"Damn it, even if it's just dumping supplies at the neighboring warehouse, isn't it too much to take on some unknown as a porter?"
The eldest and most experienced porter, who was leading the group as the head porter, Jeonggap thumped his chest in frustration.
He had a point, strictly speaking.
No matter how low-ranking the porters were, everyone joining an escort mission had to have a verified identity.
From porters to escort warriors and even the leader, backgrounds were checked thoroughly.
Assassins or bandits could slip in at any moment.
If it weren't for Yeon Jinjin's permission—the dearly beloved daughter of the agency lord—Jeonggap would have opposed it vehemently.
"Don't worry, head porter. What could go wrong?"
Veteran porters who assisted Jeonggap gathered to console him.
The mood was relaxed since it wasn't a major mission, just a light one.
Agency folk called these "supply dump runs," hauling trivial odds and ends.
It was so casual that there wasn't even a mission leader—just three or fewer escort warriors and about six porters.
They avoided bandit trails to cut costs, limiting even the warriors.
Instead, they brought more porters.
Cheap goods, but bulky ones needing many hands.
"Exactly. If it weren't a dump run, they wouldn't have let the young lady join."
"You know how kind the young lady and the lord are."
The other porters swarmed, soothing their head porter Jeonggap.
Just then, the youngest porter had bolted without permission, leaving a spot empty.
No replacement meant more work for them, so they had skin in the game.
'That green kid an assassin? Lucky if he's not half-baked.'
There was another reason the porters eyed Hyeon Yucheon with exasperation.
"Hey, you got any porter experience?"
Despite their questions, he stood lost in his own world, staring blankly.
'Right... porters are the ones who handle the grunt work for the escort warriors and leader on missions.'
Hyeon Yucheon was young and green, but he'd inherited the memories and knowledge of the former world's greatest, Demon Sword Ghost Elder Cheon Baeksang.
Basic murim common sense was second nature.
And one more thing.
As heir to the merchant house Mangeum Clan, he knew the concept from their laborers.
Merchants and escorts differed, but helpers were helpers.
"...Hey! Hey! You listening?"
"Huh? What'd you say?"
His beggar rags and handsome face screamed naive scholar.
Jeonggap's mind raced at the sight.
"Sigh... I asked if you've got porter experience."
Snapping to, Hyeon Yucheon glanced around.
He'd rushed after Yeon Jinjin to join the mission.
For him, it was practically his first step into the jianghu, so he'd drifted into thought unawares.
"No, none. But I know a bit of martial arts."
He answered brightly, forcing cheer.
Puhahaha!
Back came mockery and laughter.
"Martial arts? You?"
"What, Beggars' Sect material?"
"Hey, old timer, why would beggars work escorts?"
"Say you're some noble house brat instead!"
From teens to sixties, porters clutched their bellies laughing.
Most porters were far from martial arts.
They admired the warriors and leaders, dreaming to be like them.
So a clueless newbie claiming martial prowess? No buy-in.
"No, really..."
Before he could protest, head porter Jeonggap cut in.
"Tsk tsk, kid. Know your place. Probably scraped by with Three Talents Swordsmanship or something. And don't get delusions just 'cause Yeon Jinjin vouched for you. She's and the lord got hearts of gold—happens often. No misunderstandings. Just do your job."
Departure time hit, and Hyeon Yucheon moved out, unwelcome among the porters.
'Sheesh, they won't even let me talk.'
Their reactions frustrated him, but whatever.
Porter was temporary. He'd shine somehow, worm into Gold Amount Escort Agency's core.
After the storm, a friendly-faced porter approached.
"Don't mind 'em. Jealousy."
He patted Hyeon Yucheon's slumped back.
"Huh?"
"They're too old to learn new tricks or quit portering. Young buck like you knows martial arts? Envy."
"Nah, no way."
"Heh, name's Sungwang. Newbie like you—two months in."
The early-thirties porter was the only one showing interest.
"Anyway... how far's your martial arts? No bulging Sun Acupoint or signs..."
Right then.
Piiik!
"All porters, assemble!"
Escort warriors' whistles signaled start.
Hyeon Yucheon and Sungwang's chat cut off; head porter Jeonggap and porters shouldered loads, following.
"Yaaawn. All here?"
Warriors usually tensed for dangers.
Not here—yawns all around for a two-hour warehouse hop.
"Yes, Escort Warrior Gong."
Lead porter Jeonggap replied for them.
"That's Gong Uryang, Escort Wind Sword, strongest of our three warriors," Sungwang whispered from the rear rank, lined by seniority.
Their talk reached warriors and porters alike, but no issue.
Newbie briefings were mission norm.
"Hm? New face? Where's the kid?"
Gong Uryang yawned, rubbing sleepy eyes at Hyeon Yucheon.
Jeonggap answered quick.
"That punk ditched overnight, whining. So we grabbed anyone..."
"Ah, lord or young lady's mercy, huh."
Gong Uryang nodded knowingly.
Yeon father-daughter often helped locals with odd jobs; common on dump runs.
"Yeah, chatted briefly—Hubei lakeside origin, name... what was it?"
No proper intros even.
Jeonggap flustered, about to ask again.
"Whatever. Doesn't look like a long-hauler anyway."
Gong Uryang waved it off.
Two-hour jaunt; without agency rules mandating three warriors, he'd skip.
"Let's move."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Haha, escorting's a breeze, eh?"
Sungwang, with his honest face and warm smile, spoke to Hyeon Yucheon trailing behind.
Minding the fake newbie was his job.
Unlike his looks, Sungwang was sharp—noting Hyeon Yucheon's pre-departure grin.
"Nah, fresh air... nice change."
"Fifteen and never done outings?"
"Holed up in mountains training. This is fun."
"Closed-door cultivation? Mind sharing your sect or master?"
"You wouldn't know. Total unknown."
The mission stayed dull and quiet.
No bandit standoffs or toll scenes.
No assassins or brigands.
Flat main road; porters shouldered loads to spare horses—nothing eventful.
"Warehouse in sight."
Only Hyeon Yucheon and Sungwang chatted amid the boredom.
Jeonggap glared silent warnings, but held back.
Destination appeared.
"Gold Amount's rear warehouse. Overflow spot for agency junk."
Amid bored warriors and Jeonggap, only Sungwang briefed Hyeon Yucheon on agency ops.
"Our loads? Raincoats, firewood, bean sacks, cheap grain."
Sungwang was right.
Heavy but worthless—no bandit or roadside thug interest.
The dull two-hour trek turned chilling.
"Huh? No, Sungwang and I carried gold bars and ingots."
The twist started from one-off newbie porter Hyeon Yucheon's mouth.
"Heh, good joke. Bricks for walls or cheap brass, tops."
Sungwang laughed, unfazed.
"No? Stones and brass too, but that central jingle—pure gold taels clinking."
Other warriors same—dismissed as dumb joke, waved to hurry.
But head porter Jeonggap differed.
"Hold up. Check it."
Normally, visual once-over and drop for rear warehouse drops.
Warriors checked usually; head porters on dump runs.
"Head porter, why heed a kid..."
"Yeah? Still, protocol."
Jeonggap, ever by-the-book, rolled sleeves approaching.
"Fine, Jeonggap's call."
Escort Wind Sword Gong Uryang ambled over indifferently to verify.
Porter squabbles delaying return? Unacceptable—quit time mattered.
As they neared, Sungwang sighed, true colors showing.
"Choosing punishment over mercy, eh."
Sungwang extended hands calmly.
No two-month newbie vibe.
Even first-rate expert Gong Uryang flinched at the super first-rate killing intent.
"I am Iron Fist Fighting Ghost Ye Ilsang."