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8.
Below that, deep eyes shining brightly in the moonlight.
The light makeup made her look innocent and youthful, but conversely, the red skirt that seemed to subtly accentuate her figure made her feel like a mature woman.
In some ways, she looked like a fairy, and in other ways, like a courtesan.
It was quite novel to see that one person possessed such a diverse range of paintings.
Moreover, once you hear her introduction, a new picture is added again.
Greetings. I am Jung So-eul of the Girl Galaxy Merchant Group.
Courtesy that is neither excessive nor insufficient.
A natural dignity, imbued with the passage of time, is visible throughout the body.
“Speaking of the Galaxy Merchant Guild…….”
Before I could even finish speaking, a smile formed on Jung So-eul’s lips.
“Yes. It is the Eunha Merchant Guild that Confucius knows.”
There was deep pride in her voice.
Indeed, together with the Wang family, the Four Heavenly Kings
Because Jeong Sim-ho, considered one of the greatest merchants, was her father.
The family has engaged in commerce for generations and exerts immense influence over the former Wei region, centered around Henan.
It was both a competitor and a business partner with the Wang family, who dominated logistics in the southeastern region centered around Anhui.
however.
“How did you find me from that galaxy consortium?”
At my question, Jeong So-eul turns her head toward Wang So-so.
Wang So-so turned her head away sharply with a huff.
“Having recently heard of the renown of Young Master Jin that shakes the world, I sought to request an audience out of admiration; however, for some reason, it seems my feelings have not properly reached you, Young Master, so I have come rushing here, risking the breach of etiquette.”
“Hah! Good heavens, what nonsense!”
Wang So-so tried to intervene, but Jeong So-eul did not listen to her to the end and looked up at me again.
Her large eyes are incredibly moist.
Like a clear lake that evokes a collision making one want to throw oneself into it at any moment.
Young Master Jin is more dignified and imposing than I heard in the rumors. ……
“My heart is racing so much that I cannot look at you for long.”
“……
Huh! Good heavens! … …
“Hah! Good heavens!”
Her beautiful appearance and alluring body lines, along with her innocent words, were enough to shake a man’s heart and mind.
“Oh dear… I’ve gone on a tangent. Please forgive my rudeness.”
Jeong So-eul bows her head once again.
Strangely enough, a different scent wafted every time she moved her body.
If it had been a sweet scent just moments ago, now I could feel the refreshing fragrance of delicate wildflowers. ‘You are skilled.’ What was most surprising was how natural every action and every tone of voice was.
As if everything were predetermined and flowing according to the natural order.
She is a woman whom any man, as long as he is aware that he is a man, cannot help but fall for.
“I would have done the same. That is, if I hadn’t known who she was.” Smiling sweetly, she gestured to the servant to receive the bookbinding.
Like her palace headdress, it was red silk with gold thread embroidery.
“Will you accept the heart of a girl who wishes to get to know you a little better, Confucius?”
A bookbinding scroll is held out to me with a white touch like a rice cake.
“Jin Ora…….”
Wang So-so, who was about to suddenly butt in, clamped her mouth shut in frustration at Jung So-eul’s relaxed gaze.
They must have realized that butting in without the other person’s consent is undignified behavior.
I took my eyes off Wang So-so and looked at Jeong So-eul.
“Miss Jeong…….”
Please call me Maera.
Where.
Miss Jeong. There is something I would like to ask you.
She didn’t go out of her way to change the way she addressed her, but she didn’t frown at all.
“What is it?”
“Is this invitation being sent personally by Miss Jeong, or in the name of the Galaxy Merchant Guild?”
“Hoho. Is there a difference depending on that?”
Of course I do.
“…….”
For a moment, a look of brief bewilderment flickered across Jung So-eul’s face before quickly vanishing.
“Hmm… I’m not really sure. Could you please explain?”
It means that if it is an invitation sent personally, she will decline it, and if it is sent through the Galaxy Merchant Guild, there is no need to accept it since Wang Xiaosuo has already declined.
“……!”
Jeong So-eul and Wang So-so’s eyes widened.
Looking at it this way, it looks like two rabbits were startled by seeing a tiger at the same time.
Uh, anyway, are you saying that you are refusing?
Jeong So-eul could not hide her flustered expression, as if this was the first time she had faced such a rejection.
“For some reason…….”
She was about to continue the question, but soon closed her mouth.
It was obvious that he was racking his brains over how the current situation was unfolding.
I moved my body without giving her any more time.
Well then, I’ll be going now.
As I walked ahead, Wang So-so stuck out her tongue at Jeong So-eul and followed me triumphantly from behind.
Why do you look like you’re in a better mood?
“Brother Jin!”
Wang So-so, who is clinging to me, whispers softly.
“I was right. There really is no one like you, Brother Jin.”
I couldn’t quite grasp what was being said, so I stopped myself from asking.
Because there is nothing worse than whispering behind someone’s back after they have been rejected.
For some reason, I felt a burning gaze on the back of my head. After entering the office, I conveyed what had just happened to my father and King Jang-ju.
But the reaction was a bit strange.
“This friend So-un… As expected, you are the Wang clan leader…”
“father!”
“Ahem… Sorry. Anyway, Taesan. Didn’t I tell you?”
A complicated silence passes between the three people, as if something else had happened.
I didn’t really want to make you worry.
King Jang-ju shook his head at his father’s simple words.
“Anyway…….”
“What’s wrong?”
“Well… if something’s wrong, then something must be.”
As the Daecheon Trading Company expanded into Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, the volume of goods to be supplied increased, but the supply was not smooth.
Most of the tourists visiting Hangzhou are the children of high-ranking officials or people of high status.
Products that meet their standards are often manufactured in Hebei.
However, since the majority of artisans in Hebei belong to the Galaxy Merchant Guild or affiliated guilds, they are in a situation where they cannot bring goods directly without the Galaxy Merchant Guild’s permission.
Of course, since the Galaxy Merchant Guild also needs the grain and silk from Gangnam, they agreed to an equivalent exchange, but they are dragging their feet without actually signing the agreement.
Does the Galaxy Merchant Guild have a separate channel to receive grain or silk?
Wang Jang-ju nodded.
“It’s not quite on the scale of Gangnam, but we have supply chains in Sichuan, Guizhou, and Hunan as well.”
The Galaxy Merchant Group’s main trading partner is the Wang family.
However, knowing that the reason the Wang family needed luxury goods was because of the Daecheon Merchant Group, they proposed different conditions.
“It must be related to the bookbinding that woman brought earlier.”
“The Eunha Merchant Guild is celebrating its 180th anniversary. I heard they are gathering people to demonstrate their martial arts.”
Song and dance are essential components of a typical banquet.
What powerful entities like Ramen and the Galaxy Merchant Guild always showcase together is their influence.
Wanting to boast about how strong their power is.
The Galaxy Group was requiring me to attend the banquet as a condition of the contract.
So you’re asking me to come over and dance to liven up the atmosphere?
The easiest way to demonstrate their influence is to show that outstanding individuals are acting on their whim.
From a warrior’s perspective, showcasing their martial arts in front of a crowd is an unbearably humiliating experience.
The sight of a great person coming and performing was certainly enough to demonstrate influence.
“The Eunha Merchant Guild has a close relationship with Shaolin. In particular, their second son is also from the academy. You must have heard of it, Jeong So-gun.”
I nodded.
Because the record of him rising to the rank of Grand Master remained in the Mantongbu.
“I know Yoo Seong-chang, the Lord Jeong So-gun.”
Moreover, if I were to show off some mediocre martial arts in a place where there are outstanding masters from the Murim Alliance, I would likely just end up being embarrassed. To think they would invite me with such a setup.
The intention is so obvious that it’s enough to make me laugh ironically.
They are making even more persistent demands now that they know you are the representative of this class.
Come to think of it, haven’t I personally received countless invitations myself?
The position of Representative of Murim Academy is a title that naturally sparks people’s curiosity.
Besides, since I am a disciple of a lowly sect, their curiosity must be double. ‘Well, I threw it all away without even looking because it was a hassle.’ It wasn’t surprising that such a request was coming in through my father.
There is no need to worry.
Father said firmly.
“We are making enough profit even without selling luxury goods. There is no need for you to step into a position you do not want.”
My father said this, but I thought a little differently.
“No, why?”
“huh?”
“Just think how much profit comes from luxury goods. Why would you turn that down just to save face?”
I would like to build a pond in each hall of the Taeeulmun.
“You called it a waste of money one moment…….”
Father looked as if he had been betrayed.
Of course, it’s a waste of money when you have nothing, but when you have an abundance, isn’t it more than enough?
My father, his expression stiff, asked me.
“So… you’re going?”
Isn’t that obvious?
I nodded immediately.
“Of course. It’s a place where I can make money, isn’t it? I’ll go twice, no, even five times.”
The profits from luxury goods are incomparable to those of manufactured goods.
Essentials are swayed by cost-effectiveness, but rich guys are crazy people who think their pride is hurt if the price is cheap.
I can guarantee this, having worked hard under the tutelage of the sons of the most prominent families in the Murim Alliance.
The more expensive the price, the more these bastards go crazy and rush in.
It is literally like picking up money while swimming with your feet on the ground.
“You’re refusing this just to save a little pride?” “Besides, the Galaxy Merchant Guild wouldn’t be inviting me to this event simply to save face.” They sent their precious daughter to invite a disciple from a sect barely bigger than a booger.
Even though I anticipated that refusing would be a huge loss of face.
Of course, it is impossible to know whether this was the merchant’s idea or Jung So-eul’s. Jung So-eul herself does not appear to have expected to be rejected in the first place. The problem is that she visited at night, rather than during the day when there are many eyes watching.
If Jeong So-eul had been confident in herself, she would have come during the day.
But she came at night.
“Ultimately, her actions at night must be seen as being driven by another’s scheme. So she calculated that I would refuse. I can sense the sinister nature characteristic of those in power, even in such trivial details.”
Even if we let it slide this time, similar incidents will likely continue to happen.
Whether you are an ordinary person or a saint, you are bothered by a sharp object suddenly sticking out of your pocket.
If it’s a hassle I’m going to have to deal with anyway, it’s better if I strike first.
At least if you strike first, you can spot an opening in your opponent.
While I was lost in thought for a moment, I heard Wang Jang-ju’s voice.
“As expected… an insane obsession with money. And even a mind-reading mind that stops at nothing to achieve its goals.”
Wang Jang-ju was looking at me with a strangely dazed gaze.
“As expected, it is clear that the blood of a merchant, not a warrior, flows through your veins! You, why don’t you truly become a merchant?”
You’re not mocking me for being crazy about money, are you? #I specifically told them not to reply to the invitation first.
For one thing, since I had already expressed my refusal to Jung So-eul’s face, it wouldn’t be appropriate to answer immediately. Besides, ‘it’s a chance to see how persistent you are.’ To see how much you care about me, I told her to wait for another invitation before replying. [What if no more invitations come?]
My father asked that question, but I shrugged my shoulders.
If they don’t come, they don’t come.
My father is quite old-fashioned when it comes to things like this.
The next day, after meeting Baek Haegwang and fainting once, I woke up and saw a strange sight at the training ground on my way to meet Jang Dowon as promised.
It appeared that not only Saryeon but also the brothers Geum, Eun, and Dong were teaching the disciples of Taeeulmun, but the content was a bit strange.
“Listen carefully! Senior Brother said that this practice is the only hope that will save your lives in any situation.”
“Senior Brother said that the Jianghu is a place where letting your guard down for even a single moment results in the loss of your life! From my experience, that was clearly true!”
“Senior Brother said, ‘You must train thoroughly and train again to be able to use it just once in actual combat!’”
“You have to listen to your senior! If you listen, you can always survive!”
Leaving aside the fact that he was planting strange fantasies about me, he was portraying the martial arts world so terrifyingly that he was scaring the kids. ‘At this rate, the kids will probably get scared and run away instead…’ Just as I was about to enter the training ground to tell him to stop.
“““Yes! I will keep that in mind!”””… …
The answer came with a thunderous shout.
What’s up with this? The kids are taking that seriously again.
“From now on, I will relearn the Socheon Sword Technique. Those who are ready, step forward!”
At Geumpyo’s words, the priests began to rush forward without hesitation.
I hesitated whether to stop him or not, then soon turned around.
It feels a bit excessive, but it’s better than not having enough.
I’m sure they’ll figure it out on their own.
I headed straight to the blacksmith’s shop.
A large blacksmith shop created by demolishing the wall of the original Taeeulmun building and expanding it.
They even made a stall so that Jang Do-won could do business whenever he wanted, but Jang Do-won had actually blocked off the stall himself.
“It seems you don’t have much work. Seeing you resting like this…..”
Before I could even finish speaking, Jang Do-won grabbed some sand from the ground and threw it at me.
I quickly dodged using the Taeeulpalmansinbo.
“Hey, why are you throwing sand at people?”
“A person? Are you even human? If you’re human, you should have a conscience! What kind of person are you without a conscience!”
“Oh come on, it’s just a joke.”
“Noooongdam? You mean asking me to make a weapon after half a year when the blacksmith hasn’t even lit the fire yet is Noooongdam?”
But there really was nothing I could do.
I have gathered all the materials for the Red Light Sword knowing that the Demonic Cult bastards are operating in the secret martial arts world, so I can’t just wait for it to be made according to original history, can I?
Moreover, Jang Do-won even created the Red Light Sword in just half a year in his previous life.
Well, it is a fact he doesn’t know in his current life.
I spoke while pretending to be watching his reaction on purpose.
“It had no choice, Elder. For the peace of the martial arts world…….”
Tsk.
A slight sense of unease spreads as I see Jang Do-won frowning and clicking his tongue.
Did they perhaps not make it?
Anyway, in his previous life, Jang Do-won harbored a grudge against the Demonic Cult and fifteen
Because I created a divine artifact. Since I don’t have a grudge yet, I can’t make it──.
chuck
-“……!”
Contrary to my expectations, Jang Do-won threw down a long object wrapped in cloth.
“I won’t ask where you obtained that subversive item. Still, you’d better use it carefully. It certainly isn’t an item from the royal world.”
The subversive object he is speaking of must be the Blood Sea Jade.
The remaining question now is whether I digested it well, just like in my previous life…
Gulp.
I slowly untied the cloth with a nervous heart.
