"Welcome, Lord of Jonguimun. It feels like it's been quite some time."
Cheon Myeong-hak greeted the head of Jonguimun with a broad smile as he entered the manor.
The Jonguimun Lord returned a slow cupped-fist salute.
"It has indeed been a while, Merchant Lord. Everyone in Chang'an knows of the bond between Yongmyeong Trading House and Jonguimun, yet of late our exchanges have been so few that I could not help but feel regret."
"Haha, and that is exactly why we extended this invitation for such a special day, is it not? Please, do come inside."
Cheon Myeong-hak smoothly glossed over the Jonguimun Lord's veiled dissatisfaction.
But the man was clearly not appeased. Casting his gaze around as though inspecting the place, he spoke again with an air of arrogance.
"It seems Yongmyeong has changed much. Yet even when family comes to visit, I cannot say I feel particularly welcomed."
"Ah… well, as you know, everyone has been busy with the preparations for today's ceremony…"
"I do not mean to rebuke. It's just curious to me that while you, Merchant Lord, come in person to receive me, none of the other household members are free enough to do the same. No matter—do not trouble yourself over it."
The barb was plain: why had only Cheon Myeong-hak come to greet him?
It was a reminder that Jonguimun stood above Yongmyeong, and that the Merchant Lord was beneath him.
Cheon Myeong-hak's smile began to stiffen. And just then—
"Father."
"Mm…? Ah… Woo-ha."
Startled at the sudden voice behind him, Cheon Myeong-hak turned to see his son, Cheon Woo-ha.
"So, are the preparations complete?"
"Yes. I hadn't expected such honored guests to arrive so early, so we were a little delayed."
"Ahem… is that so?"
The phrasing could easily be taken as a jab—that the guests had arrived too early.
Cheon Myeong-hak coughed into his fist, stealing a glance at the Jonguimun Lord's expression.
As expected, the man's face stiffened slightly, hearing the subtle edge in Woo-ha's words.
"Ah… well then, let me make the introductions. This is the Lord of Jonguimun, with whom Yongmyeong holds a protection contract. Lord Jonguimun, this is my son, who is being invested as Young Merchant Lord today."
Hastily changing the subject, Cheon Myeong-hak ushered the greeting.
Woo-ha stepped forward and bowed with deliberate courtesy.
"I am Cheon Woo-ha of Yongmyeong Trading House."
"…I am So U-pa, Lord of Jonguimun."
Accepting the greeting with a short cupped-fist salute, the Jonguimun Lord smiled faintly as he spoke.
"Ah… I was remiss, wasn't I? Coming so early, I seem to have troubled the Young Merchant Lord."
"Not at all. If anything, your visit reminded me—clearly, I have much yet to learn about what Jonguimun truly thinks of Yongmyeong."
Depending on interpretation, his words could easily be taken as veiled hostility.
But on the surface, they contained not a shred of impoliteness, leaving the Jonguimun Lord no choice but to nod with a tight face.
"…Yes, ours is indeed a special relationship. Yongmyeong and Jonguimun have grown together as partners."
"Yes, my father has often told me so. I only hope, through the efforts of both sides, the relationship built over the years continues to move in a good direction."
By inserting the phrase "through the efforts of both sides," Woo-ha made it plain: this was not a one-sided hierarchy.
The Jonguimun Lord's smile twitched. His every nerve was rubbed raw, yet he could not openly object.
"…Yes. I would wish for the same."
"Ahem… Lord Jonguimun, I heard your Young Lord has come along today as well?"
"Ah… that's right. I nearly forgot."
Eager to steer the atmosphere elsewhere, Cheon Myeong-hak posed the question. The Jonguimun Lord stepped aside, gesturing toward the man standing behind him.
"Come forward, Woon."
Step.
At his introduction, a slim young man stepped forward.
He looked just past twenty, his sharp gaze flashing with a fierce light as he fixed it on Cheon Myeong-hak.
"Mm…!"
Even meeting the young man's eyes sent a chill of pressure through him, making Cheon Myeong-hak hum unconsciously.
The young man—So Woon—kept his gaze steady as he bowed.
"I am So Woon, Young Lord of Jonguimun."
"…A pleasure. I am Cheon Myeong-hak, Merchant Lord of Yongmyeong."
Barely mustering his composure, Cheon Myeong-hak returned the salute.
But So Woon turned his sharp gaze next onto Woo-ha.
"You are Cheon Woo-ha?"
"I am. And you are?"
"…It seems we shall be seeing each other often. I hope there will be an opportunity soon to exchange proper greetings."
The menace in both his voice and eyes was unmistakable.
But Woo-ha only smiled easily.
"I'd like that. Though, I'm not sure if I'll be able to spare the time—I'm rather busy, you see."
"I too am—"
"But since it is none other than the Young Lord of Jonguimun asking… I suppose I'll just have to make time, no matter how difficult."
"…."
So Woon's fist tightened silently. Just as he opened his mouth to retort—
Tap, tap!
"Merchant Lord! The Head of the Tianhu Escort Bureau has arrived!"
"Oh my, is that so? Lord Jonguimun, I must excuse myself to receive him."
Cheon Myeong-hak spoke with feigned regret. The Jonguimun Lord, schooling his face to calm, gave a short nod.
"…Yes, of course."
"Thank you. There's a seat prepared inside—please enjoy some wine until then. Woo-ha, come with me."
"Yes, Father."
Step, step.
As the two departed, the Jonguimun Lord ground his teeth.
Crack.
"This… insolent brat…!"
"Please, calm yourself, Father."
So Woon, already composed again, stared at Woo-ha's receding back with cold eyes.
"Their arrogance will only last for now."
"…Hmph. You're right."
The Jonguimun Lord gave a sharp nod, glancing at Cheon Myeong-hak's back.
"They'll soon learn… whose day this really is."
A crooked smile crept across his lips, as if he were already savoring what was to come.
"Woo-ha, what were you thinking?"
"Eh? About what?"
"Do you think I don't know? You were deliberately provoking them."
At his father's blunt question, Woo-ha shrugged.
"They were the ones picking a fight first."
"Haa… Woo-ha."
Cheon Myeong-hak sighed, his face filled with worry.
"Don't do that. They are not enemies we can afford."
"I didn't exactly make them enemies."
"If the relationship breaks, what's the difference?"
"Well, if they keep provoking us and we just endure it… is that really a good relationship either?"
"…That may be true, but…"
Unable to argue, Cheon Myeong-hak gave a bitter smile and placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"…I'm sorry. I don't wish to dampen such a good day, but at least for now, it isn't the time for Yongmyeong to raise its voice against Jonguimun."
"And why not?"
"Because we do not yet have the strength."
"…"
"One day… yes, one day, as you say, we'll speak with our own voice. But not until we can protect ourselves. Otherwise, one rash act could endanger everyone under this roof."
His voice carried genuine sorrow and sincerity. Woo-ha looked aside, unable to meet his father's eyes.
Of course, he knew. Having lived in a world of survival of the fittest in a past life, he understood perfectly.
And by those rules, his father's way was not wrong.
"So please… Woo-ha."
"…Yes."
"Will you make me a promise?"
"A promise?"
"Yes."
Turning his son with a grave look, Cheon Myeong-hak continued.
"Just for today—no matter what Jonguimun does, endure it."
"But—"
"If they cross the line, I will step forward. Even the Jonguimun Lord cannot treat me lightly. But…"
"…"
"If he dares to insult you before my eyes…"
"…"
"…That, I cannot endure."
The earnest words made Woo-ha pause, then finally nod slowly.
"…I'll try."
"Thank you."
Relief softened Cheon Myeong-hak's smile.
"Come then, let us go inside."
"Yes."
Woo-ha followed.
To him, suppressing emotions was nothing new. Compared to enduring physical torment in his past life, this was trivial.
And yet…
'…Still, it grates on me.'
Perhaps because he could see the bitterness hidden behind his father's smile.
He clenched his fist inside his sleeve as they walked toward the lively banquet hall.
"It has been a while, Lord Jonguimun. I am Wi Won-myeong of Danhyeong Trading House."
"A pleasure. How is your Merchant Lord?"
"Well, he had an important contract today and could not come. If he knew you were here, he would surely be disappointed."
"Haha, then I must pay him a visit myself sometime."
"Would you really? He would be most delighted."
"Lord Jonguimun, I am here from Gui-in Trading House…"
The banquet hall buzzed with chatter.
With so many invitations sent for the Young Merchant Lord's investiture, the spacious hall was packed to the brim.
By all appearances, it was a warm, festive gathering.
Yet Woo-ha's expression remained cold.
"Ahem… Young Lord, won't you have a drink with me?"
"…."
"Young Lord?"
Jang I-bo approached with a bottle in hand, raising his brows at Woo-ha's hardened face.
Following his gaze, he too saw the Jonguimun Lord at the center of attention.
"What troubles you, Young Lord…?"
"Isn't it amusing?"
"…What do you mean?"
"This is supposed to be a banquet hosted by Yongmyeong. Yet to look at it… one would think Jonguimun were the hosts."
Woo-ha's lips curled faintly.
Sensing the dangerous air behind that smile, Jang I-bo quietly lowered the glass he had been about to offer.
"Well… in truth, it is natural. Most of those present are merchants. To them, your father is a competitor. They would rather seek ties with a powerful martial clan than with a rival trading house."
"And if…?"
"If another sect strong enough to balance Jonguimun were here, it would be different."
Catching Woo-ha's unspoken question, Jang I-bo gave a bitter smile.
"But Jonguimun is an affiliate of the Zhongnan Sect, rulers of Chang'an. Unless one wishes to make enemies of them, no sect would ally openly with Yongmyeong. Thus the merchants inevitably cluster around Jonguimun."
"…I see."
Woo-ha nodded, glancing at his father, who wore a strained smile while watching the scene.
Around the Jonguimun Lord, people thronged. Yet no one approached Cheon Myeong-hak.
'…So this is your move?'
It was unthinkable that Cheon Myeong-hak had sent invitations only to rival trading houses.
The absence of any sect presence meant one thing: someone had deliberately flexed their influence.
Turning his gaze back, Woo-ha met the mocking smile of So Woon, who watched him as if he had foreseen this very moment.
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