Sword Mound of Chunggyeong Castle (1)
To expand the Eunhae Merchant Group's Luoyang branch this time, it was necessary to grease some palms here and there.
The first person I needed to visit was the Alliance Leader.
Ha... I don't want to go, but there's no choice.
In this Luoyang, meeting the Alliance Leader once was more effective than encountering a hundred other people.
I sent Yi Pil the warrior to set up an appointment.
Since he was such a busy man, scheduling in advance increased the chances of meeting within the month.
Besides, it was now January.
The beginning of the year was always hectic.
During this year's year-end rankings, our Eunhae Merchant Group had climbed up.
To seventeenth place.
Considering we were twentieth last time, that was three steps higher.
It reflected our successful foreign trade and the positive response to the foundries we'd acquired, among other things.
It might seem slow compared to how hard everyone in the merchant group—including me—was working, but steadily building a solid foundation step by step was satisfying.
Comparing my previous life to now, the internal strength was worlds apart.
Back then, growth was prioritized over stability, leaving us vulnerable to checks from other merchant groups.
We needed to rise so firmly that no one's interference could shake us.
Only then could we become the true number one merchant group under heaven.
Moreover, things not yet visible on the surface were approaching the moment to reveal their true value.
"My lord. It's Yi Pil."
"Yes. Come in."
The door to the guest room opened, and Yi Pil the warrior entered.
"I've requested a meeting with the Alliance Leader."
"Good work."
Now we just had to wait for the reply.
Since the Alliance Leader was incredibly busy, you had to request meetings well in advance if you wanted to see him.
His schedule managers would then discuss with him and inform you of an available time.
After Yi Pil left, I let out a sigh.
"Why the sigh?"
At Seo-hyang Maiden's concerned question, I gave a light smile.
"It just hit me how far we still have to go, but it's fine. I'm not worn out enough to tire at this level yet."
"Still, make sure you sleep on time."
"Yes, I will."
At that moment, Seo-hyang Maiden blanked out briefly before smiling at me.
"What's that about?"
"I get to see you sooner than expected."
"...Pardon?"
This means the meeting's been set quickly?
Damn, I'm not ready yet...
The next day.
After breakfast, while working in the guest room, Palgap called for me.
"Young master! We have a guest."
"A guest?"
"Yes. From the Murim Alliance. We've seated him on the first floor of the inn."
I immediately opened the door and headed downstairs.
There sat a familiar face, sipping tea while waiting for me.
It was Wang Gu, the squad leader from the Murim Alliance's Patrol Squad who had come to fetch me before regarding the disappearance of the Golden Buddha Statue.
"This humble merchant Eun Seo-ho greets Squad Leader Wang."
He returned my courteous bow.
"No need for such excessive formality. If the great hero Seonhyeopmirang treats me this way, people will point fingers at me."
"It's only proper etiquette for one who toils to maintain the order of the martial world."
"I'm grateful for your kind words. Haha."
With the atmosphere softened, I asked,
"What brings you all the way here?"
"The Alliance Leader summons you."
I'd anticipated it thanks to Seo-hyang Maiden, but really?
Still, I feigned surprise.
"Pardon? The Alliance Leader himself?"
"Didn't you request an audience with him?"
"That's true, but I figured it'd take at least a fortnight."
"Hahaha. How could we make the hero of the martial world, Seonhyeopmirang, wait a fortnight?"
"Isn't the Alliance Leader swamped with prior commitments?"
"It's fine. He keeps some slots open for emergencies."
"That's fortunate."
"Shall we go now if you're ready? Or I can wait a bit."
Part of me wanted to say wait, but that would surely breed resentment or grumbling.
"Then I'll just grab my things and come right down."
A meeting just one day after requesting it.
Without Seo-hyang Maiden, I'd have been truly flustered.
No time to even mentally prepare.
I quickly got ready and descended, then followed Squad Leader Wang to the Murim Alliance.
Guided inside, I entered the Alliance Leader's reception room.
"Merchant Eun Seo-ho greets the Alliance Leader."
"Ho ho, good to see you. Have a seat."
"Thank you."
We sat facing each other, and a maidservant poured warm tea.
The Alliance Leader asked with a kindly smile.
"So, how have you been?"
"Thanks to you, I've been well without incident."
"Your movements suggest your leg has healed nicely."
He was referring to the injury from rescuing people at the fire during the last Martial World Gathering.
"Yes. It's almost fully recovered. I still can't overdo it, but daily life is no problem."
"That's a relief."
"Truth be told, I feel apologetic. You gave me a chance at the Martial World Gathering, but due to my carelessness... I let it slip away. I can't help but feel remorseful."
I bowed my head.
So why recommend me and make things troublesome?
The Alliance Leader chuckled heartily.
"No, no. It was unavoidable, wasn't it? As I said before, don't dwell on it."
"I'm grateful for your understanding."
My repeated apologies were deliberate—people in high positions often had strong pride and could be petty.
And if the Alliance Leader harbored ill feelings toward me, it would be a real hassle.
"So, what brings you here today?"
"First, please accept this."
I placed the gift I'd brought on the table.
"What's this?"
"I prepared it after my recent trip to Hae-nam Province."
"Hae-nam Province? All the way there?"
"Yes. I had business matters."
I watched the Alliance Leader's eyes as I spoke.
He likely already knew I'd gone to Hae-nam Province.
Hiding it intentionally would only reignite suspicions about me.
Our relationship had just normalized, so I made sure not to conceal it.
"Remembering your fondness for tea, I brought some top-quality Gojeong tea, a local specialty."
I opened the box myself to show the well-packaged tea leaves.
"This is premium grade!"
"Yes. Since it was for you, I took extra care in selecting it."
"It looks excellent. I'll enjoy it."
The Alliance Leader accepted the gift with a pleased expression and set it aside.
"So, what else did you want to discuss? You didn't call this meeting just for a gift."
Now for the main point.
"Actually, our Eunhae Merchant Group plans to expand our Luoyang branch."
"The branch?"
"Yes. The current one is too small to handle increased trade."
"Fair enough. Have you secured the land?"
"Yes."
When I mentioned the plot I'd recently purchased, the Alliance Leader tilted his head.
"If memory serves, isn't that the haunted estate?"
"Correct."
"Why there of all places?"
"No other suitable land was available."
"True, but couldn't you buy adjacent land to the current branch?"
"That's an option, but it would cost far too much."
I continued.
"Though our Eunhae Merchant Group is growing, we don't have the surplus to invest heavily in expansion."
"Indeed, when the seller has the leverage, prices soar."
"Exactly. While searching for alternatives, I heard that plot was available cheaply and bought it."
This should ease his wariness a bit.
"Well, who am I to meddle in merchant affairs? Still, it's concerning."
"The consolation is that no one's died there from the ghost."
That's right.
Excluding the manor lord and his household who were massacred initially, there were no deaths.
Injuries existed, but those were from people fainting in fright.
"Besides, with you in Luoyang, what worries could there be? Hahaha."
At my words, the Alliance Leader's face briefly soured.
That place was the Murim Alliance's failure and shame.
I knew it and scratched at it anyway.
Ah, that feels refreshing.
"Y... yes, quite."
"Then, I appreciate your support."
With that, I left the Murim Alliance after my meeting with the Alliance Leader.
Despite knowing about my upcoming marriage, he hadn't mentioned it—clear evidence his interest in me had waned.
Good.
It wasn't welcome attention anyway.
With the Alliance Leader's tacit approval, construction could begin.
But first, there was other business.
I headed back to the inn, picked up Seo-hyang Maiden, and went to the newly purchased plot.
To converse with the weasel spirit, I needed her help.
Upon arriving at the estate, I asked Seo-hyang Maiden to summon the weasel.
She found it quickly.
"There it is. Come here."
Soon the weasel nestled in her arms, allowing me to see it clearly.
"Hello."
The weasel wagged its tail at my greeting.
"We've bought this land. Soon, we'll build our Eunhae Merchant Group branch here."
"Squeak. Squeak!"
The weasel spoke, and Golden Bell, tucked in my sleeve, translated for me.
"Kkwi! Kkwi!"
"So, as long as we don't block that vein, it's no concern to you?"
The weasel nodded.
"Got it. I'll keep that in mind."
I promised while observing the weasel closely.
It was visible to the eye, yet emitted no detectable energy.
Even Golden Bell could converse with it but hadn't scented the hidden underground treasure.
This led to my hypothesis.
Perhaps due to the pure energy flowing from this vein and its inherent property.
Earth veins carrying pure essence each have unique properties.
Soft, clear, sharp, and so on.
The martial arts of sects or clans settled there reflect those properties.
Too coincidental to be chance.
From the phenomena so far, this vein's property was concealment.
That's why people hadn't realized it was a vein.
I hadn't either until practicing breath control there myself.
The previous Snow Wind Palace Lord seemed to have noticed, though.
If so, we should exploit it.
As a guardian spirit, it should wield related abilities.
"That said, could you perhaps dim the presence of this estate and its buildings a little?"
"Squeak?"
Even without Golden Bell, I could guess its meaning.
Probably, "Why should I?"
Which also meant it was possible.
"Remember how I removed the gold bricks blocking the vein?"
"..."
"Would a spirit forget such a favor?"
"Squeee..."
"Kkwi."
"Too much hassle? Should I pave it back with gold bricks then? Ah! While at it, cover the whole floor. It'll sparkle, no dirt—perfect."
"..."
At my words, the weasel's ears perked up, its tail stiffened and quivered.
As if hating the mere thought.
"So, will you grant my request?"
The weasel nodded vigorously at my question.
You rascal—should've agreed sooner!
With its weakness exposed, I held the advantage in negotiations.
The reason for my request was to make our Eunhae Merchant Group less conspicuous, even if just a little.
My future moves would draw eyes, so obscuring the Murim Alliance's gaze this way seemed necessary.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next day.
The laborers I'd hired began clearing the estate.
First, they needed to remove weeds around it, clean and repair the buildings.
No one volunteered for a haunted site, but promising substantial pay gathered them quickly.
Money is scarier than ghosts, after all.
The weather was cold, but with minimal digging, work progressed smoothly.
The estate buildings had been rebuilt after the manor lord and his household were massacred.
Since people hadn't lived there long afterward, they weren't too dilapidated.
Normally, unoccupied places decay, but this land's energy seemed to prevent that.
Feels good to have snagged such prime real estate.
That said, the map I'd discovered lately nagged at me.
It marked the Sword Mound of Chunggyeong Castle and outlined preliminary steps to explore it.
The goal was to turn Chunggyeong Castle into an independent nation, away from the empire's gaze.
If that failed, utterly destroy it so no one paid attention.
Either way, explore the Sword Mound undetected by the empire.
The preparations took time, but the actual search wouldn't.
By the time the Emperor realized something was wrong in Chunggyeong Castle and came for the rite, it would already be over.
This time, my intervention saved Chunggyeong Castle.
But would they give up?
No chance.
They'd try again.
The question was how to stop them...
To thwart their schemes, someone needed to explore the Sword Mound first and diminish its value.
Only then would Chunggyeong Castle be safe.
And unlike Blood Karma Monk's fake Sword Mound, this seemed genuine.
Handing it to them would be a waste.
But exploring such a large site required many people.
Ones who wouldn't betray.
There was only one way.
Bring in the Emperor.