My Friend Called Cheonma - Chapter 36
A few days later, late evening at the Cheong-ho Bang training ground.
"Let's call it here for today."
Ha Hu-jin, panting heavily, scrunched up his already weary face even more.
"What? We haven't even done half yet."
"I've got a lot on my plate."
As he spoke, Mu Yun sent a transmission.
—It's been a while since some flies buzzed in.
Instead of surprise, Ha Hu-jin just tilted his head.
—Are there still shit-stains in Chim-ju who can't tell their ass from their elbow?
As Yeogwak Merchant Guild grew, the early days were plagued by assassins, thieves, and spies sniffing around nonstop. With rumors of silver coffers even in the gang leader's bedroom on top of the booming business, it was no wonder. But Mu Yun handled every single one that came, so for the past year, they'd all but dried up.
Mu Yun threw up a light qi barrier and continued.
"The one we're waiting for isn't showing, and it's just more randos this time too."
"The one we're waiting for?"
"Something like that."
Ha Hu-jin had been coming and going for three years now. He'd guessed it back when Mu Yun had casually dropped the silver coffer rumor to freak him out.
"Jeok-un Mun?"
"Don't worry about it. You'll get hurt."
Ha Hu-jin decided to ask while the topic was hot.
"What're you planning with us?"
Jeok-un Mun seemed like they already had a plan in place, so no need to pry there. What he was curious about was naturally their ties to the clan. Lately, even Ha Hu Sega wasn't just watching idly anymore.
Mu Yun flashed a light smile.
"What, scared we'll fight?"
"That's why I'm asking—'cause I can't read you!"
He was the type who needed at least a rough outline.
"What's the enemy of my enemy?"
"……An ally!"
"That answer your question?"
"Well, yeah, that's a relief and all. But you know the mood's getting tense, right?"
Mu Yun had a question of his own, perfect timing.
"Speaking of, Ha Hu-tae—that guy's coming, yeah?"
Ha Hu-jin's face twisted instantly.
"Yeah. In two or three months, he said."
"Should be a show."
"This ain't someone else's problem."
"It's like watching your neighbor's house burn."
"Hey, asshole! I'm seriously thinking of running away from home this time. And my so-called friend can only talk like that?!"
Mu Yun was genuinely all for it.
"Do it. They'll just use you from both sides anyway."
"Use me? What power do I even have?"
"There's drawing cards and discarding ones."
"Who doesn't know that! But that's only if I'm worth something. You know I've been dead quiet for three years."
Mu Yun's eyes deepened for a moment.
Now was the time to ask. The answer seemed obvious, but he needed to hear it straight.
"If you had to pick one, who would it be?"
Ha Hu Cheon-gi, the young lord with no forces beyond the clan. Or the second son, backed by the Five Great Clans' Seolmun-ga.
Ha Hu-jin answered without hesitation, as if the prayer beads wouldn't even turn.
"That even a question?"
"……!"
Ha Hu Sega, Chim-ju's top righteous martial clan, and Jeok-un Mun, the supreme unorthodox force.
Jeok-un Mun was an enemy they could never walk with—time was the only issue. And Jeok-un Mun knew that now too.
Yet they stayed put for two reasons. One, Mu Yun's business kept expanding. And the clincher: kill Mu Yun, and everything falls into place anytime.
Of course, that was Mu Yun's deliberate plan.
All-out war was risky with no other top-tier fighters besides him—unknown damages possible.
So this was the best play.
'Kill Seol Do-seung, and Jeok-un Mun's done.'
Sure, taking out Seol Do-seung first was an option too. Might have to if things went south.
But considering the merchant world, everything needed to flow naturally, tangled in cause and effect for no loose ends.
Luring was the right strategy now.
'The hasty one loses.'
Yet for the past year, despite tossing bait like the silver coffers and him moving solo, Seol Do-seung showed no sign of biting.
'Greedy bastard. Patient too.'
He knew it was greed to fatten him up first.
But they were at a point where delay could mean missing the window.
'Means he's that confident. Other forces in play.'
Beyond the righteous and unorthodox in each region, various martial groups existed.
Escort agencies were prime examples, though more often tied to merchants or righteous/unorthodox clans than independent.
Others: Hao mun handling info first. Ya-jep managing human trafficking, brothels, and pleasure houses. Black markets for shady goods, martial arts, anything profitable. Salt and music smugglers Yeom-sang and Eum-sang. Assassins' Salmak.
These varied by region—some had them, some didn't.
Chim-ju's strong Ha Hu Sega meant no Ya-jep or Salmak. Left were black markets and smugglers Yeom-sang and Eum-sang.
Nominally independent, but mostly Jeok-un Mun puppets.
These three were Jeok-un Mun's cash cows. Sure, unorthodox tribute from merchants was big, but those merchants protected these three too.
Anyway, clash time with Jeok-un Mun was nearing.
And Ha Hu Sega, Chim-ju's top power. They'd coexist even after crushing Jeok-un Mun.
Mu Yun's goal was just doing what he wanted freely—no expansion.
So he needed to pick someone to build ties with.
No one thrilled him, but no better options.
'Young lord Ha Hu Cheon-gi.'
Minus trash Ha Hu-tae, that was it.
One more reason to back Ha Hu Cheon-gi. Thinking of it brought a bitter smile.
Mu Yun shook his head.
'First, these flies buzzing in my ear.'
Time to swat the flies. Pretty skilled for flies—had to tail the one who'd slipped in.
Mu Yun slipped into his room, then melted into the night.
Sararak!
＊ ＊ ＊
The next day, in the Cheong-ho Bang leader's office.
"What? Ha-jo Escort Agency?"
"Yeah. They were huddled deep in talk with their head."
Yeon Sa-gu couldn't help tilting his head.
"Weird. Even if they're in-laws, Jeok-un Mun wouldn't drag them into your business. Hear anything?"
"Couldn't."
"Transmission, huh."
"Nah, qi barrier up. Felt like it'd tip 'em if I pierced it, so I held back."
Yeon Sa-gu's lips curled in curiosity.
"Ho! This is getting fun. Someone putting up that strong a barrier?"
"Not the head—one of the three looked Cho-jeol-jeong. Movements screamed it."
"Word is Ha-jo Mun's only got the lord and one or two elders at that level. Elder then, or a hidden card."
Gong Ya-seong, beside them, furrowed his brow.
He knew the merchant world had its own intel nets too.
"But Jeok-un Mun showed no movement."
"Same from my watch. Seol Jin-gwang and the lord's brother just boozing as usual."
Gong Ya-seong's eyes flashed.
The two right under the lord acting like that meant...
"Ha-jo Mun's moving solo."
"That's my take too."
Gong Ya-seong eyed Mu Yun.
"What now? Handle quiet like before?"
Yeon Sa-gu chimed in, looking bored.
"Gotta, yeah. Not even Jeok-un Mun's doing."
No worry on either face. They knew Mu Yun's power best.
Then Mu Yun's eyes gleamed.
Waiting wasn't everything.
'Time to show it. Like in Sin-gang.'
How he'd gone to Sin-gang with Yeo Hwi and taken root.
Cheok-go-ryeon to Sin-gang's top in just two years.
Two factors—no, one really. The rest followed.
'Yeo Hwi's overwhelming might! Drew the martial artists naturally.'
Strong warriors were every martial artist's object of awe. Especially young ones—the future brighter.
Those who saw Yeo Hwi's power and potential came on their own.
Didn't flaunt everything at first. That'd just breed caution, drawing enemies.
Staged it over two years by situation.
But Chim-ju's targets differed. Merchants over martial artists, and those tied to them.
Folks hoping Yeogwak thrived but anxious over Jeok-un Mun and Ha Hu lately.
The fix to ease that and bind tighter: conviction the maker wouldn't vanish.
His hard-thought conclusion.
"Let's make it big."
"……Big? How?"
"Merchants are too jittery. Time to spread the word."
Yeon Sa-gu jolted like struck by lightning.
How long he'd waited for this.
His excited breath burst out raw.
"You! For real?!"
Instead of answering, Mu Yun looked to Gong Ya-seong.
"How much silver coffer coming this time?"
"That? Few months' worth—thirty thousand nyang."
"Use that."
"……?"
A bit later, as details wrapped, Yeon Sa-gu tilted his head.
One thing made no sense.
"Why drag Ha Hu Cheon-gi into this? Gotta test if he's worth running with, sure."
"Yeah, but we can forge the bills ourselves. Clean that way. Why beg him? What if it flops and he swallows thirty thousand nyang?"
"Bait."
"Bait?"
"A guy scheming over that much greed ain't worth pushing away—he's for using. Time to check."
"Hey! It's still thirty thousand nyang!"
"Pull it off right, and he won't snag it."
"Hey, man! Variables, variables! Shit never goes exactly to plan!"
"No confidence? Change the plan?"
Yeon Sa-gu shot Gong Ya-seong a puzzled look.
"No! Why ain't you stopping him, Chief Clerk? You can't buy this half-assed scheme, right?"
Gong Ya-seong cleared his throat fake.
"Ahem! Doesn't seem half-assed."
"……Chief Clerk?"
"No time—let's start."
"……?"
Gong Ya-seong knew why Mu Yun was doing this.
'Hoping Ha Hu Cheon-gi swallows the thirty thousand. Clears the debt in one go.'
Even close buddy Yeon Sa-gu couldn't hear some things.
Yu-seon wanted no one but Mu Yun and Gong Ya-seong knowing about So-ryeo's father.
＊ ＊ ＊
Next day, Ha Hu Money House.
Head Ha Hu Mo-in's mouth gaped like a pumpkin.
'Thirty thousand nyang in silver coffers!'
Fees for bills weren't small, but silver gained value held. Thirty thousand nyang of it.
Big deal like that, carrier personally lugging coffers? Grinning wide was baseline.
A black path gang leader? To merchants, those who made money were supreme.
"Haha! Long time no see, and you bring big. Thanks."
"I'll be visiting often now."
Ha Hu Mo-in tilted his head.
"What's that mean? Yeogwak's main trade's with Seongu House."
"Splitting half-half from now."
Ha Hu Mo-in blinked repeatedly.
"……Half-half? All silver volume?"
"Output's growing, but one spot's risky."
Merchants should grin big here.
"Haha! Smart move. Spread the risk. Who in Chim-ju more trustworthy than us?"
"Please take care from here."
"No worries. I'll watch close."
"Three ten-thousand nyang bills. I'll wait."
Instantly, the merchant's eyes sharpened.
Now as Ha Hu elder, not trader.
Time to arrange the secretly requested meet.
"Got it. Wait in that room. Handle quick."
"Sure."
＊ ＊ ＊
Inside the manor, secret chamber.
Heavy silence filled the room awhile.
Soon, Ha Hu Cheon-gi voiced his burning doubt.
"Never thought you'd want to see me."
"Time for it now."
"Time? What?"
"Time to help each other."
Ha Hu Cheon-gi's eyes chilled sharper. A sly smile crept up, turning to a snort.
With myriad thoughts swirling, he couldn't help it.
“Help? Kek! Do I really look that desperate to you? Like I need a black path gang leader’s help? Heh heh heh!”
"Nothing useless in this world? Depends how you use it."
Ha Hu Cheon-gi didn't hide the murder bursting in his eyes.
'This punk dares!'
Reason to rage. Wanted to beat him senseless till he couldn't lift his eyes before words.
Then force him kneeling, head bowed—not enough.
This punk was why his father the patriarch had scolded him countless times.
—“Learn from it. A black path gang leader did it—so what?”
—Father. Even so, can't copy that punk.
—Fool! Who said copy? Analyze deep, adapt to clan business. Learn what we missed.
—Still...
—Idiot! So dense! Find something to show those doubting your young lord spot. Chance right there—why hesitate! Make it yours, no one shakes you. Get my meaning?
—……!
The punk who'd stuffed him full of defeat.
Now saying help each other.
His pride, sunk low, boiled in rage.