Myeongmyeong Merchant Group (6)
Tears streamed down Seong Jun-min's cheeks at Young Master Yu-jin's words. And then...
"Yu-jin! H-heuk!"
He threw his arms around Young Master Yu-jin and burst into loud sobs, but no one watching thought it overdone.
Everyone's eyes were red-rimmed too.
In Young Master Yu-jin's words, I caught a glimpse of his true character.
He's definitely going to be someone great.
After a bit of commotion, Young Master Yu-jin headed to his quarters.
Jeong Ho hyung and I followed Sub-leader Seong Cheong-min.
It seemed to be the guest reception area for honored visitors, where the merchant group leader's office was also located.
Thanks to memories from my previous life, I had a rough idea of the major merchant groups' internal layouts.
I'd visited many in person, and I had plenty of intel gathered by my intelligence network back then.
We had quite a few groups we were keeping tabs on or attacking, so collecting that kind of information was necessary.
Sub-leader Seong Cheong-min led Jeong Ho hyung and me to a guest reception room.
"Please wait here a moment."
As I'd expected, it was a reception room for treating VIPs.
In my previous life, when I'd visited the Myeongmyeong Merchant Group, they'd brought me here too.
It wasn't flashy, but it was elegantly appointed.
The paintings and calligraphy on the walls were by famous artists, but they hid the merchant leader's peculiar hobby.
They were decorations, sure, but also a test to gauge a visitor's discernment.
How did I know?
Because I'd been quizzed on them myself.
"That painting is supposedly by Master An Jun."
"...Is it really a genuine An Jun Master painting?"
That's right.
Some of those paintings were fakes.
Spotting that in my previous life had earned me the merchant leader's favor.
Of course, things changed when Seong Jun-min became the leader and our friendly relations shifted.
This time, though, I had no intention of bringing it up.
They wouldn't test a benefactor like that.
Soon a maid entered, set out refreshments, and poured tea.
Jeong Ho hyung and I enjoyed the treats while chatting.
Not long after, the door opened, and in came the Myeongmyeong Merchant Group's leader along with the sub-leader.
We rose and bowed politely.
"Greetings to the Merchant Leader."
"Thank you for accepting my invitation. Please, sit."
"Thank you."
We sat back down, and tea and snacks were placed before the leader and sub-leader as well.
"First off, our Myeongmyeong Merchant Group owes you two a tremendous debt—one we're not sure how to repay."
"It was just fate bringing us together."
I echoed Jeong Ho hyung's modest words.
"It must be thanks to the Merchant Leader's virtue reaching the heavens."
The leader waved his hand bashfully.
"Don't say that. How much virtue does a merchant really accumulate? We're lucky if we don't get cursed out."
We all chuckled quietly at that.
"Well, anyway, when you've received something, you must express your gratitude. That's why I invited you two here."
He turned to Jeong Ho hyung and continued.
"Originally, I had business to discuss with Sub-leader Eun Jeong-ho."
"Yes."
It was about loading pepper onto our Eunhae Merchant Group's ships for transport.
"After much deliberation on how to show our thanks for this matter, we've made a decision."
"Father and I pondered it quite a bit together."
"Didn't our Myeongmyeong Merchant Group agree to purchase the pepper shipped by your Eunhae Merchant Group? For the next ten years, we'll hand over one-third of that pepper to you."
"Pardon?"
"No need to feel burdened. Bringing it by sea is far cheaper on transport costs, and the quantities will be much larger than before."
Pepper was an incredibly expensive spice.
They even said it was worth its weight in silver.
And they were offering us one-third of it for ten years!
"That's too much!"
Even as I spoke, the leader shook his head.
"When I think of how you saved my two sons and my grandson, it's not excessive at all. And if the fourth young master had become leader while under that soul domination spell, whose merchant group would this have been?"
"..."
He sees the reality quite clearly.
"Besides, didn't you use your one and only artifact to break that soul domination spell on the fourth?"
At that, Jeong Ho hyung glanced subtly at me.
He was wondering what that meant, but he didn't press.
He knew it wasn't the sort of thing to ask here.
"So, it's fine to accept."
The sub-leader urged again.
"Please accept it. Truth be told, we also hope this keeps our connection with you two going strong."
To me, that seemed like their real intent.
Jeong Ho hyung and I exchanged a look and agreed.
It would be rude to refuse such generosity, so we accepted the offer.
"We'll accept that proposal."
The leader and sub-leader's faces lit up at Jeong Ho hyung's reply.
"But there's a problem."
Their expressions hardened at my words.
"A problem?"
"Even if we receive the pepper, we don't have sales channels for it."
Pepper was such a luxury spice that opening new markets wasn't easy.
"Ah!"
"I see."
They nodded, grasping my point.
"So, even if you reduce the amount we receive, could you handle selling the pepper and give us the proceeds instead?"
"No, we couldn't do that. How could we take a commission?"
"Exactly. It would undermine the whole point of our gratitude."
In the end, they agreed to sell the pepper they'd give me and hand over the full proceeds.
As expected of the Myeongmyeong Merchant Leader.
This made it a done deal for our Eunhae ships to carry the pepper.
Plus, with our share of the profits at stake, we'd have to be extra careful transporting it.
But who am I?
Eun Seo-ho.
"So, what about the shipping fees?"
"Sh-shipping fees?"
"Yes. What you've given us is yours to give, but we should discuss the shipping fees and other costs, right?"
"Th-that's true."
"Then, shall we negotiate that..."
"W-wait a moment!"
The leader quickly held up a hand.
"Let's discuss that tomorrow. You must be tired from the journey."
His reaction confirmed it.
He'd clearly planned to use the one-third pepper as leverage to negotiate cheaper shipping rates.
But when I brought it up, he postponed to renegotiate later.
The sub-leader smiled and added,
"Our Myeongmyeong Merchant Group's rear garden is quite the sight. Once you've toured it, I'll have someone escort you to the banquet hall."
A short while later, a maid guided us to the rear garden.
It was beautifully landscaped, indeed.
Even in this winter season, rare flowers were still blooming.
I told the maid her guidance was enough and sent her away.
"Then, once the banquet is ready, someone will come fetch you."
"Yes."
As the maid vanished into the distance, I scanned the surroundings.
No one around.
I turned to Jeong Ho hyung.
"Honestly, I was a bit shocked. Handing over one-third of the pepper from Daewol Kingdom like that."
"Me too."
Jeong Ho hyung grinned at me.
"Hm? Why the look?"
"You really do seem suited to be the merchant leader."
"Wh-what are you talking about?"
I recoiled in horror.
"Wasn't it decided you'd be the leader, hyung? Don't say such terrifying things."
"You hate it that much?"
"Yeah. Hate it."
I answered instantly.
"I'm already drowning in work as it is... And me, the guy who pops up everywhere, as merchant leader? The group would go under."
"Fair point."
"So don't even think such nonsense."
I never wanted to go through getting beaten by Master and forced to rest again.
Hyung laughed heartily at my words.
"By the way, what was that about the artifact earlier?"
"Oh, that?"
I scratched my nose.
"I'll explain later."
Lying to Jeong Ho hyung felt wrong, and he was someone I could trust anyway.
"We should inform Father about this, right?"
"Don't worry about it."
I glanced at my sleeve as I spoke, and Jeong Ho hyung, catching on, nodded.
"That little guy's pretty reliable."
"I think so too."
A bit later, the maid came to fetch us, and we headed to the banquet hall.
The Myeongmyeong Merchant Group's family and elders were all gathered.
We enjoyed the warm, lively banquet.
Late into the night, we returned to our quarters.
"Geumryeong."
At my call, Geumryeong poked its head out from my sleeve.
"Kkwi!"
"Can you run an errand for me?"
Geumryeong nodded.
"Hold on a sec."
I wrote a letter to Father, and Geumryeong perched on the desk, eyeing it.
"All set."
I folded the letter neatly and tied it to Geumryeong's tail.
"Off you go."
"Kkwi!"
Geumryeong shot out the window like an arrow.
With Palgap's help, I washed up and changed into sleeping robes.
Being invited to stay overnight usually meant just that—one night.
Sending off a guest without letting them stay the night was a grave discourtesy.
Since we hadn't brought work from another merchant group, I figured I'd turn in early.
Or so I thought...
"My lord, Do Daehyeop, the merchant leader's bodyguard, wishes to see you."
Hm? Do Daehyeop?
The aura outside the door felt familiar.
"Tell him to wait a moment."
I quickly threw on an outer robe. Meeting a guest in just sleeping robes would be rude.
Then I said,
"Show him in."
"Yes."
The door opened, and a warrior entered.
A Super First-rate guarding the leader at close range.
He was quite famous for his skills, alongside Georam Sword Hero, the bodyguard of the Seven Blessings Merchant Group leader.
His family name was Do?
People called him by his moniker, so I'd forgotten.
He took in my attire, clasped his fists in salute, and apologized.
"I see I interrupted your rest. Sorry to visit so late."
"No, I hadn't lain down to sleep yet. Please, sit."
We sat across from each other at a low table, and Palgap brought tea.
"What brings you here?"
"I've come at this hour, risking rudeness, because there's one thing I must confirm."
Ah, so that's why.
"My martial arts?"
"Yes."
He nodded and asked,
"What is your connection to the Gold Guard?"
He wasn't asking about my realm—he'd noticed me blending Gold Guard techniques into my style.
Do Daehyeop's moniker was Wan Tong Sword.
He was profoundly knowledgeable about countless martial arts and could identify them better than anyone.
That's why I'd deliberately used palace techniques in front of him, in case he spotted any Snow Wind Palace moves.
Or used them covertly otherwise.
Good thing I'd prepared by learning palace arts ahead of time.
It was for moments like this, after all.
I smiled and replied,
"Why ask when you already know?"
He squeezed his eyes shut, then rose and knelt before me.
"I beg you."
"What is this? Please, stand."
"Please keep this incident quiet."
His expression grave, he continued.
"If word reaches His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, the fourth young master won't escape severe punishment."
"..."
As he said, it was a grave matter.
Attempting to kill his brothers and nephew.
Even if under a soul domination spell, the fact remained.
Of course, if it didn't reach the imperial court or officials, there'd be no punishment.
"B-but many in the merchant group already know?"
Even if I stayed silent, it could spread through their mouths.
"That's handled. We've ensured they won't speak of it outside."
Confidence they could seal the group's lips.
Makes sense—they couldn't have risen this high without that ability.
Do Daehyeop bowed his head to me.
Sigh, I had no intention of talking anyway.
They'd shown much grace to my grandfather and father, and would to us too.
Plus, with a common enemy, they were solid allies.
"Raise your head and stand."
I continued,
"I never planned to report this upward."
"Pardon? Really?"
"It's the family of Young Master Yu-jin, whom my brother saved. I don't want to sadden him."
His face brightened.
"Thank you. Truly, thank you."
"So stand already. It's embarrassing."
"Understood."
Kneeling for the merchant leader's family... What loyalty.
With devotion like his, the Myeongmyeong Merchant Group wouldn't falter.
"B-by the way, what's your relation to Team Leader Do?"
"Team Leader Do—you mean Do Gyeong?"
"Ah, yes."
"He's my son."
Blood tells, indeed.
.
.
.
Dawn broke.
Waking, I caught Geumryeong clambering clumsily over the window frame in my hand.
"Back already?"
"Kkwi!"
I unfolded the letter, read it, and grinned.
Geumryeong on the desk backed away from my smile.
"Kku, kkwi..."
"Hm? What?"
"Kkwi..."
"If they give you silver, you'll gratefully accept?"
Why's this guy suddenly so polite?