"This is the manor."
At the words of the martial artist on the driver's seat, Yong Ja-myeong stuck his head out the window.
He could see a manor standing in a remote place.
Thinking of the person waiting there, his expression was as serene as a lake, but a quiet storm was brewing in his heart.
After overcoming all sorts of hardships and trials, he had become the richest man in the world.
He was proud to say that he had reached a point where he wouldn't even bat an eye at most things, but seeing his heart race like this, it seemed he still had a long way to go.
However, Yong Ja-myeong never let his trembling show on the outside.
The anxiety of Baek Chong, sitting in front of him, was enough for now.
"If a problem arises, please speak the code."
They had a code set between them.
According to that code, Baek Chong dealt with various emergencies.
At that, Yong Ja-myeong smiled and asked.
"When was the last time we used that?"
It had been so long ago he couldn't even remember when.
Yong Ja-myeong's gaze turned back outside the window.
"We've lived without that much tension."
At some point, tension had become the burden of the other party.
And as if to punish that arrogance, the tension had suddenly returned.
In the meantime, the carriage slowly came to a stop.
"We have arrived."
At the report from the martial artist on the driver's seat, Baek Chong looked at the martial artist sitting next to him.
The martial artist in the next seat nodded, as if he understood without words.
Yong Ja-myeong had no intention of turning back, so now the three of them had to protect their Division Lord.
Each was a master of the highest caliber, but they were staking their lives on this matter.
"You can trust us."
Baek Chong spoke forcefully and was the first to get out of the carriage.
Next, Yong Ja-myeong disembarked.
His movements were calm and composed.
Following him, the martial artist who had been riding with them and the one from the driver's seat got out in succession.
The gate of the manor was closed.
There was no way of knowing what kind of trap awaited them beyond this gate.
The Demon Sovereigns might be lined up, waiting for them.
The Poison King's poison could be spread, and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's great blade might fly towards their heads.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon might smile coldly as he looked down on their dying selves.
Baek Chong exchanged glances with the other martial artists.
They felt the same way.
'He asked to meet in a place like this?'
Judging by the surrounding trees and terrain, it was a good place for an ambush.
Fortunately, the martial artists who had been lying in ambush earlier had all withdrawn, so no unnecessary misunderstandings arose.
What grated on Baek Chong's nerves even more was that the meeting place had been changed when they had almost reached their destination.
It was a message from the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion to meet at a different manor to the west of the original one.
Baek Chong was displeased with that as well.
The fact that the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion was watching them, and that they had changed the meeting place at the last minute.
Baek Chong slowly walked to the gate and slowly pushed it.
The gate was not locked.
Creeak.
The gate opened with a sound that spoke of old age.
Then, an unexpected sight unfolded before their eyes.
A table was set up in the courtyard, and people were eating.
Geom Mugeuk, holding a ladle, spoke.
"Anyone want more soup?"
It was Geom Mugeuk's unique welcome for the visitors.
Don't be tense, you're at a meal!
Baek Chong stepped aside, and Yong Ja-myeong walked forward from behind.
Although there were no name tags on the people at the table, he could tell at a glance which of them was the Heavenly Demon.
It felt like he would have been able to recognize him even if dozens of people were bustling about and eating in this courtyard.
Yong Ja-myeong's gaze turned to Geom Woojin.
It was the moment when the man known to have the greatest martial power and the man known to have the greatest wealth met.
They might have had a chance to see each other at least once, but this was the first time the two had met.
No, it would be the second time.
While riding in the carriage, Yong Ja-myeong had imagined what the Demon Cult Master's first impression would be.
Would he be scary? Would he be intimidating? Would he be warmer than expected? Would he be handsome?
But the first impression he had was something he had never imagined.
'He looks familiar!'
He really looked familiar, like someone he had seen somewhere before.
But that was all.
He couldn't remember where he had seen him.
No. Since he had never seen the Heavenly Demon, it would be more accurate to say he couldn't remember who it was that resembled him.
As someone who had reached the pinnacle of the merchant world, how many people must he have met in his life? Countless people he couldn't even remember one by one.
'I've definitely seen someone who looks like that man.'
But his thoughts could not last long.
Because he dared not continue to stare at the Heavenly Demon's face.
Geom Mugeuk could tell that he had not recognized his father at first glance.
After all, it was something from their younger days.
He would never have dreamed that the person who saved him was the Heavenly Demon.
It was probably a natural thing.
Don't worry.
I will fulfill your long-cherished wish.
I will make sure you remember before you leave.
And at this moment, Geom Mugeuk was curious.
'Did Father recognize him?'
But it was impossible to discern such a fact from his father's expression.
Geom Mugeuk put down the ladle and stepped forward.
"Welcome, Division Lord."
Yong Ja-myeong could tell at a glance.
That this young man was the Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
He resembled the Heavenly Demon sitting over there in some indefinable way.
"I am Geom Yeon of the Western Path Sect."
The reason he had called Yong Ja-myeong here today was to show that they had a deep relationship with the Silver River Merchant Group, and then use Geum Ah-rin to enter their core in one fell swoop.
He had considered pretending to be someone from the Silver River Merchant Group, but his father's presence made it impossible to believe he was someone subordinate to anyone.
Instead, he intended to bait her with the idea that a mysterious sect wanted to join hands with Yong Ja-myeong.
"This is my father."
At Geom Mugeuk's introduction, Yong Ja-myeong walked up to Geom Woojin.
Behind him, Baek Chong was on high alert.
"I am Yong Ja-myeong of the Silver River Merchant Group."
At Yong Ja-myeong's greeting, Geom Woojin stood up from his seat.
Geom Mugeuk and Hwi watched the scene with inner surprise.
Originally, his father was not one to stand up to greet the lord of a merchant group.
Even if that merchant group was the greatest in the world.
But Geom Woojin greeted him with due respect.
"Thank you for coming."
It must be an expression of gratitude to him for coming so quickly in response to his dispatch.
The moment Yong Ja-myeong heard Geom Woojin's voice, he felt something strike his heart with a thud.
Excitement, anticipation, fear.
A unique and intense feeling different from these emotions.
If fate were to speak to him, would it feel like this?
It wasn't the first time.
He had felt this emotion a few times in his life.
Each time, he had experienced a great change in his life.
Meanwhile, when the name Yong Ja-myeong appeared, everyone present was startled.
The person most surprised was Geum Ah-rin.
'That person is the owner of the Silver River Merchant Group?'
She had never seen him in person.
But she had heard too many stories about him.
Once, her father had evaluated him like this.
-His power is not his wealth.
He is a man whose name, Yong Ja-myeong, has become a greater power than money.
It was an assessment that, despite being a merchant, he was a figure who had transcended the stage of dominating people and the world with money.
At that time, she had sensed her father's jealousy.
She couldn't believe that Yong Ja-myeong had appeared here, so she looked at her escort, Im Hyeok.
Immediately, Im Hyeok's telepathic message came through.
-It is indeed the owner of the Silver River Merchant Group.
Im Hyeok had seen him before.
It's just that he was young and didn't remember, but Geum Ah-rin had also seen him before.
Im Hyeok's expression hardened.
Geom Mugeuk, Geom Woojin, and Hwi, whom he had seen earlier, were already people they could not handle.
In such a situation, Yong Ja-myeong came here?
In the merchant world, Yong Ja-myeong was the Martial Alliance Leader and the Heavenly Demon.
'What should I do?'
As Im Hyeok racked his brain, his eyes suddenly met with Hwi's across the way.
The meaning in Hwi's calm gaze was the same as the telepathic message he had sent earlier.
-Stop thinking and acting, and shut your mouth.
It was a dismissive statement, but Im Hyeok felt that it was clearly a well-intentioned piece of advice.
It was the same now.
'If you want to live, don't step forward. Don't try to go against the current, just entrust your body to the waves.'
Im Hyeok gave a very slight nod to Hwi, then looked at the person he was supposed to protect.
Geum Ah-rin was looking at Geom Mugeuk.
'That legendary person came to meet you? What are you?'
Even the Clan Leader of the Golden Dragon Clan, to which she belonged, had to request an appointment in advance to meet Yong Ja-myeong, and had to go and meet him in person at the time they set.
'What are you, someone whose inner energy I can suppress?'
It was truly a sight that was hard to believe even after seeing it with her own eyes.
If the Silver River Merchant Group was the best in the merchant world, the Golden Dragon Clan she belonged to was also one of the top three.
They had a good relationship with the Silver River Merchant Group, but they were also in a relationship of fierce competition.
'Something is not right. I need to find out why this meeting is taking place and report it.'
After finishing his greetings with Geom Woojin, Yong Ja-myeong's gaze turned to Geum Ah-rin and Im Hyeok.
"Who might these people be?"
Geom Mugeuk introduced her.
"I have not yet heard the name of the young lady here, but one thing is certain about her."
She was secretly anxious about what he would say.
As expected.
"This is a young lady who has great luck with food."
Geum Ah-rin could not hide her dumbfounded expression.
He was introducing her like this to the lord of the Silver River Merchant Group?
Yong Ja-myeong smiled and said.
"You possess a very happy fortune among fortunes."
He spoke politely, but thought to himself.
'If she hasn't even told you her name yet, it must mean she doesn't know who she's dealing with.'
He thought that the reason he was asked to come here today might be related to them.
Geom Mugeuk next introduced Hwang In.
"This is the Division Lord of the Hwangdo Merchant Group. He is someone who dreams of becoming the owner of the greatest merchant group under heaven in the future."
Hwang In truly never imagined that he would meet the person he dreamed of here today.
"It is an honor to meet you."
"I have been admiring the rapid growth of the Hwangdo Merchant Group recently."
Hwang In's face flushed slightly.
It was because the achievements were made through unjust methods.
On the other hand, he was surprised that the Silver River Merchant Group was paying attention to him.
"My merchant group has been reborn. Please watch over us in the future."
Hwang In, like a true merchant, was quick-witted.
"Then, I will take my leave now."
If he had his way, he would have loved to talk with Yong Ja-myeong all night and build a connection, but he felt that it was not the right atmosphere for that.
Leaving didn't necessarily mean growing distant.
Knowing when to join in and when to step back was also a way of taking a step closer to one's goal.
At that moment, the escort, Im Hyeok, sent a telepathic message to Geum Ah-rin.
—We should also get up now.
-We need to find out what they met for.
-You know, don't you? They are not people who will easily reveal themselves.
If we stay any longer, our identities will only be further exposed.
His judgment was very good from beginning to end.
He couldn't lead the decision, but Geum Ah-rin's judgment in accepting that decision was also good.
"Since a noble person has arrived, we will also take our leave now."
Geum Ah-rin stood up from her seat.
To her, who was bidding farewell, Geom Mugeuk said.
"Next time, try the food properly. You will have no regrets."
Geom Mugeuk, who was talking about food while parting, felt like a different person from the Geom Mugeuk who had said those words earlier.
-Are you a human worth saving?
Geum Ah-rin had a premonition that she would soon have to answer that question.
She politely bowed to Geom Woojin and Yong Ja-myeong, then left the place with Im Hyeok.
As she and Im Hyeok walked towards the gate, they conversed through telepathic messages.
-It's the place we arranged, but we're the ones getting kicked out first.
-At least we're leaving with our lives, aren't we?
It was a gift that their good judgment had given them.
As those two also left, Geom Mugeuk asked Yong Ja-myeong.
"Have you eaten?"
Normally, he would have naturally refused.
Would anyone join a table where someone was already eating and have a late meal? No, it had been a long time since such a situation was even created.
But this place was different.
It was the place where the Heavenly Demon had been dining.
He couldn't just stand by and watch, saying, "Please finish your meal."
"I have not eaten yet."
"I cooked generously, so there's enough for you to join us."
And so, Yong Ja-myeong sat down at the table.
The three escorts, including Baek Chong, stood a few steps away from him.
"Please, eat with us."
When Geom Mugeuk offered, Baek Chong politely declined.
"We are fine."
Geom Mugeuk did not insist further.
Forcing them to sit in this situation would be more of a torment for them.
Geom Mugeuk brought out the dishes that had not yet been served, placing them in new bowls.
"This is a dish I made myself, with my father helping with the preparation of the ingredients."
At those words, Yong Ja-myeong was startled.
"This is truly a precious meal."
"Of course, you will never be able to have it again."
Yong Ja-myeong bowed his head to Geom Woojin and said.
"It is an honor."
"I'm not sure if it will suit your taste."
Yong Ja-myeong tasted the food.
Behind him, Baek Chong's nerves were stretched to the extreme.
What if it was poisoned? What if they weren't trying to kill him, but to control him by putting Gu Poison in it?
He wanted to rush over and check it with a silver needle right away.
But if he stuck a silver needle into the food that the Heavenly Demon and the Young Cult Master had made, his own heart would be pierced by their swords.
Yong Ja-myeong ate the food comfortably, without such worries.
"It is truly delicious."
It was not an empty compliment.
He was a man who had tried every delicious dish there was, but this dish was quite excellent.
"Next time, try a dish that my father makes and I assist with. And tell me whose food is more delicious."
Yong Ja-myeong just smiled.
He could never agree to that.
It was a request to evaluate the food of the Demon Cult Master and the Young Demon Cult Master and determine their superiority.
After finishing the simple meal, Yong Ja-myeong finally asked politely.
"I am curious as to why such a noble person has summoned a mere merchant."
Geom Mugeuk thought that he had already done all he needed to do.
Through this meeting today, Geum Ah-rin had learned that they and the Silver River Merchant Group had some sort of relationship.
But his father, as if he hadn't called him for such a matter, brought up something unexpected.
"I wanted to introduce you to my son."