Chapter 1453: Please Take Care Of Us From Now On (Part 3)

"Let's see... In the warehouse, the current assets..."

"Chief Inspector! How much rice do we have now?"

"I, I don't carry the ledgers with me..."

"If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to send someone to the North Sea to bring back the ledgers?"

"That's absolutely not possible!"

"Huh? Why not?"

"Because then those people will criticize the chief inspector for not even knowing how much property his sect has. I can't stand to see that! Better to bite your tongue and die!"

"..."

"Hmm. Let's see, so the Yamyong..."

Han Yi Myung began tearing at his hair again. Seol So Baek sighed sadly. It was a pitiful sight...

'But compared to what's happening there, we're lucky.'

There was a real battlefield elsewhere.

"Aren't there thirty-seven shops in Jooru?"

"There were thirty-eight, right?"

"Didn't one close last month?"

"We opened two more this month."

"...Unbelievable."

Namgung Dowi muttered with a face that seemed like he had just eaten something bitter. His deeply sunken eyes hinted at the severe suffering he was experiencing.

In fact, since he was the Namgung Family's Sogaju he had never paid much attention to the family's wealth, only focusing on honing his martial arts. Suddenly becoming the acting head and trying to manage the Namgung Family was already overwhelming. He had no detailed knowledge of how the family's assets were rolling.

"Well... I'll try to do something about it, so Sogaju..."

"No, Uncle. This is also Sogaju's duty. We can't afford to leave it out."

"Then at least help me."

"Huh?"

"Oh, no. It's nothing."

Namgung Dowi stared blankly at Namgung Myung, and suddenly a mocking voice rang in his ears.

"Hahaha. The noble Namgung Family's Sogaju can't even figure out how much the family's wealth is."

Namgung Dowi gritted his teeth and turned his head abruptly. Im Sobyeong was fanning mischievously and sneering. [bitch never misses a chance]

"Tsk tsk. Is the nobleman in charge so incompetent? Or is that why you're the Sogaju? Haha, that's why you'll be a Sogaju for the rest of your life."

"This..."

Flames flickered in Namgung Dowi's eyes.

"Oh, so you've finished realizing that Nokrim is a sect that attains its wealth through robbery? So, are you here to spy on other sects?"

"Hehe. Who do you take me for? I've already investigated all of Nokrim's wealth down to its every grain of rice! I've finished the ledger!"

"...Impressive."

Although he deeply wanted to mock him back, he had no choice but to keep his mouth shut when the other said he was finished.

In Nokrim, grains collected from the seventy-two fortresses were still coming together at this hour. It was impossible to know their vast wealth in real-time.

"...Are you bluffing?"

"Hahaha. Typical fool's behavior. Unable to understand others' excellence, it's laughable. Without such trust, it's impossible."

"Ugh..."

"In my opinion, Sogaju needs to work harder. Tsk tsk."

Namgung Dowi, whose temper had risen, was about to retort when Tang Gunak passing by suddenly threw in a remark.

"They have no choice when Nokrim's like that. They're are all bandits, so if you don't keep tabs, all the rice will disappear without a trace."

Im Sobyeong closed his mouth tightly. He looked like a toad that had been fed honey. [?lol] Namgung Dowi didn't miss the opportunity and nodded appreciatively.

"Oh, I see now. I understand. You've been through a lot."

Namgung Dowi chuckled, and Im Sobyeong's face twisted again. This time, the arrow of sarcasm flew towards the Tang Family.

"Oh, really? Then the Tang Family, who trust each other so much, must have finished the ledger, right?"

"That's right."

"Huh? Already?"

Tang Gunak smirked.

"Haven't our properties in Sichuan already burned down or been looted? There wasn't much to write down."

"...Sorry."

"..Cheer up."

Im Sobyeong and Namgung Dowi simultaneously lowered their heads with a bitter expression. Tang Gunak shook his head.

'Still, it's fortunate.'

Although Chung Myung gave the order indifferently, in reality, it was a more sensitive issue than he thought. Disclosing the detailed list of assets a sect possesses is not an easy task for any sect.

So, despite being the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and trusting each other, Chung Myung thought that each sect would hide some details while revealing others. However, surprisingly, everyone was actively exposing their sect's assets.

The reason might be trust...

"Haha? Is that all, Namgung Family? It's not as impressive as the rumors say."

"This is only a third of our wealth!"

"We haven't even recorded the properties of the mountains excluding Nokchae yet."

"Ha! Even if you record them, how much can there be in the bandit's den?"

"Does this guy underestimate the bandits now? Do you guys have that much money? I didn't want to disclose this, but we also have a business in Anhui. The most prosperous gambling den in Anhui is ours!"

"What? So that gambling den is yours? I thought it was Wudang's business! Are these crazy Evil Sect guys opening a gambling den in the middle of Anhui? Do they want to die?"

Uh...

Well, honesty was the best policy.

Meanwhile, Hyun Young was criticizing Baek Sang for his accountkeeping. Seeing that scene, Chung Myung chuckled.

They could reach Hwaeum and retrieve the ledger, but Elder Hyun Young was meticulous even in this regard. That's why Chung Myung could do such a thing.

"But you seem to be at leisure?"

"Me? As you know, the Yunnan Beast Palace doesn't have much wealth."

"But you made some money with tea trade."

"Do you think I manage that?" [not sure]

Meng So's muscles wriggled. It was always a bizarre yet amazing sight. Chung Myung awkwardly laughed.

"I don't think so."

"That's right. The lower ones take care of it. And... Well, I don't know. Maybe I don't have the ability to bring it here even if I say I have wealth."

"Um."

Chung Myung let out a groan. Then he took a quick look at Meng So's complexion and spoke in an uncharacteristically cautious voice.

"Are you okay?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Beast Palace. They went to Diancang."

As a matter of fact, Chung Myung had to be cautious. Behind the Evil Tyrant Alliance flocking to Yunnan, there was also the Beast Palace. Everyone didn't openly talk about it, but there was no guarantee that they wouldn't attack the Beast Palace either.

"Needless worry. Didn't you see it too?"

"That's true, but..."

Even so, the reason why Chung Myung did not actively move to help the Yunnan Beast Palace was only one.

"There's a vast forest behind the Yunnan Beast Palace. It's difficult for them to track people in that forest, even if they're great. If we decide to run away, we can escape as much as they want."

Chung Myung nodded slowly.

"But if that were so easy, you wouldn't have worried when the Demonic Sect bastards attacked, right?"

"The situation is different."

Meng So shook his head.

"The Demonic Sect wanted to exterminate us. But the Evil Tyrant Alliance guys, aren't they different? There's no reason to break through that dangerous wilderness just to kill those who aren't even a threat. They're not as reckless as you."

"...Are you cursing at me right now?"

"Did it sound like that? Haha."

Meng So laughed in a deep voice and then smacked Chung Myung's back.

"Ah!"

"Huh?"

Seeing Chung Myung half-collapsing, Meng So clicked his tongue.

"Tsk tsk. Looks like your body has really weakened. Writhing at this level."

"...Could you please consider your strength?"

"I hit you gently."

"...Would I have met King Yama if you had hit me hard?" [korean hades?]

Chung Myung muttered as he got up. Meng So grinned.

"Anyway, don't worry. Our disciples are not so stupid. Even if they waited while seeing Diancang being attacked and burning, there's nothing to say even if they die."

"You're too cold-hearted."

"It's natural. You're just too worried."

Chung Myung sighed deeply.

"I appreciate you speaking so frankly."

"I'm not saying this to make you feel comfortable. Seeing him for myself, that Ryeonju really is something."

"..."

"If we can't stop that man right now, eventually, even the Beast Palace will be trampled by those guys. Avoiding an immediate crisis shouldn't lead to causing a bigger one."

Chung Myung nodded. Meng So was a thoughtful person. If he spoke like this, it was safe to assume that the Beast Palace wouldn't suffer significant damage.

"Anyway, it's embarrassing that the situation has come to this. It seems the only ones who can't help with money are us and Southern Island..."

"What? Southern Island?"

"Hmm? Ah, now I think about it... I guess I didn't convey it properly."

"That's understandable. Our Tang Gaju-nim stirred up trouble as soon as he joined, so is Southern Island coming here?"

"That's right."

"Then why aren't they here right away?"

At those words, Meng So gave a wry smile.

"They're attending the Sect Leader's funeral first."

"Ah..."

Chung Myung's complexion darkened momentarily. It seemed it was inevitable.

"When did he pass away?"

"He was an extraordinary person. He endured until they crossed the Yangtze River."

Chung Myung nodded silently. It seemed that the thread he had barely been holding on to snapped the moment his disciples' safety was secured.

"I see."

Chung Myung looked to the western sky. There was no significant bond, but the way he showed himself while leaving Gangnam, devoid of any arrogance, deserved respect.

"It seemed because their destination was unclear, they decided to build a tomb near the Yangtze and hold the funeral for three days."

"A tomb?"

"It's probably a vow to return to Southern Island someday."

A vow to return. Chung Myung closed his eyes, silently repeating those words in his mind. It would happen. Just like they did.

Maeng So, looking down at Chung Myung, asked.

"Do you feel burdened?"

"It would be a lie to say otherwise, but..."

Chung Myung opened his eyes and chuckled.

"Well, I don't know. I still think listening to people is a priority. I'm not as great as everyone thinks."

Maeng So stared at Chung Myung in silence, as if waiting for his next words.

"But looking at it this way, maybe deep down, I've always wished for something like this to happen at any moment."

"You seemed frustrated."

"No, it's not like that."

"Hmm?"

"I have to a debt to repay."

Meng So instantly sealed his lips. A cold light shone in Chung Myung's eyes, fixed to the south.

Sichuan. Where Paegun Jang Ilso was.

"There have been many times when I thought I had to take someone down."

"Hmm."

"But this is the second time that I've felt like I've had to kill someone at all costs."

"...What about the first time?"

"He died. No, I killed him."

Meng So furrowed his brows. It was a statement that seemed incomprehensible at first. He killed him. But he decided not to pry any further. The chill emanating from Chung Myung's eyes made him hesitate to ask.

In front of Chung Myung, the image of a man was painted. When the thought of a man with a mocking smile and bright red lips crossed his mind, Chung Myung's lips also twisted upwards.

"So, I have to let him know. What kind of thing he did."

From Chung Myung's waist, the Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword was unsheathed.