Chapter 3: Cow (3)
He hadn't even taken a few bites of the appetizing fish-and-meat dish yet.
Yang Gwan put his chopsticks down and shot an irritated glare at the uninvited guest.
"Tsk. Looks like a white-faced scholar."
Shabby clothes, a book tucked under his arm, and a calm expression—yet somehow his head was held stiffly high and his eyes carried an air of arrogance. No doubt about it, he was one of those so-called white-faced scholars. Yang Gwan was a born martial man, and people like that were fundamentally incompatible with him. He was already in a bad mood, and this just made it worse.
"Is that thing on his nose a horsefly, or just a booger?"
The scholar was neat and handsome, but right on the bridge of his nose sat a big, obvious mole. If not for that, he would've been a pretty young man who made plenty of women cry. Picking at the scholar's flaws in his mind, Yang Guan moved to stand beside So. As instructed, he loosened the iron cage strapped to his back and held it in his hand, making the creature inside flinch.
"Just to be sure—are you perhaps Fire Dragon Yang Gwan, one of the Ten Dragons of the Realm chosen at last year's Dragon-Phoenix Gathering?"
"That's right."
"Hah! To think there'd be a dragon in a place like this. How astonishing."
The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was an event held once every ten years, where rising talents from across the Central Plains were gathered and ranked—a stage for inter-sect rivalry, so to speak. Yang Gwan had shown outstanding prowess there and was proudly selected as one of the Ten Dragons.
Being recognized naturally felt good. Yang Gwan forgot all about his earlier irritation and let the corners of his mouth lift slightly.
Then So spoke.
"Are you really that happy about a little praise, you idiot?"
—cutting him off mercilessly.
Yang Gwan's faint smile drooped straight down.
Watching that, So turned and mocked the scholar instead.
"Sure, I get why this guy's happy—he's basically a dumb ox. But why are you so shocked?"
"What did you say?!"
"The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering happens once every ten years, and they pick ten dragons and ten phoenixes each time. Even if nothing special happens, that's twenty people every time. A Fire Dragon isn't such a big deal. If you break it down, it's basically two people guaranteed every year."
"That's an awfully arrogant way to talk."
"From the looks of it, you're just a messenger sent by the Martial Alliance. You're the one being overly arrogant."
"You grow more insolent by the moment. Know your place—a mere merchant."
"You're the one crossing the line. You could've just delivered the letter and left, but instead you had to poke around and start a conversation. That attitude of yours is rotten to the core."
"Hah…."
Blatantly disrespectful words that grated on his nerves. The scholar felt a strong urge to reveal that he was Sima Hui, a strategist of the Martial Alliance. Surely, even someone as lawless as this man wouldn't dare treat him like a mere courier once he knew his true identity. But he also knew—that was exactly what the other man wanted. Just looking at that smug, grinning face made it obvious.
"That bastard—he's trying to provoke me!"
A common provocation tactic used by merchants. By being rude at the first meeting, they gauge the other party's temperament and steer negotiations in their favor. This situation was no different.
If word got out that a messenger bearing the Alliance Leader's letter had behaved rudely, it would stain the leader's honor and give this seasoned merchant leverage. Worse still, the fact that a strategist of the Martial Alliance had personally come to negotiate contract terms through a mere merchant would do nothing to benefit his reputation. Concealing his identity was the wiser choice.
Unable to afford losses from a moment of anger, Sima Hui suppressed his rage and took a steadying breath. Just then, So drained his cup in one gulp and sneered.
"Being a strategist for the Alliance must be tough. Getting talked down to by someone young enough to be your little brother, and having to walk around with a big fly stuck on your nose. Tsk, tsk."
"You little brat! That's enough—!"
"Hm? I've no idea why you're suddenly so angry."
Feigning ignorance while knowing full well—how infuriating! Sima Hui's hand trembled violently. This time, So waved his hand impatiently.
"Well then, since we're both busy, let's stop wasting time and hand over the letter. If you're this idle, you'll never make big money. Though, to be fair, your face doesn't exactly scream 'wealth.' Looks more like someone who'll squander whatever he has."
Sima Hui felt dizzy.
The one who picked a fight and dragged things out with pointless chatter was now blaming him. His head spun.
But duty was duty. Gripping his wavering composure, he handed over the Alliance Leader's letter.
So accepted it arrogantly with one hand and stuffed it straight into his clothes.
When Sima Hui looked on in confusion, the man began eating the fish-and-meat dish with relish.
"Smack, smack. No need to read this."
"No need to read it?"
"I already know what it says. Isn't that obvious?"
"Such arrogance! Who do you think you are, daring to judge it so casually!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Scholars really are blind of eye and deaf of ear."
"You insolent wretch!"
"All right, then let me explain. If even one thing I say is wrong, I'll treat you to a lavish table of drinks."
"Hmph."
"But if I'm right without opening the letter, you hand over that book you're holding."
"This book?"
Startled, Sima Hui clutched the book protectively. Suspicion flickered in Yang Guan's eyes.
"It's just a book—why's he so keen on taking it? Ah, that old habit of his is acting up again."
Since childhood, So had hated losing more than anything. If someone he disliked contradicted him, or if an incompetent fool talked big and made a mess of things, he had to crush them with words. Taking something from the other party was almost always part of the process.
"I can't wager this book—"
"What, so poorly paid you can't even bet a book worth a few silvers? Being a strategist for the Martial Alliance really is a lousy gig. If you're scared, then back out."
"You bastard! Fine—let's do it!"
"No need. You already tried to back out once. Acting tough now doesn't change the fact that you took a step back."
"Then I'll add this as well."
Sima Hui frowned and took out a brush from his robes. The fine bristles and elegant shape looked expensive even to Yang Gwan's eye. It must truly have been valuable, because So let out a low whistle.
"Cow-Ear Brush, huh? And top-grade at that. I can't refuse this."
An Cow-Ear Brush was made from the hair of a cow's ear—high-quality in itself, and if it carried a subtle sheen, it was considered top-tier. Judging by its refined form, this was the best of the best, a masterpiece you couldn't buy even with money.
"But if I take this wager as-is, one table of drinks isn't enough to balance it. So if you're wrong, how about you go to the marketplace, reflect on your arrogance, and kneel in apology?"
"I accept. Hmph. Of course I do."
Not the slightest doubt he would lose. Sima Hui's brow furrowed.
At that moment, words began pouring effortlessly from So's mouth.
"Right at the start, there should be a line like this: 'All other conditions may be accepted, but access to the Martial Library will only be granted temporarily at the Alliance Leader's discretion, and only after great merit is achieved.' That part would be the Alliance Leader's words. And later on, something like: 'Depending on your performance, compensation will be reviewed. For your safety during the collection process, special-grade guards from the Alliance will be assigned, and their wages will be paid from your funds. Several inspectors sent by the Alliance will observe whether your methods are reasonable, whether you cross the line, and whether you uphold righteousness and benevolence. If the results displease me, I'll cut off your head~.' That last bit would be the brilliant insight of none other than the world's greatest strategist, Sima Hui himself. Am I wrong?"
"...."
"Guan-ah, open it and read it out."
So casually tossed over the letter. Yang Gwan caught it and read—exactly as So had said.
Sima Hui's face stiffened.
"How did you know?"
"Mm, nothing special. Listen to enough stories about people, and the answer more or less presents itself."
The temperament of Martial Alliance Leader Gu Munryong was already the talk of Luoyang's streets.
He was a man like a tiger—brave, bold, magnanimous, and straightforward. A natural born leader, beloved by others.
"Someone like that couldn't help but feel sympathy for a child whose family was wiped out. Especially when the child is capable and perfectly suited for use—he'd be quite favorable. More importantly, a strategist he trusts would've praised the kid's talent, so emotionally he'd be inclined to trust him. A man like that, once he makes up his mind, that's the end of it. Like means like; dislike means dislike. The fact that he wanted to ask me about the conditions means he already liked me—so the trust is certain!"
"Then how did you know the rest?"
"People of the world say that Sima Hui, a peerless genius under heaven, is undefeated whenever he takes the field, and that his divine calculations and ghostlike stratagems have reached a level where he can look down from the mountain and see everything below. As such, every rumor praises his schemes. But if you look at the substance of it, it isn't quite so admirable."
While rumors about the alliance leader were favorable, those about Sima Hui were like this. He was arrogant in the way he used people and utterly merciless in his dealings. Anyone who failed to fit his calculations was cut down in an instant, and he forced ironclad rules upon everyone. He treated people as pieces on a chessboard, and if someone introduced even the slightest error into his plans, he would flare up in rage like fire.
"Rumors aren't always true, but when they're this consistent, there's usually truth in them. A man with such a temperament would never look kindly on some impudent lowborn merchant daring to present him with conditions. Especially when it was he himself who gave that fellow the opportunity in the first place—whom could he blame? With his anger rising, he'd take it upon himself to act as auditor, and while he was at it, it's obvious he'd step into the deal to try to soften the terms. At the same time, he'd want to crush that base merchant's spirit and make him know his place. And with his own exceptional abilities, he'd be confident that just watching the merchant work for a short while would be enough to grasp all the tricks. Then, after using him for a month or two, he'd cast him aside and take over the work himself."
Sima Hui was left speechless, while Yang Gwan stared blankly, his mouth slightly open.
"So that's why you confidently proposed the wager?"
"Of course. Now then, hand over the book and the brush."
So extended his hand.
Sima Hui squeezed out his words as if wringing them dry.
"I'll give you the brush. But the book I cannot give."
"Hah. You were like this even when you summoned us—always making people repeat themselves. And now, with witnesses present, you still act this way?"
"Big…."
Having lost the wager and still refusing to accept the result—even Sima Hui himself knew it was shameless. If this were to become known, it would be an unparalleled disgrace. He wouldn't be able to hold his head up in public again.
But this book—giving up the brush was fine, but this book alone was out of the question. It was no ordinary book.
'He can't give it, yet he can't not give it.'
His face flushed red with distress.
At a loss for what to do, his body fidgeted restlessly.
At that moment, So spoke coldly.
"Have you come to your senses now?"
"Uh… ugh."
"Tsk. In commerce, the most important thing is trust. Since you kept changing your words and playing games with me, I decided to be a bit spiteful. I don't need that book."
"Truly?"
"Truly. The brush will suffice."
"Here it is."
Color returned to Sima Hui's face.
He hastily handed over the brush.
Watching that, So clicked his tongue inwardly.
'A book like that is of no use to me.'
The book carried by members of the Sima family contains no real text at all.
It is a bizarre tome filled solely with people's names.
Why does it contain only names?
'Because it is a death register.'
The Sima family never forgets a grudge.
If a name is entered into that death register, they will pursue vengeance even across generations.
'Why would I ever need such a thing?'
From the beginning, he had no need for such a book.
So was satisfied with merely landing a blow on the bridge of the lofty chief strategist's nose.
And, as a bonus, he had obtained the Ui Brush, worth dozens of gold pieces—a resounding success.
"Now then, let us talk about what comes next."
"Very well."
Where had his earlier ferocity gone?
Seeing Sima Hui, now meek and compliant, So smiled.