I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 102

< Assassination, An Efficient Method 3 >

Hyeok Si-mok and his entourage couldn’t hide their awe at the sheer grandeur of the club.

“Wow! A fortress within a fortress!”

“Isn’t this even grander than the imperial palace? And this is just a *gisaeng* [female entertainer] house!”

Hyeok Si-mok recalled Jo Gwang-yun’s letter. It was no exaggeration that there was no place more luxurious under the heavens of the Central Plains.

If he hadn’t been with his subordinates, he would have exclaimed in admiration himself.

“Enough! What’s so great about a high wall?”

As his subordinates fell silent at Hyeok Si-mok’s rebuke, the club’s doors, resembling a fortress gate, opened, and women poured out.

“We wish you great fortune, Head Hyeok!”

Scores of *gisaengs*, who came out to greet them, bowed in unison, leaving everyone starstruck. The splendidly adorned beauties, reminiscent of those seen in the imperial court, possessed a beauty far beyond that of the *gisaengs* around Dongting Lake.

As the men were thoroughly intoxicated by the women’s perfume, Jo Gwang-yun appeared.

“I greet Head Hyeok. I am Jo Gwang-yun.”

While the others were still distracted by stealing glances at the women, Hyeok Si-mok scanned Jo Gwang-yun up and down with sharp eyes.

“Please, come inside. I have prepared a feast. Refresh yourself from the long journey.”

Hyeok Si-mok followed Jo Gwang-yun’s guidance and turned his horse toward the club.

As soon as they crossed the wall, another round of exclamations erupted from here and there.

“It’s still under construction, so there are many shortcomings here and there.”

Hyeok Si-mok thought it was just unnecessary modesty. Far from lacking, wasn’t it overflowing with splendor?

As Hyeok Si-mok’s party dismounted, several men rushed over to take the horses away, and from outside the main gate, the *gisaengs* carried the weapons entrusted to the carts inside.

The men’s mouths fell open again at the novel sensation of receiving a sword from a woman.

The exhilarated mood continued even in the luxurious interior.

The women who had handed over the swords at the entrance reappeared, having changed from the voluminous and thick court dresses into bizarre and revealing outfits that exposed their legs and cleavage.

Even the men who had some experience in pleasure were stunned by the sight of dozens of women exposing their skin, drooling with their mouths agape, and so intoxicated by the scent of the women clinging to their sides that they almost forgot Hyeok Si-mok’s presence. At this point, it was easy to forget even the duty of guarding him.

Jo Gwang-yun bowed to Hyeok Si-mok and said,

“I will take my leave now. Please share any important matters tomorrow, and today, enjoy the wine and women to your heart’s content and relieve your fatigue.”

“What about Hak-rin?”

Hyeok Si-mok asked briefly.

“He left as soon as he received word that you had departed, Head Hyeok. He said he couldn’t leave the Mookdo Assembly completely empty. Since you will be making the final decision on everything anyway, he said it seemed like his work here was done.”

At Jo Gwang-yun’s polite reply, Hyeok Si-mok muttered,

“I can’t tell if he’s being diligent or trying to act like the owner.”

Hyeok Si-mok took a swig of wine and held out his glass.

“Pour me a drink and wait. There’s no need to drag this out until tomorrow.”

Jo Gwang-yun took Hyeok Si-mok’s glass and drank the wine.

“I will wait in the detached residence. Please come at your leisure.”

* * *

Perhaps because he was a hedonist but also aware of the important task ahead, Hyeok Si-mok only filled his stomach before seeking out Jo Gwang-yun.

“Why does it look like you have a better life than me?”

Those were the first words Hyeok Si-mok spat out as he entered the detached residence with a wine bottle in hand and saw Jo Gwang-yun.

“This place is just for work; it’s not a place for me to enjoy myself. There are many *gisaengs* here, but to me, they are no different from an old man tending a flower garden—just women doing their job. Not a single one has been touched by me yet.”

“Are you perhaps impotent? Or do you prefer men?”

“No, I am not. When I miss the scent of a woman, I visit *gisaengs* at other establishments.”

“You keep your work life separate? That’s something… When I saw you crush the Namgung family with the Changryong Gate, you seemed like a martial artist, but at times like this, you’re just like an administrator. Since you don’t reek of a merchant, it will be easier to talk.”

Hyeok Si-mok brought the wine bottle to his mouth and quenched his thirst.

“May I be so bold as to ask, do you truly desire the Jo family estate, Head Hyeok?”

“Why? Are you regretting offering it up now?”

“It would be a lie to say I don’t.”

“So? Do you want to kill me to protect your Jo family estate?”

Hyeok Si-mok said it casually, but Jo Gwang-yun felt like his heart was about to burst.

Could it be?

“How could a mere merchant harm the leader and strongest figure of the Black Road [a powerful organization]?”

“Aren’t there dozens of martial artists waiting outside? If they dealt with my subordinates and you were left alone, it’s not impossible for your esteemed master to try to kill me.”

The heart that was about to leap out calmed down. Hyeok Si-mok was stabbing in the wrong place.

“My master taught me a single martial art and then wandered off like the wind. I don’t even know where he is; I’m trying to find out through the Beggars’ Union [an information network], but I still can’t track him down.”

“Fitting of the Quick Sword Master.”

“Also, the warriors outside are just dogs guarding this place. You saw through that fact at once, which is why you allowed your subordinates to drink, didn’t you?”

“They’re hunting dogs, not just guard dogs, though?”

“It’s just that we’ve raised the standards for the safety of distinguished guests who will be visiting this place in the future.”

Hyeok Si-mok closed his mouth after hearing all of Jo Gwang-yun’s excuses. After a moment of silence, Jo Gwang-yun, watching Hyeok Si-mok’s expression, said,

“Head Hyeok, I implore you to answer my question.”

“Question? Ah… the Jo family estate?”

“Yes.”

“I could take it or not… but since I said it with my own mouth, I suppose I should take it. Is that a sufficient answer?”

‘What a son of a bitch…!’

In the end, his prediction was correct. The Jo family estate was simply a bone thrown to tame Lee Hak-lin.

A guy who doesn’t even know the repercussions of his own words being the leader of the Mookdo Assembly is a ticking time bomb. A ticking time bomb should be handled by a mature person, not someone thoughtless like him.

Jo Gwang-yun was convinced that killing this guy today was a very wise choice.

However, from now on, a suitable act is needed.

“I don’t know what you think of the Jo family estate, but in reality, it’s just an empty shell.”

“The number one merchant in the Central Plains is an empty shell?”

“It’s not quite the best in the Central Plains yet. But it’s certain that it will soon rise to the top.”

“This bastard… Stop speaking in riddles and say it clearly.”

“Yes. Right now, the Jo family estate is focused on endless expansion. As a result, all the money it earns is being poured into expansion. The amount of money collected is not much. That’s why I said it’s an empty shell.”

“That’s business! Why are you hiding the money exchange? I heard you only deal with the money of the wealthy. That means there must be a tremendous amount of money piled up deep within the money exchange, right? Since the wealthy won’t be coming back to reclaim the money they’ve entrusted.”

Jo Gwang-yun scratched his head as if he was troubled.

“Would the wealthy come back to reclaim their money? I’m telling you this because I’ve used all that money.”

“What, what did you say?”

Whether he didn’t understand what he was saying or couldn’t believe it, Hyeok Si-mok had a dumbfounded expression.

“The marketplace department store only collects seat taxes, and the postal service only earns a small amount of transportation fees. How could I expand my business so quickly and purchase such a luxurious estate with that kind of money? It’s all the money that customers have entrusted to the money exchange.”

“So, you mean your business funds are from stealing the money of the wealthy?”

“Rather than stealing, it’s more like temporarily utilizing it.”

“You bastard! Utilizing my ass, it’s stealing!”

Hyeok Si-mok, who shouted, leaned back in his chair as if he was feeling dejected.

“There’s no money in the money exchange… I’ve used up all the money from the money exchange…”

Hyeok Si-mok, who was muttering to himself, suddenly burst into laughter.

“Hahaha.”

After laughing for a while, his body shaking, Hyeok Si-mok stopped laughing and said,

“I’ve met all sorts of eccentric people in the Central Plains, but you’re the biggest thief I’ve ever seen. In front of you, even the leader of the Martial Alliance, the leader of the Demonic Path, and even I, the head of the Mookdo Assembly, would have to bow our heads. No, even the emperor who manipulates the entire country would find it difficult to handle your audacity. Hehe.”

“You flatter me.”

As Jo Gwang-yun replied politely, Hyeok Si-mok shouted again.

“Shut up. I’m saying this because I’m dumbfounded, not as a compliment.”

Hyeok Si-mok jumped up from his chair.

“I’m going to go drink more with the women.”

What a truly selfish guy. He’s going back to drinking without any conclusion?

Jo Gwang-yun said to Hyeok Si-mok, who was about to leave the detached residence,

“Then, may I continue to manage the Jo family estate?”

Hyeok Si-mok, who had stopped walking, turned around abruptly.

“I was a little hesitant to take something from a decent merchant. But now I’ve thrown all that away. After all, you’re a thief, aren’t you? Since I’m taking something from a thief, there’s nothing to feel bad about.”

Was he really hesitant? He just got a great excuse, so he’s even more confident.

“I’ll make a decision. From now on, the Mookdo Assembly’s tribute will be increased tenfold. Work hard to do business with the stolen money and bring it to me. And all the money from the money exchange is mine. You are not allowed to ‘utilize’ that money! Bring all the money that the wealthy entrust to you every month to the Mookdo Assembly! I’ll send a smart guy to look at the money exchange’s ledger, so don’t even think about cheating.”

Hyeok Si-mok left the detached residence without looking back.

As soon as Hyeok Si-mok left, Jo Gwang-yun slumped down in his chair.

“Whew-. At this point, he should be easing his guard…”

If you try to rob a decent guy of his property, you’ll face considerable resistance. Hyeok Si-mok probably assumed that resistance would be a sword fight, but it’s not the property of a decent guy.

Besides, since he revealed that he was a thief first, Hyeok Si-mok now holds a major weakness of Jo Gwang-yun. Even if he just spreads the rumor that all the money from the Jo family’s money exchange has disappeared, Jo Gwang-yun won’t be able to set foot in the Central Plains.

A confident guy is not scary, but a guy with many weaknesses is not scary. Moreover, if you hold those weaknesses tightly, you can use him like a dog forever.

Hyeok Si-mok just sees Jo Gwang-yun as a dog to be used.

A dog inside the house is not a threat.

* * *

“How are they doing?”

“No matter how famous Dongting Lake is for its scenery, can the women be as beautiful? They are completely immersed in the beauty of the women of the capital, unable to escape from the life of pleasure.”

Bang Young-young smiled brightly and said.

“What about Head Hyeok?”

“I thought he would try to maintain appearances in front of his subordinates, but he’s a scoundrel by nature. He’s frolicking and enjoying himself with three or four pretty women.”

“Does he look satisfied?”

“Completely.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve been reading men’s hearts with my eyes for over twenty years. Isn’t that how I was able to serve even the head of the family like you? There are three women that Head Hyeok likes. He will take all of them to his bedchamber tonight. I’m sure of it.”

“You’ve worked hard. Don’t let your guard down until the drinking party is over, and keep a close watch.”

“Yes, Head.”

As Bang Young-young left, Jo Gwang-yun breathed a sigh of relief.

He was even considering using Yang Ryeo-cheong if necessary.

However, she is diligently learning etiquette and erasing her past of recklessly prostituting herself, and there is a risk that she would instantly undo all her studies by being touched by a scoundrel like Hyeok Si-mok.

The biggest reason Jo Gwang-yun didn’t use Yang Ryeo-cheong was because of Hyeok Si-mok’s possible impulsive actions. The moment he sees Yang Ryeo-cheong, he might forget all his plans and take her back with him, which would be the worst-case scenario.

Fortunately, he seems to be satisfied with the three women, so tonight will go as planned.

All that’s left is Lee Hak-lin’s sword.

Only when his sword pierces Hyeok Si-mok’s heart will this long day end.

< Assassination, An Efficient Method 3 > End