The atmosphere at the sect headquarters now resembled a giant, never-sleeping workshop. Although many of the Year 1 and Year 2 students wore white bandages on their arms or heads, the spirit of the "Model Coolies" hadn't diminished in the slightest. Under Han So-Wol's command, they were sorting through the remaining war materials, separating the broken, thin swords of Mount Hua to be remelted into steel nails.
Yoe Choin, in the form of Moen Kang Yo, stood on the balcony of the Main Pavilion, holding a cup of hot ginseng tea provided by So-Wol. His glowing blue eyes scanned the ground below.
"Foreman, look at those kids,"
The voice of the real Moen Kang Yo echoed softly in the inner chamber, its tone no longer filled with hatred.
"Yesterday they nearly died facing Elder Han-Seung, but today they're laughing while carrying teak blocks. You've really remodeled their minds."
"That's because they now know what they're sweating for, Boss,"
Choin thought to himself.
"When you give the vision of a sturdy 'Home,' people will do anything to keep it standing."
Suddenly, Choin's eyes narrowed. In the distance, along the path he had just paved, a luxurious entourage was slowly ascending. There was no murderous aura, but rather an air of serene luxury. A teak carriage with silver dragon carvings and a highly disciplined guard in sky blue.
"Gwi-Hyuk,"
Choin called without turning around.
The silent guard emerged from the shadow of the balcony, his eyes fixed intently on the entourage. He made a quick hand signal:
"Namgung Clan. Blue Sky Trade Alliance. Guest of honor."
Ten minutes later, the entourage stopped in front of the main gate, which still bore cracks from yesterday's Earth-Splitting Demon Strike. Lord Namgung, leader of the Blue Sky Trade Alliance, dismounted from his carriage with the grace of a merchant noble. Beside him, Namgung Shiri stepped down, her transparent veil fluttering in the mountain breeze, her eyes immediately searching for the figure of the man who had saved her in the Northern Valley.
Choin stepped onto the field, accompanied by Baek-Un and Han So-Wol. The atmosphere was slow and heavy with diplomatic tension. The Evernight disciples, who had been busy at work, now stood at attention in the back row, giving off a strong sense of military discipline.
"Welcome to the Evernight Gate project area, Lord Namgung,"
Choin said in a steady baritone. He bowed at just the right level, not too low to demean the sect's prestige, but polite enough to welcome a potential investor.
Lord Namgung gave Choin a searching look.
"Young Master Moen Kang Yo... I've seen a lot in jianghu, but I've never seen a demonic sect that smells more like fresh teak shavings than rotting blood. You're really conducting a 'Total Audit' here, aren't you?"
"We're just repairing the foundations that have been eaten away by termites, Lord,"
Choin replied, gesturing toward the guest pavilion, which had just had its roof renovated.
"Let's talk inside. The air outside is still too dusty from yesterday's demolition work."
Namgung Shiri stole a glance at Choin. He noticed Choin's lightly bandaged hand, a scar from his fight with Elder Han-Seung. A hint of admiration hid behind his clear eyes.
Inside the pavilion, the atmosphere was very formal. Han So-Wol skillfully served the finest tea confiscated from Elder Gong's residence. On a large wooden table, Choin spread out a scroll of logistics maps marked with defense blueprints.
"Let's get straight to the point, Lord Namgung,"
Choin began, forgoing traditional pleasantries.
"You came here because you noticed that since I took over the North and South, the rate of cargo loss in my territory has dropped to zero percent. Is that correct?"
Lord Namgung chuckled, enjoying Choin's efficient style.
"That's right. And I also heard that you managed to detain Elder Han-Seung of Mount Hua. For a merchant, that is proof that the 'Security Structure' you are offering is of very high quality concrete."
"Exactly,"
Choin pointed to a spot on the map.
"The Trade Alliance's main problem has always been the 'Hideaway Fees.' You have to pay bribes to corrupt Elders, tributes to street thugs, and still have to deal with the risk of robbery. It's a hugely inefficient waste of funds."
Choin leaned forward.
"The blueprint I'm offering is a Strategic Partnership. Evernight Gate will be the exclusive security provider for the Blue Sky Trade Alliance throughout the Black Dragon Mountains. No more illegal tributes. In exchange, you'll pay a legitimate 'Infrastructure Maintenance Tax' every month to our central treasury."
Han So-Wol immediately stepped forward and handed over a neatly prepared accounting document.
"This is a comparison of the bribe fees you've paid over the past ten years compared to the cost of our security subscription. You'll save 30% on your total logistics expenses."
Mr. Namgung's eyes widened at the numbers.
"Crazy... who calculated this? It's so precise!"
"Modern management, sir,"
So-Wol replied with genuine pride in the knowledge Choin had taught her.
Namgung Shiri, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
"Young Master Moen... You speak of efficiency and taxes. But what if Mount Hua returns with a larger army? A commercial structure will not stand on a foundation that is in danger of collapsing."
Choin looked Shiri straight in the eye, making her blush slightly.
"Miss Shiri, that is why I detained Elder Han-Seung and did not kill him. He is no longer an enemy; he is our 'Guarantee.' As long as he is here, Mount Hua will not dare to rashly damage our property."
Choin rose from his seat.
"And if they still come... then they will only be additional materials for the deadly labyrinth we are building. In the new Evernight Gate, we fear no conflict. We only fear 'Quality Failure.'"
Lord Namgung stood up and extended his large, sturdy hand.
"Moen Kang Yo... or should I call you the Devil Foreman? The Blue Sky Trade Alliance agrees to this contract. We will provide initial funding for the renovation of the central warehouse at the foot of the mountain, and in return, ensure our caravan passes through without a single broken seal."
"Agreed,"
Choin replied, shaking Lord Namgung's hand with a firm grip.
"This Structural Alliance project officially begins."
After the meeting, Lord Namgung and his guards strolled around to observe the progress of the gate's construction, accompanied by Baek-Un. Shiri lagged behind, standing beside Choin, who was observing the bolts being installed on the lateral pillars.
"You're truly unlike any of the Demon Faction people I've seen in history books, Young Master,"
Shiri whispered softly.
"History books only record who wins, Miss. They rarely record who maintains the building the most diligently,"
Choin replied without looking up, but with a friendly tone in her voice.
Shiri smiled behind her veil.
"Father is very impressed. And I... I feel like you're the only person in Jianghu who talks about 'building' amidst all the people busy 'destroying.'"
Choin paused, gazing at the orange sunset sky.
"Destroying is cheap, Miss. Building is expensive. And I'm here to ensure that no more pillars crack due to unfair management."
In the distance, Jin-Pyo shouted the signal for another disciple to lift the final foundation stone of the day. The voice echoed with hope.
Yoe Choin realized one thing: with the joining of the Blue Sky Trade Alliance and the support of the Namgung clan, Evernight Gate was no longer just a dying sect. They had transformed into a skyscraper whose foundations had begun to touch the deepest layers of Jianghu rock.
A bloody audit might be coming again, but this time, the pillars of Evernight Gate were reinforced with the cement of loyalty and the steel of an unwavering economy.