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chapter 05
“It’s going to be a problem from here on.”
Jin Seol, the head of Gangnam Escort Bureau, and Seo Namchun, the chief manager, were sitting across from each other, drinking.
It was because of what had happened today.
Losing all the tribute goods was a problem, but an even bigger concern was that whenever they crossed Wangak Mountain in the future, they would have to pay higher tolls at Wangak Mountain Fortress.
If they wanted to avoid paying the tolls, they would need to hire a stronger escort than Akjeong, the fortress owner. But for Gangnam Escort Bureau, that was difficult.
A true master wouldn’t join a small escort bureau as a guard, and even if they did, it was more profitable to pay the toll every time they passed Wangak Mountain than to maintain a master with an enormous monthly wage.
“Since the Na-guk escort leader lost to Akjeong, Akjeong will either blatantly demand a toll from us or seize the tribute goods.”
“That’s to be expected.”
Jin Seol drained his cup in one gulp. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became.
“To recover the tribute, we’ll need to prepare some money and show goodwill.”
“That’s necessary. This business relies on trust. We can’t just leave the clients’ tribute unattended.”
Even at great loss, escort bureaus had to deliver clients’ goods to their promised destinations.
Gangnam Escort Bureau might stagger because of today’s events, but thinking ahead, there was no other choice.
“Perhaps we can settle for about 500 silver coins.”
Considering that the monthly wage for a courier like Geomryeong was only two silver coins, 500 silver coins was a substantial sum.
Hearing Seo Namchun’s words, Jin Seol nodded, though his expression darkened.
It wasn’t that he minded parting with 500 silver coins, but if they couldn’t restore relations with Wangak Mountain Fortress, running the escort bureau in the future would be extremely difficult.
“Why did the Na-guk escort leader cause all this trouble…”
When Seo Namchun started criticizing the Na-guk escort leader, Jin Seol stopped him.
“Enough. Do you think the Na-guk leader wanted this to happen? From what I heard, he seemed to try to nitpick no matter what was said, so it’s not really his fault. And he lost his arm while defending the tribute against Akjeong. We should console him rather than scold him.”
Seo Namchun shared the same sentiment. It was just frustration speaking.
“When he arrives, I’ll visit Wangak Mountain Fortress. You, meanwhile, take good care of the injured until I return.”
“Understood, Master!”
After the Black Tiger Sect disappeared, the street and market merchants who had been rejoicing now had another reason to frown.
With the previous owner gone from the back alleys, frequent fights broke out among other gangs trying to claim the territory.
Watching these gang fights, Geomryeong realized something.
Even if he dealt with one gang, another would appear to extort money from the street and market merchants under the pretense of protection!
“So that’s why Grandpa Ghost said that people are the same everywhere.”
―Even in the martial world, things are no different. Places where people live are always the same. The strong oppress the weak; it has always been this way, and always will be. So you must learn to live a life where you shape the fate of others, rather than letting others shape yours.
He realized this was true. Nothing really changed—whoever filled a vacant spot would still exploit others.
“Consider it a good lesson.”
“Damn those guys! What’s the government doing? They just let this happen…”
“Yeah, what’s the point of officials? They’re too scared to intervene.”
Geomryeong chuckled at the merchants’ complaints.
No matter what happened, his daily routine remained the same: helping merchants, completing errands, and returning to the escort bureau.
At the bureau, he saw Jin Aseol lingering at the gate. He called out and waved.
“Why are you here now?”
“Did something happen?”
“Yes! Something serious happened at the bureau. The couriers and escorts got injured and came back.”
His eyes narrowed at the mention of injuries.
“Why?”
“Some bad guys threatened the uncles and tried to steal our goods.”
Geomryeong could roughly guess what had happened from Jin Aseol’s explanation.
“Let’s go inside.”
He held her hand and entered. The atmosphere inside the bureau was tense.
Though Gangnam Escort Bureau was large in Hyanghang, it was just one among many in Guangdong Province.
“Geomryeong uncle, you’re really a master, right?”
Once inside, Jin Aseol asked.
“Yes! I’m a master.”
“Then punish those bad guys who hurt the uncles!”
She was still a child, Geomryeong thought.
He spotted Seo Namchun inside, giving orders to the remaining escorts.
“I heard the uncles were hurt.”
When Geomryeong asked, Seo Namchun narrowed his eyes.
“You don’t need to know.”
He thought it was better for Geomryeong not to interfere. Finding someone as capable as Geomryeong was rare. If he quit now, the bureau would suffer a significant loss.
“I’m also part of the bureau.”
“That matter is for Master Jin to handle. You just focus on your tasks.”
Geomryeong, sensing that Seo Namchun wouldn’t say more, slightly bowed and headed to the annex.
“Uncle! Where are you going?”
“I’ve finished my work, so I need to rest.”
“You need to punish those bad guys!”
“After a little rest,” he said vaguely, entering the annex.
Faint groans reached his ears, sounds ordinary people couldn’t hear.
“Ughhh…”
The groans were from those unable to bear the pain.
“They seem badly hurt…”
Following the sounds, Geomryeong opened the left door of the two rooms in the annex.
Three couriers were lying down, while others looked on with concern.
“What happened?”
“They say it was the Green Forest Gang from Wangak Mountain Fortress,” one courier answered.
Wangak Mountain, located in Guangdong Province, wasn’t particularly rugged. Anyone traveling from Hyanghang to Guangzhou, the provincial capital, had to cross it.
The Gangnam Escort Bureau had always paid a toll to the Green Forest Gang when crossing. But Akjeong, the fortress owner, had been capricious. When the Na-guk escort leader complained, an altercation occurred, and the situation escalated.
“You mean bandits in the mountains?”
“Yes.”
Geomryeong recalled what Ghost Master Gu Yeongcheol had told him and nodded.
Though Geomryeong wasn’t fully familiar with ordinary life, he knew more about the martial world than most, thanks to the wisdom of masters like Jeonmo Yakbing, Gu Yeongcheol, and Cheonnamyeon.
―The Green Forest are just cowards hiding in the mountains. You don’t need to worry about them.
Gu Yeongcheol had said that to Geomryeong.
‘Grandpa Ghost was strong, so he could say that. Others, maybe not.’
“Why did the fight start?”
“I don’t know. I heard Akjeong demanded a higher toll.”
“So they fought because the payment was refused.”
“That’s right. The Na-guk escort leader tried to pay more, but Akjeong demanded too much, leading to the conflict.”
“Better to just think they were aggressive,” Geomryeong said calmly, looking at the groaning couriers.
“Is Wangak Mountain Fortress nearby?”
“Why?”
“Just in case. I need to know so we can avoid it.”
The couriers chuckled at that.
“It’s two days’ walk from here. No need to worry.”
Geomryeong nodded.
“What about the Na-guk escort leader?”
“His right arm was cut off by Akjeong.”
“I see. I’ll be stepping out briefly. If anyone asks, tell them I went on an errand.”
