Chapter 30

Chapter 29. Hwasaeng got a blessing. (4)

"Really, what a mountain."

Yoo Jong-san let out an involuntary groan.

The terrain of Hwasaeng was so treacherous that even the people living in Hwamyeong would exclaim in frustration.

It was only thanks to the guards assisting him that he could climb the mountain; an ordinary person would not dare to attempt reaching the summit of Hwasaeng.

The fact that he had to climb this perilous mountain again in less than a week was making both his body and mind uncomfortable.

"Ugh."

"Mr. Yoo, please keep going."

"I'm already putting in effort!"

Irritation laced Yoo Jong-san's voice. The guards were pushing him, but climbing this steep path was no easy task.

He had to rely on a worn-out single rope to climb the cliff, which was so steep that it seemed impossible for anyone to pass. This was why Hwasaeng could not develop.

'I won’t come to this treacherous place again once I get the money.'

Now, he found Hwasaeng repulsive.

After barely climbing the cliff, they reached a slightly flat area. Gae Hwaryang's leader, Gong Mun-yeon, glanced back and, upon confirming that everyone had climbed, spoke.

"Let's take a short break here."

"Oh, Mr. Gong. That's a good idea. My legs are trembling..."

"Mr. Yoo, you should exercise more."

"Hehehe. I don’t usually hear that I lack stamina, but this mountain is just too steep."

"Indeed, it is one of the Five Great Mountains."

Yoo Jong-san nodded and sat on a rock.

"Mr. Gong."

Hwasaeng's leader, Bang Yeom, who had been observing the situation, approached Gong Mun-yeon.

"What is it?"

"Why did the head of the sect suddenly call us to Hwasaeng?"

The gazes of those rubbing their legs turned to Gong Mun-yeon.

"Perhaps he has managed to raise the money?"

Gong Mun-yeon smiled gently.

"Is that possible? Ten thousand silver taels is not a small amount."

Gong Mun-yeon stated firmly.

"But what if he borrowed it?"

"There is no one in the world who would lend ten thousand silver taels to a failing Hwasaeng. If there were such a kind-hearted person, they wouldn't be rich."

"Indeed..."

Yoo Jong-san shrugged.

"Then, what do you think, Mr. Gong? Why do you think the head of the sect called us?"

"Perhaps he is trying to negotiate."

"Negotiate?"

Gong Mun-yeon turned his head to look at the summit of Hwasaeng. The Hwasaeng Sect was up there.

"There is no way to come up with the money, and even if he pleads for an extension on the repayment date, it won’t help. So, he might be trying to find another solution by calling us here in advance."

"Hmm."

Yoo Jong-san clicked his tongue.

"Are you saying that someone who can't pay back the money is calling us here? I’ve never seen such a stubborn debtor in my life."

"Although he is in trouble due to money, he is still the head of the Hwasaeng Sect. Don’t use such harsh words."

"Mr. Gong, you are truly kind. Do you still want to think so highly of someone who borrowed money and hasn’t paid it back for decades?"

Gong Mun-yeon laughed awkwardly.

"Let’s maintain our manners. After all, the name Hwasaeng will soon disappear from the world. Isn’t it too cruel to make them suffer until the end?"

"Everyone will know about Mr. Gong’s kindness."

"Indeed, your character is different."

"Thank you."

Gong Mun-yeon bowed.

Yoo Jong-san watched this and inwardly clicked his tongue.

'He’s just putting on a show.'

Since he planned to seize the buildings and evict them, what was the point of maintaining manners? The debtors would be grateful for the courtesy.

'However...'

Yoo Jong-san raised his head and looked at the summit.

'There’s no way I’ll lose money.'

He always wondered if he could sell the halls at their true value. Gong Mun-yeon had made bold claims, but as a merchant, he had to worry first when it came to money.

But now, Yoo Jong-san was not worried.

'Since someone from Zhongnan is here, it’s clear they are interested.'

The fact that Hwasaeng and Zhongnan were once bitter enemies was known to all.

Although Hwasaeng’s existence had been forgotten and Zhongnan had risen to prominence, the centuries-long enmity had not easily faded.

Moreover, the current leaders of Zhongnan had not experienced the time when Hwasaeng dominated Zhongnan. If the enmity still existed, they would not let the buildings of Hwasaeng remain to bear witness to that history.

'Gong Mun-yeon must also be planning to sell the halls to Zhongnan.'

Yoo Jong-san felt warm inside.

Ten thousand silver taels.

Of that, he was to receive five thousand silver taels.

Five thousand silver taels was a huge sum. One silver tael could sustain an ordinary family for a month, and these were not silver but gold taels, five thousand of them!

With that money, he wouldn’t need to do business. It was enough to last for generations.

The long tug-of-war was finally ending. The thought of finally receiving the money made Yoo Jong-san’s heart race.

'I wonder what the head of the sect will look like.'

The thought of his stern face contorting brought a smile to Yoo Jong-san’s lips. Although he felt a bit bitter, he suppressed the rising sympathy. After all, money knows no family or friends.

"Let’s continue climbing."

"Yes."

Everyone looked exhausted, but no one suggested taking another break.

The money-blinded group began climbing Hwasaeng again.

"Every time I come here, it seems so strange."

Someone made a joke.

"It’s just a bunch of crumbling buildings."

The tone was filled with unease.

Crumbling buildings, walls, and a main gate with the door falling off. It was clear that the sect was either failing or had already failed. Yet, there was something that captured the attention of those who saw it.

The weight of Hwasaeng, which had guarded Shaanxi for hundreds of years.

Though unspoken, everyone shared the same feeling.

But they ignored it.

They were there to cut off Hwasaeng’s lifeline. If they did not accept the head of the sect’s proposal today, Hwasaeng would not last more than seven days.

The lineage of Hwasaeng, which had protected Hwamyeong for hundreds of years, would finally come to an end.

"Ahem."

"Ahem!"

They all knew how heavy this task was. They coughed nervously, saying nothing.

While they had no intention of ignoring the reality of money, Hwasaeng held deep significance for them as people of Hwamyeong. The thought of cutting off the lifeline of such a place with their own hands made them hesitate.

"Let’s go in."

Only Gong Mun-yeon maintained a calm demeanor. He led the way, and the others, after a moment’s hesitation, awkwardly followed.

"Have you arrived?"

Inside the main gate, Yunyan greeted them.

"Yunyan, it’s been a while."

"I am not worthy of the title 'Zhenren.' Please call me Yunyan."

"Then I will call you Daozhang. Is that acceptable?"

Yunyan smiled silently.

"The head of the sect is waiting. This way."

"Hmm."

Gong Mun-yeon frowned slightly.

'He seems so at ease?'

When he came last time, the Yunzi disciples had blocked them with pale faces. Now, Yunyan showed no sign of the urgency he had seen before.

Even if the head of the sect had called them and knew they would arrive around this time, it was unusual that there was no sign of discomfort.

Gong Mun-yeon watched Yunyan’s back for a moment before following.

'Maybe this is the true face of Hwasaeng.'

Perhaps they had accepted and let go of the fact that everything was coming to an end. Instead of being preoccupied with money and discomfort, they might be showing their true selves as Hwasaeng Daoists.

'I’m overthinking things.'

Perhaps it was because the moment of finally achieving everything he had desired had arrived. Ordinary people tend to relax when they reach their goals, but Gong Mun-yeon was the type to be even more alert at such times.

As they followed Yunyan, they reached the head of the sect’s quarters. There, Hwasaeng’s head, Xianzhong, was already waiting.

"Greetings, head of the sect."

Gong Mun-yeon bowed first, and the others, who had been following him, bowed in unison.

It was their last visit, and they seemed to have taken his words about maintaining manners to heart.

"Welcome. Thank you for the trouble of climbing this treacherous mountain."

Xianzhong smiled gently and greeted them.

"I apologize for taking your time amidst your busy schedules. I know I should have come down to greet you, but please understand my limitations."

"Please, we are busy, but surely not as busy as the head of the sect. It is only natural that we came."

Gong Mun-yeon responded with a smile.

"Then, what is the matter...?"

"Ha ha. Is there any rush? You must be tired from climbing the mountain. Would you like some tea...?"

"Head of the sect."

Gong Mun-yeon cut him off politely but firmly.

"Enjoying tea and conversation is a good thing, but we are humble merchants. We prefer to discuss business matters first."

"Ah."

"Merchants are a breed that can’t enjoy a meal or a cup of tea when they have problems to solve. Please understand our position."

"No, I was only thinking of myself."

Xianzhong laughed heartily and looked at the merchants.

"Let’s get straight to the point."

"Thank you."

Gong Mun-yeon smiled lightly.

"The reason I have gathered you here today is to convey Hwasaeng’s position."

"What do you mean by Hwasaeng’s position?"

Xianzhong glanced at Gong Mun-yeon.

From that small gesture, Gong Mun-yeon could sense what was coming next.

"Despite our best efforts, we could not find anyone to lend money to Hwasaeng. In other words, it seems impossible to repay the debt by the repayment date, no matter what we do."

"Ah."

Gong Mun-yeon frowned at Xianzhong’s words.

"Head of the sect, we have given you ample time. We are merchants who need to earn a living. We cannot extend the repayment date any further."

"That’s why I’m saying this."

Xianzhong met everyone’s gaze and spoke.

"I know we cannot delay it any further. However, repaying ten thousand silver taels by the repayment date is impossible for Hwasaeng. So, I ask for your help."

Xianzhong bowed deeply.

"While we cannot repay the entire amount, we can repay a portion. If any of you can extend the repayment date personally, please help Hwasaeng."

Everyone was taken aback by the head of the sect’s bow and could only stare in silence.

The atmosphere began to shift strangely.