Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 59
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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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Chapter 59
The heart of Hefei’s bustling district.
Namgung Cheon stopped at the entrance of Geumokru.
When it had been placed there, he didn’t know, but a large stone statue stood majestically at the entrance.
A lion’s head with dragon horns, scales covering its body.
It was a Pixiu, a legendary spirit beast said to devour wealth but never spit it out.
‘It’s become even more extravagant than before.’
Namgung Cheon frowned as he looked at the gold-painted signboard gleaming in the sunlight.
Blatant ostentation.
Baekdwang’s taste was evident throughout.
But he didn’t dislike it.
It was proof that those who once hid in the shadows were now coming into the light and making their voices heard.
It meant that the wealth and power of Jinquanpa were growing.
Just then, the guards at the entrance recognized Namgung Cheon and showed their respects.
“Young Master, we’ll escort you to the Steward’s Chamber.”
Namgung Cheon nodded lightly.
One of the guards led the way.
Leaving behind the bustling noise of the first floor, they finally arrived at the top floor.
A loud voice erupted from inside the Steward’s Chamber.
“No, I said no! Grain prices have skyrocketed these days, and you want me to buy at those dirt-cheap prices? Are you crazy?”
“Master, this isn’t a purchase but seizing goods in the name of debt repayment. Rather than taking promissory notes immediately, if we store them in the warehouse and profit from market fluctuations…”
“Market fluctuations? Until when? Do you want to watch rice rot away? Go get promissory notes or silver right now! Something that won’t rot!”
A heated argument was taking place inside.
Namgung Cheon chuckled and opened the door.
Creak—.
Inside the spacious office, Baekdwang and Naengcheolsan were passionately arguing with a huge map between them.
Baekdwang was pounding the desk with his hand adorned with thick gold rings, while Naengcheolsan held out ledgers with a meticulous expression, arguing point by point.
“You look busy.”
At Namgung Cheon’s quiet voice, the noise in the room abruptly stopped.
Baekdwang turned his head in surprise.
“Oh my! Young Master!”
He abandoned what he was doing and rushed over in a fluster.
His shiny face was full of joy.
“You should have sent word that you were coming. I would have gone out to meet you. But what brings you here…”
Namgung Cheon immediately placed the wooden box he was carrying onto the table.
Thud.
A heavy sound echoed through the room.
“Take a look at this.”
Baekdwang cautiously approached and opened the wooden box.
Flash.
Golden light brightly illuminated Baekdwang’s face.
His eyes widened.
“Gold ingots…”
Each with different patterns and shapes, some even had faint traces of old official seals.
“Huh… this is…”
Baekdwang picked up one gold ingot and examined it from all angles.
His touch as he stroked the surface with his fingertips and gauged its weight was extraordinary.
Soon his eyes flashed with certainty.
“These belong to the Gwimyeon-gye bastards.”
Since rumors about Namgung Cheon had already spread widely, Baekdwang also knew that Namgung Cheon had single-handedly swept away the Gwimyeon-gye.
“Good eye.”
“I can tell at a glance. These gold ingots use molds favored by the Heterodox Faction bastards from the Gangnam region. Sometimes they fill the inside with lead to cheat on weight…”
He flicked the gold ingot with his fingernail to check for a clear sound, then nodded.
“This one’s real. Very high purity too.”
Baekdwang spoke with a confident voice.
Namgung Cheon was inwardly impressed by those words.
Without weighing it on scales or scraping the gold to verify, Baekdwang had instantly seen through the authenticity and value of the gold ingots.
“How do you think I should handle this?”
At Namgung Cheon’s question, Baekdwang set down the gold ingot and asked with a serious expression.
“By handle, do you mean… you want to convert it to cash?”
“I can’t use it as it is now.”
“That’s right. The moment you put it out there, all sorts of bastards will come swarming.”
Baekdwang nodded toward Naengcheolsan.
Then Naengcheolsan stepped forward.
“Young Master, this amount of gold ingots is worth approximately twenty thousand taels of silver at current market rates.”
Twenty thousand taels of silver.
The profit that Baekcheon Trading Company had earned in one month of trading with Nambyeok Trading Guild was ten thousand taels of silver.
An enormous sum equivalent to two months’ worth of that profit was in Namgung Cheon’s hands.
“However…”
Naengcheolsan’s eyes sharpened.
“If you take this directly to a gold house, far from getting fair value, it’ll be treated as stolen goods and cut in half. Moreover, if someone reports it, you’ll just end up going back and forth to the government office trying to explain its origin.”
“So?”
“If we handle it through our channels, we’ll have to break it up and sell it. We’d gradually release it to the black market for cash conversion…”
Naengcheolsan showed reluctance.
“The amount is too large. To digest this quantity without rumors would take at least two years.”
Two years.
Namgung Cheon let out a hollow laugh.
He couldn’t wait that long.
“Isn’t there another way?”
“There is.”
Naengcheolsan’s eyes flashed.
“It’s the most reliable and safe method. However, the process is complicated and above all…”
Baekdwang grinned and continued Naengcheolsan’s words.
“We need a specialist. A very skilled one.”
Baekdwang continued while touching the gold ingots in the wooden box.
“Young Master, with this quantity, you need to make a deal rather than just exchange currency. Why don’t you meet Jo Gyeongsan, the Money Master of Guryong Jeonjang’s Hefei branch?”
“Money Master.”
Namgung Cheon quietly repeated.
Master of money.
The arrogance of calling someone not a branch manager but a master was strangely intriguing.
“Yes. He’s notorious for being meticulous, but he’s someone who doesn’t care about anything if there’s money to be made. If I drop some hints appropriately, and you just bring out the gold ingots…”
Baekdwang clenched his fist tightly.
“He’ll create a very good situation for converting this money.”
* * *
Lujiang, south of Hefei.
This place where the Yangtze River’s waterway met the land route had been a strategic point where people and goods intersected since ancient times.
At its center stood the magnificent pavilion of Guryong Jeonjang, imposing and dignified.
In front of the pavilion, bodyguard warriors stood in strict vigilance, and the faces of merchants constantly coming and going were filled with taut tension.
Namgung Cheon stood before the jeonjang with Baekdwang in tow.
The guard at the entrance tried to block them, but upon confirming Baekdwang’s face, he startled and opened the way.
“Aren’t you the branch master? What brings you here today…”
“I’ve come to see the money master. I’ve brought an important person, so stop talking nonsense and guide us.”
Baekdwang’s voice carried an unusual gravity different from usual.
The man guided them inside without complaint at Baekdwang’s unusual attitude.
The place they were guided to was the guest hall located in the deepest part of the jeonjang.
Word must have already reached him, as a man was drinking tea inside the guest hall.
His corpulent frame made the teacup look unusually small.
The thick gold rings on each finger glinted every time he lifted the teacup.
It was Jo Gyeongsan, the money master of Guryong Jeonjang’s Lujiang branch.
Jo Gyeongsan set down his teacup and spoke quietly.
“Branch master, don’t you usually come at the end of the month? What brings you here so soon?”
His gaze lingered on Baekdwang before naturally shifting to Namgung Cheon.
“And this person is perhaps…”
“That’s right, the third young master of the Namgung Clan, Young Master Namgung Cheon.”
At Baekdwang’s words, Jo Gyeongsan’s eyebrows twitched.
However, he merely bowed his head lightly without rising from his seat.
“You’re the person most talked about in Anhui these days. But what brings such a person to this humble place? It can’t be because of Namgung’s financial situation.”
It was polite but pointed words.
A subtle warning that this was a world ruled by money, where the prestige of great families held no sway.
Baekdwang cleared his throat and stepped forward.
“Money master, don’t say such nonsense. He’s come personally because there’s big business. I heard your skills are remarkable, so when he said he’d like to visit once, I brought him here.”
Baekdwang smoothly lightened the mood while placing the wooden box he’d brought on the table.
Thunk.
At the heavy sound, Jo Gyeongsan narrowed his eyes.
“Financial situation, you say.”
Namgung Cheon spoke as he opened the wooden box.
Flash.
Golden radiance poured out, illuminating Jo Gyeongsan’s face.
“Does this amount seem unrelated to a great family’s situation?”
Namgung Cheon asked, leaning back in his chair.
Jo Gyeongsan set down his teacup and straightened his posture.
Then he leaned forward and picked up one of the gold ingots.
He ran his fingertips over the surface of the gold ingot and gauged its weight.
Jo Gyeongsan examined the gold ingot from various angles before speaking quietly.
“It’s pure gold, but the source is…”
He placed the gold ingot back in its place while looking at Namgung Cheon.
“Hmm, since the young master brought it personally, I won’t ask about the source. However, what do you want? Let me say in advance that officially exchanging it for promissory notes would be difficult. If we exchange this amount for promissory notes…”
“Guryong Jeonjang headquarters would find out. That won’t do.”
At Namgung Cheon’s words, Jo Gyeongsan nodded.
“So you want these gold ingots exchanged for promissory notes or silver coins without anyone knowing?”
Namgung Cheon nodded.
“…”
Jo Gyeongsan closed his mouth.
It was a dangerous transaction.
A large sum of unknown origin and complete anonymity.
It was a matter that could tarnish the jeonjang’s reputation if handled carelessly.
Therefore, if discovered by headquarters, his position would obviously be in jeopardy.
However.
Jo Gyeongsan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The compensation for anonymous transactions was much more lucrative than regular transactions.
If that happened, his performance would skyrocket instantly.
Refusing such enormous profit right before his eyes would not be a merchant’s way.
Baekdwang subtly chimed in.
“Money master, I know it’s difficult, but you won’t see a deal like this again. The young master is entrusting this to you with faith, so surely you don’t intend to send him away empty-handed?”
It was subtle pressure and persuasion.
Then Jo Gyeongsan slowly spoke.
“According to regulations, I have no choice. Exchanging for promissory notes is impossible.”
A polite refusal.
But beneath it was.
‘These damn merchants always try to fight for control whenever they get a chance.’
Namgung Cheon let out a small sigh.
And.
Creak.
He rose from his seat.
“Then I’ll have to look into other jeonjangs.”
“…Are you leaving?”
“I didn’t come here to throw a tantrum asking you to force something that can’t be done. Since the money master says he can’t handle it, I should go find someone who can, shouldn’t I?”
Namgung Cheon turned around without hesitation.
Baekdwang clicked his tongue as if regretful and closed the wooden box.
“Oh my, why are you acting so unlike a money master? You’re about to let other jeonjangs make double the profit.”
As the two moved toward the door, Jo Gyeongsan called out quietly.
“Please wait a moment, young master.”
When Namgung Cheon and Baekdwang turned around again, Jo Gyeongsan deliberated before speaking.
“…There isn’t absolutely no way.”
At the same time, Jo Gyeongsan gestured for them to sit.
When Namgung Cheon sat back down, Jo Gyeongsan spoke calmly.
“Exchanging for promissory notes leaves records. However…”
Jo Gyeongsan spoke calmly.
“If we use your gold ingots to buy goods, the story changes.”
“Goods?”
“That’s right. Have you ever heard of tea certificates?”
Namgung Cheon’s eyebrows twitched.
Tea certificates.
They were certificates of rights to exchange tea issued by the government.
Tea was an essential item that couldn’t be omitted from daily life, and on the other hand, it was a luxury item that displayed wealth.
And at the same time, it was also a strategic material that couldn’t be handled carelessly.
Therefore, while not all places were like this, several provinces including Anhui strictly controlled tea production and distribution, allowing only merchants with tea certificates to have exclusive trading rights.
Therefore, tea certificates functioned like promissory notes in transactions between merchants.
Jo Gyeongsan continued his explanation.
“When Guryong Jeonjang issues promissory notes to merchants, there are cases where we exchange them for tea certificates they possess. Right now, there are quite a few tea certificates in the vault.”
His eyes deepened.
“I will transfer those tea certificates to you in the form of purchasing your gold ingots. Since they’re not going out as promissory notes based on the jeonjang’s credit, there’s no need to report to headquarters. This much can be handled at my discretion.”
“And you want me to sell those tea certificates.”
Jo Gyeongsan nodded.
“Yes, these tea certificates are no different from silver coins among merchants. If you put them out, they’ll sell instantly. The silver obtained that way…”
“Would become clean money.”
Namgung Cheon finished the sentence.
“That’s correct.”
Jo Gyeongsan nodded his head.
It was a perfect plan.
Namgung Cheon fell into thought for a moment.
‘Tea… not bad.’
Tea was an essential commodity. Since demand never ceased, it would be easy to convert to cash.
That’s why merchants would compete to buy it.
“What’s the share?”
At Namgung Cheon’s question, Jo Gyeongsan held up two fingers.
“The fee for handling the tea certificates, plus compensation for my silence… twenty percent.”
It wasn’t a small amount, but considering the risk involved, it was an acceptable level.
“Good.”
Namgung Cheon answered briefly.
Jo Gyeongsan’s eyebrows rose slightly.
He had expected him to try to negotiate down, but he agreed surprisingly readily.
“However.”
Namgung Cheon leaned forward.
His eyes stared at Jo Gyeongsan as if piercing through him.
“You must not speak of this deal to anyone without my permission. Not to Sangdocheon Headquarters, not to anyone.”
Whoooosh—.
Blue energy rose like mist from Namgung Cheon’s entire body.
The pure intimidating presence emanating from a supreme master.
It wasn’t something Jo Gyeongsan, who hadn’t properly learned martial arts, could withstand.
Under the pressure that felt like a massive mountain crushing his shoulders, cold sweat poured down his forehead like rain.
“Urgh.”
At Jo Gyeongsan’s pained groan, Namgung Cheon spoke again.
“If I hear otherwise, I won’t come for my money—I’ll come for your life.”
The moment Namgung Cheon finished speaking, the pressure weighing down on Jo Gyeongsan disappeared as if it were a lie.
“Huff…”
Jo Gyeongsan’s back was soaked with cold sweat.
Namgung Cheon stood up from his seat and spoke.
“Remember this. I’m not a merchant like you…”
His eyes flashed like a blade.
“I’m a warrior who decides everything with the sword.”
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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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