I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 32

“May I join you for a moment, Brother So?”

Jo Gwang-yun, having just ordered a bowl of duck soup, was lifting his water glass when a middle-aged man approached and spoke with polite formality.

With plenty of empty seats available, the man’s request to join him suggested ulterior motives. Jo Gwang-yun smiled thinly. “If you know how to behave yourself, then sure…”

“Thank you.”

Just as the middle-aged man began to pull out a chair, Jo Gwang-yun slammed his water glass onto the table, the sudden noise cutting through the air.

“Is it my fault for expecting basic manners from someone who clearly doesn’t understand the meaning of the words they’re saying?”

The man’s hand froze on the chair.

“Ah, my deepest apologies for the discourtesy…”

The man clasped his hands together and bowed deeply.

“I am Im Bon-jae, leader of the Changryong Gate.”

Changryong Gate? Wasn’t that the group that Ok Gang-il of the Oryun Sect found so irritating, dismissing them as ‘imitators of the Upright Sect [referring to martial arts sects that emphasize moral conduct and justice] with their half-baked, rootless martial arts’?

“Sit down.”

Im Bon-jae settled into the offered seat.

“I imagine you know who I am, so let’s skip the pleasantries. You’re not here to request a bodyguard escort, are you?”

“No. I simply wished to confirm a few details one last time.”

“One last time? Sounds like you’ve been digging into my affairs pretty thoroughly.”

“I know it’s presumptuous, but I received a request that was difficult to refuse, leaving me little choice.”

Whether he was adopting a serious demeanor to fit the image of the Upright Sect, or whether he wore the Upright Sect’s mask because he was genuinely serious, Im Bon-jae was noticeably different from the average martial artist.

“Everyone has to earn their keep somehow. Fine, ask what you need to confirm.”

“Let me be direct. That large silk shop on the edge of the market… Do you own it, Brother So?”

“I do.”

Im Bon-jae was taken aback by Jo Gwang-yun’s immediate and candid response.

The investigation had revealed attempts to conceal the connection, causing him considerable effort. He had anticipated needing to present some of his findings before Jo Gwang-yun reluctantly admitted the truth. Why was he being so open about it?

As if reading Im Bon-jae’s thoughts, Jo Gwang-yun smiled knowingly. “Things are working out even better than I anticipated… The people who hired you to investigate me won’t be able to turn the tables now. They won’t be doing business in this market again.”

“Look here, Brother So. What grievance do you hold against them that compels you to do this? Are they not innocent people who have done nothing to deserve this? Why must you ruin them so completely?”

“I doubt they tasked you with uncovering the reason, did they? Because they know the reason perfectly well.”

“What?”

“What other motivation would merchants have, other than money?”

“Are you saying you’re ruining someone who has done nothing wrong, purely for financial gain?”

“If it were just for a little money, I wouldn’t go to such lengths.”

Im Bon-jae frowned, disliking Jo Gwang-yun’s veiled words.

“Are you mocking me?”

“Of course not. How could a mere merchant like myself dare to mock a martial artist, especially the leader of a sect? I don’t have lives to spare.”

“I am not one to harm others without cause.”
The frown on his face deepened.

“Indeed? Martial artists don’t simply go around brandishing their swords without reason, do they?”

“What exactly are you implying?”

“I’m saying that merchants and martial artists… people are all the same at their core. If I were only interested in a small profit, I wouldn’t have cornered them like this. You asked why I’m going this far? It’s simple. The quickest way to amass a fortune is to eliminate the competition and monopolize the market.”

“No matter the potential profit, ruining another’s livelihood cannot be justified.”

“Then is it justifiable for martial artists to kill in the name of righteousness, honor, and fame?”

“That… that’s…”

Im Bon-jae was momentarily rendered speechless by Jo Gwang-yun’s unexpected counter.

“Everyone prioritizes different values. Merchants value money, martial artists value honor. I may not respect martial artists who readily kill for honor or pride—in fact, I find it absurd that they risk their lives for such fleeting concepts—but at least I don’t judge them for it.”

Im Bon-jae’s expression hardened further.

“I’m not asking you to respect merchants who are driven by money. But isn’t it foolish to judge a merchant’s actions by the standards of a martial artist?”

Jo Gwang-yun placed a few coins on the table and rose to his feet.

“I’ve lost my appetite. Enjoy the duck soup when it arrives. It’s the most expensive dish here.”

Jo Gwang-yun flicked the coins on the table with his finger, adding, “You know that money can buy a meal, but honor cannot, correct?”

* * *

“Jo Gwang-yun? That young upstart who recently joined the Gyeong-an Escort Agency?”

“That’s correct.”

“Are you certain?”

“That’s what my investigation revealed, and he confirmed it himself.”

Upon Im Bon-jae’s confirmation, the merchants fell silent, as if struck dumb.

They had suspected the Gyeong-an Escort Agency’s involvement, but it appeared they had identified the mastermind.

Furthermore, wasn’t Jo Gwang-yun the individual the Mukdo Association [a local gang or influential group] had forcibly recruited? This matter could therefore be interpreted as being closely linked to the Mukdo Association.

If they were to confront Jo Gwang-yun?

The silk merchants began to scrutinize Im Bon-jae’s expression, but Im Bon-jae, anticipating their thoughts, preemptively distanced himself.

“As I stated previously, gathering information is the extent of my involvement. There is no justification or benefit for me, a martial artist, to become embroiled in the merchants’ affairs.”

“Isn’t the Mukdo Association backing him? This extends beyond a mere problem for the merchants…”

The merchants revealed their desire to involve Im Bon-jae.

“No. Aware of the Mukdo Association’s potential involvement, I investigated the matter thoroughly, just in case. If the Mukdo Association were to expand its influence in Gaebong, it would pose a significant problem.”

“That’s precisely my point. The Mukdo Association is using him to gradually…”

Im Bon-jae raised his hand, silencing the merchants’ words.

“The Mukdo Association is indifferent to the activities of the Gyeong-an Escort Agency or Jo Gwang-yun, and they possess limited knowledge of their operations. As long as the monthly tribute [regular payment or tax] is consistently paid, they remain uninvolved.”

“Chief Im, are you not being overly complacent?”

“It’s not solely my assessment. I’ve consulted with the Beggars’ Sect [a powerful and influential sect often involved in gathering information and maintaining order in the region] as well. They are also choosing to turn a blind eye for the time being. Surely you don’t intend to question the Beggars’ Sect’s judgment?”

Regardless of opinions, Gaebong remained the Beggars’ Sect’s territory. Their headquarters were located within Gaebong itself.

The Beggars’ Sect boasted the largest number of disciples in the Central Plains [referring to the heartland of Chinese martial arts and culture], yet uniquely, they had no need to generate income.

Mingmen martial families [established and reputable martial arts clans] required substantial funds to expand and maintain their ranks, but the Beggars’ Sect’s disciples sustained themselves, even if it meant resorting to begging.

Therefore, unless black or heretical swordsmen [referring to martial artists who deviate from orthodox practices and often engage in immoral or villainous acts] entered the region and caused disruption, they remained largely unconcerned with the flow of money out of Gaebong.

The Beggars’ Sect’s tacit approval validated Im Bon-jae’s assertions.

The merchants sighed deeply.

They had hoped to escalate the matter to the martial world and leverage it to their advantage, but even that avenue had been closed off.

“Chief Im.”

“Yes.”

The eldest merchant, ceasing his sighing, cautiously spoke.

“Since matters have progressed this far, I have one final request.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“Could you meet with Jo Gwang-yun once more and convey my message?”

“Well, that shouldn’t pose too great a challenge.”

“We will acknowledge him as one of us and request that he seek a path to coexistence.”

“Brother!”

“That’s preposterous…!”

“Brother, we cannot do that!”

The merchants erupted in protest, but the eldest merchant silenced them with a stern glare.

“Everyone, be quiet. Is this the time for pride? Do you realize how many carts of silk that man has sold thus far? If this continues, we will never be able to resume our businesses. We must stop him before he sells any more, if we are to survive!”

When silence fell, he turned to Im Bon-jae and said, “I could deliver the message myself, but look at them. They are aware that their livelihoods are being threatened, yet they cling to their pride. Our pride is worth less than dog excrement, but we cannot allow our livelihoods to become dog excrement as well. I implore you, Chief Im.”

Im Bon-jae felt as though he had been struck by a hammer.

The oldest and most experienced merchant also deemed pride insignificant, something easily discarded.

Like the young Jo Gwang-yun.

Im Bon-jae lowered his head.

“I understand. I will mediate to facilitate coexistence. If necessary, I will humble myself and bow my insignificant head.”

The old merchant grasped Im Bon-jae’s hand tightly, expressing his profound gratitude.

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