Chang'an's Xi'an Trading Company and the Luminous Pearl
A few days had passed since my poison-themed date with So-hye and our return to Chang'an.
April had arrived, and the world was steeped in full spring.
But it seemed Qing Mountain still lagged behind. The season for spring breezes had surely come even here.
The master of the Azure Mountain Sect and Namgung Hwi were holding steady on a precarious line.
From my perspective, it looked as if the moment one of them reached out first, the other would immediately follow.
It probably needed to grow a little warmer. The spring wind would have to drive them mad before those two crossed the line.
So I watched with a heart full of anticipation.
They would cross it soon. If not, then that rascal Namgung Hwi clearly had some kind of problem.
The Black Merchant Sect had grown noticeably more active now that the weather had warmed.
Still, nothing seemed suspicious. The outer hall master continued to be nagged at and simply performed his duties.
What was he up to? That bastard was as sinister as they came.
If Namgung Hwi's situation resolved, I'd need to take action on this side as well.
I couldn't simply keep watching forever.
Since I was already out, I stopped by the Mount Tai Sect as well.
Surprisingly, in the intervening time the Mount Tai Sect had completely destroyed the Pa Jeong Sect.
The main reason was, of course, those first-generation disciples from back then. I'd even forgotten their names. What were they again?
Anyway, there was quite a bit of talk about it.
It was rather a shady course of action for the greatest sect of the righteous path.
Things in Yueyang were progressing smoothly, as expected.
Since I wasn't staying long, I didn't visit Cho-rin or Ye-ryeong, but observing from afar, they seemed to be doing well.
Moreover, the members of the Songgye Gate and Cheongho Gate apparently hadn't been idle through the winter.
Three months wasn't an especially long time, yet it was more than enough to show remarkable improvement.
In that manner, I went back and forth from the outside several times, guiding the training of Seolha, Yeonhwa, So-hye, and Yang Cheon-hak.
These children were growing splendidly too. The results were appearing in direct proportion to the time invested.
Even so, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was still slow. I wished they would gain some enlightenment soon.
Then it would be straight to the Transformation Realm. From that point on, they wouldn't be so constrained by their current stage.
Of course, Transformation Realm wasn't exactly a child's name.
Then, one day in mid-April, a messenger suddenly arrived from the Xi'an Trading Company.
It was a request from Chief Steward Jang. He asked that I please stop by.
Originally Chief Steward Jang would have come in person, but these days I rarely allowed outsiders into the Silent Sword Forest.
So if he wanted to see me, the only option was to send a message like this.
Going there was no trouble, so I headed over immediately.
When I arrived, Chief Steward Jang greeted me with the utmost respect. As always, he served some excellent tea.
"What is the matter that you called me so urgently? This doesn't happen often."
"I had something urgent to ask the Grove Master. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
"There's no need to call it an inconvenience. After everything you've done for me, Chief Steward Jang."
It was the honest truth. Even though I spoke casually with the Tang Family Head, Chief Steward Jang was the only one toward whom I consistently used polite speech.
"Grove Master. It's about the luminous pearl you entrusted to me."
"Has it all been sold already? It doesn't seem like that much time has passed."
"No. There's still some left. However... have you by any chance released similar items a long time ago?"
"A long time ago? What do you mean by that?"
When I asked, Chief Steward Jang checked to make sure no one was outside, then lowered his voice to a whisper.
"The imperial palace has expressed interest in purchasing the luminous pearl you entrusted to us. They're offering a huge sum."
"The imperial palace?"
"Yes. And they asked where we obtained this luminous pearl. Naturally we didn't reveal the seller's identity."
"...And then?"
"In the course of that conversation, they mentioned that about twenty years ago the imperial palace had acquired a similar luminous pearl. They said they had been disappointed at being unable to obtain more at the time, but now that they finally had one, they were overjoyed."
A chill ran down my spine at those words, accompanied by a thrill of realization.
Twenty years ago. And a luminous pearl.
I had already suspected something when Na-rin spoke of the unknown recluse, but the appearance of the luminous pearl made it certain.
Even though I didn't know much about luminous pearls, Chief Steward Jang had told me afterward that such items were never seen in the common market.
That was why so many thoughts flooded my mind.
The first thing that occurred to me was the potential exposure of the Xi'an Trading Company.
"Chief Steward Jang."
"Yes, Grove Master. Please speak."
"Regarding the luminous pearl. Are you selling it under the name of the Xi'an Trading Company?"
"Of course not. How could we sell an item whose acquisition history cannot be clearly disclosed under the company's name? That luminous pearl is being handled as a private item."
That made sense. The Xi'an Trading Company surely didn't deal exclusively in completely legitimate goods.
There would certainly be stolen items or goods acquired through questionable means, and established routes to dispose of them.
That was fortunate. At least the Xi'an Trading Company itself hadn't been exposed.
If it had been, my visit today might have been observed. That was the last thing I wanted.
I spread my senses. I was searching for any presence hiding on the roof or in blind spots.
If it were me, that's how I would conceal myself—in a spot with a clear view, a position from which the company could be observed.
Fortunately, I detected no such presence. That meant it was likely no one was watching.
"Chief Steward Jang."
"Yes. Please speak, Grove Master."
"Could we trace the information in the other direction? Specifically, about that luminous pearl the imperial palace purchased before. Is it possible to find out where they bought it, or from whom?"
"...Is this a serious matter?"
Quick-witted as always, Chief Steward Jang immediately grasped my intent.
"It might be. That's why I'd like you to investigate with extreme care and secrecy. The sort of details that merchants who buy and sell goods might casually share with each other. Even idle gossip would be fine."
"Since the Grove Master has spoken so earnestly, I cannot treat this lightly. Understood. I will report to the head merchant and proceed accordingly."
"Yes. I'm counting on you. Just to emphasize, there's absolutely no need to push too hard. Only gather what can be learned without raising the slightest suspicion—nothing beyond the level of simple curiosity."
"Understood. I will do exactly that."
"Also, please ensure the Xi'an Trading Company is not connected to the luminous pearl in any way."
"Is it dangerous? We handle goods with all due caution, but if the risk is significant, it may complicate sales."
"Nothing has been confirmed yet. I'm simply being cautious."
"Hmm..."
"Don't worry. Even if the Xi'an Trading Company ends up exposed, I'll make sure no harm comes to this place. Ah! And that small luminous pearl I gave you initially—you don't need to give me my share of the profits."
"What!? How could we..."
"When I first brought it for sale, I didn't mention any potential risks, so it only seems fair to adjust the profits, doesn't it?"
"Goodness, you really don't need to do that."
"No, it's better to be clear about such matters. Trust and duty are important, but for a merchant, profit is paramount, isn't it?"
"Haha. If the Grove Master puts it that way, I can hardly keep refusing. Very well. We'll handle it accordingly and maintain absolute confidentiality."
"Please do. I trust you'll manage everything well."
"Of course. Haha."
With our conversation concluded, I left the Xi'an Trading Company.
As I did, I spread my senses once more, carefully scanning the surroundings.
I checked for anyone suspicious or out of place. Anyone who might be watching.
Fortunately, I sensed no such individuals this time either. No one was tailing me.
Relieved for the moment, I carefully reviewed everything I had learned today.
The probability that I was not the only one sent to this world had become extremely high.
Na-rin's story alone hadn't been conclusive, but the appearance of the luminous pearl meant I had to prepare in earnest.
Yes. That was definitely the case. There was no reason they would have sent only me here.
It was something I had pondered for a long time. If they had given me a clear objective, I wouldn't have agonized over it this much.
A goal and a reward. Something like a method to return to the original world, or a vast fortune upon my return.
If there had been anything like that, I might not have considered the possibility that others had come as well.
But there had been no objective at all. I had simply been tossed here as if discarded.
And that black wall cave. There was no way only one such place existed.
In this vast land, there were countless locations where something like that could be hidden.
Therefore, if there were beings capable of bringing me to a place like this, they would hardly have summoned only me.
I returned straight to the Silent Sword Forest and called for So-hye.
"So-hye."
"Yes, Great Hero."
"I need to use the Tang Family's information network. The query is whether anyone heard the sound of a mountain collapsing, as if from a landslide in the nearby mountains, about twenty years ago."
"Twenty years ago? A landslide?"
"Yes. At least twenty years. It could be even further back, but I suspect it was around that time. Look into it."
"Understood, Great Hero."
It meant that someone, just like me, had been thrown into this world, safely escaped the black wall cave, and had also thought to extract a luminous pearl before emerging.
They would have needed money. And money was something you could never have too much of, anywhere.
Having thought that far, another question occurred to me.
But... the imperial palace?
Why had the imperial palace purchased a luminous pearl twenty years ago?
What possible use could the imperial palace have for a luminous pearl? Decoration? A gift?
"So-hye."
"Yes, Great Hero."
"Was there any significant event at the imperial palace twenty years ago?"
"Twenty years ago... Ah! The imperial palace was completed."
"Ah... You mean the Forbidden City?"
"Yes. After His Majesty ascended the throne, the capital was relocated to Beijing. They spent a long time constructing the imperial palace, and the completion ceremony was held about twenty years ago, as I recall."
Then they would indeed have needed luminous pearls. Whether for decorating the palace or sending as gifts, they would have been useful in many ways.
"Then let's add one more request."
"Yes. Please speak, Great Hero."
"Find out which high officials have rapidly gained power within the last twenty years."
"That shouldn't be too difficult. But... why are you asking about matters concerning the imperial palace?"
"I'm not certain yet, so I can't say anything definite."
"The imperial palace... It's difficult to obtain information casually. And one shouldn't approach it lightly. You know that as well, Great Hero."
"I do. So tell them not to overdo it. Besides, the things I mentioned aren't exactly secrets anyway."
"Yes. Understood. I'll relay the message that way."
"Good. Thank you. You're beautiful."
When I stroked her cheek, So-hye looked slightly embarrassed yet took my hand for a moment.
After So-hye left, I sat alone in my residence, lost in deep thought.
The information had come so suddenly. How exactly could I make use of it? Where should I begin my approach?
And if someone like me had come to this martial world, carved their way out of the black wall cave, and emerged into society, what in the world had that person been doing all this time?