Murong Family.
Though it had significantly weakened compared to other martial arts families, no one could deny that the Murong Family was the dominant power in Yodong Province, with no rival sect or martial family to compare.
Currently, the Murong Family was divided into two factions.
Changryong Hall and Changbong Hall.
A place where a phoenix, having killed a dragon and turned into an unworthy creature due to jealousy and envy, resides.
At present, the Murong Family stood in a tense confrontation under the names of Dragon and Phoenix.
Changbong Hall.
A private training ground in a hidden place, accessible only to closest associates.
There stood a woman with a sword in her hand.
Anyone who saw her for the first time would momentarily freeze in awe before her breathtaking beauty.
Even someone who had roamed the martial world for a lifetime would claim they had never seen a woman more beautiful, and any connoisseur would not hesitate to identify her as the most stunning beauty in the martial world.
The name of the most stunning beauty in the martial world was Murong Sang-a.
The phoenix, who had killed her husband, was performing a sorrowful sword dance.
“Your achievements seem to improve day by day.”
The Great Lord of Spear Peak looked at Murong Sang-a, who had stopped training, in admiration.
It was an unbelievable feat. How many years had it taken him to reach that level? The Great Lord of Spear Peak had never seen anyone achieve such mastery at this age.
“I am still lacking. What happened to the matters I instructed?”
Murong Sang-a asked with an indifferent expression. Even the way her damp hair clung to her cheek was alluring.
“The private merchants from Joseon have resumed illegal ginseng trade after a year. They are currently trading in the border town of Cheokmun with our merchants.”
“If we purchase Joseon ginseng, make sure it is distributed throughout the Central Plains using the acquired businesses.”
“That is….”
The Great Lord of Spear Peak hesitated as if something was troubling him.
“What’s the matter?”
“A big problem has arisen.”
———
Joseon also conducts regular public ginseng trade. However, ginseng is an elixir that enhances internal strength and revitalizes the spirit.
The volume of public ginseng trade from Joseon could never meet the demand of the Central Plains. Therefore, beyond the border river of Amnok, illegal ginseng trade often took place in Yodong Province.
The illegal ginseng trade was so profitable that any merchant from Joseon would covet it. For decades, one family had dominated the illegal ginseng trade from Joseon.
The Kang Family.
The now-extinct Kang Family originated from a family of interpreters and started with small-scale illegal trade, eventually getting involved with the border trade and expanding to the Central Plains, finally dominating the distribution of Joseon ginseng.
“Did they say they want to find other trading partners?”
Murong Sang-a said as she headed with the Great Lord of Spear Peak to the location where the illegal ginseng trade was taking place.
Other trading partners?
All businesses and merchants related to the illegal ginseng trade that the Kang Family operated in the Central Plains were under her control.
Only she should be able to handle the entire volume of ginseng from Joseon.
“They say they are not satisfied with the price we quoted.”
“You must have told the merchants to quote the average price. I mentioned they could even increase it by up to 20% if negotiations were tough.”
Murong Sang-a looked at the Great Lord of Spear Peak with a hint of worry.
“They are quoting double the price. Moreover, they say they will only offer more than 30% of the previous year’s amount.”
“Double? Are they saying there’s a shortage of ginseng from Joseon?”
It was true that the illegal ginseng trade from Joseon had halted for a year due to the Kang Family’s treason incident. However, there was stock in the Central Plains. It made no sense to immediately pay double the price.
“If the supply had been cut off for a year, we could simply buy the volume that was missed in addition to that year’s.”
“They have apparently come with two years’ worth of ginseng.”
“It seems they have some ulterior motive. Let’s meet them anyway.”
Murong Sang-a and her group arrived at the town where the illegal trade was taking place.
As they walked a little, numerous boxes of ginseng and a temporary tent secretly set up in between came into view.
When Murong Sang-a and her group entered the tent where the Joseon merchants and the merchants acquired by the Murong Family were gathered, all eyes turned towards them.
Especially, a middle-aged man who seemed to be the representative of the Joseon merchants could not take his eyes off Murong Sang-a.
“What a woman of such breathtaking beauty! I can tell who she is. Quickly, clear a spot for her! The benefactor of the Joseon merchant community has arrived!”
The representative quickly regained his composure and welcomed her fussily.
“Benefactor?”
“Indeed! Thanks to the benefactor’s denunciation, we wiped out those Kang Family scoundrels who had seized control of the Joseon merchant community. What else can they be but benefactors!”
The atmosphere in the tent instantly froze at the merchant’s words, boldly touching on the Great Lord of Spear Peak’s vulnerabilities.
Murong Sang-a narrowed her eyes and glared at the man. Was he someone who didn’t know the bounds of decency, or was he intentionally provoking her from the start?
The merchants under her command could only be anxious, knowing that the moment martial artists draw their swords, the trade could be disrupted, leading to bloodshed.
However, Murong Sang-a too was the leader of a group.
Now, nearing two years since that halt, she wouldn’t fall for such a small provocation.
“I heard the story on the way. Let’s get straight to the point. I will add 30% on top of last year’s price. In return, please transfer all volumes.”
“Double is out of the question. However, adding 30% to last year’s price should satisfy us both.”
Murong Sang-a conceded a step as she spoke to the provoking man.
“Who do you think you are to overstep your bounds? The proposal for trade is our prerogative, backed by the volume we possess. We demand double and will only hand over 30%.”
“How dare you…!”
“Lord!”
How dare the lowly black-haired barbarian merchant belittle the lord! The atmosphere inside the tent grew heated, and the merchants began to turn pale.
However, only Murong Sang-a and the provoking merchant remained calm.
“I hold the ginseng market in the Central Plains. Where do you think you can digest such volume?”
Murong Sang-a raised her hand to restrain the Great Lord of Spear Peak and said to the merchant.
“Isn’t it possible to sell it to others in the Central Plains who require ginseng after passing through Yodong Province?”
“…… You have a great deal of gall.”
The words may have been a compliment, but the tone was dripping with sarcasm.
Joseon ginseng is an elixir. Whether it’s martial artists or commoners, they all seek this elixir. Are general merchants really carrying it, without diplomatic privileges?
Bandits, forest rogues, highwaymen, and even those from righteous sects could pull a sword in secret.
“I’ll pay a hefty escort fee since I know how dangerous it is to head to the Central Plains. After all, the business dealings between the Kang Family and the Murong Family weren’t of a trivial nature.”
Don’t ask for too much for the ginseng; just stay put and provide escort services.
Murong Sang-a reflected on the words spoken by the merchant who had gathered the forces of the illegal ginseng trade.
‘If it goes on like this, I will lose the lead in the ginseng trade.’
She had a plethora of businesses, but many of them depended on securing ginseng.
Murong Sang-a recalled a man in her heart.
‘Sangong.’
She could endure humiliation. However, the legacy he left her, which he had willingly sacrificed himself for, she could not lose to ruffians.
As the hegemonic power of Yodong Province and the ruler of Changbong Hall, Murong Sang-a endured the contempt of those who did not know their bounds, not for wealth, but because she wanted to preserve what Sangong had left her.
Murong Sang-a decided to take one last step back before the merchants who knew nothing of their place.
“I will add 50% on top of last year’s price. I believe that’s a price you can find satisfactory without needing to weigh your pride.”
Murong Sang-a spoke, not looking at the man before her, but instead addressing the other Joseon merchants nearby.
Adding 50% to the average price. Even considering the cost, it was a tremendous profit.
The tent buzzed with murmurs. However, the representative of the Joseon merchants had enough composure to quell the commotion.
“I will hand over 40% of what we have. Let that suffice.”
“… Alright.”
“Miss! With that amount, all our businesses will go hungry!”
Merchants from Murong Sang-a’s side exclaimed in shock. They hadn’t purchased ginseng for a year, and 40% was simply unacceptable.
Of course, they had brought two years’ worth, so they might manage to part with that stock today. But if the lead changed hands, they would be forced to yield again in the future, and the outlook was bleak.
“Merchants, please step outside with the Great Lord of Spear Peak to verify the quantity and quality.”
Ignoring the merchants’ opinions, Murong Sang-a ushered them outdoors.
“Why didn’t you do this earlier? Now, let’s discuss the escort. If you sit beside my carriage, I will ensure the escort fee is ample henceforth.”
Perhaps it was the thrill of victory. The merchant made to touch Murong Sang-a’s delicate, white hand resting atop the table, like a sly, alluring serpent.
Murong Sang-a swiftly batted the man’s hand away.
“I never said I would accept your escort.”
“Then, do all the businesses below you have to starve to death?”
“…….”
“I will lead the ginseng trade from Joseon from now on, so of course, you should treat me well, yes?”
Murong Sang-a stared at the man.
While her wealth was indeed immense, it was not limitless.
Given that this was the business of the Kang Family, if ginseng could not be supplied steadily, it was only natural that many businesses would perish.
“Because of us, the Kang Family is trying to deal with the remnants of those bastards. If it had been other merchants, they probably wouldn’t even consider trading. So, isn’t it better to keep it amicable?”
The merchant, seeing Murong Sang-a’s troubled expression, secretly smirked.
He figured that with just a little more intimidation, he could have her sit beside him. Unable to contain his rising lust, the man reached out again like a snake.
Murong Sang-a forcibly swatted the man’s hand away a second time.
“Impudent woman! Fine. Let’s see how long you can keep that up.”
The man grimaced and grabbed his wrist, furiously shouting.
The merchant, caught up in the excitement of a significant deal, forgot his initial calm resolve and lost himself after seeing her stunning appearance the moment she entered the tent.
“Miss, we have loaded all the ginseng.”
Upon hearing the report from the Great Lord of Spear Peak, Murong Sang-a stood up.
“Surely you’re not considering abandoning the trade out of pride. Girl, let me teach you how to bend your pride as a senior merchant.”
“How should I do that?”
The corners of Murong Sang-a’s lips curled slightly upward. However, her smile was as cold as a blade poised at one’s heart.
So beautiful. Too beautiful.
The man, captivated by her beauty, was oblivious to the dangerous undertone of her smile that he should never covet.
In fact, he mistakenly thought it was right to provoke her even more.
“Come here. If you take off your thick clothes to show your fair skin, and pour me a drink, I might specially toss in five additional portions for you. A widow who doesn’t know how to enjoy her first night should at least offer me a drink.”
Perhaps intoxicated by victory, or unable to regain his senses due to her beauty, the man had clearly crossed the line.
Brutally trampling and mocking a loser was something one could do to a rival, not to a trading partner.
Murong Sang-a fixated her chilling smile like a blade piercing the heart, directed right at the man.
The business handed down to her by Sangong. She could not ruin that deal. Therefore, she endured the humiliation.
Even in a nonsensical negotiation, she believed she would secure some profit, so she made concessions.
But the man had touched upon the untouchable, tapped into the unapproachable topic.
Burning hot, furious rage blazed in Murong Sang-a’s chest.
“Great Lord of Spear Peak.”
“Your Excellency!”
“Burn all the remaining ginseng.”
She decided to ignite the flames of her cold rage.
