Chapter 35
Hayun muttered as she left the office.
“Ugh, of all people, it had to be that guy again……”
It would take roughly forty days just to reach Qing.
Adding the time they would spend there and the time it would take to return, the journey would last over a hundred days.
Just thinking about spending that long with Song Do-hyeon already gave her a headache.
“Three months at minimum?”
Hayun went over the schedule she had just heard.
Geumcheon, Hwangju, Anju… There were more than ten cities they would pass through.
And once they reached the northernmost part of Joseon, the Yalu River, they would have to cross it by boat.
Once they crossed the Yalu River, they would be in Qing territory.
Chaekmun, the gateway to Qing.
The border crossing connecting Joseon and Qing, a passage through which countless merchants came and went.
The ginseng trade would take place in Fenghuangcheng, near Chaekmun.
This was known as the Chaekmun Husi.
“So that means I have to eat and sleep with that guy the whole time?”
Expecting private space like the kind they had now was out of the question.
Not only would they have to share sleeping quarters, but depending on the circumstances, they might even have to sleep outdoors.
On top of that, Song Do-hyeon, as Hayun’s interpreter, would most likely have to stay by her side at all times.
“Ugh, I hate it. Why do I have to stick around with that guy…”
It was just then that Hayun grumbled and walked toward her room.
“Huh?”
Across the hallway, she spotted a face she didn’t want to encounter.
‘Why is he coming out of there?’
It was Song Do-hyeon.
The moment she saw him, her brows naturally furrowed.
Stop!
Song Do-hyeon also noticed Hayun and immediately stopped walking. For some reason, his expression was filled with obvious bewilderment.
‘Should I just pretend I didn’t see him and walk past?’
She thought about it for a moment, but Song Do-hyeon’s face kept catching her eye.
Rumors related to Daegyo Market had reached Hayun’s ears as well.
Perhaps because of that.
Song Do-hyeon’s face looked unusually dark today.
‘Sigh, I guess I should at least look after this man…’
In the end, Hayun made up her mind and approached Song Do-hyeon.
“Hey, Mr. Song.”
Hayun swallowed the form of address that instinctively slipped out.
“…I mean, Haengsu Song Do-hyeon?”
From now on, she was Mansang’s Daehangsu.
Even if it was only temporary, she had to set an example as the Daehangsu.
“……”
But despite Hayun calling out to him, Song Do-hyeon simply stood there blankly for some reason.
Hayun raised her hand and waved it from side to side.
“What are you doing? Are you listening to me?”
“…I’m listening.”
Only then did Song Do-hyeon’s eyes return to focus.
“If you’re listening, you should answer…”
Hayun frowned and tried to start the conversation again.
“You might have to leave this place soon, so it would be good to organize your belongings in advance.”
“Organize my belongings? What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said. I’m saying you have to leave this place.”
Hayun’s words were quite open to misunderstanding.
Having misunderstood what she meant, Song Do-hyeon began to grow angry.
“Are you saying you’re going to kick me out of here?”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
“You’re finally showing your true colors. I thought the way you’d been looking at me lately was suspicious…”
“No, I wasn’t looking at you in that sense…”
“Fine. Then tell me exactly how you intend to drive me out. Tell me the truth.”
“Good grief! That’s not what I mean either.”
With the misunderstanding continuing, Hayun hurriedly explained the reason.
“It’s been decided that we’re going to Qing. You and me.”
“To Qing?”
Song Do-hyeon’s eyes widened.
Unable to say anything for a moment, he soon asked as though he had remembered something.
“Don’t tell me this is because of the ginseng trade?”
“Yes. That’s right. The ginseng trade.”
Hayun relayed exactly what she had just been told.
“I’m the person in charge of the entire trade, and you’ve been selected as the interpreter who’ll assist me.”
“……!”
For a moment, Song Do-hyeon’s expression stiffened.
Surprise and bewilderment… And somewhere between them, a hint of discomfort.
“Heh.”
As though she found his reaction amusing, Hayun wore a faint smile.
“What’s wrong? I suppose you’re disappointed because I’m the person in charge?”
The ginseng trade was a core business traditionally led by Im Sang-ok.
Song Do-hyeon had also accompanied him as an attendant several times, but it had only been at a level where he could gain experience.
It was difficult to believe that such an important position had been entrusted to Hayun.
“Why you……?”
“Who knows? If you’re curious, why don’t you ask Daebang-nim yourself?”
Hayun shrugged.
“Oh, and.”
Then, as though she had just remembered something, she added.
“While we’re on the way, could you call me by the proper title instead of ‘you,’ ‘you bastard,’ or ‘you punk’…?”
Hayun smiled sweetly as she said.
“Call me Daehangsu-nim.”
“What did you say…?”
Hayun continued calmly.
“It’s only temporary, but I was given the title of Daehangsu.”
The position of Daehangsu was unquestionably a rank higher than Song Do-hyeon’s.
Someone who had been a distant junior just a few months ago had now risen above him.
Song Do-hyeon’s expression turned cold.
“Anyway, let’s get along while we’re traveling to Qing. Whether we like it or not, we’re in the same boat.”
Hayun walked around to Song Do-hyeon’s back.
Then she spoke clearly right next to his ear.
“This is an order from your Daehangsu. Understood?”
There was a small measure of revenge mixed into her tone.
It felt as though she was finally paying back at least a little of the debt from what he had done to her in the past.
“Then I’ll see you when we leave! Haengsu Song-nim!”
Whoosh!
With that, Hayun hurriedly scurried away as though she were running from him.
“……”
Song Do-hyeon silently watched Hayun’s retreating figure.
***
The long-awaited day of departure.
All kinds of luggage were strewn about Hayun’s room.
“I need clothes to wear while traveling, and pajamas, too. And clothes to wear when negotiating… Ah! I almost forgot the shoes!”
It was a journey that would last more than a hundred days.
She would need more than ten sets of clothes just to change during that long period.
And after packing underwear, shoes, and all sorts of other things, she already had a mountain of luggage.
“Okay, I didn’t forget anything, right?”
Hayun crammed a huge amount of luggage into her travel pack.
And the moment she stood up holding it, her legs wobbled.
“Ugh…!”
It wasn’t a weight she couldn’t lift.
It felt about as heavy as a thick blanket, but just thinking about carrying it on her back for several months already made her head spin.
“Jeez, I wonder if I can even make it all the way to Qing like this.”
Muttering to herself, Hayun started walking.
The entrance to Mansang was busier than ever.
“Be careful! It’ll be a disaster if it breaks!”
“Yes, yes! I’ll move it carefully!”
“The ginseng boxes go in the carriage at the back! Don’t get the order mixed up!”
“Hey! I said load the textiles onto the carriages in front!”
“All right, everyone! Let’s hurry up just a little! We’re about to depart!”
“Yes! Understood!”
Dozens of carriages stood in a long line, while porters constantly moved back and forth between them, carrying and loading luggage without a moment’s rest.
“Oh, Haengsu Im. You came at just the right time.”
Jeopjang Yoon happened to spot Hayun and approached her.
He held something out toward her.
“Here, will you take this?”
“What is this?”
What Jeopjang Yoon held out was none other than a bundle.
The bundle, wrapped in a thick cloth, had straps on both sides so it could be carried over the shoulders.
“We don’t have enough room to load everything onto the carriages, so you’ll have to carry a bundle as well.”
“What? A bundle?”
Jeopjang Yoon shrugged awkwardly.
“It can’t be helped. One of the carriages was damaged, so everyone has to divide up and carry the luggage that was on it.”
“Urgh, I didn’t expect this……”
“Most of it is food supplies, though, so you should be able to empty the bundle after just a few days.”
“Yes…”
Hayun took the bundle with a miserable expression.
“Ugh!”
And immediately sat down on the ground.
“It’s heavy…”
With the bundle added to her personal travel pack, it was too much for her to handle.
It felt almost like she was carrying an entire sack of rice.
It was no longer a weight she could manage.
“Should I take some things out of my luggage…”
It was just then, as Hayun sat there looking utterly dejected.
“Heh.”
A cold laugh came from above.
When she raised her head, Song Do-hyeon was looking down at Hayun.
“This is quite unbecoming of a Daehangsu.”
Song Do-hyeon casually adjusted the bundle he was carrying, making sure to show it off.
“For someone who’s supposed to be the Daehangsu to be unable to carry even a simple bundle… Tsk.”
He shook his head while looking at Hayun.
“How about it? If it’s too difficult, why don’t you give up the position of Daehangsu even now?”
“…Give up?”
Hayun’s eyebrow twitched.
“Me? Give up?”
There was no way she could show weakness in front of Song Do-hyeon.
“Ugh!”
Using her anger as fuel, Hayun barely managed to get back on her feet.
Small gasps of admiration escaped from those around them when they saw her.
“Oh, impressive.”
“How can that kind of strength come from such a small frame……”
“She really does have that stubborn streak.”
“Huff, huff……”
After barely managing to stand, Hayun caught her breath and issued a warning.
“I’m not going to give up the position of Daehangsu over something this trivial, so you can stop dreaming.”
Song Do-hyeon chuckled at her spirited declaration.
“I see.”
He then nodded slightly.
“I’ll give you credit for your tenacity.”
His tone was dry, but unlike before, there was no blatant mockery in it.
It seemed that, in his own way, he acknowledged Hayun.
“Phew……”
After finally managing to get the bundle onto her back, Hayun looked around.
Everyone else seemed to have more or less finished preparing as well. They stood there staring blankly at Hayun.
“Ah.”
It didn’t take her long to realize what those gazes meant.
From now on, she was the Daehangsu.
She was the one who had to lead them.
Hayun shouted in a booming voice.
“All right, let’s go!”
Seeing this, Jeopjang Yoon raised his hand.
As the representative clerk who would accompany Hayun and help her all the way to Qing, Jeopjang Yoon was joining the trade mission.
“Then, let’s depart!”
Clatter!
At the signal to depart, the carriage wheels slowly began to turn. Cheers from those remaining behind poured forth.
“Have a safe trip!”
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself!”
“Yes! I’ll definitely come back with good news!”
Amid the enthusiastic cheers, the procession slowly began to move forward.
After a short while,
“……”
Song Do-hyeon quietly reached into his robes and checked something.
What he had inside was none other than a binyeo.
The binyeo had an unusual lily-of-the-valley ornament attached to it.
It was exactly the same design as the binyeo he had given to the woman wearing the goblin mask some time ago.
Rustle.
After examining the binyeo for a moment, Song Do-hyeon raised his head and looked ahead.
There, he saw Hayun carrying a bundle almost as large as her own body.
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