<Chapter 45> Is the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company Ready?
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The leader?
Did she really mean the leader of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company?
Baek Su-Gyeong’s expression shifted, a mixture of surprise and confusion. So Ssang-Ah, Namgung So-Min, and Gal Ye-Ryeong stared at Jin A-Gyeong with wide eyes, each for their own reasons.
However, they all shared one common thought.
“The leader of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company, said to be as elusive as a dragon hidden in the clouds…”
“The Cloud Flower Fairy…!”
“Are you really the leader of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company?”
While the three women were shocked, Baek Su-Gyeong remained oblivious to the reason behind their astonishment.
To him, the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company was simply one of the largest trading companies in Murim. In his mind, it held a similar status to Samsung or Apple back in his world.
Of course, it was surprising to see the leader, a young woman barely in her early twenties, sitting before him.
“Allow me to introduce myself properly, once again.”
This time, Jin A-Gyeong rose gracefully without banging her knee. She bowed respectfully.
“I am Jin A-Gyeong, the 23rd leader of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company.”
“You’re really the leader?!”
So Ssang-Ah’s exclamation drew a frown from the guard who had accompanied Jin A-Gyeong.
“Indeed, she is. Do you doubt her words?”
The leader of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company had personally come to meet a mere scholar like Baek Su-Gyeong.
He should consider himself honored.
The Heavenly Dragon Trading Company was no ordinary organization.
They had countless branches throughout Murim, supplied goods to the Imperial Palace, and maintained close ties with various martial arts sects.
They were even entrusted with handling the logistics for the Murim Alliance’s Heochang branch, a testament to their trustworthiness.
For the leader of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company to step foot into the heart of their rival, the Gyeong-Un Trading Company, was a risky move.
Yet, their reactions were… unexpected.
Even considering Baek Su-Gyeong’s influence on Murim.
“I suggest you lower your hand.”
Baek Su-Gyeong calmly addressed Jin A-Gyeong’s guard, who had instinctively placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
“Even though you’ve entered the heart of a rival trading company, and even though your previous remarks were disrespectful, this is still the Gyeong-Un Trading Company. Not the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company.”
“H-How dare you!”
Baek Su-Gyeong continued, ignoring the guard’s contorted expression.
His tone was no longer gentle.
His face was as cold and hard as the frozen tundra, his eyes sharp as ice.
“And I am Baek Su-Gyeong. The Gyeong-Un Trading Company holds the exclusive rights to distribute my work. If the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company wishes to make me an offer, maintaining such an attitude is unwise.”
“B-But!”
“Yeong-Jin, wait outside.”
Jin A-Gyeong’s voice, now laced with ice, made the guard, Yeong-Jin, flinch.
Wait outside?
In this hostile territory, who would protect her if he left?
“L-Leader!”
“Didn’t you hear me? Or do you need me to personally escort you out?”
The bumbling, clumsy Jin A-Gyeong was gone.
In her place stood the charismatic leader of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company, her words sharp as a knife, piercing Yeong-Jin’s heart.
“…I’ll withdraw. My apologies.”
Yeong-Jin bowed deeply, muttering an apology to no one in particular, and exited the room. The three women watched him leave, their faces etched with surprise.
They were astonished by Baek Su-Gyeong’s ability to handle the situation single-handedly, without their intervention.
‘Master…’
‘Shopkeeper, you’re amazing!’
‘You’re more assertive than I thought, Master Baek.’
Regardless of their thoughts,
Baek Su-Gyeong felt a sense of relief, having removed a potential obstacle. If Yeong-Jin had stayed, either Namgung So-Min or Gal Ye-Ryeong would have stepped in.
The guard’s behavior had been unpredictable.
If he had drawn his sword, the situation could have escalated quickly. Baek Su-Gyeong had prevented that from happening.
Gal Ye-Ryeong clicked her tongue inwardly.
‘I’d love to have my assassins take care of him, but that would cause unnecessary trouble. I have no choice but to endure.’
If they were dealing with a minor trading company, she could easily have him eliminated. However, their opponent was the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company.
Even the Demonic Cult couldn’t afford to antagonize the largest trading company in Murim.
There was a difference in weight class.
Besides, considering Ya Noe’s preference for operating in the shadows, it was unlikely that he would approve of such a reckless act.
Baek Su-Gyeong wouldn’t be happy about it either.
Gal Ye-Ryeong watched as Yeong-Jin left the room, her gaze lingering on the empty doorway.
‘I’ll remember this.’
Meanwhile, Jin A-Gyeong stood up and bowed towards Baek Su-Gyeong.
“My apologies, Master Baek. My guard was out of line…”
“A guard’s greatest virtues are composure and calmness. Keep that in mind when choosing your escorts.”
“I will engrave your words in my heart.”
Baek Su-Gyeong turned to So Ssang-Ah.
“Merchant So. Come here.”
“Yes?”
“I’m not well-versed in the ways of commerce. I need your assistance.”
“O-Of course!”
So Ssang-Ah’s face lit up at the opportunity to be of service. Jin A-Gyeong watched her approach, a hint of tension in her eyes.
The leader of the Gyeong-Un Trading Company, the woman who had revived their fallen business.
She didn’t seem much older than Jin A-Gyeong. Perhaps two or three years at most.
“…Tsk.”
Gal Ye-Ryeong clicked her tongue, but So Ssang-Ah ignored her.
So Ssang-Ah took her place beside Baek Su-Gyeong.
He spoke.
“I’m curious to hear your offer.”
“I understand that the Gyeong-Un Trading Company holds the exclusive rights to distribute The Wudang Sword Hero. Is that correct?”
“It is.”
“Then, how about partnering with the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company for your next project…?”
So Ssang-Ah’s eyes narrowed at Jin A-Gyeong’s proposal.
“Are you trying to poach Master Su-Gyeong from us?”
“It’s not impossible. I’m sure you’re aware of the difference in scale between the Gyeong-Un Trading Company, which is only just beginning to recover its former glory, and the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company, with its branches throughout the land.”
“Ugh…”
She couldn’t argue with that.
So Ssang-Ah’s Gyeong-Un Trading Company was indeed thriving in the Huguang region, encompassing Hubei and Hunan provinces.
They had even established branches in Heochang, the seat of the Murim Alliance, and Luoyang, the stronghold of the Yongmun Family. They were steadily expanding their business while strengthening their foundation.
Even the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company hadn’t been able to secure a branch in Luoyang, the territory of the Yongmun Family.
It was a remarkable achievement, but it was largely due to their exclusive rights to distribute The Wudang Sword Hero.
──That was Jin A-Gyeong’s assessment.
“You want to collaborate on my next project?”
“Yes. We will provide you with all the support you need to focus on your writing. We believe that your next work is guaranteed to be a success…”
“Interesting.”
No one had ever tried to poach Baek Su-Gyeong before he came to Murim.
He had three women vying for his attention now, but before that, his life had been peaceful and uneventful.
The Wudang Sword Hero had significantly boosted his name recognition.
Baek Su-Gyeong, or rather, his pen name “Su-Gyeong,” was now known throughout the land. All thanks to a single novel.
It was refreshing to receive such an offer.
‘…This feels like a battle between talent agencies.’
The Heavenly Dragon Trading Company was a major player, while the Gyeong-Un Trading Company was a rising star, still in its growth phase.
Logically, choosing the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company made sense, but…
“Shopkeeper…”
Ignoring So Ssang-Ah’s plea,
Baek Su-Gyeong looked at Jin A-Gyeong.
“I’m afraid I have no intention of signing a contract with any trading company other than the Gyeong-Un Trading Company.”
“Do you have an exclusive contract with them, Master?”
“I do not.”
Baek Su-Gyeong’s voice was firm and resolute.
“Since the Gyeong-Un Trading Company has been with me from the beginning, I intend to stay with them until the end… It’s a matter of loyalty.”
“But why…?”
Jin A-Gyeong looked stunned.
Before meeting Baek Su-Gyeong, she had been confident.
The Heavenly Dragon Trading Company could offer him anything he desired. She didn’t know how much he earned from The Wudang Sword Hero, but it was likely insignificant compared to their vast wealth.
His words carried a deeper meaning.
Loyalty.
“It’s true that I’m working on a novel set in Shaolin. My conversation with the Alliance Leader about Shaolin was misconstrued, leading to rumors of a Shaolin-themed novel…”
“Would you consider selling the rights to that novel to our company?”
Jin A-Gyeong’s expression was earnest.
The author of The Wudang Sword Hero, the man who had single-handedly revived a dying trading company, was someone the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company had to have.
Was there any other writer in Murim with such influence?
He was the key to solidifying their dominance.
And he was one of the few people who had offered her valuable advice.
“Selling the rights to an unpublished work is unethical. What would you do if I disappeared?”
“W-Well…”
“One thing’s for sure, Leader Jin. You seem to be in a hurry.”
Jin A-Gyeong flinched, as if struck by his words.
Baek Su-Gyeong continued calmly.
“There’s a saying: ‘Commerce is not about buying and selling goods, but about buying and selling people.’ More accurately, it’s about trading trust.”
He looked at Jin A-Gyeong and asked, “I’m not ready to do business with the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company yet. Is the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company ready to do business with me?”
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Thank for the chapter!