Chapter 73: Summary
Morning came.
Jin Seong-un woke up, feeling the sunlight pouring through the window before rising from bed. Every morning, he had the same fleeting thought—“Was it all a dream?”
Of course, he knew it wasn’t. But considering everything that had happened recently, it wouldn’t have been strange even if it had been.
Once an orphan destined to live his life as nothing more than an inn waiter, he now ran a proper inn of his own. Business was flourishing, especially since his inn was the only one besides Deyang that sold Yangha Daegu.
He had learned martial arts from the Martial Gods, had a top-class assassin from Deathshroud cooking food, the second son of the Seomun Clan working as a waiter, and even an elder from the Wudang Sect helping out…
The absurdity of it all made Jin Seong-un let out a laugh. He quickly dressed and went out to prepare the inn.
Seomun Ak, once infamous as a reckless scoundrel, had changed completely. Now, he was the first one to arrive each morning to begin preparations.
While the marketplace was busy with merchants setting up, a carriage suddenly sped through the street, hooves clattering loudly. Jin Seong-un quickly stepped aside, but instead of passing by, the carriage stopped right in front of Seong-un Inn.
From it stepped a well-dressed middle-aged man, who looked at both the inn and Jin Seong-un before asking politely, “Might you be Jin Daehyeop?”
When Jin confirmed, the man’s attitude immediately shifted to one of deep respect. He introduced himself as Mun Hyo-sang, the newly appointed Chief Manager of the Hwa-un Trading Company, and bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the ground.
The display drew stares from the crowd, leaving Jin embarrassed as he hurriedly returned the greeting. But Mun Hyo-sang refused to let him bow, clearly determined to show utmost courtesy.
Jin instinctively studied him—his energy flow was clean and refined, without the foul taint of malice. Clearly not a wicked man. No doubt Hwa Yeon-seol had chosen carefully when appointing him.
Mun Hyo-sang smiled warmly, explaining that he had only come to greet Jin, since they would be meeting often from now on. Jin was bewildered, unable to grasp the weight of his own importance.
After all, the future of the Hwa-un Trading Company now depended on the Tang Clan’s support, and that support hinged on Jin Seong-un himself. To them, he was the most precious person in the world.
Mun Hyo-sang assured him that if Jin ever faced any difficulties running his inn, he only had to say the word. He even offered to station an informant in Yichang for Jin’s convenience. Jin declined quickly, finding the offer overwhelming.
Still, from the sparkle in Mun Hyo-sang’s eyes, Jin could tell he was a man burning with passion for his work—the type who, had he pursued martial arts, might have become a formidable master.
Mun Hyo-sang laughed in satisfaction as they spoke.
“Say whatever it is you want?”
A stubborn old man’s voice was heard.
Jin Seong-un and Chief Manager Mun turned their heads at the same time.
The tall, wiry elder, his skin darkened like a withered tree branch—was Shin Mok.
He glanced at Chief Manager Mun Hyo-sang up and down before speaking again.
“I am Seong-un’s uncle.”
“Ahh!!”
Chief Manager Mun bent so low his forehead nearly touched the ground once more.
Shin Mok burst into hearty laughter.
“That was a lie.”
“……”
Chief Manager Mun stared at him, utterly bewildered.
What kind of old man was this?
As he stood there dazed, Jin Seong-un let out a sigh.
“He is indeed the elder I serve. He repaired Seong-un Inn for me……”
“Roughly speaking, I’m just a carpenter. But didn’t I say you should tell me if there’s something you need? As the inn’s personal carpenter, I’ve got a few proposals.”
Before Jin Seong-un could even finish, Shin Mok cut in. Chief Manager Mun quickly composed himself, clasped his hands respectfully, and nodded.
“Yes, by all means, please speak! Our Hwa-un Trading Company will fully support the carpenter elder in whichever direction you wish.”
Before coming to Yichang, the Trading Company Master Hwa Yeon-seol had drilled it into his ears countless times. Seong-un Inn had to become the finest inn in Hubei.
The first step was Yangha Daegu. The second step was expansion of the inn itself.
“Mm, is that so.”
Shin Mok smiled with satisfaction.
Chief Manager Mun was prepared to accept any proposal. It wasn’t like building a palace—just an inn.
Even if it cost a fortune, the Hwa-un Trading Company was one of the Ten Great Trading Companies under Heaven.
“Then I’ll handle everything and send the bill to the Hwa-un Trading Company. Our innkeeper wants to build more guest rooms. That should be fine, yes?”
“Of course, of course! Elder, please realize your dream right here as you wish!”
“Really? Hoho, seems the Trading Company has hired a diligent Chief Manager. You’re a fine young man.”
“Ahahaha, your words alone are more than enough thanks!”
The atmosphere grew warm and congenial.
After nodding several times in approval, Shin Mok eventually departed.
Jin Seong-un, who had been watching the whole time with a perplexed expression, finally asked Chief Manager Mun,
“…Is that really alright?”
“Why, of course! We’re talking about embellishing Jin Daehyeop’s inn. Even if it cost a million gold, would it be regrettable?”
“It might actually come out to a million gold.”
“…Eh?”
Chief Manager Mun blinked.
A dreadful thought struck him.
“C-could you please tell me exactly who that elder was?”
“He is Elder Shin Mok.”
“Sh-Shin Mok!”
Chief Manager Mun nearly collapsed on the spot.
Who was Shin Mok?
One of the Three Great Master Artisans under Heaven.
All martial artists, high-ranking officials, even members of the Imperial Clan competed desperately for his works.
Naturally, his prices were whatever he named them.
The new Chief Manager’s face went pale as he stammered.
“M-may I excuse myself for a moment?”
“…Ah, yes.”
Even in such panic, he still sought permission—it showed he was a man who would uphold principles even with a blade to his neck.
As Jin Seong-un silently praised him for that uprightness, Chief Manager Mun suddenly cried out and sprinted in the direction Shin Mok had gone.
“E-eeldeeer! Please wait a moment!”
But Shin Mok, who could even contest an elder of the Wudang Sect in martial arts, had already disappeared using lightness skill.
“Perhaps I should have warned him.”
Jin Seong-un scratched his cheek, staring at the direction they had vanished.
He then turned his gaze toward the inn, imagining it furnished with new guest rooms.
By now, he had made quite a few acquaintances—Wudang Sect, Seomun Clan, Tang Clan, and the Hwa-un Trading Company.
If they came to Yichang and stayed at Seong-un Inn, it would be wonderful to provide them lodging.
Jin Seong-un smiled in satisfaction at the thought and soon moved along. Even though the Hwa-un Trading Company promised support, it was wise to check his own funds before construction began.
The inn itself was already doing good business, but through Oh Jeong-san’s Jingzhou Merchants’ Association, the money flowing in was no small amount either.
Since he had hardly touched it until now, it must have piled up nicely in the bank.
“It should be enough to help.”
With that thought, he arrived at the Wuhanzhuang Bank in Yichang.
The gatekeeper recognized him, turned pale, and bowed deeply.
“Are you not Jin Daehyeop!”
“Ah… you know me?”
Being called Daehyeop so often today felt a little burdensome.
The gatekeeper shook his head vigorously, then led Jin Seong-un inside.
Since the Wuhanzhuang Bank in Yichang was only a branch, its scale was not particularly large. However, given that the main Wuhanzhuang Bank in Wuhan, Hubei Province, was immense, even the branch carried a weighty atmosphere.
‘Come to think of it, doesn’t Wuhanzhuang also run on Myriad Gold Manor’s money?’
Of course, Myriad Gold Manor had its own banking houses.
But Jin had heard that branches under its control operated all across the Central Plains.
It was at times like this that the title “the world’s greatest trading company” truly hit home.
As Jin Seong-un walked through the bank, every staff member who saw him bowed politely.
Clearly, top-level banks like this trained even their employees’ manners thoroughly.
He thought little of it and kept walking—until he began to feel something strange.
“How much farther are we going?”
Were these people up to something?
Having recently returned from a journey through the Jianghu, Jin Seong-un had grown wary and asked.
The gatekeeper chuckled sheepishly.
“We’re almost there.”
Somehow, even his speech pattern had shifted to that of an inn waiter.
Shaking his head in disbelief, Jin continued following.
At last, the gatekeeper brought him to the branch leader’s office, located at the deepest part of the bank.
“Branch Leader, sir! Jin Daehyeop has arrived!”
There had to be more than a few men with the surname Jin in Yichang—would the branch leader even understand who he meant?
But contrary to Jin Seong-un’s worry, a commotion erupted inside before the door swung open powerfully.
A middle-aged man, even stouter than No Sang-won, welcomed him with a beaming smile.
“Aigo!”
Jin Seong-un blinked in confusion.
The branch leader, however, gently and respectfully took Jin’s sleeve.
“Welcome indeed! I have longed to meet you. Hohoho! Servants, bring refreshments!”
Jin Seong-un was touched by the Wuhanzhuang Bank’s courtesy. Truly, nationwide merchants were in a different league.
The branch leader soon sat down. Strangely, not at the head seat, but in the guest’s seat.
Jin sat opposite him. After all, no matter how honored the guest, one could not seize the host’s place of honor.
The branch leader spoke.
“Why don’t you take the more comfortable seat?”
“Ah, I feel comfortable here.”
“Ahh!”
With that, the branch leader suddenly leapt up and spun the table. Without Jin moving an inch, his place became the seat of honor.
‘Ridiculous…’
Was this what the banking business required?
As Jin pondered this, the branch leader chuckled and asked,
“So then, what brings the greatest guest of our Wuhanzhuang to visit personally?”
“Mm. I came to check how much money I have in my account.”
The greatest guest?
Jin tilted his head in puzzlement.
The branch leader’s name was Won Gi-sang. He was a man who had risen to this position from the very bottom.
Though he oversaw only a branch, it was not a position attainable by ordinary talent.
From Jin Seong-un’s expression, Won Gi-sang instantly understood the situation.
“Ah, so you were unaware. Indeed, heroes such as yourself do not concern themselves with trifles.”
He had a servant bring over a stack of documents.
Numbers filled the sheets placed on the table.
As Jin’s eyes began to blur from the figures, Won Gi-sang adjusted his tone, speaking solemnly.
“Normally, the ledgers are not shown to customers so easily, but since you are our honored guest…”
Won Gi-sang pointed to a section among the many numbers.
“This is the current amount in Jin Daehyeop’s account. For reference, it accounts for thirty percent of the funds handled by this Yichang branch.”
Perhaps because of the staggering numbers, even Won Gi-sang’s speech had shifted to that of an inn waiter.
Jin blinked and stared at the figure.
One thousand, eight hundred, and forty taels.
In gold.
When he first bought Seong-un Inn, the price had been twenty taels of gold. True, it had been cheap because of the rumors about ghosts haunting it…
But now, he had enough to buy nearly a hundred inns. Finally, he understood why the people of Wuhanzhuang Bank treated him so kindly.
Thirty percent of the branch’s operational funds were tied to his name.
If he were to move his account elsewhere, the branch leader would surely be summoned to the main bank in Wuhan for reprimand.
“I-I have checked enough.”
Feeling strangely uneasy, Jin simply nodded and rose. His mere presence here was probably making many people nervous.
“Ah, leaving so soon? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a meal before you go…”
“Wait.”
Jin abruptly cut him off.
He expanded his senses on the spot.
There was an alien aura within the bank. So subtle that even he might have overlooked it.
“Is there a martial artist inside this bank?”
“Ah, yes, but… with thieves running rampant lately, members of the Sima Clan came to adjust the formation for us.”
“It wasn’t the Sima Clan.”
“…What?”
The Sima Clan was a prestigious household of the Orthodox Faction.
It was said that, in recent years, their influence even surpassed that of the Zhuge Clan, one of the Five Great Clans.
There was no way such people would emit this kind of cold, sinister aura.
Rather, it was closer to that of Seo So-hyeop.
The aura of an assassin.
‘A thief.’
Jin Seong-un quietly stepped outside.
The bank’s scenery remained bustling and peaceful.
Yet within that everyday picture, he could distinctly sense a subtle, alien presence.
Faint, but there…
Jin’s head slowly turned, before halting on a certain point.
Swaeek—!
He suddenly surged forward, releasing force.
It all happened in an instant.
Jjeoong—!
A supporting pillar beneath the eaves shattered.
At the same time, Jin clearly saw a blurry figure rise from behind the pillar.
He reached out to seize it—
—but a strange pressure abruptly pressed down on his entire body.
Jin Seong-un furrowed his brow slightly. He had felt a similar energy once before, at the Four Dragons River Gang in Deyang.
‘A formation…’
For a moment, he considered blasting out his energy to shatter the formation, but if he did so, the branch leader and many others would be harmed.
In that hesitation, the figure vanished completely.
Jin let out a quiet sigh. Then a group rushed over urgently, shouting in anger.
“Which madman dares to tamper with the Sima Clan’s formation?”
Jin turned to look at the man who had shouted.
He was a handsome man clad in clothing that gleamed as though woven of gold. His sharply angled brows twitched, as if irritated.
“…There was a thief.”
“Nonsense. The Sima Clan’s formation masters were perfectly controlling the entire bank—how could a thief have entered?”
“It is the truth.”
The angrier Jin remained calm, the more furious the Sima Clan martial artist grew.
“Can you take responsibility for those words? If they prove false, I may slice off that petty tongue of yours.”
“The thief escaped because of the formation. How could I take responsibility for that?”
“Heh, you wreck our formation, then claim the thief slipped away because of it?”
Each icy word he spoke seemed to freeze the air around them.
It wasn’t just a feeling—it was the influence of the Sima Clan’s uniquely cold martial arts.
Tension spread thick through the surroundings.
Then Jin Seong-un spoke.
“That’s an accurate summary.”
“……”
Their gazes clashed in midair.
Neither bore a gentle impression, and the bystanders grew increasingly tense.
Branch Leader Won Gi-sang, in particular, felt as though hell itself had opened before his eyes.
‘Wh-why must this happen to me…’
A shattered pillar was nothing.
But here stood Jin Seong-un, the honored guest who controlled thirty percent of the branch’s funds.
And opposite him, the rising dragon of the Sima Clan, destined to become its next Clan Head—Sima Hwi.
Of all places, why did these two have to lock eyes before him?
For Won Gi-sang, this was the greatest dilemma since childhood, when his parents asked which of them he loved more.