Is the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association Prepared?
44. Is the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association prepared?
44. What do you take me for? The Chairman? Do you really mean the head of the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association?
Baek Su-gyeong's expression turned peculiar, while So Ssaang-a, Namgung Som-in, and Gal Ye-ryeong all wore looks of shock. Though each had her own reasons for surprise, the cause was one and the same.
"The chairman of the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association, who never shows his face because he resembles a divine dragon hidden in the clouds..."
"Cloud Flower Immortal..."!
"You're really the chairman of the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association?"
In stark contrast to the three women's astonishment, Baek Su-gyeong had no idea why they were so shocked. To him, the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association was simply one of the largest merchant groups in the Central Plains—nothing more.
For Baek Su-gyeong, it held about the same status as a global conglomerate like Samsung or Apple. Of course, it was surprising that its chairman—the equivalent of a CEO—was sitting right in front of him, and a woman who looked barely into her early twenties at that.
"Allow me to greet you properly once more."
This time, without dropping to her knees, Jin A-gyeong rose gracefully and offered a refined bow.
"I am Jin A-gyeong, the 23rd chairman of the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association."
"You're really the chairman!?"
So Ssaang-a's startled cry drew a scowl from Jin A-gyeong's escort.
"She is indeed our association's chairman. Are you doubting it?"
For the chairman of the mighty Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association to personally visit just to meet a mere literary man like Baek Su-gyeong was an honor in itself. What was the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association? A colossal enterprise with branches across the Central Plains, supplying goods even to the imperial palace, deeply intertwined with the martial world's sects. Its Xuchang branch even handled logistics for the Murim Alliance, a testament to its unshakeable trust.
For its chairman to step into the heart of a rival group like the Gyeongun Merchant Association was an act of daring akin to venturing into enemy territory. And yet, what were these reactions?
Even if Baek Su-gyeong was a figure shaking the current Central Plains.
"You'd best take your hand off that hilt."
Baek Su-gyeong warned Jin A-gyeong's escort, whose hand had naturally drifted to the sword grip.
"Even if you've entered the heart of a rival merchant group and those careless words just now offended us, this is Gyeongun Merchant Association territory. Not Heavenly Dragon."
"How dare you!"
As the escort's face twisted in fury, Baek Su-gyeong continued. His expression was far from amused. It had frozen cold as permafrost under a blade-sharp wind.
"And I am Baek Su-gyeong. The Gyeongun Merchant Association is the exclusive distributor of my works. If the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association has come to make a proposal to me, I suggest maintaining such an attitude isn't wise."
"Th-that...!"
"Young-jin, leave us."
Jin A-gyeong's voice had turned icy, hardening the escort—Young-jin's—face. Leave? In this place tantamount to enemy ground, who would protect her if he stepped out?
"Ch-Chairman!"
"Didn't you hear me? Shall I escort you out myself?"
The bumbling charm she'd shown Baek Su-gyeong vanished, replaced by the charismatic poise of a merchant leader. Her chilling command pierced Young-jin like a dagger to the lungs.
"...I shall withdraw. My apologies."
Baek Su-gyeong watched as Young-jin bowed his head deeply—muttering an apology to who-knows-whom—and departed. Behind him, the three women stared in shock. Baek Su-gyeong had defused the situation single-handedly, without them needing to intervene.
Teacher...
Our lord is so cool!
He's got more backbone than I thought, that Baek fellow.
Whatever the three women were thinking, Baek Su-gyeong felt a weight lift, his expression easing now that the obstacle was gone. Had Young-jin stayed, either Namgung Som-in or Gal Ye-ryeong would surely have stepped in. His words and actions carried an ominous edge. If he'd drawn his sword here, tragedy might have ensued. Baek Su-gyeong had nipped it in the bud.
Gal Ye-ryeong clicked her tongue inwardly.
I'd love to have my subordinates take him out quietly, but that'd stir up trouble. Have to hold back.
If it were some no-account merchant group, she could arrange a "sudden death." But the opponent was the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association—the largest in the jianghu. Even Haomen couldn't easily pull strings against them. There was a weight class difference. And considering Ya Noe's upright nature, she likely wouldn't want such an incident anyway. Baek Su-gyeong probably felt the same.
Gal Ye-ryeong eyed the spot Young-jin had vacated.
I'll remember you.
Meanwhile, Jin A-gyeong stood and bowed to Baek Su-gyeong.
"My apologies, Lord Baek. My escort was rude..."
"An escort's greatest virtues are composure and cool-headedness. I hope you'll consider that when selecting them."
"Your advice shall be etched into my bones."
Baek Su-gyeong turned to So Ssaang-a.
"Lady So. Come here."
"Pardon?"
"I'm not well-versed in merchant affairs. You'll have to assist."
"Ah, yes!"
A chance to be useful at last. Joy lit So Ssaang-a's face as she approached, though Jin A-gyeong looked slightly tense. The woman who'd elevated Gyeongun Merchant Group from the brink—this young leader who seemed only two or three years her senior.
"...Tch."
Gal Ye-ryeong's tongue-click was audible, but So Ssaang-a ignored it. She took her place naturally beside Baek Su-gyeong, who then spoke.
"Now, let's hear your proposal."
"I understand the Gyeongun Merchant Group handles the exclusive distribution of Wudang Sword Hero. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Then, how about partnering with our Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association for your next work...?"
So Ssaang-a's eyes narrowed at Jin A-gyeong's words.
"Are you saying you want to poach our lord right now?"
"Why not? The difference in standing between the Gyeongun Group—barely regaining its former glory—and our Heavenly Dragon, with branches across the land, should be obvious without explanation."
"Kuh..."
It wasn't wrong. So Ssaang-a's Gyeongun Merchant Association dominated Hubei-Hunan around Wuan—Huguang Province, essentially. It was steadily expanding, even opening branches in Xuchang, home of the Murim Alliance, and Luoyang, stronghold of the Yongmun family.
Opening in Luoyang, Yongmun territory, was something even Heavenly Dragon hadn't achieved. Impressive, yes—but Jin A-gyeong had already surmised it hinged on the Wudang Sword Hero exclusive rights.
"You want to collaborate on the next work?"
"Yes. We'll support you in every way so you can focus on writing. With your track record, the next one's a guaranteed hit..."
"Amusing."
No one had vied for Baek Su-gyeong since he arrived in the Central Plains. Sure, three women surrounded him now, but before Wudang Sword Hero, his life had been utterly mundane, low-stimulation peace.
After the novel, his name value—Su-gyeong as his pen name—skyrocketed. Everyone knew it, thanks to that one book. So this offer felt refreshingly novel.
Feels like a management bidding war.
Heavenly Dragon was a mega-agency. Gyeongun, a fledgling just going public, building momentum. Realistically, Heavenly Dragon made sense, but...
"Our lord..."
Ignoring So Ssaang-a's call, Baek Su-gyeong met Jin A-gyeong's gaze.
"Regrettably, I have no intention of contracting with any group besides Gyeongun Merchant Association."
"Have you perhaps signed an exclusive contract with them?"
"No."
Baek Su-gyeong cut it off decisively.
"They stood with me, so we'll go to the end together. Loyalty, you might call it."
"Why..."
Jin A-gyeong looked stunned. Before meeting him, she'd been confident. Heavenly Dragon could provide anything he wanted. She didn't know his Wudang Sword Hero earnings, but they paled against their wealth. And his words about loyalty were intriguing.
"It's true I'm preparing a Shaolin-based work. Rumors spread from what I said before the Alliance Leader—twisted into a novel about Shaolin coming out."
"Could we acquire the rights to that work?"
Jin A-gyeong's expression was earnest. The author who'd revived a dying Gyeongun with Wudang Sword Hero was someone Heavenly Dragon must have. Who else wielded such influence over the jianghu? He'd fortify their stronghold. And he was one of the few who'd advised her.
"Selling rights to a work not yet written goes against propriety. What if I pretend ignorance and vanish? What then, Chairman Jin?"
"Th-that..."
"I wouldn't know about other things, but you seem awfully urgent, Chairman Jin."
She flinched, as if struck at the core. Baek Su-gyeong spoke calmly.
"They say business isn't buying and selling goods—it's buying and selling people. More precisely, trading on trust."
Baek Su-gyeong looked at Jin A-gyeong.
"I'm not yet ready to deal with the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association. But is the Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association prepared?"