The World's Greatest Troublemaker

Chapter 46

A sudden attack. Who was attacked? This was unlike the usual Magistrate Chu. Mok Wigun thought it was the first time he had seen him in such a flustered state. But after hearing the story, he understood why he was so surprised.

"They say Yuk Samcheon was attacked and seriously injured."

"What? Is that true?"

"Yes. He was attacked while moving from Samcheon Gorge to Hangu Pass."

It was an unexpected event. Who would attack Yuk Samcheon, the greatest merchant in the world? Why?

"For a merchant group like the Samcheon Merchant Group, the escort wouldn't have been so lax."

"Of course. But the accident happened while the escort captain and a few others were away for a moment."

This couldn't be a coincidence. Someone had planned and targeted him. Who could it be?

"They say they haven't identified the culprit yet. As you know, the higher you go, the more people are after you."

Becoming the greatest merchant in the world also means that you have accumulated a lot of resentment. Even if it's not resentment, it could be for profit. Resentment and immense wealth. Both are enough to aim for someone's life.

"What about the injuries?"

"His life is not in danger, but they say the injuries are more serious than expected and he is undergoing treatment."

Then it's not something that will heal in a day or two. The appointment to meet in Chang'an seemed to be off the table. But Magistrate Chu's story didn't end there.

"There's another person who was attacked."

"Another one?"

"Lord Yi Jeong-gi was also attacked. Just yesterday."

What is this again? To think that even Yi Jeong-gi of the World Merchant Group was attacked.

"Actually, people don't know much about both incidents. Lord Yuk's incident will probably spread soon, though."

Yi Jeong-gi was not injured.

"The escorts must have done their job well."

That was a relief. If something had happened to Yi Jeong-gi as well, it would have been difficult to proceed with the sale of the Eastern Heaven Merchant Group for the time being.

"I saw them when I went to Yeseowon, and they were all considerable masters."

Dan Bulseok said. When he went to Yeseowon, he had a separate meal in the next room, and Yi Jeong-gi's escort warriors were also there. So he had secretly observed them, and they were all considerable masters.

"But."

Magistrate Chu approached and whispered.

"The accident happened while Lord Yi was moving to a nearby temple, and it was to meet with the Baek family."

"The Baek family?"

"Yes. Thanks to that, the Baek family is in a complete uproar. Because they were the ones who suggested meeting at the temple."

It was to meet without being seen by others. Of course, they would have asked to meet because of the merchant group sale. The Baek family would have known that Mok Wigun and Yi Jeong-gi had met. They must have been anxious, so they would have hurriedly asked to meet.

But an accident happened. The only ones who knew that he was moving to the temple were Yi Jeong-gi and the Baek family. So the Baek family would be busy trying to prove that they were not involved in this incident.

"So that's why they didn't contact me to set a date."

"You're talking about the incident with Protector Bang So-eung at the inn. They probably don't have the mind to care about that right now."

Magistrate Chu said with a laugh.

"You've caught a break, thanks to that."

"What are you talking about? I wanted to meet him quickly."

No matter how much of a merchant Yi Jeong-gi was and how much profit came first, it would not be easy to do business with the Baek family now that this had happened. That was a relief. But he wanted to have another duel with Bang So-eung.

"It's a relief and a pity that the Baek family ended up like that."

As he said that, Mok Wigun clenched and unclenched his fist.

"You are truly an extraordinary person, young master."

Magistrate Chu shook his head. Saying he was like a ronin who sought out battlefields, not the young master of a prestigious family.

"But aren't you staying here for too long?"

"I have some business at the Chang'an branch. And I was adjusting my schedule to go with you when it was time for you to return, young master."

The general meeting is soon, so it's time to go back.

"I was planning to go today or tomorrow anyway..."

Mugwang had returned to normal after receiving treatment that day. Pyon Juksu had given him a stern scolding and warned him never to use it again. More than that, he had put more effort into treating Pung Oksan.

In fact, the treatment itself was not that difficult, but it took a long time because Pung Oksan's condition was so bad. Still, the curse was now suppressed, so he just needed to rest well.

"Alright. Let's go together. It's good for me to hear this and that on the way."

"I also had a lot of questions. Then if you let me know your schedule, I will adjust mine."

After exchanging a few words, Magistrate Chu left. Then Captain Dan, who had gone out for a moment, came in with something.

"Will he like this?"

Mok Wigun muttered as he looked at the small jade plaque engraved with 'Light Wind'. It was made as a gift for the Light Wind Unit members.

"Mungoe and Gyesu will probably like it, saying it's cool, and a few guys will probably say what's a man doing with a jade plaque."

Dan Bulseok said with a laugh. Still, the fact that there is such a mark has a great meaning. Everyone will cherish it.

Mok Wigun was also looking forward to seeing their expressions when they received it. But then someone suddenly came to visit. It was someone from Yi Jeong-gi's side.

"Can I meet him now?"

"Yes. He said he has to leave for Luoyang in the evening, so now is the only time to meet."

It was a sudden contact, but there was no reason he couldn't meet. Moreover, since there had been so many things, he also wanted to have a conversation.

"Alright. Where should I go?"

"It's Yeseowon."

* * *

"You seem to like this place very much."

The inner courtyard of Yeseowon. Mok Wigun, who had arrived at the same room, said as he sat down. At that, Yi Jeong-gi laughed loudly and answered.

"I do."

And he told a story from the past. When he was young and passed by this area, he had been so envious of the people who came and went here.

"At that time, I couldn't even dream of coming here. Because I was poor. I made a resolution then. That when I become a great merchant later, I will definitely come here."

A desperate heart makes a man strong. The reason he became a great merchant was probably because of that strong desire.

"But are you not injured anywhere?"

"Haha. The rumors are fast. Well. As you can see, I'm fine."

"That's a relief."

As they were talking, the young old woman he had seen before came in with tea and poured it.

"Then please have your conversation."

As if it had been arranged beforehand, she left only the tea and simple refreshments and went out. When the two were left alone, Mok Wigun spoke first.

"Why did you suddenly call me?"

"I called you because I have a few things to ask. Before that, you had some business with the Baek family, right?"

They had been entangled in a bad way twice.

"Why did you do that? It was a situation that could have been resolved if you had just spoken well, was there a need to create such a conflict?"

"Because I have to return what I receive."

Hearing the answer, Yi Jeong-gi looked at Mok Wigun intently.

"You. Last time, when I asked you what you wanted, you said you wanted to travel, right?"

"Yes. I did."

"I'll solve all your problems and give you more than enough money, so will you leave on a trip right now?"

"Pardon?"

What is this again?

"It's just as I said. You said what you want is to travel, right? I'll get rid of everything that gets in the way of that. Then will you leave on a trip right now?"

Mok Wigun thought it was a joke, but Yi Jeong-gi's expression was serious. Mok Wigun thought about it. If that were the case, could he leave on a trip?

There was no need to think for long. No. A leisurely trip? Well, it wasn't bad, but that wasn't what he really wanted. Mok Wigun thought for a moment, then raised his head and looked at Yi Jeong-gi. At that, Yi Jeong-gi said with a strange smile.

"No. The trip you talked about that day was just something you said on the spot. Was it because of the alcohol?"

"I wonder. I'm not sure if it was because of the alcohol, but it's true that what I want is not a trip."

Yi Jeong-gi laughed loudly as if he had known it.

"I thought it was strange no matter how much I thought about it. I couldn't understand how someone like you would do something like traveling."

Yi Jeong-gi had been thinking it was a bit strange, but he became sure after hearing about the fight with Protector Bang at the inn.

"When I thought about it that way, the incident looked a little different. There were people who talked about it as a clash between the Mok family and the Baek family, but my thoughts are different."

He asked slyly.

"It probably wasn't something the Mok family planned. You just returned it as it was when they picked a fight, right?"

"You seem to have known me for a long time."

Yi Jeong-gi slapped his knee as if he had known it and laughed heartily. Then he leaned his body forward and said.

"You are a wolf. And a pack leader at that. You are not someone who will be under anyone."

"Is that so? But did you ask to see me because of that?"

At Mok Wigun's question, he asked the real question.

"What are you going to do in the future? Are you going to stand on the Mok family's side and fight the Baek family?"

"I wonder."

"I asked a useless question. You're not the type to get involved in such things."

And he told him what he thought about the confrontation between the Mok family and the Baek family.

"In terms of military strength, the Mok family is ahead. In terms of military strength alone, they are strong enough to be compared to the Five Great Families."

The true strength of the Mok family is the Wind Unit. The Baek family has the Iron Sword Squad, but it can't even be compared to the Wind Squad. It might be different if it were the Flying Dragon Squad or the Red Tiger Squad.

But even if you combine the Flying Dragon Squad and the Red Tiger Squad, they are no match for the Wind Squad. You ask if the Baek family has a master like Bang So-eung? If the Baek family has Bang So-eung, the Mok family has Jin Jaryun.

"But the Baek family has something that the Mok family doesn't."

Relationships with the noble families of Chang'an. Connections with the magistrate. And ties with various sects.

"If I had to bet money on one of the two, I would bet on the Baek family's side. Fights are not just done with fists."

After saying that, Yi Jeong-gi made a subtle proposal.

"You don't want to get involved in such a troublesome matter, do you? So sell the Eastern Heaven Merchant Group to me. I'll give you as much as you want."

It was a good condition. An ordinary person would have fallen for it right away. But Mok Wigun did not lose his composure.

"I'll think about it."

At that, Yi Jeong-gi burst into a hearty laugh.

"This is really unexpected. Usually, a person with your personality would have fallen for it by now."

"Can you say that right in front of me?"

"What about it? We've become close enough to talk like this without reservation, haven't we?"

As Yi Jeong-gi joked with a playful expression, Mok Wigun also laughed.

"How long have we known each other to say we've become close?"

"Does the time or number of times we've met matter? People can live together their whole lives and not know each other well, and people can also know each other after seeing each other just once."

Yi Jeong-gi looked straight into Mok Wigun's eyes and said "What do you think? Don't we seem a bit alike?"

"Even if you say that, I won't lower the price."

Yi Jeong-gi clapped his hands and laughed heartily. He laughed so hard that he even held his stomach later. Seeing that, Mok Wigun muttered.

"You're the first merchant I've seen who is so happy when I say I won't lower the price."

(End of Chapter)