ISS-Chapter 4

Chapter 4

A newly emerging sect located in Huayong County, Hubei.

It has not been long since it was established, so it is lacking in many ways. However, the potential for growth is great due to Sect Leader Baek Riyun’s reputation and martial arts.

Sect Leader: Baek Riyun

Purpose: Martial Sect

Manor Grade: Rank 10

Cleanliness: Rank 6

Scale: Rank 6

Prestige: Rank 10

Number of Disciples: None 

Martial Force Rating: Rank 9

Sect Leader’s Level: Rank 4

Research Completed: None 

Overall Rating: Rank 10

Essence Held: 10

No sources of income exist.

The Guardian Hall has not been opened.

The Council of Elders has not been opened…….

…

……

Three possible research options exist.

To unlock other research or facilities, the manor must be raised to Rank 9.』

“…….”

I brought my eyes close to the translucent window filling my vision, then rubbed my eyes lightly with my hand. And the moment I looked at the window again, the realization hit me.

“Is this the manor’s function……?”

Honestly.

I said things like how fortunate I was to survive and whatnot, but the truth is I was somewhat disappointed.

Isn’t that right? That’s how human psychology works. Once you’ve survived, shouldn’t you get something out of it? Even if it just automatically opened and closed doors, I could boast to others that this manor recognizes its owner.

But I can say with certainty that I never thought it would be this good!

“I’m at a loss for words…… Hmm.”

I sat there blankly staring at the status window, then pressed my finger on the part that said ‘Research’ out of sudden curiosity. Then the status window appeared again with a rustle.

『Current Available Research List

Recovery (Rank 10)

The recovery speed of sect members increases by 50%. Additionally, the limit of recoverable internal and external injuries increases ‘slightly.’

Upon research: 50 Essence consumed, 1 day required

Growth Acceleration (Rank 10)

When training within the manor, the probability of gaining enlightenment increases ‘very slightly.’ The growth limit of sect members’ muscles and bones increases by 10%.

Upon research: 50 Essence consumed, 1 day required

Spiritual Energy Concentration (Rank 10)

When circulating energy within the manor, the speed of internal energy increase improves by 20%. Additionally, the purity of the gathered internal energy becomes ‘very slightly’ more refined.

Upon research: 50 Essence consumed, 1 day required』

“.…..Heo-eok! Cough! Cough-cough-cough!“

After reading what was written in the window, I inhaled sharply, then choked and let out violent coughs before barely managing to regain my composure.

“Does this even make sense……?”

Recovery, Growth Acceleration, Spiritual Energy Concentration.

Not a single one could be discarded. If the effects written here were real, from the perspective of running a sect, these were effects I wouldn’t trade even for Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng or Azure Sky Stone Milk!

‘I wasn’t particularly aiming for this.’

I simply wanted to have my own sect, yet if I obtain something like this, I can’t help but dream.

Of surpassing even that Shaolin or Wudang to become the Number One Sect Under Heaven!

“Whew, let’s calm down.”

After forcing my pounding heart to settle down and examining this ‘status window’ in detail, I was able to learn a few facts.

First,

“Research isn’t something that can be done just like that.”

It’s not something where you press it and immediately see the effect with a whoosh, but rather you can only see the effect after waiting for the designated time required for each research. That’s not all.

‘Essence’ was needed to conduct research, and I currently don’t have that essence. So where should I obtain essence from?

Fortunately, the answer was written below.

『Methods of Obtaining Essence

Essence can be obtained through four methods in total: Challenge Tasks, Faction Wars, Achievements, and increases in individual grades.』

“In other words, I can obtain essence by completing the tasks this status window gives me.”

Faction Wars probably mean winning martial competitions or wars against other sects, and I have a rough idea what Achievements are. They wouldn’t call something easy to accomplish an achievement, so probably completing something very difficult would add to it.

Lastly, I’ve already experienced increasing individual grades. I raised the manor’s cleanliness from Rank 8 to Rank 6 just now. Like that, it must mean they’ll automatically give essence when I raise martial force or cleanliness.

“Looking at it this way, it seems like they’re telling me to choose how to develop the sect.”

I smiled deeply and stroked my chin. Then what should I do right away?

“Gathering enough essence to conduct research would be good, but.”

First, what needs to be done right away is to hurry the preparations for the sect’s opening.

I glanced at the status window that disappeared the moment I put the Uicheon Sword in its sheath, then walked out the main gate.

[Challenge Task: Secure your first business partner!]

[Reward: 40 Essence]

Should I start by deciding on the disciples’ training robes?

***

One moment after leaving the manor.

Thud thud!

“Are you there?”

When I knocked on the door after arriving at the Haun Merchant Company, Lee Ryang’s complexion, who had been working, turned deathly pale as he jumped to his feet.

“Are, are you a person?”

“……Then am I a ghost? In broad daylight like this.”

“That’s also true, but…… that manor has such a notorious reputation.”

“The notoriety won’t be heard anymore. I resolved it.”

“What do you mean by resolved?”

As Lee Ryang’s words trailed off loosely, I silently gave him a grin and sat down, and Lee Ryang let out a deep sigh and sat down across from me.

“You don’t seem to intend to tell me. In any case, I’m glad you survived. Honestly, I thought I’d never see you again.”

“Didn’t I tell you? Let’s get along well from now on. If it were a relationship that would end in one day, I wouldn’t have said such things.”

Setting aside that he was the reason I bought this manor, Lee Ryang is someone I want to know and associate with for a long time as a merchant. Think about it.

If he knew the other party would die the day after buying the manor, he could have hidden that fact and raised the manor’s price as high as possible without any problem. If I hadn’t known that fact, I probably would have bought the manor even if I had to pay all my gold and silver ingots.

But Lee Ryang didn’t do that. That alone shows his character as a merchant. Moreover.

“The fact that you’ve come again means you have something to purchase. Are you preparing for the sect opening?”

Look. This perceptiveness that pinpoints exactly what I want.

If it’s a merchant who’s this quick-witted and trustworthy, it’s worth maintaining a long-term business relationship with.

“First, I’d like to look into training robes.”

“Training robes, they’re important. Ceremonial robes? Or.”

“I want to produce everyday robes first.”

“Everyday robes. Hmm. How many are you thinking of ordering?”

“I’m thinking about twenty sets for now.”

At my words, Lee Ryang, who had been crossing his arms and pondering for a moment, scratched his cheek.

“For twenty sets, it would be better for you to place an individual order rather than going through the merchant company. Most of the fabric shops our company has contracts with are located near Dongting Lake, and there’s still quite a bit of time before the merchant caravan heading near Dongting Lake departs.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Furthermore, I should mention that if the order size is about twenty sets and it’s not a regular contract, large fabric shops probably won’t accept the order easily. Because it’s not worth the money compared to the effort.”

“I see. I hadn’t thought about that.”

I had vaguely thought I could just establish trade with a merchant company, but to think that wouldn’t work—how unfortunate.

“Fortunately, there are many fabric shops with good skills in this area, so you should be able to find a business partner without much difficulty. However……”

“However?”

“The rumors about the haunted manor are so widespread that it will be difficult to secure a business partner right away. Wouldn’t it be better to establish trade after the rumors have settled down first?”

At Lee Ryang’s question, I chuckled and stood up from my seat.

“My being alive is the proof itself, so is there really a need to wait?”

“…….”

“Thank you for the information. Then I’ll come find you separately when there’s something else to purchase.”

I finished speaking and walked with confident steps, leaving through the main gate. Twenty sets of training robes—isn’t that quite a large transaction?

“If I offer extra money, anyone would want to make them.”

***

To only state the conclusion, I was mistaken.

“I won’t sell! No, I can’t sell!”

I frowned while watching the fabric shop owner who hurriedly closed the door with an expression that said his luck had run out. The impulse that momentarily flashed through my mind.

‘Forget orthodox or whatever, should I just smash everything?’

Even though I visited all four fabric shop stores located in Huayong County, there wasn’t a single place that would make the training robes. This situation even though I confirmed I would order at least twenty sets.

“Even if there are superstitions, still……”

If it had been an ordinary fabric shop, they would have accepted. But the fact that Huayong County is a good place for people to live became a flaw instead.

Most of the people living here are those who have reasonably decent livelihoods. That means they have plenty of leeway to buy spare clothes, and it also means the fabric shops do good business.

Of course, even for them, twenty sets of training robes would be a big transaction. But with just that much, they can’t shake off their fear of ‘what if.’

Of course, if I keep showing them I’m perfectly fine, the rumors will subside, but…….

‘If I wait until then, when will I open the sect, and when will I learn martial arts?’

I let out a deep sigh and shook my head. If they won’t sell, what can I do?

“──.”

Right. Since there’s no other way, going back and forth to Dongting Lake myself wouldn’t be bad either. After all, Dongting Lake is only 60 li away, and with that distance, I can go back and forth within half a shichen.

“──!”

‘Moreover, Dongting Lake is a more luxurious street than here, so there are many fabric shops with good skills.’

In a situation where I haven’t even decided on the appearance of the training robes yet, the fabric shop’s skill level is important. Isn’t this the work of deciding the design of the training robes I’ll be wearing continuously from now on?

“Mm, yes. That would be better.”

I nodded and took a step forward. I needed to go to Dongting Lake and back today.

And at that moment.

“Warrior mister!”

“Hm?”

At the sight of a boy blocking my path, I blinked my eyes.

“I’ve been calling you this whole time!”

“Is that so. I’m sorry. When I fall into contemplation, I can’t hear people calling me at all.”

I had been feeling like the surroundings were buzzing, so it seems this child had been calling out to me.

“So, what is it?”

At my voice toward the boy who was looking at me with an expression full of curiosity, the child immediately spoke.

“You’re the new owner of the haunted house, right?”

Hmm. The rumors seem to have spread quite a lot.

“That’s right. What business do you have with me?”

“Are you going around buying clothes by any chance?”

“That’s right.”

At my question, the child hesitated for a moment, then looked up at me and carefully continued speaking.

“Um, by any chance at the fabric shop…… did you buy clothes?”

“No, they said it was inauspicious and wouldn’t sell to me.”

“My, my older sister makes clothes really well…… if it’s okay with you.”

“She makes clothes well?”

At the child’s words, I glanced at the child’s appearance and let out a contemplative sound. Judging from the shabby clothing, the child didn’t seem to be from a well-off family no matter how I looked at it.

“Yes. She makes them really well! It’s not a lie, it’s the truth. And she’s fast too!”

“I see. But then, would there be a need to seek me out? She could just supply to fabric shops.”

“That’s……”

Unable to continue speaking and hesitating, the child squeezed their eyes shut and clenched their hands tightly. And then.

“Murim Alliance warrior mister. I have a request…….”

The moment the child began to speak.

“Please save my older sister!”

[A lead to a new business partner has been detected.]

[Detection complete.]

[The target’s grade is ‘Rank 3.’]

Along with the text that appeared, I blinked my eyes at the color shining from behind the child.

Energy was flowing around the child.

Not the red energy that signals danger, but a golden energy of a color I was seeing for the first time.