I turned my head at the gaze I felt from beside me.
My master was watching me with a complicated expression.
"You don't need to worry. Escort Leader Gwak. Squad Leader Jeong."
At my confident words, the two nodded, still looking concerned.
"Understood. We'll wait."
"Young Master, please be careful."
.
.
.
I followed behind Hideout Leader Jang along with Palgap.
As I walked, I recalled what Hideout Leader Jang had said to Palgap earlier.
That a servant is meant to be like that.
It was something only someone who had once had a servant could say.
And Hideout Leader Jang had even realized that I was stronger than Squad Leader Jeong Chung.
That meant he was someone significantly stronger than me.
In other words, he was hiding both his true strength and identity…
Was there a reason for that?
Soon, we arrived in the forest behind the mountain stronghold.
Hideout Leader Jang stopped and turned to me, asking,
"So, what is it that you want to say? For you to go through the trouble of calling me aside like this, it must be important."
"Of course. There's something I wish to ask you, Hideout Leader."
"You want to ask me something?"
"Yes. About the spiritual herbs scattered throughout this mountain. I wanted to ask why you're leaving them alone."
At my words, Hideout Leader Jang tilted his head and asked again.
"What are you talking about? Spiritual herbs?"
"Over there… There are fields of Snow Soul Herb, White Tiger Ridge Herb, and Snow Ginseng growing wild…"
Hideout Leader Jang looked completely puzzled.
From his expression, I realized he truly didn't know.
"You really didn't know?"
"I didn't. If I had, do you think I would've left them alone? I would've sold them off long ago."
"That's true."
Indeed, even if one has heard the names of spiritual herbs, if they've never handled them directly, they often don't recognize them in the wild.
Although Hideout Leader Jang is a martial artist and probably knows of spiritual herbs, it seemed he hadn't dealt with them personally. Even if one had some education, it's not easy to recognize herbs growing naturally just by sight.
But I've handled these herbs myself, and I already knew they were here, which is why I found them so quickly.
In the future I experienced, the real reason the Murim Alliance wiped out this place was precisely because of these herbs.
To prevent that, I had to take care of this matter now.
The incident happened five years later, which meant even the Murim Alliance probably didn't yet know about the herbs here.
If so, people like Hideout Leader Jang and the residents of this stronghold wouldn't have to lose their lives in vain.
Besides, the time was coming when a spiritual medicine infused with yin energy would be needed.
Feeling my sincerity, Hideout Leader Jang asked seriously,
"What you just said, that this place is full of spiritual herbs— is that true?"
"Yes."
"Are you willing to stake your life on it?"
"No."
"What?"
As he looked slightly flustered, I spoke confidently.
"Because my life is far more valuable than just the existence of some spiritual herbs."
At my answer, Hideout Leader Jang laughed heartily.
"Kukukuk! You really are something."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"So, what is it you want from me?"
His gaze had completely changed.
"You must want something, seeing as you called me aside just to reveal the existence of the herbs. Are you hoping to take a share of them?"
"If you offered, I'd accept it gratefully, but that's not what I'm after."
"Then what is it?"
I looked Hideout Leader Jang straight in the eye.
"How about making a deal with the Eunhae Merchant Group?"
"…A deal?"
I nodded.
"Yes. While it's true there's an abundance of spiritual herbs here, selling them as-is is a bad idea. If that much quantity hits the market at once, this place will be in danger."
Hideout Leader Jang asked as he looked at me.
"So that's why you wanted to talk privately? Afraid the secret might get out?"
"Exactly."
"Indeed… If word got out that we had this many spiritual herbs, we'd be targeted by all sorts—starting with those dark sect bastards and even the Murim Alliance."
"…"
I was a bit surprised to hear the Murim Alliance come out of Hideout Leader Jang's mouth.
I hadn't expected him to mention them. Usually, people don't bring up the Murim Alliance when worrying about having precious things stolen.
And the look on his face when he mentioned the Murim Alliance… was filled with deep anger.
It seemed he had his own story.
"So, what do I gain from dealing with your merchant group?"
"Confidentiality and a stable income. We'll buy at a good price."
"And if I refuse the deal?"
"Then you'll have to find a buyer on your own."
"You won't leak the secret?"
"Why would I?"
"…?"
"If I leaked the secret, this stronghold would be destroyed. Then I'd have to make connections with whoever the new owner becomes, which means wasting time, losing money… that's just annoying."
Hideout Leader Jang stared at me for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.
"Puhahahahaha!"
He laughed for a long time, then stopped.
"You really don't seem afraid of me. You've got guts."
"Well, without guts, how could I negotiate with someone of your stature, Hideout Leader?"
"Damn, your father must be proud to have a son like you."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"Alright. I'll deal with the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Thank you. Then, shall we draw up the contract?"
"Ha! Thorough, aren't you."
"Contracts are the foundation of business."
.
.
.
After concluding the agreement with him, I returned to the clearing, and everyone rushed toward me.
"Young Master!"
"Are you alright?"
I smiled and replied to their questions.
"Yes, I'm fine. And I apologize for acting on my own. I'll formally apologize for this matter later."
Then, Hideout Leader Jang spoke.
"Attention, everyone!"
All eyes turned to Hideout Leader Jang.
"Starting today, I will treat Eun Seoho of the Eunhae Merchant Group as an honored benefactor."
"…!"
At those words, everyone's eyes widened.
In the world of martial artists, the term benefactor—honored benefactor—carries immense weight. One could even suffer great losses for someone called their benefactor. It's not a term used lightly.
And now, Hideout Leader Jang, who holds a significant position within the Green Forest Bandits, has declared me as such.
He was now publicly declaring himself my backer.
"Anyone unwilling to accept my decision, step forward right now."
Then, he drew his wolf fang blade and thrust it into the ground.
Poo-ok—!
At Hideout Leader Jang's sharp words, the Green Forest members of the stronghold quickly responded in unison.
"There's no one."
"I too will serve the honored benefactor."
"I will also follow the Hideout Leader's will."
Just like that, I suddenly became the benefactor—honored benefactor—of the Odong Mountain Stronghold, led by Hideout Leader Jang.
"So it has been decided."
Hideout Leader Jang spoke while looking at my master.
"And I have no desire to become a shameless man who takes tolls from an benefactor. So go ahead and pass through."
At those words, my master glanced at me, and I subtly shook my head.
My master nodded, then spoke to Hideout Leader Jang.
"No, we've received something, we can't just leave without giving anything in return."
"Haha! Are you disregarding someone's sincerity?"
"That's not it."
My master took out a money pouch from his robe and held it out.
"This isn't a toll. It's a token of respect from an benefactor. Please accept it."
At those words, Hideout Leader Jang cleared his throat.
"Hmm, in that case, I'll gladly accept it."
Hideout Leader Jang took it, tucked it into his robe, and said,
"Alright, everyone! They're in a hurry. Quickly clear the snow."
"Yes!"
"Let's clear the snow and use today's earnings to feast on meat and drink to our heart's content!"
"Yep!"
"Hyahh-yap!"
"Let's go!"
At the mention of meat and alcohol, the Green Forest members' eyes gleamed as they rushed forward, and the snow was cleared in no time.
Everyone was left speechless at how quickly the snow-covered path reappeared.
Watching it, my master said,
"At this rate, we may reach our destination sooner than expected."
Squad Leader Jeong Chung nodded in agreement at those words.
"It's all thanks to you, Young Master."
He looked at me and asked,
"What in the world did you do to make Hideout Leader Jang call you an benefactor? It can't just be because you offered a snow-clearing plan."
"Well…"
I grinned and replied,
"That's a business secret."
"Even from someone in the same merchant group? That hurts a little."
Even if he felt a bit slighted, it couldn't be helped.
I had agreed to keep the matter of the spiritual herbs a secret, and I couldn't reveal it here.
And this wasn't something trivial that I could gloss over with a half-hearted lie.
So cutting it off as a secret was easier.
'Squad Leader Jeong Chung isn't someone who'd be truly offended over this anyway.'
Though he said he felt hurt, his face showed no sign of it.
He had a natural ability to sense danger.
That's how he had survived countless perilous situations.
That included small things, like now—knowing what he should and shouldn't know.
In my opinion, it was probably that very ability that allowed him to rise to the position of vice-leader of the Silver Wind Squad.
I want that ability for myself.
Just then, Squad Leader Jeong Chung crossed his arms and shivered.
"What's wrong?" my master asked.
Jeong Chung gave an awkward laugh and replied,
"It's nothing. Just felt a sudden chill."
"With this weather, you should be careful. Put on another layer."
"I will."
My master patted Jeong Chung on the shoulder and said,
"Well then, let's get ready to move out."
"Yes, let's."
Pavilion Member Lim Kyeongbin climbed back onto the carriage, and I followed my master and Squad Leader Jeong Chung to Hideout Leader Jang and bowed with a clasped fist.
"Thanks to you, we had a pleasant rest."
"I should be the one thanking you for playing along with my whim. And even more, for showing our stronghold the path forward."
Hideout Leader Jang looked at me and added,
"I'll be waiting to hear from you."
"Yes, I wish you peace until then."
"May fortune follow your escort journey."
After finishing our farewell with Chaeju, I got into the carriage.
"Move out!"
"Yes!"
At my master's order, the escort mission resumed once more.
Jang Dae-Soo, Master of Odong Mountain Stronghold, watched the departing caravan from afar.
Then he let out a small chuckle.
He was recalling the bold figure of the boy who had proposed a secret deal to him.
'So he's the youngest son of the Eunhae Merchant Group Leader.'
Even if he had just come of age, he was still just a greenhorn.
Faced with his wolf fang blade or the pressure he exuded earlier, it would've been natural to tremble in fear.
But the boy's reaction had been completely different.
He had approached with confidence and proposed a clever solution to the situation.
'I suppose I did sigh at my own words. This kid…'
He even felt a bit embarrassed.
On top of that, the boy had revealed the existence of spiritual herbs in the stronghold—something even he hadn't known—and offered a deal.
As the boy said, trading in those herbs could help grow and stabilize the stronghold.
And fortify their defenses, too.
'Just as I was starting to feel uneasy, this came at the right time.'
With hope stirring in his heart, a list of tasks to be done began to flash through his mind.
Like selecting personnel to handle the spiritual herb trade.
'I just hope this one doesn't betray me, unlike the last.'
Jang Dae-Soo looked down at his wolf fang blade.
He had cut down his own lieutenant who betrayed him and fled to survive, abandoning his beloved sword and taking up a wolf fang blade favored by the dark sect.
If he didn't use something like a wolf fang blade, his martial skills would be too easily recognized.
He couldn't let them know he was still alive—at least not yet.
Now that he had met Eun Seoho, he was reminded of the one who had helped him escape.
That former servant of his had also been bold and clever, much like Eun Seoho.
In any case, he found himself wanting to watch how far Eun Seoho could go.
That must be why—
Despite having to hide his identity, he had chosen to treat Eun Seoho as his benefactor.
***
As we descended further down the mountain, there eventually came a point where the snow no longer needed to be cleared.
"This is as far as we go. Travel safely."
One of the Green Forest members who had helped clear the snow said.
It was no longer their territory, and there was no benefit in them going too far from their stronghold.