Shaanxi Scorpion (7)
They didn't back down from my words.
"We can live off the money we've saved."
"You must have been saving it for some purpose. Anyway, it's hard for us to accept."
Offering free black tea was certainly a tempting proposal.
But after that, these people in front of me would surely struggle through the year with insufficient funds.
They claimed it was fine since they'd saved up, but there was no guarantee some big expense wouldn't arise suddenly.
"But if we don't, we'll have no face left."
The two sons were just as stubborn.
"Then let's do it this way."
I made them a new offer.
"We'll buy the quantity we need at the price you sell to the intermediary merchants."
I quickly continued.
"That alone will be a huge help to us."
Um Haeng-su nodded at my words.
I said to the old man's two sons,
"Please, we're asking you."
I bowed my head instead, and they reluctantly nodded.
"Understood. We'll do that."
"How much did you sell to the intermediary merchants?"
I couldn't believe the price the old man's son quoted.
"Pardon?"
At that price, we could buy twice the quantity we'd expected.
These thieves.
How much have they been skimming?
In that instant, I realized this was an opportunity.
Three merchant groups in this region were just coming under Eunhae Merchant Group anyway.
And no matter what prior contracts they had, the first one to make the offer wins.
"How many geun of tea can you produce?"
"Up to five thousand geun at maximum."
The production volume was higher than expected.
"Then, would you do direct business with us? We'll pay more than that price you mentioned."
They didn't even hesitate.
"We should discuss it with Father, but he'd gladly accept."
"We're thrilled at the chance to deal with a prestigious group like your merchant house."
And with that, they left.
But why had I been feeling someone's gaze since earlier?
When I turned my head, I saw a group of women standing by the inn.
There were not just courtesans, but ordinary women mixed in.
"What do we do? He's so handsome."
"Ah...."
"He's really gorgeous."
Why were even the grandmas staring at me like that?
I'd have to avoid going out for a while.
The next day.
The old man's son agreed to contract with Eunhae Merchant Group.
The intermediary merchants they'd dealt with before decided not to make a fuss.
"The elder helped our merchant group greatly. Who are we to complain if he contracts with Eunhae, who saved him? Plus, you caught the swindler who ravaged Shaanxi's commerce. We'll step back gladly."
Good things come to those who wait, huh?
Fortune kept coming.
A few more days passed.
Nok-il, or rather Shaanxi Scorpion, who had been handed over to the censorate, was sentenced to death and beheaded.
The investigation revealed he'd killed innocents.
Compared to the old days when victims were skinned alive, it was a relatively merciful end.
And unlike my previous life, countless people who would have died because of him were alive now.
Of course, this could change much of the future I knew.
But I had no regrets.
If I could prevent the merchants' tears of blood and the courtesans' sacrifices, I had to.
"It's a relief you caught the swindler and got compensation. I want to meet the leaders of those three merchant groups."
Eunhae Merchant Group Leader
I said to Um Haeng-su,
"Is the tea ready?"
"Yes, it's prepared."
"Then tomorrow or the day after, go to the head branch with the leaders of the three merchant groups. Father wants to see them."
"Understood, but what about you, young master?"
To that question, I replied,
"I have business here to finish."
Originally, while Um Haeng-su's group handled the tea trade, I planned to visit Wu-i Merchant Group briefly to achieve my original goal.
And returning together would have been convenient!
But Shaanxi Scorpion's scam against our group had messed things up.
"So, about that, Team Leader Yun."
"Yes."
"Can you leave two warriors behind?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
I stood and said,
"Then, shall I help pick the warriors staying here?"
"Yes, please do."
I left the room with Team Leader Yun Ji-sim.
Yun assembled the warriors, and I looked them over.
Hmm...
Perfect, those two are at the back. How convenient.
I pointed at them.
"The two at the back will stay."
"Understood."
Thus, Bae Cheol and Go Ju-sang, who betrayed me in my past life, were left to follow me.
Um Haeng-su's merchant caravan was set to depart tomorrow.
I stepped out to the courtyard behind the inn and quietly gazed at the moon.
With women swarming the inn, this was only possible at night outside.
Since we were near the inn, only Palgap was with me, no escorts.
"When out elsewhere, please cover your face as much as possible, young master."
"Why?"
"Cheokgwa Yeonggeo is fine, but I'm worried about becoming Gansal Wi-gae."
Cheokgwa Yeonggeo referred to the tale of the handsome Ban An, where women threw so many fruits at him in admiration that his cart overflowed.
And Gansal Wi-gae was about the jade-like beauty Wi Gae, whom crowds of women surrounded like clouds, startling him to death.
"I'm not that fragile. Anyway, you write letters?"
"Father taught me a bit."
Of course—Palgap's father was Eunhae Merchant Group's chief deputy. They wouldn't assign just anyone as my attendant.
Before reliving my life, I was called handsome, but not to this extent.
Was it because my Hyunryong Seongche constitution took hold early?
Or absorbing Jin Yeong Daehyeop's Cheongbing Seolmae inner energy with Hyunryong's help, leading to hwangol taltae?
Lately, with my martial progress, I heard it more often.
Whatever the reason, it was a novel experience.
By the way, just how profound was the Taiyin Ice Sea Divine Art?
It protected the practitioner from evil sorcery and could even shatter it on others.
In my previous life, I hadn't known it extended to others.
Probably because my realm wasn't high enough then.
Then someone approached.
My master.
"Not asleep yet?"
Master chuckled at my question and offered a gourd bottle.
Come to think of it, there were two.
"Have some."
"Ah, yes."
Master uncorked his and took a sip.
Was it liquor?
Pop.
I uncorked mine and sipped.
Huh? This is...
"Honey water?"
"Yes."
"I thought it was liquor."
"Drinking too young harms the body. Wait till after thirty."
"Yes."
"And we're still on escort duty. No liquor during missions."
Thorough as ever in his duties.
I sipped the sweet honey water.
"We leave tomorrow."
"I know."
"Take care. If trouble comes, prioritize survival."
"I'll remember."
"Death... makes it all pointless."
Master's eyes looked somehow sad.
The next morning.
The inn bustled from dawn.
Um Sam-taek's group was departing.
By early jinsi hour (7-9 AM), preparations were complete.
With the leaders of Yu Clan Merchant Group, Baek Clan Merchant Group, and Im Yul Merchant Group.
"We'll go ahead then."
"Safe travels."
"Yes."
Um Haeng-su gazed at me briefly, then clasped hands in thanks.
"Thank you. Thanks to you, a trip headed for failure succeeded."
"Save the thanks."
I smiled and continued,
"I'll take them when you return safely to Hubei headquarters."
"Understood."
We'd meet again at headquarters anyway, so the farewell was brief.
With master there, the road would be safe.
"Depart!"
"Yes!"
At master's signal, the caravan moved.
Watching them fade, I said to Palgap,
"Then let's head out too."
"Yes, young master."
As we fetched luggage from the inn, courtesans approached—ones who'd helped catch Shaanxi Scorpion.
"You're leaving."
"Yes."
I politely clasped hands to them. Courtesans of the world, but they'd helped me greatly.
Thanks to their pleas and veiled threats to Censor Ji Hyeon, they'd escaped punishment.
Victims of sorcery themselves.
"Thank you."
"We're the grateful ones."
The courtesan Ju-wol asked,
"Will you come back?"
"I can't promise."
I might pass by returning, but I wouldn't give false hope.
That would be cruel.
But I could smile.
I smiled at them, mounted, and said,
"Farewell then."
We headed to Wu-i Merchant Group, Shaanxi's salt retail specialists.
It didn't take long to reach Wu-i Merchant Group.
About two days on horseback.
But we didn't go straight there.
We needed to check if they were selling the jakpunggi at Eunhae Merchant Group's price—and properly.
Best to confirm directly at sales points.
I'd come on pretext, but this was my job.
So, do it thoroughly.
Palgap asked around and found where to buy jakpunggi.
"Straight ahead, you'll see it."
"Really?"
Heading there, I understood why.
A long line of people buying jakpunggi.
I tried joining, but Palgap stopped me.
"Young master, you're too noticeable. Word spreads fast."
"Is that so?"
I Pil smiled.
"I'll go."
"Would you?"
I gave I Pil money; he joined the line's end.
We sat at a nearby pavilion to wait.
Watching the street, people fanned themselves in the heat.
Ah...
Right, I had a fan.
Items from the sundries shop elder came to mind: fan, monocle, and bi-eun-si.
I'd given bi-eun-si to Jeong Ho as a gift for his sub-branch inauguration.
And there was the bonus dangpyo yeon.
I'd only just remembered—no real need till now.
But one was useful now: the fan.
A white folding fan painted with orchids. Holding it to my face obscured recognition from behind.
In my past life, a black道 warrior used it to escape after a bloodbath, hiding his identity.
But now it was mine—no such future.
Half a sijin later.
I Pil returned with the jakpunggi.
"I'm back."
"Good work. Sit."
"No need."
I Pil shook his head, placing the new jakpunggi on the table.
"They sold it at the same price as Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Good."
I examined the jakpunggi.
Gong Mil knew it best—his invention, after all.
Next was me, confidently.
I'd advised on past life's flaws; we researched overnight with Gong Mil.
So this market version differed from my past life's rushed product, which had safety and vibration issues.
This one fixed them.
I inspected slowly, carefully.
Made to Eunhae Merchant Group's blueprints.
But the core part was key.
Eunhae supplied those.
We outsourced sales but kept the core secret.
Spies were everywhere.