The wind gradually grew colder.
It meant we were drawing closer to the North Sea Ice Palace.
“We’ll stop at the inn up ahead to restock supplies.”
We all nodded at Escort Guard Jin Yu’s words.
Escort Guard Seo Wu had led us as far as the capital. From there, Escort Guard Jin Yu had taken over, guiding us north from Liaoning.
He was the only one among us who had traveled beyond the capital before.
Of course, I’d been to Liaoning in my previous life—but I couldn’t exactly say that out loud.
Escort Guard Jin Yu went on.
“This is the liveliest place in the area. Prices should be fair, and we’ll find whatever we need.”
Before long, we arrived at the inn he’d mentioned.
“Whoa. Why’s the inn so huge?”
I laughed at Palgap’s comment. The other Escort Guards, aside from Jin Yu, looked just as surprised.
No wonder. The inn was massive.
A towering five-story pavilion—it reminded me of the Springtime Inn that Young Master Mun Ju-seong and Heroine Yeon Ga-hwa had recently built.
“People think of Liaoning as a frontier backwater, but it’s rich in specialty goods. It’s also the most bustling trade hub in the northeast.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Ginseng and deer antler are famous medicinal items here. They’re also known for jade crafts and quality horses.”
Escort Guard Jin Yu looked impressed.
“As expected of you, my lord. You even know about places like this.”
“I haven’t visited before, but I’ve heard a few things.”
In my previous life, the Eunhae Merchant Group didn’t expand into Liaoning until much later.
Back then, local merchant groups had a firm hold on rare goods like ginseng and deer antler.
Only after we became one of the Ten Great Merchant Groups Under Heaven did we finally establish a branch here.
We dismounted and approached the inn.
A server came out to greet us.
“Welcome. How many in your party?”
“Four.”
“Hand me your reins and come inside.”
We were just about to hand over the reins when a sudden commotion broke out.
“Young master! Don’t let go of the reins!”
It wasn’t directed at me.
And it definitely wasn’t Palgap’s voice.
Hiiing!
A horse neighed wildly and reared up. Startled shouts rang out, and I turned to look.
A boy about my age was on the back of a panicked horse, clearly overwhelmed and trying to hold on.
“C-Calm down! I said calm down!”
Hiiing!
But the horse wouldn’t calm. It charged—straight at me.
“Watch out!”
I started to move aside—but stopped.
If I just dodged, that boy would fall. He could be seriously injured—or worse.
Right then—
“Kui!”
I didn’t even notice it slip out of my sleeve, but Geumryeong had climbed onto my shoulder and let out a sharp cry at the horse.
“Kui!”
It sounded like a single note, but to me, it rang out like a scolding.
And just like that—
“…”
The horse began to settle down. I caught a glimpse of its eyes.
They were wide with fear, as though it had seen something far beyond its comprehension.
Whatever the reason, it had stopped.
Geumryeong quietly slid back into my sleeve, and I approached the horse and gently stroked its neck.
“Easy. You nearly got your master hurt.”
Prrr…
I deliberately made a show of calming the horse. If I didn’t, people might find the situation suspicious.
After all, the horse had been charging straight at me, then suddenly stopped.
Geumryeong was a spirit beast—better to keep its existence hidden if possible.
But for some reason, the horse still seemed afraid of me.
I looked up at the young man.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Come down slowly.”
With help from his attendants, the young man dismounted safely.
“Thank you so much.”
“Thank you for saving our young master.”
After drinking some water and calming down, the boy came up and politely cupped his fists in greeting.
“I’m Bok Yun (卜潤), Deputy Merchant Lord of the Gwangjun Merchant Group (廣儁商團). Thank you for your help.”
I knew the name Gwangjun Merchant Group.
They specialized in horses.
Thanks to their proximity to the nomadic tribes, they maintained steady trade and supplied excellent steeds to the Central Plains. That success had earned them a spot among the Hundred Merchant Groups Under Heaven.
Now that I thought about it, I’d seen the Gwangjun Merchant Group’s Merchant Lord at the last Hundred Merchant Gathering.
But something felt off.
In my past life, the Merchant Lord of Gwangjun wasn’t Bok Yun.
It was someone named Bok Yeong (卜迎).
I shelved the thought for now and returned the greeting.
“Eun Seo-ho. Deputy Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
It wasn’t exactly a secret that I was headed toward the North Sea. The reason, however, was.
Bok Yun’s eyes widened at my introduction.
“You’re the Handsome Young Hero!”
…Ugh. So that nickname had made it this far north too.
“It’s more credit than I deserve.”
“No. The way you threw yourself in to help me today—I understand why people call you that.”
Just then, the server returned to tell us our rooms were ready.
“Please, go in and rest.”
“Thank you.”
We followed the server inside.
Meanwhile, Bok Yun’s attendants examined the horse and began to murmur among themselves.
“There was a needle stuck in its foreleg.”
“That explains it. No wonder it went wild.”
“Who would do something like that?”
Escort Guard Jin Yu sent me a sound transmission.
– That needle… it’s assassin work.
– An assassin?
– Yes. Looks like they tried to stage an accident. Their skill’s not ordinary either.
That’s when it hit me.
That’s why Bok Yeong had been the Merchant Lord in my past life.
An assassination—masked as a tragic accident.
And by the time I met Bok Yeong, the Gwangjun Merchant Group had already lost its place among the Hundred.
Bok Yeong wasn’t incompetent, but he was just average.
This had to be the work of someone trying to bring Gwangjun down—either out of jealousy or to eliminate a rival.
I asked Jin Yu.
– Can you find out who the assassin is?
– I have a few leads, but nothing solid yet.
– Look into it. Quietly.
– Understood. Are you planning to stop this?
– If we can, we should.
Jin Yu looked moved.
Stopping a killer wasn’t just about being noble.
Yes, part of me didn’t want to see someone die in front of me.
If I could save a life, I would.
But I wasn’t doing this purely out of kindness. I smiled wryly.
If Bok Yun died while we were here, we’d be dragged into it. Investigations, questioning—we’d be stuck for days.
Our schedule was already tight.
And if we saved him, he’d likely remember the favor.
Cold-blooded? Maybe.
But it was a merchant’s instinct—and we were risking something too.
I sent another sound transmission to Jin Yu.
– I’m not that good a person.
– No, my lord. From the day you saved me to everything I’ve seen since—you’re a good man.
– …Thanks for saying that.
Then Palgap asked.
“But, young master.”
“What is it?”
“How’d you calm that horse?”
The other Escort Guards were clearly curious too.
I gave an awkward smile.
“It wasn’t me. It was Geumryeong.”
“Huh?”
“Geumryeong let out one word, and the horse suddenly stopped.”
“It looked more like the horse was scared of you, my lord.”
Escort Guard Seo Wu tilted his head as he spoke.
I scratched my cheek.
“Right? I’m not that scary, though.”
Palgap stared at me.
“What?”
“…Nothing.”
After settling into our rooms, we ate lunch at the inn and headed out to the market street.
This was the busiest place in Liaoning, and a good spot to buy supplies at fair prices.
“First thing’s jerky, right?”
“Yes. And we’ll need leather waterskins too.”
Escort Guard Jin Yu added,
“The farther north you go, the scarcer water becomes. Fill up whenever you can—and use it wisely.”
Normally, I’d leave this kind of prep to others. But in unfamiliar territory, it was better to be directly involved.
While we were walking, I ran into a familiar face.
“Ah. We meet again, Deputy Merchant Lord Eun.”
“Deputy Merchant Lord Bok.”
It was Bok Yun from the Gwangjun Merchant Group.
“What brings you to the market street?”
“We’re preparing for a long journey. Came to pick up some jerky and waterskins.”
“In that case, allow me to help. I know just the place.”
He smiled brightly and took the lead.
“Follow me.”
He led us to a shop that specialized in goods for long-haul merchants.
“You’ll find just about everything you need here.”
So there was a place like this…
Of course, I already knew. I’d planned to bring the others here myself.
Liaoning didn’t have a lot of travelers, but those who did pass through needed proper gear.
One clever merchant had realized the opportunity—selling only the supplies needed for long-distance trade.
It was a huge success. This shop was now the biggest in the region.
Still, it was my first visit, so I acted impressed.
Bok Yun handed a wooden token to a man waiting beside a cart.
“Come along.”
“Yes, sir.”
He explained to us,
“People usually buy in bulk here. So porters with carts follow you around. They’ll even load everything for you.”
“Do they deliver too?”
Escort Guard Seo Wu asked the question.
“They do—as long as you pay.”
In my past life, I’d considered bringing this idea to Hubei. But it only worked because of this region’s specific needs.
We filled a cart with jerky and durable waterskins.
When I went to pay, Bok Yun stepped in.
“Let me cover this.”
“No need.”
“I owe you for earlier.”
After some back-and-forth, Bok Yun insisted and paid.
I smiled faintly, gave the porter our inn’s name, and paid his fee.
“Please deliver this.”
“Understood.”
Then I turned to Bok Yun.
“Lunch is on me.”
“No need.”
“I saved your life, sure—but what I received is more than what I gave. If I don’t treat you to a meal, I’ll feel bad.”
Bok Yun nodded.
“In that case, I’ll accept.”
We headed to a nearby wine house.
Wine houses mainly served alcohol, but they did proper meals during midday.
As we walked, Escort Guard Jin Yu sent a sound transmission.
– I see some suspicious folks.
– Keep watch.
– Yes.
Soon, we arrived at the wine house. Bok Yun looked around in surprise.
“This place is expensive.”
“It’s fine.”
I gave him a gentle push through the door.
– Assassins won’t get in here.
– I see.
– You planned this, didn’t you?
I grinned inwardly at Jin Yu’s words.
Of course I had.
Places like this had their own security.
And assassins wouldn’t spend this kind of coin just for one chance.
At least while we ate—we could relax.
“That table looks good.”
I picked a seat where no one could watch us from outside.
As soon as we sat, Bok Yun lowered his voice.
“You noticed too, didn’t you, Deputy Merchant Lord Eun?”
“Noticed what?”
“That there’s an assassin trying to kill me.”
–TL Notes–
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