I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 7

Jo Gwangyun, whose swordsmanship was only sufficient for fending off thugs, felt immediately dwarfed by the sheer presence of Lee Hak-lin, a man he was meeting for the first time.

He remembered a past encounter with the chairman of Life Mart’s bodyguard and the intimidating look in his eyes. But this was different—this was on another level entirely.

He felt as if Lee Hak-lin could casually end his life with a swift motion towards the sword at his waist.

“This contains the escort records from last year. I’ve meticulously documented everything, leaving nothing out, so it should be helpful.”

Lee Hak-lin didn’t even spare a glance at the record book Jo Gwangyun had placed on the table. His eyes remained fixed on Jo Gwangyun as he spoke.

“Take it and go through it. If you find anything suspicious, report it to me immediately. I’ll personally deal with the culprit!”

“Yes, sir.”

A middle-aged man with graying hair, who had accompanied Lee Hak-lin, quickly gathered the records and left, leaving the room feeling even colder with just the two of them.

After a moment of silent observation, Lee Hak-lin spoke again.

“You’re in good shape. Do you know how to fight?”

“I’ve wielded a sword enough to protect myself when I worked as a merchant’s assistant.”

“Oh, really?”

Lee Hak-lin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Who was the chief escort then?”

“It was Chief Escort Bang Pyeong.”

“Bang Pyeong? Ah… I heard he was known for his agility. And he just let you be? He should have recognized your potential and tried to recruit you.”

“Are you referring to martial arts?”

Jo Gwangyun asked cautiously, and Lee Hak-lin nodded.

“You’ve mentioned it a few times now… but my ambition is to be a merchant.”

“You think you can buy power with money?”

Jo Gwangyun swallowed hard, almost involuntarily. *He sees right through me with a single sentence.*

*This man isn’t just skilled in martial arts; he’s also intelligent. Or perhaps he’s just very experienced.*

*He either works for or has worked for someone with considerable wealth!*

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Oh, really? It doesn’t matter if you don’t. You will eventually.”

Lee Hak-lin scanned Jo Gwangyun’s body, who was keeping his head bowed, and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk. Why would the heavens bestow such a treasure on someone who only dreams of being a merchant?”

*A treasure… is my physique really that impressive?*

Jo Gwangyun’s perception of his own body shifted slightly, especially after a master who considered Bang Pyeong merely agile seemed to covet his physique.

But now wasn’t the time for deep contemplation.

“If you have nothing else to say, I’ll be on my way.”

“Where to?”

“I was planning to hand over all the work-related documents to the man who came with you and then return to the Mu Gwang Escort Agency.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Sounds like a veiled threat to me. Like you’re saying, ‘Let’s see how well this place runs without me.’ Isn’t that right?”

*My initial impression was correct. This man is sharp.*

“You overestimate me, sir. While this is a collection point, it’s not much different from a slightly busier escort agency. Anyone with experience in the escort business shouldn’t have much trouble managing it.”

“Overestimate… We’ll see. Regardless, you’re not leaving this place until you receive further instructions. If you even take one step out of here, your head won’t be safe.”

*Thank goodness.*

*Thanks to this perceptive man, I don’t have to travel back and forth to Jeongyang.*

“I understand. I’ll stay here and await instructions.”

Once alone, Lee Hak-lin muttered, staring at the empty space where Jo Gwangyun had stood.

“He’s an interesting fellow. Young, but he’s got guts…”

*Those who haven’t trained in martial arts are usually overwhelmed by my energy. But Jo Gwangyun only faltered for a moment during our first encounter, then quickly regained his composure.*

*I intentionally exerted pressure on him with my internal energy [qi or chi, the vital life force], intending to test him, but he didn’t even flinch. For someone untrained in advanced martial arts to withstand that without wavering is a remarkable talent.*

When Lee Hak-lin called him a treasure, it was no exaggeration.

“Should I just drag him off to the mountains and teach him martial arts? If he excels, he could become a key figure in the Silent Path Society…”

* * *

“It’s beyond my capabilities. I can’t manage this at all.”

“Specifically!”

“The escort arrangements are completely different from what we’re used to. Every time a problem arises, we have to reassign escorts on the spot, and depending on the condition of the goods and the weather…”

“Stop.”

Lee Hak-lin raised his hand to silence the successor.

“Go and tell Jo Gwangyun to come in.”

“Yes, sir!”

As the successor hurried out, a smile crept across Lee Hak-lin’s face.

“I expected as much… I wonder what other surprises he has in store? Hehe.”

Jo Gwangyun, who had been idly observing the chaotic collection point for the past two days as if it were someone else’s problem, took a deep breath at Lee Hak-lin’s summons.

*Fortunately, Lee Hak-lin seems to understand what I’m saying, which is actually a little exciting.*

“You summoned me, sir?”

Jo Gwangyun bowed respectfully as he spoke.

“I hear that operating this place is proving difficult. It seems you deliberately made it look easy so you could hand it over?”

“Of course not. My life is far more precious than this escort agency.”

“That’s true. Nothing is more valuable than life. But you see…”

Lee Hak-lin began to stare intently at Jo Gwangyun.

“I can keep you alive and ensure the smooth operation of this place. But nothing will change. We’ve taken over, and you’ll be treated worse than a slave, worked to death.”

*Judging by his tone, it doesn’t sound like he intends to treat me like a slave, which is a relief.*

“If this job were simple, I would have allowed you to return to Jeongyang as you requested… But no matter how I consider it, it doesn’t seem like you have any intention of going back.”

“That’s right, sir. I want to go to Gaebong. The best location in Henan is Gaebong.”

“Hahaha!”

Lee Hak-lin burst into laughter as soon as he heard the name Gaebong.

“Look at you. You’re far more interesting than I anticipated.”

“May I ask what you were expecting?”

“I thought you would demand a large sum of money, using the operation of this place as leverage, or perhaps ask to share in the profits.”

“If I had done that, my head wouldn’t be safe, would it?”

Lee Hak-lin’s eyebrows twitched slightly at Jo Gwangyun’s words.

“You’re quick-witted. Only people like us can make such demands. I can’t stand seeing powerless individuals acting arrogant just because they possess a little talent.”

Lee Hak-lin scrutinized Jo Gwangyun, who remained respectfully bowed. It bothered him that he, a survivor of the harsh Jianghu [the martial arts world], found it difficult to discern this young man’s true intentions.

“Why do you want to go to Gaebong?”

“As I mentioned earlier, Gaebong is a major logistics hub, the ideal location for a large-scale collection point. This place is just a sub… no, a lower-level collection point.”

“So you intend to create something similar in Gaebong?”

“That’s correct.”

Suddenly, Lee Hak-lin raised two fingers.

“I’m going to ask you two questions. Answer truthfully and think carefully. If your answer is even slightly displeasing, this spot will become your grave. Don’t assume that I won’t kill you just because it’s difficult to operate this collection point without you. I don’t need this escort agency!”

“Ask away, sir.”

Jo Gwangyun clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully.

“Let’s say I take you to Gaebong. What will happen to this place? There will be no one to manage it.”

“For the past two days, I’ve been carefully observing the way the man who came with you handles things. With a little guidance from me, he should be able to adapt within a few days, given his capabilities.”

*There are two years’ worth of records.*

*A business journal that meticulously documents everything, without missing a single day or incident.*

*A carefully crafted collection point operation manual based on that journal.*

*It’s well-designed enough to be easily operated by anyone, as it addresses most unexpected situations and variables, organized with indexes for each case.*

*If I hand over this manual to the successor and teach him how to use it, he should be able to manage the place without much difficulty.*

Lee Hak-lin studied Jo Gwangyun’s confident demeanor for a moment before speaking again.

“Why do you want to go to Gaebong?”

“As I’ve already stated, Gaebong is the best location in Henan.”

“And what do you intend to do in that prime location?”

When Jo Gwangyun simply blinked without answering, Lee Hak-lin shouted.

“You bastard! I told you to speak truthfully, didn’t I? If you try to deceive me, you’ll die!”

“No, it’s not that. I was just caught off guard because I thought you already knew… I apologize for my discourtesy.”

“What?”

“My dream is to become a successful merchant. Isn’t it natural to want to be in a center of logistics and commerce like Gaebong to conduct big business?”

*An answer so obvious that the question seemed foolish.*

But Lee Hak-lin’s expression hardened even further.

End