The Universal Sword Theory.
To escape poverty, use a sword. If conversation is tough, use a sword. If trade relationships are rocky, use a sword. If you want to create a monopoly, solve it with a sword – that’s the age-old saying of the Martial Arts World.
Lost your clients? Let’s create a Martial Arts-style delivery accident!
We could even boldly dock a ghost ship in Wuhan to reap some advertising benefits! That must have been the plan of the Lush Green Post Office – recovering everything with just one sword.
“Sounds like the most likely scenario.”
“Yeeesss! I think that makes sense toooo!”
The two women nodded, seemingly convinced by my words.
“Your theory appears valid, but doesn’t it contradict what the witnesses said? They mentioned looking. They said they didn’t see anything, right?”
That statement had confused me as well. I thought getting the cargo was the goal. But once I grasped the situation, I realized it could be interpreted differently.
“Since the postman is dead, it must be hard to find only the items that can hurt the Seocheon Post Office.”
The manager of the Lush Green Post Office in Wuhan had taken unnecessary risks while expanding the business.
It was certainly a significant achievement to seize numerous clients from the Lush Green Post Office, but with that came the burden of heightened risks.
Because, if something goes wrong with the post delivery involving the family business and some clients, they had promised huge compensations.
The items the Lush Green Post Office targeted must have been the ones with huge compensations promised. Just one misdelivery could potentially ruin the entire Wuhan branch.
When I get the chance, I need to tell them there’s a Joseon proverb about not putting all your cargo in one boat.
“Even if they’re the top post office in Wuhan, attacking a post office run by the Sichuan Tang Family is craziness, don’t you think?”
Im Ha-yeon said this with an expression that suggested disbelief.
“This isn’t Sichuan; it’s Hubei Province, Wuhan. And the branch manager here isn’t from the Tang Family.”
“So, it’s a fight between post offices, and not an attack on the Sichuan Tang Family, right?” I nodded at Im Ha-yeon’s sharp observation.
The Sichuan Tang Family doesn’t necessarily run their businesses solely with family members.
They willingly accept outsiders for their ventures and flexibly expand their businesses.
Promising potential individuals could even lead to them marrying into the family at times.
“If it were a perfect crime, they could entirely ruin the Wuhan branch that seized their clients and, if need be, cut ties without leaving evidence.”
The postmen who died in the Wuhan incident weren’t even a part of the Tang Family.
Strictly speaking, this incident wasn’t an attack on the entire Sichuan Tang Family; it was a situation where one item from the Sichuan Tang Family became useless.
A family as powerful as the Sichuan Tang Family wouldn’t overreact for something of this level, that was likely the reasoning in place.
“The postmaster might be from a faction, but his way of thinking is quite impressive.”
These guys think they can create miracles with just a sword, so what can they not do?
“Of course, that’s just an area of speculation. I can’t say for certain whether there’s actual evidence.”
Well, I only pieced things together based on the evidence and circumstances.
“…I’ll step out for a while.”
Im Ha-yeon said while looking back and forth at me and Je-gal Hyang, her expression slightly displeased as she spoke.
“Is it alright to go out when it’s getting dark? It might be wiser to wait until tomorrow.”
It was obvious where she intended to go.
Seeing Je-gal Hyang beside me, I blandly tried to dissuade her.
“I should at least do my part.”
What part? She does dozens of people’s worth daily; what does one person’s worth even mean? Was she that shocked that Je-gal Hyang found evidence all at once?
As I was about to stop her from going, I noticed her fist clenched tightly.
Doesn’t look like she plans to back down.
“…Be careful and pay attention to where you step.”
In the end, I nodded at Im Ha-yeon’s determined eyes.
—
“Did she go?”
As I sat in the chair, feeling concerned, Im Ha-yeon suddenly leaped through the window.
What a scare! Can’t someone just open the door like a normal person?
“It’s not good for a man and a woman to be out late together. I had her sent home in a carriage.”
Even if she was a matchmaking candidate, being a lady from a noble family, I needed to send her home before nightfall.
“Hmm…”
Im Ha-yeon came closer, seemingly pleased with something, giving a hum of contentment.
“Don’t get too close to my face.”
I’ve got three faces, it’s awkward!
“What are you talking about? This was in the storage of the Lush Green Post Office.”
Im Ha-yeon swiftly turned to a displeased expression and handed me an item she retrieved from the Lush Green Post Office.
The item was Volume 3 of “The Rise of the Tang Family.”
Looks like it really was the Lush Green Post Office.
“It must have been dangerous; thank you for your efforts.”
I was anxious about running into a skilled fighter who had killed the postmen, so thankfully, that didn’t happen.
“Who do you think I am?”
Im Ha-yeon said confidently with an air of regal authority.
“Still, I’m going to worry daily.”
No matter how much she might have the potential to be the best thief in this world, she’s still my precious partner.
I chuckled and shook Volume 3 of “The Rise of the Tang Family.”
“Eh… Really! So, shall we contact the Seocheon Post Office and ambush them?”
Im Ha-yeon pouted, seemingly dissatisfied, before asking about our next course of action.
“It’s going to be tough. The Lush Green Post Office operates with a firm hold in Wuhan. The weakened Seocheon Post Office, having lost even their postmen, can’t handle this.”
They must have been empowered by their might in Wuhan to make such a bold move.
“Should we just collect the books?”
“No need for that.”
“Oh, do you have a different plan in mind?”
Im Ha-yeon, sensing something from my confident demeanor, perched herself on her desk and posed the question.
Absolutely.
“I’ve already prepared a way.”
While Im Ha-yeon was risking it, I had also not been idle.
—
“Did you come for a big transaction? The postmaster is here, so I’ll guide you.”
The next morning, I visited the Lush Green Post Office with a few people.
This place was tentatively bigger than I expected. It seemed far larger than the Yichang branch that had been relocated from the Seocheon Post Office, even more impressive.
In Wuhan, where land is expensive, such scale is astounding.
The postmen here, unlike the straight-laced Seocheon Post Office, felt more like menacing motorbike delivery guys racing down the road, as if it’s either them or their clients going down.
“I am the postmaster of the Lush Green Post Office. Allow me to take you to my office.”
The man who introduced himself as the postmaster looked like a middle-aged martial artist who’d fit in well with tattoos, a gold necklace, gold bracelets, and a messenger bag.
With faded green hair, rumors about him being an ex-member of the Green Forest might indeed hold some truth.
“I’m from the Tea Bookstore. It’s fine to talk here.”
“The Tea Bookstore? Ah! I’ve heard of it. Isn’t that the place that suffered from post delivery issues with the Seocheon Post Office? I heard a novel was famous from there…”
How does someone from Wuhan know about a bookstore in Yichang that faced issues with delivery?
Only the branch manager of the Seocheon Post Office and the people from the Tea Bookstore would know that.
I almost let a laugh escape at the postmaster’s audacity, almost incredulously, yet I maintained my composure.
“I’m here regarding that package.”
“Aha! Are you considering switching from the Seocheon Post Office to our Lush Green Post Office? Good choice! Hubei people should stick together!”
I’m a Joseon person, buddy!
“I didn’t come to hand over items, but to look for them.”
I shook my head and told the postmaster.
“There were no deliveries addressed to the Tea Bookstore in the past week. You must have some sort of misunderstanding.”
As if realizing something unusual was happening, the postmaster replied seriously.
Now, let’s get to the main point.
I appeared as someone who knew all his deceit and began speaking to the postmaster.
“There’s no way. There should have been a package that arrived last night.”
“What?!”
The postmaster’s brow furrowed immediately.
“Postmaster, if you beg on your knees now, I might spare your neck.”
At this point, there’s no one in this room who doesn’t understand what I meant. Let’s move quickly.
“What the hell is this insane barbarian babbling?”
They say the guilty party tends to react strongly. Wow, speedy reactions.
The postmaster drew a sword and swung it towards my throat. I could evade with the Shadowless Body Technique or block with the Jade Face Protective Technique, but I decided to remain still.
“Where do you think you’re swinging that?!”
Nearby, a martial artist stepped in to stop him.
“Why is that suspicious fellow wearing a hat? So, it’s you, the branch manager of the Seocheon Post Office! Have you come to kidnap someone due to being broke?!”
The person accompanying me was the branch manager of the Seocheon Post Office, who faced a firing risk. He was one of the powerful allies I could use.
“Did you think you could get away with such a disgraceful act?!”
Silly of him to get so enthusiastic about fighting for reinstatement.
“You look to have finally snapped, huh!”
I watched the two’s standoff for a moment, then took a step back and addressed the postmaster.
“Open the storage. If you’re innocent, you should be fine with the inspection.”
“Ha! You think a barbarian like you can just see my goods? Only those authorized may see them!”
If you’re not guilty, just let me see them. You act so cocky without even being able to comply.
“Let me say this again. Open the storage.”
I repeated in a frosty tone.
“There’s only one way you’re passing through here, and that’s if you crawl beneath my legs! You there, Sichuan person! If you want to live, crawl under my legs!”
“Yooouuu!”
“Cocky fools! What are you doing?! Take them down! For daring to doubt the innocent, they should be treated like a pulp until they come back to their senses!”
In the yard of the Lush Green Post Office, the postmen who had been watching the situation rushed towards us to subdue us.
This was a crisis.
Yet, I couldn’t help but smile inwardly.
‘Alright, the stage is set.’
As I controlled my internal energy, I now amplified my voice using the Small Wheel Mental Image Technique.
“Once more, I say! We come from the Tea Bookstore, where the cargo was stolen! Return our items!”
My voice was so powerful that it reverberated throughout the Lush Green Post Office, surprising the postmen and momentarily causing them to halt.
“What does it matter if it’s the Tea Bookstore?! You’ll only face beating with a stick and the stabbing of swords!”
Really?
“Hahaha!”
I dramatically held my forehead and laughed loudly for everyone to hear.
“Is this guy nuts?!”
In what might appear to be a madman’s smile, it helped keep the postmen still.
Thank you! If they were worried about how suspicious my laughter appeared, they wouldn’t come closer.
“Really appreciate it.”
I didn’t drop my smile and gazed at the postmaster.
“What?!”
“If you’re acting as expected.”
At the very moment I spoke, I raised my hand and clicked my fingers.
A pigeon that looked familiar took off from the roof, flying into the sky at my cue.
At this moment, a commotion erupted from the entrance.
“Postmaster! You need to come out now!”
“What’s happening?!”
“My God! What the hell are you doing?!”
A multitude of martial artists broke through the Lush Green Post Office’s doors.
The Seocheon Post Office alone wouldn’t be able to resolve this.
Even if it could be resolved, it might just end with a cutting of tails, blaming it on the overzealous actions of loyal postmen.
No way can you kill hard-working postmen for just returning items?
I also need to account for the postmen’s death insurance, compensation, and my reward from working hard!
What on earth can be done if the Seocheon Post Office can’t help, and my strength won’t suffice?
I turned my gaze towards the woman by my side, clinging tightly to my sleeve, clad with a hat.
“Go, you strong man.”
“It’s fine. It’s all over now.”
“Man Geum Battlefield?! What’s the Man Geum Battlefield doing at the Lush Green Post Office?!”
“How dare you! For oppressing the granddaughter of Lord Man Geum, and targeting the cargo of the Tea Bookstore, which belongs to the Man Geum Battlefield! You shall face the consequences!!!”
“What?!”
I told you, postmaster.
I didn’t just come from the Tea Bookstore. We came from the Tea Bookstore!
