Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1464. What is this we're seeing? (4)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
"Looking at it objectively, it would be difficult to say we gained much, but we should consider that we've achieved our immediate objective."
“Hehehehe.”
“But the situation still isn’t easy. Naturally, we didn't properly inflict damage on their fighting power, did we?"
“Hehehehe!”
"So what's important from now on is, as quickly as possible..."
“Hehehehehehehe!”
"Ah, come on!"
Im Sobyeong rarely showed genuine irritation.
"Are treasures and such important now?"
"What?"
“What did you say?”
Im Sobyeong flinched at the sudden backlash.
But what truly made him flinch wasn’t Chung Myung with his eyes wide open atop the pile of treasure. It was because Tang Gun-ak, who was diligently pulling the cart piled with those treasures, glared at him with bloodshot eyes.
“No, why are you....”
"Such mere treasures?"
"I didn't say 'mere'..."
Tang Gun-ak's hand twitched. Chung Myung said indifferently.
"Leave him be. What would Evil Sects bastard know."
“Indeed. I understand.”
"...Filthy Righteous Sects bastards.”
This was how scary a stigma can be.
"And it's not 'treasures and such'. It’s true that we are short on military funds.”
“No, do you think a few carts will solve that?”
"That, that... that’s why you lot live as mountain bandits your whole life, chasing after one lucky strike. I’m telling you, Evil Sects are just…”
"Keuuu..."
Im Sobyeong clutched his nape with a face full of indignation. Then Maeng So came over and gave his shoulder a few pats.
“G- Gungju-nim.”
Tears welled up in Im Sobyeong's eyes.
“Cheer up.”
"As expected... Gungju-nim, since you are also from the remote regions, you understand the feeling of being treated poorly."
“Hmm? I may be from the remote region, but I’m not part of Evil Sects. And it’s only right not to associate with Evil Sects.”
“....”
"I just thought you looked pathetically weak."
...Damn barbarian bastards. Clearing his throat and struggling to compose himself, Im Sobyeong turned his head and shouted at Chung Myung.
"Fine, so come down first!"
“Ei, really.”
Chung Myung grumbled and leaped down from the cart. Even after doing so, as if regretful, he glanced sideways at the treasures loaded on the cart and smacked his lips.
“No, someone with plenty of money getting worked up over that."
"What do you mean I have a lot of money? Mount Hua has a lot of money, do I have a lot of money?"
“Hm? No, what you pocketed from the Plum Blossoms Island....”
At that moment, terrifying killing intent poured toward Im Sobyeong. Chung Myung asked with a bright smile.
"Hm? Money? What are you talking about?"
In that moment, sweat trickled down Im Sobyeong's face.
“Th- That… No. I- It seems I misunderstood something.”
“Hahaha! Right? I may look like this, but I’m actually a humble Taoist, you know. How could I hide away such things as treasures? Hahahat!"
Those watching from the side smiled with deep satisfaction.
‘He totally pocketed it.’
‘He pocketed a ton.’
'Just how much did that madman embezzle?'
'We should tell Sect Leader.'
Chung Myung, who had been patting Im Sobyeong's shoulder, looked around with an awkward face.
“So, what are we doing?”
"It's the other way around. What are you going to do now?"
"Huh?"
“You’re the general. You need to give instructions. You're not in a position to just sit there giggling like before."
“Tsk, annoying....”
Chung Myung looked over everyone and opened his mouth.
“For now....”
Everyone just stared at him with tense eyes.
"We have to go to Shaanxi."
“Phew.”
“Haa....”
At those words, sighs of relief came from here and there. It was an obvious course of action, but since the one giving orders was a person far from obvious, they had all been inwardly worried he might say something completely off the rails again.
"Why? Were you afraid I'd suggest we go take Jang Ilso's head right now or something?"
“...Honestly, I can’t say no.”
“No, do I look that crazy to you?”
"Yes."
“Right.”
"Mhm."
"Damn it, really..."
Chung Myung distorted his face, but the others' reactions were calm. After all, they weren't wrong.
"Maybe I really should just go for it."
Everyone averted their gaze as Chung Myung muttered. One shouldn't add unnecessary words and provoke his anger. Chung Myung sighed.
"Of course, I’d love nothing more than to take Jang Ilso’s head, but now isn’t the time."
"Good judgment."
Tang Gun-ak nodded firmly. What they needed now wasn’t gains but stability.
"But well... that doesn't mean we'll just go quietly."
"Wh- What are you planning to do again..."
“No. Just thinking we should prepare some things in advance for when we arrive."
Chung Myung grinned.
"First, that... Hmm, Gaju-nim."
"Speak."
"I think we need to call some Beggar Union guys?"
Everyone looked at Chung Myung with puzzled eyes.
"Didn't Beggar Union already see enough of the situation and leave?"
They had run into Beggar Union beggars several times on the way here. Even though Evil Tyrant Alliance had occupied Sichuan, they couldn't immediately drive out all the beggars, so it was natural.
"Wasn't that also why you unnecessarily sat on that hard pile of treasure and showed an exaggeratedly frivolous appearance? To show off and flaunt for Beggar Union?”
"That's... right. Ah, of course. That's it! Haha. You understand well."
An awkward silence briefly descended. As Tang Gun-ak's eyes began to narrow, Chung Myung quickly changed the subject.
"Ah, anyway, setting that aside! That's not enough. This time, those bastards definitely won’t spread word of our achievements."
“Why not?”
"Because Bangjang will desperately try to stop it."
"Hmm..."
If it had been just ten days ago, Tang Gun-ak would have reacted by saying, 'Still, would Bangjang go that far?' But now, Tang Gun-ak did not bother to say those words.
Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Ten Great Sects have ended up in an irreversible relationship.
“So even if Bangjang tries to block it, we need someone who will open their mouth. It would be good if we could contact that Beggar Union elder, but that won't be easy, so first we should deliver it to someone easier to reach. They’ll take care of the rest."
“Are you talking about Hong Buntaju?”
"He's a strange guy with no ability but acts like he has ability. He's exactly the right person to get excited and run wild at times like this."
Tang Gun-ak nodded. Besides, the only person who could be certain on Heavenly Comrade Alliance's side in Beggar Union was Hong Dae-gwang.
“But is that possible? From what you’ve said, Beggar Union probably decided not to spread word of what we did. Isn’t Hong Buntaju also a part of Beggar Union in the end? Could he refuse orders?"
"Who would give those orders?"
“Naturally....”
Tang Gun-ak closed his mouth. Orders in Beggar Union naturally come from its sect leader. But...
'When was the last time I heard news of Beggar Union sect leader?'
The current sect leader was no different from a person who exists but doesn't exist. Come to think of it, the reason an elder of Beggar Union could rebel against Beggar Union's ways during the Plum Blossom Island incident was also because of this situation.
“That old man doesn’t look like that, but he’s still a candidate for the sect leader. The only one who could pressure someone like him by authority alone is Beggar Union sect leader, but the current sect leader is ailing, isn't he."
“I see. So you’re saying you’ll use the vacuum left by the sect leader to move part of Beggar Union?”
“No?”
“...Huh? No?”
Tang Gun-ak looked at Chung Myung with puzzled eyes. Chung Myung grinned.
"Ei. If I were going to end it with just that much, I wouldn't have even started."
The gaze hidden within the smile was incomparably cold.
“In this day and age, shouldn’t you also stand in line? I'm going to make them decide.”
A flurry of thoughts instantly flooded Tang Gun-ak's mind. But he scattered them all away at once. At this point, the one making the decisions was Chung Myung. He just needs to follow.
"I understand. If there's something I need to do, I'll just do it."
“Yes. And....”
Chung Myung now turned his gaze toward Jo Woong.
"Sahae Merchant Guild should also earn their meal."
"...Us, you mean?"
“Well, when you think about it, merchants and beggars are kinda similar.”
“Pardon? M- Merchants and beggars are s- similar?”
Jo Woong looked at Chung Myung with eyes that said, 'No, what kind of crazy human is this?'
“Hey, Chung Myung. That’s a bit too much. Aren't merchants and beggars the most different kinds of people?"
"What's so different. They're similar. They are most numerous in cities where a lot of money circulates, they appear wherever there are many people, the successful ones set up branches in each city, and they make a living by talking people's ears off. They're the same."
"...Huh? Now that I hear it?"
"What do you mean 'now that you hear it'! That's complete nonsense! The money they have is different! The money!"
Jo-Gol lit up both eyes and erupted in anger. There was no other sophistry such as this.
"Tsk, tsk. Trying to distinguish people by money, and that thing calls itself a Taoist. It's the end of the world."
"Ke- Keuuu..."
As Jo-Gol nearly foamed at the mouth, Yoon Jong stepped forward and patted his shoulder.
“Calm down. He’s not entirely wrong.”
…Maybe this guy is actually the worst person here.
Anyway, the merchant world is also closely connected. Sahae Merchant Guild traded tea and must’ve already secured distribution channels to the leading merchant groups in Jungwon.”
“That’s true, but....”
"You can deliver to all of them. That Sahae Merchant Guild escaped from Sichuan with Heavenly Comrade Alliance’s help. Along with that, you can relay a few things I'll tell you."
Chung Myung grinned wickedly.
"Bangjang might be able to shut the beggars' mouths, but he can't tell merchants to shut up. He’s still a monk, so he has a face to save."
“Ah....”
The sect leaders looked at Chung Myung with surprised eyes.
Indeed, though Ten Great Sects hold immense influence, the merchatnt world is beyond their reach. Even if they controlled it, at most it would be the flow of money and not shut their mouths.
Eunha Merchant Guild could also spread word, but the level of impact would surely be different. All the merchants in the world will be on edge about the situation in Sichuan, but if the only group in Chengdu were to escape and send a letter?
'There's no need to even ask them to spread this.'
When the letter arrives, the world will learn about Chengdu's situation before even three days have passed.
"You, don't tell me you did this on purpose...?"
"Ehei! Two birds with one stone! Two birds! Besides, I'm a Taoist!"
"...Right..."
No. That's how it should be.
“But… what are you planning to do after all this is spread?”
"We have to split."
Chung Myung grinned.
"Those guys want to divide things right now, don't they?"
"That's right. And we are in a position where we have to stop that."
"Why?"
"Huh?"
“Why are we stopping that?”
“N- No....”
“Tsk, tsk. This is why you can't make money. Originally, when something is about to split, you don't bother trying to stop it. What's important is that we eat more."
“Huh?”
“They’re already bursting at the seams with this ‘alliance’ nonsense, so why not use this chance to clean everything up?”
Chung Myung grinned as he looked westward.
“I'm not good at setting the stage, but I specialize in rampaging on a stage that's already set, you see."
In the past, it was Cheong Mun who laid the board for Chung Myung to run wild on. Even if this time it was Jang Ilso rather than Cheong Mun who set the board, there wasn't much difference.
“Hey! Bandit!”
"I'm preparing!"
Im Sobyeong had already climbed onto the cart and was taking out paper, brush, and ink. Those who saw him shook their heads. Those who saw him shook their heads. How did this man know to have calligraphy tools ready in advance? This is why strategists are terrifying to deal with.
“Alright then, everything’s more or less in place.”
Chung Myung's eyes gleamed.
"First, we go full speed to Shaanxi! The fate of Heavenly Comrade Alliance depends on it! We must arrive tonight!"
"Uh... Then the treasures might break a little. That okay?”
"If you don't arrive by tomorrow morning, know that you'll all die!"
The fate of Heavenly Comrade Alliance versus a few carts of treasures. It was a moment when everyone clearly recognized which way those scales were tilted.
|Note
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