The Grand Banquet (4)
Seong Wangbo entered the main hall of the Dongho Trading Company to a chorus of cheers. Those seated rose in unison, applauding his arrival.
We were seated towards the back. The more established and renowned trading companies had taken the front seats, while newer ones like Taeseong Trading Company were relegated to the rear. To most merchants, Taeseong was still an unfamiliar name.
They had no idea. No idea how much wealth Taeseong Trading Company was amassing. Unlike those who expanded recklessly and ended up in the red, Taeseong was a company with real substance. Just then, Cheonma turned to me with a question.
“What’s with the mask on your face?”
I was wearing a disguise. I intended to approach Seong Wangbo, but I couldn’t reveal my identity as a member of Byeokridan.
Cheonma surely knew it was a disguise. He was just looking for an excuse to start a conversation.
“Why is a man wearing something like that?”
“It’s protection.”
“Protection?”
Protection for my family.
If I were alone, I’d never need it. But I have people to protect. I don’t trust villains. When cornered, they’ll show exactly why they’re called villains.
“You know what happens when these people start causing trouble.”
“In my view, these people aren’t petty enough to harm your family.”
“Heh.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“You’re giving them too much credit just because they brought you back to life. Or maybe you’re just too trusting.”
“You little… That’s not it. They’re not small-time villains.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“You don’t trust anyone, do you? It seems our roles have reversed. The leader of the martial alliance doesn’t trust people, while Cheonma does.”
“Perhaps it’s because of the level of enemies we’ve faced?”
Cheonma paused, realizing my words were an insult, and shouted in anger.
“You little…!”
“Villains are all small-time.”
“What?”
“Big-time villains? Grand villains? Where are they? The moment you fall into evil, you become small-minded. You make excuses, rationalize. It’s like trying to cover the moon with your hand.”
“You’re such a traditionalist!”
If being a traditionalist means protecting my family and those I care about from villains, then so be it.
Fortunately, before Cheonma could continue his nagging, Seong Wangbo took the stage.
“Today, here in Hwanggang, we celebrate a grand festival for our merchants.”
The merchants cheered and applauded.
After discussing various matters concerning the trade world, Seong Wangbo cautiously drew everyone’s attention.
“I have an important announcement to make today.”
There hadn’t been any rumors about this announcement, so everyone watched him with curiosity.
“You all know that the Blood Heaven Cult has resurfaced in Zhongyuan.”
The mention of the cult silenced the room. No one had expected him to bring up the demonic cult.
“As you know, the martial world and we merchants are inextricably linked.”
Everyone agreed. Even the smallest trading company inevitably had ties to the martial world.
“So when the martial world is in crisis, we merchants also suffer greatly. Therefore, I propose we form an Anti-Demon Merchant Alliance to combat the cult.”
“An Anti-Demon Merchant Alliance?”
The room buzzed with surprise. It was an unexpected proposal.
Seong Wangbo spoke again with vigor.
“Let us unite and defeat the demonic cult!”
But this time, there was no cheer like when he first appeared. The merchants were all gauging each other’s reactions.
They knew what it meant to support a martial organization, especially one opposing the demonic cult. It would require an enormous amount of money.
And there would be no direct benefit to the individuals involved. It was purely for the pride of contributing to the cult’s defeat. What if the cult retaliated against participating merchants or companies?
No one present was willing to bear all those losses and risks.
Everyone looked troubled, especially the heads of the larger companies seated at the front. Some even frowned, wondering what madness this was.
Gong Suchan leaned over and whispered to me.
“What is he up to?”
Only I understood his true intention. The reason for this outrageous proposal today.
“He’s looking for me.”
“What?”
I didn’t explain further to the startled Gong Suchan. If my guess was correct, Seong Wangbo’s intentions would soon become clear.
Seong Wangbo ignored the tense atmosphere.
“Those interested in joining the Anti-Demon Merchant Alliance, please stay. For the rest, there are drinks and food prepared outside, so please enjoy the banquet!”
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone began to rise.
Gong Suchan stood as well. But when he saw I remained seated, he asked in surprise.
“Aren’t you leaving?”
“I’m staying.”
Only then did Gong Suchan understand the situation.
“So you’re confronting him directly.”
“Fortunately, our interests align perfectly. Go back and wait for me.”
“Yes, be careful.”
The merchants began to leave the hall. Gong Suchan left with them.
The heads of the large companies also left, maintaining their composure. Despite their close ties with Seong Wangbo, they didn’t let personal feelings interfere with business.
Seong Wangbo didn’t show any disappointment as they left.
Once they were gone, others quickly followed, fearing they might lose everything if they stayed.
Soon, only Seong Wangbo and I remained in the hall.
Seong Wangbo looked at me from the stage.
Even if he said something, there would be a few companies willing to help. But the fact that everyone left meant he had given his loyal followers a heads-up to leave.
In other words, just as I had chosen to confront him directly, he was doing the same with me.
Seong Wangbo walked towards me with a smile.
He was indeed a smart man who understood the stakes. No wonder he had allied with such powerful forces.
“Ha ha, someone who understands the greater good.”
“The demonic cult must be eradicated, don’t you think?”
“A fine young man.”
“Of course, those who support the cult must be dealt with too.”
“Support the cult?”
“If there are those who earn money in the light and spend it in the dark, they must be stopped.”
Even though he knew I was referring to him, Seong Wangbo remained composed.
“Surely there aren’t such heinous people in the martial world?”
“You never know. The martial world is full of surprises. I’ve heard some even practice forbidden arts.”
By now, he should have confirmed my identity.
“You have a straightforward personality. Shall we skip the formalities and get to the point?”
I smiled and replied.
“Do you have any drinks?”
In a private room of the Dongho Trading Company, a table was set with drinks.
Seong Wangbo and I sat across from each other. I drank the liquor he poured without hesitation.
“What if it was poisoned?”
“You’re not small-time villains, are you?”
“Ha ha, thank you for the compliment.”
[You said all villains are small-time!]
[Of course.]
[Then why?]
[I’m respecting your words, aren’t I?]
[Damn it. If only you could keep quiet.]
After a few rounds, Seong Wangbo got straight to the point.
“How much do you know?”
If he was being direct, I should respond in kind.
“I know enough.”
“On the other hand, we know nothing about you.”
“There’s not much to know.”
“We’ve lost too much to someone as insignificant as you.”
“Then perhaps you’re insignificant too.”
Seong Wangbo laughed. His mouth smiled, but his eyes did not.
The conversation quickly moved to the main topic.
“May I make a proposal?”
“Go ahead.”
“I want to buy you.”
I was taken aback by his proposal. I had been curious about what kind of negotiation he would propose, but I hadn’t expected this.
At the same time, I realized that there was a rift between them and the old man. They intended to eliminate him. Otherwise, there would be no reason to involve me.
To think they would consider bringing me in? They really believed money could solve anything!
“I’m quite expensive.”
“I know. How much would it take for you to sell yourself?”
“If you want to persuade someone who doesn’t want to sell, you should name your price.”
After a moment of tension, Seong Wangbo spoke confidently.
“Thirty million nyang.”
Thirty million nyang. An astronomical sum. Enough to last several generations even with extravagant spending.
“If you agree, we’ll give you fifteen million as a down payment, and the remaining fifteen million once you complete our request.”
“What is the request?”
“To kill someone.”
As expected. My guess was right.
“I assume you know who the target is. We can discuss further terms after that.”
In other words, they were offering thirty million nyang to kill him, with the promise of more money for future cooperation.
Would I accept their money-driven madness?
Of course.
Pride? Righteousness?
Those are too good for them. Just as they used others, I would use them in the same way.
From my perspective, the old man was someone I intended to kill anyway. If I could do it while getting paid, it was like a windfall. Plus, this would give me a chance to get closer to the dark forces and their leaders.
Seong Wangbo smiled, confident that I couldn’t refuse thirty million nyang. I boldly replied.
“One hundred million nyang.”
My words left Seong Wangbo visibly startled. He quickly composed himself, letting out a chuckle.
“You’re joking, right?”
“I’ve set the price at the bare minimum.”
“The minimum?”
“If you fail to kill him, you’ll lose not just your money, but your lives as well. In short, you’ll lose everything.”
“Do you even realize how much a hundred million nyang is? It’s a fortune that could change the world. It’s money you can’t even dream of.”
“Fine. If I give you that world-changing fortune, can you kill him?”
Seong Wangbo fell silent. Sure, with a hundred million nyang, he could hire every skilled fighter available and send them after the target.
He could send hundreds, even thousands.
But would that be enough to kill him?
If the first attack failed, the target would come for him. Not just him, but everyone in the underworld would be at risk. He couldn’t think of a single fighter capable of taking on that old man.
“Impossible!”
“Exactly, you can’t kill him.”
“I don’t mean I can’t kill him; I mean I can’t pay that.”
“Then I guess our negotiation ends here.”
I stood up abruptly. In negotiations, the one who leaves the table first often wins.
As I headed for the door, Seong Wangbo called out from behind.
“Forty million nyang!”
I didn’t stop walking.
“Alright, fifty million.”
I continued to the door without pause.
“Sixty million.”
My hand hesitated on the doorknob. Without turning around, I replied.
“Seventy million. Half upfront, and the rest after the old man is dealt with.”
When no response came, I opened the door.
Then Seong Wangbo spoke.
“Alright. It’s a deal.”
These crazy bastards. Do they really have seventy million nyang to give me?
Jong Sahee once said that this organization had been around long before she was born. In other words, they had been amassing wealth in the shadows for a hundred, maybe hundreds of years. They might have accumulated hundreds of millions, perhaps even billions.
I’ll take it all. And I’ll make sure they pay for the chaos they’ve sown for their own greed.
[Take it all. Wipe them out completely.]
For the first time, the Heavenly Demon and I were in complete agreement.
I turned around slowly.
Seong Wangbo stood there, smiling.
“It didn’t seem like you were fighting over money. Did I misjudge you?”
He probed, trying to gauge my intentions.
I grinned and replied.
“Did you think I was fighting to uphold some righteous cause like those self-righteous sect leaders? No, I fought to take it all for myself.”
[That’s right, that’s the way! Well done!]
Seong Wangbo extended his hand with a broad smile.
“Money really is the best, isn’t it?”
I gripped his hand firmly.
“You said it.”