Chapter 52
Part 2. The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering
"Is there anyone here who could possibly not know about the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering?"
At the Fourth Young Master's words, the room fell silent.
As if anyone could possibly not know the famous Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
But unexpectedly, one person raised his hand.
"Elder Brother?!"
It was none other than Yeon Sang-hyeon.
He shrugged and said 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 its scale has grown tremendously, at least."
"Everyone, move!"
At that, the Fourth Young Master rushed up to the platform and slammed into the host.
"Hehe. Since Elder Brother is curious, I cannot possibly leave the explanation to someone lacking. This little brother shall explain it himself!"
His face flushed red with excitement.
It was a chance to explain something to his elder brother, who seemed to know everything in the world!
"There is no need to explain it grandly. In the end, it is just gathering martial artists who want to show themselves off in one place and making them fight."
At his words, the warriors in the room stirred, but no one particularly refuted him.
Because the truth was the truth.
Even so, if this had been somewhere else in the Luoyang Sword Clan, the warriors might have shown their anger.
There would have been many who could not tolerate Swordless disparaging the sacred act of martial contest.
But this was the Fourth Young Master's camp.
They were people who served a lord who spoke of his elder brother's greatness dozens of times a day as a matter of course.
"As expected, you are precise! However, I dare say that in the present Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, those brawls are not what matter!"
Yeon Sang-hyeon shrugged.
"Money."
"Precisely! The bloody battles of martial artists competing in martial arts have now become nothing more than a means!"
He spread his hands wide.
"The countless spectators who gather to watch them! With the economic, technological, and institutional growth of the Central Plains Nation, those spectators have now reached a staggering number incomparable to the past! Now, spectators even pour in from outside the country! The present Dragon-Phoenix Gathering has truly become the great festival of the continent!"
"Money."
"Exactly! As expected of Elder Brother's insight! That is right! There are piles of rights and interests that guarantee enormous profits befitting that enormous scale! Thus, after more than ten years of effort, our Luoyang Sword Clan finally won the right to host the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering!"
"Money."
"That is right! Newly constructed shopping districts! Newly expanded inns! Newly refurbished streets! Maintenance of the main roads! Maintenance of the Grand Canal! National funds support all of it at a fixed ratio, and even now, large and small investments are flooding in from all across the Central Plains Nation!"
"Money."
"Correct! Naturally, our Luoyang Sword Clan is also investing a great sum! In effect, it is practically guaranteed to bring in tremendous profit!"
The Fourth Young Master drank the tea prepared on the platform.
"To summarize, what is the present Dragon-Phoenix Gathering?"
"Money. And more money."
"Correct!"
***
The briefing was once again being conducted by the host.
Having returned to his seat, the Fourth Young Master whispered to Yeon Sang-hyeon.
"Of course, the truly profitable parts are directly handled by the main clan, and a few of the larger pieces have already been taken by the Second Young Master and the Third Young Master."
"Hmm."
He was Yeon Bi, referring to his own brothers as the Second Young Master and Third Young Master.
"What fell to us is only the crumbs. But we cannot just sit around doing nothing, so we are trying to push this business forward."
"I see."
The Fourth Young Master's eyes sparkled.
He held his elder brother's hand and shook it as he said.
"In this situation, I am so happy that Elder Brother is joining us!"
"I am happy too, you rascal."
Yeon Sang-hyeon ruffled his younger brother's hair.
While they exchanged words, the briefing was rushing toward its conclusion.
"…Now then, according to the business plan, we shall have you directly view the site where the new commercial district will be built!"
When the host gave a signal, the people stationed on both sides pulled back one side of the tent all at once.
As the tent was drawn away, bright sunlight poured in, and the scenery beyond clearly revealed itself.
"Mm."
Yeon Sang-hyeon rose from his seat and approached the front.
There, across a broad stretch of gentle hillside, stood a massive slum.
"What do you think, Elder Brother? The location is good, is it not? South-facing, with a gentle slope, and close to central Luoyang."
When Yeon Sang-hyeon looked not at the place the Fourth Young Master was pointing to but beside it, the scholars quickly stepped in.
"Ah, the side First Young Master is currently looking at is not our planned business site."
"That place is one of the largest slums in 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 turned his attention back to the Fourth Young Master's explanation.
The Fourth Young Master continued speaking while gesturing here and there.
Of course, the scholars had naturally brought out a massive bird's-eye view map.
"The plan is to completely transform this entire site into a commercial district. Inns, courtesan houses, tea houses, and so on and so forth. Can you picture all sorts of business owners gathering here with moneybags in hand?"
Yeon Sang-hyeon nodded.
"Indeed. There is nothing to criticize about the location itself. Then let us talk about the problems."
The Fourth Young Master shrugged.
"Well, the biggest problem is still attracting investment funds. The main clan'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 pulled in funds from the Sichuan Tang Clan, your maternal relatives."
"Yes. Not only from the main Tang Clan, but from the entire Tang Gate as well. I swept up every bit of emergency money that could be gathered."
Yeon Sang-hyeon gave a meaningful smile.
"…And now you are aiming for Sichuan's money sources."
At his words, the Fourth Young Master's eyes widened.
"As expected, Elder Brother!"
He turned around and clapped his hands.
"Now, let us end the briefing here for the moment! Elder Brother has already entered the main issue."
At his command, the briefing ended on the spot, and the scholars gathered around them.
"Think of today's experience as a rehearsal. When the investors from Sichuan come, let us do it even more perfectly."
When the surrounding scholars answered loudly, the Fourth Young Master nodded in satisfaction.
"Good! Then from now on, I shall resolve your questions through a direct conversation with Elder Brother."
The scholars answered loudly as well, but their eyes still held strong doubt toward Yeon Sang-hyeon.
"Questions?"
At Yeon Sang-hyeon's question, the Fourth Young Master nodded.
"They do not understand why I would even give Elder Brother a share."
Yeon Sang-hyeon smiled.
"And that is also the second problem you have yet to mention."
"Yes. As expected, you are correct."
The Fourth Young Master's gaze turned far away, toward the planned business site.
"It is the problem of demolishing that slum."
He sighed.
"If only we could provide sufficient compensation, it would be a little better, but the problem is that our funds are limited."
He looked at Yeon Sang-hyeon.
"So the logic is that if Elder Brother steps in and solves the problem with a small amount of money, then even a share would not be a waste."
The surrounding advisers nodded as well.
If Yeon Sang-hyeon could truly make that possible, the share would not be much of a waste.
It was simply that, according to their expectations, even if Yeon Sang-hyeon stepped forward, they judged that they would lose the share and still spend the money all the same.
Everyone's gaze turned toward Yeon Sang-hyeon.
Just what talent did the First Young Master, most famous for the disgraceful name of Swordless, have that would allow him to easily drive out that many poor people?
Unbothered by their gazes, Yeon Sang-hyeon calmly opened his mouth.
"Originally, there are three ways to handle such a matter."
He held up three fingers.
"Three ways?"
Yeon Sang-hyeon nodded.
"The first is the method traditionally used by the Sword Clan. Issue a notice through the authorities, mobilize the government troops, and drive out everyone who does not comply."
The Fourth Young Master shook his head.
"That is not a method I can use."
"Then the second."
An ominous smile hung on Yeon Sang-hyeon's lips.
"This is the method your second brother mainly uses. Mobilize the power of the underworld, break down their houses, smash their belongings, rape and persecute them. Then, in the end, everyone will leave."
The Fourth Young Master shuddered.
"How disgusting. As expected of someone who inherited the bloodline of an evil faction."
Yeon Sang-hyeon burst into laughter.
"Still, that evil-faction-like method is probably better than the third method used by your third brother, who inherited the bloodline of a righteous faction."
"What is that?"
"Accuse the slum of having been infiltrated by the Demon Cult. Then mobilize his personal guard to kill and burn them. Of course, the evidence can be fabricated however he likes."
"…"
"Then he can both gain merit for subjugating the Demon Cult and accomplish the demolition easily."
"…"
The Fourth Young Master's mouth fell open.
The surrounding advisers 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 known accurately among the highest ranks of the main clan."
Unable to find words for a moment, the Fourth Young Master shook his head.
"As expected, the Second Young Master and Third Young Master are truly insane bastards."
Yeon Sang-hyeon chuckled.
"Those bastards were rotten from the roots."
"That is why I do not associate with those bastards."
The Fourth Young Master laughed loudly along with his elder brother.
But no one laughed with them.
It was not a conversation they dared to join.
"Then, good."
Yeon Sang-hyeon smiled meaningfully.
"You want to see my method."
The Fourth Young Master bowed his head deeply.
"Yes, I do."
When Yeon Sang-hyeon snapped his fingers, Jeong-a, his Head Maid, approached and placed a thick coat over him.
"Then let us go."
"Where?"
Yeon Sang-hyeon raised his hand and pointed.
"To that slum."
A moment later, objections poured out.
It was dangerous.
They might provoke the poor.
They might catch disease.
Someone even said there might truly be members of the Demon Cult hiding there.
Of course, the Sword Clan's people were not frightened of mere poor people.
They were saying all this to prevent even the smallest incident from happening to the First Young Master and the Fourth Young Master.
The Fourth Young Master clapped his hands.
"Enough!"
When the surroundings grew quiet, the Fourth Young Master said to Yeon Sang-hyeon.
"There will be no trouble, right, Elder Brother?"
The Fourth Young Master's greatest concern was his elder brother, who had no internal energy.
"Of course."
***
A little later, at the entrance of 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 hilts, but they could not relax their tension.
The young scholars, who knew nothing of martial arts, gathered together in one place, stiff as boards.
Rather, the maids seemed 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, and one man had no arm.
One person was blind, and another had no legs.
Those who emerged like that lined up at the entrance of the alley.
In an instant, more than a hundred people stood facing Yeon Sang-hyeon's party as if forming a wall.
Then the center of them parted, and the one who appeared last was an old woman leaning on a cane.
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.
A man whose entire body was covered in burn scars also pressed his palms together, and so did a girl who had led her younger siblings out by the hand.
Some bowed.
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 offered were all different as well, but their reverence was truly sincere.
Not knowing what was happening or toward whom the action was directed, everyone floundered in confusion.
At that moment, one person stepped forward.
It was Yeon Sang-hyeon.
He bent at the 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.
When everyone had finished pressing their palms together, the old woman standing at the very front bowed to Yeon Sang-hyeon.
"I offer greetings to the son of Lady Yak Seonnyeo, who is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Bhaisajyaguru(Medicine Buddha)."