At my question, the beggars surrounding the treasure I’d come for flinched and quickly scattered.
They must’ve gotten scared after seeing my attire and the Escort Guards behind me.
I gave them a brief glance, then approached the treasure.
“Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine. Thank you for helping me.”
“By any chance… are you the son of Chief Clerk Heo Un?”
At that, he looked at me warily and asked,
“Why do you ask?”
“Actually, Chief Clerk Heo appeared in my dream last night. He asked me to help his son… and showed me this place. I didn’t know what it meant, so I just came here…”
I looked at him and asked,
“What happened? Why is the son of the Chief Clerk in such a state?”
“That’s…”
I took hold of his hesitant hand.
It was ice cold.
“Since when have you been out here like this?”
“Since last evening…”
Which meant he’d been exposed to the cold wind all night long.
Damn it. If I’d known he’d be thrown out this early, I would’ve come much sooner.
I thought it’d happen sometime this morning, so I’d even made an effort to come out early.
In a way, it was fortunate.
Because I came early, I was able to help him before those beggars did something worse.
Even then he still had taken a hit.
Still, that bastard Namgoong Gang…
No matter what, how could he throw someone out into this cold, and with nothing but the clothes on their back?
“If it’s difficult to explain now, you can do it later. For now, you need to recover. You’ll end up with permanent damage like this.”
I called for Palgap.
“Palgap, help Master Heo up.”
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
Palgap supported him, and we returned to the inn.
I asked the attendant to bring a bowl of warm porridge.
Since he probably hadn’t eaten anything since last night, something soft and gentle would be best.
“By the way, may I ask your name?”
“Ah, my name is Heo Un. It was given to mean I’d be a lucky one… but things have always gone the other way.” (TL Note: Un means Luck and Heo means To Promise)
“You still have a long life ahead of you. I’m sure your luck will turn.”
“Thank you. Your words mean a lot.”
Just then, the attendant brought the porridge.
“It’s hot, so please take your time.”
“Thank you. I’ll eat well.”
He slowly began eating, gently blowing on the steaming porridge.
I watched him quietly.
Saying I saw Chief Clerk Heo in a dream was a lie to approach him more naturally.
In his current state, kindness without reason would only make him suspicious.
Heo Un.
He’s the main reason I came to Luoyang.
He’s missing one leg, but he’s a talent capable of rising above such a disability.
In my previous life, he ended up joining the Unorthodox Sect, and that’s when his true abilities began to shine.
His specialty lies in memorizing and analyzing information.
He’s a core figure in interpreting and drawing optimal conclusions from the information Chun-il will bring back.
From his point of view, this isn’t a bad deal either.
In my past life, he ended up dying at the hands of the Murim Alliance while working in the Unorthodox Sect.
I heard that even when they tried to recruit him, he refused until the very end.
Given that the Baekcheon Merchant Group, who threw him out, is affiliated with the Murim Alliance, it was an understandable decision.
But I don’t want to hire Heo Un just for his abilities.
It’s also because of his father, Chief Clerk Heo.
I only met Chief Clerk Heo once.
It was when Father became the Merchant Lord.
He attended the celebration banquet in place of his Merchant Lord.
At the time, he was just one of many Clerks.
Back then, I didn’t have Palgap yet. I’d snuck out to play behind my nanny’s back and fell.
He came over to me and applied Golden Soothing Balm that he carried.
That was when he said,
— If you grow up and find yourself in a position to help others, become someone who helps.
The words I once said to Tang Jo-ung were exactly what Chief Clerk Heo had told me.
When I decided to come to Luoyang after taking the old man’s advice, I recalled that man.
And his son’s tragic end.
For me now, those words were like a final request, and that’s why I acted.
Even if Heo Un hadn’t been especially capable, I still would’ve moved.
A little while later,
After finishing his meal, I took him up to my room.
Since mine was the best room in the inn, it had a rather large tea table—perfect for talking.
We chatted for a while, mostly about Chief Clerk Heo.
Along the way, I subtly voiced complaints about the Baekcheon Merchant Group.
“Chief Clerk Heo gave so much for the group, yet not even a single person attended his funeral?”
“…”
“That must’ve really hurt.”
As I gently consoled and probed him, he eventually opened up and told me about being cast out.
“I wasn’t even expecting them to come. But that man… he denied everything my father ever did.”
“…”
“And then he threw me out. Just because of my leg.”
His hand resting on the table tightened into a fist.
“My goodness. So that’s why you were in such a wretched state.”
“…Yes.”
He fell silent for a moment, then suddenly bowed his head deeply.
“I know it’s shameless of me to ask something like this upon first meeting, but… please hire me into your merchant group.”
“Sorry?”
I was caught off guard and asked reflexively.
He quickly continued.
“I understand why you’re surprised. I’m crippled and lacking in many ways. But I’m good at clerical work. Even my father and other Clerks praised me for my quick handling of tasks—”
“N-no, I didn’t mean it like that… I meant, I’m glad.”
“Sorry?”
Now he looked confused.
“I never expected you’d want to work for us.”
I continued.
“I already know you’re a talented man. If you were truly incapable, Chief Clerk Heo wouldn’t have trusted you with anything.”
“Now that you say it… yes, Father would’ve done that.”
“That’s why I thought you might look for work somewhere else in Luoyang.”
Heo Un hesitated, then finally spoke with difficulty.
“I… don’t want to stay in Luoyang.”
At that, I nodded. I understood what he meant.
In any case, he asked to be hired before I even suggested it.
It wouldn’t be right to reject that.
“If you’re willing to join the Eunhae Merchant Group, we’d be happy to have you. We’re always waiting for talents.”
With that, I’d collected all the treasures I could from Luoyang.
“Well, I do have one lingering regret, but I think I’ll have to let that go.”
“What is it?”
“Well, my father and I still have our belongings inside the Baekcheon Merchant Group. But I can’t retrieve them.”
Looking off into the distance with a wistful expression, he turned back to me and said,
“But since I’m starting anew, I suppose it’s not so bad to leave everything behind.”
In my past life, I’d learned about Heo Un through the Hao Clan.
At the time, I’d bought information on him out of curiosity because the Murim Alliance was struggling in the intelligence war against the Unorthodox Sect.
That’s when I learned something else.
The residence that Chief Clerk Heo and Heo Un had lived in had remained untouched ever since.
No one had disturbed a single item inside.
That spoke volumes about the respect Chief Clerk Heo commanded.
I spoke to him with conviction, like a promise.
“Someday.”
“Sorry?”
“Someday, you’ll be able to retrieve those things yourself.”
.
.
.
The next day,
We left the Secret Pine Inn early in the morning.
There was no reason to linger since I’d gained everything I could from Luoyang.
We arrived at the foot of Daebyeol Mountain, which lay along the road leading back to our headquarters.
According to the Yu Gong (禹貢) section of the Book of Documents (尙書), this place was called Daebyeol Mountain because it’s where the mountains and rivers of the north and south meet.
The waters that originate from the south flow into the Yangtze, and those from the north into the Huai River—making this place a watershed.
And here was the final treasure I intended to bring back.
The carriage carrying me, Palgap, and Heo Un was slowly climbing the mountain.
It wasn’t a particularly high or steep mountain, and as it was a key junction connecting three regions, an official road had been built through it.
“Let’s rest for a moment under that tree ahead.”
At my words, Palgap immediately relayed the message to Escort Guard Seo Wu on horseback, who in turn passed it on to the deputy squad leader.
“You must be quite tired.”
At my question, he shook his head.
“I’m fine. There’s nothing difficult about riding in a carriage.”
“You’ve got more stamina than I expected.”
“Well, walking on one leg with a cane is hard work. It naturally builds endurance.”
“I see. So that means… your condition wasn’t like this from the start.”
“That’s right.”
He then told me how he lost his leg.
He’d lost it while working for the Baekcheon Merchant Group, and yet they threw him out without a single form of compensation!
Worse than dogs.
As expected, Namgoong Gang is absolute garbage.
At that moment, the carriage came to a stop.
I stepped out and asked Heo Un,
“Would you like to get some fresh air? I’ll help you.”
“I’ll take you up on that, if you don’t mind.”
As I took in the beautiful scenery of Daebyeol Mountain, Escort Guard Seo Wu approached.
“Sir, we may have to camp here tonight.”
“The sun’s about to set, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It’s getting too late to move on. Camping here would be safer.”
Seo Wu was formerly an Escort Chief, and since escort routes often required sleeping outdoors, he had expert knowledge on camping.
“Discuss it with the deputy squad leader and make the arrangements.”
“Understood.”
Soon, Seo Wu approached the deputy squad leader and began discussing the camp setup.
While the Eunhae Merchant Group’s Escort Guards were used to camping, their experience still couldn’t match Seo Wu’s as a former Escort Chief.
That must be why they listened to his instructions with eyes full of focus.
I folded my arms and smirked inwardly.
Yes, everything’s going according to plan.
I’d intentionally delayed our departure this morning. We had to camp here tonight.
Fortunately, we’d timed it just right.
.
.
.
After dinner, I casually brought it up to the deputy squad leader.
“I’ll take a short walk nearby.”
“Out for a stroll?”
I nodded at the question.
“Yes. I ate a bit too much. Feels like I need to walk it off.”
As I got up, Palgap and the four Escort Guards immediately stood as well.
“I’ll come with you.”
“We’ll join you, too.”
“Alright.”
And so, the five of us entered the forest of Daebyeol Mountain.
Step, step, step.
Our footsteps echoed through the woods.
When walking in the forest like this, it’s better to make noise on purpose. That way, the wild beasts run away on their own.
And any beast that still shows itself must be ready for trouble.
Before long, we’d gone deep enough that no sound from the camp reached us. I came to a halt.
Then I turned around and grinned.
At my grin, Palgap let out a sigh.
“I knew it. Someone who spends every break lying in bed suddenly going for a walk—it didn’t add up.”
“Hey, I didn’t just lie there. I rolled around this way and that, too.”
Saying that, I looked at the Escort Guards.
They all nodded like they understood.
“…”
I sighed and continued.
“Alright, the reason I came this deep into the forest is because there’s something I need to retrieve here.”
Seo Wu seemed to recall something and asked,
“Is this about the note that was hidden inside the book you mentioned earlier?”
“Yes. That’s right. Actually, it wasn’t just one note.”
At my words, Escort Guards Lee Pil and Jin Yu tilted their heads in confusion.
From that, I realized that Yeo Eung-am and Seo Wu hadn’t told them anything about the luminous pearl.
One of the core qualifications of an Escort Guard is keeping their mouth shut. These are good Escort Guards.
I went ahead and told the other three about the luminous pearl.
“Is that really true?”
Palgap asked, and I nodded.
“Yeah. Which means there’s a very high chance there’s a treasure here, too.”
And the treasure I’m looking for in this place is liquor.
–TL Notes–
Tired of seeing Ads? Then please support me on Patreon! Any tier of subscription will make it so you won’t get any ads!
If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/InsanityTheGame
Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/BWaP3AHHpt