Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#023

Ja-gang-cheon sat facing Yeon-hee in the rear garden pavilion. As always, Cheon-gu was by his side.

‘It’s all bluffing. Before this meeting ends, I’ll make him crawl under my hand.’

Yeon-hee steeled her resolve.

Despite her harsh thoughts, her face still wore a bright smile.

“I’m grateful for the Lord’s hospitality.”

“Just speak comfortably. We’re not the type to be polite with each other.”

“Relationships can always be improved.”

At least when Pansuk brought out tea, Yeon-hee was able to compose herself while holding the teacup.

But before the warmth of the teacup could even touch her lips, Ja-gang-cheon urged her on with a question.

“What’s this information I need to know?”

“Have you heard of the Shandong Owak?”

Ja-gang-cheon’s gaze turned toward Cheon-gu beside him. It was an automatic habit whenever there was something he didn’t know. And Cheon-gu was always there to provide the answer.

“They’re famous masters in Shandong Province. Five of them travel together and call themselves the Shandong Five Heroes. Others call them the Shandong Five Villains because they know of their evil deeds.”

“Why are those bastards involved?”

It was Yeon-hee’s turn to answer.

“They’re coming to Jiao-nan. They’ll arrive within three days.”

“So why?”

“Naturally, they’re coming to target you, Lord.”

Ja-gang-cheon felt like the conversation was going in circles. And he suspected that Yeon-hee was deliberately steering the conversation this way.

“Sister. Just go.”

“What? Why are you suddenly ordering me to leave…”

“I hate beating around the bush and testing me. I’ll just catch those Shandong Owak guys or whatever when they come and interrogate them.”

“The Shandong Owak are not opponents to take lightly…”

Yeon-hee had to stop speaking. Ja-gang-cheon had lost interest and looked bored.

No man had ever shown her such an expression before.

“It’s because of the black market.”

At those words, life returned to Ja-gang-cheon’s eyes.

“Why the black market?”

“Right now, all the organizations targeting Jiao-nan want one thing. The black market.”

“Hao-mun is the same?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Finally, an accurate exchange of information took place.

“Currently, many organizations are targeting Jiao-nan’s black market. That means they’ll inevitably have to fight Deungmyeong Manor. I have a way to prevent that.”

Even without seduction, Yeon-hee was an excellent negotiator.

The position of Hao-mun’s Dan-ju wasn’t something one could reach through beauty alone.

“Just how profitable is this black market that everyone’s after it?”

“Gwimyeon Ssangssal didn’t properly utilize the black market. Even so, it made more money than Jiao-nan’s trade market. If I were to run that market, I’m confident I could grow it at least five times larger.”

This was what Hao-mun did best.

‘Of course, that would require a considerable amount of under-the-table money.’

Maintaining boundaries was also Hao-mun’s specialty. And with massive manpower, they could connect various goods with buyers.

“What if I refuse?”

“I would persuade you. Our Hao-mun would resolve everything through dialogue to the end, but I can’t guarantee the same for other organizations.”

“Anyone listening would think Hao-mun came to help me.”

“We do many things for profit, but right now we’re making a proposal that’s favorable to you, Lord.”

Yeon-hee stopped her seduction and began negotiating seriously.

“Hand over the black market to Hao-mun. Then we’ll solve all your problems.”

When Ja-gang-cheon didn’t stop her, Yeon-hee presented her decisive negotiation proposal.

“The moment Hao-mun takes control of the black market, other organizations will lose their reason to attack you, Lord. Because our Hao-mun will deal with them instead.”

It was simple logic that didn’t need to be questioned.

Right now they were attacking Ja-gang-cheon because he seemed like the owner, but if the owner changed to Hao-mun, their target would change too.

“And I’ll make you one promise.”

There’s an unchanging principle in negotiations.

Mutual benefit.

If you weighed the current situation on a scale, Deungmyeong Manor would inevitably feel like they were losing out.

So she had to add one more thing.

“I’ll protect your beliefs, Lord.”

“Beliefs?”

“While Hao-mun controls the black market, we’ll prevent any black society from entering. Furthermore, I promise we won’t engage in any activities other than operating the black market.”

The last statement was quite interesting.

It meant Hao-mun would handle the parts that Ja-gang-cheon was concerned about.

‘The problem is that it was Hao-mun making this promise.’

That name alone made trust disappear.

“Hmm. Got it. Is that the end of your proposal?”

“Is it insufficient?”

“It’s not satisfying.”

“Why not?”

Ja-gang-cheon spoke as if it were obvious.

“If I have to give the black market to someone, Hao-mun is the worst choice. I’d rather give it to the Shandong Owak or whatever. Since there are only five of them, they can’t do much, and it would be easier for me to manage them.”

“Managing them would be impossible.”

“Then there must be other organizations. If the black market is that valuable, there must be many others targeting it, right?”

Yeon-hee was trying to maintain her composure, but she was secretly anxious.

‘Does he really intend to negotiate with others?’

She had thought Ja-gang-cheon wouldn’t hand over the black market to anyone.

‘Looking at his actions so far, it’s certain.’

It wasn’t a guess but a conviction.

If he were someone who could negotiate, he wouldn’t have eliminated the existing black societies and even disbanded the Black Immortal Sect.

‘It’s a lie.’

Yeon-hee didn’t doubt her conclusion.

“You can’t negotiate with anyone other than Hao-mun, Lord.”

“Why not?”

“Because they won’t compromise. And you won’t be able to tolerate that.”

She spoke as if prophesying.

“If you have conditions you want, please state them. This is an opportunity for both sides to get what they want peacefully without anyone getting hurt.”

She pressed Ja-gang-cheon.

“Who do you think will be in the most danger when fighting starts?”

“Me?”

“The East Sea Merchant Guild.”

“What do you mean?”

“You react so strongly even to this mention – do you think others don’t know that? If they can’t subdue you with force, they’ll threaten you with someone else’s life.”

Yeon-hee warned of the greatest danger.

“That’s how fights are. Once they start, you always regret it. So the best strategy is to end it before fighting begins.”

It wasn’t wrong.

Seeing Ja-gang-cheon’s emotions waver, Yeon-hee thought she had finally gained the upper hand.

‘I can afford to give up a few more things.’

Considering the big prize of the black market, she could certainly spare enough to save his face.

Then, Ja-gang-cheon spoke.

“If you’re done talking, leave now.”

“You’ll regret it if you send me away like this.”

“I understand, so go.”

Ja-gang-cheon finally sent the bewildered Yeon-hee out of the manor.

After she left,

“Cheon-gu. Will the Donghai Merchant Guild really be in danger?”

“If the fighting drags on, there’s that possibility.”

Honestly, he was worried.

He hoped that those who had been through so many incidents together would not be unhappy.

“Gangcheon. You weren’t planning to manage the black market anyway, right?”

“Right.”

“Having Hao-mun instead of the Black Society is a bit concerning, but it doesn’t seem unacceptable. They might even help block the Black Society.”

“I think so too. I don’t like continuous fighting in Jiao-nan either.”

“Then why did you chase her away?”

“She was asking for the black market while making it sound like she was helping.”

“So you chased her away because you felt bad?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then?”

“Those guys are mistaken thinking they’re helping me.”

Then, Pansuk, who had been quietly listening, interjected.

“Brother. Isn’t that chasing her away because you felt bad?”

Cheon-gu had the same expression.

Ja-gang-cheon realized there was a crucial difference between their thinking and his own.

“Hmm. You’ll understand soon. Just watch for now.”

Finding it difficult to give examples, Ja-gang-cheon decided to show them through actions. That opportunity came three days later.

***

The Donghai Merchant Guild was overflowing with vitality.

After the busy summer passed and they were settling accounts, the money pouches were about to burst.

And most of the merchant guild members who had been sold by pirates had returned. Five never came back alive, but they had to be satisfied with that much.

Having finished the burden that weighed on their hearts, the Donghai Merchant Guild moved even more busily as if trying to escape their dark past.

Moreover, with the Labor Office controlling more than half of the port labor market, the treatment from ship owners had changed.

Except for the Donghai Merchant Guild’s labor office, not only fishing operations but also supply procurement and even crew replenishment for voyages became difficult.

Dark clouds gathered over the Donghai Merchant Guild, which was full of such favorable conditions, around evening when the sunset glowed.

Five people appeared on the streets of Nambu Market, boldly displaying their respective weapons.

They all wore gray clothes with pictures of dragons, tigers, snakes, wolves, and eagles drawn on each.

It was attire that anyone from Shandong Province would have heard of at least once, naturally bringing to mind an ominous nickname.

Shandong Owak.

Though the streets were crowded for evening, no one came near them.

Like a sea parting by itself, they walked through the people and arrived at the center of Nambu Market.

“Is this the Donghai Merchant Guild?”

The first of Shandong Owak, who had the nickname Sa-myeon-rang (Death Face) for having a face like a corpse, asked.

“Yes. That’s right. What brings you here?”

A merchant guild member who had stopped working to answer trailed off after seeing the other’s appearance.

“The merchant guild leader is inside, right?”

“What business do you have…”

“You ask a lot of questions.”

Sa-myeon-rang grabbed the merchant guild member’s head.

Just as the man was about to scream from the pain that felt like his head would burst,

Bang!

Something struck Sa-myeon-rang’s face directly.

He hastily crossed his arms to block, but his body lifted from the tremendous impact.

Thud!

Unable to maintain his balance, Sa-myeon-rang rolled on the ground five times before stopping. Even after that, he couldn’t immediately regain his senses and lay there dazed.

“How dare you touch someone?”

Ja-gang-cheon faced Shandong Owak as if he had been waiting.

Shandong Owak showed displeased expressions after witnessing their first member’s defeat, but their composure remained.

“Are you the bastard called the lord of Deungmyeong Manor?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

Ja-gang-cheon appeared at the right moment because he had been waiting from the start.

From the moment Shandong Owak entered Jiao-nan, he had the Donghai Merchant Guild watch their movements.

Then, seeing them cause trouble in front of the merchant guild, he immediately rushed out.

“Uncle. Are you alright?”

Though he had prepared in advance, he hadn’t expected them to suddenly grab someone’s head.

“Yes. Lord. I’m fine.”

Though he said he was fine, he was still frowning as if pain remained.

“Uncle Seok-ho. Please take him to a physician.”

“Yes. Lord.”

After handing the injured person over to the tall Seok-ho, Ja-gang-cheon faced Shandong Owak with a displeased expression.

“You shouldn’t have touched a person.”

“What’s so important about the life of such trash?”

The person who stepped forward was the second, so fat he looked like a jar. Every time he spoke, the flesh under his chin folded.

Toward him approaching leisurely, Ja-gang-cheon spoke with emphasis.

“That one person’s life is more important than all five of your lives.”

“You’re crazy.”

They hadn’t met to have a war of words.

Ja-gang-cheon didn’t bother waiting and took the initiative to attack first.

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