"Father."
Huang Mun-yak slightly nodded as he saw Huang Zhong-yi enter through the door.
"How is your health?"
"Well. It’s hard to believe, but I truly feel as light as if I could fly. It feels like I’ve become ten years younger."
"That’s quite... a strange thing."
"The doctors are baffled too, but they say my pulse is vigorous and I’ve become as spry as a young person."
A look of confusion appeared in Huang Zhong-yi's eyes.
It was indeed a joyous occasion to see Huang Mun-yak rise from his sickbed.
However, it was odd that after being bedridden for so long, Huang Mun-yak could recover in such a short time, and even more bizarre that he seemed healthier than before.
"Anyway, congratulations."
"Stop with the flattery."
Huang Mun-yak waved his hand lightly.
"It’s just the power of the master of the sect. I merely received his grace."
Huang Mun-yak recalled the first words that Qing Ming had spoken to him. - A sage?
"It’s not entirely incorrect."
If 'sage' refers to those who cultivate the Dao and perform feats beyond human capability, then there was no reason not to call that child from the volcano a sage.
He himself was proof of that.
"So, what brings you here? You didn’t come just to check on my well-being now that I’ve confirmed my recovery, did you?"
"I cannot claim to be deeply filial, but I am not unfilial either. It is only natural for a child to care for their parents’ well-being, isn’t it?"
"Enough with the trivial talk. Get to the point. Time is not given freely."
Huang Zhong-yi slightly bowed his head.
It had not been long since he had risen from his seat, and despite his frail body, Huang Mun-yak had the unmistakable gaze of a merchant.
"Indeed, you are my father."
Thus, it was easier to broach the subject.
"Father. No, Master."
"Speak, my disciple."
By changing the title, the conversation shifted from the realm of family to that of the merchant guild.
"I heard you instructed to reduce dealings with Jongnam."
"I did so."
"And you also promised quite a substantial reward to the volcano, didn’t you?"
"That is correct."
"Father, Jongnam is a powerful sect in Xi'an and a prominent faction in Shaanxi. To distance ourselves from them and ally with the crumbling volcano is far too risky."
Huang Mun-yak nodded slowly without a definitive answer.
"It is only natural for you to feel gratitude towards the master of the sect. However, the promised rewards are excessive, and deepening our relationship with the volcano is also dangerous. If you truly intend to do so, please maintain our dealings with Jongnam as they were."
Huang Mun-yak picked up the teacup before him with a more serious expression.
He took his time to savor the aroma of the tea, then closed his eyes as he took a sip.
How much time had passed?
Quietly setting the cup down, Huang Mun-yak spoke in a more solemn tone.
"Disciple."
"Yes, Master."
"What is the duty of a merchant?"
"Well..."
Huang Zhong-yi hesitated before answering.
"The duty of a merchant is to conduct business according to the right path, to create a healthy marketplace, and to contribute to the country and the world."
"Hahaha."
Huang Mun-yak nodded repeatedly, as if satisfied.
"Disciple."
"Yes!"
"You have a way with words. Quite impressive."
"…Master?"
Huang Mun-yak spoke firmly.
"The duty of a merchant is to make money. As long as it does not violate the law or morality, or sometimes even when it does, pursuing wealth is the essence of being a merchant. Is that not so?"
Huang Zhong-yi bowed his head deeply.
"…That is correct."
"If you wish to act according to the right path, do so with the money you earn. If you wish to help others, use that money to do so. There is no right or wrong in the act of making money as a merchant. Only efficiency matters."
"Then how…?" If that were the case, wouldn’t the current choice be even more strange? To reduce dealings with Jongnam, which was clearly on the rise, and increase dealings with the volcano? If Jongnam were to find out, it would not be surprising if they cut ties with the Silver River Guild.
"Have you forgotten? How did I make my fortune?"
"Of course, I know. But…"
Huang Mun-yak's method of making money was simple.
He discovered the value of items that others overlooked and circulated them, or found undervalued things to support.
Whether it was a sect, another merchant guild, or even ruffians, Huang Mun-yak had nurtured the Silver River Guild in this manner, ultimately making it the foremost guild in Shaanxi.
"Are you saying you will invest in the volcano this time?"
"That is correct."
"But Master, until now, there have been clear reasons for your investments. However, I cannot see a reason to invest in the volcano."
"Have you not seen it for yourself?"
"…Are you referring to that child?"
"Yes."
"However…"
Huang Zhong-yi bit his lip slightly.
Qing Ming was indeed extraordinary.
That could not be denied.
But that was merely Qing Ming’s extraordinary talent.
The capabilities of one person do not necessarily translate to the greatness of an entire sect.
Especially not for such a young child.
"I can understand that the volcano may develop because of that child. Perhaps he could become even stronger than I expect. However, Master, no matter how I think about it, I do not believe that one child can make the volcano stronger than Jongnam. Wouldn’t that render it meaningless?"
Huang Mun-yak smiled gently.
"Do you think so? I see things a bit differently."
"…Master."
"Disciple. A merchant must look beyond the surface. There was a time when the Silver River Guild was important to Jongnam, but now we are merely one of many ordinary guilds to them. How much longer do you think we can continue to extract something from Jongnam?"
Huang Zhong-yi stared blankly at Huang Mun-yak.
He had not considered this far.
In retrospect, the attitude of the current leader of Jongnam had been excessively arrogant, hadn’t it? No matter how much Huang Mun-yak had been bedridden, if they had respected the Silver River Guild even a little, they would not have dared to act so recklessly.
"Jongnam has no further place to advance. Of course, they will try to move forward, but it will be slow and tedious. But the volcano is different. If the volcano grows as I envision and we can maintain a good relationship with it, the benefits that will come from it will be unimaginably great."
"But, Master, I still cannot see any guarantee that the volcano can grow that much."
Huang Mun-yak's eyes narrowed.
"Zhong-yi."
"Yes! Father."
The title changed again.
"You speak foolishly. A merchant does not wait with reasons. One must create the reasons."
"…"
"We do not wait for the volcano to grow. We must make the volcano grow. If we can succeed in this endeavor, we can leap from being the foremost guild in Shaanxi to one of the five great guilds in the Central Plains."
"That is a difficult task. If we fail, there will be no turning back."
"Haha. Now that my body is healthy, my spirit is youthful as well. So what if we fail? We can just start again. Are you worried about this wealth?"
"…"
"I am worried. Very worried. But what frightens me more is the possibility that I may never earn such a large sum again."
Huang Zhong-yi nodded.
His father had already made up his mind.
Further conversation would be meaningless.
"I still have my doubts. However, if you believe so, I will trust and follow you. And I will grow the volcano so that I can dispel my doubts with my own hands."
"Good. It’s nice to hear such words after a long time."
Huang Mun-yak laughed heartily.
However, Huang Zhong-yi’s words did not end there.
"However."
"Hmm?"
Huang Zhong-yi frowned as if he could not concede this point.
"Even so, the rewards and gifts you have given to that master of the sect seem excessive, don’t you think?"
"That is the crux of the matter."
"Yes?"
Huang Zhong-yi looked up at Huang Mun-yak with questioning eyes.
In response to that question, Huang Mun-yak smiled gently.
"What do you think will happen to that master of the sect?"
"Are you referring to his growth?"
"Yes."
Huang Zhong-yi pondered deeply before speaking.
"Considering his insight and decisiveness, it is only natural that he will hold a significant position in the volcano in the future. And if all goes well, he may even become the leader of the volcano…"
Huang Zhong-yi trailed off.
This was not something to be spoken lightly.
"Anyway, he is a child destined for greatness."
"No. He is already a great person."
Huang Mun-yak shook his head and continued.
"I have lived my life as a merchant. I have met countless magnates and masters, but the only one who has left me so flustered and in awe is that child. I sought the legendary dragon, only to find a dragon preparing to ascend right before my eyes. How could I not seize such an opportunity?"
"Is it really to that extent?"
"You will soon find out. Those called the best in the world cannot be understood by the ordinary mindset. Do not try to understand; just observe. The time will come when you will naturally accept it."
Huang Zhong-yi nodded.
He could not fully comprehend yet, but if Huang Mun-yak believed so, then it must be true.
But one question still lingered.
"Then why give such excessive wealth?"
"He is fundamentally a disciple of the Dao. And upon hearing that someone was ill, he rushed here, showing a sense of camaraderie. Of course, he did not come here solely out of goodwill, but there is no doubt that his nature is kind."
"Hmm."
Huang Mun-yak wore a slightly different, subtle smile than before.
"If that is the case, the wealth and gifts he has received will become an indelible burden on his heart. Especially at such a young age, it will weigh heavily on him. If we can bind him with such wealth, it would be a bargain."
"Is it truly a bargain?"
"…In truth, it cost five times more than I expected. That cunning little brat."
"…"
Frustration flashed across Huang Mun-yak's face.
"Why does that young lad desire so much? Damn it, if I had known he would extort that much, I would have feigned illness and sent him back somehow! He’s not a ghoul, yet he managed to squeeze that much out of me! I thought he would be grateful with just a little thrown his way…"
"Please calm down, Father. What if someone hears you?"
"Ahem. Ahem!"
Huang Mun-yak forced his true feelings back down, cleared his throat several times, and sighed.
"Anyway, if he appreciates us and accepts us as lifelong friends, the guild will not suffer any losses. In the long run, we will gain several times over."
"I understand. We must become good friends."
"Exactly. Then, good friends it is."
Huang Mun-yak and Huang Zhong-yi exchanged meaningful smiles.