Chapter 73
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Triumphal Return (3)
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Yeo Un-sang instructed his subordinate merchants to treat Lee Gi-ho with utmost care before excusing himself.
After that, the hospitality remained polite without overstepping propriety. It wasn't particularly uncomfortable.
However, even those providing the hospitality had their own status to consider.
They had been taken in by Yeo Un-sang. He treated them almost like family. Mujin wasn't receiving any special discrimination, but it still left a bad taste in his mouth.
'What's the deal with the Hwangbo Clan?'
He wanted to demand what gave them the right, but they had ties to the Hwangbo Clan. Seeing Baek Cheon-un, the Iron Fist of a Hundred Battles, converse so casually with them made it hard to show his emotions rashly. Even if the Five Holy Sects represented Jiangsu Province, they paled in comparison to the Hwangbo Clan, one of the Five Great Clans.
'Where the hell is this Pine Tiger Sect even from?'
From what he'd heard, it was a small sect in Cheongyang.
It made even less sense. No matter how he thought about it, the Pine Tiger Sect didn't match the Hwangbo Clan's level. Unless they had some connection to the main storyline, maybe?
"Why the hell are they associating with a sect like that?"
"Watch yourself."
"Uncle, even you think it's ridiculous, don't you?"
"Not everything in the world makes sense."
Hyeok Mu-sang reined in Lee Gi-ho's rising resentment. Even if the other side seemed insignificant, their ties to the Hwangbo Clan meant they couldn't be touched. A single misunderstanding could send ripples through the entire Five Holy Sects.
'How great can the Hwangbo Clan really be!'
While acknowledging the Hwangbo Clan, Lee Gi-ho prided himself that the Five Holy Sects were no slouches either. Despite his travels during his warrior's pilgrimage broadening his horizons, his perspective had narrowed.
'Opportunities can be made if needed.'
His warrior's pilgrimage wouldn't end until he reached the Five Holy Sects.
This was a chance to give the Jeongun Merchant Group a warning. They'd offered help in tough times, only to kick it away themselves. Time to pay the price.
'A mere merchant group.'
He hadn't just blindly accepted their overtures.
He pondered occasionally.
Mujin had finally realized there was more to the Jeongun Merchant Group's lavish hospitality. Buying goods and entrusting transport would cost a tidy sum, but for the head agent to personally attend was beyond normal.
'Demon King, you felt it too, right?'
-You're the oblivious one for only noticing now.
'The Jeongun Merchant Group wants something from me, and it's probably money.'
-They've been throwing money around like water, so it's weird you didn't notice.
The legitimate rewards from the Nangong Clan and Night Inn alone exceeded 200,000 nyang. Enough to live lavishly for life without working, or at least comfortably for two years. Considering an average monthly living expense of five nyang per person, it was the pinnacle of luxury.
Mujin had no intention of skimping. He'd earn like mad when possible, but spend freely when he wanted. No plans to leave an inheritance. What good was wealth if he couldn't enjoy it himself?
In any case, given the Jeongun Merchant Group's scale, a cash shortage was hard to fathom. His father-in-law's Baemun Merchant Group was solid, but smaller in scope.
It might sound harsh, but that was reality. Acknowledging the gap was the path to growth.
'Why, though?'
-Don't overthink it.
Mujin tilted his head at the Demon King's words.
'What do you mean?'
-You're not gonna figure it out no matter what.
'This bastard, you can't just dismiss me like that. Why wouldn't I?'
-What do you know about commerce? You need some knowledge to even start. You're not dropping headfirst into unknown territory; blind worrying won't yield answers.
Mujin's mouth twisted bitterly at the Demon King's sharp jab. He hated to admit it, but he knew little about business.
'So what now?'
-Sometimes you seem dumb, and up close, even dumber. The answer's right there—why look elsewhere?
'Ah, kid... Isn't she too young?'
-Young, but smarter than you.
The sarcasm stung, but Mujin didn't let pride get in the way and sought out Hwangbo Se-ryeong. Age didn't matter when seeking answers. If there was wisdom to gain—even from a three-year-old—he'd take it.
Her specialty was strategy, so he didn't expect much. He tested her casually.
"Do you know about the Jeongun Merchant Group? It's fine if not."
"They're one of Anhui's Three Great Merchant Groups, scrambling for a breakthrough ahead of the upcoming Grand Exhibition. That's why they're trying to impress Father with this show of sincerity."
"Grand Exhibition?"
"Like the Murim Tournament in the jianghu. It sets the merchant groups' rankings."
It was a battle among the province's top merchant representatives. Not with swords like in murim, but evaluated on scale, assets, and performance.
"How do you know that?"
"It's basic knowledge. Not even sensitive info. Any passerby merchant could tell you."
Mujin fell silent for a moment. She claimed anyone knew, but he doubted it.
It had to be more than that.
"Go on."
"The Jeongun Merchant Group is one of Anhui's Three Greats, but they're trailing the Azure Breeze and Baekje Groups. Mainly because they focus on grain distribution. Cash flow's tight this season, and government allocations hit them hard each time. The other two diversify beyond grain, softening the blows."
The Jeongun Merchant Group was desperately seeking an escape. The Grand Exhibition wasn't just a ranking contest—it was a survival battle shaking up the trade landscape.
"And?"
"They're keeping it quiet, but I've heard they're investing heavily in mine development. Nothing beats a gold mine for turning around tough times."
Gold mine?
A long-forgotten memory surfaced. Why had it taken so long? It was crucial.
The Gold Mine Bloodbath.
One of the Demonic Cult of the Demon God's main funding sources was a gold mine. He didn't know how they'd found it, but they controlled a massive vein.
During his War King days, he'd raided it to cut their funds. Naturally, they'd been prepared.
Come to think of it, the mine's development predated that. Maintaining such power required funds; he'd grasped a clue to their money laundering.
'They've been secretly mining it.'
-Took you long enough.
'You didn't know either.'
-I did.
This shameless bastard.
In any event, it had been a brutal war worthy of the name Gold Mine Bloodbath. Even with his memory like a ragged cloth, he couldn't forget.
Rumors of the gold discovery hadn't spread yet. Even if they were secretly mining, smashing it would end that.
Moreover, he knew the location was in Anhui Province.
'Heaven truly aids me.'
-I won't acknowledge it. How long do you think backing into fortune will last!
Despite Mujin's lack of intent, things falling into place irked the Demon King.
In truth, he'd chosen the Jeongun Merchant Group on a whim. Ordering from the Baemun Merchant Group wouldn't be a surprise. He wanted to see his sharp-eyed wife's touched reaction; she'd sniff it out instantly otherwise.
'Her sisters have loose lips.'
A mere two fine swords and a sword manual snippet had won them over. He couldn't trust the sisters' airy gossip. Above all, they were closer to his wife than him. In secrecy terms, wife trumped brother-in-law.
"Is the mine development going well?"
"If it was, rumors would be flying. Just look at how the Azure Breeze and Baekje Groups aren't reacting."
"As expected of my daughter-in-law. Impressive."
"You're too kind, Father."
Mine development was essentially a gamble. Surveys estimated veins and odds, but you didn't know until you dug.
If it paid off, Jeongun wouldn't be strapped, and the other two would panic. Their inaction meant hoping Jeongun kept pouring funds in.
'Her insight is incredible.'
Now he understood the "genius" hype. It seemed ordinary at first, but that was the point. Unseen until pointed out. By the time it surfaced naturally, the value faded. Information's worth tied to timeliness.
"What should we do?"
"Abandon it, obviously. No future there."
Though unconfirmed, the Azure Breeze and Baekje Groups were likely colluding. Otherwise, a top Anhui group like Jeongun wouldn't struggle financially. Squeeze one out, then decide.
"Smart strategy."
"Basic tactics."
They weren't crossing lines to avoid backlash. Mutual checks let Jeongun hold on.
"What if the mine succeeds?"
"They'd claim top spot. Hard to ignore help in hard times."
"Merchants have loyalty too?"
"Guild Leader Neung Baek-hwan commands respect."
"Then why ditch them?"
"Good folks always go under."
Harsh reality.
Hwangbo Se-ryeong knew it all too well. It explained her strategic fame. Strategy demanded ruthlessness. Sentiment bred greater losses. Hence the strategist's heavy burden.
'Pitiless to those under her, but that's how it has to be.'
Expecting mercy from a strategist was dangerous. Support their cold judgments. Emotional ties led to disaster.
The kid's potential was off the charts.
Grow strong, and fulfill your role as the Pine Tiger Sect's master strategist.
Should he arrange the wedding now?
Thirteen was practically grown.
-Send your own daughter at that age too.
'Shut up!'
To become his son-in-law, he'd face the Ten Death Forms mandatory. Failing that disqualified him.
-She'll die an old maid.
'......I'll find someone.'
Mujin cut off the nutrient-void banter with the Demon King.
He had urgent business with Head Agent Yeo Un-sang.
"You called for me?"
Mujin used Triple Concentration to boil water in the kettle and added tea leaves. It was premium military-grade tea from the Jeongun Merchant Group. He wasn't big on tea, but it was essential for talks.
"Have some tea first."
"Thank you."
During the service, Yeo Un-sang hadn't broached business. He poured sincere effort as host. Unobtrusive yet affinity-building charisma. He was impeccable as head agent.
After tea, they got to the point.
"You're developing a mine, right?"
"Yes."
An unusual question might fluster, but Yeo Un-sang responded calmly.
"Must be desperate."
"The group's fate hangs on it. Regrettably, poor cash flow hampers progress."
"Honest, I see."
"No point hiding what anyone can uncover."
A quick probe would reveal it. Yeo Un-sang prioritized gains over offense. From shipboard experience, he seemed light but was resolute. Half-hearted deception would backfire.