<h4>Chapter 544: Sect Leader Sahyung. The Kids Are All Grown Up (4)</h4>


    Returning to the pce after the banquet, Seol So-Baek appeared extremely joyful.


    I am d the talks went smoothly.


    P-Pce Lord.


    However, Han Yi-Myungs expression seemed devoid of life.


    M-monopoly isnt something to casually discuss. To gain profit from trade, one mustpete 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,mander.


    Then why do you look so happy? Right now, the Ice Pce is being plundered by this sect of the Central ins.


    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 moment they discovered that the Demonic Sect had arrived. Even if I were captured, they wouldnt have risked their lives to save me.


    Its true that his words and actions can be harsh and unexpected, but Ive never seen him do anything that vites our agreement.


    True. That was true.


    That was all true, except the fact that they had known them for less than a month!


    But Pce 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 moment of thought, he said.


    Not long ago, the fame 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 agreement.


    Hadnt they witnessed firsthand the astonishing level of their martial arts skills?


    Now, they may not quite measure up to Shaolin, the most formidable sect in the Central ins. 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 ins.


    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 n without dy, and the unwavering confidence to stand by his decision.


    No matter how they appeared, hecked 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 be 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 Pce.


    Just the thought of it made him tear up.


    No.


    It wasnt like he hadnt given anything in the first ce!


    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 contemtion.


    There is no way making a pact with Mount Hua will harm the Ice Pce.


    Of course, we may initially encounter some difficulties. But would it be detrimental for the North Sea Ice Pce to establish a friendly rtionship with the Mount Hua sect?


    Han Yi-Myung was momentarily at a loss for words. He gazed at Seol So-Baek with a mixture of awe and admiration.


    The pce lord ispletely unpredictable.


    Rather than blindly adhering to his own beliefs, Han Yi-Myung began contemting his own role and the prospective path that the Ice Pce should embark upon.


    This meant that Seol So-Baek was bing the true ruler of North Sea Ice Pce, 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 something 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 ce is known as the North Sea


    Jo Gul stared at Chung Myung, seemingly speechless.


    As the son of a merchant, 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 Pce and Mount Hua on equal terms, ensuring the trade was conducted fairly.


    However, if Chung Myung were to secure exclusive trade with the Ice Pce, 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 ept it not because he is dumb but because he isnt.


    Chung Myung smiled and said,


    Commander Han No, the Ice Pce doesnt have any other option but to ept it. And this is not a loss for the Ice Pce.


    What do you mean?


    The Ice Pce needed to witness the Demonic Sects true terror with their own eyes.


    And there are still members of the Demonic Sect lurking in the world. If one high priest can do something like that, it means the other high priests could intervene at any time.


    T-that is true.


    And the Ice Pce doesnt have the strength to stop them.


    Ah


    Chung Myung shrugged.


    Weve spent too much energy in this war, and now the new Pce Lord, Seol So-Baek, is too young.


    True.


    It will take time for the Pce Lord to grow up and train new warriors to have the same strength as before. If something happens in the meantime, the Ice Pce will be ruined beyond repair. They wont be able to do anything.


    So, what is it that


    At that moment, Baek Cheon, who had been quietly eavesdropping on their conversation, spoke up:


    The Pce requires a refuge.


    Indeed, Dong Ryong. You have a keen ear.


    Baek Cheon, annoyed by being addressed by name, let out a sigh and responded:


    Youre not mistaken. Having exclusive control over something can be a burden. However, the Ice Pce, having suffered significant losses in power, will struggle to fend off the relentless attacks from the forces of the Central ins, which wille at them like savage beasts.


    That is correct.


    Jo Gul nodded, indicating his understanding.


    Merchants possessed a natural greed. And if you were a merchant who ventured to the Ice Pce in search of trade, you were sure to have a reliable sect supporting you.


    Given the Ice Pces dwindling fame 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 time to restore their strength back to normal and get the Ice Pce to rise, and to protect the Ice Pce 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 exin 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 something peculiar about this situation.


    Whats that?


    Considering the Ice Pces perspective, doesnt this mean that Mount Hua is seen as a sect capable of protecting them from other sects in the Central ins 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 Pce, one of the Pces, woulde to rely on such a ce.


    I dont know if the other side will even consider these situations, but if they take the time to think about it, theyll probablye to a simr conclusion.


    Huh.


    Baek Cheon chuckled at the confident voice of Chung Myung.


    For some reason, he thought that they didnt desire mere riches but were aiming for something grander.


    Do you believe Mount Hua will prosper because of this?


    Absolutely.


    Chung Myung nodded.


    Despite its current challenges, the North Sea Ice Pce remains one of the Four Pces in this fantastic realm, boasting a rich history and promising potential. With the right actions from the pce lord, thends former glory can be reimed.


    Hmm.


    As a result, our bond will strengthen.


    In the meantime, mary transactions will also take ce.


    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 mean we have to defeat the other sects who will rush to feed the Ice Pce?


    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 be a little smarter, but here you are, speaking useless things again.


    Why would we do that? We were originally sent to monitor the Ice Pce and ended up taking care of everything.


    If they had been considering all of this, they should havee 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 embarrassment. 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 Pce will assist as well. Even if they try to press me with the pces titles, there wont be any problem.


    Ah the Beast Pce.


    Everyone nodded, acknowledging the promise of the Beast Pce, while Chung Myung spoke confidently.


    Above all, once the Ice Pce joins the Heavenly Friends Alliance, everything wille to an end. Mount Huas name 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 Pce 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 means 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 Pce Lord eventually grew big, and now a bond with the Ice Pce had also developed. It was not known where the ns wereing 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 Pce remains as a choice. Regardless of the oue, 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 nce 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 simplyughed.


    We must return now.


    Yes, Sasuk.


    Mount Hua.


    To their patiently awaiting home.