Chapter 97 : Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Negotiation (4)

“What, you brat?”

Musan-gae’s eyes shot up, as if displeased with Chwipung-gae for intervening in the negotiation.

“I said that we should give Young Master Myeong three Emerald Rescue Pills.”

“This brat?”

Despite the Clan Leader's threat, Chwipung-gae continued to speak uprightly.

“I have already promised one Emerald Rescue Pill. It is right to give two pills for the matter of procuring the ingredients, so a total of three pills would be correct.”

“That's why it's two pills, you brat.”

“No. It is right to give three pills.”

Crackle, the staring contest that flared up between the two did not last long.

“Ugh. Alright. Do as you please.”

This was because Musan-gae had taken a step back. Surprisingly, the winner was Chwipung-gae.

“We will give you three Emerald Rescue Pills.”

Musan-gae informed Dancheon Myeong so in a grumbling voice.

“Thank you.”

The beggars fought amongst themselves, and the price became three Emerald Rescue Pills.

‘Hmm.’

Yeom Gi-ha's mind became complicated. It was because the situation was changing from what Singija had told him.

Anyway, as the satisfied Chwipung-gae stepped back, Musan-gae's negotiation resumed.

“And we will give you the status of an honorary member of the Beggar's Gang.”

“Oh?”

I saw Dancheon Myeong’s face light up at Musan-gae's words.

Yeom Gi-ha could not understand the reason why the man, who had been calm even when offered authority comparable to a squadron commander of the Murim Alliance's Special Operations Unit, was now beaming at a mere honorary position in the Beggar's Gang.

“What will the rank be?”

Dancheon Myeong asked, his voice laced with a subtle sense of anticipation.

“A Law Protector.”

“……!”

Yeom Gi-ha is the Murim Alliance Leader.

Of course, he knew about the hierarchy of the Beggar's Gang. He also knew that a Law Protector corresponded to the rank of a Four-Knot.

He also knew that the Beggar's Gang does not even give a Three-Knot to a non-beggar, so he knew how great an honorary position equivalent to a Four-Knot was.

Of course, what was even more surprising was that Singija had predicted even this. Although it had gone slightly awry due to Chwipung-gae, Singija’s ability was indeed legendary.

“That won’t do, Clan Leader.”

However, things got strange again.

It was when the scholarly-looking beggar, Uisaeng-gae, who had been quiet, stepped forward.

“What is your problem now?”

“Young Master Myeong is the benefactor of the Beggar's Gang's divine object, the Emerald Rescue Pill, so his grace is as vast as the sea. We cannot repay his grace with a mere Four-Knot.”

“Then?”

“It is fitting to bestow upon him an honorary position corresponding to a Five-Knot Hall Lord.”

A sense of resolve was present in the mouth of Uisaeng-gae, who had seemed like a weak scholar.

“You brat, have you forgotten the rule that one must be beggar-like to tie more than three knots! A Four-Knot is already a great favor.”

“The Clan Leader is mistaken. Young Master Myeong is sufficiently beggar-like.”

Is Dancheon Myeong beggar-like or not beggar-like?

With that content, which could be a compliment or an insult, the beggars, with Chwipung-gae joining in, continued their debate.

It was such an exciting and fierce debate that even Yeom Gi-ha, who had little interest in anything other than martial arts, perked up his ears.

As a result of the debate, the argument that Dancheon Myeong was sufficiently beggar-like became dominant.

I don't know why, but that's how it was concluded.

“Tsk.”

Musan-gae clicked his tongue and then.

“I'll give you an honorary position corresponding to a Five-Knot Hall Lord. Is that enough?”

He said so to Dancheon Myeong.

“It is sufficient.”

A satisfied smile formed on Dancheon Myeong's lips.

It meant that the negotiation had been settled.

Yeom Gi-ha did not miss the scene where Uisaeng-gae, who had shown a satisfied smile, gave Dancheon Myeong a thumbs-up from his waist.

A moment later, everyone's gaze fell on Yeom Gi-ha.

“Hmm. Is it my turn?”

It was because it was now his turn.

-Young Master Myeong has a brilliant mind, so he will hand over all the spirit herbs except for the ingredients for the Emerald Rescue Pill to the Murim Alliance. There is no reason for him to be greedy.

-Huh?

-It will be so. Trust my words and just memorize it.

“I will hand over all rights to the remaining spirit herbs to the Murim Alliance.”

“……!”

Yeom Gi-ha was more surprised than when he had been ambushed by a supreme master. He was now beginning to fear Singija.

“What will the Alliance do for him?”

Musan-gae asked, as if he were Dancheon Myeong's spokesperson.

“Hmm?”

Only after noticing the subtle smile on Musan-gae's face could Yeom Gi-ha realize.

The fact that Musan-gae was provoking him.

‘We gave three Emerald Rescue Pills and a Five-Knot honorary position. What can you do, troublemaker?’

Musan-gae’s eyes were clearly saying so.

-What should we give?

-The right of first choice on three top-tier spirit herbs. And ten percent of the appraised value of the spirit herbs. Do not forget. This is also the best condition I have set, considering Young Master Myeong. Anything more than this is impossible. The Alliance’s finances will be ruined.

He had clearly memorized the content because Singija had pestered him so much.

However.

“I'll give you fifty percent of the appraised value of the spirit herbs.”

Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha.

It was because he was the owner of a disposition that could not stand losing.

-You son of a bitch-!

Singija’s wail seemed to echo faintly in his ears.

“Hmm.”

For a moment, he also thought that it might become his own wail after he returned to the Murim Alliance.

***

To an ordinary person, a spirit herb is nothing more than a panacea that replenishes energy.

To a martial artist below the first-rate, a spirit herb is a miracle drug that enhances internal energy.

To masters at or above the Peak realm, a spirit herb is a serendipitous encounter that becomes an aid to break through the wall of a realm.

To martial artists knocking on the wall of the State of Harmony, a spirit herb is also a heavenly secret treasure that can become the starting point for awakening the Spirit.

The value of a spirit herb changes depending on the consumer, so it can be said to be variable.

Therefore, the problem of how to measure the value of a spirit herb may arise.

That is from the perspective of a martial artist.

But from the perspective of a merchant, this is not a difficult problem to solve.

This is because, at least in a transaction, one can set the price based on the maximum utility that the object possesses.

If so, how can the price be set based on the maximum utility?

In the first place, how is utility converted into price?

The great merchants of the Central Plains solved this problem rationally.

They succeeded in quantifying the utility of a spirit herb through the science of mathematics.

I don't know the exact mechanism.

This is because, due to my short education, I have no connection with the difficult science of mathematics.

Anyway, the book that compiles the value of spirit herbs quantified by mathematics is the ‘Compendium of Appraised Spirit Herb Values.’

It is a rare book that is kept in every trading company or sect that deals with spirit herbs.

For reference, when I first met the Rogues’ Guild Branch Lord, Yeo-wol, the price of the Immaculate Pomegranate was set at one hundred thousand gold nyang based on this compendium.

A noteworthy point is the fact that the ones who created and published this compendium were the great merchants.

They measured and calculated the actual value of the spirit herbs and then added various calculation formulas.

I know that they included the rarity of the spirit herb itself, the characteristic of spirit herbs where supply is extremely insufficient compared to demand, the difficulty of collecting spirit herbs, the risks of the trading companies that handle and trade spirit herbs, and the loss rate in the formula.

Thus, the transaction price of a spirit herb is typically set at ten times the value of the spirit herb.

What this means is that ten percent of the appraised value is the original price of the spirit herb.

***

“I'll give you fifty percent of the appraised value!”

The majestic voice of the Alliance Leader Yeom Gi-ha echoed in my ears.

Even though it wasn't a very loud voice, Yeom Gi-ha's statement left a deep resonance and echoed through the space.

It wasn't because his voice echoed in this Garden of Joy located in the deep mountains and valleys, but because the content was so shocking.

“Have you finally gone mad?”

Musan-gae, with his mouth wide open, asked so.

“I am not mad.”

“You're the one who's going to ruin the Murim Alliance.”

“…….”

Yeom Gi-ha replied confidently, but he could not refute Musan-gae's following words.

In any case, since he had broken the old beggar's composure, perhaps he should indeed be called the Emperor Breaker.

“It seems the Alliance Leader is not in his right mind.”

“I think I should examine him.”

Chwipung-gae and Uisaeng-gae, who could not bring themselves to criticize the Alliance Leader to his face like Musan-gae, were whispering to each other.

Though I heard everything.

Originally, the Alliance Leader Yeom Gi-ha was a cheerful man who did not care about the opinions of others, but he was not a fool who could not read the atmosphere.

As if I was the only one he could trust in the midst of it all, the Alliance Leader strode over and asked in a whisper.

“Isn't this right?”

“It was a bit excessive.”

At my answer, the Alliance Leader stepped back again.

“Ahem. I made a slip of the tongue. How about twenty percent.”

As if they thought that figure was reasonable, the three beggars quietly nodded their heads.

But in my opinion, this too was excessive.

“Let's make it ten percent.”

This would be the best.

It was also because I didn't want to incur Singija's dislike, and because even with just ten percent, the Dancheon Clan could become the wealthiest in Anhui, surpassing the Yang Clan. This was true even if Chun-baek hyung and I split it half and half.

“Oh.”

The Alliance Leader's face brightened at my answer. From his expression, I could be sure that the line Singija had proposed was ten percent. In fact, I know that even with just ten percent, Singija had shown me great favor.

“If you wish for it to be so, Myeong, let's do that.”

“Instead of ten percent, Chun-baek hyung and I will take about three top-tier spirit herbs.”

“Ah. There was that, right. That should work.”

“Thank you.”

It was a negotiation where the roles were somewhat reversed, but anyway, the negotiation was completed safely.

“Tsk, tsk.”

Musan-gae clicked his tongue, glaring silently.

“Ahem.”

The embarrassed Alliance Leader cleared his throat and looked at a distant mountain.

“Phew.”

In the distance, the Shanxi Branch Chief Peng Ga-heon was shaking his head.

***

In truth, it may seem strange.

The current situation where I, along with Chun-baek hyung, discovered the Garden of Joy, but am voluntarily handing over all authority to the Murim Alliance.

However, this is the result of extremely reasonable deliberation.

This is because wealth that one cannot handle in the Jianghu Murim becomes the root of all misfortunes.

It is not difficult to predict what will happen when the Dancheon Clan swallows the spirit herbs of the Garden of Joy whole.

The Jianghu Murim is a place where eccentrics and masters abound.

There are countless people who have learned elusive lightness arts, and there are plenty of martial artists or thieves who boast even greater stealth skills.

The Dancheon Clan will probably have to struggle to fend off all sorts of thieves.

This is because the discovery of the Garden of Joy cannot be kept a secret forever.

A top-tier master does not steal gold, but stealing spirit herbs is a common occurrence in the Jianghu Murim, so it was certain to happen.

The Dancheon Sword Clan is a historic and prestigious family in Anhui, but it is insufficient to protect the wealth of the Garden of Joy entirely.

In fact, I think it's not that the Dancheon Clan is lacking, but that it would be similar even if you brought in the Nine Sects.

I know that the only places in the current Murim with the power to fully protect the wealth of the Garden of Joy are the Murim Alliance and the Evil Faction Alliance.

Political problems will also arise.

The Five Great Clans will begin to keep the Dancheon Clan in check.

The Nine Sects will also keep an eye on the Dancheon Clan.

The forces of the Evil Faction or the Demonic Cult, who dream of a great leap forward, might risk an invasion of the Dancheon Clan.

It is said, ‘a square stone gets hammered’.

There is no good in acting like a sharp-cornered stone and getting hammered.

In fact, it would be right to say that even the above two are positive outlooks.

This is because, at the very least, the above two cases assume that the Dancheon Clan possesses the spirit herbs of the Garden of Joy alone.

Without the help of the Beggar's Gang and the Murim Alliance right now, the treasures of this Garden of Joy have a high probability of becoming the spark of a bloodbath, driving Shanxi into a pit of blood.

In the pit of the bloodbath, the precious items of the Garden of Joy will not reach Anhui.

This is because, without borrowing the power of the Beggar's Gang, I do not have the capability to stop the word-of-mouth of Jianghu, which is faster than the lightness art of a peerless master.

The long history of the Jianghu Murim has proven this fact with blood, so I cannot not know it.

In fact, it would be right to say that I am currently borrowing the power of the fence that is the Murim Alliance.

This is why Singija’s decision to pay the full ten percent of the appraised value, the original value of the spirit herbs, comes as a favor.

“Should the payment be sent to the clan?”

“Please do so.”

I could not take everything from the Garden of Joy, but there is nothing to be regretful about.

I have obtained the Emerald Rescue Pill.

And, just as importantly, the fact that the Dancheon Myeong of New Year's Eve, who had barely avoided being the ultimate unfilial son, is now gone, is a great achievement.

Ten percent of the appraised value.

Even when split with Chun-baek hyung, it's five percent.

Considering the value of the three hundred types of spirit herbs accumulated in this Garden of Joy, it can be called an astronomical amount.

Having become the ultimate filial son who has placed the Dancheon Clan on a solid foundation, the important thing is that I can now return to the Dancheon Clan with my head held high.