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Chapter 19
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The mountain at night quickly grows dark, and the temperature drops in an instant.
In the mountains, visibility becomes severely limited. Wandering in the darkness, with no moonlight due to the trees, one could easily lose their way.
Due to the sudden drop in temperature, a fire is needed to fend off the cold.
However, a fire brings the risk of attracting beasts and bandits.
Therefore, the camping location must be chosen carefully.
“This spot looks good.”
Only after finally finding a satisfactory spot did everyone unpack and begin to rest.
Some left to gather firewood and search for water while others prepared the campsite.
Huff, huff.
But among them, one person was noticeably struggling.
A well-built man leaned against a tree, gasping for breath.
This was Yoo Yeong-mok, the second son of the Yoo Family Escort Bureau.
“Are you alright?”
A woman offered him water.
Yoo Yeong-mok took the bottle and thanked her.
“Thank you, Guard Ga.”
The water sliding down his throat was lukewarm, but it couldn’t have tasted sweeter.
“If I’d known, I would’ve done some training beforehand.”
Yoo Yeong-mok laughed awkwardly.
This escort mission was different from the usual.
They had to move so discreetly that no one would notice, and quickly enough to avoid capture.
Since starting the escort, had there ever been a time as tough as this?
It had been a long time since he last participated in an escort mission, after a few brief experiences in his youth.
Normally, his father or older brother would have taken part in this mission.
But for some reason, both his father and brother disappeared during the previous escort.
With no one left to take on this mission, it fell to him.
The woman, Ga-jin, shook her head.
“You’re doing well enough.”
She wasn’t just saying it to be polite; even seasoned escorts would struggle with such a grueling pace.
As proof, some of the guards lay exhausted on the ground.
The fact that Yoo Yeong-mok, despite his lack of experience, was keeping up this much was impressive.
“I’ll prepare the sleeping arrangements. Please rest for a while.”
Ga-jin stood up.
After she left, Yoo Yeong-mok sighed deeply.
The Yoo Family Escort Bureau was truly in ruins.
During the previous escort, both the head of the family and the eldest son disappeared without a trace.
With the loss of their transporters, they failed to deliver the cargo, resulting in massive losses.
They had scraped together all remaining resources for this escort.
It was a gamble with the future of the Yoo Family Escort Bureau, a legacy spanning three generations.
“This escort mission has to succeed, no matter what.”
Failing one mission after ten successful ones carries far greater consequences.
The bureau not only had to compensate for the entrusted goods but would also see its trust, built over the years, crumble.
They should at least be grateful for this final opportunity.
This escort was a lifeline crafted from the trust and achievements that the Yoo Family Escort Bureau had accumulated over the years.
“I just hope this peace lasts until the end of the mission.”
Though the rough mountain path caused blisters and made their feet swell, such minor hardships could be endured.
The real issue would be unexpected troubles like bandits.
“Who’s there!”
But his hope was shattered almost immediately.
**
The nearby terrain was notorious for its ruggedness.
The problem was that it was an unavoidable route.
Wherever wealth gathers, thieves are bound to follow.
This area was infamous for frequent bandit attacks.
The government had sent military troops multiple times to eliminate them, but with the bandits moving effortlessly in the harsh terrain, capturing them proved nearly impossible.
And with no way for the military to remain stationed in the area, the local authorities had long since given up.
Yet, despite the risks, escorts and merchants continued to pass through.
Time was of the essence for both merchants and escorts.
The profits they earned depended greatly on how quickly they reached their destination.
Even in a place as notorious as this, sometimes they had no choice but to brave the route.
That made it even more crucial to proceed carefully and stay vigilant.
One wrong move, and they could suffer a brutal fate at the hands of bandits.
Strangers were met with extreme caution.
“I’m just a traveller, drawn by the fire like a moth to a flame.”
An unbelievable excuse.
No wonder their faces grew stern.
This was an open space surrounded by trees; the Yoo Family Escort Bureau had chosen it as a resting spot for a reason.
Multiple people had already confirmed that ordinary light wouldn’t escape the surrounding trees.
People brought their torches closer.
A young man stood there with a foolish grin.
He held nothing in his bare hands, with only a small bundle.
Even if, by a stretch, he was just a traveller, why was he moving at night?
Traveling during the day would be far safer and easier for finding one’s way.
“Could I join you? I’m really hungry.”
There wasn’t a hint of threat in his demeanour.
Could he really just be a passing traveller?
As they considered the possibility,
“That’s not possible. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to leave.”
Ga-jin stepped forward to deny his request.
This mission allowed for no uncertainties.
No matter how harsh it seemed, they couldn’t let anyone approach.
The young man nodded in resignation and turned to leave.
Ga-jin watched him disappear, ensuring he left entirely.
Then someone walked over to her.
“What happened?”
It was Yoo Yeong-mok, who had been gathering branches nearby.
Fortunately, he hadn’t caught the full situation.
“It was nothing.”
And hopefully, it would stay that way.
Ga-jin silently hoped.
**
Step, step.
As dawn began to break, the sound of footsteps on leaves slowly approached.
The faces of those keeping watch hardened.
It was a blatant noise, as if intentionally announcing someone’s approach.
“…What is it?”
They grabbed their weapons and focused their attention on where the sound was coming from.
Some had already begun to wake those who were sound asleep.
The owner of the footsteps was none other than the young man they had seen yesterday.
This time, as he approached slowly and visibly, they were left speechless.
“…It was you.”
Most of them looked incredulous.
“You saw me yesterday.”
“…Don’t come any closer.”
Once again, it was a woman who stepped forward.
With her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, she warned him.
“I thought we had finished our conversation yesterday.”
Lee Seon gestured with a slight wag of his finger.
“I apologize for my rudeness yesterday. I didn’t consider how late it was.”
The woman furrowed her brows.
“Just get to the point.”
Lee Seon scratched his head.
“I’d like to travel with you.”
What he got in return was a firm refusal.
“No. As I said, we’re on an escort mission.”
Seeing him act as if he understood, the guards scowled.
He had already been informed about the escort mission.
It was an unspoken rule that outsiders should not approach during an escort.
Lee Seon grinned widely, as if he already knew.
“Today, I’ve come as a doctor.”
“What?”
Lee Seon looked around.
The people’s complexions were visibly poor.
They had dark circles under their eyes from accumulated fatigue, and their feet were swollen and sore.
He didn’t know where they had come from, but it was clear they had travelled a long distance.
Yesterday, he was just a wanderer?
Seeing the distrust on their faces, Lee Seon sighed.
“I thought you might soon need a doctor here.”
The woman’s face contorted in irritation.
“That’s none of your concern.”
Hmm. She didn’t look well herself.
Although she hid it well, she too seemed unbalanced.
Did she say they were on an escort mission?
“I’m concerned. At this rate, you won’t succeed in your mission.”
Is he insulting us?
Though not all the guards were highly skilled, they took pride in their profession.
It wasn’t surprising that Ga-jin was furious.
“You scoundrel—”
“Guard Ga. Wait.”
Turning around, Yoo Yeong-mok, the leader, was standing there.
“Let’s hear what he has to say.”
Although he was young and inexperienced, he was in charge of this mission.
As Ga-jin stepped back, Yoo Yeong-mok turned his gaze to the young man.
“Who are you to say you can help us?”
Judging by the tone and reaction of those around him, it seemed this man was the leader of the group.
Lee Seon carefully chose his words.
“My name is Lee Seon.”
Yoo Yeong-mok introduced himself in turn.
“I am Yoo Yeong-mok. Embarrassingly, I currently lead the Yoo Family Escort Bureau.”
The Yoo Family Escort Bureau… He’d never heard of it.
“So, you’re someone important.”
“I may have been once, but now I’m like a fallen leaf in the autumn wind.”
Yoo Yeong-mok chuckled bitterly.
But only for a moment; his eyes turned sharp.
“So, what help are you offering us?”
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