Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 79

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

Chapter 79

Dawn just before daybreak.

The carriage that left the Hannam Branch cut through the darkness, racing toward Kaifeng.

Inside the carriage sat only Namgung Cheon, Lady Namgung Rin, and branch manager Namgung Seon.

They had left Pyoguk master Ma Daesan tied up tightly in the branch’s stone chamber.

‘Taeju Trading Guild.’

Namgung Cheon gazed out the window, lost in thought.

As soon as the name Taeju Trading Guild came up, Ma Daesan had trembled in terror.

If someone of Cheonripyoguk master’s stature was that frightened.

‘This is no ordinary matter.’

Namgung Cheon turned his head to look at Lady Namgung Rin.

“Do you know anything about Taeju Trading Guild?”

At Namgung Cheon’s question, Lady Namgung Rin nodded.

“Not much, but it’s such a famous place that I couldn’t not know about it.”

She straightened her posture and began explaining.

“Taeju Trading Guild is a massive trading company that has been rooted in Hannam for over a hundred years. On the surface they deal in ordinary goods, but in reality it’s no exaggeration to say they control half of Hannam’s commercial rights.”

Lady Namgung Rin’s voice lowered.

“What’s more important is that they belong to Sangdocheon. Not just having their name listed like other trading companies, but they’re members of the Seven Merchant Council, Sangdocheon’s highest decision-making body.”

Seven Merchant Council.

Seven massive trading companies that move Sangdocheon.

These were the ones said to control and shake the purse strings of all under heaven.

But such a big shot had orchestrated a fraud against just one branch.

‘Strange.’

Namgung Cheon furrowed his brow.

A trading company belonging to the Seven Merchant Council orchestrating such fraud against just one branch, targeting such small money?

‘Moreover, this could create enmity with the Namgung Clan.’

It didn’t add up.

Therefore.

“This probably isn’t simply about money.”

At Namgung Cheon’s words, Lady Namgung Rin also nodded.

“I think so too. Since this could potentially create enmity with Namgung. They must have some other ulterior motive.”

She continued speaking.

“So even if we interrogate them, they’ll just play dumb. They can just cut off the tail by claiming Ma Daesan acted alone.”

She was right.

There was no physical evidence anywhere that Taeju Trading Guild had instigated Ma Daesan.

Only Ma Daesan’s testimony.

But even that testimony could be dismissed if Taeju Trading Guild denied it.

‘This won’t be easy.’

Namgung Cheon crossed his arms.

Accusing them of fraud without evidence would be certain defeat.

‘In that case…’

Namgung Cheon’s eyes grew coldly calm.

The opponent was a massive trading company.

These were people who would abandon morality for profit.

If they asked such people to return the money, it would only arouse their suspicion.

‘However, if we said we wanted to invest again to restore what was lost…’

Namgung Cheon opened his mouth.

“Merchants are people who pursue profit. They thoroughly try to exploit those weaker or more foolish than themselves.”

“That’s right.”

“Then we just need to become the prey they want.”

Lady Namgung Rin’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“What method are you planning to use?”

“I’ll set a trap.”

Namgung Cheon narrowed his eyes.

“We need to make them reveal their tail themselves. To do that…”

He looked back and forth between Lady Namgung Rin and Namgung Seon as he spoke.

“We need to appear as if we know nothing.”

“Ah! You want to lower their guard?”

“Yes. So we need to appear as if we believe the escort mission failed, and came here grasping at straws.”

Namgung Cheon turned his gaze back to the window.

Kaifeng’s city gates were getting closer and closer.

“We’ll need some preparation.”

“What kind of preparation?”

At Lady Namgung Rin’s question, Namgung Cheon gazed out the window and continued quietly.

“When hunting naturally wary beasts…”

His eyes flashed.

“You first mask the scent of blood on your body. So we need to mask it.”

To appear like pitiful prey that has lost its way and is wandering.

* * *

The carriage that passed through Kaifeng’s city gates stopped in a secluded alley.

“From here we’ll walk to Taeju Trading Guild. Before that, I need some time to prepare, so please wait in the carriage for a moment.”

After saying this, Namgung Cheon briefly left.

And after about half an hour had passed.

Namgung Cheon appeared carrying a shabby bamboo hat and old cloth.

Then he wrapped Cheoncheon and Mukhon tightly with the old cloth.

The two fine swords instantly transformed into cheap-looking iron swords.

Namgung Cheon handed the cloth-wrapped Cheoncheon to Lady Namgung Rin.

“You’ll be playing the role of a bodyguard, so please carry this.”

And he also had Cheonwolhyeon wrapped in shabby cloth and slung like a backpack.

Only Namgung Seon remained in his branch manager’s attire, but he didn’t even need to disguise himself.

His haggard complexion from mental anguish and anxious eyes were the most perfect camouflage.

“Let’s go.”

At Namgung Cheon’s words, the group began walking toward Taeju Trading Guild.

After walking for about an hour.

“…Their presence is impressive.”

Taeju Trading Guild came into the group’s view.

The trading company building located on Kaifeng’s most bustling street was more magnificent and splendid than most government offices.

Within the high walls stood dozens of pavilions, and the area in front of the main gate was packed with cargo carriages and merchants constantly coming and going, leaving no room to step.

Facing the trading company’s main gate, Namgung Cheon sent a telepathic message to Namgung Seon.

―Branch Manager, please only say what I tell you to. Don’t hide your emotions, rather reveal them.

Namgung Seon swallowed dryly and nodded.

He took one deep breath and approached the main gate.

Then the guards watching the entrance stepped forward and spoke.

“Please stop for a moment. What brings you here?”

Namgung Seon stepped forward and said.

“I am Namgung Seon, branch manager of the Namgung Clan’s Hannam Branch. I’ve come to meet with the chief manager.”

“…Namgung Clan?”

Wisa tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

The Namgung Clan’s Hannam branch manager was looking for the deputy chief executive.

Then, Namgung Seon’s words continued.

“…Even meeting just an executive would be fine, so please let us in for now.”

“Pl, please wait a moment.”

Saying that, Wisa immediately went inside to deliver some message.

Soon after, a middle-aged man neatly dressed in silk clothes came out.

“I am Wang Jin, an executive of Taeju Trading Guild. What brings the branch manager all the way here?”

At Wang Jin’s question, Namgung Seon answered in a somewhat urgent tone.

“I came because I have something urgent to discuss. Please let me meet the deputy chief executive.”

“If it’s about the escort business, I’ve already heard. What a pity it turned out that way. However, our trading guild also suffered tremendous losses…”

Wang Jin expressed sympathy while subtly drawing a line.

“It’s difficult to meet him right now. The deputy chief executive is also in a bad mood because of this incident.”

It was a polite refusal.

At this rate, they would have to return empty-handed.

Then, Namgung Cheon’s telepathic message reached Namgung Seon’s ear.

―Tell him you need to compensate for the losses and that you have funds you can manage secretly from the main family.

Namgung Seon swallowed dry saliva and opened his mouth.

“Executive, don’t you know my situation is urgent.”

His voice carried sincere desperation.

“I must somehow compensate for the losses. Fortunately, I still have funds I can manage. It’s not a small amount.”

“Funds, you say?”

Wang Jin’s eyebrows twitched.

“I prepared them secretly from the main family. So please… give me a chance to recover from this loss.”

At those words, Wang Jin’s eyes changed.

The branch manager, who he thought was on the verge of bankruptcy, still had hidden money.

And if it was funds prepared secretly from the main family…

“Hmm…”

Wang Jin pondered for a moment, then lowered his voice and said.

“If you insist, I’ll try speaking to the deputy chief executive once. Please wait a moment.”

Wang Jin disappeared inside.

A short while later, when he reappeared, his expression was much brighter.

“Please come in. The deputy chief executive says he’ll see you.”

“Ah, what a relief.”

Namgung Seon stroked his chest with his hand in relief.

Following Wang Jin’s guidance into the trading guild, they saw splendid gardens and magnificent pavilions.

However, Namgung Cheon didn’t miss what was hidden behind that splendor.

‘Not only formations, but they’ve deployed an excessive number of martial artists too.’

Among the martial artists, several had reached peak levels.

‘For a trading guild, their defenses are quite thorough.’

Namgung Cheon’s eyes narrowed beneath his bamboo hat.

While Namgung Cheon was having such thoughts and looking around.

“Here we are.”

The place they arrived at was a reception room with a secret chamber structure, completely cut off from the outside.

“If you wait here, he’ll come shortly. Well then, excuse me.”

After Wang Jin left only a brief greeting and disappeared, the group sat quietly in the reception room waiting for the deputy chief executive.

However.

‘It’s been at least half a hour already.’

The deputy chief executive didn’t come.

‘Ha.’

Namgung Cheon let out a chuckle.

The reason for making them wait like this was obvious.

‘They’re trying to clearly show which side has the upper hand.’

That’s when it happened.

Click.

The door opened, and an old man entered the reception room.

“Ah, sorry for keeping you waiting.”

Sharp eyes and a strict-looking appearance.

“I am Joja Geon, deputy chief executive of Taeju Trading Guild.”

Joja Geon performed a polite bow.

Then Joja Geon, who naturally sat in the seat of honor, opened his mouth.

“I heard the story from Executive Wang. You want to make an investment.”

Joja Geon got straight to the point.

Namgung Seon gulped and answered.

“That’s right. It’s money I’m betting everything on. So this time it must be certain.”

“Don’t worry. There won’t be any mistakes this time. Ha, we shouldn’t have dealt with a place without proper foundation like Cheonripyoguk in the first place. I’m sorry about what happened.”

Joja Geon clicked his tongue and shook his head, then continued speaking.

“So, this time the transport will be handled by Yonghopioguk, Hannam’s premier escort agency. They have over a hundred escorts, and their leader is a master from the Murim Alliance.”

Yonghopioguk.

It was one of the most prestigious escort agencies in Hannam.

If such a place was handling it, it was certainly trustworthy.

But Namgung Cheon interpreted it differently.

‘Yonghopioguk is also part of their group.’

Then, Joja Geon took out a document from his chest and pushed it forward.

“These are spices imported from the Western Regions. They’re items we can’t sell fast enough. If you invest in this, you can easily earn double your principal.”

Namgung Seon received the document with trembling hands.

Watching this scene from beneath his bamboo hat, Namgung Cheon’s mind raced quickly.

‘If they were simply after money, they wouldn’t throw bait again at prey they’d already caught once. Their purpose lies elsewhere.’

Then, something Namgung Seon had mentioned suddenly flashed through his mind.

‘He said the Cheonripyoguk matter was a joint investment.’

Then this time wouldn’t be alone either.

Having organized his thoughts, Namgung Cheon immediately sent a telepathic message.

―Say that the scale is too large and you feel burdened doing it alone.

Namgung Seon swallowed dry saliva and opened his mouth.

“It’s good merchandise, but… the scale is so large that I feel a bit burdened investing alone.”

“Hehe, don’t worry. You’re not the only one investing, branch manager.”

Joja Geon smiled mysteriously and leaned forward.

“Actually, this is top secret, but… other people in Hannam are already participating.”

Namgung Cheon’s telepathic message continued.

―Ask who they are.

“Who are you referring to?”

“Hehe, it’s difficult to tell you that. However, I’ll just say they’re people in similar situations to yours, branch manager. Everyone is that serious about it.”

At those words, beneath the bamboo hat, Namgung Cheon’s eyes turned coldly sharp.

‘Similar situations.’

Then.

‘People who have similar positions to the branch manager but have also lost large sums of money?’

At that moment, one thought arose in Namgung Cheon’s mind.

When people of branch manager level lost so much money that it became difficult to operate their branches, would they really report this to their clans?

‘They wouldn’t.’

Because the moment they reported to their clans, everything would be over.

Not just the branch manager position, but his entire standing within the family as well.

To avoid this, he would have desperately struggled to somehow make up for the lost money.

But how could he, now penniless?

‘He’d have no choice but to borrow.’

As his thoughts reached that point, Namgung Cheon’s eyes grew cold.

‘Surely not…’

At that moment, Joja Geon set down his teacup with a pitying expression and spoke.

“I heard that the branch manager even used the family’s support funds for his recent investment.”

Then he wore an expression as if he felt sorry.

“However, to recover the principal and see even greater profits, you’d need more capital…”

“…”

At those sympathetic words, Namgung Seon’s shoulders shrank.

Taking that silence as confirmation, Joja Geon leaned forward.

His voice became even lower and more secretive.

“Normally, this isn’t something we tell just anyone… but we have something prepared for distinguished individuals in situations like yours, branch manager.”

“…What would that be?”

A subtle smile crossed Joja Geon’s lips.

“By any chance… have you heard of the Eunuigye?”

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