Unexpected Journey (4)
Of course, he'd find out once he saw, but Eun Gil-sang couldn't help his curiosity.
Especially lately, he'd been sensing something extraordinary about his son.
From his fifteen-year-old boy, no less.
Anyway, with such outstanding talent, there was no way he didn't know how perilous the road to Gangseo Province could be.
"The path to Gangseo Province will be tough with all that snow piled up, won't it?"
"It's fine. Traveling through snow is just another experience."
"Even if you've learned martial arts, snow paths have their own dangers."
"But when else can I go to Gangseo Province if not during this vacation?"
"The time is short. Even if you make it there, you can only stay a day at most."
"That's more than enough."
Eun Gil-sang felt his son wasn't telling him the real reason.
Thinking of something, he said to him,
"Then let's do it this way."
"Pardon?"
"There's an escort caravan heading to Gangseo Province with our Eunhae Merchant Group's goods this time. Join them."
I was taken aback by Father's words.
Join the escort caravan!
I'd made up an excuse about wanting to check out Gangseo Province's markets without revealing my true purpose, since I couldn't explain how I knew where the artisan who made the artifacts was.
My plan was to say I'd gone to the market, happened upon a skilled craftsman by chance, and recruited him.
But Father was telling me to join the caravan since I was going anyway.
"That should be fine, right? Pavilion Chief Yeon?"
At Father's question, the chief of Sangyu Pavilion nodded.
"Of course. The negotiations are already done, so it's just a matter of delivering the goods."
Before he could finish, I cut in.
"But I've only just started in operations."
"I know. But you've already proven your talent, and Chief Steward Yu acknowledges you too. No need to worry."
I tried another excuse.
"An escort trip will take several times longer than my vacation. What about the gap in my duties...?"
Chief Steward Yu, sitting beside me, spoke up.
"Please go ahead."
"Pardon?"
"Thanks to all the help you've given lately, Young Master, we have some leeway. And it's about time you gained some escort experience."
"I'm still only fifteen..."
Pavilion Chief Yeon continued.
"You can't truly understand merchant caravans without escort experience."
Chief Steward Yu smiled and added,
"Don't worry—just go."
Father followed up.
"Actually, the reason I'm having you join the escort is for your safety."
"......"
I couldn't argue with that.
Escorts traveled with plenty of guards to protect the cargo, after all.
"But Father, I'm using my vacation for this. Using the merchant group for my personal time..."
Father smiled.
"I'm sending you to work."
I tilted my head at that, but he just kept smiling.
"I'll make up the vacation later, so go on."
"Ah!"
Suddenly, I felt great.
I'd been a bit bummed about sacrificing my vacation to fetch the artisan, but now he'd cover it later.
Then something occurred to me.
"But that escort... isn't it tomorrow?"
Pavilion Chief Yeon said,
"To be precise, it departs at dawn tomorrow."
I didn't have time to dawdle.
The next day at dawn.
I finished my meditation and circulation exercise.
Master had said he was leaving for an escort today.
He'd told me to review yesterday's lessons alone, but to bring one of the Eunpung Corps warriors for training.
But since I was heading out at first light, there was no training today.
After a simple breakfast brought by Palgap, I bid farewell to Grandfather, Father, and Mother, then headed to the carriage yard with him.
"Your first escort, Young Master! I'm shaking with excitement and nerves!"
I chuckled at Palgap's words.
"I'm the one going—why are you nervous?"
"Because it's my first time attending you on an escort."
"Relax. Escorts take a long time. If you collapse from nerves, I'll have to look after you."
"Gasp! No, that won't do!"
"I'm not a kid—you don't need to babysit me."
Palgap stared at me.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Lately, it seems you've been forgetting your own age, Young Master. You're fifteen, an adult by the kingdom's standards, but still young. Other young masters are spoiled brats..."
He continued,
"You don't need to act like an adult so soon."
"Hahaha."
I laughed awkwardly.
He was right, but what could I do?
This body was fifteen, but my mind was already thirty-nine.
"I was just saying to treat it like a casual stroll."
We soon reached the carriage yard.
It was a roofed structure to shield goods from rain and snow.
Always bustling with carriages coming and going, it was both the departure and arrival point for cargo.
Arriving where the goods for Gangseo Province were loaded, the busy porters bowed their heads.
"Greetings, Young Master."
"You're all working hard."
I acknowledged them and headed to the meeting spot at the Jaekyung Pavilion outpost.
The outpost chief there was Im Gyeong-bin.
A Wu-grade chief from Jaekyung Pavilion, one I often ran into on routes.
With a solid rank, he had plenty of experience.
"I'm a bit late."
"Ah! Young Master, you're here? I came early. No need to worry."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"I've been assigned to attend you personally."
"Chief Im is reliable. I look forward to working with you."
There were a few familiar faces besides him.
They were from Se풍 Pavilion and Sangyu Pavilion.
"Greetings, Young Master."
"Good to see you."
After greetings, I went with them to where the Gangseo-bound goods were stacked.
To those looking puzzled at my presence, Chief Im explained,
"Young Master Eun Seo-ho will be joining this escort."
"Really?"
They were surprised at first, then nodded in understanding.
"About time for Seo-ho to join an escort."
"Feels like just yesterday he was toddling around..."
"He's grown so much already!"
I felt a bit embarrassed seeing their moved expressions.
Chief Im beside me said,
"Ah, here come the caravan leader and guards for this trip."
This time, I was mildly surprised.
The caravan leader was my master.
I quickly cupped my hands in greeting.
I was about to speak, but he beat me to it.
"I'm Gwak Myeong-hyeon, leader of Changin Escort Agency. Call me Leader Gwak."
His intent was clear.
Don't reveal I'm his disciple.
I'd play along.
"I'm Eun Seo-ho, third son of the Eunhae Merchant Group leader. I'm with Jaekyung Pavilion now, so call me Chief Eun."
"Understood, Chief Eun."
I told everyone,
"Please call me Chief Eun as well."
"Yes, sir."
I asked Chief Im,
"Shall we start the inspection?"
"Pardon? Ah, yes. That's right. Y-Young..."
"Chief Eun."
"Yes, Chief Eun."
I began checking the documents and the situation.
An escort, huh...
Father wanted me to gain experience, but I already had plenty.
When the merchant group entrusted cargo to an escort agency, they didn't just hand it off blindly.
Someone from the group always accompanied.
Two from Se풍 Pavilion for miscellaneous tasks, two from Sangyu Pavilion for cargo management and trades.
And two from Jaekyung Pavilion for admin, paperwork, and finances.
Six in total, essential.
Plus two Eunpung Corps warriors as my personal guards, and a full squad for cargo protection.
This time, the escort squad was Team Three, led by Squad Leader Jeong Chung.
Usually, only a few warriors guarded merchant group reps, but this caravan got a full squad.
Probably because of me, the leader's son.
The deputy was supposed to lead half the team, but Squad Leader Jeong's sudden addition yesterday confirmed my guess.
Squad Leader Jeong was finalizing details with Master.
Meanwhile, we inspected the cargo.
The goods to Gangseo were silk from Sacheon Province.
Upon arrival, they'd trade for tea from Fujian and sugar from Guangxi.
Silk was sensitive to sunlight, so it all went in boxes.
Moisture-weak too, so rolled with absorbent paper.
Confirming everything proper, I directed the Sangyu Pavilion chief to seal the boxes.
Chief Im told Squad Leader Jeong,
"Cargo inspection complete. Ready to depart."
"Got it. Load up and we'll head out in about an hour."
Suddenly, the bustling workers bowed toward one spot.
"Greetings, young masters."
Turning, I saw my eldest and second brothers at the yard.
I'd already said goodbye last night—why come all the way here?
"Brothers, what brings you here?"
"What else? To see off your first escort."
I grinned at Second Brother.
"Thanks, that's sweet."
Eldest Brother handed me something.
"Take this."
A small, sharp dagger.
"Figured you'd need a weapon for self-defense. Second and I got it together."
"Uh... thanks."
I took it gratefully, feeling its familiar grip.
My first escort back then was late spring, a few months from now, and my brothers had given me this exact dagger.
Back then, I'd hidden it away, too precious to use.
Only later did I learn they'd been hurt, thinking I didn't like it.
Now, I'd carry it daily. To make them happy.
I tucked it securely away.
"I'll put it to good use."
"Yeah, safe travels."
And so, I departed on my first escort earlier than in my previous life.
Winter escorts had clear pros and cons.
The pro: small streams frozen solid, crossable without boats or bridges.
But the cons outweighed it.
Packed snow on well-trodden paths was fine, but knee-deep drifts required clearing for wagons.
And those were mostly mountain trails.
Heavy snow hid the path entirely.
Clearing was necessary even to find it.
Thus, the escort agency's shovelers led with broad scoops, roughly clearing a wagon-wide trail.
Naturally, progress slowed, but rushing risked losing cargo or lives.
"Sigh..."
I sighed unwittingly watching them.
Seeing the shovelers stirred the realization I'd returned to the past.
After a while,
"Long time no see."
An unexpected voice made me look up.
Ahead stood two burly men in thick fur coats.
Bandits—no, Green Forest Outlaws.
Master and Squad Leader Jeong approached without panic.
"Been well."
"Heading to Gangseo Province?"
"Yes."
One outlaw spoke.
"The snowy mountain paths must be tough. Our chief sends word: come to the mountain stronghold for a warm cup of tea before you go."
A completely unforeseen, unexpected invitation.