Never Let Your Guard Down (1)
I stood atop the ship's masthead.
"We'll reach Nanjing soon," came a voice from behind me.
Turning, I saw it was Song Juk, the navigator.
"I see."
Once the ship docked in Nanjing, we'd load the liquor shipped from Beijing and set sail for Daewol Kingdom.
Just then, a soft voice drifted from beside me—Lady Seo-hyang.
"Oh, is that a seagull?"
She was gazing at a white bird far off in the distance.
Come to think of it, she'd probably never seen one before.
"Yes, it is."
Song Juk replied.
"Seagulls signal that land is near. For sailors like us, they're a good omen. Ah, of course, we're just sailing down the river now, so it doesn't quite apply."
"Still, it means the sea's close by—a good sign nonetheless."
"Hahaha. Indeed."
She watched the seagull with a look of pure delight.
This trip wasn't particularly dangerous or rushed, so I'd brought Lady Seo-hyang along. She was my deputy anyway, and she'd have to head to Beijing eventually.
"Life on a ship must be inconvenient for you, my lady. Is everything all right?"
"Everyone's been so considerate—I'm quite comfortable."
"I'm glad to hear it. But if anything bothers you, please tell me anytime."
An hour later.
We finally arrived in Nanjing.
We disembarked, and I immediately arranged for an inn.
It was so the weary crew could rest easy after the long voyage.
Luckily, I managed to rent out an entire inn near the harbor.
I compensated the few existing guests double, and they thanked me profusely before happily moving to another place.
Everyone except those guarding the ship headed to the inn to rest. Jeong Ho hyung and I then made for the Nanjing Provincial Military Command Office.
That was the official gathering spot for everyone involved in this trade expedition.
"Eun Jeong-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
The guards lowered their crossed spears upon hearing our names.
"Our apologies. You may enter."
Jeong Ho hyung and I stepped inside and headed to the same assembly area from the last trade run.
Familiar faces greeted us there.
"Good to see you."
"Likewise. Song So-danju."
"You look well—must've been doing great."
"All thanks to you, Eun So-danju. Hahaha."
The warm greeter was Song Un, vice leader of the Changhae Merchant Group.
Last time, he'd nearly lost his group to Baekcheon Merchant Group's schemes, but my help had saved it.
Ever since, he'd been extremely friendly toward me.
"I saw your ship at the docks, so I knew you'd arrived. When did you get here?"
"About three days ago."
"Early, huh."
"We had cargo to load here."
"Ah, got it."
I turned and exchanged greetings with Ji Seok-mun, vice leader of the Baekbuik Merchant Group.
"It's been a while."
"How are you so busy even without trade runs?"
"Pardon?"
"I heard you've been making waves in Beijing. Solved that poetry contest critic murder, right?"
"Word spread that far?"
"Of course. Even heard that picky Yuk Sik-gong named you his successor. Congratulations."
"Haha, thank you."
I scratched the back of my neck with a grin.
As expected from the Baekbuik group, with their imperial ties.
They were the largest traders with Mara Sea Kingdom, so the empire used them for envoys there too.
That's how Princess Sina of Mara Sea Kingdom had come to the empire—on one of their ships.
Now she was Seon-il hyung's wife.
During the first trade, they'd delivered her marriage news and letter to Mara Sea Kingdom.
The king had formally approved it.
Truth be told, there were plenty of secrets the others didn't know—most of it couldn't be discussed openly anyway.
"Busy as you are, your complexion's excellent."
"Is it? All thanks to His Majesty's grace."
Are you watching, Your Majesty?
See how loyal I am.
Merchant groups trickled in by twos and threes, and soon enough, everyone arrived on schedule.
.
.
.
Night fell.
I lay on my bed.
Nothing beat slipping under the covers for sleep.
Soon, we'd just load the goods from Beijing and set sail.
Then I sensed urgent footsteps approaching.
Seo-u Warrior's voice followed.
"My lord, Deputy Gwak requests an audience."
"Hm? At this hour?"
I rose from bed, slipping on the outer robe hanging nearby.
"Come in."
Lady Seo-hyang entered.
She was usually impeccably groomed.
But her hair was down, and she'd hastily thrown an outer garment over her thin sleeping robe—clearly something urgent.
"What is it?"
"We need to move now. Landslide."
"A landslide? Suddenly? This is a port."
"Not here. The group bringing the liquor here—we have to reroute them."
"When?"
"...In the future I foresaw, they're three days out."
Three days?
"Yes. They leave Okmyeong Inn and hit Myodun Mountain right away. Rain starts, and on the fifth day... landslide."
I mulled it over.
Three days from here.
Rain starts, fifth day...
Then it hit.
Plip-plop.
Whoosh!
Rain poured down. So... we had barely a day.
Now I understood why Lady Seo-hyang had rushed here like this.
I immediately called for Palgap.
"Palgap!"
"Yes! You called, young master?"
"Tell Jeong Ho hyung right now that I'm heading out and will return. Say I'm going to meet the group from Beijing."
"Got it."
"And Seo-u Warrior."
"Your orders, my lord."
"Relay to the others: we depart in half an hour."
"Understood."
"Cheong-un Warrior stays to guard Lady Seo-hyang."
"As you command."
"Myeong-jong Warrior oversees the entire inn. Move out now."
The guards dispersed swiftly. I clasped my hands toward Lady Seo-hyang.
"Thank you for the warning. Without you, we'd have suffered massive losses."
We'd nearly ruined months—no, years—of preparation in one go.
A sudden thought struck me.
What if I hadn't saved her?
"Phew..."
She swayed, and I caught her.
"Are you all right?"
"Ah, yes. Sorry. Telling you released all the tension."
I chuckled.
"Am I that reliable?"
"Yes."
It was a light joke, but her sharp reply flustered me.
"Ahem, I'm not that dependable."
"No, to me, you're the most trustworthy."
Embarrassed, I ducked my head—and felt my face heat up.
She wore only a thin sleeping robe inside, and supporting her had disheveled it.
"It's late. Leave the rest to me and get some rest. I'll see you to your room."
Hers was right next door.
I opened the door and ushered her in.
Hm...
I had to say this.
"I'm truly glad you're alive—and by my side."
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
"Come back safe."
"I will."
I closed the door and told Cheong-un Warrior,
"Guard Lady Seo-hyang."
"With my life."
His expression was deadly serious.
I donned lighter traveling clothes. My usual garb would hinder me before a landslide.
Half an hour later.
We rode through the rain on swift river horses.
Soon, we reached Okmyeong Inn.
Exactly three days from Nanjing.
Shorter as the crow flies, but the actual path was longer.
A sizable mountain lay between.
Myodun Mountain.
Named for its rabbit-haunch shape.
Late fourth month now.
Winter's chill had fully thawed, weakening the soil.
Sudden downpours like this could trigger slides.
Probably what was happening.
"Whoa, whoa!"
We halted the horses. An inn boy came out to greet us.
"Welcome! How many?"
"Six."
Myeong-jong and Cheong-un were at the inn.
"Staying over?"
"Yes."
"Come on in."
Okmyeong was a sizable inn—likely why the imperial group chose it.
We paired up two per room.
I unpacked in my room and unfurled the Hyeon-ro-do.
"To the Nanjing Provincial Military Command Office."
It traced the route.
The Hyeon-ro-do showed safe paths, not the fastest.
And now, it deviated from the original, suggesting a detour.
The usual route under Myodun Mountain was dangerous.
"..."
Just as Lady Seo-hyang said.
I hadn't pulled it out doubting her.
If I didn't trust her, I wouldn't have braved the night rain to come here.
This was double-checking—and finding the precise detour.
Now, just wait for them?
That evening.
A group arrived at Okmyeong Inn.
The ones I'd been waiting for.
I watched them book rooms, then stepped out at the right moment.
"No way! So-danju!"
Yechang's deputy spotted me first.
"I thought we'd meet in Nanjing. What brings you here?"
The others looked baffled too.
"I came to greet you all."
"Us?"
"Yes."
I turned to the officials in back.
I recognized the Ministry of Rites' Assistant Director from last trade—a Gatsa Oirang.
More conscripted hands this time.
I approached him directly—he was the top authority here.
"Welcome, sir. You must be tired from the journey."
"Hoho, not too bad. But weren't you already in Nanjing by ship from Hubei?"
"Yes, that's right."
I nodded firmly and continued.
"I'm here for your safety, sir, and everyone else's."
"Safety?"
I racked my brain on how to explain the landslide.
Saying 'A fairy appeared in my dream warning of it' wasn't wise.
Needed something objective, reasonable.
"Truth is, arriving early in Nanjing, I wandered the entertainment district and ended up at the market. Overheard some herbalists talking."
"Herbalists?"
"Yes. They live in the mountains, so they're experts on terrain and weather. They mentioned Myodun Mountain could be risky."
I pressed on.
"Out of caution, I asked for details. They said heavy rain could cause a landslide there—and it's your route."
"So you came all this way in this rain?"
"Yes."
I bowed deeply.
"I'm a timid merchant; I can't ignore even a sliver of unease. Even if it's longer, I earnestly ask you to detour around that mountain."
The Gatsa Oirang placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Chin up. We'll take the detour, as you suggest."
"Really?"
"How could I ignore your sincerity, rushing here for us?"
He added,
"Besides, this group has Eunhae folks and their goods. I trust a merchant's instincts."
I smirked inwardly.
Sharp fellow.
No wonder the emperor picked him.
I bowed deeply again.
"Thank you."
With the detour decided, we discussed the route.
Had to consult the escort agency's leader, hired by the palace.
He agreed readily.
"This season sees landslides often. Better avoid if we know."
"How about this detour?"
I showed the Hyeon-ro-do path; he nodded.
"Perfect."
Next day, we left Okmyeong Inn.
Detours took extra time, naturally.
Griping voices rose from behind.
"Sigh, Myodun's never slid before."
"Unnecessary worry, and we're the ones suffering."
Seo-u Warrior glanced at me cautiously.
"All good?"
"Yes. Don't mind them. Every venture has a complainer or two."
Half a day in, during a break.
This damn rain wouldn't stop.
Rumble-rumble-rumble.
Something shook the ground.
Horses panicked; we calmed them quick.
Someone pointed, shouting,
"Th-there...!"
We looked. A chill ran down my spine.
Far off, a landslide in motion.
I exhaled in relief.
Without Lady Seo-hyang, that would've been us.