The World's Greatest Troublemaker

Chapter 41

"What is that?"

The mention of something unexpected piqued his interest.

"You know that I was on my way to see you but had to return to Anhui, right?"

"Of course."

"The regional administrator of Anhui summoned me, so that's what happened. It was strange, so I looked into it a bit and found that the Baek family was connected."

Mok Wigun nodded slightly with a calm face.

"You're not surprised."

"Because I knew as well. And you can find out that much if you just put your mind to it."

If he couldn't even find out that much information, Yi Jeong-gi wouldn't have been able to make a name for himself in the world.

"If you weren't even that capable, I don't think I would have proposed a deal."

"You're a very interesting friend."

Yi Jeong-gi laughed loudly.

"To be so calm while talking to me. It's a little surprising."

Then he immediately threw a question.

"What do you think happened to that regional administrator?"

"I don't think anything good happened."

"Naturally. He'll soon be transferred to another place. It'll be a bit of a rough place, so it will be uncomfortable to live there."

He was showing what happens when you mess with him carelessly. Why was he talking about this now? It was an indirect warning. Meaning, don't you even think about pulling any tricks.

But Mok Wigun had been through too much to be intimidated by such things. Nothing could compare to the fierce and bloody war with the Demon King. So he said with a very calm face.

"I would have done the same. I always return what I receive."

"Oh ho. Is that so? I thought we were getting along well, but it turns out you're a person similar to me."

"But is that the unexpected thing? Then I'm disappointed."

Yi Jeong-gi smiled and waved his hand.

"Would I have made such a guarantee with just that? The real thing is this."

Yi Jeong-gi leaned his body forward a little and spoke.

"The Baek family has also proposed to sell their merchant group. And on pretty good terms, at that."

This time, even Mok Wigun couldn't help but flinch. This was something he had truly not expected.

The main items of the Eastern Heaven Merchant Group were iron and salt, as well as tea, silk, and cotton cloth. The items handled by the Baek family's merchant group were similar.

'Are they trying to get a head start since they'll be hit anyway if the World Merchant Group expands here?'

Mok Wigun's thought was correct. On top of that, Yi Jeong-gi told him another reason.

"You know the story related to Zhongnan, right? The one about them being excluded from the Nine Sects One Alliance."

"I've heard about it."

"If that happens, they'll have to give up most of the businesses that were Zhongnan's source of money."

A martial sect also needs money to be maintained. The same goes for Zhongnan. They suffered a huge blow 10 years ago, but they were able to endure because they had a source of money. By managing the Martial Alliance's businesses in this vicinity as a member of the Nine Sects One Alliance.

A benefit they could enjoy because they were a pillar of the Martial Alliance. But if they are excluded from the Nine Sects One Alliance, that right disappears. Then the operating rights of those businesses will be transferred to another place.

"The Martial Alliance's businesses are the cream of the crop, aren't they? It's natural to be greedy for them."

"You would need a considerable amount of funds to acquire them."

"Oh! That's right. You have a good sense."

Sell the merchant group and acquire the businesses with that fund. This was the Baek family's idea.

'If that happens, the Eastern Heaven Merchant Group and the Mok family will take a big hit.'

He could feel that the Baek family was also moving quickly to take the initiative in the current situation. Mok Wigun smiled faintly. It was because the situation was turning out to be interesting.

"But the Baek family won't sell their entire merchant group, they'll probably sell mainly the parts that overlap with the Eastern Heaven Merchant Group."

"Hmm?"

Yi Jeong-gi's eyes widened. This time, he was quite surprised.

"No. How did you know that? There's no way this has been revealed already."

"I just inferred it, and it seemed likely."

"Hah."

Yi Jeong-gi once again examined Mok Wigun closely. Even he, who was called a born merchant, was not like this at the age of twenty. He was just busy doing business, carrying a backpack and wandering around.

Having this kind of insight is a really big asset for a merchant. He himself only developed an eye for things in his late thirties or early forties. Thanks to that, he was able to rapidly grow his merchant group from then on.

"I handle other items, so it doesn't matter much to me, but I'm naturally covetous of iron and salt."

Not just anyone can trade salt and iron. You have to have some connection with the imperial court. Even then, the imperial court was not granting new licenses besides the existing companies.

The Eastern Heaven Merchant Group had easily received a license in the past because there was an empress dowager on their maternal side. That had continued until now. The Baek family had also obtained the business rights because they had connections in the government.

"But didn't the Baek family use the regional administrator to pull a trick? But you can still do business with them?"

At Mok Wigun's words, Yi Jeong-gi suddenly burst into a hearty laugh.

"I am a merchant."

He added with a sparkle in his eyes.

"A merchant is someone who can laugh and do business today with a person they fought with, cursing and hitting each other, yesterday."

"I see."

Mok Wigun know. There are two types of people who can do that. A person with a strong desire for power. The other type is a person with a strong desire for money.

People who prioritize power or money over their own emotions. Mok Wigun didn't particularly like such people. But as a business partner, they were rather convenient.

"How about it? Unexpected information, right?"

"Yes. I never thought the Baek family would make such a proposal."

"Alright. Then what are you going to do?"

Yi Jeong-gi had an expression full of expectation.

Now that the situation is like this, shouldn't you propose some better conditions? So hurry up and tell me something that will be of benefit to me. That was his expression. Mok Wigun looked at Yi Jeong-gi's face for a moment and then slowly opened his mouth.

"What do you mean, what am I going to do? There's one item, but many buyers, so I'll have to listen to their stories and then decide."

"Hahaha!"

Yi Jeong-gi burst out laughing again. He slapped his forehead with an expression that said he had been one-upped.

"This friend is no ordinary person. You're really interesting."

The owner of the Three Thousand Merchant Group, Yuk Samcheon, was coming. The greatest merchant in the Central Plains. The one who vied with Yi Jeong-gi for the top spot was rushing to Chang'an.

Yuk Samcheon would be aggressive, if only to prevent Yi Jeong-gi from expanding into this area. The reason he had suddenly jumped in was probably because he knew that Yi Jeong-gi was on the move. Yi Jeong-gi also knew that fact.

He looked at Mok Wigun intently and asked.

"Don't you want to work at my merchant group?"

He had an expression that said he was truly covetous. But Mok Wigun answered without even thinking.

"No. I will never work in a merchant group."

"Hmm. This feels strange. I've almost never been rejected after making such a proposal."

But he had a pleasant look on his face.

"I'm a bit confused whether to say it's a pity or a relief."

It was a pity that they couldn't work together, but it was a relief that they didn't have to meet as enemies. As he said that, he was greatly delighted. And he said it was a real relief that they had decided to meet here today.

"This place is really expensive. I was worried it might not be worth the price, but it's actually a gain."

He clapped his hands to call a person and ordered more alcohol.

"Let's stop talking about work and have a drink. I want to get pleasantly drunk today."

Mok Wigun thought he was indeed like a great merchant. He was cold when he needed to be, but hot-blooded when he needed to be. And he had a strange charm that drew people in.

The two of them drank, pouring for each other. All sorts of stories were exchanged.

"By the way, do you have some kind of grudge against the Baek family?"

"Are you talking about the incident at the inn? No. It was just a coincidence."

"A coincidence."

Yi Jeong-gi advised him not to look down on the Baek family.

"The Baek family is not a place to be taken lightly. They move cautiously, but if they see an opportunity, they bite ruthlessly. Besides, isn't Chang'an the Baek family's home base?"

He said that the Baek family had strong connections with various noble families in Chang'an and the magistrate of Chang'an.

"Fortunately, I'm capable enough to protect myself."

"Hehe. I guess so. That's why you were able to play with the guy called one of the Three Dragons of Baek like that."

The name 'Three Dragons of Baek' was not given for nothing. It was given because their skills were recognized in this vicinity. To have played with such a Baek Sammun like a child meant that Mok Wigun's skill was far superior.

Other people thought there must be another reason rather than skill, and Yi Jeong-gi had also been guessing that might be the case. But after seeing Mok Wigun today, his thoughts had completely changed. Yi Jeong-gi had developed a great interest in Mok Wigun.

"So. What do you want to do in the future?"

"When things are somewhat sorted out, I'm thinking of just traveling around here and there."

"Hahaha!"

Laughter burst out again. Yi Jeong-gi couldn't even remember the last time he had laughed like this in recent years. Today was a truly special day.

"Traveling? I can't figure you out at all."

He muttered that he was talking like an old man who had lived through everything. Yi Jeong-gi slowly shook his head and said.

"I wonder. Even if you want that, it will probably be difficult. It seems the world won't leave you alone."

Mok Wigun had no intention of doing so either. But it's a bit much to say he would become the number one under the heavens. He needed to be a little more discreet until he fixed his dantian.

Yi Jeong-gi offered a cup, and their cups clashed in the air. A clear 'clink' sound was made.

The entertainment district, which had been boisterous with laughter and song, gradually became soaked in the silence of the night as time passed. As the night deepened, the lights that seemed as if they would never go out went out one by one. But the light in one room of the inner courtyard of Yeseowon remained on until dawn came.

* * *

"What kind of person are you?"

The Baek family head, Baek Seokhu, shouted at his youngest son. It was a rare sight for him, who did not get angry easily.

"Father. That's..."

"Shut up. What is this disgrace at such an important time? And to that pathetic guy called the troublemaker of the Mok family?"

Baek Sammun said with a resentful expression.

"It was strange. When that guy grabbed my ear, I suddenly lost my strength and couldn't move my body properly."

At those words, Baek Seokhu's face hardened.

"Is that true?"

It was true. Baek Sammun felt like he was going crazy with frustration because no one believed his words.

"I know it's very strange, but it really happened. Why would I lie, father?"

Baek Seokhu believed about half of his son's words. It was because he could be making such an excuse out of shame for being disgraced.

He took a deep breath and then asked again.

"So. When he grabbed your ear, you lost your strength and your body wouldn't move?"

"Yes. Ah. Come to think of it, I also felt a tingling sensation at first..."

In an instant, the faces of Baek Seokhu and the Baek family's top master and protector, Bang So-eung, hardened.

"A tingling sensation? Tell me more."

"Pardon? It was tingling, and should I say it felt stuffy? There was that kind of feeling, and it also ached a little..."

The more he heard the story, the more serious Baek Seokhu's expression became. His face did not relax throughout his son's story.

"Do you still feel weak and is using your internal energy not the same as before?"

"Yes. So I thought I had an internal injury."

Baek Seokhu sent his son out. Then, Protector Bang So-eung approached and said.

"Family Head, are you perhaps thinking of that?"

"Do you have the same thought?"

Bang So-eung nodded.

"From what Sammun is saying, the symptoms are exactly like being hit by that. The Star-Sucking Great Art."

(End of Chapter)