“Are you thinking of purchasing the Eternal Cold Iron?”

“Yes.”

“Will you… sell it?”

“You’ve been through hardships for several months while traveling for business, so you must be in dire need of money now that you’re penniless. I don’t think you’d refuse a customer offering 10,000 nyang.”

No matter how extraordinary a metal is, the material is still just a material in the end.

Especially for a merchant, there’s no reason to covet the Eternal Cold Iron itself.

‘Only warriors and blacksmiths would go crazy over a lump of metal.’

Moreover, if the Eternal Cold Iron were to be exchanged for money, the place that would pay the highest price would definitely be the Demon Cult.

“The righteous factions don’t have money, so…”

“Pardon?”

“Just talking to myself.”

It was a sad story, but it was true.

The core value of the righteous martial world is “xia” (侠/chivalry).

In other words, it’s a well-intentioned gang gathered with the intention of ‘doing good deeds with their fists and widely helping the common people! (And in return, they need to receive some protection fees.)’

In the end, it means they have to take what they’re given.

Unless an outstanding disciple of a sect starts a business and multiplies their wealth, there’s a limit to the money that can come out of the righteous factions. If there’s a famine, they even have to distribute grains to maintain their reputation.

‘But the Demon Cult is different.’

The Demon Cult is a religion, a nation, and a violent organization.

Members voluntarily offer money, and trained administrators manage the funds.

If they still lack money? They just need to lead an army somewhere, beat them up a few times, and extort money.

Doing so won’t diminish their standing or suddenly worsen their reputation.

Because it’s the Demon Cult.

That’s just how the Demon Cult is.

‘It’s like they mixed together all the groups optimized for scraping money.’

So that’s why they’re always embedding Night Luminous Pearls everywhere and frequently engaging in civil engineering projects. They have money overflowing!

Wait a minute.

“Then that means there are many rich people besides me.”

“Pardon?”

“This is no time to be doing this! It would be big trouble if someone who can pay more money shows up!”

Na Rin grabbed Dogum by the collar and shook him.

“Where is he? The merchant from the North Sea Ice Palace! Where did he go?”

“Ack! Young lady, ack!”

Dogum felt like his recently broken ribs were rattling.

[This is the timeline separator]

The West Heavenly Palace.

It is the residence of one of the Four Heavenly Kings who guard the four cardinal directions of east, west, south, and north. It is said that the architectural beauty of the West Heavenly Palace, built like a fortress by carving and stacking white rocks from a distant country, is unrivaled by any other place in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Thus, anyone coming from afar to the Hundred Thousand Mountains would first desire to visit the famous palace. Nine out of ten would then request to visit the West Heavenly Palace.

This tendency was no different for the merchant Eduard, who had come all the way from the distant North Sea Ice Palace to Shengang.

“Is the soup to your liking?”

“Of course, Protector.”

Apart from a slightly awkward accent, it was fluent Zhongyuan language. The middle-aged man who slowly nodded his head with a satisfied smile toward Eduard was none other than the Wide-Eyed Heavenly King, Sa Ma Jil.

“I heard you suffered a great loss.”

“Hmm. It’s embarrassing that you know about my shortcomings, Protector.”

“Those lowly beings committed a crime out of disrespect, so how can it be called the shortcomings of a great man? I, Sa Ma Jil, will compensate for the money you lost at the gambling house, so leave the bad memories in Shengang and go.”

At this, Eduard’s eyes widened.

The amount he lost last night was not small.

In terms of Infernal Coins, it would easily be 2,000 nyang!

“Are you serious? You’ll do that much for me?”

“Of course, there are conditions.”

Ah, well then.

Eduard showed a relieved expression instead.

As a merchant accustomed to transactions, there was nothing more difficult and troublesome to deal with than a favor that didn’t expect anything in return.

“Please tell me.”

“I heard you have the Eternal Cold Iron.”

So that was it.

Eduard took out a small piece of metal from his sleeve without hesitation. It was an object with a dark color like a deep night sea, exuding a cool and bluish aura.

“May I touch it?”

“Of course.”

The tips of Sa Ma Jil’s fingers touched the piece of metal.

As if his fingers would freeze, the coldness was transmitted without hesitation, sending a chill down Sa Ma Jil’s spine.

“You understand, don’t you?”

“I can’t not know.”

A smile spread across Sa Ma Jil’s lips.

To this, Eduard said:

“I’m sorry, but 2,000 nyang is not even close.”

“Of course. I’m not that unscrupulous.”

“Then the condition is…?”

“You’re in a hurry, aren’t you?”

As Sa Ma Jil raised his hand, the waiting attendants came running with chests one after another. And they began to open them one by one in front of Eduard.

“…Gasp!”

One chest was full of gold bars. Next to it was a chest full of pearls. And in the chest next to that were sable furs.

Sa Ma Jil said in a leisurely manner:

“If you find the value sufficient, just tell them to bring it in.”

It meant he would match whatever price was asked.

Eduard swallowed and trembled with anxiety. There was nothing more expensive than a favor without reason.

“Protector, I’m sorry, but it’s difficult to set a price before hearing the condition.”

“Is that so?”

Sa Ma Jil smiled brightly.

“I don’t think so.”

Clap clap!

With a clap of his hands, attendants once again rushed into the room carrying chests. One was full of the finest jade without a single flaw. Another was full of Night Luminous Pearls emitting a brilliant light.

‘How vast.’

However, on the other hand, he couldn’t help but acknowledge it.

As the value of the Eternal Cold Iron rose before his eyes, Eduard’s desire to accept the condition Sa Ma Jil was offering also solidified.

“…It’s sufficient.”

Finally, the attendants’ footsteps stopped.

“Load it onto the carriage.”

“Yes, sir!”

While the attendants took all the chests they had brought and carried them back out, Eduard didn’t say a single word.

Time passed, and when he was finally alone with Sa Ma Jil, he opened his tightly closed mouth.

“What should I do?”

“Hehe.”

Sa Ma Jil didn’t bother to say ‘I knew you would’ out loud. Because he knew that Eduard himself was already feeling the limits of his capacity.

“It’s not difficult. You just need to keep your mouth shut.”

“About what…?”

“The fact that you had the Eternal Cold Iron. And the fact that you sold it to me. Just keep these two facts from being known by anyone.”

Eduard was momentarily flustered and asked:

“The fact that I sold it to the Protector can be easily concealed. But the fact that I had the Eternal Cold Iron is known by anyone who heard about last night’s commotion. Even if I keep my mouth shut now…”

“You can say it was fake, can’t you?”

“…! Y-You’re telling me to sell my credibility?”

“That’s why I didn’t buy it cheaply.”

Eduard, biting his lower lip, finally nodded.

He couldn’t give up those numerous treasures that flashed before his eyes when he closed them.

“I understand. I will do so.”

“You made the right decision. It’s a good deal.”

Sa Ma Jil grasped the piece of Eternal Cold Iron in his hand and stood up from his seat.

“Ah, there’s one thing I didn’t mention.”

“…?”

And he added with a bright smile:

“Originally, all the Eternal Cold Iron in the Demon Cult belongs to the Cult Leader.”

…he said.

[This is the timeline separator]

How clear the night sky is.

Even though it was the day he made the biggest profit since becoming a merchant, Eduard’s heart was only heavy.

‘I paid too great a price.’

Is it human to sell one’s credibility, which is no different from a merchant’s pride, just to sell a mere piece of iron at its proper price?

Is that all? He even participated in stealing the property of the Demon Cult Leader, the owner of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

“Sigh.”

Perhaps he may never set foot on the land of Shengang again.

No, rather, he should strive to never set foot on the land of Shengang again. That’s how fatal a mistake he had made.

“What’s the use of wealth? It’s all just a dream.”

Someone heard Eduard’s lament.

It was Na Rin, who had hurried after him towards the West Heavenly Palace.

‘What kind of merchant says such a thing?’

A person who doesn’t value wealth chose the occupation of a merchant. It was an act that ignored one’s aptitude too much.

“Well, it’s none of my business.”

“Ack! Gasp! Y-Young lady! Let’s go together!”

“Seriously. If someone sees us, they’ll think I abandoned you and ran ahead. You walked side by side with me, so what’s with the fuss?”

Dogum felt wronged.

What Na Rin said wasn’t wrong in itself, but didn’t he just have his bones broken earlier?

To put it bluntly, the current Dogum was a patient. What kind of law is there to suddenly force a patient to guide the way and forcefully inject internal energy, pushing them ahead recklessly?

“What’s with that expression? Do you have a complaint?”

“N-No, not at all!”

However, he couldn’t bring himself to voice his grievances.

As a person, he didn’t have the shamelessness to express his resentment towards a child who had tried to rob him just moments ago.

“More importantly, is that the person? The merchant from the North Sea Ice Palace.”

Dogum lifted his swollen eyelids with his hand, confirmed Eduard’s face, and nodded confidently.

“Without a doubt.”

“Great. I’ll go negotiate and be back.”

“Can I go home now?”

“If you want to die, feel free!”

Why was she so readily telling him not to go?

Dogum became gloomy and hid his body in the darkness, sighing.

“Is it because I’m unlucky this year…?”

Seeing that everything he did this year ended in failure, it seemed he needed to light a fire and pray to the Martial God tonight.

Meanwhile, Na Rin hopped and skipped towards Eduard.

Being right in front of the West Heavenly Palace was somewhat concerning, but there was no time to fuss over this and that.

“Excuse me. You came from the North Sea, right?”

“…?”

Eduard noticed that Na Rin’s attire was quite high-class and responded with a gentle attitude.

“That is true. What business do you have with me, young lady?”

“I want to buy something.”

“You’re too late. Last night, I…”

Eduard, who was about to say ‘I was scammed at the gambling house and became penniless,’ closed his mouth. After all, it wasn’t a good thing to say for a child’s education.

“I gave away all my wealth to people in need, so I have nothing left.”

“People in need?”

For Na Rin, who had heard the content, she couldn’t help but tilt her head.

‘Are the scammers at the gambling house people in need?’

Of course, scammers are also people, so they may have their own hardships, but it was a very awkward expression.

‘Well, whatever. The important thing is the Eternal Cold Iron.’

Na Rin just brushed off the trivial matters and went straight to the point.

“I’m saying sell the remaining wealth, not the wealth you gave away.”

“Are you looking for something specific?”

Na Rin nodded vigorously and said:

“The Eternal Cold Iron!”

“Young lady, that’s a bit…”

When Eduard showed reluctance, Na Rin took out a bank note from her pocket as if she had forgotten and showed it to him.

“I have money. Look!”

It was a whopping 10,000 nyang.

Eduard bit his lower lip.

‘If only I had met this child an hour earlier, no, even half an hour earlier, I could have handed over the Eternal Cold Iron with a much lighter heart.’

Then he wouldn’t have made the unfair deal with Sa Ma Jil. But the ship had already sailed, and the Eternal Cold Iron had long been in Sa Ma Jil’s hands.

“Young lady, I’m really sorry, but…”

Moreover, Eduard had another obligation now.

“That Eternal Cold Iron was fake.”