The Grace of a Master
Baek Su-gyeong's words were meant to test her integrity. Jin A-gyeong realized she'd been so focused on meeting him that she'd half-forgotten even basic etiquette. He was right. For anyone walking the path of commerce, integrity was something you could never forget. A merchant group without it was doomed to collapse. Credit was as vital to a merchant as life itself. Lose that, and the deals dried up.
Instead of sharp rebuke, Baek Su-gyeong had gently awakened her with kind words. Shame burned her cheeks.
"My apologies, my lord. I was rude..."
"No rudeness about it."
Baek Su-gyeong turned to So Ssaang-a. "I'd rather see Heavenly Dragon Merchant Group and Gyeongun Merchant Group get along in harmony than compete fiercely. Of course, merchant rivalries are a bit beyond a hack writer like me."
"My lord..."
"My lord."
So Ssaang-a and Jin A-gyeong called out together, and Baek Su-gyeong smiled softly.
"Naturally, Heavenly Dragon's vast wealth will surpass Gyeongun's— that's obvious. If Master Jin had tried to bulldoze with money, I'd have been disappointed, frankly. Though I couldn't have refused, of course."
Of course he couldn't have refused. Money—more money. Overflowing wealth made life comfortable. Baek Su-gyeong's own cushy existence now was thanks to the monthly payments from Jeongnyeong Inn's Jang Noban and the sales of Wudang Sword Hero.
Heavenly Dragon was far larger than Gyeongun. Its distribution network spanned the Central Plains. Using it would make supply chains smoother, no doubt. Baek Su-gyeong's earnings would skyrocket exponentially.
Realistically speaking.
"But I turned down Master Jin's offer because of the bond between me—a mere scholar in Wuan—and Lady So."
Human connections were mysterious things, sometimes leading to choices that defied reality. Baek Su-gyeong wasn't immune to greed; most of his fortune sat in the Central Plains' premier money house, Silver River Vault, with Wudang Sword Hero royalties and inn payments flowing in monthly. It was breeding money on its own.
Yet for someone who'd endured modern life's grind, the sweet revenue from Wudang Sword Hero was hard to abandon. Still, he'd refused Heavenly Dragon purely for So Ssaang-a.
"I'm no petty man to betray my bond with Lady So. As I said, it's a matter of loyalty. Money summons even ghosts, but it can't sever ties. Just like with martial artists."
Martial artists. To her, a merchant, they lived incomprehensible lives. Was Baek Su-gyeong saying he was one of them?
Jin A-gyeong sighed faintly and met his eyes. "You're extraordinary, my lord."
"'Extraordinary' is too kind. 'Stubborn as hell' fits better. Pure mule-headedness."
Self-aware words. No amount of money could bend his iron will—a peculiar stubborn streak he'd had even as a modern writer, something rebellious and odd that set him apart.
"But that's why I've survived this long," Baek Su-gyeong said. "So, I'll pretend I didn't hear Master Jin's offer."
"My lord..."
"Of course, I won't stop you from visiting here..."
Jin A-gyeong's face brightened slightly. That meant she still had a chance.
"That's enough for me, my lord." She bowed her head.
As she left after her farewell, three women's gazes stabbed into the back of her head.
Teacher...
More women around my lord!
Another obstacle.
Unaware or uncaring of their thoughts, Baek Su-gyeong rose leisurely and headed to the annex.
"You don't look happy, Master Baek. Something wrong?"
"Nothing like that. Just some things on my mind."
"Hm, if it's not about your writing, I might lend an ear."
Yi Jeon-hyo's consideration drew a faint smile from Baek Su-gyeong.
"Not that deep a worry. But I haven't seen Young Master Yi lately?"
"That boy? Since you arrived, he hasn't left his room. Scared of you, it seems."
Yi Jeon-hyo sighed. Among Yongmun Family's three sons, Yi Jeon-hwi was the biggest headache.
He set down his teacup with a grumble. "No martial talent, so I tried raising him as a merchant, but the moment you left, he reverted. Been like that ever since. One reason I regret not keeping you here."
"...I see."
"You're calmer than I expected, Master Baek."
"Young Master Yi was my first real student with my meager skills. As I said then."
Baek Su-gyeong sipped his Yongjeong tea and set the cup down.
"People change only if they want to. Young Master Yi lacked both trigger and will. Reverting isn't surprising."
"Still so cold, Master Baek."
"Just stating facts. He still seems to lack that spark, but..."
"That's my worry. Cut his allowance, tried everything—no sign of him shaping up."
Yi Jeon-hyo chuckled ruefully. Plenty of time before leaving Luoyang—likely until April next year. Baek Su-gyeong stroked his chin.
"Mind if I take another look at Young Master Yi?"
"Eh?"
Yi Jeon-hyo blinked in surprise. "But don't you barely have time for writing?"
"If you're set on making him a merchant, leave him to me. Send him to Lady So and Gyeongun to learn the ropes—might change him."
"Oh! Brilliant!"
"Learning at Yongmun's own group is fine, but you've tried that already?"
Yi Jeon-hyo nodded. No matter how talentless and unmotivated, he was his son. He'd pulled strings everywhere. But Yi Jeon-hwi had blown them all, proving his incompetence. Even Yongmun Escort Bureau soured on him; Yongmun Merchant Group treated him as nonexistent. His status as Yongmun heir couldn't cover it.
"Staying till April, so I'll earn my keep and take him on again."
"Thank you, Master Baek! Truly!"
"Just paying room and board. Lady So will do the heavy lifting."
Baek Su-gyeong planned to fix Yi Jeon-hwi's habits for good this time. He lifted his teacup.
"If he won't listen, a beating's fine, right, my lord?"
"I'd permit it. Just don't go too hard."
"No beatings. Just more homework." Baek Su-gyeong grinned. "Whether martial artist, merchant, or something else—that's for him to decide. Without self-knowledge, he'll wander forever, achieving nothing, toppled by the wind. Time's on our side; I'll talk to him."
"Argh! With Master Baek home, I can't even go out!"
Yi Jeon-hwi rolled on his bed, screaming in frustration. The tiger tutor from his childhood staying over was stress enough; him settling in like he owned the place choked him.
Recalling Baek Su-gyeong's harsh lessons kept him up nights.
"Damn it, leave Luoyang already... Only then can I be free!!"
Meals with three women attending Baek Su-gyeong twisted his gut with envy; daily torment burned his insides.
"Damn, why'd he have to be there?!"
Tripwire prank on a waiter backfired—the waiter recognized Baek Su-gyeong. Winter in Luoyang till April—no Hubei trip.
"Damn, damn, damn..."
This winter meant awkward cohabitation. Scratching bedsheets in despair, a knock sounded.
He snapped irritably. "Who is it? I said don't bother me!"
"It's me, Young Master Yi."
Baek Su-gyeong's voice paled him.
"M-Master Baek?"
"Come out. Got work for you."
"N-No! Not again...!"
"Can't help it then. Lady Namgung, open it."
"Yes, Teacher."
The locked door rattled open as if forced—Namgung So-min's doing. Winter chill rushed in; Yi Jeon-hwi shivered. Baek Su-gyeong stormed in, grabbed his ear.
"Brace yourself for winter."
"Ow! Master, not the ear! Ack!"
"Listen when I talk?"
Baek Su-gyeong yanked impassively. "Out, or it comes off—I warned you."
"I'll go! Not the ear!"
Dragged like a ringed pig, Yi Jeon-hwi gazed skyward. Heaven had abandoned him.
Namgung So-min eyed the dragged boy coldly. "Teach Young Master Yi, Teacher?"
"You and Lady Gal take turns on basics."
Emphasizing basics, cold smiles curled on the two women—sans So Ssaang-a.
"We'll drill him thoroughly, Teacher."
"Not thrilled, but for your request, Teacher Baek."
"Lady So, once trained, take them to Gyeongun for grunt work. Lord's approval secured—no issues."
"Yes, my lord."
Feeling their icy stares, Yi Jeon-hwi trembled. This winter was doomed.
Hyangwol-ah, oppa's coming...
Mid-November turning to end. Yi Jeon-hwi's survival saga began.