No More Next Time (2)
Rumors began to swirl around Shandong.
The word on the street was that Ma Jeong-su was joining forces with the Shandong Trading Company, and it was causing quite a stir.
If he was not only building a martial arts school but also partnering with a major trading company, his influence in Shandong would grow even more.
My parents, having heard the rumors, were deeply concerned.
“We can’t quite figure out what they’re up to.”
“Exactly. I’m worried they might be trying to take over all of Shandong.”
Knowing the full story, I remained calm.
“Don’t worry too much. Shandong isn’t a place that can be easily taken over.”
I couldn’t tell them that this partnership was a desperate move by both sides, a last-ditch effort at a dead end.
After visiting my parents, I went straight to see Gong Su-chan.
“I came to ask you something.”
He was quick to guess the reason for my visit.
“Is it about the Shandong Trading Company?”
“Yes, tell me everything you know about them.”
“You must have heard the recent rumors about Ma Jeong-su. Because of those, the Hebei Trading Company, which hasn’t been on good terms with Shandong, is on edge.”
The name Cheondo-mun carried a certain weight.
Gong Su-chan shared insights into the internal affairs of the Shandong Trading Company. The situation was worse than I had imagined.
“What do you think is the Shandong Trading Company’s biggest weakness?”
Despite the sudden question, he answered quickly.
“Go Sun-gyeong.”
Surprisingly, he pointed to the head of the Shandong Trading Company.
“He has ambitions to make Shandong the top trading company in the central plains. That’s why he’s been aggressively expanding. But because of that, he’s accumulated a lot of debt and made many enemies.”
The Hebei Trading Company and the Seokga family were prime examples.
“In the past, he was certainly someone who could dream such dreams. But times have changed. The business world has become faster, newer, and younger. Unfortunately, he’s stuck in the past.”
Gong Su-chan shared an unexpected piece of information.
“By the way, there’s a rumor that Shandong Trading Company agreed to give Ma Jeong-su a hundred thousand nyang as part of their deal.”
“A hundred thousand nyang!”
It was a larger sum than I expected.
“Can the Shandong Trading Company afford that given their current situation?”
“They can’t raise it on their own.”
“Then?”
“I think they’ll turn to the Night Market for the money.”
The Night Market! I knew of them. They were the ones who dealt in dark money.
“I’ve heard they’re very dangerous.”
“That’s right. It’s best to avoid them if possible. But right now, they’re the only ones who would lend money to the Shandong Trading Company.”
“You’ve been very helpful. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I could have asked Gong Su-chan to investigate the Shandong Trading Company and the Night Market further. But there was no need to put him in danger.
I now had someone who excelled at such tasks.
I immediately sent a message to Jeong-yeo, asking her to find out how the Shandong Trading Company was securing funds, and if they were borrowing from the Night Market, when, where, and how the transaction would take place. I instructed her to spare no expense in uncovering this information.
Her response came three days later.
Two days after that, Ma Jeong-su unexpectedly visited me.
Though his visit was unannounced, I knew he would come. Jeong-yeo had already reported his movements to me.
“Hahaha. How have you been, my friend?”
Though we had never agreed to be so familiar, he treated me like a younger brother.
“Have you been well?”
“I’ve been fine.”
He seemed to be in a particularly good mood, likely because he was expecting the hundred thousand nyang from the Shandong Trading Company.
“What brings you here?”
“I was just passing by.”
“Well, you’re welcome. Please, come in.”
“Let’s not stay in. Let’s go out.”
“Pardon?”
“Remember, you promised to introduce me to your fiancée. By now, her injuries should have healed. Give me the chance to meet the most beautiful woman in Shandong.”
Despite the chaos surrounding the Huaseon Old Master, he hadn’t forgotten about Song Hwa-rin.
I sensed this wasn’t just lust. If it were, he would have found a way to meet her directly. But coming to me and suggesting we go together meant he wanted to take her from me, to savor the process. With rumors of a broken engagement, he probably thought it would be easy. What a despicable man.
“Come on, let’s go. She’ll be happy to see you.”
He tugged at my sleeve insistently.
“But to visit so suddenly…”
As I hesitated, Si-gon, standing beside him, glared at me coldly. I pretended to be intimidated by his demeanor.
“Alright. Let’s go together.”
Just as I reluctantly stepped outside, a messenger arrived and handed Si-gon a letter.
Upon reading it, Si-gon’s expression changed dramatically.
He whispered something to Ma Jeong-su.
“There’s urgent news from the Shandong Trading Company.”
“What is it?”
Si-gon looked at me and spoke coldly.
“Please wait inside for a moment.”
“Understood.”
I closed the door and went inside. With my keen hearing, I could catch every word of their supposedly hushed conversation, which was tinged with excitement.
“They say they can’t send the hundred thousand nyang they promised.”
“What? Why?”
“It seems the money was stolen last night while being transported.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Ma Jeong-su shouted in anger.
Though there was no point in yelling at Si-gon, he couldn’t contain his rage.
“How could they handle things so poorly?”
“I don’t know the details, but it seems the Shandong Trading Company is in a state of emergency.”
Inside, I smiled sweetly.
That hundred thousand nyang was now in my possession.
The Shandong Trading Company’s chief and their guards had borrowed the money from the Night Market, and I intercepted it on their way back. Of course, I wore a mask and didn’t kill any of their guards. I subdued them without causing serious harm.
They had deployed their most trusted and skilled people, but they were no match for me. Moreover, given the nature of the task, they couldn’t bring a large number of people, making it even easier.
All of this was possible because I had precise information about the transaction.
Jeong-yeo had spent twenty thousand nyang to acquire this information. An enormous sum for a single piece of intel.
But it was worth every penny.
A hundred thousand nyang.
And since the money from the Night Market was in untraceable small notes, it meant I could use it however I wanted. Of course, I wouldn’t spend it immediately. I planned to use it once Ma Jeong-su’s situation was resolved and I was sure there would be no repercussions.
It was a win-win-win situation.
Since it was dirty money from the Night Market, I felt no guilt. I had thwarted the Shandong Trading Company and put Ma Jeong-su in a very difficult position.
Outside, their low conversation continued.
“It must be that old man.”
“Are you suggesting the Huaseon Old Master?”
“Who else would dare pull off something like this? Only someone who knows our situation inside out could have done this.”
“That crazy old man!”
Si-gon spoke cautiously.
“It’s time to seek help from the main family. There are people who can assist you.”
“But that woman is watching our every move. In other words, this whole situation will be reported to my father. As you know, the Shandong affair is a test. A test to select the successor!”
Behind the door, my smile grew wider.
Yes, that greedy fool wouldn’t want to be the first to fail that test.
Yes, keep being greedy. That’s how my plan will succeed.
“We must handle this ourselves.”
“In any case, you should return for now. You need to meet with the Shandong Trading Company and discuss this matter. If the payment isn’t sent to Jinan within a few days, the martial arts school contract will be voided.”
“Damn it!”
Ma Jeong-su’s frustrated sigh was music to my ears.
Soon, there was a knock on the door.
When I opened it, Ma Jeong-su spoke.
“Something urgent has come up, so I must return.”
“Oh, I see. It’s a shame, but please visit again.”
“I will.”
Ma Jeong-su and Si-gon hurriedly left.
Watching their retreating figures, I couldn’t help but smile.
When I heard that the Shandong Trading Company was involving the Night Market, a plan formed in my mind. A way to deal with Ma Jeong-su cleanly. Stealing their money was just the beginning of that plan.
It’s a pity I can’t tell Ma Jeong-su this.
There is no next time for you.
Ma Jeong-su reconnected with the Shandong Trading Company.
Go Sun-gyeong promised to find the money again, but admitted it couldn’t be done immediately.
Unaware of the full situation, Go Sun-gyeong even asked for help, insisting that the partnership continue and promising to secure the funds.
I coldly told him to bring the money first if he wanted to continue, and then left.
“Fools!”
But the downhill slide had only just begun.
Si-gon entered with a grim expression, delivering the news I had feared.
“The company handling the martial arts school construction has informed us they are terminating the contract.”
“They refused my request to extend the payment deadline?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Those bastards must have a death wish!”
Ma Jeong-su’s eyes blazed with fury.
“Someone must have spread the rumor.”
“What?”
Si-gon hesitated to answer.
“Answer me quickly!”
“There’s a rumor that you’ve gone bankrupt.”
“What?”
I expected something to be smashed.
But instead of exploding in anger, Ma Jeong-su seemed to realize something upon hearing the rumor.
“I see! I know who’s behind this.”
Spreading a rumor might seem as simple as whispering in a few inns, but in reality, it’s not that straightforward. To spread a rumor, especially one that shouldn’t exist, requires a lot of people, working systematically over a long period.
“The Huaseon Lodge couldn’t have orchestrated something this bold and organized. It must be one of my damned brothers behind this.”
Now, the inexplicable betrayal by the Huaseon Lodge made sense. They must have been swayed by another heir. Or perhaps they had been working for someone else from the start, only pretending to be loyal to him.
Sigon nodded in agreement. “I think so too.”
The reason for bringing in an outsider like the Huaseon Lodge was simple: he couldn’t trust anyone within. Yet, he’d been blindsided.
Bang!
The desk took the brunt of his frustration, shattering into pieces.
Ma Jeongsu couldn’t recall ever feeling so powerless in his life.
He had lived with hatred, priding himself on his intelligence. But he was wrong. He had been nothing more than a pawn, used like a fool.
Now, what consumed Ma Jeongsu was a murderous rage.
He wanted to hunt down the Huaseon Lodge and kill them. And whoever had turned them against him, he wanted them dead too.
But that would have to wait. First, he needed to clean up this mess.
“Fine, as long as we get results, it doesn’t matter how.”
If he could turn this dire situation into a success, perhaps his father would finally take notice.
“Go and get the money. Now.”
“How am I supposed to do that?”
“Damn it! Just get it! Stop standing there like an idiot delivering bad news and earn your keep! Steal it, threaten someone, I don’t care how!”
Even though Sigon was his bodyguard, given his age and position within the Cheondo sect, such outbursts were crossing a line.
“Understood.”
Sigon quietly left the room.
Sigon sat alone in a tavern, nursing a drink.
It was late, and the other patrons had gradually left, leaving him by himself.
He was furious at Ma Jeongsu’s earlier behavior, yet he understood. They were cornered.
He had spent the entire afternoon trying to gather money, visiting various merchants outside the Shandong Trading Company.
But the rumors had spread too far. Everyone had an excuse, some even lied about not being there. He felt a violent urge to kill them all.
“Those damn merchants!”
When money was involved, it seemed they didn’t care about their lives.
He had no knack for this kind of work. His life had been about wielding a sword, not persuading merchants.
He wasn’t a heavy drinker, but tonight he was overindulging.
“More drinks here!”
“Yes, sir.”
The server yawned as he headed to the kitchen.
Even that annoyed him. He wanted to lash out.
He had backed the wrong horse. He had chosen Ma Jeongsu, thinking that if Jeongsu succeeded, he would reap all the rewards. With fewer competitors, he hoped to quickly rise to the position of second-in-command. He had done all sorts of unsavory things to support Jeongsu.
“Damn it.”
He downed the last of his drink.
He could tolerate incompetence; he had known about it from the start. But the insults were hard to swallow.
He had believed Ma Jeongsu’s ruthlessness would be his strength against other competitors. But in a crisis, that ruthlessness turned into pettiness.
Yet, he had no intention of betraying Ma Jeongsu. Who would take him in now?
“Hey! Where’s my drink?”
As he turned his head in irritation—
Thud!
He was punched in the face, and he knew instantly. It was the same fist that had struck him in front of the safe.