Catch the Rat (7)
The matter with the Dan Merchant Group wrapped up better than expected.
In exchange for keeping the incident out of the public eye, they agreed to pay an enormous sum in compensation.
They ground their teeth while stamping the contract, but what could they do?
The justification was on our side, and the fault was theirs.
They'd scraped together spare funds to buy salt, only to suffer massive losses due to the newly enacted salt distribution laws.
And now this compensation on top.
They wouldn't go bankrupt immediately, but scraping by would be their limit for the foreseeable future.
The root of it all was the baseless rumors about the Ja-mu Puppet.
Because of that, they got caught planting a rat in the Eunhae Merchant Group's Sichuan Branch, and that's how things escalated.
They never should have messed with the Ja-mu Puppet.
If they thought they could touch my golden goose and get away unscathed, they were dead wrong.
I always repay favors.
And I always settle grudges.
This time, Elder Sister Hyang-ok stepped up herself, swinging her sword to deal with Young-po the foreman and the Dan Merchant Group.
Word of her exploits spread like wildfire through the branch, thanks to those who witnessed it.
Seeing her take the lead against our threats fired up the loyalty of not just the branch's warriors, but the staff as well.
The fact that the merchant lord's daughter—a girl not even sixteen—had charged into battle against those threatening the group lit a fire in them.
That was exactly what I'd intended.
People are swayed by what they see. Sometimes, you have to put on a show like this.
That's why I'd brought Elder Sister Hyang-ok along.
* * *
Eun Myeong-sang gazed out at the garden from his office.
It was nearly the end of the fifth lunar month.
Which meant the heat was coming.
'Will it rain a lot this year too?'
He'd always been in a glum mood, but lately, something different stirred in him.
He didn't know what emotion it was, but he knew the reason.
His eldest brother's youngest son—his own nephew—Eun Seo-ho.
It was all thanks to that boy.
When Eun Seo-ho first arrived at the Sichuan Branch, he'd thought the kid was just there to gain experience, so he'd resolved to guide him well.
Hearing that the Sacheon Tang Clan was looking for him had worried him at first—what could it be about?
But over the past month, he'd gotten a clear look at Eun Seo-ho's capabilities.
He'd turned the baseless Ja-mu Puppet rumors to the Eunhae Merchant Group's advantage.
Used them to bait the Dan Merchant Group, and in turn, tarnished their reputation.
The spy they'd planted started doubting the Dan group themselves, which he exploited to make them buy up salt.
Meanwhile, he distributed salt for free to boost our reputation and fully integrated the somewhat isolated Sichuan Branch into the region.
The Dan Merchant Group, hammered by salt losses, admitted to planting the spy—thanks to the trap Eun Seo-ho had set.
They had to cough up massive compensation.
Young-po the foreman, who'd played the spy, surrendered everything he had and was handed over to the authorities.
He'd face harsh punishment, no doubt.
All this in less than a month. Under Eun Seo-ho's lead.
The favor to the Sacheon Tang Clan paled in comparison to what he'd done here.
Even to his own eyes, the boy had handled it ruthlessly.
It reminded him of the Sacheon Tang Clan's reputation for vicious revenge.
'What kind of kid has a heart that cold... coming from my honest, mild-mannered brother?'
He shook his head.
The boy had cunning that saw two, no, three steps ahead, drive, and that ruthless streak.
But his thinking was straight as an arrow, which made him all the more likable.
Having a kid like that in the Eunhae Merchant Group felt like a rock-solid foundation.
He almost pitied the other merchant groups.
Especially the Dan Merchant Group that had stirred this up.
'Why'd they have to poke the bear? If they'd stayed quiet, they could've at least kept what little they had left.'
He chuckled to himself.
Eun Seo-ho was the Eunhae Merchant Group's wings.
With those wings, they'd surely soar higher.
Suddenly, the title "Greatest Merchant Group Under Heaven" flashed in his mind.
Eun Myeong-sang let out a hearty laugh.
"No way... even I wouldn't aim that high..."
He'd be content with a spot among the top ten merchant groups under heaven.
But somehow, the top spot didn't seem impossible anymore.
Just then, footsteps approached from outside, followed by his guard's voice.
"Branch Head, Young Master Eun Seo-ho is here."
"Ah! Send him in."
The door opened, and a handsome young man entered.
His nephew, Eun Seo-ho.
"You're here. Sit."
"Yes."
Eun Seo-ho sat at the table he indicated, and Eun Myeong-sang took the seat opposite.
He personally brewed the tea and poured a cup.
"Drink."
"Thank you. I'll partake."
After sipping the tea, Eun Seo-ho spoke.
"Uncle, we're thinking of heading home tomorrow morning."
"Already?"
"It's been a month. Everything's wrapped up here, and Father must be curious about how things went."
"True enough."
Eun Myeong-sang felt a pang of regret. But it was time to let him go.
"Understood. I'll keep that in mind. When do you plan to visit the Sacheon Tang Clan?"
The Sacheon Tang Clan had quietly contacted the Eunhae Sichuan Branch.
Once he learned they wanted to repay Eun Seo-ho's favor, he'd relayed the message and asked for their understanding—too busy to visit just yet.
Eun Seo-ho's response was completely unexpected.
"I have no plans to go to the Sacheon Tang Clan."
"What? You're not going? Why not?"
"If I go, it might look like I saved their kid expecting something in return. I hate that."
"But..."
"And even if I don't go, they won't harass the Sichuan Branch after receiving that favor, right?"
"True. If anything, they'd help our operations..."
Eun Myeong-sang paused, startled.
"Don't tell me you're aiming for that?"
"No, not at all. Besides, I'm swamped. Mountains of work back home—I can't spare more time."
"Alright, if that's your will, I understand."
Clink.
Eun Myeong-sang set down his teacup and said,
"Thank you."
"...Pardon?"
Caught off guard by the sudden words, Eun Seo-ho tilted his head, and Eun Myeong-sang smiled.
"For catching the spy."
"That was just what needed doing."
"For raising the branch's reputation."
"That was my duty too."
"For making your cousins recognized as the pillars of this branch. I'm grateful for that."
"They're my cousins."
Eun Myeong-sang burst out laughing.
'Right, that's the kind of guy he is.'
He stood, picked up a small box from the desk, and handed it to Eun Seo-ho.
"Take it. You turned fifteen this time, and I haven't given you a gift yet. Consider it a birthday present."
Fifteen was the age of adulthood.
Even distant relatives made a point of giving gifts then.
"Thank you."
* * *
Leaving my uncle's office, I held a box in my hand.
My uncle's birthday gift.
"Young master, let me carry that box for you."
I shook my head at Palgap's words.
"No. I want to carry it myself."
"Understood."
I'd been shocked when I opened the box in front of my uncle earlier, but I'd managed to keep my expression neutral.
I knew what it was.
But I couldn't let it show, so I'd schooled my features desperately.
My uncle's gift was a wrist guard.
Usually used to wrap and secure sleeves when handling weapons, to keep them from getting in the way.
But the one from my uncle was more for arm protection.
Made of soft black leather that wrapped from the back of the hand to the elbow, embroidered with exquisite patterns in Shu embroidery, one of the four great embroidery styles of Sichuan.
Merchants considered wrist guards essential.
Sleeves got in the way when using brushes or reading documents.
I was wearing one now.
And the one my uncle gifted was one of the divine treasures.
Its name: Mujol-wan—the Uncut Wrist.
The embroidered leather was a decoy. Inside, woven from heavenly silken thread, it wouldn't let a sword slice through the arm.
But no one knew it was the divine treasure Mujol-wan.
It looked utterly ordinary.
So my uncle must have acquired it easily.
I only learned its true nature after my uncle passed away.
Among his belongings, I happened to receive this wrist guard.
On the way back to headquarters after the funeral, we were ambushed. I saw white fabric peeking from the sliced leather, inscribed with "Mujol-wan."
That's when I realized it wasn't ordinary.
After that, the Mujol-wan was almost always with me.
I'd considered telling my uncle about its value but held back.
I didn't want to part with this cherished item.
Besides, the heavenly silken thread inside carried yin energy, which greatly benefited me.
When I lost my life to the Baekcheon Merchant Group, I wasn't wearing it.
That's what I regretted.
With it, I might not have died like that.
It was as if the wrist guard in the box was whispering to me.
Don't forget me this time. Never.
Yeah, got it. This time, I'll never take you off.
But everything comes at a price.
Later, I'd have to repay my uncle for this Mujol-wan in kind.
On my way to my quarters, I ran into a woman coming the opposite way.
Elder Sister Hyang-ok.
"Ah! Seo-ho!"
"What brings you here, sister?"
"What do you think? I have to head back to the Ami Sect soon, so I came to tell Father."
"I see."
I offered a clasped-hands salute in farewell.
"I'm heading home tomorrow too. Travel safely, sister, and stay well until we meet again."
"You too. You did great this time. Safe travels."
As we finished and passed each other, she called out.
"Seo-ho."
"Yes?"
I turned, and she looked at me.
"You're actually stronger than me, aren't you?"
"...Pardon?"
"My instincts are telling me. You're stronger than I am."
Elder Sister Hyang-ok touched the hilt at her waist and continued.
"I want to spar sometime."
"Calm down, sister."
"Hahaha. Just kidding. Even I wouldn't be that reckless."
"..."
"Anyway, next time we meet, let's definitely spar."
With that, she went on her way. Watching her go, I unconsciously stroked my arm.
Elder Sister Hyang-ok is scary.
Palgap, beside me, muttered.
"Am I the only one? Every time I see Miss Hyang-ok, I get chills."
"Me too."
Even bear-like Palgap felt it. Sister had a unique aura no one else possessed.
.
.
.
The next morning.
Our group departed the Sichuan Branch amid everyone's farewells.
With so many people, we were a bit slow-moving.
Plus, we had plenty of goods to take back from our time in Sichuan.
But I needed to hurry.
I'd already spent more time here than planned.
It wasn't just because Jin U-rim the salt merchant lord would soon summon Father for salt retail permits.
Father and the other branch heads could handle that without me.
The real reason was the new product Gung-balmi was working hard on.
So Palgap, I, and my escorts Yeo Eung-am and I-pil moved ahead as the advance team, while the rest followed later.
"See you at headquarters."
"Travel safely."
"Yes!"
And so, the four of us sped toward Hubei Province.
* * *
Sacheon Tang Clan.
Clan Head Tang Gyu-jeong awaited a reply to his letter.
He'd sent it to Eun Seo-ho, staying at the Eunhae Sichuan Branch: drop by the clan once things wrapped up.
This time, he was determined to repay the favor. The man had saved his precious youngest son, after all.
Moreover, interrogating the kidnappers had revealed something crucial.
The mastermind behind it all.
That made him all the more grateful. Without Eun Seo-ho, he and the Sacheon Tang Clan...
Anyway, he couldn't bear leaving the debt unpaid.
"Clan Head! I'm back."
His trusted aide, who'd delivered the letter, returned and prostrated himself.
He brightened and asked,
"Did you get a reply?"
"Well..."
The aide looked troubled as he continued.
"They say he's already left Sacheon Province."