WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Alyo
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Memoir of a Regressor ◈
Chapter 7: Manipulation
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Jeok Gae-san, the proprietor of Cheonhwa Pavilion, could not make sense of what they had just heard.
"Who died?"
"The Deputy Owner, sir. The Yi Clan's Third Young Master came by, and..."
They heard the rough outline of what had happened.
After hearing it all, Jeok Gae-san did not panic.
They were furious.
"How dare he! He dared lay a hand on Cheonhwa Pavilion!"
The attendant watching their trembling jaw swallowed hard. Jeok Gae-san had never been a kind person, and whenever they got that angry, trouble always followed.
"Contact Jang Un-ryong."
"Right now?"
"Would you rather do it in a few days? Right now, you bastard."
Not wanting to get caught in the crossfire, the attendant hurried downstairs and slipped out through the back door.
Jeok Gae-san's fist trembled.
That son of a bitch.
He dared kill my man?
They would teach him a lesson.
* * *
There was a matter worth considering.
The three great clans that dominated Jangnyeong County.
The Three Great Clans of Jangnyeong were rivals. And where there was competition, schemes were bound to run rampant, both in plain sight and behind closed doors.
Why would the proprietor of Cheonhwa Pavilion take money from the Yi Clan and refuse to repay it?
Why had the Yi Clan kept putting off collecting the debt instead of properly pressuring Cheonhwa Pavilion?
There were sound reasons for all of it.
The Jang Clan, one of the Three Great Clans of Jangnyeong, stood behind Cheonhwa Pavilion.
More precisely, it was all part of a plan by Jang Un-ryong, the Jang Clan's second son.
What kind of person was Jang Un-ryong?
He was often called the Jang Clan's de facto Young Clan Head.
That was understandable. Jang Un-yeon, the Jang Clan's eldest son and Young Clan Head, currently belonged to the Emperor Sword Sect, one of the Eight Great Sects.
He was no mere entry disciple or first-generation disciple. He was the direct disciple of one of the Emperor Sword Sect's Eight Great Elders.
Jang Un-yeon possessed extraordinary talent and was considered someone who would one day raise the Emperor Sword Sect's name high across the realm.
That was why his younger brother, Jang Un-ryong, could scheme from behind Cheonhwa Pavilion.
Why could the Yi Clan not collect its money? Because Jang Un-ryong's own brother belonged to the Emperor Sword Sect, giving them cause to intervene, even indirectly.
The attendant sent by Jeok Gae-san headed straight for the Jang Clan and found Jang Un-ryong there.
Once he heard the full story, Jang Un-ryong let out a snort.
"The Yi Clan's Third Young Master? You mean that idiot named Yi Do?"
Yi Do was famous, though not in a good way.
"That idiot killed the Deputy Owner? Hahaha, not bad. They say even a worm wriggles when stepped on. I didn't think that bastard had that much nerve. I'll have to see him in a new light."
"Um... the Third Young Master said he would take all of Cheonhwa Pavilion."
"Take Cheonhwa Pavilion? Ha. You're joking to make me laugh, aren't you?"
"I... I heard him say it myself."
"Then it seems that third brat went mad after his first killing. Hey, you there."
At Jang Un-ryong's gesture, a passing servant hurried over.
"Go tell Jeong Rin. Tell him to head to Cheonhwa Pavilion at once and beat the Yi Clan's third brat senseless."
Jeong Rin was one of the Jang Clan's martial artists, at the stage of Twin Sun Manifestation.
He had begun to open his middle dantian. Not only within the Jang Clan but throughout Jangnyeong County, he was considered a notable martial artist.
The servant gave a cupped-fist salute and immediately ran off.
Jang Un-ryong grinned.
"There, the problem is solved. Now quit wasting my precious time and go wipe tables at Cheonhwa Pavilion."
"...Yes."
* * *
Surprisingly, Yi Do was sitting quietly in Cheonhwa Pavilion, drinking tea.
Seven and a half minutes passed, then the wait drew close to an hour, yet he did not make a single move.
Something about his demeanor was so strange that Cheonhwa Pavilion's martial artists and employees could do nothing.
The Deputy Owner's corpse had not even been removed.
That was proof enough.
Why was he acting like that?
When he killed the Deputy Owner, he had looked ready to tear Cheonhwa Pavilion apart. Why had he suddenly become so still?
Time passed.
Jeok Gae-san, who had been silently waiting upstairs, came down almost at the same moment that the attendant returned from the Jang Clan.
The attendant had brought along a rugged-featured, burly man. The enormous sword strapped to his back was formidable in size.
Jeok Gae-san gestured to the people gathered around.
"Everyone, get out."
No matter how the situation might change, Jeok Gae-san was still the proprietor of Cheonhwa Pavilion for now.
At his command, everyone except the attendant and the Jang Clan martial artist went outside.
Jeok Gae-san smiled as they spoke.
"Third Young Master of the Yi Clan. May I say something?"
Yi Do, still seated, tilted his chin as if telling them to go ahead.
Jeok Gae-san's brow furrowed slightly, but they let it pass.
Soon enough, that insolent lowborn bastard named Yi Do would be beaten half to death and rolling around on the floor.
"I will overlook the matter of you killing our Deputy Owner. Of course, there must be a price. Waive the entire debt Cheonhwa Pavilion owes, principal and interest, and that will be enough."
"So you want to let this go in exchange for forgiving the debt?"
"You understand quickly, so I don't think I need to repeat myself. Yes, that's right. From now on, Cheonhwa Pavilion will have nothing to do with the Yi Clan, so why don't you leave now?"
"And if I refuse?"
"If you refuse, Jeong Rin over there will beat you senseless. You've probably heard of him. Lightning Sword Jeong Rin. He is a martial artist of the Jang Clan and a master who has already entered the Four Qi-Cultivation Realms. Since you understand so quickly, I trust I don't need to say it twice. Now get out."
Yi Do snorted and turned his head. His gaze met Jeong Rin's.
Jeong Rin slowly drew the sword from his back and casually slashed to the side.
The table within the path of his sword was cut in half. So were tables beyond it, well beyond the sword's physical reach. The same went for the tables farther beyond.
The distance spanned nearly forty feet. Three tables within that distance split in half.
The release of inner energy had been effortless and powerful.
Reaching the Four Qi-Cultivation Realms meant being able to use not only the lower dantian but the middle dantian as well.
It was simple.
Once the middle dantian opened, even a small amount of energy could produce immense power.
Jeong Rin had cut through three tables with only a trace of energy.
It was an astonishing feat, and Yi Do looked quite impressed.
Yet his surprise was different from everyone else's.
"Why say business is bad when you have a little performer this good at cute tricks?"
"...What?"
"That was a fine show. Now that you're done talking, may I have my turn?"
Jeong Rin was furious as well, though his anger came second.
Jeok Gae-san spoke.
"Don't. Just get out."
Yi Do shook his head.
"I understand perfectly well that you don't lack the means to repay the money. You simply have no intention of repaying it. Bring me the contract."
"...What? A contract? What contract?"
As though Jeok Gae-san had asked something obvious, Yi Do replied,
"The transfer contract handing over all rights to Cheonhwa Pavilion. Bring it at once."
"...Have you lost your mind? Do you know how much Cheonhwa Pavilion is worth? Even if I had no money to repay, I'd be the one who should receive payment."
Yi Do gave a short laugh.
"I don't know what this place is worth, but I have waited here for roughly an hour. At one thousand gold taels per quarter-hour, that comes to four thousand gold taels and 8,788 taels of silver. Can you cover all that?"
"Where could such absurdity possibly be found?!"
"Where else? Right here. I don't like repeating myself either, but I'll be generous this once. My patience has already run dry. You have no intention of repaying the debt, I gave you ample time, and yet the debtor is the one raising his voice. I will take all of Cheonhwa Pavilion. Bring the contract. Now."
Before Jeok Gae-san could open his mouth, Jeong Rin, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward.
"You bastard! From what I hear, you don't know your place and have crossed the line. Do you know who Cheonhwa Pavilion belongs to?"
"Don't drag this conversation out. Get to the point."
"The point? Fine. Cheonhwa Pavilion is under the protection of our great Jang Clan. Touching Cheonhwa Pavilion is the same as touching the Jang Clan."
"Under your protection? Then this becomes easier. I will take Cheonhwa Pavilion as payment for making me wait. And I can collect the debt Cheonhwa Pavilion owed the Yi Clan from you instead."
Everyone present gaped.
There were only three people besides Yi Do, but it was still that shocking. Could a thought like that really come from a human head?
"Did you say Jeong Rin? I'll go to the Jang Clan myself to collect the 8,788 silver taels, so tell them I am coming."
"...Are you ordering me around?"
Yi Do waved a hand, as if telling him to hurry up and leave.
Jeong Rin's face twisted.
No.
It was more than that. His rage had surged so high that it distorted his entire expression. Jeong Rin spoke through clenched teeth.
"...So the rumors were true. The Yi Clan's third son is weak, thoughtless, and utterly lacking as a human being. I will count to five. Get out of Cheonhwa Pavilion before then. If you do not, I will break all four of your limbs here and now for the crime of insulting me."
Yi Do sighed and slowly rose from his seat.
After roughly straightening his clothes, he walked up to Jeong Rin.
They were about the same height. Yi Do looked at him and asked,
"Count."
"...What?"
"You said you would count to five. Go ahead and count."
"...Have you truly gone mad?"
"Do you not know how to count? Or are you refusing to?"
"..."
"I'll count for you myself. One, two, three, four, five."
Jeong Rin stood there with a blank look, unable to do anything.
But Yi Do was not.
"How dare you, insult me, break all four of my limbs. Are you prepared to take responsibility for those words?"
"What the hell have you been saying this whole time...?"
"Enough. This will do."
Without warning, Yi Do's fist shot upward.
Smack!
Jeong Rin's head snapped upward. His jaw went numb, and it felt as though his brain had been shaken loose. He drew up his inner energy and retreated, grabbing his sword at the same time.
Touching someone of the Yi Clan's bloodline was a great burden for Jeong Rin, but he had been attacked first. He had no choice.
He gathered his energy.
Now he would beat this bastard senseless.
The Yi Clan would not take Yi Do's side anyway. The Jang Clan would not stop Jeong Rin either.
Because he now had what martial artists valued most.
[A Just Cause.]
Then Jeong Rin saw it.
Yi Do's coldly settled eyes, and the inner energy gathering in his right fist.
He scoffed.
It was clear that Yi Do had reached the Circulation Realm.
There was certainly a difference from the realm Jeong Rin had known him to possess, but it did not matter.
The Body Three Realms and the Four Qi-Cultivation Realms were not separated for no reason.
They were separated because there was a difference worth separating.
No martial artist in the Body Three Realms could defeat a martial artist newly entered into the Four Qi-Cultivation Realms, no matter how hard they tried.
With fifty, they might have had a chance. With a hundred, they could have won. But there were not that many people here.
It was laughable.
Had this fool truly thought he could fight?
Now that Jeong Rin looked at him, wasn't Yi Do someone who truly did not know his place?
Yi Do threw a punch.
Jeong Rin reacted. He raised the sword in his hand to defend himself.
He intended to show Yi Do that no matter how strong his force was, it could not reach him.
And that was his greatest mistake.
Boom!
The sword shattered, and Jeong Rin's body flew through nine tables before crashing into the wall.
Everyone was staring at Jeong Rin.
That was why they did not see the thin stream of blood running from the corner of Yi Do's mouth.
He casually wiped it away, then walked toward the collapsed Jeong Rin.
Jeong Rin could not rise easily. It made no sense, but Yi Do's internal strength had completely overwhelmed his own.
"What... What the hell just happened...?!"
Yi Do did not bother answering.
He silently grabbed Jeong Rin's right arm.
"Cough! What... what are you trying to do?!"
Yi Do did not answer.
He intended to show him through action.
Crack!
Jeong Rin's right arm bent in a direction no human arm should bend.
Then came his left arm.
Then his right thigh.
Then his left thigh.
Yi Do had broken all four of his limbs.
But he had no intention of stopping there.
He filled the tip of his foot with inner energy and stomped down hard.
His target was Jeong Rin's lower abdomen.
Boom!
"Guuhk!"
Jeong Rin spat out an enormous amount of blood before his head fell limp.
He was not dead, but he had undoubtedly suffered wounds nearly equivalent to death.
That was only natural.
His limbs had been shattered, and so had his dantian.
Yi Do turned his head.
Jeok Gae-san stood there, terrified.
Yi Do walked over and grabbed Jeok Gae-san by the hair.
"You just gave me a very fine show."
Jeok Gae-san was puzzled by the sudden remark, but Yi Do's next words brought a look of horror.
"To think you had been hiding your martial arts. You broke the limbs and dantian of Jeong Rin, a promising martial artist of the Jang Clan."
Jeok Gae-san was stunned.
What the hell was this bastard saying?
"I couldn't call myself a son of the Yi Clan if I saw injustice and passed it by. More importantly..."
The smile that had appeared on Yi Do's face at some point turned very cold.
"Thank you for even signing a contract transferring Cheonhwa Pavilion to me."
Only now did Jeok Gae-san truly understand.
This man was insane.
No other word could explain him.
He intended to manipulate the entire situation.
"...Jeong Rin... is not dead yet. How do you intend to silence him?"
At those words, Yi Do seemed to realize that he had forgotten something and walked back to Jeong Rin.
Naturally, Jeok Gae-san, still held by the hair, was dragged along the floor. Then Jeok Gae-san saw it.
Yi Do's foot shattering Jeong Rin's neck.
Crack.
The sound was chilling.
"You're a veritable demonic fiend. He could not even move after you broke his limbs and dantian, yet you still shattered his neck."
"..."
Jeok Gae-san could not even speak.
They had sent everyone from Cheonhwa Pavilion outside, so there was only one witness.
The attendant standing in the corner with a vacant expression.
Jeok Gae-san remembered that the attendant had worked there for years, but they did not even know the attendant's name.
What would happen if that attendant testified that Jeok Gae-san had signed a contract handing all rights to Cheonhwa Pavilion over to Yi Do, then immediately killed Jeong Rin?
Combined with Yi Do's words, it would become the truth.
There was nothing surprising about it.
A chaotic pit crawling with madmen.
This was the martial world.
"Goodbye."
"W-wait, please...!"
That was as far as Jeok Gae-san got.
Yi Do straightened his other hand.
Yi Do's knife hand shot forward.
Crack!
Yi Do's knife hand shattered Jeok Gae-san's neck.
Footnotes:
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