Chapter 297 Acting Governor Seongju (2)

Chapter 297: Acting Governor Seongju (2)

As soon as he returned to the Dragon Hall, he summoned the responsible parties.

He intended to reprimand them for failing to stop the master.

“……”

The problem was, there was no one who could be considered responsible.

At best, the five squad leaders of the Black Dragon Corps could be considered responsible, but he couldn’t bring himself to reprimand them.

“No. Go back and rest.”

The president couldn’t very well reprimand the section chiefs directly, could he?

Moreover, since the chairman himself had come personally, the squad leaders, mere section chiefs, had no way to stop him.

All of this was because Yookro had returned early.

‘If only that bitch Yang-ryeong hadn’t been there!’

If Woo Je-jun, a senior executive at Jeonwangmun Co., Ltd., and Sama Heun, a director-level employee, had been there, they would have said I couldn’t enter the master’s quarters.

After trudging back to the room, Myohyang was waiting for me.

“Madam!”

“Merchant!”

Swoosh.

A heartwarming embrace.

After three months apart, you’d think it’d be heartwarming… my ass.

“Dammit!”

“Ouch!”

He grabbed Myaohyang and charged straight for the bed.

“Hey, wait… Let’s at least talk first…”

A moment later.

Only after finishing our physical conversation did we begin talking with our mouths.

She poured me tea and told me all the trivial news that had happened while I was away.

“Well, remember when Maerani confessed to Yongma, the head of the Lee Seonbang? She even brandished a sword, saying she’d kill herself if he didn’t accept her.”

“Really? So what happened?”

“The Dragon Horse Gate Master said, ‘I felt the same way,’ then dashing out so coolly he snatched the sword away.”

“That heartless bastard, going after a girl twelve years younger than him…”

When Myohyang heard I’d been forced into acting governor, she said it was a fantastic opportunity.

“Oh my? What an incredible opportunity!”

“It just seems like it’ll be a hassle…”

“Your Excellency is destined to lead Guryongseong. Gaining experience now might prevent mistakes that could arise later, don’t you think?”

Honestly, I don’t want to be the castle lord or anything.

“By the way, I heard you decided to accept Hwaran?”

“Ah, that… My wife gave her permission…”

Myohyang answered with a bright smile.

“That’s right. I gave my permission.”

“No, why?”

“I’ll tell you the reason later. I think you’ll understand once you hear it.”

“……”

Seeing his exasperated expression, she urged him to tell her about this expedition.

“Ah, well, that’s the thing…”

I explained what had happened in the Kunlun Mountains.

“…No, suddenly over a thousand supreme masters surrounded me, and then the Blood Clan Leader burst out from among them, right? So I said, ‘No one passes beyond this point!’ And then, well, those bastards started trembling like leaves…”

She listened intently to the peril I faced, more than to the story of obtaining the treasure.

That took half an hour.

After hearing a story that would fill four volumes of a comic book, Myohyang exhaled a sigh of relief.

“…Good heavens, that happened? I’m so relieved you weren’t hurt.”

“Heh heh, that won’t happen again.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I’ve reached the ultimate realm. From now on, there’s hardly anyone in the world who can do anything to me… Let me see, maybe twenty? No, probably around thirty? Anyway, almost no one.”

Despite my claim, Myohyang looked at me with a worried expression.

“…I’m actually worried.”

“……? Why?”

“Because with great power comes great responsibility.”

“…Did you secretly watch Spider-Man or something?”

“Sp-Spider? What’s that?”

“No, it exists. That kind of thing.”

“It’s not something I just saw somewhere—I’ve thought about it for a long time. People born with small talents live ordinary lives, while those born with great talents accomplish great things.”

“…….”

“But no matter how one is born, someone appears who changes fate. As if heaven were pushing them to do great things.”

“Am I that person?”

She nodded and said.

“When His Excellency was young, he was just a student at the Ascension Pavilion. After graduating, he became a section chief in the Outer Court, and now he’s the head of the Inner Court.”

“…….”

“Over the years, you’ve grown stronger and stronger, and now you’re among the top masters in the land. It’s as if Heaven itself is bestowing greater power upon you, urging you to accomplish even greater things, don’t you think?”

Hearing it, it was true.

The stronger his martial arts became, the higher his position rose, and the more people and responsibilities he had to shoulder.

“Well, I suppose you’re right.”

“I’m afraid of what might happen in the future. What if an enemy beyond your power targets you…”

He patted Myohyang’s shoulder, who was worrying about becoming a widow.

“Don’t worry too much. I’m not exactly dominating the martial world, and who would dare mess with the head of the Nine Dragons Sect? Especially the sect leader’s direct disciple.”

“Well… you’re right about that. I’ll work even harder to grow the Seocheon Trading Company and the Hanjung Trading Alliance to protect the merchants. If we have more money, we’ll have more warriors, and the merchants will be safer, right?”

“Exactly!”

“No. It’d be far more efficient to unify the entire upper realm. Buy up all the grain from hostile factions and starve them into submission. They’ll lose any will to fight.”

“……”

Well, it’s the heart of a devoted wife thinking of her husband, so let’s just let it slide.

* * *

Two days later.

He stopped by the Seongju Hall to preside over the monthly party leader meeting.

Moon Sang-i, the Chief of Staff to the City Lord and also serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Public Administration and Security, Minister of Strategy and Finance, and Minister of Justice for Guryongseong, explained the agenda for today’s meeting.

“…So these are the items on the agenda.”

“Just relax, okay?”

Gap-dong asked hesitantly, but Mun Sang answered firmly.

“Even if it’s temporary, you are representing the Lord. You must reign over all who belong to Guryongseong.”

Well, if that’s the case…

“Then go get some tea. And some light refreshments too.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

After assigning the bread shuttle mission to Moon Sang, he examined the document listing the agenda items.

“Let’s see…”

1. Qinghai Province Stabilization Policy.

2. Establishment Plan for Guryongseong Gamsuk Branch Office.

3. Support measures for the Hoyeon Association.

4. Dispatch of an envoy delegation following the appointment of a new Zhengdeng Alliance leader.

5. Determination of next year’s tax rates.

6. Recruitment of new members.

.

.

.

27. Confirm completion of outer city wall construction.

A document listing everything from important matters to utterly trivial ones.

‘Tsk tsk, this is just too much….’

Just seeing how even matters that should be handled by lower-level agencies end up reaching the head office meeting shows how chaotic Kuryongseong’s administration is.

It seemed inevitable that a comprehensive overhaul would be needed sooner or later.

As we waited, enjoying the refreshments Mun-sang had brought, a martial artist from the Amdokdan soon announced that the clan heads had gathered.

“Let’s go.”

“Let’s go.”

Thud.

The Amdokdan warrior opened the doors to the main hall where the leaders’ meeting was held.

“……”

The gazes of the seven leaders, including the Outer Leader, turned toward me.

Their eyes held awe, joy, and astonishment.

One thing was certain: there was no trace of envy or resentment in anyone’s eyes.

Even though I, much younger than them, was chairing the meeting as Deputy Director Seongju.

This was all because I had always conducted myself well in social situations.

“Ahem, please be seated.”

The seven heads of the clan took their seats.

Far behind the outer head of the clan, Garip, I spotted the Seventh Head of the Clan, who had recently married the Fifteenth Head of the Clan.

‘I really should visit their new home sometime…’

I gave him a friendly nod, and he smiled slightly in return.

“Seeing you all in such fine health fills me with unparalleled reassurance…”

“Let’s get started quickly. I’m swamped.”

“…….”

The meeting of the clan leaders began at the signal of the Hwaryong Clan Leader.

As always, the meeting was noisy.

Even the simplest issue would be discussed by several people at once, so nothing ever passed quietly.

“……Then, next year’s tax rate will be set at thirty percent.”

The five faction leaders nodded in agreement at the words of the Red Dragon faction leader, who held the position of Deputy Chief.

For reference, this matter had been a standoff between the 40% faction and the 20% faction, finally reaching a conclusion after a single hour.

And if it hadn’t been for the compromise I proposed, they’d still be arguing right now.

“Ahem. The next agenda item is… whether to recruit a new party.”

Only six items so far.

At this rate, when will we ever get off work?

“Ugh…”

A sigh escaped him involuntarily.

* * *

That night.

At a small tavern in the outer city, I drank with the leader of the Red Dragon Sect.

“Phew, it’s tough.”

“Heh heh heh, it’s only like this today. You know that, don’t you?”

“That’s precisely why it’s harder. I can’t help but wonder if Master knew this would happen and that’s why he went into seclusion?”

“That can’t be it.”

“……Why not?”

“The master would’ve just come out and slept anyway.”

“I suppose so…”

The master is certainly the type to do such a thing.

Nodding, the head of the Red Dragon Sect smiled faintly and asked.

“By the way, when are you going to take Hwaran?”

“……Well. Maybe in a year or two?”

I want to enjoy our courtship a little longer.

“That late?”

“We haven’t been married long, so I thought we’d take our time.”

That way, we can collect a proper amount of wedding gifts.

“Hwaran will cry.”

“You don’t seem bothered? I thought you’d be making a fuss to hurry things up.”

“I can’t keep interfering forever. Just take her whenever you’re ready. You’re not the type to break a promise.”

“Heh heh, you’re still in good health, so that’s true enough.”

“That’s right. I’ll stay spry for another twenty years. Heh heh heh.”

“I suppose I should congratulate you on your longevity in advance.”

Clink.

Clinking glasses, I studied him.

His aura was distinctly different from the fierce vitality of old.

Perhaps it was because he had become the lord of the domain, but he now carried the bearing of a great man.

“Seems you’re living well.”

“It is. Thanks to my brilliant grandson-in-law, my household has prospered, and I’ve gained honor. On top of that, I’m enjoying a peaceful old age. As a warrior, what more could one ask for in life?”

The old saying that generosity flows from a full purse certainly holds true.

“You’ve gained time, money, and honor.”

“That’s right.”

“Then which of the three is the most precious?”

“Honor, of course.”

“Not money?”

“For a warrior to covet money like this… No. Actually, this is better. At least Hwaran won’t go hungry.”

He spoke with an expression of utter disbelief, then shook his head.

“Isn’t it true that generosity and happiness come from a full granary? You need money to eat well and live happily.”

“Don’t even think about asking me to add more later.”

“Huh? You’re not even going to give me a dowry? I was expecting you to pull out at least one pillar root for me from the Red Dragon Sect.”

“You bastard!”

“Heh heh heh.”

Perhaps because they were close both publicly and privately, it was enjoyable.

After chatting for quite a while, the Red Dragon Sect leader, his face flushed bright red, suddenly blurted out something unexpected.

“The Nine Dragons Fortress is too slow.”

“Out of nowhere? You never complained before…”

“I only realized it after ascending to the supreme position of Deputy Lord.”

“No.”

It seemed he was under some major misunderstanding, but he didn’t bother to refute it.

“Well, that’s because we’re a coalition of multiple sects.”

“Even considering that, it’s too slow. Just look at today. There were important matters, but even trivial issues ended up on the sect leaders’ meeting agenda. I doubt anyone else takes a whole month to repair their city walls.”

“Well, you’re right about that.”

When I agreed, he perked up and ranted.

“If you need people, you should bring them in immediately. If you need money, you should get it right away. And when you have to fight, you should rush out immediately. But what about Nine Dragons Fortress? Even to do one thing, it takes at least half a month.”

It wasn’t wrong. Perhaps all the heads of the families felt the same way.

But there was nothing culture could do about that.

“If you’re slow, you get eaten.”

“……”

As he pondered that deeply resonant phrase, the head of the Red Dragon Clan rose from his seat.

“It’s getting quite late. I’ll be going now. Finish your drinks.”

I called out to him as he rose.

“Lord Jikryong. No, Lord Bu.”

“Why are you calling me?”

“Please pay for the drinks before you go.”

“……”

It’s a social norm for the elder to pay the bill, after all.