Chapter 464: The Son, the Incarnation of Greed
Chapter 464: The Son, the Incarnation of Greed
"Benefactor!"
Yong Ja-myeong bolted upright, a sharp thrill coursing through his entire body. Never in his life had he been this shaken.
My benefactor was the Leader of the Demonic Cult?
His heart hammered against his ribs. Of all people, the Heavenly Demon? It was truly unbelievable.
Could I be mistaken?
But he wasn't. The image of the benefactor he had seen all those years ago and the face of the Heavenly Demon he had met today merged perfectly into one. They were undoubtedly the same man.
Geom Mu-geuk, who had been observing the portrait, glanced up at Yong Ja-myeong. He could tell the man had finally realized that his father was the one who had saved him in the past.
Well, it would be impossible not to recognize someone like Father.
Mu-geuk carefully refolded the paper depicting his father’s younger days, wrapped it in silk, and held it out to Yong Ja-myeong again.
"I’ve seen enough. Thank you."
However, Yong Ja-myeong did not take it back.
"The Young Cult Leader should keep it."
Mu-geuk feigned ignorance. "Why are you giving this to me? This drawing is precious to you, isn't it, Unit Leader?"
The answer that followed confirmed Mu-geuk’s suspicions were exactly right.
"From this moment on, it is an even more precious item for the Young Cult Leader to possess. Now, let us return to the residence."
* * *
Geom Wu-jin was quietly drinking tea when they returned.
"Father, we’re back."
Geom Mu-geuk and Yong Ja-myeong stepped inside. Wu-jin sensed immediately that the look in Yong Ja-myeong’s eyes had changed. He knew exactly where the intense passion filling those eyes originated, but he remained stoic.
"Did you have a good talk with the Unit Leader?" Wu-jin asked his son.
"Is there any talk more interesting than money? I even got to hear stories about the Unit Leader’s younger days."
Wu-jin looked at Yong Ja-myeong and spoke calmly. "How was it for you, Unit Leader?"
"It was a more precious time than any other."
From the moment he entered the room, Yong Ja-myeong had been staring intently at Wu-jin’s face. Such a bold gaze would have been unthinkable when they first met earlier that day.
"Cult Leader."
Yong Ja-myeong’s voice trembled. He had experienced every hardship imaginable while leading the Silver River Merchant Group to the pinnacle of the world, but he had never been as shaken as he was at this moment.
"Do you... remember me?"
His father looked at him for a long moment without a word. From that reaction alone, Mu-geuk knew.
Father already knew.
Thinking back, it made sense. Yong Ja-myeong could never have imagined his savior was the Heavenly Demon, but his father was different. When Yong Ja-myeong had recounted the events of that day, he mentioned that the benefactor had seen the contract the Yin Blood Ghost and Man So were trying to force him to sign.
At that moment, Wu-jin must have realized the boy he saved was the young heir of the Silver River Merchant Group.
Since that day, the merchant group had grown while maintaining a delicate balance between the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic factions. If he had wanted to, Wu-jin could have revealed himself as the savior and forced the Silver River Merchant Group into the Cult's service. But he never did. He had surely received reports that the man was desperately searching for his savior, yet he remained silent.
To not reach out even when the richest man in the world was looking to repay a debt?
That is so like Father. How can I not respect him?
Yong Ja-myeong pressed on, his voice thick with emotion. "Do you happen to remember the day you punished the Yin Blood Ghost for his atrocities?"
Despite the trembling question, Geom Wu-jin said nothing.
Precisely because of that silence, Yong Ja-myeong became certain. If it weren't him, the Cult Leader would have simply said he didn't remember or that it wasn't him. Instead, Wu-jin simply listened, his expression unchanging.
And that gaze—the way he silently watched him.
It’s that gaze.
It was the exact same look from that day. Come to think of it, the man hadn't said a single word the day he saved him either. He had only left behind that piercing, silent gaze.
"On that day, the Cult Leader saved me from captivity. If it weren't for you, I would have died a dog's death."
It would have been a miserable end. He wouldn't have just lost his fortune; he would have lost his life simply because a warehouse was being looted for a lecher's escape funds. He wouldn't have been able to close his eyes even in death.
Yong Ja-myeong slowly prostrated himself on the floor.
"Please, accept my bow."
He bowed with all his heart. Since the Silver River Merchant Group reached the top, he had never lowered his head to anyone like this.
"I finally get to see you... I have missed you so much over the years."
Until now, his mind had been a whirlwind of confusion, fear of the Heavenly Demon, and a sliver of doubt. But now, everything was clear.
Geom Wu-jin stood up and walked toward him. He leaned down and took Yong Ja-myeong by the arms, helping him up.
Mu-geuk was startled. He never expected his father to personally assist the man. Yong Ja-myeong was even more shocked, but the true surprise was yet to come.
"I remember you."
Yong Ja-myeong’s eyes widened as the words struck his heart.
It really is him! He remembers me!
His whole body trembled. The man holding his arms was his savior and the Heavenly Demon of the current age.
"Then... did you know it was me from the beginning?"
Wu-jin nodded.
"You knew that the person you saved back then was me!"
Then, the words Yong Ja-myeong had waited his entire life to hear flowed from Wu-jin’s mouth.
"I have been hearing news of your great success in the world of commerce."
"Ah! You knew!"
Yong Ja-myeong’s heart swelled, and his throat tightened. He didn't ask why Wu-jin hadn't come to find him. The Heavenly Demon was no ordinary man; he wasn't the type to seek out someone he saved just to claim credit once they became successful. What mattered was this:
My benefactor remembered me. He knew I had become the world's greatest merchant.
A refreshing catharsis enveloped Yong Ja-myeong. More than anything, he felt a profound sense of relief that the past decades hadn't been in vain. He had kept his promise, and the man had been watching.
Wu-jin offered one more precious sentence. "You have worked hard all these years."
At those words, Yong Ja-myeong could no longer hold it back. Tears welled in his eyes. He had lived a harsh life and never shown weakness, but he could not suppress the surge of emotion rising from his chest. No matter how much praise he received from others, a corner of his heart had always been empty. He realized now it was because he had been waiting for recognition from this one man.
"...I truly wanted to see you."
I wanted to tell you that I kept the promise I made that day.
"Now, I can die without regrets."
Tears streamed down his face. He had two lifelong wishes: to become the world's greatest merchant and to find his benefactor to repay the favor. Today, he had fulfilled the second.
Yong Ja-myeong pulled a magnificently crafted key from his robe. It was made of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron—an object of immense value in its own right.
"This is the key to a secret vault where I have collected treasures intended for my benefactor. I have added to it every year since that day."
Yong Ja-myeong respectfully offered it to Wu-jin. His father refused immediately.
"No reward is necessary."
The reason for the refusal was also classic Wu-jin.
"The fact that you spent all this time searching for me is repayment enough."
But that only made Yong Ja-myeong more determined. "Because you are the Cult Leader, it puts my mind at ease to give this to you. You are someone who can obtain anything in this world, so please, accept it as a small token. These are but trifles to someone of your stature."
Mu-geuk watched, impressed. Yong Ja-myeong was no ordinary man. To spend decades preparing to repay a favor was a rare level of loyalty. It was clear why he had achieved such success.
"If Father doesn't want it, I'll take it instead," Mu-geuk interjected.
As Mu-geuk reached for it, his father snatched the key a step ahead of him.
"No, I told you to give it to me!" Mu-geuk cried out. "Here stands your son, the incarnation of greed!"
Wu-jin tucked the key into his robe with an expression that said not a chance.
Yong Ja-myeong chuckled softly. He could tell Mu-geuk had stepped in on purpose to give Wu-jin an excuse to accept the gift.
"If you go to the foot of Mt. Yuhua in Chongqing and find a man named Jung Song who gathers medicinal herbs, he will guide you to the vault."
"I shall accept your sincerity," Wu-jin said.
Mu-geuk glanced at his father. Since Chongqing was on the way back to the Main Cult, they could easily stop by. He was dying to know what was in a vault that required a Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron key.
I am definitely more of a materialist than Father. I want to run there right now.
Then again, the greatest gift to his father wasn't the key. It was the fact that Yong Ja-myeong now knew the truth. The Silver River Merchant Group, which had been walking a tightrope between factions, was now effectively an ally of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Yong Ja-myeong didn't need to say it out loud. Just as Wu-jin hadn't demanded anything, Yong Ja-myeong didn't need words to express his loyalty. In the future, he would continue to run the merchant group as if he were neutral, but his true allegiance would belong to Wu-jin.
Mu-geuk looked at his father.
Father, did you expect this? Is that why you introduced me to him? Hoping his loyalty would carry over to me.
The introduction had been unexpected. Maintaining a relationship with Yong Ja-myeong would be a massive asset for the future of the Cult.
"Father, would you like to see this?" Mu-geuk took out the portrait and showed it to him. "This is you back then."
His father rarely showed emotion, but a strange light flickered in his eyes at the sight of his younger self. Even the Heavenly Demon could feel nostalgia.
"Unit Leader Yong remembered you as being more handsome than me," Mu-geuk teased. "Clearly, his memory is failing."
Wu-jin replied firmly, "As expected of the greatest merchant, his memory is excellent."
"He might just have failing eyesight," Mu-geuk countered.
Yong Ja-myeong laughed, looking at the faded drawing. "I truly miss those days."
Wu-jin’s gaze lingered on the drawing for a long time. A moment later, Mu-geuk took it back and folded it neatly.
"This is mine. I'll yield the key, but I'm keeping this."
A faint smile played on Wu-jin’s lips. To Mu-geuk, that smile was more valuable than any treasure in the secret vault.
* * *
That night, Yong Ja-myeong was strolling through the front yard, unable to sleep.
"Can't you sleep?"
He turned to see Geom Mu-geuk walking toward him.
"My heart is so restless that sleep eludes me," Yong Ja-myeong admitted. His gaze was far softer than it had been during their first meeting. "May I ask why the Cult Leader summoned me this time?"
He knew he hadn't been called just for a reunion.
"The reason Father and I came here was because of the Golden Dragon Clan," Mu-geuk revealed.
"I thought as much." Yong Ja-myeong wasn't surprised. "We have been keeping an eye on them as well. We have information that they’ve been operating a clandestine organization lately."
The information war in commerce was as intense as in the Murim. As the world's greatest merchant group, their intelligence was formidable.
"Yes. We were dispatched to investigate because money from that organization is flowing into a Murim group that threatens the peace."
"The Three-Party Summit was also related to them, wasn't it?" Yong Ja-myeong asked.
Mu-geuk nodded. "It seems the woman we saw earlier is the one leading that secret organization."
"So the reason you called me here was also because of her."
"Correct. They will see our meeting as a major event, especially since the Leader of the Silver River Merchant Group came in person. I plan to use this to enter the heart of the Golden Dragon Clan."
"Is there anything else I can do to help?"
"You have already helped enough just by coming here."
"I want to do more," Yong Ja-myeong insisted. He didn't want to leave yet. It had been so long since he reunited with his benefactor; he wanted to stay as long as possible.
"It could be dangerous."
"Do you think I walked only safe paths to build this merchant group?"
"Fine. Then please stay for three more days and help me. It will be a great help."
Yong Ja-myeong’s expression brightened instantly. Mu-geuk knew he could handle the situation without him, but this was a gesture of consideration. He understood the man's desire to spend time with his father.
You've waited decades; enjoy three more days.
Yong Ja-myeong, quick-witted as ever, smiled. "Thank you."
"What are you talking about?"
"I know this decision was for my sake."
Mu-geuk grinned. "Honestly, it's for my sake. When else would I get to spend time with the world's greatest merchant?"
Yong Ja-myeong wanted to tell him: From now on, as much as you want.
He was no longer just the Young Cult Leader; he was the son of his benefactor. He felt as if he had become part of a great destiny.
"Now, just say the word. What should I do next?"
These three days would be unforgettable. As if to prove it, the Young Cult Leader asked with a mischievous grin:
"Excuse me, but do you happen to have some spare cash on you?"