Departure (7)
I quickly helped him to his feet and said,
"Please take back that oath. The place where Captain Yong should offer his soul and valor isn't with me."
"Then to whom should I offer it?"
"Offer it to yourself."
"Pardon?"
"I'm just a lowly merchant using Captain Yong for my own business, after all."
I continued,
"The one who cherishes and looks after Captain Yong more than anyone else is Captain Yong himself."
His eyes brimmed with emotion.
Whoa, eyes like that are seriously burdensome.
"Kuhum! Truly, you are the Seonhyeopmirang incarnate."
Cough!
Why is that title popping up here of all places?
I barely managed to calm him down and send him off before collapsing into my chair.
"Ah, that was exhausting."
Just then, the door opened, and Palgap entered, asking,
"What was up with Captain Yong? His eyes were all red like he was about to burst into tears."
"Ah..."
I let out a sigh and said,
"That? He just misunderstood everything on his own."
"...?"
Palgap's gaze turned suspicious, so I had no choice but to explain the whole story.
"...So he's all moved like that. I was just looking out for my own interests, but I have no idea why he's reacting this way."
"I'd be moved too."
"Huh?"
"Oh, right—First Branch Leader Jeong Ho just asked if you'd like to have some tea."
Did he just change the subject?
Still, if Brother Jeong Ho was waiting, I should hurry over.
The next day.
We were bustling about from the crack of dawn.
With departure imminent, there were countless things to check.
From inspecting the ship's condition to ensuring we had all the repair materials on board.
Whether the trade goods, provisions, and fresh water for the voyage were sufficient, and so on.
It took nearly two hours to verify everything, and we finally finished preparations.
Six officials from the Ministry of Rites had been assigned for this trade voyage.
Among them, the Assistant Director of the Bureau of Receptions from the Ministry of Rites led a ritual.
A prayer for the safe completion of this trade mission.
After reading the prayer text aloud, he burned the paper and let it float skyward.
As it rose high, the onlookers cheered.
"That's a good omen!"
"A sign this trade will succeed!"
One official was to board each merchant group's ship, and it seemed the Assistant Director was assigned to ours.
In the meantime, Brother Jeong Ho had gathered Captain Yong Eung-wan and the rest of our Eunhae Merchant Group members, saying,
"You all are the ones opening the door to our Eunhae Merchant Group's first historic trade with a foreign land. I don't expect massive gains, but I do hope you avoid any major losses."
Tension rippled across everyone's faces at his words.
"Among everything invested in this trade, what do you think holds the most value? The ship? The cargo? No. The most valuable asset is you all."
Brother Jeong Ho grinned.
"Losing you would be the real loss. So please, come back safe and sound."
Those words captured the true spirit of our Eunhae Merchant Group.
Moved expressions spread among the group, and Captain Yong Eung-wan shouted,
"We shall obey!"
Soon, everyone boarded, and preparations for departure were complete.
Bwooooooo—!
The horn blared across the harbor.
Dong-dong-dong-dong!
To the beat of drums, the ship began to move, slicing through the waves.
At last, we were underway.
Thinking of the profits our Eunhae Merchant Group would reap from this trade lifted my spirits.
And with Branch Leader Song Un joining this voyage, I could relax a bit.
But I couldn't let my guard down until the end.
That was the nature of foreign trade—anything could happen at any moment.
At the harbor, watching the departure, the Governor-General said to his adjutant,
"I should head to the Murim Alliance now. Tell the Deputy Governor-General to bolster defenses here thoroughly."
"Understood."
Indeed, if the Shandong Ak Clan said they'd do it, they'd follow through.
Still, it nagged at me that Namgung Kang of the Baekcheon Merchant Group hadn't made a peep, even though he'd surely heard about this.
He'd be scrambling to weasel out of it somehow.
This silence meant he was plotting something.
I wonder what he'll try...
Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind.
Honestly, the Murim Alliance had done plenty of things that would draw public outrage if exposed.
Yet it still enjoyed a reputation for righteousness because those deeds stayed hidden.
The Baekcheon Merchant Group was a subsidiary of that very Murim Alliance. Namgung Kang was likely thinking along the same lines.
So, how would he try to cover this up?
Then it hit me.
No way...
I spun around urgently and called out to the Governor-General.
"My lord."
"What is it?"
"I heard you're heading to the Murim Alliance tomorrow—is that right?"
"No, I'm leaving right now. This matter can't wait."
"Ah! In that case, forgive me, but may I accompany you?"
I pressed on,
"I have urgent business in Luoyang, but the roads are treacherous. I'd like to request your protection."
The Governor-General nodded readily to my plea.
"That's no trouble. Join us."
"Thank you! Truly, thank you."
"I'll depart in one hour, so come to the Governor-General's office by then."
"Yes, sir."
I moved quickly.
While Palgap and the guards prepared to leave, I explained the situation to Brother Jeong Ho.
"Brother, something urgent came up in Luoyang. I have to go now."
"Now?"
"Yeah. I wanted to spend more time with you, but no choice. You're heading to Beijing, right?"
"Yes, I need to oversee the silk delivery to the palace."
"Go with the other merchants here—it'll be safer."
The route between Beijing and Nanjing had major highways anyway, making it straightforward.
"I'll cover the inn costs. I'll pay for five extra days, just in case."
"No need. You can stay in the Governor-General's office building as planned and leave with them."
"Do whatever's easiest for you. Oh, and one favor..."
I asked Brother Jeong Ho to protect Mo Cheong the accountant, who was staying at the inn.
After wrapping up with him, I headed straight to the Governor-General's office.
The Governor-General was already ready to go.
His decisiveness was impressive, as expected.
"You're here."
His adjutant, who would escort him, greeted me.
"Yes, thank you for having me."
And so, we set off for Luoyang.
The Governor-General rode horseback too—of course I couldn't take a carriage.
Our entire group galloped on horses.
As we rode, I sent a sound transmission to everyone.
- Everyone, stay alert for ambushes.
All eyes turned to me, and I calmly explained.
- Namgung Kang of the Baekcheon Merchant Group may resort to silencing the Governor-General to seal his lips.
Jin Yu Warrior chimed in.
- High likelihood. That's their style...
- At any rate, be cautious.
Everyone nodded at my transmission.
Inside the tent.
It was the third night since departing for the Murim Alliance.
Ak Yeong-gyeong, the Governor-General of Nanjing and a military man through and through, was spending the night in his tent.
He examined the ledgers from Mo Cheong the accountant and his last will in his hands.
To think these have fallen into my possession...
Though the Shandong Ak Clan belonged to the Murim Alliance, the Alliance wasn't their top priority.
With their deep history in the military, the imperial family came first.
And Ak Yeong-gyeong was a high-ranking first-grade official.
He was well aware of the Emperor's concerns about the Murim Alliance.
He'd even had a candid discussion with the Emperor about it once.
"What are your thoughts on the Murim Alliance?"
"I cannot presume to know why Your Majesty asks me this."
"First, answer me this: Do you pledge loyalty to me or to the Murim Alliance?"
"Your Majesty! If this humble subject has erred, punish me!"
"Calm down—it's not that."
"..."
"So, your answer?"
"Naturally, I pledge my full loyalty to Your Imperial Majesty alone."
"Even though your clan belongs to the Murim Alliance?"
"Our clan remains in the Alliance because we find it useful."
"Is that so? Lately, the Murim Alliance has been grating on my nerves."
"Pardon? In what way..."
"They keep encroaching on my domain. I'd like them to know their place."
Ak Yeong-gyeong resented the Murim Alliance for daring to disturb the Emperor's peace.
He'd been seeking a chance to give them a stern warning himself, and now an unexpected opportunity had arisen.
It was also a chance to demonstrate his loyalty to the Emperor.
He tucked the documents into his bosom.
I just hope they don't make a foolish choice...
Though devoted to the military, as a member of a Murim Alliance clan, he'd heard the rumors.
Murim Alliance affiliates vanishing without a trace or dying suddenly.
Groundless whispers, but close enough to the truth.
His position as a first-grade Governor-General wasn't won by gambling, after all.
And the Baekcheon Merchant Group was a Murim Alliance subsidiary—they might resort to similar tactics.
That's why he'd pitched his tent in an isolated spot, without even posting guards.
To avoid unnecessary casualties.
Any attack would target him anyway.
Then—
Whoosh!
The candle in the tent snuffed out.
"...!"
Killing intent soon followed.
He sprang up, grabbing his spear.
They've made their foolish choice after all!
Biting his lip, he swung the spear.
Clang—!
But in the cramped tent, wielding the spear properly was awkward.
Slash—!
Ak Yeong-gyeong sliced through the tent and burst outside, swinging at the assailants charging him.
But he couldn't help furrowing his brow.
They're dead set on silencing me.
There weren't just one or two intruders, and their skills were no joke.
His spear danced fiercely through the air. Ak Yeong-gyeong was a battle-hardened veteran of countless fields.
Yet the fight dragged on without resolution.
As the fierce clash wore him down, fatigue set in.
I miscalculated.
He swung with all his might, but inevitably exposed a momentary gap.
I won't go down easy!
Gripping his spear tight, he resolved to take at least one with him, injury be damned.
But—
Clang—!
The sword exploiting his gap was deflected.
And there stood someone's back.
Who... Ah!
The foe wore a mask, but he recognized him instantly.
"Are you all right?"
"Ah, yes."
"We'll handle them from here."
With that, several figures emerged.
They too wore black garb and masks.
It was obvious who they were, but he didn't voice it.
They had their reasons.
And they began engaging the assassins in earnest.
Amid the chaos, one caught Ak Yeong-gyeong's eye.
A fighter overwhelming the assassins with superior skill, using a familiar martial art.
That technique...
Anyone in the military would recognize it: palace martial arts.
I glanced back at the Governor-General.
As expected, he recognized my martial arts.
I was using palace techniques against the enemies. There was a reason for it.
First, to show I wasn't his foe.
Also, to conceal my identity from the attackers.
That's why we'd all donned black clothes and masks—just in case one escaped.
Thud—!
Thwack!
Whew... I let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, we subdued them all without letting a single one slip away.
I turned and approached the Governor-General.
"You..."
He said to me,
"So there was a reason you asked to accompany me. You anticipated this?"
"Yes. They're rather petty like that."
"More importantly... That technique you just used—was it palace martial arts?"
"It was."
"Just who are you?"
"I'm merely a merchant who lives by the Emperor's grace."
After a moment's thought, he said,
"Come to think of it, you hosted that banquet where the Cheonghae Merchant Group's injustice was revealed. Was this whole thing your doing?"
I had to answer carefully here.
People hate feeling like pawns in someone else's scheme.
Especially a first-grade high official.
I smiled softly.
"The Emperor's wisdom is beyond what ordinary folk like me can fathom."
"Then you must be someone sent by the Emperor."
"His Majesty has great expectations for you, my lord. You're not someone meant to perish pointlessly here."
"I see! His Majesty the Emperor..."
The Governor-General bowed toward the palace and cried out,
"Your imperial grace overwhelms me! Your Majesty!"
Good thing my roundabout words landed.
His Majesty would understand this much.