readsfreenovel Chapter 271 : A Sad Thing
Chapter 271 : A Sad Thing
A luxurious twin-horse carriage sped briskly along the mountain path. Normally, such an extravagant carriage would attract bandits, yet for over a day of travel, not a single mountain rogue showed their face.It wasn’t that they were neglecting their duties. It was likely because of the flags fluttering powerfully in the wind atop the carriage.
From the Tang Clan to the Wudang Sect, the Murong Clan and the Seomun Clan, even the Hwa-un Trading Company—all their flags were hung together. For some reason, they had competed to plant their banners onto the carriage carrying Jin Seong-un.
Thanks to that, Jin Seong-un’s group traveled comfortably toward Yichang without any interference.
“It’s nice riding in a carriage after so long.”
Seomun Ak spoke while leaning back as if he might lie down at any moment.
Except for Lee Seowon, everyone was a high-level martial artist and had more than enough stamina to keep running. However, due to their mental exhaustion, they had chosen the carriage.
Although Seomun Ak said it was comfortable, he seemed bored, idly swinging his legs in the air before suddenly speaking.
“But don’t you think the spoils are a bit lacking, considering we took down the Myriad Gold Manor?”
If one counted what had gone to allied forces, those too could be considered spoils taken by Seong-un Inn. However, Seomun Ak was referring only to what Seong-un Inn had solely acquired.
Seong-un Inn had gained Myriad Gold Land, the auction house, warehouses, the port, and the Golden Flower Brewery.
Lee Seowon clicked his tongue.
“We’ve essentially taken only the sweetest honey pot. Especially the astronomical profits from the port and warehouses—they’ll form a solid foundation for Seong-un Inn to pursue any business in the future.”
“Still…”
Seomun Ak seemed dissatisfied.
After all, they had taken down the Myriad Gold Manor. He had vaguely imagined becoming the richest man in the world overnight.
Lee Seowon continued.
“What was the reason you couldn’t fully reach Peak Master Level, Young Master Seomun?”
“Ahem, because my enlightenment surpassed my inner arts. It’s a very rare case. Usually, people have overflowing inner arts but lack enlightenment, but I, as a genius representing the Seomun Clan—”
“That inner arts. How do you plan to fill it?”
“Well, I’ll have to train. Circulate my internal arts method day and night, steadily build it up, and if possible, take some spiritual medicine.”
“And where would you obtain such spiritual medicine?”
Seomun Ak wondered how long the questioning would continue, then soon realized.
The auction house and territory, including the black market, were the best way to obtain spiritual medicine.
As Seomun Ak’s eyes widened slightly, Lee Seowon chuckled.
“You might end up eating ginseng roots like seasoned vegetables in the future, so just wait and see.”
The word “spiritual medicine” excited martial artists.
With Seomun Ak nearly losing his mind, and Moyong Hyeon not missing the opportunity, both grabbed Lee Seowon’s shoulders and began massaging them.
They kept praising him endlessly—saying he had worked so hard, that he was indeed a great Chief Steward.
Watching this, Seo Yu-gyeom clicked his tongue.
“Tsk tsk, obsessing over spiritual medicine with such a weak mindset is exactly why you can’t grow stronger.”
Lee Seowon smiled faintly at Seo Yu-gyeom, nodded calmly, and said,
“They say Bamboo-Shadow Mushrooms only grow in the land owned by the Red Cliff Escort Agency in Sichuan, right? That’s because it’s territory. I wonder what incredible ingredients we’ll obtain from Myriad Gold Land…”
Seo Yu-gyeom naturally began massaging Lee Seowon’s wrist.
Saying things like his wrist must be stiff from writing all the time, even gently circulating inner arts to loosen his muscles.
Jin Seong-un looked dumbfounded at Lee Seowon, who so easily handled Peak Master and Master-level martial artists.
Lee Seowon shrugged at him.
“You’ve acquired quite the Chief Steward, haven’t you?”
“…It seems so.”
After some time passed—
A vast lake came into view outside the window. Sunlight shattered across its surface, sparkling brilliantly.
Jin Seong-un silently took in the sight before suddenly speaking.
“The Outer Chief Steward was killed by Ha Joo-myeong.”
“I see. He committed so many evil deeds that I figured his end wouldn’t be good.”
Lee Seowon replied calmly.
Jin Seong-un nodded.
“The Inner Chief Steward took his own life. After everything was settled, we found him dead while searching the manor. I wonder what he was thinking.”
Lee Seowon fell into thought.
Having once worked at the Myriad Gold Manor, he knew the Inner Chief Steward well.
“I think I understand his feelings—as a merchant.”
Everyone looked at him.
Lee Seowon continued calmly.
“The Inner Chief Steward… wasn’t exactly a righteous man, but his loyalty to the Myriad Gold Manor was genuine. To him, that place was probably like Seong-un Inn is to me. How could he bear to watch it collapse with his own eyes?”
Lee Seowon imagined Seong-un Inn being destroyed like the Myriad Gold Manor.
He, too, would feel a shock and fear like watching his own child die before him.
That was why he understood the Inner Chief Steward’s choice.
It was Jin Seong-un who broke the brief silence in the carriage.
“Seong-un Inn will be different.”
“It must be. It will be. Because the Innkeeper isn’t Ha Joo-myeong. Unlike those Chief Stewards who were blinded by money and twisted emotions, the people here…”
Lee Seowon looked at Seo Yu-gyeom, Moyong Hyeon, and Seomun Ak.
They were strong men. It was hard to imagine them falling into corruption like those two.
Are we just young now? Will we change like that when we grow older and gain great power?
He briefly thought so, then shook his head. Those three would probably still be grabbing each other by the collar and rolling on the ground even in their sixties.
That was why Seong-un Inn wouldn’t change. Because the people who made it up would remain the same.
“We’ll have no worries.”
Seomun Ak, not knowing what Lee Seowon had imagined, simply took it as praise and gave a thumbs-up.
Jin Seong-un nodded.
The fall of the Myriad Gold Manor—the greatest trading company in the long history of the Central Plains—left him with many thoughts as a merchant.
---
The carriage stopped at every post station, changing horses and coachmen, traveling nonstop for days and nights.
Soon, a very familiar scenery came into view.
“Yichang.”
He had experienced longer journeys, but rarely had Yichang felt this welcoming and comforting.
The events at the Myriad Gold Manor had exhausted even strong martial artists.
The carriage soon stopped near the inn, and as the group stepped out lightly, they were met with an unexpected sight.
“What’s all that?”
Seomun Ak muttered, looking at the large crowd gathered in front of the inn. They didn’t look like customers. Judging by their luxurious attire, they seemed to be wealthy merchants or officials.
“…It’s started.”
Lee Seowon spoke with a sigh.
During their leisurely journey, news of the Myriad Gold Manor’s fall—and who was at its center—must have spread throughout the world.
For now, only merchants and officials from Yichang and Jingzhou had gathered. But soon, people like them from all over the country would head to Yichang.
There was only one reason: to make an impression on Seong-un Inn, which would now compete for dominance in the commercial world.
At that moment—
Someone spotted them and pointed.
“Huh? It’s the Guest Dragon!”
With that, merchants and officials rushed forward, abandoning all decorum.
Seo Yu-gyeom and Moyong Hyeon, quick to judge, immediately used movement arts to escape inside.
Jin Seong-un, who had to stand his ground as the Innkeeper, Lee Seowon, who had to deal with them as Chief Steward, and Seomun Ak, who missed his chance to flee—
The three were instantly buried under the crowd.
Countless hands holding letters waved wildly in the air like willow branches.
“I’ve brought an official document from the Jingzhou Governor! It’s a matter of order—please grant me a private audience!”
“I’ve traveled a thousand li to discuss important matters! Let’s at least share a cup of tea!”
“Chief Steward! I bring a proposal that could reshape the commercial world! Just give me one mealtime!”
Seomun Ak had long since become dazed, and even Jin Seong-un’s eyes were beginning to lose focus.
Only Lee Seowon held on, desperately trying to manage the crowd.
“One at a time! One at a time! Let’s start with the governor’s document—!”
At that moment—
A voice with a completely different presence cut through the chaos.
“I am the Branch Leader of Wuhanzhuang Bank’s Yichang Branch! I’m close with Master Jin! Everyone, move aside!”
Pushing people aside, a man emerged—it was Won Gi-sang, the familiar Branch Leader.
“Master Jin! You remember me, right?”
“Of course.”
Jin Seong-un nodded.
That was effectively permission. Since Jin Seong-un chose Won Gi-sang first, the others stepped back for now.
After catching his breath, Won Gi-sang grinned and took out a wooden box, handing it to Jin Seong-un.
Inside was a golden toad, smiling brightly.
Won Gi-sang continued.
“You worked really hard. You know, right? Even when the higher-ups were demanding we withdraw funds immediately, I delayed as much as possible to buy you time. I believed in you, Master Jin.”
In truth, the main branch of Wuhanzhuang Bank had cut off dealings under orders from the Myriad Gold Manor.
Even so, Won Gi-sang had brought generous gifts and delayed matters as much as possible to help Seong-un Inn respond.
Jin Seong-un was not one to forget favors.
“Of course. I’m still grateful for that.”
Envious gazes poured in from all sides.
Won Gi-sang puffed up with pride. In front of all these merchants and officials, he had proven his ability to buy at the lowest point.
“After this incident, the Yichang Branch has been promoted to a regional branch of Hubei Province. The main branch decided that was the proper level to deal with you. Naturally, I’ve also been promoted from Third-Class Manager to Second-Class Senior Manager!”
“That’s good news. We’ll have many dealings ahead.”
No matter how large the business grew, a bank was essential. Having the Yichang Branch Leader of the world’s greatest bank on friendly terms was certainly welcome.
From there, various merchants and officials stepped forward, boasting past connections or presenting business proposals.
At first, the atmosphere was orderly. But as someone impatient suddenly interrupted, chaos erupted instantly as everyone began speaking at once.
At that moment—
Jin Seong-un’s dazed eyes suddenly turned calm.
His gaze lifted above the heads of the crowd. Without even releasing his aura, the mere shift in atmosphere caused merchants and officials to retreat.
Jin Seong-un spoke calmly.
“What brings the Admiral of the Eastern Depot here?”
At the same time, people around began backing away.
To both merchants and officials, the eunuchs of the Eastern Depot were like nightmares.
And if it was their leader—the Admiral—there was no need to say more.
Soon, the area became quiet. Seo Yu-gyeom and Moyong Hyeon, who had gone inside earlier, cautiously stepped out again.
The Admiral was considered one of the greatest masters of the Imperial Household, alongside the Commander of the Royal Guards.
It was said his martial prowess rivaled even the Twenty-Seven Stars of the World.
The Admiral looked calmly at Seo Yu-gyeom, Moyong Hyeon, Seomun Ak, and Jin Seong-un before speaking.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
“Not particularly.”
The Admiral let out a dry laugh.
He thought the man was consistently insolent.
Soon, his voice turned colder.
“Her Highness the Princess has ordered me to receive your answer. About how you intend to take responsibility for this matter.”
“What responsibility do you mean?”
“You slaughtered the Princess’s fiancé so brutally. Did you truly think you would remain safe?”
“I had His Majesty’s permission.”
The Admiral looked down at him coldly, then smirked.
“And what if that backing disappears?”
“What do you mean?”
“His Majesty has collapsed again. A sad thing, indeed.”
Jin Seong-un stared at the Admiral.
There are words one must say—and words one must not—depending on the situation.
A question rose to Jin Seong-un’s throat.