Chapter 58

• Call Me Uroe-mae

Having safely finished their course registration with Jang Hong's help,
Bi Ryu-yeon's party decided to return to their dormitory,
as there was nothing else to do.

It was something Bi Ryu-yeon would refuse to do, to stay there and get involved in the fierce battle over a matter he couldn't understand at all (registering for Yeomdo's class). Perhaps Yun Jun-ho or Hyo-ryong would want to get into the competition, embracing the risk of suffocating to death, but Bi Ryu-yeon was definitely not one of them. Could one even imagine a master desperately trying to learn from his disciple?

As the four were returning to their dormitory, they suddenly sensed a subtle vibration in the air and looked up at the sky. It felt as if the dense atmosphere had been stirred by a sword of sharp speed. In addition, a piercing cry rang in their ears.

In their sight, three falcons flying down from the sky towards the ground at a terrifying speed came into view. One could bet their entire fortune on the fact that they were not wild, and the three falcons, tamed by human hands, were all flying into a building located on one side over the wall. But the wall was high, so they could only guess the approximate location, but not the exact location of the building. In fact, what was more curious than the location of the building was the meaning of the falcons that had just landed.

"What's that?"

"Huh, you don't know?"

Hyo-ryong looked at Bi Ryu-yeon with a surprised gaze. It was about time he got used to it, but he was still often surprised when he encountered Bi Ryu-yeon's astonishing lack of common sense.

"Yeah."

"Those are the famous messenger falcons of the Cheonmu Academy. They are special falcons specially trained to deliver letters, news, or information."

"Really? I've never heard of them."

Bi Ryu-yeon was tenaciously not breaking out of his lack of common sense, even though he was encountering new information every day these days.

"Don't they usually use pigeons (carrier pigeons) for letters or information?"

Jang Hong gave Yun Jun-ho a reproachful look at his question. It was a look that meant, 'You're not much different, wake up.'

"These days, the trend in the Jianghu is all flowing from carrier pigeons to messenger falcons. Everyone prefers the messenger falcons, which are much less risky and much safer than the weak carrier pigeons. So these days, it's rare for a well-known martial artist not to have a messenger falcon."

"So it's a kind of trend."

Yun Jun-ho's words were not so wrong either.

"Now it's right to say that it has gone beyond a trend and has become almost universal."

Now, the carrier pigeon was a relic of the past that was out of date. Who would try to fly a carrier pigeon to deliver news these days, braving the strong ridicule of those around? Anyone who valued their honor and face would not dare to think of such an adventure.

"Besides, when you're not delivering letters, you can also enjoy falconry, so it's killing two birds with one stone. Falconry is a very luxurious hobby in the Jianghu."

Falconry literally refers to a very luxurious hunting method using falcons. And anything used for a luxurious hobby tends to be traded at a high price. The fact that it uses falcons alone makes it easy to see that falconry is not an activity for a living. The price of a falcon used for hunting alone was enough for a commoner family of five to live on for three months.

"I want one of those too. How can I get one?"

Bi Ryu-yeon said, like a child whining for a toy. His curiosity had been triggered again.

"You can buy one."

"Thank you so much. For putting it so simply."

"I always enjoy getting to the point."

Jang Hong continued with a smile.

"But don't talk like that. I'm scared something might happen."

"Haha! That sounds like a crack in our precious friendship."

Bi Ryu-yeon said with a laugh. Jang Hong tried hard to ignore Bi Ryu-yeon's words.

"That's assuming there's a friendship to crack, right?"

"It's a truly amazing discovery that there was a friendship to crack between you and me."

"How fortunate that you know now. Otherwise, you might have never known of its existence forever."

Jang Hong smiled and began to explain about the messenger falcons.

"These days, there are more and more places in the Jianghu that professionally train and sell messenger falcons. Thanks to that, the price has also dropped a lot. Shall we say it has become popularized? Among them, the most famous place is the Heavenly Eagle Gang. The biggest source of income for the Heavenly Eagle Gang is this messenger falcon sales and operation business. These days, they are more famous for that business than for their martial arts."

The Heavenly Eagle Gang was a Murim sect whose signature ultimate technique was a claw technique called the Heavenly Eagle Eight Claw Art, and it was currently raising its prestige. Until 10 years ago, it was just a small minor sect, but as the messenger falcon craze swept through the Jianghu, it began to rise rapidly, and these days, it was building a super-large force that was not envious of the major sects. It was a sect with a unique history of achieving great success by transforming into an information trading organization, using its ability to quickly move and exchange information through messenger falcons along with the messenger falcon sales business.

"Operation?"

"Yes. No matter how much it's a messenger falcon, it can't travel all over the Central Plains to deliver news. How can it travel all over this vast land of the Central Plains? Even for a winged falcon, it's a difficult task. It also takes a long time. So they have set up places for the falcons to rest here and there. The Heavenly Eagle Gang has set up and is operating 24 of the largest bases among them. If you have news to deliver around a specific area, you use that place."

"The level of training of a messenger falcon is indicated by the number of rings on its ankle. The more rings, the more training it has undergone, and it's a top-quality product."

"That falcon has 7 rings, so is it a high-end item?"

Even though it was so far away, it seemed that Bi Ryu-yeon's eyes could clearly see the number of rings on the falcon's ankle.

"Of course. That's a sign that it has been trained on 7 flight paths. 12 is the best. The messenger falcon chooses its flight path and flies according to the signal sound corresponding to the path marker. The signal sound specifies the direction to a specific place."

"So that it doesn't go around in circles?"

"That's right. There's no need to go around in circles when you can go in a straight path. That's just a waste of time."

"I agree with that 'waste'."

"Hmm, I really want one..."

Bi Ryu-yeon said, like a whining child. After hearing the explanation, his desire to have one surged even more.

"If you really want one, you can buy one."

"Really? By what method?"

"There's probably a sales and distribution network branch called the Heavenly Eagle Gang branch within the Cheonmu Academy. Kindly enough. Since this place is like the center of the righteous path Murim, all the famous sects have a base like a liaison office here. Especially the messenger falcons of the Heavenly Eagle Gang are an essential item for Jianghu life, so they are sold along with messenger falcon education and training. It's the biggest business of the Heavenly Eagle Gang. And to add, the messenger falcons of the Heavenly Eagle Gang are all well-known for being smart."

It was a story that was truly tempting. Although the expenditure of silver taels was a heartbreaking thing, it was something he really wanted, so he urged Jang Hong to go to the Heavenly Eagle Gang branch. It was a large building located next to the Flying Eagle Pavilion. It was located next to the Flying Eagle Pavilion, which was a place that managed the students' and the academy's messenger falcons, so it was located next to it.

That Flying Eagle Pavilion was a kind of dormitory exclusively for messenger falcons, and what impressed Bi Ryu-yeon the most here was, above all, the fact that they took care of the disciples' falcons for free. It was a very troublesome thing for an individual to take care of a falcon, as it was a lot of work. But it seemed unnecessary to emphasize how indispensable and useful that place, which did that trouble for you, was.

It was too shabby to be called a branch—it was by no means small, but at best it was the size of a large store. When they entered the building, a large number of messenger falcons were in numerous birdcages. Upon closer inspection, they all had slightly different appearances and shapes. It was the first time for Bi Ryu-yeon to see such a variety of colors and types of falcons there.

As Bi Ryu-yeon was carefully looking around the branch, one messenger falcon caught his eye. It was a peculiar one with bluish feathers all over its body, and it was sitting haughtily, its eyes shining like sharply honed blades. Although it was confined in a narrow birdcage, a spirit like a king of the sky, not yielding to it, could be seen. Bi Ryu-yeon liked it at first sight. Seeing the 12 thin golden rings on both its ankles, it was undoubtedly a top-quality falcon.

"Ah, customer. That one is too fierce, and no one has been able to tame it. It's so proud and haughty that everyone who tried to take it failed. It's a Haedongcheong from a country called Goryeo in the east, and it's very fierce. And it won't follow anyone unless it acknowledges them."

"Really?"

As Bi Ryu-yeon showed interest in the bird of prey that had sent back more than 30 people with 4-5 scratches, the owner stepped forward to give a warning in advance.

As Bi Ryu-yeon did not give up, regardless of his warning, the owner shook his head and made a skeptical expression. Because everyone had started well, but the end was miserable. They had all challenged it with a boast, but had given up, clutching their torn clothes and bleeding wounds, shaking their heads. The owner's opinion was that it would not be much different this time.

"C-customer!"

When the owner briefly looked away and then looked at Bi Ryu-yeon again, his pupils grew as large as plates.

"Why? It's just so docile."

It was unknown what trick he had used, but on Bi Ryu-yeon's wrist, the blue-feathered Haedongcheong was standing in an elegant posture. What was even more surprising was the fact that he had opened the birdcage and taken out the falcon without the owner's permission. For what reason had he recklessly opened the birdcage, what would he do if that fierce falcon were to escape? A person with common sense would never have done such a thing.

Once his astonished heart had calmed down to some extent about the customer's unauthorized opening of the birdcage, he thought he should protest sternly. But, he was able to discover one peculiar fact. Strangely, even though there was no wrist guard, the falcon's claws could not pierce Bi Ryu-yeon's forearm. Of course, it was by no means that the Haedongcheong had suddenly developed a sense of mercy and was loosening the grip of its claws. He could swear on the honor of the Goryeo Haedongcheong.

His eyes were filled with admiration as he saw Bi Ryu-yeon handling the blue-feathered Haedongcheong, which no one had been able to tame and had only made them drink the bitter cup of failure, like a docile chick.

"That's a strange thing. It was so fierce... It seems its owner has been decided, customer."

"How much is it?"

"It's originally a valuable breed and a real one, but since it was wandering without finding an owner, I'll give it to you cheap in celebration of it finding its owner."

The salesperson was a person with a quite magnanimous personality. The words 'I'll give it to you cheap' made Bi Ryu-yeon's heart even more satisfied.

"Thank you."

But the amount presented next was more than enough to drop his desire to buy to the bottom.

"Just 15 silver taels, flat."

As soon as he heard the amount, Bi Ryu-yeon's body stiffened like a stone.

"I don't really like this kind of financial joke."

Bi Ryu-yeon said, forcing a smile. He had to consume a huge amount of willpower to change his crumpled facial muscles into a smile at 15 silver taels. But regardless of Bi Ryu-yeon's feelings, the middle-aged man said.

"A joke, customer? We pride ourselves on always trading at a fair price. The credit of our Heavenly Eagle Gang is the best in this business."

Of course, it was a statement that could not be believed at face value.

"I trust you won't ask me to believe that. If you don't see me as a pushover."

"It's true, customer. It's a punk that wouldn't be enough even if we received 30 taels, but I'm giving it to you at half price as a special offer."

Of course, as always with any merchant, this 30 taels was a lie. A merchant always had the duty to make the other party feel that they had made a profit. Whether that profit was financial or mental, or even an illusion... If he could convince the other party of their profit with just an illusion, he would be a person with the best qualities of a merchant.

"10 taels. No more."

Even 10 silver taels was a major hemorrhage for him, risking anemia.

"Absolutely not."

The owner refused firmly. Then Bi Ryu-yeon's sharp gaze went to the man's eyes and stuck there directly. But although the job he was doing now was equivalent to that of a merchant, the owner was also a martial artist. He couldn't yield to this kind of threat. It was his given mission to protect the profit of the gang and to maximize the profit.

"It's no use even if you look at me like that."

Then this time, an invisible pressure began to well up from Bi Ryu-yeon's body and subtly press down on the man's body. It was a silent protest not to risk his life over something trivial. The obsession in his eyes was truly terrifying.

"N-no."

The man said, enduring the pressure that felt like his breath was being choked. His thorough merchant spirit was burning brightly. But this time, he had chosen the wrong opponent.

"There's no business without haggling. It's the customer's privilege to cut the price. I have no intention of giving up that privilege at all."

Bi Ryu-yeon's will was as solid as a diamond and as unshakable as Mount Tai. Someone had to show the virtue of yielding. But, the problem was that both were reluctant to be that person.

Cutting the set price requires time and passion. The haggled price, the increase in the price reduction rate, is proportional to the time invested and the persistent passion. And Bi Ryu-yeon was a persistent punk who was unparalleled in this field. The owner, who did not yet know that fact, was now making a mistake.

Bi Ryu-yeon had no memory of ever buying something without haggling. Didn't he have a sense of money that had been constantly trained by his master? No matter who the opponent was, there could be no defeat. Therefore, the owner would have no choice but to be defeated in a reckless head-on confrontation with Bi Ryu-yeon.

The tense battle of nerves between the two, like a tightly drawn string, was now entering a long-term battle. They were holding on without yielding an inch from their positions. When the situation reached this point, the outcome of the battle was usually decided by the one with the weaker ki. Mental strength determines everything. But in terms of the fullness of ki, Bi Ryu-yeon was second to none. Besides, wasn't his obsession with money unparalleled?

"14 taels!"

Along with the decline in the owner's mental strength, the price also went down one step.

"11 taels!"

"13 taels!"

"11 taels and 25 wen!"

Now the haggling stage had moved from silver taels to coins. It was truly a wonderful skill.

"Absolutely not."

"11 taels and 50 wen!"

Bi Ryu-yeon gradually increased the intensity of the pressure. He sent out a sharp sense that made the opponent flinch. As always, this method was very effective. He had never tasted failure using this.

"11 taels and 75 wen!"

Finally, the owner also gave up and agreed to haggle at the coin level. The tide had already turned.

"11 taels, 50 wen, and 50 fen!"

At this level, it was no different from a complete robber.

"I've lost. I'll sell it for 11 taels, 50 wen, and 50 fen."

Unable to endure the mental exhaustion any longer, the owner finally declared his surrender and began to cut the price. It was settled at 11 taels, 50 wen, and 50 fen, after being thoroughly cut and cut again. He had saved a whopping 3 silver taels, 49 wen, and 50 fen.

Only then did a smile of victory spread across Bi Ryu-yeon's lips. He was as triumphant as if he had finally won a war. Jang Hong, Hyo-ryong, and Yun Jun-ho, who had watched their confrontation, were fed up with his haggling behavior.

Having regrets about a price that had already been settled was not a virtue that a good merchant could have. The owner said to Bi Ryu-yeon with a smile on his face.

"You have to name it, right?"

"Huh, it doesn't have a name yet?"

"This is not a heartless place to take away the owner's privilege of naming."

The owner said with a serious face. Originally, naming a pet should be seen as one of the owner's privileges.

"What should I name it?"

After being lost in thought for a moment, he soon clapped his hands as if a groundbreaking name had come to mind and raised his head.

"It would be good to name it Uroe-mae."

He thought it was a name that went well with its haughty spirit like a king of the sky and its chilly blue feathers. The sound was also good...

"Uroe (Cosmic Thunder)... That's a good name."

The owner also agreed with his opinion. Bi Ryu-yeon's party, having finished their business, came out with the falcon that had newly become their companion. As they were leaving the door, the owner's voice was heard from behind them. As if not to lose a potential customer, he did not forget to be kind until the end.

"It's also great for your love life. Good luck."

The owner even waved his hand and saw them off.