303. <Black Path Divine Saint Black Flame Dragon>
The second day of the Galaxy Merchant Group's founding anniversary banquet proceeded much like the day before. However, it lacked the boisterous energy of yesterday. There was music, but no dancers, people coming and going, but no one from the Galaxy Merchant Group personally greeting the guests.
It felt like a banquet in name only, devoid of any festive atmosphere.
"Their guest reception is a total mess, tsk."
"...Are you seriously complaining about that right now?"
Wang Soso stared at me with a baffled expression.
"Huh? Why not?"
"The master's bragging was always about Jeong Sogun getting into the academy and rising to deputy leader."
"And?"
"...And? You shattered both of those in one go."
Wasn't it Jeong Sogun's own fault for collapsing like that? Not mine.
I didn't even hit him that hard.
If he'd drawn his weapon, he could've smashed me flat in an instant. Then he wouldn't have gone down so pathetically. The shock from blocking his spear with my hand had been no joke.
A heir to the Galaxy Merchant Group must've been popping spirit pills or elixirs every quarter, right?
Jeong Sogun going down in one hit was purely due to his own arrogance. That cocky assumption that he could easily crush someone like me—that's what did him in. Without it, we might've exchanged a few more moves. Though I'd have won anyway.
"In my eyes, he doesn't have the skill to be deputy leader. Must've bought the promotion with backroom money..."
"That's not the point!"
Wang Soso still looked baffled, now mixed with worry.
"Maybe... we won't be able to keep ties with the Galaxy Merchant Group anymore."
True, I'd made him piss himself at their feast day. In a way, it was inevitable.
"Doesn't matter."
"Huh?"
"Tae-eul Gate has the Wang Merchant Group, doesn't it?"
"...".
Wang Soso's face went blank, like she'd been smacked on the back of the head. I grinned teasingly at her.
"You planning to ditch Tae-eul Gate or something?"
"Wh-what? No way!"
"Then we're good."
"W-well, yeah, but... from Tae-eul Gate's perspective, you never know..."
Why was the Wang heiress worrying like she was one of us?
"People change. The Wang Merchant Group might weaken... then Galaxy would gain the upper hand..."
"You want us to play both sides like bats?"
"No, but..."
"Forget it. Once the Wang Merchant Group becomes the world's top trading house, all problems solved, right?"
"...".
"Even if Galaxy hates me and Tae-eul Gate, no issue."
"R-right."
Wang Soso blinked rapidly before asking cautiously.
"...Oppa thinks the Wang Merchant Group will become the top trading house?"
I shook my head firmly.
"No idea."
"Huh?"
In my previous life, the Wang Merchant Group declined after Wang Soso's disappearance and Wang Geumsan's breakdown.
Wang Soso's face fell at my answer. I looked at her and added,
"But we can make it happen."
"...You, Oppa?"
"I'll help however I can, but it'll be Lord Wang and you who make it real."
The three great trading houses that devoured the Wang assets in my previous life were useless in the Great War of Orthodox and Demonic. So I'd support the Wangs materially and morally.
Screw the predetermined future—betting on new possibilities was my job.
Wang Soso clenched her fist, staring at me.
"Right. That solves everything."
She nodded repeatedly, as if resolving something. Still young, but so mature.
I patted her head.
"Time to head back."
"Yes!"
Wang Soso replied in the brightest voice since arriving at Galaxy.
After sending word to Galaxy that we'd return to our sect, while the coachman prepared the carriage, Jeong Soeul visited the annex.
"What now?"
Wang Soso, who usually bristled like a cat at Jeong Soeul, greeted her with a relaxed smile.
"Is there anywhere in my house I can't go?"
Jeong Soeul snapped back sharply this time.
"Of course not. But even the owner shouldn't barge into a room given to a guest, right? Manners."
Their energy clash left me caught in the middle.
"Soso, finish packing."
With a hmph!, Wang Soso grabbed the remaining luggage and left. Only I—who hadn't brought any—and Jeong Soeul remained in the parlor.
After a brief silence, a soft voice whispered in my ear.
"...Talked all that big, and you still caused a mess."
"Mess?"
I tilted my head. Jeong Soeul let out a hollow laugh at my calm face.
"Ha, you're not that stupid, are you? No idea how big a deal you've made?"
Her subtle seduction was gone. I matched her tone.
"What mess did I make? You wanted a show of skill, so I showed it. Even held back against your brother's provocation."
"Hah...! Unbelievable...!"
"Hey, your rudeness is starting to piss me off. Either talk properly or get out."
"G-get out?"
Jeong Soeul looked flustered at my harsh words, shoulders trembling.
"...Gonna play dumb black path thug to the end?"
I didn't know if I was playing dumb, but seeing 'Eunbeom's true face was fun.
She must've been absent from the inner chamber then, less scared. Time to fix that.
I took a deep breath and bellowed,
"What? Dumb? You insulting me?!"
Releasing killing intent, I shot up. Jeong Soeul flinched back in shock.
"Wh-what are you doing! N-not here...!"
Shing. Drawing my sword, I approached. She trembled like a rabbit before a predator.
"Kuh...".
I stared her down long, then withdrew my intent.
"Hah, hah, hah."
I glanced at the floor by her feet.
"At least you're better than your brother or father."
"...".
Jeong Soeul glared murderously. Irritated, I waved her off.
"You came just to say that?"
Still shaking, she finally spoke.
"...Father wants to see you before he leaves."
Hmm... now?
The Galaxy Merchant Group Lord's office differed from the Great Heaven Merchant Group's. Unlike Father's, tucked by the administrative offices, it lay deep after a long corridor.
"Sleep well last night?"
The lord sat alone in the ornate office, face stiff as he eyed me.
Tsk tsk, aged a ton overnight. Pitiful.
"Banquet's in full swing—sure the host should be here?"
No reply, no reaction. Finally, heavily, he spoke.
"Was debating whether to stamp the Wang contract."
"That's done already, right?"
"Think I can't void a deal just 'cause I announced it?"
"You could, but you won't."
"A warrior lecturing on credit. Amusing."
He cupped his hands over his mouth. His gaze sharpened.
"But know this: this deal could end both Great Heaven and Tae-eul Gate."
"Planning that?"
"If my anger lingers."
"...".
"Back to Tae-eul Gate owning nothing... or worse, rip them to shreds."
Unlike the cub, the old fox's eyes gleamed.
"Don't rely on Wang. Merchants value profit over loyalty or favors—costly, but buyable."
Threat mastery. But it only works if it lands.
I nodded brightly.
"Then do it."
"What?"
His rage twisted into confusion.
"I don't think I did wrong, you're still pissed. No win-win. Solve it your way."
"...Sane? Or that confident?"
I shrugged lightly.
"Just not scared of unarrived futures. Fix problems when they come."
"...".
His face grew more complex. He stared blankly, then muttered,
"...No wedding yet, right?"
Random as hell.
"Soeul's good. Ambitious eyes, but devoted wife. Wise girl."
"Huh?"
What the hell?
"Soeul not to your taste? Prettiest I've seen."
Stunned, he continued.
"Chaos coming to the world. Know?"
...Huh?
"Chaos will shatter orders. To survive the storm, root deep. Think Wang roots Tae-eul Gate firmly?"
Not explicit, but he seemed to foresee the future. Then... Eunbeom taking Galaxy was partly his design?
Makes sense. Eunbeom showed his true colors fast. Not big enough to swallow Galaxy alone.
Soeul outshone Sogun, but couldn't inherit over the eldest son. Maybe he set the stage for 'Eunbeom' to seize it.
His eyes firm, he proposed,
"Root in Galaxy. Tae-eul Gate survives the storm."
Tempting. In my past life, I'd have bowed low, thanking him. Even wed then.
But...
"Grateful, but..."
Leaning on others? Tried that. On the Murim Alliance tree. Learned the hard way.
"Tae-eul Gate roots itself."
Parasites don't weather storms. My power, my roots, firm in the earth.
I met his eyes squarely.
"Without anyone's help."
"World seems easy, huh."
"Could feel that way."
He stared piercingly, then stood.
"...Maybe Galaxy's roots too sturdy for Sogun."
"Huh?"
Mysterious words. He opened a wooden box, stamped the contract with a large golden seal.
"Give to Wang lord. Tell Great Heaven lord we look forward to working together."
First respect from him.
"Thank you."
I bowed lightly.
Neongokhwan entered the dark cave.
What shitty taste.
Leaving fine buildings for a lab in a cave? Mind-boggling.
Passage ceiling held pricey night pearls, not torches. Something about air quality. Nerdy bullshit he barely grasped.
At the end, a vast cavern. Neongokhwan announced himself.
"I'm here."
"...".
The cave owner scowled inside.
"What? Why?"
"Told you to wear protective clothes."
Neongokhwan eyed the hanging corpses.
"Fuck, think I'll get tainted by those?"
"Not you—worried the idiot plague spreads to the corpses."
"You bastard."
Neongokhwan lunged forward. The owner set down his knife and tongs.
"Mission failed, yet you barge in?"
Something clicked; Neongokhwan's attitude shifted.
"...Ah! Right. Saw that guy."
"That guy?"
"The one who smashed your Iron Corpse."
The man's face twisted.
"That trash wasn't mine. Subordinates made it..."
"Yeah, yeah, from your cave."
"You damn bird-brained fuck..."
Neongokhwan smirked. Beaten for failure, but this sour face soothed him. Worth the filthy trip. Pride poked, instant reaction—too fun.
He flopped into a chair.
"Anyway, interesting guy."
"Interesting?"
"Kinda like you, Jang Ogeuk."
Jang Ogeuk bared fangs, then tilted his head.
"What?"
"Just wanna kill that face."
"...Neongokhwan. Wanna die?"
"Ugh, whatever. Kinda get why Demon Lord cares."
Jang Ogeuk pondered, then asked,
"Did he use Absorption Great Law?"
"Absorption Great Law?"
"Jegumhak's Heaven-Earth Extreme Demonic Qi got fully mixed. Slows treatment."
"Oh ho... really?"
"Found something?"
At Jang Ogeuk's eager eyes, Neongokhwan shrugged.
"Dunno. Didn't fight him."
"...Useless trash."
"Kekeke, thought I'd bring something useful?"
"Done? Get out. Busy."
As Jang Ogeuk turned, Neongokhwan's serious voice followed.
"Teacher says time for 'fourth phase'."
Jang Ogeuk's eyes calmed.
"Already?"
"Yeah. Blood Demon bastards' spawn were bigger idiots than thought."
"'Day of the Muddy Stream' nears."
"That day..."
Neongokhwan trailed off. Even he wouldn't blurt it.
"Yeah, that day..."
Jang Ogeuk swallowed his words, sharing a meaningful glance with Neongokhwan.