Like other prominent trading companies, the Baekhwa Trading Company had established branches throughout Zhongyuan.
Of course, it was said there were no branches in regions where the Moyong Clan, who controlled key territories, or local authorities had not granted permission.
Still, even excluding those areas, the companyâs reach spanned nearly the entire continent.
The main headquarters was reportedly located somewhere in Xiâan.
When asked why Xiâan, out of all possible cities, was chosen as the headquarters, the answer was likely simple: the Mihoran Clan, to which the trading companyâs master belonged, was based there.
Not that I had ever visited.
âWhy would I even go there?â
Perhaps someone like Gu Yeonseo or Gu Heebi might have reason to, but it certainly wasnât my kind of destination.
Anyway, excluding its headquarters, the Hanam Branch was easily the most influential of all the Baekhwa Trading Companyâs locations.
Hanam was not only home to Wudang and the Murim Alliance headquarters, but also one of Zhongyuanâs largest cities.
This branch generated more revenue than even the headquarters itself.
Its importance was reflected in its grandeurâthe building was one of the tallest and most prominent in Hanam, a clear expression of the Baekhwa Trading Companyâs stature.
Currently, I was standing on the top floor of that towering structure, in the Hanam Branch of the Baekhwa Trading Company.
The room was impeccably clean.
Not a speck of dust was in sight, and the air carried an almost oppressive sense of cleanliness.
It was so spotless it made breathing feel like a guilty act.
Or maybe I just felt uncomfortable in the space, which could explain why it felt that way.
Regardless, being here was undeniably unsettling for me.
âItâs been a while.â
The voice drew me out of my thoughts.
Gulp. I swallowed dryly.
The tea set before me remained untouched.
I cautiously lifted my gaze and offered my respects.
âIt has been a long time, Madam Mi.â
The person before me was none other than Mi Horan, the master of the Baekhwa Trading Companyâ
And the mistress of the Gu Clan.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
It had been roughly a year since I last saw her.
The last time had been during a particularly grueling period when I was training under Paejon.
Even then, I had gone out of my way to avoid her whenever possible.
Masking my true feelings, I addressed her politely.
âI happened to be in Hanam for business. Since I heard you were here, I thought it would be proper to pay my respects.â