The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 95

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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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The Introverted Heavenly Demon Episode 095
Negotiation
Even though I had concealed my presence, the fact that they detected us meant they were clearly someone with considerable martial skill.
“Gang Leader, what should we do?”
“Let’s withdraw for now.”
Lingering any longer risked drawing unwanted trouble, so we hastily retreated into the shadows.
“Gang Leader, what’s the matter?”
“It seems someone was here….”
“Ah, could it be those people from Cheong Yun Merchant Group?”
“Stay quiet.”
The members of Sunhyeong Trading House who had pursued us to the main road beyond the alley found no traces and, turning their bodies, vanished once more into the darkness.
Baek So Cheong, Baek Hyeon, and I proceeded carefully to avoid drawing attention as we made our way toward the Cheong Yun Merchant Group.
Yet the voice of Gwak Soon, a man whose face I had never even seen, lingered persistently in my ears for a long time afterward.

* * *
The following morning, a group of guests arrived at the Cheong Yun Merchant Group.
Hyeon Yi and the key personnel, who had been preparing long before the Ho Rim Pyo Lord’s entourage was to arrive, went out to the manor’s main gate to receive them.
When I entered the Reception Hall of the Cheong Yun Merchant Group, they had already arrived and were drinking tea.
The middle-aged guest with a strong impression, dressed in silk robes, was none other than Ho Rim Pyo Lord Yun Tae Baek.
As he regarded me with a somewhat bewildered expression, Baek Hyeon, who had been seated across from him, quickly rose and introduced me.
“I apologize for not mentioning this beforehand. He is the Minor Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, and privately, he is my elder brother.”
“I am Baek Yeon. I have long heard of Ho Rim Pyo Lord’s distinguished reputation, and it is an unparalleled honor to meet you in person.”
Ho Rim Pyo Lord appeared startled by my carefully measured greeting.
Perhaps it was because the notoriously sinister Minor Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect had suddenly appeared before him?
“I am Yun Tae Baek. It is I who am honored to unexpectedly meet such a distinguished person.”
After exchanging greetings with Yun Tae Baek, I also acknowledged Ma Won Jeong, the Chief Escort Master.
“The reason the Minor Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect is present is not for any other purpose than to suggest that if the Ho Rim Pyo Bureau has any questions regarding the relationship between the Cheong Yun Merchant Group and the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, it would be best to discuss them directly.”
“Indeed. The Divine Sect’s fundamental position is non-interference in the Cheong Yun Merchant Group’s affairs, so please do not feel burdened.”
Gong Moon Tak, the Three Commanders of the Cheong Yun Merchant Group and the head of the Merchant Guild Master’s secretariat, offered this explanation, to which Baek Hyeon added further clarification.
I had deliberately framed it this way to avoid giving the impression that my appearance was meant to pressure the Ho Rim Pyo Bureau.
“In any case, publicly speaking….”
I said this and now adopted the dignified expression befitting a confident Minor Sect Leader.
Of course, I did not glare with eyes wide and draw forth killing intent as I would with disciples.
I merely sent a subtly threatening gaze as a taste of what was to come.
Yet with this single additional remark, the atmosphere that had been relaxing suddenly froze once more.
Not only Ho Rim Pyo Lord Yun Tae Baek and Chief Escort Master Ma Won Jeong, but even Sam Chong Gwan of the Cheong Yun Merchant Group stared at me in shock.
Only Merchant Guild Master Baek Hyeon could not hide the joy in his heart, his eyes widening noticeably.
‘What of it? I am the Minor Sect Leader of the Demonic Cult.’
In truth, I had not wanted to go this far.
Yet considering the position the Cheong Yun Merchant Group held in the Divine Sect’s finances, my honest desire was to prevent the Ho Rim Pyo Bureau’s trade from being severed at any cost.
Even if I had to leverage my reputation as the unparalleled Little Demon of Tianxia.
However, Yun Tae Baek, who operated the largest escort agency in Chengdu, was not someone to be taken lightly either.
“I shall continue with what I was saying. Our Ho Rim Pyo Bureau will no longer be able to handle shipments for the Cheong Yun Merchant Group.”
“Ah….”
“We are deeply grateful for your patronage of our bureau all this time.”
“Might I inquire as to the reason?”
“I can only say that this decision was made after careful consideration of various circumstances within the bureau.”
As the Lord spoke with such finality, the Cheong Yun Merchant Group fell silent.
I had expected them to propose any number of conditions to maintain the business relationship, but I had not anticipated such a clean severance delivered all at once.
I closed my eyes quietly for a moment, then opened them slowly and spoke.
“Are you certain about this?”
Lord Yun was startled by my words but responded confidently.
“Minor Sect Leader, what do you mean?”
“Please do not misunderstand. The Sun and Moon Divine Sect will never retaliate against Ho Rim Pyo Bureau for this matter. I speak only because I know you to be a man who values justice and righteousness.”
“Then please enlighten me, Minor Sect Leader.”
I know little of merchant affairs.
If the Lord of the escort agency judged that dealing with the Cheong Yun Merchant Group would not be profitable, it should be the merchant group’s responsibility to convince him otherwise.
I could only say what I was able to say.
“The second son of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s Sect Leader has taken charge of the Cheong Yun Merchant Group. This means that though the merchant group operates independently from the Sect, it will follow the teachings of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect. The group’s recent efforts to eliminate the Heuk-do Bang-pa are an expression of the doctrine of governing the world and bringing peace to the people.”
“I agree with what you say, Minor Sect Leader.”
“Yet your decision remains unchanged, I take it.”
Lord Yun Tae Baek appeared to be contemplating something with a serious expression for a moment.
However, his words that followed showed no trace of hesitation or inner conflict whatsoever.
“Unfortunately, that is so.”
As the Minor Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, I had invoked doctrine and justification, yet my words had not persuaded him. There was nothing more I could do.
I had no choice but to glance at Baek Hyeon and shake my head slightly.
Baek Hyeon’s expression was crestfallen.
The severance of business with Ho Rim Pyo Bureau would not bring immediate catastrophe to the Cheong Yun Merchant Group.
There would be no shortage of escort agencies eager to handle shipments for a merchant group as large as the Cheong Yun Merchant Group; we could simply find another.
In terms of financial loss, it was Ho Rim Pyo Bureau that would suffer more, losing its largest client in Chengdu.
Yet the reason I had sought to maintain the relationship with Ho Rim Pyo Bureau was tied to the legitimacy of being the greatest merchant group in the Southwest Jianghu Region, including Sichuan.
After the change in leadership, I did not wish to appear as though the Cheong Yun Merchant Group’s standing was wavering due to the severance of business with Ho Rim, which represented the escort agency industry of Chengdu.
Yet that very concern had just become reality.
In place of the despondent young Baek Hyeon, Sam Chong Gwan Gong Moon Tak, one of the Three Commanders of the merchant group, spoke to Yun Tae Baek in a heavy voice.
“Then it cannot be helped. It is regrettable that we could not reach an agreement. We wish Ho Rim Pyo Bureau continued prosperity….”
It was at that moment.
“What is this commotion?”
A sudden disturbance erupted outside, and one of the Cheong Yun Merchant Group’s martial escort guards burst into the Reception Hall, crying out urgently.
“A group of Heuk-do members has gathered at the Main Gate. Approximately a dozen of them.”
“What? What are they saying?”
“They’re saying they’ll force their way in if the Merchant Guild doesn’t release their detained comrades.”
“Mobilize the Martial Artists immediately and stop them.”
“We’re already reinforcing our forces, but they won’t listen to reason.”
“If they won’t back down, we’ll have no choice but to use force.”
I could sense the bewilderment and panic spreading through the executives of the Cheong Yun Merchant Group as this sudden crisis erupted before the negotiations had even concluded.
Gong Moon Tak, the Three Commanders, spoke respectfully toward the Ho Rim Pyo Lord.
“Lord. My apologies….”
“Don’t concern yourselves with us. Attend to your duties.”
“Yes. It could be dangerous if you go outside right now, so please wait here for a moment.”
And so the Merchant Guild Master and the others from the Cheong Yun Merchant Group all hurried out of the Guest Room at once.
What remained in this place was the Ho Rim Pyo Lord, the Chief Escort, and myself.
‘This is unbearably awkward. Maybe I should say I’m leaving too.’
Not only did I have nothing to say, but we had just finished that uncomfortable conversation moments ago.
In this moment, my introverted nature revealed itself fully, and I found this situation utterly unbearable.
I felt like abandoning all propriety and bolting from my seat right then and there.
Yet it seemed the discomfort was mutual.
Though they tried to hide it, I could sense Yun Tae Baek and Ma Won Jeong exchanging anxious glances between themselves, clearly ill at ease.
I forced myself to speak, desperate to escape this awkwardness.
“Are there any worthwhile places to visit while I’m in Chengdu?”
“…Ah? Minor Sect Leader. What did you just say?”
“Places worth visiting….”
“?”
“Ah, never mind.”
“…!?”
“….”
My words, spoken with such effort, were poorly timed and rather out of place.
Even now, having reached the pinnacle of the Martial World, small talk remained a skill far beyond my introverted nature.
The atmosphere grew even more awkward and uncomfortable than before.
In that agonizingly slow passage of time….
“!!”
I suddenly turned my head toward the direction from which I sensed something.
It was a movement so subtle and concealed that I would have missed it had my heightened sensitivity—sharpened considerably since reaching the pinnacle of inner energy—not detected it.
That presence emanated from the tent positioned in the center of the Garden, where the Cheong Yun Merchant Group had bound the Black Path members they’d captured.
It was not one of the Martial Artists guarding the prisoners.
Their aura possessed a more distinct presence, and I knew they had all moved toward the commotion at the Main Gate.
More than anything, the movements creeping gradually toward the prisoners, concealing themselves between the Pavilions lining the path to the Garden, trying desperately not to be noticed….
These were undoubtedly assassins who had secretly infiltrated this place.
“My apologies, but Ho Rim Pyo Lord and Chief Escort, please wait here for a moment. I’ll return shortly.”
I could no longer remain in that room, so I spoke these words and rose from my seat.
As I moved to head outside, I happened to meet Yun Tae Baek’s gaze directly.
‘Huh?’
Yet something felt distinctly amiss.

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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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