Chapter 9: The Direction Ahead
The night had grown deep.
Tian Flavor Pavilion was closed,
but Li Tian's mind was still wide open.
The weight of silver coins no longer excited him.
Profit numbers were merely confirmation—
I'm moving in the right direction.
Standing by the window, Li Tian looked down at the glowing marketplace.
This Murim city—noise, greed, power—
everything was concentrated in one place.
> "A merchant doesn't just earn money,"
he thought.
"A merchant controls flow—
of resources,
of taste,
and of human desire."
---
Next Move — Layered Growth
Until now, his business had been limited to food.
But Li Tian understood one thing clearly—
food builds trust,
and trust creates authority.
And from authority…
everything else follows.
He divided his future plan into three layers.
---
1. Stability Layer
Daily essentials — salt, sugar
Long-term contracts
Price control, zero fluctuation
A stable foundation.
---
2. Expansion Layer
Chili-based product variants
Preserved foods
Long-distance trade routes
Growth beyond borders.
---
3. Influence Layer
Merchant guilds
Sect banquets
Private orders from officials
Power without blades.
---
> "Cultivation strengthens the body in Murim,"
Li Tian thought with a faint smile.
"But money…"
"…cultivates people."
---
Manhua Foreshadowing
The next morning, a sealed letter arrived.
On the stamp—
Regional Merchant Guild
An invitation.
Li Tian turned the letter between his fingers.
A guild wasn't just about trade—
it meant politics, suppression,
and opportunity.
> "The stage has become too small,"
he said quietly.
"It's time…"
"…to upgrade the game."
---
Cut Scene — Movements in the Shadows
In another corner of the city,
Su Yan sat across from a man whose face was hidden in shadow.
> "Li Tian has become dangerous,"
the man said.
"Don't take him lightly."
Su Yan stared silently at her tea.
Regret—
and ambition—
both reflected in her eyes.
---
End Panel
Li Tian stepped out through the Tian family gate.
Simple robes.
Confident strides.
Caption:
> "When the market becomes yours,
Murim is just another battlefield."
---