When was the last time he had laughed so heartily?
Yong Ja-myeong laughed out loud.
Asking if he had any money?
Posing such a question to the wealthiest man in the Central Plains was no different from asking the Demon Cult Master, “Do you know any martial arts?” And the one making this joke was the current Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
While building the Silver River Merchant Group, he had always been wary of martial artists.
Among them, he was most cautious and guarded against the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
He felt that if trouble ever broke out, negotiations with them would be impossible.
They seemed like a force that would surge in like a tidal wave.
Then, new word from the Demon Sect arrived.
It was news about this young man standing right before him.
News about the Demon Sect's Young Cult Master.
The information that came in secretly was truly astonishing.
Stories that were hard to believe.
Even as he heard report after report that the Young Cult Master was different from the demonic practitioners of the past, he thought, how different could he be? A demonic practitioner is still a demonic practitioner.
But, this Young Cult Master he met in person was different.
How different could he be? As you can see, he was far too different.
He was an even more special person than the rumors suggested.
“How much would be sufficient?”
At Yong Ja-myeong’s question, Geom Mugeuk smiled and said.
“The more, the better.”
“That is the one thing I can do well.”
To his humble words, Geom Mugeuk said something unexpected.
“However, you don’t actually have to give it to me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You just need to pretend to give it.”
Yong Ja-myeong guessed Geom Mugeuk’s intention.
It meant they just needed to leak the information that the Silver River Merchant Group had given a large sum of money to the Western Path Sect.
“And the question of ‘how much’ is something I should hear from the other party, not from you, Merchant Lord.”
Yong Ja-myeong was impressed with Geom Mugeuk.
It was just a moment ago that he had asked to be allowed to stay here.
For that, he had obtained three days of time, which meant that in this short moment, Geom Mugeuk had come up with some kind of plan.
The most extraordinary Young Cult Master in history.
He was certainly living up to his reputation.
“Young Cult Master.”
“Yes, Merchant Lord.”
It was now time to formally express his gratitude to him.
“Thank you.”
If not for Geom Mugeuk, he would not have realized that Geom Woojin was his Benefactor.
If he hadn’t asked to hear the old story, if he hadn’t asked to see the sketch, if he hadn’t seen Geom Woojin’s image in Geom Mugeuk.
He would have never known that Geom Woojin was his Benefactor.
Knowing that Yong Ja-myeong meant it in that way, Geom Mugeuk smiled and said.
“Being with the richest man in the world, I get thanked even when I ask for money.”
Yong Ja-myeong liked Geom Mugeuk.
The Demon Cult Master’s words that this would not be a bad thing for him, he now understood them clearly.
No, it was more than not bad.
If he continued to maintain a good relationship with such a Young Cult Master, it would be a great help not only for himself but also for the Silver River Merchant Group.
Perhaps that was why.
These words came out so naturally.
“Those three days start from tomorrow.”
For him, every single day was precious.
“The Silver River Merchant Group is plotting something.”
At Geum Ah-rin’s words, the escort Im Hyeok nodded silently.
The fact that the Silver River Merchant Group Leader himself had appeared here was proof.
At first, it seemed like a situation where the Silver River Merchant Group and the Western Path Sect were joining hands.
“The people of the Western Path Sect are no ordinary figures.”
Im Hyeok recalled Hwi, who had appeared after undoing his stealth.
It was the first time he had seen such incredible stealth.
A stealth that had reached the ultimate state, something only a person who had learned stealth could recognize.
Then, he remembered what he had said.
—Do you wish to protect your master? Then stop.
Your thoughts, your actions, and shut your mouth.
He had said it with the meaning not to act rashly in that manor.
But for some reason, he kept feeling that it was a warning that should be applied to this entire affair.
“That must be why the Merchant Lord of the Silver River Merchant Group came in person.”
The man named Geom Yeon, and the way his father and Uncle acted, were not ordinary.
In particular, the presence his father exuded was difficult to describe in words.
“If they have joined hands, then my subordinates were ultimately defeated by the Silver River Merchant Group.”
It was a different matter from them being beaten up after getting into a random scuffle with a martial arts sect.
It meant that the Silver River Merchant Group could be behind this incident.
Of course, the possibility was slim.
If that had been the case, they would not have let them leave the manor so easily that day.
“A message will come from the Clan.”
He had already reported to the Clan the fact that the Merchant Lord of the Silver River Merchant Group was moving alone.
“We can’t just wait for a message to arrive.”
The situation here could be over before that.
She had to find out for herself.
What the relationship between the Silver River Merchant Group and the Western Path Sect was, and why the Silver River Merchant Group Leader came here himself.
“What are you planning to do?”
“I have to find out what’s going on through that man named Geom Yeon.”
Im Hyeok looked at her with a worried heart.
She had handled her assigned path well so far.
For her young age, she certainly had an extraordinary side.
But this time, he had a bad feeling.
Geum Ah-rin felt Im Hyeok’s concern.
“I know, he’s not an easy opponent.”
She thought of Geom Mugeuk.
When she thought of him, the image of him smiling and joking came to mind first.
She knew.
It is the strong who laugh.
Geom Mugeuk’s laughter came from composure.
That composure came from strength.
Just then, a subordinate came and reported.
“Geom Yeon and the Merchant Lord of the Silver River Merchant Group have made a move.”
“Just the two of them?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Where to?”
“The Continental Treasury.”
Geum Ah-rin immediately guessed the reason.
If a merchant and a martial artist went to the Treasury, what other reason could there be?
The Silver River Merchant Group had undoubtedly handed over money to the Western Path Sect.
Geum Ah-rin commanded her subordinate.
“Find out secretly how much money was exchanged. You must find out the amount.”
That afternoon, Geum Ah-rin came to Geom Mugeuk’s residence.
“What is it?”
“I came because I have something to say to you.”
“Come in.”
“It’s stuffy, let’s take a walk.”
Geum Ah-rin refused to enter the house.
She knew that the Merchant Lord of the Silver River Merchant Group was still staying here.
His father was there too, and that place inside was a tiger’s den.
Geom Mugeuk readily accepted her proposal.
“Alright, let’s do that.”
It was because of this attitude.
The feeling that she might be able to find out something from this man.
She had to use this man’s confidence.
She had to stick a straw into this confidence and suck out only the humility.
When humility disappears from confidence, it becomes arrogance.
The two of them slowly walked towards the marketplace.
She walked a little distance away from Geom Mugeuk.
“Why are you walking so far away?”
At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Geum Ah-rin replied.
“Have you forgotten? Our last meeting was a place where we tried to kill each other.”
“Let’s get our words straight. It wasn’t each other, it was a place where you tried to kill me.”
“The blood of my subordinates is probably still on your sword.”
“Because they tried to kill me first.”
“You survived, didn’t you?”
She was careful with every word, concentrating her entire mind.
She had never dealt with this type of person before.
Even when he made a joke, she had to be on her toes.
“But there’s one strange thing.”
“What’s strange?”
“As you know, I ran into the Silver River Merchant Group Leader that day. The martial artists of his merchant group should have done a background check on me, but there’s no movement at all.”
It was a probing question to see if the Silver River Merchant Group knew about her existence.
In fact, the security around the Silver River Merchant Group Leader was known to be ironclad, and if any unknown person made contact, they were known to conduct a thorough background check.
“I already told them about you.”
“What did you say?”
“You heard it that day, didn’t you? That you are a woman with a great fortune for food.”
When Geum Ah-rin made an incredulous face, Geom Mugeuk smiled and added.
“I told them you are a person with whom I have a personal connection. So, out of respect for me, they won’t investigate you.”
Geum Ah-rin briefly stopped walking.
Naturally, Geom Mugeuk also stopped.
“We have an ill-fated relationship.”
She deliberately did not say anything nice to Geom Mugeuk.
He had said he had a personal connection with her.
In other words, he had a favorable impression of her.
In such cases, it was better to be cold.
As expected, her opponent did not take it as an ill-fated relationship.
“We don’t know that yet, do we? Our meeting isn’t over yet.”
The two started walking again.
She stealthily stuck a straw into her opponent and took a sip of his humility.
“For the Merchant Lord of the Silver River Merchant Group to visit in person, you must be a more remarkable person than I thought.”
At that, Geom Mugeuk looked at her with a peculiar smile.
At times like this, those eyes seemed to see right through her heart.
“I think you are more remarkable.”
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you come to find such a remarkable person so fearlessly?”
Such a remarkable person?
It seemed the earlier words had properly sucked out his humility.
“Why did you come to find me?”
“To be honest, dealing with someone like you is a burden for me too. But since things have happened, they must be concluded one way or another.”
As they talked, the two entered the marketplace.
Geom Mugeuk was the first to make a suggestion.
“Let’s have a drink.”
It was the suggestion she had been hoping for, but she played hard to get once.
To get information from her opponent, she must not show her impatience.
She had to approach this strategically.
“We’re not on terms to sit down and drink together.”
This was also part of her confidence.
The confidence of a woman that the man would not refuse her just because she played hard to get.
The men she had dealt with until now could be handled with a sword, so this charm had been unnecessary.
“But we’re not on terms where we can’t drink either, are we? Come, let’s go.”
Geom Mugeuk took the lead and entered an inn.
A faint smile appeared on Geum Ah-rin’s lips as she followed him in.
So far, the plan was going smoothly.
“There are many other taverns, but you seem to like this one.”
“Didn’t I meet you here? This place has a special meaning for us.”
Geum Ah-rin flinched at the unexpected words.
She stared at Geom Mugeuk, but she couldn’t tell if he genuinely thought so or if he was just joking.
“Bring us some wine here.”
Geom Mugeuk ordered one dish for her and one for himself.
After a drink, Geom Mugeuk asked with a curious expression.
“Let me ask one thing. Where do you belong?”
“Why do you think I belong somewhere?”
“To be doing this kind of work…”
Geom Mugeuk paused for a moment, and Geum Ah-rin finished the sentence for him.
“You think I’m too young.”
But Geom Mugeuk shook his head.
“No. I was about to say you’re not the type of person suited for this kind of work.”
“What kind of person is suited for this kind of work?”
“A person who wouldn’t bat an eye after snatching away someone else’s family business. A person who wouldn’t hesitate to kill someone trying to stop them.”
Struck to the core, the corners of Geum Ah-rin’s mouth curled up slightly.
There was no way her quick-witted self would not understand.
‘He’s talking to me.’
Although he said she was not suited for it, in the end, his words were a scolding.
She was inwardly angry, but she feigned ignorance and changed the subject.
She had come to get information, not to fight.
“Your father seems truly amazing. I thought that a martial artist who could have a private meeting with the Silver River Merchant Group Leader would have to be the leader of a major sect.”
She deliberately praised his father.
There was no better way to drain humility from an opponent than by provoking jealousy.
It was just as she expected.
“It was I who suggested we call the Silver River Merchant Group.”
“For what reason did you call them?”
As if it were not a big secret, Geom Mugeuk told her.
“The Silver River Merchant Group was secretly looking for a master. A master whose name is not known in the martial world. In that respect, my father is the perfect fit. It’s been a very long time since he last appeared in the martial world.”
It was not a lie.
It really had been a long time since his father came out into the martial world.
Geum Ah-rin’s mind raced at the unexpectedly significant piece of information.
‘The Silver River Merchant Group is secretly recruiting masters? But why?’
The Silver River Merchant Group was already filled with numerous masters.
As if he had read her inner thoughts, Geom Mugeuk said.
“I was curious why they needed a master in secret, so I asked them directly.”
Geum Ah-rin waited for the answer, inwardly tense.
But Geom Mugeuk did not answer, instead drawing it out.
He called the tavern boy, ordered more wine, and a new dish.
As if he had forgotten what he was saying, he drank and changed the subject to the food.
Finally, after a few more drinks, she asked.
“Why did the Silver River Merchant Group say they were recruiting masters?”
“Ah, did I not tell you?”
By telling the story in this manner, her suspicion of ‘why is this person telling me so easily?’ was dispersed.
“He said there is an organization moving secretly in the merchant world. They are people who ignore business ethics and disrupt order. He asked us to eliminate them.”
“…”
Geum Ah-rin was truly shocked but tried her best to appear calm.
That secret organization was undoubtedly her own.
She had expected the Silver River Merchant Group to find out someday, but she had not expected them to respond like this.
“Then why are they bringing in outside forces instead of handling it themselves?”
“That’s obvious.”
Geom Mugeuk said confidently, as if he had seen through that as well.
“They intend to take over the empty spot left after eliminating them.”
“That can’t be true. They are the Number One Merchant Group Under Heaven.”
Geom Mugeuk said after emptying his cup.
“That must be how they became the Number One Merchant Group Under Heaven.”
After a moment of silence, Geum Ah-rin asked.
“Why are you telling me this secret so willingly?”
“Because you seemed curious. With this, can we say we have a fated connection, not an ill-fated one?”
Geom Mugeuk stared intently at Geum Ah-rin.
She could not fathom this man’s inner thoughts.
In any case, she could always confirm whether it was true or not later.
Since the words were flowing so easily, she decided she should ask everything she wanted to know.
“How much did they offer you?”
If what Geom Mugeuk said was true, she had to stop them from joining hands.
The loss would be far greater than the money spent to hire them.
No, more than that, her own life would be in danger.
Geom Mugeuk, who had been so forthcoming until now, held back his answer this time.
“Why do you ask?”
“If I offer you more money, you might come to our side, right?”
Geom Mugeuk laughed openly.
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to mock you.”
It must have looked like she was trying to take on the richest man in the world.
Hey, we’re in the top three too.
“Tell me, how much would it take?”