Chapter 169: You Never Know What Life Brings

Qidiao hwang, who had heard the unexpected words, blinked his wide eyes.

‘Just as Hall Master Hui said… Truly remarkable.’

There was a story he had heard when he went to Red Cat Merchant Guild earlier and met Hui Bu-yong.

-Hall Master Hui, is it really true?

-Yes. Sect Master Cheol said this at that time. That the settlement of past affairs is sufficient with just the already-predestined downfall of Azure Hound Trading Company. Of course, the Qidiao Escort Agency group went along with Hall Master Choe’s cruel actions, but he was confident that Family Head Qidiao would be able to set it right. That’s why he ordered that meteoric iron worth several dozen swords to be handed over for free.

-Hmm. He trusts our family, so respond in kind… That’s what it means.

-Yes.

-They say people are different on the outside than inside, but I never knew that Hall Master Choe, with whom we’d been close for such a long time, had mistreated and driven out Sect Master Cheol so badly in the past.

-Honestly, everyone was indifferent. It was the same for our trading company too. Under the judgment that there was nothing to gain from forming connections with a martial sect that had been declining for decades… But after meeting Sect Master Cheol, I found myself reflecting on myself anew.

-I’m ashamed. I considered Hall Master Choe’s existence as a very precious connection and dispatched our escort agency personnel while also having them serve as bodyguards… As Hall Master Hui knows well, our family has gained many benefits through exchanging with Azure Hound Trading Company over the years. Since Hall Master Choe was so competent at his work, I naturally assumed his character would also have no significant flaws. No, I think I was caught up in the delusion of wanting to believe that if I didn’t act that way, those following me wouldn’t either. Just receiving formal reports from my subordinates…

-I empathize. When you sit in a high position, there’s more work to do, so there are things you actually end up overlooking more.

-That’s right. I forgot the teachings of my father and past generations. It was said that the first virtue a Family Head must possess is seeing well, the second is hearing well, and the third is getting along well… Only then can you closely grasp the current situation, and furthermore preemptively respond to various crisis factors that may arise…

-Yes, I too have been hearing similar things since I was young. But it’s not as easy as it sounds.

-Hmm… Through this incident, I’ve newly realized how heavy the duty and responsibility I bear as Family Head are. I won’t make excuses. My fault for not looking around more carefully is the greatest. I always said in words not to judge people only by money and background, but I myself was negligent in being an exemplar through leading action.

-Please don’t blame yourself too much. It’s fortunate that you’ve learned about the matters surrounding Hall Master Choe now at least.

-From now on, I will once again strengthen our family’s internal affairs so as not to disgrace our ancestors’ reputation.

-As long as Family Head Qidiao is here, I believe the Qidiao Sword Family’s reputation will rise even higher in the future. Indeed.

-Thank you for saying that, even if it’s just words.

-Well then… Shall we begin proper negotiations?

-I’ll listen.

-Following Sect Master Cheol’s word, handing over a large quantity of Meteoric iron for free comes with three conditions. First is cleanly settling the relationship with Azure Hound Trading Company and then signing an exclusive trading contract with our company.

-Fine. Changing trading partners is only natural.

-To remind you again, it means only our company will supply the various necessary goods.

-Haha. I understand.

-My, you’re so agreeable.

-I was already planning to visit Azure Hound Trading Company after concluding this meeting and terminate our mutual contract. There’s no problem whatsoever with that. A clause exists stating that the contract can be terminated at any time if there’s attributable cause that negatively affects our family’s reputation and prestige. Then our family will need a new trading company to do business with, so we can just replace it with Red Cat Merchant Guild. Haha. I know well that Hall Master Hui’s abilities are extraordinary, so I judge you can more than fill that void.

-Thank you. In return, I’ll definitely promise this one thing: I’ll supply goods of much better quality than what Azure Hound Trading Company has been delivering.

-Understood. What’s the second condition?

-When our company transports various valuables, we receive the escort of the Qidiao Escort Agency’s elite. That elite includes the Escort Agency Chief as well.

-Hmm? Do you really need to go that far…

-Actually, all the treasures that Sect Master Cheol has entrusted to our company for disposal are supreme-quality items; rare under heaven. Therefore, our company can only feel at ease if the Escort Agency Chief, one of the top-ranked swordsmen within the Qidiao Sword Family, personally leads the personnel.

-That means… It also implies they should be treated as top priority over requests from other clients, doesn’t it.

-You’re quick to catch on. I’m thinking of paying generously. Would adding thirty percent on top of the existing amount be satisfactory?

-WHAT! Th-thirty percent? Will that be alright?

-Hoho. Yes, it’ll be fine. You seem pleased.

-No, rather… Surprise comes first. Just how much spare funds do you have…

-It’s entirely thanks to fortunately forming a connection with Sect Master Cheol. The same goes for the outrageous plan of spending money to strangle the Azure Hound Trading Company. Besides the two conditions I mentioned, I plan to accept the Azure Hound Trading Company’s remaining contract clauses as they are. Including the clause about being able to terminate the contract at any time if attributable cause arises.

-Excellent! I’ll accept! But don’t I seem too materialistic?

-What are you saying – not at all. You’re simply making the best choice that serves your family’s interests as a representative.

-Haha. Still, I can’t help feeling somewhat embarrassed. Now let me hear the third condition.

-The third condition is that after first stamping your seal on the agreement documents, you must go to White Peak Sword Sect to hear it.

-Then…

-Yes. It means you must meet Sect Master Cheol and hear the third condition from him.

-So I must conclude the negotiations without knowing what the third condition is? Ha, I didn’t expect that.

-Would you like me to give you some time to think?

-No, I’ll conclude it. Because through conversing with you, I’ve already realized he’s a trustworthy person.

-Understood. I also don’t know what the third condition is, but you definitely won’t regret it.

-Haha. Hearing you say that makes me trust even more. To commemorate this meeting today, our family would also like to give a small gift.

-A gift?

-Bak Bong, the wealthy magnate of Xuchang – I’ll arrange for you to meet him later.

-Master Bak of Henan…?

-That’s right.

-My, I heard it’s difficult to even see his face ordinarily…

-Haha. He originally dislikes solicitations and tends to avoid meetings with others. But since I’ve built up a friendship over quite a long time, if I ask nicely, he’ll agree.

-Wow! That’s truly an amazing gift! Thank you.

-I hope that meeting will be helpful to Red Cat Merchant Guild.

-It will definitely be helpful. I think when Family Head Qidiao visits White Peak Sword Sect later, you’ll be just as surprised as I was.

-Ah… Because of Sect Master Cheol?

-Yes. He’s second to none when it comes to surprising others.

Just as Hui Bu-yong had said, Qidiao hwang couldn’t hide his surprised expression.

Throughout the Mount Apo region, there were countless shortcuts for quickly passing into Hubei region.

However, since it was Green Forest Alliance’s territory – the great power of the unorthodox faction – one had to pay expensive passage fees to use them.

But still.

Cheol Ryu-heun was saying he would let them use all those shortcuts for free.

Moreover, the Green Forest Alliance Master would personally announce it soon.

From Qidiao hwang’s perspective, it was astounding.

Was such a thing possible?

As stated, if they could pass through all the shortcuts of Mount Apo, the main transport route, without passage fees, the Qidiao Escort Agency’s expenses would decrease drastically, and as a result, the Qidiao Sword Family would have truly tremendous leeway in their budget.

It was a jackpot.

About thirty to forty percent of the Qidiao Escort Agency’s expenditures was the passage fee paid to Green Forest Alliance.

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice was heard.

“Will you accept?”

Having quickly collected himself, Qidiao hwang composed his expression and asked in return.

“Sect Master Cheol, what you just said… Is it t-truly sincere?”

“Of course.”

Qidiao hwang quietly gazed at the pair of eyes settled on that expressionless face.

I don’t speak of things I cannot keep.

The emotionless gaze somehow felt like it was saying such words.

Soon Qidiao hwang raised both hands and clasped them before his chest.

“Yes! Gladly!”

At that, Cheol Ryu-heun searched inside his clothes and took something out.

Chil Jo-hwang recognized it at once and was shocked once again.

‘URGH!’

What was placed on the table was none other than Hundred-Year Snow Ginseng.

A full three roots.

Following that.

SWISH.

A single booklet that looked new was also placed beside it.

“This is a secret manual that will improve the Qidiao Sword Family’s swordsmanship. Please consume the Hundred-Year Snow Ginseng and then master these essences.”

“This is…?”

“The complete true transmission of the strange master who was the first Family Head’s teacher.”

Simultaneously, not only Qidiao hwang but even Qidiao Gon and the others had their complexions bleach white as paper.

The teacher of the Qidiao Sword Family’s first Family Head Qidiao Nyeong – that meant Wandering Sword Elder, the transcendent master who had made a great name for himself as a wandering eccentric master of the martial world one hundred fifty years ago.

‘My goodness…!’

Everyone couldn’t close their astonished mouths.

In the past, Qidiao Nyeong had accidentally met Wandering Sword Elder and learned one supreme swordsmanship technique, and, with just that, became a swordsman of the upper ranks across orthodox and unorthodox martial worlds and even established Qidiao Sword Family.

But Cheol Ryu-heun had just said that what was before their eyes now was his complete true transmission.

There was no way he would come to such a meeting and tell lies.

Qidiao hwang’s hands trembled slightly as he picked up the booklet.

‘I can’t believe it! Three roots of Hundred-Year Snow Ginseng alone would be surprising, but to obtain the complete sword technique essence of Wandering Sword Elder, which was lost long ago, in this manner…’

Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice reached his ears.

“I’m giving this as a gesture meaning I look forward to working well together.”

Immediately after, Qidiao hwang answered with a bright expression.

“Sect Master Cheol! Those are the words I should be saying to you!”

Then, turning his head to glance at Qidiao Gon and the others, he spoke toward Cheol Ryu-heun.

“At first, I was going to deal with all four according to our family’s laws and regulations and send them straight back to the escort agency, but then I changed my mind and thought it would be proper to bring them to kneel before Sect Master Cheol and convey their apology. It seems to have worked out well.”

Cheol Ryu-heun, understanding the meaning, nodded.

“Yes, I can make use of those four workers.”

“Haha. Gon over there is especially one of the ten top elite swordsmen representing our family, so he’ll ably handle any hard work.”

Qidiao Gon, who had suddenly become a worker, could only quietly stew inside.

Sigh, life really…

If he had known things would turn out this way, he shouldn’t have gotten so close to that pig from Azure Hound Trading Company in the first place.

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun murmured barely audibly.

“Well, Tae Sa-ja will be the happiest.”