Chapter 32

Chapter 31. You, brat? Are you from the Zhongnan Sect? (1)

"What?"

"Don't look at me like that. I know I'm doing something stupid."

You Zhongshan waved his hand as if he were annoyed.

"Why do you know me?"

"Listen. Gong Luzhu."

"......"

"You're not from Huayin, are you?"

Gong Wenyuan's face turned blank.

What is he talking about?

"You, who married into Huayin, wouldn't know. Let me explain what Huashan means to Huayin."

"No!"

Gong Wenyuan's mouth twitched.

What kind of nonsense is this? Why is it important whether someone is from Huayin or not?

"Listen. You Zhongshan."

"Ah, fine. I know what you're going to say."

You Zhongshan sighed deeply.

"In a world where even the emperor can be bought with money, I know it seems strange to talk about Huayin."

Gong Wenyuan looked at You Zhongshan with a bewildered expression. He was curious to hear what would come out of his mouth.

"But I am from Huayin."

"......What does that mean?"

"Those who grew up in Huayin have all heard stories about Huashan. From the time we can understand, we are told that we must climb Huashan and become the greatest martial artists in the world. Even after we realize we lack the talent to join Huashan, we grow up hearing how Huashan has protected the world and Shanxi, as if it were drilled into our ears."

Gong Wenyuan tilted his head. What is he talking about?

"It's not just me. My father and my grandfather grew up the same way. Huashan is the pride of Shanxi and Huayin. And......"

You Zhongshan scratched the back of his head.

"Even if I don't, it's the pride of my father and grandfather."

"......So what?"

"But if I destroy Huashan to make some money, will my father let me off when I go to the underworld? I'll be beaten for days and days."

A low laugh escaped his lips.

As Gong Wenyuan turned his head with a stiff face, everyone closed their mouths and bowed slightly.

"So? Are you going to give up a fortune just for that reason?"

"What do you mean by 'give up'? Didn't you hear the Sect Leader say he would compensate us?"

"Do you believe that?"

"There's no need to believe or not. Frankly, what would I do with that money?"

You Zhongshan spat on the ground.

"You, who would take the money and run, would have many uses for it. There are plenty of places to spend money in Hangzhou. But where would I go with the money I earn? I've spent my whole life digging in Huayin. Now, Hangzhou? Suzhou? It's a ridiculous idea."

You Zhongshan couldn't help but chuckle.

It's a ridiculous situation. When he was climbing Huashan, he was daydreaming about receiving the money and living a luxurious life. But now, he's saying this?

'I must be crazy.'

It's something he couldn't do in his right mind. You Zhongshan knew very well how foolish he was being.

But......

"You'll regret it."

"Of course, I'll regret it. Damn it! Do I look like I'm doing this because I don't know I'll regret it? I know better than you! Of course, I'll regret it!"

You Zhongshan shouted.

"But it's less uncomfortable than destroying Huashan with my own hands!"

Gong Wenyuan looked at You Zhongshan with disbelief.

You Zhongshan, still agitated, took a few deep breaths and sighed.

"Listen, Gong Luzhu. I'm doing fine as it is. If I were to protect Huashan here, I would lose the money. I could live a comfortable life by just taking the money when the time comes. But if I uproot Huashan here, I'll carry useless money and regret it until the day I die. I don't want to live like that."

Gong Wenyuan clenched his teeth and glared at You Zhongshan.

'Is he in his right mind?'

He couldn't understand what You Zhongshan was saying. But......

'There's no need to understand.'

Why should he try to dissuade someone who is willingly walking into a fire? It wouldn't change the situation even if one person backed out.

"Do as you please. It won't make a difference if you're gone."

"Who said it's just one person?"

Gong Wenyuan's movement suddenly stopped. Then, his head slowly turned. The slow movement of his head seemed to indicate how heated he was.

"Ximen Zangzhu."

Ximen Zong walked over and stood next to You Zhongshan.

"What are you doing?"

"Can't you see?"

Gong Wenyuan frowned.

But Ximen Zong wasn't the only one. Perhaps encouraged by You Zhongshan's words, five out of the twenty or so who had climbed up stood on You Zhongshan's side.

"Wow, really."

Gong Wenyuan shook his head.

'Have you ever seen such pitiful people?'

How could merchants make such a foolish choice? Well, that's why they are stuck in this backwater, living a miserable life.

'No, no.'

Gong Wenyuan's face, which had shown disdain, quickly turned serious.

'If the opponent wasn't Huashan, they wouldn't have made such a choice. This shows that Huayin and Huashan still have a significant influence.'

Emotions can cloud judgment. Underestimating the opponent is something a merchant should never do. It's right to think that the strength of Huashan, which he had feared so much, is being demonstrated at this moment.

Gong Wenyuan looked at those who had defected. They all looked regretful but also relieved.

'Fools.'

The pride of not abandoning Huashan until the end?

That only has meaning as long as Huashan exists. Even if they delay the repayment date, Huashan won't have the means to pay the remaining debt. They are ultimately losing a fortune due to a momentary poor judgment.

After making his decision, Gong Wenyuan calmly asked,

"Is there anyone else who has other thoughts?"

The remaining merchants, sensing the mood between Xian Zong and Gong Wenyuan, subtly turned their heads away.

"Zhang Wenzhu."

"......"

Gong Wenyuan smiled softly.

"I didn't know the name of Huashan was still so revered. But it seems to end here. The remaining people have no intention of delaying the repayment date, so we would like you to repay the money we lent you now."

Xian Zong laughed hollowly. His gaze was not on Gong Wenyuan but on the merchants behind him.

"Is there really no one else who will help Huashan?"

"......"

When no answer came, Xian Zong nodded.

"Then there's nothing we can do."

"Zhang Wenzhu."

"Stop pushing, Gong Luzhu."

Gong Wenyuan flinched.

Though it was a low voice, Xian Zong's voice carried an authority that dared not be challenged.

Looking at You Zhongshan and a few merchants who had stood aside, Xian Zong smiled.

"Still, it's enough to know that there are still people who have faith in Huashan. It means the world hasn't abandoned Huashan yet, doesn't it?"

While Gong Wenyuan was at a loss, Xian Zong raised his voice.

"Yunyan!"

"Here, Zhang Wenzhu!"

"Bring it!"

"Understood."

Yunyan bowed and quickly walked away. Gong Wenyuan frowned slightly as he watched.

'Is he really prepared?'

It's impossible.

Gong Wenyuan wasn't just sitting idly. If someone had lent Huashan that much money, he would have heard about it.

Then is it just a show?

No, that doesn't make sense either. A show is something you put on when you have a backup. But Huashan has no backup, does it? It's not a situation that can be resolved with a show.

Before Gong Wenyuan could finish his thoughts, Yunyan returned. He had gone alone but came back with three people.

'Are they elders?'

Judging by the age of the people who came with Yunyan, they seemed to be the elders of Huashan. One of them was carrying a large box.

"Zhang Wenzhu, I've brought it."

Xian Zong nodded.

"Put it down."

"Understood."

The box was placed on the ground.

Gong Wenyuan stared at the box and then looked up.

"This is......?"

"Inside is the wealth you are owed. Please check it."

"......Did you say 'wealth'?"

"That's right."

Gong Wenyuan looked at the box with suspicion.

'He can't be joking, can he?'

The Xian Zong he knew wouldn't joke in such a situation. So, does that mean there really is wealth inside?

Various thoughts raced through his mind, but now wasn't the time to think. What's the point of thinking when the box is right in front of him?

Gong Wenyuan approached the box as if in a trance and slowly opened the lid.

His eyes narrowed as he saw what was inside.

"This is......?"

Wealth?

This book can't be wealth, can it?

"Zhang Wenzhu, are you teasing me?"

"How could I? I clearly gave you what you wanted."

"What is this?"

"Read it, and you'll know."

Gong Wenyuan bit his lip and pulled out one of the books from the box. He then began to read the contents where he stood.

Rustle.

Rustle.

The sound of turning pages spread through the quiet Huashan. With each page, Gong Wenyuan's face turned pale.

"This, this......"

Gong Wenyuan, whose face had completely changed, trembled as he held the book and looked at Xian Zong.

"What, what is this......?"

When Gong Wenyuan couldn't continue, the merchants, who had been watching him, cautiously approached.

"What is it, Gong Luzhu?"

"Let us see too."

"......"

When Gong Wenyuan didn't respond, the merchants glanced at the box. Seeing that there were still several books inside, they reached out and took them out.

"What is this......?"

Their faces, which had been slightly tense, soon turned puzzled as they read the contents.

"Is this a ledger?"

"That's right."

Xian Zong nodded calmly.

"But it looks like an old ledger. Why......?"

Xian Zong smiled.

"The ledger you are looking at is one that the previous generation of Huashan created to manage their business."

"......What?"

Xian Zong's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Gong Luzhu, have you confirmed it?"

"......"

Xian Zong's voice rang out clearly.

"The ledger contains proof that the original owner of the businesses you are operating is Huashan."

"......?"

"Ah, no, what do you mean? Zhang Wenzhu?"

"Quiet."

Xian Zong firmly cut off their words. Then, he spoke softly to those who were still in shock.

"Huashan has done you a favor. But you have repaid that favor with enmity. No matter how much Huashan is a sect that values virtue, it is not so foolish as to show kindness to rats that bite their masters."

Xian Zong's stern reprimand was sharp.

"Therefore, Huashan will confiscate not only the businesses you are operating but also the wealth you have accumulated through those businesses."

It was like a bolt from the blue.