Hyeonjilmusin - Chapter 109



Only Krnovel

109. King Shang (3)

The answer to my request to see the King came a few days later. A messenger from the Janggyeongsangdan Huiyin Branch came and delivered a letter.

If you calculate the time it takes for Sun Yingyi to travel from Huiyin to Nanjing, where the Janggyeongsangdan headquarters and Tianshusangdan are located, it seems that he agreed without the slightest hesitation. Since he had to pass through Anhui to return to Hubei anyway, there was no need to change the route.

“The King. Is he really that great?”

Myeongyeop asked indifferently.

“That’s amazing.”

“Really? In terms of martial arts world, to what extent?”

“He is the best in the world.”

“Really? That’s it?”

“yes.”

This was truly the truth, without exaggeration. The merchants who currently dominate the Central Plains are represented by the 15 families of Huizhou and the 4 families of Shanxi. Among them, the most prominent one was the Cheonsu Sangdan of King Yeo Bul-jin.

“That’s a bit surprising.”

Myungyeop shrank back. He seemed a bit surprised when compared to the best in the world.

“But why are you calling us too?”

As Myeongyeop said, Yeo Buljin didn’t just call me. She also called the shamans who were with her. The reason was clear.

“Do you know which sect the merchants of Huizhou most wanted to cooperate with?”

“Where is it?”

“Us.”

“Really? Why?”

Myeongyeop made a face as if he had never heard of it before. That would make sense. The shaman really had no interest in the Sanggye.

Even in my previous life, I was still a shaman who had a high position. For such a shaman to come out of the upper world because of me, this was actually a historical change of a cataclysmic level.

“What is the province between Shanxi and Anhui?”

“It’s Hanam.”

“That’s right. There’s a Shaolin Temple in Hanam, right?”

“that’s right.”

“Shaolin Temple is on the side of Shanxi merchants.”

“That’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“It’s something that’s been secretly circulating in the commercial world, so the people can’t help but be unaware of it.”

Shanxi merchants and Shaolin Temple have historically cooperated. Shaolin Temple sent many monks to repel foreign enemies from the north, and as a result, it became close with Shanxi merchants. In that sense, it was inevitable that Shanxi merchants and Shaolin Temple would become intertwined.

“That’s why the merchants of Huizhou can’t help but feel uneasy. Henan, which is right next to Anhui, has turned into a district for merchants of Shanxi.”

“That makes sense.”

“The Wudang sect is the only sect recognized as Shaolin’s rival in the martial arts world. And it’s in Hubei, which borders Anhui and Henan. Geographically and politically, recruiting the Wudang sect would be the best.”

“I see. It’s a bit complicated.”

Myeong-yeop understood it to some extent, but Myeong-gyeong, Myeong-seong, and Myeong-jin behind him had clouded eyes. It was difficult for them to understand the political dynamics that were formed along with the geographical content at a young age.

“So the King will be more interested in the shaman faction than me. I’m just a bonus.”

“But there’s nothing I can do.”

“It would be great if you could just convey the word. Look forward to it. I’ll probably give you the best treatment you can get in the Central Plains.”

Myeongyeop’s eyes wavered slightly. He shouldn’t be shaken by such hospitality when he has become a Taoist, but it was the best hospitality in the Central Plains, so it was tempting.

“Then do you eat a lot of delicious food?”

Even Myeong-gyeong, who was behind him, seemed to have perked up his ears at those words and chimed in.

“Of course. There may be foods I’ve never tried before.”

“and!”

Not only Myeonggyeong, but also Myeongseong and Myeongjin’s eyes changed.

These are children who used to eat only grass, but now they are discovering the taste of meat. I wonder if their standards are becoming higher because of the delicious food.

So we headed from Huiyin to Nanjing. Now that our Hwiyeongsangdan’s flag and the Mudangpa’s flag were flying at the same time, no one came to pick a fight.

In the first place, Jiangsu Province was the territory of the Huizhou merchants, so it was well-developed for merchants to travel around. The third-rate warriors who demanded tolls were all dealt with by ronin.

The road was well-paved and there was no trouble, so we arrived at Nanjing really quickly.

After arriving in Nanjing, I realized that I had forgotten about minor issues.

“But where is the Cheonsu Sangdan… … .”

The location of Cheonsu Sangdan was vague. Nanjing must have been such a large city.

I asked people for directions. Their responses were all the same.

“No, you don’t know Cheonsu Sangdan? You’re an outsider.”

“It’s not easy to not know about such a fancy place.”

When I turned my head after hearing that, I finally noticed the signboard that said Cheonsu Sangdan hanging on a building that was so fancy it stood out even in the city.

Only then did I remember. At that time, Cheonsu Sangdan was also famous as the most splendid manor.

It is so wonderful that I heard that even the royal family rents an annex to the Cheonsu Sangdan Manor to spend their vacations there.

It was a high-ranking official who was responsible for even the royal family’s vacations. It was inevitable to admit that the influence of the Cheonsu High-ranking Officials was great.

In fact, even when viewed from the outside, the size of the manor was so enormous that it was almost grand.

“Who are you?”

As we approached the door, the guard of the Cheonsu Sangdan asked politely.

In fact, the escorts of such large families or the upper class are often rude. They equate themselves with wealth.

However, Cheonsu Sangdan was strict about this part. Everyone could be his customer, so Yeo Bul-jin said that if you have Cheonsu Sangdan’s name on you, you should treat everyone kindly.

‘He is certainly an excellent merchant.’

It may be a little lacking compared to me.

“This is Mukhwiyoung from Hwiyoungdan.”

I tried to introduce myself and take out the invitation, but the escort understood right away.

“Thank you for coming. I was waiting to see when you would come.”

“I see. Thank you for saying so.”

“No, that’s our job. But there is a procedure, so could you show me the invitation?”

“yes.”

I took out the invitation and showed it to him. The escort held it up to the sunlight and nodded.

“It is the original. I will help you with the directions.”

The escort opened the door with alacrity. As soon as the door opened, exclamations erupted from everyone behind them without anyone needing to say who it was.

“Wow.”

I was surprised too. I have once splurge on a manor, but not to this extent.

The first thing that caught our eye was the main hall. From the dragon carvings made of lapis lazuli on the eaves of the roof, to the golden tiles covering the roof, to the beautifully embroidered flowers.

The road leading to the pavilion was paved with marble. On the left side of the road was a lake, and on the right side were trees and flowers. If the paradise of the peach blossoms had come down to the world, it would look like this.

“That’s amazing.”

I sent my heartfelt admiration to the escort. The escort simply smiled kindly.

These luxurious palaces and friendly households. That was the strategy chosen by Cheonsu Sangdan, and it elicited an effective response from the common people. If the same item was sold at the same price, they would buy Cheonsu Sangdan’s. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Yeo Bul-jin was a man of good means.

“I understand that the people you are meeting with are the head monk and the four disciples of the shaman sect. I will guide the others to the main hall so they can rest.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The members of the Hwiyoungsangdan followed the escort to the main hall, and the brothers and I were guided by another person. He looked like a merchant dressed in luxurious silk clothes, not a military man.

“Master Danju and the shamans, please follow me.”

We walked through the manor, following the friendly merchant. There was even a rare-looking bird flying around the manor. It didn’t just fly in, it seemed like it was raised here.

I was about to ask, but I kept my mouth shut for fear of sounding like a country bumpkin. When I looked to the side, the executioners seemed to be thinking the same thing, as their mouths were twitching.

The main hall was so large that it seemed close, but it took half a walk to get there. The inside of the hall was just as splendid as the outside. No, it was even more splendid. Statues, paintings, and ornaments were hanging here and there.

The upper chamber of the Cheonsu Sangdan had a magnificent door that could be seen from afar. As expected, the merchant went to the door, grabbed the handle, and knocked.

“Your Majesty, the guests from the Hwiyoungsangdan and the shaman have arrived.”

“okay.”

A heavy voice was heard from inside. When the door opened, two figures appeared. One was a large man in a plain cloth, and the other was a small man in a silk robe.

The furniture, including the chairs and desks, looked expensive, and the person wearing the plain clothes caught the eye.

I expected a small figure to come towards me, but it was a giant in a plain robe who stood up and approached us.

“I am a woman of the highest order.”

I was a little surprised. When I saw Yeo Bul-jin in my previous life, it was at least 20 years later than now.

The Yeo Bul-jin I knew was a small man with wrinkled eyelids and gloomy eyes. But now, Yeo Bul-jin boasted sharp eyes, plump skin, and broad shoulders.

Looking closely, I saw that the short man had a soft sword strapped to his waist. The short man was the escort, and the big man was Yeo Bul-jin.

‘So this is what you looked like when you were young.’

It’s been a long time since I felt so overwhelmed by people.

Actually, I am not the owner of the Whiyoungdan, which has the highest rank in the Dobang-level. I am at most the owner of a new dan.

Meeting the giant of the era in such a position made me feel momentarily intimidated. But that was only for a moment. I held out my chest and took the hand that Yeo Bul-jin offered me.

“This is Mukhwiyoung from Hwiyoungdan.”

“You must have high self-esteem to put your name at the top.”

“haha.”

Yeo Bul-jin threw a sharp joke and turned to the shaman priests to throw a lottery ticket.

“I am Yeo Bul-jin of the Cheonsu Sangdan. I never thought I would see shamans and Taoists like this at my Sangdan, so I am very happy.”

For me, shaking hands and offering lottery tickets to the shamans was a sign of respect.

When Myeong-yeop and the other executioners realized this, they faced each other and exchanged lottery tickets.

“This is the shaman’s famous leaf.”

“It’s a mirror.”

“It’s fame.”

“This is Myeongjin.”

Even Myeong-gyeong, who usually speaks informally, spoke formally this time. It didn’t seem like it was because I said that I was the best in the world in martial arts.

Right now, Yeo Bul-jin was definitely radiating an air of dominance, from her appearance to her presence. She even had the composure that only a successful person who was recognized by everyone could exude.

“Okay. Nice to meet you.”

Yeo Bul-jin sat on a fancy chair, and the escort stood to make room for us. We sat side by side across from Yeo Bul-jin.

“I’m making some tea, so let’s talk later.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Looking to the side, there was another door. It seemed to be a guard room. A delicious aroma of boiling tea wafted through the crack in the door.

Meanwhile, Yeo Bul-jin looked into our eyes without saying anything, which was burdensome. The disciples of the shaman faction, including Myeong-yeop, even looked away.

“That’s interesting.”

Yeo Bul-jin hummed with a smile. There was a strange weight to her smile. It was nothing special, but my heart was pounding. I tried my best to shake off the pressure.

Soon the door next to me opened and an escort came out carrying a tray with teacups on it. It seemed that not only the escort but also the attendant was there as well.

“Now, before we talk, let’s have a sip of tea.”

Yeo Bul-jin said as she picked up her teacup. We followed suit and picked up our teacups and took a sip.

The tea was so delicious that even I was dazzled. Come to think of it, Yeo Bul-jin must have been very interested in tea ceremony. Tea served by someone who truly knew tea ceremony was incredibly delicious.

“It’s delicious.”

“Is that so? I’m proud.”

Yeo Bul-jin laughed heartily. And then the laughter stopped.

“I want to hear the story of the upper class first. He said he wanted to see me.”

“Yes.”

I braced myself. From now on, it was a tightrope walk. What I was going to say was sensitive.

“Why?”

Yeo Bul-jin asked directly. Then I had to answer directly as well.

“The successor to Cheonsu Sangdan is Yeo Hongyang, not Prince Yeo Hongwon.”

The shamanic death row inmates sitting next to me simultaneously turned their heads to me.