Chapter 95
“So… you’re saying you want to sell the natural mineral of the North Sea, the snow ice stone, in the Central Plains?”
The atmosphere in Wang Bang-tae’s words was ambiguous.
‘Hmm… doesn’t he like the proposal?’
For a moment, So-ah couldn’t help but worry.
Whether his proposal was rude or not.
Even if it wasn’t rude, whether Wang Bang-tae would refuse it or not.
‘It’ll be a headache if I can’t get the distribution rights for the snow ice stone.’
Fortunately, there was a second-best option.
If he failed to secure the trade rights for the snow ice stone, he had agreed with Yuk Jeong-ran to expand the commercial rights to Tianjin and Beijing and promote continuous profit growth.
Of course, he was able to set such a long-term alternative only because he had borrowed a large sum of 1.5 million silver taels from the Daewon Money House without interest.
But the second-best option was literally the last resort.
So-ah was a martial artist, after all.
Since he had announced the recruitment of external disciples, he had to play a role in that, so it was unreasonable for him to focus on business.
“Palace Lord. Don’t you like it? Since the snow ice stone is not a divine object of the North Sea, wouldn’t it be better to accumulate wealth by distributing it in the Central Plains rather than letting it rot? If you give me your permission, I will take care of all the troublesome work from mining to processing and sales, and I will give 30% of the total profit to the North Sea!”
So-ah spoke passionately.
‘Please…!’
With a desperate heart.
But Wang Bang-tae was silent.
“…”
“Alright! Then 40%. I’ll give you 40%. You know how good a condition this is, right? In general, the processing and distribution costs of manufactured goods are higher than the cost of raw materials. Hahaha.”
So-ah’s awkward laugh.
Wang So-yeong felt sorry for him.
‘It’s the first time I’ve seen So-ah, who was so strong-hearted, so flustered. What should I do…’
That’s right.
Wang So-yeong knew that So-ah was the ‘heart of a warrior’ who didn’t even blink an eye while causing a ruckus alone in the Great Desert, the Mad Wind Sand.
Seeing such a So-ah in a tight spot, it seemed that the words of the ancient sages that there was no business in front of money were true.
Just then.
“Hahahahat!”
Wang Bang-tae’s loud laughter filled the room.
‘…Why?’
So-ah suddenly felt anxious.
Because there are people who burst into laughter when they are angry.
But that was just a groundless fear.
“Amazing! I really saw a person properly! Yes! That’s right. That’s why he’s the son-in-law I’ve chosen… no, a hero! I thought he was only the best in martial arts, but his guts and schemes are even better!”
“Palace Lord…”
“Moreover, since he’s bright in financial matters, if he starts a family in the future, he’s a person who can feed his wife and children even if the sky falls. Young Master Jin. I like you so much! Keke!”
He takes it like this?
It was to the point of being dumbfounded.
But the bewilderment was soon completely erased.
Since Wang Bang-tae had come out so readily.
‘Shall I start pushing in earnest? Keke.’
Because it was time for negotiations.
***
The contract that So-ah presented specifically stated the overall matters related to the distribution of ‘snow ice stones’.
<North Sea Snow Ice Stone Mining and Distribution Contract>
—The North Sea Ice Palace (hereinafter referred to as ‘A’) and Jin So-ah of the Moyong Family (hereinafter referred to as ‘B’) agree to the following matters.
—Article 1. In the final sale of snow ice stones, B shall be responsible for and carry out all processes from mining, transportation, processing, distribution, and sales.
—Article 2. B shall pay 30% of the total profit to the North Sea (although he had clearly mentioned 40% earlier, So-ah put forward the miraculous logic that the contract was prepared in advance, so it couldn’t be helped).
Article 3. A can flexibly interfere with B’s total amount of snow ice stone mining.
Article 4. A can terminate the contract with B at any time when desired.
Article 5. B shall make the utmost effort to realize the maximization of A’s profits by faithfully distributing the snow ice stones.
A simple but comprehensive contract.
The content was by no means a loss for the North Sea side.
The snow ice stone was actually just a common ore that was not even considered a treasure of the North Sea.
But the moment that stone came to the Central Plains, it became a precious mineral comparable to gold, so this contract was a mutually beneficial deal.
It was a good deal for both the sister and the brother-in-law.
“What do you think? Palace Lord. Do you like the terms of the contract? By any chance, if you don’t like the profit ratio, I can raise it, and you can also add any detailed conditions you want.”
So-ah carefully brought it up.
At that.
“Young Master Jin. This piece of paper is not important. Aren’t I giving my permission because I see your face? So just put it away. I don’t want to be involved with you in a worldly way. We go by trust. Isn’t that right?”
Wang Bang-tae, who had never engaged in commerce with foreign powers, seemed to find the procedure of a contract awkward.
So-ah also nodded and agreed.
“Kya! You’re a real man, Palace Lord. After all, a martial artist’s promise is not established with a piece of paper like this! Hahaha.”
“Of course, of course. A man’s word is worth a thousand gold pieces, and there’s no need to mention the telepathy between you and me, right? Kekeke!”
At the two’s banter, the servants in the room, including Wang So-yeong, were so fed up that their faces turned pale.
‘What… anyone would think they’re father and son.’
But even so, a faint smile was on Wang So-yeong’s face.
In that moment.
“By the way, Young Master Jin.”
Wang Bang-tae opened his mouth softly.
“Yes, Palace Lord.”
“From what you’ve said, it seems you’re planning to distribute a large amount of snow ice stones on this occasion.”
“Of course. As they say, strike while the iron is hot. Now that the demand is high, it’s the perfect time to sell.”
“Hmm… if you want to do that, there’s one problem.”
“What is it?”
“Snow ice stones can be found without difficulty throughout the North Sea, but to continuously mine and meet the quantity, you must occupy the canyon of the Hae-wol Ice Mountain.”
“The canyon of the Hae-wol Ice Mountain… we can just occupy it. Is there a problem?”
“There is.”
“Yes?!”
So-ah asked in surprise.
At that, Wang Bang-tae also said with a slightly dumbfounded expression.
“How much do you know about demonic beasts, spiritual beasts, and spiritual creatures?”
“Hmm… I don’t know much, but I’ve heard of the famous ones. For example, jiangshi, human-faced spiders, horned pythons, and single-horned fire nets.”
“Have you actually seen one?”
“Yes. The internal dan of the Sun Fire Carp that I gave to the Palace Lord before was also obtained by beating the Sun Fire Carp myself. Oh, right! I also caught a Ghost Demon Jiangshi when I was fifteen.”
“You… you caught a Ghost Demon Jiangshi when you were fifteen?”
“Yes. I beat it up by myself. Hahaha.”
At So-ah’s words, Wang Bang-tae said with a pleased look.
“As expected, you’re amazing! This is great. Then you can handle that matter yourself!”
“…What?”
So-ah asked with a questioning look.
At that.
“In the west, there are the Black-scaled Iron-armored Spiders and the Miao-jiang Golden-threaded Pearl Spiders. In the south, there are the Ten-thousand-year Fire Carps and the Winged Beast Demon Dragons. And in our North Sea, there are the Ice Soul Yin Soul Snakes and the Snow Mountain Giants. These are the representative demonic beasts of each region outside the pass.”
“Don’t tell me…”
“The canyon of the Hae-wol Ice Mountain, where the most snow ice stones are buried, is guarded by seven Snow Mountain Giants.”
My goodness.
Just by hearing the name, it must be a tremendous creature.
And there were seven of them.
‘Of course. There’s no such thing as easy money. Hah…!’
So-ah sighed inwardly.
***
He wanted to ask.
Why on earth had they left such a demonic beast alone until now?
But he soon gave up asking.
Just because it was the North Sea Ice Palace, it didn’t mean they had the obligation to catch all the demonic beasts, spiritual beasts, and spiritual creatures of the North Sea.
Moreover, after hearing Wang Bang-tae’s words, there was also a reason.
The martial arts of the North Sea, from the secret techniques to the common third-rate martial arts, all had the nature of cold ice.
This was because the internal energy heart law that formed the basis of the North Sea style martial arts was extremely yin.
Therefore, it was the worst compatibility against the Snow Mountain Giant, whose whole body was like a giant block of ice.
So-ah had nothing to say after hearing that the Ice Palace had dispatched masters several times to get rid of the demonic beast, but it had ended in failure.
“Palace Lord. Don’t worry. I’ll smash the heads of those Snow Mountain Giant or Snow Mountain Beggar or whatever those scraps of demonic beasts are.”
“Kekeke! How refreshing. Then I’ll leave it to you. As long as you catch those guys, I’ll take responsibility and delegate all the authority regarding the distribution of snow ice stones to you.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“But!”
“Yes?”
“The Snow Mountain Giant has an internal dan that is refined with intense internal energy and extremely yin ki. Of course, it’s right for you, the hunter, to take it, but that internal dan has a considerable effect on the martial arts of the North Sea.”
“Ah…!”
There was no such thing as a free lunch.
Although he couldn’t be sure of the value of the Snow Mountain Giant’s internal dan, it was clear that it would be enormous.
‘A proper equivalent exchange, a proper one. Hah, really!’
But So-ah decided to be generous.
He was grateful to Wang Bang-tae for allowing the distribution of the snow ice stones, and thinking of Wang So-yeong, who had become a close friend, there was nothing he couldn’t do.
“So, you’re saying you want me to share some of that internal dan with you, Palace Lord?”
Of course, he had no intention of giving it all away.
“Hoho. As expected, you’re a genius who understands ten things when I say one.”
“Alright. Leave it to me, Palace Lord.”
‘It’s better this way. If the opponent is a demonic beast, I can beat it up like crazy. Kekeke!’
As expected of the God of War’s disciple, So-ah, who had already forgotten his annoyance, raised a subtle fighting spirit in a corner of his heart.
***
The next day.
Hae-wol Ice Mountain—
It was steeper and more rugged than the Manhwa Peak he had climbed with the students or the Samryun Peak where he had lived with his grandfather.
Moreover, as its name suggests, it was a place covered with snow and ice, so an ordinary person would probably be exhausted before even passing the entrance…
But So-ah was rather happy.
How long had it been since he had felt this ‘hardship’!
‘Wow! This is really the best. When the external disciples come, I’ll have to bring them here every year for stamina training. Kekeke.’
Of course, it was a terrible thought that would make certain people tremble like an aspen tree if they heard it.
Just as he reached the canyon with such a sinister thought.
“Gasp…!”
As he had heard, seven demonic beasts were rampaging in front of him, snorting, and So-ah was astonished at their appearance.
“That’s… that’s a giant, a giant.”
The Snow Mountain Giant walked upright like a human and had two arms.
In a way, it looked like a kind of ape, but it was about 20 feet tall, and its surface was made of ice that looked harder than iron armor.
“Grrr…!”
As if it had sensed So-ah’s presence, the Snow Mountain Giant let out a low roar like that of a beast.
It was a sound that made one’s hair stand on end just by hearing it.
But.
“Give me the internal dan!”
As if it was not a threat at all, So-ah, with a single shout.
—Papapang!
He flew forward with the Swift Whale Step.
***
After a shichen (30 minutes)…
Kwagagagang!
“Please!”
Kwareureureung!
“Die!”
Kwagang!
“Are these bastards crazy? What on earth did they eat to be so hard?”
So-ah could not hide his astonishment.
He knew that the Snow Mountain Giant was a demonic beast with a powerful stamina just by looking at its size, but he had never imagined that it would endure so well.
The attack that started with fist wind had developed into fist ki, fist ring, and even fist gang.
Surprisingly, So-ah had not yet caught a single Snow Mountain Giant.
“Ah. There’s no answer to this!”
Just as he was racking his brain in a difficult situation.
Thump, thump.
The sound of low footsteps was imprinted on So-ah’s hearing.
‘A person?’
He opened his ki sense.
It was definitely a human’s walk.
Who could it be?
He raised his eyesight and moved his gaze.
It was absurd to take one’s eyes off the prey during a battle, but since the Snow Mountain Giant’s attack was slow, it was not a threat to So-ah in the first place.
In that moment.
Due to the blizzard and the aftermath of the fierce battle, it was a situation where nothing could be identified with the naked eye.
But So-ah had clearly witnessed one person.
He was none other than.
“The old man I saw at the inn yesterday…?”
It was the mysterious old man in white who had disappeared like a mirage, crushing So-ah’s sixth sense.
(End of Chapter)