Chapter 162: Chapter 162
“It was finally complete!”
The Fifth Chief Steward looked up at the inn with the signboard hanging and revealed a proud expression.
[Plum Blossom Inn]
It was the beginning from here.
Not as the Fifth Chief Steward, but above that….
The journey to become the Lord of the World Merchant Guild!
Around the time he clenched his two fists tightly.
‘He only just hung up the signboard, isn’t he liking it too much?’
Sitting on a chair, Cheon-hwi looked at the Fifth Chief Steward who was overcome with emotion and asked.
“It seems like the inside is all decorated for now, but are there waiters and cooks?”
The Fifth Chief Steward nodded his head significantly.
As for the waiters and cooks, they had already been hired a few days ago.
If it hadn’t been for the Black Liu Sect, there would have been more than enough time to put them to work immediately.
“They will come soon.”
“Then it must be starting from today.”
“That is right!”
The Fifth Chief Steward harbored a smile.
It was a little late, but the day he had been waiting and waiting for had finally arrived.
“Then I will open the doors!”
He shouted valiantly.
And one sichen later.
“Yaaawn.”
Cheon-hwi spat out a yawn as he looked at the inside of the inn where there wasn’t even a single fly.
And then he looked at the Fifth Chief Steward moving busily at the counter and asked.
“Can business be done like this?”
“You just need to wait a little. I distributed the tassels to ten merchants a while ago and asked them to talk about it, so people who heard the rumors will flock here soon.”
The Fifth Chief Steward, who spoke as if asserting, hung the tassels that had received direct permission from the Mount Hua Sect on the wall behind him.
After a moment, he wrote in large letters right above it and laughed.
[Mount Hua Sect Official Tourist Souvenir]
Cheon-hwi looked at it with suspicious eyes.
‘Will that really sell? No matter how I look at it, I don’t think it will do that well.’
He was tempted at the time, but actually seeing it, it didn’t look like it would sell that well.
‘Aside from the plum blossom pattern, it is not much different from the ones in the market.’
However, contrary to his thoughts, the waiter passing by stopped in his tracks and couldn’t take his eyes off the tassels.
“Haha, do you want to have it?”
“Ah, no! How could I….”
As the waiter waved his hands in shock, the Fifth Chief Steward laughed softly.
“I have set yours aside separately, so take it when work is over.”
The eyes of the waiter, who heard words he completely hadn’t thought of, widened.
“R-really?”
“Aren’t you a family member of the same inn? I naturally set aside about one.”
The waiter smiled broadly.
“Thank you! Elder!”
“Hoho, please work well instead.”
The waiter pounded his chest broadly.
“Do not worry! It has already been my fifth year working as a waiter!”
Around the time the excited waiter smiled broadly.
Chwa-reu-reu…
Inside the inn, which was only occupied by the sound of conversation, the beaded curtain shook and made a friction sound.
Everyone’s gazes headed toward the entrance.
The first customer they had anticipated and anticipated was a middle-aged woman with a warm impression.
“Welcome!”
The waiter smiled brightly and welcomed her.
“Would you like to have a meal? Or would you like lodging?”
The middle-aged woman opened her mouth with a slightly flustered face at the waiter’s question.
“I came because they said Mount Hua Sect’s items were being sold here….”
“Oh my!”
The Fifth Chief Steward sprang up.
“You found the right place. If it is the item the customer is looking for, it is here.”
He rubbed his two hands together and pointed at the tassel behind his back with his index finger.
“This is a tassel sold with special permission from the Mount Hua Sect. It was modeled after the red plum blossom used by the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, and….”
At the smoothly continuing explanation, the woman approached that way as if possessed, unconsciously nodding her head before speaking lowly.
“My son couldn’t come to the Mount Hua Sect that he wanted to go to, so I was wondering what to do….”
Slurring her words as if recalling something, she looked up at the tassel and asked.
“It is truly the Mount Hua Sect’s item, right?”
“Would I bring it up on this Mount Hua without even getting the Mount Hua Sect’s permission?”
At the Fifth Chief Steward’s words, the woman swept her chest down and harbored a smile of relief.
“Then please give me one.”
“Here you are. Customer.”
The woman put the tassel wrapped in cloth carefully into her embrace and went outside.
‘That actually sells.’
When Cheon-hwi looked on as if it was amazing.
Chwa-reu-reuk…
The beaded curtain shook again.
This time, not just one person but four or five people hurried in and shouted at the same time, without deciding who was first.
“We came to buy items!”
Starting with that, the beaded curtain shook continuously without resting even once.
Surpassing one or two people, it reached dozens.
Eventually, the Plum Blossom Inn achieved a grand success in less than a sichen.
‘Why are so many gathering? I can’t see the end of the line.’
Cheon-hwi revealed a dumbfounded laugh and stared at the people standing in line.
It was way too long.
It escaped the inn and continued to the mountain path, to the extent that the end couldn’t be seen.
It was probably because it was the first sale.
Cheon-hwi swept over their faces.
There were not only those who came to see Mount Hua, but also those living nearby.
Cheon-hwi, who was sitting at a table, gave a sidelong glance to one group.
“If not at this time, when would we try buying an item from the Nine Great Sects and One Gang?”
“Besides, didn’t they say it’s similar to the tassels used by the Plum Blossom Swordsmen? Later, if we meet the Daoists of the Mount Hua Sect, they might recognize it.”
The people standing in line were excited with anticipation despite having waited for a long time.
It was understandable since the Nine Great Sects and One Gang were massive sects that even martial artists revered.
Yet they could purchase items related to them?
How could they endure it?
‘But a merchant is certainly different.’
Cheon-hwi’s eyes swept the inside of the inn.
It was progressing steadily just as the Fifth Chief Steward had first told him.
Separate from the people standing in line, the inside of the inn was packed full of people.
Those who grew tired while standing in line ordered food as if it were well done, and those who came to sightsee Mount Hua wanted to stay over after seeing that the inn was clean.
Around the time Cheon-hwi clicked his tongue at the flow that occurred exactly as his words as if he had foreseen this situation.
“Um, Young Hero.”
The Fifth Chief Steward, who was selling items, stealthily approached and whispered in his ear.
“Do you happen to have the Mount Hua Sect’s Daoist robe?”
“I left it in my room for now.”
“If it is alright, could you wear the Daoist robe and come right now?”
“The Daoist robe? That’s bothersome.”
As Cheon-hwi showed dissatisfaction, the Fifth Chief Steward moved his lips as if he had been waiting.
“I want to inform them that item has received the certification of the Mount Hua Sect. If you, a Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect, are present, no one will be able to doubt it.”
It was an understandable statement.
If a Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect was here, it was no different from the item being officially recognized.
Therefore, it was an important matter, but….
He really did not feel inclined.
‘Then it gets bothersome.’
He planned to stay at the inn and rest while drinking alcohol to his heart’s content.
But if it was revealed that he was a Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect, wouldn’t that be difficult?
At that time, the Fifth Chief Steward parted his lips.
“I will tell them to prepare the newly acquired alcohol separately in a room. You will be able to enjoy drinking alone comfortably without needing to mind the eyes of others.”
Cheon-hwi met eyes with the Fifth Chief Steward, who seemed to have read his inner thoughts.
“….You have good tact.”
The Fifth Chief Steward smiled with his eyes.
“I came to this position through tact.”
“Fine. Instead, it is only exactly one time. There is no second time. You know what I mean, right?”
Staring at the Fifth Chief Steward who nodded his head as if he understood, Cheon-hwi’s eyes sparkled.
“By the way, what kind of alcohol is it?”
“It is Shaoxing wine.”
“I look forward to that.”
While Cheon-hwi, who formed a satisfied smile, went up to the second floor and changed into his Daoist robe.
Kwaang!
A loud sound erupted from outside.
“What is it?”
He frowned and opened the door to come out.
“Who told you to do business here without even getting permission?”
On the first floor, a total of three men, led by a broad-faced old man, were seen threatening the Fifth Chief Steward.
The Fifth Chief Steward carefully asked while looking at the three approaching while smashing a table.
“….Who are you?”
“Do you not even know who we are?”
Around the time the old man spewed out murderous intent.
“Eldest Brother. Is it not because they don’t know us that they are doing such bold business?”
A man with a sturdy frame stopped the old man and approached the Fifth Chief Steward.
“We are the Three Heroes of Hwaeum.”
“The Three Fiends of Hwaeum?!”
As soon as he heard their nicknames, the Fifth Chief Steward spoke with a dismayed expression.
Speaking of the Three Fiends of Hwaeum, they were notorious in Hwaeum for their cruel and wicked methods, but because their martial arts were outstanding, even the government couldn’t lay a hand on them.
‘I chased away the Black Liu Sect, and now other gnats are swarming!’
Around the time the Fifth Chief Steward bit his lips.
“Who is saying we are the Three Fiends of Hwaeum?”
The old man spoke coldly.
Although it was a very small voice, perhaps because he infused inner qi, his voice pierced into the ears of those around like needles.
“You need to be beaten to come to your senses.”
Everyone stiffened at the brutal voice.
“Youngest. You handle it.”
“Understood.”
The man with a small build, who kept his mouth shut while leaking brutal gazes, slowly lifted the axe he had slung on his back.
“Since Eldest Brother spoke like that…. I will only take one arm.”
At the same time, as his axe was swung.
“Kyaaaak!”
The customers who had fled to the corner of the inn turned their eyes away or let out screams.
“Young Hero!”
Around the time the Fifth Chief Steward, seeing the swinging axe, tightly shut his two eyes and shouted.
“Are you crazy? Wielding an axe here of all places.”
Cheon-hwi, who put his hand in his pocket and took out something, flicked his finger lightly.
Ping!
Then, a streak of light shot out like an arrow and collided with the axe.
“Keok!”
The man felt the impact on the hand holding the axe and flew backwards just like that, collapsing.
Thump!
“Youngest!”
“What is the matter!”
When the remaining two tried to approach the man who had collapsed backwards.
Ping!
Cheon-hwi flicked his finger again.
Two lights flew with a sharp momentum and accurately hit the foreheads of the two.
Bbagak! Bbagak!
Along with two dull sounds, the foreheads of the two cracked and blood burst out.
Soon, the bodies of the two, who couldn’t even let out a scream, tilted slowly backwards and crumpled to the floor.
Around the time everyone was staring blankly as if frozen at the suddenly occurred event.
Ting, ting.
Two iron coins fell belatedly.
The Fifth Chief Steward, who opened his eyes at that sound, looked at the person on the second floor and smiled brightly.
“Young Hero!”
At the loud shout of the Fifth Chief Steward, everyone moved following his gaze.
And their mouths gaped open.
There was Cheon-hwi, looking down from the second floor with an indifferent expression.
“Mount, Mount Hua Sect?”
Seeing the Mount Hua Sect Daoist robe worn by Cheon-hwi, they understood without needing someone to speak first why the Three Fiends of Hwaeum had collapsed.
“The Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect took care of those demonic bastards!”
“Waaaah!”
Cheon-hwi passed by the cheering people, approached the Fifth Chief Steward, and parted his lips.
“Is it done now?”
The Fifth Chief Steward formed a broad smile.
Was it merely done?
Since a Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect had essentially protected the Plum Blossom Inn, there couldn’t be a better advertisement than this.
“It is sufficient!”
* * *
Four days since the Plum Blossom Inn was established.
After Cheon-hwi defeated the Three Fiends of Hwaeum, the Plum Blossom Inn achieved an unprecedented success.
“Please give me one too!”
“Oho! Where are you cutting in line….! Eying, tsk tsk. Do you not know where this is? It is the inn where the Daoist of the great Mount Hua Sect is!”
“Ahem. I know. I was just impatient for a moment, so please understand.”
“If you know, quickly go to the back!”
The Plum Blossom Inn was overflowing with people, but everyone stood in an aligned line.
Was that all?
At least inside the inn, even martial artists who were hostile to each other stayed quiet.
It was the result of Cheon-hwi shattering the foreheads of those running wild at the Plum Blossom Inn one by one with iron coins over the four days.
‘Hm?’
Meanwhile, Cheon-hwi, who had created such peace at the Plum Blossom Inn, was glaring out the window.
“Who is it?”
There was someone approaching here.
The distance was about one hundred zhang.
However, the murderous intent he was exuding right now overshadowed that distance.
“If he comes here, trouble will occur.”
Cheon-hwi grabbed his sword and stood up.
And as he unleashed the Flying Heaven Footwork and arrived at the entrance of the mountain path, he could discover two people.
As he immediately came to a stop in front of them.
“Uaaaak!”
The man in front was terrified.
Retreating with a pale complexion as if he had seen a ghost for a moment.
“Y-you are….”
He belatedly confirmed Cheon-hwi’s face and abruptly pointed with his index finger, shouting.
“T-that is the guy!”
Cheon-hwi stared blankly at the man.
‘He is familiar, where did I see him?’
Cheon-hwi’s eyes, which were observing, narrowed.
After staring like that for a moment.
“That guy is the one who took down the Sect Leader and the Black Liu Sect!”
At his following shout, he realized.
The man was the one who had taken the middle-aged man who lost in gambling at the Black Liu Sect a few days ago.
At that time.
“Step aside.”
A husky and hoarse voice was heard.
Following that, a wrinkled hand abruptly appeared and snatched the man’s head, and mercilessly threw him backwards just like that.
The man, who flew for a long time, collided with a tree trunk behind him with his waist, and then.
Crack!
He vomited blood along with a sound that made one’s hair stand on end just from hearing it.
“Keoheok!”
Following that, the man who fell to the floor with a thump stopped breathing just like that.
Cheon-hwi, who was looking at the corpse, turned his gaze to the figure who threw him.
It was an old man wearing a pitch-black martial arts uniform.
In contrast to that, his pure white hair and beard spreading out in all directions like a white fire stood out.
“Were you two not on the same side?”
“Do you think this seat would be on the same side as a bug-like bastard like that?”
Cheon-hwi looked back and forth between the old man and the dead body and tilted his head.
“Hmm, you look similar.”
“You babble well since you have an open mouth.”
Flames arose in the old man’s eyes.
At the same time, an incredibly dark and thick qi bloomed from his entire body.
“I will fix your manners.”
A dreary voice flowed out.
Following that, the pitch-black qi expanded its territory as if to dye the surroundings in darkness and even swallowed up the sun high in the sky, and then.
Hwa-reu-reuk…
A pitch-black flame blazed up.
Cheon-hwi’s eyes widened upon seeing that.
It was an incredibly familiar qi that shouldn’t exist here, no, in the Central Plains.
‘Nine Underworlds Demonic Fire Art?’
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