The Black Flame Dragon That Reveals Itself (2)
Long, grown eyelashes. Beneath them, deep eyes sparkling in the moonlight. The light makeup made her face look pure and youthful, but the red palace dress, subtly accentuating her figure, evoked the image of a mature woman. Depending on the angle, she could pass for a fairy—or a courtesan. It was refreshingly novel to see so many facets in one person. And once you heard her introduction, yet another layer was added.
"Greetings. I am Jeong Soeul of the Eunha Merchant Group."
Her courtesy was neither excessive nor lacking. A natural elegance, honed over long years, emanated from her entire being.
"The Eunha Merchant Group..."
Before I could finish, a smile bloomed on Jeong Soeul's lips.
"Yes. It's the one you're thinking of."
Deep pride colored her voice. After all, her father was Jeong Simho, one of the Four Great Merchants alongside the Wang Merchant Group, wielding immense influence centered in Henan and the old Wei territories through generations of commerce. They were rivals and partners with the Wangs, who dominated logistics in the southeast from Anhui.
But still.
"Why would the Eunha Merchant Group seek me out?"
At my question, Jeong Soeul turned to Wang Soso. With a huff, Wang Soso whipped her head away.
"I've heard tales of your fame shaking the world lately, Young Master Jin, and sought a meeting out of admiration. But for some reason, my request never reached you properly, so I took the liberty of coming myself."
"Hah! What nonsense is—!"
Wang Soso tried to butt in, but Jeong Soeul ignored her and looked up at me again. Her large eyes were moist and glistening, like a clear lake tempting one to dive in and clash bodies at any moment.
"Young Master Jin, you're even more composed and imposing than the rumors suggest... My heart races so much, I can't bear to look long."
"...Hah! Really... Hah! Really!"
Her stunning beauty, mesmerizing curves, and innocent words were more than enough to rattle any man's heart and mind.
"Oh... I've said too much. Forgive my rudeness."
Jeong Soeul bowed her head again. Strangely, each time she moved, a different scent wafted from her. It had been sweet moments ago; now it was the cool, fresh floral aroma of wildflowers.
She's skilled.
What surprised me most was how natural every gesture and word felt. As if everything was predestined, flowing in perfect order. Any man aware of his own manhood couldn't help but fall for her.
I might have too.
If I didn't know who she was.
She smiled brightly and signaled her attendant, who handed her an invitation envelope. Like her dress, it was red silk embroidered with gold thread.
"Will you accept this token of my desire to get to know you better, Young Master?"
She extended it with hands white as snow.
"Jin O..."
Wang Soso tried to interject, but clamped her mouth shut under Jeong Soeul's leisurely gaze, pouting in frustration. She'd realized butting in without permission was unbecoming.
I turned from Wang Soso to face Jeong Soeul.
"Lady Jeong..."
"Call me Soeul."
As if.
"...Lady Jeong, I have one question."
I stuck to the formal address, but she didn't flinch.
"What is it?"
"Is this invitation from you personally? Or in the name of the Eunha Merchant Group?"
"Hehe. Does it make a difference?"
"Of course it does."
"..."
For a split second, bewilderment flickered across Jeong Soeul's face before vanishing.
"Hmm... I'm not sure. Would you enlighten me?"
"If it's personal, I'll decline. If it's from the Eunha Merchant Group, Wang Soso already rejected it for me, so no need to accept."
"...!"
Jeong Soeul and Wang Soso's eyes widened in unison. They looked like two rabbits startled by a tiger.
"...S-so, you're refusing either way?"
Jeong Soeul couldn't hide her fluster—this was clearly a first for her.
"For some reason..."
She started to press, then shut her mouth, visibly calculating the situation.
I didn't give her more time and turned to leave.
"Then I'll be going."
I strode ahead; Wang Soso stuck her tongue out at Jeong Soeul and followed triumphantly.
You look happier than I do.
"Jin Oraboni!"
Wang Soso clung to my arm and whispered.
"See? My eyes never lie. It's always you, Jin Oraboni."
I had no idea what she meant and almost asked, but held back. Gossiping in front of the rejected party was the height of rudeness.
I felt a hot glare on the back of my head.
After entering the office, I recounted the encounter to Father and Lord Wang.
Their reactions were odd.
"Sowoon, you... As expected of the Wang Merchant Group..."
"Father!"
"Ahem... Sorry. Anyway, Taesan, didn't you tell him?"
"..."
A heavy silence, hinting at some prior issue, hung between the three.
"...I didn't want to worry him."
Father's blunt words drew a headshake from Lord Wang.
"Anyway..."
"What's going on?"
"Well... if there's something, there is."
With the Great Heaven Merchant Group expanding into Zhejiang's Hangzhou, they needed more luxury goods, but supply was bottlenecked. Most visitors there were sons of nobles or high officials, demanding top-tier items usually made in northern Hebei. But most Hebei artisans were tied to the Eunha Merchant Group or affiliates, so no direct access without their approval.
"They need Jiangnan grain and silk too, so we agreed on equal exchange, but they're dragging their feet without stamping the deal."
"Don't they have other sources for grain and silk?"
Lord Wang nodded.
"Not as good as Jiangnan, but they have networks in Sichuan, Guizhou, and Hunan."
The Eunha's main partner was the Wangs. Knowing the Wangs needed luxuries for the Great Heaven Group, they proposed new terms.
"That must be why she brought the invitation."
"The Eunha is celebrating 180 years. They're gathering martial artists to demonstrate at the event."
While song and dance were staples at banquets, giants like the Eunha showcased their influence. Bragging about their power.
They demanded my attendance as a contract condition.
"They want you to liven things up with a performance."
The easiest way to flaunt influence: make a great talent dance to their tune. For a martial artist, displaying skills before crowds was utter humiliation. A big name performing tricks? Perfect power display.
"They have close ties to Shaolin. Especially the second son, an academy alum. Jeong Sogun—you've heard."
I nodded. Mantongbu records showed him reaching Great Hall Master level.
"I know of Meteor Spear Jeong Sogun."
Plus, showing half-baked skills at a place with Murim Alliance elites and masters?
More likely to embarrass myself.
Inviting me knowing that? Their intent was glaringly obvious—I couldn't help but chuckle.
"They know you're this term's representative, so they're pushing harder."
Makes sense. I'd gotten countless personal invites too. Academy rep sparked massive curiosity, doubled for a small sect disciple.
I just tossed them without looking—too annoying.
Requests via Father weren't surprising.
"No need to worry about it."
Father said firmly.
"We're profiting plenty without luxuries. No need for you to go where you're unwanted."
I disagreed.
"No, why not?"
"Hm?"
"How much profit do luxuries bring? You gonna pass that up over pride?"
"..."
"I want a pond in every division hall."
"You said money's a pain before..."
Father looked betrayed.
"Pain when scarce. Luxury when overflowing, right?"
His face stiffened.
"So... you'll go?"
Obviously.
I nodded.
"Of course. Money-making opportunity. I'd go twice—no, five times."
Luxuries dwarf commodities in profit. Essentials bow to value; the rich feel insulted by cheap prices. I've polished the boots of Murim Alliance elites—I guarantee it. The pricier, the more they frenzy.
Like picking money off the ground swimming on land. Skip that over pride?
And this event isn't just Eunha saving face.
They sent their precious daughter for a small sect disciple. Rejection would cost massive face—yet they risked it.
Whose idea—leader's or hers? Unknown.
She didn't expect rejection anyway.
Issue: she came at night, not day when eyes are everywhere.
Confident? She'd have come daytime. Night visit meant someone else's scheme.
They calculated my refusal.
Subtle viciousness of the powerful. Ignore now, and similar crap repeats.
A protruding awl in your pocket bothers saints and fools alike.
Better to strike first in inevitable annoyance. First strike reveals their gaps.
Lost in thought, Lord Wang's voice pulled me back.
"As expected... insane obsession with money. Ruthless, means-no-matter determination."
He gazed at me dreamily.
"Definitely merchant blood, not warrior. Why not become a real merchant?"
Mocking my money madness?
I told them not to reply to the invitation first.
Since I'd rejected her to her face, responding immediately would be awkward.
Chance to gauge their persistence.
See how much they care, wait for another invite.
[What if no more come?]
Father asked; I shrugged.
No more? Fine. He's old-fashioned about this.
Next day, after meeting Baek Hae-gwang, passing out, waking, and heading to Jang Dowon as promised, I spotted an odd scene at the training ground.
Hong Saryeon and the gold-silver-bronze brothers were teaching sect disciples—but the content was weird.
"Listen up! Eldest Senior Brother says this circulation technique is your sole lifeline in any crisis."
"Eldest Senior says the jianghu claims lives the instant you relax! I've seen it—it's true!"
"Eldest Senior says train relentlessly; only then can you use it in real combat once!"
"Obey Eldest Senior! Obey, and you'll always survive!"
Implanting weird hero worship aside, scaring kids about the jianghu seemed excessive.
This'll just make them run scared...
About to intervene—
""""Yes! We'll keep it in mind!"""
...Booming response.
"..."
They're taking it dead seriously.
"Now, redo Socheon Sword from basics. Step forward if ready!"
Geum Pyo called; disciples surged ahead eagerly.
I debated stopping them but turned away. Overkill beats underkill. They'll manage.
I headed straight to the forge.
A massive forge built by tearing down Tae-eulmun walls and expanding. I added a stall for Jang Dowon's sales, but he'd blocked it off.
"Not much work? Lounging li—"
Before finishing, he flung sand from the floor at me.
I dodged nimbly with Tae-eul Eight Myriad Divine Steps.
"Why throw sand at people?"
"People? You a person? People have conscience! Conscienceless scum ain't people!"
"C'mon, just a joke."
"Joke? Forge ain't lit, and half a year later you demand a weapon? A joke?"
Couldn't be helped. Knowing Demonic Cult lurks, with Red Light Sword materials gathered—can't wait for history to unfold.
Plus, in my past life, he made it in half a year.
He doesn't know that now.
Pretending to gauge his mood, I said,
"No choice, elder. For jianghu peace..."
"...Tch."
He scowled and clicked his tongue; unease flickered. Can't make it?
Past life, he forged the Fifteen Divine Weapons with Demonic Cult grudge. No grudge yet—can't?
Whoosh—
"...!"
Defying my guess, he tossed a cloth-wrapped long object.
"Won't ask where you got that ominous thing. Use carefully—ain't of this world."
The ominous thing: Blood Sea Jade.
Now, did he process it like past life...?
Gulp.
Tense, I slowly unwrapped the cloth.