Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect - Chapter 117

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 117
“Souvenirs?”
Tourist souvenirs and the Huashan Sect.
The unlikely pairing of the two words made Cheon Hui tilt his head in confusion.
“What I mean is this.”
O Manager produced a new sheet of paper.
The paper bore several carefully drawn patterns and garments, as if he’d been contemplating this for some time.
“We would strike a deal with the Huashan Sect and, instead of the Red Plum Blossom that only the Maehwa Sword Masters can possess, create embroidered goods with similar patterns, or craft garments resembling the Sect Robes—items to be sold to the public.”
Looking at the sketches, the general idea became clear enough.
Simply put, he intended to sell merchandise to those who admired the Huashan Sect.
There was only one thing that didn’t sit right.
“Would anyone actually buy these?”
The prices marked on the embroidered goods and garments were roughly double those of ordinary items.
And what was different about them, exactly?
Nothing, really.
Just the addition of a plum blossom pattern.
“They will.”
Unlike the skeptical Cheon Hui, O Manager spoke with certainty.
“For instance, suppose you traveled to Jiangsu Province. What would be the first thing you’d want to do upon arriving?”
Jiangsu Province?
It was a question he’d never seriously considered, so Cheon Hui’s mind went first to food.
What was Jiangsu Province famous for?
“I’d drink Yanghe Wine, I suppose.”
The moment Cheon Hui named the famous wine of Jiangsu Province, O Manager seized the opening.
“Yanghe Wine from Jiangsu Province costs at least twice as much as other wines. If you’re going to spend that much, it would be wiser to drink something else—and yet, you’d still choose Yanghe Wine, wouldn’t you?”
“I’d gladly bear the cost.”
What if it was expensive?
Yanghe Wine from Jiangsu Province was among the finest vintages under heaven. No matter how dear the price, it would be worth tasting… Wait.
In that instant, O Manager’s intention flashed through Cheon Hui’s mind.
That was it, wasn’t it?
Cheon Hui looked at O Manager and spoke.
“…You’re saying you’d make those items like Yanghe Wine.”
“Precisely.”
O Manager’s smile deepened.
“As you yourself said just now, most who visit Jiangsu Province will pay a premium for Yanghe Wine over any other drink—because they came to Jiangsu Province, of all places.”
“I see…”
“Similarly, what if those who visit the Huashan Sect could purchase items that the Sect itself had approved and created? Wouldn’t they be tempted?”
“I’d be willing to try.”
In that moment, Cheon Hui felt the hook sink in.
If executed well, this business actually seemed quite promising.
‘And if this venture succeeds, the Huashan Sect profits, I profit—isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?’
Envisioning his income doubled, Cheon Hui nodded vigorously.
But the moment didn’t last.
One problem surfaced in his mind.
“But do you think the Huashan Sect will accept such a proposal?”
The Huashan Sect was orthodox and rigid.
It seemed unlikely they’d involve themselves in a commercial scheme like this.
And yet—
“The Huashan Sect will accept it.”
O Manager spoke with absolute conviction.
“The other factions of the Nine Factions and One Gang would dismiss such a trade out of hand, but the Huashan Sect I’ve recently investigated is different. Despite their ever-rising reputation, the truth is they’ve been struggling with financial difficulties for some time.”
Cheon Hui’s eyes narrowed.
He’d uncovered that?
It was information not easily discovered.
“Yet despite this, the Huashan Sect is now expanding their power. Starting with the Huashan Divine Sword toppling Baek Gwi Seong, they recently became a central pillar of the Murim Alliance, and now they’ve even opened their Mountain Gate to accept new disciples…”
O Manager recited Huashan’s recent movements with evident pride in his information network.
“To move so aggressively while starved for funds means the Huashan Sect has ambitions. If they do, they would never refuse my proposal—one that not only spreads their name throughout All Under Heaven but also generates profit.”
It was certainly an attractive proposition.
But nothing ever flowed smoothly without complication.
“What if they refuse regardless?”
“I’m prepared to offer an even higher percentage. Should negotiations still fail, I have other sects in mind with whom I can conduct business.”
“There are other sects?”
“Unless one’s mind is scattered, surely you wouldn’t assume all ventures succeed?”
That was fair.
Cheon Hui nodded.
For a business venture moving this much capital, to overlook the possibility of failure would be the mark of a third-rate operator.
“If Huashan Sect fails, the sects I’ve considered are primarily the Hebei Peng Clan—lately keen on making a name for themselves—or…….”
O Manager listed off several sects.
No faction could rival Huashan Sect except the Hebei Peng Clan, but the rest were familiar names he’d heard mentioned from time to time.
‘Hmm, why not give it a try?’
His resolve wavered slightly in favor.
Then, thinking it through more carefully——
‘Wait. I have nothing to lose here.’
There was no real reason to refuse.
If the venture succeeded, he and Huashan Sect would profit alongside it.
Even if the venture failed——
‘Only O Manager goes bankrupt. There’s no loss for me.’
What could be better?
‘I need to make sure this deal with Huashan Sect goes through.’
Cheon Hui found himself already rehearsing how to persuade the Sect Master, should he prove reluctant to agree.
“All right. I’ll lend it to you.”
O Manager’s face brightened.
“I promise I’ll double—no, multiply your company’s fortune tenfold.”
“That’s fine by me.”
At Cheon Hui’s assent, O Manager hastily rolled up the document on the table and tucked it into his robe.
‘About to get his hands on some real money.’
Cheon Hui watched as O Manager calmly straightened his garments, then asked a question.
“Oh, one more thing before we’re done here. I wanted to ask about something.”
“What might that be?”
“What exactly is this?”
O Manager glanced at the Heaven Trade Medallion that swung gently in Cheon Hui’s hand and answered.
“……It is a Heaven Trade Medallion.”
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
O Manager met Cheon Hui’s cold gaze with a wry smile and confessed.
“The Heaven Trade Medallion is a precious token that the Pavilion Master distributed to ten individuals he recognized for their talent or whom he wished to honor.”
“So this medallion belongs to Heaven Trade Pavilion?”
“That is correct.”
Cheon Hui tilted his head, puzzled.
Something didn’t sit right.
‘Then why did the Bi Poong Trading Company Master give me a Heaven Trade Pavilion medallion?’
Normally, if one were to bestow such a token, it would be something connected to one’s own organization.
But a Heaven Trade Pavilion medallion?
“I received this from the Bi Poong Trading Company Master.”
“The Bi Poong Trading Company Master……?”
O Manager’s eyes wavered.
“Could it have been from Go Gye Young?”
Go Gye Young? Ah! The Bi Poong Trading Company Master!
Cheon Hui nodded in confirmation.
“Indeed.”
“Ha ha ha! I see.”
O Manager laughed with genuine delight.
In that moment, he was transported back to the day when a young man had left Heaven Trade Pavilion, shouting that he would make his own company the greatest under heaven.
‘Ah, so he passed it on.’
O Manager’s smile deepened.
“Simply possessing a Heaven Trade Medallion is valuable in itself. Most trading houses across All Under Heaven will extend favors to you, and you can even receive small sums of money free of charge…….”
“I already know that.”
Cheon Hui cut him off.
He was well aware.
He’d borrowed it once before.
“What I’m asking is its precise usage.”
“I cannot tell you that.”
O Manager shook his head.
Then, with an apologetic expression, he bowed deeply.
“My apologies.”
‘Is it something important?’
Watching him as if he were bound by a strict silence order, Cheon Hui stroked his chin, then lifted his head sharply.
“Then what happens if I use it now?”
“You’ll be able to meet the Pavilion Master.”
O Manager’s expression grew serious.
“And there’s one thing he’ll want to ask you.”
“What will he ask?”
“You’ll have to hear it directly from him.”
Cheon Hui’s eyes narrowed.
‘It doesn’t sound like much, but why does he have to make it so intriguing?’
If he’d given a casual answer, Cheon Hui would have let it pass without a thought. But this coyness only made his curiosity burn hotter.
“So if I use it now?”
“Normally it would take time for him to arrive, but…….”
O Manager fell silent for a moment.
Then, glancing to his left for an instant, he spoke again.
“As fortune has it, the Pavilion Master is visiting this branch, so it’s possible right away.”
He’s here?
Cheon Hui’s lips twisted into a smile.
At the very moment he was curious, this was an excellent answer indeed.
“Then.”
Cheon Hui tossed the Heaven Trade Medallion he’d been holding onto the ground before O Manager and spoke.
“I’ll use it now.”
* * *
O Manager and Cheon Hui arrived at the Separate Residence where the Pavilion Master stayed.
“Please wait a moment.”
O Manager knocked on the door of the Separate Residence.
Knock—knock—
“Pavilion Master. It’s O Manager.”
“Ah, is it you, O Manager?”
An excited voice came from inside.
“What brings you here today?”
“Someone wishes to use the Heaven Trade Medallion, so I’ve brought them.”
“The Heaven Trade Medallion?”
In that instant, the voice from inside grew quiet.
“So it’s the young man standing beside you, then.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Come in, then.”
O Manager slowly opened the door.
“Please enter.”
The moment Cheon Hui stepped inside.
Creak—thump.
O Manager closed the door and withdrew.
Is this the man?
Inside the Separate Residence, a white-haired elder with a gentle expression sat alone at a game board.
“Heh-heh, good to meet you.”
The elder emptied the wine cup in his hand in one go, then made a natural gesture.
“Don’t stand there—come over here and have a drink with me.”
At the invitation to sit at the board, Cheon Hui shrugged and immediately took the seat across from him.
“Pour me a cup.”
As Cheon Hui picked up the cup, the elder poured the wine.
Gulp—
Cheon Hui drained it in one swallow.
True to the name of the Heaven Trade Pavilion, the greatest under heaven.
The wine flowed smoothly down his throat, warming his body—clearly an expensive vintage.
“Aah. Fine wine indeed.”
“Heh-heh, I’m glad to hear it.”
With that, the two of them continued drinking in silence, finishing what remained.
After several rounds of toasting, the full bottle emptied completely.
“Ah, a pity.”
The Pavilion Master smacked his lips and fixed Cheon Hui with a steady gaze.
“Will you use the Heaven Trade Medallion now?”
“Yes.”
“Then hand the medallion over to me.”
Cheon Hui, as though he’d been waiting for this, drew the Heaven Trade Medallion from his breast and passed it across.
The Pavilion Master examined it.
Crack!
With a forceful grip, he shattered the medallion.
“That makes nine.”
The Pavilion Master studied Cheon Hui intently.
Then, slowly, he spoke.
“Will you challenge for the Succession Right of the Trading Company?”
“The Succession Right?”
Cheon Hui felt the wind knocked clean out of him.
‘So that’s what all the fuss was about.’
Challenging for the Succession Right.
For someone genuinely invested in running the Trading Company, it would have been an extraordinary offer.
But Cheon Hui was not that person.
“That’s quite the question. I’ll pass.”
Cheon Hui, having lost interest, waved his hand dismissively.
The Pavilion Master, seeing this response, burst into a hearty laugh.
“You didn’t know what happens when you use the Heaven Trade Medallion, did you?”
“Of course I didn’t.”
Cheon Hui grumbled his reply.
“I was told I had to hear it directly from you.”
“Hah! Yet you used it anyway?”
“I was curious.”
At his answer, the Pavilion Master clutched his belly and roared with laughter.
“Hehehehe! Curious enough to ruin this medallion in an instant—you’re quite the character!”
Cheon Hui watched the man laugh like a madman and continued to grumble.
“Great, so I wasted a medallion. If I’d known this, I should’ve just taken the money instead of using it.”
Then the Pavilion Master chuckled softly.
“Who said that was all?”
Eh?
Cheon Hui’s eyes lit up.
That’s more like it. Surely the Pavilion Master of the Heaven Trade wouldn’t give nothing?
Hope kindling in his chest, he opened his mouth.
“What else is there?”
“When you use a Heaven Trade Medallion, you can choose one of two things. One is the right to challenge for the Succession Right I just mentioned, and the other is…….”
The Pavilion Master paused mid-sentence and curled his lips upward.
“To have your wish granted.”

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