Exam (3)
The next day.
I was preparing to depart from the branch office.
"You're leaving already?"
Lifting my head, I saw Jeong Ho hyung.
"Yeah."
"Sigh. It's only been a few days since you shouted about your freedom, and now you're off again?"
"I don't wanna go either. But what can I do? The Murim Alliance is telling me to."
Jeong Ho hyung clicked his tongue at my words.
"This is the problem with being too outstanding. No one leaves you alone."
I gave an awkward smile.
How does he always pick the exact words I want to hear?
"Don't worry. I'll behave myself and come back without causing any trouble."
Jeong Ho hyung snorted at that.
"I've decided not to believe you when you say you won't cause trouble anymore."
"Huh?"
"Trouble always follows you around. How can a mere human fight it off? That's what they call an act of God."
A face full of playful mischief.
"And if the people traveling with you get caught up in it, that's an act of God too, right?"
"Heh heh heh. Exactly."
I caught his meaning right away.
Jeong Ho hyung must have quite the grudge against the Murim Alliance too.
"Well, take care."
"Yeah."
And so, I left the Beijing branch with just Palgap and three escort warriors.
As I did, I recalled the Emperor's reply I'd received last night through Jin Yeong Daehyeop.
A single line.
To others, it might mean "You're mine, so don't even think about running away"—a warning. But to me, it carried a different meaning.
'You're my subject, so if you need anything to crush the Murim Alliance, I'll back you up.'
I chuckled, recalling the letter.
"Didn't you say you didn't want to go? So why are you grinning all of a sudden?"
"It's a long story."
I brushed it off vaguely, and Palgap tilted his head.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm perfectly fine."
"Ah, yes, sir."
Soon, we arrived at the Yuryeon Inn.
Martial artists who looked like they belonged to the Murim Alliance were packing their belongings, preparing to depart.
"Greetings, daehyeops. Is Squad Leader Won Eop inside?"
They nodded at my question.
"He is."
"Thank you for letting me know."
Like leader, like subordinates? They all seemed awfully arrogant too.
Even the young one who answered me spoke casually, despite looking barely older than me.
Shouldn't you at least be polite to a stranger, regardless of age?
Still...
For such an important mission, they all look awfully young.
Why is that?
Harboring that doubt, I headed inside.
"Oh! You've arrived."
The squad leader, Won Eop, still speaking casually.
"I hope you had a peaceful night."
"Of course. Haha. A most satisfying night."
I glanced at the serving boy who was watching us.
He nodded vigorously with a pleased expression.
Just as expected. He squeezed every bit of info out of them.
"Are you setting off now?"
"That's the plan."
I asked carefully.
"If I may ask, how many long-distance missions have you and your squad undertaken?"
"Ah, this is our third."
"..."
Only their third time... Rookies.
In merchant groups or escort agencies, anyone with fewer than ten long-distance runs is considered green.
Because they lack experience handling emergencies.
Did the Alliance Lord assign this to me as a test—and also to clean up after these idiots?
Sigh... The Murim Alliance is the Murim Alliance, alright.
Normally, a mission comes with fitting compensation.
But...
This task is necessary for the peace of the murim world and will raise your name. I hope you won't refuse.
From the letter, the Alliance Lord's "reward" was murim peace and fame.
I'm a merchant. Merchants move for money.
That's why it grated even more.
But what choice did I have? With my and the Eunhae Merchant Group's safety on the line, I had to go.
But who am I?
Eun Seo-ho, who picks up coins even in a swamp.
"Both you and your squad have plenty of experience with this. It's not that hard anyway."
"Of course. So, can I just follow behind you daehyeops? It's our first imperial order from the Alliance Lord, so we're not sure how to proceed."
"No worries. We'll protect you. Hahaha!"
I clasped my hands in thanks, subtly suppressing my rising smirk with my sleeve.
Being dragged along on the Alliance Lord's orders was annoying enough. No need for us to play the fool and sacrifice ourselves.
So we decided to leech off them.
.
.
.
.
Clop, clop.
The horses' hooves rang out cheerfully.
I observed the group ahead.
Ten in total, including Squad Leader Won Eop.
I'd heard the other half was with the vice squad leader back at the Alliance.
They were from the Murim Alliance's Yong-a Corps, Squad 6.
Sending only half a squad suggested the Alliance Lord didn't see this as too tough.
But thanks to Seo Hyang's advice, I knew better.
This wouldn't be easy.
The Alliance Lord probably didn't realize that either.
If he did, he'd have sent the full squad—or more.
But why was fetching a golden Buddha statue a test for me?
I'd gotten advice from Seo Hyang, but nothing was certain yet.
Just stay calm and adapt.
We traveled for several days like that, and tonight we were camping.
"We'll handle our own camp setup and dinner. We can't impose on the other daehyeops."
Camping was tiring enough without staying in their sloppy setup and accumulating more fatigue.
Squad Leader Won readily agreed.
Good.
We quickly set up camp and waited for Palgap to finish dinner.
Watching them fumble with theirs made me snort.
Just as expected—amateurish.
Some hadn't even started a fire yet.
It varies by situation, but the most crucial part of camping is fire.
Fire keeps you warm, scares off beasts, and lets you cook.
So lighting one is basic training.
"Shouldn't we help?"
I shook my head at Seo-u Warrior's question.
"If we jump in first, they'll see us as pushovers."
"True. Their attitude so far suggests they'd take advantage."
"Yeah. Normally, you'd expect gratitude. But they're not normal."
I continued.
"They're still naive about the world. Raised thinking the world owes them."
"They do give off that vibe."
Traveling with them, I'd figured out their makeup.
A squad of kids from murim families friendly to the Alliance.
An easy but vital mission to boost their standing.
Yeo Eung-am Warrior said,
"And yet they managed two long trips before."
"Probably stuck to inns."
"So we won't lift a finger until they beg."
"Understood."
Soon, Palgap's porridge was ready.
As we ate, someone approached.
"Ahem. Give me a bowl too."
Squad Leader Won.
Stomach growling, and here we were eating something delicious. Couldn't resist, just as I predicted.
"Ah, sorry. We made exactly enough—no extras."
His face fell in dismay.
"Want some of ours?"
"N-no thanks! You think I'm a beggar?"
"Of course not. Beggars couldn't handle this anyway."
He grumbled.
"Isn't this too much? If you're making food, shouldn't you have asked us first?"
"We did."
"When?"
"Earlier. We said we'd handle our own camp and dinner. What did you say? 'Go ahead,' right? If you wanted to join, you should've said so then. Isn't that right?"
Won seemed speechless.
Then, as if struck by a thought,
"Come to think of it, this isn't your first camp."
"No, it isn't."
"Then why lie?"
"When did we lie?"
"You said it was your first..."
"We said it was our first imperial order. Not our first camp."
"..."
At a loss, he snapped.
"Fine! Do whatever from now on! We won't protect you!"
"So, separate actions?"
I smiled and asked.
"You sure?"
"About what?"
"The Alliance Lord said to 'move together.'"
"We'll travel together, but no interfering in each other's business!"
"Fine. No helping each other?"
"We decline! We won't help you either!"
"Got it. Can't argue with that."
"Eek!"
Unable to contain his anger, he stormed off.
Tsk. So petty.
Squad Leader Won started berating his squad.
"You okay with this?"
Seo-u Warrior looked worried.
Probably fretting over what mischief they'd pull next.
"We're good."
I grinned and sent a sound transmission to Jin Yu Warrior.
Jin Yu Warrior snorted at my transmission.
"I've been waiting for this."
He slipped into the woods and returned, placing a herb root before me.
Sichuan Tang Clan stock, alright.
Fetching exactly what I wanted, so easily.
—Goldling.
—Kkwi!
—Wanna toss this in their pot?
—Kkwi!
Goldling swiftly scattered the herb evenly into their pot.
So fast, they wouldn't notice.
As expected, they started eating, oblivious to the herb.
"Whoa! I made it, but it's amazing!"
"Wooow!"
"Damn, it's good!"
They shoveled it down, raving about the taste. Jin Yu Warrior and I watched with eager anticipation.
Yeah, enjoy it. Heh heh heh.
They'd be screaming for mercy soon.
The herb I'd asked for acts as a painkiller raw or on skin.
But heat turns it toxic.
Not lethal or disfiguring—just extreme stomach pain.
Some might call inducing agony in allies while camping insane.
But I'm sane.
We're secure on our own.
And the antidote's simple: Eat the herb raw.
Fun herb.
Cooked, it amps up flavor like magic—for a bit.
Then hell.
I explained the situation via sound transmission to the others, minus Jin Yu Warrior.
—Do I seem like too much of a villain?
They all shook their heads.
—Feels good.
—Kuh! Awesome!
My crew had some pent-up feelings too.
.
.
.
About half an hour after they finished eating.
"Ugh..."
"Ughhh... My, my stomach..."
It began.
Squad Leader Won Eop and his men clutched their guts, groaning.
Cold sweat poured off them—they looked like they were dying.
But we just watched with pitying expressions.
Won staggered over.
"Wh-what are you doing just staring? Call a doctor!"
Tsk tsk. Forgot your own words already?
I kept up the sympathetic face.
"I'd love to help, but after what you said, I can't interfere."
"What?"
"You said no meddling. No helping each other."
"Th-that was..."
"How could I defy a daehyeop's solemn command?"
He stammered through the pain.
"Th-the situation's different!"
"You didn't say anything about changing situations voiding it. I can't defy your order."
"..."
I sighed.
"Besides, you really hurt our feelings. Did we not want to make food for you daehyeops?"
Well, we didn't.
"We acted that way because of what you said first, and now you're lashing out... Sigh."
He agonized, then apologized.
That much pain.
"S-sorry... Didn't mean to misunderstand..."
"Apology accepted."
Felt a bit better, but not done.
"Please... help us."
"Let me take your pulse."
I grabbed Won Eop's wrist and pretended to diagnose.
"Our group deals in herbs, so I have a guess. Symptoms match something you ate."
"S-save us!"
I shook my head.
"You'll be fine. Hurts too much to move now, but no threat to life."
"Really?"
"Yes. It'll last about five days, then you're good. You daehyeops of the great Murim Alliance can endure that, right?"
"F-five days?"
"Yes."
"H-how?!"
He wailed in agony, and I grinned.
"Of course, there's an antidote."