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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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“Hap! Heup!”
I vigorously swung my sword, executing the movements of the Daeryu Sword Technique. Simultaneously, I employed breathing and movement techniques to optimize my body’s motions.
I was currently training under Serin’s tutelage.
“That’s a good posture. Keep it up.”
“Yes!”
I’ve been diligently training and honing my skills through real-life combat. As a result, my abilities are rapidly improving. Enough for Serin to praise me.
More importantly, I didn’t have much time to practice martial arts before because I was busy making money, but now I have plenty of time. What’s the reason most martial artists form factions? It’s all to focus solely on their training.
Even martial arts training requires a protective barrier and financial stability for peace of mind.
That’s my current situation.
“Alright. Let’s stop here.”
“Haa. I’m dying.”
Sweat poured from my entire body. I’m satisfied with pushing myself to the limit. This is the joy of martial arts training.
“Well done, Geun-hyeop. I’m very pleased with your progress.”
“With you as my teacher, I have to keep up even if it kills me.”
“You’re admirable.”
Saying that, Serin naturally patted my buttocks. Then, she came closer and whispered in my ear.
“Since you worked so hard today, as a reward, I’ll allow you to be on top tonight.”
“Huh…!”
This vixen!
“I’m so excited, Serin…!”
“Heheh, I look forward to it.”
I’m going to teach this seductive woman a lesson!
“Anyway. Is the Nachalbang running smoothly?”
“Yeah. It’s going pretty well.”
I grabbed the gourd bottle Serin gave me and gulped down the water.
“Ah.”
The Nachalbang is still in its early stages, so it’s a bit shaky, but it’s running smoothly.
Because we successfully carried out our initial plan.
We’ve currently coordinated the fees with the Lower Merchants’ Association and formally signed a protection contract. This was a very satisfying achievement. It was the way of the righteous sects. It’s completely different from those black path bastards extorting money.
There’s a huge difference between someone who comes to steal money and someone who signs a legitimate contract.
Still, we offered a lower price than what the black path factions charged. Since it’ll be a long-term contract, this is better.
And with this regular source of income, Nachalbang’s financial power has increased. That’s why we were able to accept the people who came.
“There’s a constant stream of people wanting to become our members.”
“That’s good to hear.”
All sorts of people came after hearing of Nachalbang’s reputation.
There were those filled with a sense of justice, and several shady black path thugs also appeared. The common denominator was that all of their origins were unclear. But what can we do? We have to interview them.
First, we filtered out anyone who seemed stupid or whose evil nature was outwardly apparent. Despite that filtering, there were so many applicants that we currently have about twenty new members.
We interviewed them, but this isn’t modern Korea, so we can’t check everyone’s background. Even though we heard their stories, we can’t know what they’ve been doing with their lives.
Well, we don’t really need to know. The important thing is whether they obey us or not. That’s all that matters. If they follow orders and perform their duties well, that’s enough. Finding talented individuals in this bottom rung of the martial world is a difficult task.
Anyway, with the increase in members and income, the organization is running relatively smoothly.
With more people, we can also protect our businesses. We’ve established a system where if merchants under our protection are harmed, the Nachalbang immediately goes to their rescue.
Actually, it was Galbijong who set this up, and this guy is really skilled. He’s doing so well that I think the organization wouldn’t function without him.
He’s practically the one in charge. I’m like the chief of security.
Galbijong handles most of the administrative work, so I’m focusing on managing the members and training my martial arts. Jaemison is the same. But originally, the head of a sect delegates administrative tasks to the general manager and focuses on developing their martial arts.
“Since Galbijong is doing a good job, the business itself is progressing smoothly even if it’s a bit shaky. Once it gains momentum, I think we’ll have a decent income.”
“Huhu, is that so?”
“This might seem small to a young lady from the Namgung Clan. But hey, it’s just the beginning.”
“I don’t think it’s small. I was merely born into the Namgung Clan; I didn’t contribute to its establishment, did I? So, seeing an organization being born and growing like this is amazing in itself.”
“Wow, you’re such a smooth talker!”
That’s my girl!
“So, Geun-hyeop, what are you going to do with this?”
“Ah. That.”
Serin took out a manual.
It was the manual Geumjeonsalgui had.
“Honestly, it’s not a great Daoist technique. The only noteworthy point is its practicality.”
Serin said as she opened the manual.
“It seems Geumjeonsalgui modified the Daoist technique to suit him as he gained practical experience. However, since it wasn’t based on a particularly high-level martial art to begin with, and assassins typically only target opponents they’re sure they can kill… that practicality isn’t all that great.”
This martial art is a modification of a Daoist technique that Geumjeonsalgui originally used. Its name is simple: Geumjeong Dao Technique. Even the name sounds weak.
“How does it compare to something like the Samjae Dao Technique?”
“It’s better than that.”
“Good.”
I’ve had something in mind since I saw this manual.
“I’m thinking of teaching this to the guys.”
To increase the power of the Nachalbang, the people in it need to become stronger. I picked them through interviews, but they’re all just at the level of Chang-sam and Oh su-man with swords. Amateurs who would be easily defeated by Mi-pyeong of the Dark Earth Gang.
The same goes for the Mun-dos!
The only true martial artists in our Nachalbang are our original members.
So, even teaching them a martial art like this little by little, while training them, will improve their combat power.
Even so, this is the Daoist technique Geumjeonsalgui used. It’s a martial art that amateurs can’t help but covet.
Promoting and rewarding those who show good progress with the technique will boost everyone’s motivation.
“They’ll work harder to learn this martial art.”
“That’s not a bad idea. But then, Geun-hyeop, you’ll have to learn this Geumjeong Dao Technique. Are you alright with that?”
“No problem. Teach me, Serin.”
“You’re really good at using your teacher.”
Serin grumbled, but when I wrapped my arm around her waist, she quickly became compliant.
“Well, alright.”
“Hehehe, I’ll have to show you some affection tonight.”
“Haa. You’re really impudent. Well, I’ll let it slide this time.”
“I’m so happy!”
Ultimate joy!
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“Mun-do! Greetings!”
“Oh, yeah, yeah.”
When I arrived at the Nachalbang, the Mun-dos who were already there greeted me. I’m quite pleased with how obedient they are.
What does it matter if they’re from the Ildomun Sect? If they’re this loyal, I can accept them all.
Good. Should I teach the Geumjeong Dao Technique to the disciples first? As I was thinking this, the Mun-dos who had finished greeting me went over to the other side. I saw them saying something to the members.
“I’ll say it again… don’t pay any attention to the strange things I say to Master Screaming Demon. If you value your life, that is.”
“Ah, I understand.”
What’s with this guy?
Is he embarrassed to be called a disciple?
Don’t be like that when you like it.
“Hehehe.”
Anyway, I went inside the thatched house. It’s a little shabby, but this is the Nachalbang headquarters.
“Ah! You’re here!”
“Keuk keuk… You came.”
Galbijong and Jaemison greeted me as I entered. Galbijong was busy working, and Jaemison seems to have taken an interest in administrative work and is focusing on it.
“Galbijong. Is everything running smoothly?”
“Of course! Look at the protection money we’ve collected!”
“Oh.”
The money is piling up nicely.
“For now, it’s going well. But I think there’s a limit to how much we can expand the protection racket. The number of lower merchants isn’t that high.”
“That’s true. Still, we have to scrape the bottom of the barrel.”
There are still lower merchants who haven’t joined the merchants’ association. They’re not under the Nachalbang’s protection.
Since we took down the black path thugs, they think there’s no need to pay protection money. Public order is…
…that’s what we created, but they’re trying to get a free ride.
However, we are a righteous sect.
We can’t do anything about it even if it’s annoying.
“Still, the limitations are clear. We need to expand our business. Many wandering warriors are flocking to our Nachalbang right now, aren’t they?”
“That’s true.”
“Manpower directly translates to money. Moreover, the Nachalbang can be considered a martial force, so the possibilities are endless.”
Don’t tell me.
“Are you thinking of taking on some big jobs from the Haengdomun?”
“Exactly. The Nachalbang’s reputation is already spreading. People are starting to see us as more trustworthy than wandering mercenaries, so we’ll take advantage of that.”
Tasks that are a bit ambiguous to entrust to wandering mercenaries.
Tasks that require a certain level of trust. It seems Galbijong is thinking of breaking new ground by taking on such jobs.
“That’s a good idea, Galbijong.”
“And there’s another thing…”
“What else was there?”
“Gambling dens.”
Ah, right!
There were gambling dens run by these black path factions. The trust was abysmal, and the environment itself wasn’t great, but if you wanted to gamble, you had no choice but to use them.
“I’ve been thinking about that too. Now that the black path factions are gone, there’s a temporary gambling vacuum. As a result, countless good people are suffering from withdrawal symptoms and complaining of pain. We need to reopen the gambling dens as soon as possible.”
That’s an excellent idea.
Healing those who are suffering and making money at the same time, it’s killing two birds with one stone.
“Let’s open it as soon as possible. But Galbijong, since we’re reopening it, let’s do it right.”
“Do it right?”
“Like a righteous sect!”
Our gambling den will have trust and reliability!
That’s what a righteous sect’s gambling den is all about!
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What the hell even is a “righteous sect’s gambling den”, though…?