At the ntion of the Myriad Gold rchant Guild, Namgung Chan's eyes widened as he spoke.
"Isn't the Myriad Gold rchant Guild one of the three great rchant guilds in the Central Plains? What reason could they have for visiting?"
A hint of caution was present in Namgung Chan's words.
He had learned a great deal while looking after the family as the acting head in recent tis.
Especially in business expansion, the influence of the three great rchant guilds was, in fact, stronger than that of the five great families.
They wielded a sword called silver.
Silver might seem soft and laughable, but from his experience dealing with them, it was far sharper than a sword.
'What the rchants wielded was not just silver. Not only were their silver tongues outstanding, but they were also very good at reading the tides of the tis.'
If a war broke out, who would profit the most?
The Heretic Practitioners' Alliance and the Green Forest Bandits, who sought to gain from the conflict?
Of course, with the tiger and the bear gone, they beca sothing like the fox who beca the king of the mountain.
But wasn't the hunter who picked up the carcasses of the tiger and the bear the true victor?
The three great rchant guilds of the Central Plains certainly had the makings of such hunters.
Not only were their minds brilliant, but they also possessed the bow called silver.
And when at a disadvantage, they would even disguise themselves as civilians and play the part of the weak.
Truly cunning and ticulous.
Not only that, but they would also mobilize the network of connections they had ford with silver to pressure their opponents.
Fortunately, the Namgung family was sowhat free from such pressure due to its past fa.
That was also how Namgung Chan was able to get the escort service business on track to so extent.
Not long ago, it had turned a profit, giving the family so breathing room.
Anyway, being such a Namgung Chan, he knew the power of the Myriad Gold rchant Guild better than anyone.
'They must have slled money from our family.'
They might offer money to the currently struggling family, wanting the Namgung family's fa or martial power in return.
Or they might ask him to hand over the Azure Sky Escort Service, which had recently expanded successfully.
-Grip.
His fist tightened.
He couldn't possibly hand over the escort service he had worked so hard to build.
Namgung Uncheon looked at such a Namgung Chan and spoke.
"Chan. Do you have so bad blood with them?"
"That's not it, but... there's no way they visited for a simple purpose, is there?"
"That's true, but... well, these people were also urgently looking for your youngest brother. Tsk, I wonder what kind of trouble he's been causing outside lately."
Namgung Uncheon clicked his tongue, but a smile was on his lips.
What on earth could the Myriad Gold rchant Guild have said to make Namgung Uncheon even smile?
"Father. Did the Myriad Gold rchant Guild give you any hint?"
"Well, it wasn't a marriage proposal, but they said they must escort our Hui with the utmost respect. If he's to receive the treatnt of a distinguished guest, he probably didn't cause any trouble."
"Could it be that the owner of the gold ingots Hui ntioned is...?"
"!!?"
Namgung Uncheon, realizing sothing belatedly, widened his eyes, but soon shook his head and added.
"If that were the case, they would have asked for the gold ingots right away. There would be no reason to escort him with utmost respect either. Well, the answer will co out if we call Hui and ask him."
Just then, the Vermilion Bird Commander, Gongson Jeong-u, happened to visit the Family Head's Hall.
"It is the Vermilion Bird Commander. May I enter?"
"Co in."
As the door opened, the desolate state of the Family Head's Hall was reflected in Gongson Jeong-u's eyes.
He frowned, as if he didn't like this desolation, and continued.
"Good heavens, how can the Family Head's Hall of the Namgung family be in such a state? May I at least take a look at this office?"
Namgung Uncheon's face brightened as he said.
"Of course, if you would do so, I would welco it. I am well aware of the skill of the Gongson family."
The people of the Gongson family were so ticulous and detailed that it could be called an obsession with cleanliness.
Well, most scholars had such a side, but the Gongson family had a particularly obsessive tendency in that regard.
Therefore, Namgung Uncheon thought it was a good thing.
"Vermilion Bird Commander. Since you're here, may I ask you sothing?"
"Please speak."
"The Myriad Gold rchant Guild. They visited our family a short while ago. Could I hear so information about them?"
At the ntion of the Myriad Gold rchant Guild, Gongson Jeong-u also winked one eye and continued.
"You an the Money Demons? First of all, they are people who are crazy about money. This is sothing you all probably know. Where should I start? Ah. I heard that the guild master's granddaughter has fallen ill recently. Did they perhaps co looking for the head of the Divine Physician Sect?"
"That doesn't seem to be the case either. Seeing as they specifically nad my youngest child."
"Oh-ho. That is a very interesting story. Then I shall continue telling you about the Money Demons."
And so, Gongson Jeong-u spoke with great fervor.
Namgung Uncheon nodded his head and repeatedly exclaid in admiration.
Occasionally, Namgung Chan also chid in, and the atmosphere beca highly animated.
* * *
"So what you're saying is, it's easier to get married if you're one of the Seven Dragons?"
Jegal Geon nodded at Namgung Hui's question.
"That's right. To raise your value, that's the best way. Honestly, how long would it take to raise your family's fa? In reality, the Seven Dragons mostly married the Five Phoenixes."
"Calling it 'value' makes it sound sowhat bad."
"That's your misconception. Then shall we call it 'na value' instead of 'body value'?"
"It's the sa thing. Anyway. What do I have to do to beco one of the Seven Dragons?"
"It's simple. The upcoming Martial Alliance tournant. You just have to win there."
The Martial Alliance tournant was a biennial event that started 10 years ago, where mbers of the orthodox faction gathered every two years to show off their martial arts and promote fellowship.
One might ask why they would hold such an event at great expense.
The biggest source of the orthodox faction's victory in the great war between the orthodox and demonic factions was the strong solidarity of its mbers.
However, after the war ended, perhaps due to the long peace, that solidarity weakened, and they were only looking out for their own interests.
That was why, 10 years ago, under the leadership of the Grand Commander, the Martial Alliance tournant was created.
There was no better event than the Martial Alliance tournant to strengthen solidarity.
In particular, the martial arts competition held at the tournant greatly inspired the younger generation, providing them with the motivation to hone their skills.
The 'na value' that Jegal Geon ntioned was all part of such motivation.
As one's fa rose, one would be talked about among the people of the martial world, and naturally, one's popularity would inevitably increase.
"But will the Martial Alliance tournant even be held in a situation like this? Couldn't it be postponed this ti because of the rise of the Blood Cult?"
"On the contrary, because of the ergence of the Blood Cult, we must hold the Martial Alliance tournant even more. To show that our orthodox faction will never be shaken and that we must unite to survive."
"What if they cause a bloodbath when people are gathered?"
"Of course, that could happen. But we are also thinking of using this to our advantage and wiping them out in one fell swoop. This is an internal secret of the Martial Alliance, so don't go telling anyone."
Even to Namgung Hui, it didn't seem like a bad thod.
If the opponent was as powerful as the Demonic Cult of the past, they wouldn't have held the Martial Alliance tournant.
But the newly revived Blood Cult didn't seem that strong.
On the contrary, it would be a good opportunity to catch them in a net.
'Should I also play an active role on this occasion?'
He had a blood debt to repay to the Blood Cult.
If he could root out the Blood Cult mbers, Namgung Hui's fa would soar to the heavens.
In the first place, he had earned the na 'Thunder God' by fighting countless Demonic Cult mbers.
"Alright. I'll register for the Martial Alliance tournant. But who are the Seven Dragons? Why don't I know any of them?"
"Well, they were replaced around the ti you collapsed, so it's understandable that you don't know. I'll tell you one by one. First, the Seven Dragons are, as the na suggests, seven. Sword Dragon Cheonghak, Divine Dragon Muwon, Fist Dragon Hwangbo Seong, Saber Dragon Paeng Murin, Poison Dragon Tang Jinhyeok, Heavenly Dragon Murong Junseong, and Mad Dragon Cheon Museong."
"There are so many. It's amazing that you've morized them all."
"You'll co to morize them too. That's how high their na value is. They will surely attract attention at the Martial Alliance tournant. It was the sa at the last tournant."
"I'll see for myself and judge. Then shall we end our conversation here?"
"Yes. I also have to go and write my report."
Namgung Hui and Jegal Geon parted ways.
As soon as Jegal Geon left, Chohwa ran into the reception hall.
"Chohwa. Your running is getting faster and faster."
"This is all thanks to you, young master. By the way, another guest has arrived."
Namgung Hui tilted his head, as he had no one left to et.
"Who has co? It can't be soone from Sichuan already."
"They said they're from the Myriad Gold rchant Guild."
"The Myriad Gold rchant Guild?"
Namgung Hui flinched and stiffened.
He had already sent the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron to the Tang family. Although he had erased the traces on the gold ingots, he felt an inexplicable anxiety.
Was this what they called a guilty conscience?
"Did they say why they ca?"
"No. They just said they had to escort you, young master."
"They have to take to the Myriad Gold rchant Guild?"
"Yes. Shall I bring them here now?"
Namgung Hui was lost in thought for a mont, but he had no good reason to refuse.
It was a problem he had to face eventually anyway.
He decided to resolve it on this occasion.
"Yes. Bring them here. And bring so new tea as well."
"Yes. I'll be right back~"
Chohwa disappeared with quick steps.
It was as if she had learned so kind of footwork, as her stride was different.
Namgung Hui had never taught her, nor did it look like the Namgung family's lightness skill.
'Did Seolhwa teach her? Well, if it's the martial arts of the Moon Maiden Palace, it would be easy for a woman to learn.'
Chohwa, who had disappeared in a flash, reappeared with a man with a goatee, who was panting as if he had been dragged along by her.
Chohwa, having stopped, said with her arms crossed.
"You said you were in a hurry?"
"Gasp. Gasp. No. But where is it written that you can just drag soone like this? I almost couldn't breathe."
"Aww~ People don't die from sothing like this. And if you want to live long, you should exercise regularly, you know? Is it okay for your belly to stick out like that?"
"Ahem... I'll take care of that myself. By the way, where is Young Master Namgung Hui?"
"Over there. I'll go get so tea, so you two can have a chat first."
The man with the goatee nodded and walked towards Namgung Hui.
His expression was quite serious, so it seed to be an important matter.
"Are you Young Master Namgung Hui?"
"Yes. I am Namgung Hui."
"Ahem. I am Heo Yeongman, the general manager of the Myriad Gold rchant Guild. Let's go inside and talk."
"Let's do that."
Namgung Hui felt a sense of relief as the other party was more polite than he had expected.
But looking at this attitude, a sense of incongruity slowly blood.
The Myriad Gold rchant Guild was famous for being arrogant, so there was no reason for them to be so humble towards him.
If so, the reason for this humble attitude was that they had a favor to ask of him, but he couldn't guess what it was.
'I've been lying down all this ti, and I have no particular connection with the Myriad Gold rchant Guild.'
When Chohwa brought the tea, Heo Yeongman, having moistened his throat, said in a low voice.
"Young Master Namgung Hui."
"Yes. If you have sothing to say, please say it."
He glanced around for a mont, reconfirming that no one was there, and then carefully opened his mouth.
"Did you make good use of the gold ingots and the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron?"
"Pfft!"
Namgung Hui was so surprised that he spat his tea all over Heo Yeongman.
(End of Chapter)
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