Chapter 79

Chapter 79

“Hmm, the Wind Sword Sect…”

Namgung Cheon, who had rushed over from Yueyang at Gwon Mu-jin's call, took off his bamboo hat, sat down, and chewed over Dan Woo-hyun's words. It was definitely a sect he felt he had heard of somewhere before.

It seemed to be a sect registered with the Murim Alliance, but it was not to the extent of being deeply engraved in Namgung Cheon's mind.

“Actually, I do not know well. I do not think it is such a famous sect. Gwon Mu-jin, do you not know better about this kind of thing than I do?”

Namgung Cheon was the former leader of the Murim Alliance. The Murim Alliance was a place where ninety percent of the sects claiming to be orthodox were registered. It was natural that he did not know every single name.

“I do not know either.”

Gwon Mu-jin also shook his head.

He was also a person who had held a certain rank within the Martial Emperor City.

Because the people he dealt with were mostly from the Demonic Sect, the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, or the Eight Great Families, he did not remember small and medium-sized sects.

If he had known about the Wind Sword Sect well in the first place, he would not have gone to call Namgung Cheon.

“Haha, but it is strange. No matter how much they are a sect that has seized control of the Yueyang area, to act so recklessly like this.”

Namgung Cheon let out a sigh.

It was because their behavior was like looking at people of the unorthodox path. It felt as if things he had not seen while holding the position of the Murim Alliance leader were being revealed one by one.

The bitterness was indescribable.

“It is only natural that anyone who gains power wants to use it. They must be the same.”

Hearing Dan Woo-hyun's words, Namgung Cheon let out a small groan, going “Hmm.”

All living creatures had a set law. That was the relationship of the food chain, to eat and be eaten.

If that balance collapsed and power shifted to one side, it was natural to feel the urge to swallow up other things using that power.

Currently, Yueyang was like that.

There was no place that could swallow the Wind Sword Sect.

That was why the bastards ran even more wild.

It was because they knew better than anyone that there was no one who could stop them no matter what they did.

Although the District Magistrate Hong Won-chang could be considered somewhat of an exception, in the first place, the government offices did not like interfering in Murim affairs very much.

This was also the reason why the term non-aggression was created at some point. Since nothing good came of interfering, they washed their hands of it one by one.

Namgung Cheon, who thought up to that point, spoke cautiously.

“Still, it is a relief that they backed away quietly. Though their way of doing things was somewhat rough, they went back submissively.”

“It would be a relief if that were truly the case…”

Dan Woo-hyun quietly stared at Namgung Cheon.

Namgung Cheon looked like a person who had experienced everything in the world, but in reality, he was not.

He was someone who had power and background backing him up since birth, and that was why he did not seem to know this ecosystem in detail despite his old age.

It was because the ones he looked at were always the foolish fellows who supported the Namgung Family and smirked in front of the name of the Sword Emperor.

The Wind Sword Sect must have had some purpose. They must have needed this manor to achieve that purpose.

Dan Woo-hyun did not want to dig into their purpose as well.

Either way, they…

‘They will apply pressure.’

Dan Woo-hyun smirked.

The impending events seemed clearly visible.

“His daughter attends the Green Pine Academy, and he himself is unemployed?”

“That is correct.”

“He must be sliding a significant amount of money to the District Magistrate as well, and the Green Pine Academy would not be cheap either… Where on earth is that money flowing out from?”

“Since he does not seem to trade with merchants either, would it not be inherited wealth?”

“Hmm…”

Having returned to the sect, Hu Ja-ryeong swallowed a groan and furrowed his brow.

Looking at the size of the manor, it seemed to be worth a considerable amount, but he thought they would surely sell it if it was around two hundred taels of silver.

After all, while he had the name of the Wind Sword Sect, which held power in Yueyang, the opponent was just a commoner.

He thought they would definitely sell it, even if only out of fear that their lives might be in danger.

But the situation got twisted somewhat strangely.

To think they would act so confidently in that manner.

Tap, tap…

“Have you made your move?”

“Even now, the boys are going around and making their moves. I believe they will soon be terrified and follow our words.”

“Excellent. What about the District Magistrate?”

“I understand that the District Magistrate is currently away on business. Therefore, we bribed the deputy magistrate, and he also agreed to comply, so I think they will move soon.”

“Haha, then that is fine. If the bastards have any sense, they will run over immediately and ask us to buy the manor.”

Hu Ja-ryeong burst into hearty laughter and leaned his body back against the chair.

Bullying the weak was truly amusing. The more they struggled, the more he felt that watching them and savoring the victory was the best feeling.

“Hmm.”

Namgung Cheon, who had gone to pick up Dan So-mi while wearing his bamboo hat, had entered the inside of the Green Pine Academy for some reason.

This was the office where the headmaster stayed, and Namgung Cheon, who sat there, stared at the man, the headmaster, in front of him with a puzzled expression.

In fact, it was his first time seeing his face.

“Well, for what reason did you ask to see this old man?”

“Ha, haha, it is about that.”

The headmaster broke into a cold sweat.

Upon seeing the face of Namgung Cheon, who entered the office and took off his bamboo hat, he felt pressure rather than fear.

The headmaster sweated, but soon pulled himself together and started speaking.

“It is about that. Recently, So-mi's behavior has been having a bad influence on the academy.”

“A bad influence?”

Namgung Cheon nodded, clearing his throat.

Dan So-mi was still a young child. If she had really done something bad, she had to be corrected even if it required scolding.

When Namgung Cheon asked for an explanation, the headmaster continued speaking.

“It is just playing for land, but it started spreading like gambling, and now most of the children in the academy are hooked on it. And Dan So-mi is always at the center of it.”

“Is that such a serious matter?”

Of course, he had nothing to say about the gambling aspect, but it was merely children's play at best.

Could that not be handled with just a scolding from the headmaster?

“Our Green Pine Academy has children of high officials, of course, as well as many descendants of prestigious families renowned in the Central Plains. However, since this child, Dan So-mi, has ruined the academy's atmosphere, there are many opinions from parents that she must be expelled.”

“…So?”

“Ugh… So… therefore, our… Green Pine Academy's conclusion is that we… we can no longer accept So-mi.”

Namgung Cheon narrowed his eyes and looked at the headmaster.

It was already two or three months ago when he first heard about this land game from Dan So-mi. Yet, having remained silent until now, they suddenly brought this up, which did not sit well with him.

A suspicion nagged at his mind, but Namgung Cheon soon shook his head and denied it.

It made no sense.

Would a sect belonging to the Murim Alliance apply pressure in this manner just because they did not sell the manor?

Namgung Cheon dismissed all his thoughts and stood up from his seat.

For now, he planned to take So-mi, who was outside, and return to the manor. He felt he should discuss this matter with Dan Woo-hyun.

“I understand well. For now, I shall report this matter to the master of the manor.”

“Th-Thank you.”

Namgung Cheon put on the bamboo hat he had set aside and stood up. Feeling the gaze of the headmaster staring intently, he opened the door and walked out.

He saw Dan So-mi smiling brightly, wondering since when she had been there.

She had likely overheard the entire conversation.

“Grandfather, let us go!”

“Y-Yes, let us go.”

The child said nothing.

Although it was an academy she had attended for a long time and separating from her friends would surely be sad deep down, she stretched out her hand without showing a single sad expression.

She was showing a level of composure that could not be found in children of her age. Even Namgung So-hye had not been like that.

Namgung Cheon, who sighed, took Dan So-mi's hand and left the academy.

“I cannot come to the academy anymore, right?”

“I wonder… Let us ask your father first to see what will happen.”

“Hehe, So-mi is fine. The academy is fun too, but I like being with Dad, Grandfather, and the uncles more.”

“Hahaha, thank you for that. Yes, what does an academy matter? This old man shall personally teach you everything.”

Even as they left the Green Pine Academy, the two did not lose their smiles.

Seeing how she did not even look back as if she had no lingering regrets made him think that the child, in her own way, was being considerate of Namgung Cheon.

“Shall we go buy and eat some sweets again today then?”

“Yes! I would love to. So-mi will buy them for you today. I received allowance yesterday.”

“Haha, this old man is to be treated by you?”

“Hehe, do you not want me to buy them for you?”

“No, no. I am looking forward to it, as they will likely taste very delicious.”

They headed toward the marketplace.

However, the atmosphere of the marketplace was somehow strange.

Although there was no such feeling just a few days ago, today of all days, it felt like most of the merchants in the marketplace were avoiding the gazes of Namgung Cheon and Dan So-mi.

Namgung Cheon tilted his head in puzzlement.

It seemed Dan So-mi felt this atmosphere as well. The hand she held with Namgung Cheon squeezed tightly. Feeling an atmosphere she had never experienced in her life, she seemed to grow tense unconsciously.

They tried not to pay attention and looked for a street vendor selling sweets. However, the moment their eyes met, the vendor began packing up his stall in a hurry for some reason.

Namgung Cheon approached slowly and asked.

“Are you not selling sweets?”

“Ah, that… you see. Today… I sold out.”

“Are these here not all sweets?”

“…Ah! My… parents are sick, so I have to go inside quickly.”

“Hmm… Sell me just one before you leave. As you can see, my granddaughter really likes the sweets here.”

“Ahaha, I… I am sorry.”

The street vendor tried to pack up quickly and leave, as if refusing to sell even the sweets he had.

Looking closely at him, the vendor seemed uncomfortable in his body somewhere. He limped as if he had been beaten by someone, and let out groans occasionally.

Namgung Cheon turned his head toward Dan So-mi.

“Something is strange today. Let us return to the manor first.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Dan So-mi headed toward the manor following Namgung Cheon, holding his hand tightly. However, unlike when she left the academy, she glanced back to check on the street vendor.

She saw him sending a bitter look from afar.