Reunion (2)
The deputy manager glanced at the outer manager's reaction while listing the crimes of the Red-White Twin Heroes. Even the outer manager, who usually held back for the sake of the merchant group, was left dumbfounded by the duo's outrageous deeds.
"Those bastards really are scum!"
"Moreover, Hwa Jeong Merchant Group's interference isn't just this once."
The outer manager realized that the merchant group's schemes had sabotaged their hard-won client acquisitions over time. No wonder schedules that were nearly finalized kept falling through—it had seemed suspicious. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Fair competition would have been annoying but recoverable, but bribery and buyouts had overturned the entire board.
"We can't let this slide."
"Exactly. They must pay the price."
"That said, rash actions are off-limits. Hwa Jeong's leader isn't one to trifle with. He'll surely turn the tables shamelessly."
"On that front, the young master has promised to handle it."
How am I supposed to respond to that? Vague as it was, it meant to trust his nephew completely. Handling a matter tied to the merchant group's fate so ambiguously felt off. But first, something else nagged at him: how exactly had he defeated the Red-White Twin Heroes? That question needed answering before anything else. Today, his nephew seemed unusually taciturn, exuding the dignity of a true master.
"Have you truly reached the Absolute Realm?"
"No."
"Of course not—even a Peak Expert is rare at your age. No poison, pure luck all around."
"For vermin like them, even luck is too much."
Given the backstory, the outer manager's skepticism was understandable. Rather than explain at length, Gu Cheon-woo demonstrated with action. He flicked his Sword Finger Technique at the table before them.
Swish!
To the outer manager and deputy manager, it looked like he'd merely twitched his finger.
"Did you perhaps cleave the table?"
"Yes."
"So brazen, you've left me speechless."
The table was the merchant group's flagship product: a lacquered rosewood piece renowned for its durability and resistance to warping over centuries. They'd brought the finest lacquer specimen for promotion, dubbing it the Indestructible Vajra Table. A table that withstood hammer blows unscathed, supposedly sliced by a finger? Was it tofu or vajra?
Practicing martial arts had inflated his cute nephew's bravado.
Thud!
The outer manager and expectant deputy manager froze mid-motion as they reached to test the table. Only the table remained, neatly bisected.
Gulp!
A choking gasp filled the room. Merchants knew little of martial arts, but they'd heard tales of warrior realms. Precisely bisecting a table with a sword marked at least first-rate skill. Moreover, the cut surface gleamed smooth and sharp as glass—touch it, and blood would spray.
It wasn't just the split that stunned them. A Peak Expert could emit sword qi to slice it easily. But to do so flawlessly with a finger technique? Even they couldn't claim that.
'If I'd touched it, my arm would've gone with it!'
Gamblers lost limbs for less, but a warning would've been nice before the flick. He'd have become the uncle who lost an arm showboating to his nephew.
'My beloved nephew is a master!!'
He didn't know when the love started, but it was there. Merchants switched stances regardless of time, place, age, or gender. Pride when needed, but bending was essential. In that regard, the deputy manager was qualified.
"No one could've predicted our nephew would become such an extraordinary master, but this uncle believed in you more than anyone. It reminds me of when you were little."
The deputy manager shot the outer manager a disdainful glare, like eyeing someone poaching a claimed deal. The outer manager, who constantly badmouthed the young master—"When will that kid amount to anything?"—was the target.
Gu Cheon-woo ignored the excessive praise. His current prowess was far from satisfactory.
"Utterly inadequate."
"Right, right—no complacency. Watching my future greatest-under-heaven nephew stirs memories of my prime."
"Now is the time to discuss countermeasures."
As the outer manager dredged up the past again, the deputy manager cut in sharply. Once the outer manager started, it never ended—his life story was a time sink. Block it early, or it ballooned into a monster. Helpful lessons? No, pure self-aggrandizement.
Ahem! Wise words to benefit his nephew.
The outer manager, about to scold as the senior, relented. Now wasn't the time. Having crossed an irreparable river with Hwa Jeong Merchant Group, they needed to rush a letter to the family estate. For his brother's sake, enduring his wife's wrath.
'What the hell do I even write?'
Even factual reporting might not be believed. Separate from faith in his beloved nephew, it was tricky. Skip the letter, and Hwa Jeong could strike from behind. With slim odds of admission and compensation, prepare for the worst.
To Gu Cheon-woo, this was needless chatter.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Yes, you've done a monumental deed. From today, this uncle will back you fully!"
He let it slide. In 100 rounds, he'd never become the Paewang relying on aid. Positions were carved by one's own hand. The merchant group was no different. Incompetents inheriting it bred chaos. Let brothers compete fairly, then yield to the victor.
The outer manager sensed the change in his apathetic nephew despite the full endorsement.
"Feels like I've been possessed."
"I felt the same at first."
"Some hidden family genius or supreme manual?"
"Unlikely."
"True."
The Gu family estate boasted no such legacy. A hermit master teaching in secret was plausible, but hardly appetizing prey.
"Now he'll be the 'reclusive Absolute master.'"
"Best to keep it hidden."
"Mysterious master has a better ring."
"Even if known, they won't believe it."
Belief didn't matter. Merchants prized profit over honor. Concealment benefited the group long-term. For now, secure evidence against Hwa Jeong's denials. Tak So-pyeong's confession was circumstantial at best; preemptive moves could nullify it.
"Your brother really is a sly fox."
"Even the leader seemed unaware."
"No way."
"Right?"
At the same time.
Gu Seo-jin summoned the inner manager and finance manager to his room. They were the merchant group's core, brothers in all but blood—beyond titles like leader, inner manager, finance manager.
"Leader, what brings you to call us so late?"
"Didn't we agree to drop formalities after hours? You know I'm not that heartless."
"True enough."
"Hey—casual, I said."
"Alright, brother."
The table brimmed with meat, meat, meat—a glorious trio—paired with cherished Yeo-ahong sake, saved for celebrations.
"Come on, a round."
"What's with you? Won't even spare a sip otherwise."
"Sake has its moments. Drink anytime, and it'll run dry?"
"Only when sis-in-law's away?"
"Hey! Don't jinx it!!"
Day or night, his wife might hear. No joke—she was uncanny. He never gossiped about her.
Gu Seo-jin raised his cup high. Yeo-ahong's clear aroma swirled.
"To our friendship!"
"Sure."
The inner and finance managers humored their boss despite disagreement. Social life extended beyond hours. Get too casual on "relax" orders, and poof—your seat vanished mysteriously.
Not that they saw him solely as superior. Family friends for generations, like blood brothers.
Three rounds down, bellies lined with snacks. Tension eased; Gu Seo-jin cut to the chase.
"A letter says my wife's returning tomorrow."
"Aigoo, my head—work pending, not the time for leisure. Right, finance manager?"
"Absolutely!"
They bolted; desperate Gu Seo-jin blocked them.
"Are we strangers?"
"Strangers exactly—no blood ties!"
"Think of our passionate years together?"
"All the more reason to flee!!"
They'd suspected foul play since the 20-year Yeo-ahong emerged—human shields for sis-in-law. Sake and snacks: a condemned man's last meal.
"Monthly pay raise."
"Verbal promises don't count!"
"Double?"
"See? Desperation bids!"
Gu Seo-jin bid wildly, possession-struck, but no contracts. They knew better, stonewalling.
The estate's true power was his wife, not the titular leader.
"No loyalty?!"
"Loyalty, huh!"
"Casual doesn't mean banmal!"
"It does!!"
Bickering raged, but Yeo-ahong flowed. Ghosts of the drowned died pretty, they say. After much tussling, they resettled.
"Not your fault, brother—why so antsy?"
"What would you do?"
"How should I know? You married her."
"Decades together, still a mystery."
The wedded men empathized with his weary plight. Age pushed husbands aside in family dynamics. Time to band together.
"Can't coddle the eldest forever. For Cheon-woo's sake, a firm decision was needed."
"Right? Wasn't easy. All for Cheon-woo!"
"We get it!"
"You're all I have. Our bond eternal! Another round!"