Chapter 052
"I can't attend because I'm too busy with work preparations...." Jin Agyeong sighed. As the Chairman of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company, one of the sponsors of the Dragon Gate Gathering, she had much to do.
Originally, the Dragon Gate Gathering was rarely held in winter. It seemed as if someone had deliberately arranged it this way. Of course, Jin Agyeong knew that while the Dragon Gate Li Clan was officially responsible for holding the gathering, the imperial court's influence strongly affected the decision. But that was one thing, and the mountain of documents before her was another matter entirely—it wouldn't let her go.
"This is a chance to attend to Master Baek!"
"You can't go anywhere until you finish processing all these accumulated documents, Chairman."
"I never expected so much would pile up during my absence...."
As a massive trading company, the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company accumulated paperwork at an extraordinary rate. Normally, Jin Agyeong would process everything before it became a mountain, but lately, she had been frequently visiting the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company to build a good relationship with Baek Sugyeong, resulting in this intimidating pile.
The stack towered frighteningly higher than her seated height.
"What about important matters?"
"The immediate concern is the Dragon Gate Gathering, and besides that, the Nine Province Commerce Kings...."
"A meeting with the Nine Province Commerce Kings?"
"Yes."
The Nine Province Commerce Kings referred to the nine elders of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company. Though called elder merchants, they were still active and managed the nine divisions of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company. Each was responsible for different provinces, regions, and fields. The Great Sea King handled maritime trade, the Agriculture King managed agriculture, the Flower King oversaw flower and entertainment businesses, and the Gold Accumulation King managed finances and money-lending.
Jin Agyeong spoke firmly.
"Postpone it."
"But...."
"I already know what they're worried about."
It was obvious what the nine elders of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company were concerned about. They were worried that Jin Agyeong, the leader who controlled this massive company, was suddenly acting as if she were infatuated with a mere novelist.
Jin Agyeong said:
"Master Baek is someone we can't afford to lose, even if it means joining hands with the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company. There's no one in the current martial world who wields such influence without being a martial artist."
"That's true, but...."
"Moreover, Master Baek has people from the Namgung Clan and the Bright King Society by his side. We need to maintain a friendly relationship with Master Baek, even setting aside the young guild leader of the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company."
The Namgung Clan was one of the Eight Great Families, which along with the Nine Sects and One School, were considered the two pillars of the orthodox faction. The Bright King Society was an offshoot of the Shaolin Temple, and despite opposing Shaolin, it had tenaciously maintained its lineage as a sect between orthodox and unorthodox.
Either way, both were sects boasting considerable influence. This meant that with the right opportunity, she could create connections with both the Namgung Clan and the Bright King Society.
Jin Agyeong said:
"The Namgung Clan and the Bright King Society are particularly difficult to establish trade with, aren't they?"
"That's true. The Heaven-Piercing Sword King of the Namgung Clan is especially fastidious."
Heaven-Piercing Sword King Namgung Do was famous for being particularly strict with merchants. It was said that after being severely deceived by a merchant in his youth, he became suspicious of all merchants.
As a result, while some trading companies had succeeded in establishing temporary deals with the Namgung Clan, none had managed to secure regular trade. Even the Hui merchants, who operated primarily in Anhui Province, found it difficult to cross the threshold of the Namgung Clan. This was significant because the Hui merchants were native trading groups of Anhui Province, and the Namgung Clan was a pillar of that same province.
"I heard the Clear Wind Trading Company is trying hard to establish regular trade with the Namgung Clan?"
The Clear Wind Trading Company was the most prominent among the Hui merchants of Anhui Province and, like the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company, was counted among the Ten Great Trading Companies of the Central Plains.
Woo Hobeop nodded in affirmation to Jin Agyeong's words.
"Yes. However, it seems the Heaven-Piercing Sword King is refusing."
"Do you know who the martial artist from the Namgung Clan currently with Master Baek is?"
At Jin Agyeong's question, the man, Woo Hobeop, bowed his head.
"I heard it's the Jade Sword Flower."
"That's right. She's the Heaven-Piercing Sword King's only daughter. Through her, we might be able to break through the Namgung Clan's iron wall. The same goes for the Bright King Society. I heard from Master Baek that she's the daughter of the Bright King Society's leader."
"His daughter, you say?"
At Woo Hobeop's question, Jin Agyeong nodded.
Woo Hobeop then made a curious expression.
"Why do you look like that?"
"Nothing. I've never heard rumors of the Bright King Society's leader having a daughter. I heard he was a lifelong bachelor...."
"Well, she might be a child from a one-night encounter. It wouldn't be strange for someone of the Bright King Society leader's status, would it?"
Black Maitreya Gal Yeom was known for his virility, so it wasn't particularly strange. He simply hadn't married, but that didn't mean he had any issues meeting women.
"That's true, but."
"And even if that's not the case, it doesn't matter. If she's someone the Bright King Society's leader personally sent, she can't be of low status. She might even be a master he's secretly trained."
"You're saying we should keep all possibilities open."
"Exactly."
Jin Agyeong sat in her chair and briefly looked up at the ceiling of her office.
Woo Hobeop's voice reached her ears.
"But I heard those three are checking you, Chairman."
"That's the problem...."
Jin Agyeong sighed. Namgung Somin, Gal Yerung, and So Ssanga openly showed their affection for Baek Sugyeong. In Gal Yerung's case, it seemed a bit ambiguous, but she clearly had feelings for him.
Jin Agyeong's recent concern was that she wanted to build friendships not only with Baek Sugyeong but also with those three, but their wariness was stronger than expected, making it impossible.
"Anyway, postpone the meeting. I already know their concerns."
"I'll relay that message."
"The Dragon Gate Gathering matter will be troublesome too...."
Jin Agyeong sighed and turned her gaze toward the documents. The pile of documents, towering well above her seated height, greeted her.
"I probably can't even dream of escorting Master Baek around the Dragon Gate Gathering."
Jin Agyeong's voice was thick with regret. If she could accompany Baek Sugyeong around the Dragon Gate Gathering and deepen their friendship, she would surely have an opportunity to finalize a contract with him.
"Woo Hobeop."
"Yes, Chairman."
"I heard rumors that the Princess is coming to this Dragon Gate Gathering. Have you confirmed if it's true?"
"I inquired through our sources in the imperial palace, but they say it's uncertain."
Jin Agyeong slightly furrowed her brow.
"Tell them to find out properly. There's no reason to keep paying someone who can't even earn their keep as an informant."
"Understood."
"It's impossible for a royal of the Princess's status to move without any signs. The Princess is the only direct royal likely to ascend to the throne next. If our informant can't even properly track her movements, they're not qualified. Try approaching from a different angle. The Court of Imperial Entertainments would be best, right?"
The Court of Imperial Entertainments was the institution responsible for the Emperor's meals, banquets, and sacrificial foods. It not only served the Emperor but also those residing in the palace and officials, making it most suitable for obtaining information about the imperial palace.
It was one of the Twelve Supervisorates, each headed by one of the Twelve Chief Eunuchs, making it even more valuable. While it wasn't easy to plant someone in the Twenty-Four Government Offices, for a company like the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company, it wasn't particularly difficult either.
Jin Agyeong knew this, which is why she said:
"Make arrangements."
"Plant more people in the Twenty-Four Government Offices. It won't be easy, but it shouldn't be too difficult either. The eunuchs are surprisingly greedy for money."
"As you command."
Jin Agyeong picked up a document. Her eyes fell on the image of a complex building.
"This Dragon Gate Gathering is important. Even though it was suddenly announced, if there are rumors that the Princess is personally attending, it essentially confirms that she's coming to Luoyang."
Jin Agyeong slightly ruffled her hair.
"I really can't understand the intention. Both holding the Dragon Gate Gathering at this time and the rumors of the Princess personally coming to Luoyang. What exactly is about to happen?"
...
Though the work on Volume 9 was finished, it took about two more days to structure and refine it. In total, it took about two weeks to complete Volume 9.
This work pace was only possible because of Baek Sugyeong's surprisingly fast hands. Considering there were no computers in the Central Plains and everything had to be written by hand, maintaining this speed made Baek Sugyeong deserving of being called superhuman.
"I think you're pushing yourself too hard, Owner."
In response to So Ssanga's words as she massaged his shoulders, Baek Sugyeong smiled.
"Volumes 9 and 10 are crucial as they enter important sections where events will unfold continuously. So I have no choice but to write them with extra care."
"I find it remarkable that Jin Un doesn't mentally collapse when facing such powerful enemies, Teacher."
In response to Namgung Somin's words, Baek Sugyeong said:
"That's because Jin Un is already a complete martial artist. A mind as clear and clean as a mirror, a heart as calm and unshakable as a still lake. It's possible because he has already reached the state of 'clear mirror, still water.'"
"You mean Jin Un has already reached what Buddhists call the state of immovable mind."
"That's right."
Namgung Somin nodded in understanding at Baek Sugyeong's answer. While an immovable mind is most important for a martial artist, it's difficult to cultivate such deep discipline to maintain it. It's even more difficult for someone like Jin Un, who has just passed his early twenties, to reach that state.
But since he was someone who had returned from death, Namgung Somin could understand without difficulty.
"So the Nine Heavens Secret Palace, which briefly left the stage, comes back into focus, and the martial world officially falls into chaos... Did you temporarily remove the Nine Heavens Secret Palace for this purpose, Master Baek?"
"It wasn't intentional. Originally, Jin Un's main enemy is the Heavenly Pole True Cult, and the Nine Heavens Secret Palace is more like a role forcibly dragged onto the stage by the Heavenly Pole True Cult."
"It's like you've strangely documented the current Central Plains and the outside world. Do you keep all of that in your head, Master Baek?"
At Gal Yerung's words, Baek Sugyeong gave a bitter smile.
"Haven't I sought advice from both Miss Gal and Miss Namgung on that matter multiple times?"
"Ah, was that so?"
"Yes, it was. You just don't remember."
"Namgung, are you picking a fight with me now?"
"Hmph."
Baek Sugyeong chuckled as he watched the two quickly bickering again.
So Ssanga asked:
"I'm worried that since Wudang Sword Hero won't be easily concluded, you'll have to work even harder, Owner...."
"It's fine because there are readers waiting for my writing. An author writes to give joy to readers, not for themselves."
"Still, please take care of your health. If you collapse, the Central Plains will be in an uproar."
Baek Sugyeong smiled faintly.
"I'm trying my best not to let that happen."
"I'm worried that, like in Wudang Sword Hero, demonic cults or unorthodox sects might infiltrate the Dragon Gate Gathering, Teacher."
"Surely no one would exactly replicate events from Wudang Sword Hero. I think that's an excessive leap...."
Even as he said, "No way," Baek Sugyeong felt cold sweat running down his back. Seeing how orthodox faction members emulated "Wudang Sword Hero," and how aspiring martial artists revered it like a reference book, it wasn't entirely impossible.
Baek Sugyeong rose from his seat.
"Teacher?"
"Just in case, I'll go see the Officer."
Hoping his concerns were just an overreaction, Baek Sugyeong left the room.