Chapter 105: Gathering People-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 105: Gathering People-2
Geum Taesan was currently extremely flustered.
He couldn't help but be.
There were two reasons for his agitation: the first was that he, an in-law of the Tang Clan, had been assigned to the Outer Guest Room; the second was that the room was already crawling with countless others.
As he scanned the faces, he saw they were all individuals boasting illustrious backgrounds.
In the center sat the elders of the Qingcheng and Emei Sects—both members of the Nine Sects and One Gang—along with their disciples. Surrounding them, the leaders of influential merchant guilds had taken their places.
That wasn't all.
From the Unorthodox Path gangs that ruled the underworld of Sichuan to martial artists exuding extraordinary auras, the room was packed.
Furthermore, the in-law families were all present: the Un Clan, the family of the Great Matriarch; the Iwol Merchant Group, the family of the Second Lady; the Jeok Clan, the family of the Fourth Lady; and the Gam Clan, the family of the Fifth Lady. With all these relatives occupying space, there wasn't a single seat left in the Outer Guest Room.
Damn it, I should have come sooner!
Seeing the scene, Geum Taesan lamented inwardly.
The reason they had gathered was obvious without even asking.
They were undoubtedly plotting to devour the massive prey that was the Tang Clan.
The Tang Clan possessed vast business enterprises throughout the Central Plains, enough to be called the greatest family in the land. And because their business interests were so wide-ranging, they had competitors everywhere.
These people were all rivals who had been watching the Tang Clan like hawks, waiting for an opening.
They had surely come to snatch up the businesses at bargain prices after hearing the news that the Tang Clan had fallen.
But from Geum Taesan’s perspective, this was unacceptable.
If the Tang Clan had fallen, the shares of those businesses should naturally go to him, a member of the in-law faction.
To him, everyone in the Outer Guest Room looked like nothing more than thieves.
These thieving bastards!
Geum Taesan steeled his resolve.
If he could just acquire all the prime businesses the Tang Clan owned, Mangeum Bank could rise as the hegemon of Sichuan. No, it would provide the stepping stone to becoming the hegemon of the entire Central Plains.
To pass up such a golden opportunity would be nothing short of insanity.
However, it seemed everyone else shared the same thought.
They were all looking at one another as if they were looking at thieves.
Geum Taesan realized this wouldn't do. He judged that it would be impossible to handle them all and secure the interests alone.
"I say, Head of the Un Clan, what brings you here in person?"
"Oho, are the Un and Tang families strangers? Naturally, I came because I was worried about our Ga-ryeo and my son-in-law. What about you? What brings you here?"
Un Ji-rim, the head of the Un Clan, responded to Geum Taesan’s question.
"I, too, came out of concern for my son-in-law and our Jeok-hwa, as we are family by marriage."
Geum Taesan continued, hiding his true intentions.
"But what on earth are those people doing here?"
"Indeed. No doubt they are like jackals who came running the moment they heard the Tang Clan was ruined, hoping to catch some falling crumbs."
"Tsk, tsk. No matter how much chivalry has declined in the Murim, to think that even Qingcheng and Emei of the Nine Sects would come to the Tang Clan like this."
"You're right. It’s as if the world is coming to an end."
"In times like these, shouldn't we stick together to protect the Tang Clan?"
"Of course we should! How could we let the Tang Clan's interests fall into the hands of outsiders?"
Perfect!
Geum Taesan cheered inwardly at the Un Clan Head's reaction.
Judging by his response, he also seemed burdened by the presence of Qingcheng and Emei. That was why he had snapped up the hand Geum Taesan offered.
A smile played on Geum Taesan’s lips.
If it was too difficult alone, he just had to bring in the other in-law factions. If they joined forces, even Qingcheng and Emei wouldn't be able to treat them lightly.
Afterward, Geum Taesan approached the head of the Jeok Clan, the leader of the Iwol Merchant Group, and the head of the Gam Clan, subtly suggesting cooperation.
Their feelings were no different from Un Ji-rim’s, and they readily accepted Geum Taesan’s request for an alliance. They, too, were well aware that they couldn't succeed alone.
It was the moment an unspoken alliance among the in-law factions was established.
With the in-law factions backing him, Geum Taesan felt fearless.
Though they might not match the power of the Qingcheng or Emei Sects individually, if they united as one, they would possess influence and strength comparable to them.
Geum Taesan slowly began to step into the center of the room.
He intended to strip the outsiders of their justification for being there.
The center was occupied by the Qingcheng and Emei Sects.
The Taoists of Qingcheng, in particular, glared at him as if they wanted to kill him, but he pressed forward with a brazen face.
It was a calculated confidence, based on the belief that as members of prestigious sects, they wouldn't kill him without a valid reason.
"Ahem. I am Geum Taesan, the father-in-law of the Poison King Tang Jin-cheol, the Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan. I have stepped forward because I wish to say a few words to everyone gathered here."
Standing in the center, Geum Taesan raised his voice, letting it ring loudly throughout the Outer Guest Room.
The moment he spoke, the eyes of the many people in the room turned toward him.
Gulp.
Geum Taesan swallowed hard.
The concentrated gaze of so many people exerted a significant amount of pressure.
But he couldn't afford to be intimidated here. If things continued like this, it would surely turn into a muddy brawl. He had to drive them out.
"I believe that the many people gathered here have come out of concern for the Tang Clan and to offer help in case of an emergency. As a relative of the Tang Clan, I wish to express my deepest gratitude."
Geum Taesan bowed deeply toward them. Then, he slowly straightened up and continued.
"However, the Tang Clan is currently in a position where it must reorganize and plan for the future as quickly as possible. Therefore, we do not have the luxury of welcoming so many external guests. I will be sure to convey your concern for the clan to the Head, so why don't you all head back for today?"
It was then.
"And who might you be?"
A man dressed in exceptionally high-quality robes spoke up, looking at Geum Taesan.
"Did I not just say? I am a relative of the current Clan Head."
"So, what is your surname?"
"...It is Geum."
"Then shut your mouth. Where do you think you're trying to pull a fast one?"
Geum Taesan’s complexion stiffened at the man's words.
He had clearly stated his identity, yet what was this insolence?
"You go too far with your words!"
"Too far, my foot. Aren't you all just gathered here to tear off a piece of the Tang Clan for yourselves?"
"What? That's preposterous!!"
"If it's not, then why raise your voice? Regardless, I have come to acquire the Tang Clan's business enterprises. I haven't the slightest intention of worrying about or helping the Tang Clan."
The man spoke his mind bitingly. He found the sight of someone trying to pull a stunt using their status as an in-law utterly distasteful.
"What insolence! To speak like that while knowing the Tang Clan's situation! Do you have no sense of chivalry?"
"Hmph. Where would a merchant find chivalry? There is only money."
The man snorted at Geum Taesan’s words and continued.
"Who do you think you are to spout such reckless words!"
Geum Taesan raised his voice. He couldn't afford to be swept away. If he lost ground here, he wouldn't even be able to recover his initial investment.
"I am Ga Jin-myeong, the leader of the Taehwa Merchant Group. Surely you've heard the name?"
"The 'Golden Hand' Ga Jin-myeong!"
Geum Taesan asked back in shock at the man's answer.
The Taehwa Merchant Group—was that not the massive guild known as one of the Five Great Merchants of the Central Plains?
The Taehwa Merchant Group was a giant guild that had grown as an in-law family of the Imperial Court, primarily supplying goods to the palace.
Was it not said that the easiest money to take was the state's money?
Though its history was short, the Taehwa Merchant Group had used the enormous profits from imperial supplies to expand its business, rising to the rank of the Five Great Merchants within just twenty years of its founding.
And Ga Jin-myeong was the legendary figure who had grown the Taehwa Merchant Group from a small guild into the titan it was today.
His business acumen was so great that every venture he touched became a massive success, raking in heaps of gold—hence his nickname, "Golden Hand."
But why would a man who was practically rotting in money come looking for the Tang Clan?
"No... why would the leader of the Taehwa Merchant Group come to the Tang Clan..."
Geum Taesan spoke to him in a shrinking voice.
"Didn't I tell you? I came to acquire the Tang Clan's businesses. I was thinking of expanding my business lately, and then I heard the news that the Tang Clan had fallen. I dropped everything and ran here first."
This was the truth.
The Golden Hand, Ga Jin-myeong, had been looking for a new business venture. He had plenty of idle capital but was struggling to find a worthwhile place to use it.
However, because the Five Great Merchants, the Six Great Clans, and the Nine Sects were all competing in every region, there was no suitable place to establish a foothold.
Then, he heard the news that the Tang Clan had suffered near-total destruction at the hands of the Demonic Cult.
Ga Jin-myeong had cheered.
He had been eyeing the Tang Clan's weapon distribution business for some time. Even if the same materials were used, weapons made by the Tang Clan fetched a higher price, likely due to the prestige of their name.
He intended to use this opportunity to sign an exclusive contract at a bargain price and distribute the Tang Clan's weapons. Of course, it would be even better if he could lure away the Tang Clan's blacksmiths.
Furthermore, it was an opportunity to seize all of Sichuan's prime businesses, not just the weapon distribution. If he could take over the Tang Clan's enterprises as they were, becoming the number one merchant guild in the Central Plains, not just one of the five, would no longer be a dream.
He had been waiting for the Tang Clan's representative while filled with such dreams, so he couldn't help but be angry when some random nobody stepped forward to ruin the mood.
An in-law was just an in-law; by what right did he tell people to come and go?
".........."
Geum Taesan fell silent at his answer. He had nothing to say to someone who was being so brazen.
"By what right do you tell us to leave or stay?"
"Exactly! Who do you think you are to tell us to go? You're the one who should leave!"
"We came to acquire the Tang Clan's businesses. If anyone's leaving, it's you."
"We also came to escape the Tang Clan's shadow and become independent. Why don't you leave?"
Numerous people agreed with Ga Jin-myeong's words and began to jeer at Geum Taesan.
Geum Taesan’s face turned beet red at their mockery. He quickly retreated to the back where the in-law families were gathered. He felt that staying any longer would only lead to further humiliation.
"And while I'm at it, I'll say one more thing."
The leader of the Taehwa Merchant Group stepped forward as Geum Taesan retreated.
"As I said before, I came here with the intention of acquiring the Tang Clan's businesses. I believe most of the people here share that opinion. Therefore, I will make one thing clear: the Taehwa Merchant Group intends to monopolize the weapon business no matter what. Don't any of you even think about eyeing it."
"By what right does the Taehwa Merchant Group claim that!"
A man stepped forward and spoke.
"Who are you, and where are you from?"
"I am Gi Ju-ja of the Daemyeong Merchant Group!"
"Daemyeong... if it's not too much trouble, may I ask where your base of operations is?"
The man's face flushed at Ga Jin-myeong's question.
"How can you not know Daemyeong, one of the ten great merchant guilds of Shandong!"
"My apologies. I cannot possibly know the names of every small regional guild."
Ga Jin-myeong continued calmly.
"Then let me ask: does Daemyeong have more money than Taehwa?"
"Th-that is not the case."
Though it was called one of the ten great guilds of Shandong, compared to Taehwa, one of the Five Great Merchants of the Central Plains, it was nothing more than a firefly before a full moon.
"Then let me ask another: do you have connections in the Imperial Court?"
"...That is also not the case."
Forget connections in the Imperial Court; they didn't even have proper ties with the Governor of Shandong Province.
"Then on what basis did you dare to run your mouth in front of me?"
"............."
The man fell silent at Ga Jin-myeong's biting words. Though Ga Jin-myeong's attitude seemed rude, his words weren't wrong, so the man couldn't say anything in response.
"I will say this clearly: anyone who eyes the weapon-related business will be considered an enemy of the Taehwa Merchant Group. Keep that in mind!"
At his words, no one in the Outer Guest Room could open their mouth.
This was one of the Five Great Merchants of the Central Plains. Moreover, the opponent was the Golden Hand Ga Jin-myeong, who was said to rake in gold like a harvester. Who would want to make an enemy of him?
This was the same for Qingcheng and Emei. Though his behavior was quite arrogant, he wasn't someone they needed to deal with. In the first place, they had no interest in the weapon business, and making an enemy of one of the Five Great Merchants would be quite troublesome even for the Nine Sects.
Everyone simply remained silent.
Ga Jin-myeong, seemingly very pleased with the sight, returned to his seat. It looked like he would be able to secure the weapon-related business exclusively. Who could step forward after he had intimidated them like this using the name of the Taehwa Merchant Group?
A satisfied smile hung on his lips.
It was then.
Creeeeeak.
The door to the Outer Guest Room opened, and a man appeared.
A man with a cold expression entered the room, exuding an aura as sharp as a honed blade. The man stared at Ga Jin-myeong with a gaze filled with chilling frost.
"Clan... Head."
That was right. The identity of the man who had entered the Outer Guest Room was the Poison King, Tang Jin-cheol.
"You are sharing some very interesting words."
Tang Jin-cheol, who had been watching him, finally spoke.
Ga Jin-myeong stared at him with a look of intense tension.