Let's Hit the Jackpot Once (3)
I turned to my father and asked,
"Is there a spot you have in mind, Father?"
"Isn't it a right you earned? So you choose."
"I'm worried I might pick a bad one and bring shame to the merchant group."
"So you're trying to push the responsibility onto me."
Instead of answering, I gave an awkward smile.
"And you, picking a bad spot? Everyone here would laugh."
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat and turned away, catching Bok Yun, the vice leader, smirking.
This is embarrassing.
"Understood. Then I'll make the choice."
I approached the scroll hanging on the wall.
It was a map of the commercial district for this year's Murim Alliance Grand Assembly.
If there's a crown jewel of the commercial district, it's this place.
I raised my hand and pointed with my index finger.
"We'll take this one."
It was a spacious spot where multiple roads converged.
In other words, high foot traffic.
People nodded in approval at my choice.
Just as I expected.
But I hadn't picked it just for the prime location.
There were several other good spots.
"That place..."
As anticipated, the official in charge of assigning spots looked troubled.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm truly sorry, but could you choose somewhere else? It's already taken."
"What do you mean? The Alliance Leader clearly gave me first pick of any spot in the commercial district. How can it already be taken? I don't understand!"
The official sighed at my protest.
"It's reserved by the Baekcheon Merchant Group."
Exactly.
The real reason I'd chosen it was because I knew the Baekcheon Merchant Group would take it.
They had in my previous life.
The current head was the younger brother of the former head, Namgung Gang, but he was pulling the strings from behind, so it wouldn't differ from before.
I put on a show of disappointment and pressed on.
"I know what kind of group the Baekcheon Merchant Group is, but the Alliance Leader promised me that spot. How could this happen without my knowledge? Did the Alliance Leader break his word? Or does Baekcheon rank above him?"
At my pointed questions, the official—and everyone else—exchanged uneasy glances, at a loss.
They couldn't answer either way.
Admit the Alliance Leader broke his promise, and it tarnished his honor. Say Baekcheon outranked him, and it undermined his authority.
I glanced around.
The other merchants murmured quietly, but the Baekcheon head was nowhere in sight.
Well, with the heavyweights of the Murim Alliance backing them with funds, they had confidence to spare.
I turned back to the official.
He looked deeply conflicted.
Of course he was.
Handing over Baekcheon's spot to me would mean severe repercussions later.
Now was the time to achieve my real goal in deliberately picking Baekcheon's spot.
Snatching it wasn't my aim from the start.
I could take it if I pushed, but there was no need.
Better to leverage it for greater gains.
Besides, there was a reason not to take it this time.
"Very well. I'll choose another spot."
The official brightened.
"Thank you so much."
"But I'll need compensation."
"Pardon?"
"I'm yielding to Baekcheon at my own expense. Is it unreasonable to ask for something in return?"
He sighed again.
"No, it's not. What do you want?"
"Allow the Eunhae Merchant Group to run two temporary shops this time."
By rule, during Murim Alliance events like this, each merchant group could operate only one temporary shop in the commercial district.
Some bent the rules by temporarily spinning off blood kin as a separate group, but with fierce competition, such tricks rarely worked.
Rents were steep, too—you needed solid operations to turn a profit.
"And waive the rent on one of them."
The official pondered my proposal, then nodded.
"Agreed. But the second spot will be chosen fairly by lottery."
Jackpot!
I cheered inwardly and replied,
"Yes, understood."
I picked another prime spot, a bit away from the first.
Soon after, Father drew a wooden lot, landing us a decent entrance-area spot—not as central as the first, but satisfactory.
. . .
The next day.
We headed to the commercial district at dawn and set up tents at our assigned spots.
As staff and managers prepared, I approached Father quietly.
"Father, I have something to say."
"Speak."
"We should open a branch in Luoyang."
"Don't we already have one there?"
"Father?"
He knew I didn't mean that.
Father cleared his throat as if it were a joke.
"Ahem. Right. What scale are you thinking?"
"Considering Luoyang's size and position, at least half the scale of our Beijing branch."
"Our group's grown enough for expansion. The issue is securing land."
Same problem as in Beijing.
"I'll scout a site."
"Do that. I'll return to headquarters after the assembly and discuss with the branch leaders."
"Yes."
The tents went up, and staff began displaying goods.
Father and I started our tasks.
"We'll be neighbors in business. Let's make the most of the assembly."
"Likewise—looking forward to it."
Exchanging greetings with nearby temporary shop heads and chief managers.
Essential for mutual aid when needed.
With two shops this time, twice the handshakes.
"By the way, Seo-ho."
"Yes, Father."
"Opening two shops—was that your plan?"
I grinned broadly.
"Spur of the moment."
Not entirely, but close enough.
"Seems we've greeted everyone. I'll tour the district."
"Go ahead."
With Father's okay, I began wandering.
The goods were incredibly varied.
Food stalls, women's jewelry, tailors.
But as a martial assembly, weapons, medicines, and gear for warriors dominated.
"Young Master Eun."
"Ah, Vice Leader Bok."
I ran into Bok Yun of the Gwangjun Merchant Group mid-tour.
They specialized in horses, selling saddles and stirrups famed for comfort and durability.
"All set for your temporary shop?"
"Yes. Just scouting the area."
"Mind if I join?"
"Of course not."
We'd barely started when we met Sa Gang, vice leader of the Hongryeon Merchant Group.
Weapons specialists—for them, this assembly was peak season.
"Brought plenty of fine blades again."
Sa Gang nodded silently.
A young man watching us rushed over with greetings.
"First time meeting. I'm Sa Cheol, second son of the Hongryeon head."
"Eunhae vice leader, Eun Seo-ho."
"Gwangjun vice leader, Bok Yun."
"My brother's not much for talk, but he's good people."
"It's fine. I know."
Sa Cheol scratched his neck awkwardly.
"Right—you two met at the Hundred Great Merchant Groups gathering. Seeing you together, looks like you're done with business."
"Yes."
"Just touring the district."
"Perfect! Take my brother along too."
He nudged Sa Gang, who went along willingly—meaning he was open to it.
"Understood."
"Brother."
He whispered,
"Talk more, build ties. They're big shots."
Bok Yun couldn't hear, but my trained ears caught it.
Younger brother looking out for big bro.
Sa Gang joined us.
"Your brother's spirited."
"Yes."
"Any more siblings?"
"Yes."
"What's the name?"
"Geom."
Sa Gang, Sa Cheol, Sa Geom—Gang-Cheol-Geom?
Steel Sword. Fitting meaning.
Today, second son Sa Cheol seemed more merchant material.
But Sa Gang wasn't vice leader just for being eldest.
I'd seen his deeds in my past life.
Lacking in schmoozing, but unyielding on quality with drive and grit.
No varying standards for profit—he never compromised.
Hongryeon's reputation soared.
"For weapons, Hongryeon," people said.
Gifting a Hongryeon blade to a novice warrior was top-tier.
Impressively, Sa Cheol never eyed his brother's seat.
Talent recognizes talent.
Touring, hunger hit.
"Stomach's rumbling—noodles?"
They nodded.
Wonder where the others are.
Heard Han Baek-geon, Dam Jin, and Ho Kyung were here.
Regretfully, I led them to a noodle shop in the district.
"Welcome!"
"Meat noodle soup for the group!"
"Yes! One moment."
Soon bowls arrived; we dug in.
Pretty good.
Bodyguards next door slurping away confirmed it.
"Noodles to your taste?"
The speaker was from the spot assignment—I remembered helping him and Father with advice when he looked lost.
His shop, then.
"Yes, delicious."
"Thanks for back then."
"No big deal. Merchants help each other."
"Aren't you a caravan group?"
Top-tier among the Hundred Greats, yes.
But irrelevant.
"Big or small, a merchant's a merchant. Were we born caravans?"
Then I spotted a woman serving noodles, sword at her side.
"Who's she?"
"My daughter."
Father a non-martial merchant, daughter already first-rate warrior... unusual.
"She's talented, training at a martial hall. Wanted to broaden horizons at the assembly, so I allowed it."
He continued awkwardly.
"Just her and me since her mother passed. I hesitated, but the hall master suggested she help here instead."
"I see."
"So she's assisting now. No matches ongoing."
"Fine character."
"Thank you."
My interest stemmed from the inscription on her sword.
Ajang (峨張).
Meaning: bestow greatly.
And it belonged to a famed heroine later.
This assembly marked the start of her tragic tale.
Father lost his earnings to theft while selling here, overreached chasing it, and died to the thief.
She sought vengeance, a long road.
They seem nice. Such trials don't suit them.
I asked him,
"You must've stretched to get into the district..."
"Sharp eye."
He chuckled awkwardly.
Likely borrowed from the hall master.
That desperation fueled his overreach.
"Mind another tip?"