Chapter 72
“Are you really going to try the transportation business?”
“It won’t be easy.”
“With your personality, Sect Leader, can you do that?”
Actually……
When I said let’s try the transportation business, the Dongdong brothers looked dubious.”
Of course, I understood how they felt.
The transportation business is monopolized by those ‘Escort Agency’ bastards, and you can only generate profit if you receive requests right away.
However, there’s no law that says Dawn Heaven Sect can’t do the transportation business.
In fact, even now, large sects that have established themselves as members of the Nine Great Sects or regional aristocratic families operate not only transportation businesses but also inns, taverns, brothels, and even ‘battlefields.’
In other words, if you have the guts, there’s no business a martial artist can’t do.
Especially, the transportation business is a good business for martial artists.
Usually, when people entrust valuables to escort agencies or martial arts sects and request transportation, it’s mostly because the items are very precious or there’s a risk of theft or robbery.
In that sense, I and Dawn Heaven Sect are suitable for the ‘transportation business.’
Why?
Because if a bastard with enough guts to steal or take my things appears in the world, I’m confident I can smash his head in a hundred times over.
I……
was the ‘Grim Reaper of Thieves,’ the ‘King Yama of Thieves,’ the ‘Yacha of Thieves’ who used to hunt down bandits, mountain bandits, pirates, and robbers with the Dongdong brothers and collect bounties.
Therefore, Dawn Heaven Sect’s ‘transportation business plan’ was undoubtedly a ‘gold mine’ that could dream of a rosy future.
“When did we say we were going to increase our livelihood, and now you’re backing down? There’s no reason why we can’t do the transportation business. From now on, our Dawn Heaven Sect will thoroughly follow Seokga Estate’s ‘economic principles.’ In short, we’re going to do everything that makes money, including transportation, medicine, taverns, inns, and so on. Of course, that’s just an ambition for now…… First, starting with the transportation business, we’ll increase the number of disciples and focus on ‘bulking up’ for the time being. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to forget our ‘roots.’ We’ll work hard on the administrative side, but the intensity of training will remain the same, so everyone should think of themselves as dead for the next few months and focus on training.”
◈ ◈ ◈
When the rumor spread that Dawn Heaven Sect was accepting new disciples……
Applicants flocked from all over Shaanxi, not to mention Chang’an.
As they say, even words without feet travel a thousand miles.
Considering Jin So-cheon’s actions so far, it was only a matter of time before the rumor of ‘Dawn Heaven Sect’ spread throughout Shaanxi.
However, Dawn Heaven Sect did not accept all of the many applicants.
Basically, Jin So-cheon granted qualifications based on those who strictly met the ‘human image’ he desired. First, in the process of selecting those with what’s called ‘poisonous spirit’ or ‘guts,’ Jin So-cheon included a ‘mindless physical training’ test to distinguish those who could endure from those who couldn’t. And without saying a word, he suddenly flicked their foreheads with a ‘Praying Mantis Chestnut’ as a ‘personality test.’
Seok Yeon-u and the disciples clicked their tongues as they watched the test process.
Where in the world is there such an ‘entrance exam’?
As expected, 80% of the applicants gave up during the mindless physical training or left cursing, and even the remaining 10% started packing their bags and returning home after getting hit with the Praying Mantis Chestnut.
However.
The 10% who persevered through all the personality destruction and endured……
“I hereby appoint you as new disciples of Dawn Heaven Sect. Our Dawn Heaven Sect doesn’t have separate ranks or hierarchies. However, we are divided into executives and ordinary disciples. The Medical Hall Master, Master Dongbyeok, Vice Sect Leader Kang Il-dong, 1st Unit Leader Kang Yi-dong, and 2nd Unit Leader Kang Sam-dong make up the executive team. Disciples can be comfortable with each other, but the hierarchical relationship with the executives must be strictly observed. Especially…… you must absolutely obey me, the Sect Leader. If any of you are stronger than me or become stronger later, not only will you not have to obey me, but you can even give me orders. In other words, in Dawn Heaven Sect, the best fighter is the leader. If you’re not happy with it, get stronger. Martial artists only speak with their fists.”
“Yes, Sect Leader!”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind!”
“Yes!”
became loyal (?) disciples of Dawn Heaven Sect.
“Vice Sect Leader.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“Excluding the new disciples this time, continue to recruit promising candidates among the applicants in the future. And how’s the task I gave you going?”
“Yes. We’re putting up notices in Chang’an as well as in neighboring areas. We’ve announced Dawn Heaven Sect’s transportation business, so won’t requests be pouring in soon? The achievements you’ve accumulated so far, Sect Leader, have an impact that can’t be ignored, at least within Shaanxi.”
“Good, Vice Sect Leader. Keep promoting Dawn Heaven Sect’s business. We’re going to be swamped with work in the future. The sect’s size will grow too. Your role is important, Il-dong.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Hehehe.”
Grin━.
Jin So-cheon also smiled at Il-dong’s burst of laughter.
Just like that, Dawn Heaven Sect, with its hopes high for the ‘transportation business,’ continued to focus on training as usual……
But……
“Why aren’t there any requests?”
Ironically, ten days after they started promoting Dawn Heaven Sect’s transportation business……
Even after half a month and a full month.
Not a single ‘request’ came to Dawn Heaven Sect.
“I wonder why, Sect Leader.”
“There are still many applicants. Why aren’t there any requests? Ah……”
Jin So-cheon couldn’t understand the reason.
Originally, isn’t it natural for transportation requests to come to reliable experts?
But then Seok Yeon-u spoke up.
“Brother, I think it’s because of ‘credit,’ isn’t it?”
“Credit?”
“Yes, Brother. Think about it. Aren’t merchant guilds the main customers for transportation requests?”
“That’s right.”
“Then those merchant guilds will pay an appropriate fee and entrust the transportation to the escort agencies or sects they usually deal with. For example, they’ll pay a certain amount per request, and they’ll negotiate a lower price as the number of requests increases. And if they’ve been dealing with each other for many years, they’ll have built up a considerable amount of trust, right?”
“Ah…… So, you’re saying that those who were already doing it are doing it all? Is that what you mean?”
“Hey, don’t be so cynical, Brother.”
“Sigh…… Yeon-u, is there any good way?”
“How about trying the strategy that our Seokga Estate used when we entered the transportation business?”
“Strategy? Was there such a thing?”
“Of course there was. What kind of family do you think ours is? The Vice-Commander is amazing at business. So is my father. Do you think we would have jumped into the transportation business just by mindlessly putting up a few notices like you did, Brother, saying, ‘I’m starting a transportation business!’?”
Thwack━!
“Aaack! What the……!!”
Suddenly, Jin So-cheon grabbed Seok Yeon-u’s head and frowned.
“You shameless bastard.”
“What?!”
“You’re eating for free, training for free, sleeping for free, washing for free, and even drinking alcohol for free at Dawn Heaven Sect, and you’re telling me you had such a ‘sweet deal’ method and didn’t share it sooner? You kept your mouth shut even though you knew I was worried sick? You’re such a shameless person.”
“Wow…… Really! There’s that free talk again. How much is it? I can pay that money, can’t I?”
“Forget it. Just tell us the sweet deal method.”
“Yes?”
“Well, how did your family get into the transportation business?”
“Ah…… That is, Brother.”
◈ ◈ ◈
『We will protect your precious belongings!
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Jang’an Dawn Heaven Sect’s transportation business to the members of the Jianghu.
Dawn Heaven Sect was founded last year and has achieved remarkable feats in just one year, such as defeating the Green Gang, a ruffian organization in Chang’an, suppressing the Black Society, and closing down the Noh Family Assassin’s Guild, becoming a ‘reliable sect’ and a ‘trustworthy friend.’
Therefore, our Dawn Heaven Sect is starting a ‘transportation business’ that will become the ‘backbone’ of the Jianghu economy to contribute to the lives of all Jianghu members, including merchants, sects, and individuals, so please feel free to contact us.
In addition, the transportation method of our ‘Dawn Heaven Sect’ is different from that of existing escort agencies.
It’s called the 10x Guarantee!
If any accidents such as loss or theft occur while Dawn Heaven Sect is transporting the entrusted goods, we will pay 10 times the price of the goods to ensure the ‘loss compensation’ of the client, so please entrust your goods to us with confidence.
Sincerely, Kang Sam-dong, Head of Dawn Heaven Sect Transportation Business Division.』
“It’s a masterpiece, a masterpiece. As expected, the Writing Teacher is different because he’s a scholar. He included all the necessary information in a short sentence. This is why people should study.”
Jin So-cheon revised and distributed the contents of the notice with the help of So-yun’s Writing Teacher.
Of course, Jin So-cheon received guidance from Seok Yeon-u in revising the contents. When Seokga Estate first started the transportation business, they included a clause like ‘compensation of several times the value in case of loss of goods’ to attract many customers, and Jin So-cheon also wanted to follow Seokga Estate’s strategy. (Of course, the phrase ‘Kang Sam-dong, Head of Transportation Business Division’ written at the end of the notice was written without Sam-dong’s permission.)
And the impact was significant.
Requests, which had never come before, started to trickle in, and today, the biggest client since the start of Dawn Heaven Sect’s transportation business had come to visit.
“Greetings, Sect Leader. My name is Oh Won-jung, and I’m from Taewha Guild in Dangang District, Hubei Province.”
“Taewha Guild in Dangang District, Hubei Province……”
Hubei, Taewha Guild.
Taewha Guild was a well-known ‘poison’ research group, especially renowned for its expertise in ‘antidotes.’ It could be considered an ally of the ‘Sichuan Tang Clan,’ which holds the highest authority in the world when it comes to poison.
“Ah…… Our Taewha Guild is a place that researches poison. In recent years, we’ve mainly been working on requests from the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
“I’ve heard of it.”
Jin So-cheon……
felt a pang of guilt upon hearing the names of Taewha Guild and Sichuan Tang Clan.
It was only natural, because in his past life, he had assassinated one person from each of Taewha Guild and Sichuan Tang Clan.
‘I almost died from that Ten Thousand Flowers Rain back then…… I get goosebumps just thinking about it.’
Indeed, the hidden weapon techniques of Taewha Guild and Sichuan Tang Clan were formidable.
Even Jin So-cheon, the best in the world, had to parry a relentless barrage of poisonous attacks and pierce through a storm of hidden weapons like a downpour from the sky to assassinate his target. Afterward, he suffered from aftereffects and lingered near death for a while.
“Recently, news of your actions, Sect Leader, has spread even to our Hubei Province. Especially, defeating Yuk Gwang, a Guardian Messenger of the Cult of the Evil Path, is a legendary feat. Many martial artists will be curious about you, Sect Leader.”
“I see. But…… so what?”
“Excuse me? Ah…… Haha. So, the thing is, Taewha Guild would like to make a request to Dawn Heaven Sect.”
“Good. Could you tell me the details of the goods and the destination?”
“The goods are a small amount of ‘Gu poison.’ The destination is the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
“By Gu poison…… you mean poisonous insects ?”
“That’s right. This Gu poison is called ‘Yin-Yang Mago,’ and it has excellent reproductive capabilities, so the number of individuals will increase during transportation. Also, the nature of the poison it contains is extremely vicious, so it’s difficult to handle unless you’re a skilled expert. Even we can’t be at ease, so…… we came to you, Sect Leader, who has recently made a name for yourself, to make this request.”
“It’s certainly not an ordinary request. Most escort agencies would refuse to transport it.”
“That’s right. If you’re not careful and spill the goods or damage them…… aside from compensation, the transporter’s life could be in danger.”
In other words……
This means I’m totally in the driver’s seat , right?
“I’ll take it.”
“Sect Leader…… are you serious?”
“An escort doesn’t discriminate against goods. Whether it’s dangerous or safe, I’m confident that I can go through any dragon’s den or tiger’s lair for my clients.”
“Ah…… Sect Leader, you’re truly as amazing as I’ve heard. Then……”
At that moment, Jin So-cheon cut Oh Won-jung off.
“Before that.”
“Yes?”
“Let me ask you something.”
“Yes, yes. Feel free to ask……”
“How much are you going to pay?”
“???”
“For your information, Dawn Heaven Sect’s commission fees are…… the highest in the industry.”