An Advertising Genius Falls into the Joseon Era - Chapter 62

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 62
The two men facing each other began exchanging words in Qing Dynasty speech at once.
“How have you been?”
“As you can see.”
“And that Im Ha-sung fellow—he’s doing well too?”
……!
Song Do-hyeon’s shoulders flinched in that instant.
Wi So-gang continued as though nothing were amiss.
“His reputation has spread even to the Qing Dynasty. A gifted Merchant Leader who overcame countless hardships and pulled off the Ginseng Trade, they say.”
The Qing merchants understood only after Im Ha-yun departed.
That she had deliberately sparked the Ginseng Craze.
Dishes prepared with ginseng.
Medicinal preparations made from ginseng.
Peking opera performances featuring ginseng.
It was a strategy that people of this age could scarcely imagine.
Even had they known, they could never have dared attempt it.
No one would have found the nerve to distribute ginseng—so precious—freely.
“It’s absurd.”
Wi So-gang let out a low chuckle, as though flabbergasted.
“Not realizing all of this sprang from this very transaction… Heh.”
Yet all of it had only become possible because Song Do-hyeon accepted the offer now.
Had Song Do-hyeon refused, Im Ha-yun’s legend of success would have crumbled to nothing.
As Im Ha-yun’s name kept arising, Song Do-hyeon’s expression hardened with visible discomfort.
“She has nothing to do with this matter.”
“Hmm?”
“I made the decision myself. So I’ll bear all responsibility for it as well.”
One corner of Wi So-gang’s mouth rose in a subtle smile.
“Well, if that’s how you feel…”
Now that he thought about it, something had always struck him as odd.
The way Song Do-hyeon treated Im Ha-sung.
As though protecting him, he handled everything from his own hand.
Even now, his reaction was more forceful than necessary.
Wi So-gang regarded Song Do-hyeon with a peculiar gleam in his eyes.
“Well, let’s leave the pleasantries there…”
Around the Harbor, mysterious cargo crates lay piled in profusion.
Song Do-hyeon saw no reason to ask what lay inside them.
After all, there was nothing good in knowing.
“Hmm, it looks like you’ve brought everything without fail.”
Seeing the crates, Wi So-gang gave an approving nod.
Then the Yongdangpae men who had been quietly observing the situation began to whisper among themselves.
“What’s he even saying?”
“Who is this guy, acting all high and mighty?”
“Go fetch the Faction Leader of Huksabang already.”
It was plain they had no idea who Wi So-gang was.
Song Do-hyeon stepped forward to make the introduction.
“This man here is Wi So-gang, the Faction Leader of Huksabang.”
“What?”
“This raw-faced kid?”
The Yongdangpae men stared at Wi So-gang again, their faces shocked.
“I heard the Faction Leader of Huksabang had changed…”
“…But I never thought it would be someone this young.”
In truth, the previous Faction Leader of Huksabang had orchestrated this transaction.
But in the process of eliminating the former Faction Leader, Wi So-gang had severed the connection to Yongdangpae as well, so he reluctantly drew Song Do-hyeon into the matter.
As a result, the transaction could proceed.
“Good to meet you.”
It was then.
Hwang Jang-eok, the head of Yongdangpae, strode forward deliberately.
“Hwang Jang-eok, they call me.”
Wi So-gang regarded him intently.
An unkempt, shaggy beard. A crude axe hanging at his waist.
Wi So-gang looked Hwang Jang-eok up and down briefly, then spoke curtly.
“…Doesn’t seem like the sort of fellow worth my attention.”
(…Hardly appears to be anyone worth engaging.)
Even in the shadow world, there existed a hierarchy.
For all intents and purposes, Huksabang was a legitimately registered merchant house.
One substantial enough to conduct ginseng trade, no less.
Yongdangpae, by contrast, was nothing more than a gang of street thugs engaged in simple crime.
To be lumped in the same tier as such rabble was humiliating.
Had Wi So-gang known that Yongdangpae operated at this level, he wouldn’t have bothered coming at all.
Wi So-gang turned his head back toward Song Do-hyeon.
“Handle this as you see fit.”
(You take care of the arrangements.)
Song Do-hyeon nodded in understanding.
“He’s saying to move our goods to that boat first.”
“What?”
Hwang Jang-eok’s eyebrows twitched.
“Move our cargo aboard, and only then will Huksabang’s goods be unloaded.”
“So you want us to hand over our merchandise first?”
“That’s correct.”
There was no contract here, no trust whatsoever.
That was the essence of transactions conducted in the shadow world.
Frankly, if either side claimed the cargo crates for themselves right now, no one would find it strange.
That was why such deals were supposed to be conducted on-site, both parties present.
But that principle was about to be broken.
“Listen here, you Huksabang fellow.”
Hwang Jang-eok’s voice dropped low.
“Get this straight. If you want to take our goods, you’ll unload the cargo on that boat first.”
He then turned to look at his men behind him.
“Boys.”
“Yes, boss.”
“If these bastards lay a hand on our merchandise without permission, don’t just stand there.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll cut their hands clean off right there on the spot.”
Menacing words accompanied Yongdangpae’s men as they began quietly gripping their weapons.
Seeing this, Wi So-gang’s eyes narrowed to slits.
“It looks like those fellows are cooking up some scheme.”
(Those bastards are hatching some dubious plan.)
They didn’t know.
They didn’t know that Wi So-gang could speak Korean.
“If circumstances demand it, dispose of them and take the goods.”
(If things turn ugly, deal with them and bring back the cargo.)
“Understood.”
(Yes.)
At Wi So-gang’s command, Huksabang’s men also brought their hands to the hilts of their blades.
A sharp tension filled the air.
The atmosphere was so taut that swords could be drawn at any moment without anyone blinking.
It wouldn’t have been strange if violence erupted right then and there.
That suffocating standoff stretched on.
“Sigh……”
Watching it all, Song Do-hyeon exhaled sharply.
This deal couldn’t fall apart.
Not for himself, not for Im Ha-yun.
Finally, Song Do-hyeon stepped forward carefully.
“Wi So-gang. Order your men to stand down.”
“……”
Wi So-gang regarded Song Do-hyeon without a word.
Then Song Do-hyeon turned his head toward Hwang Jang-eok.
“You as well.”
“……”
But Hwang Jang-eok too offered no reply.
Neither man could back down now—their pride would not permit it.
“There’s no profit in spilling blood here. We’d both lose.”
Song Do-hyeon, unable to bear the tension any longer, stepped forward with a compromise.
“Let’s move only half of what’s here for now.”
“…….”
A long silence stretched between them.
It was clear they still weren’t satisfied.
Then Song Do-hyeon added one more condition.
“In return, Wi So-gang stays here until the final transaction is complete.”
“……!”
Hwang Jang-eok’s eyes widened.
What he meant was, in effect, to take Wi So-gang as a hostage.
Song Do-hyeon turned to Wi So-gang and belatedly asked his opinion.
“How about it? Does that work for you?”

Wi So-gang shrugged as if it were nothing.
“Of course. Why would I fear such men?”

Confidence overflowed in Wi So-gang’s tone.
Then, for effect, he raised one hand.
At that signal, the Huksabang men swiftly withdrew their hands from their sword hilts in perfect unison.
Seeing this, Hwang Jang-eok also ordered his subordinates to lower their weapons.
“Fine. Let’s load half for now.”
“Then the deal is struck.”
Following Song Do-hyeon’s compromise, cargo crates began to be loaded onto the ferryboat one by one.
“Creak.”
The ferryboat laden with cargo crates moved toward the main vessel.
Shortly after, a torch rose from the main vessel.
It was the signal that the goods were authentic.
Splash. Splash.
The ferryboat cut through the water and returned to the harbor.
Inside it lay goods from the Qing Dynasty side.
“Hmm.”
This time Hwang Jang-eok stepped forward to inspect the cargo crates.
Contrary to the tense situation, the goods were completely intact.
“You men. Load the rest of it on board.”
“Yes, sir.”
Thanks to Song Do-hyeon’s compromise, the transaction proceeded smoothly without further serious conflict.
Wi So-gang simply stood with his arms folded, watching the ferryboat make its runs.
The ferryboat continued its journeys, and the transaction concluded as the final goods from the Qing Dynasty side were delivered.
“You were right to trust me with this.”
Having completed the transaction without incident, Wi So-gang approached Song Do-hyeon. His face bore a satisfied smile.
“Then I’ll have to ask for your help again next time.”
“…….”
Song Do-hyeon turned his gaze away without expression.
His face revealed no emotion whatsoever.
“There is no next time. This is the last.”
“The last? That’s disappointing.”
Wi So-gang laughed it off lightly.
But he knew the truth.
That this was indeed the last time.
For some time now, he’d sensed a discord.
Song Do-hyeon emanated a strong will to sever all ties with this world completely.
‘Song Do-hyeon. Since when? When did you change like this?’
Yet once a man sets foot in this place, he cannot escape cleanly.
Whether by choice or by circumstance.
Wi So-gang, who knew this truth, regarded Song Do-hyeon with a peculiar gleam in his eyes.
“If that’s truly your wish, then there’s nothing more to be done.”
With those words, Wi So-gang climbed aboard the ferryboat.
“Till we meet again, then, my friend.”

The ferryboat carrying Wi So-gang drifted slowly into the distance.
Song Do-hyeon watched its receding form with an empty gaze.
It was all over now.
He would never set foot in this place again.
Never again would he be entangled with Huksabang.
Never again would he betray his duty as a Merchant Leader.
All that remained was to return to Mansang.
As if nothing had ever happened.
Convinced that he had severed his past so cleanly, Song Do-hyeon turned away without a backward glance.
That was when it occurred.
Rustle.
A patch of undergrowth near the Harbor suddenly swayed.
Perhaps it was the biting sea wind.
Or perhaps something else entirely.
With his back already turned, Song Do-hyeon had no way of knowing.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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