This Is Hell (4)
"They’re gone?"
"...Yes."
"Already?"
"That is correct."
Tang Gun-ak stared at Tang Jan with a dazed expression.
"It’s only been an hour since we received word that the Mount Hua disciples had returned from Yunnan to the Sahae Merchant Guild. And now you’re telling me they’ve already gone back to Shaanxi?"
"...I’m as surprised as you are, but yes."
"Hah."
Tang Gun-ak let out an incredulous sigh. The disappointment on his face was plain to see.
"What could possibly have been so urgent that they couldn’t even stop by for tea?"
He hadn’t expected them to stay long, but he had at least thought they would visit the Tang Family once before leaving. To turn around and head back to Shaanxi without even showing their faces—what an affront.
Those heartless bastards.
Tang Gun-ak gave a small sigh.
Come to think of it, there was no reason they had to stop by the Sichuan Tang Family. They were equals, after all—friends, not subordinates who needed to report in.
Even so, the fact that I’m disappointed means I must have thought of them as special.
A bitter smile touched Tang Gun-ak’s lips.
It felt a little like a childhood friend who had promised to meet him, only never to show up.
"And this isn’t entirely confirmed yet, but…"
"Hm?"
"It seems the Mount Hua disciples may have secured the exclusive rights to the Yunnan tea trade."
"...The exclusive rights?"
"Yes. Though we do still need to verify it."
"There’s nothing to verify."
Tang Jan’s eyes widened slightly.
Seeing that reaction, Tang Gun-ak continued lazily, "If it’s that fellow, he could strip the Beast Palace down to its sacred relics and still come out ahead. Our own Tang Family was robbed of everything, even the things we’d hidden in our undergarments. Do you think the Beast Palace would be any different?"
"Fair enough."
Thinking of Chung Myung’s face, Tang Jan nodded as if that explained everything.
"In any case, what a pity. For them to leave so quickly."
That was when Tang Gun-ak was lamenting the matter, and from outside came a voice, slightly breathless with urgency.
"Family Head!"
"What is it?"
"The head of the Sahae Merchant Guild has arrived and is requesting an audience."
"Hm?"
Tang Gun-ak frowned.
The Sahae Merchant Guild?
"Show him in."
"Yes!"
Not long after, the door opened and Jo Pyeong, the head of the Sahae Merchant Guild, stepped inside.
"I greet the Tang Family Head."
"It’s been a long time. What brings you here?"
"I have come to deliver a letter."
"A letter?"
Tang Gun-ak tilted his head.
If a man of Jo Pyeong’s standing had come himself to deliver it, then…
"Is it from the Mount Hua Divine Dragon?"
"That is correct."
Tang Gun-ak snorted with amusement.
Seeing that, Jo Pyeong bowed his head slightly, his expression stiffening.
"It seems I have offended you."
"No, no. It’s just that I found it funny after thinking about it."
"Might I ask what you find amusing?"
"Think about it. Both the head of the Sahae Merchant Guild and I are people who carry ourselves with a certain weight in Sichuan. And yet here we are—me, gladly receiving a letter from that young brat, and you, gladly delivering it. It’s a ridiculous sight, no?"
Jo Pyeong smiled faintly.
"What matters is not age, after all."
"A lesson I keep relearning."
Then, more practically, Tang Gun-ak asked, "And the letter?"
"Here."
The moment Tang Gun-ak received the letter from Jo Pyeong, he tore open the envelope and unfolded it. Then he began reading with a look of interest.
After finishing the letter carefully, he set it down, his expression already gone flat. Then he stared at Jo Pyeong intently.
"Do you know what this letter says?"
"I was only told to deliver it. I was told that you would be informed of what to do afterward."
"How brazen."
A pleased smile curled at Tang Gun-ak’s lips.
"If this letter says what I think it does, then from this point on the tea trade with Yunnan will be monopolized by the Sahae Merchant Guild."
"More precisely, Mount Hua will monopolize it, and we will merely handle their affairs in their place and collect a small commission."
"Even that small amount will generate immense profit."
Tang Gun-ak slowly stroked his beard.
"The Mount Hua Divine Dragon hopes that our Tang Family will also take part in the tea trade. He says that if we rid the roads between Sichuan and Yunnan of the bandits swarming about and protect the merchants traveling to and from Yunnan, we’ll be rewarded handsomely in return."
The contents of the letter were so unexpected that Jo Pyeong pressed his lips together. His eyes kept darting to Tang Gun-ak’s expression.
What a man with no rear guard.
That remark was aimed not at Tang Gun-ak, but at Chung Myung.
In truth, the proposal itself was not bad. The Tang Family, too, could profit without expending much effort.
The problem was that Chung Myung had made this suggestion to the Tang Family of all people.
To ask a family so fiercely proud to take on the role of bodyguards—if anyone other than Chung Myung had proposed it, they would never have dared.
"Hmm."
Tang Gun-ak scratched his chin, clearly bothered by that very point.
"What do you think?"
It was a question directed at Tang Jan.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Tang Jan lowered his head and answered, "Family Head, I think you should accept."
"And why is that?"
At the question, Tang Jan took a steady breath.
"Of course, it is not an easy decision. But neither is it a difficult one. Above all, if we consider the benefits we stand to gain, there is even less reason to refuse."
"All for a few coins?"
"It is not the money."
"Hm?"
Tang Jan looked at Tang Gun-ak with unwavering eyes. His gaze was full of conviction.
"The financial profit is meaningless. What matters is that under the pretense of protecting trade caravans, we can travel to and from Yunnan."
"...Do you think that’s possible?"
Tang Gun-ak asked with some doubt. Tang Jan glanced at Jo Pyeong. The merchant, who had been standing quietly and observing, hurriedly spoke up.
"I have heard that Mount Hua has formed ties of friendship with the Beast Palace, and that Mount Hua’s disciples have gained the right to be treated no differently from the people of Yunnan anywhere in Yunnan. If the Tang Family is allied with Mount Hua, then even if the treatment is not quite the same, you should be able to receive something close to it."
"Hmm."
Treatment comparable to that of a Yunnan native.
Tang Gun-ak’s mind began to spin.
Tang Jan spoke again.
"Doesn’t the fact that we can go to Yunnan also mean we can form ties with the Beast Palace? We can’t afford to miss this chance."
"...Brazen."
Tang Gun-ak shook his head slightly, a chill in the motion. Yet there was no trace of displeasure on his face.
Rather, his mouth kept twitching as though he found the whole thing entertaining.
"Head of the Sahae Merchant Guild."
"Yes, Family Head."
"From this moment on, every trade caravan bound for or departing from Yunnan will travel under the protection of the Sichuan Tang Family’s name. Anyone who tries to interfere with those caravans will be taken as declaring hostility toward the Tang Family."
"Thank you, Family Head!"
Jo Pyeong bowed deeply.
With that, all the pieces had fallen into place. No caravan, no bandit, and no merchant who coveted the profits would dare act recklessly now.
At the very least, within Sichuan, the Tang Family was no different from a king.
Trade between Sichuan and Yunnan would now be protected by both the Sichuan Tang Family and the Beast Palace. Who would dare set a hand against it?
"Then… would you care for some tea?"
"No, Family Head. I have far too much to do right now. Once the outline of the first caravan is settled, I’ll come see you again at once."
"You’re busy. There’s no need to come personally. Just send word."
"I appreciate your consideration. Then, please excuse me."
After Jo Pyeong bowed and hurried out, Tang Gun-ak tapped the desk with his fingers.
He sat in thought for a while, then suddenly lifted his head and looked at Tang Jan.
"What do you think?"
"It’s more than I expected."
"Isn’t it?"
Tang Jan nodded.
"A man at the level of the Mount Hua Divine Dragon would not simply use us as escorts. He’s probably telling us to take advantage of our position as Mount Hua’s ally and establish ties with the Beast Palace as well."
"Most likely."
"If the Beast Palace, the Tang Family, and Mount Hua all become friends, then a line will be drawn connecting Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan. If that happens, those three factions will be able to wield tremendous influence in the western reaches of the Central Plains."
"A new alliance, formed from one of the Nine Great Sects, one of the current Five Great Families, and one of the demon lands’ four palaces…"
On the map of the Central Plains spreading through Tang Gun-ak’s mind, plum blossoms began to bloom across the western regions.
"So he means to redraw the power map of the martial world as it stands?"
"I can’t tell how far he’s thought this through. He’s the sort of man who accomplished all this with a single trip to Yunnan."
"Indeed… yes, certainly impressive."
As he tested one possibility after another, the corners of Tang Gun-ak’s mouth gradually curled upward.
What an utterly ghostlike mind.
In just a matter of months, he had resolved what the Sichuan Tang Family had agonized over for decades.
This isn’t the end of it, is it, Mount Hua Divine Dragon?
Tang Gun-ak found himself genuinely eager to see what the boy would do next.
"With this deal, the Tang Family will gain tremendous profit. If I’d known, I should have prepared a larger gift for the Mount Hua Sect Leader."
"It’s not too late. You can send one now."
"Why bother?"
"If a gift arrives after the Mount Hua Divine Dragon has returned to Mount Hua, it will raise his standing there even more, and we’ll also get to make a better show of goodwill."
"Tsk tsk. This isn’t the kind of people you approach with politics. You’re still far too green."
"...I’m sorry. Then I’ll cancel the gift—"
"Prepare something substantial and send it in my name."
"..."
"..."
"...What?"
"...No, never mind."
Tang Jan quietly lowered his head. At last, Tang Gun-ak took his eyes off his son and let a subtle smile spread across his face.
The Central Plains will be dancing in that brat’s palm.
Strangely enough, though, the thought only made him feel a surge of delight he couldn’t suppress.
"Mount Hua, Mount Hua. Let’s see just how high you rise. No… perhaps I should say I’ll gladly become one of your wings."
Tang Gun-ak’s eyes burned with fervor.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Huff! Huff! Haaah! Cheong Myung! At this rate I’m gonna die!"
"You won’t die, you won’t die! I’ve never heard of anyone dying from running!"
"You crazy bastard! There’s a limit to everything! Running all the way from Sichuan to Shaanxi—does that even make sense? We should at least ride a horse!"
"We’re faster than horses."
"...T-That’s true, but!"
As complaints erupted from every direction, Chung Myung’s face twisted viciously.
"Quit whining and take one more step! If our legs fall off, then the Sect Leader’s head falls off before ours do! Go rest when we get there, go rest! Once we’re back at Mount Hua, you can sleep whenever you want!"
"Grrrrr…."
Jo Gul, who had barely managed to stop by home after so long only to flee again without even getting a bite to eat, let out a pitiful groan.
Running was one thing, but there had to be a limit. They had been running at this pace for four days already. By now, his mouth was so dry he practically needed sugar tablets just to function.
Clutching his trembling legs, Jo Gul grabbed Yoon Jong, whose soul seemed to have half left his body.
"Sahyung! Pull yourself together!"
"...Bandits."
"Huh?"
"...I should’ve treated the bandits better. I didn’t know it was this hard."
"..."
No, this man was seriously planning to be kind to everyone in the world now. Get a grip, please!
At that moment, Baek Cheon, who had been breathing heavily, looked at Chung Myung with faint curiosity.
"By the way, Chung Myung."
"Hm? What is it, Sasuk?"
"Why did you drag the Tang Family into this? No matter how I think about it, you don’t seem like the type to split your money with anyone."
"Ah, that?"
Chung Myung grinned.
"It doesn’t cost anything."
"...Huh?"
"The money is being handled by the Sahae Merchant Guild."
"..."
"Of course it’ll cost a lot of money, but where else are you going to find a way to make the Tang Family’s warriors work for you with cash?"
"Th-that’s true."
No, wait.
Was that really how it worked?
"There are already bandits swarming all over the place. If word gets out that grain and tea are being transported, they’ll come charging like a pack of mad dogs. But if you toss in a few poison needles, everything becomes nice and peaceful."
"...That is an awfully clear-cut reason."
Jo Gul, who had been listening quietly, suddenly bared his teeth and lunged at Chung Myung.
"Hey! What the hell are you talking about? You’re saying you’re taking advantage of our family right now?"
Chung Myung clicked his tongue at Jo Gul, who had thrown himself at him despite being exhausted, and kicked him square in the backside.
"How was someone from a merchant family born with such a brain? The Sahae Merchant Guild gets safety, the Tang Family gets money, and we get peace of mind. Why the hell would that be a scam?"
No one said it was a scam, Chung Myung.
So that’s what you really think in your head…
Chung Myung started running again and continued his lively rant.
"We won’t have to go to Sichuan or Yunnan for a while now, so we’ve got to make sure things run smoothly even if we don’t show up. Then the money! Heh heh heh! The money will pour in like crazy! We do nothing, and they keep moving back and forth making money for us! What could be more perfect than that? Uhahahaha!"
Baek Cheon shot him a sidelong glance and shook his head.
For a fleeting instant, it seemed as though Chung Myung’s eyes had turned into little copper coins.
For some reason, I’m starting to feel sorry for Yunnan and Sichuan.
I’m sorry.
But you’re not the only ones getting the short end of this, so please understand. Mount Hua’s in plenty of pain too…
And then, at that very moment—
"There."
"Hm?"
Yu I-seol, who had been running silently beside them, pointed with a slightly blank look far into the distance.
"Mount Hua."
"Ah…."
At last, it came into view.
Far away.
The sheer cliff face wrapped in clouds.
The massive mountain peak rising with overwhelming grandeur.
"...We’re here."
"It’s Mount Hua!"
The long, long journey was over, and at last they had arrived at Mount Hua.
"Let’s go!"
"Yes, Sasuk!"
"Yes!"
The Mount Hua disciples broke into a run toward the mountain without another moment’s delay.
With light, buoyant steps.