Everything Has a Reason (5)
In response to my words, Jang Eul-ju, the branch manager, forced a smile and said,
"Thank you. Then I'll take my leave."
He hurried out of the room without looking back, and soon Palgap entered.
"What did he say, young master?"
"What do you think? He said thanks."
"If he was really grateful, shouldn't he have come yesterday?"
"Eh, I wasn't expecting anything anyway."
Palgap chuckled at my reply.
"Then shall I bring in the next visitor?"
"Huh? Next visitor?"
In answer to my question, Palgap showed me the ledger he was holding.
"Right now, there's a line of people downstairs waiting to visit you. This is their list."
"Why do you even have a list?"
"Couldn't be helped, young master. They came swarming like clouds, so we made a list to keep order and bring them in one by one."
"I mean, I'm grateful they're coming to visit, but this is a bit much…"
"Should I tell them all to go home?"
I let out a sigh at Palgap's words.
I had no idea if these visitors were truly worried about me or if they had other motives.
But I hadn't refused visitors from the start, and sending them away now would tarnish my reputation.
Reputation was everything to a merchant.
Especially one like me, aiming for the world's greatest trading company.
Plus, this was a chance to sort out who was friendly toward me.
"Bring them in…"
"Got it."
Suddenly, I recalled what Seo Hyang Sojeo had said to me yesterday.
She'd said I wouldn't have time to look over documents.
When I'd asked how many visitors there could possibly be, she'd just smiled without a word.
Now I knew why.
…
…
…
…
By the time I'd received a steady stream of visitors, it was already lunchtime.
The head of the Ji clan and his young lord, along with Ji Kyung-hwa Gongja, and even the leader of the Haemnam Sect and a Blue Stream warrior had all come that morning.
After greeting all those people, I collapsed onto the bed, utterly exhausted, without a moment's rest.
"Young master, are you okay?"
"Yeah…"
"You need to eat lunch. And drink your medicine!"
"Ugh!"
I couldn't help but grimace.
It was because the fake tonic the physician had prescribed was pretty potent.
It wasn't for actual healing—just a supplement to relieve fatigue and boost stamina.
Thanks to it, I wasn't physically drained, but mental exhaustion was a different beast.
Slap! Slap!
I slapped my cheeks with both hands to snap myself awake, then asked Palgap,
"So, how many more visitors are left?"
He showed me the list in response.
"Plenty more to go."
I was horrified when I saw it.
The list had grown even longer!
"No way, why are there even more?"
Palgap snickered at my grumbling.
"Because you're Luoyang's biggest celebrity right now, young master."
"What have I even done to deserve that?"
"Are you really asking because you don't know?"
I froze.
Thinking back on my exploits in Luoyang, I had nothing to say.
This was all my own doing—a case of biting the hand that fed me.
Honestly, as a merchant, nothing could be better.
I'd earned trust from countless people and boosted my fame.
It was great, but…
Why were my eyes tearing up?
Just then, Seo-u Warrior's voice came from outside the door.
"My lord, it's Seo-u."
"Come in."
The door opened, and Seo-u Warrior entered.
"The final match of the friendly sparring just ended."
"And the result?"
"Victory for Jegal Yu-a, the young lord."
As expected.
Sister Hyang-ok wasn't lacking, but Jegal Yu-a's talent was a cut above.
In his previous life, he'd reached Super First-rate with nothing to his name.
Now, training with the full support of the Jegal clan as their young lord, he'd grow even faster than before.
The Jegal clan would become far stronger than it was now.
They had high status from leading the Murim Alliance's military, but as a martial house, they lagged behind.
Thanks to their young lord, that would change.
I looked forward to it.
…
…
…
That afternoon, the visitors who came left me stunned—they were all heavy hitters.
With the friendly sparring over, they'd finally made time for me.
Exchanging well-wishes with them made me realize just how hard I'd been working.
One was even someone sent directly by the Alliance Leader.
Geon Man-seok, captain of the Hojung Corps—practically the Leader's personal guard.
"How's the body holding up?"
"This humble merchant Eun Seo-ho greets the captain. Forgive me for receiving you from my sickbed."
"Of course. I'd be a villain to expect formalities from a patient. Haha!"
Geon Man-seok laughed heartily and pulled out an envelope, handing it to me.
"Here, take it."
"What's this?"
"A reward for your righteous deed as the Seonhyeopmirang. The Leader said to pass it along while visiting."
"Ah, thank you."
I opened the envelope.
Inside were ten bills, each worth ten thousand nyang.
"But why money, of all things?"
"Pardon?"
"You could've asked for pricey elixirs or artifacts. I'm curious why you wanted cash."
I smiled and replied,
"First off, I don't really need those elixirs or artifacts you mentioned—they'd just end up converted to money anyway."
"Hmm, fair enough."
"Then I'd have to go through the hassle of selling them. Few can afford such valuables, and the process is risky. Lots to worry about."
I held up the envelope.
"But money? It's versatile on its own. Need something? Just buy it. How convenient is that?"
"You make a convincing case."
Geon Man-seok nodded.
"Oh, and the Leader sends his regards and wishes for a speedy recovery."
"Please convey my thanks."
"By the way… have you ever thought about…"
What?
"Working for the Murim Alliance?"
"Cough!"
The sudden words caught in my throat.
"Cough! Cough!"
"Whoa, you alright?"
"Sorry. Cough! It was just so out of the blue, I got startled."
"Is it that shocking?"
"Of course. But why the sudden offer?"
I played it cool, but inside I was tense.
Geon Man-seok sighed and said,
"I'm saying this because it's you—we need people at the Alliance who'll fight for justice in the martial world. But these days, too many are busy chasing personal gain. I'm worried about its future."
"…"
"I felt it when we met over the Black Cat Sect incident. We lack talents like you. That's why I'm asking so earnestly."
Truth be told, Geon Man-seok was a good man.
Fair and upright, loyal to his superiors, kind to his juniors.
The issue was who his loyalty was directed toward—the Alliance Leader.
Back then, his eyes held no hesitation when he took down the Black Cat Sect leader.
A man wrapped up in his own ideals of peace and justice for the martial world.
Now I understood why he served as the Leader's personal guard.
I didn't know how the Leader had won him over, but he believed the Leader embodied justice now. No other voice would reach him.
His end was predictable.
Yet he'd accept it with a smile.
Sorry, but I didn't want that fate.
Joining the Alliance and pretending to serve it while stabbing it in the back wasn't a bad plan.
But working in that rigid organization didn't suit me.
And I was a merchant, not a warrior.
I chose my words carefully and politely declined.
"I'm grateful for the captain's high regard and the offer, but I must decline."
"Why?"
"I like money."
"…That's your reason? Just that?"
"Just that? What could be bigger?"
I launched into a passionate rant.
"If someone offered me a bribe to cover up their mess, I might just take it without thinking and commit corruption."
"…"
"That'd be a disaster, right? And you'd get dragged down too, as the one who recommended me."
"Then we'll offer more than any bribe."
"Do you think greed has a limit, captain?"
"…"
"Greed is endless, and satisfying it is impossible."
I continued,
"Someone as greedy as me fits as a merchant. If I joined the Alliance, I'd just tarnish its name."
"…"
"Honestly, couldn't I do other jobs with my skills? But I know myself, so I stick to being a merchant."
"I see. You channel that greed in the right direction through your merchant identity."
"Exactly. So please withdraw the offer."
Come on, get the hint already!
You stubborn bastard!
Geon Man-seok nodded regretfully.
"I understand your stance. Shame, but I'll withdraw it."
"Thank you."
"Still, personally, I'd like to stay friends. Possible?"
"It'd be my honor."
Not a bad deal for me.
As the Leader's closest confidant, Geon Man-seok knew his corruption best.
The misdeeds disguised as justice.
If I could flip him, it'd be huge for toppling the Leader and shaking up the Alliance.
Not easy, but nothing was impossible.
Just slowly, very slowly, crack that信念 of his.
Too fine a talent to waste as the Leader's puppet and get discarded.
"Ah, time flies. I'll head out. Get well soon—we'll meet again."
"Take care."
Geon Man-seok left the room, and I called for Palgap.
"Palgap!"
"Yes, young master?"
"After dinner, bring the Haemnam Sect leader, will you?"
"Got it."
…
…
…
The visits continued until evening, but none came after dinner.
Too late would be rude.
But a guest I'd specifically requested was always welcome.
"My lord, the Haemnam Sect leader has arrived."
"Show him in."
The door opened, and the sect leader entered.
"Welcome."
"I heard you called for me."
"Yes. Make yourself comfortable."
Palgap soon brought tea, and the sect leader spoke first.
"I can guess why you wanted to see me."
"I should've come to you myself, but with my legs like this, my apologies."
"No need."
The sect leader continued,
"You're calling me for an answer to your previous proposal, right?"
"Yes."
He looked troubled as he replied,
"I've thought long and hard about your offer. It's not bad—no, it's a good one. But there's a problem."
"The officials?"
He nodded at my question.
"Exactly. You knew."
The Eunhae Merchant Group expanding into Haemnam Island meant outsiders coming in, and their corruption might be exposed.
They wouldn't sit idly by.
Father had worried about this too.
"I'm making this proposal knowing that, because I can handle it."
"How could you…? Even the main sect has tried everything and failed."
"Trade secret. If I solve it, will you accept?"
The sect leader agreed readily.
"Of course. We'd welcome it."
"Good."
I pulled out the pre-prepared contract.
"Just sign here."
He read it carefully.
No poison clauses, of course.
I hadn't included any.
Profiting through the contract was short-sighted.
"Hm, fair to both sides."
"Naturally. We must prosper together."
And so we signed in a warm atmosphere.
"By the way, did you not ask the Murim Alliance for help?"
The sect leader chuckled at my question.
"You know of guan-mu-bul-gachin?"
"That's the excuse they gave."
I had to chuckle too.
No one was more obsessed with the court or meddled in its affairs than the Alliance Leader.
He'd even gotten a warning from the Emperor for planting spies in the palace.
Thanks to my hard work, of course.
"Ah, take this."
I handed him an envelope.
"What's this?"
"Open it."
Inside was a single ten-thousand-nyang bill.
"Money out of nowhere? Didn't you give some last time?"
"Considering grain prices these days, the ten thousand nyang from before didn't seem enough."
"…"
He pocketed the bill with a moved expression.
Truthfully, I wanted to give him all the reward I'd just received, but not yet.
It'd just get extorted by Haemnam Island's officials.
Better to play it moderate.
"Anything else I can do?"
"Not much. Just spread the word that Eunhae is a good trading company."