It was an impossible thing to do.
To go to someone she had met for the first time today and ask for help with such an important matter.
If her mother or the martial artists of the Sword Clan heard this story, they would say she was mad.
They would consider it more than a mistake; it was an incident.
'But why do I feel so relieved?'
As soon as she asked him to find a reason to tear it up, a thrill ran through her entire body, and she felt good.
It was as if her instincts were screaming.
You did the right thing.
This was the first time she had experienced something like this.
Moreover, the other party’s response was fitting for such a mad act.
“How many should I find for you?”
Such confidence without even looking at the contract?
It didn't matter if his words were a bluff or confidence.
The sense of relief she had felt earlier returned to her heart.
“The more, the better.”
At that moment, as she was about to hand the contract she was holding to Geom Mugeuk.
Hwang In, who had been watching until now, stepped forward.
“Miss Ju, that is not acceptable.”
At Hwang In's calm intervention, Ju Hyang-wol's hand stopped in mid-air.
“Miss Ju, you may not be familiar with such agreements, but a contract like this must not be shown to an outsider.”
Hwang In was certain that Geom Mugeuk was an outsider.
When he had investigated the Ju Clan Sword Family beforehand, there was no one who gave off such a unique feeling.
Also, from Ju Hyang-wol's words and attitude towards them earlier, it was clear they were not part of the clan.
Then, Geom Mugeuk asked Ju Hyang-wol.
"Did you make a prior promise not to show it to outsiders?"
“No, I saw that contract for the first time today.”
Hwang In interjected again, saying.
"This is a matter of contractual custom.”
Geom Mugeuk also treated him calmly.
“I don't know why someone who knows customs so well would make such a mistake.”
“What do you mean?”
“Isn't it customary to send such a contract in advance for sufficient review before meeting? It seems you are the one who broke the custom.”
Hwang In could not refute those words.
Ju Hyang-wol only now learned of such a fact.
She had never had such an experience before.
“So let's drop the word 'custom' here today. It was never there from the start.”
Hwang In realized that this young opponent before him was not as easy as he looked.
“Who are you?”
“I am someone who became a filial son thanks to Miss Ju."
Hwang In could not understand what those words meant.
From words alone, he couldn't tell if they were on Ju Hyang-wol's side or if they had truly just met at the entrance of the inn.
In any case, it was certain they were unusual people.
Even while such a tense conversation was taking place, Geom Woojin and Hwi continued their meal.
They were even sharing natural conversation like, 'Try this too,' and 'Thank you.'
“If you read the contract, you will see that our Merchant Group has made many concessions. That is why we were remiss in sending the contract in advance. We thought you would be satisfied if you saw it in person. Read it. Then you will understand my words.”
There was a clear confidence in Hwang In's eyes.
'Do you think you can find anything just by reading it?'
Geom Mugeuk took the contract from Ju Hyang-wol's hands.
“Let's have a look.”
Geom Mugeuk placed it on the table and began to read it slowly.
Meanwhile, Geom Woojin and Hwi continued to eat.
They didn't seem to care about the matter at all.
At first glance, it seemed he might be angry at his son, but looking at his expression and atmosphere, there was no sign of anger.
With Ju Hyang-wol's and Hwang In's eyes fixed on him.
Geom Mugeuk read the several pages of the contract to the very last page.
“Why are there so many difficult words?”
“That's because there are specific terms used in contracts. So? Did you find the part that justifies tearing it up?”
After a short pause, Geom Mugeuk answered.
“I don't think there is such a part.”
A look of disappointment crossed Ju Hyang-wol's face.
She had felt that this person would find some answer.
Conversely, a satisfied smile, as if to say 'of course', appeared on Hwang In's face.
“Now, since it's been confirmed, please sign.”
Having gone so far as to show the contract to an outsider, it became even more difficult to postpone the signing.
'Could my mother's choice have been right this time?'
She bowed politely to Geom Mugeuk.
“Thank you for reading it.”
The moment she picked up the contract from the table!
An unexpected person broke the silence.
“Page one, line six.”
Surprisingly, the person who spoke was Geom Woojin.
Ju Hyang-wol quickly read the clause Geom Woojin mentioned.
It was a clause stating that if an incident occurred that damaged the honor of either party, they must compensate each other monetarily by mutual agreement.
“Is there a problem with this?"
Ju Hyang-wol asked cautiously.
If the Sword Clan and the Merchant Group made an agreement, who would have the advantage? So she had thought this clause was rather advantageous to the Ju Clan Sword Family.
Could he have mentioned the wrong item?
Instead of answering, Geom Woojin pointed to another place.
“Page two, line nine. Page three, items two and seven.”
Ju Hyang-wol read all the parts Geom Woojin mentioned.
They were not difficult to understand, and in fact, they were contents she had considered advantageous to them.
The parts she thought the other side had conceded in order to join hands this time.
For example, there was a clause like this.
If it was revealed that the other party was clearly at fault, they could use force beyond monetary compensation.
A clause that said the Sword Clan could attack the Merchant Group, which, as Hwang In had said, was a point they had conceded as much as possible.
'Why is he only pointing out the parts they conceded?'
She looked at Geom Woojin with a puzzled heart.
Geom Woojin, who was staring at her quietly, suddenly asked.
"Are you sure that you are the stronger party?"
“!”
At that moment, Ju Hyang-wol's heart sank.
Throughout reading the contract, no, since entering this inn, it was a part she had not doubted for a single moment.
Because she had naturally assumed the Sword Clan was the stronger side.
What if that's not the case? What if we are not the strong ones?
All these clauses would become poison clauses and return as blades later.
Distracted by the ambiguous and difficult-to-understand parts of the contract, she had missed the simplest yet most important part.
The most frightening trap is not a hidden one.
When it is laid bare for all to see, but no one considers it a trap, its power is incomparably strong.
Geom Woojin's final words cleared up all these suspicions in one fell swoop.
“When a merchant gives up profit, there's always a reason.”
Ju Hyang-wol thought that Geom Woojin's words were right.
‘So that's what I was missing.'
The emotions that flooded in at the same time were the comfort and relief she had felt before.
The thought occurred to her that the relief she felt earlier might not have been because of the younger son, but because of this father.
Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and said.
“You were watching everything while pretending not to, weren't you?"
“Didn't you put it on the table for me to see and read it?”
“My quick wits are all from you, Father. Ah! I should have inherited your brilliant mind too.”
“You must have noticed it too?"
Geom Woojin believed that Geom Mugeuk had thought the same thing, as he would have noticed him peeking.
But Geom Mugeuk denied it to the end.
“In a parent's eyes, their own child always seems the smartest.”
Watching the two of them, Ju Hyang-wol felt herself getting drawn into their world.
It was happening now too.
This was not the time to be staring blankly at them, yet she found herself watching their conversation with envy.
She looked at Hwang In.
He controlled his emotions well, as befitting a merchant's kin.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding. We are but a mere Merchant Group. If we were that strong, why would we try to join hands with the Ju Clan Sword Family?"
At that, Ju Hyang-wol asked him.
“You tell me. Why?"
What if they possessed martial power greater than the Sword Clan? If they had hidden that fact and presented such a contract? This was not simple cooperation, but a conspiracy.
Hwang In was still calm.
“It is a misunderstanding."
"I'm sure it is.”
Ju Hyang-wol raised the contract to tear it before her eyes.
Just then, Geom Mugeuk stopped her.
“Will you really feel gratified if you tear that?”
Ju Hyang-wol turned her head towards Geom Mugeuk.
“It is better to keep it without tearing it. What you are holding, Miss, is evidence."
"Evidence?”
“Isn't it evidence that they tried to swallow the Sword Clan whole? You might think you'll feel gratified if you tear it, but the one who will feel true gratification is him."
"!"
Ju Hyang-wol felt dizzy.
At first, she had brought it to Geom Mugeuk and asked him to find a reason to tear it.
So she had thought she had finally uncovered that reason.
So she was about to tear it up gleefully.
But that wasn't it.
Even now, she had just narrowly avoided the danger of falling into a trap.
And the traps kept being discovered.
“Yes, I will keep it safe.”
As she tried to put the contract into her robes, Geom Mugeuk stepped in again.
“You can't put it there.”
"Why not?"
“Weren't you about to tear that contract because you acknowledged that the other side is stronger?"
“That's right.”
Otherwise, it meant there was no problem with this contract.
“If you carry evidence that is disadvantageous to them, how do you think they will react?"
Ju Hyang-wol looked at him with an expression of disbelief, and Hwang In said calmly, “I repeat, we are merely merchants."
Ju Hyang-wol could now see him objectively.
That this mere merchant was far too calm.
She asked Geom Mugeuk.
“Then what should I do?”
"You must keep it in a safe place. Entrust it to the place you consider the safest."
Ju Hyang-wol was lost in thought for a moment.
“Since I was young, there was a person I considered the safest.”
“Entrust it to that person to keep.”
“I can't do that. He has already passed away."
The place she felt safest was in her father's arms.
They were words she didn't have to say, but for some reason, she wanted to.
Was it because she had been under so much psychological pressure today? Or did she want to tell these two people who had strangely captivated her? She could not understand her own feelings.
She forced herself to be brave.
In any case, this matter was her own, and it was her family's affair.
“I'll handle it myself. Thank you so much for your help.”
The moment her words ended.
Another unexpected situation unfolded.
Geom Woojin extended his hand towards her and said this.
“I will take it for you.”
The moment she heard those words, Ju Hyang-wol felt a surge of emotion in her chest.
Over the image of Geom Woojin holding out his hand, she saw the image of her father overlapping.
Geom Woojin was looking at her sternly, but the father superimposed over him was smiling.
“Since I found the parts that needed to be torn, I should also take responsibility.”
Geom Mugeuk knew that wasn't the reason.
His father, having been influenced by him lately, might help her for a moment.
Yes, he might cheerfully find the flaws in the contract.
But to take custody of it?
When he had no idea when or how their business would conclude? While they had things to do in Shaanxi? This was absolutely not like his father.
Then there was only one conclusion.
The Hwangdo Merchant Group was connected to the work they had to do in Shaanxi.
His father was the one who had heard about this mission from Sama Myeong.
I deliberately didn't ask.
I would find out when we arrived anyway, and I wanted to focus solely on the journey with my father.
When all the Demon Sovereigns had gathered, Grand Strategist Sama Myeong had said this.
-To move masters and an organization of this level, vast funds are necessary.
As a result of a secret investigation, we have found a clue to track the ones behind them.
He had said they traced the source of the funds, so even in Shaanxi, they would have to deal with those who possessed immense wealth.
Perhaps the Hwangdo Merchant Group was one of their subordinate organizations or had some connection to them.
"It's alright, give it to me.”
Hesitant, Ju Hyang-wol, as if possessed, gave the contract to Geom Woojin with a trembling hand.
Watching this, Hwang In felt a tightness in his chest.
When he came here, he had never imagined he would experience something like this.
Hwang In's gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk.
‘I don't know who you are, but you've picked the wrong people to mess with.'
They must have thought of him as a mere tradesman.
But if they knew what kind of place the Hwangdo Merchant Group was, they would not have dared to step forward so fearlessly.
“I'm busy, so I'll be leaving for today.”
As he turned to leave, Geom Mugeuk did not just let him go.
“Wait, don't just leave. Pay for renting out the entire inn before you go.”
Geom Mugeuk smiled and added to him, who turned back with a slightly stiff face.
“If you're a merchant, shouldn't you settle your accounts properly?"
Hwang In soon replied with a calm smile.
“Of course. I am a man who is very clear about what is given and received.”
He called the innkeeper, paid the price, and left the place.
After Hwang In left, Ju Hyang-wol felt as if a great storm had passed.
What if I hadn't stood up from my seat? What if I had signed it right there?
How would my fate have changed?
“According to what you said, they might come to snatch that contract.”
At her worry, Geom Woojin called the innkeeper and ordered new dishes.
"Since you're already sitting, have a meal before you go.”
Until the very end, Ju Hyang-wol experienced a situation she had not expected.
She never thought she would be having a meal with these people.
The person who reassured her instead of Geom Woojin was Geom Mugeuk.
“You don't have to worry. The thing you entrusted to him is now…………….”
Geom Mugeuk looked at his father with gentle eyes.
“Because it is now kept in the safest place in this Martial World.”