Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: -20- I Was Misunderstood, Right?
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The value of Dongting Lake's waterways in the transport business came from the ability to load massive quantities of goods onto large ships all at once. They might be slower than overland routes, but the huge advantage of transporting everything in one go at low cost made them indispensable to merchants.
On the day those waterways officially opened, countless merchants flooded into the port where the streams connected to Dongting Lake near Jangsa.
On one side of the port, dozens of fishing boats and small merchant vessels were lined up and moored. The escorts from the Clear Dawn Escort Agency and the martial artists hired by the Elder Merchant had fire in their eyes as they vigilantly scanned every direction from each ship.
"When's it supposed to start?"
A gaunt old man muttered irritably. He was the Elder Merchant who dominated the trade in the Jangsa area.
"Word is, half a shichen before the sun rises."
Clear Dawn Escort Leader Yeo Mun-rak replied.
"Nothing's happened these past two days. If this talk of pirates burning the ships turns out to be false, our deal is off."
"I understand."
"You understand, yet you're awfully calm."
"If they were going to make a move, it'd be today."
"So you're saying they'd do it right in front of everyone?"
"That way, they can clearly show everyone who really controls these waterways."
It made sense when he put it that way, so the Elder Merchant shut his mouth.
As time passed, the gathered merchants grew restless, then parted like the waves as Yoo Geon and Yoo Jang-hae appeared at the front, accompanied by members of the Yoo Merchant Group.
"Young Master Yoo, this really starts today? I've trusted your word and hauled all my goods here."
"If we don't ship out today, we're in big trouble!"
As the merchants voiced their worries one after another, Yoo Geon raised a hand to silence them.
"If anything goes wrong, I'll compensate everyone fully, so don't worry and wait."
At his words, the merchants fell quiet despite their concerns.
"Don't even dream of making the main family cover the compensation if things go south."
Yoo Jang-hae said firmly from beside him.
"I've got the funds. No need to beg Father for help."
Yoo Geon had never intended to rely on the Yoo Merchant Group even a little. He'd only set up an office there so people would mistake it for Yoo Merchant Group business, drawing in merchants who trusted them. That was the extent of their help, and there wouldn't be more going forward.
"Elder Merchant, you've come out too."
Yoo Jang-hae greeted the Elder Merchant upon spotting him. The old man nodded but kept his eyes fixed on Yoo Geon.
"How could I stay away when someone claims they'll set fire to my ships?"
"Is there really some lunatic out there trying to torch your precious vessels?"
Yoo Geon said, gazing at the ships densely moored at the port. The Elder Merchant scowled at him, but Yoo Jang-hae quickly intervened.
"He's young and doesn't know who you are, Elder. Please overlook it for my sake."
Before the Elder Merchant could respond, Yoo Geon stared him straight in the eye.
"I'll buy those ships of yours for half price."
"...!"
The epitome of absurdity. It was so ridiculous that not just the Elder Merchant but everyone gawked at Yoo Geon in stunned silence.
"What nonsense is this?!"
The moment Yoo Jang-hae shouted, Yoo Geon ignored his father and addressed the Elder Merchant again.
"This offer stands only until today. After that, the price drops ten percent a day."
He spoke the outrageous proposal with perfect calm. How were they supposed to take that?
The Elder Merchant glared for a long moment before asking,
"You must have something solid backing you up."
"Of course. My business partner is so impressive that even a titan like you, Elder Merchant of Jangsa trade, hears bold words from me."
Yoo Geon smiled faintly.
It wasn't a fake or forced grin—it looked like genuine amusement at the situation. The Elder Merchant's wrinkles deepened.
'Just who the hell is backing this kid to make him act so fearless?!'
As the Elder Merchant racked his brain, recalling local tycoons and influential martial sects around Jangsa and even Hunan Province to guess at the partner Yoo Geon mentioned—
The crowd of merchants buzzed as two figures emerged.
One man, one woman.
The man looked ordinary, but the woman seized everyone's attention with her mere appearance.
A woman in white silk robes, exuding an aura of rare beauty even from afar.
It was Byeon Ryeo-gun, the Celestial Insight Maiden. And the man was Do Cheon.
Byeon Ryeo-gun, who had every nerve attuned to Do Cheon's every move, latched onto him with the excuse of wanting some fresh air when he announced he was heading out. She'd followed to learn more about him.
"Is this the one you brought to introduce?"
Yoo Geon asked, glancing at Byeon Ryeo-gun.
"She's an honored guest here for the main event. Mind your jokes."
"If I've offended you, forgive me."
Do Cheon spoke, and Yoo Geon immediately bowed politely to her.
"Since you're Young Master Do's friend, I'll pretend I didn't hear it."
"Thank you."
Yoo Geon expressed his gratitude once more at her understanding.
"What brings you here? You really just came to see your friend Young Master Yoo?"
Yeo Mun-rak asked Do Cheon, his face openly showing his displeasure.
"It's been a while."
Do Cheon bowed courteously.
Yeo Mun-rak scowled even more, clearly unhappy with that too.
"Even as a friend, this isn't your place. Stay quiet and leave."
Yeo Mun-rak disliked Do Cheon's presence so much he was relieved no White Sword Sect members were here. Do Cheon sensed it and couldn't help frowning himself.
"Can't do that."
Yoo Geon cut in firmly.
As Yeo Mun-rak turned with a scowl, Yoo Geon smiled brightly.
"This friend here is the business partner I mentioned."
Yeo Mun-rak's face registered shock, while the Elder Merchant scrutinized Do Cheon as if trying to strip him bare with his gaze.
It was a bizarre situation.
That was Byeon Ryeo-gun's view from where she watched a step back.
Yoo Geon seemed to know something about Do Cheon, but most others clearly didn't know his capabilities. It sparked her sudden interest in what was unfolding here.
"Young Master Do."
Byeon Ryeo-gun called softly to Do Cheon.
Her voice was so pleasing that everyone turned to her.
"You seem to be connected to important people in whatever Young Master Do is doing. Could I at least exchange greetings?"
Do Cheon turned to see her eyes smiling above the veil. Guessing her intent, he chuckled softly.
"Geon, this is Lady Byeon of the Secret Shadow Pavilion under the Great Righteous Alliance."
Do Cheon's introduction sent a shockwave through everyone's minds.
No matter how separate the merchant world and martial world might be, they were inextricably linked. Everyone knew the Great Righteous Alliance, the union of the righteous sects, and what the Pavilion Master of the Secret Shadow meant.
"Is that true?"
Yeo Mun-rak was the first to react, eyes wide with shock as he alternated glances between Byeon Ryeo-gun and Do Cheon. As leader of an escort agency bridging both worlds, it hit him hard.
"Looks like Young Master Do's reputation isn't great. No one would dare impersonate the Great Righteous Alliance, yet you won't believe it."
Byeon Ryeo-gun said teasingly, making Yeo Mun-rak's heart sink as he hurriedly clasped his fists in salute.
"Clear Dawn Escort Leader Yeo Mun-rak greets the Pavilion Master."
The Pavilion Master of the Secret Shadow could doom the Clear Dawn Escort Agency with a single word. No room for rashness.
"I'm Byeon Ryeo-gun. The Clear Dawn Escort Agency—wasn't that once the Clear Dawn House, closest to the Iron Lion Sect...?"
She phrased it carefully, avoiding calling them a vassal clan.
"Just as the Iron Lion Sect era ended, so did our time as the Clear Dawn House."
"I see."
As Byeon Ryeo-gun nodded understandingly—
"Has the Great Righteous Alliance intervened in Dongting Lake's waterways?"
The Elder Merchant asked, not hiding his displeasure.
Byeon Ryeo-gun turned to him.
"No."
"Then why appear here?"
The Elder Merchant bellowed again, but Do Cheon stepped between them and asked Yoo Geon,
"Ready?"
"Just waiting for the ships."
Do Cheon nodded—
"What ships?! I bought every vessel on Dongting Lake. Even if you invoke the Great Righteous Alliance, I won't yield a single one. Half price? Even if I burn them myself, that won't happen!"
The Elder Merchant bellowed threats.
Do Cheon glanced at Yoo Geon with a questioning look.
"Seems like a big misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?!"
As the Elder Merchant roared at Yoo Geon's words—
"Hey, make way! Move it!"
A familiar voice rang out. Do Cheon turned to see merchants parting as two bearers carried a palanquin forward. It was Sky-Spanning Gang Leader Man Gwa-hae.
"Set down the palanquin. Now!"
At Man Gwa-hae's shout, the bearers lowered it. He rose carefully, limping on one leg as he approached.
"I've come to wish Young Master Do's business great prosperity."
Man Gwa-hae grinned weakly.
Do Cheon stared at him.
"Leg healed already?"
"I spent some coin to be of service to Young Master Do."
"Good. Can't do the job right with a bum leg."
Do Cheon nodded approvingly, and Man Gwa-hae beamed, shouting back,
"What are you waiting for? Get started!"
At his command, dozens from the Sky-Spanning Gang pushed through the merchants and set up a large ritual table.
Pig's head, peaches, and a whole dou of rice.
A sacrificial offering to the River God for safe passage on the waterways.
"What's all this?"
Do Cheon frowned.
"Praying to the River God for Young Master Do's business to flourish. It's my humble wish—please accept it."
Without waiting for a reply, Man Gwa-hae signaled a shaman waiting nearby. She stepped forward and began the ritual.
Do Cheon and Yoo Geon exchanged glances and sighed as the shaman's performance dragged on.
- What the hell is this?
- I didn't order it.
- Shamans like some backroom geezer!
- I didn't order it.
- Manage your underlings better.
- Just... let it go. It's a prayer for success.
- Fine, fine. Let's prosper with the River God's help.
As the two bickered silently with looks and expressions—
"Pirates! It's the Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold!"
"Real pirates! The Waterway Stronghold's here!"
It was true. Three ships flying the Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold flag were cutting through the water toward them.
"Hmph!"
The Elder Merchant snorted.
He swept his gaze over Yoo Geon, Do Cheon, and Byeon Ryeo-gun, then signaled Yeo Mun-rak. Yeo Mun-rak quickly told Yeo Song-hae,
"We don't know what the pirates might do—tell everyone to prepare defenses!"
Yeo Song-hae dashed toward the moored ships.
Watching, the Elder Merchant rolled his eyes wildly and shouted to the merchants,
"Everyone seeing this? That's the reality of opening these waterways! What happens if those pirates burn all my gathered ships? How can you trust kids in bed with pirates to haul your goods?!"
The merchants stirred uneasily at his words.
The Elder Merchant glared sternly at Yoo Geon, Do Cheon, and Byeon Ryeo-gun, daring them to respond.
Yoo Geon stepped forward.
"You've got a serious misunderstanding."
"Even seeing those pirates, you'll deny it?"
"Those pirates are here to transport the goods for all you gathered merchants."
"What?"
"You bought up all the ships, so we had no choice but to borrow from the Waterway Stronghold."
"You expect me to believe that nonsense?"
As the Elder Merchant scoffed incredulously—
"Elder, enough. I just met with Stronghold Leader Gwak of the Waterway Stronghold. I brought Young Master Do's message asking to transport these merchants' goods on your ships, and now you're throwing a fit?!"
It was Man Gwa-hae.
With his grim expression, even the mighty Elder Merchant couldn't shout back. Unorthodox leaders might be rare encounters, but the ever-present Sky-Spanning Gang was another matter. To ordinary folk, black path thugs who might do anything were as terrifying as the grim reaper.
While the Elder Merchant fumed silently, one of the Waterway Stronghold ships docked at the port. With his own ships taking most of the space, not all three could moor at once.
The merchants watched the exchange between the Elder, Yoo Geon, and Man Gwa-hae, unsure who to believe.
Then, an old man leaped from the ship like the wind.
"Black Line Warehouse's Gwak Hyu! It really is him!"
Yeo Mun-rak grimaced and groaned upon recognizing him. Gwak Hyu approached without even his signature spear.
Scanning the crowd en route, he went straight to one person, clasped his fists in salute. Yeo Mun-rak watched in shock.
"Young Master Do, I hope I'm not late."
"Different from your usual gigs—hope it doesn't hurt your face."
"Young Master Yoo offered part of the fare upfront, so I saved some dignity with my men."
Do Cheon smiled at Gwak Hyu's words.
"You'll have a story to brag to them later."
"I just follow and trust."
Gwak Hyu bowed and gestured to his ship. Over thirty pirates disembarked, making the merchants murmur.
But no matter how you looked, they weren't dressed for battle. All empty-handed, no trace of hostility or murderous intent.
"Ships are here—load up the goods!"
Yoo Geon shouted.
Finally, some hesitant merchants began carrying their items, and the pirates joined in to help.
The warriors guarding the moored ships watched in bewilderment, while the Elder Merchant trembled with utter defeat.
Never in his life had he thrown away so much money only to become the butt of the joke.
"In case you forgot—sell those ships today, and I'll take them at half price."
Yoo Geon's words further scraped the Elder Merchant's pride.
The old man just trembled wordlessly. Realizing everything had crumbled, Yeo Mun-rak inexplicably yelled at Byeon Ryeo-gun,
"And you claim the Great Righteous Alliance isn't involved?!"
Ignoring her response, he glared at Do Cheon and stormed off in a huff. Byeon Ryeo-gun turned to Do Cheon with an incredulous tone.
"I was misunderstood just now, right?"
"Seems like it."
"Explain it to him."
"He's furious just seeing my face. Bad blood between us."
"Weren't the Iron Lion Sect and Clear Dawn House the closest?"
"You heard earlier. Ancient history."
"Even so, hating you enough to rage at the sight of you?"
Do Cheon just shrugged without elaborating. Byeon Ryeo-gun said slyly,
"Looks like I need to dig deeper into that side too."
"...!"
Do Cheon hoped she wouldn't, but he couldn't bring himself to mention Yeo Su-a, so he stayed silent.