Aiming at the Light (4)
Jegal Mun-ho smiled and asked, “Does the tea suit your taste?”
“Mm, it’s quite good.”
“Haha, I had the finest leaves prepared when I heard the Bank Lord was coming.”
“You seem well-versed in tea. Most people who know nothing assume the most expensive is the best. The Dao of Tea is endless once you consider the weather, how the leaves were dried, humidity, brewing method, and the precise temperature.”
“Truly erudite. I’ve heard the Bank Lord’s knowledge surpasses even renowned scholars, and it seems the rumors are true.”
“It’s merely a hobby. Thanks to my capable subordinates, I have time to dabble in this and that.”
“Reaching your position required an incredibly fierce life. Everything you’ve achieved is your own doing. You may take pride in it.”
“Hahaha.”
Flattery and sincere praise differ by a hair’s breadth.
In that regard, Jegal Mun-ho truly knew how to treat people. He never overdid self-deprecation, showed consideration for others, and never spoke empty words.
Song Guk-hyeon found Jegal Mun-ho quite likable. As the head of the renowned Jegal family and the Martial Alliance’s military counselor, he had expected a stern man, yet Jegal Mun-ho gave a far more relaxed impression than anticipated.
Song Guk-hyeon glanced around. “That said, this is the foremost alliance in the martial world. For the residence of its highest-ranking military counselor, it’s remarkably modest.”
Jegal Mun-ho smiled faintly. “I don’t care for excessive decoration. I’m usually too busy to prioritize aesthetics over practicality.”
He slipped in the word “busy” naturally. To a sensitive ear, it might have sounded unpleasant. After all, the visitor had come unannounced to see this very busy man.
Song Guk-hyeon chuckled. “The busiest man in the Martial Alliance has made time for me. I hardly know how to express my gratitude.”
Jegal Mun-ho waved a hand. “Please don’t say that. No matter how busy alliance affairs may be, I would never refuse an audience with a distinguished guest. Especially one who rose from nothing to become a pillar of the Central Plains economy. I should be the one seeking your wisdom.”
“Hahaha.”
He praised not Song Guk-hyeon’s current status, but the effort and results that had brought him there. Song Guk-hyeon liked Jegal Mun-ho even more.
Jegal Mun-ho asked, “By the way, what brings the lord of the Central Plains’ greatest bank to visit this unworthy man without prior notice?”
The greatest bank in the Central Plains.
From the moment he founded it, Song Guk-hyeon had aimed for supremacy. He had named it the Central Plains Bank.
A name that was both ordinary and ambitious.
That name had now become legend. Emerging at the age of twelve, within thirty years it had risen to become one of the three great banks of the Central Plains. Now, at fifty-five, Song Guk-hyeon’s bank was hailed as the greatest among them.
A giant who had shaken the continent’s economy. Though his appearance was more ordinary than one might expect of one of the Central Plains’ wealthiest men, the wisdom and sharpness in his eyes were in no way inferior to Jegal Mun-ho’s.
Song Guk-hyeon spoke in a calm voice. “There are things in this world more precious than money. Time is one of them. I came without notice to a busy man, so I thought it best to speak directly.”
“Haha.”
“While running the bank, I’ve formed connections with many people. One of them is Master Woo Gong, the Left Governor of Henan’s Seungseon-pojeongsasa.”
Seungseon-pojeongsasa.
If the Wei Commandery and Provincial Commandery were military institutions overseeing strategic points and entire provinces, then Seungseon-pojeongsasa was the administrative body governing a province.
Seungseon-pojeongsasa was headed by the Left and Right Governors. In other words, Song Guk-hyeon had ties to the highest administrative official in Henan Province.
“Not long ago, Master Woo Gong made a request of me.”
“A request?”
“He heard that the Jegal family has been inviting officials to gather information on the government’s situation and movements.”
Jegal Mun-ho’s eyes gleamed.
Song Guk-hyeon continued, his tone remaining calm and composed despite the dangerous nature of his words. “Master Woo Gong was quite displeased.”
“I see.”
Song Guk-hyeon’s gaze shifted slightly. “Does that mean you’re confirming that the Jegal family is indeed monitoring the government’s movements?”
Jegal Mun-ho gave a wry smile. “Since you’re already certain, there’s no need for me to lie and buy time, is there?”
“……”
“Especially since the head of the Central Plains Bank has come in person. I wouldn’t want to spoil the conversation with pointless falsehoods.”
Song Guk-hyeon couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you doing this?”
The Non-Interference Treaty between the Empire and the martial world. At first glance it seemed absurd, yet it was being upheld in practice.
The Jegal family had unilaterally broken that ancient treaty—and had even admitted it without hesitation.
Song Guk-hyeon couldn’t understand it. Jegal Mun-ho was the patriarch of the Jegal family and a scholar respected even in the Confucian world for his vast knowledge and deep wisdom.
Why would such a man engage in something so dangerous?
“Before I explain my reasons, may I ask you a question in return?”
“Of course.”
“Bank Lord, have you been conducting business with high-ranking officials?”
Song Guk-hyeon’s expression shifted slightly.
Business with high-ranking officials? The phrasing was polite, but it meant: had he been bribing them for profit? Or perhaps the reverse.
It was a rather rude question.
Yet Song Guk-hyeon remained composed. “It would be a lie to say I haven’t. I’ve given money to officials from my own pocket.”
“I see.”
“However, I have never once engaged in unfair dealings that brought me significant profit. Nor have I ever misappropriated the bank’s funds.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. Though I can’t claim my past is spotless, I believe I’ve lived while maintaining at least the minimum standards.”
At least in terms of experience dealing with people, he surpassed Jegal Mun-ho. Even if Jegal Mun-ho’s eyes were sharp, if Song Guk-hyeon deliberately controlled his expression, it wouldn’t be easy to discern his true thoughts.
“You are a giant of the merchant world, Bank Lord. I don’t believe you would give money to officials without expecting something in return.”
“I understand this isn’t an interrogation, but may I ask why you’re posing these questions?”
Jegal Mun-ho’s face gradually changed.
It became expressionless. The transformation was so complete that it was hard to believe a person could shift so drastically. Song Guk-hyeon felt tension rise within him involuntarily.
“If word gets out that the Non-Interference Treaty was broken, many problems will arise. Though it’s not my place to say, it’s obvious the government side wouldn’t want to make this a big issue either.”
“……”
“If it were me—or anyone with some experience and political sense—they would have contacted me directly, no matter the circumstances. Yet instead, they went through you, Bank Lord, to deliver a message.”
“Military Counselor.”
“You asked why I’m monitoring the government’s movements. I’ll answer you.”
Whooooom.
A cold killing intent filled Jegal Mun-ho’s eyes.
In that instant, Song Guk-hyeon’s face turned pale. Though he practiced health-cultivation arts for his well-being, Jegal Mun-ho was a renowned supreme master. Facing the killing intent in such a master’s gaze, his heart couldn’t help but waver.
“We received intelligence that a treacherous group is attempting to seize control of the government. We also learned that this group is an unknown organization possessing formidable martial strength.”
“……!”
“We’ve already detected signs that their experts have infiltrated the Wei Commandery and Provincial Commandery as officials. It’s hard to believe they would overlook the Seungseon-pojeongsasa, an administrative institution.”
The Wei Commandery, Provincial Commandery, and Seungseon-pojeongsasa each had different functions.
The three institutions maintained an almost miraculous non-interference with one another, making each extremely independent.
That was why Jegal Mun-ho couldn’t be certain. If he had been certain, he would have already devised a plan to deal with the entire Henan provincial government.
“I’ll ask directly. Bank Lord, were you aware of this unknown organization trying to overthrow the imperial family and the government?”
“N-no, I wasn’t.”
“Truly? Or have you already joined hands with them?”
“Military Counselor!”
“Or perhaps the officials you’re connected with have already been recruited by them, and you’re maintaining ties without realizing it?”
Song Guk-hyeon couldn’t easily open his mouth. The atmosphere had suddenly turned hostile, but more than that, he sensed how carefully he needed to answer this question.
Jegal Mun-ho stared at Song Guk-hyeon for a moment before relaxing his expression and bowing his head.
“I apologize. This is a sensitive matter, so I was testing your intentions with my rudeness. I offer my sincere apologies.”
“……”
“However, from my perspective, the Left Governor’s actions are indeed difficult to understand. That’s why I asked. I hope you can forgive this inadequate man.”
Song Guk-hyeon looked at Jegal Mun-ho with a complicated expression before letting out a sigh.
“I came here with nothing particular in mind, yet it seems I’ll have to stay longer than expected.”
Jegal Mun-ho smiled. “You’d already considered that possibility. As expected, your wisdom is remarkable.”
A treacherous group was attempting to overthrow the imperial family and the government.
This was information that would shock the world. Yet Jegal Mun-ho had shared it with Song Guk-hyeon without hesitation.
In other words, he had no intention of letting Song Guk-hyeon leave. Until he was certain Song Guk-hyeon had no connection to the Shinwha Sect, he would never release him.
Song Guk-hyeon asked, “If such a force truly exists, wouldn’t it be better to meet directly with the highest-ranking officials on the government side?”
“I had no choice but to act aggressively for fear of alerting them prematurely.”
“Heh.”
“Once I’m certain about you, Bank Lord, I’ll apologize for my rudeness then. You’ve come a long way, and I truly have nothing more to offer.”
Song Guk-hyeon clicked his tongue. “As I said, I’m not busy. I’ll stay a few days and take the opportunity to tour the Martial Alliance.”
He was clearly no ordinary man.
Most people would have grown angry, suppressed their fury, or protested their innocence. Song Guk-hyeon did none of that. He knew that ranting would be meaningless and that anger wouldn’t change the situation.
Knowing something with both the mind and the heart—that was one of the reasons Song Guk-hyeon had become a giant of the merchant world.
“By the way, that organization’s name……”
Just then—
“Military Counselor. The Myeolsa Army Commander requests an audience.”
Jegal Mun-ho’s gaze shifted once more.
“Let him in.”
“Yes.”
A moment later.
Creak.
The door opened, and Yeon Hojeong appeared, holding a massive axe.