Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 60

Hwang Jong-ui quietly opened the wooden door and stepped into the room. “Father,” he said respectfully.

Hwang Mun-yak, who was sitting by the window, looked up and nodded slightly. “Are you feeling better?” Hwang Jong-ui asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Hwang Mun-yak chuckled softly. “Hmm. It’s hard to believe,” he said, stretching his arms as if testing his newfound strength, “but I feel as light as if I could fly. It’s like I’ve become ten years younger.”

Hwang Jong-ui frowned slightly, his eyes showing confusion. “That’s… quite strange,” he murmured.

“The physicians are baffled, saying my pulse is strong and I’m as healthy as a young man.”

A look of bewilderment flickered across Hwang Jong-ui’s eyes. It was wonderful that Hwang Mun-yak had recovered, but it was strange that he had recovered so quickly and was even healthier than before.

“Anyway, congratulations on getting better.”

Hwang Mun-yak waved a weak hand, but his eyes were sharp and alert. “Don’t try to flatter me.”

“It’s just that the young Taoist’s abilities are remarkable. I’ve simply been the recipient of his grace.”

Hwang Mun-yak recalled Chung Myung’s first words to him.

“- An immortal?”

‘Not so wrong, either.’

If ‘immortal’ described those who cultivated the Tao, transcended humanity, and performed deeds beyond ordinary people, then it applied to that child from Mount Hua. Wasn’t he proof enough?

Hwang Mun-yak leaned back in his chair, watching his son carefully. “So, what brings you here? Now that you’ve seen I’m completely recovered, you didn’t come just to check on me, did you?”

“I wouldn’t call myself exceptionally filial, but I’m not so unfilial as that. Isn’t it natural for a son to be concerned about his father’s health?”

Hwang Mun-yak waved a weak hand, but his eyes were sharp and alert. “Stop the empty talk and get to the point. We don’t have much time.”

Hwang Jong-ui lowered his head slightly. Though still gaunt, Hwang Mun-yak had the sharp gaze of a merchant.

‘He’s still my father.’

It was easier to broach the subject now.

“Father. No, Clan Lord.”

Hwang Mun-yak’s voice became colder, more business-like. “Speak. Young Clan Lord.”

By changing the address, the conversation moved from family to business.

“I heard you ordered to reduce trade with Jongnam.”

“I did.”

“And you promised a large reward to Mount Hua, didn’t you?”

“Indeed.”

“Father, Jongnam is the most powerful group in Seo-an and a strong sect in Shaanxi. To distance ourselves from them and support weak Mount Hua is too risky.”

Hwang Mun-yak nodded slowly, offering no response.

“It’s natural that you’re grateful to the young Taoist. However, the reward is too much, and deepening our relationship with Mount Hua is dangerous. If you want to, please let us keep trading with Jongnam as before.”

Silence filled the room. Hwang Mun-yak slowly reached for a teacup on the small table beside him. His movements were slow and deliberate.

Hwang Mun-yak picked up the teacup before him, his gaze deepening. Without rushing, he savored the tea’s aroma, then took a sip and closed his eyes.

How much time had passed?

Hwang Mun-yak put down the cup with a soft click, his gaze now serious. Silently placing the cup back down, Hwang Mun-yak opened his mouth with a voice that had grown even more grave.

“Young Clan Lord.”

“Yes, Clan Lord.”

“What is a merchant’s job?”

“That is…”

Hwang Jong-ui paused, considering, before speaking. “A merchant’s job is to do business fairly, create a healthy market, and help the nation and the world.”

“Hahaha.”

Hwang Mun-yak nodded, pleased.

“Young Clan Lord.”

“Yes!”

“Your words sound too smooth and fake. Very believable.”

“Clan Lord?”

Hwang Mun-yak said firmly.

“A merchant’s job is to make money. As long as they don’t break the law or basic rules, or even bend them a little if they can get away with it, they chase money. Isn’t that so?”

Hwang Jong-ui lowered his head deeply.

“That is correct.”

“If you want to be righteous, do it with the money you’ve earned. If you want to help others, help them with that money. There is no right or wrong in a merchant’s pursuit of money. There is only efficiency.”

“Then why…”

If that were true, wouldn’t this choice be even stranger? To trade less with powerful Jongnam and more with weak Mount Hua, as anyone can see.

If Jongnam found out, they might cut off trade with the Eunha Merchant Clan.

“Have you forgotten how I made my money?”

“Of course, I know. But…”

Hwang Mun-yak’s way of making money was simple. He made money by finding things others didn’t think were worth much, or by supporting things that were not yet popular.

Whether it was a sect, another merchant clan, or even a group of thugs, Hwang Mun-yak had grown the Eunha Merchant Clan this way, making it the top merchant clan in Shaanxi.

“Are you saying you’re investing in Mount Hua this time?”

“That is so.”

“But Clan Lord, your investments always had a clear reason. I don’t see any reason to invest in Mount Hua.”

“Didn’t you see it yourself?”

“Are you talking about that child?”

“Indeed.”

“But…”

Hwang Jong-ui bit his lip. Chung Myung was remarkable, no doubt. But that was just Chung Myung. One person doesn’t make an entire sect great, especially a young child.

“I agree that Mount Hua will grow because of that child. I even understand it might become stronger than I expect. But Clan Lord, I don’t think Mount Hua will become stronger than Jongnam because of one child. Wouldn’t it be pointless?”

Hwang Mun-yak smiled faintly.

“Do you think so? I have a different opinion.”

“Clan Lord.”

“Young Clan Lord, a merchant must see the reality, not just the surface. The Eunha Merchant Clan may have been important to Jongnam once, but now we are just one of many. How much longer can we get something from Jongnam?”

Hwang Jong-ui stared blankly at Hwang Mun-yak. He hadn’t thought this far. Gi Mok-seung’s attitude had been arrogant, hadn’t it? Even with Hwang Mun-yak sick, they wouldn’t have acted so boldly if they respected the Eunha Merchant Clan.

“Jongnam can’t grow much more. Of course, they will improve slowly. But not Mount Hua. If Mount Hua grows as I expect, and if we stay friendly with them, the benefits will be huge.”

“But Clan Lord, I don’t believe Mount Hua can grow that much.”

Hwang Mun-yak’s eyes narrowed.

“Jong-ui.”

“Yes, Father.”

The address had changed again.

“You’re speaking foolishly. A merchant doesn’t wait for proof. He must create it.”

“…”

“We are not waiting for Mount Hua to grow. We must make Mount Hua grow. If we succeed, we can become one of the five great merchant clans in the Central Plains, not just the top clan in Shaanxi.”

“It’s difficult. If we fail, there’s no going back.”

“Haha. As I get healthier, I feel younger. What does it matter if we fail? We just start again. Are you so attached to this wealth?”

“…”

“I am attached to it. Very attached. But I am more afraid that we might not earn even more.”

Hwang Jong-ui nodded. His father had decided. More talk was pointless.

“I still have doubts. But if you think so, I will trust you. And I will help Mount Hua grow to prove myself wrong.”

A genuine smile finally appeared on Hwang Mun-yak’s face, softening his harsh features. “Good. Those are good words to hear for the first time in a while.”

Hwang Mun-yak laughed, pleased. But Hwang Jong-ui wasn’t finished.

“However.”

“Hmm?”

Hwang Jong-ui frowned, as if he couldn’t agree on something.

“Even so, wasn’t the wealth you gave to that young Taoist too much?”

“That’s the key.”

“Yes?”

Hwang Jong-ui looked up at Hwang Mun-yak, questioning.

Hwang Mun-yak smiled faintly, answering the question.

“What do you think will become of that young Taoist?”

“Are you talking about his growth?”

“That’s right.”

Hwang Jong-ui thought deeply before speaking. “Considering his cleverness, he will be important in Mount Hua. And if he does well, maybe even the sect leader…”

Hwang Jong-ui stopped. This wasn’t something to discuss lightly.

“Anyway, he will become great.”

“No. He is already great.”

Hwang Mun-yak shook his head. “I have been a merchant my whole life. I have met many rich merchants and masters, but only that child has amazed me so much. I was looking for something good, but instead, I found something amazing, like a dragon getting ready to fly to the sky. I had to grab it.”

“Is he that remarkable?”

“You will see soon. Geniuses can’t be understood by ordinary people. Don’t try to understand them, just watch them. Then you will accept them.”

Hwang Jong-ui nodded. He didn’t understand everything, but if Hwang Mun-yak said so, it must be true.

But one question remained.

“Then why did you give him so much wealth?”

“He is a Taoist disciple. And he is chivalrous enough to rush here when someone is sick. Of course, he didn’t come only for that, but he is good-natured.”

“Hmm.”

Hwang Mun-yak wore a subtle smile.

“If so, the wealth he received will burden him. Especially since he is young. If we can use that wealth to control him, it will be a bargain.”

“Is it really a bargain?”

“Actually, it was five times more than I expected. That snake-like bastard.”

“…”

Hwang Mun-yak coughed, trying to regain his composure. A look of annoyance flashed across Hwang Mun-yak’s face.

“No, what could a young brat want so much of! Damn it! If I knew he would trick me into giving him so much, I would have pretended to be sick again and sent him away! He’s like a goblin, how could he get so much out of me! I thought if I gave him a little, he would be grateful and cry…”

“Please calm down, Father. I’m worried someone will hear you.”

Hwang Mun-yak coughed, trying to regain his composure. “Anyway, if he is grateful and sees us as lifelong friends, the merchant clan won’t lose. In the long run, we will gain much more.”

“I understand. We must become good friends.”

“That’s right. Yes. Good friends.”

Hwang Mun-yak and Hwang Jong-ui exchanged meaningful smiles.