Chapter 735: Trap and Prey.

If I had to pick the most important thing in the current Central Plains, the very first thing that would come to mind is undoubtedly ‘power’.

As the world is composed of martial artists who worship power, there would be nothing more important than martial might.

However, if you were to ask if there wasn’t anything important besides martial might, that wouldn’t be the case either.

Martial artists may worship power. But they are also human.

Currently, if there’s anything else important for humans to live, besides power, it is…

‘Money.’

It was money.

If a martial artist is ultimately human, then they need money to survive.

No matter how much one trains day and night pursuing higher realms and enlightenment, money doesn’t just appear.

Things like eating, defecating, and changing clothes – money is what’s needed for basic living.

Come to think of it, it was a strange thing.

‘Where on earth do people who just train every day get their money from?’

Whether they were renowned families or prestigious sects.

Though they were places that practically existed solely for fighting, they possessed an uncanny amount of money.

Of course, there were clans like the Moyong Clan of Liaodong or the Tang Clan of Sichuan who directly engaged in commerce.

But not all clans were like that.

Meaning, more places didn’t own merchant guilds or escort agencies.

So why was that?

How could so many families and sects sustain themselves?

This was the same reason the Martial Arts Alliance currently operated.

‘Sponsorship.’

The true merchants spread throughout the Central Plains.

It’s because the places commonly called merchant guilds pour vast sums of money into them.

The clothes they wore. The swords they carried.

The food they ate.

Most of those who didn’t earn money themselves lived off the sponsorship funds from merchant guilds.

This was the same for the Martial Arts Alliance.

Dozens of merchant guilds, including the top few in the Central Plains, all sent sponsorship to the Alliance, allowing the Martial Arts Alliance and many families to live luxuriously.

So, why would they go to such lengths?

What could merchant guilds possibly gain from martial artists to sponsor them with so much money?

The reason was simpler than expected.

‘To make them allies, I suppose.’

This is a world where demonic gates erupt without warning, and danger lurks everywhere.

While martial artists might overcome it alone, what about those who aren’t?

Naturally, they had to borrow the help of martial artists, and for that, merchant guilds formed unspoken agreements with martial artists under the guise of sponsorship.

It was both to receive protection from them when trouble arose and a ploy to foster a sense of belonging.

‘This martial artist receives our sponsorship.’

‘Therefore, they are our person.’

It also allows for intimidation towards rival factions or competing merchant guilds, and as the martial artist’s reputation grows, it benefits the merchant guild.

For instance, the Yexian Merchant Guild located in Shaanxi had sponsored the Mount Hua Sect for generations. When the sect faced a crisis due to the Demonic Sect Alliance, it wasn’t anyone else but Mae Hwa-seon who personally intervened and eliminated the threat.

Thus, when merchant guilds offer sponsorship to martial artists, it holds various meanings and is a method for mutual benefit.

Martial artists gain money.

And for merchant guilds, it serves as a safety net and provides significant advertising effects.

In that sense.

‘To think this old man would come to me.’

I had to ponder many things as I looked at the man in front of me, who was in his forties.

‘Is this the first time we’re meeting face-to-face?’

Including my past life and this current one.

It was the first time meeting him directly, yet he was quite a well-known figure.

The unofficial, yet most prominent, wealthiest merchant guild in the Central Plains.

Jang Yu-myeong, the Guild Master of Jangwon Merchant Guild.

A middle-aged man with a kind expression and a friendly demeanor that left an impression.

He was none other than…

‘The sponsor of the Divine Sword…’

The Divine Sword who, in my past life, stopped the Heavenly Demon and became the greatest under heaven.

He was the owner of the merchant guild that sponsored Wi Seol-ah.

Furthermore, during the Demon-Slaying War, he was known for his many good deeds, such as providing weapons free of charge to martial artists and offering support for food supplies and disaster relief.

The world says.

That the Divine Sword would have had a hard time reaching that level without the sponsorship of the Jangwon Merchant Guild.

That’s right.

It was a fact I also acknowledged.

‘Because the Divine Sword was unaffiliated.’

Although she was engaged to the Jang family, she was fundamentally the successor and granddaughter of the Sword Master, and she needed some form of sponsorship to operate smoothly.

The Jangwon Merchant Guild took charge of that.

It was only natural, in a way.

‘After all, the Jangwon Merchant Guild has ties to the Jang family.’

You could tell just by Jang Yu-myeong’s surname.

Even though that surname is common, this was no coincidence.

‘The Jangwon Merchant Guild originated from the Jang family.’

I heard they were a branch family, but they undeniably share the same roots.

I didn’t know the extent of their connection, but I judged back then that this was the reason they sponsored the Divine Sword…

‘But this time, they came looking for me.’

What could this mean?

I glanced at Moyong Hi-ah before looking at Jang Yu-myeong and asked.

“It’s quite an honor to meet the Guild Master of the great Jangwon Merchant Guild like this.”

“Haha. Great? I’m merely an ordinary merchant.”

I chuckled at his words.

The man was too immense to be contained by the word ‘ordinary’.

The wealthiest man in the Central Plains.

The presence that came with that carried immense weight, even for someone who wasn’t a martial artist.

“Rather, it is I who am more honored to meet you, Great Hero Gu. Aren’t you the most famous person in the Central Plains right now?”

“You flatter me so much, I’m embarrassed. Please, have a seat… Oh, right. All I have is plum tea. Would that be alright?”

“I eat everything well.”

Before Jang Yu-myeong could even finish speaking, Moyong Hi-ah was already brewing tea.

Soon, small snacks and tea appeared.

Jang Yu-myeong carefully took a sip of the plum tea.

“This… seems to be tea from Shaanxi…”

“That’s correct. The Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect gave it as a gift.”

Technically, it came from the Emei Sect’s scheme.

I was drinking it after removing all the toxins inside.

‘The tea is quite delicious, though.’

Slurp.

After a quiet moment of drinking tea.

Once I finished the cup, I spoke to Jang Yu-myeong again.

“So, why did you come looking for me?”

Why did this fellow come looking for me?

And why…

“…like this, in person?”

Not sending a servant, but the Guild Master himself making an appearance.

It was truly baffling.

“Hahaha… You seem quite surprised.”

“Yes. I’ve been surprised this much only a handful of times recently.”

How could I not be surprised? It was the appearance of someone completely unexpected.

“The reason I came here like this… as you might have guessed, is because the Jangwon Merchant Guild wishes to sponsor you, Great Hero Gu.”

Oh.

I widened my eyes slightly at the directness of the conversation.

I expected him to beat around the bush, but he just charged right in.

“The Jangwon Merchant Guild… sponsoring me?”

I feigned surprise upon hearing that.

“Yes. To that end, I made a rather unreasonable request to the Branch Manager… and thankfully, she arranged this meeting.”

At his words, I glanced at Moyong Hi-ah.

She merely kept her eyes closed, maintaining a composed posture as if she hadn’t heard anything.

‘Well, well.’

Moyong Hi-ah wouldn’t have arranged this meeting just by hearing a request; it meant something was exchanged.

This implied that Jang Yu-myeong went out of his way to see me.

Thinking that, I asked him.

“Before anything else, I’d like to ask what you saw that made you approach me so suddenly.”

“Oh my… What did I see? A merchant naturally sees only potential.”

“Potential?”

“Yes. Just like those gathered outside. I wish to invest based on the potential you possess, Great Hero Gu. That’s why I even resorted to such a foul play.”

Foul play. It meant he sought me out through Moyong Hi-ah, unlike those outside.

“…Hmm.”

At Jang Yu-myeong’s words, I looked outside.

I could still sense the crowd gathered beyond the quarters.

The unnecessarily distinct energy signatures pinpointed each and every one of them.

“Everything you showed during yesterday’s martial arts tournament was impressive. I couldn’t resist after seeing it.”

“Did you see it too, Guild Master?”

“Of course. To an ordinary person like myself, you were too fast to see clearly for the most part… but later, my bodyguard informed me, allowing me to grasp it more accurately.”

Hearing that, I recalled it carefully.

‘Jang Yu-myeong wasn’t in the pavilion?’

Among the spectator seats set up around the martial arts arena, there was a special area designated for guild masters.

Branch managers and guild masters occupied those seats.

‘He’s definitely different from the person who was seated there.’

I had already identified the faces and identities of those seated there.

Naturally, there was someone from the Jangwon Merchant Guild, whom I had identified as a Branch Manager.

‘Bodyguard.’

I realized something peculiar from the nuance mixed in his words.

‘He must be referring to that person.’

Jang Yu-myeong’s bodyguard. It seemed he meant the martial artist standing outside the door right now.

Although they concealed their presence and hid their aura, I had known since the moment Jang Yu-myeong entered.

‘His cultivation level… is roughly at the Hwagyeong level?’

I couldn’t ascertain it precisely, but judging roughly, he seemed to be around the lower ranks of the Hundred Great Masters.

Surprising.

To think that someone kept as a bodyguard would be a Hwagyeong-level martial artist?

That alone was surprising enough, but I was focusing more on Jang Yu-myeong’s words.

‘The fact that he mentioned it to me… Does he want me to know? Or is there another meaning?’

‘There’s a bodyguard nearby.’

‘Mentioning it was a clever move in itself.’

‘Is it to test if I know?’

‘Or perhaps it’s a means to gain my favor. If it’s the latter, it seems like a decent method.’

Indeed, my impression of him did improve somewhat.

“You definitely didn’t seem to be around the martial arts arena. Where were you watching from?”

So, I gave him a little something in return.

“…!”

Jang Yu-myeong’s eyes widened upon hearing my words.

He seemed to have grasped the meaning behind my words quite well.

He knows the information about the guild masters who were around, and he knows you weren’t there.

I subtly hinted that I possessed a certain amount of information.

“Haha… Well now.”

“I’m genuinely curious. Where did you watch from?”

Even while engaging in such subtle, veiled conversation, Jang Yu-myeong didn’t drop his smile as he answered.

“I was in the general seating area with an acquaintance.”

“…General seating?”

If he means general seating…

Could he possibly mean those cramped, first-come-first-served seats?

The general seating was the lowest tier of spectator seats arranged by the Alliance.

Why would that fellow go to a place like that?

As the question naturally arose, Jang Yu-myeong answered as if he had been waiting.

“There’s no particular reason. It was something I did to gauge the genuine reactions of those around me.”

To see their reactions?

I wondered what he meant…

“Right after the martial arts tournament concluded, I was scheduled to discuss sponsorship matters with Shaolin.”

“…Hmm.”

His words sparked my interest.

By saying he was scheduled, it meant he hadn’t gone through with it, hence his presence here now.

“Are you saying you postponed your discussion with Shaolin to offer me sponsorship?”

“That’s correct. It was a deliberate move from the start.”

What on earth did he see in me…

I didn’t ask such a bothersome question.

I might not know about tomorrow, but today, I possessed immense value, and I wasn’t foolish enough not to realize that.

‘Sponsorship…’

I was already receiving sponsorship from the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.

There’s no way that fellow doesn’t know that, yet he’s bringing this up, meaning he’s that confident?

‘Or is he testing the waters?’

Nothing was certain.

But the answer was already decided.

‘I’ll refuse.’

Whatever the case, this conversation would end in refusal.

As I thought that and prepared to answer.

“However.”

Jang Yu-myeong spoke to me first.

“It seems I can’t discuss such matters right now.”

“Huh?”

Seeing Jang Yu-myeong stand up as he spoke, I had to put on a slightly dumbfounded expression.

I haven’t even refused yet, what’s going on?

Just as I was wondering why this old man was acting this way…

“After our conversation, I realized the terms I brought are somewhat lacking. Therefore, I plan to refine them and visit again within a few days.”

“Visit again…?”

…He’s coming back with refined terms?

“If we continue talking now… I don’t think it will lead to the outcome I desire.”

Oh dear.

I wondered why he was suddenly acting like this, but it seemed Jang Yu-myeong had figured out that I would refuse.

But…

“Even if you come again… my answer likely won’t change.”

“Haha… Perhaps so.”

Jang Yu-myeong chuckled at my response.

“Still, a merchant’s heart must buy what it wants, mustn’t it?”

Saying that, he took something from his robes and slid it onto the table.

“This is the sponsorship proposal I intended to offer you, Great Hero Gu. Please read it and, if possible, keep it in mind.”

It was a neatly folded letter.

By count, it was just over three pages.

“Next time we meet, I will return with ‘much’ better terms. Thank you for your precious time. I’ll decline the escort, as you must be busy.”

Before I could even take the letter, Jang Yu-myeong bowed deeply and calmly walked out of the room, disappearing.

Though I had no intention of escorting him out.

“…Hmm.”

I sighed, watching his retreating back.

This isn’t easy.

It really wasn’t easy.

‘He never gives up the initiative.’

Though it wasn’t a long conversation, Jang Yu-myeong held all the initiative within that brief exchange.

He seemed considerate and yielding, but he took what he wanted.

It was truly a seasoned and skillful approach.

This is why I try not to talk too long with shrewd merchants.

‘What to do.’

First, I suppose I should report to Madam Mi that Jang Yu-myeong visited.

‘Though it’s highly probable Madam Mi already knows.’

Still, I had to do it.

Rustle.

I picked up the letter Jang Yu-myeong left behind and asked Moyong Hi-ah.

“What were the terms?”

Only upon hearing my question did Moyong Hi-ah open her closed eyes.

No explanation was needed for what I was asking. She would have known already.

“…The exclusive trading rights for the gemstone crafts of the Kwangdong Bin Family.”

As expected, Moyong Hi-ah answered immediately.

This was in response to the question of what she received in exchange for introducing Jang Yu-myeong to me.

It was the answer Moyong Hi-ah gave to that inquiry.

“The Kwangdong Bin Family… they’re the ones who make ornaments, right?”

It was vague to call them a martial clan. I think they were a family formed by gem artisans.

Their specialty was said to be crafting unbelievably beautiful gemstones.

“Yes. It was a condition that perfectly fit the business I plan to undertake… The Jangwon Merchant Guild held the trading rights with them.”

“But… they handed that over?”

“Yes.”

In exchange for arranging my meeting, she handed over the exclusive trading rights she possessed.

The absurdity of it almost made me laugh.

“If that’s the case, it was worth it.”

If that’s true, it’s more than understandable. I would have sold Moyong Hi-ah out too if I were in her position.

“…I apologize.”

Even knowing that, Moyong Hi-ah apologized to me. Seeing that, I waved my hand and chuckled.

“It’s fine. You didn’t act alone, surely. It’s good if we can use it. Oh, does Madam Mi know too?”

“…Yes. The Branch Manager knows as well.”

“Then I’ll have to visit her later and ask.”

Deciding to ask Madam Mi for details later, I began to examine the letter I was holding.

What kind of terms could possibly warrant writing all this down…

“…? Huh?”

As I scanned it line by line with a questioning look.

The more I read, the more my brow furrowed.

“…What is this?”

“Young Master. What’s wrong?”

Reacting to my expression, Moyong Hi-ah came closer and began examining the letter with me.

And shortly after.

“What the….”

Moyong Hi-ah showed a similar reaction.

“Is this person sane?”

It couldn’t be helped.

Because the contents written in the letter were on an absurd level.

-Jangwon Merchant Guild will sponsor Gu Yangcheon with a certain percentage of the distribution revenue generated by the guild.

-Gu Yangcheon shall receive treatment equivalent to a Branch Manager at inns and major merchant guilds operated by Jangwon Merchant Guild.

-Jangwon Merchant Guild will cover all leisure and luxury expenses incurred by Gu Yangcheon for his future activities as a martial artist in the Central Plains.

-Once every three months, Jangwon Merchant Guild will sponsor Gu Yangcheon with the Shadowless Pill, or pills of equivalent grade.

And so on.

Additionally, absurd conditions were listed across the three pages.

Finally, there was a seal imprint, presumably the Guild Master’s, stamped firmly.

“Are they insane?”

That was the first thing Moyong Hi-ah uttered after reading the entire letter.

She stared at the letter with incredulous eyes, seemingly unable to believe it.

“It doesn’t even specify an amount… just a percentage of revenue… And treatment equivalent to a Branch Manager? What even is the Shadowless Pill?”

The Shadowless Pill, while not on the level of the Soothing Pill, Great Restoration Pill, or Poison-Dispelling Pill, is still a very potent spirit pill.

It’s obtainable if one seeks it… but it’s incredibly expensive.

It’s likely the most expensive among spirit pills that can be bought with money.

And what about that ‘certain percentage of revenue’?

It wasn’t clear exactly how much that meant, but estimating the revenue earned by the Central Plains merchant guilds…

‘Even taking just a speck of dust from that…’

It might be an exaggeration, but perhaps it’s equivalent to the annual budget of a small country.

Just one of these would be insane, but there are several.

What on earth could this be?

As I stared blankly at the letter.

“They must be out of their minds. Otherwise…”

Moyong Hi-ah shot out words sharply, as if unable to believe it.

Looking at her, I couldn’t help but speak.

“…Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Watch your mouth. Don’t speak carelessly about our Guild Master. Even you, I won’t forgive if you insult him.”

“…?”

Hearing my words, Moyong Hi-ah scrunched up her face.

In the years I’d known Moyong Hi-ah, it was the most disgusted expression I’d ever seen.