The Merchant's Path

"You want to learn the art of commerce?"

"Yes, Grandfather. Father told me there are many different worlds within the Central Plains."

"And?"

"Since I'm going to start somewhere anyway, I thought it would be better to begin in a place where I already have favorable conditions. That would give me an advantage over others. However, that doesn't mean I intend to become a merchant."

Yi Sang-woo believed Cheonhwa's words were correct, yet the path of a merchant was by no means an easy one.

"Learning the art of commerce is no simple task. You must become proficient with calculations and learn to kill your emotions. In other words, the foundation of commerce is viewing the world solely through the lens of money and profit. Wouldn't it be better to choose something other than commerce or the life of a merchant?"

"I believe it's the same with anything else. If one is content with an average position, it may not matter. But if you wish to rise to the very top, I think it's advantageous to begin in a place where you already have some foundation. Besides, both Father and Mother have always said one must never grow dull in their learning."

"Indeed. Your words are right. Since you've made up your mind to begin, it would be best to start in a place where ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the foundation, humble though it may be, is already established. I'll speak with your maternal uncle when he returns from his trading journey. Until then, rest well."

"Yes, Grandfather."

As Cheonhwa left the room, Yi Sang-woo gazed up at the ceiling.

The child is just like you.

Cheonhwa, who had just stepped out of the room, caught the murmured words with his keen ears.

"As Elder Yong-deok said, our grandfather truly has a deep well of affection."

Cheonhwa left the inner residence and was about to depart from the Haedong Merchant Group when the old servant Yong-deok called out to him.

"Where are you headed, young master?"

"It feels stifling staying inside all the time, so I'll take a walk for about an hour."

"Hehe, very well. If you haven't seen Taihu yet, it might be nice to take a tour around the lake."

"I'll do that."

Cheonhwa left the Haedong Merchant Group. As he walked the streets, he recalled the general explanation his father, Cheonwoo, had given him about the Murim world.

Each has its own separate world, yet they are all connected and influence one another to some degree.

That was true even for his maternal family, the Haedong Merchant Group.

When his mother had been the Great Princess of the Wulin Alliance, possessing enough power to dominate the Murim, the Haedong Merchant Group had wielded comparable influence. But when she disappeared, the criticism had turned toward the merchant group. Their once-mighty organization, strong enough to rank among the Ten Great Merchant Groups, had rapidly declined to its current state.

Learning commerce doesn't mean I have to become a merchant, but since the merchant world is closely tied to the Murim, my name will probably become known before long if I move around a bit.

When Cheonhwa had first stepped into the Murim, he had considered several things.

The first was to find a place that could lend him strength. After listening to people's stories since arriving, he had concluded that the Wulin Alliance was not an option.

Setting aside the bad blood with his maternal family due to his mother's situation, they had stood by and allowed the family to fall into ruin. There was no place for him to lean on them.

If the Wulin Alliance is like that, the Demonic Cult would be even worse. Do people call them the Demonic Cult for nothing? Even Father beat me without mercy or restraint whenever he decided to discipline me.

It seemed he wouldn't be welcomed in the Demonic Cult either. As for the unorthodox factions, that was even less likely.

That leaves only the Black Dao.

The problem was that those who walked the Black Dao were simply too weak.

Unlike the Wulin Alliance or the Warlord Alliance, they lacked large organizations that could move with coordination.

The Green Forest, the water bandits, and the Hao Clan are the most representative. Aside from a few exceptional martial artists, they're mostly third-rate practitioners. Still, more than twenty-five years have passed. I wonder if anything has changed.

Even so, he thought they occupied the very bottom of the martial ranking system that Yong-deok had drawn for him.

Building anything on such a foundation would be absurd.

Still, the Green Forest, the water routes, and the Hao Clan are said to be quite helpful. When the time ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠comes that I need their assistance, I should at least establish a relationship where I can receive their help.

Since they controlled the mountain paths and waterways, and the Hao Clan was considered the best when it came to gathering information, their support would be immensely helpful not only for his life in the Central Plains but also for rebuilding the struggling Haedong Merchant Group.

Mother said she had a connection with the Hao Clan, so I can use that. As for the Green Forest and the water bandits, I'll observe the situation before making any moves.

Deciding to think it over slowly with time, Cheonhwa headed toward the marketplace. The sight of numerous merchants opening their shops and working hard to sell their goods was pleasing to watch.

"I'm telling you, the fabrics sold here are all pretty much the same. If you think I'm lying, go take a look around. No one sells them cheaper than I do."

As Cheonhwa slowly walked through the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠marketplace, he was genuinely impressed by how skillfully the merchants used their words to engage customers. Their eloquence was astonishing.

So being a merchant isn't just about buying and selling goods.

"Mister Wang, I heard your eldest daughter came by yesterday? When is she due?"

"Soon, it seems."

"Really? Then take this and boil it thoroughly for her."

"This? I don't have money to buy it right now."

"It's a gift from me to your daughter. You've sold a lot of fish for my shop over the years. When she gives birth, make sure she eats this properly."

A smile formed on Cheonhwa's lips as he listened to the conversation while walking. It was completely different from the quiet, almost desolate life on Mungnyeong Island.

Cheonhwa spotted a teahouse across the street and stepped inside. Many people had already taken seats and were enjoying their tea. He found a spot on one side and sat down.

"Welcome."

"What kinds of tea do you have?"

The teahouse owner explained the various teas they carried along with their characteristics. Cheonhwa ordered Geumsan Chwi-a, a specialty of Jiangsu Province.

He knew little about tea, but he had heard some things from his mother.

"Please wait a moment."

Cheonhwa sat and listened carefully to the conversations around him. Although the teahouse had people from various walks of life, his interest in merchants led him to focus on their discussions.

"It's true. I heard the Haedong Merchant Group suffered quite a bit of damage from the Green Forest bandits of the Untae Mountain Stockade while crossing over the mountain."

"Goodness, in the old days the mountain bandits would turn tail and run at the mere sight of the Haedong Merchant Group's flag."

"Exactly. Other merchant groups can pass by just by paying a toll, so I don't understand why they only target the Haedong Merchant Group like this."

Cheonhwa's eyes narrowed slightly.

"There are many rumors going around."

"It's practically thanks to the Great Princess's sacrifice that the righteous-demonic war was prevented."

If the righteous-demonic war had broken out twenty-five years ago, countless people would have died or been left homeless.

"People have simply forgotten. They're all greedy pigs, so they've set their eyes on the rights and interests that the Haedong Merchant Group possesses."

Listening to them, Cheonhwa realized the Haedong Merchant Group was in far greater difficulty than he had imagined.

"If we pressure them just a little more, don't you think they'll have no choice but to sell the main family residence?"

"That old man's stubbornness is no ordinary thing."

"The situation isn't going to improve anytime soon. I don't understand why he's being so stubborn."

"From what I hear, they suffered heavy losses from the Untae Mountain Stockade. Even that old man won't be able to hold out much longer. Go and negotiate carefully."

From their conversation, Cheonhwa could tell that the Untae Mountain Stockade was harassing the Haedong Merchant Group at someone's instigation.

When the owner brought out the tea, Cheonhwa thanked him and savored the aroma.

Even as he did so, his mind was busy considering how to resolve this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠matter.

Father told me to endure, but if I keep holding back like this, we'll end up selling even the house we have... First, I need to clean up all the trash. By the way, where exactly is Untae Mountain?

If the distance was considerable, it would take some time to travel there and back.

Then perhaps I can have a cup of tea and make a quick trip?

Even if he didn't know where Untae Mountain was, he could ask for directions and find it easily enough.

Since those fellows are plunderers themselves, they shouldn't feel too wronged if someone plunders their goods.

After roughly organizing his thoughts, Cheonhwa focused on those targeting his maternal family's main residence.

"This is a small token of respect from our master to the Inspector."

Inspector? Isn't that a government official?

"You really didn't have to..."

From the conversation he overheard, Cheonhwa could guess that the influence of the government had also played a role in his maternal family's downfall.

"Because of Mother, Grandfather and Uncle have suffered far too much. Enemies everywhere. Nothing but enemies!"

It was truly remarkable that the Haedong Merchant Group had endured this long.

Father said that once you strike at an enemy, you must uproot them completely to avoid future trouble. I wonder which bastard I should strike first to make the news spread nicely?

Though he spoke this way, he had already decided.

"I cannot leave my seat empty for too long, so I'll take my leave now."

"Let's go together."

As they left, Cheonhwa placed the payment for the tea on the table and stood up.

When the two men exited the teahouse, Cheonhwa followed behind them. He maintained a suitable distance, and they never suspected he was tailing them.

When the Inspector entered a private residence, the man turned and walked away. Cheonhwa continued following him until the man entered a large mansion displaying a signboard that read Jiangsu Merchant Group.

The mansion was smaller than the Haedong Merchant Group's residence, but it was the largest in the area.

So the Jiangsu Merchant Group has been applying pressure in various ways to buy Grandfather's house.

Cheonhwa stared at the signboard for a long time before making a light gesture with his hand and turning away.

Long after Cheonhwa had left, a loud crack appeared on the Jiangsu Merchant Group's signboard. It fell to the ground and split cleanly in two.

The moment the signboard shattered, chaos erupted within the Jiangsu Merchant Group.

"That signboard was worth a fortune..."

Continuing down the street, Cheonhwa arrived at a bustling open market where people had set up stalls to sell their wares.

It had a completely different atmosphere from the shops lined up in the marketplace.

"Grandmother, how much is this?"

When he asked the old woman selling sweets, she looked at his face and said,

"A grown boy asking for sweets..."

"I've only lived on an island, so I've never had a chance to try these before."

"Is that so? Then just give me five coins."

Cheonhwa handed the old woman five iron coins and received two sweets. With one in each hand, skewered on long sticks with several pieces on each, he pulled one off with his mouth. The sweet melted gently in his mouth. It was delicious.

"It's good."

"Of course it is. Who do you think made these sweets?"

"Then I hope you sell a lot."

Cheonhwa bowed to the old woman selling sweets and stood up to explore the open market.

"I don't know whose son he is, but he's grown up so polite and well-mannered."

As Cheonhwa walked, he noticed a young child staring intently at him. More precisely, the child was staring at the sweets in his hand.

"Do you want some? Shall I give you one?"

When Cheonhwa asked, the child nodded. He handed over one of the sweets, and the child took it and devoured it eagerly. The way the child ate suggested they hadn't eaten properly for several days.

"You must be hungry."

"Yeah. I haven't eaten for three days."

Cheonhwa looked around before speaking to the child.

"Shall we go over there and eat some noodles? Do you like noodles?"

"Yes, I like noodles."

"Good. Then let's go eat noodles over there."

"But big brother, I don't have any money."

"I'll pay for it. I'm hungry too, so let's go eat quickly."

When they approached the stall selling noodles, the owner looked them up and down.

"Two bowls of noodles, please. Make one with extra portions. Here's the money."

Seeing the money, the owner's expression changed. He served noodles to Cheonhwa and the child, even showing generosity by giving the child a larger portion as Cheonhwa had requested.

To the child who was wolfing down the noodles, Cheonhwa said to eat slowly, then began eating his own bowl.

"It's delicious. It's the same noodles, so why doesn't the flavor come out like this when Mother makes it?"

"Haha, believe it or not, I used to be the head cook at Chunhwa Pavilion. A good cook is one who can bring out the natural taste of the ingredients."

"So that's why it's so delicious."

"Of course. By the way, seeing that sword at your waist, are you a martial artist?"

"I'm not a Murim person. I've just learned a bit of my family's martial arts."

"I see. If you're considering becoming a Murim person, think about it once more."

Apparently taking a liking to Cheonhwa, the man offered some advice.

"Why?"

"Murim people are those who treat human lives as if they were worth less than the lives of flies. At your age, such a life might look appealing, but if you live as one of them, you'll eventually realize it's not as good as you thought. And by the time you realize that, it will already be too late."

The cook shared his thoughts about the Murim with Cheonhwa.

"But don't they punish bad people and such?"

"To us, they're all bad people. They just distinguish between good and bad among themselves. There's no such thing as a good person who thinks lightly of human lives."

There was truth in the owner's words, so Cheonhwa nodded. While talking with the owner, the child finished eating the noodles.

"Want more?"

"No, I'm full now. I think I can survive a few more days without eating."

"Are you alone?"

"Yes. I'm still too young to join Manbok's gang."

"Manbok's gang?"

"There are guys who cause trouble in the open market. They extort money from us under the pretext of protection fees. Look, they're coming right now."

At his words, Cheonhwa turned his head to see a gang striding arrogantly down the center of the open market.

Seeing their appearance, which wouldn't even qualify as proper Hao Clan thugs, Cheonhwa shook his head.

"If you join them, you'll end up getting stabbed to death. Instead, how about working at my house?"

"Your house, big brother?"

"Yes. Since you're still young, I won't make you do hard work."

"Where is your house?"

"It's not far from here. It's called the Haedong Merchant Group."