It's Probably the Work of Heol-raeng-i from Hocheol Stronghold...
Four days had passed since then, and the day of our departure with the escort caravan finally arrived.
Having run a few escort jobs five years ago, seeing the bustling scene again stirred up some fond nostalgia. Oh, by the way, did I ever clear up that misunderstanding with the young clan successor? Not a chance. Whenever she caught sight of me after that day, she acted like she was ready to pounce on me at any second, so how could I? My parting words must have dealt quite a shock, too, because every time our paths crossed, her entire face was shrouded in gloom.
Regardless, none of that was important right now.
While everyone else was busily scurrying about with last-minute preparations, I glanced around cautiously and slipped two gold ingots from my robes.
"Wah, just look at this gorgeous sight..."
That brilliant, dazzling shine felt like soothing balm on my chaotic mind and soul. Sigh. Honestly, if I’d only managed to retrieve the gold ingots stolen from me back then, I wouldn't have even had to take this damn escort job. When I walked out of the magistrate's office earlier, I completely forgot to collect my confiscated money and just left empty-handed. Counting on my personal guanxi with the magistrate, I went back to demand it, but they told me the funds had already been transferred elsewhere long ago, leaving me with no choice but to give up.
On the verge of being reduced to a Beggars' Sect tramp on the street, this escort mission was practically a gift from the heavens. Better yet, they promised to hand over two additional gold ingots once the delivery was completed successfully. There was nothing particularly difficult about it either; all I had to do was sit comfortably inside the carriage, making it basically free money.
As I made my way toward where the carriages were stationed, I noticed a young luggage porter who looked barely twenty hauling heavy bundles, but something seemed off about him. His frame was frail and feeble—one glance was enough to tell he wasn't cut out to be a porter. People usually entered this line of work either because their family went bankrupt or to gain rough-and-tumble life experience, and that kid looked far more likely to be the former.
"Back in my day, we hauled backbreaking loads through the dead of winter as porters. Times sure have changed for the better."
Sensing my gaze, the kid turned to look at me.
I couldn't tell when looking from behind, but he had quite a handsome face—resembling a delicate, sickly young noble. Somehow, he radiated an aura that naturally stirred one's protective instincts. Must have been wildly popular with all the older ladies around him. I have fond memories of being like that myself... Ah, I truly miss those glory days.
What, you think I'm lying? No, I'm dead serious! Why does nobody ever believe me? I might look like a roughneck now, but ten years ago, women lined up from here to kingdom come just to catch a glimpse of me.
...Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want.
I rummaged through my pouches, pulled out a spare dagger, and held it out to him.
"Hang in there, kid. Take this, too. Tagging along on an escort run without a blade is a surefire way to get yourself killed, you know?"
"Thank you."
The instant he touched the hilt, I could immediately tell he had never held a blade before in his life.
"*Sigh.* Hey, copy what I do."
Lowering my stance, I locked my right hand holding the dagger tight against my ribs. Then, after slashing diagonally twice in rapid succession, I gripped the pommel with both hands and drove it downward in a vicious, decisive thrust.
"It depends on what kind of bastard you're dealing with, but most common thugs will just charge at you blindly, right? When that happens, hold your ground, wait for the right moment, and then BAM, just like I showed you! Got it?"
"Why... are you helping me?"
Glancing around at the nearby porters, it seemed obvious he was being ostracized by the rest of the crew.
"Looking at you just reminds me of my younger days, that's all. If you've got a complaint, give it back."
When I first started out as a porter, I was just like him. The veterans bullied the newcomer with endless hazing. First-year porters were banned from using walking sticks, banned from drinking liquor, banned from speaking unless spoken to, and even forced to use twisted honorifics to flatter senior porters. You think I'm making this up? Astonishingly, my experience was considered mild compared to how absurdly toxic it could get.
So, what was a man supposed to do in that situation? Beat them half to death, of course. That's why on my very first night, I called them out behind the sheds, beat the living crap out of every single one of them, and established the pecking order once and for all. The guy who caught the worst of it quit the following morning. Ah, pure nostalgia, isn't it?
"Anyway, this big brother is heading out. If anyone messes with you, don't just take it—beat the hell out of them. They're only running their mouths because they're petty, miserable porters themselves."
With that piece of advice, I turned on my heel toward the passenger carriages.
"...What is your name?"
Why ask for my name all of a sudden? Well, not that there was any harm in telling him.
"I'm Jeong Ho-yeon. And what's yours?"
"I'm Seon-yu."
Hmm. That sounds an awful lot like a girl's name.
"Yeah, alright. If we cross paths again down the road, I'll buy you a bowl of noodles. I'm busy, so see ya."
Strangely enough, Seon-yu's gaze lingered on Ho-yeon's retreating back for a very long time.
A moment later, when I arrived at the carriage, its exterior left me genuinely impressed. Befitting the grand reputation of the 'Number One Escort Agency in Hubei,' the carriage was massive, sturdy, and opulent. When else in my life would I ever get a chance to ride something this lavish? Hehehe.
Alright, let's head inside—
"Get the hell away from me!"
Hearing her furious shout ring out from within, the atmosphere clearly seemed turbulent. Carefully pulling the door open and stepping inside, I was greeted by an icy, suffocating tension, exactly as if they had just been engaged in a venomous brawl. There were clearly cushioned seats on both sides of the cabin, yet they sat as far apart as humanly possible without exchanging a single glance. Must have been a terrible fight. Was his name Yu Cheon-ryong? Man, you sure have a rough road ahead of you.
Contrary to Ho-yeon's assumptions, the two of them had always shared this exact dynamic, so neither actually gave it much thought.
"Master, sit next to me."
"Why should I—"
"Hurry up!"
Grab!
Yanked firmly by the wrist, I had no choice but to tumble into the seat right beside her. I needed to read the room to some extent, but since their squabble wasn't my business anyway, I decided to just ignore it. The real problem, however, was that no matter how hard I tried to mind my own business, she spent the entire ride practically glued to my shoulder, constantly striking up conversation.
"Master, aren't you excited?"
"...Not particularly."
"I'm super thrilled! Hehe."
"Good for you. But could you slide over a bit? There's plenty of empty space..."
"I'm just very sensitive to the cold, that's all. So on that note, maybe a little closer—"
At that, Yu Cheon-ryong, who had been observing from across the carriage, spoke up with a smooth, practiced tone:
"How about sitting next to me instead? It looks like you're making him uncomfortable."
"You give me the creeps, so don't even talk to me."
The stark difference in warmth compared to how she addressed me was chilling. I glanced across at him, but he merely maintained an unfazed, polished smile. Guess you need skin that thick if you want to court a noble lady like her. Truly impressive in its own way...
As the awkward silence dragged on, he was the first to address me directly.
"I heard that you hail from a wandering martial artist background, sir. Do you happen to have prior experience with escort caravans?"
Should I answer him casually, or switch to polite speech? When we first met, I spoke casually because I had no idea who he was, but perhaps showing proper deference was the polite thing to do now. Nah. Switching to sycophantic honorifics out of nowhere would feel unnatural. Let's just stick to how I started.
"Ran plenty of escort runs back in the day to pick up some experience."
Naturally, it was actually because I was dead broke at the time. But hey, that counts as experience too, so it wasn't technically a lie.
"..."
A brief flash of bewilderment flitted across his face, but he smoothly concealed it behind an easy chuckle.
"Haha, then I take it you know which territory we are passing through right now."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the entire convoy of carriages ground to a sudden halt. Yet the place where we stopped wasn't Nokrim Mountain itself, but right near the entrance. Why stop here? Normally, you had to travel further up the mountain road before encountering the bandit checkpoint to pay the toll.
Shortly after, an escort leader came rushing over to our carriage in a fluster.
"What has happened up ahead?"
"The thing is... the scoundrels from Water Dragon Stronghold have completely barricaded the entrance leading into the mountain."
Hearing this, Yu Cheon-ryong let out a heavy sigh.
"*Sigh.* Can't you simply grease their palms with some silver and send them on their way?"
"I attempted to do just that at first, Young Bureau Head... but they are brazenly threatening us, insisting that the bypass road they constructed is far safer than the mountain trail and demanding we use their route instead."
At the escort leader's grim report, all of us stepped out of the carriage. Off in the distance, the troublemakers in question stood blocking the path.
"Well, well! If it isn't the esteemed Young Bureau Head of the Black Sky Escort Agency!"
"Haha, Hero Gil Chae-san of the Yangtze River Waterways League. This is Nokrim Mountain; on what business do you block our caravan?"
"Nothing unreasonable, Young Bureau Head. We recently cleared a brand-new road over there and thought your agency might appreciate using it. We'll even shave twenty percent off the toll compared to the usual fee charged here."
After a brief moment of calculation, Yu Cheon-ryong agreed to the proposal.
"Very well. Please lead the way, Hero Gil."
"Gwahaha! A wise and sensible decision! Now, just follow m—"
At that exact moment, a thunderous roar erupted from the ridge above:
"You brainless bastards!! Where the hell do you think you are?! How dare you river rats crawl onto our turf?! Boys, slaughter every last one of 'em!!"
Caught in the sudden eruption of bloodshed, the escort leader bellowed at the top of his lungs:
"Protect the cargo at all costs!!"
Not only the seasoned escort guards, but even the baggage porters drew their weapons in panic. We hurriedly scrambled back inside the carriage for cover while a chaotic, ferocious brawl tore through the road outside. Having never witnessed a lethal skirmish before, So-yeong was trembling violently beside me. I reached out and took hold of her quivering hand.
"It's alright. Just stay close to me."
"...Yes."
Squeeze.
I didn't specifically tell her to interlock her fingers with mine... but considering it was her first taste of real violence, I figured I'd let it slide. My reason for looking after her so attentively was simple: if anything happened to her here, not only would my promised gold ingots vanish into thin air, but Jegal Hyun would hunt me down and take my head.
Meanwhile, as he watched their intertwined fingers from across the cabin, a flash of pure, venomous rage rippled across Yu Cheon-ryong's countenance. Though he forced his expression back into an immaculate mask an instant later, his gaze remained fixed murderously upon their hands. Completely oblivious to this, Ho-yeon merely kept his eyes glued to the cabin window, watching for any sign of impending danger.
The clash dragged on for quite some time before the clamor outside finally subsided into an eerie quiet. Stepping out to survey the aftermath, scores of men lay wounded and dying across the churned earth.
From down the path, the escort leader came staggering toward us, clutching his blood-soaked side. His injuries were severe; he was in dire need of immediate medical attention. Yet an overwhelming desperation seemed to drive him forward, as if he bore news of catastrophic importance.
"Young Bureau Head...!!"
The words that tumbled from his lips were nothing short of a disaster.
"The cargo... it has been stolen! Khk."
Yet Yu Cheon-ryong showed not an ounce of concern for his bleeding subordinate, caring solely about the missing shipment.
"...Do you know who took it?"
"It is likely... the work of Heol-raeng-i from Hocheol Stronghold..."
"To allow mere mountain bandits to snatch our shipment right from under your nose... You truly are pathetic."
"F-Forgive me... Cough, cough!"
As the atmosphere grew increasingly frigid and grim, a rather brilliant idea flashed across Ho-yeon's mind.
"Hey, I think I might be able to take care of that for you."