Chapter 21
Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Job Offer
The Eun Merchant Group, which had set up shop in Beijing.
Just three years ago, this merchant group had been one of considerable size even among those in Beijing.
It wasn't quite on the level of a grand trading company, but it was renowned for its long history and high integrity. It had prospered to the point of establishing business partners in various regions.
However, three years ago.
The head of the merchant group lost his life in an unfortunate accident, and the business began to falter.
At that time, his daughter 'Eun Garyeon' was still too young, not even in her twenties.
So, she had turned to her father's younger brother, her uncle, for help...
'I never knew my uncle was that kind of person.'
Her uncle 'Eun Taehyeok', who had no talent but boundless greed, started playing dirty tricks in their deals. As a result, the Eun Merchant Group gradually lost the trust of its partners.
Eun Garyeon tried to fix things belatedly, but it was no use.
A merchant group that valued integrity above all had betrayed that trust, causing partners to cut ties in droves almost overnight.
In the end, Eun Garyeon had scurried east and west to secure new business partners.
'To think I'd manage to strike a deal with the Tang Family...!'
She had crossed all the way to Sichuan with just a single escort guard, securing a promise of trade with the mighty 'Sichuan Tang Family' itself.
This was an achievement even her late father, the previous head, hadn't managed. It was a sure thing that the Eun Merchant Group would soar once more.
"Young Hero Jang, how much farther to Beijing now?"
"Hm, we're in Taiyuan now, so about half a month left."
"Not long now. I can't wait to get back to the merchant group and rest."
It had already been over four months since they left the merchant group.
Even so, they'd achieved results, or who knows when they might have returned. If they'd failed even in Sichuan, it would've been anyone's guess.
"More importantly, is the Eun Merchant Group... alright?"
"Pfft, it's been less than half a year. What big trouble could have happened in that time?"
"I just have a bad feeling about that Eun Taehyeok guy..."
"It's fine. After causing that major mess, Uncle said he'd lay low..."
That was when it happened.
A man approached them.
"Heh~ Never expected to see such a beauty here... Care to have a drink together?"
As he spoke, he curled his fingers and beckoned her.
At that rude gesture, her escort guard Jang Yunho scowled.
'These kinds of pests are everywhere you go.'
It wasn't the first or second time flies like this had buzzed around because of Eun Garyeon's stunning beauty, the woman he served.
And every time, he was the one to step forward first.
"We have private matters to discuss, so please don't disturb us."
When he said that, the other party usually reacted in one of two ways.
The first was to slink away with an embarrassed look,
"What're you? I wasn't talking to you, so buzz off."
Or the second, like this fool who couldn't understand words.
"Haa..."
Exhausted, so exhausted.
The guy had a delicate face that looked like he'd never done a hard day's work in his life.
With a sword at his side, he must've fancied himself some kind of martial artist...
'If that's the case, at least ditch that gaudy tassel.'
A white robe with a black tassel dangling ridiculously—it was an eyesore.
Jang Yunho glanced at Eun Garyeon.
She was shaking her head too, clearly fed up with this predictable nonsense.
'Guess I'll have to handle it.'
He picked up a wooden chopstick.
Intending a light reprimand, he flicked it toward the thug's curved finger acupoint.
A hidden technique he'd picked up glancingly at the Sichuan Tang Family recently.
Of course, it was worlds apart from what the Tang Family used, but it was enough to give any average person a proper thrashing.
However,
Tak-
"Oh? Throwing chopsticks?"
The chopstick Jang Yunho flung was caught effortlessly in the thug's hand.
Stunned by the unexpected turn, he threw another.
This time channeling internal energy.
But still,
Tak-
The thug snatched it just as easily.
"Ha, even with internal energy?"
The thug smirked mockingly.
In the end, Jang Yunho stood up.
"So you're hiding some skill. Since good words won't make you leave, I'll handle you myself..."
"What're you blabbering about, you lunatic? Good words? Since when was throwing chopsticks 'good words'?"
"Well... I tried good words first, but you didn't leave, so..."
"Shut it. Time for you to eat fist."
The thug cracked his knuckles with a crack and advanced.
At the sight, Jang Yunho sighed inwardly.
'Can't even handle a lowlife like this. Hidden techniques are tricky, alright.'
But if it was a sword, that'd be different.
Still, he couldn't draw on an unarmed opponent, so he thrust forward with the sheathed sword and declared,
"To you, who lacks manners, I shall impart today's lesson."
And then,
"At least you didn't draw the sword?"
The thug 'Mok Jimyeong' swaggered closer.
I'd been in a great mood.
Heading out of the tavern, I'd run into an unexpected beauty.
'If I'd left just a bit earlier, I'd have missed her.'
What luck.
Striking features, porcelain skin.
She looked a touch weary from hardships, but even that couldn't dim her radiant beauty.
The only annoyance was the guy with her...
'Not her boyfriend... probably just an escort?'
Judging by his clothes, no need to worry.
So I'd politely suggested sharing a table.
But as the saying goes, honeyed words make fools of men.
To my courteous invitation,
"Oh? Throwing chopsticks?"
The escort chucked a chopstick at me.
Thanks to that, I hesitated for a moment.
'Beat him? Or let it slide?'
Back in my Lecherous Demon days, no question—but now I was aiming to be a righteous faction successor.
I was pondering letting such a prank slide with magnanimity when he channeled energy and threw another.
"Ha, even with internal energy?"
That crossed my line.
"Time for you to eat fist."
As I cracked my knuckles and approached, he thrust his sheathed sword forward.
That was praiseworthy.
"At least you didn't draw the sword?"
If he'd drawn it, I really would've lost it.
But he took my words as provocation, scowled, and shouted,
"Do I need to draw a sword to discipline a mere thug?"
"A mere thug channeling internal energy?"
As the mood turned hostile, patrons quietly cleared space.
The tavern boys, used to such scenes, just watched from afar.
Thanks to that, a wide open space formed.
The escort leaped into it.
"So you'll never pull this again...?"
Swinging his sheathed sword with some fancy words.
But like the chopstick, it stopped in my hand, and his eyes bulged.
"This...?"
"Channeled energy again? Fine, I'll match it."
I warned him first, clenched my fist, and gathered energy.
'Too much?'
Didn't want to accidentally kill him, so I released half.
Meanwhile, he grunted trying to yank his sheath free.
"Urgh...!"
As if.
He had decent skill for his age, but wrong opponent.
Me.
Thwack-!
My fist smashed his face.
With a loud thud, he dropped the sword and tumbled.
"Gahk...!"
One down.
"Just two more."
Two chopsticks.
One sheath swing.
Three in total, clean and done.
But someone interrupted my fair revenge.
"Young hero, that's enough."
"And who're—oh, the lady."
I bristled for a second, but seeing it was the beauty I'd eyed, my anger melted.
Still unsatisfied, I glanced at the fallen fool.
'Two more to go...'
Sensing my mood, she spoke again.
"Didn't you offer to drink together? Let me pour you one."
'Hm... The first chopstick had no energy, and the swing was sheathed, so maybe deduct two?'
Fair calculation.
Definitely not because a beauty offered to pour.
"Guess this'll do."
I tossed the sheath back to the escort and plopped into the chair opposite her.
Then, the dazed guard staggered up.
"You bastard...!"
Shing-
Even drawing his sword.
However,
"Young hero, enough!"
The beauty's quick intervention saved his life.
An order from the boss.
Unable to contain his rage, he trembled with sword in hand for a while before storming out.
Only then did the tense mood lift, and people stirred.
A server approached cautiously.
"Uh, sir... the spilled food..."
Irritating when I was about to get a pour from the beauty.
I waved dismissively.
"Ah, bill it all together later. Add it to mine."
"Understood."
The server retreated quietly once I agreed to cover it.
"Well then, shall I take that drink?"
I picked up what I assumed was the escort's cup and held it out.
She poured with both hands and asked,
"Might I ask where you pledge your services, young hero?"
"Me? Nowhere in particular."
"Then... would you consider working as an escort guard for our merchant group?"
"What?"
The absurdity made me pause mid-sip.
'Me, Mok Jimyeong, as an escort guard?'
Absurd.
As I scoffed to refuse, her face caught my eye.
Flawless features, impeccable skin.
Especially those large eyes sparkling with expectation—striking.
"...So, what's the merchant group's name?"
Might as well hear the name.