Chapter 189
Chapter 189
Jang Mi-ryeo was investigating an impersonator, and their actions were suspiciously strange.
I heard that as soon as I left for Wudang, the impersonator immediately started operating around the last safehouse I stayed in, as if they had been waiting for it.
At first, Jang Mi-ryeo thought it was me and didn't pay much attention, but she said she gradually noticed something strange.
It seemed like a publicity stunt rather than a natural course of action.
Sure enough, as the rumors spread like wildfire, Jang Mi-ryeo realized that someone was trying to use my name and fought fire with fire.
The result was the rumor of the Poison Butterfly operating in the areas of Akyang and Gangneung while staying at the Golden Dragon Merchant Group...
I really can't get used to this nickname.
I wonder if the rumor has spread far? Uncle Geun-myeong didn't say anything.
Jang Mi-ryeo, who was watching me stroking my chin with a puzzled look, asked carefully.
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
"No. Not at all."
"Judging from the fact that they are not caught in the Merchant Group's intelligence network, they don't seem to be ordinary. Judging from the traces of manipulating the Beggars' Alliance, they seem to be a Martial Artist from the Orthodox Faction, but it's not certain. There is also the possibility that Dang Sojeo only used the Beggars' Alliance, being conscious of it being part of the White Faction."
So it's not even certain whether they are from the Orthodox or Unorthodox Faction.
But there's no way they're involved with the Unorthodox Faction. I once set foot in Ghost Spirit Valley, but Beopgong had destroyed it, so there was no way the remaining remnants would be looking for me.
Yeon-ryang also frowned.
"Even though Head Jang has stepped in, they haven't given up, so whoever it is, they're persistent. Why are they looking for you, Sister?"
"I don't know the reason, but it's certain that they want to meet Dang Sojeo. We received a message in early autumn that they wanted to meet you."
"Some thug is after you."
Yeon-ryang's face distorted. Jang Mi-ryeo nodded as if agreeing.
"I didn't know Young lady's whereabouts, so I took care of it myself, but if you want to meet them, I will send a message again."
"Then please do. I think I need to meet them once to find out who they are."
"Yes. Then I will let you know as soon as I get a reply."
Jang Mi-ryeo smiled and looked at me with her fingers interlaced. She looked happy to be able to help me.
I know that feeling too.
As I giggled and met Jang Mi-ryeo's eyes, she exclaimed as if she had remembered something.
"Oh, you must be curious about the profits so far. The ledger hasn't been finalized yet, so it's not an exact amount, but I think it's roughly three thousand gold taels."
"...What? Three thousand gold taels? Not silver?"
When I asked back in disbelief, Jang Mi-ryeo replied calmly.
"It's all gold."
"The amount I entrusted to Head Jang was a thousand taels, though?"
"Yes. I've tripled it."
What is this Young Miss? Is she blessed by the god of wealth?
I knew she was a capable merchant, but I didn't expect her to increase it so drastically, so my mouth dropped open.
Yeon-ryang also glanced at Jang Mi-ryeo with strange eyes, perhaps a little surprised. Jang Mi-ryeo covered her mouth and chuckled at our dumbfounded reaction.
"Even a snail has its own skills. I have a knack for smelling money. I'm thinking of reinvesting all the profits, leaving only five hundred taels, what do you think?"
I couldn't help but smile at the voice full of joy. The scale of the Merchant Group had grown tremendously, and it seemed that the unit of money being handled had changed.
"Haha, I decided to entrust it to Head Jang from the beginning, so I'll trust Head Jang's judgment. Please do so."
"I will. Please contact me whenever you need me, Young lady. Whether it's money or manpower, I will do my best to help."
Jang Mi-ryeo replied kindly and poured tea into my cup. I wrapped my hands around the warm teacup and asked.
"I'm just asking because I'm curious. How long are you going to keep Gyo-jin with you?"
At the question of how long she would pretend to be a couple, a look of concern appeared on Jang Mi-ryeo's face.
"Well. At first, I expected about three years... Thanks to Gyo-jin, the surroundings have been cleared up quickly. Gyo-jin also has his own life, so I can't hold him back for too long. I think this winter will be the last."
"Oh, there's not much time left."
"Yes. Gyo-jin also said that he wants to leave for the Martial Arts Pilgrimage next spring. I'm trying to finish the work that requires martial arts before that."
"I see..."
So she's saying she's going to make the most of him while he's here.
Even if she said that, it was not difficult to guess that Jang Mi-ryeo had been extremely kind to Yang Gyo-jin.
If Patriarch Yang came down to Akyang himself to help with the Merchant Group's work, there must have been a lot of exchanges.
But there was something else I really wanted to ask.
As I licked my lips with a wary look, Yeon-ryang chuckled.
"I don't think that's what you want to ask?"
Jang Mi-ryeo also smiled and looked at me as if it was okay. I said honestly.
"Actually, I was wondering how you're going to solve the succession problem. Even if Head Jang is quiet for now, there will be talk unless you have a child."
Right now, Yang Gyo-jin is acting as her husband, and everyone has seen the strength of the Yang Family, so they won't dare to attack her recklessly.
But if Jang Mi-ryeo is left alone and the exchange with the Yang Family decreases, those who covet her position will appear again.
I was worried about the future of this Young lady, who would walk a difficult path.
Even if there were parts that could be solved with money, it would not be smooth. Because it is a harsh world for a woman who is not a Martial Artist to protect herself.
Jang Mi-ryeo, who smiled at my worried eyes, said brightly.
"I'm thinking of adopting a bright child in a few years. Of course, it's after Gyo-jin's funeral."
"Pardon?"
"We decided to hold a funeral after the Martial Arts Pilgrimage."
...Please say clearly that you are getting rid of the Golden Dragon Merchant Group's son-in-law. It sounds like you're putting a living child in a coffin.
I swallowed a hollow laugh and shook my head.
"You weren't just saying that. Are you really going to kill him?"
"The play needs an ending to end. I'm going to hold a grand funeral. People will only accept it if they see the coffin being buried. Oh, should I invite Dang Sojeo too?"
"No. I'm fine. I'll just take your heart."
Even at my refusal, Jang Mi-ryeo just smiled kindly.
"But even after killing Gyo-jin, no, after pretending to be dead, can you adopt a child? Won't you be advised to remarry first?"
"So I'm going to pretend to be Gyo-jin's child. Isn't it easy to disguise a man's child born outside?"
"...Is that okay?"
"It's common. Patriarch Yang and Gyo-jin also allowed it."
A Yang Family member abandons his wife, has a child outside, and comes back as a corpse... Is it okay to allow that?
A child of unknown origin becomes a Yang Family bloodline? What kind of person is Patriarch Yang?
I couldn't understand it, but I thought they must have become close enough to consider Jang Mi-ryeo's situation.
Right. She's not someone who's going to do things carelessly, so she'll prepare thoroughly.
I pretended to agree and sipped my tea. Jang Mi-ryeo, who was explaining her future plans, sparkled like a new sprout that had broken through the frozen ground in winter.
The fragile Young lady who trembled at the slightest drop of blood had already firmly rooted herself and was preparing to spread her branches.
"I hope you achieve what Head Jang wants."
When I gave her words of support with sincerity, Jang Mi-ryeo took my hand.
"I don't know much about the affairs of the Jianghu, but I heard that the path of a Martial Artist is not easy. I also hope that Young lady will be safe wherever you go."
"Yes. Let's do well together."
We smiled brightly at each other.
Hoping that we could be each other's reliable allies.
\ \ *
"Young Patriarch."
"......"
"Young Patriarch!"
At Jeokroe's call, Namgung Hwi, who had his head on the desk, raised his head. He looked tired, as if he hadn't slept for days.
"I told you not to wake me up. Even if I just take a nap."
"Seriously, why do you keep worrying about matters that have already been decided by the Alliance? It won't change even if Young Patriarch looks into it more. Just lie down properly on the bed and sleep. You're not at the age where you whine that you're afraid to go to the bathroom, do I have to watch you sleep?"
"Jeokroe. Stop acting like a nanny. Why are you so grumpy?"
"It's because Young Patriarch doesn't give me a break, so I'm getting angry..."
Jeokroe, who quickly pretended to grab his lips at the cold gaze, took a step back.
Namgung Hwi, who smiled at the sight of his subordinate looking at him, straightened his fallen hair and asked.
"Why did you wake me up?"
"There's something you need to see right away."
"What is it? It must be important?"
"Of course. The news that Young Patriarch has been waiting for has arrived."
A look of doubt appeared on Namgung Hwi's face at Jeokroe's fuss.
"What news?"
"A letter has arrived from the Golden Dragon Merchant Group."
"Golden Dragon Merchant Group?"
Namgung Hwi's face brightened as he blinked and repeated the name of the Merchant Group.
"Did So-hye contact me? Give it to me!"
He jumped up from his seat and snatched the letter from Jeokroe's hand.
Jeokroe swallowed a hollow laugh at the sight of him being as happy as a child when he was tired like an old man who had lived his whole life and had dull eyes.
'Is he that happy?'
It would be a lie if he didn't resent the young Young lady who had stolen his master's heart.
But he couldn't just hate him because Namgung Hwi, who couldn't trust even his family or relatives, was gaining strength by relying on a worn-out knot.
Jeokroe knew better than anyone that some people live their whole lives with a moment's memory.
When the Young Master, who had no cuteness, grabbed his finger with his small hands, he was prepared to give his life for Namgung Hwi.
'...I was crazy.'
Jeokroe, who sighed, watched Namgung Hwi unfold the letter with trembling hands. Namgung Hwi, who was reading the letter while biting his lip, called Jeokroe in a low voice.
"Jeokroe."
"What."
Namgung Hwi did not get annoyed at Jeokroe's blunt answer. Rather, he asked back worriedly.
"So-hye wants to meet me. What should I do?"
