528. The Second Departure (3)
My instincts were screaming at the sight of Geon Haengsu sitting with the manager from the Baekcheon Merchant Group.
This is something I can't ignore.
I quietly descended to the ground.
Palgap, catching my expression, asked,
"What is it, young master? Is Geon Haengsu meeting someone he shouldn't?"
"Yeah."
"Really?"
"He's meeting the Baekcheon manager."
Changun Warrior reacted immediately.
"What? How... How could he! I never pegged Geon Haengsu for that..."
I shook my head at Changun Warrior's lament.
"No, it's not what you're thinking."
"Pardon?"
"Geon Haengsu might seem a bit dim at times, but he's actually pretty sharp."
When people need to meet secretly, they usually pick spots hidden from view outside or use closed rooms—even in a place like this warehouse.
Get caught, and it's all over.
But the spot where Geon Haengsu sat looked hidden at first glance. In reality, it was perfectly visible from outside.
He chose it on purpose.
He knew I'd pass this way to the banquet hall today and roughly when. So he sat there deliberately to catch my eye.
In other words, he was signaling me.
Help.
I couldn't ignore a signal like that.
I instructed my guards, then turned to Palgap.
"Go inside and tell the server to give us seats around that area."
"Got it."
A moment later, I slipped into the warehouse, suppressing my presence, and headed up to that floor.
I took the seat Palgap had reserved, right behind Geon Haengsu.
Their conversation drifted over.
"This is a golden opportunity for you, Geon Haengsu."
"I have nothing to say."
"Hah! Eunhae is riding high right now, clouding your judgment. You can't underestimate Baekcheon's strength."
"When did I ever underestimate your group?"
"Rejecting my offer—isn't that dismissing Baekcheon?"
"I can't betray my merchant group. And be honest. You're offering me a job because you want the Eunhae intel I have, right?"
"Well... I can't deny that, but it's because I value your abilities even higher."
I swallowed my rising fury as I listened.
Baekcheon Merchant Group...
These ××× bastards!
They'd been too quiet lately. Turns out they were scheming like this under the radar?
I knew they were the type, but still...
I accepted competition between merchant groups as natural, even sabotage or checks from rivals.
But headhunting talent like this? Unforgivable.
Acquiring top talent is hard enough. Developing them is even tougher.
It's not just the money—it's the time, effort...
You raise them up, make them useful, and some bastard swoops in and steals them? It leaves gaps in their duties, and security-wise, you have to overhaul everything related.
More money, time, effort...
Ugh. Just thinking about it pisses me off more.
That's why I've made anyone who poaches our talent pay dearly through unconventional means.
Even those who betrayed Eunhae and came crawling back begging forgiveness after seeing my ruthless side—I never took them in.
Once a traitor, always a higher risk of betraying again.
And the other Eunhae folks who'd suffered because of them? No way they'd welcome the guy back.
Better to tough it out and raise new talent than let one traitor sour the mood.
After a few such lessons, betrayals dried up.
I kept listening to their talk.
"I'm planning to stay with Eunhae till the end."
"Such outdated thinking! The best talents always move where they're valued most."
"What would that make me? A rootless tumbleweed? Baekcheon must be desperate."
"What do you mean?"
"Clinging to a rival's man like this with job offers."
"...You'll regret turning me down today. Watch your back at night."
Time for me to step in.
I stood and approached their table.
"Why watch your back at night?"
"Eek!"
The Baekcheon manager jumped at the sight of me.
"Why so startled?"
"..."
"You seem awfully interested in Geon Haengsu. He clearly said no... That's obsession. Unrequited love."
"Pfft!"
Geon Haengsu burst out laughing.
I turned to the Baekcheon manager.
"Is this your leader's will?"
"..."
No answer, as expected.
Last time, when we gathered ship owners at the palace to start maritime trade, Baekcheon used Mo Cheong Haengsu for dirty tricks.
I handed the evidence to Changhae Merchant Group, who reported it to Ak Yeong-gyeong, the Nakyang regional commander.
Baekcheon got humiliated again, and I heard Nangong Gang, their leader, was in seclusion.
According to Jeong Ho hyung, who attended the recent Baekcheon alliance meeting, Nangong Gang skipped it.
His brother Nangong Seok attended instead.
Figures. The leader spot at Baekcheon isn't one you relinquish easily. Nangong Gang steps back in name only, putting his brother in charge.
Clever move.
Doesn't stop my revenge on Baekcheon, though.
Nangong Gang's a snake—sinister and tenacious.
He'd claw back to the top eventually.
And new leader Nangong Seok? He's on my list too.
That day I "died," the last thing I heard was:
"A message from Seok?"
"Yes. Nangong Seok Daeju is at Eunhae right now."
No need to dwell on why Nangong Seok was there.
Don't want to.
Anyway, fresh-off-promotion Nangong Seok hasn't even fully grasped the group yet. No way he's behind this scheme already.
Means the manager in front of me is acting alone.
Obvious reason: New leaders reward eye-catching achievements more generously.
But pulling stunts like this solo? I'd fire him on the spot.
"I'll lodge a formal protest with Baekcheon over this."
"Th-that..."
Then he grabbed the teapot and hurled it at me. I dodged outside.
Crash!
The thin window shattered, and he dropped to the ground.
Thud!
"I've been waiting."
Shing!
Clang!
"Wh-what the... Ack!"
My guards, stationed on my orders, subdued him.
I knew he practiced martial arts. Did he think I'd handle this sloppily?
"You think I came alone?"
"L-looking for your guards? They're in the same boat as you now. No worries."
"...!"
I ordered my guards,
"Take him to the present branch."
"Yes!"
I didn't want Baekcheon scum inside Eunhae premises.
"Palgap."
"Yes, young master."
"Tell the warehouse owner to bill me for the window."
"Got it."
Palgap gently set down the teapot he'd snatched midair.
"Do we have to cover that? He broke it," Geon Haengsu said.
Palgap replied,
"No worries there. Who do you think our young master is? He doesn't lose a single coin. Relax."
Sounds like praise, but why does it feel like shade?
Whatever.
I asked Geon Haengsu,
"When did this guy approach you?"
"On my way to the banquet hall, he popped up out of nowhere and insisted on talking."
He sighed.
"Refused several times, but he was persistent. Luckily, I picked the spot..."
"So you sat here on purpose?"
"You saw right through it!"
Geon Haengsu grinned.
"I'm no worldly expert, but guys like that hold grudges. Who knows what he'd do if I refused outright..."
"Smart move."
"I figured the third young master would spot me. Haha."
He scratched his cheek, chuckling sheepishly.
My judgment was spot on.
Geon Haengsu's the real deal.
"Ugh..."
He suddenly shivered, like a chill hit him.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, fine. Just a random shiver."
Good instincts.
I smiled warmly.
"Then let's head to the banquet."
"Sure."
A short while later, everyone I'd invited had gathered at the banquet hall.
The tables groaned under lavish spreads. I stood and greeted them.
"Eat up, and let's make this trade run smooth."
"We'll give it our all."
They dug in with gusto.
As the mood warmed up, I slipped out briefly.
This banquet was for them.
Stepping aside would let them loosen up more.
The real purpose came later—let them enjoy till then.
Then a voice stopped me.
"Third Branch Head."
In Haengsu, one of the ocean ship managers.
"You called?"
"Yes."
He approached.
"You hate beating around the bush, so I'll be direct."
"Go ahead."
His face set with resolve, he asked,
"What's the true intent of this banquet?"
"Intent? No idea what you mean."
"Eunhae's ocean shipping is ripe for the picking. Once the first branch head becomes group leader, you'll no longer be third branch head."
"True."
This was the expected sequence.
"So, are you building merit in ocean shipping now to split it off later?"
"...Pardon?"
I had to blink in disbelief.
People still thought like that?
"I won't stand for it. If you try, I'll oppose you to my last breath."
"W-wait."
I raised a hand to stop him.
"So you think I'm trying to carve out ocean shipping?"
"Yes."
I chuckled.
"Why would I?"
"You just said—once you're no longer branch head..."
"I don't care about titles."
"Huh?"
"Branch head or whatever—doesn't matter. And splitting it off would stop Eunhae from becoming the world's top group. Why would I sabotage that?"
"You'll strike when the first branch head lets his guard down."
Sigh. So narrow-minded.
As I sighed, about to respond, someone approached.
"You're severely underestimating the third branch head's abilities."
Geum Haengsu approached with a faint smile.
He'd handled silks before volunteering for ocean ships this time.
And a staunch supporter of Jeong Ho hyung.
Last time, when I took over Jeong Ho hyung's palace silk delivery prep, he'd given me the cold shoulder.
Then he saw my sincerity.
"What do you mean?" In Haengsu frowned.
"Not sure how you'll take this, but right now, the most capable person in Eunhae is the third branch head."
Geum Haengsu continued calmly.
"You joined late, so maybe you don't know, but ocean shipping is mostly his creation. Without him, it wouldn't have even started."
Step, step.
He descended the stairs, pressing on.
"He built it from scratch. So what if he takes it?"
"Geum Haengsu!"
In Haengsu shouted, but Geum Haengsu stayed cool.
"But he won't. His goal is making Eunhae the top group in the world."
He smiled at me.
"Right, branch head?"
"Exactly."
I continued,
"So enough with the baseless suspicions. And this banquet isn't to cozy up to you ocean ship veterans. It's a warning and advice."
"Warning and advice?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
Just then, a group ascended from below. I nodded toward them.
"They're here."
Five stood out in the bunch, their appearances far from ordinary.
One missing an ear, another an arm, and some with gruesome burns.
In Haengsu flinched.
"Who... are they?"
I grinned.
"Former pirates."
"Pardon?"
"Specially prepared for you all today."
Hope pushes people forward.
But fear ensures they advance safely.
Fear isn't meaningless.
It gives courage meaning and makes hope shine brighter.
That's why I'm planting fear in them.