Chapter 117: Chapter 117
“Souvenirs?”
Tourist souvenirs and the Mount Hua Sect.
As Cheon-hwi tilted his head at the combination of the two completely mismatched words, Chief Steward Oh spoke.
“In other words, it is like this.”
Chief Steward Oh took out a new piece of paper.
Various patterns and clothing were drawn in detail on the paper, as if he had been thinking about it for a long time.
“By trading with the Mount Hua Sect, we will make items such as tassels with a similar pattern to replace the red plum blossom that only the Plum Blossom Swordsmen of the Mount Hua Sect can possess, or make clothes similar to the Taoist robes of the Mount Hua Sect. And I plan to sell them to the people.”
Looking at the drawing, he roughly caught the drift.
Simply put, it meant selling goods to those who admired the Mount Hua Sect.
There was just one thing he couldn’t understand.
“Will people actually buy this?”
The prices written above the tassels and clothing were about twice as expensive as ordinary ones.
But was there anything different?
There was nothing particularly different about them.
It was just that a plum blossom pattern had been added.
“They will end up buying it.”
Unlike the doubting Cheon-hwi, Chief Steward Oh affirmed.
“For example, let’s say that you, young hero, went to Jiangsu Province. Then what would you want to do most as soon as you arrive?”
Jiangsu Province?
To the question he hadn’t particularly thought about, Cheon-hwi first thought of food.
The famous thing in Jiangsu Province was……
“I’d probably drink Yanghe Liquor.”
As Cheon-hwi recited a famous liquor in Jiangsu Province, Chief Steward Oh immediately poured out his words.
“Jiangsu Province’s Yanghe Liquor is a liquor that is at least twice as expensive compared to other liquors. It would be better to drink other liquor instead of drinking Yanghe Liquor, but do you still intend to drink Yanghe Liquor?”
“I’d bear with that much.”
What did it matter if it was expensive?
Jiangsu Province’s Yanghe Liquor was an excellent liquor counted as one of the best in the world. No matter how expensive it was, it would be worth drinking……. Huh?
For a moment, his intention for asking this question quickly flashed through Cheon-hwi’s mind.
Was that how it was?
Cheon-hwi looked at Chief Steward Oh and spoke.
“……You’re saying you’ll make those items like the Yanghe Liquor.”
“That is correct.”
Chief Steward Oh’s smile deepened.
“As the young hero said earlier, most of those who visit Jiangsu Province will drink Yanghe Liquor over other liquors even if they have to pay a little more. Because they visited Jiangsu Province and not anywhere else.”
“Hmm……”
“Just like that, what if we directly sell items recognized and made by the Mount Hua Sect to those who visit the Mount Hua Sect?”
“They’d probably try buying it once.”
Cheon-hwi was tempted for a moment.
This was a business that seemed surprisingly good if done well.
‘Moreover, if this business goes well, the Mount Hua Sect will make money, and I will make money too, so isn’t it killing two birds with one stone?’
Thinking of the doubling income, Cheon-hwi nodded his head up and down.
However, that was only for a moment.
One problem came to mind.
“But do you think the Mount Hua Sect will accept that proposal?”
The Mount Hua Sect was an inflexible Taoist sect.
It was hard to imagine that they would lay their hands on such a commercial plan.
However.
“If it is the Mount Hua Sect, they will accept it.”
Chief Steward Oh spoke with certainty.
“If it were another sect of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, they would have snorted and ignored such a deal, but it is different if it is the Mount Hua Sect that I recently investigated. Contrary to their continuously soaring reputation, the Mount Hua Sect has actually been struggling with financial difficulties for a long time.”
Cheon-hwi’s eyes narrowed.
He figured that out?
It was information that was still hard to know.
“Despite that, the Mount Hua Sect is currently expanding its power. Starting with the Mount Hua Divine Sword destroying the White Ghost Castle, they became the central pillar of the Murim Alliance not long ago, and now they are even opening their mountain gates to accept new disciples…….”
As if to show off his intelligence capability, Chief Steward Oh recited the actions of the Mount Hua Sect.
“Moving so aggressively while lacking funds means that the Mount Hua Sect currently has greed. If so, there is no way they would ever reject my deal, which will not only spread their name to the world but also earn them profit.”
It would definitely be an attractive proposal.
But there was no law saying everything would flow smoothly.
“What if they still refuse?”
“I plan to offer a higher percentage. If the negotiation still fails, I plan to trade with another sect I have in mind.”
“You have another sect in mind?”
“Unless one’s head is full of flowers, how could one think that everything would succeed?”
That was true.
Cheon-hwi nodded.
It was a business moving such a large sum of money, so if he hadn’t even kept the situation of failure in mind, he would be no different from a third-rate.
“If the Mount Hua Sect fails, the sects I had in mind are the Hebei Peng Clan, who are recently agonizing over making a name for themselves, or…….”
Chief Steward Oh listed several sects.
The only sect on par with the Mount Hua Sect was the Hebei Peng Clan, but the remaining sects were also familiar places that one seemed to have heard of at least once somewhere.
‘Hmm, should I trust him once?’
His mind leaned slightly.
Then, as he thought about it carefully.
‘Huh? I have nothing to lose.’
There was no particular reason to refuse.
If the business succeeded, he and the Mount Hua Sect would end up making money together.
Even if the business failed.
‘Since only Chief Steward Oh will be ruined, there’s no loss, right?’
Wasn’t that good?
‘I must make the deal with the Mount Hua Sect happen no matter what.’
Cheon-hwi parted his lips while thinking of persuading the Sect Leader, who might just refuse.
“Alright. I’ll lend it to you.”
Chief Steward Oh’s expression brightened.
“I will definitely multiply the young hero’s wealth by two times, no, ten times.”
“That sounds good to me.”
At Cheon-hwi’s answer, Chief Steward Oh hurriedly rolled up the paper he had placed on the table and put it in his inner pocket.
‘I’ll be touching quite a bit of money.’
Cheon-hwi asked as he watched Chief Steward Oh calmly tidy his attire.
“Ah, right! Since it has come to this, I want to ask one thing.”
“What is it?”
“What exactly is this?”
Chief Steward Oh spoke while looking at the World Merchant Plaque swaying in Cheon-hwi’s hand.
“……It is the World Merchant Plaque.”
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
Chief Steward Oh smiled bitterly and confessed at Cheon-hwi’s cold gaze looking at him.
“The World Merchant Plaque is a precious plaque that the Merchant Guild Leader distributed to ten people whose talent he acknowledged or from whom he received a favor.”
“Then this plaque, does it belong to the World Merchant Guild?”
“That is correct.”
Cheon-hwi tilted his head.
It was strange.
‘Then why did the Leader of the Flying Wind Merchant Guild give me the plaque of the World Merchant Guild?’
If one usually gave a plaque, it was natural to give one related to one’s own clan.
But he gave the plaque of the World Merchant Guild?
“I received this from the Leader of the Flying Wind Merchant Guild.”
“The Leader of the Flying Wind Merchant Guild……?”
Chief Steward Oh’s eyes wavered.
“Did you perhaps receive it from Go Gye-yeong?”
Go Gye-yeong? Ah! The Leader of the Flying Wind Merchant Guild!
Cheon-hwi nodded.
“Yes.”
“Hahaha! I see.”
Chief Steward Oh laughed cheerfully.
For a moment, he recalled the young man who had shouted that he would make his own merchant guild the best in the world while leaving the World Merchant Guild in the past.
‘I see. He was the one who handed it over!’
Chief Steward Oh’s smile deepened.
“The World Merchant Plaque is good just to possess. Not only will you receive favor from most merchant guilds in the world, but you can also receive some money for free…….”
“I know that.”
Cheon-hwi cut off his words.
He knew it well.
He had even borrowed some once before.
“What I am asking is the exact method of using this plaque.”
“I cannot tell you.”
Chief Steward Oh shook his head.
Following that, with an apologetic expression, Chief Steward Oh bowed his head deeply.
“I apologize.”
‘Is it something important?’
Seeing him seemingly under a gag order, Cheon-hwi stroked his chin and suddenly raised his head.
“Then what happens if I use it now?”
“You will be able to see the Merchant Guild Leader.”
Chief Steward Oh’s expression turned serious.
“And he will ask you one thing.”
“What will he ask?”
“You must hear that directly.”
Cheon-hwi’s eyes narrowed.
‘It’s probably nothing grand, but it makes me curious, doesn’t it?’
If he had just answered roughly, it would have been something he brushed off casually, but since he hid it so tightly, his curiosity surged.
“Then what if I use it now?”
“Normally, it would take some time for him to come, but…….”
Chief Steward Oh closed his mouth for a moment.
Then, in an instant, he looked to his left and moved his lips again.
“Since the Merchant Guild Leader is coincidentally visiting the branch, it is possible right away.”
He’s here?
The corners of Cheon-hwi’s mouth twisted.
Just when he was curious anyway, wasn’t that a very good answer?
“Then.”
Cheon-hwi lightly tossed the World Merchant Plaque he was holding in his hand in front of Chief Steward Oh and said.
“I’ll use it now.”
* * *
Chief Steward Oh and Cheon-hwi immediately arrived at the annex where the Merchant Guild Leader was staying.
“Please wait a moment.”
Chief Steward Oh knocked on the door of the annex.
Knock, knock…
“Merchant Guild Leader. It is Chief Steward Oh.”
“Oho, is it Chief Steward Oh?”
An excited voice was heard from inside.
“For what matter have you come looking for me today?”
“There is someone who wishes to use the World Merchant Plaque, so I have brought him here.”
“The World Merchant Plaque?”
For a moment, the voice coming from inside lowered.
“It seems to be that friend next to you right now, Chief Steward Oh.”
“That is correct.”
“Let him come in.”
Chief Steward Oh slowly opened the door.
“Please go inside.”
The moment Cheon-hwi stepped inside.
Clack… Thud.
Chief Steward Oh stepped back while closing the door.
Is it that person?
Inside the annex, a white-haired old man with a gentle impression was drinking alone.
“Hahaha, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
After the old man tossed the liquor cup in his hand into his mouth in one breath, he naturally gestured with his hand.
“Do not just keep standing there, but come here and have a drink as well.”
At the request for a drink, Cheon-hwi shrugged his shoulders and immediately sat opposite him.
“Receive a glass.”
As he lifted the liquor cup, the old man poured the liquor.
Gulp…
Cheon-hwi drank it in one gulp.
As expected of the World’s Number One Merchant Guild.
Perhaps because it was an expensive liquor, it flowed smoothly down his throat and warmed his body.
“Keuh. It’s a good liquor.”
“Heoheo, that is a relief.”
With those words as the end, the two continued to drink the remaining liquor without saying a word.
After exchanging several drinks like that, the liquor bottle that had been full ran out.
“Hmm, what a shame.”
Smacking his lips, the Merchant Guild Leader gazed quietly at Cheon-hwi.
“Are you going to use the World Merchant Plaque now?”
“Yes.”
“Then give the plaque to me.”
As if he had been waiting, Cheon-hwi took out the World Merchant Plaque from his chest and gave it to the Merchant Guild Leader.
The Merchant Guild Leader looked at it.
Crunch!
He applied force and smashed the plaque.
“This is the ninth one.”
The Merchant Guild Leader gazed quietly at Cheon-hwi.
And slowly parted his lips.
“Will you challenge the succession position of the merchant guild?”
“The succession position?”
Cheon-hwi felt the wind entirely knocked out of his sails.
‘I thought it would be some grand question.’
Asking if he would challenge for the succession position.
Of course, if it were someone intent on running a merchant guild, it would have been an incredible proposal.
But that wasn’t Cheon-hwi.
“I was wondering what kind of question it would be. No thanks.”
Losing interest, Cheon-hwi waved his hand.
Seeing Cheon-hwi’s reaction, the Merchant Guild Leader laughed heartily.
“It seems you did not know what happens if you use the World Merchant Plaque.”
“Of course I didn’t know.”
Cheon-hwi said while grumbling.
“They said I had to hear it directly.”
“Heoheo, and you still used it?”
“Because I was curious.”
At Cheon-hwi’s following words, the Merchant Guild Leader grabbed his belly and burst into uproarious laughter.
“Hahahaha! To throw away this plaque at once just because you are curious, you are quite an extraordinary person!”
Cheon-hwi grumbled as he watched the Merchant Guild Leader who continued laughing like a madman.
“Sigh, I just wasted a plaque for nothing. If I knew it would be like this, I would have just received some money to spend instead of using it.”
At that time, the Merchant Guild Leader chuckled.
“Who said that was all?”
Huh?
Cheon-hwi’s eyes sparkled.
He thought as much. Would the person called the Leader of the World Merchant Guild give nothing?
Harboring anticipation, he opened his mouth.
“What else is there?”
“If you use the World Merchant Plaque, you can choose one of two things. One is the right to challenge for the succession position that I just mentioned, and the other is…….”
Stopping his words for a moment, the Merchant Guild Leader curled up the corners of his mouth.
“To grant your wish.”
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