Chapter 560
Chapter 560
Chapter 560. The Golden Buddha Statue (2)
The Alliance Leader let out a low hum as he looked at the golden Buddha statues.
“Hmm…… So that is why you brought two Buddha statues.” (Alliance Leader)
“That is correct.” (Eun Seoho)
“Then who prepared the fake Buddha statue?” (Alliance Leader)
At this, I raised my hand and said,
“I prepared it. I had it made by asking the Baekyeom Trading Company.” (Eun Seoho)
“It is exceedingly elaborate.” (Alliance Leader)
“Because it is a place with good skill.” (Eun Seoho)
Of course, this too was something I had asked Young Master Hogyeong for, so he should have made all the evidence that I had asked for it and had it made.
“But why did you take out both Buddha statues? You only needed to take out the real Buddha statue.” (Alliance Leader)
“The reason I took out the fake Buddha statue as well is because I thought there might be times when you would need it too, Alliance Leader.” (Eun Seoho)
As if he understood my words, the Alliance Leader nodded.
“Indeed, if we make use of the fake Buddha statue, we can protect this from those aiming for the item.” (Alliance Leader)
“That is correct.” (Eun Seoho)
“To think you even considered what would come afterward! Thank you.” (Alliance Leader)
“Not at all.” (Eun Seoho)
“By the way, did the Sect Leader of the Guam Sect readily hand over this Buddha statue?” (Alliance Leader)
At this, Team Leader Won answered.
“He did.” (Team Leader Won)
“I see. You have worked hard. You must be weary from the journey, so go and rest.” (Alliance Leader)
At those words, I smiled.
It was not yet time to leave.
“Alliance Leader. I understand that this matter was for the Murim Grand Banquet.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is right.” (Alliance Leader)
“However, I do not belong to the Martial Alliance. Even so, I moved for the sake of this murim. Moreover, Team Leader Won beside me carried out the mission after receiving activity funds, but I carried out the mission with my own money.” (Eun Seoho)
“What are you trying to say?” (Alliance Leader)
“Alliance Leader, I am not a martial artist but a merchant. I would like to receive compensation befitting the mission I carried out.” (Eun Seoho)
“Did you say compensation?” (Alliance Leader)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
I nodded.
“I mean compensation that is not something like honor, but something practically visible to the eye and tangible to the hand.” (Eun Seoho)
After thinking for a moment, the Alliance Leader looked at me.
“In truth, I had intended to transmit one martial art to you, but if you insist on walking the path of a merchant, it cannot be helped.” (Alliance Leader)
Alliance Leader. Where are you trying to pull that trick?
“A martial art! I am truly grateful for the offer, but I will decline. As I just said, for a merchant, the best thing is something visible to the eye and tangible to the hand. I do not covet anything beyond that.” (Eun Seoho)
“Very well. Then how much should I give you?” (Alliance Leader)
“To discuss a specific sum of money does not befit the Alliance Leader’s standing.” (Eun Seoho)
“Does not befit my standing?” (Alliance Leader)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
Why are you doing this? It is not as though you would give me whatever amount I named.
I brought out what I wanted.
“What I want is the authority to choose the place I want in the merchant area during this Murim Grand Banquet.” (Eun Seoho)
“Is that truly enough?” (Alliance Leader)
“It is.” (Eun Seoho)
At this, Team Leader Won said,
“Master, after how much you suffered this time, how could only that be enough?” (Team Leader Won)
“It is enough. A prime location can yield that much more profit.” (Eun Seoho)
“But did you not say earlier? That you wanted something visible to the eye and tangible to the hand.” (Alliance Leader)
“That is correct.” (Eun Seoho)
Still not losing my smile, I said,
“So a document containing the Alliance Leader’s notarization for this. That will be enough.” (Eun Seoho)
“Must you receive a document?” (Alliance Leader)
“Merchants like us like certainty. A document containing the Alliance Leader’s notarization is absolutely necessary.” (Eun Seoho)
After Eun Seoho’s party left, the Alliance Leader stared at the seat Eun Seoho had been sitting in and fell deep in thought.
What he had demanded of him was the authority to choose the place he wanted in the merchant area during the Murim Grand Banquet.
On top of that, he even demanded notarization for it, so the Alliance Leader had no choice but to personally write a document for him.
With that single document, Eun Seoho smiled brightly, as if all the hardships he had endured until now had been washed away.
‘Does he want to gain my backing? Or is money simply his priority?’ (Alliance Leader)
The Alliance Leader knew as well.
The difference in profit between a good location and a poor location in the merchant area was considerable.
If he did business at a prime location, he would more than make up for the money he had spent on this trip to Mount Tai.
He truly was a man of extraordinary ability.
‘By the way…….’ (Alliance Leader)
He turned his head and examined the two Buddha statues.
‘For that man to hand over the real one!’ (Alliance Leader)
He had believed that the Sect Leader of the Guam Sect had noticed something strange about him.
That was why he had expected him to hand over a fake.
And Eun Seoho would realize that it was fake, press the Sect Leader, hear the circumstances from him, and then make a choice.
But it was different from what he had expected.
‘For now, there should be no need to pay much attention to the Sect Leader of the Guam Sect.’ (Alliance Leader)
What remained was his evaluation of Eun Seoho and the conclusion regarding him.
Because it was something outside his expectations, he was slightly flustered, but from seeing him today, there was one thing that was certain.
The fact that Eun Seoho had discovered the things he had done until now, and had obstructed them, had all been coincidence.
If he had noticed his true intentions and moved deliberately rather than by coincidence, then even if the Sect Leader of the Guam Sect had given him the real golden Buddha statue, he would not have offered it up like this.
In that case, the best course would be to coax him over and make him his ally, but it did not seem easy.
First, he was far too greedy.
He was smart, but the Alliance Leader’s evaluation was that he was a person who used that mind solely for money.
One might say that since he liked money, he could be coaxed by using it as bait, but that was not the case.
‘He is a born merchant. Using money as bait on someone like that is more difficult than one would think.’ (Alliance Leader)
In other words, he was someone who regarded everything as a transaction, and if that transaction fell apart, he could turn away at any time.
‘Moreover, if he is that smart, he would not die alone.’ (Alliance Leader)
Now was a time to be prudent and cautious.
If he pointlessly drew him in and a problem arose, it would be troublesome.
The Alliance Leader clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“To think someone who learned the Cheonryu Art has such great greed! That too is truly ironic.” (Alliance Leader)
He made his decision.
If Eun Seoho had not noticed his true intentions and was not obstructing him, there was no need to take the risk of eliminating him.
And there was no need to actively draw him in either.
Because he seemed to thoroughly regard the Alliance Leader as a transaction partner.
After making his decision, he was about to reach his hand toward the golden Buddha statue, but soon stopped.
‘No, not yet.’ (Alliance Leader)
He could not use this here, in the Martial Alliance.
There would be an external appointment a few days later, so he could use it then.
Even if he wanted to take the golden Buddha statue out right now and use it, he could not, because……
“Hoo…….” (Alliance Leader)
Documents he had to deal with were piled up.
He still had to maintain this position. For that reason, he had no choice but to handle the documents.
‘The position of Alliance Leader was not something one could just enjoy for free…… damn it.’ (Alliance Leader)
After withdrawing from the Alliance Leader Hall, I exchanged farewell greetings with Team Leader Won’s party.
“You have worked hard.” (Eun Seoho)
“Please do not say such things. Thanks to Master Seonhyeopmirang, we were able to complete the mission safely.” (Team Leader Won)
“My face is starting to itch. Then I will look forward to meeting you again next time.” (Eun Seoho)
“Are you leaving right away?” (Team Leader Won)
“Yes. I have many things to do, so it is difficult to delay any longer. You Masters must also be exhausted from the journey, so you should rest well.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you for your consideration. We will not forget the grace you have shown us.” (Team Leader Won)
To be honest, the hardships they suffered during the journey were because of me, so it was a little embarrassing.
But they were the ones who provided the cause. Well.
If they had treated me with courtesy from the beginning, I would not have gone that far either.
I politely bowed and turned around.
“Then I will take my leave now.” (Eun Seoho)
“Please go safely.” (Team Leader Won)
And so, my party and I left the Martial Alliance.
“Then are you going straight to Beijing?” (Warrior Seowoo)
At Warrior Seowoo’s words, I shook my head.
“No. I plan to stay a while longer.” (Eun Seoho)
For the plan I had prepared, I must not leave Luoyang yet.
I smiled inwardly as I headed to the inn I had in mind.
The appearance of being excessively obsessed with money in front of the Alliance Leader had been something I staged deliberately.
Right now, the Alliance Leader was probably in a slightly confused state about what judgment to make regarding me.
Because I had brought both the fake and the real one.
But since I had obediently offered up even the real one, he must have judged that I was not dangerous.
In that case, what he thought best would be to recruit me.
That was dangerous.
If I did not get recruited, the Alliance Leader would not leave me alone after I had learned his inner thoughts.
That was why I took the initiative first.
By deliberately showing the image of a merchant filled with greed, I made the Alliance Leader give up the idea of recruiting me.
The Alliance Leader was smart.
So he would have realized that I regarded him as a transaction partner.
Recruiting someone who regards you as a transaction partner is harder than recruiting someone with blind faith.
I chuckled as I recalled the document containing the Alliance Leader’s notarization inside my clothes.
This document was proof that the Alliance Leader had judged me that way.
Although I had suffered like a dog because of the Alliance Leader’s test, I was satisfied.
Depending on how it was used, the value of this document could differ like heaven and earth.
By the way, he did not ask a single word about the people I saved from the Black Cat Sect’s prison.
Well, I suppose he might want to avoid mentioning it, even deliberately.
Our party booked rooms at an inn near the Martial Alliance.
This time too, it was quite a good inn, the same place where we had stayed before during the Dragon and Phoenix Martial Arts Competition.
“It has been a long time since we saw you. Thank you for visiting our inn again like this.” (Innkeeper)
The innkeeper welcomed me gladly.
“Hahaha, somehow this place puts me at ease.” (Eun Seoho)
“We will do our very best to serve you this time as well.” (Innkeeper)
We unpacked in our rooms and all gathered in my room.
“You are here.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Warrior Seowoo)
I circulated my qi so our sounds would not leak outside.
“Tonight, I intend to steal the golden Buddha statue.” (Eun Seoho)
“Then what should we do?” (Warrior Seowoo)
Warrior Seowoo asked.
Normally, at the words that I was going to steal the golden Buddha statue, one would be startled or express concern.
But without any such reaction at all, he calmly asked what he should do.
That must mean he trusted me that much.
“I thought you would at least ask the reason.” (Eun Seoho)
“I believe that if you do something, Liege, it must be because there is a reason you have to do it.” (Warrior Seowoo)
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
I answered with a gentle smile.
I was grateful that they trusted me, but I should at least tell them the reason.
Unless it was something I absolutely had to hide, that was the courtesy owed to those who trusted me.
“In truth, that golden Buddha statue has the power to amplify all energies.” (Eun Seoho)
“When you say all energies……” (Warrior Seowoo)
“Yes. All energies. And from what I can see, that golden Buddha statue is needed not for the Murim Grand Banquet, but for another reason.” (Eun Seoho)
“What is that other reason?” (Warrior Seowoo)
“I do not know exactly either. But it will not be used with good intentions in the Alliance Leader’s hands.” (Eun Seoho)
“I see.” (Warrior Seowoo)
“So I need all of your help.” (Eun Seoho)
“Please say anything.” (Warrior Yeo Eungam)
“We will follow.” (Warrior Ipil)
Warrior Yeo Eungam and Warrior Ipil clasped their hands and lowered their heads, and Palgap grinned as he said,
“You can put all your worries away!” (Palgap)
“Yeah, I got it.” (Eun Seoho)
I chuckled.
Warrior Yeo Eungam asked worriedly.
“But if it is an object that important, would they not hide it with care over there as well?” (Warrior Yeo Eungam)
“Of course they would. But I have already made preparations. I applied the tracking incense Warrior Ipil made for me before to the real golden Buddha statue.” (Eun Seoho)
“Then I just need to find it.” (Warrior Ipil)
“That is right.” (Eun Seoho)
At this, Palgap asked,
“Isn’t that tracking incense the Tang Clan’s tracking incense? Then wouldn’t someone from the Tang Clan in this Martial Alliance notice the scent of that tracking incense?” (Palgap)
“You do not need to worry about that, Little Palgap.” (Warrior Ipil)
Warrior Ipil continued.
“The tracking incense I made for Liege is something I improved myself, and only I can detect it.” (Warrior Ipil)
Warrior Seowoo raised his hand and said,
“But even if we know its location, there is no way there will not be someone guarding it.” (Warrior Seowoo)
“That is true. But you do not need to worry about that. After that, Geumryeong will work hard for us.” (Eun Seoho)
“Kkui?” (Geumryeong)
At the sound of her being mentioned, Geumryeong poked her head out and kkui-ed.
Although I would have to pay Geumryeong quite a large errand fee, that was the most convenient and safest way.
“And as for me, we will say I fell asleep because the journey was exhausting.” (Eun Seoho)
“But to make them believe that……” (Palgap)
At Palgap’s words, I gave him the Humae Mirror and said,
“Let us solve that with this.” (Eun Seoho)
The Humae Mirror was an item that created illusions.
“Ah! With this, there will be no problem!” (Palgap)
.
.
.
After the sun had set and the surroundings had become dark at night.
Warrior Ipil and I secretly left the inn.
Our destination was the place where the real golden Buddha statue was.
“Please.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Warrior Ipil nodded. Then he closed his eyes and seemed to concentrate for a moment before pointing ahead with his hand.
“It is in this direction.” (Warrior Ipil)
“Yes. Please go first.” (Eun Seoho)
I followed Warrior Ipil, and soon we arrived at the Martial Alliance.
“It is inside there.” (Warrior Ipil)
As expected, he had not taken it outside yet.
Well, I suppose this was the safest place.
Warrior Ipil examined the Martial Alliance side and quietly said,
“The security is quite strict. It seems it will be difficult to enter stealthily.” (Warrior Ipil)
“Please come this way.” (Eun Seoho)
This time, I guided Warrior Ipil.
Every place has a dog hole, and I knew the Martial Alliance’s dog hole.
In truth, this was something I had learned through Eunha Merchant Guild’s intelligence unit in my previous life, and it was mainly a place used by the Martial Alliance’s warriors.
A place hidden by bushes, not easily visible from the outside.
“How do you know this place?” (Warrior Ipil)
“There are ways.” (Eun Seoho)
I brushed it off as though it were nothing and took the lead inside.
And Warrior Ipil tracked the tracking incense.
“It is that place.” (Warrior Ipil)
The place Warrior Ipil pointed to appeared to be the Alliance Leader’s bedchamber.
Now it was time for Geumryeong to shine.
Go! Geumryeong! (Eun Seoho)
Kkui! (Geumryeong)
It is worth three gold coins! (Eun Seoho)
Kk-kkuiiit! (Geumryeong)
Huh…… she likes it too much, doesn’t she?