Yong Ja-myeong had been pondering all the way here about why the Demon Sect Master had summoned him.

Both for good reasons and bad.

But he never imagined it would be simply to introduce his son.

Naturally, Yong Ja-myeong’s gaze turned toward Geom Mugeuk.

The next-generation Heavenly Demon and recently the biggest topic in the martial world. The rumors and information about him were always contradictory.

Both insignificant and remarkable.

The insignificant things were so trivial they were unbelievable, and the remarkable results he achieved were so extraordinary they were equally unbelievable.

And to prove these rumors were not just rumors, he held a ladle at their first meeting. His opening words had been, “Who wants some more soup?”

Geom Mugeuk bowed his head respectfully to his father.

“Thank you, Father.”

Whatever deeper meaning his father had in this matter, Geom Mugeuk believed at least this was for his sake. He could tell just by the glance his father gave him.

Since Yong Ja-myeong did not yet fully know who Geom Woo-jin and Geom Mugeuk were, his suspicion was natural.

‘The Demon Sect Master arranged such a meeting for his son’s connections? That can’t be.’

One conclusion naturally emerged.

‘In the end, is it about money?’

A conclusion drawn from long experience.

No matter how it’s dressed up in words, what a martial artist wants from a merchant is money.

Since the Heavenly Demon himself cannot come forward, he uses his son to demand money on some pretext?

Of course, the amount would be enormous, befitting the names of the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Eunha Trade Guild.

‘If that’s the reason?’

A martial artist would be furious and try to punish such injustice, but a merchant must not. A merchant must ask at this moment,

‘What can I get in return?’

Concealing such thoughts, Yong Ja-myeong politely said to Geom Woo-jin,

“Building a friendship with the Little Pill Master is something I sincerely hope for.”

He meant it. There was no harm in building ties with the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master.

―If it comes to this, I should call someone I know.

―Who would dare come against us?

―The Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master.

That would be an exciting conversation, if only there were no hidden impure motives from the other side.

Geom Woo-jin stood up.

“See you later.”

It was an invitation to spend time with the Little Pill Master, implying not to leave right away but stay through the day.

Yong Ja-myeong was inwardly surprised, not expecting Geom Woo-jin to leave only the Little Pill Master and himself behind.

‘What kind of situation is this?’

Such things were not common even for the master of the Eunha Trade Guild.

Anyway, he had said they would meet later.

“I look forward to seeing you then.”

Yong Ja-myeong smiled politely.

His impeccable manners were not just because the other was the Heavenly Demon; as a merchant, Yong Ja-myeong never let emotions dictate his behavior.

Geom Woo-jin slowly walked away.

Baek Chong, behind Yong Ja-myeong, grew even more tense.

He hadn’t felt it while sitting, but now that Geom Woo-jin was moving, the atmosphere felt different. Though he walked slowly, it didn’t feel slow; it seemed the air moved around him.

Before leaving, Geom Woo-jin left a word for Yong Ja-myeong.

“It may not be so bad for you, either.”

What could that mean? Faith in his son? Or a hint?

Yong Ja-myeong did not know. Despite meeting countless people and gaining all sorts of experience, today that experience was of little help.

Meanwhile, after the Demon Sect Master left, Baek Chong grew even more alert.

―Be on guard; there might be some trick.

He sent a telepathic message to the other warriors present. He himself didn’t understand Geom Woo-jin’s behavior. He hadn’t noticed that Geom Woo-jin left Yong Ja-myeong behind.

‘Leaving only the Little Pill Master?’

Since the Demon Sect Master had left, Geom Woo-jin might act unilaterally.

Yong Ja-myeong looked around and asked Geom Mugeuk,

“Come to think of it, I don’t see any guards. Where are they?”

“My guards I left at the main sect.”

Geom Mugeuk glanced at the three warriors standing behind Yong Ja-myeong.

“I told them to train until they reach the skill level of those people over there.”

No one here could be trusted, but that was true. They were probably immersed in training right now. Even if they couldn’t protect him, at least they shouldn’t be a burden.

Neither of the two tolerated awkward silence, so the conversation flowed naturally.

“Since you’ve eaten, shall we step outside for a walk?”

“Let’s.”

The two left the manor. Yong Ja-myeong asked what he had been curious about.

“Why did you ask to meet at this manor?”

“Because of the woman with the lucky fortune you saw earlier.”

“What kind of relationship with that woman?”

“She came to kill us.”

From Geom Mugeuk’s earlier comment that he didn’t even know her name, it was implied she didn’t know their identities either. If she had, she wouldn’t have dared hide her name. Not knowing made such a plot possible.

The problem was this.

‘They let go of a woman who tried to kill the Demon Sect Master and the Little Pill Master?’

That could never happen.

The reason for his visit was revealed.

“So you called me because of that woman.”

“I also believed so.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at Yong Ja-myeong.

“My father’s thoughts were # Nоvеlight # different. Surprised? I was too.”

They hadn’t prearranged a private meeting for just the two of them? Really?

Yong Ja-myeong didn’t believe it. He thought there must be something they wanted.

As if reading his thoughts,

“I have a favor to ask.”

Of course. There is no good demon martial artist in this world. Even those claiming to be righteous engage in all kinds of corruption; let alone demons.

Concealing such feelings, Yong Ja-myeong spoke softly.

“Say what it is.”

What does the Eunha Trade Guild want? How much money?

But what came from Geom Mugeuk was not such a request.

“Please tell me about the Danju.”

Yong Ja-myeong stopped walking. Geom Mugeuk stopped with him.

“My story?”

“Yes, any story is fine.”

“May I ask why?”

“I’ve thought carefully about why my father wants to introduce me to you.”

Geom Mugeuk really pondered. This was not only about Yong Ja-myeong and himself, but also about his father and himself.

“If you’ve seen it, it would be nice to become closer, right? It’s not a statement my father would make lightly. He is never that kind of person.”

“So? Did you find an answer?”

Geom Mugeuk nodded. This was his answer.

“He probably hopes to learn from you.”

“Learn what?”

After a pause, Geom Mugeuk said,

“The life of someone who has reached the top in a field.”

“!”

Yong Ja-myeong was silent for a moment. He felt caught off guard. He never thought the Heavenly Demon introduced him to his son for that reason.

But soon, he doubted the intention.

‘No, that can’t be.’

Something else would follow. His gaze was so clear and deep that he was momentarily confused.

“The Sect Master overestimates a mere merchant. All I know is talk about money.”

Geom Mugeuk was rather excited.

“Isn’t that the most interesting story?”

Geom Mugeuk strode ahead.

“Shall we go? Can there be drinking without talk of money?”

The two sat facing each other in a tavern in the marketplace.

It was the very tavern where all meetings like this had taken place.

Geom Mugeuk and Yong Ja-myeong sat in a corner. Baek Chong and the warriors were ordered to stay as far away as possible.

The Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master asking about his life — it didn’t seem fitting to have guards nearby.

After pouring drinks for each other, they emptied their first cups.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve drunk in such a tavern. I used to come here occasionally.”

“For someone who could buy this whole tavern with the cost of one meal, you’re quite modest.”

At Geom Mugeuk’s sweet words, Yong Ja-myeong answered with a smile.

“I enjoy such praise.”

Geom Mugeuk filled his cup.

“A healthy pleasure.”

“Healthy? Not just boasting and arrogance?”

“As long as that pleasure isn’t aimed at people, it’s fine.”

Yong Ja-myeong flinched.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m a man with this much money. Making this much money. If this superiority is aimed at people, it causes problems. At first, it’s just envy, but gradually leads to disdain, and finally deep wounds. Like when the tip of a sword points at someone, trouble arises.”

Yong Ja-myeong quietly listened.

“On the other hand, enjoying superiority alone in a shabby tavern is a healthy pleasure. So come often and enjoy.”

Yong Ja-myeong pondered silently. He had never thought about it this way before.

“Do you think the same?”

As the master of the Eunha Trade Guild, Yong Ja-myeong naturally knew about the official meeting of righteous sects. He had heard it took place in a small tavern, which was also the Little Pill Master’s favorite pub.

His question was ultimately this:

So, do you also enjoy healthy pleasures at that tavern?

Geom Mugeuk immediately understood the meaning and answered with confidence.

“No, I’m different.”

“How so?”

“I genuinely like the tavern owner. The drinks taste good, the food is delicious, and most of all, the owner makes customers comfortable. When you visit the main sect next time, I’ll definitely take you there.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly, and Yong Ja-myeong smiled back.

“You speak well — a talent every merchant needs. How about expanding into the upper world?”

“Maybe my father saw I was destined to be a money tree and introduced me to you?”

They joked, and the mood was good.

Unexpectedly, Yong Ja-myeong liked this meeting. Despite not knowing how much was true or when the other might show his true colors, conversation flowed freely. Somehow, it was enjoyable.

But when sword and money meet, good moods rarely last.

It’s better to ask what you want while the mood is good.

“What do you want from me? Money?”

Gazing into the fearless eyes of Yong Ja-myeong, Geom Mugeuk asked again.

“If money, will you give it?”

A tense atmosphere filled the space between them.

“How much do you want?”

A smile formed on Geom Mugeuk’s lips.

“How much do you want to hear that from the richest man in the world? Everyone’s dream.”

Despite the joke, Yong Ja-myeong answered seriously.

“The amount isn’t important. What matters is what I get in return.”

The playfulness vanished from Geom Mugeuk’s face.

“I think this is a situation easy to misunderstand, but you saw my father, right? Did he look like someone who’d call you here for money?”

He added meaningfully,

“My father is the kind of man who goes to those he needs money from, not the one who calls them.”

Yong Ja-myeong understood the double meaning. At first glance, it sounded like a polite visit, but it actually meant barging in and taking everything.

If he said that much, it didn’t seem the invitation was about money.

“I misunderstood. I apologize.”

“Not misunderstanding would be strange.”

No, then this situation was even stranger.

What do the Demon Sect Master and Little Pill Master want from him?

“Do you know the question people ask me most?”

Geom Mugeuk answered correctly.

“How do I make a lot of money?”

Yong Ja-myeong nodded and asked,

“Why don’t you ask that?”

Then came the unexpected answer.

“Because the answer is probably in your life. That’s why I want to listen to you.”

Yong Ja-myeong himself didn’t trust the words. People could always lie. He trusted the life of the person instead. When looking at someone, he looks at the path they’ve walked.

“Are you really curious about my story? If I talk about my past, it’ll be glorified and end up as bragging. Isn’t hearing bragging boring?”

“It’s only boring when someone who isn’t great brags. When a truly great person brags, it’s an admirable adventure.”

Yong Ja-myeong’s admiration naturally led him to think of lineage.

“The son of a Heavenly Demon is a son after all.”

Otherwise, this intense energy of youth could not be explained.

“I always try to live by two principles.”

“What are they?”

“First, I try not to fear death. Second, I try not to put the joy of making money as my highest value.”

“That doesn’t sound like the principle of the richest man in the Central Plains. Could you explain?”

His life story flowed naturally.

“I don’t put the joy of making money as my highest value because I realized I enjoy earning more than spending.”

Most successful merchants had this tendency.

“I’ve seen too many people get swallowed up by money because they got addicted to the joy of making it.”

That thought was probably why the name Yong Ja-myeong carried a power stronger than money.

“It’s similar with martial arts. If you get too obsessed with winning, you get swallowed by martial arts.”

“An apt analogy.”

The two drank again, clinking cups more vigorously than before.

“Then why do you try not to fear death?”

Yong Ja-myeong’s gaze deepened as he recalled an unforgettable day.

“When I was young, I nearly died. I lived just before death. Since then, I have lived courageously as if life was a bonus.”

“As a martial artist, I’m interested in your experience of crossing that life-and-death threshold.”

“It was the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong wish that had been a grudge until you die. So recall that day well.”

“What happened that day?”