71 - I Spent the Night with the Youngest Daughter of the Martial Arts Leader

The Chief of the Murim Alliance's youngest daughter and a night together. Chapter 71 > Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archive There is nothing money can't do. It was something Jegal Young had been inundated with hearing since childhood. From none other than her father. Her father, Jegal Un. He was a gentle father. Family-oriented and considerate. He always treated his children warmly. Except, that is, when educating them. "Daughter. Remember this. There is nothing in this world that cannot be achieved with money." A teaching overly stark for a daughter barely past the age of ten. However, Jegal Young's intelligence was far too sharp to cry simply because she didn't understand her father's words. Even if she couldn't yet comprehend the vast world entirely. Her father's teachings had never been wrong. Jegal Young carved the words 'There is nothing money can't do' into her mind. The financial power of the Jegal family was beyond imagination. Thanks to their ancestors, those born into the Jegal family were equipped with exceptional intellects. They had no intentions of letting their talents go to waste. Eyes that viewed the grand nations. It was why Jegal Muhu was able to revive Shu in the old days. This vision wasn't limited to just battlefields or governance. Their talent for commerce. Understanding the flow of money, and extracting maximum efficiency. It was not a difficult task for those who followed the Jegal name. Money begets money. The rich get richer. The Jegal family extended their reach to anything that wouldn't present an ethical conflict. The family's history was power. As generations went by, the wealth accumulated became excessively vast for a single family. If they hadn't concealed information, the revelation would have caused chaos in Zhongyuan due to their immense financial power. Enough to indulge in luxury and extravagance for generations without depletion. Yet, they had no intention of stopping. As if amassing wealth was their life's grand mission, they continued to expand their already large influence. "Daughter. Some say, 'Money can't buy happiness.' What do you think of them?" "Perhaps they're discussing values beyond mere monetary measurement?" "Wrong. That's just the lament of those without." Jegal Un spoke to his daughter sitting beside him. Weren't these words too provocative for a child? Such questions emerged in Jegal Young's mind, though she couldn't be considered young anymore. "But of course, there might be situations where money can't buy happiness. Do you know why that is?" "Please enlighten me." "Because there's not enough money." "……?" "With more money, all could be resolved. Misfortune finds those who lack sufficient wealth. Most of the world's problems stem from this understanding." Money is omnipotent. Her father must have had a purpose for bringing up such a simple tale. Jegal Young could naturally infer his thoughts. Growing up, she never felt a sense of insufficiency. A house so large it rivaled a palace. Silk outfits piled into wardrobes to the point of bursting. Lives where the concern was not how to eat, but what to eat. A life of abundance where she continually felt this: “Now I understand why our family constantly strives to increase our wealth.” “Why do you think that?” “Because money holds that power. Even to buy happiness. And to not be swayed by it... you first need to have a lot of it, right?” “Exactly. You truly are my daughter.” Poverty of wealth breeds poverty of spirit. Those with insufficient funds must inevitably dedicate themselves to pursuing money. There is nothing money can't do. Jegal Young thoroughly grasped the true meaning of those words. To fulfill one's ambitions, one needs wealth. Only then can one live according to their convictions. 'Don't be swayed by money; wield money instead.' It was a lesson carved into Jegal Young's soul since childhood. What allowed her to commit herself to the Baekyangdan wholeheartedly? Was it to protect those without power? That was the goal, not the foundation. Because she had wealth. Because she could exert her will without concern for money. Hence, Jegal Young lived in appreciation of her family's wealth, while simultaneously being wary of it. ‘But it doesn't mean to hoard money needlessly.’ Don’t become intoxicated by money. Her father's lessons did not imply stinginess. “A sword left in its scabbard will rust. When the time comes to use it, don't hesitate.” Now was the time to put her father's teachings into action. Like a monk revealing the path to salvation upon meeting evil adversaries. Nothing could stop Jegal Young, who decided to untie her money pouch. * “If you know anything about the Red Blood Tribe, please do share.” “And for free?” “Of course not. If you provide some valuable information, I'll offer a suitable reward.” Jegal Young jingled a handful of silver coins before the man's eyes. Quite literally, the sound of money talking. The man gulped and responded eagerly. “Ah! You're a customer. Let me tell you everything.” “So?” “Honestly, I don't know much. I acquired this item from the pharmacy run by Mr. Wang over there. He claims he got it by chance from a passing trader……” “That should suffice. Here you go.” The information wasn’t particularly valuable. Yet, Jegal Young promptly handed over two taels of silver. Enough for a commoner to live on for two years. The man, overwhelmed with joy, practically leaped away. “Aren't you overpaying, Junior?” “Why do you say that?” “It seems a rather high price.” “Oh, Senior. Have you ever heard of the tale of ‘buying the bones of a dead horse’?” “Are you referring to Gwakoe's story? Ah, perhaps……” Only then did Hwang Bo Se Yul nod in understanding of Jegal Young’s intentions. Indeed. Was it for that? Buying the bones of a dead horse. The tale from the Yan Kingdom. King Soyang of Yan asked Gwakoe, “How can I gather talents?” To which Gwakoe replied. "Long ago, a king desired a thousand-mile horse and gave a minister a thousand gold pieces to find one. The minister, however, purchased the bones of a dead thousand-mile horse for five hundred gold. When the king grew angry, do you know how the minister responded?" "Tell me." "‘If the bones of a dead horse are worth five hundred gold, imagine how much one would pay for a real thousand-mile horse. It would make anyone with such a horse drool.’ Just like that, those wanting to sell a thousand-mile horse flocked to the king." "Oh ho, then who would be the bones of the horse in this case?" "That would be me, of course." "Haha, I understand your intentions now." When King Soyang followed Gwakoe's advice and employed him, talents who thought themselves better than Gwakoe gathered in Yan. Even General Ak, who drove the enemy State of Qi to the brink of collapse. "Do we really have to search for clues ourselves?" "You've thought it through, haven't you, junior?" "Of course. They'll all come flocking on their own now." Jegal Young's bold claim soon became a reality. Just by saying where it was bought, she paid two silver pieces. With that, greed-consumed vagabonds flocked in droves. The information poured in. "I bought it from the pharmacy by the North Gate." "The South Gate is completely out of stock, though." "The East Gate has plenty of supplies." Most of it wasn't substantial. Even so, Jegal Young continued to buy indiscriminately. Her gathering of information was extensive enough to draft a map of every pharmacy in Fujian Province. Most pharmacies vaguely claimed to source Red Blood Dan from ‘unknown origins.’ "I'm going to employ you all." Jegal Young took a step further by deciding to hire the vagabonds. Three silver pieces for each. An additional piece for each useful piece of information they procured. "Boss!" "What are you all standing around for? Move it!" "Is it a big deal? Let me in too!" In response to the surprisingly lucrative offer, the vagabonds declared themselves ready to become her limbs and tendrils freely. A surge of vitality coursed through the once desolate Fujian Province. * ‘Is this the right thing?’ Wondering whether it was magnanimity or recklessness, Jegal Young's unreserved actions were unwavering. ‘Though inefficient, it's effective.’ The extreme insularity of vagabonds made them highly hostile to outsiders. If they could hardly tolerate one another, what was left to say about strangers? Yet, Jegal Young wielded control over such vagabonds using money. "Surprising, isn't it?" "What is?" "I never imagined someone like you would choose such a method." "……." He was sincere. Their prudence allowed them to calmly assess the situation, but hesitating too long could also lead to missed opportunities. He once thought it could be her weakness, yet… For Jegal Young to attempt such a daring method. "Paying one's way through this." "Don't you like my method?" "Not at all. We've basically searched every nook and cranny of Fujian with the information we've gathered." "Even then, your expression seems peculiar." "You're mistaken. I simply wonder what expression the Division Master will have when submitted with the report." "We've long since exceeded the budget. The remainder will be handled with my own funds." "What? Is that alright?" "It’s my money. Why stop me?" Somehow, Jegal Young seemed larger than life. This is the power of wealth...! "I'll contribute a bit." "No need. How much do you think the Baekyangdan pays? Just conserve your strength." "Senior……." In that moment, she felt more like an elder sister to him. ‘Ah, I’ll take care of it all, little brother.’ As if she were saying so. The strength of an elder sister he had never felt before... The indescribable reliability! A pretty sister who buys you meals. For some reason, that phrase came to mind. "To think the Jegal family’s wealth is this immense." "Why? Do I seem like a spendthrift?" "No, I just think whoever marries you won’t have to worry about starving. I'm envious." "Eugh… What do you mean by that?" "Just as it sounds." It was a pure admiration. Not the fact that she had money mattered. It was her boldness to spend it liberally! Any man marrying her would never worry about money pestering them. "Enough! No more idle talk! Focus on the task." "Of course. No question about it." She was embarrassed. Jegal Young's cheeks flushed every time she received a compliment. It was as if he were pressing a button that triggered her bashfulness. Every time he pressed it, she reacted; how could he refrain? ‘Besides, I think we’re on the verge of pinpointing it…’ Money-grubbing, shoe-licking scoundrels. Terms used to mock vagabonds, yet... It also indicated their professionalism. Diligence, industriousness, and kindness. Words normally distant from vagabonds, but the moment they received the retainer, these qualities became their greatest virtues. As a result of the vagabonds’ tireless efforts, the distribution channels of Red Blood Dan were meticulously mapped. Finally. They found a merchant near the source of Red Blood Dan. "Even if you pressure me, I cannot divulge!" "Ho." "Trust is a merchant's lifeblood. Torture me if you must, but I won't speak!" A man dragged and bound by the vagabonds. Despite the ample belly symbolizing prosperity, he resolved to hold his ground. He didn’t seem like a merchant as obsessed with money as the vagabonds. "Can you stand by that claim?" "Of course!" "Even with this?" Jegal Young handed him a slip. "Are you trying to buy me off? Are you mocking me?" The man roared in indignation. But. He saw it. The empty space at the center of the document. "Surely, you don't doubt the wealth of the Jegal family?" The offer was too substantial to refuse.