Asking for money as the reward from the alliance...
Yoon Jong, the branch leader, was very shocked after hearing this.
What was the Murim Alliance in the Murim World?
The Murim Alliance was the most powerful organization after the Imperial Family. So, if the Alliance owes a debt to someone, that means the person would be able to get anything that couldn’t be compared to money. In other words, no one would ask for money from them unless they were some fools.
If Wolryung asked for their protection instead, that would’ve sounded even more reasonable. So, was Wolryung a fool?
‘No.’
That’s not it.
‘There must be something reasonable behind it. He must have his reasons.’
Wasn’t Wolryung the one who predicted the secret path invasion and protected the alliance branch? So, there was no way someone like that would be a fool.
Well, that was the thought of Yoon Jong.
Yoon Jong smiled awkwardly as he asked Wolryung.
“Ah, young man. Can I ask you why you want money?”
“Huh?”
Wolryung looked a bit surprised by that question.
‘Did I misjudge him of being a smart person?’
Why do you want money?
Was it even a question you should ask? No, at least someone shouldn’t ask something like that to Wolryung. To Wolryung who lived his entire life as Kang Junho seeking for money just to make his life a bit easier. To that Wolryung, money was the most valuable thing in the world.
“Isn’t it simple, branch leader?”
“Simple?”
“Of course. Think about it carefully. Is there anything in this world more important than money?”
“Uh?”
Yoon Jong forgot for a moment that Wolryung was still new to the outside world. So, no matter how smart he was, he won’t know about the world that much.
Yoon Jong sighed softly and lowered his body as he said to Wolryung.
“I think you should think carefully, young man. Of course money is important. I won’t deny it. But it’s not the most important or valuable thing in the world.”
“...”
“There are many things that you can’t buy with money. For example, reputation, pride and...”
“Will they make my stomach full?”
“Huh?”
Yoon Jong was speechless for a moment by that question.
“It’s not like I’ll earn anything with reputation and pride. What is their use if I die of hunger?”
“Uh?”
No. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
Even though Yoon Jong didn’t want to acknowledge it, he couldn’t deny it either. Wolryung’s explanation was too logical. But there was something wrong with it. It shouldn’t have gone this way in the first place. Who would compare reputation and pride to money that way?
But what made Yoon Jong more surprised was that he couldn’t say anything to deny that fact or prove it wrong. And that made it even more annoying.
‘Let’s move on from reputation and pride talk.’
Yoon Jong smiled bitterly as he said to Wolryung.
“What you said is true, young man. But it’s not like I was gonna give you reputation or pride. That’s not something people can give.”
Well, that’s true.
“So how about it? I still think money isn’t a good price for what you did for us. You should ask for something else. Something more valuable than money.”
Wolryung made a puzzled face as if he didn’t understand what Yoon Jong said.
“Is there something more valuable than money? I don’t know something that is more valuable than money?”
“...”
Yoon Jong was still smiling but his face seemed a bit dark. And it looked like he was resisting something. Like he was fighting inside him for something.
Let’s not be angry. He is still a kid. It’s understandable if he doesn’t know anything.
“How about I give you some examples? Like asking for our protection or granting a wish of yours for the future.”
“Nope. I don’t need any protection. I have Jin Ho for that.”
“...”
“And as for granting a wish of mine in the future... I don’t have that much patience to wait for it. What if I die before I can even ask for that wish?”
Ah, true. Humans can die anytime.
“Then just ask for a wish right now.”
“Yes, give me money.”
“...”
Yoon Jong’s face contorted at this.
After all of that, the conversation came to where it started. If you were gonna end up in money in the end, why waste time on arguing?
Yoon Jong understood now that there was no point in arguing regarding this matter with Wolryung anymore. If he did, he might lose his sanity with those strangely logical explanations. Well, in truth Wolryung didn’t explain anything, he only said one or two logical things. And that made Yoon Jong speechless. So, thinking about it, it looked even more dangerous to argue with him.
Yoon Jong looked at Baek Han as if asking for an explanation about the situation. However, Baek Han just smiled awkwardly at it as if saying, ‘Don’t ask me anything. I already told you there was something wrong with this kid from the start.’
Understanding it, Yoon Jong let out a quiet breath and looked at Wolryung with a change in his expression.
‘Maybe, he isn’t that smart. Or why else would he demand money from the alliance.’
“Ok, how much money do you want us to give you?”
“Hm...”
Wolryung made a face as if he didn’t understand it.
“Do people ask the benefactor how much they want these days? I thought the people in debt give the best amount reasonable.”
“Uh?”
Yoon Jong was in amazement by this.
“S-Sorry.”
Yoon Jong bowed lightly in apologies.
“I showed a shameful sight of me to our benefactors.”
Wolryung smiled brightly and said, “Hehe. Don’t worry. People make mistakes.”
“Then would you please not mind if me and the vice leader go outside for a moment?”
“Hmm...”
Wolryung thought for a moment.
Well, it was understandable. Yoon Jong couldn’t just make up a price out of nowhere without discussing it with other members of the branch.
“I don’t mind, please take your time. Oh! But one thing.”
“Hm. What is it?”
“Well, it’s nothing much. Just bring some liquor when you come.”
“...”
“I’ll keep that in mind. We’ll take our leave for a moment then.”
***
After a while...
Gulp... gulp... gulp...
“...”
As promised, Yoon Jong and Baek Han brought the most valuable liquor with them. Mainly, they brought the liquor for everyone here to drink. But...
Gulp... gulp... gulp...
Wolryung was gulping the bottle of liquor like it was brought only for him. And those strange sounds he made while drinking...
Gulp... gulp... gulp...
“...”
Please feel some shame. How can you drink the whole liquor yourself? It’s the most valuable liquor available here. And it was the last bottle remaining.
Wolryung put the bottle on the table with a thud.
“Ugh! So refreshing!”
Did he just finish the full bottle of liquor at once?
Wolryung wiped his mouth as he looked at Yoon Jong with a satisfied smile.
“Anyway, how much did you decide to give us?”
“Uh... Looking at how you discovered the secret path invasion and saved our branch by fighting the moonlight sword... We came to the conclusion that we will give you 100 gold nyang.”
Mentioning the amount of 100 gold nyang, Yoon Jong’s chest filled with pride.
Well, that was bound to happen. 100 gold nyang wasn’t your average price after all. It was enough to live comfortably for years.
But the reaction Yoon Jong got from Wolryung, that twisted expression of his...
“That’s all?”
“Huh?”
“Only 100 gold nyang? Did the alliance’s value go down that much?”
No, what is he saying?
It’s 100 gold nyang, you bastard! Not 100 silver nyang! What’s with that reaction? In silver it’s 10000. How dare you act like it’s nothing. If someone else was given this reward he would sell his soul for the alliance.
But Wolryung was Wolryung for a reason.
“How can you give your savior only 100 gold nyang? If you don’t have money just say it.”
Stab!
“Why go through such troubles.”
Hearing those words, Yoon Jong could do nothing but laugh awkwardly.
“I think you’re mistaking something here, young man. It’s 100 gold nyang. That’s equal to 10000 silver nyang.”
“I know that.”
If you know that, then why are you acting that way?
“Think about it.”
Wolryung started explaining.
“What if we weren’t here and that old man with those underworld leaders successfully attacked the branch? What do you think? What would’ve happened then?”
Why is he bringing that up?
“Hm... Well the branch would’ve been wiped out.”
“Exactly!”
Wolryung snapped his fingers as if Yoon Jong’s answer was correct for a difficult question.
“So, if the branch had been wiped out what do you think would’ve happened to your treasury?”
“Well... Of course, they would’ve stolen all the money and treasures. But why do you ask?”
“Then...”
Wolryung’s tone changed a bit now.
“If it weren’t for us, you would’ve lost all the money and people at the same time. So, if you look at it carefully, anybody would say that we deserve to get all the money and treasures as it already would’ve been stolen anyway.”
“Uh?”
All the money and treasures available in the treasury? Did he just say it?
“But... I’m a gentleman. So, I didn’t ask for all your treasures or something. And I won’t ask. But, to think you were gonna give us only 100 gold nyang... Tsk!”
“Uh?”
Yoon Jong was dumbfounded by this.
Was 100 gold nyang truly that low of an amount in this kind of situation?
“Then how much do you think we should give?”
“Man... You’re asking me about the amount again?”
“...”
“Uh, sorry. Then how about 150 gold nyang?”
“Tsk! Tsk!”
Wolryung snapped his tongue in disappointment, standing up slowly as if he didn’t want to stay here anymore.
“I thought the alliance was good at repaying their debt. But I didn’t think they were this narrow minded. Let’s go Jin Ho. We shouldn’t stay here anymore.”
Seeing Wolryung ready to go, Yoon Jong desperately tried to stop them.
“Ah, please wait, young man. Don’t go. Let’s sit and talk.”
“Tch!”
Wolryung sat, clicking his tongue.
“Please decide immediately.”
Yoon Jong hesitated for a moment before mentioning the price.
“200 gold nyang.”
“Uh?”
Wolryung’s face twisted at that. Seeing his twisted face, Yoon Jong started sweating relentlessly.
“Uh, 250.”
“...?”
Wolryung’s face twisted even farther.
Ah, no. That’s already a very huge amount.
Closing his eyes, Yoon Jong shouted loudly.
“300 gold nyang!”
The whole room was silent. As Yoon Jong didn’t get any response he slowly opened his eyes.
‘Was it not enough? I can’t go higher than this.’
He needs to report everything regarding these matters to the headquarters after all. If they see this amount they might really kill him.
“...”
But as soon as he opened his eyes, Yoon Jong could see a satisfied bright smile. Seeing that smile, he felt relieved for a moment.
Thank god it worked.
“Although it’s not much for me, I’ll accept it with my heart.”
“...”
Not much? Are you kidding me?
You can build a full clan and still live comfortably for years with that money, you bastard!
Well, at least he accepted it. Let’s not get angry.
But the next sentence that came out from Wolryung’s mouth...
“Now, should we talk about the compensations?”
“Huh?”
Yoon Jong and Baek Han’s faces went pale.
Compensations? What compensation?
While watching the whole scene Jin Ho closed his eyes.
‘Our young master truly changed a lot.’
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