Chapter 462: Can Wine Be Missing When Talking About Money?
Chapter 462: Can Wine Be Missing When Talking About Money?
Throughout the journey here, Yong Ja-myeong had agonized over why the Cult Leader had summoned him. He had considered every possibility, both good and bad.
However, he truly hadn't expected the reason to be an introduction to the man's son.
Naturally, Yong Ja-myeong’s gaze shifted toward Geom Mu-geuk.
The next Heavenly Demon and the individual who had recently become the greatest topic of conversation in the Murim. The rumors and information surrounding him were always contradictory.
Trivial, yet magnificent.
The trivial stories were so petty they were hard to believe, while the magnificent results he achieved were so grand they were equally incredible.
As if to prove those rumors weren't just talk, the man was holding a ladle during their first meeting. The first words Yong Ja-myeong heard from him were, "Anyone want more soup?"
Geom Mu-geuk bowed his head to his father.
"Thank you, Father."
Whatever his father’s underlying intentions were, Mu-geuk believed that this was, at the very least, for his benefit. He could feel it in the way his father glanced at him.
Since he did not yet know what kind of people Geom Wu-jin and Geom Mu-geuk were, Yong Ja-myeong’s suspicion was only natural.
The Heavenly Demon arranged such a meeting just for his son’s networking? Impossible.
One conclusion followed naturally.
In the end, is it about money?
It was a conclusion drawn from long experience. No matter how they sugarcoated it, what a martial artist ultimately wanted from a merchant was money.
Since the Heavenly Demon couldn't step forward himself, was he using his son as a front to demand funds under some pretext? Of course, the amount would be astronomical, befitting the names of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Silver River Merchant Group.
And if that is the reason?
A martial artist might react with rage and seek retribution against such an absurdity, but a merchant must not. A merchant must ask himself in such a moment: What will I gain in return?
Hiding his inner thoughts, Yong Ja-myeong spoke to Geom Wu-jin with due respect.
"Building a friendship with the Young Cult Leader is something I, too, have long desired."
He meant it. There was nothing bad about establishing a connection with the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.
— If you're going to act like this, I'll have to call someone I know, too.
— Who would you dare call against us?
— The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.
It meant he could have such exhilarating conversations—provided the other party didn't have hidden, foul intentions.
Geom Wu-jin rose from his seat.
"I'll see you later."
It was a signal for them to spend time with Geom Mu-geuk. By saying "see you later," he meant they shouldn't leave immediately but stay for the day.
Yong Ja-myeong was inwardly flustered. He hadn't expected Geom Wu-jin to leave him alone with only the Young Cult Leader.
What is this situation?
It wasn't an experience the leader of the Silver River Merchant Group came across easily. Regardless, since the Cult Leader said they would meet later...
"I shall see you then," Yong Ja-myeong replied politely with a smile.
His unwavering etiquette wasn't merely because the other man was the Heavenly Demon. As a merchant, Yong Ja-myeong was not the type to let his emotions dictate his attitude.
Geom Wu-jin walked away slowly.
Baek Chong, standing behind Yong Ja-myeong, felt even more tense. He hadn't noticed while they were sitting and eating, but the feeling was different now that the man was moving. Even though he walked slowly, he didn't seem slow at all; it felt as if the surrounding air moved with him at the center.
Before leaving, Geom Wu-jin left one last word for Yong Ja-myeong.
"It won't be such a bad thing for you, either."
What did he mean? Was it faith in his son? Or was it a hint? Yong Ja-myeong couldn't tell. He had met countless people and had all sorts of experiences, but today, that experience was of little help.
Meanwhile, once the Cult Leader left, Baek Chong became even more guarded.
— There might be some trickery afoot. Do not let your guard down.
He sent a Voice Transmission to the martial artists with him. He, too, could not understand Geom Wu-jin’s actions. He didn't focus on the fact that Yong Ja-myeong had been left behind.
He's leaving the Young Cult Leader alone?
Since the Cult Leader had vacated the spot, the Young Cult Leader could potentially take independent action.
Yong Ja-myeong looked around and asked Geom Mu-geuk, "Now that I think about it, I don't see a single guard. Where are they?"
"I left my guards back at the Main Cult," Geom Mu-geuk said, looking at the three martial artists standing behind Yong Ja-myeong. "I told them to train until they've built up as much skill as the gentlemen over there."
It was a statement no one in the room would believe, but it was the truth. In fact, they were likely in the middle of a meditative training trance right now, driven by the desire to at least not be a burden, even if they couldn't protect him.
Since neither man was the type to tolerate awkward silence, the conversation flowed naturally.
"We've finished our meal, so shall we go for a walk?"
"Let us do that."
The two left the manor. Yong Ja-myeong asked the question he was most curious about first.
"Why did you ask to meet at this manor?"
"Because of that woman with the 'food luck' you saw earlier."
"What is your relationship with her?"
"She is someone who came to kill us."
From Geom Mu-geuk’s earlier comment about not even knowing the woman's name, Yong Ja-myeong had guessed that she didn't know their identities. If she had known, there was no way she wouldn't have revealed her own name. Because she didn't know, she was able to plot such a thing.
The problem was this: They just let a woman who tried to kill the Heavenly Demon and the Young Cult Leader go?
That was something that should never happen. The reason for his visit became clear.
"You summoned me because of that woman."
"I believed so as well." Geom Mu-geuk looked at Yong Ja-myeong and said, "But my father had other ideas. You were surprised, weren't you? I was surprised as well."
So this private meeting wasn't discussed beforehand? Is that really true?
Yong Ja-myeong didn't believe it. He was certain there was something they wanted. As if reading those thoughts, Mu-geuk spoke.
"I have a favor to ask."
I knew it. There are no "good" Demonic Cultists in this world. Even those who call themselves the Orthodox Path engage in all sorts of schemes; how much more so for the Demonic?
Hiding his feelings, Yong Ja-myeong spoke softly. "Tell me anything."
What did they want from the Silver River Merchant Group? How much did they want?
However, the request that came from Geom Mu-geuk was not what he expected.
"Please tell me your story, Leader."
Yong Ja-myeong stopped in his tracks. Geom Mu-geuk stopped as well.
"My story?"
"Yes. Any story is fine."
"May I ask why?"
"I thought long and hard about why my father wanted to introduce you to me." Geom Mu-geuk had truly agonized over it. Before it was a matter between him and Yong Ja-myeong, it was a matter between him and his father. "He wouldn't have said it just because it would be nice to get close. My father is absolutely not that kind of person."
"And? Did you find the answer?"
Geom Mu-geuk nodded. This was the answer he had come up with. "He probably wants me to learn from you."
"Learn what?"
After a brief pause, Geom Mu-geuk spoke. "The life of a person who has reached the pinnacle of their field."
"!"
Yong Ja-myeong said nothing for a moment. He felt as if he had been caught off guard. He never imagined the Heavenly Demon would introduce him to his son with such an intention.
But soon, Yong Ja-myeong doubted the other's intent. No, that can't be it.
He would use this as a starting point to demand something. He had simply been momentarily confused because the gaze looking at him was so clear and deep.
"The Cult Leader thinks too highly of a mere merchant. All I know are stories about money."
Geom Mu-geuk actually looked excited. "Isn't that the most interesting kind of story?"
Geom Mu-geuk strode ahead and said, "Let's go. Can wine be missing when talking about money?"
*
The two sat across from each other in a tavern in the marketplace. It was the very same tavern where all the previous meetings had taken place.
Geom Mu-geuk and Yong Ja-myeong sat in a corner. Yong Ja-myeong had ordered Baek Chong and the other martial artists to stay as far away as possible. He felt it wouldn't be appropriate to have guards looming behind him while the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult was asking about his life.
After pouring drinks for each other, they emptied their first cups.
"It has been a long time since I've had a drink in a tavern like this. I used to come and drink occasionally in the past."
"For someone who could buy this entire tavern with the cost of a single meal, you are quite humble."
Yong Ja-myeong responded to Geom Mu-geuk’s sweet words with a smile. "I simply enjoy being evaluated this way."
Geom Mu-geuk filled his cup and said, "That is a healthy pleasure."
"Healthy? Not vanity and arrogance?"
"As long as that pleasure isn't directed at people."
Yong Ja-myeong flinched for a moment. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, 'I'm a person with this much money. I'm a person who earns this much money.' If that sense of superiority is directed at people, problems arise. At first, it might just be enjoying their envy, but gradually, one starts to look down on others and eventually inflicts deep wounds. Just as problems arise when the tip of a blade is pointed at a person."
Yong Ja-myeong listened to Geom Mu-geuk’s words in silence.
"On the other hand, the sense of superiority one enjoys alone in a shabby tavern like this is what I call a healthy pleasure. So, please come often and enjoy yourself."
Yong Ja-myeong fell into thought for a moment. He had never thought about it in this way before. "Is that why you do it too?"
As the owner of the Silver River Merchant Group, Yong Ja-myeong naturally knew about the Orthodox-Unorthodox-Demonic Summit. The news that the meeting was held in a small tavern and the information that it was the Young Cult Leader’s regular haunt had reached him.
Ultimately, his question was this: Is that why you also enjoy that 'healthy pleasure' at the Pungryu Tavern?
Geom Mu-geuk understood exactly what he meant. That was why there was conviction in his answer.
"No, I am different."
"How so?"
"I purely like the owner of that tavern. The alcohol is good, the snacks are delicious, and above all, he makes the customers feel comfortable. If you ever come to the Main Cult, I will be sure to host you there."
Yong Ja-myeong smiled at the beaming Geom Mu-geuk. "You are very well-spoken. It's an essential talent for a merchant. What do you think? Any interest in entering the world of commerce?"
"Did my father recognize my potential as a budding money tree and introduce me to you for that reason?"
Jokes were exchanged, and the atmosphere was light. Unexpectedly, Yong Ja-myeong enjoyed this meeting. Even though he didn't know how much of it was the truth or when the other man would show his true colors, the conversation was seamless. For some reason, it was enjoyable.
However, when a sword and money meet, a good atmosphere cannot last forever. Rather, it was better to ask while the mood was still pleasant.
"What is it you want from me? Is it money?"
Geom Mu-geuk stared into Yong Ja-myeong’s eyes, which showed no fear of death, and asked back, "If it were money, would you give it?"
A taut tension flowed between the two.
"How much do you want?"
A smile played on Geom Mu-geuk’s lips. "'How much do you want?' To hear those words from the richest person in the world... it's everyone's dream."
Despite Geom Mu-geuk’s joke, Yong Ja-myeong answered seriously. "The amount isn't what's important. What's important is what you can give me in return."
Now, the playfulness vanished from Geom Mu-geuk’s face as well.
"I think this is a situation where you could easily misunderstand, but you saw my father. Did he look like the kind of person who would call you here because he needed money?"
Then came a significant addition.
"My father is the type of person who goes to find someone if he needs money, not someone who calls them to him."
Yong Ja-myeong could tell there was a double meaning in those words. At first glance, it sounded like he would respectfully visit, but that wasn't it. It meant he would invade and seize everything. If he was speaking this way, it seemed he hadn't been summoned for money.
"I misunderstood. I apologize."
"It would be stranger not to misunderstand."
No, if that was the case, then this situation was even stranger. What on earth did the Heavenly Demon and this Young Cult Leader want from him?
"Do you know what question people ask me the most?"
Geom Mu-geuk guessed correctly. "How can I make a lot of money?"
Yong Ja-myeong nodded and asked, "Why don't you ask that?"
Then came an unexpected answer. "Because the answer will be in your life story anyway. That's why I said I wanted to hear you speak."
Yong Ja-myeong himself did not believe in words. Humans were beings capable of lying at any time. What he believed in was a person's life. When he looked at a person, he looked at the path they had walked.
"Are you truly curious about my story? If I talk about the past, it will be beautified and eventually turn into boasting. Won't listening to someone else's bragging be tedious?"
"Bragging is tedious when an unremarkable person does it. The bragging of a truly great person is a wonderful adventure story."
Yong Ja-myeong’s admiration naturally made him think of lineage. The son of the Heavenly Demon is indeed his son. Otherwise, there was no way to explain this intensity coming from someone so young.
"I always try to live by two principles."
"What are they?"
"The first is striving not to be afraid of dying, and the second is trying not to place the joy of making money as the highest value."
"Both seem ill-suited for the principles of the wealthiest man in the Central Plains. Could you tell me more in detail?"
His life story flowed out naturally.
"The reason I don't place the joy of making money as the highest value is because I've confirmed that I am a person who finds more joy in earning money than in spending it."
Most successful merchants possessed this tendency.
"I've seen too many people get so caught up in the fun of making money that they end up being devoured by it."
This thought was likely the reason why the name Yong Ja-myeong carried a power stronger than money.
"It seems similar to martial arts," Mu-geuk noted. "Like when someone gets too deeply obsessed with winning and ends up being devoured by their own technique."
"That is an apt comparison."
The two drank together. Their cups clinked more vigorously than before.
"Then, what is the reason you strive not to be afraid of dying?"
Yong Ja-myeong’s eyes deepened as he recalled a day he could never forget.
"I almost died when I was young. I survived just on the brink of death. Since that day, I live with the mindset that I am living on borrowed time, and I take courage in everything I do."
"Being a martial artist, I find myself interested in such brushes with death."
This is the chance to fulfill the long-held wish that has been a regret until the day you die. So, try to remember that day well.
"What happened on that day?"