Chapter 36

After a short rest, Cheong-ra descended from the mountain as if flying, using his lightness skill. As he arrived at the gates of Shaanxi Province with his robe fluttering, curious gazes were drawn to him. Even wearing a veil couldn't completely hide his extraordinary aura.

If the Yangtze River flows through Chongqing, the Yellow River flows through Shaanxi Province. Unlike the blue Yangtze River, the color of this river was yellow as its name suggested, which was impressive. After briefly admiring the river, Cheong-ra stepped inside the city gates.

'...Where should I go now?'

Although he had come to Chang'an as Dang Ran-yeong had said, he didn't know where to go to find him. Befitting its long and deep history, the city was overflowing with people and tall, splendid buildings in all directions. Food, fabrics, and rare items he had never seen before dazzled people's eyes. It was indeed worthy of being a great city that was once the capital.

He wandered around for a long time, sightseeing various parts of the city, and stopped by an inn for a light meal. As he sipped tea while watching people passing by on the street, he suddenly overheard a conversation from nearby people. Although it seemed impolite, he couldn't help but listen because the content was shocking.

"...So rumors are spreading that the Hengshan Sect has closed its doors."

"We'd better not go near that area for a while then."

The Hengshan Sect has closed its doors? Cheong-ra was very surprised. The Hengshan Sect was one of the Five Mountains Sword Sects, a Taoist sect that was respected among commoners for periodically clearing out bandits and mountain strongholds on Mount Heng. If it was true that the Hengshan Sect had closed its doors, the commoners in that area would have a really hard time for a while.

'Surely, it must be just a rumor.'

How many exaggerated rumors were there in this Central Plains? In a place where a child catching a dog becomes catching a wolf the next day, Cheong-ra hoped it was just a false rumor as he finished his tea and left. Looking outside, he saw that the sun was already beginning to set. Having no choice, he sought out the White Jade Merchant Group and was inwardly impressed by its scale.

'I thought the White Jade Merchant Group in Dragon Spring was quite large, but it's no comparison to this place.'

Perhaps because there were more wealthy people living here than in Dragon Spring, the Chang'an branch of the White Jade Merchant Group was truly bustling. People dressed in expensive silks and jewelry came and went frequently, and the displayed goods were incomparable to those in Dragon Spring. Ornaments made of various jades were openly displayed in visible places - pure white jade considered precious among jades and treated as a gentleman's jewel, dazzling blue-green jade, and transparent and lustrous green jade.

Although it seemed like someone might steal them, they were strictly guarded by several martial artists, so people only looked with their eyes and didn't dare attempt to steal. Cheong-ra entered the store. The martial artists sent sharp glances towards him, wary of his veiled face.

As he looked around inside, wondering whom to ask, the person wearing the longest sleeves approached.

"Ho ho, Young Master. Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"

The eyes of the Chang'an White Jade Merchant Group's store owner quickly scanned Cheong-ra up and down. The sword at his waist wasn't flashy, but the materials used for the handle and scabbard seemed to be of good quality, suggesting he was a martial artist from a prestigious righteous sect. Although his clothes appeared simple, the fabric used was of good quality, and even with his face covered by a veil, he exuded an aura different from ordinary people, so he couldn't be treated carelessly.

"I've come to meet the owner of the White Jade Merchant Group. Where can I see him?"

The voice that finally flowed out was clear and pure like blue jade, surprising the store owner. And he was surprised once more by what followed. If someone else had said this, he would have ignored them, thinking who they were to come meet the heavenly owner. However, as he seemed to be no ordinary person, the store owner maintained his manners.

"Do you mean Lord Dang, our owner?"

"If you're referring to Young Master Dang Ran-yeong, that's correct. We made an appointment to meet in Chang'an a month ago."

"If I may ask, could I know your name, Young Master?"

At this, Cheong-ra hesitated for a moment, then slightly lifted his veil so only the store owner could see his face and said,

"My name is Baek Ri Cheong-ra."

The face revealed between the fluttering veil was white and clean like white jade. Under the lowered eyelashes, his pupils shone clearly, unknowingly captivating the gaze. Although he was a man and probably hadn't applied anything special, his lips were the color of peach blossoms. Every line of his face was straight and delicate as if drawn with a fine brush, without a single flaw.

One clerk who happened to see his face along with the store owner was so stunned that he dropped the box he was holding with a crash. Fortunately, it was an empty box not holding anything. As Cheong-ra lowered his veil again, the store owner unknowingly let out a sigh.

"If Young Master Dang finds it inconvenient to meet me, I have no choice. I'll be on my way then."

Cheong-ra spoke in a voice full of deliberate disappointment and turned his body. Then the store owner, who had come to his senses belatedly, held Cheong-ra back.

"Y-Young Master! Please wait a moment!"

At first, the store owner held him back because his heart sank at the sight of a beautiful person showing disappointment. But soon after, fear of the owner rose. What if Baek Ri Cheong-ra really had an appointment with Dang Ran-yeong? If he sent him away like this, he would be in big trouble. Just imagining facing an angry owner made his skin crawl. Naturally, the store owner's attitude became extremely polite.

"Please come this way for now."

The store owner quietly guided Cheong-ra to the third floor. As they went up, surprisingly, the items sold on the first floor were of the lowest quality. The items on the second floor were much more valuable, with people who wielded some power in Chang'an bustling about examining the rare goods. The third floor was empty, but it was incomparably more splendid than the first or second floors.

As soon as Cheong-ra sat on a chair intricately carved with decorations, servants brought tea and refreshments. The store owner said politely,

"Please rest comfortably here while I send a message to the owner. If you need anything, please ring this brass bell."

Then he retreated with quick steps. The treatment was lavish just for saying he had an appointment with Dang Ran-yeong. From this attitude, Cheong-ra could feel that Dang Ran-yeong was the true owner of the White Jade Merchant Group.

'How did he grow the merchant group this much without the support of the Tang Clan?'

Thinking this, Cheong-ra picked up the tea, cooled it gently, and took a sip. Although it wasn't as good as the Dragon Well tea he had drunk at Dang Ran-yeong's mansion before, this tea was still excellent. The refreshments served were also made with generous use of honey and wheat. Cheong-ra indulged in luxury to his heart's content. His body, which had accumulated fatigue from moving to Chang'an without rest for a month, instantly became drowsy.

Dang Ran-yeong appeared around the time Cheong-ra had finished drinking all his tea with some refreshments. When Cheong-ra only glanced at him without showing any reaction, he also sat down across from him without saying anything. Unlike before, the store owner appeared with tea he had brewed himself and poured it into Dang Ran-yeong and Cheong-ra's cups.

The store owner watched Dang Ran-yeong's expression anxiously with his hands politely clasped. His face seemed to wonder if he had brewed the tea well. After quietly taking a sip, Dang Ran-yeong opened his mouth.

"Owner Yang. You made a good judgment today. Young Master Baek Ri is an important guest to me. I'll reward you with thirty taels of silver."

"...! Th-thank you, Lord Owner!"

Although he seemed to be older than Dang Ran-yeong, the store owner was so delighted that his face even turned slightly red. Then he retreated with light steps as if he could fly.

'Is this something to be so happy about? He's like a subject praised by his monarch. Or perhaps Dang Ran-yeong is usually stingy with praise.'

Dang Ran-yeong glanced at Cheong-ra, who was looking at the store owner with a somewhat incomprehensible gaze. Then, as if nothing had happened, he leisurely drank his tea, and Cheong-ra didn't notice that the other had observed him like that. Cheong-ra tried to act nonchalant, but he couldn't help his body tensing up.

"So."

After a long silence, Dang Ran-yeong finally put down his cup and spoke. Cheong-ra's fingers holding the cup tensed slightly.

"Can I assume you've come to accept my proposal?"

"Yes."

Cheong-ra answered firmly. He had agonized dozens of times on his way to Chang'an. Was it right to seek out Dang Ran-yeong? Perhaps because he had come after such deliberation, his mind wasn't as troubled as before.

"Then tell me specifically what you want first, Young Master Baek Ri."

"What I want is..."

Trailing off, Cheong-ra took a sip of tea and then answered.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

As if it wasn't the answer he expected, Dang Ran-yeong raised his eyebrows. His thick and straight eyebrows were truly manly, but a single mole near his eye caught the gaze, adding a subtle and secret charm to him. Cheong-ra tried not to scan the other's face too blatantly as he answered.

"Why do you think I want something from you, Young Master Dang?"