Chapter 52
Part 2: The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering
“Is there anyone here who does not know of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering?”
At the Fourth Young Master’s words, the audience fell silent.
There could not possibly be anyone who did not know of the famous Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
And yet, unexpectedly, one person raised his hand.
“Eldest Brother?!”
It was none other than Yeon Sang-hyeon.
He shrugged and spoke with perfect nonchalance.
“I know about the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering of the past, but I do not know exactly how it is done these days. I have heard that its scale has grown tremendously, at least.”
“Everyone, move!”
At that, the Fourth Young Master ran to the platform and shoved the host aside.
“Hehe. Since Eldest Brother is curious, I cannot entrust the explanation to someone inadequate. This younger brother shall personally tell you!”
His face flushed red with excitement.
It was an opportunity to explain something to his eldest brother, who seemed to know everything in the world!
“There is no need to explain it grandly. In the end, it is simply gathering martial artists who want to show themselves off in one place and making them fight.”
At his words, the warriors in the audience stirred, but no one particularly refuted him.
Because facts were facts.
Even so, if this had been anywhere else in the Luoyang Sword Clan, the warriors might have expressed anger.
There would have been many who could not tolerate the Swordless belittling the sacred act of competing in martial arts.
But this was the Fourth Young Master’s camp.
By nature, they served a master who spoke of his eldest brother’s greatness dozens of times a day.
“As expected, you are exactly right! However, I dare say that in the current Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, that fighting is not what matters!”
Yeon Sang-hyeon shrugged.
“Money.”
“Exactly! The bloody battles of martial artists competing in martial arts are now nothing more than a means!”
He spread his hands wide.
“The countless spectators who gather to see them! Along with the economic, technological, and institutional growth of the Central Plains, those spectators have now reached an enormous number that cannot be compared to the past! Now, spectators are even pouring in from outside the country! The present Dragon-Phoenix Gathering has truly become a grand festival of the continent!”
“Money.”
“Precisely! As expected, Eldest Brother, what insight! That is right! There is a mountain of interests that guarantee tremendous profit befitting that enormous scale! Thus, after more than ten years of effort, our Luoyang Sword Clan finally obtained the right to host the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering!”
“Money.”
“That is right! Newly constructed commercial districts! Newly expanding inns! Newly refurbished streets! Maintenance of the main roads! Maintenance of the Grand Canal! Government funds are being provided for all of it at a fixed ratio, and even now, large and small investments are pouring in from across the entire Central Plains!”
“Money.”
“Correct! Naturally, our Luoyang Sword Clan is also investing an enormous sum! It is practically the same as having tremendous profits guaranteed!”
The Fourth Young Master downed the tea prepared on the platform.
“To summarize, what is the current Dragon-Phoenix Gathering?”
“Money, and more money.”
“Correct!”
***
The briefing was once again being carried out by the host.
After returning to his seat, the Fourth Young Master whispered to Yeon Sang-hyeon.
“Of course, the things that truly make money are being executed directly by the main family, and the Second Young Master and Third Young Master have already taken several large pieces among them.”
“I see.”
Yeon Bi referred to his own older brothers as the Second Young Master and Third Young Master.
“What has fallen to us is only a little crumb. But even so, we cannot simply sit around doing nothing, so we are trying to push forward with this business.”
“I see.”
The Fourth Young Master’s eyes sparkled.
He held Eldest Brother’s hand and shook it as he spoke.
“In this kind of situation, this younger brother is so happy that Eldest Brother is joining us!”
“I am happy too, you little rascal.”
Yeon Sang-hyeon ruffled his younger brother’s hair.
While they exchanged conversation, the briefing was racing toward its grand conclusion.
“…Now then, according to the business plan, we will have you directly view the site where the new commercial district will be established!”
When the host gave the signal, the people stationed on both sides lifted one side of the tent all at once.
As the tent was pulled away, bright sunlight poured in, and the scenery beyond revealed itself clearly.
“Hmm.”
Yeon Sang-hyeon rose from his seat and approached the front.
There, across a broad spread of gentle hills, a huge slum currently stood.
“What do you think, Eldest Brother? The location is good, is it not? South-facing, a gentle slope, and close to central Luoyang as well.”
When Yeon Sang-hyeon looked not at the place the Fourth Young Master was pointing to but beside it, the scholars quickly cut in.
“Ah, the area the Eldest Young Master is currently looking at is not our planned business site.”
“That place is one of the largest slums in all of Luoyang.”
The Fourth Young Master laughed.
“That is a place no one dares touch, even if it is not us.”
“I see.”
Yeon Sang-hyeon once again focused on the Fourth Young Master’s explanation.
The Fourth Young Master continued speaking, gesturing here and there.
Of course, it went without saying that the scholars had brought out a massive bird’s-eye view map.
“We intend to transform this entire site into a commercial district like this. Inns, courtesan houses, tea houses, and so on and so forth. Can you imagine all sorts of business owners gathering here with money pouches in hand?”
Yeon Sang-hyeon nodded.
“Indeed, the location itself leaves nothing to criticize. Then let us now talk about the problems.”
The Fourth Young Master shrugged.
“Well, the biggest problem is, as expected, attracting investment. The main family’s budget allocation related to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was already finalized last year, and with the Second Young Master and Third Young Master watching with bloodshot eyes, a supplementary budget is out of the question.”
“You must have already drawn in funds from your maternal relatives, the Sichuan Tang Family.”
“Yes. Not only the main Tang Family, but every bit of emergency money that could be drawn in from the entire Tang Clan has already been swept up.”
Yeon Sang-hyeon smiled meaningfully.
“…And now you are aiming for the money sources of Sichuan.”
At his words, the Fourth Young Master’s eyes widened.
“As expected, Eldest Brother!”
He turned around and clapped his hands.
“Now then, let us end the briefing here for now! Eldest Brother has already gone straight to the main point.”
At his command, the briefing ended on the spot, and the scholars gathered around them.
“Think of today’s experience as a rehearsal, and when the investors from Sichuan arrive, let us do it more perfectly.”
When the surrounding scholars answered loudly, the Fourth Young Master nodded as if satisfied.
“Good! Then from now on, through a direct conversation with Eldest Brother, I shall resolve your doubts.”
The scholars once again answered loudly, but their eyes still held strong suspicion toward Yeon Sang-hyeon.
“Doubts?”
At Yeon Sang-hyeon’s question, the Fourth Young Master nodded.
“They do not understand why I am trying to give Eldest Brother even a share.”
Yeon Sang-hyeon smiled.
“And that is also the second problem you have not yet mentioned.”
“Yes, as expected, you are exactly right.”
The Fourth Young Master’s gaze turned far away, toward the planned business site.
“It is the matter of clearing out that slum.”
He sighed.
“If only we could provide sufficient compensation, it would at least be somewhat better, but the problem is that our funds are limited.”
He looked at Yeon Sang-hyeon.
“So the logic is that if Eldest Brother steps forward and resolves the problem for a small amount, then the share would not be a waste.”
The advisors around them also nodded.
If Yeon Sang-hyeon could truly make that possible, then giving him a share would not be especially regrettable.
It was just that, in their estimation, even if Yeon Sang-hyeon stepped forward, they judged that both the share and the money would be spent all the same.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward Yeon Sang-hyeon.
Just what talent did the Eldest Young Master, most famous by the shameful name Swordless, possess that would allow him to easily drive out so many poor people?
Unbothered by their gazes, Yeon Sang-hyeon calmly opened his mouth.
“Originally, there are three methods.”
He held up three fingers.
“Three methods?”
Yeon Sang-hyeon nodded.
“The first is the traditional method used by the Sword Clan. Issue a notice through the authorities, mobilize government troops, and drive out everyone who refuses to comply.”
The Fourth Young Master shook his head.
“That is not a method I can use.”
“Then the second.”
An ominous smile appeared at the corners of Yeon Sang-hyeon’s mouth.
“This is the method your second brother mainly uses. Mobilize the power of the underworld, break down their homes, smash their household goods, assault them, and persecute them. Then, in the end, everyone is bound to leave.”
The Fourth Young Master shuddered.
“That is a disgusting method, befitting someone who inherited the bloodline of an evil sect.”
Yeon Sang-hyeon burst into laughter.
“Even so, that evil-sect-like method is probably better than the third method used by your third brother, who inherited the bloodline of a righteous sect.”
“What is that?”
“Accuse the slum of being infected by the Demon Cult. Then mobilize his personal guards to kill and burn them. As for evidence, that can be created however he likes.”
“Then he can gain merit for subjugating the Demon Cult and accomplish the demolition easily as well.”
“…”
The Fourth Young Master’s mouth fell open.
The surrounding advisors also shook their heads.
Some cursed into the air, while others spat on the ground.
“…Did that really happen?”
At the Fourth Young Master’s question, Yeon Sang-hyeon snorted.
“Yes. It is a fact accurately known among the highest levels of the main family.”
After failing for a moment to find anything to say, the Fourth Young Master shook his head.
“As expected, the Second Young Master and Third Young Master really are lunatics.”
Yeon Sang-hyeon chuckled.
“Those bastards were rotten from the start.”
“That is why I do not associate with them.”
The Fourth Young Master also laughed loudly along with his eldest brother.
But there was no one who laughed with them.
This was not a conversation they dared to join.
“Then, very well.”
Yeon Sang-hyeon smiled meaningfully.
“You want to see my method, then.”
The Fourth Young Master bowed deeply.
“Yes, that is correct.”
When Yeon Sang-hyeon flicked his finger, his chief maid, Jeong-ah, approached and draped a thick coat over him.
“In that case, let us go.”
“Where?”
Yeon Sang-hyeon raised his hand and pointed.
“To that slum.”
A short while later, opposition poured out.
It was dangerous.
They might provoke the poor.
They might catch a disease.
Some even said that real Demon Cultists might be hiding there.
Of course, the people of the Sword Clan were not frightened by mere slum dwellers.
These were concerns meant to ensure that not even the smallest incident happened to the Eldest Young Master and the Fourth Young Master.
The Fourth Young Master clapped his hands.
“Enough!”
When the surroundings quieted, the Fourth Young Master said to Yeon Sang-hyeon,
“Nothing will happen, right, Eldest Brother?”
The Fourth Young Master’s greatest concern was his eldest brother, who had no internal energy.
“Of course.”
***
A short while later, at the entrance to the slum.
After completing every preparation for close protection, they stood at the entrance, and though no one had ordered them to, they stopped in place.
They had no choice but to do so.
The Fourth Young Master opened his mouth.
“All guards, take your hands off your swords. That is an order.”
At his command, the guards removed their hands from their sword hilts, yet they could not relax their tension.
The young scholars, who knew nothing of martial arts, all huddled together in one place, stiff as boards.
Rather, the maids appeared far calmer.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the poor people appearing at the entrance of the alley.
It was not just one or two people.
There were children, mothers, old people, and young people.
One woman had no nose or ears, while one man had no arm.
One person was blind, and another had no legs.
Those who emerged like that lined up long across the entrance of the alley.
In an instant, more than a hundred people stood facing Yeon Sang-hyeon’s party as though forming a wall.
Then the center of their group parted, and the last to reveal herself was an old woman leaning on a wooden staff.
Walking out with difficulty, her back bent, she stood at the very front of the human wall.
Then, with the most solemn attitude, she pressed her palms together.
At that, all the poor people pressed their palms together as well.
The man whose whole body was covered in burn scars did so, and so did the girl who had come out leading her younger siblings by the hand.
There were also those who bowed.
The one who had lost both legs prostrated himself, and those too old to stand properly also prostrated themselves.
Their appearances were all different, and the forms of reverence they showed were all different, but their piety was truly sincere.
Not knowing what the situation was or whom their actions were directed toward, everyone became flustered.
At that moment, one person stepped forward.
It was Yeon Sang-hyeon.
He bent his waist and, with a respectful attitude, pressed his palms together toward them.
He pressed his palms together respectfully in every direction.
And when he lowered his hands again, the others also lowered their hands one by one.
Once everyone had finished pressing their palms together, the old woman standing at the very front bowed her waist to Yeon Sang-hyeon.
“I offer my greetings to the son of the Medicine Fairy, who is both Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Bhaisajyaguru Tathagata.”