Chapter 452: It's Unheard Of for a Merchant to Concede Profit

TL: FoodieMonster007

She had, after all, just asked a complete stranger for help with such an important matter. If her mother or the family's martial artists heard this, they would call her crazy. They'd consider it not just a mistake, but a disaster.

But why do I feel so relieved?

The moment she asked him to find a reason to tear up the agreement, a thrill ran through her. It felt good, as if her instincts were screaming that she had done the right thing. She had never experienced anything like this before.

Moreover, the man's response was fitting for such a crazy act.

"How many do you need me to find?"

Such confidence, and he hadn't even looked at the agreement. It didn't matter if it was a bluff or genuine. The sense of relief she'd felt before returned to her heart.

"The more, the better, I suppose."

Just as she was about to hand the agreement to Geom Mugeuk, Hwang In, who had been watching, stepped forward.

"Young Lady Ju, that is not acceptable."

At Hwang In's calm intervention, Ju Hyangwol's hand froze in mid-air.

"Young Lady Ju, you may not be aware since you're not yet accustomed to these kinds of agreements, but you must not show such a document to an outsider."

Hwang In was certain that Geom Mugeuk was an outsider. His prior investigation of the Ju Swordsmanship Family revealed no one with such a unique impression. Furthermore, Ju Hyangwol's earlier words and attitude proved they were not insiders.

Geom Mugeuk then asked Ju Hyangwol, "Did you make a prior promise not to show it to outsiders?"

"No, I saw that agreement for the first time today."

Hwang In interjected again. "This is a contractual custom."

Geom Mugeuk also faced him calmly. "I don't understand why someone who knows customs so well would make such a mistake."

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't it customary to send such an agreement in advance for sufficient review before meeting? It seems to me that you're the one who broke with custom."

Hwang In could not refute those words.

Ju Hyangwol was only just now learning of this fact. She had never had such an experience before.

"So let's drop the talk of custom here today. There was none from the start."

Hwang In realized that this young man before him was more formidable than he appeared.

"Who are you?"

"I'm someone who became a filial son thanks to Young Lady Ju."

Hwang In couldn't understand what that meant. From the words alone, he couldn't tell if they were on Ju Hyangwol's side or if they had truly just met at the inn's entrance.

In any case, it was certain they were peculiar people. Even while this tense conversation was unfolding, Geom Woojin and Hwi were still eating.

'Try this, too.' 'Thank you.' They were even having natural conversations like that.

"As you'll see when you read the agreement, our Trading Company has made many concessions. That's why we were remiss in sending it beforehand. We thought you would be satisfied upon seeing it directly. Read it. Then you will understand my words."

Hwang In's eyes clearly held this confidence.

Is there anything you could possibly find just by reading it?

Geom Mugeuk took the agreement from Ju Hyangwol's hands.

"Let's have a look."

He placed it on the table and began to read it slowly. All the while, Geom Woojin and Hwi continued their meal, paying no mind to the matter. At a glance, one might think he was angry at his son, but his expression and atmosphere didn't seem angry at all.

While Ju Hyangwol's and Hwang In's gazes were fixed on him, Geom Mugeuk read the entire agreement, which was several pages long, down to the last page.

"Why are there so many difficult words?"

"That's because there is specific language used in agreements. So? Did you find the part that justifies tearing it up?"

After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk answered. "I don't think there is such a part."

A look of disappointment crossed Ju Hyangwol's face. She had thought this man might be able to find an answer.

Conversely, a satisfied smile spread across Hwang In's face, as if to say, 'Of course'.

"Now, since you've confirmed it, please sign."

Having taken the unexpected step of showing the agreement to an outsider, it was now even more difficult to delay signing.

Could my mother's choice have been right this time?

She bowed politely to Geom Mugeuk. "Thank you for reading it."

The moment she picked up the agreement from the table, an unexpected person broke the silence.

"First page, sixth line."

Surprisingly, the one who had spoken was Geom Woojin.

Ju Hyangwol quickly read the clause he had mentioned. It stated that if an incident occurred that damaged either party's honor, they must reach a mutual agreement for monetary compensation.

"Is there a problem with this?" Ju Hyangwol asked cautiously.

She had actually considered this clause advantageous to the Ju Swordsmanship Family. If the sword family and the Trading Company made an agreement, who would have the advantage? Could he have mentioned the wrong item by mistake?

Instead of answering, Geom Woojin pointed to another spot.

"Second page, ninth line. Third page, second and seventh items."

Ju Hyangwol read all the parts Geom Woojin mentioned. The content wasn't difficult. In fact, they were clauses she had considered advantageous to her side, parts she thought the other side had conceded to join hands.

For example, one clause stated that if the other party was clearly at fault, it was permissible to use military force beyond monetary compensation. It was a clause allowing the sword family to attack the Trading Company, a point that, just as Hwang In had said, they had conceded as much as possible.

Why is he only pointing out the parts they conceded?

She looked at Geom Woojin with a puzzled heart.

Geom Woojin, who had been staring at her silently, abruptly asked a question.

"Are you certain that you are the stronger party?"

In that moment, Ju Hyangwol's heart sank. It was something she hadn't doubted for a single moment. Since entering this inn, she had naturally assumed the sword family was the stronger side.

But what if not? What if we aren't the stronger ones? All of these clauses would become poison pills, returning later as blades.

Distracted by the ambiguous and difficult parts of the agreement, she had missed the simplest yet most crucial point.

The most frightening trap is not a hidden one. It's the one laid bare for all to see, but no one recognizes it as a trap. In such cases, its power is incomparably potent.

Geom Woojin's final words cleared up all these doubts in one fell swoop.

"When a merchant concedes profit, there's always a reason."

Ju Hyangwol felt that Geom Woojin's words were right.

So that's what I was missing.

The emotion that washed over her at the same time was the comfort and relief she had felt earlier. She began to think that relief might not have been because of the son, but because of this father.

Geom Mugeuk said with a bright smile, "You were pretending not to look, but you were watching the whole time, weren't you?"

"Didn't you put it on the table for me to see as you read?"

"My quick wits are all thanks to you, Father. Ah! I should have inherited your brilliant mind, too."

"You must have noticed as well, though?"

Geom Woojin believed that Geom Mugeuk had thought the same thing, since he must have noticed him peeking. However, Geom Mugeuk denied it to the end.

"In a parent's eyes, their own child always seems the smartest."

Ju Hyangwol felt that whenever she watched the two of them, she couldn't help but get drawn in. It was happening again now. This was no time to be staring blankly, yet she found herself watching their conversation with envy.

She looked at Hwang In. As befitting a merchant's kin, he controlled his emotions well.

"It seems there's a misunderstanding. We are but a mere Trading Company. If we were that strong, why would we seek to join hands with the Ju Swordsmanship Family?"

Ju Hyangwol then asked him, "You tell me. Why?"

What if they possessed greater martial power than the sword family? What if they had hidden that fact and presented such an agreement? This wasn't a simple partnership. It was a conspiracy.

Hwang In remained calm. "It is a misunderstanding."

"I'm sure it is."

Ju Hyangwol lifted the agreement, about to tear it before her eyes. Just then, Geom Mugeuk stopped her.

"Will you really feel gratified if you tear that up?"

Ju Hyangwol turned her head toward Geom Mugeuk.

"It's better to keep it without tearing it. What you're holding, Young Lady, is evidence."

"Evidence?"

"Isn't it evidence that they tried to swallow the sword family whole? Tearing it up might feel gratifying to you, Young Lady, but the one who will feel true gratification is him."

Ju Hyangwol was stunned. She had asked Geom Mugeuk to find a reason to tear it up and thought she finally had one. So she was about to tear it with glee. But that wasn't right. She had just narrowly avoided another trap.

And the traps kept being discovered.

"Yes, I'll keep it safe."

As she was about to put the agreement into her robes, Geom Mugeuk stepped in again.

"You can't put it there."

"Why not?"

"Weren't you about to tear up that agreement because you acknowledged that they are stronger?"

"That's right." Otherwise, there would have been no problem with the agreement.

"If you, Young Lady, are holding evidence that is disadvantageous to them, how do you think they will react?"

Ju Hyangwol gave him a disbelieving look, but Hwang In calmly said, "As I've said, we are merely merchants."

Ju Hyangwol could now see him objectively. This mere merchant was far too calm.

She asked Geom Mugeuk, "Then what should I do?"

"You must keep it in a safe place. Entrust it to the place you, Young Lady, consider the safest."

Ju Hyangwol was lost in thought for a moment.

"Since I was young, there was a person I considered the safest."

"Entrust it to that person for safekeeping."

"I can't. He has already passed away."

The place she had felt safest was in her father's arms. It was something she didn't need to say, but for some reason, she wanted to. Was it because of the psychological pressure today? Or did she want to tell these two people who had strangely captivated her? She couldn't understand her own feelings.

She forced herself to be brave. After all, this matter was her own, and her family's.

"I'll handle it myself. Thank you so much for your help."

The moment her words ended, another unexpected situation unfolded.

Geom Woojin extended a hand toward her and said, "I will take it."

At those words, Ju Hyangwol's heart swelled with emotion. The image of her father overlapped with the sight of Geom Woojin holding out his hand. Geom Woojin was looking at her with a blunt expression, but the father superimposed over him was smiling.

"Since I'm the one who found the reason to tear it up, I should also take responsibility."

Geom Mugeuk knew that wasn't the reason. His father, influenced by him lately, might help her for a moment. Yes, he might cheerfully find the problematic clauses.

But to take custody of it? When there was no telling when or how their business would conclude? When they had things to do in Shaanxi? This was absolutely not like his father.

Then there was only one conclusion.

The Yellow Road Trading Company must be connected to the business we have to handle in Shaanxi.

His father was the one who had heard about this mission from Sama Myeong. I deliberately didn't ask. I would find out when we arrived anyway, and I wanted to focus entirely on the journey with my father until then.

When all the Demon Supremes had gathered, Strategist Sama had said this. "To move experts and an organization of this scale would require enormous funds. As a result of a secret investigation, we have found a clue to track the masterminds."

They were tracking the source of the funds, so they would have to deal with people of immense wealth in Shaanxi. Perhaps the Yellow Road Trading Company was one of their subordinate organizations.

"It's alright, give it to me."

Hesitant, Ju Hyangwol handed the agreement to Geom Woojin with a trembling hand, as if possessed.

Watching this, Hwang In's chest felt tight with frustration. He could never have imagined he would experience something like this when he came here.

His gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk.

I don't know who you are, but you've picked the wrong people to mess with. You must have thought of me as a mere merchant. If you knew what kind of place the Yellow Road Trading Company was, you would not have dared to step forward so fearlessly.

"I'm busy, so I'll be taking my leave for today."

As he turned to leave, Geom Mugeuk did not just let him go.

"Oh, and don't just leave. Pay for renting out the entire inn before you go."

As Hwang In turned back with a slightly stiffened face, Geom Mugeuk added with a smile.

"If you're a merchant, shouldn't you settle your accounts properly?"

Hwang In soon replied with a calm smile. "Of course. I am a man who is very precise when it comes to giving and receiving."

He called the innkeeper, paid the bill, and left the place.

After Hwang In left, Ju Hyangwol felt as if a great storm had passed. What if I hadn't stood up from my seat? What if I had signed it right then and there? How would her destiny have changed?

"If what you say is true, they might come to take that agreement by force."

In response to her worry, Geom Woojin called the innkeeper and ordered new dishes.

"Since you're already sitting, have a meal before you go."

Until the very end, Ju Hyangwol experienced a situation she had not anticipated. She never thought she would end up eating with these people.

Instead of Geom Woojin, it was Geom Mugeuk who reassured her.

"You don't have to worry. That thing you entrusted to us, Young Lady, is now…" Geom Mugeuk looked at his father with a gentle gaze. "…in the safest place in this murim."