Golden Buddha Statue (2)
The Alliance Leader gazed at the golden Buddha statue and let out a low hum.
"Hm... So that's why you brought two statues."
"Yes."
"Then who prepared the fake one?"
I raised my hand in response.
"I did. I commissioned the Baekyeom Merchant Group to make it."
"It's remarkably lifelike."
"They're skilled artisans."
Of course, this was also thanks to Prince Hogyung. There would be evidence planted everywhere proving that I'd requested it from them.
"But why bring out both statues? Wouldn't handing over just the real one have sufficed?"
"I brought the fake one too because I thought you might find it useful someday, Alliance Leader."
The Leader nodded as if grasping my intent.
"Indeed. With a fake to deploy, we could protect this from those scheming to steal it."
"Exactly."
"To think ahead even to matters after the fact! My thanks."
"No need to mention it."
"But did the Guam Sect's sect leader hand it over so readily?"
Won Chief Clerk answered then.
"He did."
"I see. You've worked hard. You must be weary from the journey—go and rest."
I smiled at his words.
It wasn't time to leave yet.
"Alliance Leader, I understand this task was for the Murim Grand Assembly."
"Correct."
"But I'm not affiliated with the Murim Alliance. Even so, I acted for the good of the jianghu. Moreover, while Chief Clerk Won received activity funds for his duties, I covered all expenses from my own pocket."
"What are you getting at?"
"Alliance Leader, I'm no martial artist—I'm a merchant. I seek compensation befitting the task I've done."
"Compensation, you say?"
"Yes."
I nodded.
"Not some intangible honor, but something tangible you can see and touch."
The Leader eyed me thoughtfully for a moment.
"Truth be told, I intended to pass on a martial art to you. But if you insist on the merchant's path, so be it."
Alliance Leader, what nonsense is this?
"A martial art! I'm grateful for the offer, but I'll decline. As I said, for a merchant, nothing beats what's visible and graspable. I ask for nothing more."
"Very well. How much, then?"
"Discussing a specific sum ill suits your station, Alliance Leader."
"It doesn't?"
"No."
Why play these games? You're not going to pay whatever I name.
I revealed what I truly wanted.
"What I seek is the right to choose any spot I desire in the merchant section at this Murim Grand Assembly."
"That's truly all?"
"Yes."
Won Chief Clerk spoke up then.
"Young hero, after all you've endured, is that really enough?"
"It's plenty. A prime spot brings prime profits."
"But didn't you just say you wanted something you can see and touch?"
"Indeed."
I kept my smile steady.
"That's why I need a document bearing your official endorsement, Alliance Leader. That will do."
"Must it be in writing?"
"Merchants like us prefer certainty. A document with your endorsement is essential."
Once Eun Seo-ho and his group had departed, the Alliance Leader stared at the seat where he'd sat, lost in contemplation.
What he'd demanded was the right to select any spot in the merchant section at the Murim Grand Assembly.
And he'd even insisted on official endorsement, leaving the Leader no choice but to write it himself.
With that single document in hand, Eun Seo-ho's face lit up as if all his past hardships had vanished.
Does he want my backing? Or is money his true priority?
The Leader knew well.
The profit gap between prime spots and poor ones in the merchant section was substantial.
If he set up shop in a prime location from this Taishan trip, he'd more than recoup his expenses.
What a shrewd operator.
That said...
He turned to inspect the two statues.
For him to hand over the real one!
He'd assumed the Guam Sect leader had grown suspicious of him.
Thus, he'd expected a fake to be offered.
Eun Seo-ho would notice, press the sect leader, learn the truth, and decide from there.
But reality diverged from his expectations.
At least the Guam Sect leader isn't a concern for now.
Now remained his assessment of Eun Seo-ho—and the conclusion therefrom.
It was mildly disconcerting, this deviation from prediction, but one thing was clear today.
Eun Seo-ho discovering and thwarting his prior schemes had been coincidence, not intent.
Had it been deliberate—had he seen through the Leader's aims—the Guam Sect leader wouldn't have yielded the real golden Buddha statue so easily, even if pressed.
Thus, the best course was to win him over. But it wouldn't be easy.
For one, his greed was excessive.
Smart, yes—but using that intellect solely for profit, per the Leader's judgment.
One might suggest baiting him with money, given his love of it. But no.
He's a born merchant. Using cash as bait on such a man is trickier than it seems.
In other words, he viewed everything as a transaction—and could walk away if it soured.
And someone that clever wouldn't go down alone.
This was a time for caution.
Dragging him in risked headaches if issues arose.
The Leader clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"A practitioner of Cheonryu Gong, yet so greedy! A true paradox."
He'd reached a decision.
No need to risk eliminating him if he wasn't actively thwarting his secrets.
Nor to actively recruit him.
He seemed to regard the Leader purely as a transaction partner, after all.
With his mind made up, he reached for the golden Buddha statue—then paused.
No, not yet.
He couldn't use it here in the Murim Alliance.
He had external business in a few days; that would do.
Even if he yearned to take it now and activate it, he couldn't...
"Sigh..."
Piles of documents awaited his attention.
He still had to maintain this position. Thus, paperwork couldn't be ignored.
Being Alliance Leader is no free ride... damn it.
Departing the Alliance Leader's quarters, I bid farewell to Chief Clerk Won and his group.
"You've all worked hard."
"Think nothing of it. Thanks to Seonhyeopmirang, we completed the mission safely."
"You're making me blush. Until we meet again."
"Leaving so soon?"
"Yes. Duties pile up; I can't linger. Rest well yourselves—you've earned it."
"Your consideration is appreciated. We'll never forget your grace."
Truthfully, the hardships en route were my doing, so it felt awkward.
But they were the root cause, anyway.
Had they shown proper respect from the start, I wouldn't have gone to such lengths.
I bowed politely and turned away.
"Then I'll be off."
"Safe travels."
Thus, my group and I left the Murim Alliance.
"Straight to Beijing, then?"
I shook my head at Seo-u Warrior's question.
"No. We'll stay a while longer."
For my plan, leaving Luoyang now was premature.
Heading to my preselected inn, I smirked inwardly.
My excessive fixation on money before the Leader had been deliberate theater.
Right now, his judgment of me would be in disarray.
After all, I'd brought both fake and real.
But yielding the real so readily would make him deem me harmless.
His optimal move then: recruit me.
That was dangerous.
Fail to recruit, and he'd never let one who knew his secrets walk free.
So I'd struck first.
By playing the greedy merchant, I'd quash any notion of recruitment.
The Leader was sharp.
He'd realize I saw him as a mere transaction partner.
Turning a dealmaker is harder than swaying a zealot.
I chuckled, recalling the endorsed document in my bosom.
This proved his assessment.
Despite the ordeal of his "test," I was satisfied.
Its value varied wildly by use.
Not a word about those I rescued from the Black Cat Sect's prison, though.
Figures—he'd avoid the topic, deliberately or not.
My group took rooms at an inn near the Murim Alliance.
A fine establishment, same as during the Yongbong Tournament.
"It's been a while. Our thanks for gracing us again."
The innkeeper greeted me warmly.
"Haha, something about this place just feels right."
"We'll serve you to the best of our ability."
We unpacked in our rooms, then gathered in mine.
"You've arrived."
"Yes."
I enveloped us in qi to prevent sound leakage.
"Tonight, I plan to steal the golden Buddha statue."
"What shall we do?"
Seo-u Warrior asked calmly.
Most would gasp or voice concerns at "steal the golden Buddha statue."
But their unflinching query bespoke utter trust.
"I figured you'd at least ask why."
"We believe Lord has reasons that necessitate it."
"Thanks."
I smiled softly.
Grateful as I was for their faith, explanations were due where secrets weren't vital.
That was courtesy to those who trusted me.
"Truth is, that statue amplifies all energies."
"All energies...?"
"Yes, all of them. And in my view, it's needed not for the Grand Assembly, but some other purpose."
"What purpose?"
"I'm not certain. But it won't be used benignly in the Leader's hands."
"Understood."
"Thus, I need your help."
"Anything."
"We'll follow."
Yeo Eung-am Warrior and I-pil Warrior clasped fists and bowed; Palgap grinned.
"No worries needed, sir!"
"Good, got it."
I chuckled.
Yeo Eung-am Warrior asked worriedly.
"But such a vital item—they'll guard it closely, no?"
"Naturally. But preparations are set. I applied the tracking incense you made, I-pil Warrior, to the real statue."
"Then I'll locate it."
"Exactly."
Palgap queried.
"Ain't that the Tang Clan tracking incense, sir? Won't some Tang fellow in the Alliance sniff it out?"
"No concern there, Palgap."
I-pil Warrior continued.
"The version I made for Lord is my modification—only I can detect it."
Seo-u Warrior raised a hand.
"Even knowing the spot, guards will be there."
"True. But leave that to Goldie afterward."
"Kkwi?"
Goldie poked its head out at its name, chirping.
It'd cost a fortune in treats, but safest and simplest.
"And I'll feign exhaustion and sleep."
"To sell it..."
To Palgap's words, I handed him the Illusion Mirror.
"This solves it."
The Illusion Mirror created phantoms.
"Ah! Perfect, sir!"
.
.
.
Night fell, darkness cloaking all.
I and I-pil Warrior slipped from the inn unseen.
Our target: the real golden Buddha statue's location.
"If you please."
I-pil Warrior nodded, closed his eyes in focus, then pointed ahead.
"That direction."
"Lead on."
I followed; soon we reached the Murim Alliance.
"It's inside there."
Still secured within, then.
Makes sense—safest spot.
I-pil Warrior scanned.
"Guards are tight. Stealthy entry looks tough."
"This way."
Now I guided him.
Every place has a loose spot; I knew the Alliance's.
From my past life, via Eunhae intel network—used by Alliance warriors.
Hidden in brush, invisible from outside.
"How'd you know this?"
"Ways and means."
I brushed it off casually and entered first.
I-pil Warrior tracked the scent.
"There."
The Leader's chambers, by appearance.
Goldie's moment.
"Go, Goldie!"
"Kkwi!"
"Three gold coins' worth!"
"Kku, kkwiik!"
...Way too thrilled?