If one were to name the most important thing in the Central Plains today, the very first answer would undoubtedly be “strength.”
As martial artists who worship strength make up the world, nothing could be more important than martial might.
However, if one were to ask whether martial might was the only thing that mattered, that was not the case.
Though martial artists worship strength, they are human nonetheless.
If there was one other thing important for humans in their daily lives besides strength, it would be….
“Money.”
It was money.
Since martial artists were human in the end, they needed money to survive.
No matter how much they trained day and night in pursuit of higher realms and enlightenment, money did not sprout from it.
Eating, relieving oneself, changing clothes, and so on—money was needed for the basics of life.
Come to think of it, this was a strange affair.
“Just where does money come from for people who do nothing but train every day?”
Be it a renowned clan or a prestigious sect.
In truth, they existed solely for brawling, yet they were strangely flush with money.
Of course, there were houses such as the Moyong family of Liaoning and the Tang Clan of Sichuan that conducted commerce directly, but…
Not every clan was like that.
Meaning, more of them did not own merchant guilds or escort agencies.
Then why was that?
How could so many clans and sects be maintained?
This was similar to the reason the Murim Alliance was currently able to operate.
“Sponsorship.”
The true merchants spread across the Central Plains.
It was because the places commonly called merchant guilds poured vast funds into them.
The clothes they wore. The blades they carried.
The food they ate.
Those who did not earn money themselves mostly built their lives on sponsorship funds from merchant guilds.
The same held true for the Murim Alliance.
The great merchant guilds that could be counted on one hand in the Central Plains, along with dozens of other guilds, all sent sponsorships to the Alliance, and thanks to that, many houses including the Murim Alliance lived in luxury.
If so, just what was the reason they went to such lengths?
What could merchant guilds possibly gain from martial artists that they would pour so much money into sponsoring them?
The reason was simpler than expected.
“To make them their allies, most likely.”
This was a world where demonic gates could burst open at any moment and danger lurked everywhere.
Martial artists might overcome it alone, but what were those who were not to do?
Naturally, they had to borrow the hands of martial artists. To that end, merchant guilds formed tacit pacts with martial artists under the name of sponsorship.
It was both a means to receive their protection if anything happened and a scheme to create a sense of allegiance.
That martial artist receives our patronage.
Therefore, he is our man.
It was possible to create intimidation toward hostile forces or rival guilds, and the more a martial artist’s fame grew, the more it aided the guild.
Take, for example, the Yeokseon Merchant Guild located in Shaanxi, which had sponsored the Mount Hua Sect for generations. When they fell into crisis due to the Demonic Faction Alliance, it was none other than Maehwa Seon, the Plum Blossom Immortal, who stepped in and personally delivered judgment.
As such, a merchant guild offering sponsorship to a martial artist held many meanings, and it was also a method for their mutual benefit.
The martial artist earned money.
For the merchant guild, it meant serving robustly as a safety mechanism, not to mention the advertising effect.
In that sense.
“To think this man would come to see me.”
I had to entertain several thoughts as I looked at the middle-aged man standing before me.
“Is this the first time we’ve met face to face?”
Counting both my previous life and my current one.
Though meeting him in person was a first, he was quite a well-known figure.
The semi-officially wealthiest merchant guild in the Central Plains.
Jang Yumyeong, guild leader of the Jangwon Merchant Guild.
A middle-aged man with a kind expression and an impressively pleasant demeanor.
He was none other than…
“The patron of the Divine Sword….”
The Divine Sword who had blocked the Heavenly Demon in my previous life and ascended to the position of the greatest under heaven.
He was the master of the merchant guild that had sponsored Wi Seol-a.
Furthermore, during the Righteous-Demonic Great War, he had been a figure who performed many good deeds, such as supplying weapons to martial artists free of charge and lending his strength to food supplies and disaster relief.
The world said.
That without the Jangwon Merchant Guild’s patronage, the Divine Sword would have found it difficult to reach such heights.
They were right.
It was a fact I acknowledged as well.
“Because the Divine Sword had been unaffiliated.”
Though she was engaged to the Jang family, she was fundamentally merely the descendant and granddaughter of the Sword Lord. For her to move about freely, she had needed a certain level of patronage.
The Jangwon Merchant Guild had taken full charge of that.
In a way, it was only natural.
“Because the Jangwon Merchant Guild has ties to the Jang family.”
You could tell just by looking at Jang Yumyeong’s surname.
No matter how common that surname was, it was no coincidence.
“The Jangwon Merchant Guild is a merchant guild that branched off from the Jang family.”
I had heard they were a collateral branch, but they undoubtedly shared the same roots.
I didn’t know how deep the connection ran, but I had judged at the time that they sponsored the Divine Sword for that very reason, yet…
“This time, he came to find me.”
What could this mean?
After glancing at Moyong Hui-a, I looked at Jang Yumyeong and asked.
“To think I would meet the great guild leader of the Jangwon Merchant Guild in this manner.”
“Haha. Great, you say. I’m merely an ordinary merchant.”
I scoffed at that.
The man was far too enormous to be contained by the word “ordinary.”
The wealthiest man in the Central Plains.
The presence that came with that title held tremendous power, even if he was not a martial artist.
“Rather, it is I who am more honored to meet you, Hero Gu. Are you not the most famous person in the Central Plains right now?”
“You lavish such praise upon me that I am quite embarrassed. Please, sit first… Ah, yes. I only have plum tea to offer… Would that be alright?”
“I am not particular.”
Before Jang Yumyeong could even broach the subject, Moyong Hui-a was already brewing tea.
Before long, light snacks and tea were prepared.
Jang Yumyeong carefully took a sip of the plum tea.
“This… I believe it is tea from Shaanxi…”
“That is correct. It was a gift from the Mount Hua Sect leader.”
To be precise, it had come from the Ami Sect when they were up to their schemes.
I had extracted all the poison within and was drinking it.
“Because the tea is rather delicious.”
*Slurp.*
He quietly drank tea for a moment.
Only after quietly emptying a full cup did I speak to Jang Yumyeong again.
“Then, what brings you to seek me out?”
So just why had that man come to find me?
Not to mention.
“That you came in person like this.”
He hadn’t sent a subordinate; the guild leader had come in person.
It was truly a perplexing matter.
“Hahaha… You seem quite surprised.”
“Yes. It is one of the most surprising things to happen to me recently.”
How could I not be surprised, with the appearance of someone entirely unexpected?
“The reason I came here… as you may have guessed, is that the Jangwon Merchant Guild wishes to sponsor you, Hero Gu.”
Oh.
I raised my eyebrows slightly at the main point coming so quickly.
He could have beaten around the bush, yet he charged straight in.
“The Jangwon Merchant Guild, sponsoring me?”
I feigned surprise upon hearing that.
“Yes. To that end, I made a rather unreasonable request of the branch manager as well… but I am grateful that she arranged this meeting.”
At those words, I looked at Moyong Hui-a.
She merely sat with a demure posture, eyes closed, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.
“Look at her.”
There was no way Moyong Hui-a would have arranged this meeting just by being asked, which meant something had been exchanged.
In other words… it meant Jang Yumyeong had gone to considerable trouble to see me.
Thinking this, I asked him.
“I would like to ask first what you saw in me to make you come so suddenly like this.”
“Oh my… What did I see, you ask? A merchant sees nothing but potential, of course.”
“Potential?”
“Yes. Just like those gathered outside. I wish to invest in the potential you possess, Hero Gu. That is why I resorted to such underhanded means.”
Underhanded means. It meant he had come through Moyong Hui-a, unlike those waiting outside.
“…Hmm.”
At Jang Yumyeong’s words, I looked outside.
I could still sense the people gathered beyond the residence.
My unnecessarily sharp senses were picking them out one by one.
“Your displays at yesterday’s sparring were each deeply impressive. After seeing them, I simply could not contain myself.”
“You watched as well, Guild Leader?”
“Of course. It was far too fast for an ordinary person like me; I couldn’t see most of it… but my guard informed me later, so I was able to grasp it somewhat more clearly.”
Hearing that, I fell into thought.
“Jang Yumyeong wasn’t in the main hall?”
There was a special seating area made for guild leaders among the spectator seats installed around the sparring stage.
Deputy leaders and guild leaders had taken their seats there.
“He is definitely a different person from the one seated there.”
I had already identified the faces and identities of those sitting there.
There had naturally been someone from the Jangwon Merchant Guild there as well, and I had identified him as a deputy leader.
On top of that.
“A guard.”
I realized something subtle in the tone laced through his words.
“It seems he is referring to that man.”
Jang Yumyeong’s guard. It seemed to refer to the martial artist standing outside the door now.
Though he was hiding his presence and concealing his movements, I had known since the moment Jang Yumyeong entered.
“His realm… approximately Transformation Realm?”
I couldn’t ascertain it precisely, but at a glance, he seemed to be around the lower ranks of the Hundred Great Experts.
Astonishing.
That someone kept merely as a guard was a Transformation Realm martial artist? That alone was astonishing, yet I was focusing more on Jang Yumyeong’s words.
“The fact that he mentioned that to me. Is it to let me know? Or does it carry another meaning?”
There is a guard by his side.
The very fact that he mentioned it is a subtle move.
Whether it’s to test if I had noticed.
Or whether it was a means to earn my goodwill, I could not tell. If the latter, it seemed like a fairly good method.
In truth, it had managed to raise my opinion of him somewhat.
“You clearly were not around the sparring stage. From where did you watch?”
Thus, I gave him a gift of my own.
“…!”
Jang Yumyeong’s eyes widened.
He seemed to have realized the meaning behind my words.
I know about the guild leaders who were present, and I know you were not among them.
I had subtly revealed that I possessed a considerable amount of information.
And at the same time, Jang Yumyeong would realize that I had leaked this intentionally.
“Haha… well, this is something.”
“I ask because I am truly curious. Where did you watch?”
Even while exchanging such a dark, inwardly-calculating conversation, Jang Yumyeong maintained his smile and offered an answer.
“I was in the general seating with an acquaintance.”
“…General seating?”
If he meant general seating…
Could he mean those narrow, first-come-first-served seats?
General seating was the lowest-class spectator seating prepared by the Alliance.
Why would that man go to such a place?
As if he had been waiting for the question that naturally arose, Jang Yumyeong answered.
“There is no special reason. I did it to gauge the honest reactions of those around me as well.”
To see the reactions?
I wondered what he meant…
“Immediately after the sparring ended, I was scheduled to discuss sponsorship with Shaolin.”
“…Hmm.”
Words of interest followed.
Saying it had been scheduled while being here now meant he had not gone through with it.
“Are you saying you postponed talks with Shaolin because you wish to sponsor me?”
“That is correct. It was contrived for that purpose from the very beginning.”
Just what had he seen in me?
I did not ask such bothersome questions.
I may not know about tomorrow, but today’s me held tremendous value. I was not so foolish as to be unaware of that.
“Patronage, huh…”
I was already receiving patronage from the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.
For him to say such things despite undoubtedly knowing that… did it mean he was that confident?
“Or is he testing the waters?”
Nothing was certain.
But in any case, the answer was already decided.
“I refuse.”
Whatever happened, the end of this conversation would be refusal.
The Jangwon Merchant Guild was unnecessary for my plans, so I would not get entangled.
Just as I thought this and was about to give my answer.
“However.”
Before I could, Jang Yumyeong spoke.
“I do not think I can speak of such things right now.”
“Pardon?”
Seeing Jang Yumyeong rise as he spoke, I couldn’t help but assume a blank expression.
I hadn’t even refused yet; what was this?
Just as I wondered why this man was suddenly acting this way.
“After speaking with you, I feel the conditions I brought are somewhat lacking. Thus, I intend to organize them and visit you again within a few days.”
“You will come again…?”
…Organize your conditions and come?
“If we continue talking now… I do not think it will lead to the result I desire.”
Damn.
I had wondered why he was suddenly doing this, but it seemed Jang Yumyeong had realized I was going to refuse.
But…
“Even if you come next time… I suspect my answer will not change even then.”
“Haha… that may well be.”
Jang Yumyeong hid a laugh at my answer.
“Still, a merchant’s heart is to buy what he wishes to buy, is it not?”
Saying this, he took something from his breast and smoothly placed it on the table.
“This is the sponsorship proposal I was about to put forth to you, Hero Gu. Please read it, and if possible, I hope you will keep it in mind.”
It was a neatly folded letter.
Counting the pages, it numbered a little over three sheets.
“The next time we meet, I shall come with conditions ‘far’ superior to these. Thank you for your precious time. I shall decline an escort, as you must be busy.”
Before I could even take the letter, Jang Yumyeong bowed deeply and calmly walked out of the room, disappearing from sight.
I had not intended to see him off in the first place.
“…Hmm.”
I sighed as I watched his retreating figure.
He was not easy.
Truly not easy.
“He absolutely refuses to yield the initiative.”
Though the conversation was brief, Jang Yumyeong had held all the initiative throughout.
Though he appeared considerate and conciliatory, he took what he needed.
It was truly a seasoned and skillful approach.
This is why I try not to talk at length with shrewd merchants.
“What to do.”
For now, I would have to report to Madam Mi that Jang Yumyeong had come.
Though chances are high Madam Mi already knows.
Still, I had to do what needed to be done.
*Rustle.*
I picked up the letter Jang Yumyeong had left behind and asked Moyong Hui-a.
“What were the conditions?”
Only upon hearing my question did Moyong Hui-a open her closed eyes.
No explanation was needed for what I was asking. She would have known from the start.
“…The exclusive trading rights to the jeweled ornaments of the Gwandong Bin family.”
It was the answer Moyong Hui-a had given to the question of what she had received for introducing Jang Yumyeong to me.
“The Gwandong Bin family… is that the place that makes ornaments?”
It’s ambiguous to call them a martial family. I believe they were a house formed by gathered jewel crafters.
Their distinguishing feature was that they crafted incredibly beautiful jewels.
“Yes. It was a condition that fit perfectly with the business I was going to pursue in the future… The Jangwon Merchant Guild held the trading rights with that place, you see.”
“But… he handed that over?”
“Yes.”
He handed over exclusive trading rights he possessed as the condition to let him meet me.
I was on the verge of bursting into a hollow laugh at those absurd words.
“At that price, it was worth it.”
If that was true, it was more than understandable. Even if I had been in her position, I would have sold out Moyong Hui-a.
“…I apologize.”
Even knowing that, Moyong Hui-a offered me an apology. Seeing that, I waved my hand and let out a smirk.
“Forget it. You likely didn’t do it on your own. It’s something we can use. Ah, does Madam Mi know as well?”
“…Yes. The branch manager knows as well.”
“Then I’ll have to ask her later.”
I decided to ask Madam Mi for the details, and began to discreetly examine the letter I held.
Just what kind of conditions were they that he went through the trouble of writing them down…
“…Huh?”
I examined it line by line with growing doubt.
The more I read, the more my brow gradually furrowed.
“…What is this?”
“Young master. What is it?”
At my reaction, Moyong Hui-a approached and began looking over the letter with me.
And shortly after.
“What the…”
Moyong Hui-a showed a reaction similar to mine.
“Is this person in his right mind?”
It couldn’t be helped.
Because the contents written in the letter were on an absurd level.
—The Jangwon Merchant Guild shall sponsor Gu Yangcheon of the Shanxi Gu family with a certain amount of trading profits circulated by the guild.
—Gu Yangcheon of the Shanxi Gu family may receive treatment equal to a branch manager at inns and major branches operated by the Jangwon Merchant Guild.
—The Jangwon Merchant Guild shall bear all leisure and luxury expenses for Gu Yangcheon of the Shanxi Gu family in his activities as a martial artist in the Central Plains going forward.
—The Jangwon Merchant Guild shall sponsor Gu Yangcheon of the Shanxi Gu family with Shadowless Pills or elixir pills of equal grade once every three months.
And so on.
Beyond these, absurd conditions were listed across three pages.
At the very end was a thick seal impression that appeared to be the guild leader’s stamp.
“Is he mad?”
They were the first words Moyong Hui-a spat out after reading it all.
She stared at the letter with absurd eyes, as if she simply could not believe it.
“The amount isn’t even fixed… A certain amount of trading profits? And branch manager-level treatment? What are Shadowless Pills?”
Shadowless Pills were not on the level of the Violet Pill, the Great Reversion Pill, or the Poison Heaven Pill, but they were still quite excellent elixir pills.
One could obtain them if one sought them, but… they were astronomically expensive.
They were probably the most expensive among elixir pills purchasable with money.
Moreover, what was this about a certain amount of profits?
It wasn’t clear exactly how much it meant, but if one estimated the profits earned by the great merchant guilds of the Central Plains…
“Even if they scraped off just a handful of dust from that…”
I suspected it might amount to the Gu family’s yearly budget, perhaps with slight exaggeration.
Any single one of them was an insane level of offer. And there were several.
Just what in the world was going on?
While staring at the letter with a blank expression.
“He’s definitely out of his mind. Otherwise…”
Moyong Hui-a spat out sharply, as if she couldn’t believe it.
Looking at her, I couldn’t hold back and had to speak.
“…Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Watch your mouth. Don’t speak rudely of our guild leader. Even if it’s you, I won’t forgive you for insulting him.”
“…?”
Hearing my words, Moyong Hui-a scrunched up her face.
It was the most disgusted expression I had seen on Moyong Hui-a in all the years I had known her.