"More time? How much longer do you plan to drag this out!"
"There's a limit to how shameless a person can be!"
"We've already given you enough consideration!"
Hyeonjong's face was clouded with worry.
"I understand, but…"
At that moment, a man who had been standing at the back of the group quietly stepped forward. As he moved, the others immediately fell silent and stepped aside.
'Is that guy the leader?'
Chung Myung's eyes gleamed as he watched the man step forward.
He had the typical appearance of a merchant. A slightly plump face and clothes made of expensive silk.
'He looks rich.'
The man who stepped forward opened his mouth. Chung Myung quietly listened.
"Sect Leader. I hope you've been well."
"I didn't expect Guild Master Gong to come in person."
The man called Guild Master Gong smiled softly.
"I'm not happy to see you again under these circumstances. I had hoped to never return to Mount Hua, but there were too many people urging me, so I had no choice. I hope you understand."
"I'm deeply sorry."
Hyeonjong bowed his head slightly.
Then, Guild Master Gong spoke in a slightly different tone.
"But Sect Leader, you must understand the feelings of others as well. The agreed-upon date has long passed."
"Hmm."
Guild Master Gong shrugged slightly. To Chung Myung, the gesture didn't seem particularly arrogant.
"We've already made many allowances for Mount Hua's situation. But if you keep breaking your promises like this, it will be difficult for us to continue being lenient."
Hyeonjong couldn't say anything.
Though his face appeared calm, Chung Myung could see the subtle twitching of Hyeonjong's expression.
Of course, he would be upset.
No Sect Leader in Mount Hua's history had ever been harassed by debt collectors in front of their disciples.
"According to the contract, we should demand immediate compensation for the breach."
Guild Master Gong shook his head with a smile.
"But we, too, have lived under Mount Hua's grace. We don't want to be too harsh."
"Guild Master Gong!"
"We've already been very…"
"Now, now."
The other merchants protested, but when Guild Master Gong spoke, they immediately fell silent. Then, they subtly glanced at him.
"If we forget our gratitude, we're no better than beasts. Don't just think about the grace you've shown. Everyone who lives in Hwayin has grown up under Mount Hua's grace, haven't they? Don't forget the deeds of the past."
"Hmm."
"That's right."
As if everyone understood, Guild Master Gong smiled broadly and spoke.
"So, we'll give you a little more consideration. We'll give you seven days and nights. If you don't repay the borrowed money within seven days and nights, we'll take the agreed-upon compensation."
"G-Guild Master Gong, please wait a moment…"
"Sect Leader."
Guild Master Gong shook his head quietly.
"That's all. I'm a man who deals with money. This is the most consideration I can offer. If the payment isn't ready when I return in seven days and nights, we'll confiscate all of Mount Hua's buildings as per the agreement."
"Ugh!"
At the sudden sound, Guild Master Gong turned his head. In his line of sight was Chung Myung, covering his mouth.
"We've shown an unseemly sight in front of a child."
Guild Master Gong quietly extended his hand in a polite gesture.
"That's all for today. Sect Leader. I hope we can meet again with smiles next time. Farewell."
As Guild Master Gong turned, the merchants who had followed him also turned. But they didn't forget to glare at Hyeonjong as they left.
Watching them leave the mountain gate with an imposing air, Hyeonjong quietly raised his head and spoke.
"...Sigh."
A sigh that sounded both hollow and exhausted.
And thus, even heavier.
❀ ❀ ❀
"So."
Chung Myung was sitting with his legs crossed, chin resting on his hand.
"Merchants from Hwayin County?"
"That's right."
"Ugh."
Chung Myung's head bobbed back and forth. Watching this, Do In-myeong slowly backed away.
'Who knows what he'll do next. Better stay away.'
The reason he was explaining this to Chung Myung was simple.
After returning to Baekmaegwan with a fierce air, Chung Myung had gathered all the disciples from merchant families and singled out those who knew about Mount Hua's situation. And the one who met his criteria was Do In-myeong.
So, Do In-myeong was squeezing out everything he knew and didn't know to explain Mount Hua's situation to Chung Myung.
"Hwayin County? Isn't that the village below Mount Hua?"
Jo Gul, who was also listening to Do In-myeong, asked.
"Yes, Senior Brother. I remember seeing it when I traveled with my father for business."
"So, Mount Hua borrowed money from the merchants of Hwayin County?"
"I'm not sure about that…"
Do In-myeong scratched his head.
Even though it's Mount Hua's business, the third-generation disciples couldn't possibly know all the details. At best, they could only guess based on the circumstances.
"That Guild Master Gong is the owner of Taihe Tower in Hwayin County. It's the largest tavern in Hwayin, and I've heard he's involved in various businesses based there. He's the richest merchant in Hwayin."
"Hmm."
"So, if Mount Hua borrowed money, it was probably from him…"
Thud.
"Huh?"
Jo Gul turned his head. Then, his face turned pale.
Chung Myung's neck was bobbing like a broken puppet.
"Junior Brother! Snap out of it! Junior Brother!"
"Tai… Taihe Tower…"
"What's wrong?"
Jo Gul was startled by Chung Myung, who seemed to have lost his mind.
Of course, they couldn't understand why Chung Myung was acting like this.
Thud.
As if suddenly regaining his energy, Chung Myung jumped up from his seat and glared at Do In-myeong with terrifying eyes.
"Eek!"
Then, with lightning speed, he rushed at Do In-myeong and grabbed him by the collar.
"Is it true that guy is the owner of Taihe Tower?"
"Y-yes, it's true."
"The owner of Taihe Tower lent money to Mount Hua and is trying to confiscate Mount Hua's buildings?"
"C-calm down, Junior Brother!"
"Calm down? You're telling me to calm down now?"
Hey, you idiots! Do I look calm to you?
Chung Myung let go of Do In-myeong's collar and started scratching and pulling at his own head.
"Junior Brother, what's wrong?"
Even to Yun Jong's question, Chung Myung couldn't answer. The reason was simple.
He couldn't explain.
Because!
'Taihe Tower belongs to Mount Hua! Damn it!'
Disciples don't just live off grass. Small sects might sustain themselves with donations from patrons, but a large sect like Mount Hua can't survive on that alone.
After all, swordsmen and martial artists are only interested in becoming stronger themselves and don't contribute a single penny to the sect's finances.
To feed a group of parasites like that, you need a huge amount of money. That's why Mount Hua had several businesses in Hwayin County. One of them was Taihe Tower.
But now, the owner of Taihe Tower is lending money to Mount Hua and trying to confiscate Mount Hua's buildings over the debt?
This doesn't make sense.
Right… If it doesn't make sense, it means something went wrong somewhere!
"...Senior Brother Jo Gul."
"Huh?"
Chung Myung gestured silently. Jo Gul, looking puzzled, approached Chung Myung. Chung Myung whispered something only Jo Gul could hear, and Jo Gul's eyes widened as he looked at him.
"That?"
"Can you get it?"
Jo Gul hesitated.
"W-well, I can, but…"
"Then bring it quickly."
"...Really?"
"Do I look like I'm joking, Senior Brother?"
"I-I'll bring it."
Jo Gul left the room with a slightly nervous expression.
'What is he planning?'
Yun Jong watched this and tilted his head. Jo Gul's reaction was unusual.
But there was no need to think too deeply about it. Before half an hour had passed, Jo Gul returned with something in his hand.
With a subtle expression, he handed what he was holding to Chung Myung.
'Cloth?'
No, is it clothing? But why bring something like that out of the blue in this situation?
Chung Myung, who had taken the clothes from Jo Gul, didn't hesitate for a moment and quickly stripped off the robe he was wearing.
"Huh?"
Then, he began putting on the clothes Jo Gul had brought.
A tight-fitting black outfit…
"Wh-what are you planning to do?"
"I'm going to ask."
"Huh?"
Chung Myung answered nonchalantly.
"The senior instructors won't give me a proper answer anyway, and they'll probably just tell me to stay out of it."
Of course, you idiot! That's the right thing to say!
"So, I'll ask directly!"
"W-wait a minute!"
Sweat began to drip from Yun Jong's forehead.
Everything Chung Myung had done so far was within Mount Hua. That's why, even though there were many problems, it was somehow manageable. But what he's trying to do now won't end within Mount Hua.
'I-I have to stop him.'
If we're lucky, it might end with just gathering some information…
'But there's no way that'll happen!'
Chung Myung is, in a word, a person without restraint. From what we've seen so far, it's clear. This guy will definitely cause trouble! I'd bet my neck on it.
And if this guy goes down the mountain and causes trouble, the aftermath will be uncontrollable.
If I don't stop him here, I'll also be responsible. If the elders of the sect find out about the trouble he caused, even I, as the senior disciple, won't be spared.
But how do I stop him?
If I could stop him with a few words, I would have done it already.
Yun Jong, sweating profusely, opened his mouth.
"Wh-what are you planning to do?"
"I said I'm going to ask directly."
"What if they don't answer?"
"They won't answer?"
Chung Myung tilted his head.
"That's never happened before. Everyone always begs me to stop and says they'll answer."
What do you mean stop, you lunatic!
Yun Jong racked his brain.
"Y-you're a Taoist, right?"
"Huh?"
"Yeah, you're a Taoist. A disciple of Mount Hua!"
For some reason, Chung Myung seemed to take pride in being a Taoist and a disciple of Mount Hua. So, if I appeal to that…
"A Taoist shouldn't do such things! Otherwise, you're no different from the Black Dao Sect!"
Chung Myung nodded deeply.
"That's definitely true. A Taoist shouldn't do such things."
It seemed like this approach was working. A glimmer of hope appeared on Yun Jong's face.
"Th-that's right!"
"But Senior Brother! Listen carefully!"
"Huh?"
"There's a saying in Buddhism! '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 enlightenment!"
Chung Myung pulled the black mask he was holding over his face. Then, he declared with utmost confidence.
"Sometimes, you must know how to break the rules!"
What the hell are you talking about, you lunatic.
"I'm going! To find true enlightenment!"
"..."
Yun Jong deeply realized that stopping Chung Myung was impossible from the start.