Chapter 21

Chapter 20. Is it because of me that the volcano erupted? (5)

"Time! How much longer do you plan to stall?"

"How can someone be so shameless?"

"We have been lenient enough!"

Hyun-jong's face was filled with deep worry.

"I am aware... but..."

At that moment, a man who had been at the back of the group quietly stepped forward. As he came forward, the others fell silent and stepped back.

'Is he the leader?'

Cheong-myeong's eyes lit up as he looked at the man who stepped forward.

He had the typical appearance of a merchant, with a slightly plump face and clothes adorned with expensive silk.

'He looks wealthy.'

The man who stepped forward opened his mouth. Cheong-myeong listened quietly.

"Jang Min. Have you been well?"

"I did not expect Gong Luzhu to come in person."

Gong Luzhu, who was called by that name, smiled softly.

"I do not feel good about meeting you under these circumstances. I had hoped not to come back to Huashan, but with so many urging me, I had no choice. I hope you understand."

"I am truly sorry."

Hyun-jong bowed his head slightly.

Then Gong Luzhu spoke in a slightly different tone.

"However, Jang Min, you must also understand the others. The agreed date has long passed."

"Hmm."

Gong Luzhu slightly shrugged his shoulders. To Cheong-myeong, his gesture did not seem arrogant at all.

"We have already been lenient with Huashan many times. If you continue to break your promises, we will find it difficult to be lenient any longer."

Hyun-jong could not say anything.

Though his face appeared calm, Cheong-myeong could see his face subtly twitching.

Of course, it would be natural.

No previous leader of Huashan had ever experienced being harassed by debt collectors in front of their disciples.

"According to the contract, we should demand the penalty for breaking the agreement now."

Gong Luzhu shook his head with a smile.

"We have also benefited from Huashan's grace. We do not wish to be so harsh."

"Gong Luzhu!"

"We have already been very... "

"Tsk."

The other merchants protested, but they fell silent as soon as Gong Luzhu spoke. They then subtly observed his reaction.

"Those who do not know gratitude are no better than beasts. Do not think only of the favors you have done. Anyone who lives in Huayin has grown up with Huashan's grace. Do not forget the past."

"Hmm."

"That's right."

Thinking that everyone understood, Gong Luzhu smiled broadly and spoke.

"That's why I am offering a little more leniency. I will give you seven days. If you do not repay the borrowed money within seven days, we will take the agreed penalty."

"Wait, Gong Luzhu. Just wait a moment—"

"Jang Min."

Gong Luzhu shook his head.

"There is no more. I am a man who deals with money. This is the most lenient I can be. If the payment is not ready when I return after seven days, we will seize all of Huashan's halls as agreed."

"Ah!"

Gong Luzhu turned his head at the sudden outburst. He saw Cheong-myeong, who had covered his mouth.

"I must have made a poor impression in front of the child."

Gong Luzhu extended his hand in a bow.

"That's all for today. Jang Min. I hope we can meet again with smiles. Goodbye."

As Gong Luzhu turned, the merchants who had followed him also turned. They did not forget to glare at Hyun-jong as they left.

Hyun-jong watched them leave with a heavy sigh.

"......Huh."

A sigh that was a little dejected and a little exhausted, and therefore even heavier.

* * *

"So."

Cheong-myeong was sitting with his legs crossed, his chin resting on his hand.

"Merchants from Huayin County?"

"That's right."

"Ugh."

Cheong-myeong's head nodded back and forth. Seeing this, Do In-myeong slowly stepped back.

'I don't know what he'll do next. I need to get away.'

The reason he was explaining this to Cheong-myeong was simple.

The guy who returned to Baekmae Hall with a great momentum gathered all the children of the merchants and selected those who knew about Huashan's situation. The one who met his criteria was Do In-myeong.

As a result, Do In-myeong was now explaining everything he knew and didn't know about Huashan's situation to Cheong-myeong.

"Is Huayin County the name of the village below Huashan?"

Jao Geol, who had been listening, asked.

"Yes, Senior Brother. I remember seeing it when I traveled with my father."

"Then does it mean Huashan borrowed money from the merchants of Huayin County?"

"That's... not entirely clear."

Do In-myeong scratched his head.

It was unlikely that the third-generation disciples of Huashan knew everything about the mountain's affairs. They could only guess based on the situation.

"Gong Luzhu is the owner of Taehwa Pavilion in Huayin County. It's the largest pavilion in Huayin, and I've heard he is involved in various businesses. He is the wealthiest merchant in Huayin."

"Hmm."

"So if Huashan borrowed money, it was probably from him... "

Thud.

"Huh?"

Jao Geol turned his head. His face then turned pale.

Cheong-myeong's neck was moving like a broken wooden puppet.

"Junior Brother! Snap out of it! Junior Brother!"

"Taehwa Pavilion... "

"Why are you like this?"

Seeing Cheong-myeong in shock, Jao Geol was alarmed.

Of course, they couldn't understand why Cheong-myeong was reacting this way.

Thud.

Suddenly, Cheong-myeong, who seemed to have regained his energy, stood up and glared at Do In-myeong with a terrifying look.

"Ah!"

Then he lunged at Do In-myeong at lightning speed and grabbed his collar.

"Is it true that the guy you mentioned is the owner of Taehwa Pavilion?"

"Yes, it is."

"The owner of Taehwa Pavilion is lending money to Huashan and trying to seize its halls?"

"Calm down, Junior Brother!"

"Calm down? You want me to calm down now?"

Hey, you guys! Do I look calm to you?

Cheong-myeong released Do In-myeong's collar and started scratching and tearing his hair.

"Why are you doing this, Junior Brother?"

Yun Jong's question went unanswered. The reason was simple.

He couldn't explain it.

Because!

'Taehwa Pavilion is Huashan's! Are you crazy!'

Do In-myeong wasn't just a grass-eater. For a small or medium-sized sect, the money from incense offerings might be enough to sustain them, but for a large sect like Huashan, it was impossible.

After all, swordsmen and martial artists were only interested in becoming stronger, and they didn't contribute a single coin to the sect's finances.

To feed such parasites, a huge amount of money was needed. Therefore, Huashan had various businesses in Huayin County. One of them was Taehwa Pavilion.

But the owner of Taehwa Pavilion was lending money to Huashan and trying to seize its halls?

It didn't make sense.

So... if it doesn't make sense, it means something is wrong!

"Senior Brother Jao Geol."

"Huh?"

Cheong-myeong gestured silently. Jao Geol approached with a puzzled look. When Cheong-myeong whispered something only Jao Geol could hear, Jao Geol's eyes widened.

"That?"

"Can you get it?"

Jao Geol hesitated.

"Well, I can get it, but... "

"Then get it quickly."

"Really?"

"Do I look like I'm joking? Senior Brother?"

"I'll get it."

Jao Geol left the room with a slightly tense face.

'What is he planning?'

Yun Jong tilted his head as he watched. Jao Geol's reaction was not normal.

But he didn't need to think too deeply. Jao Geol returned with something in less than half an hour.

He handed it to Cheong-myeong with a subtle expression.

'A cloth?'

Or is it a piece of clothing? Why would he bring that in this situation?

Cheong-myeong took the clothes Jao Geol brought and, without hesitation, took off the robe he was wearing.

"Ah?"

Then he quickly put on the clothes Jao Geol brought.

A tight-fitting black outfit...

"What are you planning to do?"

"Ask and see."

"Huh?"

Cheong-myeong answered calmly.

"Anyway, the senior disciples won't give a proper answer, and they'll probably tell me to stay out of it."

Of course, that's true!

"So I'll ask directly!"

"Wait, just a moment!"

Sweat started to trickle down Yun Jong's forehead.

Everything Cheong-myeong had done so far was within Huashan, so it could be somehow managed despite the many issues. But what he was about to do wouldn't end with Huashan.

'I have to stop him.'

If he got lucky, he might just get some information. But...

'There's no way!'

Cheong-myeong, for one, was a person who didn't have a backup plan. It was clear from what he had seen so far. This guy would definitely cause trouble! He'd bet his life on it.

And if this guy caused trouble in the town below, the consequences would be uncontrollable.

If he couldn't stop him here, Yun Jong would also be held responsible. If the elders of the sect found out the whole story of this guy causing trouble, even Senior Brother Yun Jong wouldn't be safe.

But how could he stop him?

If a few words could stop him, he would have done it already.

Yun Jong, sweating profusely, opened his mouth.

"What are you planning to do?"

"I'm going to ask directly."

"What if they don't answer?"

"They won't answer?"

Cheong-myeong tilted his head.

"Usually, they beg me to stop and answer."

Stop what, you crazy guy!

Yun Jong racked his brain.

"You're a Taoist, right?"

"Huh?"

"Yes, you're a Taoist, a disciple of Huashan!"

For some reason, Cheong-myeong seemed to have a sense of pride in being a Taoist and a disciple of Huashan. So if he could stimulate that part...

"A Taoist shouldn't do such things! You'll be no different from the Black Sect!"

Then Cheong-myeong nodded deeply.

"Indeed, that's true. A Taoist shouldn't do such things."

It seemed to have worked. Yun Jong's face brightened with a glimmer of hope.

"R-right!"

"But, Senior Brother! Listen carefully!"

"Huh?"

"There's a saying in the scriptures! 'Kill the Buddha, kill the patriarch!' If you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha; if you meet the patriarch, kill the patriarch!"

"......"

"So! To achieve true Tao!"

Cheong-myeong put on the black mask he was holding and declared confidently.

"Sometimes, you must know how to break the Tao!"

What does that mean? You crazy guy.

"I'm going! To find the true Tao!"

"......"

Yun Jong deeply realized that stopping Cheong-myeong was impossible.