Chapter 87
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Deified in Sammuhyeon
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Seeing how lively the streets had been the night before, I decided to tour Sammuhyeon all the way until tonight.
I'd only gathered people in Sammuhyeon without paying it much mind.
I left Yeoseol in the care of Cheongyo and Songran before heading out to the streets.
Hearing the name of Sammuhyeon's most bustling street left me stunned.
Taesan Street, of all things.
That wasn't all.
"Let's head to Haksaro."
The next busiest street was called Haksaro.
"The plows not sold here are over in Singero."
And the street lined with hardware shops and smithies was Singero.
Hearing that the main street for children's goods was called Yeoseol Street made my head spin.
Most of the street names in Sammuhyeon were tied to me.
Before I knew it, I was no different from a god in Sammuhyeon.
That was when it happened.
Someone approached me.
"Greetings, Scholar Divine Sword!"
The title still made my face heat up with embarrassment.
"Oh? It's been a while."
I tilted my head at the two figures before me.
They weren't people I had much connection with.
It was Hwang Gok, the branch leader of the Golden Valley Clan, and his younger sister, Hwang Soye.
They were the ones who'd been at the inn with me when I first fed Majimong the Silk Thread Pill.
They came from a family with immense wealth, the kind Majimong kept close, but I remembered them as decent people at heart.
Among the people Majimong knew, they were the most decent, as far as I recalled.
"Did you come to see me?"
Hwang Gok smiled brightly.
"Yes. We've come to pay respects to the master of Sammuhyeon."
"What is it?"
When I asked, Hwang Soye replied.
"It's not something to discuss here. We have words for a quiet place."
I spotted a teahouse right next to us and said,
"Let's go into the teahouse."
We took seats on the second-floor balcony.
From there, the streets below were in full view.
It was quite unusual for a teahouse to stay open so late into the night.
That spoke volumes about how vibrant this street was.
Once a candle was placed on the table, the atmosphere really came alive.
"With the master of Sammuhyeon gracing our humble teahouse, we've prepared our finest Yungjeong tea. Since it's your first visit, the lord of this land, allow me to treat you today."
The teahouse owner served us the precious Yungjeong tea.
"No need. I'll pay for the tea."
"I couldn't possibly. If I charged the master, the merchants around here would chase me out. Please, I insist."
"Haha, well, I'll be."
I could only let out an awkward laugh.
For whatever reason, Hwang Gok and Hwang Soye smiled warmly.
"We all know we can do business here in Sammuhyeon without a worry in the world thanks to Scholar Divine Sword, Scholar Cheon."
The teahouse owner, who had brought the tea, suddenly bowed deeply toward me as if making a formal salute.
"My whole family has been living peacefully ever since we came to Sammuhyeon. I never knew how much peace of mind came from not having a single thug causing trouble."
I waved my hand dismissively.
"That's hardly thanks to me."
"No, sir. After you became sworn brothers with the branch leader, the Supreme One declared that Scholar Divine Sword is like his own son, and anyone who harms you will have their heads cut off."
"Wouldn't hearing that make you more afraid?"
"Quite the opposite. It's brought order and justice to Sammuhyeon."
As the teahouse owner stepped away, I felt embarrassed and quickly changed the subject, turning to Hwang Gok.
"So, what brings you to seek me out?"
Hwang Gok set down his teacup and spoke.
"I'd like to request permission from the master of Sammuhyeon. We wish to open a Golden Valley Arena here."
I looked him straight in the eye.
"If the Golden Valley Arena is trying to make money in Sammuhyeon by opening a gambling house, I'd have to oppose it."
"Pardon?"
Hwang Gok looked utterly shocked, as if opposition was the last thing he'd expected.
"Because of the usury ban."
Gambling houses in this era built their fortunes on predatory loans.
"Without usury, and without a monopoly on the Golden Valley Arena, how could it possibly turn a profit?"
At my words, Hwang Gok and Hwang Soye blinked in surprise, their eyes darting about.
But Hwang Gok quickly regained his composure and spoke.
"If we accept all of Scholar Divine Sword's conditions, will you permit the opening?"
I flashed a grin at Hwang Gok, who was showing his resolve.
"On top of that, I'm planning to build an orphanage in Sammuhyeon for children who lost their parents and families to rebellion and war. You'd need to provide regular support there. Would you still do it?"
It was a condition that grew more demanding by the minute.
After a moment's thought, Hwang Gok nodded.
"Very well. We'll accept that condition too."
I tilted my head.
I'd figured conditions like these would make him give up on opening the arena.
"These are pretty strict terms. Why accept them?"
In response, Hwang Soye said,
"Because Sammuhyeon is the safest place under heaven."
"Hm? Sammuhyeon?"
"I don't need to spell it out—the teahouse owner said it all earlier. You can focus solely on business without a care. Do you have any idea what a huge advantage that is?"
Hwang Gok added,
"The master of Sammuhyeon is Scholar Divine Sword, Scholar Cheon, and backing him wholeheartedly is the Supreme One himself. If this isn't the safest place, then where is? I've never seen anyone cause a ruckus or pick fights here—not even late at night in the inns or taverns. Everyone knows you'll end up crippled and tossed out if you try."
Hwang Soye smiled with her eyes.
"Not even the errand boys at inns or taverns get hassled. That says it all."
I nodded.
It wasn't order I'd intentionally created, but the effect of me and the Supreme One made it ironclad, stronger than anything else.
"We at the Golden Valley Arena just want to do business with peace of mind and keep our assets in a safe place."
They were willing to take these minor hits because they wanted to use Sammuhyeon as a warehouse too.
"If you're still set on opening under those terms, I permit it. But the Golden Valley Arena will have to pay for the land it occupies."
"Of course. Just tell us the plot and district you have in mind."
That's when I realized I had no one to handle these asset-related matters.
'I can just leave this to that guy.'
Ho Hyeonbyeok, my sworn brother, popped into my head as the perfect person to trust with it.
I'd recommended him as a strategist to Mak Yeheon, but that was still a ways off from happening.
'Guess I should call him here right away.'
Just then, the teahouse owner approached.
"A guest downstairs wishes to see Scholar Divine Sword."
"Do you know who?"
"Said they're from the Geumcheon Escort Agency."
At the owner's words, Hwang Gok smiled.
"Hahaha, looks like another escort agency trying to get in early, just like us. Geumcheon doesn't have a branch nearby, so they're probably looking to set one up in Sammuhyeon."
The Geumcheon Escort Agency was the maternal family of Nangong Hak's wife, Jeon Ian.
No reason not to meet them.
"Perfect timing—we've wrapped up anyway. Scholar Divine Sword, we'll take our leave first. It was a fruitful meeting."
As Hwang Soye bid farewell, she said,
"I've heard rumors that Scholar Divine Sword's music surpasses even Cheongyo's playing. It would be an honor for this girl to hear it someday."
"Haha, just idle gossip."
It seemed my rumors were multiplying out of control.
'Gotta chase every last storyteller out of Sammuhyeon. Can't live with this embarrassment.'
After the Golden Valley Clan members left, the Geumcheon Escort Agency people approached my table.
"Greetings? I'm Jeon Yunbong, branch manager of the Geumcheon Escort Agency's Namchang branch."
"Jeon family, as in..."
"Yes. I'm a sixth cousin to the lady who will become the Nangong Family matriarch."
So, he was family to Nangong Hak's wife, Jeon Ian.
"Pleased to meet you. If you're from the matriarch's family, you're no stranger to me. Speak freely."
Jeon Yunbong waved his hands.
"Oh, come now. How could I, with the Supreme One's foster son, the branch leader's sworn brother, and master of Sammuhyeon—Scholar Divine Sword himself."
I first thought he was teasing, but his eyes told me he meant every word.
Jeon Yunbong covered his mouth with his hand and spoke softly.
"On top of that, you're the elder brother to Nangong Family's Young Master Nangong Mubaek."
I gave an awkward smile.
"So, what brings you to me? Is something up with the Nangong Family?"
At my question, Jeon Yunbong launched into the latest news from the Nangong Family.
The Geumcheon Escort Agency was closely tied to them, so they had all the recent updates.
Thanks to that, I got a good rundown on their situation.
"Are the Ice Palace folks doing well? With the Demonic Cult and Blood Cult eyeing them."
"There've been a few clashes with Demonic Cult and Blood Cult riffraff. But this is the Nangong Family we're talking about—no way those scum could touch us. We cut their heads off, every last one. Especially Young Master Nangong Mubaek, who led the charge."
When I left, Nangong Mubaek and Jong Sobin's relationship seemed solid, so I asked,
"Any other news on those two?"
Jeon Yunbong replied with a knowing look.
"As expected, nothing escapes Scholar Divine Sword's eye. Their romance is the talk of Hefei. People are even saying they should get married."
I nodded.
After all that trailing around, it looked like his feelings had gotten through.
At least Jong Sobin was safe—that was a relief.
The Ice Palace people needed to stay safe to guarantee Yeoseol's security too.
"The reason we're visiting Scholar Divine Sword this time is because we plan to establish a Geumcheon Escort Agency branch in Sammuhyeon."
I smiled warmly.
"By all means. Tell me the plot and district you want. I'll lend it to you free of charge."
"Ah, no, we couldn't. The Nangong Family matriarch already said you'd offer something like that and instructed me to refuse and pay the proper price."
Jeon Ian's sense of propriety warmed my heart.
"In that case, escorts aside, hire locals from Sammuhyeon as porters and laborers. Under that condition, go ahead and open the agency."
Jeon Yunbong shot to his feet and cupped his hands in salute.
"Truly, they say Scholar Divine Sword's magnanimity covers the heavens, and it's no exaggeration."
"Not at all. I'm just glad to repay the grace I received from the Nangong Family matriarch."
I returned the salute.
Jeon Yunbong, looking deeply moved, said,
"Understood. Soon, we'll let you know the site for our agency."
"As an escort agency, claim some prime land near the main road."
"The matriarch will be thrilled to hear this. Business from Namchang has been tough lately, but in Sammuhyeon—Scholar Divine Sword's domain—we can operate without worry."
Jeon Yunbong bowed to me and hurried off.
As I picked up my teacup with a slightly weary expression, the teahouse owner brought fresh brew.
"Um, sorry to bother you, but someone else downstairs wishes to see Scholar Divine Sword."
"Who is it?"
To my question, the owner replied,
"Someone who wants to open the biggest inn in Sammuhyeon. He already runs a big one in Namchang—well-known in the food and lodging trade. What should I do?"
Good inns and lodgings were essential for activating the streets.
I was tired, but I had to meet him.
"Sorry to trouble you, owner."
"Nonsense. How could you say that? Shall I send the guest up?"
"Yes, please."
Suddenly, I had too much on my plate, and my head throbbed.
'Gotta bring Ho Hyeonbyeok quick and put him to work. He can live here, handle Present Heaven Sect strategist duties, and manage this place as overseer.'
I began plotting how to make the most of Ho Hyeonbyeok.