The Beginning of Change (3)
“Why are you like that?”
Im Pilsaeng tilted his head, asking as Jin Yeo-rip stood there blankly, as if struck by a massive shock.
“Young Master?”
“W-wait a second.”
“……?”
“Just stay quiet for a bit.”
Jin Yeo-rip raised a hand to silence him, and a whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind.
In his previous life, insurance came in so many varieties it was impossible to list them all. But what about this place, where he'd suddenly been transmigrated and was now living?
It was a world teeming with dangers—where dying in a guest inn out of nowhere was just par for the course. Mountains crawled with tiger attacks and bandits, rivers with water pirates, all treated as everyday risks.
As his thoughts reached that point, a great bell tolled in Jin Yeo-rip's head.
Ah, how could I not have thought of this sooner?
He felt like an utter fool for getting so caught up in adapting to this world that he'd overlooked such a golden opportunity.
There was potential here... no, boundless potential.
Dangers lurked everywhere, yet this world had no concept of insurance whatsoever. And on top of that—monopoly! This business was his alone.
“Ah, so green and lush……”
It was as if a rose-tinted, no, a vast blue ocean was surging before him in welcome.
“Green? The sky's all clouded over and gloomy as hell.”
Im Pilsaeng wrinkled his nose and butted in.
Shut up. What do you know? Don't step on my flower path with your pointless interruptions.
“Aah……”
His chest swelled with emotion. This was it—this would work.
He already knew enough types of insurance from his past life to count on more than his fingers. Borrow some from there, invent new ones tailored to this era.
So what if he left Cheongeumbang penniless? With his silver tongue to charm clients and sturdy hands to draft contracts, that was plenty.
Start by insuring healthy, robust types who wouldn't get sick anytime soon. Sell policies to a bunch, pool the premiums, build up capital bit by bit.
“Young Master, what's going on with you?”
“Huh?”
“Your face... it's looking way too sleazy……”
As Im Pilsaeng eyed him worriedly, Jin Yeo-rip tamped down his surging excitement with a forced cough.
“Ahem! It's nothing. Ahem.”
He couldn't stop grinning. Yeah—sell insurance! He'd become the Insurance King!
Should've grabbed a straw hat from his old life. Calm down. Haste makes waste, and test the bridge before crossing. The sages were spot on.
He needed the real lay of the land. His memories and experiences here were limited to Shaolin and Cheongeumbang.
To see the wider world. To charm people, he had to read their minds; to craft and sell the right products, he had to know the world.
With fresh ambitions sprouting wildly in his swelling heart, Jin Yeo-rip approached Jin Ha-seong, who was deep in talk with Wang Seok.
“Father!”
“Hm?”
Jin Ha-seong responded with puzzlement as Jin Yeo-rip strode up boldly, without a hint of hesitation.
“Could I perhaps speak with the injured escort?”
“Speak with him?”
“Yes.”
“That's not hard, but... why?”
Jin Ha-seong asked with a peculiar glint in his eye. It was because of how his son had always acted up till now.
Whether showing off his talents, becoming class president at the academy, handling the ambush, or mingling in the Outer Market to gather intel—none of it had ever fit within Jin Ha-seong's expectations.
Even Baekhak, reinstated as an elder, had commented on it. He could usually tell what kind of life someone would lead just by looking at them, but Jin Yeo-rip's future was impossible to predict. Still, Cheongeumbang might flourish greatly in his generation.
What did Baekhak see in him? Jin Ha-seong wondered, curious about his son's true intentions in wanting to talk to the Geumhyang Merchant Company escorts.
“Something on your mind?”
“No, he just looks so pitiful.”
“Pitiful?”
“Yes. I heard his right arm got severed, so he can't live as a martial artist anymore... Doesn't someone need to comfort him?”
“Hrm.”
Jin Ha-seong nodded at his son's words. Not quite what he'd expected, but the sentiment was right. Someone had to soothe that pain.
But was this just sympathy? Or something more? No way to know.
Damn kid. If you're set on becoming Cheongeumbang's lord, at least open up to your father who wants to help.
“Very well. Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, and I'll be stepping out soon myself.”
“Pardon? Where to?”
“Hm. To resolve the Geumhyang issue, looks like I'll have to visit Beksan Stronghold in person for negotiations.”
“Beksan Stronghold?”
“Yes. With their caravan detained there, no choice. Can't help the cargo losses, but we have to save lives.”
“I see.”
Jin Yeo-rip nodded deeply. Lives over profits. He'd thought his father ruthlessly pragmatic, but he was a true merchant at heart.
“Please be careful. They won't leave you alone while you're gone. Watch what you eat and drink, and keep Im Pilsaeng by your side everywhere.”
“Got it……”
Jin Yeo-rip, bowing politely, suddenly paused and stared straight at Jin Ha-seong.
Wait—this wasn't something to let slide.
Negotiations with bandits? What better chance for fieldwork?
And with insurance already on his mind, all sorts of policies for transport accidents, personal injury, property damage flooded his thoughts.
“When do you leave?”
“Soon as preparations are done. Probably in four or five days. But why do you ask?”
As Jin Ha-seong tilted his head, Jin Yeo-rip smiled.
“Take me with you?”
“What? You? Come along?”
“Yes.”
Jin Ha-seong narrowed his eyes. Come along? What was the kid thinking, eyes sparkling like that?
There was definitely more to it.
“Not possible?”
“It's not that, but……”
“Then take me.”
“What's your reason?”
“Does there need to be one?”
As Jin Ha-seong stared silently, Jin Yeo-rip spoke up.
“I'm already seventeen. As you said, I'll have to leave Cheongeumbang in a few months. So I want to learn about caravan operations outside and decide my path forward.”
“……”
“I've learned much attending the retainer meetings, but facing the harsh jianghu requires preparation. I want to observe now—how you handle negotiations. It might help if I ever deal with bandits later.”
Admirable words. Couldn't keep him sheltered forever. Hearing a hundred times didn't beat seeing once. Direct experience would benefit his future most.
“And if you're worried about me after you leave, isn't it better to take me along?”
“Take you along is better?”
“Hm.”
True enough—what could he learn from retainer meetings in his absence? Just cold glares, probably.
Made sense, so Jin Ha-seong nodded. Yang Sojin had already met with Saihai's Geuman Yang Taek and returned. She'd gotten answers, likely threats to his son's life.
The moment he left Cheongeumbang would be their chance. All sorts of dangers.
Im Pilsaeng, a former Ak family retainer of mighty prowess, and Hwang Ja-su, Shandong's top physician, were guards—but was anywhere as safe as by his side, protected by elite warriors?
In his eagerness to help his son, he'd overlooked that. Feeling apologetic, Jin Ha-seong ended his brief deliberation sternly.
“Three days.”
“……”
“We depart from Da Geumgak at the start of jinshi hour. No delays—the procession won't wait.”
“Yes, Father! I'll see you then.”
“Good.”
Jin Yeo-rip grinned vigorously and headed to the infirmary. Watching his back, a smile touched Jin Ha-seong's lips.
Seo-yeon, our son is growing so strong. You'd have loved to see it...
He missed her especially today. Should've done this from the start. Treating him like a child and telling him to do nothing—he felt guilty now.
“Heh, who knew conversation was so precious. I've been lacking. Wasted years.”
If unspoken, who would know? That was affection.
From now on, more talks were in order.
“Make sure you eat well.”
“Yeah.”
“Sleep properly.”
“Yeah.”
“If anything feels off, tell me right away.”
“Got it.”
“Never eat anything from strangers.”
“……Yeah?”
“Stay away from risky places. Got it?”
“……”
“Oh, what else……”
So Hye furrowed her brow, racking her brain for more reminders.
I get you're worried, but am I a kid? People are laughing!
Jin Yeo-rip glanced around, cheeks flushing. At Cheongeumbang's main gate, gathered to depart with his father, So Hye was babying him endlessly—mortifying.
He could hear the stifled giggles. Ugh, embarrassing.
“Oh, right!”
“Stop.”
“Huh?”
“Grhhrgh.”
He gritted his teeth, dead serious, but it didn't faze her.
“Stop what? You know how scary the world is, right? Always be cautious—extra cautious. Stick to the martial artists. And in the jianghu, watch out for elders, kids, especially women. Got it? The ones who smile too much, act all cutesy for no reason, or... like me, stunningly beautiful. Understand?”
Got it. Minus the “like me” part.
“And……”
“Enough!”
Unable to take it, Jin Yeo-rip finally yelled.
“Am I a baby? A baby?!”
This wasn't some toddler by the water. He looked seventeen, but his mind was over thirty. He knew that much.
“What do you take me for?”
As Jin Yeo-rip snapped, So Hye sighed deeply, muttering.
“That's exactly what I see.”
“What?”
“Ah! Nothing. Safe travels.”
She waved brightly, but then...
“Why's the Lord taking the Young Master to meet bandits? Does he have a plan or not? What if something happens to you...”
He heard that too. Hands thrown up at her muttering—even badmouthing the Lord now. And she wasn't done.
“Uncle Pilsaeng!”
“Y-yeah?!”
Im Pilsaeng, her next target, had endured naggy reminders nonstop. Only he from Unjeong Pavilion was joining—to protect Jin Yeo-rip.
But So Hye's weren't about escort duty: bedding tips, food precautions, etc.
“Uncle Pilsaeng!”
“Yes, Young Master!”
“Let's go! Hurry!”
At his limit, Jin Yeo-rip bellowed and hopped into the carriage first.
“Father! What're you waiting for? Let's move!”
“Heh, alright.”
Jin Ha-seong chuckled heartily and reassured So Hye.
“Don't worry too much. I'll bring him back without a scratch.”
“Yes, my Lord. I trust only you.”
Polite bow, but teeth clenched—like she'd never forgive a single hair out of place.
“Ahem!”
Coughing and averting his eyes, Jin Ha-seong hurriedly led the procession.
Yang Sojin's face, watching their departure and So Hye returning to Unjeong Pavilion, was impassive—but her eyes brimmed with killing intent.