Imperial Silk Delivery Competition (2)
As I was lost in those thoughts, someone approached me.
It was one of the two row managers, the Gold Row Manager.
"A moment, if I may speak with you."
"Of course."
I asked the Seo-u Warrior, who had been guarding my side, to step away briefly.
The Seo-u Warrior moved to a discreet distance, though his eyes never left me.
"What is it?"
"Does the Third Sub-branch Leader... desire the position of Leader of the Merchant Group?"
"Pardon?"
Was he seriously asking if I wanted the Leader's seat?
"What do you mean by that?"
"Just as I said. I'm asking if you intend to become the Leader."
The Gold Row Manager continued.
"Though you've been made the representative for this matter, it was the First Sub-branch Leader who prepared everything from the start until now, through great hardship. I can't tolerate the Third Young Master reaping the rewards without effort."
Ah, so that's why he's been subtly sharpening his blade against me ever since I was named the representative in Jeong Ho hyung's place for the imperial silk delivery competition.
Jeong Ho hyung's got it good.
Having such a loyal supporter.
Come to think of it, in my previous life, the Gold Row Manager was a steadfast backer of Jeong Ho hyung too.
His abilities were outstanding; he even rose to chief row manager later on.
But he had one flaw, and this was it.
Overreacting against anything he deemed unworthy or a threat to what he felt obligated to protect.
Right now, what he's protecting is Jeong Ho hyung's credit for this endeavor.
I let out a chuckle, and the Gold Row Manager's face darkened.
"Why do you laugh? Does my words sound ridiculous?"
"Oh, no, forgive me. It's not that your words are funny or anything—it's because I think the same way."
"Pardon?"
He blinked in confusion at my response.
"Think the same...? What do you...?"
"Though I've taken over this task in Jeong Ho hyung's stead, I have no intention of claiming the credit. This achievement belongs solely to Jeong Ho hyung."
"I've heard that the Third Sub-branch Leader was the one who first requested this assignment from the Leader. If you have no ambition for the top seat, then why...?"
"The situation required a direct descendant to attend as representative. I actually wanted to leave it to the Chief Row Manager, but there was that regulation."
"......"
"And excluding Jeong Ho hyung, who knows silk better than I do? Hm... imagine if Jin Ho hyung were in this position."
A sigh escaped the Gold Row Manager's lips at my words.
He knew it too—Jin Ho hyung's shortcomings in such matters.
"Well, he'd probably bond with counterparts over drinks and extract information nicely. That's a fine talent too, but this competition involves the imperial family."
"......"
"Jeong Ho hyung poured his heart into this to the point of collapsing from overwork. I'm here to ensure his efforts don't go to waste. So."
I grinned and said,
"Don't sharpen your blade at me needlessly. I hate stuffy positions like Leader anyway."
With that, I headed toward where the Seo-u Warrior waited.
I could understand the Gold Row Manager's misunderstanding.
All three of us brothers were sub-branch leaders.
That meant we were rivals. Our father and grandfather had risen to Leader through such competition as well.
In that context, I hadn't explicitly declared my withdrawal from the race for the sub-branch leader position.
I'd thought my brothers and I had an unspoken agreement, and that the merchant group folks had caught on to some extent.
Apparently not everyone had.
Well, I've been causing quite a stir everywhere.
No plans to hold back, though.
The more I rampage, the higher the Eunhae Merchant Group rises.
Guess I should make it clear sometime.
That I'm not interested in the Leader's seat.
With those thoughts, I said to the Seo-u Warrior,
"Let's head in."
"Understood."
I entered my room and asked Palgap to summon the head of the Changin Escort Agency.
"Y-you called for me?"
"Yes. Come in."
The one accompanying us this time was Escort Head Song Bo.
I offered him a seat, and Palgap served tea.
"Escort Head, to be frank, aren't you annoyed right now?"
"Pardon?"
"Just when things are going smoothly, there's a boulder, or a log, or a beehive. I'm getting pretty irritated."
Only then did Song Bo nod as if he finally understood.
"I'm the same. It's not a huge deal, but it's grating on the nerves."
"This has to be deliberate sabotage. Any guesses on who's behind it?"
"No idea."
"Anyway, I can't put up with this much longer. And so far it's been petty tricks, but who knows what they'll pull next?"
"True."
"I've been mulling it over, and I figure the culprits are the group right ahead of us. They know we're following and are stirring this up."
"A sound deduction."
Here, I flashed a slight smile.
"So, how about we give them a taste of their own medicine?"
"Got a plan?"
In lieu of an answer, I held out my hand to Palgap and received the map.
I unrolled it and pointed to one spot.
"See here? There's a shortcut. Narrow and treacherous, so most avoid it. But if we push through, we can overtake them."
"I know that path. Don't worry—everyone's pissed enough to handle it."
True, the escort agency's suffered the most from their interference.
And so we devised our plan, setting out early the next morning.
By lunchtime, we veered onto the planned detour as scheduled.
I'd given the row managers prior notice, so there were no objections.
The escorts, too, looked resolute, as we'd coordinated ahead.
We hurried along the rugged path.
It was tough going, but with everyone steeled, we rejoined the main road before sunset.
"Scouted the area—no signs of a large caravan passing yet."
"Looks like we arrived earlier than expected. Excellent work, as always. The Changin Escort Agency lives up to its name."
"Hahaha, thank you. With time to spare, we should set up camp early."
"Got it."
We efficiently prepared camp and ate dinner.
If my guess is right, those pests who annoyed us should be closing in by now.
As we rested, faint sounds of movement reached us from afar.
Not one or two, but dozens—definitely a caravan or escort group.
Finally, a prime suspect emerges.
They drew nearer before halting at one spot.
Song Bo must have sensed them by now too.
Time to scout them stealthily...
My martial prowess was a secret, so I'd send the Seo-u or Jin Yu Warrior.
But Song Bo surprised me with a question.
"Will you join the scouting, Sub-branch Leader?"
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
I feigned ignorance, and he whispered,
"I heard from Palace Lord."
"...!"
"He asked me to serve you well."
Calling my master "Palace Lord" marked him as from the Snow Wind Palace.
He smiled lightly and said,
"No need to hide it from me."
"I see."
In that case, no need to involve the other guards.
I took only the Jin Yu Warrior and slipped away quietly with Song Bo.
.
.
.
Crackle, pop.
The sound of burning firewood from their campfire drifted over.
A group sat clustered in small parties. The flag on their wagons revealed their identity: the Jin Ga Merchant Group, another Hubei Province outfit like ours.
I signaled, and the other two concealed their presence as we approached.
"Walked a ton today."
"Yeah."
"Eat up. Our job doesn't end with dinner."
"True enough."
They looked like porters.
They ate their evening meal, and we waited patiently.
Such gatherings always yielded intel eventually.
About half a watch later, the conversation we wanted began.
"Think it'll be okay?"
"What?"
"That caravan following us."
"Oh... the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Even if it's to screw over the Changin Escort Agency, aren't the higher-ups worried about backlash with Eunhae as the client?"
"You think this is just the Escort Head's whim?"
"So the Jin Ga Merchant Group too?"
"From their perspective, Eunhae's a fierce rival. If they arrive late, that's one competitor eliminated."
"True, but it's kinda scary."
"Got any proof we did it?"
"...No."
"Then quit whining and eat."
"You bastard! There's a limit to nonchalance! Changin's one thing, but who are the Eunhae folks?"
"What can they do? No proof, and nitpicking petty sabotage just broadcasts how petty they are."
"Sigh, talk is cheap."
No need to hear more.
I transmitted sound to my two companions and withdrew silently.
Back at our camp, I gathered the row managers.
Upon hearing my report, they reacted with disbelief.
"Wait, so the escort agency guarding the Jin Ga Merchant Group orchestrated this?"
Song Bo bowed in apology.
"My deepest regrets. Our agency's incompetence led to this."
I shook my head.
"Rise. This isn't the Changin Escort Agency's fault. The blame lies with that escort agency harboring ill intent..."
"The Daeung Escort Agency."
"Yes, the Daeung Escort Agency and the Jin Ga Merchant Group that condoned it."
I paused before continuing.
"And of course, I have no intention of letting this slide."
Stone Chief Row Manager ventured cautiously,
"Any ideas? As they said, no solid proof, and it's trivial."
"True. Telling the judges might just earn us mockery as sore losers."
A tricky, frustrating bind, as they noted.
Then a brilliant idea struck me.
"Ever played ghost?"
* * *
Hoo-oo. Hoo-oo-.
An owl hooted in the night.
Amid the flickering campfire, the Daeung Escort Agency and Jin Ga Merchant Group camped.
Man Dong, a third-year escort, stood night watch with a fellow.
"Ugh... tonight feels creepy."
"Just the chill."
As they watched, drowsiness crept in.
"Man, why so sleepy today?"
"Snap out of it! Escort Head catches you, you're dead."
"Ugh!"
They refocused outward.
Then someone tapped his shoulder.
"What?"
Man Dong turned, but his partner countered,
"Huh?"
"You just tapped my shoulder. Got something to say?"
"What're you on about? I never touched you."
"Did I imagine it?"
Man Dong tilted his head and faced outward again.
Half a watch later, another tap.
"What is it?"
"Huh?"
"You tapped me again?"
"When?"
His partner looked baffled.
"Weird."
Man Dong scratched his cheek and resumed watch.
A full watch passed, and his partner said,
"Can't take it anymore. Be right back."
"Hurry up, punk."
"Yeah."
Now alone, another tap on his shoulder.
The third time.
Man Dong snapped irritably.
"You bastard! Not the time for games! Do I look that easy...?"
He froze.
No one around.
Partner was still away.
Then who?
His legs trembled wildly at the thought.
"Hey, I'm back... what's wrong?"
His returning partner prompted a quavering reply.
"G-ghost..."
He collapsed.
It wasn't just him.
The Jin Ga sub-branch leader, Daeung Escort Head, row managers—all trembled at the "shoulder-tapping ghost," sleepless in fear.
Thud, thud.
Sudden footsteps echoed toward the terror-stricken group.
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