“I’d like to invest in you, Mu Hui.”

“Invest, you say…”

Mu Hui trailed off, his gaze fixed on Im Su-ryeon.

“The Tianliu Trading Company has begun its succession race.”

“I heard the head of the company has quite a few children.”

“More than ten.”

Hearing that the competition involved more than ten rivals, Mu Hui casually brushed his bangs aside.

“So, you’re asking for help in this succession race?”

Im Su-ryeon nodded calmly.

“Our father’s first task for us involves people.”

“People?”

When Seon-ju asked, Im Su-ryeon nodded again.

“Our father believes the most precious treasure in the world is people.”

Reading the flow of wealth, buying low, and selling high is something anyone with a decent mind and thorough training over time can do. But understanding emotions, winning hearts, and embracing people is a gift only a few possess.

The first task given to the children by the head of the trading company was to recruit external figures who would lead the company into the future.

“I believe you, Mu Hui, are the talent to move forward with.”

“Hmm… Your reputation has risen recently, but in the grand scheme of things, you might still be lacking.”

“I don’t think my father meant for us to simply recruit those already successful in the martial world.”

Some of the children were already trying to connect with established figures who had solidified their positions and were thriving in the martial world. But Im Su-ryeon had a slightly different perspective.

“Helping a dragon ascend is easier and more rewarding than assisting one that’s already in the sky.”

Mu Hui nodded at Im Su-ryeon’s explanation. This task wasn’t just about recruiting people; it required the insight to see their future potential. It was about recognizing true value or seeing hidden worth.

“There are many rising stars in the martial world, but few maintain their momentum. Maybe one in ten?”

“Do you think I’m one of those one in ten?”

“I came all the way to Shaanxi to find out for myself.”

Mu Hui twisted his lips into a smile and placed his right arm on the table.

“Now that you’ve seen me, what do you think?”

“You seem to be three steps ahead of your siblings.”

Im Su-ryeon looked directly into Mu Hui’s eyes as she spoke. From a young age, she had observed the giants visiting the Tianliu Trading Company. Each had a different look in their eyes. Some had eyes as solid and profound as a great rock, while others had the turbulent yet deep gaze of a dragon’s pool beneath a waterfall. Though the feelings they evoked varied, there was a common, unapproachable dignity in their eyes. A vast difference that made those who met their gaze feel their own limitations and lower their heads. The giants’ eyes held a grand aura not found in ordinary people.

‘This man is the same.’

Im Su-ryeon thought as she met Mu Hui’s cold gaze. His eyes exuded nothing but sharp intensity. Just meeting his gaze felt like being cut by a sword. A chill honed to the extreme. The man himself felt like a blade.

But he wasn’t just a sharp sword.

‘Like the sharp peak of a volcano turned upside down.’

A force like the jagged rocks of a volcano piercing through the clouds. Beneath the sharp intensity lay an unshakable depth and an unpredictable spontaneity. Even in Mu Hui’s eyes, she sensed the grand aura and rising spirit she had seen in other giants.

Having confirmed Mu Hui’s eyes, Im Su-ryeon was certain. He would undoubtedly become a giant reaching for the sky of the martial world.

“What can you offer, Miss Im?”

“Though I said I’d invest in you, Mu Hui, it will take the form of supporting the Mount Hua Sect. I’ll do everything I can to help Mount Hua within my abilities.”

Despite Im Su-ryeon’s bold statement, Mu Hui merely twisted his lips.

“Everything… That’s quite a burden.”

The other party was a merchant. They weren’t just givers. As much as they provided to Mount Hua, Mu Hui would have to offer something in return to Im Su-ryeon.

Understanding Mu Hui’s implication, Im Su-ryeon nodded slightly.

“I’m not looking to reap exactly what I sow in Mount Hua. This isn’t a business transaction.”

“Then what is it?”

“Just having the name Im Su-ryeon as a priority for you and Mount Hua is enough.”

Mu Hui chuckled at Im Su-ryeon’s firm words.

“You should be careful with your words. If you vaguely promise goodwill, you might be refused when you actually need help. After all, what you want is priority, nothing more.”

Im Su-ryeon stared intently at Mu Hui.

‘They said he was different from ordinary disciples of righteous sects.’

An ordinary disciple wouldn’t openly admit they might ignore an investment. Righteous sects valued honor and reputation. But Mu Hui was showing the opposite of what was expected from a typical disciple.

By mentioning the possibility of a failed investment, Mu Hui was trying to draw out her true intentions. Seeing this side of Mu Hui, Im Su-ryeon felt even more resolved.

“That’s something I must endure.”

When Im Su-ryeon didn’t waver despite his warning, Mu Hui nodded slowly.

“I’ll take the hand you’ve extended, Miss Im.”

“A wise decision, Mu Hui.”

Im Su-ryon, who had maintained a neutral expression, finally relaxed her lips slightly when she saw Mu Hui’s gesture of respect. She placed her hand over his in response, her face softening.

“Is there anything you or Mount Hua need right now?”

“Of course. Do you have any writing materials?”

At Im Su-ryeon’s nod, a guard waiting behind her placed writing materials on the table.

“Thank you.”

Mu Hui immediately spread out the paper and picked up a brush.

“The disciples are about due for some elixirs, but we’re sorely lacking… Jeonghun Dan, Miryong Dan, oh, and Gaegong Dan would be good too.”

“Uh… Brother Mu Hui, could you get one for me too?”

“Quiet.”

As Mu Hui scribbled away, Im Su-ryeon’s eyelids fluttered slightly.

She took the paper filled with Mu Hui’s writing and stared at it blankly. A quick glance revealed not only elixirs but various other items listed.

“Did you know I was coming to Mount Hua?”

“No. I just wrote down everything I thought the disciples might need during training.”

“Ah…”

“You don’t have to prepare everything on the list, but surely the Tianliu Trading Company can handle it?”

Mu Hui was right. But to think he would so boldly list his needs right after their agreement.

Im Su-ryeon’s lips twisted slightly, a faint laugh escaping her.

Even though she felt she was being led by Mu Hui, she could only nod.

“You’ve looked into me, so you must know my actions well. As long as it doesn’t go against my principles, I’ll help. Just send a letter anytime.”

“Thank you.”

With that, Mu Hui stood up.

“Let’s head up Mount Hua together. We should meet the sect leader and discuss future plans.”

“Understood.”

Im Su-ryon swallowed dryly as she watched Mu Hui turn and descend the stairs. Unlike typical disciples of righteous sects, he wasn’t bound by formality and spoke freely. Hadn’t she already been swept up in his flow?

‘A man like a storm.’

Though slightly surprised, Im Su-ryon didn’t think her choice was wrong. The Sword Demon of Mount Hua was not someone who would merely end as a promising talent.

***

Mount Hua had joined hands with Im Su-ryon, and the Tianliu Trading Company spared no economic support.

Dokgo Yul led the Dokgo Association to tackle new assignments, while Seon-ju headed east, aiming to see the sea of Zhejiang.

Mu Hui continued to wander around the training grounds and the Sword Saint’s valley, teaching disciples and researching sword techniques.

Time flew by like an arrow.

The plum blossoms that had once filled Mount Hua faded, and even the autumn leaves that replaced them withered away, leaving the rocky peaks of Mount Hua covered in pure white snow.

Snow piled gently on the heads and shoulders of the second-generation disciples gathered in the training grounds.

“Have you finally obtained them all?”

Mu Hui smiled at the disciples.

Each disciple had a plum blossom sword at their waist.

The second-generation disciples had achieved the remarkable feat of all obtaining plum blossom swords during this ceremony.

Considering it usually took four to five years for second-generation disciples to earn their plum blossom swords, the disciples of the current generation had set an impressive record by doing so in just two years.

This record was an extraordinary achievement that would likely remain unbroken for generations.

The elders of Mount Hua, including Baek Yu, were amazed but knew it was thanks to Mu Hui’s training.

Despite focusing solely on training the disciples and developing martial arts, Mu Hui’s position was solidifying on its own.

“Everyone has memorized the principles of the Heavenly Heart Technique, right?”

“Yes, senior brother!”

Mu Hui nodded at the disciples’ enthusiastic response.

Then, Mu San and Mu Ho approached, carrying a large wooden box between them.

As they opened the box, a sharp medicinal scent quickly spread through the training grounds.

“These are the elixirs sent by the Tianliu Trading Company. I requested them a while ago, but perhaps due to the quantity, they only just arrived.”

The mention of the elixir made the disciples’ eyes gleam with excitement. Having never even caught a whiff of such a rare potion outside of the Mount Hua Sect, their eager gazes were understandable.

“What a beautiful sight,” Mu-hui murmured, smacking his lips as he admired the neatly arranged elixirs in the wooden box, each one corresponding to a disciple. These elixirs shone more brilliantly than any jewel in the world.

“Money really does make things happen. To gather this much elixir, even if it took a long time…” he mused. Thanks to Im Su-ryeon, who seemed quite capable, Mu-hui found himself living comfortably without any hassle, as she gained an edge in the succession race of the Cheonryu Trading Company.

“Everyone, take one pill and begin circulating your energy with the Cheonham Technique,” he instructed.

“Yes, senior brother,” the disciples responded in unison. They each stepped forward, took an elixir, and returned to their places to start their energy circulation.

While the disciples began their practice, Mu-hui did not consume the remaining elixir. Instead, he extended his senses to monitor the flow of energy within them, ready to intervene if any issues arose from their first experience with the elixir.

“They’ve built a solid foundation in swordsmanship, and now with internal energy added, they’ll grow stronger quickly,” he thought. Most of the second-generation disciples had also gained experience through their travels, which would undoubtedly accelerate their growth.

“Now that they’ve started learning the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, they should be able to master a new sword style without much trouble,” he considered. The techniques left by the predecessors, the insights of past Mount Hua sword masters—these elements had once been disparate, but Mu-hui was now harmonizing them within the framework of the Six Harmonies.

The process was going smoothly, and he believed that with the right inspiration or insight, he could push forward with the creation of a new style. Alongside this, he was also researching formations to complement the new sword style, ensuring that the second-generation disciples could master both seamlessly.

Mu-hui watched the disciples as they absorbed the elixir’s effects with ease. “When the Great Martial Gathering takes place and the martial artists from the orthodox sects arrive, they’ll be in for a surprise,” he thought confidently. By the time the snow on Mount Hua melted, martial artists from all over would gather for the event, and Mu-hui was certain they’d be astonished by the level of the second-generation disciples.

While individually, they might not stand out across the entire martial world, the average level of the second-generation disciples was impressive enough to warrant surprise.

—

“It seems the preparations for the Great Martial Gathering are going smoothly,” remarked the sect leader.

“Yes, senior brother. The support from the Cheonryu Trading Company has been invaluable,” replied Baek San, the head of the Finance Pavilion, looking five years younger thanks to the relief from his burdens.

“We’ve also sent word to the secular world, ensuring that vigilance against the Paewang Fortress and the Seven Killers is maintained throughout Shaanxi.”

“We’re continuously monitoring the reports from each sect regarding their movements. So far, everything is in order.”

The elders’ reports were reassuring, and Baek Yu nodded in satisfaction. The elder council meetings now included more first-generation disciples, a step towards gradually passing responsibilities to them. Though it was a plan for the distant future, preparations for a generational shift were underway.

Observing the meeting, Hyun Baek cautiously addressed Baek Yu. “Sect leader, now that the first-generation disciples are actively involved in our affairs, shouldn’t we consider selecting a successor from the second-generation disciples?”

The other elders nodded in agreement. “It is about time.”

“A successor, you say…” Baek Yu mused, glancing at the elders and first-generation disciples before him.