. So far, they had recruited wanderers as needed, but they soon planned to include young people.
The problem was financing the food, lodging, and clothing of the disciples.
Until Waryong Manor had a stable source of income, they needed the financial support of the Yeon Family. That’s why Baek Miju had called Yeon Mudok, but he kept proposing useless ideas, which frustrated her.
“Brother, is there something you want to ask me?”
When Baek Miju asked directly, Yeon Mudok avoided her gaze.
She realized he was putting up obstacles.
Thinking carefully, she realized that since her eldest son, Yeon Mubaek, had returned, he had been distancing himself from him.
With a sigh, Baek Miju approached him.
“Brother, you know how important this is to me. I understand you feel upset about how things have been, but I really need your help. Please, can you help me?”
“Me...?”
Baek Miju gently placed her hand on Yeon Mudok’s knee.
“The Baek Chamber of Commerce in Luoyang is in a difficult position now. Entering the Chamber of Commerce is something even the Seven Great Sects tolerate. We can start with Baek Chamber of Commerce and build our credibility from there. Please, help me a little until Waryong Manor is established, okay?”
“What can I do...? Ah...”
Baek Miju touched something, and a sigh escaped Yeon Mudok's lips.