I looked at the wrist gauntlet equipped on my right arm with a pleased expression.

"Hehehe."

Inside the Underworld Alliance, I acted nonchalantly, pretending I didn't care as if I had been wearing it all along, and that strategy must have worked because no one asked me about the Devouring Gauntlet until we left the Underworld Alliance.

Even so, I couldn't let go of my tension.

Because there were still many watching eyes within the delegation.

Therefore, I had no choice but to secretly satisfy my curiosity about the Devouring Gauntlet while avoiding people's gazes.

'This is the very artifact that raised the Yin-Yang Twin Demon to the position of Guardian.'

Of course, since it was an artifact of the Demonic Cult, I planned to dispose of it immediately if it used demonic qi or left traces of sorcery, but so far, it didn't seem to have any other abilities beyond the functions I originally knew.

ZING.

I shot the massive qi gathered at my fingertips toward the Devouring Gauntlet.

VWOOM.

The finger wind, which normally would have been strong enough to break a forearm, seeped into the Devouring Gauntlet and vanished without a trace.

While examining the Devouring Gauntlet's efficacy, I tilted my head.

It was definitely an incredible ability.

However, it was hard to believe that the Yin-Yang Twin Demon rose to the position of Guardian with just this.

'I feel like there's something more to it.'

I scoured the archive in my head, examining the records of the Yin-Yang Twin Demon's past battles.

When the Yin-Yang Twin Demon joined the Orthodox-Demonic Great War, it had already been a while since the war started, so not many records remained.

'If I knew this would happen, I would have gone around each branch and saved the records.'

If I had known I would regress to the past, I would have done even more.

But who could have imagined there would be a second life in the first place?

Even I don't believe there will be a third right now.

Around the time I was lost in those other thoughts, Ak Byeongbi quietly approached.

"Are you sure you don't need to go?"

I naturally hid the Devouring Gauntlet.

"Go where?"

"Didn't you say your sect's merchant group is in danger?"

"Ah."

According to what Haomun told me, the Sura Sect was lusting after the Daecheon Merchant Group.

It seemed they were quite covetous of the exclusive logistics supply contract for the Anhui Province branches that was recently secured from the Murim Alliance.

'Well, even I would be greedy for that.'

Because the scale was so huge that we had to share it with Wangga Manor, this single contract alone would bring in a decade's worth of the Daecheon Merchant Group's normal profits in just one year.

Of course, that probably wasn't the only reason.

Because such an exclusive contract would be impossible unless the Murim Alliance directly pushed for it.

The Murim Alliance.

In other words, it was a signal that the Mantong Bureau was directly backing the Taiyi Sect, and practically a prediction that the Daecheon Merchant Group and the Taiyi Sect would spread their wings widely in the future.

Of course, I didn't know exactly why the Mantong Bureau was backing the Daecheon Merchant Group.

They were probably thinking of making me feel indebted so they could work me to the bone...

'Debt? Pressure? What are those? Hehe. I have zero intention of letting myself be worked so easily!'

I planned to feign ignorance as much as possible in the future.

But even so, I wasn't the kind of idiot who would let something that had fallen into my hands be stolen away.

"Senior Ilmyeong sent a missive to our sect. So there shouldn't be a need for me to step in, right?"

When I answered with an unconcerned face, Ak Byeongbi actually put on a fretful expression.

"... Will that alone really be enough?"

"Well, for now."

But I really didn't know why this guy had changed so much since returning from the Underworld Alliance.

Since when did he care about me this much? Seriously.

"Being active in the Murim Alliance helps your sect, but conversely, the power of your sect also dictates your success within the Murim Alliance."

"I know that."

"As a representative of the Murim Academy, you should be able to exert some influence over the branch... and yet you're going to stay still?"

"Is there a problem?"

At my nonchalant reaction, the shadow over Ak Byeongbi's face gradually deepened.

"What if... the Sura Sect snatches away the Daecheon Merchant Group?"

"If they snatch it away, well, nothing can be done..."

"What?!!"

Ah fuck, you startled me. Why are you yelling all of a sudden?

If someone saw this, they'd think the Delegation Head was a Taiyi Sect disciple.

"From my standpoint, it isn't that big of a deal."

I never intended to use my sect's help to succeed in the first place, and my destination was the White Wolf Pavilion, which everyone wanted to avoid anyway.

Unless the White Wolf Pavilion suddenly became the shortcut to success right after the Azure Dragon Pavilion today, there wouldn't be any fierce competition for it.

"It was a merchant group set up by taking over one of the Cangqiong Merchant Group's branches from the Namgung Clan in the first place. Since I'm not the one running it, it isn't something I need to micromanage. If they can't protect it, it's only natural for it to be taken."

"..."

Ak Byeongbi had an expression that showed he couldn't easily understand my words.

And I, too, knew what he was questioning.

"Are you wondering why I'm not using my connections in the Murim Alliance to solve the problem?"

"...!"

Ak Byeongbi's eyes shot wide open, as if I had hit the mark.

Then again, considering he was in the Inspection Pavilion, how much convenience must he have provided for his family?

Those with power naturally try to use that power to their own side's advantage.

I must look strange for going against the instinct that the absolute majority follows.

"I don't really have any strings to pull or backgrounds to solicit favors from, but even if I did, I wouldn't have much intention of using them."

Ak Byeongbi, who had been listening silently with a frown, opened his mouth with difficulty.

"... Why is that?"

I simply shrugged my shoulders once.

"No matter how high you build it, how long can a precariously stacked tower really last?"

You cannot build what is truly yours with what you have received or borrowed from others.

The reason the Taiyi Sect couldn't escape its position as the weak until it was annihilated in my past life was because it continued to rely on the Gyeryong Merchant Group.

And in this life, because I took the initiative and moved independently, the Taiyi Sect was able to take on a different form than in my past life.

"When people perceive and abuse what isn't a given as if it were natural, they become arrogant. Even in the Ak Clan, aren't there tons of scoundrels who take such privileges for granted?"

At my sharp remark, Ak Byeongbi's face flushed bright red.

However, after quickly calming his agitation, his eyes looked more complicated than ever.

"... Are you saying that's all due to the wrong methods of solving problems?"

I had purposely provoked him to end the conversation, but it seemed Ak Byeongbi's curiosity was triggered instead.

"Well, pretty much. Because there's nothing that gnaws away at a person's character and turns them into a frog in a well quite like a sense of entitlement."

"..."

After pondering for a long time, Ak Byeongbi parted his lips.

"Your sect will not last very long."

Huh? Is this guy trying to pick a fight with me right now...

"However."

What's with that look in his eyes?

For a moment, an inexplicable sense of anticipation and marvel seemed to linger in Ak Byeongbi's eyes.

"If you overcome your hardships just as you said, your sect will be reborn as an incredible faction that the Ak Clan couldn't even compare to."

"..."

Having said that, Ak Byeongbi fell into his own deep thoughts.

At his words, all sorts of thoughts began tangling in my own head as well.

It wasn't that I wasn't worried either, but I couldn't solve every single problem from start to finish myself.

If someone laid down the foundation, running upon it was something they had to do themselves.

I believed my father could sufficiently play that role. Because he was the man who had protected the Taiyi Sect even in those difficult circumstances.

'Well, I did set up a separate precaution anyway.'

I recalled my martial arts master, Baek Haegwang.

Because there had been no contact for a while, I wondered if he really found a way to survive on his own, but he eventually reached out.

How could it be easy for someone who was a giant of the Underworld to suddenly become the head of an ordinary household and feed a family of three?

He probably considered falling back into his old ways to make a living as an Underworld figure, given it was all he knew, but the faces of his wife and daughter must have flickered before his eyes.

From what I found out through Haomun, it seemed he had tried looking for jobs here and there, but since he had to hide his past, even making a living by the sword hadn't been easy.

He had sent a message asking if he could stay at the Taiyi Sect for a while as a 'guest'—which I had suggested before—so I sent him a reply telling him to go to the Daecheon Merchant Group.

'Still, he'll need to temper his personality to live properly...'

Building a sect, especially one affiliated with the Orthodox faction, was not an easy task.

Because there would be many situations where politics were needed more than violence.

For someone with power, the very attempt to persuade an opponent with lacking conversational skills was basically patience training.

But on the other hand.

'He might actually shatter the mold entirely.'

I was slightly looking forward to seeing how the world-renowned Sword Demon would manage to suppress his temper while also 'educating' those politicians.

* * *

"I don't know whether to call you a truly good person or a foolish one."

Wang Geumsan clicked his tongue.

A guest who had suddenly barged in.

Simply for the reason that he had come with 'Jin Sowoon's' introduction, Jin Taesan treated Baek Haegwang with the utmost courtesy.

"Isn't he a guest Sowoon sent? Naturally, I must treat him respectfully."

"Tsk, I'm saying you're taking it too far."

In a way, Wang Geumsan's reason for clicking his tongue was obvious.

Normally, a 'guest' referred to someone who was given about one room in a pavilion, provided with meals, and exchanged martial arts or academics.

In short, there had to be a give and take.

However, this man named Baek Haegwang had not even revealed his background yet, and he had even brought his family along to request being a guest.

In response, Jin Taesan, claiming to accommodate them, offered the entire guest annex of the Daecheon Merchant Group and even assigned servants to ensure they experienced no discomfort.

Wang Geumsan's voice grew louder.

"Furthermore, you're going to help establish a sect? Is this the time for you to be helping others with their circumstances?"

"What can I do? That damn son of mine already sent a missive asking me to do so."

Because of Baek Haegwang's sudden arrival, Jin Taesan was currently looking into land near Hefei and hiring carpenters.

With the Sura Sect threatening to barge in at any moment, Jin Taesan focusing his efforts on unrelated matters left Wang Geumsan feeling incredibly frustrated.

"Couldn't you just give them a moderate amount of money and send them away like I suggested?"

However, Jin Taesan firmly shook his head.

"Sowoon owed this man a debt of gratitude. When has that damn kid ever said such a thing?"

He then smiled, an inexplicable sense of relief and satisfaction dwelling within it.

"If there's anything this inadequate father can do, I must do my absolute best to provide it, whatever it may be."

How deeply grateful had he felt upon hearing that his son—who had nowhere to lean on and had never leaned on anyone—had received a favor?

Even if the Daecheon Merchant Group were to go bankrupt tomorrow, Jin Taesan wanted to repay Baek Haegwang for the kindness his son had received.

And he also felt joy in being able to do something as a father.

While the two were bickering like that, a servant announced the arrival of guests.

"Where did you say they came from?"

"They said they came from the Sura Sect."

"..."

The gazes of the two men tangled complicatedly.

"Bring them inside."

Having answered, Jin Taesan looked back at Wang Geumsan and spoke.

"I will handle this."

"No, I will stay with you."

"Lord Wang."

Wang Geumsan patted Jin Taesan's shoulder.

"From the moment we handled the Murim Alliance's matters together, Wangga Manor and the Daecheon Merchant Group became inextricably linked. I won't say more about it."

With Wang Geumsan wearing a resolute expression, as if he wouldn't budge from his seat.

Jin Taesan had no choice but to let out a small sigh.

A moment later.

Three men entered.

The man standing on the left was the person who had previously conveyed their intent to buy the Daecheon Merchant Group, and judging by how respectfully he treated the other two, they clearly held high positions within the Sura Sect.

The three people who entered stood before Wang Geumsan and Jin Taesan, just staring at them intently.

'Huu...'

A clear intention that they would not be the first to greet.

Letting out a long sigh, Jin Taesan eventually stood up from his seat.

"Welcome. I am Jin Taesan of the Daecheon Merchant Group."

Only then did the visitor nod and open his mouth.

"A pleasure. I am the Sura Sect Leader, Ju Yeongsan."

"So you were the Sect Leader."

Ju Yeongsan stole a glance at Wang Geumsan and let out a fake cough.

"Ahem, it has been a long time since I've seen you as well, Lord Wang."

At his forcedly nonchalant attitude, Wang Geumsan let out a snicker.

"Indeed. Was the last time ten years ago when you begged me to lend you two thousand taels?"

"W-What are you saying!"

"Watch your words!"

At Wang Geumsan's words, the men standing on either side of Ju Yeongsan took stances as if they would leap forward at any moment, but Ju Yeongsan raised a hand to stop them.

"Do you not realize how ugly it is to live feeding solely off past memories, Lord Wang?"

"Well... Ah! I do know how foolish it looks to play the Mountain King while riding a tiger's back."

At the remark criticizing their behavior of trying to expand their power by piggybacking on the Shaolin Sect, the people from the Sura Sect violently contorted their faces and shut their mouths.

Eventually unable to watch any longer, Jin Taesan stepped in and calmed the situation.

"Please, everyone, stop. You didn't come here to argue, did you? Lord Wang, please stop as well. They are my guests."

"Hmph!"

At Jin Taesan's intervention, they finally stopped arguing, and the three men took their seats.

Ju Yeongsan, wearing an arrogant expression, immediately got straight to the point.

"I believe our intentions were adequately conveyed the other day. Have you made a decision?"

Despite the other party's rude attitude, Jin Taesan replied with an aloof yet polite demeanor.

"As I stated before, the Daecheon Merchant Group is responsible for the Taiyi Sect's livelihood. I replied that we have no intention to sell."

"We will pay the full price for it."

"..."

"How about around one million taels?"

An astonishing amount was offered, but Wang Geumsan scoffed.

"What kind of brazen thieves are you! Trying to swallow a merchant group that monopolizes the Murim Alliance's distribution for the Anhui Province branches for a mere one million taels."

At his interjection, Ju Yeongsan's eyes sharpened.

"One million taels is an amount that merchant group couldn't make even if it earned for ten years."

"Of course, that is true if you only consider the monetary value. However, factoring in the advantage of holding the Murim Alliance's exclusive distribution and the other benefits that will stem from it, it falls woefully short."

The Sura Sect Leader's hands ultimately began trembling.

"... I understand that the owner of the Daecheon Merchant Group is the Taiyi Sect."

"Hmm? Did anyone say otherwise?"

As Wang Geumsan shrugged his shoulders, Ju Yeongsan forcefully ignored him and looked at Jin Taesan.

"Merchant Group Leader, think carefully. The Sura Sect will be entering the commerce industry anyway. When that happens, the Daecheon Merchant Group's power naturally decreasing will be a given. However, if you sell the merchant group and walk away now, we will purchase the iron ore operated by the Taiyi Sect at double the price in the future."

"..."

After contemplating for a long while, Jin Taesan firmly shook his head.

"As expected, I have no intention to sell."

"You frustrating man..."

Ju Yeongsan scrunched up his face and raised his voice.

"Do you still not understand? This matter isn't solely the Sura Sect's intention. It is also tied to the Shaolin Sect's entry into Anhui Province. Don't tell me you intend to pick a fight with Shaolin right now?"

"The Shaolin Sect..."

As a shadow fell over Jin Taesan's face, Wang Geumsan cut in.

"The Shaolin Sect? If the Shaolin Sect steps in, then our Wangga Manor will also turn into thugs at that time..."

At that moment, Jin Taesan blocked Wang Geumsan.

"Lord Wang."

However, Wang Geumsan, unable to calm his excitement, snorted hot air through his nose.

"Did I say something I shouldn't have? No, aren't those bastards being too blatant!"

"Lord Wang!"

As Jin Taesan blocked him once more, Lord Wang eventually took a step back.

"... Ahem, tsk."

When Wang Geumsan's mouth shut, Ju Yeongsan adopted a triumphant expression.

"You thought well. No matter how incredible Wangga Manor's financial power might be, surely you cannot go up against the Mount Tai and North Star of Murim, the Shaolin Sect—"

"I didn't say I was selling."

"Eh?"

In front of the Sura Sect Leader whose eyes bulged as if they would pop out, Jin Taesan rummaged through his robes and pulled out a crumpled missive.

"After the Sura Sect visited, I did some digging here and there as well. And there was one fact I found out..."

He then flashed a grin at him.

"I heard the Shaolin Sect said they would wash their hands of this matter."

"W-What?"

"Haven't you perhaps verified it?"

"What kind of nonsense..."

Jin Taesan clapped his hands, feigning ignorance.

"Aha! It seems the message hasn't been relayed yet. According to what I received, the Shaolin Sect said it can't be helped if the Sura Sect enters commerce, but that they won't exert their power to support it."

"What do you..."

Jin Taesan handed over the missive, as if driving a wedge.

"My son traveled alongside Little Buddha this time. This is the story I heard through him."

At this, the three people from the Sura Sect examined the missive alternately with eyes lit up in shock.

Little Buddha Ilmyeong was an important existence even within the Shaolin Sect.

There was no way such a person would spout nonsense, and there was even less of a reason for someone to drag his name in to tell a lie.

"If you cannot believe it, you may verify the facts yourself."

At Jin Taesan's confident attitude, Ju Yeongsan's eyes sank calmly.

"... Even without the Shaolin Sect, do you think we can't seize a single Daecheon Merchant Group?"

He then subtly gauged Wang Geumsan's reaction.

"If Wangga Manor and the Shaolin Sect don't step in, it will be a showdown between the Sura Sect and the Taiyi Sect, and the Sura Sect is confident it won't lose."

At the words slyly lumping Wangga Manor and the Shaolin Sect together, Wang Geumsan made a dumbfounded expression but didn't intervene further.

Because right now, it was Jin Taesan's time.

As if responding to those feelings, Jin Taesan took a step forward.

"You seem to be misunderstanding something."

He then corrected the Sura Sect Leader's words with a relaxed voice.

"To be exact, it will be a fight between the merchant group the Sura Sect creates and the Daecheon Merchant Group."

"...!"

"And."

Not a hint of hesitation could be found on his face.

"If it's that kind of fight, I don't think I will lose."

"Ha!"

Despite the Sura Sect's derision, Jin Taesan was confident.

Because the reason he could grow the Daecheon Merchant Group this much in a short period was thanks to Jin Taesan's inherent abilities.

In addition, as Wang Geumsan also wore a triumphant expression as if agreeing with him, the faces of the people from the Sura Sect slowly began to stiffen.

Without the Shaolin Sect's help, going up against the Daecheon Merchant Group that had already established itself throughout Anhui Province was no easy task.

Ju Yeongsan ground his teeth.

"Your brimming confidence is truly quite a sight. But did you know? Merchant groups belonging to Jianghu can never escape the logic of power."

"..."

"I heard the Taiyi Sect is still sealing its gates. Is that correct?"

"That is correct."

Ju Yeongsan scoffed and spat coldly.

"Operating a merchant group while sealing one's gates defies reason."

"..."

"Which means this rightfully deserves criticism."

SLAM!

Wang Geumsan, who had been listening quietly, slammed the table, filled with rage.

"I've held my tongue long enough!"

However, Ju Yeongsan simply continued to glare intently at Jin Taesan.

"We are more than willing to mobilize our martial force to offset our lacking financial power. So the Taiyi Sect had better slowly open its gates and prepare."

Furious at the blatant threat, Wang Geumsan trembled.

Watching him, Ju Yeongsan added.

"I will also say a word to you, Lord Wang. If Wangga Manor steps in, the Shaolin Sect will undoubtedly step in as well. So do not carelessly interfere in Jianghu's matters."

With those final words, the three men all rose from their seats at once.

Because this much was enough for a justification.

Right now, their priority was verifying whether the Shaolin Sect's stance was true.

As the three men threw open the door to leave the office without even leaving a parting greeting.

A white-haired man and a middle-aged woman were standing blankly in front of the door.

The three tried to avoid them and step outside, but.

SWISH.

STEP.

The white-haired man shifted his steps and blocked the path of the three men.

"What is the meaning of...!"

Following that, he repeatedly obstructed their path several times.

Given that his mood was already foul because of Wang Geumsan, there was no way good words would come out of Ju Yeongsan's mouth.

"What the hell are you people doing!"

He raised his internal energy, intending to strike them down in a single blow if they were picking an unnecessary fight.

However.

"Hmm."

The white-haired man introduced himself with an incredibly laid-back expression.

"I'm a guest of the Daecheon Merchant Group, you fuckers."

The most unadorned and rude self-introduction in the world.