An Advertising Genius Falls into the Joseon Era - Chapter 55

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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 55
The journey toward Joseon unfolded with surprising swiftness.
The moment they slipped free of Fenghuang Fortress, Im Ha-yun drew a sheaf of documents from her robes and pressed them into Yun Jeop-jang’s hands.
“Border Crossing Documents,” she said quietly.
“Understood.”
“And this as well.”
What Im Ha-yun offered was a heavy cloth sack.
Yun Jeop-jang, glancing cautiously into its depths, started visibly.
“This is money.”
“It is.”
“But why, all of a sudden—?”
Im Ha-yun gazed toward the wooden palisade in the distance before answering.
“Do you remember the day we first arrived here? How those men tried to seize our ginseng?”
At those words, Yun Jeop-jang’s expression hardened.
“What we’re carrying now is silver. If they catch sight of it, what do you think will happen?”
“That would be—”
The cart was bound tightly in thick cloth, concealing its contents from view.
But should that fabric be torn away, the consequences needed no elaboration.
“Which is why it’s far better we slip through quickly, before they ever lay eyes on it.”
Had they truly been carrying ginseng, she would never have gone to such lengths.
Ginseng was difficult to appraise properly, and it couldn’t be readily converted to coin on the spot.
But silver was different.
Its worth was unambiguous to any eye, and it could be exchanged for currency anywhere without question.
And above all, it was human nature—the moment greed caught sight of glimmering silver, appetite awoke.
Yun Jeop-jang asked, his face clouded with worry.
“But weren’t those men Wi So-gang’s subordinates? Will such a method truly work on them?”
“They don’t follow Wi So-gang,” Im Ha-yun replied evenly. “They follow coin.”
She spoke with perfect calm.
“Wait and see. That silver will see us through without trouble.”
The notion of offering a bribe sat poorly with him.
Yet there was no alternative.
If they fell back on the old method—quarreling and resistance—there was no telling what might unfold.
He could not entirely dismiss the possibility that Wi So-gang had laid a trap here.
If that were the case, all would be lost.
For now, escaping Qing Dynasty territory by any means necessary was the priority.
“Halt.”
A border patrol emerged as they drew near the palisade, raising their spears to block the way.
“What manner of people are you?”
“We are merely merchants conducting trade.”
Yun Jeop-jang offered the documents he had prepared in advance with respectful courtesy.
“Here are our papers. Please examine them.”
One of the soldiers accepted the documents and scanned them.
Yet his gaze could scarcely tear itself from the cart.
The cart draped in thick cloth.
And beneath it, the weight of solid boxes pressing down.
The soldier pointed at the cart with suspicious eyes.
“What is inside there?”
Yun Jeop-jang hesitated, scratching the back of his head as if at a loss.
“Those are merely miscellaneous items we haven’t yet disposed of. Nothing worthy of your inspection.”
Even as he spoke, he discreetly passed the sack to the soldier.

“…!”
The soldier’s pupils dilated as he peered into the sack.
Even a cursory glance revealed enough silver to cover several months of wages.
The soldier glanced about nervously, then quickly stuffed the sack into his garments.
“Ahem, ahem.”

He returned the documents as though nothing had occurred.
Then he spoke.
“Proceed.”

The moment the clearance was granted, Ha-yun swiftly passed through the checkpoint.
She did not look back until the wooden palisade vanished entirely from sight.
No—she couldn’t have looked back.
She feared that even a glance might unravel everything.
So she kept her eyes forward.
When she finally reached the Yalu River, Ha-yun allowed herself a quiet, measured breath.
“Exhale.”
She loaded the cargo onto the ferry and climbed aboard. The silver chest was so heavy that the boat sank considerably deeper into the water than it had on the outbound journey.
Ha-yun gripped the rail and gazed toward the far bank. The Qing lands receded into the distance, growing hazier with each passing moment.
……
No one spoke during the entire crossing. They were all thinking the same thing, surely.
A short time later.
The moment their feet touched Joseon soil, sighs of relief rose from all directions.
“…We’re alive.”
Someone murmured it.
The tension melted away like snow in spring.
“Finally over.”
Yun Jeop-jang wiped the cold sweat from his brow and walked slowly toward Ha-yun.
“You’ve worked hard all this while, Ha-yun.”
“You as well, Jeop-jang.”
“Now all that’s left is to return safely to Man Sang.”
With the critical moment behind them, fatigue crashed down all at once.
“My legs are killing me…”
“Is it the tension? I can’t feel my body anymore.”
“Same here. I don’t even remember how we made it this far.”
The entire column sagged, and porters began collapsing onto the ground all around.
No one was in any condition to walk further.
“Mm.”
Yun Jeop-jang surveyed the area and ordered a rest.
“We’ll take a break here.”
“Understood.”
“Ah, my aching bones…”
At those words, the porters flopped down onto the ground without ceremony.
They began chattering amongst themselves, each taking their rest as best they could.
“Hm?”
Ha-yun glanced about, searching for someone.
“Ah, there he is.”
Her gaze had found Song Do-hyun.
He stood apart from the rest of the group by the riverbank, staring silently into the flowing water.
Ha-yun watched him for a moment, then walked slowly in his direction.
“What are you doing here?”
Song Do-hyun turned his head slightly and replied.
“Nothing much, really…”
“Such melancholy.”
Ha-yun settled naturally beside him.
The two stood for a time, watching the river flow.
Then Ha-yun spoke.
“What will you do once we’re back at Man Sang?”
“I’m not sure.”
Song Do-hyun replied flatly.
“Nothing particularly different. I’ll go on living just as I have been.”
“I see…….”
This time, Song Do-hyun asked the question instead.
“Then what do you intend to do going forward?”
“Me?”
Ha-yun shrugged.
“The same as you. What else would there be? I’ll keep purchasing goods and selling ours diligently.”
Song Do-hyun shook his head slowly.
It was clear her answer didn’t sit well with him.
“That’s not what I meant to ask.”
“Then what?”
Song Do-hyun pressed the question, his expression grown serious.
“If the day ever comes when you leave Man Sang, what will you do then?”
“Hmm…….”
It was a question she’d never once considered.
After a moment’s thought, Ha-yun finally spoke.
“I suppose I’d return home.”
“Home…….”
Song Do-hyun murmured the word, barely audible.
A shadow flickered across his face.
“How fortunate, to have a place to return to.”
“…….”
It was a short phrase, yet it held much within it.
“But what conversation did you have with Wi So-gang that other day?”
Ha-yun hastily changed the subject.
“What did you say to make the famous Wi So-gang accept the deal so readily?”
“Hmph, so that’s been weighing on your mind.”
“Of course it has.”
Ha-yun poked out her lip.
“Your expression has been grim ever since that day. How could I not wonder about it?”
At Ha-yun’s petulant look, Song Do-hyun managed a bitter smile.
“You’re concerned about me… I suppose that’s not so bad.”
“What?”
Ha-yun’s eyes widened.
“Stop joking and answer my question. What exactly did you and Wi So-gang discuss?”
“…….”
Song Do-hyun gazed silently at the river flowing before them.
Splash.
The gentle sound of rippling water echoed out.
A moment later, his lips began to part slowly.
“…He proposed a deal.”
“What kind of deal?”
“That we provide him with domestic ginseng, to save his face.”
“Domestic ginseng?”
Song Do-hyun nodded.
Domestic ginseng.
It referred to lower-quality ginseng grown in fields or private gardens.
The size and shape varied considerably, its medicinal potency was inferior, and in severe cases, poor storage conditions caused the roots to crumble and scatter. Its price didn’t even reach half that of proper ginseng.
That’s why Man Sang didn’t use it for trade, keeping it stored separately.
“So he was desperate to get his hands on ginseng by any means.”
Ha-yun, catching Wi So-gang’s true intention, let out a quiet laugh.
“Well, domestic ginseng is no loss for us. You did well.”
After that, another brief silence fell between them.
Splash.
Only the sound of the gentle river current filled the air.
Then Song Do-hyun opened his mouth carefully.
“……There’s something I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
He seemed to hesitate, unable to continue easily for a long moment.
He merely worked his lips and gazed at Ha-yun with complicated eyes.
What on earth was he about to say?
She couldn’t even guess.
Then, as if a resolve had crystallized, Song Do-hyun’s lips began to part slowly.
“……Ha-yun.”
At first, she didn’t understand.
He was simply calling her name, after all.
But a moment later, Ha-yun’s eyes widened as if they might burst from her skull.
“That’s your real name, isn’t it?”
“R-real name…? What are you suddenly talking about?”
Her shock was unmistakable.
She had never imagined her true name would slip out here of all places.
What?
How could this be?
How does Song Do-hyun know my real name?
Could it have been… back then?
Had he been holding onto what I said that day all this time?
Her mind reeled.
She couldn’t fathom how much he already knew.
Soft footsteps.
Song Do-hyun drew slowly closer to her.
Ha-yun stood frozen, unable to move a muscle.
A moment passed before his voice reached her ear.
“You don’t have to pretend anymore. Not in front of me.”
“……!”
Close enough that she could hear his breathing.
Listening to the wild thundering of Ha-yun’s heart, Song Do-hyun felt certain.
He whispered softly.
“I know you’re a woman.”

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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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