Chapter 54

Honestly speaking, the Changcheon Pavilion created by Namgung Woo had lost its significance as a mercenary group.

Why did they set their group identity as a mercenary group rather than a sect or faction?

It was because a mercenary group was the most suitable for achieving two major goals simultaneously.

One, to move freely without being tied to any specific region or organization.

Two, to smoothly secure activity funds.

A mercenary group was the easiest way to achieve these two goals, and the three of them didn’t hesitate to establish Changcheon Pavilion as a mercenary group.

But now, there was no reason to be bound by those two premises. At least the second goal had been fully met.

Funds? With just the Five Tigers Token, they could receive unlimited support from the merchants operated by the Hapbuk Paeng Family or those in alliance with them.

Not only that. Besides the Five Tigers Token, Namgung Woo also had another token, and its original owner was none other than Moyong Hye, the mistress of the Hapbuk Paeng Family.

When leaving the Hapbuk Paeng Family, Moyong Hye said that this was all she could give and handed her token to Namgung Woo.

“I have already become an outsider and cannot promise the support of the Moyong Family. However, I still have some personal assets saved from my time in the Moyong Family.”

At first, Namgung Woo wanted to refuse. He had already received so much from the Hapbuk Paeng Family, why take more? And how much could Moyong Hye have saved anyway? It felt awkward, like taking pocket money.

But he was wrong.

Moyong Hye’s wealth was beyond imagination.

“There’s a saying that the wealth of the world is divided between the north and south, with the north’s wealth going to the Moyong Family and the south’s to the Nine Dragons Association.”

The Moyong Family, which monopolized the triangular trade connecting the north, the east, and the central plains, was the foremost merchant family in the world.

Once, they were among the top martial families of the Seven Great Families, but after truly tasting the sweetness of wealth, they became more interested in managing their business than training in martial arts. Now, their pure martial strength is considered lower-tier, alongside the Jegal Family.

However, it is said that the Moyong Family alone accounts for 30% of the Martial Alliance’s operating costs and 10% of the Ming Imperial Family’s tax revenue, standing tall in the world with their financial power.

The “World’s Richest Family.” That was the nickname attached to the Moyong Family. They had truly fallen into the depths of capitalism.

Naturally, Moyong Hye’s personal wealth, as the jewel of such a family, rivaled the total assets of a decent sect.

Namgung Woo shook off his guilt and accepted Moyong Hye’s token.

In any case, Changcheon Pavilion had already secured a budget comparable to that of a mid-tier sect.

There was no need to desperately seek commissions for funds.

Yet, Namgung Woo followed Yang Jeong’s advice.

“There’s a certain romance to being a mercenary group.”

It brought back nostalgic memories of the days when they roamed the Chasing Deer Murim, taking on various commissions with Namgung Pung and Namgung Mae. His improved memory, thanks to his transformed body, vividly recalled the joy of those times.

“And there are clear advantages to having more people.”

The speed might slow down a bit, but there were definite benefits, such as information from others and the time saved by avoiding unnecessary conflicts.

It’s not for nothing that Paeng Ha-ryeong wears a mask. It’s best to avoid such pointless disturbances if possible.

It took exactly two days to travel from Jin River to Nanjing. It was about 120 li (60 km), and by practicing their lightness skills, they reached Nanjing in no time.

“Wow~ They say Nanjing is amazing, but it really seems even grander than Beijing!”

Yang Kwae exclaimed in front of Nanjing’s city walls.

Nanjing had a four-layered structure.

The outermost outer walls surrounded the outer city, the inner walls enclosed the capital city, and within the capital city lay the palace city and the imperial city, the heart of Nanjing.

As the stronghold that allowed Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, to conquer the world, Nanjing was reborn as the foremost city in the central plains under his full support.

Although it had now ceded its status as the capital to Beijing under the emperors who followed Yongle Emperor, in terms of city size and prosperity, Nanjing surpassed Beijing.

“Yao Fang Gate…”

Namgung Woo softly recited the characters on the plaque of the gate they had passed through.

Yao Fang Gate was one of the 18 gates in the outer city, located in the northeast. Those coming from Jin River usually entered Nanjing through Yao Fang Gate.

As soon as they passed through Yao Fang Gate and entered Nanjing, what caught their eyes was the massive city walls in the distance. The outer city was impressive, but the inner city was even more so.

And the towering pavilions, as if competing with the city walls, proudly displayed their high noses, while the majestic Zhongshan Mountain, with its graceful ridges, proved that humans still couldn’t surpass nature.

While Beijing was a meticulously planned administrative city, grand yet somewhat bland, Nanjing, also a planned city, beautifully harmonized with nature, embodying multifaceted values at a glance.

Of course, this was from the perspective of Azure Tranquility Eyes, which observed the world as if from the heavens.

“Instead of standing here, let’s move.”

Paeng Ha-ryeong grabbed Namgung Woo’s wrist, pulling him along as he was lost in observing Nanjing with Azure Tranquility Eyes.

Thud, thud. They bumped into passersby, but neither Namgung Woo nor the pedestrians paid much attention. With so many people around, shoulders brushing was a common occurrence.

“Honestly, in terms of grandeur, modern buildings are more impressive….”

But from Namgung Woo’s perspective, the unique charm of pre-modern city walls and buildings was still worth being mesmerized by.

“Ha-ryeong.”

“Yes?”

“After this is over, let’s really take our time and tour around before heading back.”

“Yes!”

§

Yang Kwae was at the forefront of the group. Though all four were first-timers, Yang Kwae confidently took the lead as their guide.

“No matter how big Nanjing is, the Mercenary Association is always in the same kind of place, boss.”

Where do mercenaries take commissions?

While some commissions are requested through personal connections, that’s only for those with well-established networks or renowned reputations.

Most mercenaries find commissions through the Mercenary Association in each region.

“So, is there something like a mercenary badge? Something used in the Mercenary Association?”

Recalling settings from modern novels or Chasing Deer Murim, Namgung Woo asked.

“Wow, as expected of the boss. If something like that were made, wouldn’t mercenaries become completely organized? But implementing that would come with a host of problems.”

“The Mercenary Association is just a middleman. As you said, boss, for that to work, the Mercenary Association itself would need independent control and management, requiring massive budgets and manpower. It’s realistically difficult.”

“Most Mercenary Associations are set up by retired mercenaries gathering their connections. But grudges aren’t easily settled. So, those who flaunt their wealth and spread rumors are just trying to shift blame, saying, ‘I made a fortune, and since you didn’t come to me then, it’s your fault.'”

Nanjing was huge. Very.

Even as they chatted and walked briskly, it was hard to tell when they’d arrive.

“Maybe we should find a place to stay first.”

“Ah! There’s a branch of our family’s merchant group in Nanjing too, let’s go there.”

Paeng Ha-ryeong raised her voice, eager to take charge. Her clear voice drew the attention of passersby, even though she was wearing a mask.

“Using the family’s merchant group will spread rumors.”

Just the Jegal Family moving had caused rumors to spread widely from Hubei’s Wuhan to the Southern Directly Administered Region’s Jin River. If word got out that guests had visited the Paeng Family’s merchant group, what then?

Already, Namgung Woo and Paeng Ha-ryeong’s presence was drawing various attention. Soon, rumors would spread that the Paeng Family was targeting this year’s Four Seasons Brew.

“Boss, we’re really almost there. Mercenary Associations are usually located a bit away from the merchant districts, but in a big city like Nanjing, there are several, so we’ll arrive soon.”

Yang Kwae was right.

After walking for almost an hour, they arrived at a Mercenary Association bustling with people who clearly looked like martial artists.

“See? I was right, wasn’t I?”

Proudly speaking, Yang Kwae pushed aside the curtain at the entrance and stepped inside.

“No! How many times do I have to say it! We need a Peak Master!”

As soon as they entered, a loud voice greeted them. A young man was shouting at someone who appeared to be a Mercenary Association staff member.

Hearing this, Yang Kwae smirked and turned to Namgung Woo.

“Looks like this is where Peak Master Yang Kwae needs to step in, boss?”