The small table Palgap had thrown crashed into the assassin from behind. My Escort Guards seized the moment and rushed in, their swords leveled at his neck.
The situation was over.
I hurried to Palgap.
“You alright? You’re not dizzy or nauseous, right?”
Quick-witted as ever, Palgap understood my meaning and replied.
“I’m fine, thanks to the antidote you gave me earlier, Young Master.”
Merchants like us never know when someone will resort to underhanded tricks.
That’s why we always carry some antidote, and I’d made sure Palgap had the right one.
The assassin who had disguised himself as Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun’s attendant was dragged away, and we returned to the inn.
Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun had been staying at the same inn, so he came back with us. The Gwangjun Merchant Group’s main compound was still a couple days away, but he’d been in the area on business.
That night.
When I went down to the inn’s first floor, Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun was sitting alone. His guard stood beside him, looking at him with pained eyes.
“Are you alright?”
I approached and asked cautiously. He slowly shook his head.
“If I said I was alright… it’d be a lie. Maybe because it was someone I trusted, the betrayal stings more than I thought.”
I understood how that felt.
In my previous life, one of my guards had betrayed me too.
It was about time I began paying back that debt.
“Even so, I need to thank you.”
He stood and cupped his fist to me.
“Thanks to Deputy Merchant Lord Eun today, I’m still alive. If you hadn’t uncovered the assassin’s identity, I’d be dead for sure. Thank you. I’ll never forget this.”
He bowed his head deeply.
“And I apologize. My troubles caused your man to ingest poison.”
“It was just how things turned out. Don’t worry too much. He didn’t take much, and he’s already recovered.”
“Still, he took poison. And he’s already better?”
“He’s a sturdy fellow.”
Bok Yun let out a hollow chuckle and sat again, his expression turning serious.
“There’s more than one group of assassins targeting me. I don’t know what makes my death so valuable, but they seem desperate.”
“…”
“The Head Constable came earlier. The captured assassin confessed that my real attendant is already dead.”
That was the true reason Bok Yun looked so hollow.
“I feel terrible. He died because of me. If I hadn’t brought him on, this wouldn’t have happened.”
I understood how he felt. But I couldn’t let him get trapped in guilt.
I pulled out a chair and sat down across from him.
“If you put it that way, there’s no end to things to feel sorry for in this world. The assassin who killed a man doing his job should feel sorry, not Deputy Merchant Lord Bok.”
“…”
“So steel yourself. If you collapse now, you’ll have no face left before the man who died first.”
At my words, he nodded.
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right.”
Life returned to his eyes.
Yes, to be a friend of mine, this much backbone is a must.
“I’ve been silent until now because I didn’t want to stir things up, but if I keep this up, only the men beneath me will continue to die.”
It seemed this incident had finally lit a fire in Bok Yun.
I asked him quietly.
“Do you have any idea who’s behind this?”
“Of course.”
He nodded heavily.
It was likely someone within the merchant group, or a rival.
Either way, from this point on, it was his affair.
“I hope things resolve well.”
“Thank you.”
He cupped his fist in thanks, then changed the subject.
“By the way, you’re heading to the North Sea?”
“That’s right.”
He remembered what I’d said back at the wine house.
“Our business here is finished too. We’ll be returning to the main compound. It’s on the road to the North Sea. Would you like to travel together?”
I’d been to Liaoning before, but I wasn’t familiar with the local terrain.
Traveling with Bok Yun, who knew the area well, was a good offer.
Of course, those annoying flies, assassins, would keep buzzing.
But flies were meant to be swatted.
The next morning.
We departed from the inn.
Riding in the same carriage as Deputy Merchant Lord Bok Yun, we grew closer as we traveled.
I learned quite a few useful things from him, how to deal with nomadic tribes, what to watch out for, how to find your bearings if lost on the steppe.
He truly lived up to the title of Deputy Merchant Lord for a group known for its ties to the nomads.
Our shared journey was drawing to an end.
“That’s the Gwangjun Merchant Group.”
“I see. The scale’s incredible.”
“Yes. We mainly handle horses, so we need a lot of space.”
Looking down from the hill, the compound was indeed vast. Bok Yun smiled proudly.
“That’s why our compound isn’t in a busy town, but out here, a bit removed.”
“Land is cheaper, and it’s easier to secure fodder for the horses.”
Bok Yun invited me to stay the night, and I gladly accepted.
After traveling together this far, it would be awkward to refuse, and I wasn’t about to sleep outdoors.
We entered the Gwangjun Merchant Group’s main compound and met the Merchant Lord, Bok Yun’s father, Bok Im-gil (卜任吉).
“Oh. Who’s this? Isn’t this Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group?”
“Yes. It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
We’d met once before at the Assembly in Luoyang, so he remembered me.
He laughed heartily.
“Well enough. My son sent word in advance. I thank you again.”
“It was just luck.”
“Heh, still as modest as ever. So what brings you all the way from Hubei?”
“I’m on my way to the North Sea.”
“The North Sea?”
He looked puzzled but didn’t pry further.
He was experienced enough to know when not to ask.
“It’s a rough road. Rest well before you go.”
“Thank you.”
Merchant Lord Bok Im-gil had an attendant guide me and my men.
As I followed, I thought I’d be able to sleep well tonight.
Things were about to get interesting.
Now that Bok Yun was safely back at his compound, the ones behind the assassination attempt would have no choice but to face him directly.
They’d soon realize they’d poked a sleeping tiger.
Inside his office, Bok Im-gil spoke to his son.
“It’s a relief you’re unharmed.”
“Deputy Merchant Lord Eun helped me greatly.”
“Yes, you mentioned that. How did you meet him?”
Bok Yun explained everything.
“I see. I’ve met him before, at the last Assembly of the Hundred Great Merchant Groups. As far as I know, he’s the only one who kept his Silver Tael during that contest.”
“That Silver Tael?”
Bok Yun had attended the assembly too, and he knew how difficult it was to keep one.
He’d been a few times himself, but never succeeded in holding onto it.
“Yes. He’s a remarkable man. Stay close to him, if you can.”
“We’ve already gotten close on the road. It’s the first time I’ve had a peer I could really talk with.”
“Oh? Is that so? When I met him, he didn’t seem like someone who opens his heart easily. You must’ve made a good impression.”
“I’m glad. I like him too.”
Bok Yun’s smile was genuine, and Bok Im-gil chuckled quietly.
“Anyway, we’ve figured out who was behind the attack.”
“I think I know too.”
“Who?”
“The Three Axe Merchant Group (三斧商團), isn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
The Three Axe Merchant Group operated in the same Liaoning region and also dealt in horses.
But their origin was different, founded by three Unorthodox Sect men who had fled from afar.
They had grown quickly and were now a major threat to the Gwangjun Merchant Group. But a large project they’d recently pursued had failed, defeated by Bok Im-gil’s group.
Their Merchant Lord’s pride had been crushed, and now he was lashing out.
“The assassin confessed. He said they promised him a hundred gold taels if he killed me.”
“Only one group has both the money and the nerve to keep hounding you.”
“Right. No one understands the viciousness of the Unorthodox Sect better than those from the Unorthodox Sect.”
“Exactly. This kind of thing is just like them.”
Most merchant groups avoided dirty tricks, too much risk, and it destroyed trust.
But the Three Axe Merchant Group, born from the Unorthodox Sect, seemed to think that as long as they weren’t caught, anything was fair game.
“I have no intention of letting this go. They’ll pay what they owe.”
That afternoon.
I went out with my Escort Guards.
Because the Gwangjun Merchant Group’s compound was here, a market fair had grown around it.
Whenever I visited a new place, checking out the local markets and studying the commercial flow was both my habit and my hobby.
“Palgap, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
I’d worried Palgap might still be upset about earlier, but he wasn’t. He was thankful instead, grateful that I’d saved him.
We walked the streets with my Escort Guards, and the Gwangjun Merchant Group assigned one of their guards to guide us.
“That over there is the largest market fair in town.”
“I see.”
Since this was the frontier and the climate was poor, daily necessities like paper and grain were expensive.
“The wild silkworm silk is truly fine.”
“Of course. That’s why it’s even more expensive.”
Among all silk types, wild silkworm silk was the highest quality.
Because the wild strain produced less silk, but the fiber was tougher and glossier.
Naturally, it cost a fortune.
Among the Shu Brocades of Sichuan, the most expensive ones were made from this wild silk.
If you bought wild silkworm silk here and transported it to sell, it was still cheaper than buying Shu Brocade made from the same material.
As we browsed and chatted, Escort Guard Seo Wu sent me a sound transmission.
– Someone’s tailing us.
Then came Jin Yu’s voice.
– They don’t seem like assassins, but they’re definitely following.
I felt it too.
The stench of the Unorthodox Sect.
It seemed they’d been tailing us from the moment we left the compound gate.
I wanted to see what they were after.
I deliberately turned into a narrow alley.
Eventually, a group of men appeared before us.
One stepped forward and cupped his fist.
“Are you Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho? Someone wishes to meet you.”
“Who?”
“You’ll know when you meet them.”
“Then tell them to come themselves.”
At that, the group’s mood changed instantly.
“How insolent.”
“You think you can say no just because someone invites you?”
“Our superior ordered us to bring you, by force, if necessary. You’ve brought this on yourself.”
With that, they drew their weapons.
Ching.
Chang-chang.
Since they drew first, we didn’t hesitate.
But I wondered, do they even realize?
We have three Peak Realm experts here.
.
.
.
A short time later,
The men were all lying on the ground, unconscious or moaning in pain.
“…”
The Gwangjun guard who had come with us stared, mouth agape.
“Scared you?”
He nodded cautiously. I gave a small smile.
“Still, don’t go spreading rumors.”
“Ah, understood.”
“We’ll stay here. Go report this to the county office.”
He immediately turned and ran.
I nudged one of the men on the ground with my foot.
Thump.
“Ugh.”
“Alright, answer me. Who sent you?”
“…”
“Want to feel a blade in your ribs?”
“…”
Words weren’t working.
I gestured to Jin Yu, who raised his sword and pressed it lightly to the man’s side.
The man shivered and confessed.
“Th-The Merchant Lord of the Three Axe Merchant Group.”
The Three Axe Merchant Group. I remembered them well.
In my past life, when the Gwangjun Merchant Group dropped out of the Hundred Great Merchant Groups, the ones who took their spot were these rats.
I’d disliked them then, and now I knew why.
To command this many Unorthodox Sect thugs… that meant the group itself was part of the Unorthodox Sect.
They were about to be destroyed by Bok Yun anyway.
But now they’d involved me.
So this wasn’t meddling.
This was repayment.
A short while later,
The Head Constable arrived with his men. They arrested the attackers and dragged them to the county office.
I went with them.
There, I showed the County Magistrate my Censorate Inspector plaque and spoke.
“This incident will be reported to His Majesty the Emperor.”
That alone was enough.
I wasn’t overstepping my authority. The Emperor himself had told me to be his eyes and ears.
And if I already have the power,
I might as well use it well.
Besides, scum like this aren’t worth dirtying our hands over.
–TL Notes–
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At last!!! It’s not a painful cliffhanger !!!