223. The Uninvited Guest
The war between the Murim Alliance and the Blood Cult raging in Sichuan Province dragged on far longer than expected, and a drought spanning Shanxi Province, northern Hebei, Henan, and Shaanxi triggered a famine. The entire martial world began to feel the economic slowdown.
Escort agencies and merchant groups that had operated nationwide started pulling back their branches, unable to weather the mounting deficits in the sluggish economy. Naturally, those who worked at these branches were left high and dry in an already dire situation, twiddling their thumbs.
In the midst of this, one merchant group in Anhui Province posted recruitment notices daily, absorbing the idle workers. That group was the Daecheon Merchant Group, operated by the Tae-eul Gate.
Having always run conservatively, the Daecheon Merchant Group now entered an unexpected boom by distributing the mountains of grain and rice stockpiled in its vast warehouses to the northern and western rivers regions. They were so short-staffed that they couldn't hire fast enough.
Even the notoriously clannish local grain merchants welcomed the Daecheon Merchant Group's expansion with open arms. After all, new branches meant more goods circulating, and even the famously sedentary grain traders often made the trek to Anhui themselves.
Of course, Jin Taesan, who had spent his life as the Outer Hall Lord of Tae-eul Gate, hadn't stockpiled grain out of some grand foresight. It was all because Jin Sowoon, who had wrested the Geumgung Merchant Group from Namgung Sega at the start, had insisted on conservative operations.
Building warehouses and hoarding goods and assets from their already meager funds wasn't great for profits, but advisor Wang Geumsan actually approved of Jin Sowoon's policy.
Wang Geumsan paused his brush and eyed Jin Taesan. "You must be so jealous. Thanks to your fine son, you're raking in fortunes without even trying."
While other merchant groups shuttered temporarily, hunkering down to ride out the storm, Jin Taesan had become the living embodiment of the great guardian deity of the Buddha's temple, working nonstop.
"You're telling me. But you're hardly one to talk, Lord Wang. Aren't you making even more thanks to your clever daughter?"
Jin Taesan's office, once so buried in paperwork there was no room to stand, had transformed into a bustling hub with people rushing about.
And right beside him, Wang Geumsan was equally possessed by the spirit of the great guardian, toiling away.
Wang Geumsan scowled deeply. "Why drag my daughter into this? It's all that damn son of yours."
"Hah! Finally bestowing the moniker 'damn' on the boy you cherished so much."
Having secured distribution rights from the Murim Alliance's Anhui branch, the Daecheon Merchant Group shared the overwhelming volume of goods with the Wang Merchant Group. This deepened their already close ties, prompting Wang Geumsan to buy up all the land around the Daecheon headquarters and build a joint office.
Moreover, recent disasters had snarled logistics in neighboring provinces, so the two groups, originally handling only Anhui for the Alliance, expanded into Henan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.
No matter how many they hired, hands were short, and the work never ended.
"Ah! How about this? We'll cede all rights to our joint facilities to you. In return, just kick back ten percent of the profits."
It was a massive concession compared to the distribution profits booming in Anhui, but Jin Taesan shook his head firmly.
"The Daecheon Merchant Group doesn't suck blood from others."
"Damn it! Show some greed! You're still young!"
"You're not that old yourself, Lord!"
After cutting ties with Huashan and Jeomcheong, the Wang Merchant Group had staggered but recovered by pioneering western routes. Now, through Alliance deals and grain distribution, it influenced the entire south and north.
In a few more years, it could rival the top three merchant groups of the realm—perhaps even claim the title of the greatest.
Yet Wang Geumsan's face was shadowed, not joyful.
"This isn't the retirement I dreamed of!"
"A real man should harbor ambitions to conquer the world in his one life."
"I'm the type who wants to spend his days doting on grandkids!"
Jin Taesan raised his voice in kind. "You think I'm any different? Why's a born warrior like me stuck shuffling papers?!"
"Hmph! I've heard you were never much of a merchant anyway."
"Th-that's nonsense...! I'm the father of Jin Sowoon, whose name echoes across the land! Can a tiger come from a dog?! Aaaargh!"
The two leaders bellowed at each other, but the scurrying staff merely shook their heads, not intervening. They only watched warily to see if the brushes stopped.
The moment they did, overtime was guaranteed.
After venting their frustrations, the pair soon quieted, energy spent.
"Your son went to Shanxi this time?"
"Why the sudden distance? You always called him 'our Sowoon' before."
Jin Taesan snorted but answered. "As part of the Murim Alliance's envoy delegation."
"A mere academy student on an envoy? Ridiculous."
"When has that kid ever acted normally?"
Wang Geumsan stroked his chin. "Hm... If it's because of those rumors tying him to the unorthodox paths, trouble's brewing."
Jin Taesan's brush halted abruptly. "Why's that?"
No matter the resentment, a son was a son.
Wang Geumsan cleared his throat. "Keep that brush moving. The staff are staring. Anyway... politics blows up even the tiniest flaws."
"Hm... So his path to glory might be blocked?"
"Could be a brake put on it."
"Good."
"Huh?"
Wang Geumsan's brush stopped now. Astonishing words from a father craving his child's fame and fortune.
Jin Taesan shrugged nonchalantly. "Only then will my workload ease."
"..."
"Besides, I never wanted to grow the merchant group huge. As long as Tae-eul Gate folk don't starve, that's enough."
But Wang Geumsan knew better. Jin Taesan worried about Jin Sowoon more than anyone.
Look at him now—his already bearish face had turned pitch-black at the mere hint of trouble.
Wang Geumsan offered warm reassurance. "Don't worry. Smart kid. He'll handle it."
"..."
Did the comfort help? Jin Taesan, hunched like a sinner, lifted his head.
"Get that brush moving again. No more slacking."
"..."
Truth is, I couldn't care less how people gossip about me.
In my past life, no one even whispered about whatever I did. Hell, I pissed myself mid-battle once, and it wasn't a scandal.
Still, I hate how the unorthodox taint keeps sticking to my rep this time around. The nicknames are bad enough, but all this crap about being the joint leader of the Black Path Alliance draws every lunatic my way.
Me, of all people, with a heart purer than any orthodox sect!
Case in point: Who's looking after these shivering escorts but me?
Once we entered Gakmun Stronghold territory, the escorts' anxiety spiked visibly.
"They say Gakmun's the cruelest in Shanxi, right?"
"Not just that—their numbers are the biggest too."
"Sigh... Should've left a will."
All escorts faced risks, but for these who hadn't felt major threats before, it was pure terror. I soothed them.
"No need to worry too much."
"Pardon?"
Flashing a bright smile at their wide-eyed stares sealed the deal. Was there a black path bandit with "kindness" written on his face?
"If fighting breaks out, just stick close to me. You won't die or get badly hurt."
"..."
The escorts nodded vigorously, still trembling.
Then.
"Why bother protecting them?"
Hyeol Tu tilted his head from the side.
"Bother with what?"
"They're just escorts, aren't they? You just met them on this run."
Sigh. No wonder a black-hearted black path fungus couldn't grasp it.
I replied with a benevolent expression. "A true hero upholds justice wherever, whenever."
"...A hero?"
Was this guy picking a fight? Push it, and even Hyeol Tu had limits.
"I've heard plenty about you. Rumors like that mean either partial truth or exaggeration."
"Why skip 'all lies'?"
"Ever seen smoke from a chimney with no fire?"
Hell yeah! Exhibit A: me.
"One question, then. Why pick this route? Craving a fight with Gakmun?"
"With those losers? What's the fun in that?"
"Then why choose the obvious danger zone?"
Hyeol Tu narrowed his eyes. "Wanted to see how you and the envoys handle it."
"What the fuck?"
"...Did you just swear?"
Whoops—his absurdity slipped the curse out. "Sorry, it just... But is that really it?"
"What other reason to take this path?"
"..."
Hyeol Tu looked genuinely curious. So much to say, but arguing with a madman would just give me a headache.
I shut my mouth. Gakmun should show soon anyway.
The path narrowed oddly toward the mountainside. Escorts flanking the wagons shifted front and back, stretching the caravan thin.
Such bottlenecks made ambushes from high cliffs easy. Most bandit holds used this for tolls.
No signals, but everyone knew bandits were coming.
I gripped my sword tighter, checking the escorts' positions.
How much farther did we go?
"Waaaaah!"
"Waaaaah!"
"Waaaaah!"
The mountains roared with shouts from all sides. Cliffs, front, rear—flooded with men.
Normal toll bandits blocked with a few; knowing we were warriors, they'd mobilized everyone. Or maybe they knew we were Alliance envoys.
"Greetings. Upper Chamber Escort Agency bows to the mountain lord."
"Welcome. This is Son Ho-bang of Gakmun Stronghold."
Customarily, escorts paid tolls after greetings, and bandits cleared the way. But no movement from the escorts, so Son Ho-bang frowned.
"Not passing through?"
"Well..."
The escort glanced at Ak Byeongbi, who stepped forward.
"Bandits, hear this! We are the Murim Alliance envoy delegation on Alliance business. Clear the path."
"Murim Alliance?"
"Envoy delegation?"
Murmurs rippled among the bandits.
"Hah! Bandits, huh..."
But unlike the flustered rank-and-file, representative Son Ho-bang seemed unfazed. Nay, irked they weren't called "mountain lord."
Son Ho-bang growled, stepping up. "Alliance or not, what of it?"
"What?"
"This is Gakmun Stronghold's mountain. Want passage? Pay up."
Ak Byeongbi didn't yield. "Daring to claim illegally seized land as yours?"
"Don't like it? Leave the cargo."
Clang.
Son Ho-bang drew his saber decisively; bandits followed suit. Envoys readied for battle.
Watching curiously how the envoys would respond, Yeom Gwi-bi and Hyeol Tu circulated their qi.
Ak Byeongbi warned lowly. "Step aside, or blood will flow."
"Whose? We'll see. Lads!"
At Son Ho-bang's shout, boulders tumbled behind, sealing retreat. We were trapped rats.
This'll be tougher than expected.
Cliffs too high, numbers too many. Blind strikes could kill or maim.
Damn...
Tension peaked. Collision inevitable.
I climbed atop a wagon for vantage. Protect escorts over slaying bandits.
Signaling battle's start, Son Ho-bang raised his hand high.
"Gakmun Stronghold, slaughter those bastards—!"
But he froze mid-order. Prepared bandits twitched to a halt.
What the?
Despite the Alliance name, Son Ho-bang eyed me oddly.
"...You there!"
His finger pointed our way. Calling me?
"...Are you the Black Flame Dragon?"
Damn nickname again. Why here?
I nodded reluctantly; his face hardened.
"You're truly the Black Flame Dragon, stronghold lord of Heukryong and Hwaeom Strongholds?"
No, fuck—why bring that up now?
Envoys and Hyeol Tu's group gawked at me, baffled.
I ignored the stares. "Thought the one who subdued Hwaeom was older... You're younger than I figured."
No, misunderstanding!
Son Ho-bang asked cautiously. "Here to declare Mountain King Contention?"
"No. Just passing through."
"I see...?"
He turned, lips moving silently, then nodded. "Can't charge toll to a fellow stronghold comrade. Clear the path!"
No! Not comrades—fight already!
Against my wishes, bandits sheathed weapons one by one.
Soon, Son Ho-bang and blockers parted for us.
Then to me: "We've heard keenly of the Black Dragon's stronghold conquests down south. Gakmun Stronghold stands ready for your challenge anytime."
"..."
True to word, Gakmun let our caravan pass without incident. Some even waved goodbye.
No fight, no toll—peaceful transit, but the mood grew awkward.
Breaking the silence, Hyeol Tu's voice rang out. "...Uninvited guest? What hero holds two strongholds?"
Hyeol Tu looked incredulous for once.
"..."
No retort to his mockery. More precisely, Ak Byeongbi's piercing glare sealed my lips.
Damn. Skirted it in Sichuan, caught in Shanxi.
Then, an incongruously cheery voice: "Ooh! So you're a bandit boss? Does that mean I can be one too?"
Dang Seo-hee, hero-obsessed yesterday, now aspired to bandit chief.
"...No, not like that."
"Curious! How'd you become stronghold lord?"
Hell if I know. Woke up one day as one. True story.