I smiled brightly.
“Fortunately, there’s something I can help with. I’ll buy all the hides you have in storage.”
This was both a show of gratitude to the hunters who helped us and a profitable opportunity for the Eunhae Merchant Group.
The beast hides from the North Sea region are thick-furred yet soft, making them popular among the higher class.
But sourcing them is difficult, and opening new trade routes even more so.
In places like this, local merchants are extremely territorial.
But thanks to one greedy merchant, a crack had formed, and we were about to wedge ourselves in.
I couldn’t let this opportunity pass.
The hunters could avoid trouble from being unable to sell their hides, and the Eunhae Merchant Group would gain a new supplier.
You might call it killing two birds with one stone. But for someone like me, who knows the future, it’s more like three or more.
Because this winter, a massive cold wave will strike.
I’ll never forget that winter.
Not just for the terrible cold, but because it was the year I became Deputy Merchant Lord.
Even thinking about it now sends chills down my spine.
The number of people who froze to death multiplied several times compared to a normal year.
And that was just the beginning. The cold wave would continue for five years.
On top of that, famine struck, and the people’s suffering reached its peak.
As the weather worsened, the demand for fur garments skyrocketed.
If you didn’t want to freeze to death, at the very least you needed a fur coat.
Supply couldn’t meet demand, and the value of fur goods soared.
Thinking of that time, trading these furs will bring immense profit in the near future.
We followed the hunter and his son to the village where their tribe lived.
“This is our village.”
As expected from a hunters’ village, animal byproducts were hanging out to dry everywhere.
“Bok, who are the people you brought?”
An elderly man came out, and the hunter’s son ran over to him.
“Grandpa, I brought them because they said they’d buy our tribe’s hides.”
“Yeah?”
The hunter beside me spoke.
“This is my father. He’s also the chief of our tribe.”
“Ah.”
I quickly cupped my fists in greeting.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“I’m Jigul, the village head. You’re here to buy our hides?”
“Yes.”
The hunter and his grandson explained the situation to the chief. Once he finished listening, the old man exploded.
“Those bastards. I ought to plant an arrow right between their eyes.”
His words were harsh, but I understood how he felt. I gave a faint smile.
“Hrm.”
Realizing I was still there, the chief cleared his throat.
“I reacted without thinking. My apologies.”
“Not at all.”
“Anyway, are you planning to buy our hides just this once, or do you want to continue trading?”
“I’d like to continue trading.”
“Then come with me. I should show you what our tribe is really capable of.”
He led us to a storage house where hides were piled up.
“These are the hides we’re offering this time. Take a look.”
The chief opened the doors with confidence. He must have taken great pride in their hide preparation.
I inspected the hides closely.
Looking at the quality, I could see why he was so proud.
They were excellent.
And someone had called these defective?
Absurd.
“How much did the merchants who used to buy from you pay per hide?”
“For rabbit hides, half a Silver Tael per hundred. For wolf hides, half a Silver Tael per five.”
Sh… I almost swore out loud.
Half a Silver Tael for one hundred rabbit hides? That wasn’t trade. That was robbery without a blade.
Sometimes, money is more dangerous than a sword.
“For rabbit hides, I’ll pay one Silver Tael for ten. For wolf hides, one Silver Tael for two.”
The chief blinked in disbelief.
“That much?”
“I’m simply offering a fair price. As I said, I’m a merchant, and merchants don’t do losing business.”
“That makes sense.”
He muttered, his face a mix of frustration and realization.
“Then the one we’ve been trading with has been fleecing us all along.”
“…”
“Son, bring my arrows. I’m going to put one through that bastard’s head.”
“I’ll come too.”
The mood was turning bloody, so I stepped in quickly.
“Please calm down. What matters now is the future.”
“Hm, true enough.”
Then Bok, the hunter’s grandson, spoke.
“But what if the merchant we used to trade with shows up again? It sounds like that might happen, from what you said.”
I nodded.
“He probably will. But I have no intention of letting anyone intimidate those who have chosen to work with us.”
Once we’ve planted our flag, we must protect it.
“We’d like to establish a branch of the Eunhae Merchant Group here and station Escort Guards. Would you allow that?”
It takes significant money to establish a branch.
But if we can protect this area and secure the trade, that cost is trivial.
This is the edge of Heilongjiang, considered the outer frontier in Murim.
Which makes it all the more valuable once we get a foothold.
Especially when thinking of the future.
“A branch here?”
“Yes. Your tribe’s hunters may not be weak, but if our group sets up a branch and stations Escort Guards, no merchant will dare cause trouble.”
The tribal chief looked at me in silence.
As if trying to see through me.
“The cost?”
“The Eunhae Merchant Group will cover it, of course.”
“Then I permit it.”
“Then please look after things until our people arrive to set up the branch.”
“No need to worry. Our hunters are no pushovers.”
“Still, be cautious. You never know what tricks they might try.”
That day, we decided to rest in the village. We were shown to the home of the chief’s son.
Once inside, I pulled out brush and paper and wrote a letter to my father.
“Geumryeong, this is for my father.”
“Kui? Kui. Kui.”
Geumryeong wagged its tail back and forth, making some noises.
“So, because it’s a long trip, one Silver Tael isn’t enough?”
“Kui.”
“Then… two?”
“Kui…”
“Alright. I’ll give you three.”
At that, Geumryeong immediately held out its tail.
Even this little thing knows how to bargain now.
I tied the letter to its tail, and it shot off like lightning.
.
.
.
The next morning, when I opened my eyes, Geumryeong was sitting on my belly.
Fast as always.
I opened the reply from my father.
[I’m relieved to hear you’ve finished your business in the North Sea and are returning safely. Nothing special has happened here. I reviewed your proposal, and everyone is in agreement. The Trade Pavilion Lord was especially pleased. I’ll gather people and send them soon.]
I smiled.
As expected, the Trade Pavilion Lord recognized the value of this place.
Over breakfast, I shared the news with the escort guards and Palgap and told them to prepare to leave.
After the meal, Escort Guard Jin Yu approached quietly.
“My lord, I have something to say.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’d like to stay here until people from the Eunhae Merchant Group arrive.”
“You’ll stay?”
“Yes. It shows the tribe that we’re serious about this partnership, and I think it’ll put your mind at ease as well.”
I had no reason to say no.
We’d have no problems on the return trip with the rest of the guards.
Though it might be uncomfortable for her to stay…
Perhaps reading my thoughts, Jin Yu added,
“I’ve lived in the North Sea before, so no need to worry. Please allow it.”
“I feel bad. Feels like I’m pushing this burden onto you.”
“Please don’t say that.”
“Understood. Then I’ll leave it to you.”
I informed the chief that Jin Yu would be staying behind. Judging by his pleased expression, it seemed they’d been uneasy until now.
Leaving her behind, we departed.
Our next destination was the Gwangjun Merchant Group.
I had to return the whistle Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun had lent me.
The road from the North Sea to Liaoning was much like before.
Friendly tribes gave us a warm welcome. The unfriendly ones…
Frankly, no one dared to bother us.
Even among the rough tribes here, few are foolish enough to throw their lives away.
The ones who had tried us earlier now knew better and kept their distance.
So we reached Liaoning without incident.
“Let’s set up camp over there tonight.”
At Escort Guard Seo Wu’s suggestion, I nodded.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
After entering Liaoning, there were no trustworthy inns before reaching the Gwangjun Merchant Group.
It was better to camp than risk a shady inn.
By now, we could set up camp with ease. After dinner, while I was staring into the fire, Escort Guard Seo Wu sat down next to me.
“My lord.”
“Yes?”
“Did you perhaps gain new insights into martial arts on this trip?”
I looked at him, and he continued calmly.
“I saw your fight at the inn. You used the same martial art as before, but the power behind it was clearly different.”
He was a Peak-level martial artist. It wasn’t surprising he noticed.
“Hahaha, is that so?”
“Yes. As if you’d spent years shut away training that technique.”
“…”
Dead on.
I trained for so long I lost track of time. It was exhausting beyond words.
My eyes stung suddenly.
“Must be the smoke.”
“Ah, yes.”
Then I asked something I’d been wondering.
“By the way, do you know what martial art I’m using?”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen it. But I can tell it’s a high-level cultivation method.”
“I see.”
That’s a relief.
Seo Wu has a broad knowledge of martial arts. If even he doesn’t recognize it, most people won’t.
Especially since Snow Wind Palace was secretive and has been gone for over ten years.
That’s likely why Master taught me its techniques.
Just then, I sensed people approaching. Seo Wu stayed alert.
But I wasn’t too tense.
I didn’t feel the presence of anyone from the Unorthodox Sect.
Before long, a group appeared. About five people pulling a cart.
Judging from their looks, merchants.
“Excuse us, travelers. May we borrow a live ember?”
Seo Wu looked to me. I nodded.
“Travelers should help each other. Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
They set up nearby and used our fire to light their own.
Even if you have a striker, using hot coals is much faster.
“Would you like some dumplings?”
The one who seemed to be the leader came over with steaming dumplings.
“Ah, thank you.”
I accepted them and asked,
“Where are you coming from? Seeing fresh dumplings like these, you can’t be from too far.”
“Hahaha, you’re right. We sell sundries throughout the region. There are many scattered farms in Liaoning, so that’s how we make our living.”
“I see.”
“But you don’t seem to be from around here.”
“Right. We’re from Hubei. From the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“Th-the Eunhae Merchant Group?”
That reaction told me he knew of us.
“Sounds like you know of our merchant group.”
“Of course. You made the Windcraft Fan and the Self-Dancing Doll, didn’t you? And I heard you were recently ranked fifty among the Hundred Great Merchant Groups.”
“Hahaha, that’s right.”
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
As I chatted with him, Palgap carefully checked the dumplings.
You can’t be too cautious.
When he gave the signal, I relaxed. No poison.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to Liaoning. Has anything big happened recently?”
He thought for a moment before answering.
“A big incident… ah. Do you know the Three Axe Merchant Group?”
“Of course.”
“They’re about to go under.”
“Aren’t they fairly prominent in Liaoning? What happened?”
“A rumor spread that they tried to assassinate the Gwangjun Merchant Group’s Deputy Merchant Lord. And it looks like it was true. The Gwangjun Group retaliated.”
“So they finally moved their hand.”
“Yes. I heard their Deputy Merchant Lord personally stepped in and crushed them.”
I smiled inwardly.
As expected of my friend.
–TL Notes–
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