Shaanxi Scorpion (2)
Eom Sam-taek couldn't help but ask in surprise at the unexpected words.
"Pardon?"
"To be honest, I'm already swamped with affairs in Hyeonpung Country. Why would I meddle in Head Manager Eom's trade caravan?"
Eun Seo-ho spoke with a smile, but Eom Sam-taek caught the implication.
'He finds it a hassle?'
Eun Seo-ho continued.
"Since we'll be traveling together, I came to greet you in advance and mention this."
"I see. I fully understand the Country Lord's intent."
"Then, I'll ask for your kind cooperation once more. See you on departure day."
"Yes."
And indeed, Eun Seo-ho offered no further advice after that.
He only requested cooperation on matters concerning himself.
The day to depart for Shaanxi Province arrived.
Horse-drawn carts were prepared at the depot.
Since they had to be loaded onto ships, these were narrower than the usual wagons.
Goods for sale in Shaanxi Province were being carefully packed inside.
At that moment, the escort leader and escorts from the escort agency, along with the porters, approached.
They were from Changin Escort Agency, contracted with Eunhae Merchant Group.
"Welcome. I'm Eom Sam-taek, the head manager in charge of this trade caravan."
"I'm Kwak Myeong-hyeon, escort leader of Changin Escort Agency."
"I'm Yoon Ji-sim, leader of the fourth squad from Eunpung Corps' Squad Jo."
Then, a group appeared there.
It was Eun Seo-ho's party.
"Ah, I seem to be a bit late."
Those who saw him quickly paid their respects.
"We greet the Hyeonpung Country Lord."
Eun Seo-ho held the title of branch squad leader, but now as lord of Hyeonpung Country, his title was Country Lord.
Eom Sam-taek followed up.
"Not at all. You're right on time."
"Good."
At that moment, Eun Seo-ho and Kwak Myeong-hyeon's eyes met, and Eun Seo-ho offered a light clasped-hands salute with a faint smile.
"We'll be traveling together today. I look forward to working with you."
"The pleasure is mine."
I gazed ahead.
The Yangtze River's waters churned restlessly.
I was currently on a boat.
Rowers strained hard against the current of the Han River, a tributary of the Yangtze.
But on the return trip, we'd ride the current downstream, so we just needed to control our speed to avoid going too fast.
The river teemed with boats besides our Eunhae Merchant Group's vessel.
The upper Yellow River was vital too, but the Yangtze was incredibly important.
Countless goods were transported via its waterways, and grain from the south moved north.
Government couriers also traveled by water.
For stabilizing the Central Plains, securing the Yangtze's waterways was essential.
In other words, the imperial court kept a close eye on this river.
Then, in early the year before last, the river pirates made their worst mistake.
They brazenly raided a salt shipment bound for Guizhou Province.
This delayed salt supplies to Guizhou, causing shortages.
The Emperor was greatly displeased.
It disrupted his ambitious policy, sparking negative public opinion on the salt distribution laws.
Meaning, the massive imperial revenues from salt could dry up.
Naturally, the Emperor didn't sit idle.
With ample justification, he ordered an immediate campaign.
Of course, pirates trained in aquatic arts were tricky foes.
But the empire that ruled the Central Plains wielded immense power.
The imperial navy launched massive fleets from Sichuan and Anhui provinces, launching a full assault on the pirates' water forts in between.
Moreover, with the Emperor fully committed, even peak experts were deployed, rendering the pirates' martial resistance futile.
In half a year, the Yangtze was completely cleared.
Fearing a resurgence, the Emperor stationed water officials along the river to maintain order.
He'd fully claimed the Yangtze under imperial control.
Thanks to that, merchants like us could travel freely—long live His Majesty!
One problem, though.
"Urk!"
The seasickness of Yeo Eung-am Warrior, my personal guard, was worse than expected.
"Are you alright?"
"Ugh..."
"You're not."
Truth be told, if not for the nausea, the views from the boat were spectacular.
Even anti-seasickness meds barely helped.
Then, my master approached and gently pressed behind Yeo Eung-am Warrior's ear.
In that instant, Yeo Eung-am Warrior drifted off to sleep.
"Sleep is the best cure for seasickness."
"Thank you."
"I heard the Country Lord has separate business."
"Yes."
I nodded.
"Once we reach the west bank of Shaanxi Province, I plan to head to Wu-i Merchant Group. Got some things to check."
"I see."
My master spoke calmly.
"That gives us time. Perfect chance to learn aquatic arts while on the boat."
"Pardon? Aquatic... arts?"
"Now that the pirates are swept away by the imperial forces, aquatic arts might seem unnecessary. But they're versatile. Some pirates remain unconquered."
My master explained the value of aquatic arts, but my question wasn't about why learn them.
I hadn't expected him to teach me.
In my past life, I'd never learned them.
Regretted it countless times.
Many issues could've been easier with aquatic arts.
"I'll learn! Please teach me."
At my eager response, my master chuckled.
"Unnecessary explanation, then. Tonight, I'll start teaching you aquatic arts."
"Two questions, though."
"Ask away."
"If we learn aquatic arts, won't others mistake us for pirates?"
"No need to worry. They won't even see us practicing."
"Yes. Second... Master, you know aquatic arts too?"
"When snow melts, it becomes water. When water freezes, it becomes ice."
I got it.
"Silly question."
"Curiosity must be sated, or it could lead to inner demons."
Then, an escort on the opposite boat called for my master.
"They're calling me."
"Go on."
"See you tonight at the start of the Hour of the Pig."
My master lightly stomped, and his figure shot up instantly.
Thud.
He landed lightly on the other boat.
Yet it didn't rock at all. Onlookers marveled.
"Whoa! As expected of Escort Leader Kwak!"
"Traveling with Escort Leader Kwak this time—pure luck!"
Not just the porters, but even Eunpung Corps' warriors were impressed.
I chuckled at the sight.
My master wasn't one to flaunt his skills.
Showing off like this served two purposes.
One: Boost morale for the caravan.
Two: Warn any lurking enemies.
I eyed two warriors from Eunpung Corps' fourth squad amid the admirers.
Bae Cheol Warrior and Go Ju-sang Warrior.
My betrayers from my past life.
Lowly Ren-rank warriors then, now promoted to Geng-rank after two years.
Proof of decent skill.
They had good reputations among warriors too.
Naturally, that's why the outer steward recommended them as my guards before.
I deliberately brought their squad.
The longer they stayed with the merchant group, the more they'd overhear—risk of leaks.
Now was the time to strike back at the merchant group employing them.
Even valuable intel from a low-rank might raise suspicions.
So I waited till they promoted to a fitting level.
Bringing them this time was to keep them close, build trust.
Make them blindly believe my fake intel as real.
Some might say it burdens the squad unduly, but it's their job.
And boat travel was comfy anyway.
I'd point them for my solo moves.
That night.
My master taught me aquatic arts.
The basics: Enduring long underwater.
"Turtle Breathing Technique works for holding breath, but you can't move while using it. Hence, the need for a breathing heart method underwater."
"I see."
"Other aquatic arts have underwater breathing methods, but ours is the best."
Pride in his family's heart method shone through.
"It's called the Ice Sea Assimilation Heart Method."
Assimilating with icy seas, then?
"I'm teaching it because you're learning the seventh form of the True Twelve Forms Sword Technique."
I'm on the seventh form of True Twelve Forms Sword Technique.
Not slow progress.
My vast inner energy just takes time to control via swordplay.
Master says fully mastering it takes at least a decade—I'm fast.
"After six forms, it's safe for your body."
"Before that, it's harmful?"
"Yes. It assimilates your body temperature with icy water. Before six forms, it stimulates extreme yin energy, endangering the user."
My master continued.
"Worst case, you freeze to death."
"..."
Explains why only his family learned it.
"The more forms you master, the longer you can use it. For you now, max one incense stick's time."
"Not much."
"Full mastery allows two double-hours."
"Understood."
"Once familiar with the heart method, we'll start proper aquatic arts. Most take half a month. Can you?"
"Yes."
Bring it on!
By day on the boat, I trained True Twelve Forms Sword Technique at dawn; nights for aquatic arts.
His family's: Ice Sea Water Severing Art.
Now I saw why others wouldn't notice.
Based on Shadowless Step.
Walking on water left no ripple, no sound.
Like the unseen underside of a massive iceberg.
All his arts had ice/snow in the name; training made it click.
Yet he still hesitated to officially claim master-disciple status.
Why?
Before long, the boat neared its destination.
"Boats are comfy, but boring to death."
I chuckled at Palgap's words.
"Soon you'll call this bliss."
My personal guards, Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Yi Pil Warrior, nodded.
"As the lord says."
"This is bliss, haha. Used to tense up multiple times a day from pirates, but His Majesty's grace cleared them—pure comfort."
"True."
I nodded.
Utterly peaceful trade run.
Next day.
We finally disembarked.
Unloaded cargo and carts tediously, then rode to Xi'an.
Unpacked there.
Trading with local merchants partnered with Eunhae Merchant Group.
I'd rest a day, then head to Wu-i Merchant Group next.
Morning came.
As usual, I trained swordsmanship under my master's guidance.
"Good work."
"Thanks for the lesson."
"You've already mastered Ice Sea Water Severing Art— you learn fast."
"Thanks to your guidance."
"Your talent shines, and your diligence got it done in under ten days."
"I'm pretty good, right?"
At my jest, my master chuckled.
"Yes."
Uh...
Joking, but he took it seriously—awkward.
"Time to part. Take care."
"Yes."
Then, suddenly, commotion erupted outside.