Chapter 236 Lord Baek of the North Palace (4)

Chapter 236: Lord Baek of the North Palace (4)

After the master assumed the governorship, Nine Dragons City rapidly regained stability.

Led by Mun Sang, the military department’s strategists continuously proposed plans to stabilize the northern regions—namely Qinghai, Xinjiang, and areas north of Gansu.

In accordance with those plans, the clan heads within the inner city united in preparing to strengthen their forces.

Although Nine Dragons Fortress had operated with a small, elite force due to budget constraints and other reasons, the expanded territory now demanded a larger manpower.

Moreover, with the departure of the Baek Family and the Silver Star Bureau, the resulting gap in military strength could only feel more profound.

Thus, the six parties of the National Assembly sought to increase their power through a very simple method.

Mergers.

Isn’t acquisition and merger the best way for a conglomerate to grow its size?

Money was abundant, and with their main and collateral branches spread throughout the land, it wasn’t difficult.

After all, people naturally desire stable employment.

I’m sure if you send a letter saying, ‘How about a merger?’ they’ll come knocking on their own.

Shrewd merchants also began moving swiftly.

They finally embarked on the Silk Road expedition they had feared to undertake due to the Ten Demon Alliance.

They brought goods made in Yunnan and Sichuan to Hanzhong, exchanged them for small, precious items, and headed westward.

Naturally, the streets of Hanzhong soon became so crowded there was hardly room to stand.

On that morning when Sichuan was bustling with activity.

I arrived at Taeryongjeon, where my master resided.

“……”

Seeing my master already downing liquor so soon after sunrise left me speechless.

“Never seen a drunk before?”

“Did you become the castle lord just to drink?”

“Didn’t I tell you to do it?”

“No.”

He said, suppressing his frustration.

“Still, you should go out looking presentable today.”

“What’s going on?”

“Isn’t today the day the Jeonryongdang enters the capital?”

“Hmm… I’d forgotten about that.”

Seemingly flustered, the master—famous for his poker face—cleared his throat before answering.

“……”

That was right.

Today was the day the Jeonwang Gate joined the Nine Dragons Fortress.

It was the day Bu Gongchang, appointed as deputy leader, arrived leading the Black Dragon Brigade’s three hundred men.

It was only natural that Beigong Chang ascended to the position of Deputy Leader.

In martial prowess, he excelled. In character, he was impeccable. His political acumen in leading the Royal Clan Council, coupled with his extensive experience guiding the sect for so long.

Wasn’t he the perfect candidate for Deputy Leader in anyone’s eyes?

Moreover, since all the cadres unanimously agreed, it couldn’t have been better.

From now on, he would represent the views of the Jeonryong Party in my absence and assist me in managing the party’s overall operations when I was present.

The thought of him coming, so dependable, already filled me with anticipation.

I’d been feeling so lonely all this time.

I tried going out here and there to make friends, but it all ended in failure.

Because of my status as a party leader and my background as the disciple of the city lord, no one approached me. And if I tried to hang out with people I knew before, there were hardly any sane ones left.

Brother Wei Ji, practically the only sane one left, had been dispatched as part of the Hubei defense force to confront the Lion Clan.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t hang out with the Jik Il-sam brothers or Jik Hwa-ran, right?

Thanks to that, I exchanged letters with Myohyang almost daily.

After exchanging dozens of letters, we developed into lovers.

Overwhelmed by loneliness, I confessed to her using the GuguTalk network via the Jeonseogu service.

In response, Myohyang wrote the character for “love” and sent it back.

And today.

‘I want to see you soon.’

She finally came to see me at Guryongseong.

While waiting, thinking of Myohyang, my master appeared.

“……”

He wore the gray robe he’d worn since his days as an outer disciple—one that was easily over ten years old and worn to shreds.

“Don’t you have anything else? Something flashy like a grand master’s robe? I thought you had several of those?”

“I find this comfortable.”

Watching the master shuffle away, I thought to myself.

“Seriously.”

Why is there not a single sane person around me?

* * *

“Attention, all!”

Click.

“At ease!”

Click.

“Attention!”

Snap.

“Salute to the Lord!”

Kyu-! Ryong-!

“Nine Dragons!”

I couldn’t help but smile at the graceful movements.

Teaching him the ritual was definitely the right call.

‘Chakma Myeolsa? Bullshit….’

The thought of unifying Guryongseong’s rallying cry into a modern-style chant already had my butt wiggling.

And then came the flower of the drill.

Ding-ding-ding-ding. Ti-ti-ti. Ti-ri-ti-ri-ti. Ti-ri-ti-ri-ti…….

It was the golden sound of Myohyang.

‘Kyaa….’

Her noble bearing playing beautiful melodies, her lovely face, and her overflowing heart to boot.

She was nothing short of a heavenly maiden.

He kept his eyes fixed on her unexpected appearance.

But soon, he sensed impure gazes.

Hmm, the kids from Geumryongdang have a suspicious look in their eyes. I’ll have to pluck out one of their eyeballs. Huh? That bastard Geum Jongdae is still pulling that shit?

Looks like I’ll have to teach them a lesson.

After that ecstatic golden melody ended, the master’s congratulatory speech began.

“Ahem, esteemed comrades of Gu Long City… We have crossed the great mountain known as the Ten Demon Alliance… Now we stand as the foremost in the martial world… And henceforth, against any threat…”

Ah, for the record, I wrote that speech.

Since it’s the Zhenwang Sect I founded joining the Inner Sect, I figured I should at least do this much.

“…Therefore, I shall accept the Zhenwang Gate as a pillar of the Nine Dragons Fortress and henceforth call them the Zhenlong.”

After finishing the congratulatory speech, the master called out to me in a powerful voice.

“The Dragon Clan Leader, step forward.”

The moment I heard my master’s call, I immediately stepped forward.

“Zhenlong Sect Leader Jin Muzhen greets the City Lord!”

The slightly awkward line drew nods of approval from the other masters of the inner sect, including Mun Sang.

Thud.

The master unfolded a spatial item, sending me a crimson sect leader’s badge made of blood gold.

As I caught it, the master looked at me with an amused expression.

Heh.

I felt the same way.

I recalled the first time I met my master.

A master whose skill shook the world, yet he cared nothing for fame or fortune.

I, who took a job as an assistant manager at an external company, thinking only of amassing wealth as quickly as possible to escape Nine Dragons City.

Now, those two people stand face to face as the city lord and the sect leader.

‘They say life is unpredictable, even an inch ahead…’

For some reason, my heart swelled with emotion.

And then.

“I’m counting on you.”

“I will remember!”

Waaah-!

And so, Jeon Wang-mun joined as one of the pillars of Guryongseong.

* * *

As soon as the ceremony ended, I headed for the outer city’s Zhenwang Gate with the Black Dragon Corps, including North Palace Chang.

The plaque for the War Dragon Party, inscribed by Mun Sang as a congratulatory gesture, welcomed us.

Though we had taken over the site once used by the Silver Dragon Party, we intended to make this our permanent home because we liked it so much.

“Now that His Highness has become the lord of Guryongseong, all that remains is for him to soar.”

“This is all thanks to capable allies like the Black Dragon Commander.”

“Haha, your words leave me deeply moved.”

“Where are your family? Did you come alone?”

“They’re coming slowly. Trying to make the timing work meant they had to march hard.”

“I see.”

“Then I’ll go inside first.”

Bukgung Chang shifted his feet cautiously.

I handed him a heavy pouch.

“Ahem, since it’s a joyous occasion, go inside and have a drink or two.”

“The men will be pleased. Thank you.”

He grinned.

As the large-framed Bukgung Chang stepped aside, a slender woman rushed toward me.

Whoosh!

“Sis, sis!”

“How much I’ve missed you!”

The sensation against my chest nearly made me lose my mind.

“There are still people around…”

“If you want to see, then see.”

“No.”

The Black Dragon Brigade warriors hastily retreated, stunned by her audacity—unthinkable for a woman of the martial arts world.

“Heh heh.”

Myohyang, releasing the embrace, smiled with a flushed face.

“Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“To eat. And drink. I have so much I want to hear. And so much I want to say.”

* * *

She chattered incessantly, as if we hadn’t seen each other in ages.

“Remember how some merchants whispered about me, saying when a hen crows, the household falls into ruin?”

“Hmm… Looks like I’ll have to cut off one arm at a time on the way to Hanjung.”

“You don’t have to go that far. I’ve already driven them out of the market.”

“What difference does kicking them out make?”

“It’ll collapse. They timed the eviction for when the most purchases were being made, so there’s no way to avoid bankruptcy.”

“…….”

Starting with a minor incident that happened while running Sangryeon.

“Well, you know how Soso keeps going to the gambling den?”

“What? You just let that slide?”

“What else could I do? She came in wearing a mask. But I took measures.”

“How?”

“I told the gambling den manager to set up a rigged game and cleaned him out completely. Now even if he wants to come back, he won’t have the money to do so. Ah, I’ll keep the money safe and return it later.”

“Well, well. Good job.”

After recounting even the most trivial details of his interactions with those around him, the ordered dishes and drinks arrived.

Though not extravagant, the neat, home-style dishes drew an exclamation of admiration from Myo-hyang.

“Oh my, these are my favorite things! None of them seem like the kind of dishes you’d sell at a bar, though?”

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here, so I should eat what I like. I asked the owner to make a special order for me.”

“Thanks a lot…”

“Well, I’m always thinking about you, sis.”

“Oh my.”

Myohyang covered her flushed cheeks with her palms.

“It might not be as good as what you make, but food made by someone else has its own flavor, right?”

Moved, she scooped a large portion of the steamed fish and put it in her mouth.

“It’s delicious.”

“Exactly.”

As they enjoyed the food and drink together, Myohyang brought up work.

“I looked into the businesses you acquired from Baek’s family this time. They’re truly enormous, aren’t they?”

“I was surprised too. They say he’s the second richest after Geumryongdang, and it’s true.”

“But Lord Moon’s skill in sweeping up all those assets with nothing to his name is even more impressive.”

“Is that even possible?”

“Of course.”

Myohyang, who had been covering her mouth to stifle her laughter, poured the wine as she spoke.

“Leave it to me.”

Her confident demand for control over finances only deepened his concern.

“I don’t mind, but… won’t it become too much work?”

“It just means more fun.”

She began her explanation, drinking elegantly.

“No matter how much the Han-Chung Trading Company expands its influence, it only acts as an intermediary and reaps profits—its own earnings are minimal.”

“What about those merchant groups we took over last time?”

Some time ago, Myohyang and Yangryeong had taken over merchant groups expelled from Hanjung.

“It wasn’t enough.”

“So you plan to incorporate Baekgajang’s business into the Alliance?”

“Exactly. We plan to expand it as much as possible before integrating it.”

“How?”

“Baekgajang mainly produced cotton cloth. Mass production kept their costs lower than others, so they made a decent profit.”

“I see.”

“I plan to do things differently. Instead of the crowded central plains, I’ll take it to the Western Regions to sell.”

“Hmm…”

“Thanks to the warriors of the Zhenwang Sect, I won’t need to use the postal service, so I’ll make an incomparable profit. My ultimate goal is to grow to that scale and absorb the merchants of Jiulong City.”

“…Impressive, but won’t you need someone to manage the Han-Zhong Trading Alliance? You can’t be in two places at once.”

“I’ve already found someone to help. Someone you know, Lord Gatekeeper.”

“Who?”

“Yang Ling.”

The unexpected name made me startled and I asked again.

“Sister, Yang-ryeong is…….”

“I know. It’s Hao Wen.”

“That’s precisely the problem. No matter how close I am with the Hao Men leader, it’s still awkward to trust and employ someone else’s person, isn’t it?”

There are security concerns too.

“Don’t worry. Yang Ling has left Hao Men.”

“What?”

“He got too big for his britches.”

“Did he… make a lot of money?”

“Hardly. She got pregnant, so her belly grew—it wasn’t that kind of psychological factor.”

“W-with who?!”

“Well, you know how Jonggeukrin Roju and I were in that kind of relationship? Thanks to that, we had a whirlwind wedding.”

Myohyang, delivering the news, subtly hinted at something.

“Huh, I wonder when we might…”

“Ahem.”

I still want to date.