This Is How You Handle False Rumors (2)
The next day.
A meeting was held at Eunwol Pavilion, and I attended as well.
"We've uncovered the source of this rumor."
Father said this as he slid a piece of paper across the table in front of him.
"It's a document from the Haomen."
As expected, he'd used the Haomen.
Since our own intelligence could potentially leak there too, we'd had to take extra precautions, but it was still the most reliable information network at our disposal.
Remembering the info they'd given us back when we tracked down Gong Mil's hideout made me sigh, though.
Jeok Branch Leader picked up the document and unfolded it.
"It's Sichuan Province."
"That's right."
"And the suspects are…"
Information brokers always deliver exactly what you've paid for—and no more. The Haomen was no different; they didn't provide exhaustive details.
This time was the same: just a list of a few merchant groups under suspicion.
Damn, what a ripoff.
All they do is take our money and deliver garbage.
I calmed my irritation and scanned the candidates. Then I let out a sigh.
I had a pretty good idea which one it was.
Dan Clan Merchant Group.
It had to be them.
Yeon Branch Leader, looking over the document with me, spoke up.
"It's this one—the Dan Clan Merchant Group."
"I think so too."
Everyone else seemed to agree.
"Looks like the Dan Clan is behind it after all."
I chuckled inwardly.
That greedy old fart would pull something like this.
Yeon Branch Leader continued.
"The question is, how did they slip through our surveillance net?"
The place in question was one of the merchant groups specializing in decorative dolls—and one we'd been keeping tabs on.
Yet their surveillance net had been breached?
That meant either something had gone wrong at our Eunhae branch in Sichuan Province, or the Dan Clan had moved with enough secrecy to evade our watch.
"Could they have another accomplice?"
Father nodded at Jeong Ho hyung's words.
"It's possible. Right now, we can't rule anything out… The immediate issue is how to counter these vicious rumors about the automaton dolls."
Everyone sighed at Father's words.
"It's a business we've already launched—one that'll bring steady profits long-term. It'd be a shame to shut it down now, wouldn't it?"
He glanced subtly in my direction.
He clearly had me in mind.
In truth, the reason the Eunhae Merchant Group had grown this far was our emphasis on trust as our core virtue.
Honestly, there was one thing we lacked at the Eunhae Merchant Group.
The ability to devise strategies.
To become a greater merchant group, we needed that knack for schemes.
Knowing this, when Jeong Ho hyung became branch leader, I'd volunteered for the role of strategist.
It suited my temperament perfectly.
And from our spot at the bottom of the Ten Thousand World's Top Hundred Merchant Groups, we'd begun our ascent.
I cared for these people at the Eunhae Merchant Group.
So for their sake—and the group's—I'd take on the strategizing again this time.
But that didn't mean betraying the trust we valued most.
Trust.
It was the virtue a merchant must uphold to the end, their lifeline.
I looked at Father and said,
"Father, may I offer a word?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"I have a good plan."
I explained the strategy I'd been mulling over. Father nodded, as did the others.
"Excellent."
"Not a bad countermeasure."
The others voiced their agreement with Father. Jeong Ho hyung looked impressed as he said,
"How do you come up with these moves every time?"
He went on.
"I heard you were the one who devised the 'replace fake with real to sow chaos' stratagem when the former pavilion master of Huayeon Pavilion tried to burn down Jaegyeong Pavilion."
"Hahaha."
I scratched behind my ear.
Getting praise always made it itch—must be an allergy.
Father called to me.
"Seo-ho."
"Yes, Father."
"To execute your plan, there's one prerequisite. Do you know what it is?"
"Yes, of course."
I continued.
"We need someone reliable to lead the operation."
"Especially since we can't rule out the possibility that someone at our Sichuan branch has been bought off. It has to be someone we can truly trust."
"Exactly."
"And they need to adapt quickly to changing circumstances."
At Father's words, Yoo Chief Steward sighed. Jeok Branch Leader chuckled at him, and Yeon Branch Leader smirked too.
"What can we do? His assistant's just too capable."
In other words…
"So, Seo-ho. Head to Sichuan."
As I'd expected, Father ordered me to go.
Sichuan Province was a natural fortress. To get there quickly, one had to brave the treacherous Long River Three Gorges by boat, cross the narrow and perilous Jian'ge Pass, or hack through the western jungles of the Sichuan Basin.
Going via Shaanxi Province was an option, but it took too long.
This matter needed swift action.
In short, it was going to be a grueling journey.
I'd take paperwork in Yoo Chief Steward's office all day over that, a hundred times.
Still, I had to go to Sichuan.
I'd planned to head there anyway, even without this.
If anything, this was convenient.
But my delayed response made the others think I was hesitating.
Go Outer Chief Steward spoke up.
"We could send Jin-ho young master, but… do you think he'd handle things with the savvy your plan requires?"
Jin-ho hyung was a good guy, but he couldn't tolerate injustice.
His strong sense of chivalry and justice was the problem.
"…As long as he doesn't draw his sword and cause a scene, we'd be lucky."
Go Outer Chief Steward knew hyung well—probably from being his swordmaster.
Father continued.
"The goal of this plan is to handle it as quietly as possible. That way, we avoid alarming the buyers."
Father had seen right to the heart of my strategy.
The ability to pierce to the essence of things.
That was Father's greatest strength.
Thanks to it, our merchant group had come this far.
"So go and take care of it."
Jeong Ho hyung chimed in.
"Truth be told, I'd like to go, but I'm swamped."
"…"
Fair enough—he was buried in new business ventures, no time to breathe.
The most trustworthy person.
Someone who could adapt on the fly.
With the right authority.
And the most free.
That described only me.
So I'd seen it coming.
"Besides, it's your plan—you know it best, right?"
Father nodded at Jeong Ho hyung's words.
"See it through."
"Yes, Father."
Sichuan Province.
The head of the Dan Clan Merchant Group was receiving a report in his office.
"Currently, the Eunhae Merchant Group can't sell their automaton dolls, so the losses are mounting."
"I imagine so."
"What a clever move, though."
The Dan Clan's counter to the Eunhae Merchant Group's automaton doll profits had been simple.
Make sure they didn't sell.
To that end, they'd spread vicious rumors about the dolls.
The automaton dolls were so exquisitely lifelike, they seemed almost human.
That's why the rumor of trapped souls rang true to people.
Feeling uneasy, they stayed away. Just as planned.
"This success is thanks to that guy."
"Indeed. He tipped us off that the Eunhae Merchant Group was watching us."
"And turned a blind eye to our actions. We should reward him handsomely."
"Do that. But make sure he doesn't get any of our real intel."
"Of course."
Once a traitor, always a traitor.
"The question now is how the Eunhae Merchant Group will respond."
"They'll shut down the business."
"Will they really abandon it after all that investment?"
"Rumors aren't so easily quashed. This one will cling to those dolls forever, and eventually, the authorities will investigate."
"Ah!"
"Do you think even the Eunhae head would keep it going knowing that?"
"True. But if they don't fold? Then what?"
"The investigation happens, and in the chaos, we'll get our hands on the core component blueprints."
"Ah!"
That core component manufacturing method had tripped them up while trying to replicate the dolls.
"With that, we can make something similar."
"Won't we end up covered in our own shit?"
"You'd think so, but just don't make them look human."
He grinned.
"People are simpler than you think. If it doesn't look the same, they assume it's different."
"Oh! Brilliant!"
The Dan Clan head and his deputy grinned.
A rainbow future shone brilliantly before them.
Clop, clop.
The steady rhythm of hoofbeats filled the air.
I was riding toward Sichuan Province.
The baggage wagon I needed—and the carriage I'd use there—was trailing behind.
Riding ahead wasn't because the carriage was uncomfortable.
It was to execute my plan and inspect the Eunhae branch in Sichuan.
If there was a Dan Clan mole there, my arrival would tip them off.
That could derail everything.
So I'd requested utmost secrecy for my trip.
Father had agreed.
And now I was pushing even further ahead.
"Aigoo, young master. When are we gonna take a break?"
I glanced back at Palgap's whine.
"What? Tired?"
"My butt's numb—feels like it's gonna fall off."
"You ride pretty well for someone complaining that much."
I chuckled.
A valet wasn't the same as a servant.
Valets served right at their master's side, so they had to master all sorts of skills.
Palgap might look like a bear, but he was the son of a senior manager at the Eunhae Merchant Group.
His grandfather had spotted his potential early and trained him as a valet, eventually assigning him to me.
So he could ride, knew some fist techniques, and even handled a sword decently.
One of the Silver Wind Squad warriors escorting me spoke up.
"As Palgap says, a short rest might be wise."
To prepare for emergencies, this squad's second unit was with me.
Two had been assigned as my guards: Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Yi Pil Warrior.
Yeo Eung-am seemed to draw guard duty for me often.
"Without proper rest, you'll be drained by the time you reach Sichuan."
Fair point…
Sichuan's hot, humid climate sapped your energy.
Hence the fiery, spicy cuisine—fight fire with fire.
"Alright, let's rest a bit."
"Yes."
We stopped under a nearby tree.
"Whoa, whoa."
I tied my horse up. In the meantime, Palgap had swiftly laid out a mat.
"Sit here, young master."
"Thanks."
"Dumplings?"
Now that he mentioned it, I was hungry. And who knew what awaited in Sichuan.
Better eat while we could.
"Let's eat."
"Yes."
I offered some to Yeo Eung-am and Yi Pil Warriors too.
As the four of us sat eating dumplings and sipping tea,
a sudden wave of disgust hit me.
Revulsion.
The same nausea I'd felt at the Jegal estate.
Meaning black道 practitioners were nearby.
I shot to my feet, hand on the hilt of my sword at my waist.
My two guards followed suit, hands on their swords.
"What's wrong?"
"Someone's nearby."
Yeo Eung-am closed his eyes briefly, then pointed.
"That way."
It was exactly where I'd sensed the presence.
"What now?"
The smart move was to leave fast.
No need to clash and spill blood.
I was about to.
"Help! Please spare me!"
If not for the child's cry.