Chapter 46: There Is No Next Time (1) (2/2)

I wanted to tell the owner right now too, but it will only bring more danger to them. Returning everything back to normal must happen later.

“I hope so too”

“Kw.a.n.g Du-ya”

“Yes young master?”

“Get stronger”

My words had many meanings, but I was certain Kw.a.n.g Du understood what I meant.

That afternoon I oversaw the Lesser Sword Sect’s training.

“Are you training hard today?”

“Yes Sir!”

Everybody’s answer was loud and their gaze was sharp.

Individual training, group training, along with throwing practice, everyone should have been tired but no one seemed to complain or show much sign of fatigue.

Anyone who has taught before will agree with me, that you are more naturally inclined to teach those who try their hardest.

Since all of you are trying your best, I shall as well.

It seems that their hard work paid off as they had improved vastly. Especially Kwan He, I really wanted to praise him in front of everybody.

Kwan He sought for me after practice.

“Sect Master. I have a question about my martial arts”

His pa.s.sion for learning was truly fierce. I could tell because right after he finished the intense group training he sought after me to learn something.

“Whenever I use this technique I feel like I am losing my balance.”

And he showed the technique.

After seeing his performance I said, “That is because the weight distribution on your leg is wrong. Doesn’t this technique use the right leg to execute? But you are putting more weight on your left leg.”

“Yes, you are correct. I learned that balance was the key to this technique. Since more weight would naturally go toward the right leg I decided to put more weight onto the left leg.”

“That is precisely what is disrupting your balance. Just naturally put the weight onto your right leg, and maintain your balance through your body.”

“I can do that?”

“Why did you believe you couldn’t do that?”

“I had always learned that balance comes from the legs.”

The martial arts that he learned was called Comprehensive Manual of Sword Technique and it was pretty popular amongst different martial arts schools. It wasn’t a set of special techniques that are handed down through school and sects but a fairly common technique that was widely available. Since it was decent sword art, many different martial school taught it. However, there was limit to the Comprehensive Manual of Sword Technique since it was so popular.

Since Kwan He learned these sword techniques thoroughly he would eventually hit a barrier. But there was no need for me to tell him this yet. That was still a long way off.

“In martial arts there is never a ‘definite’ as there will always be ‘change,’, since that is the way of martial arts.”

“Ah, I understand Sect Master. Thank You!”

But he wouldn’t truly comprehend  what I meant yet since what I said to him had a more profound meaning behind it.

I could see that the callouses in his hands were the result of his intense training. He was following my guide by the book, and was buried under his training. So I told him the complete opposite thing that I said before.

“He-Ya”

“Yes, Daejoo-nim”

“You can take it slow. Even though training diligently is good but going overboard can lead to setbacks, just like the technique that you showed me.”

“I will remember your guidance.”

After bowing to me he left. Regardless of my warning I am sure he would train diligently.

Now that I think about it the words that I said to him might apply to me as well.

Even though Kwan He who was only twenty-three might not know it, but I did. There are many things that you can experience when you slow down a bit.

“I don’t think it is wise to accept this deal”

San Dong Merchant Guild’s financial manager, Baek Joong, said worriedly, “You can still cancel it now.”

The owner of the Guild, Ko Soon Kyung, was slumped in  his chair with his eyes closed.

Since Baek Joong served Ko Soon Kyung for a long time he could sense that Ko Soon Kyung was giving him the eye, but this matter wasn’t something that he could just back down on.

“Just by his looks, Ma Jung Soo is a dangerous person. Soon Kyung-Nim, please don’t bring in a tiger to chase away pack of wolfs.”

After hearing what Baek Joong said Ko Soon Kyung opened his eyes, “I am about to get eaten by wolves, what does it matter if I invite some tigers?”

Baek Joong said with a surprised tone, “Is the situation that grave?”

“Yes, it is. Due to the last incident, the other two merchants’ guilds are at our throats.”

Last time San Dong Merchant Guild tried make a deal with the Yang Clan to get to the central plain but then there was some confrontation with other merchant guilds.

“Ever since they figured out that we couldn’t make the deal with the Song Clan they are now pressuring us even more.”

Since that time, the Northeast Merchants had been pressuring the San Dong Merchants.

Since they were even willing to take risk to pressure the San Dong Merchants, San Dong

Merchants were losing business left and right.

There was no other place than an inn where news spread the fastest. After hearing the news that the San Dong Merchants weren’t doing so well they were losing even more business agreements.

Baek Joon made a serious expression. Since he was the internal financial manager he didn’t know that such things were taking place.

“Even if we make an agreement with them, how would we provide a hundred thousand nyang? Why are you going to such a degree to make an agreement with them?”

“I plan on borrowing money from one of the Dark Guilds”

Baek Joong was surprised.

The Dark Guild got their t.i.tle because they did many backroom dealings at night. They were either loan sharks or they did things that would only benefit them. It was easy to borrow money from them.

But this was a very dangerous deal. Not only would they have to pay high interest, if they didn’t pay back the money then the Dark Guild would do anything to get their money back.

“They are a very dangerous organization”

“I know”

“No, I don’t think you know. If you did, you wouldn’t make such a rash decision”

Baek Joong continued, “The ones who do the dirty work of Dark Guild are rather scary.

They are not only skilled in martial arts, but they are very ruthless. If they have a target they will do anything to get their money. There are also rumors saying that they use banned weapons to fight against other Kang Ho-in.”

Unfortunately, even though he said all this he couldn’t change Ko Soon Kyung’s mind.

“I will borrow one hundred thousand nyang from them”

“Guild Master”

Ko Soon Kyung closed his eyes again and sunk into his chair, “Since this mountain is full of wolves and tigers it is not going to get worse inviting in some scoundrels.”

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