Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: The Value of Real Estate (6)
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The next night, just as I was about to lie down and drift off to sleep.
“We’re back, senior!”
Myo Hyang and Jeok Hwa-ran had returned from their task.
I rushed out in a single bound to see the two of them, their faces etched with exhaustion.
“So, how did it go?”
“How can you be like that? We just went through hell and back for you. Shouldn’t you at least say ‘good work’ first?”
Myo Hyang grumbled before breaking into a bright smile.
“They've agreed to come to the Hanzhong Merchant Guild tomorrow.”
“Phew!”
The news that we were ninety percent of the way there made my legs give out.
*Thud.*
“*Sob*…”
Tears burst from my eyes before I knew it.
“Senior? Are you crying?”
“W-Why are you suddenly acting like this?”
The two of them didn't know what to do.
But the tears wouldn't stop.
The hardships I'd endured flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern, triggering my tear ducts.
After losing my parents at nine, I entered the Nine Dragons Fortress and worked like a madman.
I thought my quality of life would improve once I became a master, but that wasn't the case.
If anything, I'd nearly died several times.
Now, it's goodbye to all that suffering.
‘It’s finally over!’
In other words, this dog-eat-dog martial world life is finally coming to an end.
All that's left is to live a sweet life with three wives and four concubines back in Goryeo.
“*Phew*.”
I steeled myself, thinking of the beautiful future and bright tomorrow that awaited me.
“You’re not sick, are you?”
“If you have a complaint, you can just say it…”
Sensing my resolve, Myo Hyang and Jeok Hwa-ran looked at me with bewildered eyes.
“You both did well. I won't forget what you did today and will reward you handsomely, so go inside and rest.”
“…”
“…”
After sending the two hesitant women inside, I sat in the middle of the inner courtyard, savoring the thrill and staying up all night.
The next day.
Just in case, I left the three women at the inn and set out alone.
*Step, step.*
As I walked slowly, the eyes of the numerous merchants in the marketplace fixed on me.
It was only natural.
As merchants, who were quicker to hear news than anyone, they would be well aware of the conflict between me and the Hanzhong Merchant Guild.
They probably wouldn't act on it because the consequences would be severe, but I bet they felt like throwing rotten eggs at me.
Ignoring everyone's sharp gazes, I walked to the Hanzhong Merchant Guild, which occupied the most prime location on my land.
It had only been three days since I had destroyed it, but the magnificent main gate had already been restored.
“They did a good job rebuilding it, huh?”
“*Gasp!*”
The gatekeeper I had seen a few days ago was terrified and rushed inside.
He was probably going to inform the guild master.
Of course, I had to give them a proper welcome first.
*CRRAAASSH!*
I slammed an Explosive Death Force into the main gate, shattering it to pieces.
*Rumble.*
Just like last time, not only the pillars but also the surrounding walls crumbled.
*BOOM! CRACK!*
This time, as a special bonus, I completely pulverized the foundation stones where the pillars had stood.
I didn't know for sure, but rebuilding it would take more than just a few days now.
*Thump, thump, thump.*
After I destroyed the gate, dozens of warriors rushed out with their weapons drawn.
And in their midst, I saw Yeo Dong-jo, his face a mask of bewilderment.
“Y-You! How are you…!”
He was probably wondering how I was still alive.
[The inn on the right, second-floor window.]
Upon receiving the telepathic message, Yeo Dong-jo jumped as if he'd seen a ghost.
Of course he did.
Because where his gaze landed, there was Yuk Hak.
For the record, Yuk Hak had officially acknowledged his defeat to protect his honor and connections.
‘The crime of trying to kill a warrior of the Fortress within the territory of the Nine Dragons Fortress is not a light one.’
Even if I'm from the Outer Hall, my official position is that of a hall executive.
If no one knew, it would be one thing, but with a definite witness, the Nine Dragons Fortress would have to investigate the truth of the matter, if only to save face.
In other words, Yeo Dong-jo's life was in my hands.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Yeo Dong-jo raised his voice to restrain the surrounding warriors.
“Everyone, put away your weapons!”
“But sir, he dared to destroy the Guild's main gate…!”
“Didn't you hear me? Put them away!”
At his fierce command, the warriors reluctantly sheathed their weapons.
“Coming here like this must mean you're willing to negotiate, right?”
he said, quickly regaining his composure like the master of the Hanzhong Merchant Guild, one of the three great merchant guilds under heaven.
“You could say that.”
“Then follow me. Let's talk inside.”
“I don't know. Who knows what tricks you'll pull? Just look at what happened this time, sending a master to…”
“I swear on my name and the name of the Hanzhong Merchant Guild.”
“Your name doesn't seem all that honorable to me.”
“Then what do you want to do?”
“Let's do it here. In front of everyone.”
If the negotiations took place in front of everyone, there would at least be witnesses.
Especially in a world without voice recorders.
*Grit.*
“…Fine.”
Yeo Dong-jo nodded, and the surrounding warriors set up a table and chairs.
“I will negotiate myself, so all of you, stand back.”
Just in case, Yeo Dong-jo even had the presence of mind to keep the future witnesses at a distance.
“Think that'll work? I can just shout, and it'll all be over. Like this.”
This humble one is most pleased to meet the great merchants—!
*Vrooom.*
My shout, infused with internal energy, resonated and spread out.
It was no surprise that Yeo Dong-jo's complexion turned even more ashen as he witnessed this firsthand.
*Plop.*
Ignoring the man's reaction, I sat down and immediately asked Yeo Dong-jo.
“Surely, after things have come this far, you're not going to blabber on about the contract period still being valid, are you?”
“I'll say it again, we are here by a legitimate contract…”
“I guess I have no choice. I'll have to take Yuk Hak to the Nine Dragons Fortress. You should start packing and run. Though you won't get far before you're caught.”
“…What do you want?”
“What do you think? The price of the land, three hundred thousand nyang.”
“Nonsense.”
“Oh? Are you getting angry with me right now?”
“…I apologize.”
I leaned forward, placing both elbows on the table.
“So, are you going to pay or not?”
Yeo Dong-jo's mouth remained clamped shut.
Seeing that, the small suspicion I had harbored turned into certainty.
“Be honest with me.”
“About what?”
“You don't have three hundred thousand nyang, do you?”
“What do you take the Hanzhong Merchant Guild for?!”
Yeo Dong-jo replied in an exaggerated tone.
“Then just pay up. Isn't that the only way for both you and the Guild to survive?”
“I am the man they call the Iron Merchant, who has traveled the world. How dare you try to swindle me?”
Yeo Dong-jo retorted, his tone still theatrical.
“Why? Too expensive?”
“…Of course it is. A hundred years ago, before we established ourselves, Hanzhong was nothing but wasteland. This place prospered because we settled here. I'd rather just leave than pay three hundred thousand nyang.”
“Then go ahead.”
“…?”
Perhaps surprised by my answer, Yeo Dong-jo looked at me with questioning eyes.
I quietly turned my head to look toward the destroyed gate.
And not just Yeo Dong-jo, but everyone present followed my gaze.
Soon after.
When a person appeared, screams erupted from everyone's mouths.
“*Gasp!*”
“Th-That person is…?!”
“Is he truly mad?!”
“How could the Nine Dragons Fortress do this?!”
Yeo Dong-jo's lips revealed their identity.
“To think he'd bring in the Jinshang (Shanxi Merchants) bastards…”
That's right.
Three days ago, I had asked Myo Hyang and Jeok Hwa-ran to contact the Jinshang as quickly as possible, to convey my offer to sell the land.
And the plan was a perfect success.
The leader of the Jinshang had now arrived at this very spot.
To buy my land.
*Pfft.*
“If a seller wants to get a proper price, an auction is the best way.”
“Are you insane?! Don't you know the relationship between us and the Nine Dragons Fortress…?”
“That doesn't sound like something the man who sent someone to kill an Outer Hall executive of the Nine Dragons Fortress should be saying. Besides.”
“…”
“What does the Fortress have to do with me selling my own property?”
I'm just exercising my legitimate property rights.
While I was bickering with Yeo Dong-jo, the representative of the Jinshang approached the table where we were sitting.
He was a man with sharp features, appearing to be in his thirties.
“I heard the land was for sale. I am Yu Hwa-ryang.”
“Aigoo! Welcome. My name is Jin Mujeon. What are you doing?! Bring a chair! You want to die?”
“The atmosphere doesn't seem very welcoming, so I'll speak while standing.”
“If you're fine with that, sir…”
He didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
“Our Shanxi Merchant Guild is willing to pay two hundred and fifty thousand nyang.”
“Why not spend a little more? As you know…”
I spoke with my internal energy infused in my voice, so everyone could hear.
“If you buy my land, you'll be able to take over a significant portion of the Hanzhong Merchant Guild's commercial power here.”
Even if the Hanzhong Merchant Guild decides to move, it will take several months to construct new buildings and pave roads.
During that time, the Shanxi Merchant Guild can not only encroach on Hanzhong's commercial territory but also continue to interfere from close by even after the Guild gets settled.
If that happens.
‘The Hanzhong Merchant Guild will be cut in half.’
*Murmur, murmur.*
There was no way the merchants, who lived by their wits, wouldn't know this.
It was natural for the merchants affiliated with the Hanzhong Merchant Guild to fall into chaos.
“How dare you declare war on Hanzhong right in front of me?!”
*Bang.*
Enraged, Yeo Dong-jo slammed his hand on the table.
However, Yu Hwa-ryang calmly refuted his words.
“The year before last, I believe the Hanzhong Merchant Guild bought up nearly all the rice in Xi'an's grain market. Thanks to that, the people of the northeast often starved for lack of rice, and our Shanxi Merchant Guild suffered greatly.”
“*Gah!*”
It seemed something had happened that I didn't know about. Something big enough that Yeo Dong-jo couldn't say a word in rebuttal.
After his sharp retort, Yu Hwa-ryang turned to me and said.
“Given that we don't know how the Gold Dragon Hall will react, two hundred and fifty thousand nyang is the maximum amount we can offer.”
He was indirectly expressing that the Gold Dragon Hall might be determined to protect the Hanzhong Merchant Guild.
Understanding the risk involved, I nodded quietly.
“I will not argue further.”
“Then, I will be on my way.”
“You're leaving already?”
“I have conveyed our side's offer, so all that remains is your decision, isn't it? And.”
Yu Hwa-ryang looked around and said.
“The atmosphere isn't exactly welcoming.”
“I understand. Regardless of whether this deal goes through, let's meet for a drink soon.”
“If you're buying.”
Watching his retreating back, I thought.
*He's cool as hell.*
Anyway, it's about time to wrap this up, right?
“Should I give you some time? Or will you just give up cleanly?”
“…Give me time.”
“You have until sunset tomorrow.”
I said, rising from my seat.
“The selling price is three hundred thousand nyang.”
“Wait, you just said two hundred and fifty thousand nyang…”
“That's the discounted price for the good guys. For trash like you, I have to charge the full price, don't I?”
“*Keuk.*”
Leaving the despairing Yeo Dong-jo behind, I left the Hanzhong Merchant Guild.
Very slowly, with the gait of a tycoon.
* * *
I spent that evening reveling in the feeling of victory over the old fox of the Hanzhong Merchant Guild.
To celebrate the impending deal, I took not only Myo Hyang and Jeok Hwa-ran but also Cheong So-so, who had played a decisive role in the fight against Yuk Hak, to Wolhyang Pavilion.
The heart-stopping prices made me hesitate to order, but for a tycoon who would possess a fortune of three hundred thousand nyang by tomorrow, what was a mere meal cost?
I treated them generously.
“Four bowls of somen noodles and two bottles of takju here.”
“Sir, we at Wolhyang Pavilion do not serve somen noodles in the evening. The same goes for takju.”
“…Then what do you serve?”
Well, I had to know what was on the menu first.
“I'll order. You just sit still, senior.”
Somehow, Jeok Hwa-ran stepped in, and after successfully concluding our tour of Wolhyang Pavilion, an unexpected visitor arrived the next day.
“Great Warrior Geum, what brings you here?”
It was Geum Do-myeong, the Hanzhong branch manager of the Mangeum Bank.
“The master of the Hanzhong Merchant Guild has fled.”
“What?”