Chapter 163

One month had passed since the founding of Sincheonjang. In that time, its structure had taken form, and it had stabilized considerably. Sunwoo Baek and Jang Woon became the personal guards attending Yeon Woo Jin, while Gwak Pyeong assumed the role of General Overseer. Go Seung was appointed Deputy Overseer, assisting Gwak Pyeong by his side. The Transcendence Squad was promoted to a formal division and split into two units: the Blue Dragon Unit and the White Tiger Unit. The Blue Dragon Unit consisted of those from Baekyeong, while the White Tiger Unit was made up of other Mushincheon academy graduates. As a result, the two groups constantly competed, rapidly accelerating their growth. Now, it was time to secure the financial means to sustain all of this. For the time being, they were barely holding on with the startup funds he had received upon departure—but if things continued at this rate, they would soon run dry. He could easily speak to his grandfather and receive generous funding immediately, but he didn’t want to do that. From now on, he had to nurture this estate purely with his own strength. That was the only way it would hold any true meaning. He thought hard about how to earn money—and then, a good idea struck him. To carry it out, he went to meet Namgoong Cheon. <br> “Have you made any progress?” At Yeon Woo Jin’s question, Namgoong Cheon responded with a radiant smile. “Haha! Thanks to your grace in healing my body, I’ve been advancing rapidly! It’s all because of you!” “I’m glad to hear that.” “But what brings you here today?” “There’s something I’d like to discuss.” “Is there something I can assist you with?” When Yeon Woo Jin nodded, Namgoong Cheon's face lit up. “What is it? Just say the word!” “I’m planning to manufacture and sell elixirs. Would it be possible to use the Namgoong Clan’s trading group for distribution?” At those words, Namgoong Cheon nodded vigorously. “Elixirs? If you’re the one crafting them, then the price will be whatever you name it! A splendid idea! Of course, °• N o v e l i g h t •° I’ll help!” After all, he had personally experienced the effects of those incredible elixirs. If word spread that such elixirs were going up for sale, people would line up from all directions to buy them. “How much of a commission should I offer?” “What? Why would you say something so hurtful? A commission? Absolutely not.” “But it’s a trading group—you need to make a profit.” “That may be true in general, but making a profit off my benefactor? That’s blasphemy. I’d rather die. It should be free. Honestly, if I could hand over the entire trading group to you, I would. It’s only regrettable that I cannot.” Judging by Namgoong Cheon’s expression, he meant every word. If Yeon Woo Jin insisted on offering a commission, he might actually try to surrender the entire business to him—so Woo Jin wisely stepped back. “Very well.” Only after he agreed did Namgoong Cheon smile brightly in relief. “Wahaha! I finally have a chance to repay your kindness. My heart feels lighter already. Let’s go at once!” “You intend to accompany me personally, Clan Lord?” “Of course! What if I sent someone else, and the trade chief accidentally offended you? How could I bear that sin? Let’s go.” In the end, Namgoong Cheon and Yeon Woo Jin made their way to the Namgoong Clan’s trading post. **** “Clan Lord! Weren’t you in closed-door cultivation?” “Indeed. But I had a matter even more important than that.” “More important?” “Quite so. A matter of utmost importance to the clan.” What matter could possibly be so pressing as to tear him away from seclusion? “Have you heard of Sincheonjang?” “Yes, I know it well. They buy quite a lot of our goods.” “What? Sincheonjang purchases all their supplies from our trading group?” “Yes, sir.” Namgoong Cheon turned to look at Yeon Woo Jin. Woo Jin simply shook his head. He had already predicted what was coming. But as a man, Namgoong Cheon couldn't just let this slide. “Return every coin we received from Sincheonjang—mmph!” “Hahaha! Clan Lord, what are you saying?” The trade chief was stunned. To silence the clan lord mid-sentence? Unthinkable. Even if Namgoong Cheon was affable and treated others warmly, this crossed a line. The trade chief furrowed his brow, expecting a furious scolding to follow— “What are you doing?” “I should ask you the same, Clan Lord.” “What do you think I’m doing? These fools dared to take money from my benefactor.” “But we’re a trading group. Of course we took payment.” “That may apply to others. It does not apply to him.” Benefactor? And what’s more, this youth who still seemed barely of age was being addressed in full honorifics. Namgoong Cheon was nearing his fiftieth year, and yet... And then came the word that made the trade chief question his hearing. Payment. Did he just say not to accept payment? Had he misheard? As that thought ran through his mind— “If you keep this up, I’ll take my business elsewhere.” Yeon Woo Jin finally played his last card. Only then did Namgoong Cheon step back. “W-What do you mean, go elsewhere? You’ve only just settled in!” “If you keep placing this kind of burden on me, I have no choice. I came to this place because I liked the Namgoong Clan. Are you going to drive me away?” “...Understood. Then... then we’ll only take base cost. I can’t yield any further.” Even as he spoke, Namgoong Cheon stubbornly refused to take a single coin of profit. Yeon Woo Jin could only shake his head. “Please, allow me at least one chance to repay your grace.” Seeing Namgoong Cheon bowing as he begged, Yeon Woo Jin finally nodded. “...Alright. Let’s do that.” “Thank you.” The trade chief had no idea what had just transpired. Everything the two had just said was unacceptable from a merchant’s perspective. When he heard they wouldn’t charge at all, his heart dropped. When it was changed to base cost, a splitting headache struck. Did they think the trading group made money by digging it out of the ground? “Clan Lord? Forgive me, but could you explain what exactly this conversation is about?” “Haven’t you been listening? Ah! Allow me to introduce you. This is the Lord of Sincheonjang.” “...Pardon?” “This young man? Why aren’t you bowing already?” “Y-Yes, of course. I’m Namgoong Hwan, trade chief of the Changcheon Trading Group.” “A pleasure. I’m Yeom Woo Jin, Lord of Sincheonjang.” Even in the Central Plains, Yeon Woo Jin continued to use the surname Yeom. “This man is someone I can trust. One of the very few I trust completely. That’s why I’ve entrusted the trading group to him.” “I see.” Namgoong Hwan smiled at the clan lord’s words. He was a distant branch of the Namgoong lineage. Though he bore the Namgoong name, he was not part of the direct bloodline and had never received proper treatment—until Namgoong Cheon recognized his talent and gave him a position. Thanks to that, a man once mired in poverty had risen to become the trade chief of the Changcheon Trading Group, the Namgoong Clan’s official merchant house. Namgoong Hwan’s loyalty to Namgoong Cheon was so well-known, even the clan acknowledged it. He had worked tirelessly for him. Thanks to that, Changcheon Trading Group had become one of the most prominent in the entire Central Plains. However, due to Hong Seol Hwa, the Matron’s incurable illness, funds had drained away like water into a bottomless jar. The flow of money became unmanageable, and the trading group soon faced severe difficulties. Its operations were scaled back drastically, and at one point, it had nearly collapsed entirely. The only reason they were able to weather that crisis was thanks to Namgoong Hwan’s exceptional acumen. Now that Hong Seol Hwa had been completely cured, the clan's financial flow had stabilized, and the trading group was once again on the path to regaining its former prosperity. “May I reveal our benefactor’s true identity?” If Namgoong Cheon was willing to go that far, then this person could truly be trusted. Yeon Woo Jin nodded. Namgoong Cheon smiled brightly and turned to Namgoong Hwan. “You... do you know who this man truly is?” “He just said... he’s the Lord of Sincheonjang...” “I mean his real identity. This man is the Divine Healer of the Sacred Beast.” “Wh-What? You mean... the one who cured the Matron?!” “That’s right! He’s the one who healed our Seol Hwa.” Only now did Namgoong Hwan understand why the clan lord had treated this young man with such deference. But more than that—the Divine Healer of the Sacred Beast? He had assumed someone with such a title would be far older. And yet this man was so young. Just how astounding was his talent in the healing arts? “The Divine Healer prefers to keep his identity hidden. I’m only telling you because I received his permission, and because you are you.” “Th... Thank you.” “The Divine Healer treated our Seol Hwa and refused to accept any payment in return.” “Ah...” Now the earlier conversation made sense. Why Namgoong Cheon refused to take payment. Why he insisted on supplying goods at base cost. In that context, it was perfectly understandable. And knowing Namgoong Cheon, a man who lived by the creed that grace must always be repaid, he must have been tormented by the debt. Having pieced everything together, Namgoong Hwan answered with conviction. “Understood! From this moment on, all goods supplied to Sincheonjang will be provided at cost!” “Exactly! I knew you’d understand my intention.” “Is that why you came today?” “No, no. Our benefactor wishes to sell elixirs.” “Ah! Then I can handle that. May I ask what kind of elixirs?” Yeon Woo Jin replied calmly. “They’ll have effects similar to the one the Clan Lord took.” An elixir with similar effects to the one the Clan Lord ingested? Namgoong Hwan turned to Namgoong Cheon—and was met with a look of shock. “You mean... you’re going to sell that kind of elixir? With that potency, it’ll cause a commotion! I don’t think that’s a good idea. You should consider slightly weakening it before putting it on the market.” Just how potent was this elixir to warrant such a reaction? Namgoong Cheon explained in simpler terms for Namgoong Hwan’s sake. “The elixir our benefactor made is comparable to Mount Hua’s Jaso Pill or Wudang’s Taecheong Pill.” “Kuhk!” Now Namgoong Hwan understood exactly why the Clan Lord had been so alarmed. “I apologize, but distributing something of that caliber could place our entire trading group in jeopardy.” The issue wasn’t merely about selling it—it could cause turmoil across the Central Plains. “Is that so? I was aiming for just about that level of potency.” “You call that an appropriate level?” “Yes.” “Wait... the martial artists at Sincheonjang—have they taken this elixir?” Yeon Woo Jin nodded. Namgoong Cheon’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Good heavens! Just how many doses do you have?!” “It’s not about how many I have. I can manufacture more.” “Ah! I see. Still, it’s too much. It would be better to tone down the effects a bit.” The martial artists at Sincheonjang were taking it quarterly. But Woo Jin decided not to say that—he figured it would cause a full-blown panic. “All right. I’ll adjust the potency a little.” “If you do that, I’ll make sure it sells for the highest possible price and brings in enormous profit.” Namgoong Hwan was certain. This was the chance for Changcheon Trading Group to regain its former glory. This was something they had to do. “Then once the elixir is finished, I’ll send you a sample. Test it and let me know if it’s suitable.” “Understood. I’ll do my utmost. And if there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll deliver it to you immediately.” “All right. I’ll be counting on you.” “Yes, sir!” A few days later. Upon seeing the pill Yeon Woo Jin brought, Namgoong Hwan’s eyes widened. “This is the weakened version?” “Yes. Would you like to try it?” “M-Me?” “You have to take it to know its market value. Go on. I’ll guide your qi circulation as it spreads.” “But this is far too precious and expensive...” From a merchant’s perspective, the pill in his hand was far from ordinary. The thought of consuming it himself was painful. If he sold it instead, he could make a fortune. Namgoong Hwan gulped and spoke cautiously. “Just from the energy radiating off it, I can already tell enough—I don’t think I need to actually take it...” “Don’t say that. I brought this pill specifically for you.” “...For me?” “Yes. As a token of goodwill for the partnership ahead.” With Woo Jin saying that much, he couldn’t refuse. Namgoong Hwan sighed and nodded. “If it was made for me... I understand. I’ll take it.” He clenched his eyes shut and popped the pill into his mouth. The pill, mixed with saliva, dissolved instantly and slid down his throat. A refreshing energy spread vividly through his entire body.