Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 125 - The Blood King Who Came to Sell Jewels
Iron Blood Family's grand hall.
Elder Council Chairman Sama Song had gathered the leadership for a meeting. There were mountains of agenda items to address, but the most important topic today was finding ways to minimize civilian suffering from the impending rainy season.
The mood was excellent. It had been far too long since they'd held a meeting focused purely on the welfare of Northerners, free from political intrigue.
Everyone freely shared their ideas without hesitation, and Sama Song listened intently, jotting down the key points.
Various plans emerged, but they all boiled down to one problem: money. To reinforce and expand irrigation facilities in the regions hardest hit by floods over the past decade, they would need at least 500,000 silver taels—the conclusion drawn by none other than Songyeong himself.
Anyone else might have inspired skepticism, but coming from Songyeong, the unrivaled authority on such matters, no one could dismiss it lightly. The real issue was that this was the bare minimum required, and the rainy season was now less than a month away.
Starting construction immediately might just make it feasible, but even a few days' delay would almost certainly doom them to another year of devastating floods.
"Hmm……."
Sama Song gulped down a bowl of cold water to ease his frustration.
Thud!
He turned to Songyeong. "What do you suggest we do?"
"For now, we handle the follow-up later. We must begin construction right away. Just announcing it and securing manpower will take at least three days."
"Very well. Let's proceed that way."
Sama Song trusted Songyeong completely. Working alongside him made it easy to understand why the previous chairman, Song Gyeom, had favored him so dearly.
"Then I'll dispatch letters across the region at once, ordering posters put up everywhere."
"Do so."
Songyeong rose first, offering a light bow to the assembly before heading for the hall's entrance.
That was when it happened.
A warrior burst through the doors. "The lord is returning!"
Pouring rain…….
Despite the relentless downpour, crowds gathered at Iron Blood Family's main gate.
As Sama Song and the leadership stepped forward, the carriage bearing Yeon-hoo passed through the gates.
"Loyalty!"
The warriors' salutes echoed thunderously as the carriage halted. Yeon-hoo opened the door and stepped out.
"Welcome back, my lord."
"Welcome back!"
Sama Song and the others bowed deeply toward him.
Yeon-hoo met Sama Song's gaze squarely. Seeing him filled one side of his chest with solid reassurance. By now, Sama Song had become an indispensable presence.
"No issues while I was away?"
"None, my lord. As you commanded, we relocated key facilities and prepared for enemy attacks. We repelled them without significant losses."
Yeon-hoo nodded silently, exchanging glances with each leader as they made their way to the grand hall. He didn't forget to ruffle Songyeong's hair as the man emerged with an awkward expression.
"Have you calmed down a bit?"
"……Yes."
Sama Song hurried to his side. "You've traveled far and must be exhausted. Best to rest for today."
"No. I have words for everyone—gather in the hall."
"Understood."
Yeon-hoo turned to Yuksoon with an order. "Unload the crates into the warehouse. Then get some rest."
"Yes, sir!"
Yeon-hoo headed straight for the hall. Sinhwi, emerging from his quarters, spotted him and approached with a grin.
"How'd it go?"
"Better than expected."
"Good to hear."
"I need to discuss something. To the hall."
A short while later, in the grand hall.
Yeon-hoo skipped the details of his Golden Merchant Group dealings and cut straight to the results. "I've secured funds amounting to 10 million taels. This will accelerate all our initiatives—give your all to your duties."
"T-Ten million taels?!"
"How on earth did you……."
The assembly erupted in shock.
Yeon-hoo turned to Sama Song. "Cashing these bills into silver will take time. Once liquidated, handle the fiscal operations, Chairman. Songyeong will assist."
"Understood."
Next was Sinhwi. "I need your help."
"If my lord asks, I'd pluck stars from the sky."
Yeon-hoo explained in detail how to cash the Continent Exchange bills into silver. The assembly marveled throughout—it was an operation on the scale of a military campaign.
When he finished, Sinhwi stood immediately. "I'll get started right away."
After Sinhwi departed, Yeon-hoo received reports on several agenda items from Sama Song.
By rank, even the family head had no authority to demand reports from the Elder Council Chairman. Yet Sama Song showed no displeasure, and the others accepted it as natural.
The meeting dragged on for quite some time. By the time Yeon-hoo emerged, night had already fallen.
Northern Murim had just one Continent Exchange branch. By contrast, Northwest Murim boasted five, each several times larger in capital. That alone showed how marginalized the North truly was.
Be that as it may.
Suddenly, Continent Exchanges in both Northern and Northwest Murim were swamped. Customers flooded in to redeem bills for silver.
Wang Sam oversaw all Northwest branches and ranked among the top five in the entire Continent Exchange network—a heavyweight.
From morning, he wielded his brush ceaselessly amid the approvals. "Hwayang branch: 300,000 taels, Dogwang: 500,000……."
After over an hour without rest, as the approved total surpassed 2 million taels, he set down his brush and seal, stretching his back.
Crack.
"I'm getting old. My back aches after just this much—tsk tsk. Still, this is the busiest day in recent memory……."
The more of their own bills redeemed, the better. They charged fees for conversions—not 2 million in silver handed over for free. The commission alone came to 20,000 taels.
Yet an odd unease lingered. Such massive lump-sum withdrawals were exceedingly rare.
Of course, no real risk existed. Bills were issued only after receiving equivalent goods or cash from traders, so even if redeemers were bandits, the Continent Exchange faced no loss.
Still, Wang Sam's gut churned.
"Hey! Anyone outside?!"
A middle-aged man entered at his call. "You summoned me?"
"Any bills from Goyang branch yet?"
"Yes. Only four branches so far. But why……."
"Don't ask—just send an urgent letter to Goyang. Check if they've approved any bills without reporting to me."
"Right away."
As the man left, Wang Sam lifted his cold teacup.
Thud!
He checked the remaining bills first. "Another million…… That makes 3.5 million from four branches today alone…… Good lord."
He'd pocketed 35,000 taels in fees just sitting there—reason enough to rejoice. Yet the unease persisted.
Then the middle-aged man returned.
"Back so soon?"
"Goyang just sent word. 1.5 million in bills redeemed. Branch manager approved personally—but unlike others, they withdrew in gold, not silver."
"Gold?"
"Yes, explicitly stated. Anyway, today's sales look massive. With headquarters' monthly report due soon, we'll top the ranks again. Congratulations in advance, Branch Lord."
"Yes, it should be……."
A cause for celebration on paper, but Wang Sam's furrowed brow refused to smooth.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Gather the returned bills and ship them to headquarters. And tell everyone I'm treating tonight—generously."
"Really?!"
"When have I ever lied, you fool?"
"N-No, sir! I'll tell them not to clock out—stand by for dinner!"
Wang Sam watched the excited man dash out, then stretched grandly.
Crack!
"Even 20 million instead of 10—we lose nothing. Silly worries. Tsk tsk."
He stretched again and picked up his brush for the last few bills.
Then a youth entered.
"What is it?"
"You should come out, sir."
"Why?"
"A customer wants to sell rare gems. Refuses underlings—demands the branch lord."
"Is that so?"
Unlike the Golden Exchange, Continent Exchanges handled gems and rarities separately.
"Wait a moment. I'll finish this and come."
"Yes, sir."
Wang Sam hurried through the approvals and rose. Moments later, he entered the VIP lounge.
A man in white robes sat there.
He froze.
Entering casually, Wang Sam halted involuntarily under the man's overwhelming pressure.
"You the one in charge?"
"……Yes."
"Sit."
"Ah, yes."
As Wang Sam sat, the white-robed man drew a small silk pouch from his bosom and placed it on the table.
Thud.
"Thinking of selling this……."
"What is it?"
"See for yourself."
"Very well."
Wang Sam carefully opened the pouch. His eyes widened like a calf's.
This is diamond stone!
He'd seen diamond stones before. What stunned him was the twenty gleaming inside.
If I play this right, it's a massive score. Stay calm……
His merchant's gleam returned in an instant.
"Forgive me, but we must verify authenticity first. Per branch protocol, proof of identity is required."
"I'm not borrowing—I'm selling my own goods. That necessary?"
"Apologies, but it's procedure……."
"Sinhwi."
"A name alone won't suffice. Your identification token, please, sir."
"Blood King will do."
"……!"
Wang Sam's eyes bulged as if testing human limits. His body trembled violently.
Who didn't know the world's Blood King?
B-Blood King?! Why is the Blood King here selling us diamond stones?!