Departure (2)
I continued.
"When you find him, come to Nanjing."
"Nanjing... you say?"
"We're set to depart at the end of this fifth month, and all that's left now is preparations there."
"Understood."
Then Palgap, standing beside me, tilted his head and asked.
"Huh? So that means we have to head to Nanjing too?"
"Yeah. That's right."
"Got it. Then we'll get ready."
"You're not even fazed?"
At my words, Palgap rubbed his nose and replied.
"Didn't I tell you before, young master? You crisscross the entire empire so much that we're always ready to leave at a moment's notice. Plus, you casually head up to the North Sea whenever you're bored."
Somehow, that leaves me speechless.
My eyes suddenly met those of the western direction envoy.
She smiled faintly, and I scratched the back of my neck.
She already knew. Dang it.
I turned back to the Jin Yu Warrior.
"Anyway, that's the situation. Take care of it."
"I will stake my life on it."
I keep telling you, that's not necessary.
The Jin Yu Warrior set off immediately to find Baekcheon Merchant Group's debt manager.
That afternoon,
I asked Geumryeong to deliver a letter to my father.
There were carrier pigeons, but Geumryeong was much faster.
I'd have to pay in silver, but for this matter, time was money.
Buying time with cash, basically.
The letter to Father requested that Captain Yong Eung-wan bring the merchant ships to Nanjing.
Nanjing lay downstream on the Yangtze River.
Tucked inland from the sea, it was safe from waves too.
From Yangyang to Nanjing would take about half a month, so they'd arrive around early May.
Then, with diligent preparations, we'd depart before the end of May.
We had to sail by then at the latest to load grain in autumn and return home.
The key here was the cargo for the ships heading to Dai Viet.
When I'd spoken with Captain Yong Eung-wan before, he'd recommended tea.
And porcelain like teacups too.
As he'd said, those brought hefty profits, and in my previous life, I'd supplied tea and made a killing.
The ships had hurt back then—a little? No, a lot.
If we'd had our own vessels, it would've been a golden opportunity for rapid growth.
Anyway, the biggest earner back then had been liquor, hands down.
"From what I know, the people of Dai Viet love the empire's liquor..."
"Exactly. They're crazy for it."
"Then why didn't you mention it?"
"Well... the empire's under a liquor ban right now, isn't it? No point talking about it when it'd just hurt."
That's right.
Liquor would've been the top profit-maker, but the current imperial ban made it impossible.
But once this trade succeeded and they learned Dai Viet craved it, the ban would lift—conditionally, at least.
Just like in my previous life.
That's when my stockpiled brewmasters would shine.
Truth be told, what they craved most was imperial weapons, but that was absolutely off-limits.
Quality imperial arms in their hands could turn against us.
"Kwak Vice Officer."
"Yes."
"Send a letter to Mu Dong Merchant Group."
"Got it."
Mu Dong Merchant Group specialized in porcelain and had recently joined the Baekdae Merchant Alliance.
That's why I'd met their leader and deputy at the last gathering.
Conveniently, their main branch was in Jiangsu Province, home to Nanjing.
Perfect for sourcing porcelain and such—they were top priority for negotiations.
A few days later, a positive reply came from Mu Dong Merchant Group.
They suggested meeting in Nanjing.
Looking forward to seeing Deputy Cham Jin after so long.
I wonder how Cheonghae Merchant Group—no, Baekcheon Merchant Group—is faring with trade prep.
"Lately, Song Un, the deputy of Cheonghae Merchant Group, hasn't been seen much."
I stroked my chin at I Pil Warrior's report.
International trade was massive, full of variables—practitioners were crucial.
If he wasn't stepping up...
"Then who's handling the trade side?"
"Not sure, but it seems like someone from Baekcheon Merchant Group."
Already so blatant.
Baekcheon was clearly moving to fully swallow Cheonghae.
If this trade succeeded, Cheonghae's signboard might switch to Baekcheon.
Planting their own people early to learn the ropes.
But foreign trade wasn't easy; even pros needed all the learning they could get.
"It has to be done this way..."
"Doesn't look that hard to me. Gotta be exactly like this?"
"Of course."
"You trying to screw me over?"
"Absolutely not!"
"This seems inefficient. We should change it."
"Sure, it costs more and seems inefficient, but in the end, this saves money."
"Forget it. I'm in charge now, so we'll do it my way."
"..."
"If you want to keep your spot till then, quit the nonsense and just advise."
"That's what I'm doing."
"Feels more like nitpicking to me."
"Fine, handle it all yourself! But remember—if it goes wrong, it's not on me."
"Don't worry. Do I look that incompetent? If I were, the main branch leader wouldn't have entrusted me with this."
"..."
Ah...
I could picture it all too clearly.
But my imagination probably wasn't far from reality. I'd seen it plenty.
Newbies in charge get overeager, tweak everything.
Most times, it doesn't fit reality—big problems ensue.
Heads roll, naturally.
This would be no different.
Not my concern, though. They're Baekcheon now, not Cheonghae.
Having Jin Yu Warrior find the debt manager was revenge on Baekcheon, not aid to Cheonghae.
Merchant groups compete, after all.
Cheonghae just benefits incidentally.
Their plight was pitiful, sure.
Sigh, my soft heart.
Anyway, finding the debt manager was best, but if he was dead, alternatives existed.
One: Poach Cheonghae's experienced leader and veterans for our group.
Then snag Baekcheon's trade profits.
Their partners were Cheonghae's originally.
But best was finding the living debt manager.
It'd drag Baekcheon's reputation through the mud too.
.
.
.
Squawk! Squawk!
Hm, seagulls crying.
Feels like I was in Beijing moments ago and now Nanjing upon opening my eyes—just my imagination.
We'd arrived in Nanjing.
"So this... is the sea."
"It's vast."
Myeong Jong Warrior and Chang Un Warrior marveled at the ocean.
Most of my group did.
"First time seeing the sea?"
They nodded, eyes glued to it.
The empire was huge, after all.
Plenty from deep inland never saw it in their lives.
I'd been to Shandong once, but not the coast.
"The frog in the well never knows the sea's breadth—makes perfect sense now."
I chuckled.
"Let's head to the inn."
"Yes."
The palace offered lodging, but I politely declined.
It was official quarters in the Provincial Commander's office.
Nanjing was key, so they had one.
Fine facilities, but sharing with officials would be inconvenient.
We rented out a whole inn instead.
For the incoming ship crews, and for me.
To screw over Baekcheon, we needed few eyes and free access.
I wonder if Jin Yu Warrior found him.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The owl's eerie hoot echoed through the night.
Inside an abandoned roadside shrine deep in a dense forest, a man hid.
Damn it! That bastard Namgung Kang!
He clenched his fists, grinding his teeth.
His name was Mo Cheong.
Baekcheon Merchant Group's debt manager.
He still held the post—no resignation, no dismissal notice.
And he wasn't dead yet.
As debt manager, he recorded repayments from borrowers and collected from defaulters.
Honestly, he hated the job.
Collections were always scenes of wailing, tears, and violence.
He was human; it hurt to witness.
But survival demanded it.
One day, the leader summoned him.
"Today's the last day for Cheonghae Merchant Group's repayment, right?"
"Yes. They pay monthly without fail—model merchants."
"Too diligent for their own good."
"Pardon?"
"Anyway, go collect it yourself this time."
"Me personally?"
"It's the final one. Tell them they've worked hard all this time."
"Ah! Understood."
He found it odd even as he accepted.
Since when did Leader Namgung Kang care for debtors' efforts?
But assuming it sincere, he headed to Qingdao without suspicion.
Cheonghae's main branch was there in Shandong.
He collected the money, passed on the thanks, and on the return...
His guard whispered secretly.
"Be careful, sir."
"What suddenly?"
"The men with us now... they're dangerous."
He realized with a start.
Why Namgung Kang sent him.
To eliminate him en route with the cash.
Why?
After brief thought, he let out a hollow laugh.
He could guess the motive.
Come to think of it, he was jealous of those heading to trade under palace protection.
This dirty trick to forcibly seize Cheonghae.
If exposed, Baekcheon's reputation would tank.
Especially as a Murim Alliance affiliate prizing honor.
Leader Namgung Kang exposed? Alliance elders wouldn't stand for it.
His grace period would end early; dismissal certain.
Veterans knew the tensions between Alliance heavyweights and Namgung Kang.
Long tenure meant connections.
He had them too, hence his knowledge.
Paradoxically, that's why they targeted him.
If he leaked to the Alliance, Namgung Kang's position crumbled.
As expected, his escorts attacked for his life.
Thanks to his guard's sacrifice, he escaped.
But they pursued relentlessly.
Emergency funds and smoke bombs barely got him this far—now at his limit.
He knew self-defense arts, but third-rate level—couldn't shake pursuers.
Huangbo family... so far away.
His connection was the Huangbo Clan.
Same Shandong, but evading pursuit made it feel endless.
Ugh...
He winced at the pain in his side.
Blood from a sword wound fleeing earlier.
Gold wound salve's gone...
Then, murmurs and torchlight.
"Bloodstains here!"
"He can't be far!"
He prayed they'd miss him, but cruelly, no.
"There!"
Mo Cheong fled desperately, but darts rained down.
Thud!
Urk!
One hit; he tumbled down the slope. A sword at his throat.
"Why struggle? Just die already."
"Heh! You'll end up like me."
"Probably. But I wanna live a bit longer."
But then...
Whoosh!
Their torches snuffed out. Sudden darkness sowed chaos among the pursuers.
A voice whispered in Mo Cheong's ear.
"Come with me. Someone's looking for you."