Deal with Manokru (Complete)
Once I had a clear plan, there were no more hesitations in my actions. I'd mustered up the courage, after all. I was going to join the Murim Supply Caravan and turn my convenience store into the biggest inn in all the Central Plains. Something on par with Manokru—no, even bigger. To pull that off, I'd need to rake in a ton of money and hire martial artists to guard the place. And the first step toward that was sealing the deal with Manokru.
I asked Hwa Hyo-seon and her bandits to watch over the store, then headed to Manokru with Yoo Hwa-yeon. Needless to say, it took some serious convincing to stop Hwa Hyo-seon from tagging along.
"Isn't that the Madam?"
"Why's the Madam out here herself?"
"Who's that guy she's with?"
By the time we arrived at Manokru, Madam Cheon Hyang had come out to greet us personally. Naturally, every guy's eyes in the area locked onto me. Man, this feels like I've just made a ton of enemies.
Cheon Hyang looked thrilled as she said,
"You should have sent word—I would've come running."
"It was our first deal, so I wanted to come in person."
"Come on in. Boys! Give our guests the VIP treatment!"
"Yes, Madam!"
The courtesans sprang into action. Soon, word came that the food was ready, and they led us deep into the building.
As we followed them down the hallway, even though it was still daytime, the place was packed. There were dignified folks quietly discussing important business. Drifters scraping by day-to-day as martial artists. And guys already sloshed, barely able to hold themselves up despite the early hour. It was a vivid reminder of why Manokru ranked among the Central Plains' top five pleasure houses.
Our final destination was the largest, most opulent room of them all.
"This is reserved for our most special guests. It's kept locked most of the time."
I gawked at the massive doors, and the courtesan guiding us kindly explained.
"It's been twelve years since this room was last opened."
Twelve years? That meant it had only been opened once when Cheon Hyang was twenty, and stayed shut ever since. No special guests in all that time? Well, whatever—being that special guest after twelve years felt pretty damn good.
Stepping inside, my jaw dropped even further. For a room sealed for twelve years, it was spotless.
In the center of the vast rectangular space sat a sturdy little bonsai pine. Behind it, water cascaded endlessly from rocks like a miniature waterfall.
"That's a thousand-year red pine. Ones that small are incredibly rare. I scoured the entire Central Plains to find this stunted mutant that refuses to grow. Twelve years later, it's still thriving—a true spirit tree."
Moving past the bonsai, we entered deeper, where two incense burners wafted a pleasant aroma. I figured the flames would make it hot, but it wasn't warm at all.
"The burners are made of thousand-year cold iron. No matter how hot the fire inside, they stay ice-cold. Want to touch one?"
Following the courtesan's lead, I laid my hand on the cold iron burner.
"Whoa."
It really wasn't hot at all. The chill of the metal pressed firmly into my palm.
Yes! This is it—thousand-year cold iron! I'd sweated bullets every time customers at the store poked at the display racks or fridges, calling them "cold iron" this and that. Hey, I'm a guy who's devoured enough wuxia novels to be a total fanatic. Seeing the real deal hit me with that classic wuxia high.
"This way."
We passed through another space and opened a door made of ornate latticework, revealing a truly massive banquet hall. The table groaned under a mountain of food. It was big enough for dozens. The only downside was sitting on the floor, but whatever.
In front of a screen painted with rugged mountains in elegant strokes stood a crowd of courtesans. Our guide politely gestured to our seats with an open palm.
"Please, sit here."
The room filled with mouthwatering aromas. Honestly, no one with a sound mind could stay composed in front of a spread like this. Except Yoo Hwa-yeon.
"Hmph."
She just crossed her arms and glared at the food.
Then the door opened, and Cheon Hyang entered. She looked totally different from when we'd met at the entrance—a deeper neckline, a tighter dress hugging her curves, and fresh makeup that made her even more radiant.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Oh, no, we just sat down."
"Hmph! The host should be here first—what kind of manners is this?"
"What's wrong, Yoo Hwa-yeon?"
Cheon Hyang flashed a bright smile and took the seat across from us.
"No, she's right. I shouldn't have been late."
Her smile was so captivating it stole my gaze. I shook my head inwardly. I still wasn't used to dealing with women. Any of them—just looking sparked this instinctive aversion. I'd pushed through the discomfort so far. After seeing Yoo Hwa-yeon's tears last night, it felt a tiny bit easier, but still awkward.
"Anyway, shall we talk business like this?"
Cheon Hyang glanced at Yoo Hwa-yeon. What did she mean? Was three a crowd?
"Don't misunderstand. I've always negotiated with caravan leaders one-on-one, leaving their guards outside. They're big spenders, so you never know what dangers might lurk."
Yoo Hwa-yeon scowled in annoyance, but Cheon Hyang didn't seem malicious. It was just the unfamiliarity of going from duos to trios.
There was no need for one-on-ones anyway. Having Yoo Hwa-yeon beside me was more comfortable.
"Hwa-yeon isn't a guard."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"She's a friend. A... friend. So it's fine if she stays."
Friend? Saying it out loud, it sounded so cringey. Yoo Hwa-yeon buried her face in her hands. What, is 'friend' not good enough?
Just as the awkwardness peaked, Cheon Hyang spoke up.
"I like that. A friend."
She gave a bittersweet smile. What's that about? Did she lose a friend or something?
"Alright, let's talk business then."
After joining the Murim Supply Caravan, we first crunched the numbers on cigarette margins. By cutting out middlemen, we'd boost profits big time. Taxes still took their cut, but the distribution markup now flowed straight to me—totaling 12 coins per pack. That was like a 1,200-won margin in modern terms. Compared to the old 300-won scraps, it was a fourfold jump. Solid profit.
"We'll do it. But please stick to 45 coins per pack."
"Why's that?"
"I can't sell them for more at the store."
How to explain? The POS system has a mind of its own—if I jack up prices, the store collapses? Yeah, right, who'd buy that?
"So the price is fixed somehow."
"Yes."
"We could collude to hike prices. People would still buy."
"Of course. But I have no intention of raising them."
I physically can't. God, I wish I could! They'd fly off shelves at 90 coins, easy.
Cheon Hyang pondered, then asked,
"Why?"
Makes sense. Passing up a surefire bestseller hike sounds idiotic here. No price controls in this lawless martial world. As a partner, she'd want reasons.
But I had my side too. Blurting "The store won't let me!" would tank the deal. Needed a killer excuse—convincing, smooth.
Hmm. Wait.
Every real merchant has their philosophy. Even tiny eateries stand out with one. A famous chef once said taste has zilch to do with success—it's the philosophy that draws crowds.
"That's my philosophy."
"Pardon?"
"Cigarettes are indulgences. For the scent, the flavor, the buzz. I don't want to put a price on other people's pleasure. Sure, higher prices mean more cash, but that's not the business I'm after."
Cheon Hyang leaned back, nodding with a thoughtful "Hmm."
"I see. You're playing the long game."
Yeah, exactly! Not really, but close enough.
"Even better. I've seen plenty hit it big and bail. But a merchant with real principles? First in twelve years. Good call opening this room."
It wasn't that praiseworthy... I just made it up on the spot.
"If you won't raise prices, neither can we. 45 coins it is."
Deal sealed. From chasing that old grandpa for smokes to landing Manokru as a supplier. Wonder where he is now? Gotta treat him to a meal if he swings by.
"Pall Mall, Parliament, Marlboro, Esse—100 bundles each."
I reached for my water cup and nearly fumbled it.
"Pardon?"
"100 each. 400 total."
Hold up—100 bundles? That's 1,000 packs per brand?! Massive order!
"Is that a problem?"
"N-no! Of course not!"
"How much for the deposit?"
"42 coins per pack, so total..."
Gasp! 168,000 coins! That's 16 silver ingots and 80 silver coins! My 9-coin cut per pack? Pure profit: 3 ingots, 60 coins.
Jackpot. My heart raced like I'd already cashed in.
"16 ingots, 80 coins. We'll send a cart. Load the goods when the money arrives."
Straight shooter. First Murim deal, and it felt like striking gold with a prime client.
"Let's eat before it gets cold."
We dug into the feast, chatting away.
"The head chef's my friend!!"
"M-me too! Can I be friends? Huh? Jung-hyun~?"
Once the booze flowed, all I saw was Yoo Hwa-yeon and Cheon Hyang bickering. Martial world folks default to fighting? No clue why, so I couldn't even intervene.
Just stop already, seriously.