Absolute Dominion

Chapter 21

Chapter- 21

Jeok Lee-Gun followed along as the father and daughter were hurrying home.

Jeong Lee-Chu’s impression of Jeok Lee-Gun had rapidly improved in a short span of time.

“Thank you. If it weren’t for you, we would have faced a great disaster.”

“Of course. Who else could have handled such an impressive task but me?”

“…”

Cha-Ryun was used to his shamelessness at this point.

‘Yeah, right. Who else but you could make someone feel the urge to punch you in this situation?’

“I expect proper gratitude moving forward.”

‘Just try and say one more thing.’

Jeong Lee-Chu quickened his pace. It looked as if he was trying to avoid hearing Jeok Lee-Gun’s nonsense, but that wasn’t the real reason.

Once he had escaped the place, all kinds of thoughts began flooding his mind.

What if Jeok Lee-Gun hadn’t disrupted the situation? How could he have gathered the nine hundred nyang? He would have had to strain himself, borrowing money here and there.

It wasn’t just about the money but also about authority. He had met Kwon Hyuk-Gi several times and thought they had a decent relationship, so betrayal from such a person pained Jeong Lee-Chu deeply.

Suddenly, he recalled the Chief Strategist Lim Cha-Bok, who had embezzled funds and fled long ago. Since then, he had vowed never to be betrayed again, but here he was, deceived once again.

Moreover, if this betrayal was orchestrated by the Palm Heart Clan, it wasn’t a trivial matter. He was troubled in many ways.

Cha-Ryun sighed as she observed the distraught figure of Jeong Lee-Chu. She could sense how sad he felt at that moment.

Beside her, Jeok Lee-Gun looked oblivious to the whole situation as he rubbed his belly.

“Ah, I’m so hungry.”

Cha-Ryun smiled faintly.

Her gaze drifted to Jeok Lee-Gun.

Jeok Lee-Gun yawned wide enough to split his face. There wasn’t the slightest bit of tension on his face, even in the presence of the Most Beautiful Woman of Wuhan.

Cha-Ryun smiled and spoke.

“Let’s go and have dinner together.”

“I’ll only come if you grill the meat.”

‘Ugh, what’s with this guy and his obsession with meat?’

“…I’ll grill it.”

She felt somewhat embarrassed after saying it. She had never even poured a glass of water for another man, let alone grilled meat. So she acted annoyed as she made a sarcastic remark.

“But you buy the meat. You have a lot of money now, right?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Jeok Lee-Gun didn’t seem fazed by her words though—he only seemed to be focused on one thing…

He acted like a child at the thought of eating meat.

“Hahaha! Meat, wait for me! I’m coming! Get the grill ready and call the whole family. Let’s have a feast today. Hahaha!”

‘Get the grill ready?’

Is that all you want from the Most Beautiful Woman of Wuhan?

Cha-Ryun eventually chuckled as she watched Jeok Lee-Gun’s back as he ran off, saying he would buy the best meat in Wuhan.

Ah… he truly is an incomprehensible guy.

“There it is.”

Mu Young pointed to a store with a sign saying “Ancient Sword.” It was a large antique store, guarded by martial artists armed with swords at the entrance.

“They don’t accept common goods and only deal with high-value items. The average daily transaction here exceeds several thousand nyang.”

Jeok Lee-Gun and Mu Young stood atop the rooftop of a building across from the Ancient Sword Merchant Guild.

“It’s one of the Palm Heart Clan’s main sources of income.”

“Why there, of all places?”

“The Palm Heart Clan absorbed numerous gangs around the area and took them in as subordinate businesses. They were grouped together in order to become an organization that could mobilize vast sums of money in a short time. If you look at the Palm Heart Clan as a whole, they are a force strong enough to contend with two or three of the Four Great Families.”

“How do they compare to the Southern Peak Alliance?”

“They are almost equal in power. Of the Four Great Conquerors, the Northern Sky Clan and the Southern Peak Alliance hold the most power. They’re so hostile toward each other that they’re practically sworn enemies. The Wind and Cloud Castle and the Black Path Clan rank just below them, though the difference isn’t significant. The main reason the Northern Sky Clan and the Southern Peak Alliance can’t clash is because of the existence of Wind and Cloud Castle and the Black Path Clan.”

“Because a wounded tiger would be devoured by the wolves?”

“Yes. The Four Great Conquerors are all watching each other closely.”

“It’s a situation ripe for exploitation.”

“Indeed.”

Jeok Lee-Gun meticulously scrutinized even the slightest nuances.

Mu Young continued his explanation.

“The Palm Heart Clan Leader is an ambitious man. If you can use that to your advantage, it will make it easier to draw in the Northern Sky Clan and the Southern Peak Alliance.”

“Is he ambitious, or just greedy?”

Mu Young smiled at Jeok Lee-Gun’s question. Either way, it didn’t matter. The moment Jeok Lee-Gun and his group made their move, the martial world would be thrown into chaos. His grand journey was just beginning.

After attaching fake flesh and putting on a human skin mask, Jeok Lee-Gun changed his attire.

Now, he had transformed into a picture-perfect middle-aged man.

“How do I look?”

“It’s perfect. The addition of that mole makes it very convincing.”

Disguise techniques typically targeted those with distinctive facial or bodily features. The identity of Lim Yun-Oh was perfectly suited for such roles.

Mu Young took out a wooden box from his pocket.

“Here is the item.”

Jeok Lee-Gun carefully stowed it away inside his chest pocket.

“If my mother finds out I took this, I’ll be in for a big scolding.”

“She’ll understand.”

“You say that because you haven’t faced her wrath.”

Mu Young silently chuckled to himself.

“You know you can leave the Palm Heart Clan matter to me, right?”

“I want to handle it personally. Besides, Mu Young, you’ve got another task that’s more important than this.”

“What is it?”

“Go buy some meat.”

“What?”

Mu Young, bewildered and in disbelief, looked at Jeok Lee-Gun as he added another remark.

“Make sure to get plenty of the tastiest cuts. We’re having a feast tonight.”

Mu Young stared at Jeok Lee-Gun’s face for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“Hahaha!”

It was the kind of laugh that suggested, ‘Are you really in love or something?’

“I’m telling you, it’s important!”

“Hahahaha!”

Wang Oh, the owner of the Ancient Sword Merchant Guild and the sixth division leader of the Palm Heart Clan, was going about his usual daily routine.

“This is a new item that just arrived.”

Yu entered, carrying a small box.

Yu, who had a kind demeanor, worked as a clerk, but in truth, he was no ordinary clerk. He was a martial artist with considerable skill, renowned even within the Palm Heart Clan. In addition to him, five other first-class masters were stationed here, along with the general guards.

This was a place that handled many valuable items.

When Wang Oh opened the box, there was a golden frog statue inside.

“At last, we’ve acquired it.”

“It wasn’t easy to persuade them.”

Yu’s face bore a sinister smile that exuded a murderous aura. There was no need to ask how he persuaded them—it was easy to imagine.

“How much did you pay?”

“Eight thousand nyang.”

Wang Oh grinned widely. The Golden Frog Statue was worth at least twenty thousand nyang, even at a low estimate. If he pushed the price, he could easily sell it for fifty thousand nyang.

“Excellent work.”

Wang Oh pulled some money from his sleeve. There were two, hundred-nyang promissory notes.

“Have a drink later to celebrate.”

The excessive sum, supposedly for drinks, was a reward for the job—the price of corruption.

Yu pocketed the money and slipped through the back door with a grin lingering on his face.

Wang Oh, still looking at the golden frog statue, smiled contentedly. Although he had given two hundred nyang to Yu, the money he would end up pocketing would be ten times that amount.

Living solely on his monthly earnings from the Palm Heart Clan was far too limiting for a man like Wang Oh, who had sunk into corruption.

In a world rife with illegality and corruption, those who can’t take advantage are fools—that was Wang Oh’s philosophy.

At that moment, someone entered.

It was a middle-aged man—he started speaking as soon as he walked in.

“Leader Wang!”

Wang Oh was startled by those words.

Very few individuals knew about the title of ‘Leader Wang.’

Most of the Palm Heart Clan’s businesses were operated in secrecy, and this antique shop was no different.

“Who are you?”

The middle-aged man spoke quietly.

“I am Lim Yun-Oh of the Northern Sky Clan.”

“Ah!”

At that moment, Wang Oh remembered who Lim Yun-Oh was.

How could he not recognize him with that large mole next to his nose?

“Long time no see, Leader Lim.”

Wang Oh’s back naturally bent into a bow. Although they were both leaders of their respective divisions, how could the Palm Heart Clan possibly compare to the Northern Sky Clan?

‘What brings him here?’

Wang Oh grew increasingly tense inside.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wang Oh cautiously asked.

“But what brings you here?”

Surely he hadn’t just stopped here while passing by.

“Well, you see…”

Lim Yun-Oh hesitated, looking to see if anyone else was watching.

Catching on quickly, Wang Oh led him inside to a secret chamber at the back of the shop.

Once inside, Lim Yun-Oh finally began to speak in a cautious tone.

“This matter must never be disclosed.”

“Don’t worry, you can trust me.”

As if that wasn’t enough, Lim Yun-Oh lowered his voice further.

“You’ll have to stake your life on it.”

Wang Oh tensed up. Over the years, he had learned one thing: the more dangerous an item’s background was, the more money it was worth.

Wang Oh nodded, indicating he was ready.

“Please, go ahead.”

“I wish to dispose of an item.”

Only then did Lim Yun-Oh pull out a box from his chest.

He slowly opened the box.

Wang Oh’s eyes widened as he saw what was inside.

“This is!”

It was a jade Buddha statue, roughly the size of an adult’s palm. But this was no ordinary Buddha statue—it was an Asura Buddha, adorned with several hands protruding from its back.

“No way…”

Wang Oh’s hand began to tremble as a single thought crossed his mind.

Lim Yun-Oh confirmed with a nod.

“Yes. This is the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha.”

Wang Oh’s eyes widened further.

The Divine Demonic Jade Buddha.

This statue was renowned as the most famous and precious among jade Buddha statues.

There were many rumors surrounding it—some say it is an heirloom of the Heavenly Demonic Divine Cult, while others say it was the sacred relic of a secret religion. Some even say that there is an extraordinary martial art concealed within it, while others claimed the statue itself was a fearsome weapon.

Just seeing the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha in person was enough to make one’s heart race.

Wang Oh carefully inspected the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha. The balance was perfect, and the craftsmanship was extraordinarily detailed.

“May I confirm its authenticity?”

Lim Yun-Oh nodded.

Wang Oh turned off the lights in the chamber.

As soon as the lights went out, the room became completely dark.

“Ooh!”

An exclamation escaped from Wang Oh, unable to hide his amazement.

Depending on the angle, the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha emitted different colors. From the front, it shone a brilliant jade green, from the side, it glowed red, and from behind, it radiated a blue hue.

“It’s undeniably genuine!”

There was no doubt—it was the real Divine Demonic Jade Buddha.

Wang Oh turned the lights back on.

“How did you manage to get your hands on this?”

“I acquired it by chance not long ago. You understand the value of this item, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

Wang Oh’s voice trembled.

Lim Yun-Oh asked in a serious tone.

“Will you purchase it?”

Without hesitation, Wang Oh nodded vigorously. This was the most valuable item he had ever handled in his career.

“How much will you offer?”

After a long moment of contemplation, Wang Oh calmly answered.

“I’ll give you two hundred thousand nyang.”

It was a bold gamble—one he was staking his life on.

The item was worth at least five hundred thousand nyang. If he played his cards right, he could sell it for even more. If this deal went through, the leader of the Palm Heart Clan would be very pleased.

Suddenly, a tingling sensation coursed through Wang Oh’s entire body. Greed was surging from deep within his chest.

‘With the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha…!’

A forbidden thought crossed Wang Oh’s mind. If he took the item and fled, and somehow mastered the martial arts hidden within the Divine Demonic Jade Buddha, he could transform into the greatest master in the world.

‘No, that’s far too risky.’

Besides, he was too old to properly learn any kind of martial art now. He had long since learned how to live well without the need for martial arts.

‘Yes, I’ll just sell it and make a huge profit.’

If he managed the sale discreetly, he could pocket two to three hundred thousand nyang easily.

Wang Oh’s heart raced with excitement and anxiety.

Lim Yun-Oh furrowed his brow in thought, clearly unsatisfied with the offer. It didn’t seem to meet the price he had in mind.

But Wang Oh was confident that Lim Yun-Oh wouldn’t refuse. The item had to be sold in secret, and there was no one else who could handle such a transaction.

“On one condition—give me the money immediately, in small-denomination promissory notes that can’t be traced.”

Wang Oh suppressed the urge to shout for joy.

“Agreed.”

Lim Yun-Oh’s eyes flashed with a deadly gleam. The air around them grew heavy with killing intent.

“Make sure you keep this a secret.”