Chapter 294 Hanjung (4)

Chapter 294: Hanjung (4)

Joo Hyo-yong, the Right Gold Merchant.

As the head merchant of the North Star Trading Company, the finest merchant group in Bukcheon, he was known to be far removed from underhanded dealings, just as his nickname ‘Jeong’ (meaning ‘righteous’) suggested.

The fact that he personally inquired about selling the Han-Chung Trading Company means he must have some ulterior motive.

Of course, that would only be possible if I were willing to sell.

“Well… I suppose I might sell it for around eighteen billion nyang.”

“……You have no intention of selling it at all.”

“It was you, Lord Sangbangju, who asked the price for something you had no intention of selling.”

“Please understand that I asked precisely because it is that important.”

“Well, that’s up to you.”

“…….”

“Have a drink.”

Sip.

A subtle gaze scrutinized me.

I didn’t look away as I downed my glass, and he chuckled softly.

“I wanted to meet the master.”

His voice sounded more sincere than before, and my guard dropped.

“Why? Because you’re the heir to Guryongseong?”

“I am a man who would not go even if summoned by the Crown Prince of Muheungseong.”

“Whoa, that sounds like a big deal. From what I saw back then, he seemed like quite the grudge-holder… For the sake of the family upstairs, I’d recommend you hurry over if they call.”

The swordsman listening right beside him burst out laughing.

“Hahahaha! Spot on! With your keen eye for people, you really can’t let your guard down!”

After all, he was a seasoned con artist detector, honed through various part-time jobs in his past life.

Though he failed to judge the Vice Admiral in Nanjing, his assessments are usually spot-on unless the person has an exceptionally unique face.

“I understand the late Lord Geomseon visited frequently? And I know he also made substantial donations to the Jeongdo-maeng.”

“That wasn’t because of his status or reputation, but out of respect for him as a person. The donations are for the people. The burden on them will lessen by as much as we fill.”

“Then why did he wish to see me? Donations are welcome, of course, but…”

“Isn’t it only natural for a merchant to visit a major merchant?”

“Me?”

He answered with a deliberately serious look.

“The Seocheon Trading Company, which controls three-tenths of all silk and cotton cloth in the Central Plains; the Silk Road, indispensable for trade with the Western Regions; the Hanjung Trading Alliance, dominating Sichuan and Yunnan’s upper reaches; the Chungnyeol Clan, effectively the largest trading house in the south… Doesn’t the head of the clan own all of these?”

“……”

Hearing this, I began to wonder whether I was a merchant or a martial artist.

“To achieve in less than five years what would take a lifetime to build—as a merchant, I simply had to come and meet you.”

“……It seems you’re speaking out of ignorance. The Hanjung Trading Guild was practically inherited, and the Seocheon Trading Guild was bought cheaply when the Baekryong Party was driven out. The Silk Road was merely repaired from its original state. And the Chungryeol Gongpa faction isn’t mine—it belongs to the three sects that joined it.”

“Ten years ago, when I had just taken over the North Star Trading Company, the top trading company in North Heaven was the Gujeon Trading Company. It’s vanished without a trace now, though.”

This was a roundabout way of stating the adage of the merchant world: without strength and ability, it is difficult to hold onto one’s position.

“It worked out well because luck was on my side and capable people helped me. I only helped get it started; I didn’t participate in the operations.”

“Luck is skill, and good fortune is ability.”

“Well now, you’re painting my face with gold.”

“The master is being modest.”

Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed the main topic was about to come up, so I signaled to those around me.

“Alright, since we’re all gathered here by fate, let’s have a drink with our friends from Muwangseong over there.”

Zong Juerin, catching my meaning, led the officers toward the warriors of Wuhuang City.

Thanks to that, the only ones left in the main hall were me, Yoo So-pyeong, the Sword Master, and Ju Hyo-yong.

The sword-wielding man casually broached the subject.

“Many within and outside the castle are expressing concern.”

“What concerns?”

“Concerns about the Nine Dragons Fortress.”

“…They seem to think we’re trying to expand our influence.”

The sword master nodded in response.

“Lord Sangbangju must share the same view.”

“That is correct.”

Joo Hyo-yong also seemed to believe the Nine Dragons Fortress was attempting to unify the upper realm.

Truthfully, it was an understandable misunderstanding.

Even with Jeong Do-maeng’s aid, Nine Dragons Fortress had utterly destroyed the Ten Demon Alliance, the supreme sect of demonic arts.

Seeing such a force raking in money would naturally cause unease.

That must have been why he urged me to become the son-in-law of the Mu Huangseong clan earlier.

Moreover, he likely sought to acquire the Han-Zhong Alliance, the driving force behind growth, to prevent any potential risks from unfolding.

Yu So-pyeong, seemingly anticipating their misunderstanding, argued vehemently, veins bulging in his neck.

“Forgive me for interrupting. Our master…! He’s not that kind of ambitious man. He’s just the ultimate idler whose dream is to live off others. Honestly, becoming an absolute master was pure luck… Ugh!”

Thud.

“……”

Leaving the collapsed Yu Xiaoping behind, he looked at the two seated before him.

“Well, that might be a slight exaggeration, but it’s not wrong. It just happened this way. I don’t have any grand ambitions like unifying the world or conquering the heavens. My goal is simply to live quietly, eat well, and live comfortably.”

The strength in Ju Hyo-yong’s eyes faded upon hearing the reply.

His gaze was deep, unimaginable for someone in his early forties.

When he looked at me with that gaze, it felt like ants were crawling all over my body.

“So it’s true.”

“Of course! It’s true… but… how can you be so sure?”

“It’s a feeling.”

“……”

“I’ve always had good instincts.”

“……I see.”

This person must have developed a knack for spotting trouble after years in business.

“One thing is certain: you never know how people might change.”

“So?”

While they were talking, the sword guy chimed in.

“I think we need a safety net.”

“Become the son-in-law of the Muwangseong Lord?”

“If you don’t like that, sell the Han-Jung Sangryeon.”

“Why should I follow your lead?”

“For the peace of the realm.”

“…And then the world will bow and greet us in peace?”

“At least it won’t be muddied by the Nine Dragons Fortress.”

The endless nonsense made my head spin.

Of course, as he said, my thoughts might change and I could set my sights on conquering the world.

I could turn on a dime, declare, “I’m succeeding Seongjuwi! Master!” and start a rebellion, gathering all the warriors to march out and unify the realm.

But even so, this doesn’t make any sense.

Threatening me, the very disciple who was next in line to succeed the castle lord—this is something that could only happen if they were disregarding the Nine Dragons Castle.

“So, because Nine Dragons Fortress’s expansion is troublesome, you want me to sell out Han Jung-sang? Is that how it is?”

“That’s about right.”

The swordsman gave a slight nod, and I gathered my momentum.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“…That’s harsh.”

“And you think you’re not being harsh?”

“You could get seriously hurt.”

“You dare, here?”

Kwoong.

The air inside the arena grew several times heavier.

Yukhak, ready to burst through, stood right beside the door.

As the atmosphere grew tense, Joo Hyo-yong stepped forward.

“How far does the master’s world extend?”

His gaze shifted at the unexpected question, and he began explaining, veins bulging in his neck.

“Have you ever been to the North?”

“I’ve only heard rumors. I’ve never been there myself.”

“That place… is hell. There’s nothing to eat, so they plunder each other, and if you resist, they take your life. Corpses overflow the fields, and it’s a world where the weak become slaves to survive.”

“……”

“To prevent the Central Plains from becoming such a hell, the Five Thousand Warriors of the Muwang Fortress are holding back tens of thousands of barbarians. If the Nine Dragons Fortress stabs the Muwang Fortress in the back, it’s clear the entire Central Plains will become hell.”

“…….”

“That is why I came with Lord Sword General. To eliminate that one in a thousand chance.”

“One question.”

“……How much?”

“What is your reason for stepping forward? Is it truly for the peace of the world?”

“……”

“Seems you’d rather not answer. Both of you, leave now. If I keep watching, I’ll start wanting to kill you.”

“You bastard……!”

“It is for the sake of the world’s peace. For there can be no Shanxi Trading Company without people.”

The moment I met his burning gaze, I knew he wasn’t lying.

“……I believe you.”

I looked at the sword master and continued.

“But I can’t accept those kind of conditions. If you’re really worried, either build up your strength. Or let’s have a proper fight.”

“I’ve felt this way since the first time I saw you.”

“Go on.”

“I really like you. You’re manly, generous, and stronger than any young man I’ve ever seen. In ten years or so, you’ll be unmatched under heaven. That’s why I came looking for you.”

“……”

“But one thing—that very trait will shorten your life.”

“Old man, you’re going to get yourself killed here with your big mouth. Let’s call it even.”

“You madman.”

Joo Hyo-yong interjected.

“If rear security isn’t secured, Muwangseong has no choice but to ally with the Lion Clan.”

“You know the relationship between us and the Lion Clan, right?”

He used “us” instead of “Nine Dragons Fortress.”

He was subtly hinting at the existence of the North Palace family.

“Yes, I know. So then…”

“Seal it. The alliance.”

Both men wore expressions of bewilderment.

“If that happens, I will make the things you fear a reality.”

“Master Jin! As I said earlier…”

“That the Central Plains will become a hell?”

“…Yes.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“……”

“Even if Muheungseong is strong, could it be stronger than the combined might of Guryongseong and Jeongdomang? No, can we even say it’s stronger than Guryongseong? How can you be so certain we’ll lose to the barbarians?”

I spoke slowly to the two men who had fallen silent.

“Don’t think only you two are fighting for the world. The North is hell? Anhui seems peaceful? Don’t make me laugh. That’s a land where parents sell their children. A place where nine taels are stolen for every ten earned. Ah, you ask if I’ve been there? Of course I have—I was born and raised there.”

“……”

“To my eyes, you who join hands with such places are enemies of the world.”

As he finished speaking and gestured, the executives of the Jeonwangmun, including Yuk Hak, gathered around.

“You must be tired, guests. I’ll have someone show you to your lodgings. You two should depart at daybreak. It’s my final courtesy.”

And so, that utterly chaotic meeting of the day came to an end… or so I thought.

But that old bastard from the Sword Army came bothering people until dawn.

What a truly irritating man.

“…What brings you here at this hour?”

“I thought we could have a little talk.”

“Go outside. I’ll be ready in a moment.”

It looked like a fight was about to break out, so I decided to move.

He packed everything into his dragon-scale armor: the Heavenly Net Net, the Sancho Bomb Version 7, and more.

After walking a short while, we stopped at the corner of the training ground.

Whoosh.

The wind blowing just then reminded me of the saying, “the calm before the storm.”

Of course, I’d already simulated every possible contingency.

If a fight broke out, our kids would subdue the personnel from the Muwang Fortress and the Shanxi Trading Guild to stage a hostage situation. Meanwhile, I planned to wrap things up by beating the sword army into a pulp.

‘Huuu…’

I took a deep breath and reached out my hand.

“Come on! You old geezer…”

“My apologies.”

“Huh?”

What am I supposed to be if you say that, Grandpa?