What We Gained (1)
Today at the Yongbong Martial Assembly, Jegal Yu-a and Jo Woong had both advanced to the next round.
In Jo Woong's case, it had been a truly close victory.
But was it really that close?
To me, it didn't look like he'd won through skill so much as sheer luck.
His opponent from the Yeom Clan had made one ridiculous blunder after another, handing Jo Woong the advantage on a platter.
As a result, the Yeom Clan patriarch's face had flushed red and purple with rage.
Honestly, I felt a bit satisfied deep down.
After all, it was that Yeom Clan lord's fault that Elder Pa Du Pa Pa's husband, the Yu Yu Sword Emperor, had fallen into qi deviation.
Thanks to the Reversion Pill I provided, he'd escaped qi deviation and ascended to the Transcendent Realm, but that didn't erase the Yeom Clan's sin.
I wonder how Young Master Mun Ju-seong is doing.
I'd heard his inn had gotten so famous that they'd opened a new branch nearby.
Guess I should swing by there again sometime.
I returned to the inn with my parents, then headed back to the temporary shop.
Hmm...
A line of people stretched out in front of the Eunhae Merchant Group's temporary shop, all waiting patiently for their turn.
Last night, gathering that clam shell powder and lime powder had been a real ordeal.
Not just for me—Seo-u Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior had busted their asses too.
But seeing that line in front of our shop now? Totally worth it.
We'd landed a solid hit on Baegcheon Merchant Group.
Ah, feels good.
As I approached the shop, Yoon Haengsu, who'd been bustling about, spotted us and hurried over.
"You're here, young master."
"Business looks booming."
At my question, Yoon Haengsu beamed.
"Yes! The line's been steady since morning—no sign of letting up."
Gold wound salve doesn't work if you skimp on it. You have to slather it on thick for the bleeding to stop.
That's why people sought out cheap options, making it themselves instead of buying from physicians.
And making gold wound salve wasn't hard.
Just mix in a few herbal powders with clam shell powder or lime powder, pack it into a mulberry tub, and done.
Clam shell powder was a tad pricier but more effective, while lime powder was cheaper and a bit less potent.
Some folks even mixed the two.
Truth be told, it wasn't just the Yongbong Martial Assembly participants buying the ingredients.
Countless merchants flocked to the event chasing profits, but non-participating warriors waited too.
Temporary shops like ours during the assembly sold high-quality goods cheaper than usual—including gold wound salve and internal injury remedies.
So a good chunk of that line was those warriors.
They'd usually hold out until late in the assembly, when prices dropped.
Better to sell everything at a discount than haul leftovers home—for merchants, anyway.
Veterans or those with time on their hands waited till the end to buy.
But this time, clam shell and lime powder sold out suddenly, forcing them to pay ten times the price elsewhere.
With us selling at regular rates, they couldn't pass it up.
We'd normally discount by now too.
Thanks to Baegcheon, though, we were selling at full price with lines out the door. Grateful, really.
"How much stock left?"
"Enough for two more days, easy."
"Got it."
Means I need to head back to headquarters tomorrow or so.
"Keep up the good work."
"Wouldn't dream of slacking, sir."
I encouraged Yoon Haengsu and the workers, then returned to the inn.
After dinner, I sipped the tea Palgap had brewed.
"Ah! Delicious! What's with your tea-brewing skills lately? On point."
At my question, Palgap replied,
"You've got such picky taste, young master."
"Picky? Me? Nah."
I said it, but a twinge of conscience hit me.
Ahem!
"Anyway, I've been studying books on it, asking around the kitchen, that sort of thing."
"Appreciate it."
"So, how about a raise?"
"You got it."
Palgap looked flustered at my words.
"W-wait, for real?"
"I don't joke about that stuff."
"I was kidding, but... you're actually raising it? Thrown me off."
Palgap scratched his head sheepishly, and I continued sipping my tea.
"You've been with me a while now. Time for a bump anyway."
"Kkwi! Kkwiit!"
Just then, Gold Spirit chirped from my sleeve.
Hey, not you.
You're already eating me out of house and silver.
I'm planning raises for Palgap and all four guards this time too.
I savored the tea, organizing my thoughts.
Baegcheon probably planned to gouge prices for ten days to two weeks, then zip it.
Targeting finalists with deep pockets and urgent need for salve.
They'd pay tenfold, no choice.
But get this?
Long-term, it'd be smarter to stay on good terms with those finalists.
From Baegcheon's view, maybe no need.
They're backed by Murim Alliance capital, after all.
Wait... Murim Alliance capital...
Ah!
Actually, one thing about this bugged me a bit.
Why do it themselves instead of proxying through another merchant group like usual?
I just figured it out from that thought.
The Baegcheon chief is appointed by Murim Alliance elders.
Meaning Namgung Kang could get axed anytime.
To pull a stunt like this, elders must be pushing to replace him.
To keep his seat, Namgung Kang needed to prove he could deliver big profits.
This gig was a surefire moneymaker, low risk of backlash.
In a shortage, folks would thank them for charging ten times over.
In my past life, that's exactly what happened.
So Namgung Kang orchestrated it personally to claim the credit—no proxies.
Wait... that could get dangerous.
Baegcheon's taking a huge hit now.
Easiest fix? Eliminate alternatives.
High chance they'll target our clam shell and lime powder stocks.
That's when it happened.
"Young master, a word?"
"May we enter?"
Myeongjong Warrior and Cheongun Warrior's voices came from outside.
What's up?
"Come in."
The door opened, and the two warriors entered.
I sensed the upright aura of prestigious righteous sect warriors from them.
"What is it?"
Myeongjong spoke first.
"We are... no, your bodyguard warriors, my liege."
"Yes."
"Then we must do our part."
He continued,
"I've spoken with Cheongun. We need to earn our keep."
Cheongun nodded.
"Let us guard you starting today."
Their eyes burned with resolve.
Not spoken in anger.
Maybe thanks to the sincerity Hwasan and Jongnam sect leaders showed via the salve?
Their once-dead eyes lived again.
"Your wounds aren't fully healed yet, are they?"
Myeongjong replied,
"We're fine. Just scratches."
"And the salve works great—no issues moving."
I eyed their stubborn jaws.
Makes sense—with that grit and endurance, they'd hit first-rate before thirty.
Perfect timing.
"Good! I've got a mission for you."
"We pledge our loyalty."
"We'll see it done."
I had Palgap fetch Yeo Eung-am Warrior and I-pil Warrior.
They entered, and I explained.
"Indeed... then our stocks of clam shell and lime powder are at high risk."
I nodded at Yeo Eung-am's words.
"Not just Baegcheon—others might target too."
I told them,
"First, split into teams. Yeo Eung-am and Myeongjong one pair; I-pil and Cheongun the other. Guard accordingly."
.
.
.
That night.
I perched on a rooftop.
More precisely, one with a clear view of the building storing Eunhae goods.
Can't stack all that merch at the temp shop.
So we rented separate storage.
Eunpung Corps warriors stood guard, naturally. But against Baegcheon and Namgung Kang?
That's why I sent my bodyguards in pairs.
They're reliable.
—But why are you here? Don't trust those two?
I shook my head at Seo-u Warrior's sound transmission.
—Nah. Just curious how Myeongjong handles action.
—Honestly, me too.
I was with Seo-u; Jin Yu hid nearby.
They should be here any minute, right?
I couldn't help smirking.
A group of warriors emerged from the shadows.
My instincts are still sharp.
They carried blazing torches.
Their other hands gripped oil jars, no doubt.
But do they know?
Arson was in my predictions too.
The night-clad raiders rushed in, hurling jars and torches.
Yeo Eung-am and Myeongjong couldn't miss that.
"Enemy attack!"
"Situation three!"
At Yeo Eung-am's shout, half the Eunpung warriors grabbed weapons; the rest doused the torch sites.
Sizzle—!
Siiiizzle—!
Quick watering snuffed most flames, but oil kept some burning.
Sand followed, extinguishing those too.
As Eunpung moved like clockwork, Yeo Eung-am and Myeongjong leaped out.
Swords flashed at the raiders.
Clang—!
Clang-clang—!
Metal clashed loudly.
I clocked it quick.
Unlike battle-hardened Yeo Eung-am, Myeongjong lacked real combat polish.
Meaning life-or-death brawls, not polite duels.
Makes sense—a first-rate from a righteous sect wouldn't see much of that.
Still, no hesitation in his blade—he'd cut someone before.
Long way to go, though.
To extend their lifespans, they needed prep. Bandit fights meant dirty tricks, and merchants faced black道 most.
Even so, their skill shone; raiders dropped one by one, some fleeing.
Others handled pursuit.
—Jin Yu Warrior.
—On it.
My cue now.
To stress Myeongjong's need for field training, I had to reveal I'd watched.
I vaulted down, smacking a fleeing raider's nape with my scabbard.
Thud.
Seo-u downed runners too; chaos ended in seconds.
"Eh? My liege... when did you arrive?"
Yeo Eung-am grinned at Myeongjong's question.
"Looking this relaxed? Means you've been here since we arrived. I figured you might be."
"Right. On that roof earlier."
"Knew it! No way you'd relax with newbies on duty."
He turned to Myeongjong.
"See? Our liege has a heart of gold."
Myeongjong nodded.
"Knew it since you pled for our lives—kneeling for us."
I grinned awkwardly, pointing at the knocked-out raiders.
"So, let's hear who sent these guys."