Huari Pier (3)
The relocation to the new Huari Pier had been successfully completed.
"Thank you so much."
"Then just work hard and make some money."
"Of course."
To announce the expansion and move, we distributed mooncakes to everyone around Dongjeong Lake.
Inside each mooncake was a slip of paper with a blessing for the Chongyang Festival.
"We've handed them all out now. Shall we eat some mooncakes ourselves?"
We each picked up a mooncake and started eating.
"By the way, what slip did you get in Branch Manager Kang's mooncake?"
At my question, Branch Manager Kang showed me the slip.
If you do not lose your convictions, everything will turn out well in the end.
Coincidence?
It was exactly what I wanted to say.
I told him,
"To be honest, the Daegeon Merchant Group will probably pick fights and interfere at every turn."
"I figured as much."
"But if you stick to principles to the end, just like you've done so far—trust in those convictions. Then, as this blessing says, everything will turn out well."
I looked into his eyes and asked,
"Can you promise me that?"
"I've already made a pact with you, young master. Trust is a merchant's life. How could I betray it?"
"I'm grateful to hear you say that."
.
.
.
As I expected, the Daegeon Merchant Group opened their own branch right next to where Huari Pier had been.
They named it Daegeon Pier.
To celebrate the opening, they offered a ridiculously cheap deal: a tour around Dongjeong Lake on a massive boat.
It was only natural that crowds flocked to Daegeon Pier.
I nodded as I listened to the report from Yi Pil, the warrior.
"I see."
"Young master, why aren't we jumping into a price war this time?"
Palgap's face showed pure curiosity.
I chuckled.
"Because it's a price war we don't need to fight."
I stood up as I said it.
"Where's Branch Manager Kang?"
"At Huari Pier right now."
I left the inn and headed to Huari Pier.
As expected, there were no customers at Huari Pier.
"Are you here?"
"Ah! You've come."
Branch Manager Kang greeted me warmly.
Despite the trouble from Daegeon Pier's aggressive deals keeping people away, he didn't show a hint of it. Truly, a great person is great.
"Branch Manager Kang."
"Yes, young master."
"I'd like to take a boat ride today. Is that possible?"
"Of course. When would you like to go?"
"Around Xu hour tonight—the moon should be perfect then."
"I'll prepare for that time."
"See you later."
I said goodbye to Branch Manager Kang and left Huari Pier.
"Palgap."
"Yes, young master."
"You swim well?"
"Of course. I was once called the Sungyang County's catfish."
Catfish, huh...
Suits him somehow.
"Perfect."
According to my memory, the accident would happen today.
That's why I planned to board Huari Pier's boat.
Everyone who died in that accident had heartbreaking stories.
They were all far from wealthy.
This time, I'd save them all.
The best way would be to prevent the boat from sailing altogether, but forcing it with no regard for safety would just cause an even bigger disaster.
Better to let the accident happen and rescue them.
It wasn't an explosion or anything—just good preparation, and we could save everyone.
.
.
.
As the sun set, I took Palgap and the guards to Huari Pier.
"You've arrived?"
"Yes. Is the boat ready?"
"Of course."
I handed him a few nyang of silver.
"The fare."
"Oh, no, I can't."
"Take it. Every trip costs money, and I don't want to cause you a loss."
"...Thank you. I'll accept it gratefully."
He pocketed the money and said,
"Then allow me to guide you."
Huari Pier's boat was large enough for over fifty passengers, excluding the rowers and crew.
Aside from our group, about ten more people boarded.
I wondered why they'd chosen Huari Pier over Daegeon.
"I went to Daegeon first, but they were cramming a hundred people onto a boat this size."
"..."
"So I got a refund and came here. I heard they never exceed capacity."
One passenger said.
"Why do you think they say an old master is the best?"
Another said.
"I've ridden this boat before, and I have good memories, so I came back."
And so on.
Various reasons, but all praised this boat.
A moment later,
As Branch Manager Kang boarded personally to inspect for safety issues, the captain asked,
"Didn't you check earlier?"
"Just in case we missed something... All good now."
Branch Manager Kang told the captain,
"Remind the passengers of the safety rules once more, then depart."
"Got it."
The captain bellowed the precautions to the passengers.
"We'll depart shortly!"
Branch Manager Kang bowed to me.
"Have a good time."
"Yes."
As he disembarked, the boat set off.
Lanterns lit the deck for the night cruise, making it easy to admire the moon's reflection on the lake.
"If we had a dipper, we could scoop the moon with it."
"You're right."
We enjoyed the scenery, then I approached the captain steering the boat.
"I know our route overlaps with Daegeon Pier's for a good stretch."
"Correct."
"You'll be startled if you meet their boat."
"Not really. The branch manager said if they try to pass, just let them go first. I agree."
The captain continued earnestly,
"Truth is, the closest place to death is on this boat. A single plank separates life and death."
"True enough."
"Showing off in a place like this is foolish."
I nodded in agreement.
"I hear Daegeon Pier overloads their boats."
"Every time, with the crowds."
"What's the most dangerous stretch on Dongjeong Lake?"
"No need to go far. Right there."
He pointed ahead.
"Strong currents, sharp turn. Everyone must grip the safety rails tight."
The captain went on,
"Overload it, and there aren't enough rails. Passengers without them slide to one side, the boat tips."
"..."
"No idiot would overload that badly."
Oh yes, there is.
That's when it happened.
Ding-ding-ding!
A loud bell rang from behind. A boat our size was barreling toward us fast.
"Daegeon Pier's boat."
"I see."
It looked ready to ram if we didn't yield.
The captain grimaced, signaled the rowers, and we pulled aside.
As it passed, it was clearly packed with way too many passengers.
The captain clicked his tongue.
"That's even more than usual. Crazy bastard—should've jumped in alone if he wants to be a water ghost! That fucking—"
Harsh words spilled from the captain.
"Oops! Sorry, slipped out."
"No, I feel the same. But don't they know overloading is dangerous?"
"Of course they do. But what can you do? Disobey the bosses, and who knows what they'll do."
"..."
"Daegeon rules here absolutely. I'm not with them, so no issue. Haha."
He looked at me and said,
"That's why I'm grateful. For not giving up on Huari Pier."
"No big deal. I didn't want to either."
Then Palgap shouted,
"Whoa? That boat... something's wrong!"
We all rushed to the deck and looked ahead.
The boat listed sharply.
Turbulent waters.
The sharp-turn section the captain mentioned.
"Kya aa aah!"
"Uwaa aah!"
Screams echoed as the boat capsized and began sinking.
"Damn! Let's rescue them!"
"Of course!"
The captain nodded and steered toward it.
Those skilled in swimming dove in first.
To save drowning people, don't approach rashly—they'll instinctively grab and drag you down.
So I opted to knock them out fast for quick rescue.
Thwack!
Pressure points to unconsciousness, then back to our boat.
Those on deck pulled them up, checked conditions.
Pressed chests to expel water from the near-drowned; laid out the merely unconscious.
I glanced at Palgap.
Not bluffing about the catfish days—he swam like a fish.
He'd learned some martial arts from Jin Yu warrior too, using my method.
Seo-u warrior, Yeo Eung-am warrior, Yi Pil warrior, and Huari Pier crew bustled about.
We saved everyone who fell in... or so we thought.
"Ah! My son! I can't see my son In-seon!"
A woman's cry. Her husband-like man panicked, looking around.
A man raised his hand.
"I saw a kid heading toward the rowers' area earlier."
I asked him,
"Is that true?"
"Y-yes!"
The boat had sunk completely out of sight.
Full dive search needed—tough without specialized water arts.
Even experienced peak Seo-u warrior looked troubled.
But I was fine.
"I'll go."
"My lord, it's dangerous."
To protesting Seo-u warrior, I said,
"I'll be okay."
And sent him a sound transmission.
-Use the water arts I taught you.
-But...
-Can't ignore the kid, right? Time's critical.
...I'll master water arts for sure.
I smiled and dove in.
Circulating the Ice Sea Assimilation Heart Method Master taught, I unleashed Ice Sea Water Severing Art.
The sunken boat came into view below.
Approaching, I focused my senses.
Faint human ki.
Not too late.
I hurried after it, into the boat.
Found the child quickly, but he'd swallowed a lot of water, unconscious.
As I rushed out with him, a familiar-looking rock caught my eye.
Hm?
Similar to one from North Sea recently?
Not the time.
I surfaced with the child.
"Pha-!"
"He's out!"
I handed him over and climbed aboard. People swarmed, pressing his chest, rubbing his back.
"Urk-!"
Thankfully, he vomited water and woke.
"He's alive! Alive!"
"What a relief!"
"Truly!"
Seeing it, I felt proud.
"Good work, young master."
I nodded at Palgap.
"Yeah, that was tough."
Then the child's parents and others approached, bowing deeply.
"Thank you so much."
"Thank you."
"Great hero, you're my lifesaver."
"As expected of the Swordsman Beauty great hero."
Huh? Where'd Swordsman Beauty come from...?
I turned—Palgap's proud face.
You...
Anyway, glad no one died.
Whew!
Accident averted. Now for my business.
Can't let this opportunity slip.
A passenger told the captain,
"Sorry, but take us to Daegeon Pier."
"We need to complain."
I was skeptical but told the captain to do as they wished.
For what came next, their anger was essential.