Chapter 40. First Escort (2)

After finishing my conversation with the master and disciples of Yangjinpo and teaching them the content of the exam and the secrets to passing it, I went to see Gang Pyodu. It was a bit late, but Gang Pyodu was still working.

"Sir Pyodu, may I have a moment? I have something important to discuss."

"Hmm. If it's the same as last time, I can't help you."

"It's not that."

I shook my head. Gang Pyodu, who had blocked any requests to reveal the destination of the cargo as before, nodded and clapped his hands to call a servant to bring a cup of tea.

"Go on."

"Thank you. ...Oh! This tea is quite good."

"Isn't it? I've recently developed a taste for Tieguanyin. I've bought some, and the aroma is really excellent."

Praising the tea, Gang Pyodu immediately wore a pleased expression. It wasn't just flattery; among the teas I had tasted since coming to the martial world, this was one of the better ones.

'I've only been drinking cheap stuff so far.'

It was as good as the Seolrok tea I had when I visited Jeju Island. Of course, I prefer coffee.

"Anyway, what's the matter? You said it was important."

"It's about the investment you mentioned before."

"Oh, right. You mentioned that. Do you have any thoughts on it?"

"Yes. I want to invest this much."

I took out the money bag. It was the money given to me by the Joseon Fellowship for investment.

'Even though I'm investing the money I received for investment, it still feels like a waste.'

I, who am not even a board member, holding company shares. The heavy feel of the money bag made my hand tremble involuntarily. I tried to hide my trembling hand as I handed it over to Gang Pyodu.

"That's quite a large amount. It must be around 100 nyang."

"That's correct."

Gang Pyodu, slightly surprised by the unexpectedly large amount, asked.

"May I ask what you're thinking?"

"It's nothing much. Just consider it as my commitment to burying my bones in Baegun Escort Agency."

"Hmm..."

Gang Pyodu, who had tilted his head a few times at my declaration, seemed to make a decision and nodded.

"I see. I did mention it, but I didn't expect you to actually invest. No one has ever really invested before."

"..."

I'm not sure if this is a good move.

"Then I'll prepare the document acknowledging the receipt of the investment. As I mentioned before, you'll receive 10% of the annual profit..."

"Before that, I have one request."

"What is it?"

I swallowed hard and spoke.

"Can you arrange for the people I introduce to take the porter exam?"

"What? Did you receive a favor?"

Gang Pyodu, slightly frowning, pushed the money bag back and said.

"You know as well as I do that we can't just accept unqualified people as porters. No matter how much you invest, it's not possible."

Gang Pyodu was misunderstanding, thinking I had received a favor. While not entirely wrong...

I quickly waved my hands and added an explanation.

"I'm not asking for unqualified people to be accepted. I just want them to take the exam. If they fail, it means their abilities are limited, and I won't mind."

"Just to take the exam? There's no restriction on who can take the exam, so it's not a big request."

"They will have restrictions."

"Are they criminals?"

"The people I want to introduce are those who have been expelled from Jeolgeon Gate."

A moment of silence fell. My proposal was indeed quite unconventional.

After a long silence, Gang Pyodu said with a bewildered expression.

"You have quite a unique side."

"I do have that side."

"Are you sure you're not crazy?"

That's a bit unfair.

"How did you come to know these people?"

"It happened by chance."

"Did you suggest to them that they become porters? Even if you did, it's a difficult job for a martial artist to do, out of pride."

"They suggested it to me. After being expelled, they lost their martial arts and are having trouble making a living."

"Hmm..."

From Gang Pyodu's perspective, it must have sounded like a bizarre request. I quickly added.

"I'm not asking you to consider their background. That's why I'm offering the investment as well."

"We can't just accept troublemakers. It's not as if we desperately need porters or this amount of investment."

Gang Pyodu's words were not wrong. 100 nyang is a lot to me, but not so much to the branch. I cleared my throat and started to sell the idea.

"But isn't it a waste?"

"What is?"

"Isn't it a golden opportunity to bring in the experience Jeolgeon Gate has accumulated through its dealings with Jeonggajang?"

"Hmm..."

"Jeolgeon Gate might not hand over the experience properly. They might even hope for chaos."

Gang Pyodu frowned. He must have heard that the current leader of Jeolgeon Gate, Baek Songrim, is not an ordinary person. He's the kind of guy who would cut off a subordinate's arm in front of a customer to save face.

"We have anticipated that issue."

After a moment of thought, Gang Pyodu spoke heavily. I immediately started to sell the idea.

"These people have worked with Jeonggajang multiple times. They will definitely be helpful when we fully take over Jeonggajang's business."

After a sigh, Gang Pyodu said.

"Your argument makes sense. If it's just about taking the exam, it might be acceptable."

"Thank you."

"However, if they fail the exam, it's not acceptable. And even if they pass, they can't expect special treatment because they have some martial arts skills. Any friction with other porters will result in immediate dismissal. These are my conditions. Can you accept them?"

"Of course, Branch Manager."

These were matters I had already discussed with Yangjinpo. While it might be a bit harsh from their perspective, it's not possible to give them special treatment, so I had to accept these conditions.

"Then I'll allow them to take the exam."

"Thank you, Branch Manager!"

I had already discussed the exam content with Yangjinpo. For them, it wouldn't be too difficult. Even without internal energy, their physical strength and endurance should be more than enough for the porter level.

The only concern was Yangjinpo, who only had one arm.

'Hopefully it will go well.'

Since I had already made the arrangements, I had to wait and see what would happen tomorrow.

***

After successfully making the request to Gang Pyodu, I returned to the inn. It had been a busy day, but I couldn't just lie down and rest. The regular escort was the reason.

I needed to start packing my things gradually from today. I had to leave the room next week for the escort, so I needed to prepare to vacate the room.

'Goodbye to this room.'

After an escort, I would have to be away from the room for at least 1-2 weeks, so it was better to vacate the room and re-rent it upon return. I sighed lightly and started sorting out the things I would take and those I would leave behind.

'There's so much to do.'

It wasn't just about packing. I also needed to prepare for the escort. The escort agency only provides the minimum essentials for the escorts and porters, like food, a pot, firewood, and that's about it.

Obviously, long-distance transportation can't be done with just those items.

You need extra clothes in case of rain, shoes, and so on... the list goes on.

"Where did I put my leg wraps..."

Long-distance marching is really uncomfortable without leg wraps. Stones keep getting into your shoes. I was rummaging around, looking for the leg wraps I had bought during my porter days.

*Knock knock*

I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

When I opened the door, it was Wei Ji. Wei Jiyan showed me the sword she had brought and said.

"Are you done with your work? I brought the sword as you asked to teach me sword qi."

"Oh, right. Please come in. The room is a bit messy."

While I was preparing a cup of tea, Wei Jiyan noticed the packed bags and asked.

"Are you leaving the inn?"

"Yes. I have to leave for an escort next week, so I need to vacate the room this week."

"I see."

Packing for an escort is indeed a hassle. I was considering whether to look for a separate place to live, but leaving a place unoccupied for a long time seemed wasteful. Who knows when a thief might break in.

Wei Jiyan, drinking the tea I had prepared, asked.

"What will you do with these things?"

"I'll have to ask if I can store them in the inn's warehouse."

Maybe I could ask for a favor with some money.

Or I could secretly put them in the escort agency's warehouse. They probably wouldn't notice for a month.

"Will you come back to this inn?"

"If possible. It's a bit expensive, but the duck soup here is thick and has a lot of meat, which I like."

Good food is a big plus. It's not for nothing that office workers search for good restaurants during their short lunch breaks.

"Is that so? I only eat noodles..."

"That's a bit of a waste. The dumplings here are quite good. Try meat dishes next time."

I had even given a tip to the waiter to make sure the food had more meat, but I didn't expect Wei Jiyan to only eat noodles. The waiter should have mentioned it. I'll have to take back the tip later.

After finishing the tea, Wei Jiyan handed me the sword.

"Then I'll teach you about sword qi cultivation."

"Sure. I'm looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of intense cultivation it will be."

Wei Jiyan's lessons had never been easy. I was determined and eager. I was especially excited to see what kind of animal form would be involved this time.

If it's sword qi, shouldn't the Heavenly Horse Dominance Step (天马君临步) be taught?

"We'll go step by step."

The first step, called sword sense (劍感), was quite simple. It involved sitting in a cross-legged position and placing the sword in my hands, feeling the sword.

"You need to feel the sword for a few months. It can take up to a year."

"I see."

It was a longer process than I expected. With my eyes closed, feeling the sword, Wei Jiyan asked.

"What do you feel?"

I felt the cold, metallic touch and said.

"It's cold."

"..."

"It's hard."

"..."

"And I can feel some scratches. The second-hand value has dropped."

I could feel the scratches when I touched it.

Wei Jiyan sighed deeply, audible to me.

***

The next day, the day of the porter exam arrived.

Various laborers from Maeyang County gathered to take the porter exam. The place was a chaotic mess with everyone crowding in.

"Stop pushing!"

"Why are you pushing, you pushed me!"

"Who is it? Who stole my money bag!"

"Ouch! Move your foot!"

'This is a mess.'

A familiar scene. I had also pushed through this chaos to become a porter. To be honest, it was even more intense back then. The current examinees should consider themselves lucky.

The scene was a chaotic mix of all the strong men from the area. Being a porter, while somewhat dangerous, is a well-paying job.

I had earned two silver taels on my first escort, and considering the meals provided, it's hard to find a job that pays this much for a day's work.

Most of the gathered people were dressed like typical day laborers, but there were a few with unusual attire.

'They're here.'

Yangjinpo and his disciples. Five burly men with fierce looks, standing together, were hard to miss.

I was worried they might show up in Jeolgeon Gate uniforms, but fortunately, they had either had the sense to change or had been forced to. They were wearing plain white martial arts uniforms.

When it was time, Gang Pyodu stepped forward and shouted.

"Quiet! We're about to start the porter exam. Listen to the exam content and take the exam in order!"

Gang Pyodu's powerful voice quieted the crowd.

The exam content was as follows:

1. Physical examination

2. Carrying a bag of rice on a pole

3. Loading and unloading cargo from a cart

The hardest part was carrying the bag of rice on a pole. It was extremely heavy.

'I almost died doing that.'

You had to carry it for a few steps, and if you couldn't balance the weight properly, you'd fall backward. It required some skill.

I wouldn't have passed without the year of various odd jobs I had done, building up my strength.

After the exam content was announced, people started lining up. Yangjinpo was number 15. I gave him a light nod.

'No problem, right?'

Yangjinpo nodded.