< Episode 575 > The Miracle of Shaolin.
Much like other trading companies that were solidifying their own standing, the Baihua Trading Company also had branches throughout the Central Plains.
Of course, I had heard that the only exceptions were places like Yoryeong, where the Murong Clan was operating the trading company, or places where the local lord had not given permission.
But even excluding those, it would not be wrong to say they covered the entire region.
And as for the headquarters, hadn't they said it was located somewhere in Xi'an?
If one asked why the headquarters was in Xi'an when there were so many cities, it was probably because the Xi'an Mi Clan, the family of the trading company's head, was located there.
Not that I had ever been there myself.
'Who am I to go there?'
Maybe Gu Yeonseo or Gu Huibi could.
It was no place for me to go.
Anyway.
If one were to choose the most influential branch that the Baihua Trading Company possessed, excluding such a headquarters,
it would naturally be the Henan Branch.
It was also home to the largest county in the Central Plains, where the Wulin Alliance and Shaolin were located,
and this place likely brought in far more money than the Baihua Trading Company's main branch.
As if to prove this, the building was particularly eye-catching even among the tall buildings in Henan.
It also expressed the standing that the Baihua Trading Company held.
Baihua Trading Company, Henan Branch.
The highest floor of the towering guest floors.
Currently, I had come there.
Inside a neatly organized room.
A cleanliness in which not a speck of dust could be seen was felt.
It was so clean that even breathing felt like it should be accompanied by guilt.
No, even if that weren't the case, I might have felt that way simply because it was uncomfortable.
The seat I was in now was that much of an uncomfortable place for me.
"It's been a while."
I came to my senses at the voice from outside.
Gulp. I swallowed dry saliva involuntarily.
I hadn't taken a single sip of the tea set before me.
I carefully looked at the other person and paid my respects.
"It has been a long time, Lady Mi."
The person I was paying respects to was the leader of the Baihua Trading Company,
and the lady of the Gu Clan.
It was Mi Hyoran, the Leader of Baihua.
Was it roughly a year since I had last seen her face?
The last time I had seen her was probably around then.
It was a face I hadn't seen in a long time since I met her when I was struggling terribly at the mercy of Bazun.
Of course, even if I could have seen her, I had been avoiding her.
Hiding such inner thoughts, I spoke to Lady Mi.
"I happened to have business in Henan, so I came by... I heard you were here as well, so I came to pay my respects."
Lady Mi nodded at my words.
That was all.
"..."
"..."
Silence descended.
The already desolate room felt even more drained.
'...Should I just get up?'
Should I just say hello and leave?
Such thoughts flickered by.
I had come because I had business, but I hadn't expected this situation.
That I would end up having a one-on-one meeting with Lady Mi so suddenly.
'I was originally just going to say hello.'
Whether it was Xi'an or Shanxi,
the news that Lady Mi, whom I thought would be in another region, was here reached me the moment I arrived in Henan.
Honestly, I wanted to pretend I hadn't heard it, but I had no choice since I had business.
Even knowing that.
'...Couldn't I just take care of the business myself?'
My heart was full of wanting to just say hello and leave.
That was how uncomfortable it was.
In some ways, Lady Mi was a far more uncomfortable existence to me than my father.
Not only did I not know how to behave toward her, but even apart from that...
'Somehow, I just feel uncomfortable.'
There was an indescribable discomfort.
What should I do?
Wouldn't it be better to just run away now?
Just as such thoughts flitted by.
"Yes."
Lady Mi broke the silence and spoke.
"I have heard the story."
"...Pardon?"
The moment I wondered what story she meant.
"You left some Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron with the trading company."
"Ah."
I realized upon hearing Lady Mi's words.
The lump of Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron obtained from Guangdong.
I had left it with the Baihua Trading Company.
That was what Lady Mi was referring to.
"The quantity was considerable. Could you tell me how this came about?"
At those words, I had to smile awkwardly.
Lady Mi spoke impassively, but the quantity was truly enormous.
It was a time when Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron was no longer being discovered,
and so much time had passed that pure iron like that was virtually nonexistent.
It was only natural, as it was the point where everything had been used up after such a long time.
By now, the Nine Great Sects and One Academy, or the Four Great Clans,
or even promising trading companies would only possess small amounts of pure Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron.
Even merely dividing that Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron and mixing it with other iron to make something would fetch an astronomical price.
That was how rare Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron was.
Such Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron.
'I had brought it in chunks.'
It was something Lady Mi would be curious about from her standpoint as well.
I hadn't brought just one lump, but several.
Though one couldn't be sure, the amount I brought might have been greater than all the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron known to exist in the Central Plains.
Rather, it was amazing that Lady Mi could ask about it so calmly after seeing that.
"...A fortunate event occurred in the Guangdong region. I discovered it by chance, and since it didn't seem to have an owner, I took it with me."
I didn't mix in any lies.
If I tried to mix in lies here, Lady Mi would obviously see right through them all.
Hearing this, Lady Mi quietly stared at me.
That gaze was quite burdensome.
Then.
"Regarding this matter, did you report it to the Alliance?"
Gulp.
I had to swallow dry saliva at her words.
The reason being, there was a law that if such an item was discovered, the righteous faction in particular had to report it to the Wulin Alliance.
Of course, I obviously hadn't reported it.
If I had reported it, they would obviously make excuses about it being ownerless or needing to find the owner and seize it all.
"...I did not report it."
When I gave my answer, Lady Mi looked at me silently without a word.
Was she going to scold me over the matter?
Even if that were the case, I couldn't let it go easily.
'How did I obtain this?'
It was money needed for the future. If Lady Mi reacted negatively to this.
'I'll have to find another trading company.'
I was thinking of withdrawing the entrusted Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron and selling it elsewhere.
While planning so and holding my breath.
"You did well."
"...?"
Praise flowed from Lady Mi's mouth, contrary to expectations.
I looked at her with a blank expression upon hearing her words.
"Have you told the Lord?"
"...I have not told him separately yet."
"That was also well done. Had your father heard of it, he would surely have told you to report it to the Alliance."
As Lady Mi said, that was certainly possible given my father's nature.
He was a man who followed the established law even if he didn't like the other party.
He was also someone with little material desire, which made it even more problematic.
"As for the entrusted goods, I shall handle them, so do not worry."
"...Yes, thank you."
Lady Mi's reaction was bewildering, but
since I had received the answer I wanted, I could be satisfied.
Perhaps because of that.
My tongue loosened, and I was able to ask what I had wanted to ask.
"...So, where did she go?"
"You seem to be speaking of the branch manager."
"Ah, yes."
It was a question about Murong Huia, who had taken the position of Henan branch manager not long ago.
Not only had she entered the Baihua Trading Company out of the blue,
but hearing that Murong Huia had become a branch manager shortly after, I was astonished.
She had told me she just wanted to learn the work moderately.
'I kept hearing she was good at her job, but just how well did she do?'
What on earth did she do to rise to the position of branch manager in such a short time?
Lady Mi was no ordinary person either.
Without considerable ability, such a thing wouldn't have happened.
In other words.
'It means Murong Huia worked well enough to win Lady Mi's favor.'
I had known from the start that she was a woman skilled in this field.
But this was astonishing even to me.
"The branch manager is away from her post because she has a task entrusted to her right now."
"A task?"
"Yes. It is also the reason I am here right now... And also."
Tap.
The sound of Lady Mi's folding fan closing was heard.
"It may also be a matter related to you."
"Pardon?"
I had to slightly furrow my brows at Lady Mi's words.
A matter related to me?
"What do you mean by that?"
"It is not yet certain, so simply keep it in mind. When the time comes, I shall tell you."
"No... Wait. Lady Mi..."
"I shall personally handle the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron matter in a favorable direction."
"..."
I firmly closed my mouth after hearing Lady Mi's words.
Those words meant that in exchange for handling the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron, I should not ask anything further,
and also implied that she had a favor to ask later, so I should listen obediently.
'No wonder it was resolved so easily.'
To think I would get entangled like this.
'It can't be helped.'
Still, I didn't think it was a loss.
Lady Mi personally handling the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron meant
the rate would be favorable, and safety would increase as well.
It meant troublesome matters would be significantly reduced.
If there was a problem,
'...it was that I had no idea what she was trying to make me do.'
I was more concerned because I couldn't gauge it at all.
What kind of matter was it that she even sent Murong Huia,
and that Lady Mi was in Henan?
And why was I being told I was entangled in such a matter?
I had many questions, but I couldn't bring myself to ask, which was frustrating.
'Tch.'
Since Lady Mi had already blocked further questions,
I decided to set this aside for now and ask something else.
"Lady Mi, this is another request, but..."
When I brought up the word 'request,' a strange glint flickered in Lady Mi's eyes as she looked at me.
"Could you perhaps look into lodging for me?"
"Lodging?"
"Yes, I think I must stay in Henan for about a month or so."
For treatment,
and for my plans, I needed to remain in Henan, so this was a request for her to find suitable lodging.
Something I could look into personally, but obtaining it through the trading company would be much faster.
'...This was something I was originally going to ask Murong Huia.'
Unfortunately, Murong Huia was away at this time.
Lady Mi fell into thought for a moment upon hearing my words,
but fortunately, she gave a satisfactory answer not long after.
"There happens to be a suitable place."
"It is not far away. I shall send someone along."
"Ah, thank you."
I didn't ask how much the fee was.
Because I was rich now.
'The days of squeezing money out of Muyeon are over.'
My pocket money had been barely anything to begin with.
The days when I would get into so much trouble that even that was gone were now over.
It meant I was no longer in the days when I would look at the price tag just to buy a single dumpling.
...Anyway.
Since I had finished everything I came to ask the trading company, it was time to look for an opportunity to get up.
As I was subtly preparing to flee my seat,
"When you said you would be here for three months."
Since Lady Mi continued speaking, I had to stick my rear back down.
"Perhaps you plan to participate in the martial arts tournament as well?"
The Shenlong Martial Arts Tournament, which the Alliance was scheduled to hold in the summer.
It was a festival that would take place while I was in Henan.
"...Yes, since it's happening, I was thinking of participating once."
There was no reason to hide it, so I spoke indifferently.
Then Lady Mi looked at me with a strange expression.
"I see."
Her gaze was so strange that I wondered what she meant,
"There is little I can say to you, so this is not easy to speak, but..."
Lady Mi spoke in a somehow extremely cautious voice.
"If you insist on going, please take care of yourself."
"..."
I had to open my eyes wide at her words.
I hadn't thought Lady Mi would say such a thing.
Perhaps I was even more surprised than when I had received praise.
"...No, I... thank you."
At my thanks, Lady Mi nodded without saying much.
And silence set in again.
Because neither of us had anything to say.
The silence continued, making the atmosphere awkward.
By the time I had endured and endured to the point I couldn't stand it anymore.
"...Th-then, I shall take my leave first... I apologize for disturbing you when you must be busy."
I got up, letting out my intent to flee in a roundabout way.
I could leave now, surely.
Thinking so, my heart seemed to feel a little lighter.
'...This feels ten times harder than fighting.'
Though I had only spoken briefly, I felt completely drained for some reason.
Thus, as I was sighing inwardly and trying to go outside,
"They say Young Lady Dang is waiting outside."
I had to stop once more at Lady Mi's words.
It was even more so because it was about Dang Soyeol.
"...Yes. I happened to run into her."
If I called it a coincidence, it was indeed a coincidence.
There was no need to explain this part deeply.
Hearing this, Lady Mi asked me.
"Do you perhaps plan to stay together with Young Lady Dang at the lodging?"
"I suppose so."
Unless Dang Soyeol asked me to look for different lodging.
Since Seongyul had to stay with me too, the lodging wouldn't be small anyway.
When I spoke with that intention,
Lady Mi seemed to ponder for a moment. There appeared to be something bothering her.
After waiting briefly, Lady Mi soon spoke to me.
"It is good that you are gradually growing to resemble your father. But there are also things you need not resemble him in."
"Pardon?"
What on earth did that mean?
"What do you mean by that, all of a sudden?"
"...It's nothing. You may leave now."
Though I asked with mixed questions because it was something I couldn't understand at all, Lady Mi issued an order for me to leave as if she had nothing more to say.
Perplexed, I tilted my head, but since she told me to leave, I tried to obediently exit.
'—Of all things, for him to resemble that the most... The children will suffer greatly.'
Such words were heard.
Hearing this, I quickly turned around, but Lady Mi was already looking at a letter, not at me.
Seeing that, I thought:
'Did I hear wrong?'
Had I heard things because I was unwell?
That must be it.
In any case, I felt I had to find Shenyi quickly.
It seemed my condition was worse than expected.
'I'll stop by the lodging briefly and then go find him right away.'
At this moment, I made such a plan.
But it didn't take even half a quarter before I realized there was no need to go out of my way to do so.
Right when I had just arrived at the lodging following the guidance.
"You damned bastard...!! To think you'd make such a move!"
"I suppose your mind doesn't keep up because you're old. Well, it's understandable."
"What!?"
I had to stiffen like a stone at the sight before my eyes.
Because I had finally arrived at the lodging only to find a bizarre situation unfolding.
"Is the one who lost until now wagging his tongue!?"
"And so, am I not winning now?"
An area not far from the county.
The building was quite large and situated against a mountain.
It was also very well-maintained, and a large carp even lived in the pond attached to the residence.
There,
"Eeeek-! One more game, right now!"
Shenyi, whom I had been planning to go find, was overturning a Go board and shouting.
"Hehe."
A very familiar young man with black hair was looking at such a Shenyi and laughing.
Young man. No...
One of the Three Lords of the World, known as Tianwaitian.
Bazun looked at Shenyi and spoke.
"Why would I do that? You are so terrible at it that I hardly want to. If I feel like it next time, perhaps I shall."
It was an endlessly spiteful remark.
"Grrrrrk!"
Hearing this, Shenyi drooled and collapsed.
Bazun looked at that and even cackled.
And...
"..."
At the scene of pandemonium that had broken out the moment I arrived,
I was left speechless.