The Richest Man in the World (1)
Darkness settled over the island.
Song Hwarin strolled alone through the manor’s courtyard. She longed to walk by the river, but leaving the confines of the estate was strictly forbidden.
The stars in the night sky seemed especially bright tonight.
Somewhere, Byuk Lidan must be looking at these same stars, she thought, her heart fluttering at the notion.
The dynamics between men and women were truly peculiar. There was something different about it after sharing a bed. She worried this might make her seem shallow, but honestly, she felt more drawn to him than before. The thought of spending another night with him crossed her mind, and she blushed at her own boldness.
Just then, Baekryeon appeared from the opposite direction and started at the sight of her.
Song Hwarin greeted her with a smile.
“The night breeze is lovely, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Baekryeon replied, trying to pass by awkwardly.
Song Hwarin called out to her. “Would you like to walk with me for a bit?”
Baekryeon turned back. “Yes, I’d like that.”
They both knew they needed to have this conversation at some point. Surprisingly, walking and talking together wasn’t as awkward as they had feared.
They found common ground in their discussions about Byuk Lidan.
Baekryon was trying hard not to be an obstacle between the two. She spoke of her past with Byuk Lidan as if it were nothing significant, omitting the fact that he had given her her name.
If Song Hwarin hadn’t been someone she liked, or if she were a woman with a different facade, Baekryon might have tried to win Byuk Lidan over. He was someone she could never forget, someone who had left a profound impact on her.
But Song Hwarin was beautiful, intelligent, and kind, even from a woman’s perspective. Baekryon hoped things would work out between her and Byuk Lidan.
“I had a good time tonight.”
“So did I.”
As Baekryon turned to enter the building, she paused. “Miss Song, may I say something, if it’s not too forward?”
“Of course.”
“Please don’t take this the wrong way. I’m saying it with the best intentions for you.”
“I understand.”
“Be on your guard.”
“What?”
Song Hwarin was taken aback by the unexpected advice.
“There will be many women who will fall for Byuk Lidan in the future. And not all of them will give up as easily as I did.”
Her voice trembled slightly when she said “as I did,” revealing the courage it took to speak those words.
Song Hwarin smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Goodnight, then.”
Baekryon disappeared into the building.
Song Hwarin looked up at the twinkling stars once more.
Yes, she needed to be on guard. But not against other women.
She needed to stay vigilant with the one she loved.
Time might make them comfortable with each other, but she resolved to keep the excitement of their first moments alive.
“Are you really planning to give up half of your fortune?”
The question came from Amheukisang, and Amheukdaesang replied.
“If not, we’re all dead.”
“I’m sorry. It’s all because of me.”
“I didn’t come to save you. I came to save myself, so don’t worry about it.”
Amheukisang felt relieved by the straightforwardness. Despite the torture he had endured, he was still sharp and clear-headed.
Though Amheukdaesang might have come to save himself, it was Amheukisang who had set things in motion. He felt guilty about it.
“I’ve already started liquidating my assets.”
Amheukisang was shocked. Amheukdaesang’s wealth was significantly greater than his own. Even half of it would be an enormous sum, possibly equivalent to the nine million nyang he had lost.
‘This must have been a difficult decision.’
Yet Amheukdaesang remained calm.
“I’ve ordered the liquidation of the easiest assets first. Heukgeom is handling it. I’ve also recalled all the subordinates I sent to Shandong.”
“So you really intend to give up your wealth.”
“Better to live with half than die with it all.”
“True, but…”
Even half of his wealth was more than what the richest in the land possessed. It was the obvious choice.
Amheukisang, who had lost everything, ground his teeth.
“I can’t sleep from the injustice of it all.”
“I understand how you feel. But be patient. Life is full of ups and downs, and it’s not over yet.”
“Daesang!”
Amheukisang was moved. Despite being penniless, Amheukdaesang had not abandoned him. He could have easily done so, but he hadn’t.
“He’s clever. Do you know why he spared Heukgeom while cutting off all my other wings? He calculated that Heukgeom would be useful in liquidating my assets. Without him, the other Amheuks would have been suspicious.”
“Could he really have thought that far ahead?”
“Do you know why he asked for half?”
“Why?”
“To give me hope.”
“Hope?”
“The word ‘half’ carries a strange hope, doesn’t it? If you can save even half? There’s still half left? It’s a tempting word that can break a person’s will. He’s a fox, not just a brute with martial prowess.”
“Ah!”
Having experienced Byuk Lidan, Amheukisang couldn’t argue with that.
“The problem is the other Amheuks. They won’t give up half their wealth. You know what they’re like.”
“Indeed.”
Amheukdaesang’s orders weren’t absolute. His position was elected by a vote among the Amheuks. In other words, any of the other nine could eventually take his place.
So even if he ordered them to give up half their wealth, they wouldn’t do it willingly.
At this point, there were two choices: somehow extract the money from the Amheuks, or use their power to strike back at Byuk Lidan.
Amheukisang knew that Amheukdaesang had already decided to pay up.
“We’ll get the money, then join forces with Byuk Lidan to take down the Heavenly King Army. I believe he can do it.”
“And after that? How will you deal with Byuk Lidan once his strongest competitor is gone?”
Amheukdaesang lowered his voice.
“I have a plan, though I’m not sure if it will work.”
Amheukisang nodded. If Amheukdaesang had a plan, it was worth hoping for. After all, they had no other options.
“How much time did he give you?”
“Two months. If the money isn’t delivered by then, he said he’d kill both of us.”
“Isn’t that too short?”
“I’m planning to lift the bankruptcy declaration immediately.”
They couldn’t know where they were, but they could lift the bankruptcy declaration.
There was a way to communicate, like planting a specific flag in a certain area or painting a building a particular color.
“If we lift it so quickly, everyone will be suspicious.”
“They will. But with your help, we can come up with a plausible excuse.”
“Of course, I’ll help.”
“No one must know that we were defeated by Byuk Lidan.”
Amheukisang understood. Though unspoken, he knew what Amheukdaesang was thinking.
‘Let’s at least save ourselves.’
Even if it meant sacrificing the other eight, they could always rebuild.
Amheukisang hoped that the “nine” would become “eight.”
Amheukdaesang patted his slumped shoulder.
“We’ll get through this crisis as we always have. Trust in the power of gold.”
“Yes.”
Amheukisang nodded, though a sudden unease crept into his mind.
‘Doesn’t he have more gold now?’
When Seong Wangbo met Amheukdaesang again, he looked at him with a different expression.
Gone was the usual deference or fear. There was no hatred or malice either. Just calm and composure.
“Is this your true face?”
Amheukdaesang asked, and Seong Wangbo replied.
“I thought you could see people’s true faces, but I guess not.”
Even his tone had changed.
He was no longer their overseer, and he was older now, so it was natural. But to Amheukdaesang, it felt unfamiliar. The words were provocative, making him uncomfortable.
“You seem pleased with my downfall.”
“Not at all. In fact, I’m disappointed.”
“Why?”
“Because the position I aspired to reach is so pitiful.”
Amheukdaesang’s expression hardened.
His pride had already been wounded by Byuk Lidan. Now, being belittled by Seong Wangbo made his anger boil over.
“That’s not something I want to hear from a filthy traitor.”
Seong Wangbo could tell from this sharp reaction that Amheukdaesang was cornered. Normally, he would have been much more composed.
“Don’t bother hiding your assets. I’ll be thorough in my investigation.”
“Hmph! Do as you please.”
Amheukdaesang turned away.
‘Because of that bastard!’
He was even more furious at himself for losing his composure. Normally, he wouldn’t have reacted this way. The mental blow of losing half his fortune was significant.
But he couldn’t afford to be like this. He had always handled difficult situations with calm.
‘I’ll make sure to kill you, you bastard.’
Yet, the simmering intent to kill could not be entirely concealed.
The wealth of the Dark Merchant gradually flowed into my hands.
Some of his businesses were transferred to me, while others were sold off, converting into cash.
His total assets amounted to approximately 1.4 billion nyang.
For an individual, it was an unprecedented fortune.
Of course, he has now stepped down from his pinnacle. With half of his wealth, 700 million nyang, transferred to me, I ascended to that position.
From the Dark Master, I acquired 900 million nyang, and from the Dark Merchant, 700 million nyang. Combined with the 100 million nyang I had amassed under Gong Su-chan’s management, my total wealth now stood at 1.7 billion nyang.
It was a sum that made failure impossible. Even if I squandered it recklessly, it was a fortune that couldn’t be depleted.
With Gong Su-chan, a remarkable talent, managing these funds, I was completely free from financial constraints.
Moreover, if I could extract half the wealth from the remaining eight of the Dark Ten, the total would be unimaginable.
I could do anything I desired. I could even establish an organization far larger than the Martial Alliance right now.
But I chose not to. It wasn’t the time to make overt moves, so I continued to strengthen my foundation quietly, as I had been doing.
The unwavering support for the Black Panther Brigade had transformed it into a formidable force of three hundred members. It became the strongest single organization in the martial world of our time.
I provided them with superior weapons and armor, and paid them higher monthly wages than any other group. I instilled in them a sense of pride in being the best.
True to the elite force nurtured by Baek Pyo with all his might, their discipline was strict.
Crucially, Baek Pyo’s skill and character earned their respect. As one of the top five masters in the world, his leadership filled the Black Panther warriors with immense pride.
And above them all, there was me.
I also took care of the other existing organizations that hadn’t followed us here.
Support for other groups, including the Samangak, was no different. I ensured the Taeseong Sword Brigade of Gwangdu, the Small Sword Brigade of Gwanhui, the Sword Brigade of the Byeok Clan, and even the Song Family were well-supported.
Everyone was pleased with my exceptional organizational management and generous support, but none more so than Song Woo-kyung. He already knew his prospective son-in-law was powerful, but now, with immense wealth, his joy was understandable, given his deep affection for Song Hwa-rin.
Thus, I fortified the foundations of all the organizations, building their strength.
A month later, a gathering took place at a secluded location in Shaanxi.
One by one, people began to arrive at the manor. They were the Dark Ten of the underground world.