"Five percent."
His eyes, colder than the ice of the North Sea, stared sharply at the other side.
“Hmm.”
A low-pitched voice.
A heavy voice that choked the listeners came out in response to the gaze.
"Two percent."
“…….”
Dragon and tiger.
The dragon and the beast's eyes hit each other in the air and sparkled.
The pushover attitude is gone, and what's left is a showdown between true masters.
"Sodojang."
Hwang Jong's eyes shone uncharacteristically.
"This is too little. If you think about the money that Eunha Merchant Guild will invest, you have to guarantee me five percent.”
He has looks befitting of the heir of Eunha Merchant Guild with a strong will.
But who is dealing with him? It was none other than Chung Myung, a demon of reversal that went through mountain, water, aerial, even underground wars.
"Investment?"
Chung Myung glows.
"You're saying something that's not like a merchant. Who can't spend money on what they have? The important thing is to come up with a business that will make money.”
"But capital is…….”
"There's a lot of money in Mount Hua, too."
Hwang Jong flinches.
"If it doesn't work, we can do it in Mount Hua. I'm offering this to Eunha Merchant Guild as loyalty, but I'm disappointed if you come out like this."
It hurts.
Hwang Jong groaned low after being stabbed on the spot.
But he's a man who will lead the Eunha Merchant Guild. He couldn't back down this much.
"Mount Hua has funds, but they can't create a distribution network…….”
"Oh, that's fine."
"…Yes?"
"A son of a merchant family is eating a bowl of rice in Mount Hua. He's of little use by himself, but his family is a successful merchant."
Chung Myung's gaze turned to Jo-Gol, who sat in a corner. Jo-Gol asked with a slightly more subtle look.
"Don't I have to pay for my own meal?”
"With what?"
"……No."
He had a lot to say, but Jo-Gol was a person who had a surprisingly (?) keen sense. He could see that he shouldn't dare to open his mouth here.
“Ugh.”
Hwang Jong's troubles deepened even more.
‘Definitely, Jo-Gol's house was one of the Sichuan Merchants.’
Such a place could form a distribution network as good as Eunha Merchant Guild.
Confidence is good, but the conceit is not. There is no reason why other merchants can't do what Eunha Merchant Guild can do.
"Or……."
At that time, Chung Myung slightly opened his mouth again.
"Do you think Mount Hua won't be able to do business elsewhere unless it is with Eunha Merchant Guild?"
"H- How could that be?”
Hwang Jong quickly waved his hand.
It's good to negotiate, but he shouldn't mess it up. Especially, if it’s a matter involving Mount Hua Divine Dragon.
‘It’s as if a human being like a viper!’
There is no one more reliable than him as allies, but there is no one as scary as he is as they separated. If the negotiations break down while clumsily trying to eat a little more, Eunha Merchant Guild could only become a dog chasing chickens.
"Right, but Sodojang. As you know, this is a job that requires communication with dignitaries and officials. So Eunha Merchant Guild will be much more helpful than a merchant in Sichuan.”
"That's why I'm giving you this much."
Hwang Jong's hand shook as he grabbed the teacup.
"We pay for everything and we work for everything, but it doesn't make any sense that we're going to sit back and eat anything below eight percent! You're worse than a mountain bandit!'
Even the manpower needed for work, such as agencies and branches, is a plate that Eunha Merchant Guild has to deal with.
According to Chung Myung's argument, Mount Hua would just sit down and scoop the money just because they are the ones who made the deal.
His stomach was turned upside down and boiling but, but...….
"If you don't like it, then just quit."
"Who- Who we refused that? What kind of guy making such ludicrous statements!"
Hwang Jong shouted in surprise.
Chung Myung grinned at the response and drove the final wedge.
"Then sign the contract.”
"Ugh.”
The condition is hell. But it was a rope that he couldn't help but grab. Even if he died, he had to get and watch this.
"Hey, why are you making that face? Eunha Merchant Guild would get something more important than money."
“…….”
Instead of answering, Hwang Jong sighed.
In fact, Chung Myung was not wrong either. He doesn't know how much revenue will grow here, but that it's not what matters most to Eunha Merchant Guild.
‘This is where we have to put our bets on!'’
In the meantime, Eunha Merchant Guild has invested huge amounts of money in Mount Hua. However, so far, the fruits of that investment are being devoured only by Mount Hua, not Eunha Merchant Guild.
'Money doesn't matter.’
The important thing is the position!
In order to rise to be theto the merchant of the world, it is important to pursue what other merchants cannot do and make it successful. And give everyone else a sense that Eunha Merchant Guild is different.
To do that...….
"All right!"
Hwang Jong nodded emphatically.
If he signs a contract with this condition, big profits will be lost, but he could give up any amount of money for a bigger one.
It's just...
“Great! Well thought!”
‘……It's just heartbreaking to see that refreshing and joyful expression.’
What can he do? There was nothing he could do about it since it was something related to that Chung Myung.
"Instead, you have to take good care of Yuryong Sect disciples in Mount Hua."
"Ah, don't worry about that. I'll make it perfect."
At his confident words, Hwang Jong nodded and pulled out the contract. Chung Myung opened his eyes wide.
"Huh? You've got it ready?”
"…Wouldn't it be better to be certain?"
‘If I let him fill out the contract, I will be going to get stabbed in the back!’
"Cih. You're so thorough!"
‘Look at that. Look at that.’
‘I'm sure he's trying to do something, that thing!’
‘How can the world not trust a Taoist more than a common people? That kind of man is a Taoist!’
Hwang Jong sighed and signed the contract after filling in the ratio. And he handed it straight to Chung Myung.
"Here it is."
"Humm."
Chung Myung began to read the contract carefully.
His meticulousness was very noticeable, and he seemed to be savoring every word. Hwang Jong frowned.
"… Sodojang?"
"Wait a minute. This is here, um...…. It looks fine on the outside, but...….”
‘This punk?’
Chung Myung alternately glanced at Hwang Jong's face with the contract, regardless he has noticed Hwang Jong’s contorted face or not. At first glance, he seemed to make sure that there was no hidden poison in the contract.
‘Oh my god.’
They have been giving much to Mount Hua, but he’s doubting Eunha Merchant Guild, not anywhere else? It is also a contract prepared by the Sodanju himself!
Since then, Chung Myung, who has been glancing for a long time to check all the content, soon put down the contracts with a big smile.
"Hahaha. Well, do I really need to look closely at this? Isn’t it between us?”
"…… crazy."
"Yes?"
"N- No."
Hwang Jong put up a bright business smile.
‘At any rate, this contract must be concluded! No matter what!’
"Elder, I think this is good enough."
"Let me see."
Hyun Young accepted the contract with a sour face as if he was not interested. Then, just like Chung Myung, he began to check every single word.
When Hwang Jong saw what both old men and young men were doing, he could believe it if someone were to say they were paternal grandparents and grandchildren.
After the review, Hyun Young finally put the contract in front of Hyun Jong.
"Sect Leader. You can stamp your seal here."
Hyun Jong looked down at the contract with a sour face.
"Hyun Young-ah."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"This is a really good...….”
"That's what Chung Myung does. Do you know how to earn money? Just stamp it.”
"Yes……."
There was sadness in Hyun Jong's face looking down at the contract.
After taking away other sect’s Sect Leader Decree, the whole of Mount Hua is now getting caught up in it
'Can I really trust these guys?’
In the past, he believed Hyun Young and Chung Myung's words even if they say a dragon has risen from the well, but distrust has taken place.
"Ugh."
Grieving, he reluctantly stamped two copies of the contract and handed it out.
“Good job!”
"Of course."
Hwang Jong and Chung Myung held hands together.
They are enemies until they sign the contract, but as long as they have signed the contract, they are comrades who walk the same path. Both of them knew this better than anyone.
"The management of Yuryong Sects is essential for the success of this job."
"Don't worry. I'm still thinking about going there myself."
"Oh."
Hwang Jong nodded his head loudly at the pleasant sound while listening.
"There's nothing more I can ask for if you'll do that. By the way, Sodojang, would that be all right? You must be busy."
"It's fine. Fortunately, Yuryong Sect was near Sichuan. I was going to stop by Sichuan anyway.”
"Sichuan?"
When Hwang Jong tilted his head, Chung Myung shrugged.
"Yes, I have something to do so I need to stop by the Tang Family."
"Yes?"
Hwang Jong asked with a blank face.
"Why the Tang Family?"
~~
Mount Hua's disciples flocked to the back of the Sect Leader's office.
There was no reason why Mount Hua's disciples couldn't get together there. But, the strange thing was that everyone gathered had a shovel in their hand.
Yoon Jong asked Baek Chun.
"Sasuk."
"……what?"
"But why did you ask me to bring a shovel?”
"How could I know? He will make us do something weird again."
The two soon faced each other and sighed deeply.
Now, they didn't feel any objection or doubt about whatever Chung Myung asked them to do something. If someone asks them to do something like this, they'll ask because it's weird.
"But after calling us like this, Chung Myung...…. Oh, there he comes."
They could see Chung Myung walking toward their side.
"Are you all here?"
"Yes, but why did you call us here? And What's with the shovel?"
"You're asking the obvious. What did the shovel used for?”
“To dig the ground?”
"You know it well."
Chung Myung pointed with his chin at the tall hill that rose sharply behind Sect Leader’s residence.
"Dig."
“…….”
Everyone's eyes turned to the tall hill.
There was a moment of silence.
‘Dig what?’
‘That mountain?’
‘I don't think so.’
The eyes, which were covered with absurdity, surprise, and fear, returned to Chung Myung all at once again.
"…what?"
"Dig it."
"…yes?"
"No, are these guys deaf? Dig that. That! That mountain!”
“…….”
Eventually, Baek Chun looked at the angry Chung Myung with a pale face.
"Chung Myung-ah."
"What?"
"That's a mountain."
"I know. I told you. It's a mountain."
“…….”
‘No, you crazy bastard!’
‘Why are we suddenly digging a mountain that has nothing wrong at all?’
"…I don't know whether my head is weird or is it yours …….No. Your head must be the one which is weird."
‘That's for sure.’
"Why are you asking us to dig that all of a sudden?”
"You’re going to dig below that."
"Down? What's down there….?”
Baek Chun's eyes shook violently.
‘Come to think of it?’
When he imagines it in his head, that thing is under that hill. Mount Hua’s high and low, so...….
"Everlasting Metal?”
"Yes."
"Wha- What are you gonna dig it out for?"
‘What kind of trouble are you going to cause this time, you punk?’
"I'm taking it to the Tang Family.”
Baek Chun tilted his head as if he didn't understand.
"You're taking the Everlasting Metal to the Tang Family? Are you going to remodel it?"
"Tsk tsk tsk. You should sometimes use your head, Dongryong-ah."
"You bastard!"
When Baek Chun tried to jump into a rage, Yoon Jong and Jo-Gol naturally grabbed their arms around his.
"Stay still, Sasuk."
"It happens all the time, but why are you so angry?"
"Let go! Let go of me!"
Baek Chun’s eyes were twitching, but his arms were locked hard. Chung Myung clicked his tongue.
"What if someone attacks you? Will you fight with a wooden sword?”
“…….”
Baek Chun looked down at the wooden sword hanging from his waist. Then he turned his eyes away and calmed down.
"Tsk tsk tsk."
Chung Myung clicked his tongue and continued.
"This is all for Sahyung."
"… we?"
"Sahyung is weak that Sahyung keeps breaking the sword. Then, when Sahyung meets a proper master, Sahyung will lose your sword in one shot and get slashed."
“…….”
"So!"
Chung Myung's eyes shone blue.
"We can just make a sword that never breaks in the first place! I'm going to take this to the Tang Family. And I'll ask them to make us an Everlasting Metal sword!"
"……What are you making?"
"Everlasting Metal sword."
Chung Myung said in a nonchalant way.
"If you meet someone who’s able to cut even that, then Sahyung just has to die. There's nothing wrong with it."
“…….”
Baek Chun stared at Chung Myung with his mouth wide open, because he couldn't find anything to say.
It wasn't until long before he asked in a trembling voice.
"So, you're going to take a piece out of the safe, and make a sword out of it?"
"Yes."
“…….”
He didn't even have the will to retaliate. He didn't even know where to start and where to fall.
It was at the time when he was agonizing over what to say to sort out the situation.
"Oh? So do we get one Everlasting Metal sword for each one of us?”
Everyone's head turned at Jo-Gol's words.
"It was very expensive. Most Elders of a sect wouldn’t dare."
"…… then…….”
A sword with a little bit of Everlasting Metal is treated as a treasure.. But…….
‘If it's the size of that safe!’
‘It’s not different than free!’
Mount Hua's disciples begin to exchange eye contact with each other.
"Wa- Wait a minute! Guys……."
"Dig!”
"This is it!"
Jo-Gol was the first to bravely rush with a shovel. Following this, the other disciples rushed in with a loud roar.
"Keep your distance! Dig in one go!"
"We'll finish it today!"
"Dig once more in exchange for a talk! Do not even think about straightening your back before digging this all!”
"A sword full of Everlasting Metal! A sword full of Everlasting Metal!"
"Ooooooh!"
Mount Hua's disciples dig with crazed eyes, and a huge cloud of dust rose behind them.
“…….”
Meanwhile, cold sweat began to run down Baek Chun's forehead as he watched it.
Then Chung Myung came and stood next to him and tilted his head.
"What are you doing?"
"H- Huh?"
“Sasuk uses swords the most, but why is Sasuk still here? Hurry up and dig.”
“…….”
Baek Chun asked with his mouth twitched.
"A- Are you sure this is okay? If you cling to the sword as a swordsman...….”
"What nonsense are you talking about?”
"Huh?"
“If the sword broke and broke while saying that, who would give you a compliment? That's what good-sword-less bastards say because they’re envious! The better the equipment, the better! If you're not good at a fight, you get good weapons!"
“…….”
"Don't talk to me. Go and dig!"
"Yes!"
Chung Myung happily rolled up the corners of his mouth as he saw the mountain where the dust clouds bloomed.
"We don't have any treasure to put in, what's the point of having a safe?”
‘It’s better to use it for something!’
‘Isn't that right, Cheon Mun Sahyung?’
- You're right! You did a good job this time!
‘Huh?’
‘Why are you so positive today?’
‘Oh my.’
*note
Become one of my Patreon for access to 54 advance chapters. I update at least one chapter a day on there. But I could also skip a day when things on my side became hectic. There will be a mass release at end of the month, probably. Mass release IS ON the web, not Patreon.
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