Chapter 51

Chapter 50. Even if it goes wrong, don't blame. (5)

Hwang Jong-i could not hide his disappointment.

'Is it really impossible, even like this?'

The head of the Galaxy Merchant Guild, his father Hwang Mun-yak, was getting sicker every day. Until recently, he was still conscious, but lately, the days when he could not regain his senses had increased significantly.

A person who is unconscious cannot eat.

If this continues, it is clear that he will not last more than a few days.

In a hurry, he invited the best doctors in the land and even sought help from the martial arts sects with whom he had connections, but they could not provide a solution.

At least today, he had pinned his hopes on the people from the Sichuan Tang Family, who boasted the best skills in the world with poisons. However, the situation was enough to disappoint Hwang Jong-i.

"It's difficult."

As expected, Hwang Jong-i let out a soft sigh at the negative words.

"Do you mean that even the Tang Family, known as the masters of poisons, cannot cure my father?"

"Of course, our Tang Family takes pride in being the best in the world with poisons. We can detoxify any poison."

"Then?"

"But the illness of the venerable one is not caused by poison."

Hwang Jong-i furrowed his brows.

"Are you saying that it's not a poison, given his condition?"

The elder of the Tang Family, Tang Ming, nodded slightly.

"The symptoms are similar, but it is not poisoning. It seems to be caused by a fundamentally different reason."

"Hmm."

Hwang Jong-i's face darkened even more.

Despite inviting famous doctors with the financial power of the Galaxy Merchant Guild and even promising substantial rewards, no one could cure Hwang Mun-yak's illness.

"Is it definitely not a natural illness?"

"It does not appear to be natural."

"Then, what on earth is this?"

Tang Ming looked down slightly, as if he were in a difficult situation.

Seeing his expression, Hwang Jong-i sighed.

"I'm sorry, Elder. I know you are not a doctor, but I am just so frustrated."

"I am sorry that I could not be of help."

"No, I apologize for not seeing you off."

Tang Ming stood up and left with a bitter expression.

"What am I to do?"

Hwang Jong-i clutched his head.

His father's condition was worsening every day, and as a son who could do nothing despite holding a fortune, how could he feel?

'What sin did Father commit to suffer like this?'

Hwang Mun-yak had spent his life helping the poor. While he knew that the will of heaven did not always follow the law of cause and effect, this seemed too harsh.

To suffer from an unknown illness for a year and then die...

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"May I come in?"

"Ah... Yes, Elder."

The door opened, and a man entered. He was a white-haired man in a striking white martial arts uniform.

"I just saw Elder Tang Ming leave."

"That's right."

"Little Guild Master. I'm sorry to keep saying the same thing, but it's time to accept it. The only way to save Mr. Hwang is through the Daoist ritual."

Hwang Jong-i's face twisted slightly.

"I understand what you mean, Elder. But I don't want to rely on that yet."

"Little Guild Master. Didn't I tell you? The illness of the venerable one is the price of going against the flow. He has gathered too much and artificially twisted too much. If he lets go and focuses on the Dao, he can recover."

Hwang Jong-i turned his head and stared at the man.

But the man continued calmly, as if the intense gaze did not bother him at all.

"It's not common for the leader of the Great Zhongnan to personally perform the ritual. Do you not know that Mr. Hwang of the Galaxy Merchant Guild, with whom we have a long-standing relationship, can enjoy such a blessing? Time is running out. Don't leave any regrets."

"…I will wait a little longer."

"For nothing."

The man clicked his tongue, as if Hwang Jong-i was doing something pitiful.

Hwang Jong-i bit his lower lip slightly.

The reason he had to let such rude words and treatment pass was very simple. The man in front of him was Jimu Sheng, an elder of the Zhongnan Sect.

Zhongnan was a famous sect known as one of the Nine Great Sects, but in recent years, it had risen to prominence and was now known throughout the land. It was even evaluated that in a few generations, it would surely become the number one sword sect in the world.

Moreover, Xi'an had always been a place of significant influence for Zhongnan. As a Little Guild Master, not the head of the guild, Hwang Jong-i could not rudely reject the direct persuasion of an elder from Zhongnan.

'They will demand another fortune in exchange for performing the ritual.'

Money was not the issue.

If it could save his father, he would not hesitate to give up all his wealth. But if they truly had the confidence to save his father through the ritual, they would have demanded a deposit and then performed the ritual to save his father before asking for a reward.

His experience in business naturally made him aware of what they were after.

"I have not received responses from all the letters I sent to various places. I will make a decision after receiving the responses."

"Truly a frustrating situation. How can they cure an illness that even the best doctors could not? Did you not hear what the Tang Family just said?"

Hwang Jong-i's eyebrows twitched.

It seemed as if he had heard the entire conversation between Hwang Jong-i and Tang Ming. Although he did not realize it, it implied that he had eavesdropped on the conversation inside.

'Impudent.'

Hwang Jong-i sighed deeply.

Unfortunately, he did not have the strength to point this out. If Hwang Mun-yak were to pass away, the Galaxy Merchant Guild would inevitably shrink. In that case, maintaining a relationship with Zhongnan, which had significant influence in Xi'an, would be necessary.

Perhaps even at the cost of a large sum of money.

"Give me a little more time. It's not that I don't trust Zhongnan. As a son, I want to try everything I can."

"Time is running out. If the venerable one passes away, you must remember that it will be the result of your futile obsession."

Hwang Jong-i's fists clenched under the table.

"I will keep that in mind."

At that moment,

"Little Guild Master!"

A hurried voice came from outside.

"What is it?"

"Huashan! Someone from Huashan has come."

"Did you say Huashan?"

"Yes! Huashan."

Hwang Jong-i's eyes twitched.

Huashan was also one of the places he had sent letters to. However, since Huashan was already in decline, he did not expect much and sent the letter there last.

Considering the timing, it had just arrived, and they had already sent someone?

'Could it be?'

If they did not know anything about Hwang Mun-yak's condition, they would not have sent someone directly instead of sending a letter.

Just as Hwang Jong-i was about to stand up, filled with a new glimmer of hope, a cold voice rang out.

"Huashan?"

A hint of anger appeared in Jimu Sheng's eyes.

Just the mention of Huashan made his expression visibly stiffen. Then, a harsh voice followed.

"Those who have fallen apart are causing trouble! Do they know where they are?"

Hwang Jong-i bit his lip slightly.

Of course, Jimu Sheng was speaking with Xi'an in mind, but Hwang Jong-i could not help but feel that he was treating the Galaxy Merchant Guild as if it belonged to Zhongnan.

"Little Guild Master. There's no need to meet such people. What can Huashan do to cure the venerable one's illness?"

Hwang Jong-i's face hardened.

"Even if that's the case, they came at our request. How can we treat them rudely?"

"You must listen to me."

" Elder."

Hwang Jong-i cut him off firmly.

"This is the Galaxy Merchant Guild, not Zhongnan. Please do not forget that."

"Hmm!"

Jimu Sheng could not hide his discomfort, but Hwang Jong-i ignored his reaction and stood up. He quickly opened the door and went outside.

'Who knows?'

The best doctors in the land could not cure it, and the most prestigious sects could not provide a solution. Perhaps the answer would come from an unexpected place.

Hwang Jong-i looked around outside.

"Where are the people from Huashan?"

Shibi bowed and replied.

"They are at the entrance."

"You mean you left the guests from afar standing at the entrance? How can you be so rude, even if you are busy?"

Hwang Jong-i's voice became agitated. However, Shibi did not immediately apologize but instead pursed his lips and glanced at the entrance.

"I was about to bring them in, but... I couldn't understand the situation..."

"Step aside. I will go and greet them myself."

"Little Guild Master, one moment..."

Hwang Jong-i's expression hardened as he moved forward. He did not like Shibi's indecisive attitude.

'When did the Galaxy Merchant Guild start treating guests differently based on their status?'

If his father were conscious, he would have issued an immediate order.

A businessman should serve from the lowest position. According to Mr. Hwang's philosophy, those who divide guests based on their status and wealth do not deserve to be in business.

That these people, who should know better, had committed the rudeness of leaving the guest from Huashan at the entrance because of its decline...

'The guild needs to be reorganized!'

Hwang Jong-i made a mental note as he headed to the entrance.

Soon, he saw a small child standing at the entrance, leaning on one leg.

'Hmm. A Huashan robe.'

The white martial arts uniform and the plum blossom pattern on the chest were unmistakably from Huashan.

Hwang Jong-i immediately said to the young Taoist,

"Little Master. I apologize for the rudeness."

The young Taoist's head tilted slightly.

"No, it's fine. It can happen."

"I am Hwang Jong-i, the Little Guild Master of the Galaxy Merchant Guild. I failed to properly educate my subordinates, so please blame me."

"It's okay. I didn't come for special treatment."

The response was a bit off.

Hwang Jong-i maintained his expression and continued,

"Thank you for understanding. But where are your companions?"

"I came alone."

"Ah, I see. Companions... Excuse me?"

Hwang Jong-i's head snapped up.

"What did you say?"

"I came alone."

The young Taoist in front of him shrugged and smiled.

"I have a method to cure Mr. Hwang's illness, so please guide me inside. Oh, and I want to confirm the substantial reward you mentioned. Is that okay?"

"..."

Hwang Jong-i's eyes trembled.

What is this kid up to?

This was the moment Hwang Jong-i of the Galaxy Merchant Guild first met Qingming, the Plum Blossom Sword Immortal.