Part fourteen- Out with the old, in with the new

"Oh? Pray tell." 

"I've been reading about how businesses actually begin. Coming up with a business plan is important, but before anything can begin, you need to come up with a product or service you wish to sell. This is the part where most people start to fail," Wooyun said. 

Choon-hee raised her brows as if to say, 'how can one fail when the work hasn't even begun yet?' But she didn't voice her question; instead, Madam Hwan was the one to ask. 

"How is it possible for someone to fail so early in the process? Wouldn't it make more sense for the failures to begin during or after the production process?" 

"Believe it or not, most people go on creating products without doing research on whether the product would actually sell. It's important to investigate and ask the people you wish to help what it is they want, what are they interested in or what would they wish to be different. Once you've gotten those answers, you can decide whether the product you wish to sell will be marketable." 

"I see. So you're saying that public opinion is important." She replied. 

"Yes. Most people don't really care about the opinions of the people. The only thing they have on their minds is themselves. Thinking only of their own wishes, discrediting others." Wooyun said, his eyes glancing over at Kang Choon-hee as he said those words. 

The madam caught this and gave the young man a strained smile. "So Wooyun-ah, what comes after that? What have your precious studies taught you about creating a product?" 

"Well, isn't the next step obvious? Once you know what the people want, you come up with a plan to get it done." He shrugged. 

"You start thinking about the fundamentals. Who are your customers? What is the value you wish to deliver to your customers? What kind of relationship do your future customers expect you to establish—quality? Efficiency? Consistency? Through what channels are you going to reach said customers? These are all things one must consider when starting a business." 

The entire room fell silent as they all stared at Wooyun in shock. But the one who was most in shock was Choon-hee, who looked like she was about to blow a fuse. Just what in the world was going on?

 How could Seo-yoon, a good-for-nothing, know such things? Had he been studying all this time? But how? She made sure to throw away all books and things related to business to ensure he wouldn't get in Do-yun's way. 

Her eyes flared when she saw Elder Cho's approving smile. 

She couldn't let this happen. 

"Since you are so knowledgeable about business, tell me—what is the most lucrative market to focus on in the coming years? Surely, you must have some insight, since you are for the opinion of the people." She said mockingly. 

Wooyun shot her a knowing smile. "Well, most people would think targeting the nobles or established merchants would be the wisest path to take, and they are not wrong, but I feel as though in recent years, the rise of cultivators, especially in the eastern region, has skyrocketed. Cultivators are not usually the target market when it comes to selling. I would suggest catering to them, especially the younger cultivators." 

Elder Cho raised a brow at this, not at all expecting such an answer. "Why do you believe younger cultivators are the ones we ought to focus on?" 

"Younger generations are the ones who decide what is popular and desirable. Wealthy young cultivators from sects and clans have disposable income but fewer responsibilities, meaning they are willing to spend lavishly on new, high-quality items. Take a look at the growing popularity of fine weapons, for example, or stylish robes that look both refined and comfortable to wear when fighting. By investing in products that appeal to them, they could create demand that trickles up to older generations as well."

Elder Cho considered Wooyun's words carefully before nodding.

"Hmph. Interesting. When I was young, merchants sold only to sect elders and nobles, but now… the disciples of today carry more wealth than their masters. I see wisdom in this approach."

The others nodded their head in agreement.

"My grandson has been complaining about how old-fashioned his weapons have become. Not to mention my granddaughter, who always whines about her clothes not being pretty enough." Madam Hwan said. 

"Ah, my Minsoo says the same thing!"

Another guest chimed, and the room began to fill with chatter as people talked about how ungrateful their children have been, complaining about how old-fashioned everything has been lately. 

Wooyun watched with a pleased expression as Kang Choon-hee's face contorted with anger. Wooyun had the urge to laugh in the woman's face, but he knew he couldn't celebrate too early, not when he knew she still had a few tricks up her sleeve. 

"Wooyun, I didn't know you were this knowledgeable. If I had known, I would've insisted on you going to the academy." She said regretfully. 

"Well, there's no need for the child to go now. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders. How about letting him run things at the branch for a few months? I think the trading group could learn from his innovative ideas." Elder Cho said. 

"Oh my, Elder Cho, let's not say such things~ Wooyun is still young and doesn't know any better. Plus, look at how weak he is? He is so frail that even going outside causes him to fall ill. He is better off doing simple things and leaving such matters to his older brother, Do-yun." She said. 

Wooyun bit his lip in order to prevent himself from scoffing. He couldn't believe she had the gull to actually utter such lies. Kang Do-yun was the definition of zero motivation. The man went about life as if it was an obligation he couldn't escape. No ambition, no goals, and no determination. He was just as dull as he was unimaginative. Though he was the best of the three Kangs, Wooyun didn't dislike him any less than the rest. Seo-yoon felt the same way. His inaction made him just as bad.

At least with Kang Choon-hee and Yu-jun she knew where she stood, but with Do-yun it was unclear. His ambivalence to the abuse she would incur in the home was also cruel. 

Elder Cho turned his attention to the older boy, who looked up with fake enthusiasm. "Is that so? What do you wish to contribute to the business, young man?" He asked. 

Do-yun paused for a moment as if he hadn't been expecting to be asked such a question. His brows then furrowed in contemplation, and Wooyun, who was familiar with Do-yun's quirks because he had read the book, knew what this look meant. 

I don't know shit so why are you asking me? 

But fortunately for him, he kept a pretty good poker face and so no one at the table knew that Do-yun's head was empty, and the only thing he cared about was finishing the succulent meat in front of him. 

Do-yun finally swallowed his bite of meat, dabbing his mouth lazily with a napkin before answering. His voice was slow, almost bored, as if even speaking required too much effort.

"Well… things are fine as they are."

Elder Cho's brow lifted slightly. "Fine as they are?"

Do-yun nodded, picking up another piece of meat with his chopsticks. "Yes. I believe the business has been doing well so far. Why change something that is working?" 

Silence hung in the air for a moment, thick with barely restrained judgment. Even Kang Choon-hee's smile twitched at the edges, though she quickly covered it with a laugh.

"Oh, Do-yun is such a simple boy," she cooed, attempting to smooth over his uninspired response. "He values stability and tradition. Isn't that admirable?"

Wooyun could barely stop himself from rolling his eyes. Admirable? More like uninspired. 

Elder Cho then turned to look at Wooyun, who had an expressionless face as he took in Do-yun's words. He knew before the old man even opened his mouth what he was going to ask. Wooyun thought long and hard about it and realized that what most businesses strive for is obviously building a stronger customer base, and making more profit from their products. But one of the biggest things was growth. So, with a light smile, he leaned into his chair and awaited the question. 

"What about you, young master Seo-yoon? What do you wish to do with the business?" 

Wooyun was silent for a moment, taking a sip of his drink before looking around the room. His gaze lingered on Kang Choon-hee before finally landing on Elder Cho.

"Expansion. I wish to expand the business, perhaps even become the top merchant guild," he said.

This had been Han Seo-yoon's wish when Baek Junghwa had asked her what she wanted. The wish was simple enough, considering how the Demon Lord had the means to make it happen.

Gasps erupted in the room, as Wooyun's words were not something to be taken lightly.

Currently, the two top merchant guilds in Sea City were the Golden Crane Group and Elder Cho's group. And the top merchant guild in the world was the Crescent Moon—an organization so prestigious that only a few could even dream of wishing for such a thing.

Although the East was growing, it was still small. It was home to the merchant capital, but only in name. The true powerhouses resided far beyond the Central Plains. To speak such words was not only arrogant but incredibly foolish. Yet, Wooyun spoke as though it were already a real possibility.

Which, considering how Han Seo-yoon had made it happen, it was.

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Elder Cho, leader of one of the top merchant guilds in Sea City. Kang Choon-hee, taken aback by Wooyun's words, twisted her face into a delighted expression as she wondered how Elder Cho would react. After all, Wooyun's words could be seen as a challenge. While it was also her desire to create the biggest guild, she wasn't foolish enough to voice such ambitions.

As she thought, Han Seo-yoon was nothing but a fool. Any conflicting feelings she had during the dinner were immediately squashed by those words.

But contrary to her expectations, the older man let out a boisterous laugh—unlike his usual self. Instead of being offended by the challenge, he welcomed it. For the first time, Elder Cho saw Han Beom-seok in Seo-yoon. He recognized that same drive to be the best, the same competitive spirit that Beom-seok had in his youth. Ever since Beom-seok's passing, Elder Cho had felt something was missing. He realized that, yes, it was because he had lost a precious friend, but it was also because he had lost a good rival—someone who kept him on his toes and made things interesting.

He looked at Wooyun and thought that perhaps things might not end badly for the merchant guild after all.

"I look forward to seeing you make that happen, young man. But remember, actions speak louder than words. I expect to see you making some moves soon," he said.

With that, the mini banquet ended, and Wooyun stood as the victor in this battle.

It was clear that Wooyun's newfound confidence and his performance had not pleased the madam of the family in the slightest.

She couldn't understand where this sudden change in his personality came from, nor how he knew all this information. Had Han Beom-seok lied to him after all? She distinctly remembered asking Beom-seok whether Seo-yoon had received any business training or education, to which he had said no, as Seo-yoon was still young.

Seo-yoon had been fifteen at the time, and though she found this odd, she hadn't questioned it because Beom-seok had never given her any reason to. He never lied—so what was all of this about? Her brows furrowed in confusion and frustration, but she swallowed her anger as she walked her guests out.

"It's fine," she told herself. "We still have a chance to make a good impression at the tournament."

As for Wooyun, she would deal with him later.