Jong Rion secretly hid as he gazed at the Cheongmu Unit’s training grounds.
The field, which should have been echoing with the energetic shouts of trainees, was so quiet that the only sounds were the dull thuds of fists striking wooden posts.
Cheongmu Captain Cheon Jiak, displeased by the scene, shouted at his subordinates in the training grounds.
“Who told you to slack off like that?!”
“How could anyone be motivated, Captain? Even the meager pay we used to get is delayed, and they hardly feed us anymore.”
Every syllable of the soldier’s reply stabbed Jong Rion’s hidden heart.
Right now, the Murim Alliance was as good as bankrupt.
After shutting down the Hyeongsanpa, as expected, support funds from the Gupailbang had been cut off.
Originally, the Gupailbang only ever gave the Murim Alliance just enough to scrape by.
No matter how frugally they spent, it was never enough for any surplus.
Once that support ended, the effects appeared immediately.
A sense of doubt welled up within him.
As soon as the Murim Alliance lost its support funds, it became powerless.
Other noble families had their own means of generating income, such as collecting tuition from branch disciples, but for the Murim Alliance, there was nothing but expenses going out.
“Sigh.”
It wasn’t just the Cheongmu Unit—everyone was listless.
Jong Rion suddenly thought of the Gold-necked Hwan.
Honestly, it would be a lie to say he hadn’t thought of seeking financial support from the Hwanggeum Family, given their friendly relations.
But Jong Rion’s plan had already gone awry.
He’d hoped to provide troops and support to the family and receive something in return, but the Gold-necked Hwan had built a wall, insisting he didn’t need anything.
In the end, there was nothing left but to directly beg for help.
It was embarrassing.
Last time, at least, there had been the pretense of supporting with troops; this was little more than outright asking for money.
What was more important—his dignity as Geomjon, or the morale of the Murim Alliance?
Of course, the Murim Alliance’s morale came first…
As he agonized over such thoughts, the attendant who had been scanning the area suddenly ran up, having spotted the Maengju.
“Is something the matter?”
Jong Rion, not wanting to be caught spying, put on an unnecessarily solemn air as he asked.
“The Golden Family Head has arrived.”
“Is that true?”
At the attendant’s words, Jong Rion’s fake solemnity shattered instantly.
The attendant was taken aback, as Jong Rion’s voice was almost giddy.
Not caring how surprised the attendant was, Jong Rion headed straight for the Murim Alliance Leader’s Chamber.
He tried to walk right in, but outside the Leader’s Chamber, Jegalheon was waiting.
“Anything to report?”
“No, I just heard the Golden Family Head arrived. Mind if I join you?”
“There’s no reason you can’t.”
Jong Rion replied as he opened the door to the Leader’s Chamber.
The Gold-necked Hwan was already seated, upright and dignified.
“You’ve arrived.”
Even at Gold-necked Hwan’s greeting, Jong Rion was left speechless.
It was as if a celestial being had descended; light seemed to shine behind him.
“It’s our first meeting. I’m Jegalheon.”
“I’ve often heard of your great name in Shinsan. I’m Gold-necked Hwan.”
Even as Jegalheon and Gold-necked Hwan exchanged introductions, Jong Rion couldn’t respond.
At least to Jong Rion’s eyes, Gold-necked Hwan’s presence was that dazzling.
***
“Have you been well?”
“Hmm, yes. I’ve been well.”
The Murim Alliance Leader was acting strange today.
His responses were slow, and he didn’t seem to know where to focus his gaze.
He even sprang up as soon as he’d sat down.
“Ah. We have a guest, so I should bring out some tea. Please wait a moment.”
A bustle could be felt from inside the chamber.
There were clatters of utensils, and even the sound of breathing seemed hurried.
“Sigh.”
Seated across from me, Jegalheon let out a sigh, looking a bit embarrassed.
Before long, Jong Rion returned, carrying a tray with three steaming teacups.
“Thank you.”
“Since you mentioned it last time, I switched to the premium Huangshan Maofeng. The taste and aroma are incomparable.”
I gazed into the still surface of the teacup.
A proper Huangshan Maofeng should have a clear, vibrant yellow-green color, but this one was far too pale.
Looking closely, the leaves settled at the bottom were all swollen.
But of course, I couldn’t say anything.
I took a few sips out of courtesy.
There was a faint taste of Huangshan Maofeng at first; after that, it just tasted like hot water.
Jong Rion seemed to know the tea wasn’t right, avoiding my gaze.
The look in Jegalheon’s eyes, as he glanced at Jong Rion, shifted from pity to disdain.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, hasn’t it? Not since your investiture as Gaju.”
Jong Rion hurriedly started up the conversation.
I nodded.
“That’s right. That was around the Great Ceremony, but now it’s already the start of spring. I meant to visit, but I was a bit late getting my household in order.”
“There’s no need to worry about such things.”
Jong Rion let out a hollow laugh.
His odd behavior was obvious.
On the way here, he’d heard people complaining in the hallway about their delayed wages.
I knew the Murim Alliance lived off the Gupailbang’s support, but I hadn’t realized they were this dependent.
“So, what brings you here?”
Jong Rion asked.
It was time to get to the point.
I responded directly.
“It’s nothing complicated; our family wishes to train martial artists.”
At those words, both Jong Rion and Jegalheon’s eyes lit up.
Before Jong Rion could say anything, Jegalheon spoke first.
“I see. It’s wise to prepare now, while the Gupailbang’s attention is still diverted from us. Without a legitimate reason, they can’t move openly either.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Indeed, there was no better time for the Hwanggeum Family to nurture new forces.
That’s why I was running around, pausing even my own training.
“So, I’d like you to send people to help with training. In our family, the only ones fit to assist are perhaps the Oejonggwan, or maybe the Su-seok Jangro, but he’s already busy.”
I laid out my request openly.
Jegalheon chuckled at my words.
“That’s unexpected. I thought you’d ask for troops during the training period.”
“It’s fine.”
“Well, if you say so.”
Jegalheon agreed right away.
It was natural.
The affairs of the family were the Gaju’s to decide; outsiders had no say.
They were treating me as Gaju, not a child.
“Someone to help with training…”
Jong Rion seemed to be considering several candidates.
I continued.
“Of course, I’m not asking you to provide them for free. I mean to exchange our funds for the Murim Alliance’s manpower.”
A spark of excitement flashed in both Jong Rion and Jegalheon’s eyes.
It was the biggest reaction they’d shown so far.
“Ahem, ahem.”
Jong Rion and Jegalheon cleared their throats at the same time.
Though they were both much older than me, they suddenly looked like excited children.
It was obvious what they wanted to ask—how much could I give?
But as elders and Murim seniors, it wasn’t proper for them to bring up money first, so they hesitated.
“What is the Murim Alliance’s yearly budget?”
To be considerate, I broached the topic concretely.
Jong Rion answered immediately.
“About five hundred nyang in eunja.”
I frowned.
Jong Rion, seeing my reaction, hurried to explain.
“We do quite a bit. There are a lot of people, and we have to keep supplying training materials, so that’s the minimum required.”
Jong Rion had completely misread my expression.
I corrected his misunderstanding.
“No, that’s not it. I was just surprised at how little it was.”
“Little, you say?”
Jong Rion asked, looking baffled, as did Jegalheon.
“With five hundred nyang in eunja, you could feed two hundred households in a fief. How is that little?”
“…You’re right. That was careless of me.”
I drank my tea.
These days, I’d gotten too used to enormous sums, but in reality, even a single nyang in eunja was enough to order everything at an inn.
Still, five hundred nyang felt so small compared to the amounts I dealt with.
I set down my cup, now tasting only of plain water, and took out the Information Note from my robe.
I’d already decided on the amount back in Namchang.
I figured this was the minimum necessary to support the Murim Alliance.
But now, after hearing their budget, it seemed almost ridiculously large.
Still, I had no intention of reducing it; the Hwanggeum Family could easily afford it.
“This is the amount we intend to support the Murim Alliance with.”
I placed the Information Note on the desk, making sure they could see it.
“Uh…”
Jegalheon gasped when he checked the note, and Jong Rion grabbed it, his hands trembling.
“…Is this… Did you write this by mistake?”
“Y-yes, Maengju. I must have misread it.”
Even as they said so, Jong Rion and Jegalheon couldn’t take their eyes off the Information Note.
They kept counting the digits as if they couldn’t believe it.
Feeling a little sorry for them, I confirmed it.
“That’s correct. One hundred thousand nyang.”
Money that just sits is useless.
Only money that is spent has meaning.
If my strongest ally, the Murim Alliance, became stronger, it would only benefit me.
That was the reasoning behind the amount.
“…Ha, haha…”
“This is…”
Was the amount just too shocking?
Neither Jong Rion nor Jegalheon could continue.
“With this, you can expand your buildings and train many more experts.”
“…Yes, yes, we will. We must.”
Unlike the stunned Jong Rion, Jegalheon managed to recover rather quickly.
“With this much, even if the entire Murim Alliance became Instructors, I wouldn’t be able to complain.”
“Since it’s just to teach the children, a few top experts should suffice.”
At my words, Jong Rion jumped to his feet.
“Come with me.”
Startled by Jong Rion’s sudden movement, both Jegalheon and I looked at him in surprise.
His next words shocked us even more.
“I’ll send Kang Woon Elder and Mok Hyeonhak Elder to help.”
“Wait, Maengju. How can you make such a decision without even consulting the elders?”
Jegalheon protested, but Jong Rion seemed fully determined.
“It’s fine. I’ll take responsibility and send them. Gaju, don’t worry.”
“…Yes, thank you.”
There was no reason for me to object when he was offering to send such experts.
Aside from Jong Rion, Kang Un and Mok Hyeonhak were the Murim Alliance’s top martial artists.
Though I wondered if such elite manpower was really necessary just to teach Baek Ji-in and the others, I couldn’t complain about getting more for my money.
“Well, let’s wrap things up here.”
Jong Rion, seemingly eager to put the Information Note to use, stood up abruptly, leaving Jegalheon looking dumbfounded.
Next time I visited the Murim Alliance, I’d surely be treated to real tea, not just plain hot water.
***
After Gold-necked Hwan left, Jong Rion immediately went with Jegalheon to the Hwanggeum Jeonjang for the exchange.
The Muhan Branch Hwanggeum Jeonjang seemed to have already heard the story and handled the hundred-thousand-nyang Information Note without any surprise.
Naturally, it wasn’t exchanged all at once, but divided into several transactions.
Jong Rion slung a heavy-looking pouch over his shoulder.
It contained one hundred wonjubaek.
“…Even after all this, it’s just five thousand nyang.”
“That’s what I said.”
Jong Rion and Jegalheon sighed in unison.
And yet, more than ninety thousand nyang still remained on the Information Note.
“A hundred thousand nyang… There really is a reason the Hwanggeum Family is called the Golden Family. When I first saw that amount, I thought my heart would stop.”
“I felt the same. Who wouldn’t be shocked at that note?”
Jegalheon finally understood why the Maengju had praised Gold-necked Hwan so highly.
He was powerful in martial arts and formations, but Jegalheon had also seen his depth of thought.
Whether it was raising the topic of money first, or his keen insight into the state of the Central Plains, he was thoughtful in many ways.
“He is truly someone we should have as our ally.”
“Indeed.”
“And at such a young age—what will he become when he’s older?”
At Jegalheon’s words, Jong Rion took a moment to imagine the grand figure Gold-necked Hwan would grow into.
He simply couldn’t fathom it; he’d never met a child like him.
“Say, can I confess something a little embarrassing?”
“Go ahead.”
Jong Rion paused for a breath, then spoke.
“When he placed that Information Note before me, I felt the most primal sort of excitement. It’s the same feeling I had when I first saw the swordplay as a child. I never knew that having so much money could be so impressive.”
“It all depends on how you use it.”
Jegalheon cut off Jong Rion’s musings.
He too had felt chills seeing the hundred thousand nyang, but in the end, Gold-necked Hwan had given them a challenge.
With the dawn, the Murim Alliance could now do anything it wished.
How to spend the money had become the main issue.
“From tomorrow, the Murim Alliance will be completely transformed.”
Jegalheon declared confidently.
It was the start of a great revolution for the Murim Alliance.