The Lazy Young Master of the Jin Clan

"Check carefully to see if there are any missing items!"

"Yes!"

"Escorts, after checking that there are no problems with your respective weapons, familiarize yourselves with the route one more time!"

"Yes!"

Yi Haesang, the head of the Song'o Escort Agency in charge of this merchant trip, was a skilled martial artist in his mid-forties.

He had originally been the head of an escort agency that had made a name for itself in Shaanxi, but after an unfortunate incident occurred during an escort with a large transaction, he took responsibility and stepped down.

Three years later, Yi Haesang, who had with difficulty obtained a second chance from the newly established Song'o Escort Agency, considered this merchant trip to be very important.

'I must regain my honor!'

There was nothing more important to an escort head than trust, so he, who had already experienced failure once, staked his life on this merchant trip.

'Especially since the young master and young lady of the Jin Family are accompanying this merchant trip.'

As was known to the public, Jin Gahyeon was highly likely to inherit the Jin Family's business in the future.

Of course, originally, the eldest son, Jin Sohyun, should have inherited the family business, but since he was the most famous lazy bum in Shanxi, he lacked the qualifications to lead a large merchant family.

Therefore, for the sake of the future, Yi Haesang had to make a good impression on Jin Gahyeon.

"Young Lady, all preparations are complete."

Yi Haesang handed Jin Gahyeon a document containing information such as the goods, carts, number of escorts, and the route of the merchant trip.

"You've worked hard."

Jin Gahyeon's large eyes sparkled as she meticulously checked all the documents Yi Haesang had handed her.

Discovering the face of Yi Haesang, who was standing with a tense expression, swallowing dryly, Jin Gahyeon said in a gentle voice.

"Elder Gongsun is accompanying us on this merchant trip, so you don't have to feel too burdened."

"Yes! The Song'o Escort Agency will do its best so that the Young Lady can complete the merchant trip without any setbacks!"

"Then I'll be in your care."

After finishing her conversation with Yi Haesang, Jin Gahyeon approached Gongsun Su, who was standing with his hands behind his back, and Gongsun Cheong, who was standing quietly by his side.

"Hello, Elder Gongsun."

A greeting with a gentle voice and a sense of dignity.

Gongsun Su, who faced Jin Gahyeon, let out an exclamation of admiration without even realizing it.

"Oh... so you are the daughter of Family Head Jin."

"I apologize for my late greeting. I didn't have the time due to the preparations for the merchant trip."

"Don't worry about it. Ah, this is my grandson, Cheong."

"A pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Gongsun Cheong."

"I am Gahyeon of the Jin Family."

Gongsun Cheong, who faced Jin Gahyeon, blushed without even realizing it.

The fame of Jin Gahyeon's beauty, who was openly called the number one beauty of Shanxi, was already spreading beyond Shanxi to the entire Central Plains.

The storytellers of the Central Plains, who enjoyed spreading rumors, had even pointed to Cheon Yerang of the White Moon Palace, Namgung Seolu of the Namgung Family, Myo Uryeong of the Myo Family Village in Henan, and Jin Gahyeon of the Jin Family as those who would become the number one beauty of the Central Plains in the future.

'With a beauty that resembles Yu Seoheung and the wisdom to lead a large merchant family... she is a match for Cheong, second to none!'

The fact that Gongsun Su had readily accepted Jin Seomok's request was largely due to Jin Gahyeon, who was standing in front of him.

Gongsun Su, who had secretly been considering Jin Gahyeon as a match for Gongsun Cheong, knew that high-ranking families and famous martial families were coveting Jin Gahyeon.

For this reason, he had to hurry and create a place for Jin Gahyeon and Gongsun Cheong.

'He would have to enter as a son-in-law, but if it's the Jin Family, it's not a big problem.'

Since being a son-in-law of the Jin Family was not a flaw, Gongsun Su secretly sent a telepathic message to his grandson.

—Take a good look. She is the woman who will one day be your match.

"What!?"

Gongsun Cheong, who was so surprised that he forgot to send a telepathic message and shouted, startled Jin Gahyeon, who blinked and looked back and forth between Gongsun Su and Gongsun Cheong.

"Keke... it seems Cheong is too nervous after meeting a beauty."

"Th-That's..."

As Gongsun Cheong stammered and hung his head in embarrassment, Jin Gahyeon smiled gently.

At that moment, a girl's desperate voice was heard from somewhere.

"We... have to... leave... now!!"

The gazes of the three naturally turned to where the girl's voice had come from.

Where their gazes landed, a girl was forcibly dragging out a man who was standing with a face steeped in sleep.

"Brother!"

Jin Gahyeon, who had spotted Jin Sohyun, called out happily.

"Haaam—! I've only slept for five shichen..."

"That's enough!"

Siu, sweating profusely, barely managed to bring Jin Sohyun.

"No need for introductions, you must be the eldest son of the Jin Family, Jin Sohyun."

Jin Sohyun clasped his fists with his eyes half-open.

"I am Sohyun of the Jin Family."

"I have heard much about you. You learned martial arts from the Flying Sword Hero, didn't you?"

"That's right."

"Don't be too arrogant just because you received the teachings of one of the Five Great Masters of the Central Plains. The martial world is not such an easy place."

"Yes."

Surprisingly, Jin Sohyun had never been arrogant about his martial arts skills.

In the first place, since he had no experience of the world, the only martial arts he had seen from a martial artist were those of his three masters, including Kang Cheon.

"Of course, since I am accompanying you, you will not be in any danger. Ahem."

"With Elder Gongsun accompanying us, I feel incredibly reassured."

The sight of Jin Gahyeon, who showed courtesy and at the same time praised Gongsun Su, was admirable.

However, Jin Sohyun, who was not used to such flattery, just had a face that wanted to go into the carriage and get some much-needed sleep.

As the preparations for the merchant trip were finished, the carriages and carts bearing the flags of the Jin Family and the Song'o Escort Agency began to leave the grand estate of the Jin Family one by one.

In the process, the Jin couple and their children did not even exchange the common farewell greetings.

This was a unique family tradition that only merchant families had.

It was a custom that originated from the meaning that there was no need to say goodbye to someone who would return safely after completing a merchant trip.

"Have a safe trip."

The Jin couple stood at a distance and blessed Jin Sohyun, who was taking his first step into the world, and Jin Gahyeon, who was setting out on a merchant trip to seriously inherit the family business.

***

The first merchant trip Jin Sohyun experienced was very smooth.

In the first place, there were no foolish and stupid bandits in Shanxi who would attack the carriages and carts bearing the flag of the Jin Family.

"Haaam—!"

Even though he had slept for a whopping five shichen, Jin Sohyun found it hard to endure the drowsiness that was washing over him.

If it weren't for Siu, who was sitting next to him, chattering non-stop and shaking Jin Sohyun's shoulder, he would have leaned his head against the backrest and fallen asleep long ago.

"Siu."

"Yes! Young Master!"

"Can't we sleep for just a little while?"

"Young Master."

"Yes?"

"After this merchant trip is over, are you going on another merchant trip?"

"No way."

Jin Sohyun shook his head with a face as if to say what kind of terrible thing he was saying.

Siu, as if she had expected it, grabbed his shoulder with her small, fern-like hands and pulled him.

"So take this opportunity to see the world! It will all be new things for you, Young Master!"

"Even so, it's all just trees and forests. I've seen enough of that."

"Still, look."

Siu hoped that this lazy young master would take even a little interest in the world outside the estate.

Only then would he take even a short step out of his quarters.

However, contrary to Siu's wishes, Jin Sohyun was closing his eyes and slumping.

"Sigh."

As Siu made a sad face, having failed to move Jin Sohyun, Jin Gahyeon smiled quietly.

"Huhu."

"Unlike you, Young Lady, why is our Young Master so lazy?"

"Well... maybe because the world was too boring?"

"Then he should go outside even more! The estate, where nothing happens, is the most boring place in the world!"

Siu vented her frustration with gestures of her hands and feet as if she couldn't understand, but Jin Gahyeon just smiled.

Siu found that even more incomprehensible.

"Are you okay with a Young Master like this, Young Lady?"

"I just want my brother to be happy. If this kind of life is the happiest life for my brother... I want to let my brother live as he wishes."

"You must have been a fairy in your past life, Young Lady."

Siu had already sat down next to Jin Gahyeon and was rubbing her shoulder.

"Even if you flatter me like that, you won't get anything."

"Hmph! That's too mean! You even gave Cheongi and Songi expensive silk clothes... but all this loyal maidservant, who assists the Young Master for the sake of everyone in the Jin Family, gets is the dust that rises from sweeping!"

"After this merchant trip is over, let's go to the market together."

"Really!?"

"Yes!"

While Siu was praising Jin Gahyeon, mobilizing all the beautiful words and phrases she knew, Jin Sohyun slightly frowned.

'What is it?'

In fact, for several shichen now, Jin Sohyun had felt a group of people secretly following the carriages of the Jin Family, which had set out on a merchant trip.

At first, he had ignored it, thinking that it was people that the worried Jin Seomok had secretly attached for Jin Sohyun's merchant trip, but their number had doubled from the beginning.

Moreover, they were gradually closing the distance.

'Twenty... twenty-five?'

Jin Sohyun, who had been ordered to descend the mountain and had returned to the family estate, had trained his mind method without resting for a single day for the past five years.

Of course, it was not Jin Sohyun's will.

The habit of six years had become ingrained in his body, and as a result of breathing and circulating his qi using the Heavenly Flow Mind Method even while sleeping or lazing around, a considerable amount of internal energy had accumulated in Jin Sohyun's great sea and dantian.

Was it thanks to that?

His body, which was full of internal energy, and his senses, which had been trained to avoid the ever-invading Mu Yonghu, had become sharp enough to feel the presence of the group of people secretly following them.

But even though he had noticed that someone was following them, Jin Sohyun did not bother to move.

'Elder Gongsun must know too... the fact that he's not reacting means that those people are on our side.'

Firmly believing that if he knew, then of course Gongsun Su would also know, Jin Sohyun tried not to pay attention to the secret presence he felt from the outside.

'Let's just sleep.'

While Jin Sohyun was lazing around in the carriage as he always had, Gongsun Su, who was riding a horse outside the carriage, was filled with thoughts on how to naturally pair Gongsun Cheong and Jin Gahyeon.

"If that kid weren't such a greenhorn, I would have made a place for them..."

Whether he knew of Gongsun Su's worries or not, Gongsun Cheong rode his horse along the road with a tense face.

Now they had left the main road and entered a deep forest path.

***

"The target has stopped. It seems they are preparing to camp."

"They are confident."

The black-clad man spread out a map and checked the location.

This place was a forest road that was far off the main road and stretched straight with two mountains on either side.

It was one of the most dangerous roads for merchant groups or escort missions, but the carriages of the Jin Family had stopped there.

This was the confidence of the Jin Family, who knew that there were no foolish bandits in Shanxi who would touch them.

"But that confidence will soon turn into arrogance."

The black-clad man stared at the escorts who were busily moving to light a fire for camping with a sharp gaze.

There was no killing intent in his gaze. He was just looking.

The black-clad man, who had confirmed the target, took out a register.

The name of the register was 'Bud Crushing'

The black-clad man, who had confirmed the target's name in the register, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and muttered softly.

"Execute Bud Crushing."

(End of Chapter)