Chapter 45

“Stop! From here on, this mountain path is under the management of the Yuyodang’s chief!!”

In the middle of a well-maintained mountain path, bandits with impeccable wooden fortifications at their backs stopped a group of merchants with booming voices.

“We spent money to build this road and keep it clean! If you want to pass, pay the toll!!”

As a result, a luxurious carriage came to a halt, and a large beast inside with amber eyes woke up, blinking groggily.

Forcing himself to wake up, the man clumsily crawled out of the carriage.

Clunk, clunk—

A tall man, over seven feet tall, with an extraordinary aura, appeared from the carriage, leaning on a cane. The bandits gripped their weapons, on high alert.

Mantian, with a low, beast-like voice, coldly asked the bandits, “Do you offer a discount for the lame?”

The bandits released their weapons and shouted loudly, “Elderly, pregnant women, newborns, and the disabled get half off!!”

Awakened by the bandits’ rooster-like voices, Mantian looked up at the sky with a ridiculous smile.

Eighteen years since reincarnating into the martial world. For the first time in his life, being born lame had its perks.

***

“Born without the will to study poetry—since birth, I had no interest in books.”

“Preparing fragrant bait to catch the dragon—setting the trap to catch the mighty.”

“Readying the bow to shoot the fierce tiger—loading the arrow to hunt the beast.”

“Heroes don’t waste time with books—heroes don’t bother with studying.”

Reciting a poem filled with aspirations of living as a wealthy idler while staring blankly at the sky inside the rattling carriage, the daughter of Merchant Leader Poong clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling.

“You compose poetry so well, Young Master Sima. Could you share another poem if it’s not too much trouble?”

Feeling slightly guilty for her exaggerated attempts to please me, I decided to play a little prank.

“What’s your name?”

“…Huh?”

Though we had already exchanged names through her father before boarding the carriage, she couldn’t understand why I was asking again. But…

“I want to hear it directly from you.”

At the gentle tone that followed, Poong Ran instinctively said her name.

“Ran… Poong Ran.”

Mantian reached out the window and plucked a thin branch of blooming cherry blossoms. Then, he recited another poem.

“Who is the lady in the carriage?”

“Her name unknown, yet her gaze lingers.”

“Now I know her name is Poong Ran.”

Clunk—!

The carriage shook violently, likely due to a bump in the road.

“Miss! Young Master! Are you alright?!”

The coachman shouted, but Poong Ran was too breathless to respond.

Mantian, bracing himself against the carriage wall with his left arm, carefully placed the cherry blossom branch in Poong Ran’s hair.

“Pretty eyes, long lashes, secretly capturing my heart.”

…Her face flushed, and she couldn’t speak.

Poong Ran, unable to say anything, shrunk back and gazed at Mantian’s smiling face.

She savored the gentle tone that contrasted with his cold appearance.

This shouldn’t be happening. She needed to keep the wealthy young master in good spirits to avoid causing trouble for her father.

…But she couldn’t help it. Her heart was racing.

‘What’s going on? Why isn’t she reacting?’

Mantian had hoped Poong Ran would laugh or tease him in response to his cheesy joke, but she remained silent.

…Even Yeonghwa goes quiet when I joke. Maybe I’m just bad at jokes?

For the genius who could deceive even the heavens, this was a crisis. A shock.

Mantian, having stirred the heart of another family’s precious jewel, casually gazed at the floating clouds.

***

A clearing suitable for a break appeared, and it was decided to rest for a while.

“Uoooh—!!”

Stretching outside the carriage, a well-built man approached with a smile.

“Haha! That’s quite a stretch. Traveling must be tiring, right?”

Merchant Leader Poong, named Poong Baek.

A close aide who had worked under my father since before I was born, now managing the merchant group in his stead.

Occasionally, he would come to our house for dinner and give me pocket money. A friendly uncle. Currently, he’s teaching me about merchant affairs under my father’s orders.

Working like an ox for the family, only to be tasked with educating a clueless young master… the plight of middle management.

“Thanks to Merchant Leader Poong’s care, traveling by carriage is quite comfortable. What’s there to be tired about?”

“I’m glad to hear that. A little further, and we’ll reach our destination, Baihua County in Hubei Province. Just bear with it a little longer.”

At the mention of Baihua County, a map unfolded in my mind. Roughly near Mount Yongzhong, where the Jiegal Family resides.

The image of a cute baby shark with sharp teeth and beautiful blue eyes reminiscent of the morning sea came to mind.

“Merchant Leader Poong, how long would it take to get from Baihua County to the Jiegal Family at Mount Yongzhong?”

“The Jiegal Family? Hmm~ By horse or carriage, it would take half a day. On foot, about a day.”

Much closer than expected. At this distance, going alone wouldn’t be a problem.

Though I came here to learn, not to play, my father did say to treat it like a trip.

…Actually, leaving for a trip wouldn’t be an issue.

Hmm~ Truly a genius who can deceive even the heavens. A brilliant idea.

Once decided, there’s no hesitation. I explained to Merchant Leader Poong why I needed to part ways at Baihua County and head to the Jiegal Family.

Though it was to meet a precious disciple, to others, it would seem like I was meeting a girl. So, I left out Guhae and said I received a letter that an elder who taught me Go in my childhood was ill.

Having come this far, I should visit. Of course, Jiegal Yang being ill was a lie. He’s as healthy as ever.

That Go-obsessed old man gets so much flak, he can’t even die.

After hearing my story, Merchant Leader Poong laughed heartily and nodded.

“Understood. Networking is important, especially with an elder from the Jiegal Family.”

A seasoned merchant. He probably saw through my excuse, but it wasn’t flimsy enough to reject.

“Thank you for your understanding, Merchant Leader Poong.”

“Haha~ Not at all.”

From Merchant Leader Poong’s perspective, avoiding conflict with the future head of the Sima Family over such a small matter was a rational decision. But the poor girl whose heart had been stolen in the carriage thought differently.

“…Young Master Sima, aren’t you coming back with us?”

Poong Ran, who had somehow approached us, looked at me with longing eyes, fiddling with the cherry blossom branch I had given her.

“I… will treasure it. So… please… remember me…”

Though she didn’t show it, she must have liked the branch and the poem. Having received so much help along the way, I decided to pluck another one.

“It’s fine if you forget.”

“…Huh? Why?”

Reaching up, I plucked a cherry blossom branch with more blooms than the last and handed it to Poong Ran, who was looking at me with sparkling green eyes.

“If spring comes and you wish for it, I’ll pluck one for you anytime.”

Poong Ran accepted the precious branch with trembling hands. Though I said it was fine to forget, hearing such words made it impossible to forget.

“I will… treasure it.”

Hugging the cherry blossom branch to her chest, Poong Ran blushed and scurried away. Mantian watched her retreating figure with a warm smile.

“Your daughter is quite adorable.”

…But Merchant Leader Poong wasn’t smiling. His face hardened.

“My daughter seems to like you very much, Young Master.”

“Is that so? I guess my natural charm has won her over~ Haha!”

***

Clunk, clunk~ Clunk, clunk~!

In conclusion, I was kicked to the cargo hold.

‘Sigh… so hard… so uncomfortable… I should have spoken more nicely…’

It was a day when the teachings of Uncle Mukgang about taking responsibility for one’s words and actions came to mind once again.