Chapter 6

“What I’m about to say will be hard for you to believe.”

Mok In-seop, who had returned before Dan Woo-sung, spoke to his comrades at the lodging. Those who were tidying bedding or going about their own business here and there each responded.

“Why? Did the Crown Prince get into a fight and roll around in the mud at An-ga in broad daylight?”

“Oh, you must’ve had a good show? You were peeping, weren’t you? You pervert.”

Mok In-seop sighed.

“Am I your older brother? Would I spy on something like that?”

“Then what is it?”

Mok In-seop chuckled softly.

“What could it be?”

No one seemed particularly curious.

“Anyway, he’s got it made in life. Born into a good family, living it up in luxury, taking it easy. I’m jealous, really jealous. Aren’t you?”

“I am envious. Even if he’s just massaging some noble lady’s backside at the palace, he’ll never have to worry about money. Anyway, you just have to be born into the right family. Effort is useless, you know. Look at our Deputy Commander. He devoted his entire youth to the Guard Corps, yet he just… well, you know… I’ll stop there.”

Everyone glanced sideways at Han Yeop, the Deputy Commander of the Guard Corps.

Han Yeop addressed Mok Inseop with a sour expression.

“How is the Crown Prince’s health?”

Han Yeop was the only man in the escort who worried about the Crown Prince.

Only then did the guards all look at Mok In-seop at once.

Mok In-seop smiled as if he knew an amusing story and said,

“Don’t think it’s a lie. You’ll all find out eventually anyway.”

Only then did the more curious ones press Mok In-seop.

“Spit it out. What is it?”

“If it’s nothing special, you’ll regret it.”

Mok In-seop said.

“The Crown Prince has completely changed.”

Of course, since he had changed from Lee Jin-eon to Dan Woo-sung, it was true. One man retorted like this.

Everyone changes at some point. Since the Crown Prince is still young, it wouldn’t be strange if he had changed. It’s not like it’s too late. He must have matured a bit in the palace.

Mok In-seop shook his head.

“It’s more than that. Would I be surprised by just that? I hadn’t seen the Crown Prince in a long time, but even to my eyes, he’d become a perfect warrior. A true warrior.”

“Hmm…”

At Mok In-seop’s words, the bodyguards exchanged glances among themselves, then burst into laughter as if on cue.

“Hahahahaha…”

“Puhahahahaha.”

One man pointed at Mok In-seop and said.

“That was funny. Really funny. Our Mokga has a knack for making people laugh sometimes. It’s an amusing story. The Crown Prince becoming a martial artist? That’s on par with Mokga quitting drinking and leaving to study literature.”

“It’s on par with Mok Inseop bumping shoulders on the street and then apologizing politely.”

Since it wasn’t a bad thing, Mok In-seop laughed along too.

“Yes, yes, I knew you wouldn’t believe it. Anyway, don’t be surprised when you return. This Mok In-seop gets nervous every time I lock eyes with the Crown Prince. You’ll see.”

“You got intimidated by that weakling? That’s ridiculous. You crazy dog, you bastard?”

The escort corps was fundamentally a man’s world.

Though they were warriors affiliated with the merchant guild, that very fact made them even rougher. In their work for the guild, they most frequently encountered martial artists, bandits, and highwaymen.

For various reasons, they were men who lived by the sword. Even though they belonged to the merchant guild, they were worlds apart from the merchants themselves. They were men who had one foot in the martial world. Among them, Mok In-seop was notorious for getting into fights at inns and such whenever he got the chance, earning him the nickname Mad Dog.

Deputy Chief Han Yeop asked Mok In-seop.

“Becoming a martial artist must mean your health has fully recovered.”

“That’s correct. You looked perfectly healthy.”

“Then when did he say he would return?”

“He didn’t specify a time. He just said he’d return soon.”

Han Yeop spoke with a serious expression.

“It’s cause for celebration that the Crown Prince has changed so much. Here’s what we’ll do. On the day the Crown Prince returns, have all the off-duty guards assemble.”

“Gather?”

Han Yeop spoke in a tone that was hard to tell if he was joking or serious.

“We should properly celebrate His Highness’s return with due respect.”

Everyone burst out laughing at Han Yeop’s words, but he said with a serious expression.

“I’m not joking.”

“Are you serious?”

“Are you really going to do that?”

Han Yeop nodded his head and blurted out these words.

“A man changing is something to celebrate and marvel at. There’s an old saying: ‘scratch your eyes out in amazement.’ Even Lü Bu from the Three Kingdoms…”

Mok In-seop interjected.

“Not Lü Bu, Lü Meng. The story of ‘scratching one’s eyes in amazement’…”

Han Yeop snapped his fingers, beckoning Mok In-seop.

“You, come here.”

Mok In-seop approached reluctantly, and Han Yeop smacked him on the head.

“Where did you pick up this habit of constantly talking back? Is Yue Fei important now, or is Yue Meng? We’re talking about the Crown Prince, and this brat…”

As Mok In-seop took a hit, snickering laughter erupted from all around.

Han Yeop said.

“Anyway, where were we?”

Mok In-seop rubbed his head where he’d been hit and said.

“You’ve made remarkable progress.”

“Yes. That the Crown Prince has become a martial artist is truly splendid. He didn’t seem to be in good health either. Honestly, just seeing the Crown Prince used to break my heart. I often regretted not beating him into shape like I did with you lot. Anyway, how much heartache must a man have endured there to change so much? This is no joke, it’s sincere, so pass it on to those not present here.”

Only then did everyone respond with serious expressions.

“Understood. I’ll pass it on.”

Han Yeop looked at Mok Inseop and spoke as if leaving a lingering impression.

“If the mad dog of our neighborhood was deemed a martial artist, then it must be true that the Crown Prince has become one too. You’re a cocky bastard, but you’re not a lying scoundrel.”

Mok In-seop grinned and retorted.

“That’s right. Deputy Leader, you’ve seen it clearly.”

Han Yeop watched Mok Inseop, who was clearly enjoying himself, and chuckled softly.

.

.

.

A few days later, a man belonging to the escort unit entered the lodgings in a hurry and announced.

“The Crown Prince has arrived.”

The guards exchanged glances, and one senior member spoke up.

“Didn’t you hear the deputy leader? Everyone get ready to dash out. If we leave now, we’ll be able to greet them.”

“Understood.”

“And contact the Deputy Chief as well.”

“Since the Head of the Merchant Guild is being escorted, shouldn’t we see him first?”

“Right. Let’s go.”

The men dressed in their uniforms, gathered their weapons, and chattered away.

“Well, if he hadn’t caused trouble, he would’ve been the next head of the merchant guild with a bright future ahead of him…”

“Who knows. The other princes are fighting amongst themselves, so from our perspective…”

Anyway, aren’t all three of them complete jerks? I almost said it, but kept my mouth shut. They too were suddenly consumed by curiosity about the returning young master. That’s how it is when people change—it comes mixed with that kind of anticipation.

***

Dan Woo-sung was staring at his own house.

‘He really was rich.’

After sending the servants who had returned with him from the villa inside first, he stood alone, gazing at the towering main gate and walls of the Eunha Trading Company. The scale of the house was truly immense. Everywhere he looked, memories of Lee Jin-eon seemed to overlay his own, like retrieving childhood recollections.

This was a place Lee Jin-eon had always been proud of. In his memory, there was a vow he had made to himself: someday, he too would run a successful merchant guild. Because of this, Lee Jin-eon’s memory seemed to be saying to Dan Woo-sung, ‘Please take good care of the guild.’

Dan Woo-sung nodded.

‘Don’t worry.’

Maintaining such wealth in the martial world must have required considerable effort from many people. They would have spent portions of the money earned for survival in various places.

The merchant leader’s mental anguish was bound to be severe.

After looking around, Danwooseong finally opened the main gate and entered Eunhwasangdan. Though the servants who had entered first would have informed them of his return, not a single person came out to greet him.

He simply surveyed his surroundings as if recalling Lee Jin-eon’s memories, passing through the wide courtyard and heading toward the main hall where guests were received.

Inside the main hall, Lee Jin-eon’s memories drifted by like phantoms.

It was the hall where he had played with his brothers, and also the hall where they had fought, grabbing each other by the hair.

In one corner, he saw the three brothers, Lee Jin-eon, Lee Hwa-eon, and Lee Ja-eon, kneeling after being scolded by their father.

All three sat with their hands raised, their faces twisted in sulky expressions.

Then Danwooseong stopped in his tracks.

Young Lee Jin-eon stood there blankly, as if in shock, and a vision appeared of Lee Jin-eon’s father carrying his mother on his back as they rushed outside.

The vision Dan Wooseong was watching vanished at someone’s voice.

“Your Highness, have you arrived?”

From deep within the main hall, Han Yeop, the deputy leader of the guard unit, walked out alone.

Han Yeop looked at Dan Wooseong and said.

“Congratulations on your safe return.”

Dan Woo-sung, who had been staring blankly at Han Yeop, replied.

“How have you been, Deputy Commander?”

Han Yeop spoke while carefully observing the Crown Prince.

“Yes, I’ve been doing well, thanks to the merchant leader always looking out for me. I had instructed the escort to receive me, but I arrived first.”

No sooner had Han Yeop finished speaking than the guardsmen outside the main hall came rushing in with a clamor.

Han Yeop and Dan Woo-seong stood side by side watching as the escort squadron formed a line, took their positions, and spoke in unison.

“We congratulate the young master on his safe return.”

The escort party then performed the sword salute, raising their swords vertically and placing their right hands over them.

Though it was at Han Yeop’s command, it was nonetheless the only welcome they received. Dan Woo-seong smiled at the escort and replied.

“A bit much for a lowly dog like me. Thank you all.”

When the Crown Prince made a self-deprecating joke, everyone smiled. But when Dan Woo-sung saluted the escort unit that had come to greet him, their expressions stiffened.

Only then did Mok In-seop’s words come to mind. Moreover, the salute was neither excessive nor lacking. It was a gesture of perfectly measured courtesy.

Watching this, Han Yeop spoke with a peculiar smile.

“Everyone, get back to work. I’ll escort the Crown Prince.”

“Understood.”

Both Han Yeop, who was guiding the Crown Prince to the merchant leader lying in bed, and the escort team returning to their lodgings were all thinking the same thing.

‘Wow, you’ve really changed a lot.’

There was no need for lengthy conversation. The change was palpable enough to feel the warrior’s prayer.

Martial artists recognize each other.

Now he understood why Mok Inseop had been so startled. It wasn’t just that his health had been restored; it felt like a stranger, a warrior he’d never seen before, had entered the house. And not as an enemy, but as one of their own.

Han Yeop stood before the merchant’s room and announced.

“The Crown Prince has arrived.”

A weak voice came from inside the room.

“Let him in.”

Han Yeop opened the door and said to Dan Woo-seong.

“Your Highness, please enter. I will wait outside.”

As Dan Wooseong entered the room alone, he saw a man lying in the spacious room.

Dan Woo-sung was inwardly shocked. Was his father really this old? Having been an orphan, he had no memories or information about his father whatsoever.

A middle-aged man, his face bearing the clear marks of a life of hardship, looked at Dan Woo-sung and spoke.

“……You’ve come.”

His tone was flat, devoid of any hatred or expectation. Dan Wooseong and Lee Jinyun answered simultaneously.

“Yes, we’ve returned.”

“Sit down.”

Dan Wooseong sat down, gazing at the unknown figure who was his father.

“They say you’ve developed a blood vessel disease.”

His father replied with a faint smile.

“That seems to be it. It must be his anger-related illness. He’s had that for a long time, but his body must be getting old—it just can’t hold out anymore.”

Only then did Lee Seong-min properly see Lee Jin-eon’s face. He reached out and touched his eldest son’s cheek.

“Your face looks better. You seem more at ease too. Your expression has changed. Is this really Jin-eon?”

It was a question only his father could ask. Dan Woo-sung nodded and replied.

“Yes.”

“I’m glad you’re better.”

Dan Woo-sung’s emotions were complex.

It could be because this man, this father, was far older than the Dan Woo-sung of his past life.

Aging is truly this sorrowful.

This man’s aging came sooner because the fate of the work he led and the lives of his many dependents rested upon him. Danwooseong could see better than anyone that this was a man who had endured much mental anguish.

And before their father, whether it was the clumsy Lee Jin-eon or the orphan Dan Woo-sung, they were both equally useless.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong

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