Chapter 301

Chapter 301
## Chapter 301. The Black Flame Dragon Showing Itself (5)

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The colossal commercial syndicates that carved the world into four distinct domains could no longer be viewed as simple enterprises dealing in basic commodities.
They were a sovereign power.
A self-contained market.
They were forces indistinguishable from the world itself, commanding and shifting the destinies of countless millions.
This was particularly true for the Eun-ha Merchant Group. By forging profound alliances with imperial dignitaries based in Beijing, they had secured and monopolized state-level logistics, transforming into an entity tethered directly to the core of imperial authority.
The reason the other three reigning commercial titans, including the illustrious Wang Family Manor, viewed the Eun-ha Merchant Group as an immense pressure was precisely due to this monumental political backing fused into their operations.
Unlike the Murim, which maintained its distance from the imperial court, the mercantile realm was inextricably bound to the state.
If even the three greatest commercial syndicates felt this weight, lesser merchant groups could scarcely draw a comfortable breath in the presence of the Eun-ha Merchant Group.
It mattered little if such a group was allied with a massive, prestigious martial sect.
Once one stepped into the arena of commerce, the sheer volume of wealth dictated the absolute hierarchy.
‘He cannot possibly be ignorant of this fact…….’
So-so Wang let out a soft, helpless sigh as she looked at So-un Jin. Having soundly thrashed the martial artists of the Eun-ha Merchant Group to seize an exclusive, hidden villa, he was now merrily tilting his wine cup, thoroughly enjoying an extravagant feast spread before him.
Stranded deep within hostile territory, directly after provoking the masters of the domain, how could he even swallow his drink so casually?
“……Jin Oppa. Is everything truly alright?”
“Hmm? Is there something not to your liking? Do you wish for me to summon the overseer again?”
“N-no, that is absolutely not necessary.”
So-so Wang shook her head in a frantic rush.
Given the staggering amount of internal energy he infused into his voice, the entire estate of the Eun-ha Merchant Group vibrated violently every time he called for the staff.
It wasn’t a question of being disregarded; the true issue was that he behaved as though the concept of shame simply did not exist within him.
Unable to voice these thoughts directly, So-so Wang swiftly shifted the conversation.
“Th-that gentleman, So-gun Jeong. He is a senior from the Academy. I have been told that within the Martial Alliance, the recognition of seniors and receiving advancement from superiors is vital for one’s future…… is it truly wise to cause such friction?”
“A future?”
So-un Jin dismissed the notion entirely, as if he had just been told a completely irrelevant piece of gossip, and drained his cup in one fluid motion.
Observing this, So-so Wang felt her anxieties burn even hotter.
“Indeed. I was taught that cultivating an extensive web of alliances is indispensable for rising through the ranks of the Martial Alliance.”
“Alliances, you say……”
“In the grand scheme, do not all matters in this world move through human connections?”
Even her own father maintained relationships with individuals from whom he expected no material gain.
Eminent leaders of great sects or highly placed officials with whom he shared genuine bonds.
Master artisans or the directors who managed those craftsmen, among various others.
Whenever a significant or minor occasion arose in the lives of these people, Geum-san Wang would unfailingly carve out time from his grueling schedule to visit them, offering his congratulations, solace, or encouragement.
Since her earliest years, So-so Wang had the maxim that ‘people’ are the foundation of commerce drilled into her mind until her ears grew weary of it.
Yet why did this Oppa……?
In stark contrast to So-so Wang, whose eyes trembled with profound bewilderment, So-un Jin calmly refilled his vessel and spoke with absolute composure.
“In truth, a network of alliances does not manifest simply because one grovels or acts amiably toward another.”
He swallowed another draught of wine.
“Before all else, one must stand on equal ground with or above the other party for a genuine alliance to take root.”
“What…… do you intend by that?”
“It means that if an individual does not possess a standing that commands the opponent’s genuine regard, no meaningful connection can be forged from the start.”
Reflecting upon relationships through the lens of So-un Jin’s perspective, So-so Wang found herself nodding in reluctant agreement.
Come to think of it, every single connection Geum-san Wang had secured was only viable because the formidable reputation of the Wang Family Manor backed it.
As So-so Wang remained immersed in her reflections, So-un Jin pressed on.
“No matter how submissively I might behave before So-gun Jeong, he has no reason to elevate me. On the contrary, he would merely exploit me for his own ends.”
“Even if that is true, must you actively provoke them?”
“Now hold on, to be absolutely precise, I did not provoke this situation. The opposing faction initiated the conflict.”
Had he not acted from the very beginning as though he were eagerly waiting for someone to challenge him?
Though the question surfaced in her mind, So-so Wang chose not to interrupt.
Listening to his rationale made her feel as though she were being initiated into the veiled truths of the world—insights her own father had never unveiled to her.
“If…… you genuinely required assistance from So-gun Jeong? Then you would be forced to establish a bond with him.”
“Why should I exhaust myself attempting to construct a relationship under adversarial conditions? I simply provide So-gun Jeong with what he requires, and in turn, I claim what I need.”
“…….”
It was an exquisitely stark and uncomplicated philosophy.
A standard commerce requires nothing more than the mutual satisfaction of demands.
However, applying such logic to someone like So-gun Jeong was an entirely different matter.
Just as he noted, So-gun Jeong was a man who wanted for nothing regarding his lineage, his martial prowess, or his personal allure.
He possessed an arrogant nature, yet none would dare condemn him for it given the towering height of his station.
He truly lacked nothing in existence.
So-so Wang hesitantly voiced the lingering doubt within her heart.
“But…… it is highly probable that he desires nothing from you.”
A transaction can only materialize when one party holds something the other genuinely covets.
So-un Jin, who was just bringing the edge of the cup to his lips, froze mid-motion.
Slowly, a wide, sweeping grin spread across his face, stretching almost from ear to ear.
“If that is the case……”
As his lips parted to speak, So-so Wang found herself holding her breath without even realizing it.
“I merely have to engineer a situation where he has no choice but to need something.”
“…….”
Though they were just words uttered into the open air, she possessed an uncanny certainty that if it were So-un Jin, he would somehow transform that claim into absolute reality.
‘What…… what manner of person is he…….’
It was a bizarre sensation, completely unlike anything she had experienced around the brilliant young elites she had encountered through Geum-san Wang’s social circles.
So-so Wang’s inquisitiveness deepened further.
“……I crave your indulgence for pressing you with so many inquiries.”
So-un Jin offered a warm nod, appearing genuinely amused by her curiosity.
Before she realized it, his gaze had softened into gentle arcs, and a serene, untroubled smile graced his features.
“Then, Oppa. Regardless of the circumstances, the Dae-cheon Merchant Group must preserve its commercial ties with the Eun-ha Merchant Group. To safeguard this endeavor, you will eventually need to stabilize this connection…… what is your strategy?”
“From what source did I say alliances originate?”
“……Genuine regard.”
“Then, do you grasp the root from which that regard grows?”
So-so Wang, who was on the verge of answering with either immense wealth or elevated station, caught herself, realizing neither answer fit.
There were countless individuals possessing formidable governmental authority or boundless riches who never managed to earn the true respect of Geum-san Wang.
Observing her silence, So-un Jin lowered his voice, placing his cup firmly upon the wood.
“Terror.”
“……Pardon?”
“It is not strictly mandatory to place yourself above them. Nevertheless.”
A sharp gleam ignited within So-un Jin’s eyes.
So-so Wang involuntarily swallowed hard.
“You must instill the absolute certainty that should they misstep against you, they will incur a devastating toll upon themselves. Through that single impression, you can command respect from any adversary.”
“If…… if the commercial alliance with the Eun-ha Merchant Group is shattered because of this actions……”
“To the master of a major trading house, reputation is their very life essence. They are entities willing to liquidate their entire fortunes if it means preserving their commercial honor. Do you truly believe they would sever an alliance over an incident born entirely of their own blunders? How severely do you think their global standing would fracture?”
A sudden wave of goosebumps rippled across So-so Wang’s skin.
There was no overt menace, no tangible malice, nothing of the sort, yet she felt as though she had peered into a profound, perilous chasm that should have remained hidden.
‘Was every single detail…… orchestrated from the very beginning?’
When she witnessed him deploying absolute dominance during the altercation at the gates, she assumed So-un Jin had merely undergone a personal transformation.
Had he remained the past So-un Jin—a mere pupil of the Tae-eul Sect, which was regarded as nothing more than a fading lineage—he would never have dared to act with such audacity.
She had reasoned that since he had reclaimed the lost martial legacy of the Tae-eul Sword Emperor and ascended to the apex of the Academy, such a shift in demeanor was natural.
Yet listening to him now, she realized she was mistaken.
So-un Jin was not a man dictated by erratic whims or fragile vanity.
Every single action was born of meticulous, cold calculation.
Come to think of it.
[Confound it! I should have firmly bound that lad to the Wang Family Manor when he went off to display that ridiculous righteous martial spirit or that absurd philosophical exhibition, blast it all!]
Her father had wept and railed against fate on those late nights when the alcohol flowed heavily.
Naturally, she had always recognized So-un Jin’s profound capabilities, but her father’s mourning over this lost prospect was vastly more prolonged and intense than for any other prodigy he had failed to secure.
‘Could it be that I was the one who failed to perceive Jin Oppa’s true depth?’
So-un Jin, who was currently laughing with genuine mirth, his shoulders shaking as he savored the rich aroma of the wine, seemed to morph into a completely different entity once again.
“Why do you observe me with such intensity? Have I spilled something upon myself?”
“Ah, no, not at all.”
“Have you perhaps been sampling the spirits when I was not looking? Your face is quite flushed.”
“What? What an outrageous thing to say to a proper lady! I would never indulge in such conduct!”
“Hahaha.”
As So-so Wang voiced her mock indignation, an exterior voice broke through the air.
“Young Master Jin.”
The tone carried an unprecedented level of deference.
“The hour for the grand feast has arrived. Your presence is requested.”
So-so Wang directed her gaze toward So-un Jin.
Setting his cup aside, So-un Jin offered a sharp smirk.
“Well then, shall we go collect the respect due to us?”
A sense of profound anticipation welled within So-so Wang’s heart, wondering what maneuver So-un Jin would execute next and what ripples it would send through the gathering.
Right then.
“Regarding that guard’s phrasing……”
So-un Jin, who was in the process of smoothing his robes as he stood, canted his head slightly.
“Does it not strike you as rather dictatorial?”
“Pardon?”
Whatever could he mean by that?
To her ears, the guard had sounded like the most excessively courteous individual they had encountered since entering the estate of the Eun-ha Merchant Group…….
“I refer to the choice of words, not the inflection. ‘Hour to participate.’ Does it not carry the implication that we are being ordered to attend, leaving no room for choice?”
“…….”
Well…… that seemed to be stretching the matter into absolute absurdity…….
Yet before So-so Wang could voice her skepticism, So-un Jin took several long, commanding strides and forcefully threw open the entry.
Bang—
The guard waiting outside had already turned completely ashen, having clearly overheard the discourse from within the room.
“Th-that, Young Master Jin, I assure you, such an intent never crossed my mind……”
So-un Jin smiled thinly as he locked eyes with the trembling martial artist.
“In that case, etiquette dictates you should have first inquired whether I possessed the inclination to join the grand feast.”
The guard squeezed his eyes shut, looking entirely resigned to whatever grim fate awaited him.
And once more, So-un Jin’s powerful voice reverberated through the courtyard of the isolated villa.
‘What is this? Is even this petty grievance a part of his calculations?’
Yet if it were purely strategic, her distinct impression that he was thoroughly relishing the chaos seemed far too vivid to be a mere illusion.

We proceeded toward the grand pavilion under the rigid guidance of the terrified guard.
Crossing the threshold into the banquet hall, I found myself forcing every muscle in my face to remain still to conceal my profound astonishment.
‘This place…… it appears vastly more expansive than the Grand Training Arena of the Tae-eul Sect.’
Moreover, that training arena was an open-air facility.
The sheer, breathtaking scale of this banquet hall—which retained a liberating sense of vastness despite being enclosed, thanks to a vaulted ceiling that soared all the way to the outer roof—was genuinely designed to strike awe into the soul of any visitor.
Furthermore,
‘This is merely the lower tier?’
Circling the second and third tiers were ornate balustrades where one could gaze down upon the central floor.
Imperial dignitaries and high-ranking administrators of the Eun-ha Merchant Group were currently peering down at the assembly from those elevated perches.
The sheer architecture was intimidating enough on its own. Yet, at the far terminus of the grand hall, there loomed a pair of massive doors, easily doubling the size of the main entrance we had just used.
I gestured toward So-so Wang, questioning the bizarre and opaque architectural choice.
“So-so, do you grasp the underlying function of those massive doors?”
“Hmm, if the main pavilion proves insufficient for the crowd, they likely throw those open to expand the available floor. It most likely serves as a dedicated sanctuary for entertaining the highest echelon of dignitaries.”
“…….”
Could there truly be an occasion where a gathering of this magnitude would require even more space?
Besides, if the goal was to accommodate elite guests, why not simply provide them with an independent villa?
“Individuals who wield a shred of true authority are pathologically consumed by their seating arrangements. Do you see how the floor beyond those doors is raised by several cubits compared to this hall?”
Just as she indicated, one had to ascend roughly ten stone steps to reach the threshold of those colossal doors.
“From that vantage point, the entirety of this hall can be surveyed with absolute clarity. It offers a perfect view for watching the performances of the court dancers. It was undoubtedly engineered for that exact privilege.”
Reflecting on the reality that the world was plagued by wealthy fools with coins to burn, I suddenly viewed So-so Wang with a fresh wave of appreciation.
“How is it that you are so intimately acquainted with such architectural nuances? Have you visited this estate before?”
“No. This is my inaugural visit as well. A structure of identical design exists within the Wang Family Manor, so I merely deduced its function.”
“…….”
Of course. I had momentarily forgotten she was the cherished scion of an unimaginably wealthy dynasty.
“Ah, and while we are within these walls, it would likely be more prudent for me to address you as Dae-sahyung, correct? Given that you have arrived representing the honor of the Tae-eul Sect……”
“No, continue to address me as Oppa.”
“What? But under these circumstances……”
“It matters not. Discard such formal, emotionally distant honorifics between the two of us.”
“……Are you entirely certain? Is that truly permissible?”
It was blindingly obvious that my internal discipline had grown somewhat lax due to the substantial fortune I had amassed in recent days.
I had begun treating So-so Wang with the casual familiarity of a younger sister from next door.
I resolved to treat her as an authentic younger sister moving forward.
A flash of genuine bewilderment crossed the face of So-so Wang, who was currently occupying that very role.
“……Be that as it may, the assembly here is far from welcoming.”
That was to be expected, was it not? Considering the dramatic scene I had orchestrated the moment we breached the outer gates.
The factions holding true authority would naturally sneer at my seemingly boorish conduct, while those devoid of power were far too terrified to even cast a glance in our direction, paralyzed by the fear of being deemed guilty by association.
“Where are we intended to sit?”
When I directed the question to the guard who stood beside us, as motionless as a carved monolith, he winced visibly before stammering out a reply.
“If it pleases you…… may I escort you to your designated pavilion?”
“Must you force me to repeat my inquiries?”
He flinched violently.
The guard immediately gestured toward our seats with both hands, his movements frantic.
We were brought to the absolute vanguard of the hall—the single most prestigious seating arrangement in the entire pavilion.
There, you should have adopted this level of efficiency from the very beginning.
“At long last, you are executing your duties with proper competence.”
“Deepest apologies. ……The grand director personally orchestrated these arrangements. Pl-please, indulge yourselves in the festivities without any discomfort.”
The guard retreated from the pavilion with immense haste, clearly terrified that I might engage him in further conversation.
The icy stillness that had gripped the room upon our arrival evaporated almost instantly; as the melodies resumed and the dancers spun across the floor, the guests returned to their revelry, acting as though we did not exist.
The explicit issue, however, was that they took that act to an absolute extreme.
“Not a single soul approaches.”
“Pardon?”
“It is nothing. I merely anticipated that at least one individual would attempt to introduce themselves or exchange pleasantries.”
I could discount the civil servants or the merchant factors, but within the Jianghu, the martial world was always populated by figures overflowing with pride and bravado.
I had fully expected some hot-headed fool to challenge me to restore the honor of the Merchant Group Leader, yet……
Not a single person stepped forward.
Right at that moment.
“That is because my sire explicitly commanded everyone to ensure no friction disrupts your evening.”
A melodious, refined feminine voice drifted into my ears.
Turning my gaze toward the origin of the voice, I beheld So-eul Jeong, draped in a ceremonial gown so radiant it practically defied description.
She had abandoned the provocative, crimson silks she had flaunted the previous evening in favor of a courtly robe meticulously embroidered with shimmering white-gold thread.
Her current presentation evoked the image of a pure goddess descending from the celestial realms.
Simultaneously, the subtle glimpse of her elegant legs beneath the shifting folds of her skirt with every step she took was more than enough to set the hearts of every man in the realm ablaze.
“We cross paths once more, Young Master Jin.”
So-eul Jeong inclined her head with exquisite grace, offering a flawless salutation.
I rose from my cushions, returning the gesture with a formal fist-and-palm greeting.
“To think we would meet again in such a setting.”
Bizarrely, she conducted herself as though every ounce of tension from our encounter a few days prior had been entirely wiped from her memory.
“This maiden has passed the intervening hours with a deeply yearning heart, waiting for this very day.”
“Ha! The audacity!”
So-so Wang let out a sharp, mocking scoff at the absurdity of the claim, yet So-eul Jeong completely ignored her existence.
“I noted this during our previous encounter, but you possess an extraordinary talent for manipulating human emotions.”
“Naturally…… as the Young Master likely deduces, because my duties require me to interact with an endless stream of gentlemen, there are those who uncharitably label me a mere courtesan.”
My implicit goal had been to paint her as a calculating vixen, but this woman…… she was an adversary who utterly refused to take a defensive posture.
Even So-so Wang, who had been glaring with lethal intensity, widened her eyes in sheer astonishment at the raw bluntness of her words.
“Be that as it may, the Young Master remains the solitary individual to truly cause a flutter within this maiden’s bosom.”
“What?!”
My brow furrowed deeply before I could catch myself.
Such scandalous prose was hardly what one would expect from the lips of the “Silver Tiger” (Eun-beom)—the ruthless strategist destined to usurp her own sibling and seize total dominion over the Eun-ha Merchant Group.
Seeing my visible discomposure, So-eul Jeong raised a delicate sleeve to mask her mouth, her shoulders trembling with quiet amusement.
“My goodness! It appears I have finally managed to catch the unflappable Young Master Jin off-guard.”
So-eul Jeong dissolved into soft laughter, thoroughly delighted by her minor victory.
What manner of sorcery was this woman deploying?
“Setting that aside, your earlier comment…… what did you mean by friction?”
“Knowing that the Young Master’s disposition might turn foul should any unpleasantness find him during his stay, my sire gave strict orders to the guests to maintain their distance.”
So, rather than placing shackles on me to prevent a disturbance, they had simply cordoned off the rest of the guest list?
They were truly executing a psychological campaign of endless complexity.
“I comprehend.”
“Hmm…… as I foresaw, you show no signs of panic?”
“Panic?”
“Under ordinary circumstances, a normal man would find such an isolating environment deeply oppressive or disorienting.”
I replied with an air of calculated indifference.
“My conscience is entirely clear, so why should I feel oppressed?”
For a fleeting second, a sharp, dangerous spark seemed to ignite deep within So-eul Jeong’s gaze.
“You are truly an enchanting creature. And yet……”
Leaning in close, she let her words trail off into a hushed, intimate murmur.
“This maiden sincerely hopes the Young Master refrains from pushing matters to their absolute breaking point. A shattered plaything completely loses its allure for possession.”
With a subtle bow, she drifted away toward a neighboring gathering as if the tense exchange had never transpired, engaging the other guests in effortless small talk.
“……What did that viper whisper to you?”
“She merely reiterated her warning for me to behave myself. Lest I wish to be ground into dust.”
“……What?”
Just as So-so Wang re-ignited her furious glare and prepared to launch into a tirade.
“The Lord of the Merchant Group arrives!”
The herald’s booming voice cascaded through the vast expanse of the banquet hall.
I swung my gaze toward the main entryway, a sudden curiosity striking me.
The pavilion where I sat was positioned at the absolute front of the entire assembly.
Given our placement, where on earth could the grand master of this estate possibly take his seat?
Yet, while I turned my attention toward the entrance where we had come in, the rest of the crowd remained anchored, staring directly forward.
Slowly, the colossal doors at the far end of the hall—the ones twice the size of the entrance—began to part.
“Ha…… haha.”
A breathless, cynical laugh slipped past my lips as I watched the grand revelation.
The massive barrier swung wide, exposing an inner sanctum that possessed a level of opulence that made the main hall look downright plebeian.
Roughly a score of individuals were arranged along tables configured in the precise geometry of the character ‘eight’ (八).
And there, perched with supreme arrogance at the absolute vertex of the arrangement, sat the supreme Master of the Eun-ha Merchant Group.
‘Well…… look at these arrogant bastards.’
Those elites were conducting their own private, exclusive gala, utilizing the entire main banquet hall below them as nothing more than a theatrical amusement.
Then, the herald’s voice shattered the air once more.
“The roll shall now be called. Step forward in the designated sequence to offer your profound obeisance to the Lord of the Merchant Group!”
The herald announced the decree as though it were the most natural, ancient custom in existence.
These wretched fools had truly constructed a masterpiece of psychological theater.