Chapter 464: A Son, the Incarnation of Greed

TL: FoodieMonster007

"Benefactor!"

Yong Jamyeong shot up from his seat. A thrilling jolt ran through his entire body. It was the first time in his life he had ever been this shocked.

My benefactor was the Demonic Cult Leader?

His heart pounded violently. Of all people, the Demonic Cult Leader? It was truly unbelievable.

Could I be mistaken?

But that wasn't it. The image of the benefactor he saw that day and the Heavenly Demon he met today merged perfectly, as if they were one. They were clearly the same person.

Geom Mugeuk, who had been looking at the portrait, glanced up at Yong Jamyeong.

Geom Mugeuk could tell. He realized that the person who had saved Yong Jamyeong in the past was his father.

Right, how could he not recognize someone like Father?

Geom Mugeuk carefully folded the paper with the drawing of his father's youth and wrapped it in silk. He offered it back to Yong Jamyeong.

"I've had a good look."

However, Yong Jamyeong didn't take it.

"The Young Cult Leader should have it."

Geom Mugeuk feigned ignorance and asked him, "Why are you giving this to me? Isn't this drawing precious to you, Director?"

Then came a reply that proved Geom Mugeuk's prediction was correct.

"From now on, it might become an even more precious item to you, Young Cult Leader. Now, let's return to our quarters."

Geom Woojin was in his quarters, drinking tea.

"Father, I've returned."

Geom Mugeuk and Yong Jamyeong stepped inside.

Geom Woojin sensed the look in Yong Jamyeong's eyes had changed. Though he knew exactly where the intense emotion came from, Geom Woojin feigned ignorance and asked his son, "Did you have a good talk with the Director?"

"Is there any story as interesting as one about money? On top of that, I even heard stories of the Director's youth."

Geom Woojin looked at Yong Jamyeong and spoke calmly.

"And how was the Director?"

"It was a more precious time than any other meeting."

Ever since entering the room, Yong Jamyeong had been staring only at Geom Woojin's face. This would have been absolutely impossible when they met earlier.

"Cult Leader."

Yong Jamyeong's voice trembled. He had been through all sorts of things as the Milky Way Trading Company rose to the top, but he had never trembled as much as he did now.

"Do you remember me?"

His father looked at him silently for a moment.

From that reaction, Geom Mugeuk could tell.

Father knew.

Come to think of it, he must have known. Yong Jamyeong might never have imagined that the person who saved him was the Heavenly Demon, but his father was different. When he heard from Yong Jamyeong what had happened that day, he said his father had seen the contract that the Cunning Evil Ghost and Man So tried to force him to sign.

At that time, his father must have realized that the person he had saved was the young Director of the Milky Way Trading Company.

Since that day, the Milky Way Trading Company had grown while maintaining a balance between the orthodox and unorthodox factions.

If he had wanted to, his father could have revealed, "I am the one who saved you," and made the Milky Way Trading Company a trading company that followed the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but he never revealed that fact. He must have even received reports that Yong Jamyeong was desperately searching for the benefactor who saved him.

The richest man in the world was trying to repay a debt of gratitude, and he didn't even contact him?

That's so like Father. How could I not respect him?

Yong Jamyeong asked about that day long ago. "Do you perhaps remember the day in your youth when you punished the Cunning Evil Ghost for his evil deeds?"

Despite his trembling question, Geom Woojin still gave no answer.

Because of that, Yong Jamyeong was certain. The benefactor from that day was the Cult Leader before him. If it weren't him, he would have said, "I never did such a thing," or reacted with, "I don't remember."

However, Geom Woojin just listened to his words without any change in expression. And he watched him with a silent gaze.

Those are the eyes.

He was sure they were the same eyes from that day. Come to think of it, he hadn't said a single word on the day he saved him either. He had left only that gaze behind.

"That day, you saved me when I was captured there, Cult Leader. If it weren't for you, I would have died that day."

It would have been such an unjust death. He wouldn't have lost his entire fortune, but he would have lost his life over a single warehouse being robbed for a pervert's escape funds. He probably wouldn't have been able to close his eyes even in death.

Yong Jamyeong slowly prostrated himself on the floor, offering a deep bow.

"First, please accept my bow."

He bowed with all his sincerity. After the Milky Way Trading Company had risen to the top, had he ever bowed his head to anyone?

"I finally get to see you. I've wanted to meet you so much all these years."

In truth, until now, he had felt bewildered and fearful before the Heavenly Demon. He even had a sliver of doubt that it might not be him. It was truly a complex state of mind.

Just then, Geom Woojin rose from his seat and walked over to him.

Then, he bent down, took Yong Jamyeong's arm, and helped him up.

Geom Mugeuk, who was watching, was startled. He had never imagined his father would help him up.

So, how surprised must Yong Jamyeong have been?

However, his surprise was only just beginning.

"I remember you."

At those words that struck his heart, Yong Jamyeong's eyes widened.

It really is the Cult Leader! He remembered me!

His whole body trembled uncontrollably. The person who had taken his arm and helped him up was both the man who had saved his life and the current Heavenly Demon.

"Then did you know it was me from the beginning?"

Geom Woojin nodded.

"You knew that the person you saved back then was me!"

Then, the words Yong Jamyeong had wanted to hear his entire life flowed from Geom Woojin's lips.

"I have been hearing news of your continued success in the world of commerce."

"Ah! You knew!"

Yong Jamyeong's chest swelled with emotion, and a lump formed in his throat.

He did not ask why he hadn't sought him out. Was the Heavenly Demon an ordinary person? Would he be the type of person to visit the man he saved just because he became the owner of the world's number one trading company and boast about it? The important thing right now was this.

My benefactor remembered me. He knew I had become the world's number one merchant.

At last, a true joy washed over him. The refreshing thrill of everything being clearly revealed enveloped his entire body.

What felt best of all was that the past years had not been in vain. He knew that he had kept his promise. He knew that his benefactor had been watching over his life.

A precious word came from Geom Woojin.

"You have worked hard all this time."

He could no longer hold back.

Tears welled up in Yong Jamyeong's eyes.

He had lived a harsh life, never showing tears, but he couldn't suppress the intense emotion surging from deep within his heart.

Even when he heard all sorts of praise from those around him, a corner of his heart always felt empty. Yes, he could now clearly see it was because he wanted to be acknowledged by this man.

"…I really wanted to see you."

You have no idea how much I wanted to tell you that I kept the promise I made that day.

"Now, I can die with no regrets."

Finally, tears streamed from Yong Jamyeong's eyes.

He had two lifelong wishes. One was to become the owner of the world's number one trading company. The other was to find his benefactor and repay his kindness.

This was the moment he would fulfill his second wish.

Yong Jamyeong took something out from his robes. It was an ornate key that he had treasured.

It was no ordinary key. It was made of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron, an object that possessed immense value by itself.

"This is the key to a secret vault where I've gathered things I intended to give you when I found you, my benefactor."

Yong Jamyeong respectfully offered it to Geom Woojin.

His father refused at once.

"I don't need any reward."

The reason for his refusal was also just like his father.

"Your desire to find me all this time is repayment enough."

Because of that, Yong Jamyeong could give it to him with an even lighter heart.

"Because you are the Cult Leader, I feel more at ease giving you this. After all, you are someone who can obtain anything you desire in this world. So please, accept it comfortably. To you, Cult Leader, these are but trivial things."

Just from this, Geom Mugeuk could tell that Yong Jamyeong was no ordinary man.

Where else could one find a person who sought to repay a debt of gratitude for so many years? Moreover, someone who had even prepared like this for the day they would meet again was even rarer.

A person like this must be why he was able to achieve such great success.

"If you don't want it, Father, I'll take it instead."

As Geom Mugeuk moved to take it, his father took the key a step ahead of him.

"No, I said give it to me! You have a son who is an incarnation of greed right here!" Mugeuk protested.

With an expression that said "not a chance," Geom Woojin tucked the key into his robes.

Watching this, Yong Jamyeong smiled faintly. He could tell that Geom Mugeuk had deliberately stepped in to help Geom Woojin accept the key.

"If you go find a man named Jung Song, an herb gatherer below Mount Yuhua in Chongqing, he will guide you to the secret vault."

"I will gladly accept your sentiment."

Chongqing is between Shaanxi and our Cult anyway, Geom Mugeuk thought. We can stop by on the way there or on the way back.

I wonder what's in the secret vault that key opens? Judging by the atmosphere, it seems like he's stored a gift he's been preparing for a long time.

I'm definitely more of a snob than Father. I want to run over right now and see what's inside.

Then again, what would Father, the master of the Heavenly Demon Vault, be curious about?

And the greatest gift for his father probably wasn't that key.

It was the fact that Yong Jamyeong now knew his father was his benefactor.

The Milky Way Trading Company, which had skillfully walked a tightrope between the orthodox and unorthodox factions, had now become a company that followed the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Yong Jamyeong didn't deliberately reveal such a resolution. Just as Geom Woojin hadn't come seeking him to demand something, he didn't reveal his heart with words.

He would continue to run the trading company as if walking a tightrope, but he would treat his father with a deep loyalty unknown to anyone.

Geom Mugeuk looked at his father.

Father, did you perhaps anticipate this outcome? Is that why you introduced me to this man? In the hopes that his loyalty would extend to me?

The words that he would introduce him had been truly unexpected.

Maintaining a good relationship with Yong Jamyeong would be a great asset in leading the Cult. When his father introduced him, he had said this to Yong Jamyeong.

[It won't be a bad thing for you, either.]

He had said it in the hope that the bond between himself and Yong Jamyeong would continue. He must have known this situation would arise.

"Father, would you like to take a look at this?"

Geom Mugeuk took out the portrait he had received from Yong Jamyeong and showed it to his father.

"This is you from back then, Father."

His father rarely revealed his emotions, but at this unexpected sight of his younger self, a strange light flickered in his eyes.

Right, how could even Father not miss his bygone youth?

"Director Yong seems to misremember you as being more handsome than me."

At that, his father stated firmly, "As expected of the best merchant, his memory is excellent."

"His eyes might be getting old."

At their conversation, Yong Jamyeong smiled and gazed at the faded drawing.

"I truly miss those days."

His father's gaze didn't leave the drawing for a long time.

A moment later, Geom Mugeuk took the drawing back and folded it neatly.

"This one is mine. I can yield the key, but not this."

A faint smile graced Geom Woojin's lips. To Geom Mugeuk, that smile was more precious than any treasure in the secret vault.

That night, Yong Jamyeong was strolling in the front yard.

His mind was restless, and sleep wouldn't come.

"Can't sleep?"

He turned to see Geom Mugeuk walking out.

"I'm too excited to sleep."

The gaze with which he looked at Geom Mugeuk was incomparably softer than when they first met.

Now, with a much more relaxed heart, Yong Jamyeong asked, "May I ask why the Cult Leader summoned me this time?"

He sensed that he had been summoned for a reason unrelated to the past incident.

Geom Mugeuk revealed why they had come. "The reason my father and I came here was because of the Golden Dragon Clan."

"I knew it."

Yong Jamyeong wasn't surprised at all, as if he already knew something.

"We also obtained information that the Golden Dragon Clan has been secretly operating a clandestine organization lately, and we've been keeping an eye on them."

The information wars waged in the world of commerce were no less intense than those in the murim. As the world's number one trading company, their intelligence on competing companies must be formidable.

"Yes, we came to investigate after discovering evidence that the money earned by that organization is flowing into a murim organization that threatens the murim."

Would their intelligence network be proficient only in the world of commerce?

"The three-party talks were also related to them, weren't they?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded at Yong Jamyeong's low question.

"The woman we saw during the day seems to be the one leading that secret organization."

"So the reason you called me here was also because of that woman."

"That's right. They will consider our meeting with you, Director, as a major piece of intelligence. After all, the Director of the Milky Way Trading Company came in person. We plan to use this to infiltrate the core of the Golden Dragon Clan."

"Is there anything else I can do to help?"

"You've already helped enough just by coming here in person."

"I want to help more."

He was reluctant to return just like this.

"It could be dangerous."

"In building the number one trading company in the Central Plains, did I only walk safe paths?"

Yong Jamyeong did not want to go back like this. He had finally met his benefactor after so long. He wanted to spend even a little more time with him. If he weren't truly the Heavenly Demon, he would have wanted to ask him to come to the trading company and stay with him for a month, or even a year.

"Alright. Then please stay for three more days and help me. It will be a great help to me."

Yong Jamyeong's expression brightened.

In truth, Geom Mugeuk was confident he could deal with the woman and create an opportunity even without Yong Jamyeong.

That was why asking him to stay was a consideration for Yong Jamyeong. He fully understood his desire to be with his father a little longer.

You've waited for decades, so enjoy three more days.

As someone who had lived as a merchant for a long time, Yong Jamyeong was quick-witted.

"Thank you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I know this decision was for my sake."

Geom Mugeuk replied with a smile. "Honestly, it's for my sake. When else would I get to spend time with the world's number one merchant?"

Yong Jamyeong wanted to say, From now on, anytime.

To him, he was no longer the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, but the son of his benefactor.

The fact that his benefactor was the Demonic Cult Leader made him even happier. It made him feel that he hadn't become the owner of the world's number one trading company just by luck.

It felt as if he had become another destiny created by a greater destiny.

"Now, just say the word. What should I do now?"

These three days with the Heavenly Demon and the Young Cult Leader would be an unforgettable time for the rest of his life. As if to prove it, the Young Cult Leader before him smiled and asked.

"Pardon me for asking, but do you have some money?"