“What?”
Hyun Young blinked open his eyes and looked at the person in front of him.
“I’ve been looking for you since the morning breeze, and now what?”
Baek Sang said firmly to the perplexed Hyun Young.
“I want to enter Finance Hall.”
“…why in this situation?”
“Of course, I realize this is not the appropriate time to say this. However, I reasoned that it would be best to relocate as soon as possible because it was something my heart desired.”
“Hoho.”
Hyun Young looked at him with amusement and curiosity.
‘It’s not necessarily a bad thing.’
Now was the time to look for second-class disciples who would enter Finance Hall.
He couldn’t even bring it up because now is the time to focus on cultivating second- and third-class disciples, but Mount Hua is improving daily, and the money flowing in is increasing daily.
It is now difficult to manage Mount Hua’s finances solely through existing Finance Hall personnel.
But isn’t it a cause for celebration that people are willing to join Finance Hall?
“But why are you suddenly wanting to enter Finance Hall?”
“I’ve been thinking about it, but…….”
“Yes.”
“I can’t beat other Saje with martial art.”
“You’re not old enough to think that way already.”
Baek Sang shook his head firmly in response to Hyun Young’s words.
“No way, Elder! I am well acquainted with myself. Even if it’s comparable now, they’ll overtake me one day.”
Hyun Young’s face was slightly distorted.
“So, since you can’t walk the martial arts path, you’re going to the Finance Hall? Because it appears to be comfortable?”
“No!”
“Huh?”
Hyun Young was perplexed by Baek Sang’s determined voice. He was almost angry but willing to listen a little more.
“I’m their Sasuk and their Sahyung, Elder. Even if I’m not skilled in martial arts, I don’t want to be pushed!”
“Hou?”
Take a look at this.
Hyun Young’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“So I thought deeply and realized one thing!”
“What was that?”
“Mount Hua’s true power comes from Finance Hall!”
“Oh?”
There is a brilliant glow in Baek Sang’s eyes.
“What’s the reason for Mount Hua regain its past reputation? Martial art? Yes, I guess so. Talent? Well, that’s too. But more importantly, it is because Mount Hua has money.”
“That’s correct! That’s correct! You comprehend!”
“Money! If you control money, you control power! I want to be a man who counts money until his fingers wear out rather than a man who rolls until he sweats on the soles of his feet. Elder, please accept me! No, Finance Hall Elder!”
Hyun Young beamingly smiled.
Isn’t a haughty and devious individual the ideal candidate for finance hall?
‘To be honest, Jo-Gol would be a better fit.’
Hyun Hyoung thought he would be ideal for Finance Hall because he came from a merchant family. But, before he knew it, he had been tainted by Chung Myung and had begun to use his body instead of his head. He’s not ready for Finance Hall by then.
However, after hearing Baek Sang’s words, it is clear that he is a gifted individual who will serve as the next generation of Finance Hall Elders.
“I’m proud of you. Then, did you think of that by yourself?”
“……No, it’s not like that…….”
“Then?”
Baek Sang shook his head slightly.
“I was talking to Chung Myung last night and thought of it.”
“Really? Did you talk to Chung Myung?”
Hyun Young’s face lit up with a warm smile.
‘As one would expect from Chung Myung.’
He can’t believe he sent such a gifted individual to Finance Hall. Chung Myung recognized his talent and began pushing him to Finance Hall.
Otherwise, how can he decide to enter Finance Hall in a single day?
“Have you thought it well?”
“Yes, Elder!”
Hyun Young made a shaky motion with his head.
“If so, I will tell the Sect Leader and accept you as a member of the Finance Hall. However, if you become a member of the Finance Hall, you will not be able to concentrate on training as you are now. Won’t you regret it?”
“I’ll do both.”
“Both?”
“Yes!”
Baek Sang insisted on continuing.
“I don’t want to forget the duty of a martial artist just because I belong to the Finance Hall. It will not be easy, but I will try to balance myself as a martial artist and myself as a member of Finance Hall as much as possible.”
“Hum.”
Hyun Young simply nodded.
“It won’t be easy as you say, but if you have the will, there’s nothing you can’t do. But for your training, I won’t take care of you. Please keep this in mind.”
“Of course.”
“Okay.”
Hyun Young beamingly smiled.
People and money come in. Finance Hall had reached its pinnacle since he took over.
Meanwhile, he can’t just sit back and watch the money roll in, can he?
“Then move aside and sit.”
“What?”
“It’s not really a sight to show you, but now that things have come to this, you should know what the Finance Hall is doing.”
Baek Sang nodded vigorously.
‘He’s attempting to show me Finance Hall’s work.’
He has no idea what it is, but it must be significant. As a result, he must etch it clearly in these two eyes.
Hyun Young raised his voice as he stepped aside and sat down.
“Come in.”
Squeak.
Huayin Munju Wei Lishan entered immediately after the door opened.
“I heard that the Elder was looking for me.”
When Hyun Young looked at him, he smiled warmly.
“Welcome.”
“Tha-Thank you for your hospitality.”
Wei Lishan sat down, a heavy expression on his face.
The hospitality was initially very pleasant and good, but he kept sensing something subtle as he met Hyun Young daily.
“Did you look at me for a reason?”
Wei Lishan’s question elicited a laugh from Hyun Young.
“Hey, Huayin Sect Munju.”
“Yes, Elder.”
“You came here as Munju of Mount Hua’s subsidiary sect, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Does a subsidiary sect belong to Mount Hua or not?”
Wei Lishan was in agony as he tilted his head slightly.
This is because he was unsure what to say because he didn’t know what the question was about.
“O-Of course Huayin Sect belongs to Mount Hua…….”
“Hahaha!”
“…… but subsidiary sect and the Main Mountain are a strictly separate thing. If not, shouldn’t it be called a branch sect, not a subsidiary sect?”
“That’s correct! That’s correct! You do comprehend.”
Wei Lishan, who had managed to get the answer Hyun Young desired, looked relieved.
“But why do you ask that?”
“Hey, Huayin Sect Munju.”
Hyun Young began his sentence with a smile on his face. At first glance, he appeared very nice, but the two eyes behind that smile shone brightly.
“Don’t you want to make some money?”
“…Yes?”
Hyun Young makes a circle with her thumb and forefinger and shakes it slightly.
“Money.”
“…….”
It was at this point that Huayin Sect Munju realized something was wrong.
* * *
The day of the finals arrived quickly.
As if the two days of silence had been a lie, as soon as the sun came up, people flocked in and formed a crowd.
“The finals start today!”
“Until now, it was just for fun. The real Murim Competition will begin soon!”
“That’s correct! That’s correct! Can you say the same for those who returned after only seeing the preliminary round of the Murim Competition? This is a real contest!”
People’s expressions were already animated.
Why would they not?
The true Murim Competition can begin as soon as today.
The world’s prestigious sect is said to have sent out their own rising star here, but when all are counted, the number exceeds a thousand.
How many masters will rise to prominence?
There would be no more than 1% at most.
The finals will now be a battleground where the filtered contestants compete against each other.
Isn’t it obvious that those who win and gain fame here will be the ones to lead the world in the future?
As a result, the number of people gathered in Shaolin far outnumbered the preliminary period.
“That’s a lot.”
“I know.”
“What exactly are those people doing back there? What do you believe they are selling?”
“Since there are so many people here, there would be some who sell food. Chung Myung, there’s sweet potato there.”
“Where? Where?”
Chung Myung made a sharp turn of his head.
Vendors of food and simple items gathered behind the crowd, and there was an open battle.
“What’s that?”
“Huh? It seems there’s a lot of people flocked here?”
Hyun Jong, who was looking at the scene, also smiled broadly.
“Hahaha. A lot of people are here.”
“Looking at it, I think I’m hungry. Sect Leader, would you like something to eat?”
“No, I have to go to my seat soon, so I won’t have time to eat.”
He looked at the crowd with a smile and tilted his head as if he had found something.
“But it doesn’t look like they’re selling anything, so why are there so many people there?”
At Hyun Jong’s words, Hyun Sang narrowed his eyes and looked at the big vendor.
“Red and blue….. multiplier? Ummm… it’s probably a bet.”
“A bet? You mean gambling?”
“Can’t you see that?”
Hyun Jong opened his mouth wide.
“Ga-Gambling?”
In Shaolin?
Betting on this sacred land Shaolin?
“hahaha. Does Shaolin allow that? No, even if Shaolin gave them permission, there’s no one who has the courage to do such a thing. You got to see a lot of things if as you live longer.”
“Haha. I know. I thought we were the only ones who caused the accident.”
“That’s right. I hope it’s not just us… uh…?”
Hyun Jong tilted his head.
There’s something strange about the face of the merchant pulling people from behind with a large plank…..
“He looks familiar.”
“Haha. Me too. Doesn’t he look like Huayin Sect?”
“That’s right. They look alike…”
Resemble.
They look so alike, it is as if they a twins…..
‘Huh?’
“…Hu-Huayin Sect Munju?”
A murmur came out of Hyun Jong’s mouth which had been opened blankly.
“No, why is Wei Lishan there…….”
It was that moment.
Wei Lishan opened the fan in his hand, half-covered his face, raised his voice loudly, and shouted.
“Come on! You have to bet before it starts! Before it starts! You can’t bet anymore when the match starts! Those who have bet, take the ticket next to you! Tickets without a seal cannot be exchanged, so you must never lose them!”
Ticket? Seal? Exchange money?
“Bi-Bidding?”
Hyun Jong muttered with blank eyes.
“What is he doing now?”
“…… I guess they opening a gambling den.”
“So you’re saying the owner of that den is Huayin Sect Munju Wei Lishan?”
“…….”
“N-No, that crazy guy?”
Mount Hua was the one who gambled in the sacred Shaolin.
Hyun Jong’s eyes began to tremble.
His face turned red and white repeatedly.
Soon afterward, he came to his senses, turned his head, and began looking for a person in a hurry.
“Whe-Where is this guy?”
Huayin Sect Munju?
No!
He knows Wei Lishan is not a great person who can do such an absurd thing alone.
There must be someone else who made him do that!
“Chung Myung! Where is this guy, Chung Myung!”
“Yes?”
Chung Myung, who had been buried between the Sahyung poked his head out. Then Hyun Jong rushed at him like lightning.
“You punk! What have you done?”
“Yes? What?”
“That! Wasn’t it you who told him to open that gambling den?”
“Gambling den?”
Chung Myung opened his eyes wide, looked to the side where Wei Lishan was and smacked his lips.
“Wow. Huayin Sect Munju, that yangban is not normal. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“… it’s not you?”
“Yes, it’s not me.”
Watching Chung Myung who really doesn’t understand Huayin Sect Munju behavior too, Hyun Jong was great confusion.
‘It’s not Chung Myung?’
‘Then who the hell…….’
“Keuhum!”
Then a low cough came from behind. Hyun Jong shivered as if he had been struck by lightning and slowly turned his head.
Hyun Young.
Hyun Young, his lovely Saje and financial adviser of Mount Hua, was smiling with a glossy face as if oil had been applied.
Hyun Jong muttered in a voice that sounded like his soul had escaped.
“…is it you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Is that you?”
“I mean, what are you talking about?”
Hyun Young shrugs his shoulders.
“That’s just what Wei Lishan, Huayin Sect Munju, did personally. No matter how much I am as the Elder of Mount Hua, I cannot meddle in the affairs of the subsidiary sect, right?”
“….do-doing gambling? At Shaolin?”
Then Hyun Young looked around quietly. He then approached Hyun Jong, wrapped him around his shoulder, and pulled him gently.
“I’ve decided to give you half.”
“…….”
“These monks are brighter than we thought regarding money. The guys that started the vendor got their spot by promising half of their revenue to them. They didn’t state anything about not allowing gambles. I figured it out in advance. Fufufufufu.”
“…….”
“Hohoho. Don’t worry about anything, Sect Leader. You can make a lot of money…….”
“Hey! You! You crazy man!”
Hyun Jong, who had been trembling for a while, kicked Hyun Young’s butt and blew him away. Then he screamed with a bloodshot face.
“I told Chung Myung not to cause trouble, and the Elder of the sect is causing trouble!? Is this what an Elder of a sect would do!”
“Shh! Keep your voice down.”
Hyun Young, who flew away, quickly returned to his place as if nothing had happened.
And whispered with a grim face.
“This is what Huayin Sect did, Huayin Sect. Mount Hua doesn’t know anything.”
Hyun Jong grabbed the back of his neck as if to hold back the rising blood pressure.
‘This damn sect!’
‘Now even the Elder is doing something crazy!’
“You-You punk. Don’t you even know how to save face!”
“What did face do in Mount Hua? And when did we ever gain by saving face? We should just get money, money!”
“K-Keuk…….”
“And!”
Hyun Young grinned, pulled Chung Myung to the side, and touched his head.
“There’s nothing to worry about. This guy will save Mount Hua’s face. Don’t you think so, Chung Myung?”
“Yes, but can I bet on it, too?”
“Sure, sure. You’re betting on winning, aren’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Yes! Let’s make a fortune. Hahahaha!”
“Hehehehe!”
Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly as he saw the two of them smiling in a similar way.
‘I’m going to give up my position as Sect Leader. It is a sect beyond help!’
Mount Hua’s life is getting better daily, and his life is getting harder and harder.