Chapter 325: Chapter 325

Dan So-mi was looking at the marketplace with a blank gaze. Until yesterday, it was definitely a place where at most five people could sit.

However, this morning everything was overturned.

The surrounding stalls had set up their plates as if they had become one, and the vicinity seemed to have become a market street composed only of stalls.

Around the stall run by Jang Sam-tae and Zhuge Un, all kinds of things were gathered.

If they ate rice, a tea stall was attached beside it where they could drink tea, and if they drank tea, things to play with were lined up.

Also, on one side, a band was singing or performing a play, so it felt strange, as if a festival was taking place.

It was definitely the usual marketplace scene, but it had changed a lot in some way, so she could not adapt.

“W-wow…”

“W-what is this…”

An exclamation burst from Dan So-mi’s mouth.

Zhu Zhi-ruo also showed an absurd look as well. Since scenes that could only be seen when a festival took place in Beijing were unfolding before their eyes, they could not help but be surprised.

“What on earth is this…”

Zhu Zhi-ruo looked left and right with an absurd expression. There were many things to play with and many things to eat. As people’s attention was naturally focused, it was decorated in a way that made it impossible not to turn their steps here.

“To think such a thing is possible overnight…”

Hong Jin-rang was also surprised as well.

Although there were many stalls due to the nature of the marketplace, they were not gathered like this. It was because it interfered with other people’s business.

Therefore, setting up a street in this way would be absolutely impossible without unified interests and thoughts.

“The Zhuge Family… is scary…”

Hong Jin-rang trembled.

He knew that Zhuge Un was moving here and there. He had met many people since yesterday and he had occasionally seen him talking to them.

However, only the Zhuge Family would be able to make such a thing possible with just that.

“Wow… doesn’t it feel like we came to a different place?”

Dan So-mi asked with her eyes sparkling.

Like the words of this tiny child, the atmosphere here was different from usual.

It was completely different from the scenery she saw every day, so without realizing it, she even felt a desire to fall into it. Even looking at the lanterns hung in various places, she wondered if very beautiful lights would turn on when evening came.

“If we come at night, it will definitely be even more amazing!”

At Dan So-mi’s words, Hong Jin-rang nodded.

The only place where lanterns were always turned on at night was the red-light district, but if they did night business in a place like this, people would naturally swarm in.

The red-light district was a place only adults entered, and because of the smell of powder and the solicitation of women, those who did not like such things did not go.

The three children realized once again that Zhuge Un’s brain was exceptionally good.

“Hahaha, are you surprised? This is what is called a food stall street!”

Zhuge Un, who appeared before anyone knew, approached with hollow eyes and laughed loudly. Since it turned out exactly as he thought, how could he not be pleased?

“What is all this?”

“Haha, So-mi, does it not look fun?”

“It looks very fun.”

Sparkling her eyes, Dan So-mi showed a bright smile.

No matter where and how one looked, there were plenty of things to play with. People who at first could not hide their doubts also began to visit, leading children or lovers by the hand.

Soon the vicinity was bustling with people.

“Ja, do not just stand there and go quickly. Everyone will be waiting.”

Dan So-mi, who nodded readily, ran toward the stall where Jang Sam-tae was.

While running, she looked around at the strange things seen here and there, and the innocent smile on the young child’s face did not easily disappear.

“Impressive. To think of such a thing.”

At that moment, Sa Do-hak, who had approached before anyone knew, muttered. He gathered the stalls that were scattered here and there to create a street. Also, since he prepared various sights, it was natural for people’s attention to be drawn here.

Naturally, the Myriad Gold Inn in front of them had to suffer a significant blow.

“Haha, it is indeed amazing, but it is somewhat difficult to bring down the Myriad Gold Inn with just this.”

Zhuge Un smirked.

It was a natural statement, but the Myriad Gold Merchant Group was the world’s greatest merchant group.

The Myriad Gold Inn derived from it would also possess a considerable amount of money. Therefore, doing such a thing could never bring it down.

But.

“If we drop its reputation, wouldn’t it be just an ordinary inn?”

Zhuge Un looked at Jang Sam-tae.

Jang Sam-tae was cooking hard enough to be drenched in sweat. And since the process of him making food was completely open, people came to know that he never used cheap ingredients.

Even unlike yesterday, the number of dishes also increased.

Most of them were composed of dishes sold at the Myriad Gold Inn, and unlike the Myriad Gold Inn which covered the natural smell with spices, he used spices lightly and preserved the taste of the raw ingredients.

This would be the decisive blow.

At first, no one would know, but as time passed, they would realize that the food of the Myriad Gold Inn and the food of this stall were clearly different.

If so, the victory would clearly lean toward this side.

Zhuge Un’s move would completely penetrate their pocket and pierce the heart.

“Hmm? Does it really work with that?”

“Of course there will be variables, but shouldn’t we just wait and see for now?”

Zhuge Un, who smirked, looked somewhat shrewd. Sa Do-hak was reluctant, but as Zhuge Un said, it seemed unmistakable that they had to watch the situation.

“If I make a move first, the fellow Dan will only get angry…”

Sa Do-hak glanced at the Myriad Gold Inn.

The steps of the customers had clearly decreased compared to usual.

It was going according to Zhuge Un’s thoughts.

“But Zhuge Un, you bastard… do not underestimate the Myriad Gold Merchant Group too much.”

Sa Do-hak knew.

The reason why the Myriad Gold Merchant Group was called the world’s greatest merchant group.

They were strong, meticulous, and as shrewd as Zhuge Un.

Therefore, a useless worry seeped in.

“That aside…”

Sa Do-hak glanced to one side.

He saw Jang Sam-tae, who had been sweating and cooking since early morning.

A guy who would slack off if told to work every day was working quite hard, which was surprising in its own way.

Sa Do-hak slowly walked toward that place without realizing it.

“Are you doing well?”

Because of his proud heart, the tone coming out of his mouth was also soft. Considering that he had never spoken to Jang Sam-tae in such a tone even once, wasn’t it quite unprecedented?

“…”

However, Jang Sam-tae did not reply.

Only his gaze was on the fire, and he was only looking at the food being completed there.

Sa Do-hak, who frowned slightly, asked again.

“I asked if you are doing well!”

“Ah, damn it! Are your eyes disabled? Can you not tell by looking? I am doing wel… l… ah…”

In an instant, Jang Sam-tae’s eyes met Sa Do-hak’s. His mind, which had been babbling without any thought, quickly returned to reality.

Jang Sam-tae, whose face turned pale as if dead, giggled.

“Hehehe, would you like to try some of this? It is extremely delicious.”

Whether Jang Sam-tae wanted to end this awkwardness, he picked up a piece of meat with chopsticks and brought it to Sa Do-hak’s mouth. However, that meat did not enter the mouth.

Jang Sam-tae’s hand holding the chopsticks trembled violently.

“…”

Sa Do-hak walked toward Jang Sam-tae without saying a word.

And that day, business ended there.

* * *

Anhui Province.

Although the Namgung Clan, which could be called the absolute power there once, suffered a downfall and lost its influence, there were still many who followed them as if worshipping. Therefore, it did not seem like it would take long to recover its influence again.

Into the territory of that Namgung Clan, Hwangbo Won entered.

Seeing that he brought at most two guards, it looked like he had no intention to host hostilities against the Namgung Clan, so people watched the scene with curious eyes.

Soon, the moment he arrived at the Namgung Clan, Hwangbo Won caught his breath.

“It is uncomfortable.”

Hwangbo Won laughed awkwardly.

The Hwangbo Clan and the Namgung Clan did not have a very deep friendship.

In particular, from the perspective of Hwangbo Won, who had only lost to Namgung Yong since childhood, the Namgung Clan could not help but be quite uncomfortable.

However, since he had already sent a message and visited on his own, he could not stand quietly outside either.

When he approached the gate of the Namgung Clan, the one who looked like the gatekeeper hurriedly bowed his head.

“The Clan Leader is waiting. Please come inside.”

Catching his breath, Hwangbo Won followed the attendant inside. The scenery of the Namgung Clan, which was not yet completely repaired, came into view.

The gazes of the clan warriors seen inside exuded a stronger pressure than anyone else.

“We are not dead yet… is it something like that?”

It looked like they were saying such words.

Hwangbo Won smirked and entered the office where Namgung Yong was.

“Welcome.”

Sitting on one side of the office, Namgung Yong welcomed Hwangbo Won. Although he was smiling, seeing that a pressure was felt unconsciously, it was clear that he was revealing his aura as it was.

Realizing that, Hwangbo Won nodded.

As expected, he seemed to be stronger than Tang Jung-ak of the Sichuan Tang Family, or perhaps there was only a sheet of paper difference.

“The reason I visited the Namgung Clan this time is none other.”

“If it is about the Heavenly Way Society, take it back with you.”

Namgung Yong shook his head.

He knew the purpose of the Heavenly Way Society.

Also, since the Murim Alliance had been smashed and collapsed, the only thing that could be called the pillar of the orthodox faction was the Heavenly Way Society, so it was a time to build up stronger power.

Naturally, their eyes could not help but turn to the Namgung Clan.

However, since they had split the Murim Alliance, which was originally one, into two, and because he thought that was why the Murim Alliance had collapsed, it was not a very welcome proposal to Namgung Yong.

“It is not that. As you probably know… I went to Yueyang last time.”

“…”

For a moment, Namgung Yong was lost for words. Having gone to Yueyang meant he had come knowing everything.

Namgung Yong frowned without realizing it.

“I saw many things there. Therefore, it does not matter much even if you guys do not enter the Heavenly Way Society. Since it was merely a pretext to visit this place.”

Hwangbo Won smirked.

Hwangbo Won, who was inside the Heavenly Way Society, goes to the Namgung Clan. It was clear there would be gazes wondering if he was plotting something.

Therefore, he made them understand that it was to recruit the Namgung Clan.

Having spoken up to that point, Hwangbo Won’t eyes sparkled.

He drank tea to wet his dry mouth.

“Although its reputation has dropped significantly now, the Nine Sects and One Gang is still a place that possesses power equal to the Eight Great Families. You probably know that the downfall of such a place is never something to be accepted with a laugh, do you not?”

“…”

Namgung Yong nodded silently.

He was also carefully watching this situation. Even if the Heavenly Way Society fell away, the Nine Sects and One Gang were intact, but for not only Shaolin but even the Murim Alliance to collapse was never an ordinary matter.

“Therefore, as part of that preparation, the Hwangbo Clan wishes to join hands with the Namgung Clan.”

“Even if we join hands, what changes?”

Namgung Yong looked at Hwangbo Won with a curious gaze. It was the Namgung Clan which had still not completely recovered its past glory.

Joining hands did not seem to bring any special benefit.

At that single sentence, Hwangbo Won smirked.

Lowering his teacup, he stared intently at Namgung Yong.

“In the future, the Heavenly Way Society will not be able to lead the Murim. Therefore, I wish to make connections in advance.”

At the extremely honest sentence, Namgung Yong just let out a laugh.

Enjoyed the chapter?

If you like our work, consider supporting us on Ko-fi. This site solely runs on donations. Every donation helps us keep translating!

Support on Ko-fi