Returning to the palace after the banquet, Seol So-Baek appeared extrely joyful.
I am glad the talks went smoothly.
P-Palace Lord.
However, Han Yi-Myungs expression seed devoid of life.
M-monopoly isnt sothing to casually discuss. To gain profit from trade, one must compete with other guilds. If we grant them the monopoly, they will dictate the price of goods as they please.
Indeed.
And this would result in significant losses.
Even after hearing those words, Seol So-Baek shook his head.
I do know that. Father no, commander.
Then why do you look so happy? Right now, the Ice Palace is being plundered by this sect of the Central Plains.
This made him smile ever so slightly.
If they were that greedy, they had plenty of opportunities to exploit the North Sea and flee the mont they discovered that the Demonic Sect had arrived. Even if I were captured, they wouldnt have risked their lives to save .
Its true that his words and actions can be harsh and unexpected, but Ive never seen him do anything that violates our agreent.
True. That was true.
That was all true, except the fact that they had known them for less than a month!
But Palace Lord!
Commander.
Seol So-Baek, who firmly cut off the words of Han Yi-Myung, opened his mouth with shining eyes.
How much stronger do you think Mount Hua will get?
What
Han Yi-Myung, who was about to answer, went silent. And after a mont of thought, he said.
Not long ago, the fa of Mount Hua didnt even reach the North Sea, but soon it will be the most renowned sect in the North Sea. And perhaps beyond.
Indeed. Thats true.
Seol So-Baek and Han Yi-Myung nodded in agreent.
Hadnt they witnessed firsthand the astonishing level of their martial arts skills?
Now, they may not quite asure up to Shaolin, the most formidable sect in the Central Plains. However, when Baek Cheon and the other disciples of Mount Hua mature into leaders, could they potentially rival even the mightiest sect?
At the very least, they will stand among the most powerful sects in the Central Plains.
More than anything, the presence of Chung Myung left no doubt in their minds.
Baek Cheon, Yu Yiseol, and the other disciples of Mount Hua were truly talented. They had the potential to make their sect the strongest, regardless of which sect they belonged to. However, among them, Chung Myung stood out on a whole different level.
It wasnt just about their skills.
Chung Myung had the ability to understand a situation with minimal information, the wisdom to find the best response, the power to execute a plan without delay, and the unwavering confidence to stand by his decision.
No matter how they appeared, he lacked nothing at all.
Wasnt he the one leading the disciples of Mount Hua, who each had their own unique personalities and brought them together?
Even if those who supported Chung Myung considered him inferior to Baek Cheon and the other disciples, Mount Hua would still have enough to strive to beco the top sect in the world.
With talented individuals like him supporting them, there is no reason to be afraid.
On top of that, the bravery of even robbing the Ice Palace.
Just the thought of it made him tear up.
No.
It wasnt like he hadnt given anything in the first place!
Even the crystals from the mine werent enough, so Chung Myung also took the ice crystals that Seol Chun-Sang had stolen and swiped the treasures that the Demonic Sect had, too!
While many of the ice crystals from Seol Chun-Sang were used by the Demonic Sect, just under half of them remained. But ice crystals were still ice crystals. They alone held great value
But he is too skilled, too powerful!
Being too skilled was the issue!
Seol So-Baek smiled at Han Yi-Myung, who was lost in contemplation.
There is no way making a pact with Mount Hua will harm the Ice Palace.
Of course, we may initially encounter so difficulties. But would it be detrintal for the North Sea Ice Palace to establish a friendly relationship with the Mount Hua sect?
Han Yi-Myung was montarily at a loss for words. He gazed at Seol So-Baek with a mixture of awe and admiration.
The palace lord is completely unpredictable.
Rather than blindly adhering to his own beliefs, Han Yi-Myung began contemplating his own role and the prospective path that the Ice Palace should embark upon.
This ant that Seol So-Baek was becoming the true ruler of North Sea Ice Palace, which was proof that he now stood as a soldier.
It brought a bittersweet emotion to see that the reason for his growth was the shadow of Chung Myung and not himself
But it isnt bad.
Chung Myung was not a bad person to be a reason for growth. His insides felt like it was raging, and his stomach clenched only if you stood as his opponent, but if one thought of him as a superior, then he was eminently reliable.
Then, it should be considered a positive change
Moreover, isnt this what Taoist Chung Myung suggested!
uh?
Its what Taoist Chung Myung is doing, so nothing can go wrong! I believe in him!
No
Didnt it feel like sothing was going terribly amiss here?
Han Yi-Myung sighed, his expression filled with confusion. It was difficult to determine whether Seol So-Baek had matured or if he was simply being swept up in Chung Myungs actions.
Isnt a monopoly a bit excessive, though?
What?
Well this place is known as the North Sea
Jo Gul stared at Chung Myung, seemingly speechless.
As the son of a rchant, he understood the advantages a monopoly would provide. There was no need to go to great lengths; how much profit did Mount Hua earn from the Yunnan tea trade?
This situation was unique. The trade with Yunnan was a contract between the Beast Palace and Mount Hua on equal terms, ensuring the trade was conducted fairly.
However, if Chung Myung were to secure exclusive trade with the Ice Palace, the potential profit would be unimaginable.
Initially, it may not bring in a significant amount of money, but over the years, the profit would increase exponentially.
Commander Han is no fool. Why would he agree to this?
You say such strange things, sahyung.
Huh?
He would accept it not because he is dumb but because he isnt.
Chung Myung smiled and said,
Commander Han No, the Ice Palace doesnt have any other option but to accept it. And this is not a loss for the Ice Palace.
What do you an?
The Ice Palace needed to witness the Demonic Sects true terror with their own eyes.
And there are still mbers of the Demonic Sect lurking in the world. If one high priest can do sothing like that, it ans the other high priests could intervene at any ti.
T-that is true.
And the Ice Palace doesnt have the strength to stop them.
Ah
Chung Myung shrugged.
Weve spent too much energy in this war, and now the new Palace Lord, Seol So-Baek, is too young.
True.
It will take ti for the Palace Lord to grow up and train new warriors to have the sa strength as before. If sothing happens in the anti, the Ice Palace will be ruined beyond repair. They wont be able to do anything.
So, what is it that
At that mont, Baek Cheon, who had been quietly eavesdropping on their conversation, spoke up:
The Palace requires a refuge.
Indeed, Dong Ryong. You have a keen ear.
Baek Cheon, annoyed by being addressed by na, let out a sigh and responded:
Youre not mistaken. Having exclusive control over sothing can be a burden. However, the Ice Palace, having suffered significant losses in power, will struggle to fend off the relentless attacks from the forces of the Central Plains, which will co at them like savage beasts.
That is correct.
Jo Gul nodded, indicating his understanding.
rchants possessed a natural greed. And if you were a rchant who ventured to the Ice Palace in search of trade, you were sure to have a reliable sect supporting you.
Given the Ice Palaces dwindling fa and prestige, it was only logical that they would be troubled and anxious if others were to encroach upon their territory.
In order to buy ti to restore their strength back to normal and get the Ice Palace to rise, and to protect the Ice Palace from the grasp of the Demonic Sect, they would need a sect to be their shield.
Yes.
Chung Myung nodded proudly.
In the past, he would have had to explain all of this word by word. But now, everyone would find an answer if he just gave them a hint.
Not only were their martial arts improving, but their insight was growing as well.
I understand everything, but there is sothing peculiar about this situation.
Whats that?
Considering the Ice Palaces perspective, doesnt this an that Mount Hua is seen as a sect capable of protecting them from other sects in the Central Plains and the Demonic Sect?
Correct. Whats your point?
Well um
Baek Cheon wore an awkward smile.
Mount Hua, once troubled by creditors, had even lost its signboard a few years ago. Now, it felt both proud and awkward that the Ice Palace, one of the Palaces, would co to rely on such a place.
I dont know if the other side will even consider these situations, but if they take the ti to think about it, theyll probably co to a similar conclusion.
Huh.
Baek Cheon chuckled at the confident voice of Chung Myung.
For so reason, he thought that they didnt desire re riches but were aiming for sothing grander.
Do you believe Mount Hua will prosper because of this?
Absolutely.
Chung Myung nodded.
Despite its current challenges, the North Sea Ice Palace remains one of the Four Palaces in this fantastic realm, boasting a rich history and promising potential. With the right actions from the palace lord, the lands forr glory can be reclaid.
Hmm.
As a result, our bond will strengthen.
In the anti, monetary transactions will also take place.
We live by helping each other.
Baek Cheons smile widened upon seeing Chung Myung.
Even though it doesnt seem like it.
Well, it wasnt important, and they had to move on now.
But what I dont get is
What now?
Doesnt that an we have to defeat the other sects who will rush to feed the Ice Palace?
Yes.
But can we do that right now? No matter how strong Mount Hua is, it isnt easy for us to deal with the other Nine Sects who have their dissatisfaction rise at this?
Sasuk.
Uh?
I thought you had beco a little smarter, but here you are, speaking useless things again.
Why would we do that? We were originally sent to monitor the Ice Palace and ended up taking care of everything.
If they had been considering all of this, they should have co to handle the situation. Conscience! If they have any! They should use it! Ughh!
Upon hearing those words, all eyes turned to one person.
A-ahem! Amitabha!
And Hae Yeons face turned red with embarrassnt. Chung Myung chuckled at this.
Surely the abbot of Shaolin will also have to step forward unless he wants his beard pulled out. And the Nanman Beast Palace will assist as well. Even if they try to press with the palaces titles, there wont be any problem.
Ah the Beast Palace.
Everyone nodded, acknowledging the promise of the Beast Palace, while Chung Myung spoke confidently.
Above all, once the Ice Palace joins the Heavenly Friends Alliance, everything will co to an end. Mount Huas na may not be sufficient to handle the Nine sects, but the Heavenly Friends Alliance will.
Absolutely, it will
The expressions on everyones faces brightened at those words.
Once the Heavenly Friends Alliance is established, the Ice Palace will express its willingness to join. Then, it will be challenging for anyone to criticize the trading practices within the alliance.
A good thought.
Baek Cheon, who understood everything Chung Myung was thinking, said,
What that ans is that you are going to leave all the responsibility to the Shaolin and the alliance and make Mount Hua fill their pockets by having a monopoly on ice crystals and the things needed for Mount Hua right now.
.
As expected of our sajil Chung Myung. He can even make the Devil cry.
If that happens, then he is worse than the Demonic Sect.
One vote for Chung Myung.
I vote for sago and sahyung!
Baek Cheon shook his head.
He is an amazing one. Well.
What started with a few light words from the Beast Palace Lord eventually grew big, and now a bond with the Ice Palace had also developed. It was not known where the plans were coming from for this bastard, but it wouldnt be too much to consider this a good result.
Then, is this roughly all done?
Because only the Ice Palace remains as a choice. Regardless of the outco, I believe most things have been sorted out. All thats left is the post-processing.
Chung Myung gently tapped the chin of Baek Ah, who was perched on his shoulder.
This feels like hell.
I wont even glance at the North Sea anymore.
Dont speak as if its already over, sahyungs. We still have a long way to go back to Mount Hua.
Tang Soso let out a groan, but the others simply laughed.
We must return now.
Yes, Sasuk.
Mount Hua.
To their patiently awaiting ho.
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