Murim Troubleshooter Dan Mujin

Chapter 25: The Ripple Effect of Good Deeds

The constant clicking of an abacus, hurried strokes scribbling across rice paper, and piles upon piles of paperwork.

Today, as always, the office of the Eunseong Trading Company was bustling with activity.

“How are preparations for the escort mission going?”

“They’re almost complete.”

The Trading Lord and Chief Steward Jin were racking their brains to get the Eunseong Trading Company back on track.

Eun Hwaran tapped her delicate chin with her fan and continued her inquiry.

“What about the sericulture business?”

“It’s progressing smoothly, all thanks to Mujin. Once the silk production stabilizes, we’ll be fine.”

Indeed, the Gold Assessment process had been fraught with endless problems and setbacks. But now, the silkworm chambers were finally producing cocoons consistently.

“What’s the reaction from the investors?”

“Well, for now, they’re adopting a wait-and-see approach. There have been too many bumps in sericulture, and they’re still uncertain about the escort mission's success.”

It seemed they would only loosen their purse strings once the silk business was firmly established and the escort mission succeeded.

If the company went bankrupt, recovering their investments wouldn't be easy.

Thus, Eunseong Trading Company had to operate with limited funds, squeezing every penny they had left.

“They really don’t trust us, do they?”

“They’ve always been like that. Also, the malicious rumors spread by Young Master Geum Yado must have contributed.”

Ever since the eviction order incident, Man Geum Trading Post had continuously spread unfavorable rumors among the investors.

Hearing that name, Eun Hwaran clenched her fan so tightly it nearly snapped.

Every mention of that vulgar young master stirred a blazing fury within her.

“When Father was the Trading Lord, people trusted him even in such situations. They never swayed because of baseless rumors.”

Spring Radiance Tycoon  had taken Eunseong Trading Company from a mid-sized company to one of the Ten Great Trading Companies through his brilliant foresight and business acumen.

His influence over the Business World was immense.

Back then, whenever he proposed a new venture, investors flocked eagerly.

“Haa... Perhaps because a greenhorn took over the Trading Lord position and experienced several failures, they’ve lost confidence in me.”

Eun Hwaran let out a sigh, upset at how starkly different things were now.

Once trust was lost, it was challenging to regain. People were doubting her capability in business.

“Chief Steward Jin, how would Father have handled this situation?”

So she asked Chief Steward Jin, who had cared for her since birth and had served Spring Radiance Tycoon  the longest.

“He would’ve showered excessive kindness upon those who doubted or disliked him, turning them into his loyal supporters.”

'Business is people, and people are business.' Spring Radiance Tycoon  lived by the saying that people were the greatest profit obtainable in commerce.

“Such generosity isn’t easy for me. Putting trust before profit is a difficult decision.”

Indeed, as a merchant, it was an extremely tough choice. Especially now, with a turbulent market making calculations critical, Eun Hwaran found it even harder.

“Precisely because it’s challenging, he earned respect and became known as Spring Radiance Tycoon .”

Ultimately, it was people who moved money and determined business dealings.

According to Chief Steward Jin, if you win over people's hearts, business naturally flows in the right direction.

“I truly believe that someday, you too will earn such trust and become a great merchant whose name alone inspires confidence.”

Chief Steward Jin’s gaze was filled with complete faith.

Feeling slightly burdened by that gaze, Eun Hwaran turned her head away slightly.

Was this how a small bird felt, trying to follow a crane and straining itself? Standing here made the gap between herself and her father even clearer.

“...I’ll do my best.”

She lifted her tea, brewed from dry leaves, hoping to soothe her complicated mind.

The bitterness lingered on her tongue—appropriate in more ways than one.

Creak.

Her slender hand opened the drawer in search of something sweet.

But even after several attempts, she found nothing.

“Ah, right. Mujin ate it all...”

Whether he took after his master or not, that boy's appetite was truly astonishing.

Moreover, it seemed the attendants had forgotten to replenish it.

“Oh, speaking of Mujin… I heard he returned? And brought the children he mentioned earlier.”

Those former freeloaders from his beggar days, wasn’t it?

“Yes, I just arranged jobs for them. They're all quite capable, as expected from Mujin’s companions.”

Chief Steward Jin mentioned one child in particular, named Ochil, who possessed an unusual ferocity. He suggested training him into an escort.

“And I heard Mujin got badly injured.”

“Yes, he apparently got into a fight with a gang of beggars he'd previously clashed with.”

The opposing gang was composed of large men, and they outnumbered Mujin’s group nearly threefold.

“Oh dear. With that much disadvantage, even with martial arts, it wouldn’t have been easy. Did he lose?”

“He claims he won. Not only did he defeat the gang, but he also crushed the Guanghae Faction connected to them, and even defeated some second-rate martial artist called Heaven-Violating Yin Fiend...”

Chief Steward Jin trailed off, unable to hide his skepticism.

“Hehe, it’s just the age when kids like to exaggerate their exploits. Let’s indulge him.”

Eun Hwaran smiled, amused.

His victory probably meant he’d only beaten up a few beggars.

Of course, even that was impressive, given his age.

“Send my personal physician to Mujin. I’m still worried since he's badly injured.”

“Trading Lord, he's quite sturdy. A regular physician should suffice.”

“But he's my only sworn sibling.”

With her father gone and her brother disowned, Mujin was the only family left whom she could freely trust and care for.

“Haha, what special treatment... Understood.”

Chief Steward Jin thought to himself that Mujin was a truly fortunate young man.

As he stood up to summon the physician, a commotion erupted outside, and the office door burst open abruptly.

Clatter, thud.

“Is Trading Lord Eun Hwaran here?”

The visitor was a dignified middle-aged man in exquisite silk robes, his hair neatly graying at the temples.

It seemed he’d barged in without notice, as two servants rushed after him, shouting, “You can't just barge in like this!”

“Trading Lord, that man is Kang Hochae, an investor from Hebei Money House.”

Chief Steward Jin recognized him immediately and whispered his identity into Eun Hwaran’s ear.

The unexpected guest caused surprise to flicker across Eun Hwaran’s face.

“Investor Kang Hochae, to what do we owe the honor...?”

Hebei Money House was among Beijing's top ten lenders, and they had recently rejected Eunseong Trading Company's request for funds.

Moreover, for some reason, the man seemed extremely agitated.

She couldn't fathom the purpose of his visit—whether it was auspicious or ominous.

“Whatever the matter, why don’t you calm yourself with some tea first?”

Eun Hwaran gently offered him a green-tinted tea cup with a calming voice.

Recognizing he wasn't in the best state either, Kang Hochae nodded, slowly regaining his composure.

Finally, after emptying the cup and settling his emotions, Kang Hochae began to speak.

“Trading Lord Eun Hwaran, I have a useless son.”

He spoke while glancing at the scattered approval documents and traces of financial maneuvering all over the office.

“You mean your son.”

A sudden mention of blood ties. Eun Hwaran’s words trailed off slightly.

Could it be that, just like he had pushed a greedy marriage proposal at Man Geum Trading Post, he was now plotting some scheme targeting the trading company sustained by a lone woman?

“At his age, his head is already filled with nonsense. He constantly runs away disguised in ragged clothing—an absurd little rascal.”

Yet despite that, he was tearing his own son down harshly in front of her.

When his father put him under house arrest, the boy disguised himself as a beggar and escaped, enjoying his freedom outside.

That only made Eun Hwaran all the more puzzled.

“But he’s still my one and only precious son.”

“……I see.”

What was she supposed to say to that?

Those words reached her throat, but Eun Hwaran, as a Trading Lord responsible for many dependents, exercised patience and held it in.

Though she had no idea what was going on, she kept nodding and listened.

“That child went missing a while ago. I even sent out wanderers, but couldn’t find him. Each day was filled with dreadful imagination.”

In the back alleys of Beijing, sinister things happened frequently—kidnappings, robberies, murders. People vanished without a trace all the time.

But why bring such talk to Eunseong Trading Company?

“But not long ago, he returned unharmed, to my great relief. I heard he’d been kidnapped by the Black Path, but was rescued by a young man in the Eunseong Trading Company’s uniform……”

Kidnapped by the Black Path, recently rescued, and the rescuer wore Eunseong Trading Company’s clothes.

Eun Hwaran felt puzzle pieces click into place in her mind.

“Trading Lord, were those Black Path people perhaps…… the Guanghae Faction?”

At Eun Hwaran’s question, the master of Hebei Money House widened his eyes and slapped his knee.

“……So it really was someone you sent! I truly thank you. I almost lost my one and only son to those Black Path scoundrels.”

He grabbed Eun Hwaran’s hands and shook them up and down. Words of gratitude spilled from him nonstop.

Eun Hwaran accepted the thanks with a puzzled and awkward expression.

Good heavens. She had brushed it off as nothing more than a childish tale of bravado.

Had he really defeated members of a Black Path faction and second-rate martial artists all by himself?

“My son said they were adults and outnumbered him, but that young man never backed down, kept fighting, even while covered in blood.”

Such bravery and spirit, like a hero from a chivalrous tale.

Eun Hwaran could only nod blankly in response.

“He said it was so admirable, he wants to become just like that young man. He even swore to turn over a new leaf. Hah! Thanks to you all, you’ve even reformed my son.”

The master of the house continued his emotional testimony about the sworn sibling.

Eun Hwaran, who had been listening, felt the need to clarify and waved her hand.

“Master, I think there might be a bit of a misunderstanding……”

Just then, someone prodded Eun Hwaran’s arm as if to snap her out of it.

She turned to the side and found Chief Steward Jin standing there.

Without a word, he moved his lips, telling her to just shut her eyes and play along, since it had already happened.

And that they could share the reward with the boy too.

Thinking of the many dependents relying on the trading company, he told her not to let this opportunity slip.

“……He’s a child with remarkable talent in martial arts, whom we’ve been raising to become the future Head Escort. I’m very glad he was of help. Thank you, Master.”

“So, he was a candidate for the next Head Escort. Now I understand that martial feat.”

Kang Hochae nodded, mistaking him for a child raised in an escort agency and trained in martial arts from a very young age.

Then he continued.

“I heard that Eunseong Trading Company recently took in thirteen orphans who had nowhere to go, even giving them jobs. When I heard that, it reminded me of Spring Radiance Tycoon , who once prided himself on such upright loyalty.”

It had been Dan Mujin who had insisted on taking in those kids from his days as a beggar.

He seemed quite attached to anyone who had once been under his care.

“When I thought of how I had once rejected a request for financial help during your hard times, citing lack of credit, I felt deeply ashamed.”

“Ah.”

Something was shifting.

Suffering from financial drought like thirst in the desert, Eun Hwaran clenched her fists at those ominous yet promising words.

“A friend in need is a friend indeed. To correct my mistakes and repay the grace of saving my son, I’d like to approve the previously requested financial assistance.”

“……!”

Eun Hwaran involuntarily opened her mouth and sprang to her feet.

She had been rejected and rebuffed wherever she went, yet now, one of the Ten Great Trading Companies of Beijing walked in voluntarily to offer a loan.

“Y-yes! Please do!”

Fearing he might change his mind, Eun Hwaran clasped his hands tightly and exclaimed.

A stroke of luck brought in by Dan Mujin from the most unexpected place. It felt like discovering an oasis in the middle of a desert.

‘Mujin! Just what are you……!’

To think that simply letting him go could bring such fortune.

At this rate, she hadn’t found a lucky charm—she had stumbled upon a solid gold bar glowing yellow.

Sub-material warehouse of the Eunseong Trading Company.

Not where important items like escort cargo were stored, but a place for various odds and ends—this was where I was observing a group of kids.

“They’re working harder than I expected, even if it’s just chores.”

Wiping, sweeping, stacking—these kids moved busily.

“They’ve always been known for their perseverance, just like the boss.”

Ilhong, who was watching beside me, added her thoughts.

They had become intense little beasts through my mental training, where life was combat and survival.

“Ochil says he wants to work hard and become an escort. Maybe he was impressed by how heavy the coin pouches of those third-class escorts he once stole from were.”

It’s physically demanding, but a stable job.

With time to eat well and grow, they could become warehouse assistants, and those with martial talent might even become escorts.

Certainly, unlike before, their future wasn’t shrouded in uncertainty. If they worked hard, the path was open.

And besides, they had me—someone with incredible guanxi. They had nothing to worry about now.

I turned my gaze to Ilhong, who kept chattering beside me.

“……What is it?”

As I silently stared at her, she looked away bashfully with a faint blush.

“No, I just found it fascinating.”

Even when she was disguised as a man, she looked a bit pretty, but now that the disguise was off, it was almost unreal.

Give it three years and she’d be the type to make people turn their heads in the street.

“Hey, but how did you hide your voice?”

I had assumed her voice hadn’t dropped yet, but thinking back, it had sounded curiously androgynous.

At that, Ilhong pulled out an herb shaped like a skewer from her clothing.

“If you make juice out of this and drink it, it makes your throat swell. That changes your voice—makes it useful for disguises.”

Body shaping, Human-skin Mask, and now even voice modulation. It was the work of a truly learned disguise expert.

“You really don’t have anything you don’t know, huh.”

"I don’t know everything. I only know what I know."

A line that sounded like it came from somewhere.

Anyway, he seemed like someone who would be helpful to have around in many ways.

"But Ilhong, what’s your real name?"

"……Hong Geumi."

It sounded like the name of some sweet apple variety.

"Well, it’s a pretty name."

"Hehe, really?"

I had said it without much thought, but for some reason, she started twisting her fingers shyly.

I tilted my head at that odd reaction, but then suddenly, a bold presence rushed up from behind.

"My little brother!"

"Ugh."

A shock like being hit by a deer. But a subtle lotus fragrance tickled my nose.

I turned around, wondering what kind of crazy person this was, and saw the crescent-shaped face of Eun Hwaran, the Trading Lord, smiling brightly.

"My one and only brother, here you are!"

"……Noona, why are you doing this all of a sudden?"

Just like before, it was a bodily contact that was nothing short of bewildering.

Did she really see this body as that of a little kid?

"Uh, that person is the Trading Lord of Eunseong Trading Company……"

True to his well-informed nature, Ilhong seemed to have recognized the Trading Lord of one of the Ten Great Trading Companies.

Her eyes went wide, and her mouth hung open in disbelief.

"Why did she call the boss her brother……?"

It was the same look heroines wore in trashy dramas when they uncovered a birth secret.

The moon was bright.

North Star Lords, South Star Lords. The constellations twinkled like gemstones.

A stillness so quiet that even a feather falling would have been heard.

From my dantian, the energy of the spiritual elixir I had just taken surged like a raging bull.

‘……!’

I didn’t know the details, but Eun Hwaran Trading Lord, saying I had saved her breath, had forced it into my pocket.

It must’ve been prepared from fleeceflower root that had absorbed the essence of nature in a sacred mountain range for forty years, because its energy was truly intense.

“Sacred Command Unified…… Thousands of Battle Flags in Formation……”

Hesitating would only diminish the effects. I cleared my thoughts and submerged my consciousness. I simply observed myself endlessly with insight.

It was good karma built up through blood and wounds. And though it was brief in years, it was a spiritual elixir filled with rich natural qi.

Those two forces were adding immense power to the ability of Starfall Heart Cultivation Method.

Thunk—

A jolt rocked my body. A strike pounded mercilessly on the severely weakened Evil Star.

The Evil Star’s movements stopped. The sacred starlight began stealing tiny amounts of power from its surface.

It might’ve been a mere speck to the Evil Star, but to a person, it was an enormous gain in gongryeok.

‘What pierces through eternity is only unwavering heart-intent……’

The Heaven-Slaying Star, regaining consciousness quickly, spewed red energy as if to rip the intruder inside his head to shreds.

Tsstsstss—!

Hwang Geolgae had warned me never to get caught by that. So I immediately pulled the star energy down into my dantian.

But as I did, I saw something strange.

‘……Huh?’

On the main body of the Evil Star, which had been blazing like a crimson sun—

Crack—

There appeared a tiny, hairline fracture.