Chapter 48. Thin Profit, High Volume (薄利多賣).

A gentle smile appeared on Baek Mijoo's face.

"Who said they would send the ascending platform immediately? I plan to send it out next spring, so don't worry too much."

"Mother, the disciples... they have their lives."

Currently, Walong Hall was operating in an unconventional manner. Even the Yan family clan members, who had longed for a martial arts family, were saying that Walong Hall was selling its disciples to the merchant guilds. Yan Wubai, the grandmaster, felt a deep pain in his heart every time he heard such words.

"You're right, they do have their lives. But not yet. If they learned the ultimate martial arts at Walong Hall, they should pay the price."

Yan Wubai felt suffocated by his mother's overly calculating words.

The Walong Hall led by his mother was very different from what he had seen and learned at the Nangong family.

The Nangong family treated their disciples like direct descendants. Although there were differences in the transmission of martial arts, they did not view the disciples as a means of making money.

Therefore, the Nangong family's disciples were extremely loyal to the Nangong family. In Hefei, the name of the Nangong family was revered to the point of worship.

In comparison, Walong Hall seemed to deserve the label of being unscrupulous. After teaching for only about six months, they sent the disciples to the merchant guilds under the pretext of practical training.

For now, there were no complaints, but eventually, the disciples would become dissatisfied. When that time comes, it's doubtful that anyone would be willing to help Walong Hall.

"Isn't the training fee enough?"

"Well, it's only fifty coins per person. Ten coins for children. That money doesn't even cover the food expenses. Do you know how much money goes into food, lodging, weapons, and medicine? If you knew, you wouldn't think it was expensive."

"But..."

"You just need to be an excellent grandmaster. Don't worry about the rest; I'll take care of it. Establishing Walong Hall as a martial arts family is my responsibility. When you become the head of the family, you can do as you wish."

"When will I become the head of the family, Mother?"

"When Walong Hall stands shoulder to shoulder with the Five Great Families."

"As long as we keep selling the disciples, that day will never come."

Baek Mijoo's face hardened instantly.

She was well aware of what the Yan family members were whispering behind her back. She had tried to ignore it, thinking that someone had to take the blame. But hearing such words from her son, whom she considered her ally, was unbearable.

"Do you think I'm doing this for my own greed? Far from it. I'm doing this for you, Shengbai, and Seolju. Walong Hall is yours. When you're older, you'll understand why I'm doing this."

Yan Wubai stood up.

He didn't want to continue the conversation, feeling that his mother was treating him like a child.

As he walked a few steps, Yan Wubai quietly said,

"Mother, I'm not a child anymore. Don't say everything is for our sake. You're just pushing yourself too hard out of resentment for Father."

"Shut up! What do you know?"

"..."

Sighing, Yan Wubai left the guest hall without looking back.

Baek Mijoo, unable to control her anger, nervously flipped through the ledger.

She thought her son, whom she had raised, was now speaking without restraint because he had grown up.

As time passed, Baek Mijoo's emotions calmed down.

Upon reflection, her son's criticism didn't seem entirely wrong.

Her son's words about selling the disciples had pierced her heart.

She realized that she might have been thinking the same way.

She had ignored the whispers of the Yan family members, but she couldn't ignore her son's words.

Baek Mijoo immediately summoned the chief manager, Yan Mudu.

"Brother, how much are we currently paying the Blue Dragon and White Tiger disciples?"

"Five hundred coins per month."

"Starting next month, increase it to one silver tael."

Since the money coming in from the merchant guilds was three silver taels, one tael seemed reasonable.

Yan Mudu looked at Baek Mijoo with a puzzled expression.

From a financial management perspective, unexpected expenses were not welcome.

"If we do that, there will be no reserve funds... Why are you doing this suddenly?"

"No reserve funds?"

"We just accepted new disciples. It costs a lot to support them."

"Just bear with it for now. Sending the ascending platform to the merchant guilds will ease the financial strain."

"Until when?"

"Next summer, when the merchant guilds are busiest, I plan to sign a contract for the ascending platform."

"Understood. I'll do it."

Yan Mudu looked at Baek Mijoo with a regretful expression.

However, Baek Mijoo, who no longer needed his help, ignored him.

Hesitating, Yan Mudu quietly stood up.

After Yan Mudu left, Baek Mijoo sneered.

Why would she associate with the old Yan Mudu when there were young and obedient men in Kaifeng who were willing to fawn over her?

***

Bofeng County.

Xiajia Village.

Finally, the Ten Heroes of Wu Peak arrived at Wu Peak.

It had been a full four months since they left in early summer.

The Ten Heroes of Wu Peak, shivering in the cold, hurriedly walked toward the inn, hoping to fill their stomachs with rich food before climbing the mountain.

As the Ten Heroes of Wu Peak entered Sahaelu, the owner rushed over with a smile.

"Oh! Our esteemed heroes! It's been a long time! Your faces look even better than before!"

Cai Zhuyan waved his hand with a laugh.

"Ha! Better? Not a chance. We've been freezing on the road for a month. Bring out your best dishes, enough for all of us."

"Of course, of course, I'll take good care of you."

The owner led the Ten Heroes of Wu Peak to their seats and then rushed to the kitchen.

Han Chayan, who had taken a seat, stretched his arms.

"Ah! It's good to be back. It was so hot when we left, but why was it so cold on the way back?"

"That's true. It feels like we're already home. Right?"

Lee Cholsan responded affectionately to Han Chayan's words.

Watching the two of them, Xia Sobaek pouted.

"Are you two getting too close lately? I wouldn't be surprised if you start a household soon."

"Hey! What are you talking about?"

Han Chayan playfully hit Xia Sobaek, but the slight upward curve of his lips suggested he wasn't entirely displeased.

Feng Yanchao looked at Han Chayan and Lee Cholsan with a meaningful gaze.

Han Chayan had lingered around Lian Jie for quite some time. However, due to her past in a brothel, it seemed she had eventually turned her heart towards Lee Cholsan.

'Should I prepare a new room for them?'

With Chanmo and her family already there, adding one more room wouldn't be a problem.

While Feng Yanchao was thinking, the guests approached and greeted him.

"Feng Cai, it's been a long time."

"Have you been well? I heard you went far. It's good to see you again."

"Hello, I'm Bai Anji, the head of Baihuashangfang. I passed by the mountain lodge earlier and plan to visit formally soon."

Thanks to the reputation of Wu Peak Lodge, more people were inquiring and greeting them.

While Feng Yanchao was exchanging greetings, the food arrived.

As the tables filled with dishes, the guests stopped approaching, careful not to disturb Feng Yanchao's meal.

The Ten Heroes of Wu Peak ate until they were full and then slowly stood up. It was only late afternoon, but the winter sun set early, so they needed to hurry back to the mountain lodge.

***

The year had changed.

After returning from the Green Forest Conference, the Ten Heroes of Wu Peak were reluctant to go on expeditions.

Gumilfu Jian Shim Yang also avoided expeditions to save face.

As a result, even after the Ten Heroes of Wu Peak returned, the lone wanderer Huang Yaoming led the bandits.

During their free time, the Ten Heroes of Wu Peak practiced in the backyard, wanting to keep their martial arts skills hidden from other bandits. There was a reason for this.

After the Green Forest Conference, there was a slight change in the relationship between the Ten Heroes of Wu Peak and Lian Jie. The Ten Heroes of Wu Peak regarded Lian Jie as a sworn brother and martial arts master. In this atmosphere, a consensus formed to keep the sect's secret techniques hidden from outsiders.

In fact, revealing one's unique martial arts to outsiders was a risky move.

With the new year, a strange atmosphere permeated the mountain lodge.

A slight gap had formed between the Ten Heroes of Wu Peak and the bandits. The relationship between sworn brothers and other bandits couldn't be entirely the same. Additionally, the fact that other bandits had fled during a crisis played a role.

Still, the Wu Peak Lodge was running better than ever.

The bandits avoided conflicts, watching Lian Jie's reactions, and despite the winter, the tolls from merchants were sufficient to live on.

When the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) arrived, the bandits gathered at Shanghua Pavilion for a drinking party.

As the alcohol flowed and the conversation became more relaxed, Huang Yaoming said,

"Lord Cai, the merchant guilds are always playing tricks."

"What do you mean?"

"They're reducing the number of merchants. They think one silver tael per merchant is too much. Shouldn't we just collect a flat rate like other mountain lodges?"

"Flat rate?"

"Yes, to be honest, it's hard to catch them if they're determined to deceive us."

The bandits nodded in agreement.

However, Feng Yanchao thought differently.

"It's fine. Let it be."

"But they dare to deceive us..."

"Let it be. They're probably doing it because it's a burden. What's it called? Thin profit, high volume? Selling a lot at a low price. Right?"

"Um, that sounds right?"

"Exactly, the same principle. If the toll is cheaper, more merchants will come. What will happen then? The total income will increase gradually. Got it? So don't worry about it."

"If we prevent them from deceiving us, we'll get more..."

"Damn! Just let it be. Even if I explain it to you, you still don't get it. You're like a chicken trying to cut open its belly to get the eggs and ending up in a mess. Answer me. Has our income decreased? Increased?"

"It's increased a little."

"Even though the merchants are deceiving us, the income has increased, right?"

"Yes."

"Exactly! That's what I want. Don't try to take big cuts from a few places; just collect a little from many places. Got it?"

"…Yes."

Huang Yaoming answered, but his mouth was still open.

He was frustrated because he could make more money but was being told to take less.

Feng Yanchao pointed at Huang Yaoming.

"Ah! Look at that mouth. Your greed is reaching the sky. I know you're working hard, but don't try to squeeze the merchants. We're eating well and living well, right? Do you have a household to support? Do you need more money?"

Compared to other lodge leaders, Feng Yanchao was less greedy and distributed the money from the merchant guilds fairly. The Wu Peak bandits were receiving more than three silver taels a month.

"That's not the case."

"Stop being obsessed with money and practice your martial arts. You never know who might pretend to be crazy and attack us. There are plenty of people who are eager to make a name for themselves."

As the Wu Peak Lodge became more famous, it would attract the attention of the righteous sects. For martial artists eager to gain fame quickly, there was no better target.

When the bandits seemed to be dismissing his words, Feng Yanchao scolded them.

"Listen up. If there's a fight at the foot of the mountain, we won't know about it here. Unless I go on an expedition with Brother Jie, you need to protect yourselves. Don't loaf around when there are no expeditions. When the weather clears, wandering knights might start poking around Wu Peak."

Then, Togomu added,

"Lord Cai is right. Do you know that our Wu Peak Lodge is becoming known in Henan Province? There might be people who come to challenge us. If you want to live long, don't slack off in your training."

Some nodded, but most treated it as a nagging lecture. They couldn't really believe that high-level experts from the righteous sects would target them.