Chapter 21
I flashed a smile at Munseok, who was radiating Killing Intent, and pointed to the left wall.
“Mister, do I look like an idiot to you? If you’re going to trick someone, at least put some effort into it.”
“...”
“This is a False Wall. I knew it the moment I first came here. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”
I stood up and personally tapped the designated wall a couple of times.
Thump, thump.
A bright, clear sound echoed. This meant there was an empty space behind it.
“And I’m quite sensitive to *qi*. There’s someone inside with much stronger *qi* than you, Mister Munseok, so I took a guess and called out the Haomun Leader. Looks like I was right, huh?”
“...”
“Haa... Mister, we’ve met quite a few times. Can you stop glaring at me now?”
“...”
“Ugh, seriously...”
Even after my warning, Munseok didn't relax his expression. His Killing Intent remained just as potent.
At this, I started to get annoyed. So...
Sssshhh—
“...”
“...”
“...You’re not the only one who can unleash Killing Intent, Mister.”
...Unable to hold back, I released some Killing Intent.
The reaction was immediate.
Munseok flinched, looking as if he was about to draw a weapon from his robes, and the Youngest next to me also wore a startled expression from my Killing Intent.
Even...
“...”
There was a reaction from the person inside the False Wall as well.
It was a precarious situation where something could happen at any moment, but I continued to tap the wall, provoking Munseok.
“Wow~, I’ve never seen the Haomun Leader before... Hey, won’t you come out and introduce yourself?”
“...That’s enough.”
“What’s wrong? I’m interested in the Haomun Leader. I’d like to meet him once.”
My words were sincere.
After all, the Haomun Leader is a character who never even appeared in the novel.
He never showed his face, even when the world went to hell.
Just how secretive was this person, to be able to avoid showing their face even in such situations? I was extremely curious.
So, if possible, I was willing to meet him in person.
“...You’re crossing the line now.”
But Munseok was as sensitive as a hissing cat.
He looked ready to draw his sword at any moment, so I stopped trying to approach the Haomun Leader and returned to the negotiation.
“200 Gold Gwan.”
“...If you stop all this now, I can offer up to 100 Gold Gwan.”
“I don’t compromise. 200 Gold Gwan.”
“...Are you truly willing to make an enemy of Haomun?”
Thud.
I didn't draw my saber, but silently placed it, still sheathed, on the table. Then, I subtly increased the amount of Killing Intent I was emitting.
“I’m confident, Mister. Are you?”
“...”
“I’m confident I can defeat you, the Nobleman hiding next door, and even the Minions above. Are you confident, Mister?”
“...”
He wouldn't be.
Munseok had glimpsed a bit of my martial prowess, so he would be even less confident.
Furthermore, one of Haomun's chronic weaknesses was its lack of martial strength. This was unavoidable, as Haomun was a sect composed of people from various trades.
Therefore, if one had the confidence, displaying such power and pushing hard could be a way to gain an advantageous position in negotiations with Haomun.
Well... I hadn't intended to go this far from the start, but they were the ones who tried to deceive me and lowball the price first.
“A clean 200 Gold Gwan. If you agree to that, I’ll leave without another word.”
“...”
Originally, I would have considered 150 Gold Gwan a decent outcome, but seeing their reaction, I figured I could push for 200 Gold Gwan.
Even as I kept smiling, signaling for him to make a decision quickly, Munseok couldn't respond.
That didn't mean he was doing nothing, however.
My senses kept picking up something, suggesting he was communicating via sound transmission with the person hidden behind the wall.
I waited patiently, allowing them to converse comfortably.
As time dragged on, I prayed inwardly.
*Please... please...*
Truthfully, if a fight broke out right now, I could win, but my goal wasn't to fight them; it was to sell the goods.
And honestly, I didn't want to make enemies with the Haomun folks if I could help it. They were too convenient as allies and too troublesome as foes.
So please, let's just end it at 200 Gwan. Or maybe... damn, did I ask for too much with 200? I would have been happy with just 150...
Thus, time passed, outwardly calm but inwardly anxious...
“...”
Soon after, the result came. The person presumed to be the Haomun Leader seemed to have made up his mind.
“200 Gold Gwan, you say...”
Munseok slowly opened his mouth. His expression, which had been sharp enough to kill me just moments ago, was now...
“Would it be acceptable to pay in paper money?”
...transformed back into the gentle, amiable look he had when I first saw him.
Done. Success.
“Of course. Paper Money is fine. Make it easy.”
I had intended to receive Paper Money from the start. 200 Gold Gwan is too heavy. It’s much more convenient for me to receive Paper Money equivalent to 200 Gold Gwan.
“Haha, thank you. Your generosity truly is as vast as the heavens.”
“Haha, Mister Munseok, you really have to acknowledge his generosity, don’t you? Hahaha—!!”
And so, we shook hands, laughing warmly as if we had never exchanged Killing Intent.
The negotiation was a success.
After paying 200 Gold Gwan and seeing Muyeon off, Munseok returned to the room where the negotiation had taken place.
“That damn sly fox...”
200 Gold Gwan, he demanded...
Of course, selling off the Shanxi Yu Clan's items received as payment would more than cover it, but it would take too long, and the immediate financial drain is too significant.
And there was an even bigger problem right now...
Creak—
“Ah, Haomun Leader...”
“...”
That snake-like fellow had noticed the Haomun Leader's presence. Information regarding the Haomun Leader's whereabouts or anything about him should have been kept top secret!
Feeling apologetic, Munseok bowed his head before the Haomun Leader.
“I apologize, Haomun Leader... I was inexperienced and made a mistake.”
“No, it was my mistake for underestimating him.”
The Haomun Leader graciously accepted Munseok's apology, then fell into deep thought before speaking.
“He does seem to possess the skill you so highly recommended.”
“Yes, that fellow has been visiting our Haomun Sichuan Branch for several years. He’s a Reclusive Master who hides his abilities so well that even I can’t fully gauge them.”
“Yet, for someone so young, his abilities are immeasurable, you say...”
“This is the extent of what I know. Had it not been for the Shanxi Yu Clan incident, I might never have even learned his name. He’s that obsessive about concealing himself...”
At this, the Haomun Leader asked again.
“In that case... can we not involve him in this upcoming matter?”
“You mean this matter...?”
Munseok was startled by the Haomun Leader's words.
Haomun was currently awaiting a matter important enough to pose a crisis to the organization's security.
Therefore, they needed every bit of strength they could get, but due to the Sect's nature, they were struggling with a shortage of combatants.
However...
“Unfortunately... I think that would be difficult. He’s quite rebellious and dislikes stepping forward...”
No matter how much Munseok thought, he couldn't come up with a way to draw Muyeon to their side.
Nor could they force him... It was highly unlikely that fellow would help them out of goodwill.
“Hmm...”
The Haomun Leader also seemed to think it would be difficult to draw him in, and after some thought, he hinted.
“Perhaps... does that fellow enjoy alcohol?”
“I know he’s enjoyed drinking, singing, and dancing since he was 16, when I first met him.”
“Huh... that’s quite early. In that case... he won't be able to resist, will he?”
“Haomun Leader... What are you planning...?”
As Munseok asked with a worried gaze, the Haomun Leader smiled instead, as if a pleasant idea had occurred to him.
“Since we’re in Sichuan, we should do things the Sichuan way. Branch Leader, instruct the Courtesans to prepare their attire and bring me all the information regarding the Shanxi Yu Clan incident.”
...Yes, I understand.”
The most important value in Haomun was Strict Obedience to Superiors.
Thus, Munseok bowed his head without a word, but he couldn't shake a certain unease.
Of course, the Haomun Leader was no ordinary person, but...
*...You’re not the only one who can unleash Killing Intent, Mister.*
Worry bloomed in Munseok's heart as he recalled Muyeon unleashing Killing Intent just moments ago.
**
Cheongwollu.
It was the tallest Courtesan House in Sichuan City, already bursting with people.
Cheongwollu, in particular, was overflowing with patrons because its courtesans were renowned for their beauty, exceptional artistic skill, and delicious liquor.
Two young men stepped into such a place.
“Oh dear... sirs...”
Seeing them, an Attendant approached, intending to turn them away.
Their appearance seemed shabby, and young people usually didn't spend much money.
It was the Courtesan House's strategy to manage its clientele by not accepting unprofitable customers, especially during a busy season.
“I apologize, but we’re completely full.”
“What? No seats?”
As the man spoke in a somewhat challenging tone, the Attendant pointed to the packed seats around them and tried to continue.
But then...
“Yes, as you can see...”
Flutter—
The man held out a piece of paper to the attendant.
Upon closer inspection, it was paper money worth a staggering 2 Gold Gwan.
2 Gold Gwan was an excessive amount to spend at a Courtesan House, but the man coolly handed it to the Attendant and spoke.
“I wanted to try Cheongwollu’s famous liquor, but there are no seats?”
“...As you can see, there are no seats here suitable for a distinguished guest like yourself. All these spots are rather shabby. Therefore, I will escort you to the top floor immediately.”
“Alright, alright.”
Muyeon chuckled at the Attendant's 180-degree change in attitude and followed him.
“Ah, money really is the best, isn’t it?”
Now that I've earned plenty of money, it's time to enjoy myself.