Save the Rich Friend (1)
After rescuing the White Crane Beauty Maid Gong Son Se Jeong from Baek Geom Dang, I headed straight for Cheonmu Academy.
As I traveled, I mulled it over and felt even better knowing I'd snatched yet another prize from the Heavenly Dragon Sovereign Sword Baek Muhon.
In a typical martial arts novel, wouldn't it be right for the protagonist to monopolize everything anyway?
Good. I'll systematically strip Baek Muhon of every single opportunity he was meant to have.
The remake process was just getting started.
Lost in thought, I arrived at Cheonmu Academy before I knew it.
I went straight to where Dan Ri-cheong was.
"Oh! Can this be real?"
Dan Ri-cheong's eyes widened in shock the moment he saw her, his voice rising in excitement.
"You recognized her at a glance?"
I chuckled, calming him down.
What I meant was that Gong Son Se Jeong—originally disguised as the masked beauty swordsman Son Seak at Cheonmu Academy—had been hiding her true identity as a woman.
Now, with her disguise fully shed, she stood there as a stunning beauty, and he'd spotted her immediately. It was no wonder he was stunned.
"Of course I did. Truth be told, the upper-class instructors had a hunch about it for a while now."
Just as I thought—sharp folks, every one of them.
"I'm sorry... I truly am. I caused trouble out of my own selfishness."
Gong Son Se Jeong, seeing Dan Ri-cheong for the first time in two years, felt more guilt than joy. Her eyes welled up with tears as she fidgeted, at a loss.
"Trouble? Nonsense. You're one of Cheonmu Academy's proud students and a top graduate. This isn't trouble—it's our joy."
Dan Ri-cheong gripped her trembling hands firmly, offering comfort.
"From the day you first arrived, you were already a complete martial artist... I could only regret not having more to teach you. So tell me, how were your days here at our academy? Were you happy?"
Back in her true form as the White Crane Beauty Maid Gong Son Se Jeong, not the masked swordsman Son Seak, she wiped her tears and bowed deeply with proper etiquette.
"Those short days at Cheonmu Academy were the happiest of my life."
Her answer tugged at my heart—and Dan Ri-cheong's too. We could easily imagine how harsh and oppressed her life must have been at the Gong Son Family.
But the sorrow didn't last.
"What? The Masked Beauty Swordsman Son Seak is here?"
"That friend who hid their identity?"
"My goodness! She's even more beautiful than I imagined!"
Soon, instructors from Cheonmu Academy poured into Dan Ri-cheong's room, along with the Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun, all welcoming her warmly.
They were overjoyed, which showed just how long they'd been waiting for her.
"Oh ho ho ho!"
Gong Son Se Jeong burst into clear, ringing laughter as if she'd never shed a tear, enjoying the time with these good people in this wonderful place.
"Cheon Myeong, you did an outstanding job. I knew you could pull it off."
Once the reunions settled, Dan Ri-cheong and Baek Ho Jun praised me, beaming with delight.
I hadn't expected things to go this smoothly either, so I joined in the merriment—until a sudden question crossed my mind.
"It's great that everything worked out... but won't Baek Geom Dang just sit idly by?"
I had no fear of Baek Geom Dang myself, but Cheonmu Academy, under the Murim Alliance, might see things differently.
"No matter how mighty Baek Geom Dang or the great hero Baek Taeryeong may be, strictly speaking, they are outsiders to the Murim Alliance. As long as she's within Cheonmu Academy, not even the Alliance Leader could demand we hand over a student or graduate."
Baek Ho Jun, one of the Ten Great Warriors of the world and the academy head, spoke with majestic confidence.
"Gong Son Se Jeong is an alumna of our Cheonmu Academy. While she stays here, no one can harass her."
Gong Son Se Jeong let out a sigh of relief at his words.
"I just hope I don't cause any unnecessary trouble."
"Didn't I say that even after graduation, you're forever one of our students? Those words were no empty promise. Stay as long as you like."
His words were so touching that even I felt a lump in my throat.
With the Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun protecting Gong Son Se Jeong, not even Baek Geom Dang could touch her lightly.
Now I could finally set down that burden.
"That's a relief."
I'd been quietly worried about Baek Geom Dang hounding us endlessly.
"Well then, with everything wrapped up..."
With the academy's leadership all gathered, I waved farewell.
"I'm leaving the academy now to truly wander the jianghu."
Not just wandering, of course—it was time to monopolize the remaining opportunities and connections.
"Leaving already?"
"Pardon?"
Dan Ri-cheong looked regretful at my announcement, while Gong Son Se Jeong, unaware of the situation, blinked in wide-eyed surprise.
"Yes. The sun hasn't set yet—perfect timing to head out."
"We haven't even treated you to a meal yet..."
Gong Son Se Jeong murmured softly, unable to hide her disappointment.
"I'll pass by Cheonmu Academy again someday. We can share a meal then."
If fate willed it, we'd meet again.
Deep down, I wanted to grab a bite at the academy's supply depot and chat idly, but the rivers and lakes of the martial world called to me.
And besides, it's about time for that incident to unfold.
A major event that would shake up the martial world's merchant alliances was set to happen in a few months.
To reach it on time, I needed to hurry from now.
"So this is truly goodbye."
The other graduates were probably already back home, catching up with family.
"Safe travels."
Having already said our farewells, Baek Ho Jun and the instructors gave me a casual wave.
I was about to leave in high spirits when—
"Wait a moment!"
Gong Son Se Jeong, fidgeting like a puppy desperate to go out, suddenly called me back.
With a soft swish, she removed the hairpin from her hair, letting her locks cascade down, and handed the silver pin to me.
"Take this with you."
"...Pardon?"
Caught off guard, I stared blankly and echoed her words.
"This hairpin is called the Silver Spirit Pin. It's a hairpin for everyday use, but in a pinch, it doubles as a hidden weapon."
I accepted the Silver Spirit Pin in a daze, and sure enough, it was no ordinary accessory—crafted from precious silver jade, with a sharp tip that could serve as a self-defense tool if infused with inner energy.
"How could I accept something so valuable...?"
"Young hero Cheon Myeong saved my life. You're my benefactor. I can't let you go without any token of gratitude."
Ooooh!
Wheee! Whooo!
The Cheonmu Academy instructors let out playful cheers and whistles at her bold declaration.
In truth, when a woman gives a man her hairpin or tassel, it carries deep meaning.
It symbolized a marriage promise or a reminder to think of her when parted from a lover.
The instructors and leaders knew this well, teasing with mischievous grins.
My face flushed hot without warning, but the feeling passed quickly.
Pfft, why would such a beautiful woman like me anyway?
We'd only met briefly, not enough for real affection.
I convinced myself it was gratitude to a benefactor, not romance.
Bringing the Silver Spirit Pin close, her fragrance wafted over, bringing me unexpected pleasure.
"I'll treasure it. Thank you."
I pocketed it carefully without refusal, vowing to return it someday when she treated me to that meal.
"Well then."
I gave Cheonmu Academy one final bow.
When I returned, would I come back not as a top graduate, but as one of the Ten Great Warriors—or a titan commanding the world?
Whoosh!
Before the reluctance could grow, I finally departed Cheonmu Academy.
It was now full spring.
* * *
"Where's the boat heading to Sa Cheon Province?"
Leaving Cheonmu Academy, I arrived at the grandest ferry terminal in Hebei Province.
When I asked about the boat to Sa Cheon, the ferryman eyed me before replying in a bored tone.
"You heading to see the young manor lord of Shijiazhuang, the Million Gold Young Master Shi Muil?"
In three days, the Shijiazhuang lord's lavish birthday banquet would draw merchants from across Sa Cheon Province.
His three sons were each preparing rare gifts for their father.
Where the rich gather, the small-timers flock too.
Flatterers from all over the Central Plains were swarming to curry favor with the manor lord and his sons.
The ferryman, dealing with countless passengers bound for Sa Cheon, looked utterly exhausted.
"No. I'm not going to the provincial capital of Sa Cheon."
I'd heard the Million Gold Young Master Shi Muil was preparing something exquisite in Sa Cheon's heartland capital.
"Then to Xichang in Sa Cheon?"
The ferryman spoke curtly again.
Xichang was where the Thousand Gold Young Master Shi Mutu, the second son, awaited—less hype than Shi Muil, but still drawing crowds eager for his favor.
"No. The place I'm after is..."
The one I had my eye on wasn't the Million Gold or Thousand Gold Young Master, but the Shijiazhuang son known as the least impressive.
"The area around Lianyang in Sa Cheon."
It was the Frowned Young Master Shi Musam, the third son.
Lianyang in Sa Cheon Province was where Shi Musam, practically disowned by Shijiazhuang, resided.
"I've ferried hundreds headed to Sa Cheon today alone. But you're the first going not to the capital or Xichang—straight to Lianyang."
The ferryman double- and triple-checked if I really meant near Lianyang.
I reaffirmed it firmly each time.
Fools. Shijiazhuang's true genius isn't Shi Muil or Shi Mutu—it's Shi Musam.
In the original story, the next Shijiazhuang lord was the current young manor lord, Million Gold Young Master Shi Muil.
But why was I fixating on the Frowned Young Master Shi Musam instead?
Contrary to popular belief, Shi Musam proves to have the most genius instincts for merchant affairs among the three brothers.
Jealous of this, his two older brothers spread rumors painting him as a wastrel lost to drink and women.
And in the original, when Shi Musam emerges as the frontrunner for next lord, his panicked brothers hire assassins to kill him on a boat—one day before their father's birthday.
That's how Shi Muil became lord instead of the heaven-sent merchant prodigy Shi Musam.
Exactly three days from now, Shi Musam would be assassinated aboard that boat, the day before the birthday.
I'd stop that tragedy with my own hands.
And as a bonus, I'll make a rich friend?
Becoming buddies with the future world's greatest merchant tycoon? Doing good and gaining the Central Plains' top magnate as a friend—killing two birds with one stone.