Eun Jin-ho Goes Missing (1)
I headed straight to Eun Wol Pavilion.
Though I had clearance to enter, even Grandfather—who rarely visited—came with me.
There, we heard the full story from Father and Brother Jeong Ho.
Eun Jin-ho had left for the Yun Nam trade route at the end of the sixth lunar month.
It was well past time for his return, so when he didn't show, they grew suspicious. Then a letter arrived from Yun Nam.
"You know we have a merchant from our group stationed there full-time to handle the pu'er tea trade, right?"
"Yes, I'm aware."
One of the Eunhae Merchant Group's employees rotated through the post, managing the pu'er tea deals.
"We got word he was coming soon, but he never arrived. That's when we sent the letter."
That's when they realized something had gone wrong. They immediately notified the Chang In Escort Agency.
The agency, already sensing trouble, called an emergency muster.
They assembled a team from both the escort agency and our merchant group and dispatched them to Yun Nam. They'd just returned today.
"So that's how you learned the group including Jin-ho is missing?"
Father answered Grandfather's question.
"Yes. We confirmed they stayed at Eul Rim Inn in Yun Nam. But after that, their trail goes completely cold."
Eul Rim Inn was the second stop if pushing hard after entering Yun Nam, or the third at a normal pace.
"I see."
Grandfather let out a sigh.
"I have nothing to say. Comfort Jin-ho's mother well."
"I will."
I returned to Mun Gok Hall.
"Young master, you should wash up first."
"Yeah, you're right."
I bathed in the warm water Palgap had prepared, then collapsed onto my bed.
Something felt off in my chest.
The news of Jin-ho hyung's disappearance felt like a lie.
In my previous life, he'd never gone missing, so maybe that's why the shock hit harder.
According to my memories, he hadn't joined this pu'er tea caravan.
Sun-il hyung had taken the exam back then, so Jin-ho hyung had accompanied Grandfather to celebrate.
But because I'd gone to Shanxi Province, Jin-ho hyung ended up taking the pu'er tea route instead.
So my actions tangled things up, leading to his disappearance.
I bit my lip.
I'd resolved to change the future without harming those around me as much as possible.
But...
The image of Jin-ho hyung's severed head in that box flashed before my eyes.
His plea that only he be spared...
"Young master, even if you're not hungry, you need to eat dinner tonight... Gasp! Young master! Why is there blood on your lips?"
Palgap burst into the room in a panic and hurried over with a handkerchief to wipe my mouth.
It stung.
I had no idea what trials Jin-ho hyung was enduring right now, yet here I was, wincing over a bitten lip...
My expression must have looked awful.
Palgap looked at me and said,
"My father used to say that holing up in your room lost in dark thoughts drives a man mad. You should go out and get some fresh air."
A short while later.
I stepped out into the market streets.
To clear my head, just as Palgap suggested.
Brooding alone might lead to bad decisions.
But even as the breeze brushed my face, I kept wondering if I should even be out here.
"Should I head back?"
"Already?"
"I came out, but it's tough."
Memories of time spent with Jin-ho hyung lingered in every corner of these streets.
That's when it happened.
"It's been a while."
"Ah!"
I quickly bowed in greeting.
"Greetings, elder."
It was the old man from the sundries shop. For some reason, he wasn't at his store today but out in the market.
"What brings you here?"
"What brings me? On my way back from buying dumplings."
Now that he mentioned it, he carried a bamboo basket, and the savory scent of steamed dumplings wafted from it.
Right then.
Gurgle.
A loud rumble echoed from my stomach. The old man chuckled at the sound.
"What've you been up to, wandering around without dinner this late?"
"Well..."
"Never mind. Come with me. I bought plenty—I'll spot you a couple."
The old man ambled toward his shop, and I scratched my ear awkwardly.
Guess I have no choice.
A short while later.
I entered the sundries shop, and he set the dumpling basket on the table.
"Eat."
"Sorry, but I'm not hungry."
"Your stomach's growling like thunder, and you're not hungry? Quit talking nonsense and eat."
I picked up a dumpling and took a bite.
It was delicious.
Which made me feel even guiltier.
Jin-ho hyung probably couldn't even eat properly right now...
"You look troubled."
I gave an awkward smile at the old man's question.
"I've never seen you with such a grim face before. It doesn't suit you, so drop it."
"I want to, but... I can't."
"So what's eating you? Your brother's disappearance?"
I was a bit startled but quickly understood.
The old man before me was a master who'd operated as the Ghost Face Mask.
He had vast networks and information sources I could scarcely imagine.
"You knew?"
Instead of answering, he sipped his tea and turned the question back on me.
"You think it's your fault?"
"..."
I couldn't read his intent, but his words pierced right to the heart.
Without thinking, I replied,
"If I hadn't gone to Shanxi, Jin-ho hyung wouldn't have had to go to Yun Nam, and then..."
"Tsk tsk."
The old man clicked his tongue.
"The most foolish thing in the world is regretting what's already done. I thought you were clever, but you're just a fool after all."
His rebuke continued.
"Let's flip it around, then. What if you hadn't gone to Shanxi Province?"
"Then Jin-ho hyung wouldn't have gone missing."
"Besides that."
"And..."
I trailed off, unable to continue.
My trip to Shanxi had been to obtain the Revival Spirit Flower to save Madame Hong Geum-so's husband.
I'd brought back the flower and restored life to Seo-u Warrior, her husband.
I'd caught the con artist from Shanxi, preventing chaos in the province's merchant world.
I'd burned the mind-control artifact Jeung, averting a bloody catastrophe.
Three merchant groups had joined under Eunhae, and we'd gained direct access to tea plantations.
If I hadn't gone, none of that would have happened.
No Revival Spirit Flower, and Eunhae would have suffered massive losses.
The old man met my eyes and said,
"What I've learned in my years is that living in this world is a chain of choices—and regret follows every one."
"..."
"But here's the funny part: things don't always unfold solely because of your choices."
"What?"
"Simple example: What if your brother had flat-out refused to go to Yun Nam this time?"
Employees on caravans had the right to refuse, and Jin-ho hyung was no exception.
He could have said no.
"Your brother's choice, and the choice of his superior to send him—they both played a part. So why blame it all on yourself?"
"That's..."
I had no retort. He was right, plain and simple.
"Fools dwell in regret; the wise seek solutions. Which are you?"
What's done couldn't be undone by regret alone.
This wasn't the time for self-recrimination—it was time to act.
I'd already changed so much.
The ripples would cause unforeseen events, and if I regretted every one, I'd never move forward.
I swore to myself before, and yet here I am...
Jin-ho hyung's disappearance had shaken me that deeply.
Of course it had.
He was family.
That's when a rumble came from someone's stomach.
Gurgle.
"...?"
I turned to see Palgap looking sheepish.
"My apologies."
"Ah..."
That's right—I'd skipped dinner and dragged everyone out, so Palgap must have too.
Which meant Yeo Eung-am Warrior and I-pil Warrior had as well.
"Sorry. You've all suffered because of my foolishness. You too, Palgap."
They waved it off.
"Not at all."
"We're fine."
"Don't worry about it."
No. This was clearly my mistake.
I'd been so wrapped up in guilt I neglected my own men.
"From now on, make sure you eat on time—no exceptions. You too, Palgap."
"But..."
"That's an order."
I stood firmly, then clasped my hands in a formal bow to the old man.
"Thank you for scolding this unworthy one and bringing me to my senses."
"Good to hear you've pulled yourself together."
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Fine, but pay for the dumplings first."
"Pardon?"
"I said I'd give you some—not for free."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
True to form.
The old man never let his guard down, not for a second.
I placed some silver on the table. He shook his head at it.
"You trying to feed me nothing but dumplings for a month?"
"For your tea, too."
"I won't refuse."
As he pocketed the silver, he added,
"Come by again later. I've got something for you."
* * *
The disappearance of the caravan including Eun Jin-ho was an unprecedented crisis for both Eunhae Merchant Group and Chang In Escort Agency.
Caravans could die or get injured, sure—but the agency was liable for the goods too.
More than that, it was a matter of trust.
Escort agencies had to deliver no matter what. Who'd hire one with a track record of failure?
And for the merchant group, compensation didn't fix everything.
These were seasoned veterans with years of experience.
People were Eunhae's greatest asset—the loss was immense.
Especially since the group included the second son of the merchant lord himself.
In Eunhae Merchant Group's conference hall—not Eun Wol Pavilion, but the regular one—Eun Gil-sang sat with his two chief stewards and the branch heads.
Across from them were representatives from Chang In Escort Agency.
"We're truly sorry. This happened because we failed to guide them properly."
Eun Gil-sang shook his head at the escort lord's apology.
"How can you claim it's solely the agency's fault? We don't know the situation yet—apologies are premature."
"Thank you for your understanding."
The lord continued,
"We're sending a search party: one escort leader, thirty escorts, and ten porters."
Eun Gil-sang replied,
"Mind if we add some of our own?"
"That's fine, but too many could hinder efficiency."
"No worries there. We're thinking a few locals from Yun Nam Province."
With discussions wrapped, Eun Gil-sang returned to his office.
"Hoo..."
Seated at his desk, he sighed deeply.
His son was missing.
Food tasted like sand; documents wouldn't stick in his mind.
His wife lay in bed, weeping endlessly.
Jin-ho... please, just be alive.
He prayed fervently.
Then a guard's voice came from outside.
"Hyun Pung Branch Head is here."
"Seo-ho?"
Tilting his head, Eun Gil-sang said,
"Let him in."
The door opened, and Eun Seo-ho entered.
He bowed politely and said,
"Father, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I'd like to join the search party."
"What?"
* * *
I looked at Father.
The shock from my words must have been intense—he stared back, at a loss for words.
"Seo-ho."
Father called my name.
"What are you saying? You want to go too?"
"Yes."
"Absolutely not!"
As expected, Father objected vehemently.
"If something happened to you now that Jin-ho's missing, your mother and I..."
"I can't fully grasp a parent's heart since I'm not one yet. But I know you'd grieve. Even so, I'm saying this because I can find Jin-ho hyung."
Father tilted his head, puzzled.
"You can find Jin-ho?"
"Yes."
"What do you mean?"
I held up my hand.