Chapter 113 The Value of Real Estate (2)

Chapter 113: The Value of Real Estate (2)

Hanzhong.

The most crucial strategic point of Jiulong City and the city the Ten Demon Alliance covets most.

Bordered by the Han River, its soil is naturally fertile. Moreover, its geographical value is immense, as half of all goods traveling between Sichuan and Yunnan pass through this very Hanzhong.

However, its location is somewhat ambiguous… While it lies on the border between Sichuan and Shaanxi, strictly speaking, it belongs to Shaanxi.

Therefore, despite effectively controlling Hanzhong, the founding lord of the Nine Dragons Fortress ceded the fertile western lands to the Zhengdeng Mansion.

This was an intentional move to preempt future territorial disputes.

After these rights were settled, Hanzhong flourished alongside Nine Dragons City.

True to its strategic location, Hanzhong became a bustling hub, teeming with merchants from all corners of the Central Plains.

Merchants even came from Qinghai and Gansu, territories under the Ten Marquisates.

Where people gather, money inevitably follows.

And when most of those people were money-hungry merchants, it goes without saying.

Seeking to profit from this, middlemen emerged to act as brokers for the merchants.

These were the Hanzhong merchants, known simply as Hanshang.

By this time, the Hanshang had amassed such great wealth that they were hot on the heels of the merchants from Shanxi and Anhui, known as the two great trading houses of the realm.

And backing these Han merchants, providing them with capital, was none other than the Golden Dragon Hall. That is, the Ten Thousand Gold Money Exchange.

“Wow…”

Standing right in front of that Ten Thousand Gold Money Exchange’s Hanzhong branch, I couldn’t help but marvel.

And rightly so. The branch’s size was far larger than the main branch in Jiulong City.

It felt as if this very place were the main branch.

Probably because it was the stronghold of their primary customers, the Han merchants.

‘They say Golden Dragon Hall’s assets reach three hundred million taels…’

I found myself unconsciously overwhelmed by the majesty of the world’s foremost money lender—the equivalent of a global top-tier financial institution in modern terms.

The thought arose naturally that I should treat Golden Dragon Hall well.

“Senior?”

“Huh?”

“Why aren’t you going in?”

“Ah, right. I should go in.”

Leaving the group at the lodging, I headed to the branch of the Mankin Money Exchange with Jik Hwaran.

No matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find the land described in the deed.

“…I think the document was written too long ago. The reference points have changed, making it impossible to identify.”

Even Myohyang, who called herself a real estate expert, looked troubled.

That’s why I decided to put Jik Hwaran in front and seek help from Manggeumjeonjang.

Buzzing.

Opening the door and stepping inside, the branch was packed with all sorts of people.

Most seemed to be merchants who had come to borrow money.

‘They’ve got some nerve. Borrowing money, huh.’

For reference, interest rates in the martial arts world were beyond insane.

How crazy? Lending money at an annual rate of 20% would earn you praise as a bodhisattva.

Naturally, Manggeumjeonjang’s rates weren’t much different.

When I looked into loans before buying Heuksaro’s house, they quoted 30%, claiming it was a special preferential rate only for Guryongseong employees.

Had my profession not been a warrior of Nine Dragons Fortress, they would have quoted 50%.

Anyway, the important thing now wasn’t the high interest rate, but getting information about my land.

Zhehualan strode up to the warrior guarding the branch.

Judging by his neat attire, he likely served as a Qingyuan police officer.

“I’m here to meet the Golden Elder.”

“…The Golden Elder? Who exactly are you referring to?”

Perhaps because of his expensive attire, he addressed Jie Huaran with utmost respect.

“Who else could it be? Of course, it’s the great hero Jin Doming, the Golden God of Wealth.”

“…As you know, the great hero Jin Doming is the branch manager here. Unless you have a prior appointment, you cannot meet him.”

The Qingyuan police… no, the Qingyuan warrior spoke, and Zhi Huaran chuckled softly.

“If I say the fourth son of the Zhilong Sect has come, he’ll see me.”

Naturally, upon hearing Zhi Huaran’s identity, the Qingyuan warrior was startled and rushed off.

Zhi Huaran pressed her head against my forearm. It was like a puppy fetching a ball and asking if she did well.

“Good job, Lycos.”

Whack!

Just as I was patting her head and praising her, an elderly man burst out from inside, panting heavily.

‘The Red Dragon Sect really is the top dog.’

The foundation of investment is information.

And when it came to the ability to handle that information, no group could match the Red Dragon Sect, so the one always at a disadvantage was inevitably the Golden Dragon Sect.

It was only natural that even he, holding a high position within the Golden Dragon Sect, would adopt such a deferential posture before Jik Hwa-ran.

“Princess Jik has arrived?! Where! Ah, there you are. Princess, it’s been a long time.”

“It has been a long time, Senior Jin.”

“But why is your face so flushed… Could you possibly have a cold?”

“It’s… nothing much. Just a slight fever…”

“That won’t do! Come inside at once. I’ll prepare a medicinal tea that will banish that common cold in one go.”

“Before that…”

Jie Huaran shifted her gaze slightly toward me.

At that, Jin Nodae scanned me up and down.

“Hm? Who are you?”

“Greetings. My name is Jin Mujeon, Chief of the Outer Hall of the Wudang Sect.”

“Jin… Mujeon? Could you be that Turyong fellow who helped slay the Demon of the Blood Moon?”

“It’s embarrassing, but that’s what my fellow martial artists call me.”

For reference, introducing a nickname with “fellow martial artists…” is a form of modesty and courtesy.

If someone starts by boasting their own nickname, they’re likely to be called an uneducated fool behind their back.

“Huh! To see a rising star like this. How delightful! I hear your name is Geum Do-myeong.“

”I have long heard of the legendary prowess of the Golden Divine Beast. As a child, I heard tales of your heroic deed, single-handedly sweeping away the Mad Dog Demons, and I couldn’t help but be in awe.”

Hear what?

I only know what I hurriedly learned from Jeok Hwa-ran before coming here.

I don’t even know what those Mad Dog Demons are.

Since Gyeonja went in, they’re probably just some third-rate, second-rate scum from the dark side.

But, a little polite talk like this can build up a lot of goodwill.

“Heh heh! To have a junior who knows my past reputation. How could I be happier? Come, come in. I’ll treat my long-lost junior to a cup of tea.”

Hell’s Martial Realm or whatever, but ultimately, this was still Confucius’s country.

So, I followed him and drank tea for a while.

“Um, if it’s not too much trouble, could you help me find a place?”

I showed Geum Do-myeong the land deed.

“What can’t we help among family of the same surname? Let me see.”

And then.

“This?!”

He was startled after checking the document.

That reaction usually meant one of two things.

Either a huge jackpot, or a massive bust.

“You were the owner of this land…?”

I asked back, my voice trembling.

“Where is this land located?”

“…Well, that.”

“Geum Nodae, we don’t have much time. Please.”

As Geum Do-myeong hesitated, Jeok Hwa-ran urged him in a firm tone.

“…The Market Square.”

“The Market Square?”

“I mean the marketplace right in the heart of Hanjungseong. It’s where all things under heaven gather.”

Jackpot!

It was a jackpot.

So much so that Jeok Hwa-ran, the youngest granddaughter of the chaebol family beside me, was stunned.

Was she too shocked?

Not only her words, but even her breath caught in her throat.

“Guhhh…”

Thump thump!

Realizing my predicament, Jie Hualan quickly patted my back.

“Phew.”

Just as I managed to exhale, Geum Do-myeong spoke as if something occurred to him.

“One, there might be an issue with claiming land usage rights. “

”Huh? Problems?!“

”Well, on paper, the land belongs to Turyong, but…“

Geum Do-myeong scratched his cheek as he continued.

”I understand that the district chief who managed the land fifty years ago leased it to the Hansang Union.“

”Huh?”

We’d hit an unexpected snag.

* * *

First, you have to see it with your own eyes to understand how things work.

I took Myohyang and the cleaning staff waiting at the lodging and headed to the location Geum Do-myeong had pointed out.

And then.

“…Congratulations on becoming a tycoon, Senior.”

I couldn’t help but marvel at the scene unfolding before my eyes.

“Here! Silk imported from the Western Regions!”

“Tea brought from Yunnan!”

“Inhwi Mountain inkstones! The same ones used at the Sanmun Seowon Confucian academy—top-notch quality.”

Because a market had sprung up on my land, gathering goods and merchants from every corner of the realm.

And towering above it all, a five-story pavilion.

Judging by the plaque reading “Hanjung Sangryeon,” it appeared to be the headquarters building for the Han-Chung merchants.

Before she knew it, Cheongso-so had dashed over and was gawking at the herbal medicine stall.

“Look here! Such a bounty of precious herbs! Huh? Is this Goryeo ginseng?”

Myohyang stared blankly around her, muttering.

“…I worked so hard to earn money to support them…”

Though her words were unclear, she seemed overwhelmed by the market’s grandeur.

“Hmm, let’s survey the area first. We need to understand how things operate here.”

“Senior, please stay put. We’ll investigate and report back.”

” It’s my land, I should go.“

”Do you trust the Gold Tower of the Mangeum Battlefield?“

”Out of nowhere?“

”According to the land deed, you become an enemy of the Hanjung merchants. From their perspective, it’s like an owner suddenly appeared on land they were using for free.“

Jik Hwaran glanced around as she continued.

”And the Hanjung merchants are the biggest clients and trading partners of the Hanjung branch of the Mangeum Battlefield. They’ve probably already sent someone to the Hanjung Merchants’ Association by now. In that situation, even if you go looking around, you’ll just be watched without gaining anything, right?“

”Even though you’re the youngest princess of the Jikryongdang?“

”It’s a matter of importance, I suppose. For us, it’s a matter that can be resolved with some soothing words, but for the Hanjung Merchants, it’s a matter of life and death.”

“Hmm…”

After hearing Jik Hwaran’s explanation, Geum Do-myeong’s previously vague attitude suddenly made sense.

‘No wonder he didn’t give me the full details…’

Just as I was feeling perplexed, Myo Hyang stepped forward confidently.

“Trust me. As an expert, I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

Jie Hualan replied with a small smile.

“No need, Miao Xiang. I’ve already sent someone to gather intelligence. As you know, gathering information is our specialty, right? Hehehe.”

Miao Xiang flashed a look of indignation, as if to say, ‘Just watch me’.

It seemed she was annoyed at having her moment to shine stolen.

Time passed in that slightly uncomfortable atmosphere.

An ordinary-looking elderly man approached us as we waited, sipping tea at the Daru.

Judging by Jik Hwaran’s brightening eyes, he seemed to be a Jikryongdang informant.

As he passed by us, he dropped three small, folded pieces of paper.

Jik Hwaran quickly picked them up and checked the contents.

And a moment later.

“Things might get complicated.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“They say the land was leased fifty years ago through legal procedures. And it was free of charge. Plus, the lease period still has fifty years left.”

“Damn it…”

It was the worst possible news.

It meant we might not get a single penny until we were old and decrepit.

As he sank into despair, Jik Hwaran offered a solution.

“You want to sell this land for a huge sum, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then we should negotiate with Hanjung Sangryeonju. From their perspective, buying outright would be better than leasing. The problem is…”

Jik Hwaran took a sip of the tea in front of her and continued.

“The Hanjung Sangryeonju is a snake. A snake over a hundred years old.”

“This is maddening.”

Why can’t anything be easy?