“Eun-gong!”

Yong Ja-myeong sprang up from his seat, a thrilling electric shiver running through his entire body. He had never been this shocked in his life.

‘Eun-gong was the Demon Sect Master?’

His heart pounded wildly. The Demon Sect Master—not just anyone, but that person? It was truly unbelievable.

‘Could I be mistaken?’

But no. The image of Eun-gong from that day and the Heavenly Demon he met today perfectly overlapped. They were undoubtedly the same person.

Geom Mugeuk, who had been watching the portrait, looked up at Yong Ja-myeong.

He could tell that Yong Ja-myeong had realized the person who saved him in the past was his father.

Of course, no one could fail to recognize a father like that.

Geom Mugeuk carefully refolded the portrait of his young father, wrapped it in silk, and handed it back to Yong Ja-myeong.

“Thank you for viewing it so carefully.”

But Yong Ja-myeong did not accept it.

“That belongs to the Little Pill Master.”

Feigning ignorance, Geom Mugeuk asked,

“Why give this to me? That portrait is precious to you, isn’t it?”

Then came the answer that confirmed Geom Mugeuk’s suspicion.

“From now on, it may become even more precious to the Little Pill Master. Now, return to your place.”

Geom Woo-jin was drinking tea at his residence.

“Father, we have returned.”

Geom Mugeuk and Yong Ja-myeong entered.

Geom Woo-jin noticed the difference in Yong Ja-myeong’s eyes from before. Though he understood the passion behind it, he feigned ignorance and asked his son,

“Did you have a good conversation with the Danju?”

“Is there any story more interesting than money? I even heard about Danju’s youth.”

Looking calmly at Yong Ja-myeong, Geom Woo-jin asked,

“What did you think of the Danju?”

“It was a more precious moment than any other occasion.”

From the moment he entered the room, Yong Ja-myeong had been watching only Geom Woo-jin’s face. It was unthinkable earlier.

“Master.”

Yong Ja-myeong’s voice trembled. Despite all he had endured to bring {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Eunha Trade Guild to the top, he had never been this nervous.

“Do you remember me?”

Geom Woo-jin looked at him silently for a moment.

From that reaction, Geom Mugeuk knew,

‘Father knew all along.’

Thinking back, it was likely he knew. While Yong Ja-myeong never imagined the man who saved him was the Heavenly Demon, his father was different.

When Yong Ja-myeong told him about that day, the contracts forcibly signed under duress by the Eumhyeol-gwi and Manso, his father had surely seen it.

That day, he must have known the person he saved was the young Danju of Eunha Trade Guild.

Since then, Eunha Trade Guild had grown by balancing with the magical sects.

If he wanted, his father could have revealed himself as the one who saved him and turned Eunha Trade Guild into a sect under the Heavenly Demon Sect. But he never disclosed that fact. Surely, he had been informed that Yong Ja-myeong desperately sought his benefactor.

The richest man in the world never contacted him to repay his debt?

That was just like his father. How could he not respect such a man?

Yong Ja-myeong asked about that day long ago.

“Do you remember the day you punished the Eumhyeol-gwi who committed wicked deeds in his youth?”

Despite Yong Ja-myeong’s trembling question, Geom Woo-jin remained silent.

Rather, it was because of that silence Yong Ja-myeong was sure the benefactor that day was the very sect master before him. If not, he would have said, ‘I never did that’ or ‘I don’t remember.’

But Geom Woo-jin showed no change in expression, simply listening.

And the unwavering gaze.

‘That gaze.’

It was the very same look from that day. Come to think of it, he never spoke when saving him then. He left only that gaze.

“That day, Master saved me from captivity. If not for you, I would have died.”

It must have been an unbearably unjust death. Not just losing all his fortune, but losing his life due to the lecher’s escape funds, after losing a warehouse. He probably never closed his eyes in death.

Yong Ja-myeong slowly knelt and bowed deeply.

“Please accept my deepest bow first.”

Had he ever bowed before anyone since Eunha Trade Guild rose to the top?

“Finally, I meet you… I have longed to see you for all these years.”

In truth, until now, his heart was confused; he feared the Heavenly Demon, doubted if it was truly him—mixed emotions.

At that moment,

Geom Woo-jin rose and walked to him.

Bowing his body, he grabbed Yong Ja-myeong’s arm and helped him up.

Geom Mugeuk, watching, was astonished. He had never expected his father to do such a thing.

How surprised must Yong Ja-myeong have been?

But his surprise was only beginning.

“I remember you.”

At those words, striking like a blow to his heart, Yong Ja-myeong’s eyes widened.

‘He is truly the Master! He remembered me!’

His entire body trembled. The one who saved his life and was also the Heavenly Demon of the age had helped him up.

“Did you know it was me from the start?”

Geom Woo-jin nodded.

“So you knew the one who saved me back then!”

Then came the words Yong Ja-myeong had longed to hear all his life from Geom Woo-jin’s mouth.

“I have been hearing news of your great success in the upper world.”

“Ah! So you knew!”

His chest swelled and his throat tightened.

He did not ask why his father had never come looking. Was the Heavenly Demon an ordinary man? Would he boast that he saved the greatest trade guild master? The important thing now was this:

‘Eun-gong remembered me. He knew I became the greatest merchant.’

True joy finally flooded him. That clear relief and emotion wrapped his whole body.

What pleased him most was that all those years had not passed in vain. He had kept his promise. He knew someone watched over his life.

Geom Woo-jin offered a precious word.

“You have endured much.”

Yong Ja-myeong could no longer hold back.

Tears welled in his eyes.

He had lived his life without shedding tears, but the passion rising from his deepest heart was unbearable.

Though he heard all the praise around him, a corner of his heart always felt empty. Now he knew it was because he wanted recognition from this man.

“…I truly wanted to see you.”

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

“Now I have no regrets even if I die.”

Tears finally spilled from his eyes.

Yong Ja-myeong had two lifelong wishes:

To become the owner of the greatest trade guild, and to find Eun-gong to repay his debt.

This was the moment he fulfilled the second.

Yong Ja-myeong took something from his bosom. Carefully treasured, it was a lavish key.

Not an ordinary key—it was made of eternal cold iron. A treasure in itself.

“This is the key to the warehouse where I had gathered the gifts to give Eun-gong once found.”

Yong Ja-myeong respectfully offered it to Geom Woo-jin.

His father immediately refused.

“No repayment is necessary.”

The reason for refusal was just like his father.

“Your heart to seek me all this time is repayment enough.”

That made Yong Ja-myeong feel even better giving it.

“Because you are the Master, I am comfortable giving this. You can get anything you want in this world anyway. So please accept it. It is worthless to you.”

Even Geom Mugeuk could tell from this one gesture that Yong Ja-myeong was no ordinary man.

Who else would wait so long to repay a debt? And prepare so much for the day of reunion?

That was why he could achieve great success.

“If Father refuses, I will accept it instead.”

Geom Mugeuk moved to take the key, but his father took it first.

“No, I said give it to me! Here’s a son who is the embodiment of greed!”

Geom Woo-jin smiled, placing the key in his bosom.

Watching this, Yong Ja-myeong smiled faintly. He knew Geom Mugeuk had purposely helped his father accept the key.

“If you visit Junggyeong’s Okhwa Mountain, find a man named Jungsong who gathers herbs. He will guide you to the warehouse.”

“I accept this with a joyful heart.”

Geom Mugeuk asked Geom Woo-jin. Since Junggyeong lay between Shaanxi and the main sect, he could stop by on the way.

What treasures awaited in the warehouse the key opened? Judging by the atmosphere, it must hold long-prepared gifts.

‘I seem more of a materialist than Father. I want to rush there and see what’s inside immediately.’

After all, what curiosity would the Heavenly Demon Sect Master have?

And the greatest gift to Father would not be that key.

It was the fact that Yong Ja-myeong had learned that Eun-gong was his father.

Until now, Eunha Trade Guild had carefully balanced with the magical sects, but now it was the Eunha Trade Guild under the Heavenly Demon Sect.

Yong Ja-myeong didn’t bother openly declaring this resolution. Just as Geom Woo-jin came without demanding anything, Yong Ja-myeong didn’t reveal his feelings by words.

He would still operate the guild as if balancing with the magical sects, but with deep, secret loyalty to his father.

Geom Mugeuk looked at his father.

‘Father, did you expect this outcome? Is that why you introduced me to this man? Hoping your loyalty would pass to me?’

Because the words “I will introduce you” were truly unexpected.

Maintaining a good relationship with Yong Ja-myeong would be a great strength to lead the sect. When introducing him, his father said to Yong Ja-myeong:

―It won’t be bad for you either.

Hoping that their bond would continue. Because he had foreseen this situation.

“Father, would you like to see this?”

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

“This is you back then.”

His usually stoic father’s eyes flickered with emotion at the unexpected sight of his youthful self.

Of course, who wouldn’t long for their youth?

“Danjoo Yong remembers you as more handsome than me.”

His father replied firmly,

“A great merchant also has a good memory.”

“Maybe he’s going senile.”

The two laughed as Yong Ja-myeong looked at the faded portrait.

“I miss those days.”

His father’s gaze lingered long on the portrait.

After a moment, Geom Mugeuk took the portrait back from his father and folded it carefully.

“That’s mine. I can give up the key but not this.”

A faint smile appeared on Geom Woo-jin’s lips. It was a more precious smile than any treasure of the warehouse to Geom Mugeuk.

That night, Yong Ja-myeong strolled the front yard.

Restless, he could not sleep.

“Can’t sleep?”

Turning, he saw Geom Mugeuk walking out.

“I’m too excited to sleep.”

The look in Yong Ja-myeong’s eyes toward Geom Mugeuk was softer than when they first met.

Feeling much more at ease, Yong Ja-myeong asked,

“May I ask why the Master called me this time?”

He sensed clearly that this visit had nothing to do with the past.

Geom Mugeuk revealed the reason for coming.

“This time, my father and I came because of the Geumryong family.”

“I thought so.”

Yong Ja-myeong was not surprised as if he already knew.

“We obtained information that the Geumryong family is secretly operating a covert organization, so we came to monitor.”

Information warfare in the upper world was no less fierce than in the martial world. Being the greatest trade guild, their intelligence on rival guilds was immense.

“Yes, the Tri-Sect meeting was also related to them?”

At Yong Ja-myeong’s low question, Geom Mugeuk nodded.

“The woman we saw earlier seems to lead that secret organization.”

“So you called me here because of that woman.”

“That’s right. Our meeting with the Danju will be valuable intelligence. Because the Danju of Eunha Trade Guild came personally, we plan to use this to enter the Geumryong family’s core.”

“Is there anything more I can do to help?”

“Just by coming in person, you have already helped greatly.”

“I want to help more.”

He regretted leaving so soon.

“There may be danger.”

“Did we ever walk safe paths to build the greatest trade guild in the Central Plains?”

Yong Ja-myeong didn’t want to leave. After finally reuniting with his benefactor, he wanted to spend more time together. If not truly the Heavenly Demon, he would want to travel with the guild for months or years.

“Very well. Then stay three more days and help me. It will be a great help.”

Yong Ja-myeong’s face brightened.

Geom Mugeuk actually had confidence to handle that woman even without Yong Ja-myeong.

He asked him to stay as a kindness. He understood fully the wish to be with his father longer.

After waiting decades, enjoy these three days.

Yong Ja-myeong, as a seasoned merchant, was quick to catch the meaning.

“Thank you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know this is a decision made for me.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled.

“To be honest, it’s for me. When else would I have time with the world’s greatest merchant?”

Yong Ja-myeong wanted to say,

‘Now, anytime.’

Because now he was not the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master but Eun-gong’s son.

He was happier knowing Eun-gong was the Demon Sect Master. He felt he did not become the greatest trade guild master by mere luck.

It felt like one great fate had created another.

“Now, say what you want. What should I do?”

The three days with the Heavenly Demon and Little Pill Master would be unforgettable. As if proving it, the Little Pill Master smiled and asked,

“Excuse me, do you have any money?”