readsfreenovel Chapter 283 : Highest-Class Personnel
Chapter 283 : Highest-Class Personnel
Lee Seowon’s eyes gleamed as he looked at the Later-generation Prodigies.Now that the Myriad Gold Manor, which had ruled the Commercial World for ages, had disappeared, the trading companies of the Central Plains were entering a chaotic era reminiscent of the Warring States Period.
The Jiangnan Merchants’ Association had now become the greatest trading company beneath the heavens, and while it was certainly impressive, it still lacked the overwhelming dominance once possessed by the Myriad Gold Manor.
Thus, every trading company led by the Ten Great Trading Companies now faced both unprecedented opportunities and dangers.
This situation made Lee Seowon’s heart race.
As a descendant of the Merchant King.
As the Chief Steward of Seong-un Inn, which was making the most unconventional moves of the current era.
‘Make the Innkeeper the master of the greatest trading company beneath the heavens.’
That had become Lee Seowon’s new goal.
Of course, Jin Seong-un—currently blinking blankly while surrounded by Later-generation Prodigies—had absolutely no idea about any of this.
Lee Seowon subtly approached Baek Seol and spoke.
“I heard from Chef Seo. Among all the ‘disciples’ he has taught cooking to so far, the most talented one belongs to the Wudang Sect.”
“Oh my.”
Baek Seol’s eyes widened.
For some reason, even her pale cheeks flushed slightly.
Anyone would feel happy upon hearing that someone who always scolded and nagged them had actually been praising them behind the scenes.
Of course, Baek Seol was the only person Seo Yu-gyeom had ever taught cooking to in the first place, but technically it was not a lie.
“If Young Heroes and Young Ladies are willing to help with the inn’s work, then as the Chief Steward, I would naturally welcome it. Of course, Miss Baek Seol possesses exceptional talent, so there is no need to even think about it. I would be grateful if you assisted in the kitchen...”
Lee Seowon’s gaze shifted toward Baek Sang and Hwamyeong.
For some reason, both men looked nervous while waiting for Lee Seowon’s decision.
“Excellent. I have heard that Young Hero Dragon Seizer possesses deep expertise in the Dao of Alcohol, so you may become a specialist who assists customers with their drink selections.”
In simpler terms, that was called an inn waiter.
Hwamyeong burst into a satisfied laugh, somehow feeling as though he had received special treatment.
“Hahaha! Chief Steward Lee truly sees clearly. At the very least, among our generation, there is no one who understands alcohol better than I do.”
“Are you boasting about that, horse-faced Daoist bastard?”
Seomun Ak interrupted mockingly, but Hwamyeong was not the sort of man who paid attention to criticism from others.
Hwamyeong and Lee Seowon laughed together heartily.
That left only Baek Sang—who looked tense—and Tang So-yeon, who had gone to the backyard alongside Seo Yu-gyeom.
“As for Young Hero Baek Sang...”
Lee Seowon fell into brief contemplation.
He was not someone who blindly trusted physiognomy, yet this Daoist named Baek Sang looked like an extremely rigid and principled man.
If placed as an inn waiter, he would likely clash with customers. Yet sending him to the kitchen was unnecessary since Seo Yu-gyeom, Han Seong-chun, and Baek Seol were already there.
Lee Seowon quietly observed Baek Sang’s dignified face before suddenly realizing something.
‘He is ridiculously handsome in a very upright way.’
There were many different types of handsome men.
For instance, Chef Seo possessed the dangerous atmosphere of a handsome man.
Meanwhile, the Innkeeper had somewhat dry features, but his gentle voice balanced them out.
Baek Sang, however, was a perfectly upright and dignified handsome man—the quintessential righteous beauty of the Orthodox Faction.
‘There is definitely demand for that.’
The local women’s preferences would likely split into two categories.
The rugged and burly Jang Gwang, and the refined and upright Baek Sang.
Of course, he could not directly tell a Daoist of the Wudang Sect to attract customers, so instead he said this.
“Young Hero Baek Sang’s righteous and sturdy aura unique to Orthodox Faction martial artists is extremely impressive. Therefore, I would be grateful if you could handle security for this inn.”
In other words, he was being told to stand outside with a sword at his waist.
That face alone would naturally draw the attention of women of all ages throughout the neighborhood.
Baek Sang possessed the strong pride characteristic of an Orthodox Faction martial artist, so the title of guard appealed to him far more than inn waiter or chef.
“Hoh, I too can help with the inn’s work... would that truly be acceptable?”
Of course, righteous Daoists never accepted things immediately in one go.
Lee Seowon smiled warmly and replied.
“The work Young Hero Baek Sang will perform is the most important of all. There is nothing more helpful for business than customers feeling safe at the inn.”
“Hoh, much like merchants and scholars gathering beneath the shade of Mount Wudang...”
“Exactly! That is precisely it!”
Baek Sang and Lee Seowon acknowledged one another and burst into cheerful laughter.
Watching the entire process unfold, Jin Seong-un stared at Lee Seowon as though looking at a monster.
Usually, that was the gaze Murim martial artists directed toward Jin Seong-un, yet whenever he looked at Lee Seowon, Jin Seong-un often felt the same way instead.
Watching this pale Chief Steward—who could not even properly swing a sword—manipulate the Later-generation Prodigies of the Nine Sects and great clans like kneading dough was impressive every single time.
At that moment, Tang So-yeon returned after finishing a duel with Seo Yu-gyeom. She peeled strands of sweat-soaked hair from her forehead one by one.
Jin Seong-un looked at Lee Seowon with anticipation.
The others aside, Miss Tang was a particularly formidable opponent.
Lee Seowon also understood Tang So-yeon’s personality well. As the Young Clan Head of the Tang Clan, she was not someone who could be sweet-talked with empty words.
If he tried to coax her too gently, she might instead notice his intentions and grow deeply offended.
Lee Seowon spoke.
“Young Lady intends to stay at the inn as well, correct?”
“Of course?”
“I shall prepare the finest room for you. We cannot possibly ask the Young Clan Head of the Tang Clan to perform menial labor.”
“Hm?”
Tang So-yeon’s eyebrows twitched.
Apparently, Baek Seol had already gone toward the kitchen, while everyone else seemed to have received assigned roles.
Tang So-yeon was a martial artist.
She did not particularly enjoy doing trivial work, yet being treated as weaker than the other Later-generation Prodigies wounded her pride even more.
Especially given the temperament unique to the Tang Clan.
“Why? Do I look weak to you?”
“That is not what I mean...”
“Among the four of us, I am probably the toughest one anyway. Give me the hardest work.”
“Hmm...”
Lee Seowon deliberately looked doubtful while examining Tang So-yeon.
Tang So-yeon immediately jumped up indignantly.
“No, what is the hardest work anyway? Washing dishes? Carrying supplies? I’ll do all of it.”
“Ahem, if you insist to this extent, refusing would instead become disrespectful toward you, Young Lady. However, if things ever become difficult, please do not worry about the opinions of others and quietly come speak to me.”
Thanks to Lee Seowon’s final words, Tang So-yeon would no longer be able to quit halfway through no matter how much she came to hate the work.
* Business monster.
Jin Seong-un sent a Voice Transmission to Lee Seowon.
Lee Seowon instead became embarrassed, as though he had just received the highest praise imaginable.
---
Under Lee Seowon’s command—
Seong-un Inn came to employ a large number of personnel so valuable that not even mountains of gold could easily acquire them.
Baek Seol’s cooking improved by the day, while Hwamyeong’s natural charm caused alcohol orders to skyrocket.
Tang So-yeon occasionally suffered existential despair, yet her pride prevented her from saying she wished to quit. Instead, whenever difficult tasks appeared, she charged forward like a moth toward flames, shouting,
“I’ll do it, everyone move aside.”
And as for Baek Sang...
“Oh my, with such a dependable Young Master protecting us, we can truly eat in peace. I am so grateful for this...”
A woman subtly handed Baek Sang some candied fruit she had brought.
More than half the inn had become filled with women.
Baek Sang received so many tokens of gratitude that he eventually needed to carry a separate pouch for them.
Lee Seowon was planning something far greater.
Development of the Eonsa Prefecture Hot Spring Commercial District was currently in full swing.
Thanks to Elder Shin Mok and his disciples personally overseeing the work, the buildings were being constructed at astonishing speed.
Which meant the opening day of Seong-un Inn’s second branch was not far away.
‘The more high-class personnel we have, the better.’
Just as he thought this—
Voices from the Young Heroes training in the backyard after finishing work reached his ears.
.
.
.
Seo Yu-gyeom clicked his tongue while looking down at Moyong Hyeon and Seomun Ak lying sprawled across the ground.
“You’re already done?”
The two lacked even the strength to answer.
Their expressions looked somewhat dissatisfied.
Normally, after training to the very limits of one’s stamina, one should feel refreshed.
Suddenly, Seomun Ak spoke.
“Is this method even correct?”
“Exactly.”
It seemed Moyong Hyeon had been thinking the same thing.
Recently, the two had been deeply troubled.
The enemies they encountered seemed to grow increasingly stronger.
The growth rates of the two themselves were among the fastest in all of Murim, yet...
It was not enough.
How powerless had they felt when the Saber King of the Peng Clan appeared at the Myriad Gold Manor?
How terrifying had it been when they faced the King of Assassins before the inn?
The two felt impatient.
Thus, no matter how exhausting business became, every night they trained with all their might, to the point of death.
And yet, the sensation of growth was gradually slowing.
“Is this difficult?”
Seo Yu-gyeom swung his dagger casually through the air as though unable to understand.
Perhaps because considerable time had already passed since reaching the Peak-level Master Realm, moonlight-like Saber Aura now clearly carved through empty space.
Seo Yu-gyeom sincerely tried his best to teach Seomun Ak how to manifest Qi Projection.
Yet Seomun Ak’s Fist Qi would no longer become any clearer.
“That’s...”
Seomun Ak started to speak resentfully before closing his mouth.
However, Moyong Hyeon understood his feelings exactly.
Moyong Hyeon spoke calmly.
“You and Jin Seong-un are different.”
The two of them existed on entirely different trajectories.
Even when seeing and experiencing the same things, they grew more.
Even when swinging the same swords, they gained greater enlightenment.
Moyong Hyeon himself had once been called the Sword Dragon, a genius destined to stand among the highest ranks of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes.
Yet Seo Yu-gyeom and Jin Seong-un seemed like completely different beings altogether.
Naturally, Moyong Hyeon and Seomun Ak did not envy or resent them.
They had long ago accepted that the two possessed absurd talent beyond common sense.
However, that very difference in talent created problems.
The two had not reached the Peak-level Master Realm through normal methods.
It had simply... happened.
Because of that, they did not even know how to teach others.
They merely became frustrated and thought, ‘How can you not do this?’
Meanwhile, Moyong Hyeon and Seomun Ak became equally frustrated and thought, ‘How can that even be possible?’
At that moment, Jin Seong-un approached after turning Baek Sang, Baek Seol, Tang So-yeon, and Hwamyeong into half-dead corpses through training.
Still lying flat on the ground, Seomun Ak looked up at Jin Seong-un’s face and said,
“You unlucky bastard.”
“?”
Jin Seong-un looked dumbfounded.
For some reason, Seomun Ak was filled with irritation as he asked,
“How do you use Sword Flux?”
Jin Seong-un considered how to explain it, yet could not find a suitable answer.
Extremely difficult martial arts like the Original True Face Technique required meticulous focus upon every process, but drawing out Qi Projection felt as natural as breathing.
It was like trying to explain how to walk, how to speak, how to see, or how to breathe.
Thus, Jin Seong-un awkwardly replied,
“...I just use it.”
“Gyaaaah! Then what about you, Seo Yu-gyeom?”
“Me too. I just do it.”
Seomun Ak repeatedly slammed the back of his head against the ground while still lying down.
Reaching the Peak-level Master Realm before even turning twenty would earn overwhelming recognition anywhere in the world.
Anyone would admire, envy, and praise him.
Yet because he remained in this bizarre inn, his own achievements somehow felt insignificant.
“Not good enough.”
Seomun Ak was just about to make the pathetic decision to challenge the weakest person present, Baek Seol, to a duel in order to restore his self-esteem.
Then—
“Then just bring someone who can teach you properly.”
Seo Yu-gyeom spoke casually.
Seomun Ak and Moyong Hyeon instantly sprang to their feet and stared at him simultaneously.
“Who?”
“There is someone. The person I know who can make martial artists stronger faster than anyone else. Someone who has mastered the art of teaching martial arts. A person who can turn Third-rate Martial Artists into First-rate Martial Artists, and First-rate Martial Artists into Peak-level Masters.”
The eyes of the two slowly began to shine.
For even the arrogant Seo Yu-gyeom to speak this highly, that person had to be truly incredible.
“Should I bring him?”
“Of course. Who is it? If I can receive guidance from someone like that, I swear I’ll give it everything I have.”
“It’ll be difficult.”
“I’m Seomun Ak. The chivalrous hero Seomun Ak.”
Seomun Ak declared proudly, while Moyong Hyeon nodded beside him in agreement.
Seeing that, Seo Yu-gyeom grinned.
For some reason, both men were suddenly overcome with anxiety, but Seo Yu-gyeom had already disappeared with light footsteps.
After some time—
Seo Yu-gyeom returned with a certain man.
The man wore an indifferent and weary expression, as though he had been dragged into an extremely troublesome matter.
“H-Hello?”
Seomun Ak greeted him stiffly like a broken wagon wheel.
Moyong Hyeon could not even meet the man’s eyes and simply lowered his head.
Divine Slaughter, Shadowless—dragged along helplessly by Seo Yu-gyeom—quietly stared at the two.
The executives of Deathshroud were fundamentally instructors.
And among them, the finest instructor was Vice Leader Divine Slaughter, Shadowless.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that he had personally raised over half of the elite assassins within Deathshroud, the greatest assassination organization of the age.
There was no doubt about his ability to teach.
The problem, however, was that in the current Murim, the only thing feared more than Deathshroud was the Heavenly Demon Cult itself.
The very name Deathshroud symbolized death.
Especially the names of the King of Assassins and Vice Leader Divine Slaughter, Shadowless were regarded like those of grim reapers.
“You are the ones who called for me?”
“Huh? No, it wasn’t exactly us who called—”
As Seomun Ak tried to explain, Seo Yu-gyeom interrupted.
“Master, those bastards told me this. They said that because I’m an assassin, my teachings are useless for cultivating the noble martial arts of the Orthodox Faction. They even called my saber arts trash.”
“Y-YOU BASTARD!”
Moyong Hyeon glared furiously at Seo Yu-gyeom in shock.
Of course, Divine Slaughter, Shadowless already knew that his disciple had simply dragged him here to bully his friends again.
Divine Slaughter, Shadowless looked at the two as though suffering from a headache before speaking.
“If you do not wish to do it, then stop. How could I possibly make masters out of fools who choose to remain weak?”
Seomun Ak and Moyong Hyeon fell silent.
Divine Slaughter, Shadowless did not miss the faint rebelliousness that appeared within their eyes.
As Seo Yu-gyeom had repeatedly stated, Divine Slaughter, Shadowless was truly a master at teaching martial arts.
Among those he had taught were gentle ones, savage ones, strange ones, weak ones, strong ones, prideful ones, timid ones...
He had taught every type imaginable.
And Divine Slaughter, Shadowless knew exactly how to handle brats like the ones before him.
“You must have suffered quite a lot as well. Forced to live acting manly because you were born carrying useless things. I understand.”
Seomun Ak’s face flushed bright red.
At last, shame and anger overcame his fear.
“Then let’s spar.”
“You dare challenge me?”
Divine Slaughter, Shadowless’s eyes turned icy cold.
The gaze of a man who had spent his entire life killing others was sharper and colder than that of any ordinary master.
Just as Seomun Ak flinched slightly, Moyong Hyeon quietly stepped backward and said,
“Seomun Ak, how could you speak to Elder like that?”
No matter how he calculated it, exchanging blows with Divine Slaughter, Shadowless was complete madness.
Naturally, Seomun Ak added,
“Is the name of the Moyong Clan and the Seomun Clan somehow inferior to Deathshroud?”
Moyong Hyeon’s eyes widened in shock as he silently cursed Seomun Ak with his gaze.
But Seomun Ak deliberately avoided eye contact.
Now that the names of their clans had been invoked, Moyong Hyeon had no way to back out.
Letting out a sigh, Moyong Hyeon drew the Northern Star Sword, while Seomun Ak wrapped Martial Fist Qi around both fists.
There was a man watching this scene from slightly farther away with immense satisfaction.
‘Another addition to our highest-class personnel.’
It was Chief Steward Lee Seowon.
As he watched Divine Slaughter, Shadowless’s back, he quietly chuckled to himself.