NOVEL NEXT Ch 20
The *Eternal Ice*.
A treasure of the thousand-year-old North Sea, where the sorrowful tears of the North Sea people had once fallen.
To Seol Baek, the *Eternal Ice* was a fierce longing he had desired even in his dreams, a tragic wish that had consumed his soul.
How many times had he imagined this moment?
The culmination of his life’s deepest yearning was now unfolding before his eyes.
The thousand-year-old legend of the North Sea.
To attain the legendary absolute ice power and save the North Sea, one had to possess the *Eternal Ice*.
After the death of the Ice Queen Han Baek-ha, who suffered humiliation at the hands of the people of Central Plains, the North Sea had never fully recovered from the devastating blow.
The *Eternal Ice* was the last hope and pride of the eight hundred thousand people of the North Sea.
His ancestors had denied their heritage, concealed their family name, and endured a life of humiliation, all for this very day.
He could almost hear the last words of his mother, who passed away whispering “absolute ice power” as she breathed her final breath. The thought of her made his eyes well up with tears.
Seol Baek—no, Han Seol Baek (Cold Snow White)—held his twin sister Han Seol Hyun’s hand even more tightly.
As he gathered his composure, he regained his cold, stoic expression.
He was the last descendant of the *Ice Heaven Han Clan*, the direct lineage of the North Sea’s Ice Palace, and was destined to one day become the ruler of the Ice Palace.
As soon as the people from the Central Plains arrived and mentioned the *Eternal Ice*, he dropped everything and rushed to Anhui, driven by the desperation to reclaim what was rightfully his.
And now, he was glaring at Zhou Hui as if he wanted to kill him.
How could they treat the eternal treasure of the North Sea like this? Using the *Eternal Ice* as merely an accessory to store ice in a stone ice cellar!
But then Zhou Hui’s voice came, sounding even more ridiculous.
“I really can’t understand the suffering of the North Sea people. Haven’t you heard of the *Ice Merchant Houses*? Don’t you know how precious and expensive ice is in the Central Plains? Do you know how much ice stored here in the Great Stone Ice Palace could sell for in the market? If it were me, I would bring all the ice masters of the North Sea and dominate the commerce of the Central Plains with ice.”
*Ice Merchant House*.
This ancient idiom reflected the practice in ancient times where only noble families of the highest rank—like the *Qing Daifu*—could afford to use ice for funerals or ceremonies.
The power and wealth of such noble families were beyond imagination, and only they could have access to ice.
In the Central Plains, ice was incredibly rare and expensive.
Zhou Hui, without the *Eternal Ice*, would have never been able to imagine the opening of businesses like the Zhao Family Guesthouse, Zhao Family Spirits, Zhao Family Brewing, or the Hefei Inn.
Meanwhile, Han Seol Baek could hardly contain his disbelief.
What on earth did this person think the *absolute ice art* was?
The *Ice White Divine Art*.
When the great martial art of the North Sea was revealed in the Central Plains, it sent tremors through the martial world.
Every time the legendary *absolute ice master* of the North Sea appeared, the Central Plains would be plunged into chaos and bloodshed.
The extreme ice techniques that went beyond the norms of martial arts were beyond imagination in their destructive power.
The *Ice White Divine Palm*—with a single strike, it could freeze all living things in its path.
Anyone who had witnessed the sight of dozens of warriors turning into ice with a single blow would never dare to speak so carelessly.
The martial artists of the Central Plains had long feared the *Ice Palace of the North Sea*, one of the five most feared powers beyond the Great Wall.
And yet, what was happening now?
Having learned the art of ice cultivation, Zhou Hui suggested making ice and earning a fortune in the Central Plains?
Did he have no respect or understanding for martial arts?
Han Seol Baek was nearly shaking with disgust.
But this was just the beginning.
“Why is your expression like that? Do you have some kind of feeling toward me? You came here to work, didn’t you?”
“…….”
“…….”
Zhou Hui glanced at the Han siblings in turn with an unsatisfied expression.
“Let’s talk business first. I can lease the *Eternal Ice* to you for the whole day. In return, I want labor as payment. I’m sure the martial artists who brought you here must have already informed you.”
When Zhou Hui repeatedly referred to the cultivation of ice power as ‘business’ or ‘labor,’ Han Seol Baek, as a member of the Ice Palace, could no longer contain his pride.
“Shut your mouth!”
Zhou Hui’s eyes turned cold.
“Then leave.”
Zhou Hui motioned toward the stairs they had descended from.
Han Seol Baek bit his lips so hard that they bled.
“How dare you be so bold when you’re just a lone man! Seol Hyun!”
*Whoosh!*
A frosty chill formed around Han Seol Baek’s hands.
Han Seol Hyun, too, unleashed her *Ice White Divine Palm* with full force, aiming it at Zhou Hui.
The icy air in the Great Ice Palace, already freezing, became even more intense.
Zhou Hui’s eyes, now a piercing white, glowed with a chilling transparency.
His unnerving, translucent white eyes sank like a deep abyss.
Using his *Sword Heaven All-Encompassing Body* to observe the *Ice White Divine Palm*.
The moisture in the air condensed and compressed at an astonishing rate, forming geometric patterns that Zhou Hui could see clearly in an instant.
It was truly remarkable.
As the humidity in the air fell below its critical temperature, a wave of energy surged forth, rapidly increasing in power.
In the blink of an eye, the compression and condensation of the air’s moisture triggered a series of shockwaves, multiplying in strength.
Zhou Hui was astounded by the precision of this process, the creation of extreme *Yin* energy from such a rapid compression of the air.
It was so mathematically perfect that, excluding the *Sword Mastery* of the *Sword Palace*, it was the highest level of internal energy control he had ever seen.
In fact, it was even superior to the sword techniques of the *Namgung Family*.
Who could have come up with such a vicious technique to control inner energy with such extreme precision?
To master this kind of inner energy technique, one would have to dedicate their entire life to the study of both *Release* and *Absorption*—the two crucial aspects of inner energy manipulation.
Most martial arts practitioners focused only on the release of internal energy, neglecting the technique of absorption, because absorption is far more difficult.
It’s like scooping up water, which is harder than spilling it.
Without the need for special martial arts like the *Flower Transplanting Technique* of the *Mount Hua Sect*, or the *Absorbing Soul Method* of the *Demon Sect*, most martial artists had no use for absorption techniques.
But to complete such a vibration using the *Absorption* method, one would need to forgo all other martial achievements and dedicate their life to mastering just these two aspects.
Unless, of course, the secret of that vibration lay within the practitioner’s own internal energy.
In an instant, Zhou Hui’s energy faded as if it were extinguished. The peak of his transformation had unfolded.
*Whoosh!*
The force of Han Seol Baek’s *Ice White Divine Palm* hardened the ice walls around them even further.
In the blink of an eye, Zhou Hui had moved behind the Han siblings and wore a satisfied smile.
“Ah… it’s much bigger and more solid now. I’ll be able to deliver it further.”
“Ah!”
“Gasp!”
The faces of the siblings, whose beauty was as celestial as their ice powers, were filled with shock. They couldn’t even track Zhou Hui’s movements with their eyes.
This man before them was no ordinary merchant!
Having already positioned himself behind them, they expected an immediate attack, but instead, he stood with his arms crossed and a slight smile on his face.
Han Seol Baek clenched his teeth in anger.
“You!”
The Ice Palace’s ultimate technique, the *True Ice Step of Snowflakes*, unfolds.
With a phantom-like afterimage, Han Seol Baek closes the distance between him and Zhou Hui in an instant and unleashes the energy of his *Ice White Divine Palm*.
*Ice White Divine Palm*.
*Second Decision* — *Northern Wind Spiral Flow*.
The form of extreme cold relentlessly strikes.
The spiral technique amplifies its destructive power, layering destruction upon destruction.
Although this drains a significant amount of internal energy, its destructive force is unparalleled among any of the *Ice White Divine Palms*.
However…
*Crack!*
Once again, Zhou Hui’s energy dissipates as if it were extinguished.
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
The extreme cold technique, the overwhelming icy Northern Wind Spiral Flow, crashes into one of the warehouse’s walls.
There, numerous large barrels, filled with water that had only a thin layer of ice forming, were stacked up.
As the immense cold of the Ice Palace struck the barrels, the chill spread out, freezing every barrel completely.
*Flash!*
The ice that was only partially frozen was now solidly frozen, as hard as stone!
Once again, Zhou Hui gained an advantage and internally cheered.
*Smirk!*
Han Seol Baek’s face, frozen in disbelief, was now one of utter realization.
It was clear now.
The enemy’s intent was obvious.
Zhou Hui had cleverly guided Han Seol Baek’s *Ice White Divine Palm* toward the ice wall!
“Heh…! It takes over three hours in a storage room to freeze the ice, but with just one palm strike, you freeze them all! Why do you insist on using such incredible powers only to kill people? Listen carefully.”
Zhou Hui’s serious gaze shifted toward the barrels of ice.
“That technique just now, it’s a *close combat* technique designed to deal with a single person, isn’t it? Even with its limited destructive power, it froze eleven ice barrels with a single strike. Surely you have a wider-reaching technique that can disperse cold energy over a larger area?”
Han Seol Baek answered as though hypnotized.
“Y-Yes, of course.”
*Ice White Divine Palm*.
*Fifth Decision* — *Snowy White Heaven*.
This wide-area technique, which covers twenty square meters with extreme cold, consumes an enormous amount of internal energy but is the most lethal of all *Ice White Divine Palm* techniques.
“How many barrels of ice do you think you can freeze with that technique?” Zhou Hui asked.
Han Seol Baek, after thinking for a moment, tilted his head.
“Maybe fifty?”
Zhou Hui smiled in admiration.
“Ha! There you go. So, how many times can you perform that technique with full internal energy?”
“Maybe four or five times?”
Zhou Hui’s eyes widened in surprise.
“That’s it? You can only do that much? It seems that the technique consumes a lot of energy, huh? Anyway!”
Zhou Hui pointed to one of the ice barrels.
“One of those ice barrels costs thirteen *silver liang*. Now, let’s do the math. With one technique, you can freeze about fifty barrels, and if you can perform it four times with full energy, that’s two hundred barrels.”
“Full energy?”
“Yes, something like that. Anyway, let’s say you can make two hundred barrels at once. How much is that in silver? A whopping two thousand six hundred liang! Or, in gold, two hundred and sixty liang! What an insane efficiency! Each of you is like a walking merchant!”
“…”
“…”
Zhou Hui’s smooth talking, almost like a multi-level marketing pitch, was irresistible.
“Now, think about it. There is the *Eternal Ice* you’ve been longing for so much. You can make two hundred barrels of ice, meditate on the *Eternal Ice*, and then make another two hundred barrels, and repeat this process five or six times a day. What do you think will happen to your ice powers?”
He was speaking the truth.
The fundamental training method for *Ice White Divine Palm* and all other internal energy techniques involves the repetition of expelling and refining internal energy.
By repeatedly practicing the *Ice White Divine Palm*, when the lower dantian is empty, one would then meditate with the *Eternal Ice*, which is theoretically the best training method.
“After repeating that for five or six years, what will you become? An ultra-skilled *Ice Person*!”
The Han siblings felt an unpleasant sense of temptation as they looked at Zhou Hui, who was grinning widely, though they hated how convincing he was.
“Plus, I’ll pay you for the ice you sell. Where else could you find such an amazing opportunity? I really don’t understand why you’re so upset.”
Zhou Hui’s words were persuasive, and slowly, the martial pride of the Han siblings began to crumble.
Suddenly, Han Seol Baek’s face grew suspicious.
“…How much do you mean by *paying*?”
*Smirk.*
A cold smile spread across Zhou Hui’s face.
Money—this is how terrifying it can be.
Just a moment ago, the warriors of the Northern Sea were acting out of pride and honor, but now, they were trying to secure their own interests.
“Well, as long as you work hard… or rather, as long as you train diligently, it will change, won’t it?”
“Hmm…”
When Han Seol Baek thought about the many dependents in the Northern Sea, earning money didn’t seem so bad.
At that moment, when Han Seol Baek was about to come to an agreement with Zhou Hui…
“But there’s a condition.”
“What condition?”
Suddenly, Zhou Hui’s expression became serious.
“I’ve just started a new business in the western region. One of you will need to come with me to the western region. That means only one person can cultivate *Eternal Ice* to advance their ice abilities. You two can decide who will stay behind.”
The Han siblings were taken aback.
“That’s ridiculous!”
“I can’t be separated from my brother!”
Based on their similar appearance and the way they addressed each other, they clearly appeared to be twin siblings.
Zhou Hui, sighing deeply, finally offered a solution.
“Alright. There’s a way for you to stay together.”
“What’s that?”
Zhou Hui replied curtly.
“You’ll have to pass on your ice abilities to me.”
“How dare you, you scoundrel?!”
Han Seol Baek, feeling the urge to use his *Ice White Divine Palm* again, trembled and forcibly withdrew his hand.
“Impossible! How can I casually pass down the family’s secret techniques to others?!”
Zhou Hui chuckled.
He had already mastered the martial arts of the Namgung family in just three days.
Having analyzed the *Ice White Divine Palm* and all its physical diagrams using the “Heavenly Sword Mind,” Zhou Hui knew how to handle it. The only issue was that using his *Heavenly Sword* method consumed more internal energy, making it less efficient. But with the power of a martial artist possessing the right kind of will, it wasn’t a simple matter.
The *Absolute Realm*—it wasn’t called the *Absolute Realm* for no reason.
The resonance of its properties, even just the imitation of it, was more than enough to surpass any other method.
*Vroom!*
Han Seol Baek and his sister stared at the icy chill condensing on Zhou Hui’s hands, their mouths agape in shock.
“I’m just asking for your consent. It’s not something you two can refuse. Let’s negotiate.”
Yang strength, extreme yin, and lightning power.
Among all the martial factions in the world, only a few had mastered the powerful natural attributes of these three elements and incorporated them into their martial arts.
The Sun God Palace of the Three Outsiders.
The Northern Sea Ice Palace of the Three Outsiders.
The Thunder Heaven Sect of Mount Changbai.
While some factions in Central China had experimented with incorporating solar, yin, or lightning energy into martial arts, none had achieved the level of mastery or fame of these three sects.
These three sects had carefully hidden their secret arts.
The ultimate martial principles of manipulating natural forces. They had never shared their most profound achievements.
Among them, the Northern Sea Ice Palace was the most reclusive.
The *Ice White Divine Palm*.
There was no other level of yin energy that surpassed this supreme technique.
Long ago, the *Nine Demons of the Heavenly Demon Sect* had once threatened its dominance, but that martial art had long since disappeared.
As such, the *Ice White Divine Palm* was a rare martial art, and the Northern Sea had kept its secrets closely guarded.
But now, the man standing before them, Zhou Hui, was performing the very same *Ice White Divine Palm*.
The ultimate vibration force.
Its wave-like intensity seemed to even surpass the *Ice White Divine Palm* in some ways.
The Han siblings stood frozen, pale as if they had seen a ghost.
Han Seol Baek couldn’t believe the icy energy gathered in Zhou Hui’s hands. It didn’t feel real at all.
Then, Han Seol Baek’s eyes suddenly glinted with realization.
*There’s no trace of the Eternal Ice energy!*
The *Eternal Ice*.
For many years, *Han Eum Ji Gi* could only be achieved by training in the most extreme lands.
The energy rising in Zhou Hui’s hands had none of the power of *Ice Spirit* (*Bing Jeong*).
This meant that Zhou Hui was not a *Bing In*—a master of ice who had been honing *Han Eum Ji Gi* for years.
How could a martial artist from the heart of Central China possibly know the *Ice White Divine Palm*?
*Does this mean… could it be…?*
The absence of *Ice Spirit* meant that Zhou Hui had created the cold waves purely through the operation of his inner energy, without relying on the ice powers themselves.
*Could he have seen my *Ice White Divine Palm* once and imitated it?*
At this thought, Han Seol Baek’s spine shivered in disbelief.
Zhou Hui, who had withdrawn his ice energy and was now standing casually with his hands behind his back, spoke.
“Well, for now, it’s just an imitation. The cold you see is nothing compared to your *Ice Palm*, right? That’s why people still consider the original to be the best.”
Zhou Hui’s face broke into a playful smile.
“Still, I’ve seen your *Ice Palm*, especially the initial move. Choose quickly. One of you must come with me, or give me the internal cultivation method that pairs with your ice technique.”
Zhou Hui’s obsession with *Ice Palm* was clear.
If he could master it properly, there would be no need to build the costly *Great Ice Palace*.
However, without the correct internal cultivation, imitating the *Ice Palm* only drained energy and couldn’t create as much ice as Han Seol Baek could in a single move.
Of course, it would be possible to do it by consuming an immense amount of internal energy with Zhou Hui’s *Heavenly Sword Mind*, but for a man who valued efficiency above all else, it seemed strange that he hadn’t opted for a more practical method.
Han Seol Hyun, who had been biting her lips in silence, finally made up her mind.
“…I’ll go.”
“Seol Hyun!”
Looking at her beautiful face, trembling with emotion, Zhou Hui almost felt his heart skip a beat.
She was a beauty beyond compare, even more stunning than any idol from modern times.
“Why don’t you stay, and I’ll go with the merchant?”
“No! You must stay, brother!”
With clenched lips, Han Seol Hyun shook her head frantically.
That wasn’t possible.
Her brother was the hope of the Northern Sea, the last chance to rebuild the Ice Palace.
If her brother could become the supreme ice master and recreate the legend of the Absolute Ice King, she would sacrifice everything for that.
Furthermore, it was unthinkable for the secret of the *Ice White Divine Palm* to be passed down to another.
In the end, it was the most reasonable choice for her to follow the merchant.
Han Seol Hyun’s delicate face turned to her brother.
“Brother, you must succeed.”
Han Seol Baek could understand her unspoken words just by looking into her eyes.
How could he not? The weight of the Northern Sea’s *han* (resentment) rested on his shoulders.
He couldn’t even withstand the tricks of a mere merchant in the present reality.
*Seol Hyun…*
If the Ice Palace had still been intact, she would have grown up cherished and loved by the Northern Sea, surrounded by luxury.
To think she would be sold to an ice merchant in this far-off land!
It was all because he lacked the strength.
With his face hardened in humiliation, a chilling aura radiated from Han Seol Baek’s eyes.
*I will become the Absolute Ice King and kill that merchant!*
For a while, the murderous intent was palpable as Han Seol Baek silently climbed onto the *Eternal Ice Throne*.
Soon, his *Ice White Divine Palm* absorbed the essence of the Eternal Ice Throne.
Zhou Hui, smiling contentedly, watched as Han Seol Baek succeeded in producing a tremendous amount of ice.
Now, he would not have to worry about someone stealing the Eternal Ice or his escape.
This was the beginning of expanding his influence in the business world!
* * *
Back at the merchant group’s headquarters, Zhou Hui gathered those who had watched the Han siblings and informed them of their reduced pay. He then made his way to the *Merchant Inn*.
Since some of the officers had already been preparing to go to the western region, he had a couple of days to spare and decided to visit the business sites before departure.
Zhou Hui realized for the first time how much a person’s appearance could be such a nuisance.
Every time Han Seol Hyun passed by, people stared at her with dumbfounded expressions.
Normally, Zhou Hui wouldn’t have cared about others’ attention, but now it was getting overwhelming, and he felt uncomfortable with the amount of attention she was attracting.
In the end, he pulled her into a narrow alley.
“We need to change your clothes first.”
“What?”
The northern-style leather outfit she was wearing, covered in white fur like snowflakes, made her stand out too much.
“We have to take that off first if you want to not be so noticeable.”
“I can’t take this off!”
Han Seol Hyun sat down and hugged her chest tightly with both hands.
A crowd had gathered at the alley entrance, pointing and muttering.
“What a shameless man! Harassing a woman in broad daylight!”
“Tsk tsk, these young ones today! What a mess!”
Zhou Hui, sighing at the misunderstanding, took a step forward and snapped at them.
*Thud!*
“Mind your own business and go on your way!”
As soon as the crowd realized Zhou Hui was a martial artist, they scattered, pale-faced.
“Hey, Northern Sea girl. You’re in Central China now, you should wear Central China clothes. You’re too conspicuous.”
Han Seol Hyun refused to wear anything else.
*White Wolf Treasure Clothes.*
It was the outfit her mother had painstakingly made for her, adding layer after layer of precious white wolf leather over several years, predicting her children would one day grow into it.
How could she bear to take off something that carried her mother’s love?
“It’s summer, isn’t it hot? No matter how much you like your hometown clothes, you’ll end up smelling bad with the heat,” Zhou Hui remarked.
Han Seol Hyun’s eyes widened.
“You…”
Unlike the free-spirited North, she had heard that etiquette was strictly enforced in Central China.
But the young man in front of her seemed to say whatever he pleased to a woman.
“Am I wrong? With this humid, hot weather, if you insist on wearing that outfit, you’ll be sweating and stinking soon. Don’t you feel the eyes on you? Are you some attention seeker?”
“Attention seeker? What’s that?”
“It’s someone who enjoys the attention and stares of others, a weirdo.”
Han Seol Hyun’s face turned stern, but even her scowl looked adorable.
“…Fine, I’ll change. But I absolutely can’t lose this outfit. Please keep it safe at your merchant group.”
Zhou Hui nodded willingly.
“Alright, I’ll take care of it.”
After the agreement was made, Jo Hwi took Han Seolhyeon to a cloth shop in the marketplace.
“Ugh! Chairman!”
The shop they arrived at was “Cheonhyang Cloth Shop,” which was originally a business owned by the Hwa Shi Sword Clan. It had been sold off due to the unbearable price cuts imposed by the Jo Ga Merchants’ Guild, and now, under Hwa Seomyeong’s orders, it had become a cursed cloth shop. However, after receiving high-quality goods from the Jo Ga Merchants’ Guild, the shop had grown much larger than before.
Not just this shop, but all shop owners in He Bi were eager to please the Jo Ga Merchants’ Guild, as they couldn’t survive without doing so. The goods distributed by Jo Ga Merchants’ Guild were so highly demanded that no one could afford to ignore them.
“Over here! Please come this way, Chairman!”
Anyone who saw Han Seolhyeon for the first time would be struck by her incredible beauty. However, the owner of the Cheonhyang Cloth Shop, Lee Yeongan, didn’t even glance at her. He only bowed deeply to Jo Hwi, as he was the one with the power over the fate of the shop.
“Please give her a suitable outfit.”
Only then did Lee Yeongan look at Han Seolhyeon. He was shocked by her stunning beauty but quickly gave a servile smile toward Jo Hwi.
“Hehe! As expected of the Chairman! Such a remarkable beauty! Are you perhaps preparing for a wedding? Do you need a bridal gown?”
He rubbed his hands together, rolling his eyes exaggeratedly.
Jo Hwi sighed softly and replied, “Not like that. Please give me a simple martial outfit, one that won’t stand out.”
“Ah, understood! I’ll bring it right away!”
Lee Yeongan measured Han Seolhyeon’s size with a glance, then hurriedly brought a white martial outfit. It was an expensive-looking silk robe.
However, Jo Hwi frowned as he realized it was white.
“No, not this white one. Something darker! Do you have any simple, coarse clothes?”
“Ah? Understood! I’ll get it changed right away!”
Lee Yeongan, with a startled look on his face, rummaged through the inventory and soon brought out a dull black martial robe. It was a simple, plain outfit, and Jo Hwi seemed pleased with it.
He handed the black robe to Han Seolhyeon. “Quickly change into this.”
“…”
Han Seolhyeon accepted the black robe with a sorrowful expression. It was heartbreaking for her to take off the clothes her mother had made for her.
After a while, Han Seolhyeon emerged after changing her clothes.
“…”
“…”
Jo Hwi and Lee Yeongan stood dumbfounded, both staring in shock at her.
Was this even possible?
The dark black robe only accentuated her fair and beautiful face. Given the nature of martial robes, which were designed for mobility, her slender, yet curvy figure was clearly visible.
She was perfection.
Even after changing from her bulky fur clothing to the dull martial robe, she looked even more beautiful.
‘As expected, beauty completes fashion…’
Jo Hwi shook his head in disbelief and glanced at Lee Yeongan.
“Do you have any loose, baggy robes like the ones older women wear? And some cotton fabric as well?”
At that moment, Han Seolhyeon expressed her opinion for the first time.
“I actually like this one.”
Having always worn thick fur clothing, she found the lightness of the simple cotton robe to be refreshing and new. She was surprisingly fond of the feeling.
Jo Hwi looked irritated. “Please wear the cotton fabric. I can’t deal with this anymore.”
“…Alright.”
Han Seolhyeon stood still, staring blankly at Jo Hwi’s retreating back after the transaction was completed. A faint blush had appeared on her face.
It was the first time she had ever received a gift of clothing from someone other than her family.
The next day, at the Jo Ga Guesthouse, the general manager of the An Hwi Cheol Gang, Lee Yeosong, entered with a large bundle on his back, pushing aside the curtain.
When he saw Jo Hwi eating a simple bowl of noodles, he greeted him.
“Chairman, have you caught a cold?”
Lee Yeosong, the general manager, couldn’t help but be impressed. Despite the early hour, just past the hour of the rooster (5 a.m.), Jo Hwi was already up and eating.
Seeing the nervous servants behind him, rubbing their eyes, Lee Yeosong couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy for them.
“Hmm… the taste hasn’t changed. Good work.”
The servants, who had been waiting for Jo Hwi’s approval, finally relaxed and smiled.
The simple noodles (so-myeon) were one of the most popular dishes at Jo Ga Guesthouse. They were cheap and quick to prepare, making them perfect for travelers, merchants, and anyone in a hurry to get back to work.
Jo Hwi had a particular obsession with this dish, which he ate often for breakfast.
The original noodles in the Central Plains were too greasy with their rich broth, which was a bit heavy for a morning meal. So Jo Hwi had localized the dish to resemble the lighter, less greasy “banquet noodles” he had eaten in the modern world.
At first, the people of He Bi found the noodles at Jo Ga Guesthouse odd because they lacked the strong meat-based flavor they were used to. However, they gradually grew to appreciate the clean taste of the broth, and now, other guesthouses were even trying to replicate Jo Ga Guesthouse’s version of the noodles, made with dried fish (yeopo) stock.
After slurping a few more spoonfuls of the refreshing broth, Jo Hwi spoke to the servants again.
“You’re doing well. If the basic noodles aren’t good, then the guesthouse is no good. Please continue to strictly follow the proper amount of dried fish when making the broth.”
“Yes, Chairman. We will keep it in mind.”
“Yes, we will make sure to follow your instructions.”
In the Central Plains, dried fish was an expensive ingredient—more so than pork or chicken. If the servants secretly skimped on or stole the dried fish stock, Jo Hwi would never forgive them.
Once the servants stepped away, Jo Hwi finally greeted Lee Yeosong.
“You’re not unhappy with your demotion, are you?”
Lee Yeosong smiled awkwardly and couldn’t look Jo Hwi in the eye, clearly uncomfortable.
“I-I’m deeply sorry. I’m ashamed. I’ll make sure to never make such a mistake again.”
Jo Hwi, who was always meticulous, appreciated this human side of Lee Yeosong.
“If we punish one person for the same mistake and let another go free, that’s not how the guild works. It’s in line with the guild’s policies, so don’t take it too personally. And here, take a look at this.”
Jo Hwi handed Lee Yeosong the white fur-lined robe that Han Seolhyeon had worn earlier. Lee Yeosong recognized it immediately.
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
Lee Yeosong carefully examined the robe, then marveled at the craftsmanship.
“Ho!”
Lee Yeosong had spent seven years working in the leather workshops of the Iron Fortress. Having seen countless workers process leather, he could immediately recognize the excellence of this garment.
“What’s the matter?” Jo Hwi asked.
“Truly, as they say, the North is unmatched in leatherworking! This leather garment is no ordinary piece.”
“Is that so?”
“Look here…”
Lee Yeosong began pointing out the details of the robe, explaining as he went along.
The leather used in the lining showed signs of age, but the leather cords that connected the pieces, and the holes where they were stitched, were all perfectly intact without any fraying.
Had this been made using Central Plains techniques, it would have been worn out long ago, with the seams falling apart. But the leather itself was exceptional, and the unique technique used to join the pieces together showed the skill of Northern leatherworkers.
Lee Yeosong was fascinated by the unfamiliar and unusual stitching techniques, which made him even more curious about the person who had crafted the garment.
The patterns and decorations on the leather were no ordinary craftsmanship.
“Ho…”
After hearing Lee Yeosong’s explanation, Jo Hwi became curious.
The products produced in the So-San and Gi-San workshops were becoming increasingly diverse.
For example, the precious swords to be supplied to the high-ranking officials of the General’s Office and the leather goods from the Gi-San workshop all required a lot of leather.
However, the leatherworking in the Iron Fortress had a rough quality to it. Most of the skilled leatherworkers were attached to the imperial family or government, which often left Jo Hwi frustrated.
But if the northern leatherworking techniques were truly this excellent, Jo Hwi saw this as a potential breakthrough.
At that moment, Han Seolhyeon, now wearing the black martial robe, was descending the stairs.
Jo Hwi, without hesitation, pointed to the white fur-lined robe and asked her a question.
“Who made this leather garment?”
“My mother made it,” Han Seolhyeon answered.
“Hmm?”
Jo Hwi was stunned. Could it be true that the person who made such an exquisite leather garment wasn’t a leatherworker, but her mother?
“Was your mother a leatherworker?” he asked, still in disbelief.
“What’s a leatherworker?”
“A leatherworker is someone who deals with leather professionally.”
Han Seolhyeon looked puzzled, clearly unfamiliar with the term.
“There’s no such profession in the North Sea. All clothing is made by mothers.”
The North Sea people, like many nomadic tribes, had a culture where job distinctions were foreign. In their society, all women made clothing for the family.
Jo Hwi, still bewildered, asked again, “So, are all the women in the North Sea capable of making garments like this?”
“My mother was quite skilled. I can’t even come close to her level.”
Jo Hwi’s face brightened with excitement.
“Then, does your family also know the leatherworking techniques?”
“Yes. I can’t match my mother’s skill, but I know a little…”
“Let’s make a deal!”
What a windfall!
Though Han Seolhyeon was being modest, Jo Hwi instantly recognized that the northern leatherworking techniques were extraordinary. The skills must be far beyond the capabilities of the workers in the Iron Fortress!
“…What’s a deal?” Han Seolhyeon asked.
“Teach the leatherworking techniques from your homeland to the workers of our Iron Fortress! I’ll make sure you’re treated well! No, actually, why don’t we set up a leather workshop right now, General Lee?” Jo Hwi suggested.
“That’s a great idea,” General Lee Yeosong agreed.
What had initially seemed like a mere replacement for the old leatherworkers was now turning into a golden opportunity!
Just then, the executives of the Jo Ga Merchant Association began to flood into the restaurant.
Jo Hwi had already recruited more than half of the seasoned executives. He had also brought many of the experienced workers from the Iron Fortress with him.
You couldn’t build an apartment using raw timber columns like logs. If they built it like that, the cost of iron ore would be astronomical.
H-beams.
Using H-beams, which were stable from an engineering perspective, could significantly reduce the cost.
Since the development and production of these H-beams needed to be done in Jiangxi, it was inevitable that Jo Hwi would have to bring in many skilled workers from the Iron Fortress.
Though this would surely hurt An Hwi’s business, there was no other choice.
According to the plan, Jiangxi would soon become a much larger commercial hub than An Hwi.
Establishing the Jo Ga Merchant Association in this land flowing with milk and honey would not be an easy feat.
“Alright, welcome! After you’ve had a meal, we’ll set off immediately. All for the sake of the association!” Jo Hwi exclaimed.
With Jo Hwi leading the chant, the staff of the Jo Ga Merchant Association responded in unison with loud voices.
—“The merchants unite, and the world prospers!”
The slogan “The merchants unite, and the world prospers” might sound arrogant to outsiders, but those who knew it was the Jo Ga Merchant Association’s motto would nod in agreement.
After everyone finished their meals, Jo Hwi stepped outside the restaurant, holding the association’s flag high as he took on the role of flag bearer. Dozens of supply carts followed behind him.
The eighty members of the Jo Ga Merchant Association were now ready to head to Jiangxi.
This was the first step in making waves in the Jianghu, the beginning of establishing the reputation of the largest merchant association in the Central Plains.