Chapter 126: Come to Seong-un Inn
“By method, you say.”
Oh Jeong-san repeated Jin Seong-un’s question.
As a martial artist and simultaneously a merchant, two thoughts coexisted within him.
As a disciple of the Wudang Sect, he believed that justice had to be restored by publicly severing Song Jae-mun’s head.
However, as a merchant, he thought that Song’s punishment should be left to the authorities or the Murim Alliance, and that a more thorough investigation should be conducted to expose the true nature of the Jo-yang Escort Agency.
Of course, in the latter case, Song Jae-mun might still be punished but would at least keep his life.
As Oh Jeong-san hesitated in contemplation, voices poured in from all around.
There were those who, driven by emotion, demanded immediate execution. Others insisted that since Song Jae-mun was a merchant and this was a Merchant Festival, it should be handled according to the ways of the merchant world.
“Hm…”
Oh Jeong-san could not easily make a decision.
Song Jae-mun rolled his eyes around, gauging the atmosphere. Was that not a glimmer of hope he saw?
“If I am guilty, then make it clear and I will pay accordingly. If, by any chance, there are people who suffered because of me, I will properly compensate them as well.”
His words only further inflamed both sides.
Some raged at the shameless scoundrel still being alive, while others latched onto the word compensation, and the debate grew more heated.
It was then—
“Haha, there is a saying: ‘The authorities must not be interfered with.’ Likewise, the martial world and the merchant world must also be clearly distinguished.”
A middle-aged man’s voice rang out.
There was no internal energy behind it, and yet, strangely, there was weight in his words.
The entire venue instantly fell silent as all eyes turned to the man.
Some who recognized him flinched in surprise and spoke.
“Isn’t that… General Manager Yoo?”
Yoo Won-ho, the External General Manager of Myriad Gold Manor.
He was a man ranked among the top five in the entire manor.
At the sudden appearance of such a big figure, everyone shut their mouths and focused on the situation.
Oh Jeong-san inwardly frowned.
The appearance of Myriad Gold Manor’s External General Manager in a situation like this was not ideal.
‘Didn’t Song Jae-mun recently start doing business with Myriad Gold Manor?’
While everyone was looking at him, Jin Seong-un’s gaze was directed toward the martial escorts standing beside him.
They were unmistakably peak-level masters.
Jin Seong-un did not consider many to be masters. At minimum, they were at the level of elders from great sects.
“Given the circumstances, I’ve brought escorts with me. I hope you will all understand.”
With those words, Yoo Won-ho bowed lightly to everyone. A few people cleared their throats awkwardly.
Bringing martial artists to the Merchant Festival was certainly unwelcome. But even so, no one dared to criticize the External General Manager of Myriad Gold Manor.
Yoo Won-ho casually stroked his eyebrow, as if thinking for a moment, then continued in a relaxed tone.
“To finish what I was saying— If we do not clearly separate merchants from martial artists, then we will have to carry swords at our waists whenever we negotiate deals. There will be cases where power, not numbers, dictates trade through force. At first, some will profit. After all, there are strong ones among merchants.”
Myriad Gold Manor was the prime example.
The martial power they possessed was known to rival most great sects or clans.
Yoo Won-ho then spoke in a firmer tone.
“But if such methods continue, the truly capable merchants will perish, and only those with brute strength will rise. In the long run, the standard of the merchant world will drop, and ultimately, everyone’s profits will decline.”
He was warning that the market itself would be destroyed.
He was speaking about Song Jae-mun’s punishment, projecting it into a very distant future.
But the important fact was this: it was the External General Manager of Myriad Gold Manor saying these words.
In the world of merchants, Myriad Gold Manor was akin to an emperor.
Their decisions moved all trading companies across the Central Plains, and their insight often proved correct.
“Very well said!”
Starting with one person, more and more began to voice their agreement with Yoo Won-ho.
Those who had been insisting on Song Jae-mun’s immediate execution now held their tongues.
At that moment, one man shouted.
“Then what, I’m supposed to just watch as the man who murdered my family pays with money and walks free to live his life as if nothing happened?!”
All eyes turned to him.
He was a man who had lost the Uiseong Escort Agency to Song Jae-mun in the past.
Yoo Won-ho looked at him with pity and spoke.
“Haa… That is not what I meant. First of all, your claim has no evidence, though let’s set that aside. If Chief Song truly committed a capital crime, wouldn’t the authorities or the Murim Alliance determine that?”
“……”
But everyone knew.
If Song Jae-mun were rescued from the brink of death by Myriad Gold Manor and handed over to the authorities or the Murim Alliance, they would never sentence him to death.
Still, no one dared to speak such words.
It could be taken to mean that Myriad Gold Manor was blatantly covering for Song Jae-mun’s corruption and manipulating both the government and the Murim world.
“Of course, I welcome differing opinions. Only through open discussion can we find a true answer. So if anyone disagrees with me, please feel free to speak up.”
No one opened their mouths.
Even Oh Jeong-san opened his lips for a moment, only to sigh and say nothing more.
Jin Seong-un silently stared at Song Jae-mun.
Relief and elation were spreading across Song’s face.
“Hm.”
Jin Seong-un also pondered.
If he wanted to kill the man right now, he could.
But his connection with Oh Jeong-san was already well-known to the world.
If he openly opposed the stance of Myriad Gold Manor, the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association might suffer because of him.
Time passed.
As no new opinions arose, Yoo Won-ho smiled in satisfaction and said,
“As expected. Any merchant capable of attending this gathering surely knows reason well.
Then, Chief Song shall be handed over to the authorities…”
“Though General Manager Yoo’s words are outwardly correct—”
A sharp, clear female voice rang out through the venue.
Naturally, there were women among the merchants attending the Merchant Festival.
But all of them were middle-aged or older.
This unexpected young woman’s voice was enough to draw everyone’s attention.
And even more so because her words were a direct rebuttal to Myriad Gold Manor’s stance.
Yoo Won-ho’s eyebrow twitched the moment he recognized her face.
“Haha, I hadn’t heard that Hwa-un Trading Company would be participating.”
Hwa Yeon-seol, Master of Hwa-un Trading Company.
She stood tall and proud, staring straight at Yoo Won-ho. Behind her, a caravan of dozens of wagons followed.
She had rushed here upon hearing that Jin Seong-un would be attending this Merchant Festival.
Jin Seong-un and Hwa Yeon-seol exchanged a brief greeting with their eyes.
Jin Seong-un thought her demeanor had changed greatly.
Where once her eyes had been filled with anxiety, they now held firm confidence and strength.
In truth, Hwa-un Trading Company had undergone many changes.
She had begun to clean up the crimes of her father, Hwa Yun-tak, one by one, and established ties with several righteous sects and noble clans.
Rather than expanding outward, she had focused more than ever on strengthening her foundation around Sichuan.
Crucially, throughout the entire process, she had the solid support of the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
With her signature unwavering gaze, Hwa Yeon-seol stared at Yoo Won-ho and spoke.
“For an ordinary merchant, General Manager Yoo’s words might be valid. But Song Jae-mun is the one who brought the Southern Black Lotus Lord here and tried to murder a fellow participant of the Merchant Festival. How can we apply the same standard as we would for a typical merchant?”
Despite her direct rebuttal, Yoo Won-ho did not lose his smile.
He simply nodded as if to say, Go on.
So, Hwa Yeon-seol continued.
“It was Song Jae-mun who broke the boundary between merchants and martial artists.
Has anyone here seen Jin Daehyeop behave like a martial artist during the Merchant Festival?”
“……”
Of course, no one had.
Jin Seong-un hadn’t even bothered to socialize with people, let alone act like a martial artist.
“It was Song Jae-mun who broke a taboo and involved martial artists to commit vile acts.
And now you seek to protect him as a mere merchant, while pressuring the victim? Is that truly…”
Hwa Yeon-seol deliberately paused and stared directly at General Manager Yoo.
A glint passed through his eyes.
When did Hwa Yun-tak’s young daughter become like this?
She clearly understood the power of words. She was regulating her breath like a seasoned merchant.
Hwa Yeon-seol continued.
“Is that the way of Myriad Gold Manor?”
The hall erupted into a buzz.
What she had just said sounded as if the Hwa-un Trading Company was openly declaring opposition to Myriad Gold Manor.
It was an unthinkable act within the merchant world.
For the first time, General Manager Yoo's smile vanished.
“If that’s the case, what will you do? At Myriad Gold Manor, we believe merchants should behave as merchants in all circumstances.”
Everyone waited for Hwa Yeon-seol’s reply.
And she gave an answer that exceeded everyone’s expectations.
“Then we must also stick to our way.”
“……”
“Anyone who becomes Jin Daehyeop’s enemy will also be an enemy of the Hwa-un Trading Company. As you know, the people of Sichuan never forget either gratitude or grudges. Even if all our teeth fall out while biting our enemies, we won’t care—no matter who stands before us.”
Hwa Yeon-seol stared directly at General Manager Yoo.
“Our stance will not change.”
Whether it was Myriad Gold Manor or anyone else, she made it clear they would not hesitate to clash if they stood against Jin Seong-un.
Soon, Hwa Yeon-seol looked at Jin Seong-un. Her eyes conveyed a clear message.
The Hwa-un Trading Company will handle the aftermath, so do what you must.
Jin Seong-un nodded.
Sensing the shift in the air, the two escorts of Myriad Gold Manor shoved aside the martial artists of the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association and stepped in front of Song Jae-mun.
They looked at Jin Seong-un.
They had heard of the name Guest Dragon before.
Even so, they showed no hesitation in standing against him.
They, too, were confident they could take on even an elder from a great sect.
Jin Seong-un drew his sword.
The martial artists of Myriad Gold Manor also raised their swords in response.
A suffocating tension filled the hall.
“Do not cross the line.”
General Manager Yoo gave a firm warning.
But Jin Seong-un didn’t even look at him.
Yoo’s expression slightly twisted at the sight.
Jin Seong-un then lightly stomped his foot.
Shwaek—!
In an instant, his body stretched like taffy, and before anyone realized it, Jin Seong-un had already closed more than half the distance.
The martial artists of Myriad Gold Manor widened their eyes.
They had been prepared, but their opponent’s martial skill was beyond expectation.
They gripped their swords more tightly.
Everyone was watching.
Their pride as martial artists—and the pride of Myriad Gold Manor—were at stake.
They fiercely gathered their inner energy, lowered their stances, and as Jin Seong-un charged in like a storm—
Sshik—!
Jin Seong-un leapt into the air.
The martial artists showed puzzled expressions.
They had expected him to slash downward and were ready to block.
But they quickly realized their mistake.
Suddenly, Song Jae-mun—who had been behind them—floated into the air.
“What?!”
High above, Jin Seong-un had used the subtle art of Psychokinesis to pull Song Jae-mun toward him.
Even drawing a sword through psychokinesis was considered extraordinary.
But no one had imagined he could so easily lift a man of Song Jae-mun’s size.
Already, Song Jae-mun was dangling in Jin Seong-un’s left hand, his face pale with fear.
The martial artists leapt into the air, swinging their swords as if to sever Jin Seong-un’s arm at the shoulder.
Kaang—!
Jin Seong-un blocked the strike with ease.
Song Jae-mun clenched his eyes shut in terror.
Jin Seong-un then hurled him.
Like skipping a stone across water, he threw him with force.
Song Jae-mun, who had been floating high in the air, flew in a straight line. At the end of that line stood a man—the one who had lost both his family and the Uiseong Escort Agency to Song Jae-mun.
The man instinctively realized—
Song Jae-mun was flying toward him too fast.
He couldn’t dodge or block.
There was only one option.
The man drew his sword and slashed upward toward the sky.
It was the very scene he had imagined countless times over the past decade.
Seogak—!
Song Jae-mun’s waist was cleaved clean in half.
It was the moment ten years of vengeance was fulfilled.
Everyone’s faces turned pale with shock.
Then, Jin Seong-un gently landed on the ground and spoke loudly enough for all to hear, his voice laced with internal energy.
“Even if that man hadn’t swung his sword, Song Jae-mun would’ve died. If anyone wishes to hold someone accountable for this death, come to Seong-un Inn.”
“You may also come to the Hwa-un Trading Company.”
Hwa Yeon-seol added.
General Manager Yoo of Myriad Gold Manor let out a bitter chuckle.