(Previous scene)The banquet hall fell into a profound silence as Mu Jin remained prostrated on the floor.
Tae-Yun didn't answer immediately; instead, he set his tea down and focused his gaze.
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[Appraisal Eye: Activating]
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[Target: Mu Jin]
Martial Arts Aptitude: Low (Potential: Second-Rate at most)
Magic Aptitude: Low
Swordsmanship Aptitude: Highest-Tier (Potential: Sword Sovereign)
(The Sword Sovereign was a realm just below the Sword Saint.)
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Tae-Yun's eyes narrowed slightly. The boy was a specialized genius useless at magic and mediocre at standard internal arts, but born with the soul of a blade.
-"Stand up," Tae-Yun said. "I will accept you as my disciple. But know this: I will not teach you how to cultivate Qi. I will teach you how to become the sword itself."
Mu Jin's face lit up with a joy so pure it brought tears to his father's eyes. Beside them, Soo-Bin felt a sharp, sudden pang of jealousy. He had traveled with Tae-Yun and witnessed his miracles, yet he was still just a "business partner." Tae-Yun noticed the subtle tightening of Soo-Bin's jaw but remained silent; some lessons in growth required a bit of envy.
-"Get your things ready," Tae-Yun told the boy. -"We leave for the Capital in a few days."
Flying Crane Merchant Union's Rise -
Tae-Yun and Soo-Bin departed the mansion, riding back through the city toward the Flying Crane Merchant Union. As they arrived, Manager Liang was already pacing the entrance, his face flushed with excitement.
-"Fast! Inside, both of you!" he urged, ushering them into a secure, formation-locked meeting room.
The air in the room was electric. The senior merchants were already calculating the gains. -"The auction was a total success," Liang announced. "With the Golden Crow's properties seized and the Namgoong Sect's official backing, our branch has tripled its value in a single night."
Liang then stepped toward Tae-Yun with a heavy, enchanted chest. "As per our original agreement, Master Jin, thirty percent of the final auction bid and a share of the seized Golden Crow assets. It is a fortune befitting a king."
He turned back to the group with a deadly serious expression. "We are reporting this to the headquarters in the Capital. However, to protect our benefactor, the report will state that these connections were secured solely through Young Master Soo-Bin's efforts. No one and I mean no one is allowed to speak of Sir Jin to the central office. We keep our trump card hidden."
The merchants cheered, and the night dissolved into a celebration of their new status as the city's undisputed rulers.
The Stable Boy's Destiny -
Late that night, Tae-Yun returned to the Silver Moon Rest Inn. The Innkeeper greeted him with a warm smile.
-"I apologize for the extra days without payment, Ma'am," Tae-Yun said, sliding a heavy pouch of gold and silver across the counter. "This covers my stay and two more days in advance."
-"Oh, Sir Jin, don't worry about such small things!" After seeing that he has connections with the flying crane merchant union she waved him off, though she kept the money.
Dori, who had been overhearing the conversation, hurried over. "Do you want dinner in your room as usual, Master?" he asked, his eyes bright with his typical helpfulness.
Tae-Yun smiled at the boy. Out of habit, he let his Appraisal Eye linger on the stable boy. The smile on Tae-Yun's face froze.
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[Appraisal Eye: Activating]
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[Target: Dori]
Martial Arts Aptitude: Highest (Peak Rank)
Swordsmanship Aptitude: Transcendent (Potential: Sword Saint)
Special Trait: [Adaptive Vessel] – His body is perfectly suited for any kind of energy.
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Tae-Yun stared at the boy who had been cleaning his horse's hooves. This boy was a once-in-a-thousand-years miracle.
-"Dori," Tae-Yun said, his voice dropping an octave. "Do you want to learn martial arts?"
Dori froze. People had always looked past him, seeing only a weak, dusty stable boy. His voice trembled as he whispered, "Me? You... you would teach someone like me?"
-"I would," Tae-Yun replied.
Dori didn't hesitate. He dropped to his knees and bowed until his head hit the floor. "Yes, Master! Thank you, Master!"
Tae-Yun patted the boy's shoulder and headed to his room. After a quiet dinner, he lay back on his bed, the weight of his two new disciples settling in. One a future Sword Sovereign, one a future Sword Saint and martial arts genius, he thought as he drifted into sleep. The Capital won't know what hit it.