Later Generation Prodigies (5)
While I was lost in those thoughts, the Mount Hua Sect Leader continued speaking.
"I won't forget what you did today, saving Myeongjong. I'll repay you somehow, no matter what."
I waved my hand at his words.
"Please, don't say that. I just..."
"Don't refuse. Whatever the reason, saving Myeongjong means a great deal to me."
"..."
Honestly, I was cheering inwardly.
After all, it was the Mount Hua Sect Leader himself promising repayment.
"Then I'll take my leave. Don't tell anyone I was here."
"Even Myeongjong Warrior?"
He nodded.
"Take good care of Myeongjong."
And just like that, the Mount Hua Sect Leader vanished as suddenly as he'd appeared.
Is this the realm of Super First-rate?
I slipped the mulberry wood container of golden wound salve into my sleeve.
I headed back to the inn, but I hadn't gone even a fraction of an incense stick's time before I had to stop again.
"Eun Seo-ho Daehyeop."
I heard someone calling me. Turning around, I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
It was the Mount Jongnam Sect Leader.
I had a feeling, but he really came.
It meant those two warriors were highly regarded talents in their respective sects.
They'd reached first-rate at such a young age.
They were probably counted among each sect's later generation prodigies. They'd entered the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly to build their fame, only for things to go awry.
Even being demoted from direct disciples to outer disciples without full expulsion gave them hope.
"You called me?"
In response, he held out something to me. Another mulberry wood container wafting the scent of medicine...
Did the two of them coordinate this?
The thought crossed my mind, but I kept a straight face and asked,
"Isn't this golden wound salve?"
"It's the Mount Jongnam Sect's secret formula golden wound salve."
Another secret formula salve.
"Changun took those whip lashes pretty badly. I'm worried it'll scar if not treated properly... Ahem."
"Understood. I'll pass it on to Changun Warrior."
A brief silence fell.
The Mount Jongnam Sect Leader broke it with words of gratitude.
"Thank you so much for ensuring Changun wasn't expelled today. I won't forget this."
"I just..."
"Still, I'm grateful. Anyway, don't tell anyone I came. Take good care of Changun."
And he vanished just as suddenly.
I tucked the golden wound salve into my sleeve.
Now, two containers of the rarest, top-grade golden wound salve—hard to come by these days—were safely stowed there.
"Kkwi?"
Just then, a rustling sound came from my sleeve. Gold Spirit.
"Hey! Don't eat it! That's not food!"
"Kkwi..."
Typical Gold Spirit. He had an uncanny nose for valuables.
I sighed and gazed up at the moon.
The fact that both leaders had come to me meant they knew their disciples were innocent.
Yet, due to various circumstances and prying eyes, they couldn't openly defend their innocent pupils. They must have felt a deep sense of self-loathing.
I hadn't seen it clearly earlier, but it seemed the heads of the Nine Great Clans wielded more influence than the leaders of the Nine Great Schools and Gates.
The Jegal Clan and Sacheon Tang Clan, however, appeared to stand a step apart.
Looking back at my past and present lives, it struck me as odd how many incidents had weakened various sects' forces.
As if orchestrated intentionally.
At that moment.
Baekcheon Merchant Group's leader, Nangong Kang, was receiving a report from his steward.
"We've gathered quite a stock of fish bone powder and lime powder."
"Yes. We've scraped up nearly all the nearby supplies, so replenishing will take at least a week."
"That's plenty. This was meant to be a short-term play anyway."
"Then when do we release it?"
"Tomorrow."
Nangong Kang declared.
"We need to start releasing from tomorrow to hit the deadline."
The main rounds of the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly got fierce starting from the second round.
That's when golden wound salve would become essential.
The small fry would be weeded out, leaving only the big fish.
Those with deep pockets or generous backers who could spend freely.
They'd have no choice but to buy, no matter the price.
That's how we make a killing.
Customer trust or merchant ethics meant nothing to Nangong Kang.
All that mattered was raking in the profits to earn the trust of the Murim Alliance's elders.
That was the only way he could keep his seat as leader.
I returned to the inn.
And entered the room shared by Myeongjong Warrior and Changun Warrior.
They looked tense, wondering what brought me back.
I smiled and handed them the golden wound salves.
Seeing their sects' emblems engraved on the lids, they tilted their heads and asked,
"Isn't this the Mount Hua Sect's secret formula golden wound salve?"
"This is the Mount Jongnam Sect's secret formula too... They don't hand these out lightly to outsiders."
"Oh, really?"
I replied nonchalantly.
"Found 'em on the way."
"Pardon?"
Both leaders had asked me not to reveal their visits, so what could I do?
Still, I had to drop a hint about the source.
"Picked one up under a great tree blooming with plum blossoms, and another right in front of a grand gate marked with the Taiji symbol."
"..."
"Losing those is proof they haven't abandoned you two. Even if the Murim Alliance has."
At my words, the warriors gripped the salves tightly.
Their knuckles turned white—they were holding something back.
Time for me to make my exit.
"Well, I'll leave you to it. Good night."
I stepped out and closed the door.
Click.
As I walked away, I heard muffled sobs from the room.
Bittersweet.
Seo-u Warrior, walking behind me, seemed to feel the same.
"Take good care of them."
"Yes, sir."
Back in my room, Palgap poured me some tea.
"Thanks."
I sipped it to calm my mind.
"They say fish bone powder and lime powder are in short supply lately, causing a fuss."
I nodded at Palgap's words.
"I just came from hearing who’s behind it from Chunil."
"Who the heck is it?"
"Baekcheon Merchant Group."
Palgap blinked at my answer.
"Wait, they're already rolling in money—why pull something like that?"
"Greed has no end."
Palgap hesitated at my bitter smile before asking carefully,
"So, what're you planning to do?"
"What else..."
"Obviously not let it slide, right?"
"Why do you say that?"
"'Cause you've got a bit of a temper, young master."
"..."
Ugh!
I glared at Palgap's blunt words.
Okay, my temper's not great, but saying it so directly hurts!
Seo-u Warrior spoke to Palgap.
"Palgap, even if it's true, you have to pick your moments."
Seo-u Warrior...
Anyway, what to do about this unethical Baekcheon Merchant Group?
Every merchant group monopolizes distribution of certain goods in their region.
But items tied to life and limb—like fish bone powder and lime powder for golden wound salve—aren't monopolized. That's basic merchant ethics.
Baekcheon had crossed that line.
Pondering, I spotted a flaw in their scheme.
It only worked because no other groups had stock of fish bone powder and lime powder.
What if one did?
They'd spent a fortune hoarding excess amounts.
If those hit the market at normal prices, Baekcheon would eat the full loss.
Perfect.
Palgap, watching me, pointed.
"Th-that face! That's your scheming grin when you're about to screw someone over!"
I quickly schooled my expression.
"When did I...?"
"..."
I turned to Seo-u Warrior.
"Could you fetch Jin Yu Warrior?"
"Yes, sir."
Jin Yu Warrior soon arrived, and I asked the two warriors,
"If you use your lightness skill at max speed, how long to the main branch and back?"
Jin Yu Warrior replied,
"At top speed, we could reach the branch and return here by Chen hour tomorrow morning—7 to 9 a.m."
"And you, Seo-u Warrior?"
"Same for me."
"Then..."
I stood.
"Let's go procure some fish bone powder and lime powder."
I asked Palgap for night travel clothes.
We changed into them, and I entrusted him with a letter for my father.
"See you later."
"Be careful."
Seo-u Warrior, Jin Yu Warrior, and I nodded to each other.
And... we set off.
Day three of the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly's first main round.
Those who knew Jegal Yua Sojeo and Tang Jo-ung were competing gathered in groups, heading to the arena while chatting.
"Oh yeah, golden wound salve's been scarce lately, right?"
"No key ingredients."
"Key ingredients?"
"Fish bone powder and lime powder."
"Ah!"
"Tsk tsk. Info travels slow."
"What does that mean?"
"Baekcheon Merchant Group's selling it. The fish bone powder and lime."
"Really?"
"But the price is steep. Like ten times normal?"
"Whoa, that's crazy. Still, gotta buy if you need it."
"True."
Then.
"Huh?"
Something caught their eyes. A long line of people.
"What's got 'em queuing like that?"
"Dunno."
They tilted their heads. The most curious man approached the line.
"Excuse me, brother. Mind if I ask? What's the line for?"
"Oh, selling fish bone powder and lime powder."
"So this is Baekcheon Merchant Group?"
The man snorted.
"Baekcheon? Ha! Those ethics-less gougers charging ten times for scraps of stock?"
"...?"
"This is Eunhae Merchant Group. Selling fish bone powder and lime powder at normal prices despite the shortage."
"For real?"
"Totally!"
He blinked.
"They selling fakes or something?"
The lined-up crowd erupted.
"No way! What nonsense!"
"Insulting Eunhae Merchant Group?"
"How conscientious they are!"
"The group with Seonhyeopmirang and Baekjeopgeomung!"
"R-right. Haha."
The man returned awkwardly and told his friends.
"It's true."
"Whoa! Classic Eunhae!"
As praise for Eunhae Merchant Group spread,
Baekcheon Merchant Group was dead quiet.
"Did you even advertise properly?"
"Of course."
"Then why no customers? Why?!"
"I-I don't..."
Golden wound salve was a martial assembly essential.
They figured it'd sell even at multiples of the price.
It did at first.
But as time passed, fewer came.
Then.
A morning customer stormed back furious.
"Hey! Refund this!"
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Charging ten times?! You thieves!"
"Watch your mouth."
"Thieves! Eunhae's selling at normal prices!"
"What?"
"Refund now, you bastards!"
They wanted to rough him up, but risked patrol trouble, so refunded.
The problem: He wasn't the only one.
Nangong Kang arrived soon after, demanding of the stewards,
"What the hell happened?"
"St-still... Eunhae can't have much stock."
"They'll come crawling back."
The stewards placated him.
Then.
A scouting steward returned cautiously.
"Uh... It's bad."
"What? Bad how?"
"Eunhae's stock... is huge."
"..."
"And people are cursing us, refusing to deal."
Nangong Kang's vision went white.
The massive losses, the tarnished reputation.
How to explain to the Murim Alliance elders?
Damn it!