Episode 324

“Haah…”

“Heooh…”

Jang Sam-tae had not long returned after running away from home. Although most of his wounds had healed, his body was still not in a condition to exert itself.

Even though they needed rest, the two of them were wandering the streets of Yueyang, having been kicked out without even entering their home.

There was nowhere they could go.

They couldn’t go to Hong Won-chang’s house because the mistress there was giving them the cold shoulder, and the Golden Ring Inn was even more out of the question due to Dan Woo-hyun’s significant influence there.

Sitting down in the middle of Yueyang Street, Jang Sam-tae let out a long sigh and slumped his shoulders.

“How did it come to this?”

“How did it end up like this…?”

The two people laughed helplessly, making the same sound. Zhuge Yun only wanted to check the state of the Tons of Gold Inn, and Jang Sam-tae just didn’t like the inn for making tasteless food.

Getting kicked out of the house for such trivial reasons?

From their perspective, with not a single piece of silver left, it was just perplexing.

“How did you end up spending all your money?”

“It was given to be spent, you fool!”

Zhuge Yun shook his head with an incredulous expression, and Jang Sam-tae spat out angrily. When they were the one who gave it to him to spend, and now they’re saying this?

“Didn’t we even struggle to eat properly?”

“There are plenty of things to spend on outside! Some gambling…buying gifts for Mae-hyang…”

“Huh…pretending not to be interested…tsk tsk.”

“Then what should I do? The place we went to was terrible, and I felt awkward too!”

On the way back, he bought a pricey ring for Mae-hyang. It was so expensive that it made his eyes spin.

He had spent more than half of the money Zhuge Yun gave him, so after buying the ring and eating various things nearby, the money was soon all gone.

“If I had that money, I would have at least gotten an inn…”

“What’s the point of saying that now? It’s already over! We need to think about the future.”

Jang Sam-tae looked at Zhuge Yun with an expression of absurdity.

“What future? We just have to wait to become corpses.”

Zhuge Yun stared into space with eyes like a dead fish. He wanted something that would take months to accomplish in just a month.

That was like telling them to die.

“The Heavens are so indifferent…”

“Indifferent, my foot. The heavens never give anything.”

However, Jang Sam-tae stood up abruptly, as if refusing to give up. He was a little hungry and tired, but moving was a hundred times better than being idle.

“That person, of all people. Given a month, it means there’s definitely something we can do.”

“Like preparing oneself neatly before becoming a corpse… Is that what you mean?”

“No, you fool!”

Jang Sam-tae fumed with anger, huffing and puffing.

He didn’t like Zhuge Yun muttering like someone who has given up on life. Well, anyone who knew Dan Woo-hyun’s personality would know that most of his words come from genuine intent.

But.

“At least that person doesn’t assign impossible tasks…”

“Hahaha, you’re quite the liar. It sounds like he’s telling us to just build a coffin for a month.”

“I’m telling you, that’s not it!”

Zhuge Yun smirked as he watched Jang Sam-tae shout. Although he didn’t know Dan Woo-hyun as well as Jang Sam-tae did, he couldn’t believe that person would demand the impossible.

“So for now…hmm…hmm!”

Jang Sam-tae groaned as he clutched his head.

He felt like he needed to start something, but he had no idea where to begin. If only he could grasp a single thread, it would be enough.

Then Zhuge Yun glanced sideways.

He must have seen something, as he couldn’t help but grin.

“Do you…know how to do any carpentry?”

Jang Sam-tae tilted his head at the puzzling words.

“You’re not really going to kill them, are you?”

Dan Woo-hyun, who was feeding the carp released in the pond early in the morning, cast a meaningful look as he saw the sudden arrival of Zhuge Yeon and Namgung Sohye.

Zhuge Yeon’s eyes held a hint of hostility, but it was somewhat insufficient to move Dan Woo-hyun’s heart.

Dan Woo-hyun smiled slightly, pretending not to understand what was being said, while scattering the carp’s feed.

“What do you mean by…”

“Don’t change the subject. There’s no way the great Dan family head doesn’t understand what I’m saying, right?”

At that moment, Namgung Sohye’s complexion turned pale.

It wasn’t just anyone, it was the great Dan Woo-hyun. She felt unnecessarily scared as Zhuge Yeon glared sharply and spoke recklessly toward him.

‘B-be careful, Yeon-ah. He’s different from the people you’ve dealt with so far….’

She wanted to say those words, but they couldn’t come out of her mouth. However, Zhuge Yeon wasn’t someone who wouldn’t understand, so she just silently watched the situation unfold.

“Even with that somewhat dazed look, he’s someone who once moved the Murim Alliance. It doesn’t make sense to kill him just because he did something that wasn’t even funny, so I’m asking.”

“I’m the one who decides that. From what I see, there’s no difference between your father and that Sam-tae guy.”

“That’s…”

Zhuge Yeon couldn’t bring herself to deny it. At a glance, Zhuge Yun might seem better, but those who knew Zhuge Yun’s true character might think they were similar.

Zhuge Yun was unknowingly dazed and often did foolish things.

“You…you’ve accurately assessed him.”

Zhuge Yeon broke into a cold sweat with an expression that was hard to decipher. It was as if she was surprised by something she thought could never be caught on by others.

“Often, what you see isn’t all there is. Your father is the same. Of course, so is Sam-tae.”

“No, that Jang Sam-tae is just as he appears, though?”

Zhuge Yeon frowned, displeased at the comparison between Jang Sam-tae and her father. No matter how similar their personalities might be, one was a strategist who had shaken the world, while the other was merely a thief wandering about aimlessly.

The two could never be completely the same.

“Anyway, don’t say strange things, and don’t try to act on them! That’s why I came to tell you.”

“Are you worried?”

Zhuge Yeon had a slightly embarrassed expression at Dan Woo-hyun’s words. If asked whether she was worried, it was natural to be concerned. After all, the man had been kicked out without a penny and given an extremely challenging task.

However, perhaps not wanting to reveal her feelings, Zhuge Yeon’s expression turned slightly coy.

“Hmph, no way!”

“Haha, if you’re that worried, why don’t you go and help? Seeing what he does for a month wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“…Can I?”

“Sure.”

With Dan Woo-hyun’s permission, Zhuge Yeon beamed brightly. But as soon as she felt Namgung Sohye’s gaze, she unconsciously hid her expression and coughed awkwardly.

“It’s not…not because I’m worried, but since it’s a difficult task, he will definitely accomplish it in the name of the Zhuge family. So don’t misunderstand why I’m going.”

With those words, Zhuge Yeon turned her back. As if the gaze of the two people watching blankly was extremely uncomfortable, her steps were gradually but surely quickening.

Watching this, Namgung Sohye burst into laughter.

“Can I go too?”

“Sure, it’s okay to go and help.”

“…Were you expecting something like this to happen?”

Namgung Sohye looked at Dan Woo-hyun with a suspicious gaze. The fact that he casually suggested rendering help was somewhat out of character for Dan Woo-hyun.

Dan Woo-hyun believed that if there was anything difficult, one should overcome it on their own, and up until now, he had made it a rule for the people in this Hunan Dan family to adhere to that principle.

Yet today, he unusually suggested offering help easily.

Namgung Sohye was suspicious of that part.

“It could be, or it might not be.”

Dan Woo-hyun, who wore a smile, didn’t bother to give an answer.

But with just that one remark, Namgung Sohye could somewhat realize.

‘Toying with the former leaders of the Murim Alliance like that…’

Of course, considering Dan Woo-hyun’s personality, he wouldn’t have particularly expected anyone to fall into his trap. Except for Jang Sam-tae, that is. He must have anticipated to some extent that figures like Namgung Chun or Sa Dohak would get involved.

‘Since he almost cut off their allowance…’

Was cutting off their allowance a trap to catch them in such a snare?

Namgung Sohye broke out in a cold sweat.

“So? What will you do if those guys bring down the Tons of Gold Inn?”

Sa Dohak was the one who subtly appeared beside Dan Woo-hyun. Last time, when he suggested attacking the Tons of Gold Merchant Union first, he was adamantly opposed, but it seemed he didn’t like the idea of turning the work over to other people.

His expression hardened fiercely.

“There’s nothing. Are you expecting something to be done?”

“Wouldn’t it be exciting if there was something?”

Sa Dohak looked at Dan Woo-hyun with an incredulous gaze.

If there is a whip, there should also be a carrot.

Only then does motivation arise, and also loyalty.

Dan Woo-hyun seemed to know nothing of the sort.

“I see…

“Hmm-”

Dan Woo-hyun stroked his chin.

Bringing down the world-renowned Tons of Gold Inn?

Of course, while they wouldn’t be swallowing it whole, if things turned out that way, they could gain considerable profit. Additionally, it could serve as a wake-up call for the Tons of Gold Merchant Union against the Hunan Dan family, aiming for a win-win situation.

“You intend to confirm it, don’t you?”

At that moment, Namgung Chun quietly stepped forward and murmured. At the word ‘confirm’, everyone looked at Dan Woo-hyun with puzzled expressions. They had no idea what he intended to confirm.

“Whether Man Hu-ryang is still influencing the Tons of Gold Merchant Union.”

“Haha.”

Dan Woo-hyun smiled at Namgung Chun’s words. Since it was neither an affirmation nor a denial, people became convinced that Namgung Chun’s words were likely correct.

The vanished Man Hu-ryang and the Tons of Gold Merchant Union that hadn’t made a move until now.

It seemed unlikely that there was no connection at all.

“That guy may be brilliant, but he doesn’t have the power to move an entire faction. So, he can’t be the leader of Blood Heaven. But if he’s moving the Tons of Gold Merchant Union, it’s definitely a hindrance.”

Namgung Chun clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly, filled with resentment. He still hadn’t settled the score with that guy, and if he were right in front of him, he might have torn him limb from limb.

“In any case, it’s just a simple probe. Stirring up a hornet’s nest will make them move busily.”

At that one remark, Sa Dohak and Jeok Mu-seong frowned.

“We could just release the rats and cockroaches…”

“Why don’t we just go and smash them?”

The two spoke with aggrieved expressions.

However, Dan Woo-hyun wore a rather incredulous expression.

“You guys can’t do it because you’re too straightforward and ignorant.”

“Ig…ignorant?”

“Yeah.”

Sa Dohak’s face turned bright red.