Chapter 201
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: Whispers of Departure
-----------------------------------------------------------------
For some reason, the proposals Bing Su-hye had made during the meeting spread like wildfire throughout the North Heaven Fortress.
They weren't exactly secrets, but it was still strange.
Thanks to that, Bing Su-hye's popularity within the North Heaven Fortress skyrocketed.
"Ah, so that's why she was prying so much! She had such profound thoughts in mind."
"Right? As expected of the Fortress Lord's fiancée. She's no ordinary woman."
"Absolutely! She's perfect to be the mistress of the North Heaven Fortress!"
"When do you think they'll hold the wedding? Isn't that why she came this time?"
"Hmm, it just might be."
The women in the guest quarters couldn't have missed the rumors either.
"...Impressive. I tried everything to catch the Fortress Lord's eye."
"Yeah. Not only is her martial prowess strong, but her mind is sharp too."
"This is unfair! Bing Su-hye is the fiancée! That's why she could attend the meeting and make those suggestions!"
"Funny. If you were given the chance, could you do it?"
"......"
"I'm giving up. I'll head back to my sect and train harder."
"Me too. The fiancée is too outstanding; it kills my motivation."
Yeon Mi-ho clenched her fist as she watched the women pack one by one.
"Hmph, no patience at all. Giving up over something like that? Nothing's decided until the actual wedding! Right, Unnie?"
At her question, Hwang Ga-hee replied with a heavy expression.
"...I'm leaving too."
Yeon Mi-ho's eyes widened.
"What? You're giving up too, Unnie?"
Hwang Ga-hee shook her head.
"Not that. But there's no way to beat Bing Su-hye here. I'll go back home and find a way."
Surprisingly, she hadn't given up on becoming the North Heaven Fortress's mistress.
"Ah......"
"It was fun being together, Mi-ho. You should decide quickly too."
"Unnie......!"
And so, the women in the guest quarters left one by one.
Yeon Mi-ho, who held out until the end but couldn't bear the loneliness, finally left the guest quarters too, meaning every woman had departed the North Heaven Fortress.
"......"
Watching Yeon Mi-ho's receding figure, Bing Su-hye asked,
"Uncle?"
"Hm?"
"You spread the rumors, didn't you?"
Bing Cho-pung, standing beside her, looked puzzled.
"What are you talking about? What rumors?"
"Don't play innocent. Among those at the meeting, no one else would do it but you, Uncle."
Only then did Bing Cho-pung smile faintly.
"As expected of my niece—you're sharp. Yes, I spread them."
"You didn't have to do that."
"I'm your uncle, aren't I? Besides, I didn't make anything up; I just shared the facts."
To be more precise, Yu Gong-seon had quietly suggested it. What if they spread Bing Su-hye's remarks throughout the hall?
Bing Cho-pung had gladly accepted the proposal.
"I only meant to help my niece...... I didn't expect such quick positive results."
"I didn't mind them being here. I trust the Fortress Lord."
Bing Cho-pung gave a sly smile.
"Oh ho. Is that true? Shall I give you a chance now and call them back?"
Bing Su-hye furrowed her delicate brows.
"You're really mischievous."
"Then tell me honestly. How do you feel right now?"
"......"
After a brief hesitation, a faint smile appeared on Bing Su-hye's lips.
"For some reason...... it feels refreshing."
"Hahaha."
* * *
After Seol Hwa-un earned the moniker North Sea Divine Fist, the North Heaven Fortress's growth accelerated.
The carefully selected martial artists from the Central Plains had grown to over three hundred, gradually integrating as full members of the North Heaven Fortress.
On another front, following Bing Su-hye's suggestion, they set up a market at the crossroads in front of the North Heaven Fortress and recruited various merchants.
At the same time, they sent people everywhere to spread word of the five-day market.
Somehow, the local government took the lead, offering all sorts of help. Importing goods through the West Gate Family also proceeded smoothly.
After a month of thorough preparation, the five-day market was a resounding success and drew significant attention.
Of course, being the first time, it ran at a huge loss, but if continued, it seemed it could turn profitable soon.
Around that time, during an executive meeting, Yu Gong-seon spoke up.
"Fortress Lord, how about assigning Bing the Junior an appropriate position now?"
It was because Bing Su-hye had been handling various tasks alongside the overseers.
"Bing the Junior is already fulfilling the role of an overseer. Officially appointing her would make things easier for the others too."
Of course, Yu Gong-seon and Bing Cho-pung were diligently working as First and Second Overseers, but as the North Heaven Fortress's scale and personnel grew, it was becoming burdensome.
With Bing Su-hye helping from the side in the meantime, they couldn't be anything but deeply satisfied.
"Is there a suitable position?"
At Seol Hwa-un's question, Yu Gong-seon immediately replied.
"If you're not planning to hold the wedding right away, I think appointing her as Third Overseer is appropriate."
Yu Gong-seon would have loved to welcome Bing Su-hye as the North Heaven Fortress's mistress immediately if he could.
But that was for Seol Hwa-un and Bing Su-hye to decide. It wasn't for subordinates to meddle in.
"Do the others agree?"
At Seol Hwa-un's question, the executives nodded.
"It seems fitting."
"She has both the qualifications and ability."
Since the initiatives started from Bing Su-hye's proposals had already yielded substantial results, there was no reason to oppose.
"Understood. Let's hold the appointment ceremony soon."
The discussion about Bing Su-hye ended there. Then Bing Cho-pung made another proposal.
"Fortress Lord, how about forming our own merchant guild now?"
Interest flickered in Seol Hwa-un's eyes.
"Merchant guild?"
Currently, most goods entering the North Heaven Fortress came through the West Gate Family.
"Our dependence on the West Gate Family is too high right now. It's not that I don't trust them, but thinking long-term, I believe we need our own operated merchant guild."
Yu Gong-seon added,
"I agree with the Second Overseer. Without North Sea support, the fortress is essentially operating at a loss."
There were proceeds from the vast farmlands owned by the North Heaven Fortress, but they fell far short of operational costs.
Bing Cho-pung continued,
"Not just a merchant guild—to properly root ourselves in Shanxi Province, we need to expand into escort agencies, pawnshops, and even inns."
"Hmm."
"We couldn't even dream of it before because we lacked solid trust, but now it's different. I think it's worth trying."
Seol Hwa-un turned to Yu Gong-seon and asked,
"Then who will be in overall charge of the merchant guild? Are you volunteering, First Overseer?"
Yu Gong-seon's business acumen was undoubtedly impressive, having favorably steered the negotiations with Seomun Gong.
'A truly versatile man, but......'
At his question, Yu Gong-seon looked sheepish.
"There's no ideal candidate, so......"
"As I thought, you had yourself in mind. However, I can't allow that."
"......Pardon?"
Yu Gong-seon looked dumbfounded at Seol Hwa-un's unexpected response.
"You already have too much on your plate as First Overseer. Adding a merchant guild would be excessive burden."
"I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine, Fortress Lord. Thanks to Bing the Junior, my workload has lightened considerably."
"That's why we're appointing her as Third Overseer. Still, your duties remain heavy. We'll recruit a suitable outsider for the merchant guild leader."
"Hmm......"
"Isn't that a bit risky?"
"Just hire someone trustworthy. First Overseer, put in a request with the Hao Gate to see if they have anyone suitable."
"Yes, Fortress Lord."
The meeting concluded, and Seol Hwa-un returned to his office. There, someone was waiting for him.
"Young Master of the West Gate Family?"
"Hehehe. Long time no see, Fortress Lord."
It was Seomun Gong.
Seomun Gong still boasted his sturdy build.
Having visited the North Heaven Fortress multiple times and built trust, he could wait alone in Seol Hwa-un's office like this.
"If you came, you should have sent word...... How long have you been waiting?"
"Not long. I told them not to disturb your meeting."
"Hmm."
Seol Hwa-un called a servant to bring tea, sat down, and gazed at Seomun Gong.
"Coming for a private meeting like this, you must have something urgent to discuss."
"Hehehe."
But Seomun Gong only laughed, not broaching the topic hastily.
Once the tea arrived, he finally spoke.
"First, congratulations. I didn't expect you to defeat even the Fist Demon."
"Thank you."
"There's reward in recognizing your value from the start and investing."
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
"As expected, you suit being a merchant more than a martial artist, Young Master."
"Hm? What do you mean? I've always been a trader."
"Hahaha."
Suddenly, Seomun Gong's eyes sharpened.
"By the way...... shouldn't the North Heaven Fortress form its own merchant guild soon?"
Seol Hwa-un's eyes widened slightly.
'Heh, impressive as always.'
"We were just discussing that."
Seomun Gong nodded with a smile.
"I figured as much."
Seol Hwa-un asked,
"Not feeling slighted?"
"Hm? Why would I?"
"You've exclusively supplied all the North Heaven Fortress's necessities so far. If we start our own guild, your family loses business and gains a competitor, no?"
Seomun Gong shrugged.
"Not wrong, of course. But my family doesn't monopolize trade across the world, and we can't block every new guild that pops up."
"......"
"Besides, your guild will mainly operate in Shanxi Province anyway. Quite a distance from my family. Hard to be real competitors. Rather, building a cooperative relationship on our established trust would benefit us both."
"Indeed."
"Hehehe, I just want the North Heaven Fortress and my family to keep our good relations going forward."
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
"Of course."
This time, Seomun Gong asked,
"It was the military advisor who brought up the merchant guild, right?"
"Yes."
Precisely, Bing Cho-pung had mentioned it, but since the two often exchanged close counsel, it wasn't far off to call it Yu Gong-seon's idea.
Seol Hwa-un took interest in Seomun Gong's follow-up.
"I see. A worthy rival indeed."
"You consider the First Overseer a rival?"
"Naturally. From the first time I saw him at the North Sea Ice Palace, he stood out. There are countless merchants in the world, but only four comparable to me...... Ah, excluding the old-timers who've already established their positions, of course."
'Four, huh.'
Seol Hwa-un's curiosity piqued.
'Seomun Gong's business talent is exceptionally rare. And there are others on his level?'
Yu Gong-seon was one, leaving three.
Seol Hwa-un knew Seomun Gong's eye for talent was outstanding, so those he had in mind would surely be remarkable.
"I didn't realize there were others besides the First Overseer. I'm curious. Who are the other three?"