63. I Always Loved You (1)
Capture the king to capture the thieves. To defeat your enemies, take down their leader first. Following that timeless wisdom from the past, I'd gone straight for the Black Dragon Sect's sect master, and just like that, the Black Dragon Sect had become a full-fledged ally of the Hwi-yeong Merchant Group.
Rumor had it that when Mun Il-jang flipped his stance as openly as turning over a hand, the Muhan Merchant House master had foamed at the mouth and collapsed backward. It was the kind of absurd, outrageous betrayal that anyone would find infuriating. Nothing stings quite like a partner turning on you without reason.
"Group leader. You're truly remarkable."
"What is?"
"Word of the clash between the Muhan Merchant House and our group is spreading like wildfire in other provinces now."
"Is that so?"
There was an unexpected bonus to it all. Just as Jo Chung-heon said, news of the Hwi-yeong Merchant Group's battle with the Muhan Merchant House had circulated widely through the merchant world.
People always cheer for the underdog's victory. In that sense, a fledgling outfit like the Hwi-yeong Merchant Group seizing the upper hand against a dominant regional powerhouse was bound to pique everyone's interest.
"So now, folks in other regions are giving our group a wide berth whenever they see us. Makes us look like we've got some real muscle."
"They have no choice but to think that. A merchant group beating a merchant house? That's not supposed to happen."
"Exactly."
Jo Chung-heon grinned from ear to ear. He had good reason to smile—yesterday's sales had shattered the monthly record. Dominating the Muhan House's street markets, their biggest outlet for the Green Forest Twelve Forms, had played a huge role.
"They should be arriving any minute now."
"Heh heh."
This time, even I couldn't hold back a chuckle. What day was it today? The day when branches in each province finalized salaries, operating expenses, and miscellaneous costs before shipping profits back to headquarters.
Muhan was home to headquarters, so they had far more to process than other provinces and weren't done yet. Which meant the wagons of silver heading our way now represented the very first profits from our merchant caravan operations.
I tried to maintain some dignity as group leader, but I kept giggling like a hole had punched right through my lungs.
"Hee hee hee. Hn hn hn. Khuh huh huh."
"Heh heh. Feeling good, huh? Heh heh heh."
Even the ever-stoic Jo Chung-heon seemed giddy at the thought of his performance bonus. Of course, I'd hired only the top-tier escort agency to transport the silver. Our contract even stipulated double compensation if anything went missing. Sure, it drove up costs, but that's what you earned money for—to spend it on things like this when it mattered.
The thudding of hooves and the beasts' snorts vibrated up through the soles of our feet. Jo Chung-heon and I shot to our feet.
"Group leader! They're here!"
A servant's shout rang out from outside. Without a word, Jo Chung-heon and I bolted for the door.
I craned my neck to gaze at the mountain of sacks piled sky-high.
"......This can't be the wrong delivery, can it?"
Jo Chung-heon muttered in disbelief from behind me. It was understandable.
He wasn't the only one. Not just Hwi-yeong Merchant Group members, but even folks from the Dongho Merchant House had come out to gawk at the massive shipment. A crowd had naturally gathered around the commotion, everyone buzzing with excitement.
"What's all that?"
"It's all money, they say?"
"Come on, don't kid us. Did the God of Wealth descend on Muhan or something?"
That was the reaction from ordinary folk who didn't know what an escort shipment was. But the merchants and group leaders who did? Their faces had gone pale as ghosts.
"That's really all money?"
"The house master said so, but... you think he's seeing things?"
"And it's the Namwon Escort Agency too. That must've cost a fortune."
"No ordinary merchant group could afford those guys."
A middle-aged man in martial robes stamped with the character "Won" on his chest approached me.
"You're the Hwi-yeong Merchant Group leader, right?"
"Yes. And you're the escort chief, I take it."
"That's me. Escort Chief Lee Gil-sang."
The murmurs grew louder. Lee Gil-sang, the Swift Wind Escort, was the Namwon Escort Agency's top man—not just their best escort warrior, but one of the finest experts in all of Gangseo Province. No wonder the crowd was stirring at the sight of a celebrity.
"The legendary Swift Wind Escort. That you? My knowledge of the martial world is pretty limited."
"It's not that impressive a title."
"Good to know it's really you."
If even I, who'd had no ties to the martial world back then, knew the name, he had to be a big deal. I felt that strange nostalgia again, meeting famous figures after my regression. It was like a marker of how my life had veered onto an entirely different path from my previous one.
"Just sign here. It's confirmation that you've received the shipment safely."
"Not that I doubt the Swift Wind Escort or the Namwon Escort Agency, but protocol calls for the recipient to double-check upon arrival. Hope you understand."
"Hah hah. A young group leader who's thorough to boot. We don't mind at all. You've paid top coin—you get top rights."
"No wonder the Namwon Escort Agency's name always comes up in talks of the Central Plains' finest."
"Feels like I'm bantering with a sly old fox who's been at this for fifty years. They said you were exceptional, and they weren't kidding. Rumors don't do you justice."
"No vessel in the world can hold the sea."
"Hahaha. Can't underestimate you one bit."
As I chatted effortlessly with the renowned Swift Wind Escort, I could feel the Hwi-yeong folks behind me puffing up with pride. Our group leader's the real deal. And hey, they weren't wrong. I'd come back from the dead, after all.
I meticulously inspected every sack, checking for tears or leaks. A merchant had to be hypersensitive about anything involving money—at least, that's the impression you needed to give.
Only when Lee Gil-sang started looking bored and yawning did I finally wrap up. People from Dongho and Hwi-yeong shot glances, hinting he was waiting, but I ignored them.
"All done?"
"Yes. No issues."
"Then stamp here."
"Of course."
I pulled out the seal I'd brought. There was a spot marked in the corner of the paper. One stamp, and all that silver in the shipment became mine. I got lost in sentiment for a moment. But only a moment—I stamped it crisply and split the confirmation papers with Lee Gil-sang.
"We hereby declare control of this shipment transferred to the Hwi-yeong Merchant Group."
"You don't say."
"Now you're the owner of all this wealth. Success at such a young age."
Technically, it belonged to the group. Most would get reinvested to expand operations, but even the scraps left over would keep bellies full for a good while.
"Success feels a bit premature. This is just our first caravan run."
"True, but I have a feeling I'll be seeing a lot more of you, group leader. For the record, I don't personally lead escorts unless the cargo's worth a fortune. These days, I focus on training the juniors."
"I see. It was an honor."
"Likewise."
I exchanged bows with Lee Gil-sang. At his command, the escort warriors and porters swarmed the shipment, unloading with practiced efficiency. Each sack that hit the ground clinked, confirming its silver contents all over again.
The Namwon Escort Agency's crew were elite through and through. This was why you shelled out the big coin. Once you tasted that satisfaction, you couldn't go back to cheap alternatives. Tycoons paid premiums for tiny differences like this for a reason.
The Namwon team unloaded swiftly and withdrew just as fast. Watching dozens move as one filled my chest with awe. That was the power of a well-oiled organization.
I glanced back. The Hwi-yeong crew was still chattering about seeing the Swift Wind Escort in the flesh. They had a ways to go before becoming one body. If anything, we were like a three-headed, six-armed monster right now—impressive on paper, but chaotic since each limb answered to itself.
Well, it's just the beginning.
I headed to where the cargo had been unloaded, and Jo Chung-heon followed like my shadow without needing a word.
"How much is all this?"
"Around three thousand taels of silver."
"Gasp!"
"What's with the shock? Add in Muhan's unfinished accounting, and it'll hit five thousand."
"Whoooaa!"
I worried he'd hyperventilate. I gave a wry smile. Five thousand taels of silver. The old me would've scoffed, but now it was a fortune I could scarcely touch.
"And this is after paying laborers and the underworld crews, right? Still three thousand pure profit?"
"You got it. Net gains."
"Unbelievable. This much from one caravan? And from a startup group."
"This month's an outlier, though. Once publishers and printers catch the scent, they'll flood the market with Green Forest Twelve Forms. We're the last to cash in on these inflated prices."
"We've already shipped out a ton from the warehouse. Even throttling supply, demand's too high to hold back."
"No more throttling needed. Sell it all as fast as we can. And we're done with the Green Forest Twelve Forms after this."
"Bold move. Most folks get stuck milking one hot item."
"That's for rookies."
"Aren't you a rookie by experience?"
"Newbie, sure. Rookie? Nah."
"Fair point. Who'd call this business savvy rookie-level?"
I flashed a grin. In the past, Jo Chung-heon wouldn't have batted an eye at five thousand taels.
Which meant I was growing alongside him now.
"How much bonus you aiming for?"
"Pardon? Asking that here...?"
"Better than waiting till everyone's around."
"Well... I've never actually gotten a performance bonus at a group before. Isn't it mostly a big-house thing?"
"True. But no reason to turn it down."
"Of course not."
A glint of greed flickered in Jo Chung-heon's eyes. I didn't mind. Greed for coin was a merchant's baseline drive—as long as you reined it in, it made you great.
He hesitated to speak. Asking his boss for a number wasn't easy, after all.
I waited patiently. I could've decided for him, but I wanted to gauge the man's caliber first.
Jo Chung-heon fidgeted, then mumbled like a mosquito.
"A hundred taels of silver."
"Pardon?"
"......A hundred taels."
"Speak up a bit? Can't hear you."
I cupped my ear and tilted my head. His face flushed crimson.
"No, eighty? Actually, sixty's fine too......"
I chuckled. Teasing subordinates never got old.
Still, a touch disappointing. In his shoes, I'd have boldly asked for five hundred—maybe scored three.
But he wasn't done.
"And......"
"Yes?"
"Promise me the chief clerk position."
"Well, now."
I blinked in surprise, then burst out laughing. A winner's mindset, through and through. He wasn't grabbing for quick cash—he wanted the seat that'd let him grab more.
"Greedier than I thought."
"Not greed. This caravan was a smash, but we're not a proper group yet. I can help shape us into one."
His tone was confident when asking for the post, worlds apart from begging for silver. I hid my smile and pressed on.
"Bit of a gamble, no? Flash-in-the-pan groups outnumber stars. What if I flop?"
"We flop together."
"Kinda bland answer."
"Better than flopping solo."
"Fair enough?"
We both snickered. Then I dropped the grin and got serious.
"First task as chief clerk: Design an org chart and HR setup for fifty staff."
"Consider it done."
"Good. So, sixty taels?"
"Nah. If you're giving, make it a hundred."
I smacked my lips regretfully. Five thousand taels sounded huge, but it'd vanish fast. Expanding the group would burn through it easy. Plus, I'd need some for personal use.
With that, I promoted Jo Chung-heon to chief clerk and turned to handle the rest.
"Group leader!"
A frantic voice called from outside. As I stepped out of the warehouse, a pale-faced servant came running.
"Some people are here for you."
"Who, that they're in such a rush?"
A few suspects came to mind. The servant, too flustered to catch his breath, blurted it out.
"From the Post Relay Office. Post Relay Office sent people."
"Figured they'd show. The vice revenue minister, right?"
The servant's eyes widened—how'd you know?—and he nodded.
Vice Minister of Revenue Jin Mu-byeok. The guy who'd pretended to side with the Muhan House. With victory locked in for Hwi-yeong, he'd be itching to switch sides. So predictable it was yawn-worthy.
"Yawwwn. That's why the panic?"
"Yes. And... someone from the Imperial Palace too."
"......The palace?"
My yawn vanished instantly. This I hadn't seen coming.