Book 26 Chapter 7

Namhae Island's Specialty. The Bargain Market

―Aggressive Solicitation

"There's no need to be so tense."

A young man in white robes said with a smile to Namgung Sansan, who was crossing the drawbridge with a tense expression, glancing around.

"We don't do anything against the code of conduct, like attacking those who have already paid the toll."

"If you take a hundred silver taels and then wash your hands of it, you'll be cursed."

"Merchants originally value trust. We believe trust is the greatest asset that brings in money. Of course, there are also scoundrels who think otherwise…"

"The people of OBundae really are fond of money."

Namgung Sansan said with a sigh, slightly relaxing the tension in her shoulders.

"I'd appreciate it if you'd call it 'merchant's spirit'."

"'Merchant's spirit'… Not 'money's spirit'?"

The character for money (錢) and the character for spirit (魂), combined to make 'money's spirit'. But she used the term not to mean the will to make money, but rather a stronger implication of having sold their souls to money.

"That's my name."

"Your name?"

Namgung Sansan's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes. Ah, you didn't know yet. We're late in introducing ourselves. I am Jeon Hon, a low-ranking warrior of OBundae."

"Ah, yes…"

Namgung Sansan and Hyunwoon exchanged greetings in bewilderment.

"I will guide you around the island as a special service, so please follow me."

Then, he started walking forward with large strides.

Upon entering Namhae Island after crossing the long drawbridge, Hyunwoon and Namgung Sansan were astonished. A sight they had never imagined unfolded before their eyes.

"What in the world…"

Buildings of identical design lined up on both sides of a street with a central opening. Each building had a sign, and each building was open to the street, with stalls set up. The names on each sign were all different, but each one ended with a character indicating "shop (商店)".

"As you can see, they are shops. Places that sell things. What's so strange about it?"

There were places selling food, clothes, and accessories. It was a place where it would be faster to count what wasn't sold than what was.

"Why is there a place like this inside Machon Tower…"

"There's no need to find it so strange. All the daily necessities and food needed in Machon Tower are sold here on Namhae Island. You could say it's a sort of in-house market. As you know, this is an island, and it's a hassle to go to Ganghoran or the mainland every time you need to buy something. I'm sure Cheonmu Academy has something like this too, right?"

Of course, Cheonmu Academy had places that sold goods brought from outside, but not on such a large scale.

"Just as Sabundae has a monopoly on the medical division of Machon Tower, our OBundae has a monopoly on all distribution and sales. Most of the sales revenue here belongs to our Namhae Island. You could think of it as a student self-governing association."

Of course, the remaining portion, which did not fall into "most," belonged to the academy.

"It's very thorough. It doesn't seem much different from regular shops."

Namgung Sansan said with a voice of slight disgust.

"It's an opportunity for practical learning so that they can adapt quickly to the field when they go out into the world. In our case, we often operate various businesses to secure the operating profits of the sect. It's very helpful to learn firsthand how commercial activities occur. How to compete with the other party as a merchant, how to keep other shops in check, how to counter pressure from other shops, what goods to stock to sell well? Everything must be resolved through one's own consideration."

"Checking and pressure… Are you saying it's actually a dog-eat-dog fight?"

Then Jeon Hon laughed and said,

"In a way that is entirely our style. As I just mentioned, this is a miniature version of the field."

In other words, it meant there were even covert displays of force. At that, Namgung Sansan frowned and asked,

"Can that be called real commerce?"

"It's something that actually happens in reality. If you run a shop in an overly idealistic and arbitrary environment, what's the point if it's completely useless in reality? The most important thing in this world is how to protect one's business from the pressure of other forces. Whether it's financial power or military power. If you can't overcome that, you can never make 'money'. You become a loser in the market."

It was undeniably a brutal method. This was already a world of the survival of the fittest.

"Ah, so if it's okay with you, please buy a few things. Otherwise, we might obstruct your path."

"Wait a minute! Obstruct our path?"

Namgung Sansan, who heard the words she couldn't ignore, exclaimed in surprise. Then Jeon Hon chuckled nonchalantly and said,

"Didn't I tell you earlier? This is a miniature version of reality."

Then, a loud burst of laughter was heard from somewhere.

"Hahaha! That's right! Commerce is war. There's no need to pick and choose methods when winning a war."

Then a woman's voice was heard from beside them.

"Pursuing the utmost profit is the path a merchant must take."

Then there was another man who followed up on that statement.

"That is the true way of commerce (商道)!"

The three people, who had appeared in the middle of the market street, shouted in unison.

"Buy our goods! You won't be able to pass this road before you do."

One was a giant man, holding a large scale with weights on one side. Another man was very thin with long limbs, carrying a long pole on his shoulder with two heavy-looking leather bags hanging from each end. The last was a woman, dressed in a rather flamboyant pink silk robe, holding a long, right-angled ruler made of metal and wearing a tape measure around her waist.

"Who are those ruffians?"

Namgung Sansan asked, clearly displaying her displeasure.

"Ah, I'm sorry for the late introduction. Those are the ones competing for the top three sales spots in our Fifth Dormitory's Merchant Corps. We call them the 'Three Great Merchants (三大商)'."

"I don't know if it's three or four great merchants, but why are they blocking our way? That's what I want to know."

"There is only one reason why merchants block the road. They want to sell you something."

"We don't have the slightest intention of buying anything!"

"Indeed. We are in a hurry. We would like you to step aside and let us pass, if you would?"

Hyunwoon, who had been silent like a disregarded sack of rice, seemed to notice the increasingly grim atmosphere and chimed in. Then Jeon Hon shook his head with a smile.

"I'm afraid that's impossible. They won't move unless they sell you something. Their merchant's spirit probably won't allow it."

"Do you know? That's called 'forced selling (強賣)'."

"There's bound to be a difference of opinion. We don't ask about methods as long as we can sell."

"Now you're trying to justify forced selling. Do you do this to other people in Machon Tower?"

"Of course not. However, merchants always conduct different transactions depending on the situation of the person they are facing. We can only hope that they quietly let you pass through this market street."

However, the possibility was less than a speck of dust, so it was better to give up, he said in silence.

"What if we don't buy?"

Namgung Sansan asked. She didn't enjoy wasting money on something she wasn't moved to buy. It was undoubtedly a meaningless consumption.

"Well, do you really think that's possible?"

He responded with a very skeptical tone.

"What do you mean?"

"These three people will probably not let you go. I doubt how much you can refuse their aggressive solicitation."

"Instead of the despicable word 'solicitation,' why not call it 'violence'? Don't you think that's more appropriate?"

Namgung Sansan scoffed incredulously. There was no greater act of violence. It would have been more convenient to block their path with a sword.

"Violence? That's a misunderstanding. We are simply serving our customers respectfully. Polite and comfortable service is the pride of our 'Geumhong Clothing Store'. Don't you need the best clothes? Then come to our Geumhong Clothing Store."

The only woman among the Three Great Merchants was the first to speak.

"Hmph, there's no need to glance at such trashy 'Owi Stores'. Our 'Swiryu' is the best of the best. Compared to the high-end, luxury service of our Swiryu, others are child's play. Of course, of course. So, why not spend a comfortable time at our Swiryu? We provide the best food. It's delicious and good for vitality."

"Hoho, you two are something. How can you say such things so casually when I, 'Third Rank Oh Daebong,' am standing right here? There are limits to lying, it's embarrassing just listening. If someone has a true merchant's spirit, shouldn't they recognize their own shortcomings and step aside? How can you two step forward when Machon Tower's best comprehensive lodging, 'Samwiru,' which I operate, is clearly displayed and open for business? How can you deceive customers so carelessly? You must be honest to open customers' wallets. Yes, you must be honest."

"Tsk, that ranking is only until the end of this quarter's accounting. After this quarter, our Swiryu's sales will surely be at the top among all stores."

"No, no. This quarter's sales leader is the best clothing specialty store, 'Geumhong Clothing Store,' run by 'Fifth Rank Yeo Hong-a.' It's on a different level from the two stores run by smelly men. If you use our Geumhong Clothing Store, we will tailor the best clothes for you. How about it, young lady there? If you wear our store's clothes, you might instantly capture the heart of the gentleman next to you. Hohohoho."

"I, I'm not interested in a man with such weak will! Why should I dress up for a man like this?"

Namgung Sansan protested with a slightly flushed face.

"Oh my, you're so shy. He looks decent and promising. If the customer isn't interested, would it be okay for me to challenge that handsome gentleman?"

Yeo Hong-a, from the Fifth Rank, asked with a subtle smile towards Hyunwoon, to which Namgung Sansan shouted,

"That's not allowed!"

Her voice was so loud that she was surprised herself.

"Oh my, why not?"

"That's…"

Then, the giant, Third Rank Oh Daebong, interrupted Yeo Hong-a, saying,

"I cannot allow any further monopolistic solicitation, Madam Shopkeeper."

Then the thin man, Fourth Rank Jeong Hongdon, chimed in, agreeing,

"I agree with the words of the Fifth Master. It's not good to be too forward alone. Isn't that right, gentleman there? What do you say? Our restaurant's specialty, 'Special Invigorating Meal,' is renowned for being particularly good for male vitality. Just one meal can make you a true man who can instantly steal the heart and body of the woman next to you. What do you say? Why don't you stop by our restaurant and try it?"

Hyunwoon vehemently declined.

"Ah, no, I don't think I need to eat that necessarily? Besides, I'm a Daoist…"

Oh Daebong raised his hand to stop Jeong Hongdon, who was about to say something else.

"Fourth Rank and Fifth Rank, please step aside. These two will likely be using our inn. Isn't that right, the two of you? Our inn has many rooms with a good atmosphere. Students of this academy also frequently use them for short and sweet moments of intimacy (雲雨之樂) as couples. If you use it now, we will offer a 20% discount from the usual price."

At Oh Daebong's bombshell, Namgung Sansan and Hyunwoon turned as red as heated iron.

"U, U, U, U, U…"

She wanted to protest, but her tongue was paralyzed by shock, and she couldn't even speak properly.

"U, U, intimate moments (雲雨之樂)…!"

"That's right. It's also called the union of yin and yang. What that is, is when a man and a woman in the same bed…"

"Th, that's enough! I don't need you to explain it at length. What nonsense are you talking about!! Are, are, are you crazy?"

Namgung Sansan leaped up. In fact, she suspected this wasn't just aggressive solicitation but a new form of mental attack. As evidence, Hyunwoon was also suffering from mental shock.

"Th, th, th, that's right. A, a, and I'm a disciple of the Mujangpa. I'm a Daoist."

"Ah, there's no need to worry about that. What if you're a Daoist? What if you're a monk? You look like a prospective Daoist, and all that is meaningless in matters of love between men and women. Besides, our inn strictly keeps the privacy of its customers, so you can rest assured."

"You tell me to rest assured by shutting up? This isn't about that…"

"Fine. I'll even include a bottle of wine as a bonus. This is truly a bleeding service, a bleeding service."

Oh Daebong seemed not to be listening to them at all.

"Hey. Please listen to me."

Oh Daebong, Jeong Hongdon, and Yeo Hong-a bickered amongst themselves, each claiming their shop was the best. However, in between, they didn't forget to invite Namgung Sansan and Hyunwoon to their respective establishments.

"Why are they doing that? It seems like a fierce competition over something trivial."

"It can't be helped. The end of the first quarter's accounting is approaching."

"What does that have to do with this?"

"Ah. Our unit has a rather special and peculiar ranking system. We settle the total sales of each store four times a year. And then we rank them accordingly."

"And then?"

"Except for the Commander and Deputy Commander, the ranking of all subordinate members from Third Rank onwards is determined by their sales ranking."

"What?! Is it okay to set ranks based on such absurd criteria? Not based on martial arts skill?"

Namgung Sansan asked in disbelief.

"That is the rule here. And in the dark path, the strong usually make more money. Because it reduces unnecessary expenses like protection fees and so on. It's only natural that they're going all out. All means to increase sales are recognized. Price gouging, forced selling, blackmail, displays of force, violence, trickery, etc., everything except murder is allowed."

In the eyes of the three called the Three Great Merchants, a near-mad will to suck every last drop out of them was gleaming.

Because the first quarter's accounting was approaching, everyone was anxious. Their current sales figures were neck and neck. The one who grabbed the reins would have a greater chance of victory. Therefore, they couldn't afford to let such an opportunity slip away.

"What if we refuse?"

"That won't be considered at all. You will have to open your wallets wherever you go."

"We paid a hundred silver taels as toll, so we have almost no money left."

"That won't be considered either. They are people who think if you don't have money, you can make it. You'll have to sell weapons or accessories, or if not, sell your body."

"W, w, what are you talking about? Selling my body! That's impossible, isn't it?"

"It's entirely possible here. It happens frequently outside Machon Tower every day. Those guys probably have connections with professional slave traders."

"So, you're saying we should learn even that bad stuff in advance?"

"We are not teaching it. They chose to do so."

"Indeed! And beautiful women make good merchandise."

The Three Great Merchants said in unison.

*Crack!*

Finally, Namgung Sansan's patience reached its breaking point.

"Shut up! You bastards! Don't decide someone's fate as you please when that person is right here!"

Namgung Sansan roared.

"How dare you tell me to sell my body now?! What kind of dirty rag mouth is spewing such filth?"

Namgung Sansan glared at the three men with a fierce gaze, as if she would rip out any dirty rag that dared to get caught. If a gaze could kill, she would have killed them a hundred times over.

"Ah, that was just one possibility…"

Jeon Hon, sensing the tense atmosphere, mumbled evasively.

"You shut up too! No more questions, I'll kill you all!"

*Clang!*

Namgung Sansan, her anger exploding, drew her sword without hesitation. Her eyes, filled with murderous intent, glared at the three men like a ghost. At that moment, a chilling wind blew.

*Jiiiiiiiiiiing!*

As if responding to her anger, the sword blade vibrated.

"Stab! Raikō-satsu (雷光刹)!"

Lightning flashed out like an arrow of light at blinding speed. The Three Great Merchants, not ordinary opponents, dodged her swift swordplay here and there. However, they couldn't prevent their clothes from getting scratched in various places.

"Hey, customer, why are you doing this?"

Oh Daebong, sweating profusely to evade Namgung Sansan's onslaught, shouted urgently.

"Customer, my foot! You guys will die by my hand today! I'll make sure you can't do this disgusting forced selling ever again!"

Hyunwoon simply watched Namgung Sansan, who was attacking like a ferocious beast. He was also very confused.

"Kyaak!"

*Pababa-bat!*

Yeo Hong-a shrieked and retreated five steps. The metal ruler she was holding, both straight and right-angled, trembled violently from the impact of the sword strikes. Her sleeve was also raggedly torn by the sword's wind. Oh Daebong and Jeong Hongdon also blocked her attacks with the large scale and the iron pole with leather bags, but they were pushed back five steps each by the sword pressure.

"Hmph, as if I'd miss!"

Without losing momentum, Namgung Sansan used her lightning bolt technique to charge towards the three men.

*Pababa-bat!*

Again, the first strike of 'Lightning Soul Severing' spread from her sword tip like a beam of light. Although thinner than Namgung Sang's, it was much faster. And its penetration power was particularly superior. Holes were punched in the clothes of the retreating Three Great Merchants. However, Hyunwoon was not surprised that they were avoiding fatal injuries. To think that even those who weren't ranked first or second would possess such skill… However, the greatest reason was that Namgung Sansan was facing three people simultaneously, causing her sword energy to disperse into three branches, weakening its power. Hyunwoon was surprised to realize this fact.

"Watch out! Dodge, Sansan! It's a decoy."

Namgung Sansan clearly heard Hyunwoon's words. However, she had already moved too far away from Hyunwoon and was too deeply drawn into the three.

Realizing this late, Namgung Sansan stopped her offensive and tried to retreat.

*Chwarara-rak!*

As she slowed down her sword to retreat, something coiled around her sword-wielding hand like a snake. It was the tape measure. It was the item that had been around the waist of Yeo Hong-a, who claimed to be in the clothing business.

"Just this much!"

She swung her sword to knock away the tape measure that was trying to bind her hand and pulled back her body.

*Hwi-yeeeeeek!*

Towards her, something heavy flew from the right, like a mace. As she quickly ducked to avoid it, it struck the wall of a nearby shop with a 'bang!', instantly smashing it. It turned out to be not a mace, but the leather bag hanging from Jeong Hongdon's iron pole. In fact, this leather bag was not an ordinary leather bag, but a money bag filled with gold and silver coins. He was afraid to store money anywhere other than on his person, so he always carried it with him, and used it as a weapon when necessary. The leather bag for storing money and the leather strap connecting it were custom-made and could not be damaged by ordinary swords. Moreover, since there were two of them, Sansan had to avoid the attack of the mace (or rather, the money-mace) again.

*Pherk!*

Another shop wall was smashed. As debris flew towards her eyes, Namgung Sansan involuntarily closed her eyes slightly.

*Shweeee-ek!*

In that gap, a heavy object whizzed through the air. It was the weight attached to Oh Daebong's iron scale, which was connected to the iron scale by a long iron chain and could be transformed into an excellent weapon capable of shattering an enemy's skull if necessary. The iron weight flew towards Namgung Sansan's temple at terrifying speed. Unlike their bickering over sales competition, the three attacked in perfect sync, leaving Namgung Sansan completely exposed. She couldn't avoid the attack.

*Chang!*

At that moment, someone deflected the iron weight that flew towards her. It was Hyunwoon. Seeing Namgung Sansan in danger, he immediately threw himself into the middle of the fight.

"Are you alright, Sansan?"

Namgung Sansan, finding herself accidentally in Hyunwoon's embrace, pushed him away with a blushing face.

"Uh, how long are you going to hold me?"

"Ah, I'm sorry."

To Hyunwoon, who quickly let go with a start, Sansan shouted angrily.

"I, I'm fine. I can handle guys like that by myself. Hyunwoon, even if you hadn't intervened."

"Of course, I know that well, Sansan. That you are strong enough to defeat those three at once. But wouldn't two people fighting save more time than one person fighting? Besides, we have the task entrusted to us by our senior disciple."

Hyunwoon's soothing words were effective. His words sufficiently preserved Namgung Sansan's pride while conveying his intentions. The mention of 'the task entrusted to us by our senior disciple' at the end had an infinite effect.

"Hmm-hmm. Indeed, since it's a task entrusted by our senior disciple, we should handle it quickly."

"Of course."

"So, it's not that I can't handle it alone and I'm borrowing your help. It's purely to save time for our senior disciple."

"Of course."

As if worried about Sansan's change of heart, Hyunwoon quickly nodded.

"Alright. Well then, let's quickly deal with these forced sellers and go meet the leader of these wicked merchants."

"That's a good idea."

The two immediately began to discuss.

"Where should we start? The woman who looks weakest?"

"Even so, a woman…"

"Hey. What do you mean man, woman, old, young? Don't you know gender equality?"

Namgung Sansan sent a telepathic message in a slightly displeased tone.

"Even so, there's a feeling to it. I think the skinny man would be better."

"Hmph, fine. Let's go with that one."

"The signal is from you."

"One… Two…"

"Hoho, even if you two customers join hands, it's impossible to defeat us three. So please cooperate with us to increase our store's sales."

"Hohoho, of course."

"Don't worry about money. If you don't have money, sell your sword, if you don't have a sword, sell your body."

Jeong Hongdon said with a sinister smile. At that moment, Namgung Sansan and Hyunwoon shouted 'Three!' simultaneously.

And then, without hesitation, they attacked Jeong Hongdon with their fastest moves. They acted as if the other two were not even in their sights. A flash of sword light poured down towards Jeong Hongdon from both directions. Oh Daebong and Yeo Hong-a, who had expected to be attacked, were surprised to see no attack directed at them. Then they were shocked when they looked at Jeong Hongdon. His clothes, torn by countless sword lights, had only his undergarments left, and his hair was disheveled.

*Tuk-tuk!*

The leather bags he cherished like treasures were snapped from the iron pole he held and fell to the floor, spilling gold and silver coins. Then, Jeong Hongdon also fainted on the spot.

"To tear through that special leather that even blades can't penetrate… Was that just now… Sword Qi?"

Yeo Hong-a's mouth dropped open.

"Unbelievable. 'Sword Qi Convergence' at this young age…"

Looking at the two stunned individuals, Namgung Sansan snorted contemptuously.

"Hmph, in our Suzaku Squad, this is considered basic."

"When fighting three against two, you have to take down one enemy first."

"Why?"

"Then it becomes two against one, which is a perfect match. It's simple arithmetic."

That was the basic principle of fighting against multiple opponents taught to them by their senior disciple. When facing three opponents, two people would tie up the opponent's gaze and hands, and in the meantime, the remaining one would attack one of the two. This often causes the remaining opponent to become sluggish as they worry about their teammate. Therefore, the core of their senior disciple's teaching was that if you surprise and eliminate one opponent before they are prepared, the numbers become equal, and then you can fight at ease.

The Three Great Merchants were slightly complacent due to the fact that they had cornered Namgung Sansan. At that moment, Hyunwoon joined in and ambushed the complacent Jeong Hongdon, incapacitating him.

"Now we can fight with peace of mind."

"Let's each take one person and deal with them. Let's finish quickly, as we have other things to do."

It didn't take many moves for Namgung Sansan and Hyunwoon to defeat them. If it were one-on-one, they weren't so poorly trained as to lose to someone ranked Third or lower. They thought they could even defeat the First Rank, which is why Bi Ryuyeon had sent these two.

*Sereok! Sereok!*

*Pulsok! Pulsok!*

Thus, all three people, ranked Third to Fifth in the Merchant Corps, known as the Three Great Merchants, were subdued.

"Did you see? This is the true strength of the Suzaku Squad."

Namgung Sansan boasted as she sheathed her sword.

"My, my, to be able to repel their aggressive solicitation, you have truly remarkable skills. I see you in a new light."

Looking at the fallen three, Jeon Hon seemed somewhat incredulous. Namgung Sansan placed her hands on her hips and asked with a triumphant voice,

"Well then, can we meet the leader of this place now?"

Jeon Hon nodded.

"Having defeated these three, there will be no other merchants to block your way. Please follow me. I will guide you to the leader's office."