MTL NOVEL Chapter 20
Jin Gwangwoo’s heart was racing.
There was nothing to worry about, he kept muttering to himself—anything that could be used against him had already been taken care of long ago.
But that was only because he’d already received so much under the table.
‘Remain calm.’
He wasn’t so sloppy as to leave behind evidence.
The money he’d secretly taken had been carefully distributed across various battlefields.
The funds he shouldn’t have accepted were deposited under other people’s names.
As for treasures and spirit medicines, he had set up a separate treasure warehouse on the Jiangxi side to store them.
There was nothing incriminating.
“Financial audit, you know what that is, right?”
‘Hmm, what is this?’
Gayoung Jin’s confident presentation of the paper had his eyes glued to it.
A financial audit? Wasn’t it supposed to be conducted every three months to check whether anyone was siphoning off the Taewon Jin Clan’s assets or if there were any mistakes in the salary distribution?
As much as he loved money, he had touched none of the clan’s finances.
Since he didn’t rely on the state’s salary, being found guilty of accepting bribes would only get him demoted a little—not more.
But if he had meddled with the clan’s finances? According to the codes of the martial family, he’d face the punishment of severing his four limbs’ meridians.
And in a worst-case scenario, he could lose his head.
‘Could Yeryeong have?’
Glancing to the side, he noticed Jin Yeryeong looking just as confused as he was.
‘Sigh, indeed. Even if it looked like it, she wouldn’t dare to tamper with the family’s finances.’
Relieved internally, Jin Gwangwoo turned his focus back to the paper Gayoung Jin held.
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became.
If neither of them was at fault, why was Gayoung Jin so confident in showing that paper?
“This is a ledger. The Taewon Jin Clan’s ledger. It includes details of our dealings with the Gold Sheep Trading Company and the full deposit with Iron Sheep Trading Company. Everyone sees it?”
Gayoung Jin straightened the paper and showed it around the room.
“However, notice something. Starting last year, in the seventh month, there has been a procurement of something. Precisely when I left the Taewon Jin Clan to help another company.”
Gayoung Jin’s finger pointed to a particular part on the paper.
Everyone’s eyes followed her gesture.
“…Every month, one hundred swords have been purchased. Supposedly for training purposes.”
“Yes, a transaction with the Devil Sect’s King Demon Sect. But…”
Gayoung Jin’s finger paused at the number written.
As it did, Jin Gwangwoo’s face started to pale.
“Obviously, the money we’re supposed to pay to the King Demon Sect every month is a thousand liang, but here in the ledger, it says two thousand liang. Quite the discrepancy, isn’t it?”
“…”
“The person responsible for liaising and dealing with the King Demon Sect…”
BOOM!
Jin Gwangwoo banged on the table forcefully, standing up.
There was a look of deep anger on his face.
“Clan Chief! What exactly are you insinuating!”
“Sit down. We’re in the middle of a meeting. How dare you…”
“…”
It was only then Jin Gwangwoo realized Gayoung Jin’s scheme.
This ledger is fake.
Dealing with the King Demon Sect was accurate.
And according to his memory, the monthly payment was indeed ‘two thousand liang.’
“Clan Chief, you must stop your baseless accusations. The amount was undoubtedly two thousand liang. For this, we received the weapons our family martial artists needed.”
“Yes? But it’s clearly written here as ‘one thousand liang.'”
“Then retrieve the contract! We can check…”
The grinding of teeth came naturally.
“I knew you’d say that, so I’ve brought along the contract.”
Gayoung Jin pulled out another piece of paper from her chest.
“Here, take a look. Read aloud what’s written here, loudly.”
Shuffling sound.
Upon feeling the rough texture of the aged paper, Jin Gwangwoo realized the authenticity of this contract.
But how… why…
“…”
It clearly stated that the payment to the King Demon Sect was ‘one thousand liang.’
Could this document be forged as well?
“This is fake!”
“Hmm?”
“I swear it on the honor of the Heaven Sword School! All these are counterfeit!”
His indignant outburst caused ripples among the meeting attendees.
It was his mistake for only focusing on covering his illicit actions, while this part of the contract remained untainted—it never crossed his mind that they would forge a clean document and use it as an attack.
“Can you take responsibility for such claims?”
“Clan Chief, it is you who must be held accountable for these forged documents! I will thoroughly uncover your motives!”
“You won’t have time for that. Anticipating such a claim, I’ve also prepared witnesses.”
“What?”
“Come in.”
Clap clap.
Much like Jin Gwangwoo had done earlier, Gayoung Jin clapped her hands.
A menacing man entered the conference room in response to the sound.
“…”
“…”
The man was someone Jin Gwangwoo had met a few times.
“Mr. Wang…?”
Though the honorific “Mr.” was used out of courtesy, the truth was that this man was the leader of a gang from the dark alleys.
His real name was Wang Sae-bang.
“Mr. Wang…?”
As customary, he addressed him with the honorific, but in reality, this man was a thug leader from the dark underworld.
“He, he doesn’t know anything. I simply came here to truthfully tell the facts and receive money…”
Wang Sae-bang, uncommonly humble and servile for someone of his stature.
“Mr. Wang, why are you here…?”
“Mr. Jin… Isn’t it… Can I even be present in such a prestigious gathering…”
The pretense was uncanny—those who hadn’t faced Wang Sae-bang before genuinely believed he was a lowly character.
Watching this, Gayoung Jin grinned and began the interrogation.
“Mr. Wang Sae of the Wang household, the leader of the King Demon Sect who are co-operating with us regarding the purchase of military supplies.”
“Ah, ahem…”
The atmosphere shifted with discomfort among some of the elders who disliked the presence of an underworld figure.
If this weren’t a financial audit, some might have said something about it.
“Does everyone understand why you’re here? Simply put, to offer testimony regarding the contract between Wang Sae-bang and our family.”
“Y-Yes. I was told I just have to truthfully speak…”
“Mr. Wang, may I ask one thing? About the weapons trade you conducted with our family since last year, the seventh month, do you remember it?”
“Yes, it was conducted together with Mr. Jin.”
Wang Sae-bang pointed at Jin Gwangwoo.
Predictably, Jin Gwangwoo’s expression darkened upon being singled out.
“Do you recall the details of the contract?”
“Oh, of course! Though I appear this way, my memory is excellent. It’s the reason I’ve come so far.”
“Good, let me ask then. Exactly how much has our family been paying the King Demon Sect every month?”
“It was one thousand liang each time… Unlike some things, I am certain about the money.”
“Indeed, did you all hear? Uncle…”
“Wait!”
“What is it?”
An unexpected voice interrupted the dialogue between Gayoung Jin and Wang Sae-bang.
“Is that person really Wang Sae-bang? Does he truly look like one?”
– Stop this nonsense!
Jin Gwangwoo sent a mental message to the man who dared interrupt.
The man was questioning the authenticity of Wang Sae-bang’s identity.
“Rumors say that the King Demon Sect’s leader is as ferocious as a wild beast, his courage like that of a tiger. Is this person really Wang Sae-bang?”
– You fool! Stop it at once! He is the real Wang Sae-bang, I tell you!
“…What proof can you offer?”
“Show some Qi manipulation! Wang Sae-bang is among the few top martial artists in Shanxi. If it really is him, surely he can demonstrate Ki manipulation!”
– You insolent worm!!
But the man didn’t stop.
Because he was planted by Gayoung Jin.
He followed his script faithfully, performing his role in this theater.
“Spiritual Ki, you mean?”
“Yes, if you are the real Wang Sae-bang, shouldn’t this be simple?”
“Um… well…”
Wang Sae-bang hesitated.
Jin Gwangwoo didn’t realize the reason but this too was in Gayoung Jin’s script.
To make the situation seem as genuine as possible to the committee members.
“How can you not? You must be this Sword Flower’s fake creation then?”
“N-No! I’ll do it!”
As Wang Sae-bang took up the sword offered to him, his inner energy started to flow.
Whoosh.
A spiritual Qi, proving that he was indeed Wang Sae-bang, bloomed in various colors.
“…”
The more this happened, the more Jin Gwangwoo realized he was trapped like a fish in a net.
Jin Yeryeong’s complexion was ashen like she had seen a ghost.
“W-Will you do more?”
“Ah! No, this is enough proof.”
The fake man, planted by Jin Gwangwoo, went back to his seat and Wang Sae-bang’s Qi manipulation dissipated.
A chilling atmosphere filled the meeting room.
Though their thoughts varied, the essence was the same:
‘Who has the upper hand?’
Until just now, supporting Jin Gwangwoo seemed far more beneficial than Gayoung Jin.
Regardless of anything else, the power disparity was too vast.
However, now the power equation didn’t matter anymore.
Because even nonexistent crimes were created against him.
“So, Uncle? Is there something you’d like to say?”
“Clan Chief!”
“Indeed, Uncle. Speak up.”
“Kuhhh…..!!!”
Unable to utter any words, Jin Gwangwoo groaned in rage when Gayoung Jin sent him a mental message.
– You’ve gone through so much trouble covering up existing crimes.
– You wretch! Do you seriously think you’ll get away with this?
– There’s no need to worry anymore. I’ll take care of you comfortably with nonexistent crimes.
At this statement, something in Jin Gwangwoo’s mind snapped, and he bolted out.
“AAAAAAHHHHH!!!”
Pulling out the hidden sword from his trousers.
“After all, it’s either life or death!”
Swish!
Of course, his sword would never reach Gayoung Jin.
“White Blade Wanderer…! Get out of the way!”
Blocked by the steadfast, unbudging blade.
…
Jin Gwangwoo was yelling frantically.
Of course, there was no intention to move aside.
– If you do so, I’ll give you everything! Money? Deputy clan head? Just name it! I’ll grant whatever you ask!
When was there ever such a role as Deputy Clan Head?
– I’ll even make it so that Gayoung can agree! Now move aside! As a martial family, we can restore the estate through force…
“Disgusting.”
– White Blade Wanderer!
Would he dare speak such words about his own nephew?
Revolted by the vile statement, I swiftly struck Jin Gwangwoo’s pressure points.
“…”
Paralyzed, he desperately sought help from everyone in the room, but no one offered it.
“You’ve done well, Uncle. Almost had you there. Bringing weapons to a meeting—who’s in their right mind? Should I charge you with more crimes?”
“…”
Jin Gwangwoo, frozen in an absurd posture, gnashed his teeth.
Among the many eyes fixated on him, one remained on me.
Wang Sae-bang’s eyes.
“Then I shall take my leave, Miss Sword Flower.”
“Yes, thank you for bravely testifying.”
“Let’s hope for smooth relations between the King Demon Sect and the Taewon Jin Clan.”
“Indeed, we hope for your future cooperation.”
As I turned to look, he quickly averted his gaze, nodded politely to Gayoung Jin, and left the meeting room.
His final impression was the same as when I last saw him at Mount Hang’s Sword Gate.
…Is this how martial artists behave these days?
Back in my day, we would have swung the sword at the slightest provocation…