Chapter 257

Chapter 257
## Chapter 257. The Time the Fruit Is Borne (4)

I gazed down at the defensive forearm piece secured to my right arm, a look of deep contentment on my face.

“Heh.”

While inside the stronghold of the Black Thought Alliance, I had put on a perfectly casual front, treating it as if it had always belonged to me. Because that performance was seamless, nobody raised any questions regarding the Devouring Gauntlet prior to my departure from the Black Thought Alliance.

Even so, letting my guard down would be a grave mistake.

A multitude of watchful eyes still surrounded me within our traveling group.

Consequently, I had to find isolated spots away from everyone else’s attention just to quietly investigate the secrets of the Devouring Gauntlet.

‘So, this is the very mystical item that propelled the Yin-Yang Twin Demons to their coveted rank as Protector.’

Naturally, given its origins within the Demonic Cult, I was fully prepared to discard it without a second thought if it began emitting dark Demonic Qi or practicing sinister sorcery. Thus far, however, its functionality didn’t appear to extend past the absorbing trait I was already familiar with.

*ZING.*

Gathering a massive concentration of internal force at the tip of my index finger, I released it straight toward the surface of the Devouring Gauntlet.

*HUM.*

The concentrated blast of Finger Wind, which possessed more than enough destructive power to fracture my own bones, simply dissolved into the Devouring Gauntlet and vanished entirely.

Observing this phenomenon, I tilted my head to the side in contemplation.

It was undeniably an incredible asset.

Yet, it still felt far-fetched to assume that the Yin-Yang Twin Demons had secured their position as Protector solely on the merits of this single trait.

‘There must be hidden depths to it.’

Delving deep into the vast archive of the Scripture Pavilion housed within my own memory, I began reviewing the combat history of the Yin-Yang Twin Demons.

By the time those two figures entered the Great Righteous-Demonic War, the conflict had already raged for an extended period, meaning the surviving documentation was sparse.

‘Had I anticipated these circumstances, I would have gathered extensive files while visiting the various Branch offices.’

If I had known that a reversal of time would bring me back to the past, I would have taken far more drastic measures.

Then again, who could have ever predicted that a person would receive a second lease on life?

To this day, I harbor no expectations that a third chance will ever come.

As my mind wandered through these reflections, Ak Byeong-bi silently closed the distance between us.

“Are you absolutely certain that you should not return?”

I smoothly concealed the Devouring Gauntlet from view.

“What are you referring to?”

“Did you not mention that the commercial arm of your sect is currently facing a crisis?”

“Ah.”

Based on the intelligence provided by Hao Gate, the Asura Sect was currently casting greedy eyes upon the Great Heaven Merchant Guild.

Their primary target appeared to be the exclusive distribution rights for the Anhui Province Branches, which we had recently secured through the Murim Alliance.

‘To be fair, anyone would covet such a prize.’

Even with the requirement to split the operations alongside the Wang Estate, that single agreement alone was projected to bring the Great Heaven Merchant Guild a profit in one year equivalent to a decade of normal operations.

Naturally, the motivation extended beyond mere wealth.

An exclusive arrangement of this magnitude was impossible without the direct endorsement of the Murim Alliance leadership.

The Murim Alliance.

In essence, this was a clear indication that Mantongbu was throwing its weight behind the Taeul Sect, signaling a future where both the Great Heaven Merchant Guild and the Taeul Sect would soar to incredible heights.

Admittedly, the precise underlying reasons for Mantongbu backing the Great Heaven Merchant Guild remained a mystery to me.

Perhaps they wished to bind me with a sense of obligation, expecting to leverage me later……

‘An obligation? A tool to be used? Dream on. I have absolutely no intention of becoming anyone’s pawn!’

My plan was to maintain this facade of ignorance for as long as humanly possible.

Nevertheless, I wasn’t foolish enough to sit idly by while someone attempted to wrench away what was already firmly within my grasp.

“Senior Il-myeong has already dispatched a formal missive to the headquarters. Is there truly a pressing reason for me to personally intervene as well?”

When I replied with an expression devoid of any real apprehension, Ak Byeong-bi looked even more troubled instead.

“……Do you truly believe that simple letter will suffice?”

“For the time being, yes.”

Honestly, I couldn’t comprehend why this man’s demeanor had shifted so drastically following our visit to the Black Thought Alliance.

Since when did he harbor such deep concern for my well-being? Truly remarkable.

“Advancing the interests of the Murim Alliance certainly elevates one’s home organization, but by the same token, the strength and status of your clan dictates how far you can rise within the Murim Alliance hierarchy.”

“I am well aware of that dynamic.”

“As the chosen delegate representing Murim Academy, you wield enough authority to sway a local Branch…… And yet you choose to remain passive?”

“Is there something wrong with that approach?”

Faced with my unbothered reply, the grim look on Ak Byeong-bi’s face grew more pronounced.

“What will you do if…… the Asura Sect succeeds in wresting the Great Heaven Merchant Guild from your hands?”

“If it is taken, then it is taken. There is little I can do to alter that outcome……”

“What did you say?!!”

Good grief, he nearly made me jump out of my skin.

What reason did he have to shout like that?

An outside observer would easily mistake this Delegation Leader for a dedicated member of the Taeul Sect.

“From where I stand, this is hardly a catastrophic crisis.”

From the very beginning, I had no desire to rely on my family’s renown to advance my station in life. Furthermore, my intended destination was the White Wolf Pavilion—a place that almost everyone else went to great lengths to avoid.

Barring some unprecedented event making the White Wolf Pavilion a premier path for advancement over the Azure Dragon Pavilion starting today, there wouldn’t be a sudden rush of rivals trying to enter its ranks.

“Lest we forget, that enterprise was initially formed after we acquired a single branch of the Azure Sky Merchant Guild from the Namgung Clan. Since I am not personally managing its day-to-day affairs, it isn’t my place to micromanage its survival. If they lack the strength to defend it, then losing it to a predator is simply the law of nature.”

“…….”

Ak Byeong-bi stared at me with a look that clearly communicated his inability to comprehend my philosophy.

And I was fully aware of the exact question weighing on his mind.

“Are you bewildered because I refuse to resolve this predicament by pulling strings within the Murim Alliance?”

“……!”

Ak Byeong-bi’s eyes widened instantly, confirming that my words had struck a nerve.

Given his history within the Inspection Pavilion, one could only guess how many special favors he had pulled to benefit his own relatives.

Individuals who hold positions of authority naturally seek to abuse that influence to elevate their inner circle.

To a man like him, my refusal to act on an impulse shared by the vast majority of mankind must have seemed entirely alien.

“I don’t possess any powerful patrons or secret backdoors to solicit favors from, but even if those avenues lay open to me, I would feel no desire to walk down them.”

Ak Byeong-bi, who had been listening intently while knitting his brows, spoke up with evident effort.

“……And why is that?”

I offered a simple shrug.

“No matter how high you stack the bricks, how long can a structure built on a flawed foundation hope to stand?”

What is handed to you by another, or what is merely borrowed for a time, never truly belongs to you.

The fundamental reason the Taeul Sect could never break free from its status as a minor player before its eventual downfall in my past life was its continuous dependency on the Gyeryong Merchant Guild.

In this current timeline, however, because we took charge of our own destiny and operated on our own merits, the Taeul Sect possessed the chance to forge a completely different path from its tragic history.

“When a person treats unearned advantages as their natural right and misuses them, arrogance inevitably takes root. Even within your own Ak Clan, are there not numerous worthless profligates who view such unearned status as their birthright?”

At my sharp observation, a dark flush crept up Ak Byeong-bi’s neck.

However, after taking a moment to master his surging emotions, the expression in his eyes grew incredibly nuanced.

“……Are you suggesting that all of these flaws stem from addressing difficulties through improper shortcuts?”

I had purposefully spoken harshly to bring an end to our talk, but my words had unexpectedly ignited Ak Byeong-bi’s intellectual curiosity instead.

“You could look at it that way. There is nothing that erodes a cultivator’s integrity and reduces him to a narrow-minded fool quite like a dependency on unearned privileges.”

“…….”

Following a prolonged silence, Ak Byeong-bi finally spoke.

“Your family’s organization will likely collapse before long.”

Pardon? Was this fellow actively trying to instigate a brawl with me right now……

“And yet.”

What was the meaning behind that expression?

For a fleeting second, Ak Byeong-bi’s eyes shimmered with an undefinable mixture of profound hope and genuine respect.

“If they manage to endure and conquer these hardships as you describe, they will emerge as an institution so formidable that the Ak Clan won’t even be fit to hold a candle to them.”

dishonesty “…….”

Leaving those parting words, Ak Byeong-bi retreated into a state of profound self-reflection.

His observation caused a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts to spin within my own mind as well.

It wasn’t as though I harbored zero anxieties regarding the situation, but that didn’t mean it was my responsibility to handle every single complication from start to finish.

Once the initial groundwork has been laid by another, the actual running must be executed by the individual themselves.

I maintained absolute faith that Father possessed the capability to handle that duty perfectly. After all, he was the very man who had preserved the integrity of the Taeul Sect through its darkest chapters.

‘Then again, I did put a contingency plan into motion.’

My thoughts drifted to my instructor in the martial path, Baek Hae-gwang.

Having received no word from him for quite some time, I had assumed he had successfully established an independent life, but he had ultimately reached out to me.

How could a man who had once reigned as a legendary figure within the Black Path easily transition into a conventional family man tasked with providing for a household of three?

As the old proverb implies, one always returns to the trade they know best. Yet whenever he contemplated earning a living through the violent methods of the Black Path as he had in his youth, the images of his dependent wife and young daughter must have given him pause.

According to the intelligence I gathered through Hao Gate, he had attempted to secure honorable employment across various regions, but keeping his bloody history concealed made it exceptionally difficult to earn an honest living by the sword.

When he sent a message inquiring if the offer to serve the Taeul Sect as a specialized ‘Guest Retainer’ still stood, I forwarded a directive instructing him to report straight to the Great Heaven Merchant Guild.

‘Granted, he will need to make a conscious effort to keep his explosive temper in check…….’

Building an organization from scratch, particularly one aligned with the ideals of the Orthodox Path, was no simple feat.

There were occasions where political maneuvering proved far more vital than raw martial power.

For individuals accustomed to solving problems through sheer force, the mere act of attempting to negotiate using diplomacy was equivalent to an agonizing trial of patience.

On the flip side,

‘He might just shatter the entire paradigm instead.’

I couldn’t help but feel a spark of morbid curiosity regarding how the infamous Sword Demon under Heaven would govern his rage when dealing with smooth-talking politicians, and precisely how he might choose to ‘enlighten’ them.

—

“I am at a loss as to whether I should praise your boundless generosity or simply mock your sheer ignorance.”

Wang Geum-san let out a disdainful click of his tongue.

They were discussing an uninvited visitor who had suddenly arrived on their doorstep.

Merely because the man carried a written recommendation bearing the name of ‘Jin So-un,’ Jin Tae-san had chosen to accord Baek Hae-gwang the highest level of hospitality.

“Is he not an associate introduced by So-un? It is only fitting that I receive him with the utmost honor.”

“Tsk. My point is that you are taking this hospitality to an absurd extreme.”

From a certain perspective, Wang Geum-san’s frustration was entirely justified.

Under normal circumstances, a ‘Guest Retainer’ referred to an esteemed martial artist or scholar who was granted accommodations and sustenance within a residence in exchange for sharing their combat expertise or academic wisdom.

To put it plainly, it was meant to be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Yet this mysterious figure named Baek Hae-gwang had refused to disclose his lineage or history, and had even dragged his entire family along while demanding the prestigious title of Guest Retainer.

Despite these red flags, Jin Tae-san insisted on accommodating their needs, turning over the grandest guest quarters of the Great Heaven Merchant Guild to them and providing personal attendants to ensure their absolute comfort.

Wang Geum-san’s tone grew increasingly heated.

“Furthermore, you intend to assist this man in establishing his own martial sect? Are you truly in a position to lavish resources on outsiders given our current predicament?”

“What alternative do I have? My troublesome son went to the trouble of sending a missive explicitly instructing me to assist him.”

Due to the unannounced arrival of Baek Hae-gwang, Jin Tae-san was currently occupied with scouting real estate options surrounding Hefei and hiring local builders.

With the ominous shadow of the Asura Sect looming over them, Jin Tae-san was wasting precious energy on an entirely unrelated venture, which Wang Geum-san found incredibly maddening.

“Would it not be far wiser to simply present him with a generous purse of silver and send him on his way, precisely as I suggested?”

Even so, Jin Tae-san remained completely unmoved.

“That boy So-un explicitly stated that he owes this man a profound debt of gratitude. Is my stubborn son the type of person to make such a statement lightly?”

A soft smile of profound relief and emotional fulfillment spread across his weathered face.

“If there is any service this inadequate father can perform to ease his burden, I will gladly do so to the absolute limit of my capabilities.”

How profoundly moved had he been to discover that his solitary son, who had always carried his burdens alone without relying on anyone, had finally found someone to guide and help him?

Even if the Great Heaven Merchant Guild were to burn to the ground tomorrow, Jin Tae-san was determined to honor the debt of honor his son had incurred.

As a parent, he found immense joy in finally being able to provide meaningful support for his child.

While the two elderly men continued their heated debate, a household servant stepped into the room to announce new arrivals.

“Who stands at our gates?”

“They identify themselves as emissaries representing the Asura Sect.”

“…… Tensor.”

The two leaders exchanged a tense, meaningful look.

“Bring them inside.”

After delivering the command, Jin Tae-san turned his gaze toward Wang Geum-san.

“Allow me to manage this discussion.”

“Absolutely not, I intend to remain by your side.”

“Estate Master.”

Wang Geum-san placed a reassuring hand on Jin Tae-san’s shoulder.

“From the moment our two organizations united to manage the affairs of the Murim Alliance, the destiny of the Wang Estate and the Great Heaven Merchant Guild became irrevocably linked. I will hear no further arguments on this matter.”

Wang Geum-san maintained an unyielding posture, making it clear he had no intention of leaving his chair.

Left with no other choice, Jin Tae-san let out a weary sigh.

A few moments later,

Three figures crossed the threshold.

The individual positioned on the left side was the exact same envoy who had previously delivered the Asura Sect’s initial proposal to acquire the Great Heaven Merchant Guild. Observing the deferential manner with which he accompanied his two companions, it was blatantly obvious that the other two individuals held significantly higher ranks within the hierarchy of the Asura Sect.

The trio marched into the room and came to a halt before Wang Geum-san and Jin Tae-san, offering nothing but a cold, assessing stare.

‘Good grief…….’

Their posture made it abundantly clear that they considered themselves too important to offer a standard greeting.

Suppressing a heavy sigh, Jin Tae-san took the initiative to stand up.

“Welcome to our halls. I am Jin Tae-san, representing the Great Heaven Merchant Guild.”

Only after he spoke did the leading guest offer a curt nod and deign to speak.

“Greetings. I am Ju Yeong-san, the ruling Sect Leader of the Asura Sect.”

“So I am speaking with the Sect Leader himself.”

Ju Yeong-san shifted his gaze toward Wang Geum-san and let out a dry cough.

“Ahem. It has been a considerable amount of time, Estate Master Wang.”

Amused by the man’s transparent attempt to project an aura of superiority, Wang Geum-san let out a mocking chuckle.

“Indeed it has. If memory serves, our last encounter was roughly a decade ago, when you came groveling to me to beg for a loan of two thousand taels, was it not?”

“Wh-what insolence!”

“Mind your tongue!”

The moment those words left Wang Geum-san’s mouth, the two martial artists flanking Ju Yeong-san shifted into aggressive stances as if ready to strike, but Ju Yeong-san extended an arm to hold them back.

“Does Estate Master Wang not realize how pathetic it is to live in the past, clinging to ancient history?”

“Perhaps…… Ah! However, I am intimately aware of how incredibly idiotic it looks when a minor chieftain attempts to act like the King of the Mountain while merely riding on the coattails of a tiger.”

At this blunt jab highlighting their pathetic reliance on the power of Shaolin Temple to expand their territory, the faces of the Asura Sect contingent darkened with rage, and they fell silent.

Realizing that the confrontation was spiraling out of control, Jin Tae-san intervened to restore order.

“Gentlemen, let us lower our voices. You did not request this audience merely to exchange petty insults, did you? Estate Master, I ask that you hold your peace as well. These individuals are guests under my roof.”

“Hmph!”

Thanks to Jin Tae-san’s timely intervention, the bickering ceased, and the three visitors took their designated seats.

Ju Yeong-san, maintaining a haughty demeanor, cut straight to the core of their visit.

“I presume our formal terms were communicated clearly during our previous meeting. Have you arrived at a final conclusion?”

Despite the blatant arrogance of his guest, Jin Tae-san maintained a perfectly composed and respectful tone.

“As previously stated, the Great Heaven Merchant Guild serves as the primary lifeblood funding the Taeul Sect. My position remains unchanged; we have zero desire to negotiate a sale.”

“We are prepared to offer an incredibly handsome sum.”

“…….”

“Would a figure of one million taels suffice to change your mind?”

While the named sum was undeniably staggering, Wang Geum-san merely let out a mocking snort.

“What a bunch of common highwaymen! You honestly expect to swindle a enterprise that holds a complete monopoly over the Murim Alliance’s Anhui Province Branches for a paltry sum of one million taels?”

Faced with this interruption, Ju Yeong-san’s eyes turned icy.

“One million taels represents an amount of wealth that your merchant guild couldn’t dream of accumulating over the course of an entire decade.”

“Strictly from a numerical perspective, that statement holds water. However, when one factors in the long-term strategic benefit of holding the Murim Alliance’s exclusive distribution rights, alongside the endless opportunities that flow from it, your offer is laughably inadequate.”

At this point, the hands of the Asura Sect Leader began to twitch with suppressed fury.

“……It was my understanding that the true proprietors governing the Great Heaven Merchant Guild are the members of the Taeul Sect.”

“Oh? Has anyone here suggested otherwise?”

When Wang Geum-san gave an indifferent shrug, Ju Yeong-san chose to completely ignore him, focusing his intensity entirely on Jin Tae-san.

“Guild Master, I strongly urge you to weigh your choices with care. Regardless of your choice, the Asura Sect will be establishing a presence in the commercial market. Once that transition occurs, it is an absolute certainty that the market share of the Great Heaven Merchant Guild will plummet. Conversely, if you choose to hand over the reins today and retire from the field, our organization commits to purchasing the iron ore produced by the Taeul Sect at double the market rate going forward.”

“…….”

Following a lengthy moment of silent deliberation, Jin Tae-san delivered a firm, unyielding head shake.

“Our position remains entirely unchanged. We will not sell.”

“You incredibly stubborn fool……”

Ju Yeong-san’s expression contorted as his voice echoed through the chamber.

“Are you truly blind to the reality of the situation? This venture is not driven solely by the ambitions of the Asura Sect. It is directly tied to Shaolin Temple’s strategic expansion into Anhui Province. Are you genuinely prepared to declare war against the ultimate authority of Shaolin at this very moment?”

“Shaolin Temple……”

As a visible shadow of doubt crossed Jin Tae-san’s features, Wang Geum-san forcefully interjected himself back into the conversation.

“Shaolin Temple, you say? If those monks think they can meddle in our business, then our Wang Estate is more than willing to play the part of ruthless gangsters……”

Before he could finish, Jin Tae-san reached out to check Wang Geum-san’s outburst.

“Estate Master.”

However, Wang Geum-san, completely consumed by his mounting fury, let out a venomous hiss.

“Did I utter a single falsehood? No, those hypocrites are being far too shameless in their extortion!”

“Estate Master!”

Submitting to Jin Tae-san’s second, more forceful warning, the leader of the Wang Estate finally relented and fell back.

“……Ahem. Tsk.”

With Wang Geum-san finally silenced, a smug look of triumph spread across Ju Yeong-san’s face.

“A wise concession. The financial might of the Wang Estate is certainly impressive, but do you truly possess the audacity to lock horns with Shaolin Temple, the unrivaled Mount Tai and Northern Dipper of the entire Murim……”

“I never conceded to a sale.”

“What?”

Staring at the Asura Sect Leader, whose eyes had bugged out in sheer disbelief, Jin Tae-san reached into the folds of his traditional robes and extracted a small, roughly folded piece of paper.

“Following the initial visit from the Asura Sect, I took it upon myself to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter through various channels. In doing so, I stumbled upon a rather fascinating piece of information……”

He then flashed a knowing smirk at his adversary.

“It appears that Shaolin Temple has chosen to completely wash its hands of this entire enterprise.”

“Wh-what did you say?”

“Is it possible that your handlers neglected to inform you of this development?”

“What utter rubbish……”

Acting as if he had just remembered a minor detail, Jin Tae-san brought his hands together in a sharp clap.

“Ah! It seems the official decree has yet to reach your ears. According to the intelligence I have received, while the Asura Sect is permitted to enter the commercial arena on its own merits, Shaolin Temple will absolutely not lend its political or martial weight to back your play.”

“What sort of madness are you spinning……”

Ensuring his opponent had no room to maneuver, Jin Tae-san extended the letter across the table.

“It just so happens that my son spent the recent weeks traveling in the company of the Small Buddha. This piece of intelligence comes directly from that particular source.”

Hearing this, the three representatives of the Asura Sect leaned forward, their eyes scanning the written words with burning intensity.

If the source was indeed the Small Buddha Il-myeong, his words carried immense weight as a paramount figure within the hierarchy of Shaolin Temple.

An individual of his spiritual standing would never utter baseless fabrications, and it was even more unthinkable that anyone would dare invent a lie using his sacred name.

“If you harbor doubts regarding the authenticity of the claim, you are entirely welcome to verify the facts through your own channels.”

Confronted by Jin Tae-san’s absolute self-assurance, Ju Yeong-san’s frantic expression slowly hardened into a cold, calculating glare.

“……Even if Shaolin Temple chooses to remain neutral, do you genuinely believe our forces are incapable of crushing a solitary entity like the Great Heaven Merchant Guild?”

He then cast a subtle, evaluating glance toward Wang Geum-san to gauge his reaction.

“Provided the Wang Estate and Shaolin Temple choose to stay on the sidelines, this conflict reduces down to a direct clash between the Asura Sect and the Taeul Sect. And the Asura Sect feels entirely confident in its ultimate victory.”

Despite the blatant attempt to politically isolate his allies from the conflict, Wang Geum-san merely wore an amused, mocking smile, choosing to remain silent.

He recognized that this stage belonged entirely to Jin Tae-san.

Stepping forward to meet the challenge, Jin Tae-san advanced a single pace.

“It appears you are operating under a fundamental misconception.”

He then delivered a calm, measured correction to the Asura Sect Leader’s bold declaration.

“To be absolutely precise, this would be a contest restricted to the commercial entity established by the Asura Sect and our own Great Heaven Merchant Guild.”

“……!”

“Furthermore.”

His countenance remained entirely devoid of fear or uncertainty.

“In a fair test of commercial warfare, I harbor absolutely no doubts regarding my ability to emerge victorious.”

“Ha!”

Even when faced with the collective scoffing of the Asura Sect delegation, Jin Tae-san’s conviction remained unshaken.

The undeniable truth was that his personal acumen alone had allowed the Great Heaven Merchant Guild to expand to its current heights within such a brief window of time.

To add to their growing unease, Wang Geum-san adopted a fiercely arrogant expression that signaled his total agreement, causing the composure of the Asura Sect emissaries to slowly unravel.

Deprived of Shaolin Temple’s overwhelming shadow, attempting to dismantle the Great Heaven Merchant Guild—which had already deeply entrenched itself throughout the markets of Anhui Province—would prove to be an agonizingly uphill battle.

Ju Yeong-san ground his teeth together in silent fury.

“Such boundless arrogance is truly a sight to behold. Yet you seem to forget a fundamental truth, do you not? No merchant guild operating within the boundaries of the Jianghu can ever hope to escape the ultimate rule of raw physical might.”

“…… silence.”

“I am reliably informed that the Taeul Sect continues to keep its main gates tightly barricaded from the world. Is that information accurate?”

“That is indeed the case.”

Ju Yeong-san let out a derisive snort, his voice dripping with venom.

“Attempting to run a sprawling commercial empire while hiding behind sealed gates is an offense against all natural order.”

“…….”

“I am saying your organization is ripe for destruction.”

*CRASH!*

Unable to endure the provocation any longer, Wang Geum-san brought his palm down on the wooden table with a thunderous strike.

“I have done my absolute best to sit here quietly, but this scoundrel goes too far!”

Undeterred by the outburst, Ju Yeong-san kept his intense gaze locked entirely on Jin Tae-san.

“We are completely prepared to deploy raw physical violence to compensate for whatever we lack in financial resources. Therefore, the Taeul Sect would be wise to unseal its gates and begin preparing for a bloodbath.”

Faced with this explicit declaration of war, Wang Geum-san’s entire frame trembled with pure outrage.

Ju Yeong-san turned his head slightly to offer a parting threat to the Estate Master as well.

“Allow me to extend a singular piece of advice to Estate Master Wang as well. Should the Wang Estate choose to meddle in this affair, Shaolin Temple will be forced to mobilize its own forces in response. For your own survival, do not foolishly entangle your family in the violent politics of the Jianghu.”

With those final ominous words, the three emissaries rose from their seats in unison.

They had successfully established a sufficient political pretext for future action.

Their immediate priority now was to return to their headquarters and verify whether Shaolin Temple had indeed chosen to abandon them.

Without bothering to offer even a basic formal farewell, the trio threw the office doors wide open to make their exit.

However, standing directly outside the threshold were a silver-haired elderly gentleman and a middle-aged matriarch, completely stationary.

The three martial artists attempted to brush past them to reach the corridor.

*Step.*

*Step.*

The silver-haired elder smoothly shifted his weight, completely obstructing the path of the departing trio.

“What is the meaning of this……!”

Even as they tried to maneuver around him, the man effortlessly mirrored their movements, blocking their exit multiple times.

Ju Yeong-san, whose temper was already pushed to the boiling point due to his interactions with Wang Geum-san, was in no mood to play polite games with a stranger.

“What in the world do you think you are doing?”

He began circulating his internal energy through his meridians, fully prepared to blast the nuisance through the wall with a single strike if this turned out to be an intentional provocation.

And yet,

“Hmm.”

The silver-haired elder offered a completely calm, entirely unbothered introduction of himself.

“I happen to be a newly appointed Guest Retainer of the Great Heaven Merchant Guild, you miserable bastards.”

It was, without a doubt, the most unrefined and profoundly disrespectful self-introduction imaginable.