Chapter 575: Shaolin’s Miracle.

Just like other merchant guilds that were steadily establishing their positions, Baekhwadang also had branches throughout the Central Plains.

Of course, I had heard they didn’t operate in Liaodong, where the Moyong Family ran their own guild, or places where the local lords hadn’t granted permission.

Even excluding those, if you counted them, ‘throughout the entire region’ would be accurate.

And their headquarters were located somewhere in Xi’an, wasn’t it?

If you asked why their headquarters were in Xi’an among so many cities, it was probably because the Guild Leader’s family, the Xi’an Mi family, was located there.

Though I’ve never been there myself.

‘Why would I go there?’

Unless it was Gu Yeonseo or Gu Huibi.

It wasn’t a place for me to go.

Anyway.

Excluding the headquarters of Baekhwadang, if you were to pick the most influential branch among Baekhwadang’s branches.

Naturally, you’d pick the Henan branch.

It was also the place with the largest county in the Central Plains, where the Murim Alliance and Shaolin were located.

This place must have been earning much more money than Baekhwadang’s main headquarters.

As if to prove this, the building stood out remarkably among the tall buildings in Henan.

This also expressed Baekhwadang’s standing.

Baekhwadang Henan Branch.

The highest floor among the tall guest floors.

Currently, I was there.

Inside the neatly organized room.

It felt so clean, not a speck of dust could be seen.

It was so clean that I felt guilty just breathing.

No, even if that weren’t the case, I might feel that way simply because it was uncomfortable.

The current seat was that uncomfortable for me.

“It’s been a while.”

I snapped back to attention at the voice that entered.

Gulp. I swallowed dryly without realizing it.

I hadn’t taken a single sip of the tea placed before me.

I carefully looked at the other person and paid my respects.

“It’s been a long time, Mrs. Mi.”

The person I was showing respect to was the Guild Leader of Baekhwadang.

And the mistress of the Gu family’s household.

The Lady of White Flowers Mi Hyoran.

Was it roughly a year since I last saw her face?

The last time I saw her was probably around then.

It was the first time seeing her face in a while since I encountered her while being pushed around by Paejon.

Of course, even if I could have seen her, I had been avoiding her.

Hiding those inner thoughts, I spoke to Mrs. Mi.

“I happened to have business in Henan… and heard you were here, so I came to pay my respects.”

Mrs. Mi nodded upon hearing my words.

That was it.

“…”

“…”

Silence lingered.

The already bleak room felt even drier.

‘…Should I just get up?’

Should I just greet her and leave?

Such a thought crossed my mind.

I had come with a purpose, but I hadn’t expected this situation.

To suddenly be having a one-on-one meeting with Mrs. Mi.

‘I originally only intended to greet her.’

Whether it was Xi’an or Shanxi.

The news that Mrs. Mi, whom I thought was in another region like Xi’an or Shanxi, was here reached me as soon as I arrived in Henan.

Honestly, I wanted to pretend I hadn’t heard it, but I had business, so I couldn’t help it.

Even knowing that.

‘…Can’t I handle the business on my own?’

My heart was full of the desire to just greet her and leave.

That’s how uncomfortable it was.

In a way, Mrs. Mi was a far more uncomfortable presence than my father.

Not only did I not know how to treat her, but even setting that aside…

‘There’s just an inexplicable discomfort.’

There was an unknown discomfort.

What should I do?

Wouldn’t it really be better to bolt right now?

Just as those thoughts were crossing my mind.

“Alright.”

Mrs. Mi broke the silence and spoke.

“I heard about it.”

“…Yes?”

Just as I was wondering what she meant by ‘it’.

“You entrusted the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron to the guild.”

“Ah.”

I realized what Mrs. Mi was talking about upon hearing her words.

The lump of Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron I obtained in Guangdong.

I had entrusted it to Baekhwadang.

Mrs. Mi must have been referring to that.

“The amount was considerable. Can you tell me what happened?”

At her words, I had to give an awkward laugh.

Mrs. Mi said it calmly, but considering the quantity, it was truly an immense amount.

This was a time when Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron was no longer discovered.

As time had passed, pure iron like that was practically non-existent.

It was natural, given that so much time had passed and it had all been used up.

By now, the Nine Clans and the Four Great Families.

Or perhaps promising merchant guilds might possess small amounts of pure Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron.

Even just dividing that Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron and mixing it with other iron to create something would fetch an enormous price.

That meant Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron was that rare.

And that Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron.

‘I brought it in lumps.’

It would naturally be a point of curiosity for Mrs. Mi as well.

I had brought not just one lump, but several.

Though I couldn’t be sure, the amount I brought might even exceed the total amount of Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron known to exist in the Central Plains right now.

It was rather astonishing that Mrs. Mi could ask so calmly after seeing it.

“…There was a fortuitous encounter in the Guangdong region. I found it by chance, and it didn’t seem to have an owner, so I brought it along.”

I didn’t mix in any lies.

It was obvious that Mrs. Mi would see through any lies here.

Mrs. Mi looked at me quietly upon hearing this.

That gaze was undeniably burdensome.

Just then.

“Regarding this matter, did you report it to the Alliance?”

Gulp.

I had to swallow dryly upon hearing her words.

The reason was that there was a law requiring the righteous sects to report such discoveries to the Murim Alliance.

Of course, I hadn’t reported it, naturally.

If I reported it, it was obvious they would snatch it away, claiming it was ownerless property or that they needed to find the owner.

“…I did not report it.”

Upon my answer, Mrs. Mi just stared at me silently.

Was she going to reprimand me for the matter?

Even if she did, I couldn’t just let it slide easily.

‘How did I even get this.’

This was money needed for the future. If Mrs. Mi reacted negatively to this.

‘I’d have to find another guild.’

I intended to retrieve the entrusted Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron and sell it elsewhere.

As I held my breath, making such plans.

“You did well.”

“…?”

Contrary to my expectations, praise flowed from Mrs. Mi’s lips.

I looked at her with a dumbfounded expression upon hearing that.

“Did you tell the Family Head?”

“…I haven’t spoken to him separately yet.”

“You did well on that, too. If your father had heard, he would have definitely told you to report it to the Alliance.”

As Mrs. Mi said, given my father’s personality, that was possible.

Even if he didn’t like the circumstances, he was the type to follow established laws.

It was even more of a problem since he was someone who had virtually no desire for material possessions.

“As for the entrusted item, I will handle it, so don’t worry.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

Although I was taken aback by Mrs. Mi’s reaction.

I was satisfied because I received the answer I wanted.

Perhaps because of that.

Maybe because my speech had opened up, I could ask what I wanted to ask.

“…Um, where did she go?”

“You must be referring to the Branch Manager.”

“Ah, yes.”

It was a question about Moyong Hi-ah, who had recently taken over as the Branch Manager of the Henan branch.

Not only did she join Baekhwadang out of the blue.

I was so surprised when I heard Moyong Hi-ah became the Branch Manager not long after.

She had told me she joined to learn some work properly.

‘They kept saying she was doing well, but just how well did she do?’

What on earth did she do to rise to the position of Branch Manager in such a short time?

Mrs. Mi isn’t just any ordinary person.

It was unlikely she would have achieved that without considerable ability.

This meant.

‘Moyong Hi-ah must have done her job well enough to please Mrs. Mi.’

I knew she was already adept in this field, but.

This was surprising even to me.

“The Branch Manager is currently away on assigned business.”

“Business?”

“Yes. It’s also the reason I am here… and also.”

Tak.

The sound of Mrs. Mi folding her fan was heard.

“It seems to be related to you as well.”

“Yes?”

I had to furrow my brow slightly at Mrs. Mi’s words.

Related to me?

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s not confirmed yet, so just know it for now. I’ll tell you when the time comes.”

“No… wait a moment. Mrs. M-.”

“I will personally handle the matter of the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron in a favorable way.”

“…”

Hearing Mrs. Mi’s words, I shut my mouth tightly.

Those words meant that in exchange for handling the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron, I shouldn’t ask anything further.

It also meant that she had a favor to ask later, so I should listen obediently.

‘No wonder things were resolving so easily.’

I didn’t expect to get entangled like this.

‘I guess I can’t help it.’

Still, I thought it wasn’t a loss.

The fact that Mrs. Mi would personally handle the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron.

‘It meant the ratio and safety would increase.’

It meant troublesome matters would significantly decrease.

If there was a problem.

‘…It’s just that I have no idea what kind of task she intends to assign me.’

It bothered me even more because I couldn’t gauge it at all.

What kind of business required sending Moyong Hi-ah away.

And why Mrs. Mi was in Henan.

Furthermore, why was I involved in such a matter?

I had many questions, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask, which was frustrating.

‘Tsk.’

Since Mrs. Mi had already blocked questions, I couldn’t ask further.

So, I decided to put this matter aside for now and ask about something else.

“Mrs. Mi, this is another request, but…”

As I uttered the word ‘request’, a spark flickered in Mrs. Mi’s eyes as she looked at me.

“Could you perhaps help me find lodging?”

“Lodging?”

“Yes, I think I’ll need to be in Henan for about three months.”

Both for treatment.

And for my plans, I needed to stay in Henan, so I was asking her to find suitable lodging.

I could have looked for it myself, but it would be much faster to arrange it through the guild.

‘…Originally, this was something I should have asked Moyong Hi-ah.’

It was just my luck that Moyong Hi-ah wasn’t here at this time.

Mrs. Mi listened to me and seemed to ponder for a moment.

“As it happens, there is a suitable place.”

Not long after, she thankfully gave an answer I was pleased with.

“It’s not too far away. I’ll send someone to escort you.”

“Ah, thank you.”

I didn’t ask about the cost.

Because I’m rich now.

‘The past of extorting money from Muyeon is gone.’

My already minuscule allowance.

The days when even that disappeared due to the constant trouble I caused were now gone.

In other words, these were no longer the days when I’d stare at the price tag just to buy a single steamed bun.

…Anyway.

Since I had finished asking what I needed from the guild, I had to start thinking about leaving.

Just as I was subtly preparing to escape my seat.

“The fact that you’ll be staying for three months…”

Mrs. Mi continued speaking, forcing me to sit back down.

“Are you perhaps planning to participate in the martial arts tournament?”

The Divine Dragon Martial Arts Tournament, which the Murim Alliance was scheduled to host in the summer.

It was a festival held during the time I would be in Henan.

“…Yes, since it’s happening then, I was thinking of participating.”

It wasn’t something to hide, so I said it calmly.

Then Mrs. Mi looked at me with a peculiar expression.

“I see.”

Her gaze was so strange that I wondered what it meant.

“There’s little I can say to you, making it difficult even to speak…”

Mrs. Mi said this in a rather cautious voice.

“If you insist on participating, please take care of yourself.”

“…”

I had to widen my eyes upon hearing that.

Because I hadn’t expected Mrs. Mi to say something like that.

I think I was even more surprised than when I received praise.

“…No, uh… Thank you.”

In response to my thanks, Mrs. Mi nodded without further words.

And then silence returned.

It was because neither of us had anything more to say.

As the silence continued, the atmosphere became awkward.

When I could bear it no longer, having endured it.

“…Well then, I should take my leave first… I apologize for disturbing you when you must be busy.”

I made an excuse to leave and stood up.

I figured I could leave now.

Thinking that, I felt a bit relieved.

‘…This feels ten times harder than fighting.’

We only talked for a short while, but I felt completely drained.

As I sighed inwardly and prepared to head out.

“I heard Miss Tang is waiting outside.”

Mrs. Mi’s words made me freeze once again.

It was especially so because it was about Tang Xiaoye.

“…Yes. We met by chance.”

If I were to call it chance, it was indeed chance.

This was not something that needed a deep explanation.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Mi asked me.

“Are you perhaps planning to stay together with Miss Tang at the lodging?”

“I probably will.”

Unless Tang Xiaoye asks for separate lodging, that’s likely.

Besides, Seongyul also needed to stay together, so the lodging wouldn’t be small.

As I said that with that intention.

Mrs. Mi seemed to ponder for a moment. It seemed something was bothering her.

After a short wait, Mrs. Mi finally spoke to me.

“It’s good that you’re increasingly resembling your father. But there are things you don’t need to resemble him for.”

“What?”

I wondered what on earth she meant by that.

“Suddenly, what are you talking about?”

“…No. You may leave now.”

I asked with confusion, unable to understand her words at all, but Mrs. Mi, as if she had nothing more to say, issued a dismissal order.

I tilted my head in confusion, but since she told me to leave, I prepared to do so obediently.

-To resemble that the most… The children will have a hard time.

I heard the same words.

Hearing this, I quickly turned around, but Mrs. Mi was already directing her gaze towards a letter, not at me.

Seeing that, I thought.

‘Did I mishear?’

Was it because I wasn’t feeling well that I heard things?

That must be it.

It seemed I really needed to find a physician quickly.

My body seemed worse than expected.

‘I’ll stop by my residence briefly and then go find one right away.’

Let’s go to the lodging I’ll be guided to, and then immediately find a physician.

I made such plans at the time.

It didn’t even take half an hour to realize there was no need to do so.

Just as I arrived at the lodging according to the guidance.

“You damn bastard…! To play such a move!”

“Perhaps because you’re old, your mind isn’t keeping up. Well, that’s understandable.”

“What did you say!?”

I froze like stone at the sight before my eyes.

Because upon finally arriving at the lodging, a bizarre situation was unfolding.

“Are you, who were losing until now, wagging your tongue!?”

“Well, didn’t I win now?”

A region not far from the county.

It was a large building attached to the mountainside.

It was quite well-maintained, and large carp even lived in the pond attached to the residence.

And there.

“Eeeeeek-! Play another round right now!”

The physician I was looking for was yelling while overturning a Go board.

“Ho ho.”

A young man with very familiar black hair was smiling as he watched the physician.

A young man. No…

One of the Three Heavenly Lords, known as the Peerless Heavenly Being.

Paejon spoke while looking at the physician.

“Why would I do that? You’re so bad that I don’t really want to. I’ll play again if I feel like it next time.”

Those were incredibly annoying words.

“Grrr-!”

Hearing this, the physician groaned and collapsed.

Paejon just stared at him and even chuckled heartily.

And then…

“…”

Seeing the chaotic scene that had erupted the moment I arrived.

I was speechless.