Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: The Journey Begins
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“How have you been?”
Since our last meeting, we'd seen each other about once a week.
I grumbled inwardly about acting like some weekend couple, but when I heard we'd barely met once every few months before that, I was horrified.
My wife, seated across from me, gazed at me demurely.
It was a look I'd never received from any woman in my life, and it made me terribly uncomfortable. When I pretended not to notice, she spoke up.
“You're finally setting off tomorrow.”
“That's right. I mentioned I'd stop by your quarters tonight, but I didn't expect you to come so suddenly.”
“You need to rest early, so I didn't want to keep you too long.”
We chatted about this and that. My wife kept meeting my eyes, as if thrilled to see me after so long.
“You look good when you smile.”
I answered her promptly.
“I'm happy, that's why.”
I paused for a moment, then looked at her and continued.
“When I return from Baekje, let's go visit your father's grave together.”
Her hands trembled at the unexpected words.
“R-Really?”
“Of course. I'll speak to Father about it when I get back.”
“B-But...”
“Don't worry. I'll handle it.”
Upon hearing that, tears like chicken droppings welled up in her eyes. It was a glimpse into how deeply wounded she'd been inside. Feeling guilty for no reason, and thinking it the right moment, I pulled her into an embrace and patted her back.
After our talk, I returned to my room.
Even back in the modern world, I hadn't been much of a traveler.
My trips had been limited to site visits for writing novels, and fortunately, places like Buyeo, Iksan, and Gongju in the Baekje region were ones I'd visited often.
Of course, they were all gone now, reduced to mere foundations. Lying on my bed, I sank into thought.
'Am I finally about to start changing my fate for real?'
Even if this mission succeeded, there were mountains upon mountains of challenges ahead.
'So much to do.'
Exhausted and weary, I fell asleep right away. In my dream, I returned to the modern world after a long time.
The rejection emails from publishers kept popping up no matter how many times I deleted them. The outside world saw me as utterly pathetic. With no money or job, I wasn't even treated like a person.
Lost in that sad memory like a wandering child, I woke at dawn.
As I prepared to depart, my wife and subordinates were waiting outside.
She handed me a red silk sash.
“Safe travels on this long journey. Please return in good health.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Holding the sash in one hand, I pulled her into a hug. Go Jeong-ui and the others looked awkward and turned away.
Her face flushed, she stepped aside, and Adokbang and Ham-a bowed their heads.
“Safe travels, sir.”
“Right. Make sure you carry out my orders well.”
Father Yeon Gaesomun had already left north of the Amnok River due to the Thousand-Li Wall.
My two younger brothers, Nam-geon and Nam-san, greeted me from a distance. They'd been quiet since I gave them a piece of my mind last time.
With Father treating me as the official heir, they were being careful.
I raised a hand in return and mounted the horse prepared in the courtyard.
As an unofficial delegation disguised as merchants rather than official envoys, we had to dress like traders. Instead of the bird-feather hairpin hat, I wore a pointed triangular hood called a jeolpung.
I donned a left-tied jacket and wide pants.
For shoes, soft wraps that covered only the soles like rubber slippers, not leather ankle boots. Grabbing the reins atop the horse, Geom Mojam spoke.
“Shall we depart?”
“Let's go.”
Geom Mojam signaled and led the way on horseback. Dozens of retainers disguised as merchants spurred their horses in unison.
I heard Go Jeong-ui muttering, still not used to riding.
Our first destination was Paekgang River—what's now called the Daedong River—linking Janganseong to the sea.
Like how Seoul connects to the Han River. We exited Seonin Gate, crossed a wooden pontoon bridge, and followed the river.
The road along the bank was well-maintained, bustling with traffic.
Snow piled high beside the path, but the road itself was clear. Though early morning, plenty of people passed by.
After half a day along the river, a vast sea appeared. At the port mouth, masts stood thick like a forest.
“Impressive.”
I exclaimed in awe, but it made sense. Janganseong's population rivaled Hanyang in Joseon. It required massive amounts of food and daily goods.
Ships came not just from across the nation, but from Baekje and Silla, Wa and Tang, even distant Tamna in the south.
Each ship's mast flew the flag of its merchant guild. The most common was Maemul Merchant Guild's—red with a well character (井).
Geom Mojam dismounted and approached me.
“We'll have to go on foot from here.”
“Got it.”
I dismounted and headed to the port. On the long wooden pier, large and small ships loaded and unloaded cargo side by side.
Merchants and officials exchanged wooden tallies as they talked.
The taxes collected here were a major revenue source for the royal house, so Market Tax Bureau officials tallied everything meticulously.
With Geom Mojam leading, a Market Tax Bureau official chatting with merchants turned to us.
After a brief exchange, the official stepped aside. Geom Mojam returned and pointed to a ship.
“That's the one.”
“It's huge.”
The Maemul Merchant Guild's vessel looked even larger than the panokseon I'd seen at a Jin-do tourist site.
Workers carried cargo across planks between ship and pier. While Geom Mojam held them up briefly, I boarded via the plank.
Two masts fore and aft, with a house-like structure amidships.
Aboard waited elderly merchants and a few others.
“Welcome. I'm Ham Bok-saeng, port captain for Maemul Merchant Guild.”
“Pleased to meet you. Sorry to trouble you like this.”
“Not at all. Lady Ariyeong specifically ordered us to take good care of you.”
The unfamiliar name piqued my curiosity.
“Ariyeong?”
“Yes, granddaughter of Anan-su, who runs Maemul Merchant Guild nowadays. She gave special instructions to serve you well.”
Tempted as I was to ask more, it felt awkward.
I acknowledged it and was shown to the cabin. Between the masts stood a house-like build, furnished inside like a real home.
Geom Mojam, leading ahead, inspected the ship tensely, then returned looking relieved.
“No issues.”
“You think they'd try something here?”
“This wasn't the original ship.”
“What?”
“Another one had oil stashed under the cargo hold.”
“What?”
“Probably planned to set it ablaze once out at sea.”
A chill ran down my spine at the thought, but Geom Mojam's calm delivery was even scarier.
“Whose doing?”
“Channo's investigating. Maemul says it wasn't them—they swapped ships immediately.”
“Unbelievable.”
As I spoke with Geom Mojam, the ship set sail. Worried about seasickness, Go Jeong-ui rushed off, stomach churning.
Opening the window let in cold wind. The scenery shifted as the ship slowly departed.
I wasn't one for travel, never been on a boat. But this voyage would change not just my fate here, but my people's too. Steel yourself—you'll see it through...
“Urk!”
Such resolve vanished before seasickness. Bursting out, I saw Go Jeong-ui retching over the rail.
I joined him, heaving beside. He grimaced.
“What if you puke next to me?”
“Sorry... Urk!”
We emptied our guts side by side. Seagulls skimming the coast scattered at the sight.
Finally calming, I was bedridden, unable to move.
Even mustering strength to rise brought dizziness and nausea.
“No seasick pills...”
First time since possessing Yeon Namsaeng that I missed the modern world. Funny thing—I was better off than Go Jeong-ui.
He had diarrhea too, constantly running to the privy. Ham Bok-saeng offered comfort.
“Does the sea calm down?”
“No, sir. When land vanishes, you give up and the sickness fades.”
Was he joking or serious? I wanted Geom Mojam to hack off a limb, but restrained myself, lying back.
After two days, miraculously, the seasickness lifted.
Go Jeong-ui improved too, no longer privy-bound.
I could finally emerge from the cabin.
The winter wind stung my nose, but joy at escaping sickness overshadowed it.
“Amazing. Thought I was done for.”
Go Jeong-ui grinned mischievously.
“The world's more than books.”
“True. Didn't know.”
Arrogant when smart, but he had plenty of empathy at heart.
Another day downriver, a large island appeared. Curious, Ham Bok-saeng explained.
“That's Hyeolgu Island.”
“Heard the name before... Ah!”
I recalled Goguryeo called Ganghwa Island Hyeolgu. Ham Bok-saeng gazed at it.
“Past that, it's Baekje territory. Though Sabi Fortress is a few days farther.”
“That's Silla land now, right?”
“Yes. All around Okri River belongs to those Silla bastards.”
I remembered Baekje called the Han River Okri, Goguryeo Ari-su.
Then, a lookout atop the mast yelled in terror, face pale.
“Silla navy!”
My body froze. He pointed toward Hyeolgu Island.
Far off, ships with full sails approached swiftly.
Encountering Silla forces in this unexpected place. Panicking, but Ham Bok-saeng and crew seemed relaxed.
For a split second, I suspected betrayal. Geom Mojam approached quietly, thinking the same.
“Full speed south to escape?”
Gazing south at Geom Mojam's words, the Yellow Sea's murky waters spread out. Seemed best, but then my head throbbed.
Like being gouged with an awl, I grimaced unwittingly.
Geom Mojam's concerned voice echoed.
Trying to push through the pain and reply, it hit again.
As if blocking my intended answer.
“Wait a moment.”