Murim Debut (1)
“Halt! From here on out, this mountain path falls under the management of Yuyo Party Leader!!”
Bandits backed by an impeccably crafted wooden barricade—one of the finest defensive outposts amid the well-maintained trail—bellowed thunderously, forcing the merchant caravan to a stop.
“We footed the bill to pave the road and keep it spotless! If you wanna pass, pay the toll!!”
A luxurious carriage jolted to a halt, and inside, a massive beast that had been dozing cracked open its amber eyes with a fierce glint. Shaking off its groggy haze, it lumbered out of the carriage with lazy, prowling steps.
Thud—thud—
A towering man, easily over seven cheok by the look of him and radiating an extraordinary aura, emerged leaning on his staff. The bandits' hands flew to their weapons, tension spiking.
And Sima Mancheon fixed them with a low, beastly growl, his voice ice-cold. “Any cripple discount?”
The bandits dropped their hands from their weapons and roared back in unison. “Seniors, pregnant women, infants, and the mobility-impaired get half off!!”
Woken fully by their rooster-like cries—rivaling the dawn's own herald—Sima Mancheon let out an incredulous chuckle, tilting his head skyward.
Eighteen years since reincarnating into the murim world. For the first time, his inborn limp was paying dividends.
“Born without a taste for books or verse—never cared for studies from the start.”
“Bait laid fine to hook the dragon's heart—lure prepared to snag the scaly king.”
“Bow drawn tight to fell the tiger's might—arrow nocked for the savage beast.”
“Heroes shun the scholar's dusty art—true greats skip the books entirely.”
Gazing blankly at the sky from the rattling carriage, he recited his self-penned verse aspiring to a life of idle riches as a wealthy layabout.
The daughter of the caravan leader who'd given him the ride clapped with sparkling eyes. “Young Master Sima, you compose poetry so beautifully. If it's not too much trouble, might I hear another?”
Her exaggerated flattery, clearly meant to stroke his ego, stirred a twinge of guilt. After all, the Pung Merchant Group was a subcontractor under the Sima family banner. She was probably just trying to keep him happy, lest she cause her father any headaches.
Personally, he wasn't fond of kids acting all grown-up. So he decided to tease her a bit.
“What's your name?”
“...Pardon?”
They'd already exchanged introductions via her father before he boarded, so she couldn't fathom why he was asking again.
But...
“I want to hear it straight from those pretty lips.”
His silky tone slipped out smooth as silk, and Pung Ran found herself murmuring her name without thinking. “Ran... Pung Ran.”
Sima Mancheon stretched a hand out the window and snapped off a slender branch blooming with delicate cherry blossoms. Then he recited a fresh poem.
“The girl in the carriage, from which fine house does she hail?”
“Eyes that captivate, yet her name eludes me still.”
“Just now I learn it's Pung Ran, at last.”
Clunk—!
The carriage lurched hard—probably hitting a rut in the road.
“Miss! Young master! You alright?!”
The driver shouted, but Pung Ran was too breathless to reply.
Sima Mancheon braced against the carriage wall with his left arm and, with exquisite care, tucked the cherry blossom branch into Pung Ran's hair.
“Lovely eyes, long lashes—secret affections stir unbidden.”
...
Her face burned; words failed her.
Pung Ran shrank back wordlessly, gazing intently at Sima Mancheon's face as he smiled softly at her. She savored the contrast between his cool, striking features and that velvety voice lingering in her ear.
This is wrong. She had to keep the rich young master in good spirits for her father's sake.
...But I can't.
No thoughts came. Just her heart pounding wildly.
What's this? No reaction?
Sima Mancheon had hoped she'd laugh in disbelief at his cheesy line or call him out—but she just sat there frozen, defying expectations.
...Even Yeomhwa goes quiet when I joke. Am I actually bad at this?
The genius who deceived even the heavens, stumped at last. A true crisis. Shocking.
And so, having unwittingly set the pampered daughter of another house's heart aflutter, Sima Mancheon blithely watched the drifting clouds.
A suitable clearing appeared mid-journey—perfect for a break—so they decided to rest.
“Uoooh—!!”
His body stiff from the ride, Sima Mancheon stretched as he stepped down from the carriage when a sturdy, affable man approached with a grin.
“Haha! That's one mighty yawn. Not used to caravan life, eh? Must be tough.”
Pung Baek, leader of the Pung Merchant Group. A trusted retainer who'd served his father since before Sima Mancheon was born, now managing the group in his stead.
He'd drop by their home now and then for dinner and pocket money—a friendly uncle type. Currently, under orders from Sima Mancheon's father, he was escorting him and teaching the ropes of merchant work.
The man had slaved like an ox for the family, only to get saddled with tutoring the spoiled young master. The woes of middle management.
“Riding easy in the carriage thanks to your hospitality, Leader Pung—what's tiring about that?”
“Hearing that eases my mind. Just a bit farther and we'll hit Baekhwa County in Hubei Province, our destination this trip. Hang in there a little longer.”
Baekhwa County, Hubei Province—that flipped open the mental map in his head.
Not pinpoint accurate, but roughly near the Yungzhong Mountains, home to the Jegal family manor.
A cute little dragon girl popped into mind: beautiful sea-blue eyes like morning waves, sharp shark teeth—adorable.
“Leader Pung, about how far from Baekhwa County to the Jegal family manor in the Yungzhong Mountains?”
“The Jegal manor? Hmm~ On horseback or carriage, half a day. Walking, a full day.”
Closer than expected. Close enough he could go alone without issue.
He was here to learn business, not play tourist—that nagged a bit. But his father had sent him off with a casual “Go have fun like it's a vacation.”
...He'd probably be fine ditching for a real trip.
Hmm~ A genius idea from the heaven-deceiving genius. Pure brilliance.
Decision made—no hesitation.
He spun a long yarn for Pung Baek about why he'd split off at Baekhwa County for the Jegal manor. Sure, it was to see his precious disciple, but to outsiders it sounded like chasing skirts—so he spiced it up: got a letter that the old baduk master who'd taught him as a kid was ill; since he was nearby, he'd pay a visit.
Obviously, Jegal Yang wasn't sick. The old baduk maniac was fit as a fiddle—too hated by the world to die.
Pung Baek listened through, then nodded with a hearty laugh. “Understood. Networking's crucial in our line. Especially with a Jegal elder.”
A seasoned merchant who'd rolled in the dirt— he probably saw through the excuse, but it wasn't flimsy enough to push back on.
“My thanks for your understanding, Leader Pung.”
“Haha, no trouble.”
From Pung Baek's view, dodging a spat with the future Sima family head over something trivial was rational. But the poor girl whose heart he'd stolen in the carriage thought differently.
“...Young Master Sima isn't coming back with us?”
Pung Ran had crept up behind them, eavesdropping. She gazed up at him wistfully, fiddling with the cherry blossom branch he'd pinned in her hair.
“I... I'll treasure it. So... um... please... remember me too...”
No outward sign, but the branch and poem had clearly touched her. She'd helped him plenty on the trip—time for one more.
“Forget it if you want. No big deal.”
“...Pardon? Why?”
He reached high, snapping a fuller-blooming cherry blossom branch, and handed it to Pung Ran, who looked up at him with shining green eyes.
“When spring comes and you wish it, I'll snap one off for you anytime.”
Her trembling hands cradled the precious branch.
She'd forget? After words like that? Impossible.
“I'll... treasure it.”
Clutching the branch to her chest, Pung Ran flushed shyly and scurried off in quick steps.
Sima Mancheon watched her go with a warm smile.
“Your daughter's a cutie.”
...
But Pung Baek didn't smile. His face stiffened.
“Seems my girl has quite the crush on you, young master.”
“Yeah? I'm such a rolling ball of charm, snagged her heart without trying~ Haha!”
Clatter-clatter~ Clatter-clatter~!
Long story short: he got booted to the luggage compartment.
Hiiing... So hard... Uncomfy... Shoulda worded it prettier...
A day to recall Uncle Mukgang's lesson: own your words and deeds.