A Bargain in the Shadows
The training ground behind the Haedong Merchant Group's main residence had been fashioned from unused space, and there Yi So-ryong and Yi Jin-hwa were practicing their martial arts.
Both had received not only techniques but also elixirs from Cheonhwa, and their internal energy had already begun to settle properly within their bodies.
Yi So-ryong had learned the Hwaryeong Twelve Steps from Cheonhwa, while Yi Jin-hwa had been taught the As-You-Wish Disordered Flower Sword. Both arts suited them perfectly, like well-tailored robes, and their natural talent was evident in the rapid improvement visible to any observer.
Cheonhwa, seated to one side watching their training, allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.
“They’re fifteen and fourteen now. Real combat experience will soon be necessary. I should send them to an escort agency for some work. Once Uncle returns, I’ll discuss it with him.”
Martial arts without real combat experience were only half complete.
“I wonder if those two are used to taking hits. They endured quite a bit of mistreatment at the Wulin Alliance, so they should have some tolerance by now.”
—The first thing one must learn when studying martial arts is tolerance to being struck.
Those had been his father Cheonwoo’s words when teaching Cheonhwa. Without resistance to pain or injury, one would fear them and never fully display their skills. At the time, Cheonhwa had wondered whether the brutal beatings were simply his father’s way of disciplining a disobedient son.
Thanks to that training, he had learned how to take blows with less pain and how to endure the agony of wounds, though at the time it had seemed like nothing more than senseless torment.
“Still, perhaps I should test them once.”
Cheonhwa watched the two for a moment longer, then shook his head.
“It would be better to wait until they’re a little stronger. Martial arts come first.”
After observing a while longer, Cheonhwa rose and went to find Yi Sang-woo.
Yi Sang-woo was returning from a walk with his wife, Ja-yeong.
“It’s nice to see you with Grandmother. Father always enjoyed walking the island with Mother.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. They walked the island every day. I used to wonder what they found to talk about.”
“Even without words, simply being together is enough.”
“Is that how it is with you and Grandmother as well?”
Yi Sang-woo glanced at Ja-yeong and nodded.
“Having your grandmother beside me is what has allowed me to endure until now.”
He squeezed her hand, and a smile bloomed on Ja-yeong’s face.
“I see.”
“Then I suppose I should find someone good as well.”
“I hope you do. Shall this old man look into it for you?”
“No, no need.”
“Hah. I didn’t think you came looking for me just to discuss such matters. What business brings you here?”
Cheonhwa smiled brightly.
“I was wondering if you happen to know any civil engineering and construction experts.”
“Civil engineering experts?”
“Yes. The provincial capital and the earthen and mountain fortresses throughout Jiangsu are scheduled for repairs.”
Every year, as summer approached in the fifth month, Jiangsu carried out public works to guard against flooding from heavy rains.
“The Gangso Merchant Group is handling that project, aren’t they?”
“Which is why I intend to bid on it myself. There’s no law saying only the Gangso Merchant Group can do civil works.”
“True enough, but competing with them for the contract won’t be easy. Do you think you can manage it?”
“I have to try. That’s how a merchant group makes real money.”
Attempting something and turning the resulting experience into one’s own strength was very much like Yi Hwarin’s nature.
“A fine idea. Experience of all kinds is valuable. Go ahead and try. I’ll introduce you to some experts.”
“Thank you. And if we assume you’re returning to manage the merchant group and plan to open branches, which province would you choose first?”
“Hmm. If I had the resources, I would open one in Sichuan.”
“Sichuan? That’s extremely far.”
“It is. But using the Yangtze River routes would save considerable time. We could buy goods in Jiangsu, sell them along the way, restock at the Sichuan branch, and sell again on the return journey. We wouldn’t come back empty-handed.”
“So even though it’s distant, Sichuan is more efficient than other regions?”
“Correct. After that, opening a branch in Hubei, roughly midway between Sichuan and Jiangsu, would lay the foundation for becoming a major merchant group. That’s how I conducted business when I followed your great-grandfather.”
“The best managers would be family members, wouldn’t they?”
“Indeed. Trustworthy outsiders can be given responsibility, but as the saying goes, seeing valuables stirs the heart. Greed arises without one realizing it and slowly corrupts a person. By the time they notice, the monster of desire has already consumed them, and regret comes too late.”
Cheonhwa nodded.
“Still, entrusting a branch even when uncertain can be a method in itself.”
“And if we lose the branch?”
“Then it cannot be helped. But if, even in hardship, we find someone who will stand with us, then gaining that person is worth far more than losing one or two branches.”
Cheonhwa carefully considered Yi Sang-woo’s words. Though the old man’s vitality had declined and he could no longer manage the merchant group, he had once been a legendary figure in the trading world. His advice would never lead Cheonhwa astray.
“The world is not a place one can survive alone. There are times when you must entrust your back to someone, and times when you must guard theirs.”
Cheonhwa took the words to heart.
“Finding someone trustworthy and planning a life together is also a joyful thing. Think on it carefully.”
Yi Sang-woo smiled at Ja-yeong beside him, and she returned a radiant smile of her own.
“Yes. Thank you for the advice.”
* * *
“A request has come from Wolyeongmun.”
Among the assassin sects based in Jiangsu, Akcheongok was without question the strongest. Its assassins numbered over fifty. While most were third- or second-rate, it boasted three first-rate assassins, and its Valley Lord, Ma Sangcheon, was a peak expert feared throughout the province.
Wolyeongmun had placed a contract with Akcheongok, and Ma Sangcheon sought the opinions of the elders Bae Yeong and Yi San.
“What is the request?”
“They want every member of Sinpungjang killed.”
“Sinpungjang?”
“From what we’ve learned, they’re a group that recently established itself in Jiangsu. Somehow they’ve won over the provincial governor and opened legal gambling houses, making enormous profits. They’re using that money to expand into other businesses and grow their merchant group.”
“If they’re merchants, doesn’t that mean the Gangso Merchant Group has them in its sights?”
“It does.”
“Do we have any information on them?”
“Not much, but it seems they first tested the waters by hiring the water bandits of Hongze Lake. The result was the complete annihilation of those bandits. Now Sinpungjang appears to be collecting protection fees from merchants operating in Hongze Lake and Taihu.”
“Even if the bandits were mostly second- and third-rate, their leader, the Falling Horse Sword Yi Ildo, was first-rate. If he died, then Sinpungjang must possess considerable strength.”
“I agree. Sinpungjang has twenty-five members in total. Annihilating both the Hongze Lake and Taihu bandit groups with that number suggests they have at least ten first-rate experts. Their leader may even be a peak master.”
“Even if we strike from the shadows, if we fail to kill them all at once they will become wary. An investigation will reveal we’re targeting them, and our own losses will be severe.”
“I share Elder Bae Yeong’s view. Regardless of how much they’re offering, this is a dangerous gamble. We lack too much information.”
“You both think so?”
“Yes. If, by some chance, Sinpungjang’s leader is a Transcendence expert, then even Akcheongok would not escape unscathed.”
“Moreover, the fact that Wolyeongmun is not acting directly is suspicious. Until now they have aggressively pursued the Gangso Merchant Group’s interests. For them to step back and hire us this time suggests they have their own reasons for caution.”
“Their connection to the provincial governor is also troubling. I believe we should decline this request.”
“The payment is one thousand taels of gold.”
“One thousand taels?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s all the more dangerous. If we accept for the money and lose half our people, the loss will be ours. Our influence in Jiangsu will become meaningless as well.”
Faced with the elders’ fierce opposition, Ma Sangcheon reconsidered. The enormous fee had tempted him, but after hearing their reasoning he realized the request was poisoned wine.
“Understood. We will treat this request as nonexistent.”
“A wise decision. I was worried we might have to slaughter them all if they attacked Akcheongok, but avoiding unnecessary casualties is better.”
The three men started at the voice that suddenly filled the room and looked around in alarm.
A gentle breeze stirred, and a figure appeared—none other than Cheonhwa.
“Hrk!”
The three tensed to the extreme, staring at him.
‘My sword is too far.’
In his own quarters, the sword hung on the wall roughly ten paces away. Ten paces was a considerable distance before a master who could appear without sound.
Cheonhwa looked at them and smirked, then walked over and sat at an empty spot at the table.
“No need to be so tense. I’ve come with a rather decent proposal.”
“Who are you?”
“I already told you. There’s no need for us to fight.”
“Sinpungjang?”
“Cheonhwa, lord of Sinpungjang. I know I look young, so you may be surprised, but I am indeed the lord. No need to doubt it.”
Cheonhwa’s playful expression and tone made them wonder whether to believe him. Yet the method of his appearance suggested he was far beyond what they could handle.
“Valley Lord Ma Sangcheon.”
“What is it?”
“Let’s make a deal. I’ve decided to crush Wolyeongmun. Soon their power will weaken, and eventually they will collapse.”
“What do you mean?”
“Wolyeongmun can never defeat Sinpungjang. So how about Akcheongok takes a bite out of Jiangsu’s unorthodox sects?”
The three exchanged glances.
“When Wolyeongmun fights Sinpungjang, they will suffer losses. They may claim to be Jiangsu’s foremost unorthodox sect now, but every clash with me will chip away at their strength.”
They offered no reply, but the truth was obvious. In the brief moment they had witnessed, anyone capable of appearing without sound had to have at least reached the Transcendence realm.
Wolyeongmun’s lord Chae Yeo-dong and several others were Transcendence experts, yet they would be caught off guard at first and suffer greatly. Even if Wolyeongmun ultimately prevailed, their power would be diminished.
“Once Wolyeongmun weakens, the ambitious Lord Bae Du-sang of Samyeongmun will not stand idle. Then Lord Bang Taesan of Hobangpa, who cannot bear to see others prosper, will test the waters as well. And if Hobangpa moves, Lord Ho Wangtae of Eumsabang will follow to avoid falling behind.”
Cheonhwa had come to Akcheongok with this offer because the Iron Sand Field needed time to grow. If Akcheongok kept the other unorthodox sects of Jiangsu in check while the Iron Sand Field matured, then even if Wolyeongmun fell, the Warlord Alliance would have no reason to intervene.
“You will move as well, Valley Lord. You know what happens to those who fall behind.”
“There is no guarantee events will unfold as you say.”
“You can simply watch and see. Of course, if you inform Wolyeongmun of what I’ve told you, that’s fine too. Our next meeting will be far less cordial.”
Ma Sangcheon studied Cheonhwa’s relaxed demeanor and fell into thought.
“There’s no need to overthink it. Observe, and when things unfold as I’ve described, then act.”
“As you’ve described?”
“I’ll reduce the strength of Wolyeongmun, Samyeongmun, Eumsabang, and Hobangpa. In exchange, Akcheongok will exert influence over Jiangsu’s unorthodox sects. Just stay out of matters involving Sinpungjang.”
“What matters are those?”
“Anything concerning the Gangso Merchant Group. I intend to devour them.”