Retribution (6)
His demeanor was as if the world had come crashing down around him. I tilted my head and asked,
"What on earth happened?"
"W-well, you see... I got robbed. My money's gone."
"Robbed? Your money?"
"Yeah... like that."
Ma Jangju explained the whole story.
"Those ungrateful wretches stole my money and ran off."
"That's awful... Did you catch the culprits?"
"Fortunately, yes. I was worried since they were first-rate warriors, but they must've fought among themselves and set off the Qi-Scattering Poison, leaving them unable to use their martial arts. Made it easy to nab 'em."
That Qi-Scattering Poison? Yeah, the one I triggered.
I'd swiped some from Jin Ho-hyung's branch leader inauguration ceremony and saved it for a rainy day like this.
"Glad to hear it."
"But... they still won't spill where they hid the stolen cash. Even after some pretty harsh interrogations."
"Tough bastards."
I'd heard Ji-hyun had been humiliated by Ma Jangju's guards before.
So they'd be pouring all that rage into the torture.
From the guards' perspective, they'd be hopping mad. After all, those warriors hadn't pocketed a single coin.
But this was karma.
The people they'd harmed had suffered far longer.
"They just keep saying it was a trio of masked bandits... But hauling that much money? No way three guys pull that off. The horses and carriages are untouched, and no sign of any other wagons."
"They're lying to weasel out of it, no doubt."
"Exactly."
Ma Jangju sighed heavily.
"Truth is, I promised the Murim Alliance my investment by month's end. And now this mess..."
He was still clutching at my sleeve.
"So, here's the thing... Could you possibly lend me some funds?"
"Funds?"
He nodded vigorously at my question, so hard I thought his neck might snap.
"Didn't you say yesterday you had over ten thousand gold taels?"
"But that's for buying up shops around here. If I dip into it personally, my father will chew me out."
"Can't you make an exception?"
As I fell silent, Ma Jangju's face grew even more desperate.
"Please, I'm begging you. Save me here."
"..."
I pretended to mull it over for about fifteen minutes.
Time for him to crack and speak first...
"Ah! How about this?"
"Got a good idea?"
"I've got shops around here. What if you buy them from me?"
"Your shops?"
"Yeah. You said you're looking to acquire shops anyway. Win-win, right?"
"How many?"
"Three."
"I'd like to see details on their size, revenue, and such."
Ma Jangju's face lit up as he blurted out,
"Then let's head inside right—"
"Jangju-nim, mind if we stop by Hanga Martial Hall first?"
"Mm, sure."
We headed to Hanga Martial Hall.
"Ahem! Is Hall Leader Han in?"
Ma Jangju called out first, and the gate swung open. A familiar face peeked out.
"Ah, hello, Jangju-nim. What brings you here today..."
Spotting me beside Ma Jangju, his eyes widened.
"Hey? Isn't that Eun So-danju?"
"Long time no see, Han So-hyeop."
"Come on in."
The gate opened wide, and we entered Hanga Martial Hall.
"Father! Mother! We have guests!"
A middle-aged man and woman soon emerged from inside.
"My father and mother."
"I'm Hall Leader Han Su of Hanga Martial Hall."
Han Jae-ik took after his mother more than his father.
And the hall leader looked exactly like Han Jae-in in disguise from before.
"Eun Seo-ho, vice leader of Eunhae Merchant Group. I crossed paths with Han So-hyeop in the North Sea, so I stopped by while in the area."
"Ah, Jae-ik mentioned. Said you helped him when he was chased by Snow Leopard."
"We all gotta help each other out."
Hall Leader Han still seemed unsteady on his feet.
"You don't look well. What happened?"
"Ah, well..."
"Ahem."
Ma Jangju cleared his throat and cut in.
"Bandits broke in a while back. Got injured in the scuffle."
"Oh no!"
I already know the whole story, but playing dumb.
What a shameless guy.
Though I guess he can't admit he ordered it.
I glanced around the house.
Last time I'd come to leave the letter, the place had been a wreck.
Good thing I'd shown up when I did.
I'd tossed in a sack of essentials with the letter.
And mentioned Han So-hyeop to Ma Jangju in hopes of easing things a bit.
Sure enough, the hall was in much better shape now.
I said to Hall Leader Han,
"You're not well—best not catch a chill. Go rest inside."
"Thank you for your concern. I'll take my leave then."
We moved to the reception room, where Han So-hyeop's mother brought tea.
A martial hall like this should've had maids, but Ma Jangju had probably driven them off.
"Brewed it yourself? Tastes great."
"Ahem. Thanks."
Ma Jangju coughed awkwardly, and Han So-hyeop smiled.
"Tea Jangju-nim gifted us last time."
"Fine jangju you've got there."
"Yes. A veryfinejangju-nim."
Did Ma Jangju catch the bite in those words?
Han So-hyeop and I chatted amiably, while Ma Jangju fidgeted restlessly.
He needed my funds pronto, but I had no intention of budging.
This was payback—let him feel what Han So-hyeop's family endured, day after grinding day.
That must be Ma Jangju's mindset now.
The sum was huge, and missing the deadline would show why Geumsan Jeonjang had such high credit.
Mouth dry, ass on fire.
Finally getting a taste of Hanga's pain?
Our talk stretched past lunch, Ma Jangju's face growing darker by the minute.
Enough?
Don't want him passing out and leaving me to deal with the mess.
"Ah! Time flew—lost track chatting."
"Same here. It was fun."
"See you next time."
"Take care."
We returned to Ma Manor.
"Sorry. Got caught up reuniting."
"Haha, n-no problem."
"Thanks for understanding. Now, let's check your shops."
Back at Ma Manor, the chief steward rushed in with documents.
I examined them gravely.
Of course, I'd already investigated Ma Jangju's shops.
This was just for show.
Pottery shop, paper shop, grain shop.
Steady profits, but nothing special given their size and market.
No surprise.
His relatives ran them.
No drive to hustle or maximize gains.
Thud.
I tossed the papers on the table.
"Profits are meh. Three hundred gold taels each. Take it or leave it."
"They're not small—aren't you lowballing?"
"Don't make me feel bad, Jangju-nim. I'm being generous for your sake."
"S-still, just three hundred...?"
"The last shop I bought was better and went for two-fifty."
"..."
"Plus, I gotta report to Father. Sloppy buys, and he'll doubt my skills."
"..."
Ma Jangju looked troubled.
Nine hundred for three shops.
Peanuts next to the ten thousand he needed.
"How about this? I see other investments here besides the shops."
"Right."
"Transfer those rights to me. I'll pay double your stake."
"F-for real?"
His face brightened.
"Yes. But still short of ten thousand."
Darkness returned.
"Nothing left to offer."
"What about this manor?"
"What?! This manor?"
He jumped.
"Yes. Throw in all the valuables here, and I'll make it ten thousand—even if it's a stretch."
"B-but sell the manor? Where do I live?"
"We'll hold the title. Profits from your investments come in later, you pay up, we hand it back."
"Ah! Perfect."
"And..."
I glanced around conspiratorially and whispered,
"Word is, your big investment means no need for other backers. You'll get a hefty cut."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Ma Jangju beamed, as if the profits were already in hand.
Part of my plan, too.
In my past life, Baekun Escort Agency tanked, and investors got zilch.
They trusted Murim Alliance and Nangong Clan names.
But contracts had no-liability clauses. Tears and suicides followed.
Not this time.
"Your call?"
He nodded firmly.
"Deal."
We drew up the contract.
"When's the money coming?"
"Soon as Geumsan Jeonjang processes it. Three days, they say."
"Got it."
"Chin up. Who knows? Those thieving warriors might confess where they stashed it."
"One can hope."
"I'll be off then."
I stood.
"Oh, one thing—just in case. Don't dispose of anything here on your own. If Father shows up, it'll be awkward explaining."
"...Won't."
After Eun Seo-ho left, Ma Jangju exploded in rage.
"Damn it! Me! In this county! Groveling to that punk!"
He kicked at a tree in the yard.
Thwack!
The chief steward rushed to stop him.
"Jangju-nim! Don't!"
"What?"
"That tree—no, nothing in this manor is yours anymore."
Ma Jangju pulled back his foot and stared blankly into space.
Reality hit, and he bellowed in fury.
"Arrrgh!"
I smirked at Ma Jangju's enraged roar behind me.
Sounds like a lion's bellow.
I fiddled with the contract in my pocket.
Ma Jangju's downfall was imminent.
.
.
.
A few days later.
I handed Ma Jangju the ten thousand gold taels.
"Here. Sign the transfer."
"Fine."
With that, all Ma Jangju's assets became mine.
Plucked clean. He's broke now.
"When's the Murim Alliance coming?"
"Just got word. Tomorrow."
Two days' travel, then.
"Got it. Hope they can transport the gold safely."
"No worries. Big operation—Murim Alliance's White Thunder Corps is escorting."
"White Thunder Corps! Heard of 'em. Safe with them. I'll head out."
"Careful."
I asked about their arrival to swipe that ten thousand on the move.
Told you—not a single coin to the Murim Alliance.
White Thunder Corps, huh...
On the way back, Jin Yu-musa murmured,
"My lord, for that job... mind if I take point?"
"Hm? What job?"
"Personal grudge against them."