Chapter 32
“I greet the young lady.”
“Welcome, Chief Steward. You’re here because of the fragrant meat mushrooms, right?”
After morning training, Chief Steward Wi Jeong-gon came to Yeonhongwon.
“That’s right. I came on the Lord’s orders.”
“I didn’t expect the Chief Steward himself to come.”
Unyeong, offering him a seat, spoke first.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I told my grandfather that the mushroom dish was for Seolwon Inn. Matters related to the inn usually fall under the responsibility of the Outer Steward, don’t they?”
At Unyeong’s reply, Steward Wi’s expression softened.
“That’s true. However, the Lord has specifically entrusted me with everything concerning Yeonhongwon. From now on, I’ll be supporting anything the young lady wishes to pursue.”
“I see.”
Unyeong nodded at the explanation.
“Does that displease you?”
Chief Steward Wi asked cautiously.
“Not at all. I’m happy to work with you.”
It was Steward Wi whom Seolwonpyeong had assigned to support Seolja-dan. From Unyeong’s perspective, it couldn’t be better.
He was capable and had remained loyal until the end. It would be best to maintain a good relationship with him.
“Have you tried the fragrant meat mushrooms?”
“Yes, I tasted them as well. I’ve eaten them since I was young, but I never realized they were so delicious.”
“Our cook Wang is quite skilled.”
“Indeed. So, will Cook Wang be going to Seolwon Inn as their head chef?”
“No.”
Unyeong shook her head quickly. Cook Wang was a talent she wanted to keep in Yeonhongwon forever.
Someone with that much skill—able to craft meat dishes that suited Unyeong’s taste perfectly—could not be sent away.
“It would be better for Seolwon Inn’s chef to come and learn from Yeonhongwon.”
Her words were laced with determination to keep Wang.
“That won’t be possible.”
At Steward Wi’s words, Unyeong looked visibly disappointed.
“Haha. We can’t bring outsiders into Yeonhongwon. I’ll instruct that Wang teaches the Seolwon Inn chef instead.”
With that, Chief Steward Wi smiled faintly.
‘He saw right through me. Tch. Typical merchant.’
Having risen from the lowest rank in the merchant guild, Chief Steward Wi was a master at reading people. He hadn’t missed the brief change in Unyeong’s expression.
“That sounds good.”
“Seolwon Inn’s chef is also capable. They’ll learn the mushroom dish in no time.”
“That’s great. Will it be possible to secure a supply of fragrant meat mushrooms?”
Unyeong asked calmly, having recovered her composure.
“Yes. Upon your order yesterday, we began securing supplies. We had some stockpiled, and Seolwon Merchant Guild is ready to purchase more.”
“Even if we have to pay a premium, secure as much as possible.”
“Of course.”
The two exchanged smiles.
“Also, let’s try spreading some rumors.”
“What kind of… rumor do you mean?”
“That the eldest son of the Jegal family visited Seolga Manor after hearing about the fragrant meat mushrooms.”
“A mushroom so delicious that Master Jegal came all this way for it. Excellent. Very clever. It would be strange if such a rumor didn’t spread.”
Though he already knew everything that had happened at the banquet last night, Steward Wi played along with her idea.
She had exceeded his expectations.
He had thought it was just a young girl wanting to share a tasty dish with others—but he had been mistaken.
This young lady clearly had a broader vision. She was even thinking of leveraging rumors to draw people in. It was perfect.
“Hyanga, bring out the porridge and that tasty powder.”
“Yes, young lady.”
While Chief Steward Wi’s eyes gleamed with anticipation, Unyeong prepared another product to present. She figured it was necessary, but she was slightly nervous about how it would be judged through the eyes of a seasoned merchant.
“Oh? You have something else prepared?”
“Let’s taste it first and talk later.”
What Hyanga placed on the table was porridge made with jerky, dried vegetables, and a tasty powder seasoning. The seasoning had been created by Cook Wang at Unyeong’s request.
Chief Steward Wi took a spoonful. It looked rather coarse, but the flavor wasn’t bad.
Of course, it couldn’t compare to the fine cuisine at Seolga Manor. But it was certainly better than the food he’d eaten as a child.
Seeing Unyeong’s expectant gaze, he seriously tasted it again.
“How is it?”
“The answer depends on where it’s eaten.”
“As expected! That’s the exact answer I was hoping for.”
Delighted by his response, Unyeong clapped her hands in excitement.
“Well then, young lady. What do you plan to do with this?”
Putting down his spoon, Steward Wi asked.
‘Hmm… how should I bring this up?’
Selling mushroom dishes at Seolwon Inn was something even Seolwonpyeong had approved of. He could simply view it as his granddaughter discovering a tasty recipe—nothing more. At most, something praiseworthy.
But what Unyeong was planning now was different—it was to grow the Seolwon Merchant Guild itself. It would mark the beginning of Seolga Manor stepping out into the world. She had to be cautious.
Moreover, Seoldo-jin was the heir to Seolga Manor. So it was important for her to clearly define the boundaries of what she was allowed to do.
“Father often goes on trade journeys, right?”
“That’s true.”
“I heard he often camps out during those trips.”
Unyeong couldn’t remember if Seolja-dan had actually said that, but any merchant on the road would end up camping often.
“When sleeping outdoors, the food must be poor. I thought it’d be nice if he could have something warm, so I had Cook Wang make this.”
“What exactly is it?”
“We dried freshwater shrimp, green onions, garlic, and mixed them with salt to make a powder. Only Cook Wang knows the exact proportions. You boil it with dried food to add flavor. It’s called ‘tasty powder’.”
“Huh? Tasty powder?”
“Chief Steward, do you also find the name strange? I thought it was the perfect name, but everyone reacts like that.”
“Haha. It’s quite… intuitive. Tasty powder. Haha.”
Chief Steward Wi wiped a cold sweat as he forced a smile. Unyeong looked puzzled, not understanding the odd reaction.
In truth, Unyeong wasn’t great at naming things. Even her secret martial art was named simply after reading “Harmony Divine Technique,” and calling hers “Harmony Art.”
Her internal energy technique was Harmony Technique, her swordplay was Harmony Swordplay, her fist technique was Harmony Fist, and her footwork was Harmony Steps.
— “A martial art must have a grand name. You’ve created a legendary technique, and yet what is that name?”
No-ya had scolded her, but Unyeong hadn’t listened. It wasn’t like she planned to pass it on to anyone else, so she didn’t care what it was called.
“So you made this for the Young Lord?”
“Yes, initially. But…”
Unyeong glanced at Chief Steward Wi before continuing.
“Seolwon is a merchant guild, right? Merchants are people who sell goods. So there’s no reason only Father should use it, is there?”
“Haha. Of course. Absolutely. The Lord was right—your business sense is outstanding.”
Unyeong was a bit taken aback. She hadn’t expected him to welcome it so much.
“Then, do you think we could sell it through the merchant guild?”
“Hmm. For long journeys or for bodyguards, it would be a great product. I’ll have the guild look into it. Pricing will be a factor too.”
“The ingredients are easy to obtain, so we can price it just slightly above salt.”
“No, young lady. That won’t do. The value of goods is not determined so simply.”
Chief Steward Wi’s eyes sharpened, his presence suddenly intense. Facing such a high-level merchant’s aura, Unyeong shrank back slightly.
‘I thought too simply.’
In her past life, Seol Unyeong had been a martial artist.
She’d seen and experienced many things—but trade was unfamiliar. She had vaguely thought it would sell since it was a good idea, but she’d now run into a wall.
“Yes. Please handle it.”
Still, Unyeong didn’t give up. She clenched her fists and spoke firmly.
‘When have I ever chosen an easy path?’
The road for the best clan under heaven was just beginning.
“If you have any more plans, please call me anytime.”
Chief Steward Wi sounded genuinely delighted.
“And… Lord Namgung has requested to see you.”
“Really?”
“He asked me to tell you he’s waiting at the Small Training Hall.”
“Hmm. Then I’ll go see Mr. Full-of-Himself. Thank you.”
“Not at all. I’ll take my leave now.”
Watching Chief Steward Wi’s retreating back, Unyeong stood up.
“Time to go meet Namgung the Arrogant.”
A mischievous smile spread across her face.
* * *
Although Seolga Manor was primarily a merchant household, it still had several training halls. The estate was large enough to accommodate them.
At the Small Training Hall near Yeonhongwon, Namgung Hwi was practicing alone. It had been cleared for the Namgung family heir.
Unyeong narrowed her eyes and watched Namgung Hwi’s training.
“Why is he swinging his sword like that?”
The sword of the man once called the Sword King didn’t move like that.
Something was strange about Namgung Hwi’s swordplay.
