An Advertising Genius Falls into the Joseon Era - Chapter 35

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 35
Ha Yun left the office, muttering to himself.
“Of all people, why does it have to be him again…….”
The journey to the Qing Dynasty alone would take roughly forty days.
Adding the time to stay on location and the return journey, it stretched into a grueling expedition exceeding a hundred days.
The thought of spending all that time with Song Do Hyun made his head throb already.
“At least three months?”
Ha Yun traced back through the itinerary he’d just heard.
Geumcheon, Hwangju, Anju…… more than ten cities just in the route ahead.
And once they reached the Yalu River at Joseon’s northernmost point, they would have to cross by boat.
Beyond the Yalu River lay the Qing Dynasty.
Chakmun—the Qing’s gateway.
A boundary line connecting Joseon and Qing, and a thoroughfare through which countless merchants passed.
The ginseng trade took place in Fenghuang City, near Chakmun.
This was called the Chakmun Hu Market.
“And I’m supposed to eat with that man, sleep in the same room for all that time?”
Expecting privacy like he had now would be unrealistic.
Shared lodging was inevitable, and depending on circumstances, he’d have to be prepared for sleeping rough as well—it was a demanding schedule.
Moreover, Song Do Hyun would likely stay constantly at his side as his interpreter.
“Ugh, I hate this. Why do I have to tag along with that man…….”
Just as Ha Yun grumbled his way toward his quarters,
“Hm?”
A face he’d rather not meet came into view across the hallway.
‘Why is he coming out from there?’
It was Song Do Hyun.
At the sight of him, Ha Yun’s brow furrowed involuntarily.
He froze.
Song Do Hyun spotted Ha Yun too and stopped in his tracks. For some reason, his expression was clouded with bewilderment.
‘Should I just pretend not to see him and walk past?’
The thought crossed Ha Yun’s mind, but Song Do Hyun’s face kept drawing his gaze.
The rumors surrounding Dae Market had reached Ha Yun’s ears as well.
Perhaps because of that.
Song Do Hyun’s face seemed unusually dark today.
‘Sigh, I suppose I should look after the man anyway…….’
Ha Yun steeled himself and approached Song Do Hyun.
“Listen, Mr. Song.”
Ha Yun swallowed back the title that reflexively spilled from his lips.
“…… Rather, Song Do Hyun, Acting Director?”
From now on, he himself was the Acting Director of Mansang.
Though temporary, he had to set an example as acting director.
“…….”
But to Ha Yun’s greeting, Song Do Hyun simply stood there blankly.
Ha Yun raised his hand and waved it left and right.
“What are you doing? Are you listening to me?”
“……I’m listening.”
Only then did life return to Song Do Hyun’s eyes.
“If you’re listening, you should answer…….”
Ha Yun furrowed his brow and tried again.
“You should pack your things now, since you may need to leave this place soon.”
“Pack my things? What do you mean by that?”
“Just what I said. That you’ll need to leave here.”
Ha Yun’s words were ripe for misunderstanding.
Song Do Hyun, interpreting the remark incorrectly, began to bristle.
“Are you saying you’re going to drive me out of here?”
“No, that’s not what I meant…….”
“So you finally show your true colors. I knew something was off with the way you’ve been looking at me lately…….”
“No, the way I’ve been looking at you didn’t mean that at all…….”
“Then how exactly do you plan to have me leave? Speak plainly.”
“Goodness! That’s not it either.”
Faced with continued misunderstanding, Ha Yun hastily launched into an explanation.
“We’ve decided to go to the Qing Dynasty. Me and you.”
“The Qing Dynasty?”
Song Do Hyun’s eyes widened.
He fell silent for a moment, then seemed to remember something and asked.
“Don’t tell me it’s because of the Ginseng Trade?”
“Yes. That’s right. The Ginseng Trade.”
Ha Yun relayed exactly what he’d just heard.
“I’ve been appointed as the chief administrator of that trade, and you’ve been selected to assist me as an interpreter.”
“……!”
In that instant, Song Do Hyun’s expression hardened.
Shock and bewilderment.
And something else—discomfort.
“Heh.”
Ha Yun smiled faintly, clearly amused by his reaction.
“What? Are you disappointed it’s me as the chief?”
The Ginseng Trade was a core operation that Im Sang Ok had led for generations.
Song Do Hyun had accompanied it as an attendant a few times, but only at the level of gaining experience.
That such an important position would be entrusted to Ha Yun was simply hard to believe.
“Why would you……?”
“Who knows. If you’re so curious, why don’t you ask the head directly?”
Ha Yun shrugged.
“Oh, and.”
As if remembering something, he added to his words.
“While we’re on this journey, instead of ‘you,’ ‘you rascal,’ ‘that fellow of yours’—could you address me properly?”
Ha Yun smiled broadly and said this.
“Acting Director.”
“What did you……?”
Ha Yun continued calmly.
“I’ve been granted the title of Acting Director, even if it’s temporary.”
Acting Director was unquestionably a rank higher than Song Do Hyun’s.
Someone who had been far beneath him just months ago had now risen above him.
Song Do Hyun’s expression turned cold.
“In any case, let’s get along well during the journey to the Qing Dynasty. Like it or not, we’re in the same boat.”
Ha Yun turned and walked behind Song Do Hyun.
And he spoke clearly into his ear.
“This is an order from your Acting Director. Understood?”
There was a hint of small revenge in that tone.
He felt as if he was only now repaying a debt from the past.
“Then I’ll see you at departure! Director Song!”
Whoosh!
With those words, Ha Yun rushed away from the spot as if fleeing.
“…….”
Song Do Hyun watched Ha Yun’s retreating figure in silence.
***
The day of departure arrived.
Ha Yun’s room was strewn with all manner of baggage.
“I need clothes for traveling, need nightwear too. And formal wear for negotiations—oh! I almost forgot shoes!”
The journey would span over a hundred days.
For that long stretch alone, he needed more than ten sets of clothes to change into.
Adding undergarments, shoes, and various other necessities, his luggage was already packed to bursting.
“All right, nothing forgotten, I hope?”
Ha Yun crammed more belongings into his rucksack.
The moment he lifted it, his legs wavered.
“Ugh……!”
It wasn’t beyond his capacity to carry.
It felt about as heavy as a thick quilt,
but the thought of bearing this for months on end already made his head spin.
“Ugh, I wonder if I’ll even make it to the Qing Dynasty like this.”
Ha Yun muttered to himself and took a step forward.
The entrance to Mansang bustled more than ever before.
“Be careful! If it breaks, we’re in real trouble!”
“Yes, yes! I’ll handle it with care!”
“The ginseng boxes go in the rear wagon! Don’t mix up the order!”
“Hold on! The textiles are supposed to go in the front wagon!”
“Come now, everyone! Move along a bit faster! We’re about to depart!”
“Yes, understood!”
Dozens of wagons lined the road in a long row, and porters moved ceaselessly between them, loading cargo.
“Ah, Acting Director. Your timing is perfect.”
Yun caught sight of Ha Yun and approached him.
He held something out toward him.
“Here, take this.”
“What is it?”
What Yun offered was none other than a bundled pack—thick fabric wrapped around its contents, with cords on either side so it could be slung over the shoulder.
“We’re short on wagon space, so you’ll need to carry one of these bundled packs as well.”
“Me? A bundled pack?”
Yun shrugged with an awkward expression.
“Unfortunately, one of the wagons was damaged, so we have to divide up everything that was in it among ourselves.”
“Ugh, I didn’t anticipate this……”
“Still, most of it is provisions, so you’ll be able to empty it in just a few days.”
“I see……”
Ha Yun accepted the bundled pack with a grimace.
“Urgh!”
And immediately sank to the ground.
“So heavy……”
With his personal pack added to the bundled pack, he couldn’t bear the weight anymore.
It felt almost like carrying a full sack of rice.
This was beyond what he could manage.
“Maybe I need to leave some of my own things behind……”
It was at that moment, as Ha Yun stood dazed.
“Heh.”
A cold laugh sounded from above.
He lifted his head to find Song Do Hyun looking down at him.
“This hardly befits the dignity of an Acting Director.”
Song Do Hyun hoisted the bundled pack over his own shoulder with ease.
“An Acting Director who can’t even carry a simple pack… tsk.”
He shook his head as he regarded Ha Yun.
“How about it? If it’s too hard, why don’t you just step down from your position right now?”
“……Step down?”
Ha Yun’s eyebrows twitched.
“Me? Give up?”
He couldn’t show weakness in front of Song Do Hyun.
“Unngh!”
Channeling his anger into raw determination, Ha Yun managed to push himself up.
A small gasp escaped from the onlookers.
“Oh, impressive.”
“That kind of strength from such a small frame……”
“He’s got real stubborn grit in him, doesn’t he.”
“Huff, huff……”
Having barely managed to get to his feet, Ha Yun steadied his breathing and spoke firmly.
“I’m not going to abandon my position over something this trivial. Don’t hold your breath.”
At his bold statement, Song Do Hyun let out a soft laugh.
“I see.”
He gave a slight nod.
“I’ll give you credit for your resolve.”
His tone was dry, but it lacked the outright mockery from before.
It seemed he was grudgingly acknowledging Ha Yun.
“Huff……”
Ha Yun, having finally managed to shoulder the bundled pack, looked around.
The others seemed nearly ready as well. They stood still, watching him intently.
“Ah.”
It didn’t take long to grasp the meaning in that gaze.
From now on, he was the Acting Director.
He was the one who had to lead them.
Ha Yun called out in a ringing voice.
“Come now, let’s be off!”
Seeing this, Yun raised his hand.
Yun had joined the trade as the representative clerk to assist Ha Yun all the way to the Qing Dynasty.
“Then, we depart!”
Clack!
With the signal to depart, the cart wheels began to roll forward slowly. From behind, cheers poured out from those who remained.
“Safe travels!”
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself!”
“Yes! I’ll be sure to return with good news!”
The procession began to move forward slowly, amid fervent cheers.
After a brief time had passed like that,
……
Song Do Hyun quietly reached into his garment and checked something.
What lay in his garment was none other than a Hairpin.
The Hairpin bore an unusual ornament of silver bell flowers.
It was exactly the same shape as the Hairpin he had given to the woman in the goblin mask not long ago.
Swish.
Song Do Hyun, who had been examining the Hairpin for a moment, lifted his gaze ahead.
There stood Ha Yun, shouldering a Bundled Pack as large as his own frame.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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