Chapter 67
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: A Surprisingly Reasonable Man
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Jeong Dae-hyeon turned out to be far more reasonable than expected.
He wasn't particularly talkative, but the conversation flowed smoothly without any hitches.
Jeong Hyun-su's timely interjections helped keep things on track.
He'd stayed dead silent when Jeong Dae-hyeon was testing Yeon Sung-hun, putting on a real show, but now he was chiming in at just the right moments. It was downright infuriating.
'These two rich bastards really click, don't they.'
One would toss out a topic just right, and the other would hammer it home relentlessly.
It was the kind of combo that could mesmerize anyone if they let their guard down.
More than enough to turn a sharp mind into a fool.
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue briefly and calmly sized up Jeong Dae-hyeon.
'He looks like some uptight, rigid knight captain...'
But inside? As shady as you'd expect from an underworld heavyweight.
For a fleeting moment, he reminded him of a steadfast knight captain from his past life, but Yeon Sung-hun quickly shook it off.
'Way too slimy to compare to him.'
Putting this black-hearted guy next to that knight captain from his past life felt like an insult to the man.
Depending on the angle, it might even insult Jeong Dae-hyeon.
"So, what I'm saying is... Hm? You listening to me?"
"Yeah, I am. So, the problem is those other underworld thugs stirring things up lately, right?"
"Ugh... Don't say it like that in front of this underworld trash; it's embarrassing..."
"I didn't even call them trash..."
Jeong Hyun-su shrugged lightly at Yeon Sung-hun, who clicked his tongue again.
"Anyway, like we've been saying, the capital region is mostly under control. Dad's been running himself ragged cleaning it up."
"The issue is the provinces."
"Distance is a factor, and neither Dad nor I can just up and leave whenever."
Yeon Sung-hun, who had been listening quietly, furrowed his brow slightly.
"So, you're asking me to step in?"
"Not exactly, but you're the only one we trust with this."
"At your level, it shouldn't be a big deal."
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue again at the two trading words back and forth.
"You didn't test me for nothing at the start."
"We heard reports, but I needed to see it myself."
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue once more at Jeong Dae-hyeon's calm response, as if it were the most natural thing.
This side of him even resembled the knight captain from his past life.
"...Fine. I get the reasoning, but why should I do you this favor?"
"Good for good, right? Can't you just help us out a little?"
"We'll make the reward worth it."
Jeong Hyun-su and even Jeong Dae-hyeon were begging with uncharacteristically low postures.
Yeon Sung-hun crossed his arms quietly, pondering.
"What's the reward?"
"Cash wouldn't mean much to someone raking it in like you."
Jeong Dae-hyeon glanced at Jeong Hyun-su.
Jeong Hyun-su rose silently, fetching a storage box from one side of the office.
Thud—the heavy box hit the table, drawing Yeon Sung-hun's interest.
"Hm. What's that?"
"Rewards we prepared for you."
Jeong Dae-hyeon carefully opened the lid.
Inside were a pair of earrings and a bracelet.
Faint mana flowed from them—clearly no ordinary items.
"Gear from a rift ruin not long ago. Plenty died getting these."
Jeong Hyun-su spoke flatly as Yeon Sung-hun examined them.
"Mana boost and body enhancement. Plus individual enchantments on each."
"Hm. I thought you didn't have appraisal skills?"
"Don't need 'em to get the gist."
Yeon Sung-hun replied nonchalantly, glancing up.
The two men were watching him silently.
"That's it for the reward?"
"...You want more?"
"Good for good, right? Cough up a bit more."
Jeong Hyun-su sighed softly, thrown back his own words.
"...Not easy, huh."
He raised both hands in surrender, prompting Jeong Dae-hyeon to speak lowly.
"Bring that one."
As if they'd anticipated this, the pair showed no hesitation.
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue at the display.
They'd prepared more from the start.
"You could've laid it all out upfront."
"Even if we did, you'd have asked for more anyway."
Jeong Hyun-su had grown good at reading him after all this time.
Yeon Sung-hun shrugged as if to say so what?, and Jeong Hyun-su fetched another box.
Just like before, it opened to reveal a single ring inside.
"Since when does the Black Market run an accessory shop?"
"Wasn't intentional."
Jeong Hyun-su shook his head lightly and asked as Yeon Sung-hun inspected the ring.
"What do you think?"
"Top-tier, not far off the others... No, better."
The previous items were solid, but this ring was leagues ahead.
Its base effects were a step up, and several he couldn't identify right away.
'Honestly, this alone would make it a steal.'
Yeon Sung-hun marveled inwardly without showing it, prompting Jeong Hyun-su to click his tongue.
"Can't appraise it, huh."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
Jeong Hyun-su spoke flatly to Yeon Sung-hun's puzzled look.
"It's the 'Blessing of Water' ring. Belonged to that famous 'Red River'."
"'Red River'...?"
"Yeah. Choi Yeon-ah from your guild."
"Whoa..."
This time, even Yeon Sung-hun couldn't hide his exclamation.
"How'd you get this?"
"Was with 'Immortal' originally. Hit the underworld when they disbanded."
"...So you were holding onto it?"
"Yeah. Planned to flip it later."
"Bet you played up every favor while handing it over."
"Isn't that standard?"
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled at Jeong Hyun-su's feigned confusion.
"Anyway, thanks for thinking of me."
"If you're grateful, handle this job right. It's big for us... Hope you're satisfied with just this..."
"Business is business, personal is personal."
"Tch. Really not easy."
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled again at Jeong Hyun-su shaking his head, then turned to Jeong Dae-hyeon.
The man, who had quietly reviewed documents during their talk, glanced up.
"Talk over?"
"Asking that after eavesdropping the whole time."
"...Heard it before, but you're one prickly bastard."
"Comes with the company."
"...Doesn't yield an inch. No respect for elders."
"Respect for underworld thugs? You serious?"
"...Now I'm curious. How many livers you got in there? Mind if I crack you open?"
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled at Jeong Dae-hyeon, just as he had at Jeong Hyun-su.
His past life's underworld dealings did make him pricklier here, he had to admit.
It stirred memories, getting him a bit excited even.
"So, we're done here?"
"Yeah. Send the materials..."
"To Team Leader Gye, as usual."
"Got it."
Jeong Hyun-su nodded and asked as Yeon Sung-hun turned to leave.
"Not taking those?"
Yeon Sung-hun nodded at the rewards on the table.
"After the job's done."
"Like that about you—clean."
"Gotta keep business separate."
Jeong Hyun-su handed over the box with the Blessing of Water.
"This was gonna go to you anyway, not really payment. Take it now."
"...Appreciate the gesture."
Yeon Sung-hun tucked it away carefully and glanced at Jeong Dae-hyeon.
The man, looking impassive, spoke quietly.
"Good seeing you. Until next time."
"...Yeah. Hopefully more normally next time."
Jeong Dae-hyeon chuckled at the reference to the initial test, then returned to his papers.
So different, yet oddly like the knight captain from his past life.
Yeon Sung-hun shook his head lightly and left the Black Market with Jeong Hyun-su's escort.
After seeing Yeon Sung-hun off and returning to the office, Jeong Hyun-su asked quietly.
"So, what'd you think seeing him yourself, Dad—not just reports?"
"Arrogant punk."
Jeong Dae-hyeon replied without looking up from his papers.
"Told you. He's always like that."
"Yeah. Exactly as you said."
Jeong Hyun-su smiled faintly at his father's impassive document-scanning.
"You like him, huh?"
"...Like some arrogant punk? If he wasn't useful, I'd..."
"Your lip's twitching up, though."
Jeong Dae-hyeon reflexively touched his mouth.
Jeong Hyun-su chuckled at the sight.
Jeong Dae-hyeon set down his papers with a low sigh.
"...Didn't cower at all in front of me."
"Guy's got guts."
"...Still nothing suspicious?"
"Checked a dozen times. Nothing special. Rough family situation aside, totally ordinary."
"...Changed completely after awakening?"
"Fits 'awakened' perfectly. Nothing notable before."
"Amazing."
"And fun."
Jeong Dae-hyeon nodded at Jeong Hyun-su's addition.
"Yeah. Real entertaining. I like him."
Jeong Hyun-su grinned at his father's blunt admission.
"Right? Knew it the moment I saw him. That's why I shared the safehouse."
"...Still sulking over that scolding?"
"Wasn't just scolding. You looked ready to kill me."
"Fine, fine. My bad. You're always right."
Jeong Dae-hyeon sighed lowly.
"Like your mom—such a pain in the..."
"I'll tell her everything."
"You gotta hear our proverbs to the end."
Jeong Dae-hyeon sighed again at his son's grin.
"...Anyway, good pick, like you said."
"That much?"
"A bit arrogant, but I like how he doesn't flinch. Others tremble just standing before me."
"You always glare too hard. Loosen up those eyes."
"...You let me, so I spout nonsense..."
Jeong Hyun-su raised his hands quickly at Jeong Dae-hyeon's glare.
He surrendered fast, but he'd climb back up soon enough.
'This one, that one—even my own son lacks respect for elders.'
Was expecting that from underworld folk too much to ask, like Yeon Sung-hun said?
Jeong Dae-hyeon sighed lowly and propped his chin.
"If only I had a daughter to marry him off to..."
"...That into him?"
"Yeah. Shame you're a son, not a daughter."
"Making your son jealous?"
Ignoring the nonsense, Jeong Dae-hyeon stroked his chin.
"...Pair him with Su-ah?"
"...My daughter's only eight."
"Twelve... no, ten years. Not bad."
"...No way as a dad. Su-ah's staying with me forever."
"...Just testing. Stop glaring unless you wanna go blind."
Jeong Hyun-su quickly averted his eyes from the glare.
Jeong Dae-hyeon sighed yet again.
He'd called it a joke to his son, but there was real intent behind it.
Objectively, Yeon Sung-hun was prime material.
Personality aside, his abilities were undeniable.
Potions, leadership—not bad at all.
And that wealth? A bottomless gold mine.
Raking it in for months now.
Black Market records were jaw-dropping.
'For my cute granddaughter, marrying her to that arrogant punk might feel bad... No, actually, for Su-ah's sake, even more so...'
Better than some fool elsewhere. Yeon Sung-hun was top groom candidate.
A bit uncomfortable taking him as grandson-in-law, but he'd endure for her rosy future.
Without asking Yeon Sung-hun's thoughts, Jeong Dae-hyeon mentally slotted him as future grandson-in-law.
Even after Yeon Sung-hun left, the father-son duo shared an unusually peaceful chat, unbefitting underworld figures.