“There’s no way that’s true.”

It would be stranger to think that Everlasting Snow Palace had not been involved in the matter where the Yang Empire withdrew and the Four Great Sects in Yangnyeong were annihilated in a single day.

People speculated.

The current situation, where Yangnyeong had become territory of Everlasting Snow Palace, meant that the Palace was no longer content with being a power solely in the Outer Regions. They were beginning to extend their influence into the Central Plains.

Whether it was true or not, the end result remained the same.

That was why people were flocking to Yangnyeong.

Now, Yangnyeong was the closest point of Everlasting Snow Palace’s territory to the Central Plains.

All sorts of people were gathering.

And that was why Unwi was currently in the Command Hall of the Yangnyeong Branch, dealing with this situation.

“What did you say your name was?”

“Im Munam.”

“And your affiliation?”

“I’m with the Samgok Merchants’ Alliance.”

Samgok Merchants’ Alliance.

What kind of place was it?

I had mentioned it briefly before. There are three regions near Yangnyeong that one must be particularly cautious of:

Cheongan, Bongrae, and Saryang.

Between these three regions lies a place called Shinsam Valley.

Shinsam Valley is the largest cultivation area for Shinsam Flower, and those three regions monopolize it.

But naturally, where there are lucrative resources, there is conflict.

To mediate the disputes between these three regions, a central organization was formed.

That is the Samgok Merchants’ Alliance.

They serve as a joint management organization established by those three regions. Im Munam was the Chief Arbitrator of that alliance.

To be honest, Unwi hadn’t anticipated the appearance of the Samgok Merchants’ Alliance.

He had Shinsam Valley in the back of his mind, but he had thought it was still too early to make a move. Yet here they were, walking right into his hands.

Why had they come?

Why had an arbitrator traveled all the way to Yangnyeong? That was the question.

“What’s the reason you’re here to see me?”

Im Munam looked at Unwi, then at Seong Yangho standing behind him, and finally at Cheonpung and Wonyang, who stood on either side of the Command Hall with their hands resting on their sword hilts.

Then, he opened his mouth.

“Since everyone present here seems to be people you trust, I’ll get straight to the point.”

Without waiting for Unwi’s nod, Im Munam continued.

“We’re extremely concerned.”

“About what?”

“About what would happen if Everlasting Snow Palace were to get involved in Shinsam Valley.”

Unwi’s lips curled into a faint smile as though he understood.

The moniker “Snow Mountain Demon Lord” certainly had its uses.

The incident of Unwi seizing control of Yangnyeong in just one day had clearly left a strong impression.

“To put it bluntly, if Everlasting Snow Palace decides to interfere, not only would the Samgok Merchants’ Alliance but also the three regions that founded it would do whatever it takes to prevent that. We could involve the Martial Alliance, or even the Sichuan Alliance. There are plenty of options.”

Im Munam paused for a moment, and Unwi spoke calmly.

“Keep going.”

“Yes, I will. During the process, we would inevitably lose to the massive force that is Everlasting Snow Palace.”

“A loss, huh. You were talking as if you intended to fight, but now you’re praising us.”

“It’s not praise. It’s just the truth. We don’t even dare to guess the limits of Everlasting Snow Palace, but if they were to make a move, we have no doubt that three or four cities would be reduced to ashes in an instant.”

“You said you’d get straight to the point, but you sure are talking a lot.”

“…Apologies. Let me be clear. We don’t want Everlasting Snow Palace to get involved in the competition in Shinsam Valley.”

This wasn’t bad.

This wasn’t a threat. It was a proposal.

To be precise, it was the groundwork laid before making a proper offer.

Unwi crossed one leg over the other and rested his chin on his hand.

“If it’s a deal you’re proposing, it’s about time you tell me what you’re offering.”

“…I see. I heard that the ruler of Yangnyeong has hidden his sword for six years… You certainly live up to the rumors. Very well, I will tell you. The Samgok Merchants’ Alliance, representing the three regions, is willing to provide Hyeon Seollin of Yangnyeong with 600 geun of Shinsam Flower per month.”

At that, Seong Yangho’s brow twitched, and Wonyang, who knew the value of Shinsam Flower, also flinched.

The only one who remained expressionless was Cheonpung.

He didn’t even understand what the conversation was about.

Unwi asked,

“How much Shinsam Flower is produced monthly in Shinsam Valley?”

“Approximately 3,000 geun (about 1,800 kg).”

“And the three regions have been splitting it 1,000 geun each?”

“That is correct.”

“If you give 600 geun to Yangnyeong, each of the three regions will receive 800 geun per month.”

“That is also correct.”

The smile vanished from Unwi’s face.

“I heard that Shinsam Flower is divided into three grades: High, Mid, and Low. High-grade Shinsam Flower is worth around 200 silver nyang per geun, Mid-grade goes for 30 nyang, and Low-grade sells for about 5 nyang.”

“You’re not wrong, based on the current market price.”

“Raw numbers are meaningless. What matters is how much of that 600 geun will be High-grade, how much will be Mid-grade, and how much will be Low-grade. Am I wrong?”

“No, you’re absolutely right.”

“As the Chief Arbitrator of the Samgok Merchants’ Alliance, I assume you already have [N O V E L I G H T] a breakdown in mind. Before you tell me, let me state my terms.”

“I’m listening.”

“In regards to the cultivation of Shinsam Flower, I won’t interfere. Everlasting Snow Palace will not get involved. Nor do we intend to cultivate it ourselves. The 600 geun you’ve offered is a perfectly reasonable amount, and I don’t plan to demand more. But.”

But the next part was critical.

“Of the 600 geun, at least 150 geun must be High-grade Shinsam Flower.”

Im Munam flinched.

…He had expected them to demand High-grade.

But he had assumed Unwi’s demand would be around 60 geun. The proposed amount was more than double that.

Im Munam smiled.

“Your terms are clear and precise, Hyeon Seollin.”

“Are you pleased with them?”

“Yes, I am. Except for one thing.”

“I can guess what it is.”

“If you can guess, then there’s room for negotiation.”

“Negotiation, huh…”

“I am an arbitrator. I had a certain standard in mind, but the proposed amount is quite far from it.”

Unwi gestured for him to continue.

“150 geun of High-grade Shinsam Flower is difficult. As you might guess, Shinsam Valley produces less than 400 geun of High-grade Shinsam Flower per month. On good months, it might reach 500 geun, but on bad months, it can drop to 300 geun.”

“And?”

“How about we meet somewhere closer to the middle?”

“How much are you suggesting?”

“80 geun.”

Unwi chuckled.

“500 geun on good months, 300 geun on bad… 300 is likely the minimum, but 500 isn’t the maximum, is it?”

“…That’s correct.”

“Then let’s do it this way. Whether it’s a good month or a bad one, 100 geun of High-grade Shinsam Flower.”

“…”

“I won’t ask for more than that. But you must guarantee 100 geun of High-grade Shinsam Flower every month. That’s the deal I’m offering. What do you think?”

After a moment of hesitation, Im Munam scratched his head, then clasped his hands together in a formal gesture.

“I will draft the contract and bring it to you within the day.”

Unfortunately, Unwi wasn’t finished.

“But let me make one thing clear. If the 600 geun includes 100 geun of High-grade and the remaining 500 geun are all Low-grade, I swear on my life—”

Unwi’s eyes darkened, his gaze icy.

“In that case, you, as well as the three regions, will regret this negotiation until the day you die.”

“…I understand. I will specify the quantity of Mid-grade Shinsam Flower as well in the contract.”

“As expected of the Chief Arbitrator.”

“Thank you.”

“Go on, then.”

Im Munam was just about to turn around when Unwi spoke up.

“There’s one thing I want to ask.”

Im Munam paused and glanced back.

“Have you ever played Go?”

The question visibly unsettled Im Munam.

It was a simple question, nothing particularly alarming about it, yet he appeared genuinely flustered.

“…May I ask what you mean by that?”

“Exactly what you’re thinking.”

“…”

“You still haven’t answered my question. Have you ever played?”

“There’s no way I haven’t.”

Unwi smiled faintly.

“Then, I suppose you’re playing the black stones.”

“Personally, I don’t favor the advantage of the first move.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes. However, when it’s necessary, I do play.”

Unwi and Im Munam locked eyes, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Unexpectedly, it was Unwi who broke the silence.

“Your steps are quite peculiar.”

“…Are you referring to me?”

“Yes. Truly peculiar. Your footsteps remind me of a certain moment in the past.”

“…”

“Are you by any chance interested in poetry?”

Im Munam smiled softly.

“I do have some interest.”

Unwi gazed at him and murmured quietly.

口問市井價 (Gu Mun Si Jeong Ga)

With your mouth, you ask the market price.

手懂千載劍 (Su Dong Cheon Jae Geom)

But your hands know the swordsmanship of a thousand years.

Hearing the lines, Im Munam’s eyes gleamed.

“It’s the poem ‘Sword and Commerce’ by Li Baek of the Moon Kingdom.”

“Do you like it?”

“I do. May I respond with a verse of my own?”

Unwi nodded, and Im Munam spoke in a calm, measured tone.

心似秋水靜 (Sim Sa Chu Su Jeong)

The heart is as still as autumn waters.

眼藏百戰塵 (An Jang Baek Jeon Jin)

But the eyes hide the dust of a hundred battles.

Unwi’s eyes glimmered in response.

“That’s ‘The Sword-Hiding Merchant’ by Bang Howol of the Sea Kingdom.”

“…Impressive. He’s not exactly a well-known poet.”

“Just as you are interested in poetry, so am I.”

Im Munam’s eyes, now darker and more contemplative, fixed on Unwi.

“Do you still have something to say?”

“…No. Nothing more.”

“Then you’ve seen all you need to see. You may go.”

Im Munam seemed to hesitate for a moment as if he had more to say but then simply smiled and exited the Command Hall.

The moment the door closed behind him, Seong Yangho, who had been holding his breath, finally burst out in excitement.

“Wow… If 100 geun of High-grade Shinsam Flower is included in that 600 geun, that’s a minimum of 20,000 silver nyang every month, right?”

“At the very least.”

“Amazing…”

Seong Yangho was wearing an expression that clearly said, “Some people are just destined to be extraordinary.” But Unwi was different.

Something was off.

Sending a mediator out of fear of Everlasting Snow Palace’s involvement? That much was understandable.

But for them to suddenly appear like this, without Everlasting Snow Palace even making a move yet?

“It means they’ve made a decision.”

“…Pardon?”

“Seong Yangho, can’t you see it?”

“…I don’t get it.”

“They need the name of Everlasting Snow Palace.”

“…What?”

“Shinsam Valley is a place wedged between four regions, including Yangnyeong. Until now, they’ve monopolized it. As you said, 100 geun of High-grade Shinsam Flower is worth 20,000 silver nyang. If they weren’t being pressured by someone else, it would actually be more suspicious that they’re not being greedy about it.”

“…Then, what you’re saying is…”

“Another force has already started exerting pressure on them over Shinsam Valley.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep