Chapter 246: Taking Over the Sky Ocean Escort Agency

“Apologies. I’m late.”

Baekseom spoke while looking at Yong Hwarin, who had suffered serious injuries.

“No, you came quickly. It’s just that the enemies were faster.”

When the Blood Green Unit entered, the demonic and unorthodox masters who were in the Sky Ocean Merchant Union failed to escape and were all killed.

Most died while fleeing, and those who fought to the end did not survive.

“What happened to the Division Leader?”

“As per Young Master Yong’s orders, he would have already smuggled out all the grain stored in Goyi Mountain.”

The amount of grain the Heavenly Demon Sect had secretly siphoned from the Sky Ocean Merchant Union was enormous.

Because of that, it had been anticipated that one day they would attack the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, and Deuksang had been instructed not to hesitate to extract the hidden grain from Goyi Mountain if such an attack occurred.

It had also been said that if Sam Taegong Lee Kangmin was at Goyi Mountain, he was to withdraw quietly without getting greedy. Fortunately, since Lee Kangmin had come to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, there were no masters in Goyi Mountain to stop Deuksang.

So, when the Heavenly Demon Sect attacked the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, Deuksang infiltrated Goyi Mountain and smuggled out the grain.

This attack by the Heavenly Demon Sect caused severe human losses to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

More than half the escorts were either killed or wounded, and among the escort chiefs, the only survivor was Oh Pyo-du, Hwawoong of the Daeryeokpaebu.

Oh Pyo-du Hwawoong happened to be out on an escort mission at the time and thus avoided disaster.

Il Pyo-du Do Gye-gong was killed by his own comrades, while Yi Pyo-du Baekuigum Go Jam-mu, Sam Pyo-du Jawoongum Jeon Yeong, and Sa Pyo-du Flash of Light Dominator Sword Wol San were all slain while fighting against demonic masters.

Half of the elders from the Golden Court Council were also killed in this battle.

In a way, it was fortunate, as the ones who had been shaking the foundation of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union were now dead.

Regardless, Hoi Jongbaek ordered that the families of the fallen, who died defending the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, be supported and that their funerals be held with due honor.

“Branch Leader, the financial damage from this incident is great. How about we delay the compensation for the fallen escorts and pay it out gradually?”

Chief Administrator Wang Mu said this, pointing out the dire state of the union’s finances. In response, Hoi Jongbaek pulled out a letter from a drawer.

Inside the room were Hoi Jongbaek, Hoi Unkyung, Wang Mu, and Yong Hwarin.

“Our family’s assets are more concealed than they appear. This contract is a deposit certificate for promissory notes placed across the Three Great Money Exchanges. Chief Administrator Wang Mu, retrieve all the funds deposited in those exchanges. With that money, we can fully rebuild the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.”

Wang Mu opened the contract and looked at Hoi Jongbaek with a stunned expression.

“What is all this money?”

“This capital has been passed down since the previous generation. With interest accumulated over time, it has grown to a massive amount, as you can see.”

Wang Mu muttered.

“This is enough to buy an entire money exchange. Even with just half of this, we could rebuild the merchant union.”

Hoi Jongbaek nodded.

“Withdraw what you need and make use of it, Chief Administrator Wang.”

Grateful that such an important task had been entrusted to him, Wang Mu bowed deeply.

As the atmosphere became warm and amicable, Yong Hwarin brought up another matter.

“And what happened to the grain taken by the Weiji Clan the other day?”

At that, Wang Mu’s face turned pale.

Only after handing over all the grain had he realized they were impostors.

When transporting grain to the Weiji Clan, it had been agreed that once near the vicinity, they would send updates on the convoy’s progress to the merchant union. However, no contact ever came. After inquiring around, he had belatedly realized he had been scammed.

“H-how did Young Master Yong know about that?”

“In truth, that grain had been snatched by the Heavenly Demon Sect and hidden in Goyi Mountain. We retrieved it again during their assault on the Sky Ocean Merchant Union. By tomorrow, the grain will be back.”

“Th-thank you, Young Master Yong.”

There was no other way to explain it—this had been Wang Mu’s mistake. The grain had been shipped out under his authority.

But thanks to Yong Hwarin’s help, he had managed to recover from his blunder. Chief Administrator Wang was nothing but grateful.

Hoi Jongbaek, after hearing the full explanation from Yong Hwarin, nodded.

“Send the grain coming in to the Weiji Clan right away and forward half of the recovered grain to the Heavenly Central Sect. Shouldn’t we reward them for returning it?”

Wang Mu replied without hesitation.

“Understood, Branch Leader.”

Yong Hwarin bowed without a single word of refusal.

“Thank you, Branch Leader.”

Hoi Jongbaek waved his hand dismissively and said,

“No, this isn’t enough. I’ll support the Heavenly Central Sect further when I can. If not for Young Master Yong, our merchant union would have already been reduced to ashes by the demonic and unorthodox groups. You not only stopped Hoi Soyu’s forces but also protected the merchant union. Frankly, even if you had demanded the merchant union itself, I would have had nothing to say. Why would I be stingy over mere grain?”

Hoi Unkyung added,

“And I already consulted with my father. I told him I had promised to give you the Sky Ocean Escort Agency if you saved us.”

Wang Mu looked displeased, his lips jutting out a good few inches. But as the conversation seemed already concluded, he remained silent.

“Still, how could I…”

“There is a dying will from our ancestors that a promise must be kept. Compared to saving me and my father, this is meager.”

People often change their hearts going in and out of the outhouse.

However, unlike ordinary people, Hoi Unkyung and Hoi Jongbaek showed an effort to take responsibility for the words they had spoken.

‘They truly are descendants of Hoi Eulshin.’

Seeing the sincerity in their actions, Yong Hwarin thought he should respond differently as well. So, since the topic had come up, he decided to make it clear.

“Then, may I formally take over the Sky Ocean Escort Agency starting today?”

“We would welcome it. Who knows what kind of wicked forces might attack next? Having Young Master Yong’s people at our side would be a great reassurance. In any case, our household intends to focus more on merchant business than escort missions. We’re planning to expand our trade operations. Dividing our forces between the merchant union and the escort agency has diluted our strength, and that has been a concern.”

Yong Hwarin stood and bowed politely.

“Thank you for keeping your word.”

Hoi Jongbaek also stood up in response.

“It is this old man who should be thankful. You saved my daughter’s and my life, and you protected our merchant union. And to think that we’ve given such a small reward to the person who risked his life for us—this old man’s heart feels heavy.”

Yong Hwarin inwardly rejoiced, feeling that the financial situation of the Heavenly Central Sect was now resolved.

It had been worth risking his life to protect the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

The Sky Ocean Escort Agency was the most renowned escort agency in Jeongju.

Its annual transport volume alone was enormous, with yearly revenue rivaling that of a major trading union.

To acquire such an enterprise free of charge was something to be truly joyful about.

“However, many of the escorts were gravely injured or killed in this incident. Is there a way to replenish them? At the very least, you should discuss such matters with Chief Administrator Wang.”

“I already have a plan for that.”

“Do you now? As expected, Young Master Yong leaves no gaps.”

The more Hoi Jongbaek dealt with Yong Hwarin, the more he found himself drawn to him.

He felt that if he could have such a man as a son-in-law, he would have peace of mind until his dying day.

But Hoi Jongbaek also knew well that neither he nor his daughter were vessels large enough to contain someone like Yong Hwarin. So he did not entertain vain hopes.

He also knew that to stir up old desires would only lead to disgrace.

Moreover, it was not something one should do to the savior of one’s life.

‘What a pity… What a shame… He’s far too great a man for us to contain. If he were just a bit more ordinary, perhaps I would dare to harbor a bit of desire.’

Hoi Jongbaek looked at Yong Hwarin with eyes full of regret.

“Branch Leader, please dismiss Cheongsongcheonpil Yeogong, who is currently the Escort Master of the Sky Ocean Escort Agency. I will take everyone else with me.”

Hoi Jongbaek nodded.

“That would be best. I will summon Escort Master Yeogong to the merchant union.”

Yong Hwarin sat with Deuksang, the Division Leader of the Blood Green Unit, and Baekseom, drinking tea.

“Starting today, I’ve officially taken over the Sky Ocean Escort Agency.”

“Oh! Is that so? Congratulations.”

Deuksang and Baekseom smiled and offered their congratulations to Yong Hwarin.

Yong Hwarin cautiously turned to Deuksang.

“Division Leader Duek, please don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say and listen carefully.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Due to the recent assault by the Heavenly Demon Sect, half of the seventy or so escorts have either died or been wounded and can no longer serve.”

“I’ve already heard the reports. It’s a tragic situation. Most escorts are only second-rate or just entering first-rate, so they likely stood no chance against the demonic and unorthodox masters.”

“Precisely why I say this—how about relocating the entire Blood Green Unit to the escort agency? I wish to entrust the Sky Ocean Escort Agency to you, Division Leader Duek.”

“What?”

Deuksang opened his eyes wide in surprise, while Baekseom looked like he had already expected this ever since Yong Hwarin first mentioned the escort agency.

“We’re in the assassination business, so…”

Deuksang stammered, flustered, as the thought of running an escort agency had never once crossed his mind.

Yong Hwarin glanced at Baekseom and decided to lie.

“If Hye Mae, who’s currently at our household, hears that her former comrades are killing for survival, how painful must that be for her? Wasn’t Hidden Saint Cult originally a sect that pursued sanctity? Why not take this opportunity to stop the killing trade and build strength again through the escort agency?”

At Yong Hwarin’s question, Deuksang showed a deeply contemplative expression.

As Yong Hwarin subtly signaled, Baekseom spoke up.

“Division Leader, I believe we should accept Young Master Yong’s offer. In truth, I’ve long held back from saying this, but among our cult’s warriors, many have been deeply disheartened, saying that the assassination trade has tarnished the honor of our cult. However, after fighting alongside Young Master Yong at Kirin River against the Heavenly Demon Sect’s forces, they were able to reclaim the spirit of Hidden Saint Cult. Now that we’ve found our Young Cult Leader, I believe it’s time to change our path.”

Deuksang was upright, but not inflexible.

After hearing Baekseom’s words, he nodded slightly.

“You’re right. Back then, we had no choice but to engage in assassination for various reasons, but continuing even after finding our Young Cult Leader is not acceptable. We exist for the sake of the Young Cult Leader. We must not do anything that displeases him.”

Deuksang, too, understood this once the term Young Cult Leader was mentioned.

“Very well! Young Master Yong, we’ll take on the escort agency.”

“Thank you.”

Yong Hwarin clasped Deuksang’s hand, and Deuksang gave an awkward smile.

Looking at the pure-hearted Deuksang, Yong Hwarin said,

“Hye Mae will be very pleased.”

With a motivated expression, Deuksang responded.

“I’ve been searching for the scattered masters of Hidden Saint Cult ever since our destruction. When they hear we’re operating an escort agency here, they’ll come. Among them, I’ll select the strongest followers and send them to the Heavenly Central Sect.”

“If you would do that, what more could I ask?”

Seeing how Yong Hwarin was so pleased despite mostly giving and receiving little, Deuksang felt good.

Baekseom watched Yong Hwarin with an amused smile inside.

‘Young Master Yong knows how to win people’s hearts with the smallest of gestures. In some ways, he’s a brilliant merchant. Normally, martial artists would put on airs and feign humility at moments like this.’

Though he possessed martial prowess equal to that of an absolute master like Sam Taegong, Yong Hwarin did not come across as such a figure—this made him all the more charming in Baekseom’s eyes.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep