Bokyun (3)
The small table Palgap hurled struck him from behind, and my guards seized the opening to rush in, swords pressed to his throat.
The situation was over.
I hurried to Palgap.
"You okay? No dizziness or nausea?"
The quick-witted Palgap caught my meaning and replied.
"Thanks to the antidote you gave me earlier, young master, I'm fine."
Merchants like us never know when some villain might strike.
That's why we always carry a bit of antidote, and I'd given Palgap a suitable one.
The assassin who'd posed as Bokyun Sub-branch Leader's attendant was dragged away, and we returned to the inn.
Bokyun Sub-branch Leader was staying at the same inn, so he came back with us. The Kwangjun Merchant Group's headquarters was about two days' ride from the inn—they'd come here for business nearby.
That night.
When I went down to the inn's first floor, Bokyun Sub-branch Leader was sitting there. His guard watched him with pitying eyes.
"Are you all right?"
I approached cautiously and asked. He shook his head gravely.
"It'd be a lie to say I am. Betrayal by someone I trusted... it hurts more than I expected."
I know that feeling all too well.
In my previous life, a bodyguard had betrayed me.
Now it's time to return that karma.
"Still, I owe you my thanks."
He rose and clasped his hands in a formal bow toward me.
"Today, thanks to you, Eun Sub-branch Leader, I survived. If you hadn't exposed my attendant's true identity, I'd be dead without a chance. Thank you again. I will repay this debt."
He bowed his head once more.
"And I'm sorry my attendant poisoned you because of me."
"It just happened that way. No need to dwell on it. Besides, it wasn't much poison—he's fully recovered already."
"Even so, he was poisoned and already better?"
"Guy's built like a bear."
He let out a hollow chuckle and sat back down, his expression turning serious.
"There are more than one or two assassins after me right now. I can't fathom what value my death holds for them to be this relentless."
"......"
"The bailiff was just here. The assassin we caught confessed—my real attendant is already dead."
That was the true reason Bokyun Sub-branch Leader sat there so dejectedly.
"I'm so sorry he died because of me. If I hadn't made him my attendant..."
I understood his guilt, but I didn't want him wallowing too deep, so I pulled up a chair and sat across from him.
Drag.
"By that logic, there's nothing in the world we wouldn't feel sorry for. The assassin who harmed a perfectly fine attendant should feel the guilt—not you, Bok Sub-branch Leader."
"......"
"So pull yourself together. If you crumble here, you'll have even less face to show your fallen attendant."
He nodded at my words.
"You're right, Eun Sub-branch Leader."
His eyes sparkled with renewed vigor.
Good. That's the caliber needed to be my friend.
"Honestly, I've stayed passive because I hated escalating things, but at this rate, it'll just mean more sacrifices from those below me."
This incident seemed to be the trigger for Bokyun Sub-branch Leader to break through.
I asked him.
"Any guesses on who's behind it?"
"Of course."
He nodded heavily.
Probably a rival within his merchant group or one of the competing groups.
From here, it was his fight.
"I hope it resolves well."
"Thank you."
He bowed in thanks again, then changed the subject.
"You're heading to the northern sea, right?"
"Yes."
He remembered our chat at the tavern.
"Once my business wraps up, I'm heading back home. Our headquarters is along the route to the northern sea—care to travel with us?"
Even having come to Yoneung, I couldn't match a local's knowledge.
In that light, Bok Sub-branch Leader's offer was a solid one.
Sure, annoying flies like assassins might buzz around, but flies could just be swatted.
The next morning.
We set out from the inn.
Riding in the carriage with Bokyun Sub-branch Leader let me bond with him more.
And I picked up some useful info along the way.
Like what to watch out for with nomadic tribes, or how to find your way if lost on the steppes.
A true sub-branch leader from a merchant group tight with the nomads.
The end of our shared journey approached.
"That's the Kwangjun Merchant Group."
"Impressive scale."
"Yeah. Dealing mainly in horses means they need the space."
Bokyun Sub-branch Leader nodded with a smile—the headquarters visible from the hilltop was massive.
"That's why it's not in a bustling area but out here in the sticks."
"Right. Cheaper land, easier to source horse feed."
Bokyun Sub-branch Leader invited us to stay the night, and I gladly accepted.
We'd come this far together—hard to refuse, and I wasn't keen on camping anyway.
Entering the Kwangjun Merchant Group's headquarters, we met Bokyun Sub-branch Leader's father, Merchant Group Leader Bok Im-gil.
"Oh! Who's this? Eunhae Merchant Group's Eun Seo-ho Sub-branch Leader, isn't it?"
"Yes. I hope you've been well."
We'd met at the previous Luoyang assembly, so he remembered me.
He laughed heartily.
"I'm doing fine. I got word from my son ahead of time. Thanks again."
"Just luck on my part."
"Hoho, still as humble as ever. So, what brings you from Hubei all the way here?"
"Actually, I was en route to the northern sea."
"Northern sea?"
He looked puzzled but didn't pry.
He knew better than to dig too deep.
"Tough journey ahead. Rest here comfortably before you go."
"Thank you."
Merchant Group Leader Bok Im-gil instructed an attendant to guide me and my group.
Following the attendant, I thought how nice it'd be to sleep easy tonight.
Things are about to get interesting.
With Bokyun Sub-branch Leader safely back at headquarters, full war with whoever ordered the hit was inevitable.
They'd soon realize they'd awakened a sleeping tiger.
Bok Im-gil spoke with Bokyun in his office.
"Glad you're safe."
"Eun Sub-branch Leader's help was crucial."
"So you said. How'd you cross paths with him?"
Bokyun explained the full story to his father.
"I see."
"Have you met Eun Sub-branch Leader before, Father?"
"At the last Hundred Merchant Groups assembly. As far as I know, he's the only one who kept his silver plaque in that game."
"That silver plaque?"
Bokyun had attended assemblies too and knew how tough it was to protect one.
He'd failed every time in the couple he'd joined.
"Yes. Remarkable man. Befriend him if you can."
"We already did on the way. First peer I've clicked with like that."
"Ho, really? He didn't seem the type to open up easily when I met him—you must've impressed him."
"Lucky me. I like him too."
Bok Im-gil smirked at Bokyun's genuine smile.
"We've figured out who's targeting you."
"I had my suspicions."
"Who do you think?"
"Sambu Merchant Group. Right?"
"Spot on."
They operated in the same Yoneung territory, dealing mainly in horses.
But their origins differed—they'd started as three black path fugitives from afar.
They'd grown rapidly, threatening Kwangjun Merchant Group's position. But their latest ambitious venture had failed against Kwangjun.
That must've crushed Sambu Merchant Group Leader's pride, leading to this vicious response.
"The assassin confessed. Said they'd pay a hundred gold taels for my head."
"Only they have that kind of funds and persistence."
"Exactly. No one knows the black path's terror like ex-black path themselves."
"Precisely their style."
Merchants avoid dirty tricks like assassins because the fallout's too great.
Who'd trust goods from someone who'd hire killers over a dispute?
But Sambu, being black path born, seemed to think as long as they don't get caught.
"I won't let this slide. They'll pay dearly."
That afternoon.
I headed out with my guard warriors.
The Kwangjun headquarters location had formed a market too.
Whenever I visited a village, scouting the market to analyze trade was my habit—and hobby.
"Palgap, let's go."
"Yes."
I'd worried he might sulk over the last incident, but he'd grasped the situation and understood.
He was even grateful I'd saved him.
I took my guards to the tavern district; Kwangjun had assigned one of their warriors as escort and guide.
"That's the biggest market in the village."
"I see."
As a borderland with harsh climate, daily goods like paper and grain were pricey.
"This silk from wild silkworms is so fine."
"Naturally. Pricey for a reason."
Wild silkworm silk ranked top-tier.
Low yield from wild stock, but tougher and shinier than farmed.
Of course, exorbitantly expensive.
Even among Sichuan's precious Shu brocades, wild silkworm Shu was insanely costly.
Here, importing it still undercut Shu prices even with transport.
As we chatted and browsed, Seo-u Warrior's sound transmission came.
— Someone's tailing us.
Jin Yu Warrior's followed.
— Doesn't seem like assassins, but we're being followed.
I'd sensed it too.
The stench of black path reeked.
They'd latched on since leaving Kwangjun's main gate?
I wondered their aim.
I deliberately took a narrow alley path. Suddenly, a group blocked our front.
One stepped forward and bowed.
"Are you Eun Seo-ho Sub-branch Leader? Someone wishes a word."
"Who's that?"
"You'll see when you meet."
"Have them come themselves."
My words ignited their fury.
"Insolent pup!"
"You think we go running every time someone's 'called' in this cruel world?"
"The boss said bring you by any means. You're the ones who'll drink the penalty wine."
With that, they drew weapons.
Clang!
Shing!
They drew first—no hesitation on our end.
But do they know?
We have three Super First-rate warriors here.
.
.
.
Moments later,
Our encircled foes all lay rolling on the ground.
"......"
Our Kwangjun escort gaped, mouth agape.
"Shocked?"
He nodded cautiously. I chuckled.
"Keep it quiet, though."
"Y-yes, sir."
"We'll be around—report to the magistrate's office."
He bolted for the yamen.
Meanwhile, I kicked the side of one downed man.
Thud!
"Urk!"
"Time for answers. Who sent you?"
"......"
"Want a knife to the ribs?"
"......"
Won't talk, huh.
I nodded to Jin Yu Warrior. He raised his sword to the man's side.
The thug trembled and spilled.
"S-Sambu Merchant Group's leader."
Sambu Merchant Group... Rings a bell.
In my past life, they'd snagged a Hundred Merchant Groups seat when Kwangjun dropped out.
Dirty tactics irked me—the reason now clear.
Commanding so many black path warriors meant Sambu was black path too.
They'd get exposed by Bokyun Sub-branch Leader anyway, but dragging me in?
Helping out wasn't meddling.
Soon after,
The bailiff arrived with constables, arrested them, and hauled to the yamen.
I went along.
Showing Inspector Magistrate Ji-hyeon my Inspector General's badge, I said.
"This will be reported to His Imperial Majesty."
That sufficed.
My actions weren't overreach—the Emperor himself had tasked me as his eyes and ears.
Might as well use the tool at hand.
Besides, they weren't worth dirtying our hands.