Chapter 27

“Father is curious. He wants to know the value of the elixir sent by the Grand Merchant of the Taihu Trading Guild. To be honest, I came here out of curiosity myself.”

Dan Woo-sung replied to Chief Administrator Lee Hwa-eon’s question.

“I too find it hard to gauge its worth.”

He didn’t even mention the term ‘Gongcheongseoyu’. Lee Hwa-eon asked with a surprised expression.

“Is it that expensive? Truthfully, Father seems troubled by it. While the Seopung Trading Company has been with us through thick and thin from the start, the Grand Merchant is different. He believes we must repay them, whenever the time comes.”

Dan Woo-sung nodded.

“Since it is something beyond price, repaying it with money is not the right way either.”

“Then what should we do?”

Dan Woo-sung pondered deeply before responding.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s no headquarters or no tangible entity. It doesn’t matter much whether the elder of Taeho Trading Company or Father takes the position of chairman. Traditionally, large trading companies like ours typically maintain their own escort units. But there are also merchant groups, like Seopung Trading Company, that lack the resources for that. Let’s establish a Merchant Union under your leadership, including Taeho Trading Company, who sent us the elixir.”

“Huh? This is getting serious, Brother.”

No. We can start small, just including a few friendly factions like our business partners and Taeho Trading Company. Instead, wherever the location, let’s invite a few prominent figures and hold a modest banquet. You handle that. After all, we need to announce to the surrounding area that the Merchants’ Union has been formed. Since we received something difficult to repay with money, we have no choice but to repay it with something other than money.”

Lee Hwa-eon asked, as befitted a chief steward.

“What about bylaws or membership fees and such?”

“Make the bylaws simple, like those of Gaozu [Emperor Gaozu of Han]. For now, don’t collect any dues.”

“What will be the purpose?”

“Let’s make our goal not protecting interests, but protecting the merchants’ lives themselves. It’ll be a social gathering otherwise. Honestly, if trouble breaks out right away, rushing over to help won’t be easy. But we can take follow-up measures. News will fly in.”

“What will you do when it comes?”

“I’ll go.”

Dan Woo-sung looked at his younger brother. Problems arising for a major merchant guild usually meant they were being harassed by martial arts sects. Black-cloaked forces, in particular, were blatant about it.

Seeing Lee Hwa-eon’s bewildered expression, Dan Woo-sung explained.

“I told you. The elixir His Majesty sent is beyond price. It helped me tremendously. Father will surely seek to repay the favor, but so will I.”

“If you say it was helpful, then all I need to know is that you’ve grown much stronger, right?”

“Yes.”

Lee Hwa-eon placed his right arm on the table as he spoke.

“Alright. Brother, let’s arm-wrestle. I don’t recall you ever beating me before. Let’s see just how much stronger you’ve become.”

Danwooseong blinked and retorted.

“What? Are you kidding?”

“I’m not joking. Are you scared?”

As if it were his younger brother’s playful prank, Danwooseong chuckled softly, grabbed Lee Hwa-eon’s hand, and naturally slipped his arm around her.

Dan Wooseong said.

“Go.”

Lee Hwa-eon rose without any emotion, then bowed his head slightly.

“Yes, brother. I’m going.”

“Mhm. Good work.”

After taking a few steps, Lee Hwa-eon turned back.

“Brother, but ever since you came back, my workload keeps piling up. I’m swamped lately.”

Danwooseong stared at his younger brother, and Lee Hwa-eon grinned.

“That’s good. The busier a merchant is, the better.”

After Lee Hwa-eon left, Dan Woo-sung fell into deep thought. Why did Zhu Ziliang, the failed scholar, naturally come to mind when Lee Hwa-eon said he was busy?

‘I wonder how the Gu Huashan trio is doing.’

Even Dan Woosung couldn’t have clearly predicted that the reckless Lee Ja-eon would shake the two men’s resolve, causing the scoundrels to awaken in rage.

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Lee Hwa-eon was returning to his quarters when he spotted Mok In-seop walking briskly toward him from the opposite direction.

Mok In-seop bellowed.

“Chief Steward! Is His Highness the Crown Prince inside?”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake. I just saw him and am coming out now. Why?”

Mok In-seop delivered the news as if making a request.

“Your Excellency, please proceed directly to your quarters. The head of the Gu family is in the main hall. Few others accompanied him, and I cannot fathom his intentions. I shall first inform the Crown Prince.”

Lee Hwa-eon’s eyes widened instantly.

“The head of the family himself?”

“Yes. It would be best if only our escort unit remains in the main hall.”

As soon as Mok In-seop finished speaking, he rushed off to inform the Crown Prince. If the head of the Gu Yang Clan was present, he was undoubtedly a master beyond the reach of the guard unit. Mok In-seop was quite startled by the thought that even Han Yeop, the newly appointed head of the guard unit, would likely be no match.

It was utterly baffling that the head of the household would personally come just because three late-stage disciples had lost. He wasn’t here to cause trouble; instead, he calmly and consistently ordered them to bring the Crown Prince. This only made things more nerve-wracking.

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When Dan Wuxing and the Shuangbo brothers appeared in the main hall, Ouyang Sheng, who had been surveying the room with his hands behind his back, turned around. His gaze fixed not on the Shuangbo brothers, but on Dan Wuxing.

“So you are the young master of the Eunha Trading Company. I am Ouyang Sheng of the Ouyang family.”

Danwoo Seong was also a man he was meeting for the first time. While he knew of the heads of the Five Great Families of the martial world, he had no detailed knowledge of the figures within the Gu Yang family.

Gyu Yang-saeng looked over the guards he had brought and said.

“The master who educated my sons is quite impressive. You men wait here.”

“Yes, understood.”

Gu Yangsheng said to Dan Wooseong.

“First Young Master, shall we take a stroll?”

At that, Dan Woosung said to the Ssangbo brothers.

“You two wait here too.”

“Yes.”

A short while later, the two men left the Galaxy Trading Company and walked in silence. They weren’t close friends, and with matters concerning the Duke of Guyang and the Prince of Guyang involved, it was only natural they spoke little.

Gu Yangsheng spoke in a tone as friendly as if asking a friend.

“Your Highness, what became of Duke Gu Yang?”

“He tried to take over the trading house by force.”

Gu Yangsheng nodded without commenting on the Grand Prince’s tone or demeanor.

“I see. Well, he was that sort of man. You don’t strike me as the type to lie.”

The two briefly changed the subject as an ordinary passerby approached. Gu Yangsheng looked around and remarked.

“A peaceful neighborhood, isn’t it? Must be a lot of people supplying your merchant guild? They’ve done a decent job setting up places for merchants to rest.”

After the passerby had gone, Gu Yangsheng returned to discussing matters of the martial world.

“My sons and even Shin So-baek… I was relieved none of them were hurt. I suppose I should thank you for that. Well, with skills like that, even sending the young master wouldn’t have made a difference. That’s why I came myself. I was curious about what kind of young man he was. It’s rare for a merchant’s son to be this strong. What about the sect?”

“I cannot reveal that.”

“As you wish.”

Dan Wooseong let Gu Yangsaeng’s rambling words pass in one ear and out the other. When Dan Wooseong remained silent, Gu Yangsaeng spoke.

“Let’s head this way.”

It was a quieter place than the path they had walked. Gu Yangsheng asked.

“Have you heard of the Imperial Assembly?”

Dan Woosung nodded.

“I have.”

“How much do you know about it?”

“It’s an organization centered around the Four Great Families, excluding the Tang family.”

Gu Yangsheng nodded.

“That’s common knowledge. Our Gu Yang family is also part of the Imperial Association. Though we’ve only been members for a short while. My guess is that the men Gu Yanghou brought along were probably making a fuss here and there. I attended the Imperial Association’s family head meeting and came back feeling slightly displeased. Upon returning, I expelled all those retainers. They were just freeloaders.”

“Not expelled,” Gu Yangsheng said, pointing to his chest. “I buried them somewhere.”

“My heart was deeply wounded. Not that I’m blaming you, though.”

Gu Yangsheng, who had been strolling to a secluded spot, looked around and said.

“May I ask you a favor?”

“I’ll listen.”

“Will you join the Imperial Council? Not your company, just you personally. Even if you join as a private martial artist, your company will benefit greatly. After all, the families of martial artists belonging to the Imperial Council will also receive protection. This isn’t about demanding tribute or extorting money. I’m different from Gu Yanghou. What do you think of my proposal?”

Dan Woo-sung replied.

“What if I refuse?”

“Why? I’m curious why you’d refuse. It’s not like you’d lose anything. A merchant’s son, yet slow on the uptake.”

“What would the young master of the merchant guild possibly do at the Imperial Assembly? It’s not like he lacks money. And what’s more, a position as a commoner?”

Dan Woo-sung spoke as politely as he could, and Gu Yang-saeng nodded and smiled.

“Well, it is a sudden request. He could refuse.”

Dan Wooseong stared blankly at Gu Yangsaeng. Gu Yangsaeng continued with a smile.

“You didn’t kill Gu Yanghou. You didn’t beat my son. Even when the head of the clan comes personally to ask, you refuse. You’re a real man.”

Dan Woosung retorted.

“Don’t be ridiculous. If we’re not going to have a proper talk, let’s turn back. This hasn’t been a pleasant stroll.”

Gu Yangsheng reached out his hand toward the Milky Way Trading Company.

“Well then. This wasn’t exactly a pleasant stroll for me either.”

In the uncomfortable atmosphere, the two retraced their steps back along the path they had come. Gu Yangsheng seemed in a foul mood, sighing frequently before asking.

“Stubborn as ever… What’s so hard about joining the Imperial Association? It’s a place others want to join but can’t.”

“Isn’t it an organization formed by those who left when the Martial Alliance shifted back to the Nine Sects’ dominance?”

“True enough. But is that the problem? The treatment of ordinary martial artists is better there than in the Martial Alliance. It’s more accurate to see it as an organization engaged in friendly competition with the Martial Alliance.”

Dan Woo-sung chuckled inwardly.

Seeing how Shin So-baek had recommended the Martial Alliance, he could guess the atmosphere at the Imperial Council. It was clear the direct descendants of the major clans were the dominant force, rising triumphantly. In a situation where even collateral descendants were being pushed aside, what could a descendant of a merchant guild possibly accomplish?

Gu Yangsheng said.

“It’s a pity you won’t be participating in the Dragon-Phoenix Grand Banquet as a member of the Imperial Council to make a grand showing. Then you wouldn’t be just an ordinary martial artist; you’d rise quickly. You really don’t know how the world works.”

The Dragon-Phoenix Grand Assembly was a grand martial arts tournament held by the Martial Alliance to determine the late-stage master. Naturally, from the Imperial Council’s perspective, it was an opportunity to enhance their reputation and compete against the Nine Sects’ late-stage masters, so they were participating in large numbers.

Gu Yangsheng, seemingly overcome by irritation during the conversation, clutched his forehead. A string of curses flowed out quite naturally.

Damn it… Here comes that headache again. Hey, Prince. I could just walk right into the Galaxy Trading Guild, wipe out everyone inside, and walk out. I’d spare you, you know. I could just fabricate it as a public service. It’s such a common story it probably won’t stir much emotion, but don’t take my words lightly. Honestly? My pride’s been badly bruised. If you come with me to the Imperial Assembly and help me save face, you’ll have done your part. I’ll even cleanly forget about the Gu Yanghou affair.”

As Dan Woo-sung stared at him with a look of speechlessness, Gu Yang-saeng asked.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Why are you ignoring someone’s goodwill like that? I spoke kindly to you, yet you won’t even listen. Are you strong enough to stop me? Is that it? It’s nonsense, but even if you were, killing me would be a meritorious act. I belong to the Imperial Council. What are you going to do about it? Do you feel my goodwill now?”

Gu Yangsheng waited for Dan Wuseong’s reply with an expression of utter disbelief.

Dan Woosung sighed before speaking in a calm tone.

“Cut it out, you crazy bastard. I’ll kill you, and I’ll kill every last one of those bastards in that main hall. Doesn’t it occur to you that I could just leave and wipe out the entire Gu family? I’ll frame your eldest son as the culprit. You wanna try me?”

Gu Yangsheng stared at Dan Wuseong with a look of genuine shock at this completely unexpected reaction.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong

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