ISS-Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“I said I don’t need it.”

“……What?”

Seeing Hwangryongjangju’s eyebrows twitch, I steeled my resolve and gave a firm answer. Hwangryongjangju frowned.

This situation wouldn’t sit well with him. Hwangryongjangju was at least one of the top three weaving artisans in all of Jungwon. Perhaps it wouldn’t be strange to attach the title of the world’s greatest artisan to him.

However, that’s precisely why I must not accept Hwangryongjangju’s silk.

“Does my silk not please you?”

“It’s not that it doesn’t please me. It’s just that the ones who will wear it are important.”

“What do you mean by ‘the ones who will wear it’?”

“The clothes to be made from the silk are martial robes for newly entering disciples. Does this make it understandable?”

“……Hmm.”

After pondering my words for a moment, Hwangryongjangju stroked his beard and nodded as if understanding.

“Pearls on a pig’s neck.”

“Exactly.”

If the quality of the clothes is good, the wearer would be happy. However, Hwangryongjangju’s silk isn’t just simple silk—it’s a rare silk that has entered the realm of luxury goods. If new disciples wore clothes made from such silk, how would people around them view it?

“Wouldn’t they think that sect gives such magnificent silk even to new disciples?”

“No.”

I shook my head at Seohwa’s blinking question.

“Of course, some people might think that way, but most would think they’re lucky nobodies without any skill.”

“What? Why?”

“Because that’s the truth.”

Thinking coldly, no matter how well I teach the disciples, it’s impossible to make them carry the bearing of masters in just a month or two. That would be difficult even if Zhang Sanfeng or Bodhidharma came back to life.

Then, ultimately, those wearing these martial robes at the sect establishment ceremony would be closer to common people than martial artists. So if you think about them wearing unnecessarily flashy silk clothes when they don’t show much difference from others?

“……It would be fortunate if they don’t become objects of ridicule.”

“Exactly.”

I left Seohwa nodding in understanding and turned my gaze to Hwangryongjangju. Then Hwangryongjangju stroked his beard, agreeing with my opinion.

“I understand what you mean. Then do you want to receive a different fabric?”

Different fabrics woven by Hwangryongjangju.

I saw it at the auction house—Hwangryongjangju excels at various functional fabrics. If I asked for fabric to weave martial robes, he would surely provide the best fabric for making martial robes.

However,

“The premise is wrong from the start. What I want to receive isn’t fabric.”

“What?”

That’s not what I desire. Since the moment Hwangryongjangju revealed himself, what I’ve wanted is just one thing.

[Evaluating trading partner.]

[Confirmed the existence of a Grade 1 trading partner!]

[Hwangryongjang]

“I’ll give you an opportunity. An opportunity for Hwangryongjang to trade with me.”

Securing a new trading partner.

After staring at me intently for a moment, Hwangryongjangju let out a “hmm” and stroked his beard, then looked at me with profound eyes. And then came his response.

“You desire something too great for what you possess. Do you think your insight is worth that much? Enough to open trade with this establishment?”

“Of course, it’s probably not worth that much.”

“Then…….”

“But if I add something else, the value would match. For instance, reputation.”

“……Reputation? Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

At my words, Hwangryongjangju burst into loud laughter as if it were absurd.

“Hahaha! You’ll give me reputation? You? How laughable!”

That’s understandable.

Logically, there’s no way for Hwangryongjangju to gain more reputation than he already has. He’s already an artisan receiving respect from the entire weaving world, and moreover, with the development of this fabric, his reputation will pierce the heavens.

However.

There isn’t only the master at Hwangryongjang.

“Don’t you have a disciple?”

“Haha! Hahaha…… Hm?”

“Your disciple, I mean.”

At my question, Hwangryongjangju blinked and nodded.

“I do have one. Why are you suddenly asking about my disciple?”

“The one I want to open trade with is that disciple.”

After examining my expression briefly, Hwangryongjangju let out a hollow laugh.

“Ha, even if it’s my disciple rather than me, it’s the same. Though that child’s skill is insufficient compared to mine, she’s still a renowned weaving artisan. To trade with you…….”

“Didn’t I tell you? I’ll give you reputation.”

“Do you think Hwangryongjang’s direct disciple needs reputation? My disciple’s silk would sell just by putting it on the market.”

“Yes. Because.”

I paused briefly before speaking. And the moment he heard my words, Hwangryongjangju’s expression hardened.

“The reputation of Hwangryongjang wasn’t built by your disciple.”

“……!”

Hwangryongjangju’s reputation is at a level known by anyone involved in the clothing industry. And with this incident, that reputation will rise even further. Then.

What if Hwangryongjangju steps down and his disciple takes over Hwangryongjang?

“People will compare you and your disciple’s skills. They’ll reflect on when you were active and evaluate your disciple as ‘not quite at that level.'”

“……My disciple’s talent is not inferior to mine.”

“I know. But no matter how good one’s weaving skills are, reputation cannot be built immediately. Not without some ‘opportunity.'”

In fact, disciples being crushed under their master’s shadow and becoming crippled from obsessive compulsion is a common story. While some can endure the pressure and use it as motivation, there are also those who crumble under that pressure.

A true master wouldn’t be able to help but think about their disciple’s future. And the Hwangryongjangju I saw was at least an artisan with infinite pride in his own skills.

Then he wouldn’t want his disciple who inherited his techniques to become a cripple.

“Ten years.”

“Within ten years, I’ll create a sect that stands shoulder to shoulder with the Nine Sects and One Faction] of the orthodox sects or the Seven Gates and Two Families of the unorthodox sects. Wouldn’t that be sufficient opportunity?”

At my question, Hwangryongjangju looked directly at me and quietly spoke.

“So.”

“You’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with the Nine Sects and One Faction within ten years with a sect that hasn’t even been established yet?”

“That’s correct.”

“Do you have a way to prove it?”

“Of course not.”

“Yet you’re remarkably confident.”

“Because it will be accomplished.”

At my composed appearance, Hwangryongjangju let out a snicker. And then, immediately after, Hwangryongjangju’s eyes glinted coldly.

I could feel the atmosphere stiffen. Air pressing down on me as if saying it was impossible. However, I didn’t back down and looked directly into Hwangryongjangju’s eyes.

“Fine.”

Soon after, Hwangryongjangju’s permission was granted.

“If you’re that confident, give it a try. However, there’s a condition.”

“What is it?”

“You said you want to trade not with me but with my disciple, didn’t you?”

Hwangryongjangju, who had been looking at the distant mountains for a moment, continued with a mischievous smile.

“The one to give fabric should originally decide for herself. I’ll send Wol-a to your sect soon.”

“Wol-a?”

“That’s my disciple’s name. Let’s have Wol-a decide directly whether or not to trade with your sect. How about it?”

“Mm.”

After thinking briefly, I nodded. This was probably the maximum concession from Hwangryongjangju as well.

This is the best condition I can extract. If I push any further, I’ll face resistance.

“Good.”

“Alright. Then let’s trade that way.”

Hwangryongjangju, who had been looking around briefly, wore a strange smile. The master’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

“I’ll be going now. Where is your sect located?”

“It’s in Hwayonghyeon. The name is Uicheonmun .”

“Understood. Take care.”

“Safe travels.”

I clasped my fists as I watched Hwangryongjangju wave and disappear leisurely. Then Seohwa, watching that sight, frowned.

“Munjunim.”

“What is it?”

“……Trading with Hwangryongjang is good.”

“Right. It’s a very good thing. We might be able to continuously receive silk.”

“Yes. But…… then, what about the silk we need right now?”

“……Mm?”

“The silk we need right now. Won’t it take quite a while for that disciple from Hwangryongjang to visit?”

Ah.

After thinking briefly, I moistened my lips and provided an answer.

“……Let’s buy it at the next Heuksi.”

“Yes.”

It’s true that we gained a great benefit, so it can’t be helped. It’s not urgent anyway.

I clicked my tongue and shrugged my shoulders. Well then.

“Shall we return?”

“Yes.”

I turned around to exit the auction house, taking Seohwa who carefully grabbed my sleeve. And when we came out to the streets of Heuksi.

Tadadadadak!

Suddenly, someone ran up from behind and caught us.

“Huff! Huff! Bidder number 158! You were here! I found you!”

“Mm?”

At the familiar auctioneer’s face running up breathlessly, both Seohwa and I blinked simultaneously.

“What’s the matter?”

“What’s the matter, you say? You still have the fabric collection procedure left!”

“Fabric?”

Ah.

Come to think of it, I had bought cotton fabric. I had forgotten since I didn’t pay money.

“The auction house fee was already paid in full by Hwangryongjangju-nim, so the fabric is now yours, bidder-nim.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You don’t have a cart you brought, do you?”

“That’s correct.”

“There’s a cart storage facility near the entrance of Heuksi. The fabric has been loaded onto a cart there, so if you show your black pass and retrieve it, that will be it.”

“Thank you.”

“Haha, this is my job. It’s nothing to be thanked for. Then I’m busy, so I’ll be going.”

I watched the auctioneer who instantly poured out what he had to say and disappeared, then chuckled and moved my steps. And.

“Black pass number 158…….”

When we arrived at the cart storage facility.

“Here it is. Please check carefully!”

Looking at the fabric contained in the cart we found, Seohwa and I closed our mouths.

It doesn’t look particularly flashy on the outside. However, the texture when touching it is different. Light as if grasping air, yet sturdy silk.

Right.

It’s silk.

[Acquired Grade 3 Universal Fabric, Hwangryong Silk.]

No.

Why is this here?

Clop clop! Clop clop!

“Give him an opportunity, he said…….”

Listening to the sound of horse hooves flowing in through the window, Hwangryongjangju, Cheon Gamyeong, wore a bitter smile.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen someone so confident.”

Long ago. About twenty years ago.

There was an unknown martial artist who came looking for him. Even at that time, Cheon Gamyeong was the greatest weaving artisan.

The difference in reputation between the two was like heaven and earth. However, the unknown martial artist who came to find Cheon Gamyeong bluntly threw a single phrase at him. That was precisely.

“Give him the opportunity to trade…… was it.”

Cheon Gamyeong, who let out a snicker, rested his chin in the carriage.

A similar situation. However, this time the trajectory is different. Baek Riyun put forth reputation as trading material, but that guy only offered ‘his own favor.’

However, one thing.

“They’re similar.”

Recalling Baek Riyun’s eyes that strangely resembled his friend, Cheon Gamyeong spoke indifferently to the coachman.

“Listen.”

“Yes, elder!”

“Change the destination. Since we’ve come this far anyway, I’m thinking of seeing an old friend’s face before going back.”

“An old friend, you say? Understood. Then where should I head?”

“Where else. Hmm.”

Cheon Gamyeong, who briefly recalled his friend with eyes similar to Baek Riyun, smiled broadly and opened his mouth.

“Anhwi. Hapbi in Anhwi.”

“Specifically…….”

“Sadoryeon.”

Hapbi, ruled by the King of the Black Path who appeared like a comet in the martial world twenty years ago.

“He’s an eccentric fellow, so he’s perfect as drinking company.”

There was Cheon Gamyeong’s friend.

The master of Sadoryeon was there.