Chapter 433

Snow Cloud Stronghold was one of the grand manors located on Xinchuan Road.

It was quickly established after the slum that originally stood here was destroyed by a fire and the area was redeveloped.

Thanks to this, they were able to secure a wide and prime plot of land much faster than other manors.

The site of Snow Cloud Stronghold was so good that it was called one of the two prime locations on Xinchuan Road, along with Red Pine Manor.

Yu Gicheon, the master of Snow Cloud Stronghold, was strolling alone in the rear garden.

The full moon shone down on him.

“How nice!”

He closed his eyes and enjoyed the moonlight.

He liked these peaceful moments. That was why he had passed on all his family business to his child and settled in this distant place.

Suddenly, he felt a sense of emptiness.

He didn’t miss his child much, but he did miss a certain boy.

“I wonder if Soma is doing well…”

The boy who used to show up unexpectedly and call him ‘Grandpa.’

He missed that boy who had left on a long journey with Pyo Wol.

The boy was no ordinary person.

Because of that, even Yu Gicheon would find himself unconsciously tensing up whenever Soma appeared unexpectedly. But now that a long time had passed without a visit, he found himself missing the boy.

He might have been a dangerous existence to others, but to him, he felt like a grandchild.

“Tsk! That man has returned, so why hasn’t that kid been able to come back…”

It was then, as Yu Gicheon shook his head and turned around.

“Were you out here alone again?”

“Jang-rak!”

Woo Jang-rak, the Second-in-Command of Snow Cloud Stronghold and Yu Gicheon’s trusted confidant, appeared.

Woo Jang-rak smiled and said.

“Manor Lord, you must be getting old. You seem to prefer being alone more and more.”

“Hey! You think you won’t get old? Anyone who gets old comes to enjoy their time alone.”

“For now, I still prefer being with many people.”

“We’ll see about that. Whether you’ll still say that when you’re old…”

“Then please live a long, long life until then.”

“Giving the disease and the cure all at once. So, what is it? I doubt you came without a reason.”

“We have a guest.”

“A guest? At this late hour?”

Yu Gicheon tilted his head.

Normally, he would never have met them.

He placed great importance on etiquette and was reluctant to meet anyone without a prior appointment.

The problem was that Woo Jang-rak also knew this.

Most people who showed up unannounced and requested a meeting were dealt with at his level. For Woo Jang-rak to have such a troubled expression meant that the visitors were difficult for him to handle.

“Who is it?”

“They are from a place called the Silver River Escort Agency.”

“Silver River Escort Agency?”

“It is one of New Moon Manor’s businesses.”

“Hmm!”

Yu Gicheon let out a low groan.

Only then did he understand why Woo Jang-rak couldn’t turn the guests away.

New Moon Manor was one of the Three Manors.

The Two Powerhouses, the Three Clans, the Three Hegemons, the Three Manors.

It held one of the eleven most powerful positions in All Under Heaven.

If the Silver River Escort Agency was one of New Moon Manor’s businesses, then even Woo Jang-rak could not easily refuse a meeting.

“The head of the Silver River Escort Agency came in person. What should we do?”

“Do we have a choice? Show them in. I will meet them myself.”

“I’ve already shown them to the Guest Reception Hall.”

“Let’s go.”

The two men walked side by side toward the Guest Reception Hall.

Inside the Guest Reception Hall, a man and a woman were waiting for them.

They were Ma Wonik, the head of the Silver River Escort Agency, and his daughter, Ma Seowon.

Ma Wonik greeted Yu Gicheon with a Fist-Palm Salute.

“I am Ma Wonik, head of the Silver River Escort Agency. Thank you for welcoming me despite my sudden visit.”

“If you are the head of the Silver River Escort Agency, I must make time for you even if I have none. I am Yu Gicheon, the lord of Snow Cloud Stronghold.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Manor Lord Yu!”

“Haha! The pleasure is all mine, Head Ma!”

“This is my daughter, Ma Seowon.”

“I thought you two looked alike. So she is your daughter.”

“She insisted on coming along. My apologies.”

“Not at all.”

Yu Gicheon shook his head.

Just then, Ma Seowon stood up and performed a Fist-Palm Salute.

“I am Ma Seowon. I look forward to your kind consideration, Manor Lord Yu!”

“Haha! A pleasure to meet you, Miss Ma.”

Yu Gicheon thought Ma Seowon was very bold.

Her eyes and expression overflowed with confidence, giving her a similar impression to the children of other prestigious families.

It was an expression and impression often seen in young people who had never experienced failure.

Hiding his inner thoughts, Yu Gicheon asked Ma Wonik.

“So, what brings the head of the Silver River Escort Agency to my manor at this late hour?”

“I am thirsty. I would like to have a cup of tea…”

“Look at me, losing my mind. A guest has arrived, and I haven’t even offered a cup of tea. What are you doing? Hurry and tell the maids to bring tea.”

“Yes!”

Woo Jang-rak replied and called a maid to give the order.

In the meantime, the three sat down and made small talk.

“The streets are very clean, I noticed on my way here. I heard this place was originally a slum?”

“That is correct. It was originally a place where the poor gathered, but a great fire broke out and everything burned down.”

“Oh my.”

“After that, a street like this was built.”

“The poor must have been pushed to the outskirts again.”

“It is a regrettable affair. In my case, I gave quite a bit of compensation to the people on my land, but I heard other manors bought the land for a pittance and drove the poor away.”

“The world is naturally heartless. Still, it seems the world is still worth living in thanks to people like you, Manor Lord.”

“You praise me too much.”

“Not at all. The praises for Manor Lord Yu are resounding in Chengdu. I, Ma Wonik, am truly impressed.”

“Goodness! What are you saying…”

Yu Gicheon bowed his head as if embarrassed.

‘What on earth is this man trying to say, beating around the bush like this?’

Although he had retired long ago, Yu Gicheon had been through all sorts of trials as a merchant.

Just a few words were enough for him to guess that the other party was hiding his true intentions.

“I heard you have done many good deeds, Manor Lord Yu. You released a lot of grain during the drought and helped many people in need… It is truly remarkable.”

“It is not something to be praised for. It is simply what ought to be done.”

“And I understand you also donated a hard-won Buddhist scripture to Shaolin Temple. That must not have been an easy decision…”

“It merely went to its rightful owner. Since it is an Original Buddhist Scripture, it is only natural for it to be kept at Shaolin Temple, the head of the Buddhist sect.”

“Easier said than done, but how many people in All Under Heaven could do such a thing? It is truly remarkable.”

“Haha!”

“However, I heard that you did not donate all of the scriptures. Is that true?”

“Why do you ask?”

In that instant, a flicker of caution crossed Yu Gicheon’s eyes.

‘I thought he was emphasizing the scripture story for a reason. It seems the scripture is his real objective.’

The retired merchant’s intuition was telling him so.

As if reading his wariness, Ma Wonik burst into a hearty laugh.

“Haha! There is no need to be so guarded.”

“I’ve only grown more cautious in my old age. Please understand.”

“I understand completely.”

“But why did you bring up the scripture?”

“The truth is, we would also like to do a good deed.”

“A good deed?”

“New Moon Manor is building a large temple.”

“A temple, you say?”

“Yes! A truly enormous sum is being invested. As you may or may not know, the mother of the New Moon Manor Lord is a devout Buddhist. She intends to build a large temple nearby in memory of her late husband.”

“And so?”

“We wish to join in the Old Madam’s noble cause.”

“Join in?”

“Donating an Original Buddhist Scripture from the Western Regions to the temple the Old Madam is building would be a meaningful act. So, if you have not donated all the scriptures, we would like to buy the remaining originals from you. Of course, we will pay the full price.”

“Hmm!”

Yu Gicheon let out a low groan.

Ma Wonik’s words had caught him completely off guard.

Ma Wonik was demanding the scripture under the pretext of building a large temple and making a donation. On top of that, he brought up the Old Madam, the highest elder of New Moon Manor.

It was a difficult proposal for Yu Gicheon to refuse.

New Moon Manor was, as was well known, one of the most powerful manors in All Under Heaven.

Although the full extent of their power was not known for certain due to their lack of external activities, it was an open secret that they possessed immense strength.

The Old Madam who founded New Moon Manor was a mysterious person.

She had built a massive manor as a woman, yet almost nothing was known about her background.

She rarely engaged in external activities.

Her son handled all public affairs.

The son was said to be so devoted that he would do anything she wanted.

This temple construction was likely no different.

Since it was to build a large temple in memory of her late husband, of all people, her son, the New Moon Manor Lord, would surely drop everything to see it through.

If Yu Gicheon did not provide the scripture, they might hold a grudge and retaliate.

Yu Gicheon and Snow Cloud Stronghold in Chengdu might be safe, but there was no telling what kind of harm his son and the Taewon Trading Company might suffer at the hands of New Moon Manor.

Yu Gicheon asked cautiously.

“Does the Old Madam want the scripture? Or is this a proposal born from Great Hero Ma’s loyalty?”

“You can think of it as a mix of both.”

“Hmm!”

Yu Gicheon groaned once more.

If it was something the Old Madam wanted, he had no choice.

‘These people are threatening me with polite attitudes and smiling faces.’

The value of the Original Buddhist Scripture could not be converted into Gold Taels.

Since each volume was a Devilish Creature, the only one of its kind in All Under Heaven, many coveted them.

That was why, after donating a portion to Shaolin Temple, he had not even been able to set a date to transport the remaining scriptures.

After a moment of thought, Yu Gicheon spoke cautiously.

“My apologies.”

“Are you refusing?”

“I have already made arrangements to donate all the scriptures to Shaolin Temple. Although I am holding onto them, they are as good as Shaolin Temple’s property, so I cannot make a decision on my own.”

“Then couldn’t you just send a letter to Shaolin Temple and ask for their understanding?”

Ma Wonik was persistent.

For a moment, Yu Gicheon had a feeling that Ma Wonik might want the scripture for another reason.

He said cautiously.

“If you want the Original Buddhist Scripture that badly, why don’t you send a letter to Shaolin Temple and get their permission? If you ask in the name of New Moon Manor, Shaolin Temple won’t be able to just refuse.”

“That… I will think about it.”

“Then I suppose our conversation must end here for today.”

At Yu Gicheon’s words, Ma Wonik and his daughter stood up. They had caught on that he was showing them the door. They had also received his clear intention not to hand over the scripture.

Now that they knew for certain they could not get what they wanted, there was no reason to stay any longer.

Yu Gicheon said to them with a Fist-Palm Salute.

“Haha! I will not see you out, so please travel safely.”

“I gratefully accept your sentiment, Manor Lord Yu. Then, until we meet again, I wish you well.”

“Stay in peace, Manor Lord Yu!”

Ma Wonik and his daughter also smiled and returned the Fist-Palm Salute.

Although the negotiation had broken down, no one showed any sign of displeasure.

They were that skilled at hiding their emotions.

Ma Wonik said.

“We will be staying in Chengdu for a while. If you should change your mind, please come find us at any time. It will not be difficult to find our residence.”

“I will do so.”

“Well then…”

After a final farewell, the two left Snow Cloud Stronghold.

Once Yu Gicheon was out of sight, the faces of the two hardened.

Ma Seowon opened her mouth.

“He refused, just as expected.”

“Things are not going smoothly. Did you observe the internal structure well?”

“Of course. I’ve already got a rough idea.”

“Then that’s good enough.”

“But wouldn’t it be too much of a burden to actually go through with it?”

“Because of the Reaper?”

“Yes! His residence is right next door, isn’t it?”

Coincidentally, Snow Cloud Stronghold was right next to Red Pine Manor.

They were so close that they could hear each other if they shouted.

The burden of causing trouble in a place like this was too great.

Snow Cloud Stronghold was practically a natural fortress.

It was under the protection of the most fearsome man in All Under Heaven.

Ma Wonik glanced back and said.

“Let’s just watch for now. It seems there’s still room for negotiation.”

“In the meantime, I’ll gather information on that man.”

“That man?”

“The Reaper. Is it true that he’s that beautiful?”