Chapter 301 - The Black Flame Dragon Reveals Himself (5)

The giant merchant groups that divided the world into four could no longer be considered ordinary merchant groups that bought and sold foodstuffs.

A power unto themselves.

A market unto themselves.

They were beings no different from worlds unto themselves, gripping the lives of millions and shaking them as they pleased.

In particular, the Silver River Merchant Group had grown by taking charge of national-scale logistics and distribution based on its deep ties with government officials centered in Beijing, so it was inseparable from the power of Beijing as well.

The reason the other three great merchant magnates, including Wangga Manor, found the Silver River Merchant Group burdensome was because of the immense power that had become one with it.

Unlike Murim, which was separate from the authorities, the commercial sector could not be separated from them.

If this was how the three great merchant magnates felt, merchant groups weaker than them could not even dare breathe comfortably inside the Silver River Merchant Group.

No matter how closely that merchant group was connected to some great martial sect.

Because once one set foot in the world of commerce, it was the power of money that determined who stood above and who below.

'He should know that better than anyone...'

Watching Jin Sowoon, who had beaten a Silver River Merchant Group warrior into handing over the hidden annex and was now cheerfully tipping back cups of wine after making them bring out a lavish spread, Wang Soso let out a sigh.

How could wine go down his throat in the middle of enemy territory, after he had picked a fight with those enemies no less?

"... Jin oppa. Are you sure this is all right?"

"Hm? Is there something you don't like? Should I call the person in charge?"

"N-No."

Wang Soso shook her head wildly.

She had no idea how much internal energy he put into his voice, but every time he called for the person in charge, the entire Silver River Merchant Group rang with it.

The problem was not whether he was being ignored or not, but that he acted like a man with no sense of shame whatsoever.

Since she could not say that outright, Wang Soso quickly changed the subject.

"Um, Jeong Sogun. He's your senior from the academy, isn't he? I heard that in the Murim Alliance, if you want to rise in the ranks, your seniors' evaluations and support from above are important... Is it really all right to act so recklessly?"

"Rise in the ranks?"

As if he had heard something utterly trivial, Jin Sowoon paid it no mind and drained his cup.

That only made Wang Soso feel even more anxious.

"Yes. I heard that to succeed in the Murim Alliance, good connections are essential."

"Connections..."

"In the end, everything in the world comes down to people."

Even her own father had people he always looked after without receiving anything material in return.

The heads of great sects, or officials with whom he was friendly.

Skilled artisans, or the people in charge of leading those artisans.

Whenever anything great or small happened to those people, Wang Geumsan carved time out of his busy schedule to visit them, congratulate them, comfort them, and encourage them.

Ever since she was very young, Wang Soso had heard until her ears ached that the most important thing in business was "people."

So how could oppa...

Unlike Wang Soso, whose eyes were wavering in confusion, Jin Sowoon calmly filled his cup and said,

"Connections, you see, are not something that appear just because I treat someone well."

Then he drained his cup again.

"First of all, I have to be equal to the other person, or stand above them. Only then can something called a connection be formed."

"What... do you mean by that?"

"It means that if you do not possess a position worthy of the other person's respect, a connection cannot be made in the first place."

Wang Soso reconsidered the connections Jin Sowoon spoke of and found herself nodding.

Now that she thought about it, all the connections Wang Geumsan had built were connections that could only have formed because Wangga Manor existed.

While Wang Soso sank into thought, Jin Sowoon continued.

"No matter how much I bow and scrape before Jeong Sogun, he will not lift me up. If anything, he might use me."

"That doesn't mean you should make a scene."

"Now, now. Strictly speaking, it wasn't making a scene. They started it."

Had he not reacted as though he had been waiting for them to pick a fight in the first place?

That question crossed her mind, but Wang Soso did not interrupt him.

Because listening to him made her feel as if she were hearing hidden secrets of the world, things she had never heard from her father.

"If... you wanted Jeong Sogun's help, oppa? Then wouldn't you need to establish a connection with him?"

"Why struggle to build a relationship with someone I find uncomfortable? I can simply give Jeong Sogun what he needs, and receive what I need in return."

"..."

It was an extremely simple and clear answer.

After all, a transaction only needed to satisfy what both sides required.

But applying that to Jeong Sogun was another matter entirely.

As the saying went, Jeong Sogun lacked nothing, whether it was looks, martial arts, or family background.

He was arrogant, but no one would criticize a man in that position for acting arrogant.

Because in truth, he lacked nothing.

Wang Soso carefully voiced the question that had come to mind.

"But... he shouldn't have anything he needs."

A transaction, by nature, could only be made if she possessed something the other party wanted.

Jin Sowoon, who had been bringing his cup to his lips, abruptly stopped his hand.

Then he pulled the corners of his lips up to his ears.

"In that case..."

As his lips slowly opened, Wang Soso unconsciously held her breath.

"I just have to make him need something."

"..."

The words floated in the air without substance, yet for some reason, Wang Soso felt that if it was Jin Sowoon, he truly could do just that.

'Wh-What is this...'

It was a strange feeling she had never once felt from the outstanding people she had met through Wang Geumsan's introductions.

Wang Soso grew even more curious.

"... I'm sorry for asking so many questions."

Jin Sowoon nodded readily, as if he was enjoying this.

At some point, the corners of his eyes had curved into half-moons, and he wore a relaxed smile.

"Then, oppa. In any case, the Daecheon Merchant Group has to continue doing business with the Silver River Merchant Group. In a case like this, you would need to maintain your connections... What are you planning to do?"

"What did I say connections came from?"

"... Respect."

"Then do you know where respect comes from?"

Wang Soso was about to answer money or status, but something told her that was not right, so she shook her head.

After all, there were plenty of people with high offices or vast wealth who were not respected by Wang Geumsan.

Watching her, Jin Sowoon set his cup down on the table and said quietly,

"Fear."

"... Pardon?"

"There is no need to stand above him. However."

Jin Sowoon's eyes flashed.

Wang Soso swallowed without realizing it.

"You must plant the fear that if he touches the wrong person, great harm may come to him. That alone can draw respect from any opponent."

"But if that causes... the deal with the Silver River Merchant Group to fall through..."

"For a Merchant Group Leader, trust is life itself. It is their very breath. They are beings who think it worthwhile to empty all their wealth if it means preserving that trust. And on top of that, they would let a deal fall through over a matter that began with their own mistake? Just how far would his trustworthiness fall in the eyes of the world?"

In that instant, Wang Soso felt goosebumps spread all over her body.

There had clearly been no threat, no killing intent, nothing at all, yet she felt as though she had witnessed an abyss she should never have seen.

'Was this... all planned from the very beginning?'

When she had seen Jin Sowoon use force at the entrance after trouble arose, she had thought he had changed.

Because the Jin Sowoon of the past, a disciple of the Taiyi Sect that had originally been nothing more than a weak minor sect, would not have acted that way.

Now that he had recovered the martial arts of the Taiyi Sword Emperor and risen to the position of top student at the academy, she had thought this much change was acceptable.

But now that she heard this, that was not it.

From beginning to end, Jin Sowoon was not a man who moved as he pleased because of his pride.

Rather, he had been moving under meticulous calculation.

Come to think of it.

["Argh! When that bastard went off to take part in that martial spirit or mental illness festival or whatever it was, I should've just sat him down in Wangga Manor, argh!"]

Her father had lamented like that again and again on nights when he was drunk.

Of course, she knew full well how remarkable Jin Sowoon was too, so she had not thought much of it, but her father's lament had been several times longer and more persistent than when he had lost other talented people.

'Was I the one who failed to see Jin oppa properly?'

Jin Sowoon, laughing loosely and shivering as he became drunk on the scent of wine, suddenly looked like a different person.

"Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

"N-No."

"Did you secretly drink without me knowing? Your face is red."

"What? How can you say that to a lady! I don't do things like that!"

"Hahaha."

While Wang Soso flared up like that, a voice came from outside.

"Young Master Jin."

The voice was more courteous than ever.

"It is time for you to attend the banquet."

Wang Soso looked at Jin Sowoon.

Jin Sowoon set down his cup and grinned.

"Then shall we go receive some respect?"

Wang Soso felt anticipation swell in her heart, wondering what Jin Sowoon would do next and what result it would bring.

Just then.

"But about that warrior..."

Jin Sowoon, who had been rising to his feet, tilted his head crookedly.

"Doesn't he sound somewhat coercive?"

"Pardon?"

What on earth was he talking about?

He had certainly seemed like the most courteous person she had seen since entering the Silver River Merchant Group...

"No, not his voice. What he said. 'It is time for you to attend'? Doesn't that make it sound as if he's forcing us, as if we have no choice but to attend?"

"..."

Uh... that felt like he was taking it much too far...

But before Wang Soso could say anything, Jin Sowoon strode over and flung the door open.

BANG!

Perhaps the warrior outside had heard the conversation inside, because his face had already gone deathly pale.

"Y-Young Master Jin, that is not what I meant..."

Jin Sowoon looked at the warrior and grinned.

"That's why you should have asked first whether I would attend the banquet or not."

As if he had already given up, the warrior squeezed his eyes shut.

And Jin Sowoon's voice once again rang thunderously through the annex.

'What is this? Is this calculated too?'

But if so, was it only her imagination that he looked like he was enjoying it far too much?

* * *

Following the warrior's guidance, we headed for the banquet hall.

When I first stepped into the banquet hall, I had to struggle to hide my genuinely startled expression.

'Isn't this... bigger than the Taiyi Sect's grand training ground?'

Moreover, the grand training ground was an outdoor structure.

The imposing sight of the banquet hall, which had a roof yet opened its ceiling wide so that it felt spacious despite being indoors, was truly enough to overwhelm a person.

And on top of that.

'This isn't the end?'

On the second and third floors, there were railings overlooking the banquet hall.

Government officials and important figures of the Silver River Merchant Group were looking down at the banquet hall from there.

That alone was overwhelming, but at the far end of the banquet hall, there was a door twice as large as the entrance we had come through.

Unable to guess what use such a strangely shaped thing could possibly have, I looked at Wang Soso.

"Soso, do you know what that door is for?"

"Hm, it's probably to open that up and secure more space if the banquet hall is too small. It's also probably a space for entertaining important guests."

"..."

Was there ever any occasion to fill such a large banquet hall with people?

Besides, if it was a place for entertaining important guests, they could just build a separate annex, couldn't they?

"People who think they're important care tremendously about where they sit. That door is built a little higher than this banquet hall too, isn't it?"

Just as she said, one had to climb around ten steps to approach the large door.

"If you sit up there, this banquet hall would probably be wide open before you. It would also be convenient for watching the dancers' performances. They must have built it attached for that reason."

I was starting to think there really were bastards in the world with money rotting in their pockets, when I suddenly looked at Wang Soso again.

"How do you know so much about that? Have you been here before?"

"No. This is my first time too. Wangga Manor has a similar building, so I guessed."

"..."

Right. This girl was also the daughter of a terrifyingly rich family.

"Ah, and it would be better to call you Eldest Senior Brother here, wouldn't it? Eldest Senior Brother came here as a member of the Taiyi Sect, after all..."

"No, call me oppa."

"Pardon? But..."

"Enough. Throw away such distant forms of address between you and me."

"... Really? May I really do that?"

It was clear that I had relaxed too much just because I had earned a little pocket change recently.

To think I had been treating Wang Soso like some younger girl I knew from the neighborhood.

From now on, I should treat her like my own younger sister.

A flustered look appeared on the face of Wang Soso, who was like my own younger sister.

"... But everyone doesn't seem very friendly."

Of course they wouldn't. I had made that scene right from the entrance.

Those with power must have frowned at how ignorant I seemed, and those without power were too afraid that they might catch hell if they appeared close to me, so they could not even meet my eyes.

"Where are we supposed to sit?"

When I asked the warrior standing beside us like a wooden statue, he flinched and asked in return,

"May I show you to your seat?"

"Why are you making me ask twice?"

Flinch.

The warrior quickly gestured toward our seats with both hands.

It was the very front row, which looked like the highest seats in the banquet hall.

See, you should have done this from the beginning.

"Now you're finally doing your job properly."

"Yes. ... The person in charge must have paid attention to it. Th-Then please enjoy yourselves."

As if afraid I might say another word to him, the warrior hurriedly left the banquet hall.

The silence that had fallen when we first entered lasted only briefly, and once music began to flow and the dancers' performance continued, people began enjoying the banquet again as though we were not there.

The problem was that they truly acted as though we were not there.

"Seriously, no one is coming."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. I thought there would at least be someone who would come introduce themselves."

I did not know about the officials or merchants, but among Jianghu's martial artists, there were people full of spirit.

I had thought some might even pick a fight with me to save face for the Merchant Group Leader.

But not a single such person appeared.

Just then.

"Father told everyone not to let any problems arise."

A delicate woman's voice was heard.

When I turned my head toward the source of the voice, Jeong Soeul was there in a palace dress so dazzlingly splendid it hurt the eyes.

She was not wearing the bewitching red she had shown last night, but a white palace dress embroidered with golden thread.

Her appearance was like that of a fairy maiden descended from the heavens.

At the same time, the slender legs that showed between her skirts with every step were more than enough to make the hearts of countless men flutter.

"It is good to see you again, Young Master Jin."

Jeong Soeul lowered her head and greeted me with elegance.

I also rose from my seat and answered with a cupped-fist salute.

"So we meet again."

Strangely, she acted as though she had forgotten everything that happened a few days ago.

"This humble girl has been waiting eagerly for today."

"Hah! Honestly!"

Wang Soso snorted as if dumbfounded, but Jeong Soeul still paid her no mind.

"I felt it last time as well, but you are very skilled at dealing with people."

"Of course... as Young Master Jin thinks, since I have dealt with many men, there are some who call me a whore."

I had meant to describe her as something like a fox, but this woman... she had always been this reckless.

Wang Soso, who had been glaring at her with venomous eyes, seemed momentarily startled by her rough words and widened her eyes like a rabbit.

"However, Young Master Jin was the first to truly make this humble girl's heart race."

"Pardon?!"

Without realizing it, I furrowed my brow deeply.

And for good reason: those were not the sort of words that should come out of the mouth of the "Silver Tiger," who would one day push aside her own elder brother and take over the Silver River Merchant Group.

When I showed signs of bewilderment, Jeong Soeul covered her mouth with her sleeve and her shoulders shook.

"Oh my! It seems I have finally startled Young Master Jin."

Jeong Soeul burst into bright laughter, as if she found it unbearably delightful.

What the hell is this woman?

"More importantly, what you said earlier... What did you mean by problems?"

"Since Young Master Jin seemed to have become displeased on your way here, Father asked the others to make sure that did not happen again."

So instead of restraining me so I wouldn't make a scene, he had pulled the others back?

Truly, this exchange of nerves had no end.

"I see."

"Hmm... As expected, you are not surprised?"

"Surprised?"

"Most people would feel pressured or flustered in this situation."

I spoke as if it was nothing.

"Why would I feel pressured when I have done nothing wrong?"

For an instant, I felt as though Jeong Soeul's eyes flashed.

"You truly are an amusing person. Still..."

She paused briefly, then drew close and whispered.

"This humble girl hopes Young Master Jin does not go too far. A broken toy does not stir the desire to possess it."

Then she dipped her head slightly and casually went to another table, where she began speaking with others.

"... What did that woman say?"

"She told me not to keep getting cocky. Unless I want to be broken."

"... Pardon?"

Just as Wang Soso, whose eyes had once again turned venomous, was about to say something more.

"The Merchant Group Leader is entering!"

The warrior's booming voice rang through the banquet hall.

I turned my head toward the entrance, then suddenly grew curious.

The seat I occupied was located in the very front row of the banquet hall.

Then where exactly was the Merchant Group Leader supposed to sit?

But unlike me, who had turned my head toward the entrance, the people still continued looking forward.

Soon, the door twice as large as the entrance began to open.

"Ha... haha."

Watching the door open, I had no choice but to let out a hollow laugh.

The door opened, revealing an interior space even more splendid than the banquet hall, just as Wang Soso had said.

Around twenty people sat at tables arranged in the shape of the character eight.

And at the highest seat, the Merchant Group Leader of the Silver River Merchant Group sat proudly.

'Wow... Fucking look at those bastards.'

They had made the entire banquet hall into a spectacle and were holding their own banquet among themselves.

Just then, the warrior shouted again.

"From this moment on, I shall call out names. Come forward in order and pay your respects to the Merchant Group Leader!"

The warrior spoke as if this were the most natural procedure in the world.

These bastards really did set the stage properly.