Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 36

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#036

 

“I’ll take my leave now.”

 

“Then I’ll wait for good news.”

 

Jo Pilseong returned with a stern expression.

 

Unlike at the beginning, Hwangbo Jeong didn’t see him off and remained seated, lifting his teacup.

 

It was an action that clearly showed the difference in their social status.

 

As Jo Pilseong left, the inner door opened and someone appeared.

 

“Thank you, Uncle.”

 

The one greeting was Hwangbo Taeseong.

 

At the appearance of the wastrel Third Young Master, Hwangbo Jeong showed an indifferent expression.

 

“Do you realize that I took quite a risk to save your face? This isn’t my usual way.”

 

“I’m well aware. However, if this matter succeeds, you’ll be able to obtain what you’ve desired so much, Uncle.”

 

He hid the words ‘Otherwise, would you have listened to my words that you so despised and come this far?’ behind a smile. And he bowed deeply to Hwangbo Jeong, his father’s youngest brother.

 

‘He’s the same type as me.’

 

Hwangbo Jeong had once competed with the current family head for succession, but realizing his own limitations, he chose to support a promising figure instead.

 

Thanks to this, he became distant from the Hwangbo Clan’s main house but gained the considerable power of being a Merchant Guild Leader.

 

The difference between the two was that Hwangbo Jeong acknowledged it quickly, while Hwangbo Taeseong was late to realize.

 

“Do you know what I want?”

 

“Uncle, your vessel is too large to be contained by just Shandong Province. Shouldn’t we elevate your name beyond Shandong Province as well?”

 

“And you’re saying all we need is Deungmyeong Manor for that?”

 

“Haven’t you already seen it? Even today alone, countless ships departed loaded with ice and elixirs. Those ships are spreading to dozens of ports, and Deungmyeong elixirs are even gaining fame across the sea. Imagine if Uncle possessed all this.”

 

Hwangbo Jeong was dissatisfied with that.

 

‘If I can’t do it through martial arts, I’ll conquer the Central Plains with wealth.’

 

He wanted to build a castle made of gold.

 

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t extend his influence beyond Shandong Province.

 

‘Jiao-nan certainly has potential.’

 

Gyeonam Market had grown explosively due to the black market’s structural improvements.

 

“Good. But is the relationship between the East Sea Merchant Guild and Deungmyeong Manor certain?”

 

“Of course. If we touch the East Sea Merchant Guild, Deungmyeong Manor will definitely intervene. Moreover, that fellow called Jangju is young and reckless.”

 

“You mean he’ll cross the line.”

 

“Exactly. If he dares to draw his sword against the Hwangbo Clan first, won’t the rest be easy? And even if he doesn’t step forward, we can strangle the East Sea Merchant Guild to death and drag him to the negotiating table.”

 

Hwangbo Jeong nodded. Although the East Sea Merchant Guild had accumulated much wealth recently, they still had many places to invest.

 

This meant they didn’t have much cash on hand.

 

Right now, they could easily bring them down. However, there was something concerning among the rumors he’d heard.

 

“I heard Dokjamo Song Ja-in is also with them.”

 

“What does it matter? Even if Song Ja-in is there, would she dare challenge the Hwangbo Clan’s authority?”

 

Hwangbo Taeseong slightly clenched his fist.

 

The image of Song Ja-in he had faced directly came to mind. But he didn’t bother mentioning that fact here.

 

“If Dokjamo steps forward, it might actually be a good thing. Since she’s with her sick son, we could use him to obtain the Dogok elixirs as well.”

 

It was a situation where greed bred more greed.

 

Listening to this, Deungmyeong Manor possessed too much compared to its reputation.

 

“We’ll pressure the East Sea Merchant Guild as planned. You make sure to handle your part properly.”

 

“Of course, Uncle. Please leave it to me.”

 

Hwangbo Taeseong bowed and left the Byeolchae.

 

***

 

Dawn at Deungmyeong Manor.

 

All the manor’s people gathered to do exercises.

 

It was called the Deungmyeong Health Exercise.

 

“Come on. Let’s do it energetically today too!”

 

The instructor was Pansuk.

 

‘As expected, Brother Pansuk demonstrates the best.’

 

His large build made it easy for many people to follow along.

 

“So Cheon-u, bend your knees a bit more. Uncle Jang Geon, straighten your back.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon corrected each person’s posture one by one.

 

“Brother Pil-saeng, raise your arms higher. The patient treatment is over now. At least your upper body has recovered. Once you can walk well enough, we’ll start on your lower body too.”

 

“Yeah, I got it.”

 

Pil-saeng followed the movements while sweating profusely in his wheelchair. Song Ja-in had felt sorry at first, but knowing it was necessary for her son, she watched with gratitude.

 

“Auntie?”

 

“Yes? Don’t tell me I also have to…”

 

“There are no exceptions for manor family members.”

 

“Ah!”

 

“Only Brother Pil-saeng is family, but you won’t be family, Auntie?”

 

“No, Lord.”

 

Eventually, Song Ja-in also followed the Deungmyeong exercises.

 

‘How did he create this?’

 

It looked like simple exercises, but in reality, it was systematic training that stimulated the meridian points.

 

“Now! It’s meditation time!”

 

When the exercises that had continued for an hour ended, everyone sat in their places and crossed their legs.

 

“Cheon-gu, please.”

 

As everyone closed their eyes and began to feel the wind, Cheon-gu recited the incantation.

 

“In stillness there is movement, and in movement stillness dwells. Energy flows like a gentle breeze and fades, but when it rises again, it becomes a storm. When you abandon form and lose sound, only then will your heart be visible. Feel and advance. Stand at that end and look back.”

 

Cheon-gu recited the incantation for half an hour, and after that, silence descended upon the manor.

 

“*Cough*”

 

The one who couldn’t hold back and coughed was So Cheon-u, who dreamed of becoming the world’s greatest cook.

 

At his young son’s cough, the Cook father was about to scold him, but Ja-gang-cheon was faster.

 

“Hehe!”

 

“Hahaha.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon laughed first, and it spread to everyone.

 

“S-sorry.”

 

“It’s okay. You should do it with a joyful heart. It’s fine to make mistakes, and it’s okay to have fun while doing it.”

 

After taking a break with laughter, they entered meditation again and rose from their seats after completing the full hour.

 

“Now! Today as well!”

 

Following Ja-gang-cheon’s lead, the others shouted.

 

“Good morning!”

 

The first day of March began with energetic shouts. But Yang Mosu, who should have gone to the medicine room as usual, approached Ja-gang-cheon.

 

“Lord.”

 

“Yes, Uncle.”

 

“I think I need to tell you about this now.”

 

Yang Mosu spoke with a serious expression.

 

“Recently, the supply of medicinal materials has been delayed. Moreover, some inferior quality ones are mixed in.”

 

“Has that been happening?”

 

“What’s more problematic is that the production increase has stopped. Looking at sales volume, it should be increasing more and more, but for some reason, the East Sea Merchant Guild is only requesting the same amount.”

 

Cheon-gu, who had been listening, also added a comment.

 

“Ice sales aren’t increasing either. They should have started rising gradually from the end of February, but they’re staying the same. Compared to last year, it’s only half the level.”

 

Only then did Ja-gang-cheon realize something was wrong.

 

“I’ll go meet the Merchant Guild Leader.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon immediately headed to the East Sea Merchant Guild.

 

Donghai Merchant Guild.

 

The atmosphere of the usually bustling merchant guild had changed.

 

They were still busy as always, but the guild members’ expressions were grim and their tone sharp.

 

When Ja-gang-cheon entered, they quickly straightened their posture to greet him, but even that felt stiff.

 

‘Something must have happened.’

 

Ja-gang-cheon went straight to find the Merchant Guild Leader.

 

“He’s currently in a meeting. Please wait a moment.”

 

Upon hearing the news, the Merchant Guild Leader immediately rushed to Ja-gang-cheon.

 

“Welcome. I was a bit late because I was in a meeting.”

 

“Not at all. I’m the one who came without an appointment. But it seems something has happened at the guild.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Merchant Guild Leader Jo Pilseong had a troubled expression.

 

“Uncle. Once you start hiding things, you’ll have to hide even more.”

 

“Sigh. I’m sorry. Honestly, I was hiding it because I felt like I was causing trouble for the Lord.”

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“The Shandong Trading Company is openly interfering with our guild.”

 

“Shandong Trading Company – isn’t that the Hwangbo Guild?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Jo Pilseong honestly told him about the meeting with Hwangbo Jeong that had taken place a month ago.

 

“Since then, we haven’t been able to purchase medicinal herbs. All the major herb dealers in Shandong Province have cut off trade with us. And ship owners are also refusing to do business with us. That’s why ice sales have dropped too. The Shandong Trading Company is ruling over the Jiao-nan merchants and ostracizing us.”

 

“What’s the reason?”

 

“It seems they want a monopoly on elixirs and ice.”

 

Jo Pilseong told him about the distribution contract that Hwangbo Jeong had mentioned.

 

“That’s an unpleasant proposal. But isn’t there a way to secure medicinal herbs?”

 

“Large-scale purchases are difficult for now, so we’re sending out guild members to hide their affiliation and make small purchases. It’s not easy since the Hwangbo Guild is even blocking major herb dealers outside Shandong Province. We’re doing our best to purchase by ship, but the problem is that purchase prices have risen too much.”

 

Since they were making small orders and bringing them from far away, they naturally became more expensive.

 

“Hmm. I heard that commercial competition was fierce, but I didn’t know they would go that far.”

 

When Ja-gang-cheon frowned, Jo Pilseong spoke urgently.

 

“This is the guild’s problem. If we solve it with force, it will create bigger problems.”

 

“The power of money is also power. And they started the fight first.”

 

“Lord…”

 

“Don’t worry. I’m not thinking of going there right away. I’ve learned a lot now too.”

 

“Yes. I trust you, Lord.”

 

“Then let’s think about it together now. Would that be alright?”

 

“Of course.”

 

They soon gathered again at Deungmyeong Manor.

 

It was because they could have more confidential discussions there than at the guild.

 

“Now. Let’s talk in a comfortable place.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon deliberately gathered people at the rear garden pavilion instead of a stuffy room.

 

There were seven executives from the Donghai Merchant Guild and seven people from the manor.

 

Since medicine manufacturing was involved, Yang Mosu attended, and Jang Geon, who had experience as former waitstaff, was also present.

 

“This is the first time we’ve all gathered like this. Seeing all of you makes me feel reassured.”

 

“I’m sorry for creating such a difficult problem.”

 

“It’s not the Merchant Guild Leader’s fault. No one from the Donghai Merchant Guild did anything wrong. So there will be no blame assigned in this meeting.”

 

The guild members let out long sighs at Ja-gang-cheon’s sincerity.

 

Having spent hellish times over the past month, his words were a great comfort.

 

“Now. From now on, let’s only talk about solutions. What’s the most urgent matter?”

 

“Purchasing medicinal herbs. If we can secure the ingredients for Deungmyeong Elixir at fair prices, the losses from ice and Donghaejoo can be sufficiently covered.”

 

“What’s the current situation with medicinal herbs?”

 

Yang Mosu, who actually made them, answered.

 

“The quality is precarious. We’re throwing away about 20%, and at this rate, we might not be able to make them due to lack of materials.”

 

“Are quality and quantity the only problems?”

 

“No.”

 

This time, the man who oversaw medicinal herb sales stepped forward.

 

He was a limping man who had been imprisoned and personally rescued by Merchant Guild Leader Jo Pilseong.

 

The man named Jeong Insu gave a stark example of how serious the current situation was.

 

“Currently, the pure elixir production cost, excluding labor, has risen to 70% of the selling price. Considering labor costs, transportation costs, and store maintenance costs, we’re operating at a loss.”

 

This meant that quality, quantity, and price were all problems.

 

“The Shandong Trading Company must have known this would happen.”

 

“That’s right. As things stand, accepting their monopoly proposal is the guild’s only way to survive. Of course, I oppose that proposal.”

 

“So we need to secure good quality medicinal herbs at the same prices as before, right?”

 

Ja-gang-cheon summarized, and various opinions were exchanged.

 

But there was no opinion that satisfied everyone.

 

“Since we need both northern and southern herbs evenly, it’s not easy.”

 

As this frustrating situation dragged on, even the initially lively atmosphere began to gradually wither.

 

Finally, when the exchange of opinions ceased and silence continued,

 

“If there truly is no other way, there is a last resort.”

 

It was Song Ja-in who spoke up.

 

Poison arts and medicinal herbs had an inseparable relationship. As people’s gazes gathered, she slowly opened her mouth.

 

“There’s talk that Chosuhoe is regrouping recently.”

 

Chosuhoe (Grass Hunting Association).

 

Once a massive organization comparable to the Green Forest, it was a group of people who lived off the mountains – gatherers of wild herbs, hunters, and woodcutters.

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