Chapter 48
Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Tang Family Delivery
Eun Garyeon hadn't slept a wink after sharing the joys of the bed with me until morning, yet she was bustling around the caravan looking remarkably refreshed.
"Those are headed to Hebei, so please set them aside over here. Oh, and when are the goods from the Sichuan Tang Family supposed to arrive?"
She was far more vibrant than usual.
In fact, it was only natural.
'With all that Harmonious Energy flowing into her...'
And having even received a full facial treatment on top of that, this was the most lively moment in her twenty-one years of life.
I passed the time idly watching her work.
I figured I'd stick around long enough to confirm the Sichuan Tang Family's goods arrived properly before leaving.
The goods I'd been waiting for finally pulled up to the Eun Merchant Group right around lunchtime.
The man leading the twenty wagons was a branch member of the Sichuan Tang Family.
"Greetings, Lady Eun. Do you remember me? We met in Sichuan last time..."
Anyone could see he was hitting on Eun Garyeon.
Given her stunning looks, it was almost expected, but watching from the sidelines, I couldn't help feeling irritated.
So I grumbled and spat out a remark.
"You sure talk a lot. Hand over the goods and get lost nicely."
Who the hell did he think he was eyeing?
The guy widened his eyes as if he'd misheard me.
"You... were you talking to me?"
"Who else would I be talking to... Mmph."
Eun Garyeon hurriedly clamped her hand over my mouth.
If it had been anyone else, I'd have brushed them off and finished what I was saying, but since it was her, I held back.
With her hand still over my mouth, she bowed her head in apology to the Tang Family guy.
"I'm sorry, Tang escort. He's just in a bad mood because of something that happened..."
"No, Lady Eun. Sorry, but could I have a word with that guy?"
He glared at me without even glancing at her.
I brushed off Eun Garyeon's uncertain hand and flashed a grin.
"A word? What about?"
"You. What did you just say? Say it again to my face."
He must have thought I'd back down and apologize once things escalated, lifting his chin arrogantly.
But who am I?
Mok Jimyeong.
The kind of guy who only gets bolder the more heated things get.
"You're not even main family, just some branch punk hitting on Lady Eun? Hand over the goods, do your job, and scram."
"You little... thunderbolt-headed freak!"
His hand slipped into his robes.
I figured he couldn't hold back and was about to hurl one of the Tang Family's prized hidden weapons, but then an interloper stepped in.
"Brother Tang, sorry, but let's leave it at that."
It was Jang Yunho.
The guy had drawn his sword and was pointing it at the Tang Family punk before anyone knew it.
The Tang guy flinched in surprise and took a step back.
"Brother Jang, why..."
Looks like they knew each other.
'Come to think of it, he mentioned meeting Eun Garyeon in Sichuan earlier.'
Of course Jang Yunho would've been there too.
I patted the shoulder of Jang Yunho, who was striking a dramatic pose.
"Hey, move aside. He says he wants to talk to me."
This Tang Family branch punk who was showing interest in Eun Garyeon seemed to be in charge of the Eun Merchant Group's escorts.
Putting him in his place now would save me some peace of mind.
'It's not like a little spat like this will jeopardize the deal with the Tang Family.'
This was a deal personally arranged with the Tang Family head, after all.
The branch punk was just a glorified errand boy.
That didn't give him the right to paw at Eun Garyeon every time he showed up.
So I was just planning to give him a light scolding, but Jang Yunho ignored me and spoke to the Tang guy again.
"Brother Tang, this guy's got a rough mouth, but I don't think he's wrong. If you're here on business, stick to business, yeah?"
"Brother Jang, what are you saying? When did I..."
"My eyes aren't blind. If this guy hadn't stepped in, I would've. You've had a long trip here—get some rest and head back."
The firm dismissal left the Tang guy fuming for a while, but he knew Jang Yunho's skills and said nothing.
He shot me one last glare before turning to Eun Garyeon.
"Well then... I'll be off. See you next time."
Realizing there was no point pushing further, he swallowed his anger and turned away.
Once the Tang guy was gone, Eun Garyeon let out a sigh.
"Mok escort, that was too much, even for you."
"So I should just stand there and watch some guy paw at my woman?"
She blushed and looked bashful, clearly pleased by "my woman."
Jang Yunho, overhearing, shook his head.
"Even so, you're leaving soon, aren't you? Why not leave protecting the caravan leader to me?"
"Hmm... Leave her to you?"
I scanned Jang Yunho from head to toe.
'Come to think of it, he butted in the first time I talked to Eun Garyeon too.'
Of course, he got punched for it, but that was because he was up against me.
Objectively, Jang Yunho wasn't weak.
'I've even taught him the Heavenly Apex Swordsmanship and Formless Finger Gong...'
He was right—I did need to leave soon.
"That's right. I'll make sure no other man so much as touches a finger to the caravan leader."
I tossed a nonchalant remark at the guy declaring it like a solemn vow.
"Not even a finger? What about me?"
"You're... an exception, since the caravan leader allowed it."
Eun Garyeon's face flushed again at "allowed."
'Not bad.'
He'd even staked his life blocking for Grandmaster Chu Munrak.
That made him trustworthy enough in that regard.
'Still, relying on him alone feels a bit thin.'
I needed another bulwark.
After bidding Eun Garyeon a final farewell and leaving the Eun Merchant Group, I headed straight for the Silver Flower Pavilion.
"Benefactor, did you have a good time yesterday?"
Somwol greeted me with a coy smile, as if she already knew.
Come to think of it, I'd promised to spend time with her yesterday.
"Sorry, sorry. Were you waiting?"
"No. Actually, I figured it out the moment you two slipped away separately yesterday."
"Oh? Glad you weren't waiting then."
She gave me a look of disbelief at my shameless response.
But this was the moment to play it cool with a straight face.
'No point dragging this out—it'd just hurt me.'
I casually changed the subject.
"Anyway, what about the info I asked for?"
"...I've prepared it."
Somwol pouted her lips but pulled two ledgers from her robes anyway.
They contained the information I'd requested a month ago.
Moyong Family.
Sword Phoenix Moyong Hui.
The ledgers, each labeled with their titles, were twice as thick as the one on the Eun Merchant Group from before.
"This much?"
"Well, they're one of the Five Great Families and a famous figure."
As I skimmed through them, Somwol spoke up.
"If it's too thick, want a summarized version?"
"Nah, I've got nothing but time heading to Yoneong. Might as well read these on the way."
Who knows.
This info might be the key to charming Sword Phoenix Moyong Hui.
I tucked the ledgers into my robes and said to Somwol,
"Somwol, how long are you staying in Beijing?"
"Probably about half a year. Why do you ask?"
"Then could you keep an eye on the Eun Merchant Group for me in the meantime?"
The other bulwark I'd thought of for the Eun Merchant Group was the Shadow Gate Sect.
Far sturdier than some Jang Yunho punk.
She smiled and nodded readily.
"Don't worry. Even if you hadn't asked, I was planning to anyway."
"Really? Thanks. Oh, and..."
"...?"
I trailed off, and Somwol gave me a puzzled look.
It was out of character for me, but I had no choice.
'Should I say it? Nah... No, what if I do?'
What I was agonizing over was a topic Somwol and I had briefly touched on last time.
The Upright-Demonic Great War next year.
It'd wrap up in a mere two years, but its scale was the stuff of history books.
'Without the Martial Emperor, it could've dragged on for five or ten years.'
If I tipped them off early, the Shadow Gate Sect or Eun Merchant Group could reap massive gains.
But I had no good way to explain how I knew.
After agonizing, I scratched the back of my head and just said it.
"Remember that talk we had? The Upright-Demonic Great War."
"Oh, that."
It had been a passing conversation, but she nodded like she remembered.
To be safe, I explained again.
"Yeah. It kicks off next year. Lasts two years, centered in Anhui and Henan provinces."
"I remember."
I let out a small sigh and met her eyes with the most serious look I could muster.
"Act on the assumption it's happening. Hint at it to the Eun Merchant Group too."
I had zero proof.
No confidence I'd convince her.
But burying the info felt wrong.
'Worst case, I'll just bull my way through.'
Her eyes flickered briefly at my words.
But she quickly smiled and replied.
"Got it, Benefactor. Should I tell the Eun Merchant Group it's intel we dug up?"
Somwol didn't press for reasons or proof.
Her eyes were filled with trust.
'Damn, making me feel guilty...'
All my backup excuses were wasted.
"Yeah, thanks for that."
My business in Beijing was done.
Now it was time to head to Yoneong and meet Sword Phoenix Moyong Hui.