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If I had to pick the most important thing in the current Central Plains, it would definitely be “power.”

Given that martial artists worship strength and form the world around them, nothing could be more important than sheer might.

However, if one were to argue that there is nothing significant beyond brute force, that would also be incorrect.

Even though martial artists revere power, they are still human.

If there is something else crucial to human survival besides strength, it would be…

“Money.”

Yes, money.

If martial artists are ultimately human, they need money to live.

No matter how much they train for higher realms and enlightenment, it won’t magically produce money.

To eat, to relieve oneself, to change clothes; for all these basic necessities, money is essential.

When you think about it, it’s rather strange.

“Where does a person who only trains every day get their money?”

Whether they come from a noble family or are a well-respected clan,

These places seemingly exist solely for brawling, yet they have an inexplicably vast amount of money.

Of course, there are clans like the Moyong Clan or the Tang Clan that directly engage in trade.

But not every clan operates that way.

This implies that far more clans do not own trading houses or branches.

So, why is that?

How can so many families and sects sustain themselves?

This question is also connected to the current operation of the Martial Alliance.

“Sponsorship.”

Real merchants scattered throughout the Central Plains.

They are pouring massive amounts of funds into what is commonly referred to as a “trading house.”

The clothes they wear, their weapons,

The food they consume.

Those who do not generate their own income mostly rely on sponsorship funds from trading houses to sustain their livelihoods.

This is also true for the Martial Alliance.

Dozens of trading houses, including those regarded as the most influential, send support to the alliance, allowing many clans, including the Martial Alliance, to live lavishly.

So, what on earth are they doing this for?

What could be gained by donating so much money to martial artists?

The reason is surprisingly simple.

“To turn them into allies.”

This is a world where demonic gates can appear at any time, posing constant danger.

While a martial artist may be able to withstand it alone, what about the others?

Naturally, they would need to borrow the hands of martial artists. And to achieve this, trading houses make implicit agreements with martial artists under the guise of sponsorship.

Should anything happen, it’s to secure their protection and foster a sense of belonging.

That martial artist receives our sponsorship,

So, they must be one of us.

This also creates an air of intimidation towards rival factions or competing trading houses, and as the reputation of the martial artist grows, it helps the trading house as well.

In fact, take the Yuxian Trading House in Shaanxi for instance. They have supported the Hwasan Sect for generations, and when faced with a crisis due to the Demonic Alliance, none other than Maehwa Seon herself stepped in to deal with the matter.

Thus, the sponsorship of trading houses by martial artists serves multiple meanings and is a method for benefiting each other’s interests.

For martial artists, it means money.

For trading houses, it brings advertising benefits and serves as a safety net.

In that context…

“I never expected this old man would come to see me.”

As I observed the middle-aged man before me, I found myself pondering various thoughts.

“Is this our first direct meeting?”

Including my previous life, it’s my first direct encounter, although he was quite a well-known figure.

The master of the Changwon Sect, which is considered one of the wealthiest trading houses in the Central Plains.

Jang Yumeong.

With a kind expression and an amiable atmosphere, he gave off the impression of a middle-aged man.

He was none other than…

“The patron of the Divine Sword…”

In my previous life, he was the one who supported the Divine Sword in their struggle against the Heavenly Demon, earning the title of the number one in the world.

He was also known for sponsoring martial artists with weapons during the Righteous-Demonic War, providing food and disaster relief.

People say that without the support of the Changwon Sect, the Divine Sword would have struggled to reach such heights.

That’s right.

I myself acknowledge that fact.

“The Divine Sword was independent, after all.”

Although they were engaged to the Jang Clan, they were primarily the successor of the Sword Sovereign and merely her granddaughter. For her to operate smoothly, she needed some form of sponsorship.

And the Changwon Sect took on that role.

It’s a rather obvious connection, to be honest.

“The Changwon Sect has ties to the Jang Clan.”

You can tell just by looking at Jang Yumeong’s last name.

Even though that surname is quite common, it’s hardly a coincidence.

“The Changwon Sect is a branch that was derived from the Jang Clan.”

I had heard it was a collateral branch, but their roots are still the same.

I don’t know how far those ties go, but that’s likely why they supported the Divine Sword.

“And now, he’s come to find me.”

What could that mean?

I casually glanced at Moyong Hi-ah, then turned my gaze back to Jang Yumeong.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, the esteemed leader of the Changwon Sect.”

“Haha. Esteemed? I’m just an ordinary merchant.”

His words made me chuckle.

There was no way to encapsulate his presence with the term “ordinary.”

He was the richest man in the Central Plains,

And the influence that came from that was a tremendous force, even for those who might not be martial artists.

“I’m actually more honored to meet you, Gu Daehyeop. You’re the most famous figure in the Central Plains right now, aren’t you?”

“You flatter me with your praises. It’s almost embarrassing. Please, have a seat… Ah, I apologize, the only thing I can offer you is plum tea… is that alright?”

“I can drink anything.”

Before Jang Yumeong even had a chance to finish his sentence, Moyong Hi-ah had already started brewing tea.

Before long, a small snack and tea appeared on the table.

Jang Yumeong cautiously took a sip of the plum tea.

“This… seems to be tea from Shaanxi…”

“That’s correct. It was a gift from the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”

Technically, it had come while the Emei Sect was working its schemes.

I had emptied out all the toxins, leaving just the tea to drink.

“It’s quite delicious.”

As I quietly sipped the tea for a moment,

I finished one cup before speaking up to Jang Yumeong again.

“So, what brings you to see me?”

I was curious as to why this man had come to find me.

What could he possibly want?

“And doing so directly, no less.”

Not sending an attendant but showing up in person was truly perplexing.

“Hahaha… You seem quite surprised.”

“Yes. It’s a rare occurrence to be so startled lately.”

How could I not be surprised by the unexpected arrival of such a notable individual?

“The reason I’ve come to see you… as you might have guessed, is that the Changwon Sect wishes to sponsor you.”

Oh.

He jumped straight to the main point, widening my eyes for a moment.

He could have danced around the topic but instead got right to the essence.

“The Changwon Sect wants to sponsor me?”

I feigned surprise upon hearing that.

“Yes. To that end, I did make some unreasonable requests to the branch leader… but thankfully, we are able to meet like this.”

I glanced at Moyong Hi-ah.

She remained silent, eyes closed, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.

‘Look at that.’

She wouldn’t have set up this meeting without some kind of negotiation.

That means… Jang Yumeong must have made quite an effort to come meet me.

Thinking about it, I asked him,

“I would like to know what you saw that made you come to me suddenly.”

“Oh dear… What I saw? Well, as a merchant, I naturally only see potential.”

“Potential?”

“Yes. Like everyone gathered outside, I see the potential you possess and wish to invest in it. That’s why I resorted to using such underhanded means.”

Underhanded means. This indicated he had come through Moyong Hi-ah, unlike those outside.

“…Hmm.”

I looked to the outside, where the gathered people were still visible.

Their remarkably sharp presences isolated every single person amidst the crowd.

“You displayed quite an impressive performance during the sparring yesterday. I simply couldn’t hold back.”

“Did the Sect Leader also witness it?”

“Of course. To a regular person, it seemed far too fast for me to catch most of it… but later, my guard informed me so I could grasp it more clearly.”

Hearing that, I recalled.

‘Jang Yumeong wasn’t in the pavilion, though?’

There was a special seating area set up for the sect leaders among the crowd surrounding the sparring stage.

Those seated there were the deputy leaders and other sect heads.

It was likely that he could put two and two together and realize that he wasn’t one of those present.

He knew who I was.

And…

‘The guard.’

In his phrasing, I sensed something strange.

‘He must be referring to that person.’

Jang Yumeong’s guard, the martial artist standing outside the door.

While they were trying to mask their presence, I had sensed them the moment Jang Yumeong entered.

‘Their realm… probably Transformation Realm level.’

I couldn’t ascertain every detail, but roughly speaking, they seemed to be on par with a White-Grade Master.

Impressive.

To have someone of Transformation Realm caliber guarding one’s side? That alone was astonishing, yet I found myself focusing more on Jang Yumeong’s words.

‘The fact that he mentioned that… Is he trying to imply that he wants me to be aware of it? Or is there another meaning?’

Having a guard nearby

The very mention of it was a clever maneuver.

He intentionally brought it up, perhaps to test my awareness.

Or maybe it was a way to gain my favor, although if it were the latter, it seemed like a decent approach.

In fact, my impression of him had risen somewhat.

“You weren’t in the vicinity of the sparring stage, yet you seem to have seen everything. May I ask where you watched from?”

So, I decided to return the favor and ask a question of my own.

“…!”

Jang Yumeong’s eyes widened at my words.

It seemed he grasped the meaning embedded in my question.

I had knowledge of the information swirling around the sect leaders and also recognized he hadn’t been present there.

I was subtly hinting at my level of intelligence.

And simultaneously, Jang Yumeong likely understood I had intentionally dropped that hint.

“Haha… this is interesting.”

“Really, I’m curious. Where did you see it from?”

Even as we directed our words in this subtle game, Jang Yumeong kept a smile on his face, providing his answer without faltering.

“I was sitting in the common seats with an acquaintance.”

“…Common seats?”

Common seats?

Could it be…

That means he might have been in the lowest tier of the audience gathered, the seats available on a first-come, first-served basis?

Those seats provided by the alliance?

Why would he, of all people, choose to sit there?

Such doubt lingered, yet Jang Yumeong seemed ready to address it.

“There’s no particular reason. I just wanted to see the honest reactions of those around me.”

To see their reactions?

What could he mean by that?

“As the sparring would conclude shortly after, I was supposed to discuss sponsorship with the Shaolin.”

“…Hmm.”

He continued with an intriguing statement.

Saying it was what he had planned suggests he hadn’t actually had that conversation here.

“Does this mean that you wish to discuss sponsorship with me instead of Shaolin?”

“Correct. That was my intent from the start.”

What exactly did he see to warrant such determination?

I didn’t ask that annoying question.

Though tomorrow’s me might be uncertain, today’s me possessed a tremendous value, and I wasn’t foolish enough to be oblivious to that.

‘A sponsorship…’

I was already receiving support from the Baekhwa Sect.

He couldn’t possibly be unaware of that, yet he was still willing to discuss this, suggesting he had considerable confidence.

‘Or is he just testing the waters?’

Nothing was assured.

Yet the answer was already set in stone.

‘I’ll reject it.’

Regardless, the end of this conversation was rejection.

The Changwon Sect was unnecessary for my plans, so it would be best not to entangle myself further.

As I prepared to respond, however,

“However…”

Before I could say anything, Jang Yumeong beat me to it.

It seemed he had other things to say before I could object.

“After talking to you, I think the terms I brought could be inadequate. I might organize them and come back to see you in a few days.”

“You’d be returning?”

…To sort out the terms?

“If we continue discussing now… It seems unlikely we would reach a satisfactory conclusion.”

Oh no.

It appeared Jang Yumeong had discerned I would turn him down.

But…

“Even if you come back, I doubt my answer would change then.”

“Haha… That may be true.”

Jang Yumeong smiled at my response.

“However, a merchant should always seek what they desire, shouldn’t they?”

As he spoke, he pulled something from his robe and laid it on the table.

“This is the sponsorship proposal that I was going to suggest to you today. Please take a look and remember it if possible.”

It was a neatly folded letter,

Comprising around three sheets.

“When we meet again, I’ll bring you a ‘far better’ proposal. Thank you for your valuable time. I’ll refrain from imposing on you, as I imagine you’re busy.”

Before I could even grasp the letter, Jang Yumeong had bowed deeply and calmly exited the room.

I hadn’t intended to see him off either.

“…Hmm.”

I sighed, staring at his back.

This is no easy task.

It truly isn’t easy.

‘He never relinquished control.’

Though our conversation was brief, he had maintained control the entire time.

He appeared courteous and accommodating but clearly took what he wanted.

It was a masterful technique.

This is precisely why I prefer not to engage with canny merchants for long.

‘What will I do now?’

For the time being, I should report to Lady Mi about Jang Yumeong’s visit.

‘Though it’s highly likely that Lady Mi is already aware.’

Still, it was something I needed to do.

Rustling.

I picked up the letter Jang Yumeong had left behind and turned to Moyong Hi-ah.

“What’s the proposal?”

With my question, Moyong Hi-ah opened her eyes, which she had kept closed.

No explanation was necessary; she must have been aware of everything already.

“…The exclusive trading rights of the Gu Clan’s gemstones.”

As expected, Moyong Hi-ah immediately provided her answer.

This was her response to my question: What had Jang Yumeong given in return for introducing him to me?

“The Gu Clan is a place that creates decorations, right?”

It’s a bit ambiguous to call it a clan. They’re more like a collective of artisans.

I heard they craft excessively beautiful gemstones.

“Yes. This was a condition that perfectly fits my upcoming business… because they do hold the trading rights.”

“But… he actually handed that over?”

“Yes.”

He gave up his exclusive trading rights as a condition for meeting me.

That absurdity made me smirk.

“That was worth it.”

If those words held any truth, it would completely make sense. If I were on the other side, I would have gladly sold Moyong Hi-ah for that.

“…I’m sorry.”

Even though she knew it was a good deal, Moyong Hi-ah still bowed her head in apology. I waved my hand dismissively, chuckling.

“It’s fine. You didn’t do this unilaterally. It’s useful for us. Oh, does Lady Mi know?”

“…Yes. The branch leader does know.”

“Then I guess I should ask her later.”

I decided to inquire about the particulars from Lady Mi and began to glance at the letter in my hands.

What conditions would warrant such a proposal…

“…Huh?”

As I perused the letter line by line,

The more I read, the more my expression furrowed.

“…What on earth is this?”

“Prince, what’s wrong?”

Upon seeing my reaction, Moyong Hi-ah stepped closer, peering at the letter as well.

And a moment later.

“What the…?”

Moyong Hi-ah exhibited a similar response.

“Is this person out of their mind?”

It was no wonder, as the contents of the letter were utterly nonsensical.

– The Changwon Sect will provide a sponsorship of a certain amount of the trading revenue generated by the Gu Clan.

– Gu Yangcheong will receive treatment equivalent to the branch leader at the inns operated by the Changwon Sect and major locations.

– All living expenses and extravagances needed for Gu Yangcheong’s future activities in the Central Plains will be covered by the Changwon Sect.

– The Changwon Sect will sponsor a Shadow Guard or equivalent level of spirit pill every three months for Gu Yangcheong.

And so on.

There were countless absurd conditions detailed over the span of three pages,

and at the very end, there was a mark that looked like the seal of the sect leader.

“Is he out of his mind?”

These were the first words Moyong Hi-ah uttered after reading the entirety of the letter.

She was peering at it in disbelief, her expression reflecting her astonishment.

“There are no set amounts… and a portion of the trade revenue? Plus, a treatment equivalent to the branch leader? And what’s this about a Shadow Guard?”

A Shadow Guard isn’t as high-level as the Shadow Alliance, Daehwan Alliance, or Poison Heavenly Pill, but it’s a quite valuable spirit pill.

If one wanted to obtain it, it was possible, but it would cost a fortune.

Probably one of the most expensive spirit pills available for purchase.

And what’s with the portion of the trade revenue?

While I couldn’t exactly gauge how much it meant, given the revenue generated by trading houses in the Central Plains…

“Just a tiny fraction would be…?”

It could very well amount to about a year’s worth of budget for the Gu Clan, if I exaggerated a bit.

Even just one of those alone is a staggering deal, and he proposed several?

What’s going on here?

As I stared blankly at the letter,

“Clearly, he’s lost his mind. Otherwise…”

Moyong Hi-ah shot me a pointed remark, clearly dubious.

Unable to contain myself, I had to say something.

“…Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Be careful with your words. Don’t speak carelessly about our sect leader. I won’t forgive you if you insult them, no matter what.”

“…?”

Moyong Hi-ah frowned at my words,

her expression the most disgusted I’d seen on her in the years I’ve known her.

 

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