The moment the Kongtong Grand Master turned around, the Grand Young Master’s pitch-black eyes, like abyssal pupils that permitted no light, were looking right at him.
“The Kongtong Sect is welcomed.”
I’m clearly the taller one. And I’m at least three times his age. So why… why does it feel like the Grand Young Master is looking down on me?
Experiencing the Grand Young Master up close was a completely different sensation than observing him from afar.
“Thank you, Grand Young Master.” The Kongtong Grand Master’s voice trembled, betraying him. “Ahem.” He quickly cleared his throat, and the Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon offered him a smile.
“Do not worry.”
“W-Worried? About what, may I ask?”
The Grand Young Master spoke as if he already knew everything. “You are afraid that because Kongtong chose to join so late, you might be treated unfairly within my camp.”
The wrinkled skin around the Kongtong Grand Master’s eyes twitched. He’s bringing that up himself? Right here? If he had been in the Grand Young Master’s shoes, he would never have brought up such a topic in this public setting. If you treat the sects that pledged loyalty early the same as those that joined late, it will inevitably plant the seeds of discontent… If so, why was the Grand Young Master bringing this up with his own lips? The Kongtong Grand Master’s mind spun furiously.
Ah…!
Convinced of something, he quickly bowed and replied, “Not at all, Grand Young Master.” He continued in the most self-deprecating manner possible, “Kongtong was late to join, busy as we were reading the tides. How could we possibly speak of equality? How could we dare harbor such greed?” He managed to form a smile on his wrinkled face. “We of Kongtong will be satisfied just to be of help to our allies! We wouldn’t dare dream of securing a base in Luoyang! We will simply accept whatever reward is given!”
As he spoke, the Kongtong Grand Master nodded to himself.
The Grand Young Master must have wanted me to decline like this first…! If the late-joining Kongtong Sect willingly humbled itself, the Grand Young Master could then take care of them, offering just enough to not be insulting, and the other sects would have no room to complain. And if our Kongtong Sect unites and does its best under the Grand Young Master’s command for many years to come… Eventually, the opportunity to secure a base in Luoyang would surely be given to them.
“What are you talking about, Grand Master?”
“…Pardon?”
But, as always, the Grand Young Master lightly leapt over his expectations. “Did I not tell you not to worry?” His hand pointed toward the Kongtong Grand Master. “Just as I promised Diancang, Zhongnan, and the Hengshan Northern Branch, you of the Kongtong Sect will, of course, also be given business rights to secure a base in Luoyang.”
What did I just hear? The Kongtong Grand Master’s eyes went wide, and his jaw fell open. “Pardon…?” He couldn’t stop himself from blurting out, “But, if you do that… how do you intend to control the discontent from the other sects?” The former Sect Leader of Diancang made a fool of himself trying to get that chance! How can you just toss it to us, who joined at the last minute?
The one who burst out laughing was Gong Liang, the Old Demon and Governor-designate. “Hohoho. If the only opportunity the Grand Young Master could bestow was ‘securing a base in Luoyang,’ then yes, some might grow discontented.”
“By that, you mean—” The Grand Master of Kongtong asked, feeling his mind go blank, “You mean the Grand Young Master can offer each sect an even greater opportunity?”
The answer came from Yeon So-hyeon.
“Of course.”
A smile touched his lips, a smile so full of confidence it bordered on arrogance. “Did you truly believe that the vessel of I, Yeon So-hyeon, was so small?” He turned his gaze, looking over the leaders of the sects that had newly come under his command. “All sects that have joined today will be given an equal, basic opportunity to secure a base in Luoyang.”
As his gaze passed over them, the sect leaders quickly adjusted their postures, making themselves look even more humble. “From now on, those who build merit will be given new rewards fitting that merit, regardless of when they joined.” The Grand Young Master’s voice resonated through the hall.
“Does anyone have a complaint with this?”
To those whose fervent wish had been just to secure a base, he was now promising even greater rewards. Naturally, they were all just wondering what those “greater opportunities” could be. There was no way anyone would voice a complaint.
“Good.”
The Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon nodded, satisfied, and addressed the guests. “I express my gratitude to all the esteemed guests who have graced us with their presence today.” It was only natural that applause would erupt from the guests, who had just witnessed the man’s incredible performance firsthand. “I instructed my Head Handmaiden to prepare ample food and drink…” Yeon So-hyeon raised a hand to the guests and smiled, tossing out a light joke. “But seeing the amount being consumed, it seems none of you have had so much as a drop of watery porridge in three days. If you don’t want to be mistaken for a pack of beggars, you had best restrain yourselves.”
Laughter burst from the crowd, and Yeon So-hyeon smiled with them.
“Now then, I must excuse myself for an internal meeting. Please, enjoy yourselves on my behalf.”
The rear doors were opened by the waiting maids, and the crowd sent the departing Grand Young Master off with a generous round of applause. Next was Gong Liang, the Governor of Luoyang.
“As the Grand Young Master said, seeing you all eat and drink like this… it seems Luoyang’s meager finances won’t be able to handle it.” He gave the guests a mischievous look. “On the day of my official inauguration, you must all be sure to bring your own food and drink.”
Another wave of laughter erupted.
Gong Liang’s wheeled chair followed the Grand Young Master out.
“Ahem.”
Following him, his shoulders puffed with unearned pride, was the former Sect Leader of Diancang. Next to him, walking side-by-side, were the Zhongnan Sect Leader, who was giving the Diancang Sect Leader a bitter smile, and the penitents of the Hengshan Northern Branch. They looked so proud and confident.
As the Kongtong Grand Master stared at their departing figures with a dazed expression, one of the guests tapped him on the shoulder. “Grand Master of Kongtong, aren’t you one of the Grand Young Master’s close associates now? You should go with them.”
That was right.
The Kongtong Sect was now one of the Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon’s forces.
“…Thank you.”
The Kongtong Grand Master nodded his thanks and, to a round of applause, was the last to exit the grand banquet hall.
***
Wongakjeong. The street outside the main gate.
“The Grand Young Master accepted Kongtong?!”
“Yes!”
The second-generation disciple, who had returned from checking the situation inside, nodded vigorously, his face bright. “And what’s more, he has granted us permission to establish a base in Luoyang!”
The Kongtong disciples, who had been sitting in the corner of the stall with dark expressions, leapt to their feet.
“We did it! We’re in!”
“This opens a new path for our Kongtong Sect!”
The first-generation disciple, who had been emptying bottle after bottle of wine to soothe his burning insides, shot up. “Uwooooh!” He roared at the sky. “This unworthy disciple believed in you, Grand Master!”
The Grand Disciple let out a hollow laugh at the sight. “My, my. Weren’t you the one cursing the Grand Master just moments ago—”
“Uh, ahem!” The first-generation disciple’s face, already red from embarrassment and alcohol, turned to the surrounding crowd and bellowed, “A great fortune has come to our Kongtong Sect today! Everyone, our family in the Sword Clan, please congratulate us!”
The surrounding people, thoroughly drunk, didn’t really know what was going on, but since it was a celebration, they raised their cups and cheered.
“Congratulations!”
“Felicitations!”
The first-generation disciple laughed boisterously and shouted, “Today’s drinks are all on Kongtong! Let’s drink until we die!”
Amid the cheers from the others at the stall, the Grand Disciple shook her head, laughing in disbelief. “What is this foolish oaf saying? The food and wine today are all being provided by the Grand Young Master, aren’t they?”
“Ah, aah?!”
The first-generation disciple’s face turned an even deeper shade of red, and a great roar of laughter erupted from the crowd.
***
Wongakjeong, Restricted Area. The Grand Assembly Hall.
The Kongtong Grand Master was completely overwhelmed.
“Haha! Welcome to the alliance, Grand Master of Kongtong!”
The first person to greet him so warmly was a young woman.
“I heard the Grand Young Master promised to help Kongtong secure a base in Luoyang?” She was none other than the Young Matriarch of the Sichuan Tang Clan, Tang Eun-rang. “Perhaps, in the future, our Tang Clan and Kongtong will become rivals here in Luoyang!”
At her words, the Grand Master could only laugh awkwardly. “How could we of Kongtong ever dare to speak of competition with the hegemon of Sichuan? We can only ask for the Tang Clan’s generous guidance.”
“Guidance, you say? Excellent!” She laughed heartily, as was her habit. “Thanks to the Grand Young Master’s grace, our Tang Clan succeeded in expanding into Luoyang one step ahead of you!”
The Sichuan Tang Clan had successfully built a branch in the Holy Valley and was reaping record profits every day.
“I’ll gladly share our secrets with you.” She gave him a wink. “We’re all one family now. Let’s work well together!”
“No, no…!” The Kongtong Grand Master quickly waved his hands. “It is we who must ask for your favor.” He had no time to even properly see her off as she laughed and turned away, because the next person was already standing before him.
“From now on, if you run into any legal troubles in Luoyang, feel free to send a man to contact us at any time.”
“A-Are you perhaps… from the Cheong Clan?”
“Indeed.” The middle-aged man nodded and introduced himself. “I am Cheong Hyo, the one who leads the Cheong Clan.”
“Lord Cheong!”
The Cheong Clan had been renowned as a prestigious family of law since ancient times. And now, with Governor Gong Liang on their side, they held an absolutely dominant position in Luoyang’s legal world.
“It’s a pleasure!”
“Welcome!”
One after another, every person who came to greet the Kongtong Grand Master was a figurehead that the current Kongtong Sect would have difficulty even meeting. The Grand Master, who had nothing left but the old name of one of the Nine Sects, couldn’t seem to straighten his back.
This… this is the Grand Young Master’s power…!
He was bowing so ceaselessly that his back was beginning to ache, but even that pain was, for now, a simple joy.