Everything Has a Reason (3)
I said to the Alliance Leader,
"Then just give me one hundred thousand taels of silver."
"One hundred thousand... taels of silver?"
"Yes."
Was my request so unexpected?
The Alliance Leader looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"Everyone here knows the vast wealth of the Eunhae Merchant Group. So why ask for more money?"
"That's the company's money, not mine. And what I love most is money."
Those who knew me nodded in agreement. They could tell there was some deeper intent behind my demand.
But the reactions from those unfamiliar with me were far from positive.
Some even snorted openly in derision.
They were surely thinking, 'Typical vulgar merchant, obsessed with coin.'
Think what you like.
The Alliance Leader, meanwhile, wore a strange expression.
"So, will you grant my request?"
"If that's truly what you want, how could I refuse? Very well. I'll give you the one hundred thousand taels."
"Thank you."
"Now go. And good luck in the next matches."
"I'll do my best not to disappoint."
I bowed politely and left. Then, I sent a sound transmission to Jin Yu Warrior.
— Are you alright?
He smiled in response.
— I'm fine. To walk so openly through the Martial Alliance halls like this—it's like a dream!
His face beamed with joy.
Of course. He never could have dreamed of this before.
Just hold on a little longer.
One day, you'll stride through the Martial Alliance without needing the Divine Transformation Art.
With that, I returned to the Yeonpung Inn.
It was time for lunch.
Palgap, who had arrived ahead, approached me.
"Young master, a guest is waiting."
"A guest?"
"Yes."
He led me to a corner on the first floor, where an unexpected figure sat.
Jegal Yu-a, the young lady of the Jegal Clan.
"Are you feeling better now?"
She had suffered a serious injury in the final match to decide the ultimate winner of the Heavenly Bird Tournament.
"Yes. Thanks to the elixir you gave me, I'm almost fully recovered."
"I'm glad."
"That's why I came. To thank you properly."
She clasped her hands in a formal salute and bowed.
"But... why give me such a precious elixir? My father was shocked when I used it."
I could imagine.
The Golden Spirit Saliva had miraculous effects on external injuries.
I grinned.
"You're the future clan leader. It benefits the Eunhae Merchant Group to stay on your good side, doesn't it?"
"Is that so?"
"Yes, exactly."
She grinned back.
"Well, if there's a price to it, I feel better about accepting. By the way, I watched your match today."
"I didn't even swing my sword once. Was that really a match?"
"You stopped the Shadow Sound Demon from ambushing Hyang-ok Warrior, didn't you?"
"That's beside the point."
Jegal Yu-a shook her head.
"There's a saying in the art of war: The greatest victory is winning without fighting. There are many ways to do that, and one of them is exactly what you showed."
"......"
"In that sense, I think you put on the finest match possible."
I nodded at her words.
"Now that you mention it, you're right."
It wasn't wrong, so I agreed wholeheartedly.
Still, the match with Hyang-ok sister was coming up soon.
She'd said as much herself—I couldn't just forfeit...
Ugh, damn it.
So why did the Alliance Leader nominate me of all people...?
After Jegal Yu-a left, I had lunch.
I offered to share a meal, but she said she'd already eaten and departed.
Now it was time to get moving.
"I have a message for the temporary shop manager. Let's stop by before heading to the arena."
"Understood."
Halfway there, Seo-u Warrior spoke up.
"You seem troubled, young master."
"Ah... Does it show?"
"Yes."
"Palgap and the guards are worried too."
I gave an awkward smile at the warriors' words.
After guarding me so long, they could read my moods from my face alone.
And I wasn't one to wear my heart on my sleeve.
"Sorry to worry you unnecessarily."
"It's fine."
I paused for a moment.
"Truth be told, I'm uneasy about entering the friendly matches on the Alliance Leader's recommendation without seriously pursuing the martial path. To them, I'm just an intruder."
"No need for such thoughts."
Seo-u Warrior continued firmly.
"For true warriors, facing the strong is the greatest honor."
"Is that right?"
"Yes."
"Jegal young lady eased my doubts about my 'victories.' But I'm still curious why my opponents chose to forfeit."
After pondering, Seo-u Warrior replied.
"Those warriors are people first, warriors second. Just as their thoughts differ, so do their standards for action."
"......"
"So their decisions were based on their own principles. We should respect each one."
Yeo Eung-am Warrior added,
"You advanced to the round of sixteen by chance, but it was a legitimate process. Walk your path by your own standards, liege. We'll walk ours."
Looking up at the sky as I listened, I noted how brilliantly blue it was.
Their advice cleared my lingering unease.
Honestly, the forfeits had thrown off my plans, and it irked me.
But they acted by their own codes.
Right. I should respect their choices.
Sister will understand mine too.
It might take time for her to accept it.
Alliance Leader's Quarters.
The Alliance Leader sat in his office, handling documents during the break.
The Grand Martial Assembly was in full swing, but his duties didn't stop.
"Eek! If I'd known the Alliance Leader's job involved this much paperwork, I never would have chosen it."
He grumbled softly, stood, and flung open the window.
From the quarters, Luoyang's panorama stretched out.
The assembly had drawn crowds, their noise grating on him.
Not just the racket.
It was the noise of false peace.
Ignoring the blood underfoot.
He shut the window.
Click.
Back at his desk, he unrolled the next scroll.
It was the document approving the one hundred thousand taels reward for Eun Seo-ho.
"Hmm... What could he be thinking?"
He recalled their conversation after Eun Seo-ho completed his 'test.'
"Martial arts? Thank you, but I'll pass. As I said, for a merchant, nothing beats what's visible and tangible. I don't covet more."
He'd proudly demanded material reward as a merchant.
"Hmm... Was it really just greed for money?"
A paradoxical man—sometimes magnanimous, sometimes petty.
'Perhaps it's fortunate he's the successor to the Heavenly Flow Ice Sword.'
A money-grubber wouldn't grasp the true essence of Heavenly Flow Technique.
With that, he stamped the document, but his expression soured.
All his plans for the friendly matches had failed.
The worst blow: the theft of the Buddha statue.
Reaching the commercial district, I headed to our temporary shop.
"Business treating you well?"
The managers greeted me warmly.
"Ah, young division leader!"
"We heard! You made it to the round of sixteen!"
"Yes, that's right."
"Congratulations. What brings you here midday?"
To the manager's question, I got straight to the point.
"The weather's awfully dry today. A fire in these conditions would be disastrous."
"Quite true."
"So, though it's a hassle, sprinkle water on the shop roofs regularly and keep some nearby."
"Understood. We'll do it."
The manager nodded readily and ordered servants to fetch water.
"Sorry to trouble you with my nagging."
"Nonsense. Better safe than sorry—if a fire starts, it's catastrophe. Thanks for the advice."
"No problem. Hope nothing happens."
I sent another manager to relay the same to friendly merchant groups.
Those on good terms with me followed suit, but others scoffed.
Baekcheon Merchant Group was one.
With the new leader—Nangong Gang's brother—some managers had changed.
Unfamiliar with me, they sneered as we passed.
"Hmph! Spend that time selling another item!"
"What a pointless waste!"
Tsk tsk. They should have listened.
Lunchtime was ending when a shout rang out.
"Fire! Fire!"
I sighed. It had happened after all.
Just as Father and my brothers described from my past life.
The day before the friendly match finals, a sudden blaze had gutted prime temporary shops.
I remembered the locations and spread, so I'd yielded the Baekcheon spot willingly.
I'd wanted to prevent it, but without knowing the cause, options were limited.
My best counter: the water-sprinkling advice.
Those who listened would be safe.
The rest would pay dearly.
"Put out the fire now!"
"Keep it from spreading!"
"The goods are burning! All of them!"
And I'd use this to skip today's matches.
Sorry, Hyang-ok sister—but if I went all out as she urged, I'd expose my full strength.
Disastrous for me.
Everyone benefits if I sit this out.
Plus, if I won, the Alliance Leader's ego would skyrocket.
I couldn't stomach that.
"Fetch more water!"
"Yes!"
"Start there!"
I calmly directed the firefighting, and everyone moved with precision.
Then, cries pierced the chaos.
"Help!"
"Please, save us!"
People were trapped in the warehouse behind Baekcheon's temporary shop, unable to escape.
The dry conditions and oil-soaked packaging fueled the blaze's rapid spread.
That rear warehouse was theirs, long used.
Why the organizer hesitated when I picked Baekcheon's spot? That.
Prime location, but tied to their warehouse.
I cleaved a path with Heavenly Flow Ice Technique and charged in.
"This way, hurry!"
"Th-thank you!"
"Thanks later!"
After evacuating them and confirming all out, I subtly nudged a pillar.
Rumble!
It collapsed, the building crumbling. Voices called urgently.
"Liege!"
"Eun Seo-ho Division Leader!"
"Eun Division Leader!"
"Seonhyeopmirang Daehyeop!"
I rolled desperately.
"Ugh!"
Barely escaping the roof, I bit my lip and furrowed my brow.
"Liege! You alright?"
"Ugh... damn, my leg..."
"Pardon?"
"Feels broken."
Father, nearby, rushed over, Jeong Ho brother behind.
"What happened...? Seo-ho! What's wrong?"
"Father... I'm so sorry. My leg's broken, I think."
Jeong Ho brother hurried up, shocked.
"What? Your leg?"
I nodded in feigned agony.
"Yeah... What about the matches?"
"Forget the matches! It's not serious, right?"
Jeong Ho tried to check my leg frantically.
I sent him a sound transmission.
— Brother, I'm fine really. But circumstances. Play along?
He looked baffled, so I clenched my fist slightly.
Glancing at my leg, he exaggerated a cry.
"Aigoo! This is bad! You won't move properly for days."
Only then did I relax my fist.
I apologized to Father.
"Father, this was my failing. Don't blame my guards."
"Tch."
Father shook his head.
"At least that's all."
"We should move liege to the inn first."
"Do it."
Thus, I was carried on a stretcher to Yeonpung Inn.
By then, Baekcheon's shop and warehouse were ash.
Nearby shops suffered too, but those following my advice stood unscathed.
Should've listened.
Father approached quietly.
"I'll explain to the physician. Stay put in your room. Say you passed out from pain—sounds plausible, no?"
Eh? How'd he know?