259. To Luoyang Again? (3)
My words made the fake Bok Yun sub-branch leader flinch.
At that moment, someone asked,
"But do you have any proof that this man is a fake?"
Of course, I could sense his energy, so I knew right away he was an imposter.
But the others hadn't trained their martial arts to that level, so they wouldn't notice.
Even someone at the peak realm wouldn't spot it without close scrutiny—this disguise was that exquisite.
And I could guess why they'd targeted Bok Yun sub-branch leader.
The Gwangjun Merchant Group was based far away in Yonyeong, so interactions weren't frequent.
There weren't many people who could pick up on the inconsistencies.
His parents were there, but they were busy chatting with the other merchant lords.
As for the escorts? It was an unspoken rule that bodyguards didn't enter the banquet hall.
Instead, guards hired by the hosts stood watch in various spots.
Anyway, there was enough evidence to convince the others that this guy was fake.
I wouldn't have pulled something like this without that much preparation.
"Bok Yun sub-branch leader already told me the secret to guarding the silver plaque. So shouldn't you say something other than wanting to know that secret?"
"Th-that was just to play along with the mood…"
"Fine, let's say that's true. But aren't your hands too soft? You rode here from the north, gripping the reins all the way. They should be rough by now."
They might wrap their hands in cloth to protect them, but there were limits.
"Did you think I'd fall for that? We came by carriage, so of course…"
Gwangjun Merchant Group Lord Bok Im-gil, who had been glaring at us with furrowed brows, bellowed in fury.
"Carriage my foot! Yun rode a horse!"
"…!"
To think even his father hadn't noticed—this disguise was as masterful as Chun-il's.
But their prior investigation had been a bit sloppy.
Gwangjun Merchant Group Lord Bok Im-gil glared at the vile impostor wearing his son's face.
That last remark had confirmed it—this wasn't his son.
Bok Yun got terribly carsick and almost never rode in carriages.
It was a fact known only to a select few.
If this wasn't his son, then where was the real one?
The thought made his blood run cold.
He turned to Sebin Merchant Group Lord In Kang-su, the host of this banquet.
"Please allow my escorts inside."
"Of course."
Bok Im-gil immediately summoned his waiting bodyguards from outside.
"Bind this bastard at once and rip off that disgusting mask!"
"Yes, sir!"
They seized the fake Bok Yun sub-branch leader and tore off his human-skin mask.
Riiip!
Blood trickled as they peeled it away without mercy, but no one cared.
Sure enough, the face underneath was completely different.
"What have you done with my son?"
At Bok Im-gil's icy roar, the man trembled and stammered,
"W-we didn't kill him! We just tied him up… and tossed him in a warehouse."
"What?!"
Thwack!
"Gah!"
Bok Im-gil swung a fist at him, sending the man tumbling across the floor.
Watching coldly, Bok Im-gil ordered his escorts,
"To the warehouse!"
"Yes, sir!"
But something felt off—he sensed they were short one person.
Eun Seo-ho, who had been beside him moments ago, was gone.
Without him, they never would have spotted the imposter mimicking his son.
He felt ashamed for having glared at Eun Seo-ho, thinking he'd harmed his boy.
"Where's Young Master Eun?"
"He headed that way earlier."
I was racing toward the warehouse.
Having been there several times in my previous life, I knew the layout well.
That's how I knew the only place to hide Bok Yun sub-branch leader here was the warehouse.
Of course, going alone would be tricky, so I'd asked Sa-gang sub-branch leader for help—and he'd readily agreed.
He was the sub-branch leader of the Hongryeon Merchant Group, which supplied weapons to the imperial court.
And understanding weapons meant knowing martial arts.
He'd trained in them himself and was tight-lipped to a fault.
Knowing what state Bok Yun might be in, I'd sought his aid.
My hunch was right; as we neared the warehouse, I sensed Bok Yun's energy.
The door was locked tight with a padlock, but Sa-gang sub-branch leader kicked it clean off.
Boom!
The door shattered in one blow.
That told me he was seriously strong.
Come to think of it, to become Hongryeon's heir, you had to labor in the forge for over a decade and earn the smiths' respect.
"Bok Yun sub-branch leader! Are you here?"
"Mmph! Mmph!"
A muffled groan answered, and I rushed toward it.
"…"
I found him soon enough, but it wasn't a pretty sight.
His hands and feet were bound to a pillar, a gag in his mouth, wearing only his underclothes.
Rage surged up again at the view.
How dare they do this to my friend?
I suppressed it, drew my dagger, and sliced the ropes to free him.
"Whew! Thanks for saving me."
"How the hell did this…?"
"I was leaning on the railing for a moment… and must've blacked out. Woke up here."
"Can you stand?"
He rose, tested his limbs, and nodded.
"Looks like I'm not hurt."
I sighed in relief and draped my outer robe over him.
Just then, Gwangjun Merchant Group Lord's voice echoed from outside.
"Yun! Where are you? Yun!"
"Father, I'm here!"
Gwangjun Merchant Group Lord and his escorts rushed in.
Good thing we weren't too late.
I'd cleaned him up before his own men saw the embarrassing state.
"Yun!"
He embraced his son, exhaling in relief.
"Forgive this father for mistaking that fake for you."
"What? Fake? What's going on?"
Sebin Merchant Group Lord, as the host responsible for Bok Yun's safety, had followed along and explained everything.
"First, my apologies as host for this unfortunate incident. A man wearing your face impersonated you. Eun Seo-ho sub-branch leader spotted it."
"Ah…"
"Without him, you'd have suffered much longer."
Bok Yun sub-branch leader clasped his hands toward me in gratitude.
"Truly, thank you. How can I ever repay this kindness…?"
"It's no kindness. We're friends, aren't we? A friend stepping up for another isn't something to call a favor."
"Eun sub-branch leader…"
Bok Yun looked at me with moved eyes.
"Still, I'm worried this will leave a sour memory of the 100 Great Merchant Groups gathering."
He shook his head at my words.
"No. I've gained a valuable lesson from this."
His gaze was resolute as he spoke.
It was a relief to hear that from him, but…
"So why the hell did that guy do it?"
Sebin Merchant Group Lord gave a wry smile.
"He said he was trying to sweep all the silver plaques."
"…"
I had nothing to say.
The silver plaque game was just entertainment at the 100 Great Merchant Groups gathering, but there were lines you didn't cross.
This guy had leaped way over them.
"He overlooked that the silver plaque game only pardons stealing the plaques themselves—not other crimes."
Sebin Merchant Group Lord added,
"Looks like us merchants are seen as pushovers."
He laughed outwardly, but his eyes were sharp and cold.
Merchants might seem without pride at times, but they were prouder than anyone—their pride just lay in different realms.
And that fake had trampled Sebin Merchant Group Lord's. This had happened at his banquet, after all.
That guy was in for it now.
Though I'd appreciate if they left some for me.
I needed to make him pay for humiliating my friend to feel satisfied.
To reiterate, I'm not a good guy.
"Young master! You here? Brought the clothes as ordered!"
Before coming here, I'd sent a sound transmission to Palgap with a request.
The fake wearing Bok Yun's clothes meant Bok Yun's were stripped off.
Lucky the inn was nearby. Palgap arrived panting, bundle in hand.
"Here you go."
"Thanks."
I took it and offered it to Bok Yun sub-branch leader.
"I had them fetch your clothes. This gathering is vital for us merchants, right? Better to throw these on hastily and join."
"Much obliged."
"Truly grateful, Eun sub-branch leader."
Bok Yun sub-branch leader and his father, Gwangjun Merchant Group Lord, were deeply thankful.
They'd come all the way from distant Yonyeong for this 100 Great Merchant Groups gathering.
Sure, there were things like the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Tournament, but for merchants, this was paramount.
Too good an opportunity to waste returning to their lodgings over this.
Bok Yun donned my clothes.
Palgap had brought ones I hadn't worn but had considered—luxurious and flashy.
Perfect for the occasion, no embarrassment there.
And they fit him well too.
"How do I look?"
"You sure it's okay to lend such fine clothes?"
"Of course."
They were even more splendid than what he'd had on before.
Suits him well.
.
.
.
A short while later.
We returned to the banquet hall.
As my father approached, Gwangjun Merchant Group Lord clasped hands to him.
"We owe Eun Seo-ho sub-branch leader a great debt."
"Ahem, I'm glad as his father that he could help."
"I'll never forget this favor."
As the two exchanged greetings, Han Baek-geon sub-branch leader beckoned me from across the room.
I went over with Bok Yun and Sa-gang sub-branch leaders.
"Glad you're back safe. Everything alright?"
Bok Yun nodded with a smile.
"Thanks to Eun sub-branch leader, I'm fine."
"You had me scared half to death!"
The others gathered around us too.
"What in the world happened…? You okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Even if the silver plaques are tempting… tsk tsk."
Suddenly, I realized the fake was nowhere in sight.
"Where's that guy?"
"Oh, our merchant group's escorts dragged him off."
In Gong-ja, son of Sebin's sub-branch leader and heir apparent, answered. Talented in commerce, but not quite on his grandfather or father's level.
"I see."
"Looks like no silver plaque game this time."
"Probably not."
Steal plaques in this mess?
Now that would take guts worth respecting.
"And we're interrogating his accomplices now."
Of course. What happened to Bok Yun couldn't be one man's doing.
Shutting him in the warehouse without alerting the venue guards or anyone required organization.
There had to be multiple accomplices.
Sure, plenty here were after the plaques, but not all were in on it with the fake…
Oh, right—Chun-il came to Luoyang with his father too, didn't he?
.
.
.
The gathering ended.
Sebin Merchant Group Lord officially declared it over, and people began departing one by one.
"Seo-ho, let's head back too."
"Yes, Father."
I bid the others farewell and returned to the inn with my parents.
On the way, I cautiously broached the topic with Father.
"Father, I'd like to meet Team Leader Chun-il."
"Hang a strip of blue cloth from the inn window, and he'll come. Because of today?"
"Yes."
I nodded.
"Can't just let them touch my friend and walk away, right?"
Mother, watching me, nodded.
"I think they've crossed the line badly this time too. If you're doing it, do it thoroughly."
I hadn't expected that from her.
Come to think of it, last time I'd saved Bok Yun from an assassin, she'd sent a huge herd of fine steeds as thanks.
That must've sparked a friendship between her and Bok Yun's mother.
Well…
Mother was from a martial family.
And Yonyeong women rode horses and shot arrows amid that harsh land.
They probably got along great.
Anyway, with Mother saying that, I had to see it through properly.