Chapter 154: Benefactor (3)
“…You’re saying this is all mine?”
Uncle Bang Biyeon looked at me after loading a large wagon full of luggage.
“That is correct.”
I couldn’t understand this sudden change.
Is this what they mean by becoming rich overnight?
Just because I made and sold a few leather clothes, to think it would already be like this…
“…”
…No. Thinking about it, maybe the Hao Gate is blatantly pushing to support me.
Before I leave, I should meet Brother Wi Chang at least once. Just to see how things are flowing.
I examined the wagon. Several bolts of silk, multiple chests, layers of high-quality leather, black dye, a box of silver taels, fine timber, new tools… etc.
It was so much that I wondered if it was too much for one person to own.
It was luxurious enough to make me worry about being attacked by bandits.
Having lived in poverty all my life, receiving all this at once left me unsure of how to react.
Honestly, with just this wagon, I had risen to the ranks of the wealthy.
“It must feel awkward.”
“…Yes. It is very awkward. I don’t even have space to put this in my house.”
“Eventually, you’ll have to build a bigger house. Moving is also an option. However, since you wish to live on Mt. Emei, settling down there wouldn’t be bad either. Speaking of which, how about hiring people to build a new house? Isn’t your current house too shabby? If you just leave this box of silver here, I will send people before long.”
…A house.
“...I’ll think about it first. I think I need to talk to the uncles.”
I should ask for Uncle Gwak Du’s opinion.
Although he is a beggar and has no connection with wealth, he is wise.
He might prevent me from slipping up because of money or making bad choices.
I wonder if it’s right for me to change my house. I don’t have any major inconveniences living there currently.
Besides, I’m not even sure if I can really settle down on Mt. Emei yet.
Soon, problems regarding the war will start erupting here and there.
…Or maybe not. Since Cheongwol is out of the picture, perhaps the plans have been delayed significantly.
Honestly, perhaps because my beggar habits are ingrained, all of this still felt too bewildered.
“Still, it is something you have rightfully earned, so do not feel too burdened.”
“I only made a few leather clothes—”
“—Isn’t it because of those leather clothes that you entered the Hao Gate’s sights? Even if it is luck, if it is luck that you triggered with your own hands, you also need the habit of accepting it. If you keep acting like a coward, you’ll be stripped bare and eaten by selfish guys like me.”
Although he spoke like that, Uncle Bang Biyeon had never treated me poorly.
I didn't expect to receive this wagon this time either.
Uncle just took care of it on his own.
At Bang Biyeon’s firm attitude, I suppressed the words of gratitude that were about to pop out.
At that attitude, Uncle seemed even more pleased.
“And Young Hero Han. If we absorb the Sangpyeong Merchant Group this time, our scale will grow. Then, at that time, I will introduce personnel to attend to you.”
“Pardon?”
“You can’t work alone for your whole life, can you? Who knows? With your discerning eye, we might show a tremendous upward trend.”
“…”
Does that mean I’ll get my own people too?
It felt like, unbeknownst to me, I was truly running on the road to success little by little.
“But how do I take this?”
“I will lend you two horses along with a coachman. It should be fine if they go to Mt. Emei and come back.”
“Understood. Since things have turned out this way, I should think about preparing and departing. Since I’ve finished all my business in Chengdu…”
“By that, do you mean ruining Lady Tang’s marriage?”
“…Well, something like that.”
“Hahaha, as expected, I like that Young Hero Han is confident. If you had learned martial arts, you would have become quite a great hero. Anyway, take care of your business.”
“Do you like our gift?”
Wi Chang swallowed his nervousness and looked at Han Seojin.
He knew he was a special existence from the first time they met, but now the extent of it was excessive.
A Heart Demon Physician… and on top of that, a level of insight that recognizes the Public Enemy of Murim, Baek Sahyeon’s pawn.
Isn’t this essentially cutting off Wi Cheonsang for the sake of his patient, Dang Soran?
If the two had married, it wouldn’t be hard to see Dang Soran being ruined.
Baek Sahyeon’s grasp would have likely extended to the Tang Clan of Sichuan somehow.
Han Seojin was, as expected, not an opponent to be treated lightly.
“As expected, the Merchant Group matter, was it you who did it, Brother?”
Han Seojin sighed and spoke.
“I told you I feel burdened by such things. I said I wouldn’t accept repayment. I hate the feeling of being tied down the most.”
“…Umm, Noble Person (Gui-in)…”
Wi Chang swallowed his saliva carefully.
Since there was an order coming from above, he had no choice but to follow it.
On top of that, if he resolved this matter well, becoming a Branch Leader in the Hao Gate wouldn’t be difficult.
He had to try.
“S-Still… wasn’t the matter with Wi Cheonsang helpful?”
“I knew it would be lik—”
“—I-I am not saying we expect something. We aren’t forcing anything either. Just… when our Hao Gate is wandering, we wonder if we could lightly ask for your high opinion.”
“…”
At those words, Han Seojin’s attitude softened.
Certainly, the reaction was different when saying they hoped for Heart Demon relief versus saying they would ask for an opinion.
It is probably because relieving Heart Demons is that much more difficult.
“By the way, how on earth did you know about Wi Cheonsang’s matter? Just as you said, at that place, Baek Sahyeon’s subordinates and Wi Cheonsang’s merchants were indeed interacting… How were you so specific?”
“It was a hunch.”
Han Seojin glossed over it roughly. Wi Chang had no intention of digging deeper either.
Truly, he was a scary existence because he was hiding things.
Just how much does this person know?
Could he be an existence that knows the entire way the Central Plains (Murim) operates?
Does he know who the next Number One under Heaven is, or who needs to be guarded against the most?
“Anyway, there is only one reason I stopped by. Don’t push me too much. I want to live well, but I don’t want to become famous. I still have not the slightest thought of getting entangled with the Murim. Although that hasn’t been going well lately…”
Wi Chang nodded.
And as he started assigning meaning to it, Han Seojin’s words felt chilling.
Why does this mysterious man not want to be entangled with the Murim to this extent?
…Don’t tell me, is some kind of storm coming?
I must remember this clearly and report it.
The issues related to Han Seojin had long passed the level that the Sichuan Branch could handle.
And thinking like that…
—Crumple.
Wi Chang crumpled a note in his robe and maintained his composure.
“I will keep that in mind. To ensure you don’t become too famous.”
“Yes.”
“Are you going back now?”
“I have to.”
Wi Chang slapped his thigh as if he just remembered.
“Ah, right. I wanted to convey this as well.”
“What is it?”
“No, it’s a silly story but… I was reminded of it thanks to Lady Dang Soran’s matter this time, and since only days of becoming wealthy in various ways remain for you, I became curious. Noble Person, do you have no thoughts of marriage?”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s nothing else. We intend to do our utmost so that the Noble Person can live happily and comfortably. But what use is it for a man to live alone? Yes? You haven’t even been to a brothel…”
At the provocation that he hadn’t even been to a brothel, he relaxed slightly.
At that secretive whisper, Han Seojin’s eyes sparkled for a moment.
“Is it acceptable for a manly man to not even have lost his bachelorhood?”
“…Brother, don’t be so certain.”
“Then have you lost it?”
“…Ahem. No, well… I was busy making a living so I postponed it for a while. I am a man too.”
Wi Chang recalled what he saw at the brothel.
Even the sight of him being dragged away by a mysterious female master back then.
Han Seojin certainly knows a lot, but his martial prowess was merely that of a commoner.
Perhaps he is suffering a little.
“Relieving the Heart Demons of masters must not be easy either.”
Han Seojin did not deny it.
With that, Wi Chang received confirmation of the vague suspicion that he relieves Heart Demons for the first time.
“No matter how strong a manly man is, after hard work, the comfort of a soft woman is needed.”
As if the work was indeed hard, Han Seojin, whose expression briefly became haggard, made a blank expression as if recalling a soft woman.
Wi Chang continued carefully.
“Is there no woman you love? We could help.”
The young man in front of him revealed a human side for the first time and rolled his eyes around.
People on whom the 'Honey Trap' (Beauty Scheme) doesn't work are extremely rare.
Either masters with much to lose, sodomites, or eunuchs.
Han Seojin was none of the three.
…Probably. Anyway, he wouldn't be a sodomite.
In any case, Han Seojin is someone on whom a beauty trap would always work.
Clearing his throat, Han Seojin spoke.
“There isn’t exactly anyone I love.”
His tone strangely became solemn as well.
Wi Chang smiled inwardly and approached him.
“Do you have thoughts of starting a family?”
“…There’s no way I don’t. It was my dream to have precious children and live happily with a modest wife.”
“How about we make that dream come true for you?”
Han Seojin swallowed his saliva, but then frowned deeply.
“Even if I trust you, Brother, how can I trust the Hao Gate? You’re trying to plant another strange Hao Gate member as my partner. Do you know how surprised I was when I heard Ga Yeong was a Hao Gate member?”
“Being a Hao Gate member isn’t a crime, is it? It’s not just people plotting conspiracies; there are many ordinary grassroots people who act as the ears of the Hao Gate. Because the weak must band together to survive. Isn’t Ga Yeong, whom you mentioned, also supporting her family because of the Hao Gate?”
“That is true, but even so, I don’t feel comfortable with my wife leaking my information to the Hao Gate…”
“No way we would do that. We digressed for a moment, but we only wish for the Noble Person’s happiness. We could find a modest woman for you, or we could make it so you naturally connect with a partner the Noble Person chooses. It’s not like every woman in the Central Plains is a Hao Gate member, right? There is no need to be so suspicious.”
Han Seojin thought deeply, then blinked his eyes again.
And said while rising from his seat.
“…I will think about it.”
“That is a good decision.”
. . .
After Han Seojin left the room, Wi Chang took out the note from his robe.
Even looking at this small note made his heart pound.
The person who handed this note was the problem.
…This was sent directly to Wi Chang by the Hao Gate Lord.
‘Catch Young Master Han Seojin by any means. Using a woman is good.’
A story that Jin Gon, the Sichuan Branch Leader, had already mentioned.