Almighty God of War - Chapter 18

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

018

Deep in the night, the separate building of Bamboo Forest Manor was immersed in profound silence.

The separate building, complete with a small garden and charming pavilion, was a space that reflected Heo Ilbi’s meticulous consideration.

Sitting in the pavilion surrounded by green bamboo, Guyang Cheongang slowly sipped tea under the gentle moonlight.

His request to his father Guyang Baek to travel to Nanchang wasn’t simply to escape the stifling family estate and get some fresh air.

His mind was entirely filled with concerns about the Guyang Family’s future.

‘I need to cut off Golden Tower Manor’s support and achieve complete economic independence. To free the family from Dong Hyeondo’s influence and let it breathe, that’s what must be resolved first.’

But the problem was the method.

To avoid Dong Hyeondo’s eyes, he needed a sophisticated method to accumulate wealth very naturally without arousing his suspicion.

A clumsy attempt would only heighten his vigilance.

Having devoted his entire life to science and never paying attention to anything else, he knew very little about economics.

So without Akasha, the superintelligent AI, even having such concerns would have been impossible.

[Doctor, considering the current financial state of the Guyang Family and Golden Tower Manor’s influence, traditional methods would make even maintaining the status quo difficult, let alone achieving economic independence.]

‘I know. We need to find a way to minimize initial investment costs while maximizing effectiveness, right?’

[Yes.]

‘Can we find that in Nanchang?’

[Regardless of possibility, we must do our best. But considering Nanchang’s environment, I believe we can find seeds of opportunity.]

Nanchang was Jiangxi Province’s greatest metropolis with a population of three hundred thousand, and the heart of logistics and distribution bordering Poyang Lake and the Yangtze River.

Guyang Cheongang believed there would surely be a way in this place where commerce flourished.

‘Akasha, I don’t know much about economics. So you’ll have to do well for me.’

[Trust me. They say good fortune comes to those who believe.]

‘Of course I trust you. If I don’t trust you, who would I trust?’

He smacked his lips and continued speaking.

‘Akasha, Dong Hyeondo’s surveillance network might be much tighter than we think. He mustn’t notice before the main family’s independence attempt reaches a certain trajectory. If he does, he’ll surely try to crush the attempt itself.’

[I’m keeping that in mind. Considering Dong Hyeondo’s nature, he’ll certainly be extremely wary of powerful variables outside his control.]

‘It’s really reassuring to have you by my side.’

Akasha responded with a gentle voice.

[What are you saying? I’m the one who’s happy to be able to help you, Doctor.]

It was a conversation that would have given others goosebumps, but the two people(?) who were already one body didn’t notice it at all.

‘I hope Miss Heo’s guidance will be helpful…’

[She’s the daughter of the Bamboo Forest Manor Lord, considered the best in Nanchang. There’s plenty of possibility she knows things I don’t.]

‘If it’s something you don’t know, what kind of thing do you mean?’

[I’m referring to things like high society demands or trends not known to the general public. So it would be good not to casually dismiss conversations with her or places she guides you to.]

‘Understood. I’ll be careful.’

The next morning, Guyang Cheongang finished preparing for his tour of Nanchang city with Heo Choryeong.

As the two left the manor, Elder Hwang secretly followed behind them.

Having left Bamboo Forest Manor, Guyang Cheongang first asked Heo Choryeong if he could tour the market.

Heo Choryeong asked with a puzzled expression.

“The market? Nanchang has many famous historic sites and beautiful gardens, so why do you want to go to such a bustling place first?”

“I’ve never properly visited such places before. I’m also curious about places that have the scent of human life.”

Guyang Cheongang answered with a faint smile.

Of course, his real purpose was different, but there was no need to mention that.

Though Heo Choryeong tilted her head at his words, she cheerfully took the lead.

“Alright. Then I’ll guide you to the most vibrant market in Nanchang.”

Heo Choryeong first guided them to the Central Market, said to be the most prosperous in Nanchang.

All kinds of fabric and precious textiles, accessories and handicrafts of brilliant colors caught the eye.

They then passed through butcher shops and fish markets, and Food Alley tempting with various street foods, before touring markets lined with gorgeous silk and practical furniture.

While Guyang Cheongang walked around having light conversations with Heo Choryeong, Akasha carefully observed and recorded the types of goods in shops, prices, distribution methods, and customer reactions.

Guyang Cheongang’s gaze lingered on a bolt of purple silk with particularly fine luster and mysterious coloring.

‘Akasha, about that silk. With that level of quality and color, it doesn’t seem like an ordinary item. Can you analyze its production area, distribution process to here, and the appropriateness of the current price?’

[Yes, Doctor. According to the currently analyzable database, that purple silk is called ‘Cloud Brocade’ produced in Hangzhou.]

‘Really?’

[The dyeing and weaving methods are extremely demanding, so annual production is very limited, and after some is designated as imperial tribute, the remainder is released to the market in extremely small quantities.]

‘Imperial?’

[Yes. In the process of being transported to Nanchang, it appears to go through permits from at least four or five major trading companies and government offices. As a result, the selling price here is estimated to be seven to ten times the original production area price.]

‘Isn’t that just robbery without a knife?’

[You could see it that way. The distribution margin is excessive, and price bubbles are serious due to the monopolistic supply structure of a few trading companies.]

Guyang Cheongang had no interest in silk production, nor was it something possible with the Guyang Family’s current capabilities.

What interested him in Akasha’s words was a different field.

‘Monopolistic supply structure… There are no antitrust regulations here, right?’

[Of course not.]

‘That’s really attractive.’

Guyang Cheongang nodded inwardly.

Akasha’s analysis continued without pause, and countless business items and possibilities appeared and disappeared repeatedly in Guyang Cheongang’s mind.

Before they knew it, lunchtime had passed.

Heo Choryeong guided him to Blue Cloud Inn, rumored to have the most delicious food near Tengwang Pavilion, Nanchang’s famous landmark.

Just as they were about to sit at a second-floor window seat overlooking Tengwang Pavilion, their eyes met with a group of young men and women dining inside.

Judging by their splendid attire, they weren’t from ordinary families.

Among them was a particularly noticeable young man.

Strikingly handsome, he seemed to be the central figure of the group, with an unusually arrogant expression and sitting posture.

Guyang Cheongang had no interest in who he was and sat down avoiding his gaze, but the other party didn’t feel the same.

He abruptly stood up and strode over, then blatantly ignored Guyang Cheongang and spoke to Heo Choryeong.

“Miss Heo, I never thought I’d meet you in a place like this. Today must really be my lucky day.”

Heo Choryeong lightly frowned and responded.

“I wondered who it was, but it’s Young Master Hwa Doryeong of Hwa Trading House.”

Guyang Cheongang realized that Heo Choryeong was trying to inform him of the other party’s identity.

But unfortunately, having lost most of his previous memories, he didn’t know what kind of place Hwa Trading House was.

Sparks flew in the depths of Hwa Doryeong’s eyes as he turned to look at Guyang Cheongang.

‘Akasha, why is he glaring at me like that?’

[He seems to have misunderstood something.]

‘What?’

[Your relationship with Miss Heo.]

‘Huh… He thinks we’re dating?’

[If not, there’d be no reason to look at you like he wants to kill you, would there?]

‘That makes sense.’

Then Hwa Doryeong spoke.

“Miss Heo, won’t you introduce the young master beside you? I’ve never seen you traveling with a man before, so I’m very curious about which family this gentleman is from.”

Heo Choryeong inwardly swallowed a sigh.

Hwa Doryeong’s family, Hwa Trading House, was renowned enough to be counted among Nanchang’s two great wealthy families along with Bamboo Forest Trading House.

While Bamboo Forest Trading House accumulated wealth through bamboo, bamboo paper, and grain distribution, Hwa Trading House had amassed comparable wealth through medicinal herb trading for generations.

However, the current head of Hwa Trading House, Hwa Seokdae, had particularly strong jealousy toward Bamboo Forest Trading House.

Envious that Bamboo Forest Trading House had achieved success not only in commerce and scholarship but also as a martial family, he sent his son Hwa Doryeong to a famous sect in Hubei Province to learn martial arts for over ten years.

Having finished his martial arts training and returned to Nanchang several months ago, Hwa Doryeong was persistently courting Heo Choryeong, coveting her beauty, talent, and the background of Bamboo Forest Trading House.

Heo Choryeong said.

“Gang-je will be leaving Nanchang soon, so there’s probably no need for Young Master Hwa to exchange greetings with him.”

It was a polite refusal indicating she didn’t want to make introductions.

Hwa Doryeong’s eyes blazed with jealousy.

It was understandable, since although Guyang Cheongang’s overall frame was slender from long suffering from Nine Yin Severed Meridians, his face possessed shocking beauty that made one forget reality.

His skin was so pale from illness that it was almost transparent rather than simply white, and his dark eyebrows that looked drawn with ink and his prominent nose bridge were both sharp and handsome.

And the overall contours of his face, harmonizing with his slender jawline, were like a work of art crafted with care by a master artisan.

Hwa Doryeong, his pride wounded, spoke.

“As far as I know, Miss Heo is famous for barely even glancing at men, but the young master beside her has such a unique appearance that I can’t contain my curiosity. No matter how I look at him, he has the complexion of a dead person, so I wonder why he’s with the young lady instead of being in a tomb…”

Though his words were full of sarcasm, Guyang Cheongang didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.

He simply poured tea leisurely with the expression of someone wondering whose dog was barking.

But unlike his indifferent attitude, Heo Choryeong’s beautiful brow furrowed instantly.

“Young Master Hwa! Your words are too harsh! Apologize immediately!”

Gone was her usual gentleness, and her voice was cold as ice.

Hwa Doryeong seemed momentarily flustered by Heo Choryeong’s cold rebuke, but soon responded with an even more mocking tone.

“Apologize when I’ve done nothing wrong? It seems the young lady is the one being harsh, not me.”

When Heo Choryeong couldn’t contain herself and tried to rise from her seat, Guyang Cheongang lightly grasped her wrist.

He spoke to Hwa Choryeong with an expressionless face.

“Elder Sister, it would be best if we moved to another place. There’s no need to respond with kicks every time a dog barks.”

His tone was gentle but firm.

At his words, Hwa Doryeong’s face turned bright red.

Heo Choryeong also looked at Guyang Cheongang in surprise, but soon understood his intention and rose from her seat.

“Let’s do that, Gang-je.”

Hwa Doryeong clenched his fists but didn’t stop the two from leaving.

He wasn’t alone in this place.

No matter how infuriatingly angry he was, he couldn’t beat up the Bamboo Forest Manor Lord’s daughter and her guest in front of everyone.

Gritting his teeth, he glared at the two people descending the stairs and muttered to himself.

‘Heo Choryeong and that brat! Soon I’ll make you regret disrespecting me, beating the ground in remorse.’

After leaving the inn, Heo Choryeong was still fuming, but soon showed an apologetic expression to Guyang Cheongang.

“I’m really sorry, Gang-je. I made you experience something unpleasant because of me.”

Guyang Cheongang smiled as if it was nothing.

“Don’t worry about it, Elder Sister. I’m really fine.”

Indeed, he didn’t mind it at all.

His mental age wasn’t young enough to be swayed by the jealous provocation of a childish young man around twenty years old.

More than anything, his mind was currently too complicated to spare attention for such trivial matters.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————