"Cough!"
With every cough, blood spattered from my mouth and soaked into the ground.
It felt like my chest was burning.
I had overexerted my internal energy, causing my vital energies to run rampant.
Leaning against a tree, I looked around.
Everything — horses, carriages, and wagons — was engulfed in flames.
A fire set to destroy all evidence.
A bitter smile crept across my lips at the sight.
'They've clearly done this more than once…'
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.
.
My name is Eun Seoho.
I am the youngest son of the Eunhae Merchant Group.
When I was born, the Eunhae Merchant Group was barely ranked among the top 100 merchant groups in the world — just managing to hold on to the lowest spot.
Too big to be considered a small merchant group, yet too small to be called a great one — that kind of awkward in-between.
Born into such a group, I officially began participating in its operations at the age of fifteen.
Of course, that didn't mean I was handed any responsibilities right away — I had to learn various practical skills from different departments within the group.
That was a tradition passed down from my great-grandfather.
He believed that placing someone in a position of authority without any preparation or experience was the quickest way to ruin the group.
After five years of learning and gaining experience, I was finally entrusted with managing a small shop at the age of twenty.
The first shop I ran was the Eunhae Fabric Store, a subsidiary of the Eunhae Merchant Group.
Within three years, the Eunhae Fabric Store had grown to become the most renowned fabric shop not only in Sungyang District, but in all of Hubei.
Everyone admired my talents.
And I, too, came to realize that I had a natural gift for commerce.
My grandfather would always smile proudly whenever he saw me.
He often said I was the spitting image of my great-grandfather, who had grown the group from a single piece of silver into one of the top 100 merchant groups in the land.
Those were truly happy days.
Then, one day, my eldest brother came to me with a proposal.
"I want to give you the position of group head. No matter how I look at it, you're better suited for it than I am."
"I'm sorry, elder brother, but I must decline. That position belongs to you."
"But clearly, you have far greater talent."
"It's not that I covet the position — I simply enjoy growing the group."
"You enjoy growing the group? Are you serious?"
"Yes! I truly do. There's a unique satisfaction in seeing the group expand through my efforts."
"Then even more reason…"
"Ah, I said no! Honestly, that position requires dealing with troublesome people and always putting on a front for the sake of appearances."
"..."
"I prefer working under the surface. It gives me a certain thrill."
At my words, my older brother let out a chuckle.
He was also a man of the merchant group — he understood what I meant.
"True, you're the perfect fit for that kind of role."
"I'm glad you agree, elder brother."
"If that's your wish, then so be it. I'll gladly take on the public role and bear its weight."
And so, my considerate and kind eldest brother became the leader of the group.
My second brother, who was righteous and skilled in martial arts, became the leader of Silver Wind Squad.
As for me — the clever one — I served as the strategist for both my older brothers.
People came to refer to the three of us as Eunhae Merchant Group's Virtuous One, Brave General, and Sleeping Dragon.
Our cooperation brought the Eunhae Merchant Group into the ranks of the top three merchant groups in the world.
Life was truly good.
At this pace, becoming the number one merchant group in the world didn't seem like just a dream.
But then, disaster struck.
I was ambushed on my way back, after receiving a message from my second brother saying he was preparing a birthday feast for me.
Of course, ambushes like this weren't unusual.
When a merchant group grows, envy and resentment from others is inevitable.
Until now, I had always survived.
But this time felt different.
I was the only one still alive — and even I was gravely wounded, barely able to move.
Step. Step. Step.
A man approached me.
A goateed man.
Namgoog Kang, leader of the rival White Heaven Merchant Group.
The White Heaven Merchant Group was founded with funding from the Murim Alliance — a coalition of righteous martial clans — and when I first started out in operations, they were far above the Eunhae Group.
They were one of the top three merchant groups, ranked third.
But once I began playing a serious role in managing our group, we overtook them.
There had been rumors they were preparing a major counterattack.
But to think that the supposedly righteous Murim Alliance would use its martial forces for an ambush like this…
I was stunned.
"Cough! Are you planning to kill me today?"
At my question, he smirked.
"I must admit, I'm a bit reluctant. Your talent is undeniable. You're the one who elevated a lowly merchant group into one of the top three in the land."
"Glad to know you appreciate my abilities. Cough! But I didn't expect to hear that from you in a situation like this. Isn't this a little… disgraceful?"
"Well, I suppose one could see it that way."
"I thought we had always competed fairly. Cough! Fairly, I said!"
"Competed? Ha, you're funny."
He laughed heartily.
"You only got to run wild because the higher-ups allowed it."
"..."
"To be honest, I've enjoyed watching you all this time. Seeing someone scramble around for a bit of money — quite entertaining, really."
"Did you just say… 'a bit of money'?"
The moment I heard those words, something inside me surged with fury.
"Why did the Murim Alliance even establish a merchant group? Wasn't it for money?"
"Do you really think we founded a merchant group just for that petty money?"
"Isn't it obvious? Merchant groups exist to make money…"
"If that's what you thought, then you were wrong. Why would we bother creating a merchant group just to earn money? Money? That comes to us on its own if we so much as mention the need."
Namgoog Kang, the leader of White Heaven Merchant Group, let out a scoffing laugh.
"Then what was it for…?"
"Unifying the Murim."
"..."
"…Just kidding. That's nonsense. The truth is, we needed to divert some of the public attention focused on the Murim Alliance. So the higher-ups used me as a front and set up the merchant group."
Namgoog Kang gave a cold, twisted smile.
"Then all the more—I don't understand. Why are you trying to kill me? You just said you don't care about making money…"
"Because you caught the higher-ups' eye—in a bad way."
"What… do you mean…?"
"Your Eunhae Merchant Group grew too big. Became annoying. And all your uprightness? That was irritating too. Because of you, the bar for what's considered 'virtuous' got raised. Can't have that. You've become an eyesore."
Grit.
I clenched my teeth.
Come to think of it, White Heaven Merchant Group and ours had heavily overlapping markets and core products.
Especially in herbs and silk, where we'd fiercely competed—and we won in the end.
We always gave it our best. I considered them worthy rivals.
But… to be treated like this?
I felt not only rage but also an overwhelming sense of emptiness.
'Wait… he said our merchant group is a thorn in their side. Could it be…?'
If what he said was true, they wouldn't stop with just taking me out.
And the fact that they knew my exact location—something about this felt off.
"...What about my family?"
At that, Namgoog Kang smirked. His smile sent a chill down my spine.
"I was wondering when you'd finally ask."
He turned to one of his subordinates.
"Bring me that box."
He took a box from the subordinate, opened the lid, and showed me what was inside.
The moment I saw it, my mind went blank.
Then, my body began to tremble violently.
It was my second brother's head.
The same brother who had sent word earlier saying he had prepared a birthday feast for me…
"Do you like the gift? The one they called the Brave General of Hubei begged me so hard to spare your life. Heh heh heh."
In that moment, I realized something.
Normally, when I got angry, I became more calm and calculating.
But now, I had reached a rage that obliterated any sense of calm.
I cursed at him and threw a fist.
"You… you bastard!!"
But it was meaningless.
Wham!
Namgoog Kang looked amused as he kicked me aside in response to my profanity-laced fury.
He drew his sword.
"Yes, that's what I wanted to see. If you didn't react at all, it would've been boring."
His blade touched my throat.
"But did you know?"
"Know… what?"
"The real reason the Eunhae Merchant Group had to be eliminated… was you."
"W-What are you talking about…?"
"Goodbye, then."
Thrust!
In that instant, my whole body went cold.
So… this is what dying feels like…
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.
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"Young master…"
"..."
"Young master Eun Seoho!"
A voice calling my name jolted me awake.
Standing before me was Yoo So-ak, the Chief of Internal affairs.
"Falling asleep the moment your shift starts—what are you thinking?"
"Huh? Wait… work?"
"I told you yesterday, didn't I? Review last year's grain delivery records and prepare this document. I understand it might feel overwhelming since it's your first day, but still…"
I couldn't make sense of the situation at all.
The feeling of White Heaven Merchant Group's Namgoog Kang's sword piercing my throat was still vivid.
And yet now, I was being scolded by Chief of Internal affairs Yoo So-ak.
'What the hell is this…'
I glanced around.
This was definitely the Finance Pavilion.
But… not the version I remembered.
The structure, the layout—this was clearly…
'This is from when I was learning the ropes…'
I couldn't forget it.
I had spent three years here learning real-world operations.
And the documents on the desk in front of me—I remembered them all too well.
It was my first assignment on my first day at the Finance Pavilion. I had done a terrible job and received a harsh scolding from Chief Yoo.
"...!"
With that thought, I suddenly looked up and asked him:
"Chief Yoo. How old am I today?"
"What?"
"How old am I right now?"
"Why are you asking that all of a sudden…?"
Yoo So-ak looked confused.
But I needed to confirm it.
I had to be sure of what I was thinking.
"Please, just tell me."
"You turned fifteen yesterday."
"…"
I looked down at my hands. They were still the hands of someone not yet fully grown.
I lifted both hands and slapped myself hard on the cheeks.
Smack!
"Ugh!"
It hurt—a lot.
"Y-Young master, what are you doing all of a sudden?"
Yoo looked alarmed, eyes wide in shock. So did the others around us.
I felt the burning pain radiating from both cheeks as I mumbled to myself.
"I… died."
.
.
.
That day, I left work early.
Maybe it was out of concern, but Chief Yoo gave me early leave.
"Are you sure you don't want me to call a physician?"
My personal guard asked from behind.
It felt strange to see the younger version of her, rather than the old woman I knew—but it was definitely still my personal guard.
I waved her off and said,
"It's fine. I'm just a bit tired, that's all."
"Young master…"
"Really, I'm fine."
"Well, it's just… your residence is that way, not this way."
I stopped in my tracks.
Right—I had been heading toward the separate residence I used at thirty-nine years old.
Starting at twenty, I had been given my own place.
But now, at fifteen, I still stayed in one of the rooms attached to the main residence. Even if fifteen was considered the start of adulthood, at the Eunhae Merchant Group, you had to complete five years of practical training to be treated as an adult.
"Ah…"
I quickly changed direction and, following my memory, found the correct room.
Click.
As I opened the door, a familiar sight greeted me.
I almost let my guard down—but held it together and said to her,
"I need some rest. Please don't disturb me unless it's important."
"Understood, young master."
She replied and closed the door behind her.
I sank onto the bed.
"Is this… real?"
Still struggling to believe it, I reached up and touched my neck.
It was intact.
This time, I pinched my arm—hard.
Hard enough to bring tears to my eyes.
Was I really alive?
And… really fifteen years old again?
I couldn't make sense of how this was possible.
I recalled the moment of my death.
Namgoog Kang's twisted, sneering face was still burned into my mind.
The warriors and people of my merchant group who died protecting me.
My second brother's severed head.
Everything was so vivid, and my clenched fists trembled with rage.
They had trampled everything my family and I had built our entire lives—Eunhae Merchant Group—so easily.
Not through fair competition, but through brute force.
My anger surged.
If only I'd had more power—things might not have ended so helplessly.
"But… have I really come back?"