Chapter 41: Hwa-un Trading Company
Two merchants, Hwang In-pyeong and Cheong Man-seok, smoothly exercised their merchant-like eloquence and naturally took seats at the same table as Hyeon-un.
With a sly smile, Cheong Man-seok spoke.
“Your reputation as the White Cloud Sword, Elder, has spread even to Akju. It is truly an honor to meet you like this……”
As he spoke, he casually poured Bamboo Leaf Green into Hyeon-un’s cup.
Hyeon-un, still holding a trace of displeasure, looked at the cup and said.
“You said you didn’t like Bamboo Leaf Green?”
“Haha, upon closer look I realized this isn’t just ordinary Bamboo Leaf Green but a special grade one. It’s indeed fine wine. Its unique clarity reminds me of Wudang’s spirit, you might say.”
“The Taoists of Wudang don’t drink wine.”
“H-huh!”
Cheong Man-seok, startled, quickly shot up and bowed deeply to apologize. Yet even while apologizing, he felt odd. Wasn’t this old man just sipping wine a moment ago?
“Of course, generally they don’t. But occasionally, for certain reasons, some Taoists must drink. I happen to be such a case.”
“Ah, so that’s how it is!”
Cheong Man-seok responded with all his effort.
Of course, the “certain reason” Hyeon-un mentioned was simply: “because he wanted to drink.” He was a man whose Sect Leader had already given up scolding him.
Hyeon-un gestured for them to sit down again.
He filled both of their cups in turn.
Cheong Man-seok and Hwang In-pyeong received the drinks with great humility and downed them in one gulp.
“Ahhh! The aroma is truly……!”
The two merchants strained themselves to praise the Bamboo Leaf Green.
Naturally, merchants of their level could tell it was special grade. To them, special or regular, wine was wine.
But since the White Cloud Sword Hyeon-un enjoyed it, for these two, Bamboo Leaf Green had to become the best wine in the world.
Of course, not all merchants would grovel before a Wudang Elder like this.
Politeness was due, but so long as one was not rude, that was enough.
But these two had a purpose. And Hyeon-un was beginning to sense something unusual in their behavior.
“Your courtesy is excessive. From what I know, merchants show such favor only to those wealthier than themselves, or those who can be of immediate use.”
At Hyeon-un’s blunt words, the two merchants forced a smile.
Men of Hyeon-un’s age and cultivation were not easily swayed, even by merchants’ silver tongues.
While Cheong Man-seok pondered, Hwang In-pyeong decided to speak frankly.
After draining his cup again, he said.
“Elder, please help us. Of course, we are not asking for charity. This will certainly be of benefit to the Wudang Sect as well.”
Hwang In-pyeong’s tone was deadly serious.
Hyeon-un nodded, signaling him to continue.
The merchants began their explanation.
Thanks to their merchant-like rhetoric, the story was long, but in summary:
There was a great Trading Company in Sichuan.
It was now facing a major crisis.
Rumors had already begun to spread in the trading world that it was about to collapse.
Because of this, merchants with some standing were flocking to Sichuan.
If such a giant fell, its business interests would fragment and scatter for the taking.
“So, you want to snatch up the leftovers?”
Hyeon-un spoke bluntly.
Yet Hwang In-pyeong nodded without the slightest sign of offense.
“Yes, that was our original plan. But if Elder lends us strength, it will be more than just leftovers.”
If Hyeon-un moved, the Wudang Sect would move.
And if a power like Wudang joined the contest for profits, it would not be scraps but great businesses that could be seized.
“The Tang Clan of Sichuan won’t stand idly by. Neither will the Emei Sect or the Qingcheng Sect.”
All three were based in Sichuan.
Hwang In-pyeong nodded readily.
“Of course. That’s why we ask this favor. With Wudang’s backing, we could stand against even those three.”
Hwang In-pyeong considered this moment a miraculous encounter.
What were the chances of meeting a Wudang Elder in a random inn?
Hyeon-un fell silent in thought.
Hwang In-pyeong waited patiently without pressing.
Just then, a burly inn waiter suddenly approached and spoke up.
“Elder, it would be best to ignore this matter.”
When this large waiter poured cold water on the discussion, Hwang In-pyeong’s brows furrowed into an inverted V. Outwardly he kept his composure, but he was not a man of gentle temperament.
“This is none of your business!”
He raised his voice, though carefully, not daring to cross the line before the White Cloud Sword.
But the waiter spoke again.
“No. On the contrary, it’s none of your business. What do you think you’ll gain by dragging Wudang into a place crawling with Black Path scum?”
“Wh-what…!”
Before Hwang In-pyeong could retort, Hyeon-un intervened.
“This waiter is the second son of the Seomun Clan.”
Hwang In-pyeong’s jaw dropped.
It was strange enough to meet the White Cloud Sword in a shabby inn, but to find that a mere waiter was the second son of the Seomun Clan?
Regardless, Hyeon-un let Seomun Ak speak further.
The Seomun Clan was also based in Sichuan.
Naturally, Seomun Ak knew a thing or two about the Trading Company the merchants spoke of.
“Elder, the Hwa-un Trading Company has ties with the Black Path. In truth, all this talk about collapse is just the settling of their karmic retribution. The former head of the Hwa-un Company died, and his daughter succeeded him. Do you think the Black Path thugs under them would obediently follow her?”
The Hwa-un Trading Company (華運商團).
It was based in Sichuan Province and was counted among the Ten Great Trading Companies under Heaven.
The former leader had been a bold man who had no qualms about dealing with the Black Path.
Because of that, the Hwa-un Trading Company never received protection from the Murim Alliance or any righteous factions. In truth, they had chosen the protection of the Black Path instead.
The former leader had the ability to make it work. His personality matched well with the Black Path warriors.
The problem came after his sudden death.
His still-young daughter suddenly became the head.
The rough Black Path warriors would never quietly obey her. After all, in the Black Path, yesterday’s friend was today’s foe, and today’s foe could become tomorrow’s friend.
“That is the situation. So……”
Before Seomun Ak could finish,
the gazes of Hyeon-un, Seomun Ak, and the merchants’ two guards simultaneously turned toward the kitchen.
The chopping sound that had been constant suddenly stopped.
And a heavy killing intent surged out from the kitchen.
“Good heavens!”
Han Seong-chun fled the kitchen in a panic.
He had known the inn was unusual, but who could have guessed the cheerful cook would suddenly erupt like a madman?
Han Seong-chun reconsidered his decision to work in this inn.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Martial artists turned their wary eyes toward the kitchen.
After a moment, the chopping resumed—at the same speed and rhythm as before. The suffocating killing intent had vanished.
The guards were bewildered, but none dared interrupt the conversation between their masters and the Wudang Elder.
And so, as if nothing had happened, the discussion resumed.
After a brief thought, Hyeon-un said.
“Wudang cannot intervene in matters of the Black Path. I cannot grant your request.”
“…Is that so.”
Hwang In-pyeong’s disappointment showed openly.
With his purpose failed, it no longer mattered if the other was a Wudang Elder or even the Sect Leader.
“Then we will take our leave. It was an honor to meet you, Elder.”
They offered only the barest courtesy and rose.
Now that they knew who was in this inn, it was impossible to dine in peace.
But Seomun Ak blocked their path.
He extended his palm toward them.
“You must pay before you go.”
“Ah, right.”
The merchants paid for the food and wine they had ordered.
Yet Seomun Ak still held out his hand.
When the merchants looked puzzled, Seomun Ak pointed to one table.
It was Hyeon-un’s table.
Hyeon-un waved his hand and said.
“I’ll pay for my own. Since I already refused your request, I should at least keep my dignity.”
“…Ahem, no, Elder. Merely speaking with you has been a great lesson and enlightenment for us.”
Hwang In-pyeong paid for Hyeon-un as well. It was better to spend a little extra money than to risk leaving a bad impression on a Wudang Elder.
With the two merchants gone, the inn soon returned to its usual atmosphere, as though nothing had happened.
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.
.
Late at night, after closing business.
Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom checked the inn one last time before leaving through the back door that connected to their quarters.
“Another fulfilling day.”
Seo Yu-gyeom stretched as he spoke. Normally, at this point, the two would part ways for their own quarters.
But Jin Seong-un did not move. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Seo Yu-gyeom.
Noticing, Seo Yu-gyeom looked back and said.
“What? Do I look handsome?”
“…Those merchants earlier. Did you know them?”
“No. First time seeing them.”
“Then why was that?”
“Why was what?”
Seo Yu-gyeom tilted his head, but he could not fool Jin Seong-un’s eyes.
“You changed after they left.”
“How did I change?”
“The killing intent in your eyes, Seo Master.”
The two locked eyes.
Seo Yu-gyeom’s gaze, usually calm, was now unnaturally restrained, as if simply observing Jin Seong-un. It was like that of a beast on the hunt.
Moments passed.
Seo Yu-gyeom let out a small sigh.
“I told you, I’m haunted by ghosts.”
“Are you all right?”
“That Hwa-un Trading Company they said was about to collapse—that’s where I was before I entered Deathshroud. The man who mistook me for the Heavenly Martial Star and killed my parents, the very man who shamelessly adopted me afterward—that man was the former head of the Hwa-un Company.”
Jin Seong-un already knew parts of Seo Yu-gyeom’s past.
After hearing the truth from the Vice Leader of Deathshroud, Seo Yu-gyeom had killed the man who raised him and then headed to Deathshroud.
“Yes, I was the one who killed that head. The woman who is now head of the company is someone I once regarded as a sister.”
Jin Seong-un nodded.
Now he understood Seo Yu-gyeom’s killing intent.
“I truly saw her as my sister, but to her, I must be nothing but a wretch who killed her father and ran away. After I left, she kept sending requests to Deathshroud.”
There was no need to ask what kind of requests.
Seo Yu-gyeom gave a bitter laugh.
“She doesn’t even know I became an assassin of Deathshroud. She’s been wasting money for nothing. I don’t know if she’s still sending requests now.”
“Are you all right?”
“What’s there not to be all right about? The woman who tried so hard to kill me is on the verge of collapse. I should be raising a toast.”
Seo Yu-gyeom smiled as he said it.
But Jin Seong-un thought he was not smiling at all.
He looked at Seo Yu-gyeom for a moment, wondering if he should say more. Finally, he just nodded.
“Then it’s fine.”
“Yeah. Let’s sleep.”
And so the two went to their separate quarters.
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.
In the dead of night.
Seo Yu-gyeom stood in suffocating darkness.
A place without moon or stars, a pitch-black space.
This was his inner world. He often dreamed of it.
He felt wronged.
The former head of the Hwa-un Trading Company, Hwa Yun-tak.
It was by his hand that Seo Yu-gyeom’s real parents died. Since it happened when he was just an infant, he had no emotional bond with them.
What he felt was betrayal—that Hwa Yun-tak had committed such a deed, then brazenly adopted him.
‘After he realized I wasn’t the Heavenly Martial Star, he openly despised me.’
When he thought of his childhood, all Seo Yu-gyeom could remember was being forced to watch Hwa Yun-tak’s expression.
After hearing the truth from Deathshroud’s Vice Leader, he chose a moonless night, slipped into Hwa Yun-tak’s chamber, and killed him.
Seo Yu-gyeom’s martial ability had already reached the brink of First Rate at that time. And as an adopted son, still part of the direct household of Hwa-un Company, he could approach him.
It was revenge. Perhaps for parents he never knew, or perhaps for the years of deception.
Either way, in Seo Yu-gyeom’s mind, it had been justified killing.
‘It wasn’t all my fault, was it?’
Unlike Hwa Yun-tak, his daughter, Hwa Yeon-seol, was innocent. She was the one Seo Yu-gyeom had truly regarded as a sister.
Though she was the daughter of his enemy, he never thought her guilty for her father’s sins.
But knowing she was sending assassins after him—this gnawed at him.
He could understand it in his head, but his heart could not help but ache.
‘And yet I still haven’t killed you, Hwa Yeon-seol, even knowing this.’
If he wished, Seo Yu-gyeom could have killed her long ago.
But he hadn’t. He tried to understand her anger and resentment.
Even so, when his killing intent surged like tonight, he would dream such nightmares.
Dreams where Hwa Yun-tak and Hwa Yeon-seol stood together, hurling curses at him as a parricide.
Their words turned into sharp blades that flew and pierced him.
Countless blades shredded him.
His blood pooled beneath him.
Seo Yu-gyeom closed his eyes. In this pitch-dark world, it made little difference whether they were open or shut.
Soon, writhing in silent pain, he opened them again.
He awoke from the dream.
“…What is this.”
Seo Yu-gyeom stood alone on a deserted road. In his hand, the Heaven-Slaying Dagger was stained with red blood.
For once, Seo Yu-gyeom was visibly shaken.
His eyes trembled with deep unease.
He had no way of knowing whose blood clung to the Heaven-Slaying Dagger.