Chapter 117 : Song Jae-mun (1)

Jin Seong-un and Song Jae-mun briefly locked eyes.After a short pause, Song Jae-mun collected his expression and said,

“Truth is, I wanted to take the scolding on behalf of Myriad Gold Manor and leave a debt of gratitude in the heart of our promising Chairman Oh. But alas, a fine opportunity for a merchant flew away. Hahaha!”

Song Jae-mun burst into hearty laughter.

Jin Seong-un observed him for a moment before speaking.

“Still, isn’t it wrong to take advantage of another’s misfortune?”

“Hm?”

Song Jae-mun widened his eyes and looked back and forth between Jin Seong-un and Oh Jeong-san.

Standing next to them, Oh Jeong-san let out an awkward laugh.

“This is exactly why I keep him close to me.”

“Heh, that’s a rare sort to find in the merchant world. Yes, you’re right. Taking advantage of another’s misfortune is indeed a bad deed. But then again…”

And so began Song Jae-mun’s commentary—half advice, half justification.

The gist of his long-winded words was this:

The misfortune had already taken place.

So, as a merchant, what harm was there in helping the other side while also gaining benefit for oneself?

He claimed that weighing profit and loss in every situation was a merchant’s most basic instinct.

Jin Seong-un nodded.

There was truth in Song Jae-mun’s words, though Jin Seong-un himself would not have acted that way.

“In any case, I hope another chance to help Chairman Oh will come my way.”

Song Jae-mun’s final words made his earlier actions sound like pure goodwill.

Jin Seong-un realized anew how differently an act could appear depending on how one framed it.

Oh Jeong-san nodded toward Song Jae-mun and said,

“Please, think nothing of it. Even just the thought of helping has already left me indebted. By the way…”

His gaze shifted to the banner of Myriad Gold Manor, and with a look of sheer relief, he asked,

“Where did you recover that banner? I was certain someone had stolen it.”

Jin Seong-un glanced at Song Jae-mun, silently asking if it was all right to speak in front of him.

Oh Jeong-san gave a nod of reassurance.

“The merchants at the inn spoke of it. Someone bribed a merchant from the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association to steal the banner. So I stole it back.”

A truly simple explanation.

Oh Jeong-san furrowed his brow and let out a sigh.

Since only one person managed the banner, it was not difficult to guess who had been bribed.

The very man who had been apologizing profusely to Oh Jeong-san for losing the banner before Jin Seong-un and Song Jae-mun arrived.

“Heh, to think such a thing would happen after working together for six years.”

Bitterness colored Oh Jeong-san’s face.

It was not the anger of nearly facing humiliation, but the disappointment of being betrayed by someone he trusted.

Clicking his tongue, Song Jae-mun added,

“That’s just how the world works. You can trust money, but not people. I suppose he was given more than you ever paid him.”

“…Seems that way.”

“It’s up to you, but you should run another thorough check before the Merchant Festival begins.”

Oh Jeong-san forced a bitter smile and nodded.

Song Jae-mun’s eyes then turned toward Jin Seong-un.

“Guest Dragon! I’ve heard much about you. These days, the entire world seems to be talking about no one else. It’s an honor to finally meet you. I am Song Jae-mun, the one who runs the Jo-yang Escort Agency.”

Jin Seong-un remembered the name of Jo-yang Escort Agency and gave a nod.

“I am Jin Seong-un of Seong-un Inn.”

“Ho, much more handsome than I had imagined. The heavens are truly unfair. How could one man be blessed with good looks, martial arts, and business acumen all at once? How am I supposed to live in comparison?!”

With his exaggerated tone, Song Jae-mun filled the office with laughter, lightening the atmosphere in an instant.

Jin Seong-un sensed that his words carried a unique power—different from that of martial artists, it was the distinct ability of a merchant.

While Oh Jeong-san poured more tea, Song Jae-mun eagerly struck up conversation with Jin Seong-un.

“So, how is the inn faring?”

“Yes. Business has been booming lately.”

“Hahaha, that’s good to hear. Should you ever require escort services, just say the word. As the younger brother of Chairman Oh, you’ll be treated with the utmost special care.”

“Thank you for the kind words.”

Jin Seong-un gave a light nod.

Song Jae-mun narrowed his eyes.

“No, no. A merchant should always be clear. I don’t mean just with words. Should you truly do business with our escort agency, I would offer you extremely favorable terms.”

He snapped his fingers lightly and calculated in his head before saying,

“For example, I’d take only half the usual escort fee but assign twice the number of escorts and a Head Escort as well. Of course, in return, I’d spread a bit of word around.”

“Word?”

“Yes. An escort agency used even by Guest Dragon, one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes! Truthfully, the value of such a rumor far exceeds the favor I’ve given you. People always depend on authority and reputation.”

“…I see.”

“This is business. Laying out clearly what each side gains and aligning expectations. Unlike swindlers, who hide their gains completely.”

Setting a teacup in front of Jin Seong-un, Oh Jeong-san nodded in agreement.

“He started from nothing, and in less than ten years, he is now hailed as one of the Hundred Great Merchants. In Hubei Province, nearly every major escort job falls under his charge.”

Jin Seong-un looked at Song Jae-mun with newfound respect. As someone running an inn, he found a self-made merchant quite impressive.

With a sly grin, Song Jae-mun added,

“Not quite. I only take mountain routes. The Yangtze River escorts are all handled by the Red Cliff Escort Agency. My goal is to seize that water route as well one day.”

Every word he spoke brimmed with confidence.

His eyes shone with clarity like a master martial artist’s, and the aura he exuded was just as sharp.

“Red Cliff Escort Agency…”

Jin Seong-un murmured the name to himself.

It was familiar, unsurprising given that Yichang sat along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

The light conversation continued for some time.

Then, Oh Jeong-san suddenly asked Jin Seong-un,

“So, are you planning to take part in this Merchant Festival?”

“Yes. Since I came this far, I thought I’d at least take a look around.”

Beaming with delight, Oh Jeong-san nodded.

“A wise choice. You won’t regret it. We’ve put great effort into preparations. I’ll have a place arranged for you at once. And also…”

He fixed his gaze on Jin Seong-un, eyes filled with boundless goodwill.

“Thank you, Seong-un. Without you, things could have turned out very badly. Either I would have drawn the ire of Myriad Gold Manor, or I’d have been forced into debt to this merciless merchant here.”

At his joke, Song Jae-mun burst into roaring laughter.

Jin Seong-un answered lightly,

“It’s nothing. I rather enjoyed myself.”

“Hm?”

“Ahem, nothing.”

Jin Seong-un smacked his lips.

Honestly, Jin Seong-un did feel a slight thrill while secretly searching through every inn and every guestroom in Yichang without the owners’ knowledge.

His habitual compulsion to steal had mostly faded, yet it seemed the teachings of his master, Divine Thief, had not completely worn away.

Soon after, Jin Seong-un exchanged brief farewells with Song Jae-mun and Oh Jeong-san before rising from his seat.

Song Jae-mun offered terms until the very last moment.

“If half price doesn’t satisfy you, I’ll only take thirty percent… no, forget it—free! I’ll do it for free!”

“…If I ever find myself in need, I’ll contact you.”

Of course, that would never happen. Jin Seong-un already had ample escort support from the Hwa-un Trading Company and the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association.

Still, Song Jae-mun seemed satisfied with even that polite courtesy, nodding with a wide smile.

Three days later, the Merchant Festival began.

Resting comfortably at the lodging provided by Oh Jeong-san, Jin Seong-un stepped outside to watch the opening ceremony.

The festival uniquely began in the evening—since all participants were merchants, the daytime was needed to tend to their business.

Boom!

Brilliant fireworks filled the night sky.

A martial artist of the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association conducting the opening shouted with qi infused into his voice.

“Look there, everyone! Your membership fees are exploding in all their glory!”

The light jest drew laughter from all around.

Street stalls lined the roads, selling every kind of food and wine. The largest alley had been transformed entirely into a massive outdoor banquet hall.

Jin Seong-un strolled along the streets, gazing at the tall banners fluttering in the night.

Naturally, the banner of Myriad Gold Manor was placed in the most prominent and highest spot. The thought that it had nearly been absent left him slightly unnerved.

At that moment, a familiar voice called out from a table.

“Guest Dragon! Over here!”

Jin Seong-un turned his head.

The title alone stirred the crowd, and everyone looked toward him. Indeed, Guest Dragon had become one of the most famous names in recent times.

Song Jae-mun was smiling broadly, waving him over as though to say, “Come drink with us.”

Jin Seong-un joined his table. The merchants drinking with Song Jae-mun lit up with excitement and spoke all at once.

“Ho, so you truly are Guest Dragon? You’re younger and more handsome than I expected. I also heard Seong-un Inn was recently renovated?”

“His eyes are different altogether. Reminds me of my own youth…”

“I trade in foodstuffs. Perhaps we might directly help one another someday…”

Their tongues glided slick as oil, most of them simply eager to build rapport with Jin Seong-un.

Jin Seong-un, however, felt somewhat drained. Unlike when standing before masters of martial arts, here he felt his energy being pulled away.

‘…I want to go home.’

Reading his expression, Song Jae-mun stepped in to defuse the situation.

“Come now, gentlemen, stop pestering the young man. You’ll only embarrass me for inviting him.”

He said it with a laugh, and the merchants chuckled, apologizing to Jin Seong-un or holding their tongues.

The atmosphere was cheerful, yet Jin Seong-un distinctly sensed a hierarchy among them.

Well, that was only natural.

Even among martial artists, subtle ranks existed depending on background, accomplishments, and affiliation.

As he thought so, a cool breeze swept by, ruffling his hair. He looked around.

Numerous carts and wagons bustled along the streets. With escorts and porters in tow, they were clearly delivering goods.

Seeing his curiosity, Song Jae-mun explained,

“These are the alcohol, food, and tools for the festival. Merchants also use this gathering to trade, and peddlers naturally seize the chance to sell. Throughout the whole festival, you’ll see wagons like these coming and going.”

“I see.”

It truly felt like a festival for merchants.

Just as martial artists would duel when they gathered, merchants would naturally do business.

Shops offered water and wine to porters and escorts alike. Naturally, no payment was accepted—it was a festival, after all.

As merchants talked on energetically and Jin Seong-un gave perfunctory replies, enjoying the lively scene, his eyes suddenly fixed on a porter.

The man looked about forty, with the most ordinary appearance imaginable.

‘Strange.’

Still, Jin Seong-un could not look away. The man was unloading goods directly from the wagon—certainly a porter. Escorts, with their pride, never assisted with such menial tasks.

Yet this porter possessed martial strength greater than most escorts.

Why would someone of such skill work as a porter instead of an escort?

Jin Seong-un pondered briefly, then smirked at himself. After all, he too was merely an innkeeper.

“Guest Dragon, after the festival ends, may I visit Seong-un Inn? I’ll likely be passing through Yichang on my way back.”

“Yes, of course.”

Nodding to a merchant he did not know, Jin Seong-un still kept his eyes on the porter.

The porter drank the water offered by a shop, bowed politely, and began strolling calmly between the tables lining the street.

He drew nearer, looking about in wide-eyed wonder as though marveling at the grand festival.

And then—when he was standing right behind Song Jae-mun.

Swish!

In an instant, Jin Seong-un’s hand shot out toward Song Jae-mun.

He caught the blade the porter had thrust out—barehanded.

It was a dagger, sharpened to a deadly edge.

Its point had been aimed at Song Jae-mun’s nape.

Had Jin Seong-un been even a moment slower, Song Jae-mun would have died on the spot.

The porter tried to press forward with all his strength, but of course, the blade did not budge.

“W-what?!”

Song Jae-mun and the surrounding merchants leapt up in shock.

Guards stationed nearby rushed forward in a flurry, while the would-be assassin stared at Jin Seong-un with trembling eyes.