“We’ve arrived at the estate.”
At the words of the warrior on the driver’s seat, Yong Jamyeong poked his head out of the window.
He could see the estate standing in a remote place.
Thinking of the person who would be waiting there, his expression was as calm as a lake, but a silent typhoon raged in his heart.
Having gone through all manner of hardships and storms, he had become the richest man in the world. He had prided himself on having reached a level where he wouldn’t bat an eyelash at most things by now, but seeing his heart race like this, it seemed he still had a long way to go.
But Yong Jamyeong never revealed his trembling outwardly. For Baek Chong’s anxiety, sitting before him now, was enough on its own.
“If a problem arises, speak the code word.”
There was a code word established between them. According to that code word, Baek Chong had dealt with various critical situations.
Then Yong Jamyeong asked with a smile.
“When was the last time we used it?”
It was so long ago that he truly couldn’t even remember when that had been.
Yong Jamyeong’s gaze turned back toward the window.
“That is how much we have lived without tension.”
Because tension had become the other party’s burden at some point.
And as if to punish that arrogance, tension suddenly returned.
Meanwhile, the carriage slowly came to a stop.
“We have arrived.”
At the report of the warrior on the driver’s seat, Baek Chong looked at the warrior sitting beside him. As if understanding without words, the warrior in the next seat nodded.
Since Yong Jamyeong had no intention of turning back, the three of them now had to protect their chief. Though each was an apex expert, they had staked their lives on this matter.
“Please trust only us.”
Speaking with force, Baek Chong was the first to descend from the carriage.
Next, Yong Jamyeong got down. His movements were composed and relaxed.
After him, the warrior who had been riding along and the warrior from the driver’s seat descended in succession.
The estate’s gate was closed.
They couldn’t know what traps lay beyond this door waiting for them.
Demon Lords might be standing in a line waiting for them. The Poison King’s poison might be scattered, and the great blade of the Blood Heaven Demon Blade might fly toward their heads. The Extreme Evil Lesser Demon might look down at them as they died and smile coldly.
Baek Chong exchanged glances with the other warriors. They were of similar minds.
‘They asked to meet in a place like this?’
Judging from the surrounding trees and terrain, it was a good place for an ambush. Fortunately, the warriors who had been lying in ambush earlier had all withdrawn, so unnecessary misunderstandings were avoided.
What grated on Baek Chong’s nerves more was that the meeting place had been changed when they had almost reached their destination. It was a message from the Tongcheongak to meet at a different estate to the west instead of the original one.
Baek Chong was displeased by such things as well. Both the fact that the Tongcheongak was watching them and that they had changed the meeting place at the last minute.
Baek Chong slowly walked to the gate and slowly pushed it. The gate was not locked.
Creeeak.
The door opened, emitting the sound of olden years.
Then, an unexpected sight unfolded before their eyes.
A table was set up in the courtyard, and people were eating a meal.
Geom Mugeuk spoke while holding a ladle.
“Anyone for more soup?”
It was Geom Mugeuk’s own unique way of greeting visitors. Since we are at a meal, do not be tense!
Baek Chong stepped aside, and Yong Jamyeong walked forward from behind.
Though the people at the table didn’t have name tags, he could tell at a glance which one was the Heavenly Demon.
He felt he could have picked him out even if dozens had been crowded in the courtyard eating.
Yong Jamyeong’s gaze turned toward Geom Ujin.
It was the moment when the man known to possess the greatest martial power and the man known to possess the greatest wealth met. They might have had a chance to meet once before, but the two were meeting for the first time today. No, it would be the second time, but.
On the way in the carriage, Yong Jamyeong had imagined what his first impression of the Demon Cult Leader would be.
Would he be fearsome? Would he be trembling? Would he be more affable than expected? Would he be handsome?
But the first impression that came to mind was something he had never imagined.
‘He looks familiar!’
He truly looked familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.
But that was all. He couldn’t remember where he had seen him.
No. Since he had never seen the Heavenly Demon before, it would be more accurate to say he couldn’t remember who the person resembling him was.
Having reached the pinnacle of merchants, how many people must he have met in his life? So many people he couldn’t even remember one by one.
‘I have definitely seen someone who resembles that person.’
But his thoughts couldn’t last long. Because he couldn’t dare to keep staring at the Heavenly Demon’s face.
Geom Mugeuk could tell that he hadn’t recognized his father at once.
Well, after all, it had been during both his father’s youth and his own.
He must have never even imagined that the person who saved him could be the Heavenly Demon. Perhaps it was only natural.
Do not worry. I will fulfill your long-cherished wish. Before you leave, I will surely make you remember.
And at this moment, Geom Mugeuk wondered.
‘Did Father recognize him?’
But it was impossible to find that out from his father’s expression.
Geom Mugeuk set the ladle down and stepped forward.
“Welcome, Chief.”
Yong Jamyeong could tell at a glance. That this young man was the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult. Because he resembled the Heavenly Demon sitting over there in some way.
“I am called Geom Yeon of the Seodo Sect.”
The reason they had called Yong Jamyeong to this place today was, after showing that they had a deep relationship with the Eunha Merchant Group, to use that Geum Arin to rapidly penetrate into their core.
They had considered pretending to be people from the Eunha Merchant Group, but his father’s presence made it impossible to pass him off as someone serving under another.
They had rather intended to reel her in with the story that the Arcane Martial Sect was trying to join hands with Yong Jamyeong.
“This is my father.”
At Geom Mugeuk’s introduction, Yong Jamyeong walked toward Geom Ujin. Baek Chong, who was behind him, had every nerve on edge.
“I am called Yong Jamyeong of the Eunha Merchant Group.”
At Yong Jamyeong’s greeting, Geom Ujin rose from his seat.
Geom Mugeuk and Hwi watched that sight with inwardly surprised hearts.
Originally, their father was not someone who got up to greet the owner of a merchant group. Even if that merchant group was the greatest under heaven.
But Geom Ujin received him with courtesy.
“Thank you for coming.”
He was expressing his gratitude to the one who had rushed here immediately upon receiving his letter.
The moment Yong Jamyeong heard Geom Ujin’s voice, it felt as if something struck his chest with a thud.
Excitement, anticipation, fear. A unique and intense feeling different from such emotions.
If fate were to speak to him, would it feel like this?
It wasn’t the first time. There had been several occasions in his life when he had felt this emotion. Each time, he had undergone a great change in life.
Meanwhile, when the name Yong Jamyeong appeared, everyone there was startled.
Especially the most surprised person was Geum Arin.
‘That man is the owner of the Eunha Merchant Group?’
She had never seen him in person. But she had heard far too many stories about him.
Once, her father had evaluated him like this.
—His power is not his wealth. He is a man whose very name, Yong Jamyeong, holds power greater than money.
It was an evaluation that he was a figure who, despite being a merchant, had surpassed the stage of dominating people and the world with money. At that time, she had felt it. Her father’s jealousy.
Unable to believe that such a Yong Jamyeong had appeared here, she looked at her bodyguard, Im Hyeok.
Immediately, Im Hyeok’s telepathic message flew to her.
—He is truly the owner of the Eunha Merchant Group.
Im Hyeok had seen him before. It was just that Geum Arin had been too young to remember; she too had seen him.
Im Hyeok’s expression hardened. Just Geom Mugeuk, Geom Ujin, and Hwi alone were people they couldn’t handle.
In such a situation, Yong Jamyeong had come here?
In the Upper Realm, Yong Jamyeong is the Martial Alliance Leader and the Heavenly Demon.
‘What should we do?’
As Im Hyeok was racking his brains, he suddenly locked eyes with Hwi across from him. The meaning contained in Hwi’s composed gaze was the same as the earlier telepathic message sent to Geum Arin.
—Stop thinking and acting, and close your mouth.
Although it was a dismissive remark, Im Hyeok had felt it was clearly well-intentioned advice.
The same was true now.
‘If you wish to live, do not step forward. Do not go against the current; entrust your body to the waves.’
Im Hyeok bowed his head very slightly to Hwi, then looked at the person he had to protect.
Geum Arin was looking at Geom Mugeuk.
‘That legendary man came to meet you? What are you people?’
Even the head of the Geumryong Clan she belonged to had to request an appointment in advance and go meet him at a time they set.
‘What are you, who even suppressed my internal energy?’
It was truly a sight difficult to believe even after seeing with one’s own eyes.
If the Eunha Merchant Group was the greatest in the Upper Realm, the Geumryong Clan she belonged to was also within the top three. They had a good relationship with the Eunha Merchant Group, but they were also fiercely competitive.
‘Something is strange. I have to find out why this meeting is happening and report it.’
Having finished greeting Geom Ujin, Yong Jamyeong’s gaze turned toward Geum Arin and Im Hyeok.
“Who might these people be?”
Geom Mugeuk introduced her.
“I have not yet heard the name of the young lady present here, but one thing is certain about her.”
She was inwardly anxious about what he might say. And as expected.
“This young lady is one with great fortune in eating.”
Geum Arin couldn’t hide her absurd expression. Introducing her like this to the chief of the Eunha Merchant Group?
Yong Jamyeong spoke with a smile.
“You possess a very joyful fortune among blessings.”
Though he spoke politely, he thought inwardly.
‘If she hasn’t even given her name yet, it means she doesn’t know who she is dealing with right now.’
He thought that the reason he had been asked to come here today might be related to these people.
Next, Geom Mugeuk introduced Hwang In.
“This is the chief of the Hwangdo Merchant Group. The one who dreams of becoming the owner of the greatest merchant group under heaven.”
Hwang In had truly never imagined he would meet the person he had dreamed of here today.
“It is an honor to meet you.”
“I have been admiring the rapid growth of the Hwangdo Merchant Group recently.”
Hwang In’s face flushed slightly. Because it was an achievement gained through improper methods. On the other hand, he was surprised that the Eunha Merchant Group had been paying attention to him.
“Our merchant group has been reborn. Please watch over us well from now on.”
Hwang In was quick-witted, as befitting a merchant.
“Then I shall take my leave now.”
He would have liked to spend all night talking with Yong Jamyeong and forge a connection, but he felt that this was not the atmosphere for it.
Leaving didn’t necessarily mean growing distant. Knowing when to step in and when to step back was, rather, taking one step closer to the goal.
Then, the bodyguard Im Hyeok sent a telepathic message to Geum Arin.
—Let us also get up now.
—We have to find out why these people met.
—You know, don’t you? They are not people who easily reveal themselves. If we stay longer, only our identities will be revealed further.
His judgment had been excellent from beginning to end.
Though he couldn’t lead the decision, Geum Arin’s judgment in accepting his decision was also good.
“Since a distinguished guest has arrived, we shall also take our leave.”
Geum Arin rose from her seat.
Geom Mugeuk spoke to her as she bid farewell.
“Next time, try the food properly. You won’t regret it.”
The Geom Mugeuk who spoke of food while parting felt like a different person from the Geom Mugeuk who had spoken these words earlier.
—Are you a human worth keeping alive?
Geum Arin had a premonition that she would soon have to answer that question.
She bowed politely to Geom Ujin and Yong Jamyeong, then left with Im Hyeok.
Walking toward the gate, she and Im Hyeok conversed via telepathic messages.
—This was the place we decided on, yet we are the first to be chased out.
—But are we not leaving with our lives?
Good judgment was the gift they had been given.
With even those two gone, Geom Mugeuk asked Yong Jamyeong.
“Have you eaten?”
Normally, he would have refused of course. Who would have a meal when arriving late to join someone else’s meal? No, it had been a long time since such a situation had even occurred.
But this occasion was different.
It was a table where the Heavenly Demon had been dining. He could not simply watch from the side after being told to join the meal.
“I haven’t eaten yet.”
“We cooked plenty, so there is more than enough to share.”
Thus Yong Jamyeong sat down together. The three guards including Baek Chong stood a few steps away from him.
“Please join us.”
When Geom Mugeuk attended to them, Baek Chong politely declined.
“We are fine.”
Geom Mugeuk didn’t press further. For if they were forced to sit in this situation, it would only be more trying.
Geom Mugeuk brought out the dishes that hadn’t been served yet, putting them in new bowls.
“This is a dish I made myself, with my father beside me preparing the ingredients.”
At those words, Yong Jamyeong was greatly surprised.
“This is truly a precious meal.”
“Indeed, you will never have it again.”
Yong Jamyeong bowed his head to Geom Ujin and spoke.
“It is an honor.”
“I wonder if it will suit your palate.”
Yong Jamyeong tasted the food. Baek Chong’s nerves behind him were stretched to the extreme.
What if there was poison? If not to kill, but to control Yong Jamyeong by even using a mild poison?
He wanted to run over at once and test it with a silver needle.
But if he stabbed a silver needle into food made by the Heavenly Demon and the Young Cult Leader, his own heart would be pierced by their swords.
Without such worries, Yong Jamyeong ate comfortably.
“It is truly delicious.”
It wasn’t empty praise. There was no delicious dish he hadn’t tasted, yet this dish was quite excellent.
“Next time, try a dish my father makes while I assist. And tell me whose food is more delicious.”
Yong Jamyeong merely smiled. He could never say he would. Because it was a request to evaluate and judge the superiority between the Cult Leader and the Young Cult Leader’s food.
After finishing the simple meal, Yong Jamyeong finally asked politely.
“I wonder why an esteemed person such as yourself has called a mere merchant.”
Geom Mugeuk thought he had already done everything he needed to do.
Because through this gathering today, Geum Arin now knew they had some kind of relationship with the Eunha Merchant Group.
But Father spoke unexpected words, as though he had not called him for a matter like that.
“I wanted to introduce my son.”
Absolute Regression: Chapter 462