Chapter 622
Chapter 622
Chapter 622. The Sword Tomb of Chunjing Castle (1)
For this expansion of the Eunhae Trading Company’s Luoyang branch, there was a need to grease palms here and there.
The first person I had to visit was the Alliance Leader.
Whew…… I do not want to go, but it cannot be helped. (MC)
Because in Luoyang, meeting the Alliance Leader once was more effective than meeting a hundred other people.
I sent Warrior Ipil to make an appointment.
Since he was such a busy person, making an appointment in advance would raise the chances of meeting him within this month.
On top of that, it was now January.
The beginning of the year was a busy month.
This winter solstice, our Eunhae Trading Company’s ranking had risen.
Seventeenth place.
Considering that we had been in twentieth place last time, we had gone up three steps.
It was a result reflecting our trade with foreign countries, as well as the good response to the breweries we had acquired.
Compared to how hard everyone in the Trading Company, myself included, was working, it might seem as though we were rising slowly, but I was satisfied because we were strengthening our substance and climbing step by step.
When comparing my previous life to now, it was completely different in terms of substance.
Back then, we had been focused on growth, so we had not been able to build our substance properly, and because of that, we had struggled quite a bit against the checks of other Trading Companies.
We had to climb after preparing solidly enough that we would not be shaken no matter whose checks we received.
Only then could we become the true greatest Trading Company under heaven.
Also, the moment when the things that had not yet been revealed on the surface would show their true value was approaching.
“My Liege. It is Ipil.” (Warrior Ipil)
“Yes. Come in.” (MC)
The door of the guest room opened, and Warrior Ipil came in.
“I have gone and requested a meeting with the Alliance Leader.” (Warrior Ipil)
“Thank you for your effort.” (MC)
Now we just have to wait for contact. (MC)
Because the Alliance Leader was an extremely busy person, anyone who wanted to meet him had to request in advance that they wished to meet him.
Then the place managing his schedule would discuss the schedule with the Alliance Leader and inform them when they could meet.
After Warrior Ipil left, I let out a sigh.
“Why are you sighing?” (Miss Seohyang)
At Miss Seohyang’s worried question, I smiled lightly.
“The thought suddenly occurred to me that there is still a long road ahead, but it is all right. I am not someone who will grow tired from only this much.” (MC)
“Still, please sleep on time.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Yes. I understand.” (MC)
At that moment, Miss Seohyang went blank for a moment, then soon looked at me and smiled.
“What is it?” (MC)
“You will meet him sooner than expected.” (Miss Seohyang)
“……Pardon?” (MC)
So it looks like the meeting will be arranged quickly? (MC)
Damn it, I am not ready yet……. (MC)
The next day.
After breakfast, I was working in the guest room when Palgap called me.
“Young Master! A guest has come, sir.” (Palgap)
“A guest?” (MC)
“Yes. He came from the Martial Alliance, sir. I have seated him on the first floor of the inn, sir.” (Palgap)
I immediately opened the door and went down to the first floor.
There, a person I knew was drinking tea while waiting for me.
It was Team Leader Wang Gu of the Martial Alliance’s Hojung Unit, who had once come to bring me away over the matter of the missing golden Buddha statue.
“This humble merchant greets Team Leader Wang.” (MC)
At my courteous greeting, he returned the greeting.
“Please do not be so excessively polite. If I receive such courtesy from Great Hero Seonhyeop Mirang, people will point fingers at me.” (Team Leader Wang)
“It is only natural courtesy toward someone who works hard for the order of murim.” (MC)
“Thank you for saying so. Hahaha.” (Team Leader Wang)
After making the atmosphere soft like that, I asked,
“What brings you all the way here?” (MC)
“The Alliance Leader calls for you.” (Team Leader Wang)
Thanks to Miss Seohyang, I had expected it, but is this real? (MC)
However, I asked with a startled expression.
“Pardon? The Alliance Leader, you say?” (MC)
“Did you not request an audience with the Alliance Leader?” (Team Leader Wang)
“That is true, but I thought it would be possible only after at least about fifteen days had passed.” (MC)
“Hahaha. How could we make Great Hero Seonhyeop Mirang, a hero of murim, wait fifteen days?” (Team Leader Wang)
“Since the Alliance Leader is busy with public and private affairs, does he not already have many appointments?” (MC)
“It is all right. He leaves a little of his schedule open, just in case.” (Team Leader Wang)
“Then that is fortunate.” (MC)
“If you have time now, let us go. Otherwise, I will wait a bit.” (Team Leader Wang)
In my heart, I wanted to tell him to wait, but if I did, he would surely bear a grudge or grumble inwardly.
“Then I will quickly get ready and come down.” (MC)
I ended up meeting him just one day after requesting the meeting.
If it had not been for Miss Seohyang, I really would have been very flustered.
Without even having time to prepare myself mentally.
I quickly got ready and came down, then followed Team Leader Wang to the Martial Alliance.
And after being guided, I entered the Alliance Leader’s reception room.
“This humble merchant Eun Seoho greets the Alliance Leader.” (MC)
“Hoho, good to see you. Sit down.” (Alliance Leader)
“Thank you.” (MC)
We sat facing each other, and a maid poured warm tea for us.
The Alliance Leader asked with a warm smile.
“So, have you been well during this time?” (Alliance Leader)
“Thanks to you, I have been safe and well.” (MC)
“Seeing how you move, your leg seems to have healed.” (Alliance Leader)
He is talking about when I was injured while saving people at the fire scene during the last Great Murim Banquet. (MC)
“Yes. I have almost fully recovered. I still should not overdo it, but there is no hindrance to daily life.” (MC)
“That is fortunate, at least.” (Alliance Leader)
“To tell the truth, I feel apologetic. During the Great Murim Banquet, you gave me an opportunity, yet I…… lost that opportunity through my own carelessness, so I cannot help but feel deeply sorry.” (MC)
I lowered my head.
So why did you recommend me and make things troublesome? (MC)
At this, the Alliance Leader laughed.
“No. Was it not unavoidable? As I told you before, do not concern yourself with it.” (Alliance Leader)
“I can only be grateful that you understand.” (MC)
The reason I was apologizing again like this was that the higher a person’s position was, the more likely they were to have strong pride and be petty.
And if the Alliance Leader came to have bad feelings toward me, it would be truly exhausting.
“So, what matter did you ask to meet me for today?” (Alliance Leader)
“First, please accept this.” (MC)
I placed the gift I had brought on the tea table.
“What is this?” (Alliance Leader)
“It is something I prepared while visiting Hainan Island this time.” (MC)
“Hainan Island? You went that far?” (Alliance Leader)
“Yes. I had business matters to attend to.” (MC)
As I said that, I observed the Alliance Leader’s eyes.
There was a high possibility that he already knew I had gone to Hainan Island.
So if I intentionally hid it, suspicion toward me would surely arise again.
It seemed he had only just withdrawn his interest and suspicion toward me, so I could not allow that.
That was why I deliberately did not hide it.
“I remembered that you enjoyed tea, Alliance Leader, so I brought Guzheng tea, a local specialty of that region.” (MC)
I personally opened the box and showed him the well-packaged tea.
“This is top grade!” (Alliance Leader)
“Yes. Since it is a gift for you, Alliance Leader, I chose it with care.” (MC)
“It looks very good. I will drink it well.” (Alliance Leader)
The Alliance Leader accepted the gift with a satisfied face and set it beside him.
“So, what else did you wish to discuss? I doubt you asked to see me only to give me this gift.” (Alliance Leader)
Now for the main subject. (MC)
“In truth, our Eunhae Trading Company is planning to expand our branch in Luoyang this time.” (MC)
“The branch?” (Alliance Leader)
“Yes. The existing Luoyang branch is too small, making it difficult to increase transactions.” (MC)
“Well, I suppose that would be true. Have you secured the land for the expansion?” (Alliance Leader)
“Yes.” (MC)
When I told him about the land I had purchased this time, the Alliance Leader tilted his head.
“If my memory is correct, is that not where the haunted manor is?” (Alliance Leader)
“That is correct.” (MC)
“Then how did you come to choose that place?” (Alliance Leader)
“There was no suitable land.” (MC)
“That may be so, but is there not also the method of purchasing the land around the existing branch?” (Alliance Leader)
“As you say, that is also one method, but it would cost too much money.” (MC)
I continued.
“Our Eunhae Trading Company is indeed growing these days, but we do not have enough leeway to invest a large sum of money just to expand a branch.” (MC)
“Well, if the side trying to buy is the one in a hurry, they are bound to buy at a high price.” (Alliance Leader)
“That is correct. So while searching for another site, I heard that I could buy that land cheaply and purchased it.” (MC)
This much should ease his wariness a little. (MC)
“Well, can I really nitpick over a Trading Company’s circumstances? I am only worried.” (Alliance Leader)
“Still, what is reassuring is that no one has died because of that ghost.” (MC)
That is true.
Except for the Manor Master and his household who were first massacred, there had been no deaths.
There were injured people, but they had been injured after being startled and falling.
“On top of that, it is Luoyang, where you reside, Alliance Leader, so what worry could there be? Hahaha.” (MC)
At my words, the Alliance Leader’s face momentarily turned slightly uncomfortable.
Because that place was the Martial Alliance’s failure and disgrace.
I knew that and still scratched at the Alliance Leader’s insides once like this.
Ah, that feels a little refreshing. (MC)
“Th-that is true.” (Alliance Leader)
“Then, I will be in your care.” (MC)
After meeting the Alliance Leader like that, I left the Martial Alliance.
By the way, seeing as he did not mention my marriage even though there was no way he did not know, I could tell that he no longer had much interest in me.
What a relief. (MC)
It had not been very welcome interest anyway.
Since I had received the Alliance Leader’s permission, now I could start construction.
But there was something I had to do before that.
I headed to the inn, took Miss Seohyang with me, and went to the land I had purchased this time.
Because I needed Miss Seohyang’s help to talk with that marten.
When I arrived at that manor, I asked Miss Seohyang to find the marten.
She quickly found the marten.
“There it is. Come here.” (Miss Seohyang)
Soon the marten was nestled in her arms, and I could see the marten as well.
“Hello.” (MC)
At my greeting, the marten wagged its tail.
“We bought this land. So soon, we will build our Eunhae Trading Company’s branch building here.” (MC)
“Piiiik. Pik!” (Marten)
At the marten’s words, Geumryeong came out of my sleeve and spoke to me.
“Kkui! Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
“So, as long as we do not do anything that blocks that vein, you have nothing to do with it?” (MC)
The marten nodded.
“All right. I will keep that in mind.” (MC)
As I made that promise, I carefully studied the marten.
Even though it was clearly visible to my eyes, I could not feel any energy from it at all.
And even though Geumryeong could see this creature and talk with it, it had not been able to smell the treasure hidden underground.
At this, I formed a hypothesis.
Could it be because of the quality contained in the pure energy flowing out of this vein? (MC)
The veins of vital energy that flow through the earth each have their own unique qualities.
A gentle quality, a clear quality, a sharp quality, and so on.
And the martial arts of the sect or martial family settled in that place bear that quality.
It was too coincidental to call coincidence.
So, judging from the phenomena so far, the quality of this place’s vein must be concealment.
Thanks to that, people had not even known that this place was a vein.
After all, even I had not known until I personally circulated my qi here.
Though the previous Snow Wind Palace Head seemed to have noticed.
Then I should make use of this. (MC)
If it is a spiritual creature protecting this place, it should be able to use abilities related to it. (MC)
“So, about that. Could you slightly thin out the presence of this manor site and its buildings?” (MC)
“Piiik?” (Marten)
Even without Geumryeong relaying it, I felt as though I knew what it was saying.
So it means, “Why should I do that?” (MC)
That also means it is possible. (MC)
“Do you remember that I cleared away the gold bricks that were blocking this place’s vein?” (MC)
“…….” (Marten)
“You are a spiritual creature. Would it be right for you not to know gratitude?” (MC)
“Piiii…….” (Marten)
“Kkui.” (Geumryeong)
“It is bothersome? Then should I lay the floor fully with gold bricks again? Ah! Since I am laying them anyway, I should spread them across this entire floor. Then it will glitter, shine, and be nice because no dirt will get on it.” (MC)
“…….” (Marten)
At my words, the marten’s ears pricked upright, and its tail stiffened and trembled.
As if it hated it just from imagining it.
“So, will you grant my request?” (MC)
At my question, the marten nodded violently.
You little rascal, you should have listened to my request from the start! (MC)
And once its weakness had already been exposed, the one with the advantage in the negotiation was me.
The reason I made such a request was so that our Eunhae Trading Company would stand out even a little less.
My movements would become conspicuous in the future, so I thought I should blind the Martial Alliance’s eyes even like this.
.
.
.
The next day.
The laborers I had hired began clearing out the manor.
Because first, it was necessary to remove the grass around it and clean and repair the buildings.
Because it was a haunted place, no one came forward wanting to work, but once I promised a considerable amount of pay, I was able to gather workers quickly.
As expected, money is scarier than ghosts. (MC)
The weather was cold, but since there was almost no digging or anything of the sort, the work proceeded smoothly.
The manor buildings had been rebuilt after the Manor Master and his household were massacred.
However, because people had not lived there for very long, they were not very worn down.
Normally, when no one lives in a place, it falls into ruin, but it seemed the energy of this place had prevented that somehow.
I feel proud to have obtained such good land in so many ways. (MC)
By the way, the map I found this time keeps weighing on my mind. (MC)
It marked the Sword Tomb of Chunjing Castle and had the groundwork written down for exploring the Sword Tomb.
The goal was to make Chunjing Castle into an independent country so that the empire’s eyes would not reach it.
If that failed, the second-best plan was to thoroughly destroy Chunjing Castle so that no one would pay any attention to it.
Either way, it was for the purpose of exploring the Sword Tomb in a situation where the empire would not notice.
The groundwork for that would take time, but the actual exploration itself would not require very long.
So by the time the emperor realized that something had gone wrong in Chunjing Castle and came to hold the memorial rite, everything must have already been over.
This time, because I intervened, Chunjing Castle was able to remain safe.
But would that mean those people would give up on this?
There is no way.
They would definitely make another move.
The problem was how to stop that…….
To stop their petty tricks, someone had to explore that Sword Tomb first and lower its usefulness.
Only then would Chunjing Castle be safe.
And that Sword Tomb seemed to be a real Sword Tomb, not a fake like Blood Kun Saint Monk’s Sword Tomb.
Letting them have that would be truly regrettable.
But for a large-scale exploration like that, quite a lot of people would be needed.
People who would not betray me, at that.
Then there was only one method.
I had no choice but to draw in the emperor.