On the Merchant Road (5)
The next day, the Hubei Express carriage pulled up in front of the convenience store. I was leaning against the wall, nursing my hangover with a hangover remedy, when Ja Ryong-o pushed open the store door.
"Whoa, this really is one bizarre inn."
"Oh, you're here."
"What's with the cold shoulder?"
Huh? Ja Ryong-o grinned good-naturedly.
"Didn't we swear to be friends?"
His words jogged my memory of last night. Downing sorghum liquor one cup after another while swapping important stories. And laughing our asses off, vowing to be buddies. Right, yeah. That happened.
"Looks like you don't remember. Didn't we swear brotherhood? Oh, and you promised to give me thirty percent of the sales revenue."
What the hell? Is this guy nuts?
"Watch that crooked mouth of yours—get the facts straight. We agreed on just the mileage fee based on distance."
Ja Ryong-o smacked his palm with his fist, looking genuinely regretful.
"You sneaky bastard, pretending to forget when you remember it all just to play coy?"
"Just remembered. Like, right now."
"Puhahaha!! What a shame! If I'd held my liquor a bit better, I could've negotiated better terms."
He was one hearty guy. Of course, with Cheon Hyang from Manokru backing the deal, changing terms wasn't easy anyway.
We loaded the goods onto the carriage. A thousand masks didn't weigh much, just took time. With the bandits helping, we got it done quick.
"Goods are loaded. Coming with us?"
"First deal—gotta oversee it."
I glanced at Hwa Hyo-seon and Yoo Hwa-yeon. They'd been cooped up in the Ghost Soul Great Forest forever. Maybe one could tag along? Sure, it was business, but they could at least get some fresh air on the way.
"Hwa-yeon, wanna come?"
I asked her first, but after a moment's thought, she shook her head.
"It's the Demonic Cult. If I show up, it'll cause trouble for sure."
Even as a righteous sect martial artist, just keep a low profile—what trouble? Anyway, she wasn't going, so I was about to climb on alone when—
"Strategist! I wanna go!"
Hwa Hyo-seon shouted, face flushed with excitement.
"Can you? What about your bandits?"
"Those grown-ass men? What's to worry about! Right, boys?"
"When have you ever worried about us, Chief?"
"Have a safe trip."
"See?"
Hwa Hyo-seon stared at me like a kid hyped for a school trip.
"Alright, let's go. Hop on."
And so, Hwa Hyo-seon, me, and the loaded carriage set off.
"Hwa-yeon, mind the store!"
"Hwa Hyo-seon! Pull any crap and I'll kill you!"
"Kyahaha! Why'd you have to be born righteous? Join our Seven Villages even now!"
"Shut up!"
"I dunno what I'll do either!"
"That bitch!"
Leaving their(?) heartwarming exchange behind, the carriage turned toward the Face Guests Forest.
Rumble-rumble. Bouncing along the unpaved road, my stomach was doing flips. Plus, I'd gotten hammered with Ryong-o last night.
Hwa Hyo-seon, meanwhile, savored the fresh breeze with her eyes closed, looking totally fine. No queasiness for her.
"Hwa Hyo-seon, you okay... urk!"
"Strategist! You alright?"
"Ah, shoulda taken another hangover remedy before we left."
"What's a hangover remedy?"
"It's a thing. Hey, Ryong-o!"
We'd gotten pretty casual with each other by now.
"Yeah?"
"We keeping this speed?"
"Faster?"
"No! Slow down so I can walk!"
"Kukuku, just like a merchant who's only ever comfy inside his inn. Stomach churning?"
I ignored his barbs—routine by now—and hopped off the carriage. Walking behind the guarding escorts eased the nausea.
Leaving Ghost Soul Great Forest, we followed the mountain path along Hubei's outskirts until a narrow trail appeared. Lush grass lined both sides. It was a well-trodden path—grass bent away from it—but still unpaved.
I strolled like it was a peaceful country lane. Nine months in Murim already. Six to adjust, three running the store proper.
A lot had happened in three months. Met Yoo Hwa-yeon, survived near-death, met Hwa Hyo-seon, Cheon Hyang, sealed big and small deals. Now, delivering to the Demonic Cult no less.
Short time, but huge gains. Keep this up, and my store could shake the Central Plains. Then no one would mess with a powerless guy like me. Strong escorts, free from mortal threats.
Dropped here powerless, I'd cursed the author. A bit of inner power would've helped. But now? Fine by me. Weakness made me desperate, resourceful, survivor. I'd keep clawing on.
No need for everyone to be strong. Us little folk have our ways. Modern world or Murim—people gonna people.
I looked up at the sky. Back home, I stared at fly-specked fluorescent ceilings, not skies. Murim gave me confidence. Eye contact, no betrayal paranoia, sound sleep. Great changes...
Thud!
Lost in thought, I slammed into a guard's broad back.
"Why'd you stop so sud—"
A dagger flew straight at my face. I froze, couldn't even dodge.
Clang!!
A black iron mace blocked my front, swatting the daggers away.
"Ambush!!"
Hwa Hyo-seon stood guard, yelling. Whoa, classic Murim roadside robbery?
"Strategist! You okay?!"
"Y-yeah. I'm fine."
No sooner said than burly thugs burst from both grass patches. Scars bulged with flesh. Ugly mugs screaming "bandit" on sight.
I thought I'd gotten used to rough faces from my store bandits. These were next level. Devilish.
"Kahaha!! Strutting through my Great Demon Iron's turf? Your balls must've rolled off your gut! Strip everything but your guts—I'll spare your lives!"
The escorts drew swords in unison. But Great Demon Iron stayed cocky.
"Hmph! Come on, then—you wanna die!"
He slammed his massive blade into the ground—like butter. Solid earth or not.
Hwa Hyo-seon smirked, shoving past escorts, mace on shoulder.
"Who dares block the Great Green Forest's Seven Villages Chief? Step aside!"
Great Demon Iron twitched a brow at the bronze-skinned woman.
"Gr... Green Forest? Seven Villages Chief?"
"Yep."
He bowed his head. Apologizing? Nah—
"Pfft! Kuhahaha!! Who cares!! Green Forest scum or chief—soft rock to my blade!"
Wait, bandits aren't all Sado Alliance? He scoffs at the chief?
Overconfident much?
Hwa Hyo-seon frowned. "You're not Sado Alliance, are you?"
"Hmph! Why join those street-gang kids? Our Wood Forest One Village hates playground games!"
Unaffiliated evil bandits? News to me. Not all evil sects join Sado—fits their freedom-loving nature.
Not shocked.
"Then I can smash you worry-free?"
"Insolent bitch. I'll cleave you myself."
"Come on, piggy."
Hwa Hyo-seon gripped her mace, beckoning tauntingly.
Then Ja Ryong-o stepped up behind her.
"Chief?"
"Yeah?"
"First deal. Can't sit idle—bad look. Trust our Hubei Express escorts first?"
Hwa Hyo-seon frowned at me. I nodded; she shrugged, mace back on shoulder, retreated.
"Fine. Strategist's call."
"Kahaha!! Running with tail tucked, bitch? Green Forest Chief's all hype!"
His taunts pierced from behind. She could've raged, but wore a relaxed smile. No backing down.
"If Strategist says so."
She trusted me. I grinned back.
Ja Ryong-o bellowed, "Show 'em Hubei Express spice! Rolling bandits ain't shit!"
"Wooo!!"
Escorts charged, swords ready. Momentum crushed bandit morale.
"Y-you bastards!!"
"That's Hubei Express power!"
Trios struck artfully, picking off bandits. Cocky foes now retreated.
"Urk! Can't leave empty! Boys!!"
Daggers flew from all sides like the first strike.
Escorts parried with swords—but I had none.
Slash!
"Ow!"
Hwa Hyo-seon shielded me; a ricochet grazed my right arm, embedding in the ground.
"Strategist!"
Blood soaked my sleeve. She grabbed my arm, worried. I signaled fine.
"We'll retreat—but we'll be back! Wood Forest One Village never quits!!"
Great Demon Iron fled, still yapping.
Hwa Hyo-seon ripped my collar, bandaging fast.
"I'm fine, really. Just a graze..."
"Hold still! What if it's poisoned!!"
She bit her lip. Blaming herself for not protecting me? The ruthless Green Forest chief? For a lowly innkeeper?
Ja Ryong-o picked up a dagger.
"No poison. Broke as they are, where'd they get any? Don't worry."
"Urk, but..."
"I'm good, seriously. Ryong-o, let's roll. Gotta hit the deadline."
"Move out!!"
He slapped the carriage; it lurched forward.
I walked, left hand staunching the wound. Hwa Hyo-seon stared worriedly beside me. Intense...
"S-still, Hubei Express was badass. Routing all those bandits, huh?"
"........."
"Oh, and thanks for the save. Just a scratch thanks to you."
Meant to ease her, but she whipped her head away.
What'd I do?
After a bit, she looked up, eyes resolved.
"I know the destination. Follow on."
"Huh?"
"Go ahead. Got business."
"Wait, hold—!!"
With that, her figure vanished. Blinding footwork.