The whole way here, Yong Ja-myeong had been pondering why the Demon Cult Master had summoned him.
He had considered both good and bad scenarios.
But he never imagined the reason would be to introduce him to his son.
Yong Ja-myeong’s gaze naturally turned to Geom Mugeuk.
The next generation’s Heavenly Demon and the most talked-about figure in the martial world of late.
The various rumors and information about him were always contradictory.
Trivial and yet grand.
The trivial matters were too trivial to be believed, and the grand results he achieved were too grand to be believed.
And as if to show that such rumors were not just rumors, he was holding a ladle at their first meeting.
The first words he heard from him were, "Does anyone want more soup?"
Geom Mugeuk bowed his head to his father.
"Thank you, Father."
He didn't know his father's hidden meaning in this, but he had faith that it was, at least, for his own sake.
He could feel it just by the way his father glanced at him.
Since he didn't yet know what kind of people Geom Woojin and Geom Mugeuk were, Yong Ja-myeong's suspicion was only natural.
"The Demon Cult Master arranged such a meeting for his son's connections? That can't be."
One conclusion naturally emerged.
'In the end, is it about money?'
A conclusion born from long experience.
No matter how it was phrased, in the end, what a martial artist wanted from a merchant was money.
The Heavenly Demon probably couldn't step forward himself, so he was putting his son forward to demand money under some pretext?
Of course, the amount would be astronomical, befitting the names of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect and the Silver River Merchant Group.
'If that's the reason?'
A martial artist would become enraged and seek to punish such an unreasonable demand, but a merchant must not.
At a time like this, a merchant should ask himself.
'What can I get in return?'
Hiding such inner thoughts, Yong Ja-myeong spoke respectfully to Geom Woojin.
"It is I who would desperately wish to form a bond with the Young Cult Master."
He was sincere.
There was nothing to lose by building a relationship with the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect.
‘If you come at me like this, I’ll have to call someone I know.’
‘Who would you dare to call against us?’
‘The Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect.’
It meant he could have such exhilarating conversations.
That is, if the other party had no hidden, impure intentions.
Geom Woojin rose from his seat.
"See you later."
It meant for him to have some time with Geom Mugeuk.
And ‘see you later’ meant that he should stay for the day instead of leaving right away.
Yong Ja-myeong was inwardly flustered, not expecting Geom Woojin to leave him alone with the Young Cult Master.
"What is this situation?"
It was not something the leader of the Silver River Merchant Group could easily experience.
In any case, he had said he would see him later.
"I will see you later."
Yong Ja-myeong replied politely with a smile.
His flawless courtesy was not just because his counterpart was the Heavenly Demon.
The merchant Yong Ja-myeong was never one whose emotions became his attitude.
Geom Woojin slowly took a step.
Baek Chong, who was behind Yong Ja-myeong, grew more tense.
He hadn't realized it when they were sitting and eating, but now that he was walking, the feeling was different.
He walked slowly, yet it didn't feel slow, and it felt as if the surrounding air was moving centered on him.
Before leaving, Geom Woojin left a word for Yong Ja-myeong.
"It won't be a bad thing for you either."
What could that mean? Was it faith in his son? Or a hint?
Yong Ja-myeong couldn't tell.
Although he had met countless people and had all sorts of experiences until now, today those experiences were of little help.
Meanwhile, once the Demon Cult Master left the place, Baek Chong became even more tense.
‘He might be up to something, so don't let your guard down.’
He sent a telepathic message to the martial artists with him.
He, too, could not understand Geom Woojin's actions.
He didn't focus on the fact that Yong Ja-myeong was left behind.
'He's leaving just the Young Cult Master behind?'
Since the Demon Cult Master had left, he might do something on his own.
Yong Ja-myeong looked around and asked Geom Mugeuk.
"Come to think of it, I don't see a single guard. Where are they?"
"I left my escort at the Main Sect."
Geom Mugeuk looked at the three martial artists standing behind Yong Ja-myeong and said.
"I told them to train until they have built up their skills as much as those gentlemen over there."
Though no one in this place would believe it, it was the truth.
In fact, they were probably in a state of deep training right now.
With the mindset that even if they couldn't protect him, they shouldn't at least be a burden.
Since neither of them were people who would allow for an awkward silence, the conversation continued naturally.
"Since we've eaten, shall we go out for a walk?"
"Let's do that."
The two of them left the manor.
Yong Ja-myeong asked what he had been curious about.
"Why did you ask to meet at this manor?"
"It's because of the woman with an appetite for food whom you saw earlier."
"What is your relationship with that woman?"
"She is someone who came to kill us."
From Geom Mugeuk's earlier words that he didn't even know the woman's name, he had guessed that she didn't know their identities.
If she had known, she would never have dared not to reveal her own name.
Because she didn't know, she could have plotted such a thing.
The problem was this.
'He let a woman who tried to kill the Demon Cult Master and the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect go?'
It was something that should never happen.
The reason for his visit was revealed.
"You called me because of that woman."
"I believed so, too."
Geom Mugeuk looked at Yong Ja-myeong and said.
"My father's thoughts were different. Were you surprised? I was surprised too."
Was this private meeting not pre-arranged? Could that really be?
Yong Ja-myeong didn't believe it.
He was sure there was something they wanted.
As if he had read such thoughts.
"I have a favor to ask."
Of course.
There are no good demonic practitioners in the world.
Even those who claim to be of the Righteous Path engage in all sorts of trickery, let alone demonic practitioners.
Hiding such feelings, Yong Ja-myeong said softly.
"Tell me anything."
What do they want from the Silver River Merchant Group? How much do they want?
But what came from Geom Mugeuk was not such a request.
"Please tell me your story, Merchant Lord."
Yong Ja-myeong stopped in his tracks.
Geom Mugeuk also stopped.
"My story?"
"Yes, any story will do."
"May I ask why?"
"I thought hard about why my father wanted to introduce you to me."
Geom Mugeuk had really pondered it.
This was a matter between his father and him before it was a matter between Yong Ja-myeong and him.
"It couldn't have been said with the meaning of, 'Since we've met, it would be nice to get along, right?' My father is definitely not that kind of person."
"So? Did you find the answer?"
Geom Mugeuk nodded his head.
The answer he had come up with was this.
"He must want me to learn from you, Merchant Lord."
"Learn what?"
After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk spoke.
"The life of a person who has reached the pinnacle in their field."
"I..."
Yong Ja-myeong said nothing for a moment.
He felt as if he had been caught off guard.
He had never thought that the Heavenly Demon would introduce him to his son with such an intention.
But soon, Yong Ja-myeong began to doubt his opponent's intentions.
'No, that can't be.'
This would be the start, and he would demand something.
The eyes looking at him were so clear and deep that he was momentarily confused.
"The Cult Master thinks too highly of a mere merchant. All I know are stories about money."
Geom Mugeuk was rather excited.
"Isn't that the most interesting story?"
Geom Mugeuk walked briskly ahead and said.
"Let's go. Can a story about money be told without wine?"
The two men sat facing each other in a tavern on the market street.
It was the very tavern where all the meetings here had taken place.
Geom Mugeuk and Yong Ja-myeong sat facing each other at a corner table.
He had ordered Baek Chong and the other martial artists to stay as far away as possible.
He thought it wouldn't be fitting to have an escort behind him while the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect was asking about his life.
After the two poured each other a drink, they emptied their first cups.
"It's been a long time since I've had a drink in a tavern like this. I used to come and drink sometimes in the past."
"For someone who could buy this whole tavern with the price of one meal, you are quite humble."
To Geom Mugeuk's sweet words, Yong Ja-myeong replied with a smile.
"I enjoy being seen this way."
Geom Mugeuk filled his cup and said.
"A healthy pastime."
"Healthy? Not vanity and arrogance?"
"As long as that pastime isn't directed at people."
For a moment, Yong Ja-myeong flinched.
"What do you mean?"
"The feeling of superiority from 'I have so much money,' or 'I earn so much money' becomes a problem when it's directed at people. At first, you just enjoy the envy, but gradually you start looking down on people, and eventually, you deeply hurt them. Just like how a problem arises when the tip of a sword is pointed at a person."
Yong Ja-myeong listened to Geom Mugeuk's words in silence.
"On the other hand, the superiority you enjoy alone in a humble tavern like this is a healthy pastime. So please come often and enjoy it."
Yong Ja-myeong was lost in thought for a moment.
He had never thought of it in this way before.
"Is it the same for you?"
As the owner of the Silver River Merchant Group, Yong Ja-myeong naturally knew about the three-party meeting of the Righteous, Unorthodox, and Demonic Sects.
The news that the meeting had taken place in a small tavern and that it was the regular spot of the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect had come along with it.
In the end, his question was this.
So, do you also enjoy a healthy pastime at that Flowing Wine Tavern?
Geom Mugeuk instantly understood what he meant by his question.
That was why his answer was filled with conviction.
"No, I am different."
"How so?"
"I purely like the owner of that tavern. The wine is good, the side dishes are delicious, and most of all, he makes the customers feel comfortable. When you come to the Main Sect next time, I will be sure to take you there."
To the broadly smiling Geom Mugeuk, Yong Ja-myeong also spoke with a smile.
"You are very well-spoken. A necessary talent for a merchant. What do you think? Any thoughts on entering the merchant world?"
"Perhaps my father recognized the budding leaf of a money tree in me and introduced me to you, Merchant Lord?"
The atmosphere was good as they exchanged such jokes.
Yong Ja-myeong was unexpectedly enjoying this meeting.
Although his counterpart was someone whose true intentions were unknown and could be revealed at any moment, the conversation with him was seamless.
For some reason, it was enjoyable.
But when sword and money meet, a good atmosphere cannot last forever.
It would be better to ask while the atmosphere was good.
"What do you want from me? Is it money?"
Staring into Yong Ja-myeong's eyes that did not fear death, Geom Mugeuk asked back.
"If it were money, would you give it?"
A taut tension flowed between the two men.
"How much do you want?"
A smile formed on Geom Mugeuk's lips.
"How much do I want? To hear those words from the richest person in this world? That's everyone's dream."
Despite Geom Mugeuk's joke, Yong Ja-myeong answered seriously.
"The amount is not important. What's important is what you can give me in return."
Now, the playfulness disappeared from Geom Mugeuk's face as well.
"I think it's a situation where you could easily misunderstand, but you saw my father, didn't you? Does he look like someone who would call you here because he needs money?"
A meaningful addition followed.
"If my father needs money, he is someone who goes to find it, not someone who calls others."
Yong Ja-myeong could tell.
There was a double meaning in those words.
At first glance, it sounded like he would visit respectfully, but that was not it.
It meant he would invade and take everything.
If he was going to say this much, it seemed he wasn't called because of money.
"I misunderstood. I apologize."
"It would be strange not to misunderstand."
No, if that's the case, this situation is even stranger.
What on earth do the Demon Cult Master and this Young Cult Master want from him?
"Do you know what question people ask me the most?"
Geom Mugeuk guessed it correctly.
"How can I make a lot of money?"
Yong Ja-myeong nodded and asked.
"Why don't you ask that?"
Then came an unexpected answer.
"Because the answer will be in your life story anyway, Merchant Lord. That's why I said I wanted to hear your story."
Yong Ja-myeong himself does not trust the words of others.
Because people were beings who could lie at any time.
What he believed in was the life of his counterpart.
When looking at a person, he looks at the path they have walked.
"Are you really curious about my story? Talking about the past tends to romanticize it and eventually becomes bragging. Wouldn't another person's bragging be boring?"
"Bragging is only boring when someone who isn't great brags. The bragging of a truly great person is a wonderful adventure tale."
Yong Ja-myeong's admiration naturally made him think of lineage.
'The son of the Heavenly Demon is truly his son.'
Otherwise, he could not explain this intense feeling from someone so young.
"I always try to live by protecting two things."
"What are they?"
"The first is that I try hard not to fear death, and the second is that I try not to place the fun of making money as the highest value."
"Both of those principles don't seem to fit the richest man in the Central Plains. Could you tell me in detail?"
His life story flowed out naturally.
"The reason I don't place the fun of making money as the highest value is that I confirmed that I am a person who finds more fun in earning money than in spending it."
Most successful merchants had this tendency.
"I've seen too many people get consumed by that thing called money because they fell into the fun of making it."
This thought must have been the reason why the name Yong Ja-myeong carried a power stronger than money.
"It seems similar to martial arts. I mean, when people become too engrossed in winning, they can be consumed by their martial arts."
"An apt comparison."
The two men drank together.
The cups clinked more vigorously than before.
"Then what is the reason for trying not to fear death?"
Recalling that unforgettable day, Yong Ja-myeong's eyes deepened.
"I almost died when I was young. I was saved right before I died. Since that day, I've been courageous in everything, with the mindset that I'm living on borrowed time."
"Being a martial artist, I'm interested in such experiences of overcoming life-and-death situations."
This is your chance to fulfill the wish that haunted you until death.
So, recall the events of that day well.
"What happened that day?"