Chapter v19c13

## Collaboration

– A Reclusive Master?

“I have one more question.”

His master spoke up again before Jang Woo-Yang could fully celebrate the deal.

“Please ask.”

Jang Woo-Yang replied respectfully, ready to listen.

“What are you going to do with the children?”

“The children… You mean the two survivors from the Blue Dragon Manor?”

His master nodded.

“There are only two children in the world we share. No others.”

“I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t given them much thought since their arrival. I’ve been preoccupied with the delivery of the goods. I considered sending them to wherever they wanted with a couple of escorts, but… They’ve lost their family and their livelihood. Where would they go?”

“Tsk, tsk, you never know.”

His master replied curtly.

“Huh?”

“They might not have lost their livelihood. And even if they did, what does it matter? They can rebuild.”

He spoke casually, as if he were discussing what to have for dinner.

“Rebuild? How? It’s not that simple…”

“It’s simple, unless you make it complicated. Why did you want Whitey so badly?”

“As you said, Master, I needed a symbol to propel the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild forward.”

“That’s a fifty-point answer.”

“Huh?”

Jang Woo-Yang didn’t fully understand what his master meant.

“Are you interested in expanding your business?”

Jang Woo-Yang felt a sense of déjà vu. He had heard those exact words from someone with long hair recently.

“I’m all ears if you have a plan, Master.”

He asked, straightening his posture. He felt like he was encountering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Didn’t I already tell you my plan?”

His master said, his voice slightly cold.

“Huh?”

Jang Woo-Yang was confused again.

“You’re so slow. How are you going to run a business? I’ll say it again. Why don’t you have the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild help rebuild the Blue Dragon Manor?”

“You’re saying… I should enter the banking business?”

Jang Woo-Yang’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Of course. This could be a heaven-sent opportunity.”

“That’s…”

He hesitated. It was a risky venture, a huge gamble. Expanding a business too quickly was always dangerous. It could even lead to the collapse of their existing foundation. His hesitation was understandable.

“Why do you think the Central Plains Merchant Guild is the best in the world? They have their fingers in many pies, but they were able to expand because they have their own bank, the Central Plains Bank.”

His master’s grasp of reality was surprising, coming from a supposedly reclusive hermit. Where did he get his information?

“You’re well-informed, Master! That’s true. The Central Plains Merchant Guild built their foundation with the financial power of the Central Plains Bank.”

“There can’t be two tigers on the same mountain. The Central Plains only needs one tiger. If you want to make the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild the best in the world, you’ll have to surpass the Central Plains Merchant Guild eventually. And you’ll need a strong financial backing to do that.”

What had seemed like a dream just three years ago was becoming a reality.

“If you start building a new bank and establishing new channels now, you’ll never catch up. But if you join forces with the Blue Dragon Manor, it’s a different story. You’ll become their major shareholder and their benefactor. Their existing clients will be grateful to you for recovering their lost funds. You’ll inherit their vast network and improve your reputation, attracting even more customers.”

“I see.”

He finally understood what his master meant. Just like Baek Mu-Hu was a symbol, the two children were symbolic figures representing the cause of rebuilding the Blue Dragon Manor. He had acquired one symbol, and this was a tangible opportunity.

But his master wasn’t done. Surprisingly, the self-proclaimed hermit was quite knowledgeable about business.

“There are two major obstacles to rebuilding the Blue Dragon Manor.”

“Two… Hmm, two…”

Jang Woo-Yang focused intently, resisting the urge to take notes.

“The first is restoring the lost ledger. To regain their old clients, you have to reimburse them for their deposits. It might seem like a loss at first, but it will pay off in the long run. No one will trust a bank that lost their money.”

His master paused, allowing Jang Woo-Yang to process the information.

“The second problem is easier than the first, but it’s still a challenge. Because it’s a matter of money. If the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild’s finances are strong, this will be easy to solve. You know that you need to have sufficient reserves before you can reopen a bank. You have to be able to meet your customers’ withdrawal demands. That’s why you need a license. The Blue Dragon Manor was a licensed bank, but after such a disaster, the authorities will demand an audit. So you need to have a certain amount of reserves. And then you have to ask your customers for patience. If there’s a run on the bank before you’ve gathered enough funds, you won’t be able to handle it.”

“The minimum reserves might not be enough.”

Jang Woo-Yang could imagine the chaos. But how did this old man know so much about banking?

“But don’t worry too much. The Sichuan provincial government will help. They don’t want to lose one of their biggest sources of revenue.”

Despite his hermit-like appearance, his master was well-versed in worldly affairs. Jang Woo-Yang was impressed. He was almost completely sold on the idea.

“You’ll become the children’s guardian. If people know that the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild is actively involved in rebuilding the Blue Dragon Manor, the authorities and the customers will support you.”

It was a tempting offer. Jang Woo-Yang saw a grand vision unfolding before him. It was a dream he had never dared to dream.

“We need to restore the lost ledger as soon as possible. But how? It must have turned to ashes.”

“Don’t worry. If the Blue Dragon Manor’s manager was smart, he would have left a backup copy. I heard he was the one who helped his children escape. He wouldn’t have abandoned his legacy. His son must have the seeds of hope. It’s your job to nurture them.”

Jang Woo-Yang’s jaw dropped.

“The Blue Dragon Manor will rise from the ashes, and the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild will gain the final stepping stone to becoming the best in the world. It’s a win-win situation.”

And he would recover his lost retirement fund, but there was no need to mention such trivial matters. It was good that all three of them would benefit, but he considered himself a man of discretion.

Jang Woo-Yang rose from his seat and bowed deeply to his master.

“Please accept this humble fool’s bow, Master!”

“I didn’t do this for your bow.”

Jang Woo-Yang continued bowing.

“I’m amazed, Master! My eyes have been opened today! What a brilliant strategy! It’s rare to find a deal where both parties benefit. Thanks to you, Master, the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild has gained a tiger with wings!”

It was a more fitting analogy than “a tiger with wings.” And that tiger was a white tiger, as white as snow.

* * *

## Another Visit

– Yoon Yi-Jeong Visits the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild

It was pure coincidence that Yoo Gyeong-Yeong, the young boy staying as a guest at the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild, saw the yellow invitation. He was playing in the courtyard when he noticed it in the hands of Escort Jang, who was heading towards the “temporary” branch manager’s office. What piqued his interest wasn’t the invitation itself – a common way for visitors to announce their arrival – but the blatant hostility on Escort Jang’s usually friendly face. Who could possibly make him frown like that?

The boy, reluctant to leave the safety of the guild’s walls, always played within the courtyard with his younger sister. Escort Jang, taking pity on them, often entertained them when he had free time. The boy, accustomed to his cheerful demeanor, was curious.

Escort Jang’s frown deepened as he left the “temporary” branch manager’s office. He clearly disliked his assigned task. The boy, though not able to fully grasp his complex emotions, had enough information to ask a question.

“Escort Jang, whose invitation is that? Why are you frowning so much?”

Yoo Gyeong-Yeong asked, approaching him. Escort Jang stopped walking, his head turning slowly towards the boy.

“Ah, Gyeong-Yeong. It’s you. This? This is from the leader of a very bad group.”

He said, waving the yellow invitation dismissively.

“The leader of a bad group?”

That was too broad a description in a world filled with evil.

“Yes, the Central Plains Merchant Guild, a den of villains.”

Escort Jang nodded emphatically. He clearly believed it.

“But don’t worry! They’ll soon be kneeling before the mighty Baek Mu-Hu!”

He declared proudly, pointing at the white tiger emblem on his new uniform. He had witnessed Baek Mu-Hu’s incredible power firsthand. Since that day, the white tiger had become his guardian deity.

Yoo Gyeong-Yeong’s eyes widened at the mention of the Central Plains Merchant Guild.

“W-what’s the name of the person who sent it?”

He asked, his voice trembling.

“Huh? Gyeong-Yeong, what’s wrong? You look pale.”

The kind-hearted Escort Jang asked, concerned by his sudden change in complexion. But the boy was too preoccupied to acknowledge his concern.

“What’s his name?”

He asked again, his voice rising involuntarily. His younger sister, Seon-Ah, stared at him, her eyes wide with alarm.

“Hmm… Let me see… Wait a minute!”

Escort Jang, forgetting the name, opened the invitation again. But then he remembered he couldn’t read.

“Uh… It’s… Yoo… No, Yoon…?”

He tried to recall the name from memory.

“Let me see. I can read.”

The boy snatched the invitation from his hand. It was so sudden that Escort Jang couldn’t react in time.

“Hey, you shouldn’t…”

But Yoo Gyeong-Yeong had already seen the name.

Flutter!

A gentle breeze snatched the invitation from his hand. Escort Jang, startled, reached for the fluttering yellow paper. He couldn’t let it fall to the ground and get dirty.

“You…”

He was about to scold the boy for his rudeness, but the boy was already running away, dragging his sister along.

“What’s wrong with him?”

Escort Jang stared after them, bewildered, then opened the invitation again. But he was still illiterate. He knew where the name was written, though. It said:

* * *

Yoon Yi-Jeong, Wielder of the Wind Demon Blade, One of the Twelve Jade Walls of the Central Plains Merchant Guild.

* * *

The banner bearing Baek Mu-Hu’s image fluttered fiercely in the north wind. Yoon Yi-Jeong, startled by the numerous white tiger banners, asked Escort Jang,

“What are all these white banners?”

“They’re White Tiger banners, as you can see.”

Escort Jang replied, his tone suggesting it was obvious.

“I have eyes, you know. I can see they’re white tiger banners. But I thought the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild’s symbol was a sword and a lotus.”

“Those banners are over there.”

He pointed to a corner. Indeed, there were banners bearing the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild’s symbol.

“Then what are all these White Tiger banners for?”

“This white tiger is our guardian deity.”

“Guardian deity?”

“Yes, sir. On our long journey from Sichuan to Nanchang, we encountered bandits. They were masked men, and they emanated a chilling aura that intimidated our escorts. They were strange. They demanded the children, not the goods… It wasn’t the usual motive for bandits. They must have been new to the business.”

Yoon Yi-Jeong, who had been listening casually, perked up at the mention of “children.”

“What did you say, Escort Jang? Did you just say ‘children’?”

His tone softened, and his address changed from “you” to “Escort Jang.”

“Ah, yes. That’s what those bandits said.”

Escort Jang narrowed his eyes, lowered his body, and spoke in a low, menacing voice,

“Hehehe, hand over the children!”

Yoon Yi-Jeong stopped walking, his face brightening.

“Tell me more about that. I’m very interested.”

He had found a clue to his missing subordinates in an unexpected place. Even a cold and ruthless man like him couldn’t help but feel excited.

“I’m just a guide. I have to get back to work. Surely a distinguished person like you wouldn’t want to waste your time with a lowly escort like me?”

Escort Jang took a step back, fishing for compliments.

“Come on, Escort Jang! We’re colleagues! Here, have a drink on me.”

Escort Jang’s jaw dropped as he felt the cold, heavy weight in his palm. And he was flattered that the famous Yoon Yi-Jeong considered him an equal.

“Where should I start?”

He asked, as if ready to reveal his deepest secrets.

“Start with the appearance of those masked bandits.”

“It’s a long story. I can’t keep the Branch Manager waiting…”

“Tell him you have a stomachache and you’ll be back after visiting the latrine.”

“Alright, I’ll do that.”