Chapter 50: Even If Things Go Wrong, Don’t Blame Me (Part 5)

Hwang Jong-ui couldn't hide his disappointment.

'Is this still not enough?'

He was the young master of the Galaxy Merchant Group. His father, Hwang Mun-yak, was growing weaker by the day. Just a short while ago, his father had still been conscious, but recently, the days when he couldn't regain his senses had increased significantly.

A person without consciousness cannot eat.

If this continued, it was clear that his father would pass away within a few days.

In his desperation, Hwang Jong-ui had summoned the best doctors in the world and even reached out to martial sects he had connections with for help. But none of them had been able to provide a solution.

Today, he had held onto a sliver of hope when members of the Sichuan Tang Family, renowned as the best in the world when it came to poisons, had arrived. However, the situation unfolding was more than enough to disappoint him.

"It's difficult."

As expected, the negative response made Hwang Jong-ui let out a quiet sigh.

"Are you saying even the Tang Family, known as the masters of poison, cannot cure my father?"

"Of course, our Tang Family prides itself on being the best in the world when it comes to poisons. We can detoxify any poison."

"Then?"

"But the Honorable Hwang's condition is not caused by poison."

Hwang Jong-ui furrowed his brow.

"You're saying it's not poison, even though the symptoms are like this?"

Tang Ming, the elder of the Tang Family, shook his head lightly.

"The symptoms may be similar, but it's not poisoning. There seems to be a fundamentally different cause."

"Hmm."

Hwang Jong-ui's expression darkened to the point where it couldn't get any darker.

Despite using the Galaxy Merchant Group's vast wealth to summon renowned doctors and promising enormous rewards, no one had appeared who could cure Hwang Mun-yak's illness.

"It's definitely not old age, right?"

"It doesn't appear to be natural."

"Then what on earth is this?"

Tang Ming lowered his gaze slightly, as if troubled.

Seeing his expression, Hwang Jong-ui sighed.

"I apologize. I know you're not a doctor, but I'm just too frustrated."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"No, please forgive me for not being able to see you off."

Tang Ming stood up and left with a bitter expression.

"What should I do now?"

Hwang Jong-ui clutched his head.

His father's condition was worsening day by day, and the feeling of being unable to do anything despite having vast wealth was unbearable.

'What sin did my father commit to suffer like this?'

Hwang Mun-yak had lived his whole life helping the poor. Hwang Jong-ui knew that the will of heaven wasn't always about cause and effect, but this was too cruel.

To suffer from an unknown illness for a year and then pass away like this…

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"May I come in?"

"Ah… Yes, Elder."

The door opened, and a man entered. He was a white-haired man dressed in pristine white robes.

"I just saw Elder Tang Ming leaving."

"That's right."

"Young Master. I feel embarrassed to keep saying this, but it's time to accept the truth. The only way to save Honorable Hwang is through Daoist rituals."

Hwang Jong-ui's face twisted slightly.

"I understand what you're saying, Elder. But I still don't want to rely on such things."

"Young Master. Haven't I told you? Honorable Hwang's condition is the price for going against the natural flow. He has gathered too much and artificially twisted too much. If he lets go now and turns to the Dao, he may recover."

Hwang Jong-ui turned his head and stared at the man.

But the man, unfazed by his gaze, continued calmly.

"It's not common for the leader of the Zhongnan Sect to personally perform rituals. It's only because of the long-standing relationship between the Galaxy Merchant Group and Honorable Hwang that such a blessing is possible. Why can't you see that? Time is running out. Don't leave room for regret."

"…I'll wait a little longer."

"How futile."

The man clicked his tongue, as if Hwang Jong-ui was doing something foolish.

Hwang Jong-ui bit his lower lip slightly.

The reason he had to endure such rude words and treatment was simple: the man before him was Ji Mu-seung, an elder of the Zhongnan Sect.

Zhongnan had long been famous as one of the Nine Great Sects, but recently, its reputation had soared to new heights. It was even said that within a few generations, Zhongnan would undoubtedly claim the title of the number one sword sect in the world.

Moreover, Xi'an had always been under Zhongnan's influence. With an elder of Zhongnan personally making such an offer, Hwang Jong-ui, as the young master of the Galaxy Merchant Group, couldn't coldly refuse.

'They'll probably demand a fortune in exchange for performing the ritual.'

It wasn't that he was stingy with money.

If it could save his father, he wouldn't hesitate to give up all his wealth. But if they were truly confident in saving his father through Daoist rituals, they wouldn't demand payment upfront. They would perform the ritual first and then ask for compensation.

The instincts he had honed over a lifetime of business told him exactly what they were after.

"I'm still waiting for responses from the letters I sent out. I'll decide after receiving them."

"This is truly frustrating. Even after summoning the best doctors from all over, they couldn't cure the illness. What makes you think others can? Didn't you hear what the Tang Family just said?"

Hwang Jong-ui's eyebrow twitched.

Ji Mu-seung spoke as if he had overheard the entire conversation between Hwang Jong-ui and Tang Ming. It seemed he didn't realize it, but wasn't this a clear indication that he had been eavesdropping?

'How shameless.'

Hwang Jong-ui let out a deep sigh.

Unfortunately, he didn't have the strength to point this out right now. If Hwang Mun-yak were to pass away like this, the Galaxy Merchant Group would inevitably decline. In that case, maintaining a relationship with Zhongnan, which had significant influence in Xi'an, was necessary.

Even if it meant spending a fortune.

"Please give me a little more time. It's not that I don't trust Zhongnan. It's just that, as a son, I want to try everything I can."

"Time is running out. If Honorable Hwang passes away, remember that it will be the result of your futile stubbornness."

Under the table, Hwang Jong-ui's fist clenched tightly.

"I'll keep that in mind."

At that moment—

"Young Master!"

A frantic voice came from outside.

"What is it?"

"Mount Hua! Someone from Mount Hua has arrived!"

"Did you just say Mount Hua?"

"Yes! Mount Hua."

Hwang Jong-ui's eyes trembled slightly.

Mount Hua was also one of the places he had sent a letter to. However, since Mount Hua's influence had declined significantly, he hadn't held much hope and had sent the letter there last.

Considering the timing, the letter would have just arrived, yet they had already sent someone?

'Could it be?'

If they hadn't known anything about Hwang Mun-yak's condition, they wouldn't have sent someone in person.

Feeling a renewed glimmer of hope, Hwang Jong-ui was about to stand up when an icy voice cut through the air.

"Mount Hua?"

A hint of annoyance flashed in Ji Mu-seung's eyes.

Just the mention of Mount Hua made his expression visibly stiffen. Then, a rough voice followed.

"Those fallen bastards are up to something again! Who do they think they are?"

Hwang Jong-ui bit his lip slightly.

Of course, Ji Mu-seung was speaking with Xi'an in mind, but Hwang Jong-ui couldn't help but feel that Ji Mu-seung was treating the Galaxy Merchant Group as if it were already part of Zhongnan.

"Young Master. There's no need to meet with such people. What could Mount Hua possibly know about curing Honorable Hwang's condition?"

Hwang Jong-ui's face hardened.

"Even so, they've come all this way after receiving my letter. Wouldn't it be rude to turn them away?"

"You should listen to me."

"Elder."

Hwang Jong-ui cut him off firmly.

"This is the Galaxy Merchant Group. Not Zhongnan. Please don't forget that."

"Hmph!"

Ji Mu-seung couldn't hide his discomfort, but Hwang Jong-ui ignored his reaction and stood up. He hurriedly opened the door and stepped outside.

'There's still a chance.'

The best doctors in the world couldn't cure his father, and the most renowned sects hadn't been able to provide a solution. Perhaps the answer would come from an unexpected place.

As Hwang Jong-ui stepped outside, he looked around.

"Where is the person from Mount Hua?"

A servant bowed deeply and answered.

"They're at the entrance."

"You left a guest who came from afar waiting at the entrance? No matter how distracted I've been, such rudeness is unacceptable!"

Hwang Jong-ui's voice momentarily rose in anger. But instead of apologizing, the servant clenched his teeth and glanced toward the entrance.

"I was about to escort them in, but… the situation is just too hard to understand…"

"Step aside. I'll greet them myself."

"Young Master. There's just one thing…"

Hwang Jong-ui's expression hardened as he began to walk. The servant's awkward posture didn't sit well with him.

'Since when did the Galaxy Merchant Group start judging guests based on their status?'

If his father were conscious, he would have immediately reprimanded such behavior.

A merchant must serve from the lowest position. Those who judge guests based on status and wealth are not fit to be merchants. That was Hwang Mun-yak's philosophy.

How could they not know this? Yet, because Mount Hua's influence had declined, they had left a guest waiting at the entrance.

'I need to reorganize the group!'

Hwang Jong-ui made a firm resolution in his heart as he headed to the entrance.

Soon, he saw a small figure standing at the entrance, leaning on a crutch.

'Hmm. That's Mount Hua's uniform.'

The pristine white robes and the plum blossom emblem on the chest left no doubt that this was a disciple of Mount Hua.

Hwang Jong-ui immediately spoke to Chung Myung.

"Young Taoist. I apologize for the rudeness."

The young Taoist tilted his head slightly.

"No, it's fine. These things happen."

"I am Hwang Jong-ui, the young master of the Galaxy Merchant Group. It's my fault for not properly educating my subordinates. Please blame me."

"It's really fine. I didn't come here to be treated like a guest."

His response was a bit cheeky, wasn't it?

Hwang Jong-ui maintained his composure and continued.

"Thank you for understanding. By the way, where are the rest of your group?"

"I came alone."

"Ah, I see. Your group… Wait, what?"

Hwang Jong-ui's head snapped up.

"What did you just say?"

"I came alone."

The young Taoist before him shrugged and grinned.

"I've brought a way to cure Honorable Hwang's illness, so please lead the way. Oh, and I'd like to check out that enormous reward you mentioned first. Is that okay?"

"…"

Hwang Jong-ui's eyes twitched.

What the hell is this kid?

This was the moment Hwang Jong-ui of the Galaxy Merchant Group first met Chung Myung, the Plum Blossom Sword Saint.

And it was in a way he had never expected.