Hwang Mun-yak sat across from Cheong-myeong, sipping tea.
Cheong-myeong frowned slightly as he observed Hwang Mun-yak.
It was Hwang Mun-yak who spoke first.
"How is it?"
"You say some strange things from time to time."
"It wouldn't be bad for the Sect Leader, would it?" Hwang Mun-yak's eyes sharpened as he watched Cheong-myeong's reaction.
Seeing Cheong-myeong with his brows furrowed and silent made him feel a subtle sense of discomfort. 'Is this Hwang Mun-yak really having a conversation on equal terms with that child?'
Though he wasn't filled with pride about himself, considering what Hwang Mun-yak had accomplished, it was still not enough to have a private meeting with the three great disciples of Hwasan.
Yet, here Hwang Mun-yak was, having a private conversation with Cheong-myeong, not as a benefactor who had saved him, but simply out of a desire to see how he could measure up against Hwasan's three great disciples.
"Now we are in the same boat, aren't we?"
"In the same boat…" Cheong-myeong smiled faintly.
"I was lucky enough to save the Lord of the Merchant Guild, but what am I to be in the same boat as the Lord? Now you should be talking with the Sect Leader."
"I have no desire to be in the same boat as Hwasan."
Cheong-myeong narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Hwang Mun-yak. 'Look at this?' Did I show too much?
"To be precise, Hwasan without the Young Sect Leader is outside my interest."
"I think you are overestimating me."
Hwang Mun-yak smiled slightly at Cheong-myeong's humility.
"Young Sect Leader, I am a merchant. I have lived my life as a merchant and will continue to do so until the day I die. If I have one weapon as a merchant, it is my ability to see people."
"…"
"If my judgment were wrong, I would have already failed. Even if I have been lucky so far and have not failed, I would surely collapse someday. There is nothing to feel wronged or regretful about. But if my judgment is correct…" Hwang Mun-yak looked at Cheong-myeong with meaningful eyes.
"Wouldn't good things happen for both the Eunha Merchant Guild and Hwasan?"
Cheong-myeong lightly scratched his cheek.
"Well, anyway, let's not say we are in the same boat. I don't really like that phrase."
"Why not?"
"Those who speak bluntly often stab you in the back."
They had been like that before.
Countless people had praised Cheong-myeong and the people of Hwasan for stepping forward to save the world, shedding tears.
Yet none of them ever showed kindness to Hwasan in the end.
So why would he like such words now?
"I don't particularly like those words either. For a merchant, a boat is something you can get on and off at any time."
"Yes, that would be the case."
"However…" Hwang Mun-yak smiled with a friendly face.
"If the destination is the same, there is no need to get off the boat, is there? If two people row together, they can go faster. Wouldn't that be acceptable?"
"Hmm."
Cheong-myeong looked at Hwang Mun-yak with serious eyes.
"Yes. Well, it wouldn't be bad."
Hwang Mun-yak's eyes sparkled with interest. 'It’s certain.' He had confirmed it.
The outcome of this conversation was not that important.
It would be good if he could gain Cheong-myeong's cooperation, but even if not, since he had finished negotiations with the Sect Leader, the Eunha Merchant Guild would support Hwasan and reap the benefits.
Still, the reason Hwang Mun-yak wanted to have a private meeting with Cheong-myeong was to confirm this point. 'In this child's mind, Hwasan is already developing.
As long as he has confidence, he believes Hwasan will surely advance.'
Such immense confidence.
But the reason that confidence did not feel like the arrogance of a naive child was likely due to the worldly wisdom that Cheong-myeong exuded from time to time.
"Young Sect Leader."
"Yes."
"The Eunha Merchant Guild will do its utmost to support Hwasan. You understand what that means, right?"
"Are you saying you will sever ties with Jong-nam?"
"That is correct."
"It seems a bit shameless to ask for a reward for something I never requested or desired."
"I do not seek a reward. I only hope that the Sect Leader acknowledges it."
"Yes, that much…" Acknowledgment.
He would acknowledge it.
As much as he wanted.
It wouldn't cost him anything.
"There will be times when I will visit often in the future."
"Yes. The Sect Leader said that if there is a need to send someone to the Eunha Merchant Guild, it will be me."
"That is quite a pleasant thing. I hope we can see each other often and build a bond. Hahaha."
"Yes, of course. Hahaha!"
Cheong-myeong and Hwang Mun-yak laughed heartily at each other while secretly harboring very different thoughts. 'This slippery little brat!' 'What are you trying to pull on me? I’ve seen a cartload of scoundrels like you in my past life!'
Though they faced each other with smiling faces, a subtle spark seemed to fly between them.
"Young Sect Leader."
"Yes?"
"This is a gamble that I am betting my life on."
"That sounds like something a young person should say."
"Well, since you saved my life, I believe I have gained a new life. It wouldn't be bad to stake this new life on you, would it?"
"I don’t think I would particularly care about that."
"I just wanted to let you know. Well then."
Hwang Mun-yak stood up.
He then gazed quietly at Cheong-myeong.
"As a small token of repaying my debt, I will say one thing to you."
"Yes."
"Young Sect Leader, you are exceptional. I doubt there is anyone like you in the world at your age."
"Thank you for your kind words."
You think there is no one like me at my age? There is no one like me in the world, even if you search high and low! Who else has died and come back to life like me?
"But the Young Sect Leader needs to conceal himself a bit more. The world is a dangerous place. It is a place where all kinds of ghosts and evil spirits dance, and where greedy people fight over even the smallest gains. The moment the Young Sect Leader stands out like a sore thumb, there will be many who will come rushing in with affection."
Cheong-myeong chuckled.
"You think too highly of me. I'm just a kid."
"I have said all I needed to say. Well then."
Hwang Mun-yak bowed deeply and turned to leave.
"Ah, wait a moment."
"Yes?" Hwang Mun-yak turned back as Cheong-myeong wore a subtle smile.
"There are a few things I would like you to find out. Is that possible?"
Hwang Mun-yak also wore a subtle smile and nodded.
"Of course, I can do that."
With a thud, Hwang Mun-yak closed the door and stepped out, where Hwang Jong-ui was waiting and approached him.
"Did you have a good conversation?"
"What about the negotiations with the regional governor?"
"We have decided to deploy our subordinates to Hwa-eum starting today. If we support and distribute the guild's goods, we should stabilize the business within ten days."
"That's too long."
Hwang Mun-yak cut him off sharply.
"Even if it means taking a loss, stabilize it within three days. This is not the time to pursue profits. We must show them our capabilities."
"Understood."
Hwang Jong-ui could not hide his curiosity and asked indirectly.
"What about the Young Sect Leader…?"
"…Well."
Hwang Mun-yak turned back with a subtle expression. 'What a monster he is.' He could not see him.
He had no idea what he was thinking.
Even the childishness that showed on the surface was hard to tell if it was real or fake.
"Hwasan…" Hwang Mun-yak smiled pleasantly.
"It would be better to call it Yong-so (Dragon Marsh)."
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing. Let’s go."
Hwang Mun-yak walked away with a light step.
Yong-so.
A marsh where dragons live.
There was no need to think about whom that dragon referred to.
"Jong-ui."
"Yes, Father."
"It seems my thoughts have changed a bit. Perhaps we should stake everything on Hwasan."
"…"
Hwang Mun-yak looked around with slightly excited eyes.
Merchants do not live on money; they live on information.
Money is merely the result obtained by utilizing information.
He was the first to notice that a dragon lived in Hwasan, a place that no one paid attention to.
Even Hwang Mun-yak, with his worldly wisdom, could not easily guess how valuable this information was. 'If I use this information well, the Eunha Merchant Guild could rise to become the number one merchant guild in the world.'
It wouldn't be easy, but that’s why it was worth a try, wasn’t it?
"There is much to do. Let’s set the stage."
Hwang Jong-ui followed behind Hwang Mun-yak, looking puzzled.
And from the high eaves of Baekmaegwan, a pair of eyes watched their retreating figures.
"Ugh."
Cheong-myeong, who had been watching the two being sent off by the elders of Hwasan, lay sprawled on the eaves.
"They say old ginger is spicy."
Dealing with Hwang Mun-yak felt completely different from dealing with Hyun-jong or the other elders of Hwasan.
Of course, the elders of Hwasan were profound and had their own wisdom.
However, when viewed coldly, they were cultivators who had lived their entire lives in the mountains.
Hwang Mun-yak, who had lived his whole life in the world of merchants, could not be compared to them.
"What does it matter?" In any case, it was resolved.
Hwang Mun-yak would become a great help to Hwasan.
He would fill the most lacking part of Hwasan.
Wealth? No. Hwang Mun-yak would restore the sense of the mundane world that Hwasan had lost while being isolated from it for so long.
If Hwasan were merely a sect, that would be one thing, but since they claimed to be a martial sect, this was absolutely necessary.
Cheong-myeong, with his hands clasped behind his head, looked up at the blue sky and smiled.
"In any case, I resolved one thing, Hyung. What do you think? Do you think I did well?"
The figure of Cheong-mun, visible beyond the sky, seemed to smile at Cheong-myeong.
It was as if he was saying, 'See? You can do it, can't you?'
"You've only just taken one step."
There was still a long way to go.
The biggest obstacle to Hwasan's rise had been removed.
There would be no more problems arising from wealth.
The issue of survival had been resolved, so it was now time to focus on martial arts.
It was not the time to blame Jong-nam.
If Jong-nam had turned their eyes away from their roots, then Hwasan was in a situation where it had completely lost its roots, wasn't it? They needed to quickly find a way to restore Hwasan's roots to them.
Cheong-myeong sat up straight.
"Ugh. When will I raise these things?"
Though he lamented with his mouth, looking down at the scenery of Hwasan made his heart feel a little lighter.
Though it had changed a lot from before, it was still Hwasan.
Just looking at it made him…
Cheong-myeong lay back down again.
"Hyung, Hyung. I should have listened to you when you used to nag me like that. Now that I’m in your position, I understand."
Cheong-myeong closed his eyes.
The image of his former self, hiding from Hyung's gaze on the eaves, and the figure of the Sect Leader searching for him with a flushed face came to mind.
Though their appearances had changed and time had passed, Hwasan was still Hwasan.
Yes, it was just Hwasan.
On a day when the long winter passed and the first plum blossoms of spring began to sprout in Hwasan.