Setting One’s Resolve (2)

“Investment?”

“As you saw in that document, we’re preparing something big.”

“Let’s be precise.”

Jin-hyeon smiled and pointed at Seo Mun-hoe.

“Not ‘we’, but you alone. The other Gold Pillars in the Black Society don’t know, do they?”

“That’s right.”

As he studied Seo Mun-hoe’s face, Jin-hyeon’s expression flattened.

“You’re not trying to break away from the Black Society are you?.”

“…….”

“It’s too restrained to be a simple revolt, and too fully formed to be by the Society Leader’s order. It feels like something you’ve mulled over for a long time.”

“…….”

“So what’s the reason?”

Seo Mun-hoe smiled wryly.

“Deceiving you is… difficult.”

“Were you trying?”

“Not that. I knew you’d see through some of it, but not this quickly—and so bluntly.”

“So how far have you planned?”

“That’s not something you need to know.”

Jin-hyeon snorted.

“Come on. If you’re courting an investor, you tell him why you’re doing this, how far you’re looking ahead, and what risks you expect—especially when you’ve brought…”

He shook the document.

“…a full business proposal to my door.”

“…….”

“Anyway, with the Black Society’s overall revenue, you wouldn’t need an outside investor for something this size. So why me?”

Seo Mun-hoe sighed.

“You’re right. If I need investment, I can’t run this while hiding pieces.”

“Obviously.”

After a pause, his gaze hardened. A stifling silence passed a few minutes.

“Something has happened within the Society. It has been brewing for some time, and it could shake our foundations. I can’t detail that part.”

“….…”

“But this much is certain. A bloodstorm may blow through the Society.”

Jin-hyeon nodded.

“Go on.”

“I’ve wrestled with how to move. I’ve prepared—but lacked certainty.”

“And?”

“One reason was money. Everything needs it. But a Gold Pillar can’t embezzle public funds.”

From that alone, one could be sure the Five Tigers Merchant Guild wasn’t tied to the Black Society Leader.

“Mighty Tiger’s capital was immense. But even seven-tenths of what remained after liquidation is tight for our push. Go after the remaining four-tenths of their ventures and the Heavenly Will Alliance will latch on.”

Jin-hyeon shook his head.

“Skip that. Tell me how risky this is, and how you’ll keep it alive.”

Seo Mun-hoe’s eyes gleamed.

“It’s extremely dangerous.”

“And you want me to invest?”

“With your help, it might be the safest thing around.”

“You’re overselling me. Wait.”

Jin-hyeon eyed him oddly.

“You’re not asking me to wipe out the rest of the Black Society besides your side… right?”

When they first met, Jin-hyeon had said it. If he knew the Hao Clan and the Five Pillars’ Verses, he also knew how to annihilate the Black Society.

He said flatly,

“If you’re thinking of using me to test whether I can do it and remove your thorns…count me out.”

“Is that so?”

“The math’s off. If that’s on the table, I’d just swallow the Black Society whole, why bother with investing?”

Seo Mun-hoe gave a bitter smile.

“It crossed my mind for a moment. But I knew you’d refuse.”

“Obviously, you lunatic.”

“Of course I didn’t mean it. Black Society matters must be solved by our own. Borrowing an outside blade is a death warrant.”

“You realize that one stray thought cost you points.”

“Tragic.”

Jin-hyeon tilted his head.

“What would I do to make it safe?”

“Arrange for me to meet Patriarch Seol.”

“…….”

Jin-hyeon’s lips curled.

Seo Mun-hoe flinched. Those cold eyes with a lifted corner of the mouth chilled him again.

After a long look, Jin-hyeon wet his throat.

“You picked up that the head instructor of the Loyalty and Righteousness Academy and Patriarch Seol are sworn brothers.”

Even under pressure, Seo Mun-hoe couldn’t help admiring him.

“You, just how many moves ahead do you see?”

“No need to flatter. I’m just seasoned.”

His expression turned curious.

“If a merchant guild is tied directly to a famed clan beloved by the people and to a former Deputy of the Investigation and Defense Court, now the Loyalty and Righteousness Academy’s head instructor—the Black Society wouldn’t dare touch it easily, right?”

“They’ll try in some form. But they wouldn’t do anything dangerous. Since the line I’m holding on to connects to the Heavenly Will Alliance.”

“Look here, if someone there spills your identity, you still burn.”

“I’m not the merchant guild master.”

“What?”

Seo Mun-hoe’s eyes sank.

He had debated saying this.

“The new master of the Five Tigers Merchant Guild will be the Black Society Leader’s one and only blood relative.”

“!!”

Even Jin-hyeon was taken aback.

“The Black Society Leader’s blood?”

“Yes.”

“Does that make sense?”

“It does. That relative…”

…wants to oust the Black Society Leader and kill the other four Gold Pillars.

Seo Mun-hoe stopped short.

“That’s as far as I can go.”

“…Hmm.”

This was deeper than expected.

He could dig, but chose to stop here.

What mattered was—

“You’re… quite interesting.”

“Am I?”

“Coming with a request instead of bait—and a risky one at that.”

“All businesses are risky.”

“You said investment. This is nearly a partnership.”

“An investor is a partner. The bigger the business, the bigger the jar of honey he gets.”

“Nice words.”

Jin-hyeon glanced outside.

“Busy?”

“I’m always busy.”

“Even so, you do eat right?”

“Where are you taking me?”

“The marketplace.”

Seo Mun-hoe swept a hand over his face.

Srrk—his face changed.

Slitted eyes, protruding cheekbones, and just enough wrinkles. It was the face of a weathered merchant.

Jin-hyeon’s eyes widened.

“A face-change with a human-skin mask? That’s a first.”

“Let’s go.”

“Sure.”

He took him to the same dumpling shop. The owner, tidying up, brightened.

“Oh? Sir! Back again!”

Jin-hyeon looked sheepish.

“It’s a bit late isn’t it?.”

“Haha, no worries. I’ve only cleaned up. The fire’s still on.”

“Sorry. There’s someone I had to treat.”

He gestured to Seo Mun-hoe; the owner grinned.

“That’s how regulars are made. Don’t worry. It’s good for me too.”

“Much appreciated.”

“Two servings?”

“Make it three. I got hungrier all of a sudden.”

“Haha, alright.”

The owner opened the steamer and loaded the rest.

Seo Mun-hoe asked, glancing around,

“This is the place?”

“Yeah.”

“You said you wouldn’t tell me.”

“I felt like it.”

Impulsive? Seo Mun-hoe studied him again.

He was hard to read. Information and face-to-face both failed to pin him down.

‘Sometimes meticulous, while other times, ruled by whim.’

One thing was clear:

‘You don’t want him as an enemy.’

Soon, the dumplings arrived.

“Here you are.”

“They look great.”

“I’ll be in the back tidying up.”

A discreet courtesy.

“Thanks.”

As the owner went inside, Jin-hyeon picked up a dumpling.

“Is it safe enough to hand it to the owner’s son?”

“Yes.”

“The reason?”

“If they expose it, the Heavenly Will Alliance will try to purge the Black Society through the merchant guild master.”

“What if they send assassins first?”

“Then we send word first. If we die, information on the Black Society and all their sites goes straight to the Heavenly Will Alliance’s main headquarters. The Black Society Leader won’t dare touch Five Tigers.”

“And that works?”

“Of course. It’s not a bluff.”

“I hear Head Instructor Seo Jong-dam was sidelined for a strict sense of justice and clean work. Will tying yourselves to him threaten the Black Society?”

“Which is exactly why it’s sturdy. Corrupt lifelines rot with bigger bribes.”

In other words, it was ideal that he’s someone the Black Society Leader can’t sway.

“Is that so?”

“And Seo Jong-dam rose to Deputy of the Investigation and Defense Court on skill and discernment alone. There’s no firmer line for us.”

Jin-hyeon smiled.

“Not bad.”

Had he pleaded sentiment, they’d just eat and part.

“You’re paying.”

Seo Mun-hoe’s eyes brightened.

“You’ll invest?”

“With conditions.”

“Name them.”

“First.”

“More than one, huh.”

Chewing another dumpling, Jin-hyeon mumbled,

“The Five Tigers Merchant Guild will provide me the fastest, highest-grade intel—free—for ten years.”

Seo Mun-hoe smiled.

“Only fair for an investor. I’m surprised you didn’t ask for a lifetime.”

“Second.”

“Go on.”

“For the Seol Clan—the same grade you give me, at the lowest price possible.”

Seo Mun-hoe’s smile faded.

“For the Seol Clan?”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“No, but…”

“What the Seol Clan lacks isn’t force, it’s intel. If the Seol Clan rises right, the Five Tigers Merchant Guild explodes with it. It’s not a loss for you.”

“With just the Seol Clan’s influence?”

“Just? You really think that?”

“…”

“Well?”

“…Fine. Let’s do it.”

“Third.”

“How many are there?”

“Should I go to four.”

“Last, then. Good. Speak.”

His eyes were too serious for a plate of dumplings.

“If you find decently talented people without ties—send them to my house.”

“……?!”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“No. It’s not hard. But—may I ask why?”

Jin-hyeon smiled.

“To be my hands and feet.”

“…Hmm.”

“I don’t need prodigies. Just pure, capable people.”

Seo Mun-hoe chuckled.

“Selecting martial prodigies would be easier.”

“Be it one or ten. In a month or a year—send them.”

Watching him, Seo Mun-hoe asked,

“Is that enough?”

“For now. I might ask for more later.”

Having finished, Jin-hyeon set his chopsticks down.

“I’m off. Settle the bill.”

He watched the retreating back, then called the owner.

“Pack whatever’s left.”

“Ha ha, sure. Huh? And the other customer?”

“He left. He had some urgent matters.”

“Of course. One moment. I’ll pack them right up!”

The owner lifted the lid, beaming.

Chewing the last dumpling, Seo Mun-hoe smacked his lips.

“Did he dust these with gold? There’s no reason they should taste this good.”