Hyeonjilmusin - Chapter 156



Only Noblemtl

156. Reunion in Memories (2)

There is a reason why I told this story to Kwanseo-ye and not to Kwanseo-yeong. Of course, I do not deny that the biggest reason was that I wanted to see Kwanseo-ye in person.

But besides that, the fact that I don’t know much about the official video, as this was the first time I’d seen it in my life, and on the other hand, the fact that I know the nature of the official calligraphy well, also played a big role.

In fact, when you first hear about Guan Shuye, even stories that sound ridiculous soon become serious.

“I received the feeling of loneliness from a merchant with the surname Gwan.”

Guan Shuye immediately picked out a key line from my lengthy explanation and pondered over it. She pulled in her chin and stuck out her lower lip, which were her peculiar habits when she was thinking deeply.

I gave her enough time to think. Guan Shuye put her lips together as if she had thought about it all.

“Yeah. So you’re coming to the top of the ship to check that out?”

“yes.”

“My doubts are not yet completely resolved.”

“Ask everything.”

Kwan Seo-ye folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. It was exactly the posture one would assume for an interview.

“Let’s say there’s a spy from the Demonic Cult on our top. But what can they do? Shouldn’t they normally report it to the military or something?”

“Well, you could think of it that way.”

I had already prepared an answer to this question. I took out the scepter that was in my bosom.

At first, I was reluctant to receive the royal seal, but I didn’t even know that it could be used so usefully. That’s why people talk about power, power.

In accordance with the proverb, “power only lasts ten years,” my idea was to use power as much as possible because I never know when it will disappear.

Gwan Seo-ye calmly drank her tea even after looking at the royal seal placed on the desk.

“It’s a badge of the Royal Guard.”

“You’re not that surprised?”

“It wasn’t something a mere merchant would do, so I thought there must be something there.”

Guan Shuye was smart, after all. Of course, no matter how smart she was, she wouldn’t have known that I was the leader of the Demonic Cult and that I was on guard because I had died to the Demonic Cult in my previous life.

Anyway, this way, one more person knows that I am a secret agent.

“I have more questions.”

“As much as you want.”

“You said you were a merchant named Guan, right? The one who brought loneliness.”

“Yes.”

“Then, you’re saying that he’s someone from my family. What happens if he really is a traitor to the Demonic Cult?”

“I don’t think you’re asking because you don’t know.”

Guan Shuye’s mouth closed. She was smart. Of course, she would have predicted what would come out of my mouth.

Still, I asked because I was betting on the slim possibility that a different answer might come out.

“You know that the Demonic Cult is a banned religion in the Empire, right?”

“I know.”

Guan Shuye said in a gloomy voice. This is the emperor’s edict. In reality, even if you are not a member of the Demonic Cult and provide them with convenience, you will be sentenced to death. In reality, if the empire finds out that there is a traitor of the Demonic Cult in the Yunjangsangdan, the entire Guan clan will face a crisis where it could be exterminated.

I spoke to the anxious Kwan Seo-ye in a soft voice.

“If I had tried to investigate forcefully, I wouldn’t have even called you. How I report here will depend on how much you cooperate with me.”

“That sounds like a threat.”

“This is rather closer to salvation. I think Lady Guan will understand.”

“Yes, I know.”

Guan Shuye sighed. It seemed complicated to think that there might be a traitor from the Demonic Cult among his family.

“Then, let me ask you one last question.”

“Is it still there?”

“Actually, this is what I was most curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Are you really calling me because you don’t have any rational feelings for me at all?”

I laughed at the absurdity of Guan Shuye’s anxious tone.

The Kwan Seo-ye I knew was someone who never mentioned anything about the opposite sex, love, or marriage. Sometimes, she would show herself as transcendental, without even the slightest desire, and this aspect of hers was refreshing.

“Would you like me to look at your palm?”

“Hmm. Is this obvious trick the answer to my question?”

“It depends on the results of the palmistry test. My ideal type is a woman with pretty palms.”

“I feel more repulsed than if I were to openly look at your face. It seems like you’re worshipping some kind of superstition. By the way, I think this kind of fatalism is something that only losers believe in.”

Even though she spoke so rudely, Guan Seo-ye held out her hand. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards me.

“It’s too far.”

“oh!”

When I pulled hard, Guan Shuye lifted her butt off the chair and leaned towards the desk.

“What, what are you doing?”

I ignored Guan Shuye’s words and stared intently at her palm. Then I released her wrist.

“Looking at your palms, it seems like you’ll have a long and difficult life ahead of you.”

“You suddenly started saying bad things.”

“What can I do with these really ugly nails?”

“Are you sure you can really read palms?”

“sure.”

Of course I don’t know. But I know how difficult and thorny her life is.

Because I have seen firsthand how much envy, jealousy, and hardship a woman has had to endure to become the head of a large corporation.

Guan Shuye said, rubbing her wrists.

“Anyway, I know what you think of me.”

“It’s good that we can communicate well. I think we can be good friends.”

“It’s so cool.”

I laughed. I don’t know about Guan Shuye, but this was a laugh of relief. What I checked by grabbing Guan Shuye’s wrist was not the fingernails, but the magic energy that might be flowing inside her body. As expected, she had no connection to martial arts at all, so not even a single bit of internal energy flowed through her, let alone magic energy.

So I made a promise to go to the top of the cargo ship next month and tidied up my place.

* * *

“… … Do you really think that kind of guy is qualified to join our company?”

“Yes, sir.”

The plenary session was fun.

Usually, the agenda items of new upper-level companies joining these types of associations are heavily influenced by the existing upper-level companies.

Because it would be like adding another spoon to the bowl of vested rights they had shared among themselves.

The old men kept provoking the participating elders with that part.

“What good will that rude little brat be to our company?”

“That’s strange. Weren’t you the seniors who brought this agenda up for the meeting in the first place?”

I really didn’t have to open my mouth even once. I mean, he acted like my spokesperson.

The old people looked at Na Han-geol’s words and spoke intermittently.

Of course, it was an agenda item that was brought up with the intention of sucking the proverbial mouth of the upper class like a mosquito, but when he realized that I was not an opponent he could take lightly, he changed his opinion like that.

But I didn’t bother to point it out, perhaps out of respect for my senior.

“I want to give a voice to people with different opinions than me.”

The chairman of the Central Federation of Trade Unions spoke in a feeble voice. The current chairman was Lim Mun-geun, who was in charge of several of the top-level bureaus.

He wasn’t a big shot of my generation, but I’d heard his name before. It was definitely a huge accomplishment to be in charge of Dobang, the second-in-command of the big bosses.

But how did he get that career? It wasn’t because he had the ability to run the top, but because he was extremely good at worldly affairs and politics. He was the epitome of the political merchant I hate. A merchant should be on the top. Tsk.

Lim Moon-geun did not express his opinion by throwing a tantrum like other old people. He realized that the trend was already set because he had reached the level of a god.

It seems like everyone else noticed this too, and even the ones who were hostile to me, like Jinjin Sangdan and Cheonsu Sangdan, didn’t say anything.

“I will decide to pass this motion by raising my hand.”

“Uh, Mr. Chairman. I haven’t even said my opinion yet… … .”

“Is that opinion worth taking up our time right now?”

Lim Moon-geun glared at the assemblyman who raised his hand without notice. The assemblyman tucked his tail between his legs and scowled at the chilling look.

“I will vote.”

The membership of the Whiyoung Group in the Heavy Industries Association was approved by everyone except Jin Deuk-myeong and Yeo Hong-won.

I really didn’t say a word, but I didn’t know it would be this easy. It really was a matter of connections and what you have to do to see what happens.

Of course, joining the SME Alliance is not something to be particularly happy about. Whether our relationship is good or bad, it means that I am now connected to these old farts.

However, there is no such thing as always having only good sides. In return, I gained official access to the Beijing branch when I joined the Zhongshan League, and I was also able to use the Zhongshan League’s villas and houses scattered throughout the Central Plains at a low price. I don’t know if I will ever use them, but it is better than nothing.

After the meeting, I approached Na Han-geol as I was leaving the Ssangyong building. It was only natural that he had helped me so much.

“Thank you, my lord.”

“Haha. It was nothing. It’s only when young blood like you advance that the Sanggye can develop. It was only natural.”

“It’s not for nothing that we’re at odds with Jinjin Sangdan, who are from the same Shanxi 4th district.”

“Haha. When we gather together, conflicts tend to occur frequently. But the fact that we continue to gather together means that we have the experience to manage conflicts well. I’ll take care of that, so don’t worry about it.”

Na Han-geol was truly a great man. I promised to visit Cheonhasangdan later and greeted the others. Everyone present here was worth greeting and getting to know.

I didn’t childishly reject Jin Deuk-myeong and Yeo Hong-won, who tried to block my membership. Honestly, why would I do that? In fact, I wanted to greet them more.

“Dear Chairman Jin. As a fellow member of the Central Committee, I hope you will do well.”

“… … Heh heh.”

When I first extended my hand, Jin Deuk-myeong laughed in amazement. It was even more so because it was a greeting of recognition of color and not a lottery ticket. However, in this situation where all the other merchants were looking at me, it seemed that he did not have the courage to strike my hand.

To be honest, Jin Deuk-myeong had no particular reason to clash with me, but judging from the fact that he seemed more hostile today than on the first day, it seemed like he was listening to his son, Jin Su-gwan.

“Yes. Please take good care of it.”

Jin Deok-myeong grabbed my hand with great strength. But how strong could the grip of a middle-aged man who had never even learned martial arts be? When I applied strength in return, Jin Deok-myeong twisted his body and let out an unidentifiable scream.

“Ugh!”

The scream surprised me so much that I let go right away. I’ve reached a point where I have to be extremely careful when dealing with civilians. I thought I had controlled my strength as weakly as possible, but I didn’t know it would scream like that.

Jin Deuk-myeong screamed and felt embarrassed, and I felt embarrassed, which was a strange situation. After that, nothing much happened. The hatred in Jin Deuk-myeong’s eyes when he looked at me grew slightly thicker, and a faint fear was mixed in.

I was just going to say hello to Yeo Hong-won, but he seemed to have run away as soon as he saw Jin Deuk-myeong scream.

Anyway, that reunion in my memories was sorted out. Right now, I have no intention of resolving that reunion or past relationship.

That was because I had a big task ahead of me. It was the shipping company I was going to next month.

If he could handle loneliness, he might be a pretty high-level mine. Up until now, I’ve been able to defeat him easily with my magic, but I couldn’t guarantee that I would be able to defeat him at that high a level.

So I planned to polish my martial arts skills as much as I could for a month. Of course, it would be best to do it in a shamanistic sect where there are private tutors who can look after my martial arts skills, but if I went to Hubei right now, I would have to leave for Shanxi as soon as I got there, so it was meaningless.

And fortunately, there were people in Beijing who would show off my martial arts skills.

I stood in front of it, put my hand on my heart, and took a deep breath.

The person who would show off my martial arts skills was right here.

Purple Forbidden City. The strongest single group in the Central Plains.

It was the palace.