Chapter 19
“However, somehow they knew and suddenly insisted on seeing the guildmaster…”
It was Songgok who had delivered the news about Cheongun Pyo-guk.
Songgok managed the household staff and controlled visitors entering the guild. In the process, it seemed there had been a minor clash with people from Cheongun Pyo-guk who had come to visit the Geumhwa Guild.
“Anyway, we managed to send them back for now, but they seemed determined to return soon. It’s possible that the Pyo-guk master of Cheongun Pyo-guk might come personally.”
Cheongun Pyo-guk.
Although its influence had waned slightly, it had once been counted among the Ten Great Pyo-guks in the world.
This was knowledge stored in Geumja-mun’s memory.
While the Ten Great Pyo-guks didn’t quite reach the level of the so-called prestigious orthodox sects like the Old Eight Factions or famous clans, they were still a force not to be underestimated.
Unlike petty black-do groups like Heukjeonbang, they were fundamentally different.
And yet they suddenly insisted on seeing the Geumdanmok?
“You may not remember, having been away from the guild for so long, but the guildmaster and the Pyo-guk master of Cheongun Pyo-guk are old friends.”
Hearing that, I understood to some degree.
Moreover, other fragments of Geumja-mun’s memories began to surface faintly.
“Even if they are my father’s friend, if Cheongun Pyo-guk is moving at this moment and insisting, as you say, they must have come because they know something.”
“It seems that news from within the guild has somehow reached Cheongun Pyo-guk.”
I nodded.
Otherwise, there would be no way to explain the current situation.
Songgok had looked uneasy from the moment I arrived, and now I understood why.
“I apologize, Young Master. I tried my best to control them… please hold me responsible if anything goes wrong.”
I shook my head at his words.
Nothing was certain yet.
“Even if they came knowing something, we don’t know whether it came from the Geumhwa Guild until we confirm it.”
Other approaches were possible.
“Even if it didn’t come from us, Doosan Baek or Gujunghoe could have sent them first.”
Songgok’s expression worsened further.
That scenario was no better for the guild; in fact, it was worse.
“Does that mean Cheongun Pyo-guk could be on their side?”
“We don’t know yet. If Cheongun Pyo-guk sends someone again, I will meet them myself.”
This matter couldn’t simply be avoided.
If Cheongun Pyo-guk was involved, the plan would have to be revised. Of course, that would come after meeting them.
“Gather all the household staff in one place.”
First, I decided to consolidate control over the household before dealing with Cheongun Pyo-guk.
For the first time since I arrived at the guild, all the staff gathered in one place.
Their number exceeded a hundred.
The guild’s spacious courtyard was completely filled due to the sheer number of people.
Some were familiar faces from comings and goings, but many were new to me.
For a moment, I thought of using the Myangan technique on all of them at once, but I quickly shook my head.
Now was the time to resolve their anxieties rather than entertain other thoughts. Their expectations of me would not match the method I chose.
“Looks like everyone’s here.”
Songgok nodded at my words and calmed the murmuring crowd.
“Everyone! Please be quiet! The Great Young Master has something to say to you all.”
Once the noise settled, I stepped forward.
Alright, let’s begin.
“First, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to gather here. And I apologize. I should have prepared this gathering in advance but failed to do so.”
I bowed lightly to the assembled staff, in a humble but not overly deferential manner.
The crowd murmured. They hadn’t expected me to start with an apology.
But when I lifted my head again, the murmur vanished as if by magic. I slowly opened my mouth toward them.
“The recent disturbances within the guild have been confusing and difficult for many of you. I understand. Had I been in your position, I would have felt the same.”
I paused, letting them see me, letting them understand what kind of person I am, what kind of heir their Young Master is.
“However, I will not forgive the spreading of lies or rumors. Nor will I forgive anyone who, having heard them, misleads others.”
Then I subtly baited them.
“I am saying you only need to listen to me and trust me.”
They had come expecting some explanation or clarification. Suddenly, I told them to trust me without saying anything further. None of them remained calm.
I fueled their confusion further.
“What, do you have a problem with that?”
And without waiting for a reply, I asked again.
“Do I look like a benevolent person in your eyes? The moment I returned to the guild, I cut down those guild pests like wheat—do I look kind to you?”
Their mouths, ready to voice complaints, snapped shut.
Even if rumors were false, everyone knew the truth that I had cut down the Heukjeonbang warriors.
I issued my final warning.
“Now that I have returned, the Geumhwa Guild will change in some way. It may improve or worsen. I will not order you to follow me. I will give you time to consider. If you cannot accept it, you may leave the guild.”
With that, I turned. The courtyard erupted in a commotion far greater than before, but I paid no attention.
“Having said what I had to, disperse them.”
I said to Songgok. Though he appeared unsettled, he obeyed without question.
“Everyone, disperse!”
As Songgok guided the staff away, Chief No stood beside me and spoke.
“Well done, Young Master.”
I chuckled at the sudden praise.
“Well done? They must have thought I was a tyrant.”
Chief No laughed along and shook his head.
“Perhaps, but one thing is certain: rumors will no longer matter to them. They won’t have time to care. They’ll consider what benefits them more—staying or leaving. Merchant blood runs through them all.”
I shrugged. Chief No seemed to think I had solved a small problem by giving them a greater issue to focus on. He wasn’t entirely wrong. I did intend that outcome.
“And new wine should be put in a new vessel, after all.”
I didn’t respond to Chief No’s meaningful words. He clearly wasn’t idle in his old age—hence his position as chief of the Baekdae Guild.
“If you ever feel dissatisfied, Chief No, you may leave anytime.”
He feigned indignation.
“Oh, where else would I find a position like this at my age? I’ll stay until Young Master decides otherwise.”
Though joking, his eyes were serious. He was signaling that he would be loyal.
Chief No was welcome, but I had no intention to rush. I would observe a little longer. Songgok, Chief No—they were near me, but not fully mine yet.
I pretended not to notice. Chief No, perceptive as he was, surely knew.
“I’ll have no choice but to work hard to please the Young Master.”
A smile crept onto my face, seeing his determination rather than disappointment.
“I have business to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. Call me if needed.”
Chief No bowed respectfully and departed.
I stayed longer, watching the dispersing staff. Once alone, I exhaled the breath I had been holding.
“This isn’t easy.”
My own people? More would be better, if I could ignore the weight on my shoulders.
Perhaps today’s decisions stemmed from fear of bearing that weight, not from any grand principle Chief No had mentioned.
“I thought all previous guildmasters were fools.”
I had always found the choices of former leaders frustrating and incomprehensible.
But now, I could imagine that even the leaders of the Hwasanpa disciples may have felt this way. I had been harshly judging them in my mind until now.
“Late, but I apologize anyway.”
I said this to the sky, apologizing to past leaders. Of course…
“Except for you, Jincheon.”
If you felt wronged, you should have done better when you could. Still…
“I’ll do better than you, so take comfort in that.”
Even worthless things can be useful sometimes, it seems. Jincheon was like that.
“In short, you were worthless.”
I laughed heartily, leaving the lingering fear and hesitation behind.
The next day.
One of my two predictions was correct, the other wrong.
My prediction had been wrong.
“I expected a few to leave the guild after stirring up a hornet’s nest yesterday.”
Not a single one left. They clearly needed more time to think.
No one spoke a word. If my superior had done the same, I would have left immediately, though no one would dare stand over me. In any case, my prediction had failed spectacularly.
However, the other prediction proved accurate.
“Advisor Young Master!”
After morning training, as I cleaned up and adjusted my clothes, a guild warrior brought news.
“The Pyo-guk master of Cheongun Pyo-guk has come personally!”
As Songgok had expected, the master of Cheongun Pyo-guk had arrived at Geumhwa Guild early.
“Who is greeting the Pyo-guk master?”
“Song Warrior is there now.”
I nodded after a moment of thought.
“I’ll go myself. You go call Chief No.”
Chief No had long served in the guild and would be recognized by the Cheongun Pyo-guk master, potentially helpful depending on the situation.
“Understood.”
I let the warrior run off and headed to the main gate.
There, I met the Pyo-guk master of Cheongun Pyo-guk, his face set and serious.
‘A master.’
That was my first impression.
The aura emanating from his six-foot frame was extraordinary. Among all I had met in this life, perhaps the most formidable. Exaggerating slightly, he could match Hwasanpa’s top disciples. Being counted among the Ten Great Pyo-guks, he deserved it.
‘But why does he look familiar?’
Strange.
