Cough!

Blood sprayed onto the ground with every cough, staining the earth crimson. A searing pain blazed in my chest. I had pushed my internal energy too far, and now my qi meridians churned in chaos.

Leaning against a tree, I surveyed my surroundings. Horses, carriages, and carts; all were engulfed in roaring flames. A fire set to erase all traces. A bitter smile tugged at my lips. Not their first time pulling this off, it seems…

My name is Eun Seo-ho[1], the youngest son of the Silver Sea Merchant Guild. When I was born, our merchant guild lingered at the bottom of the world’s top hundred. Too large to be a small or mid-sized outfit, yet too modest to rank among the greats—an awkward in-between.

At fifteen, I threw myself into the operations of the merchant guild. Naturally, I didn’t leap into a leadership role. Instead, I learned the ropes, mastering practical skills across its various chambers. This was a tradition set by my great-grandfather, who believed that thrusting someone unprepared into responsibility was a sure way to ruin the guild.

After five years of toil and learning, I turned twenty and was entrusted with a small shop: the Silver Sea Clothier Store, a branch of our merchant guild. In just three years, it rose to fame, not only in Chongyang County[2] but across all of Hubei Province. My talents earned admiration, and I, too, realized I had a knack for commerce.

My grandfather beamed with pride at my success. He often said I was the spitting image of my great-grandfather, who had built the merchant guild from a single silver coin into a top-hundred contender.

In the midst of those joyful days, my eldest brother approached me with an offer. “I want to step aside and let you take the Merchant Guild leadership. No matter how I look at it, you’re better suited for it than I am.”

“Sorry, brother, but I’ll pass. That role is yours.”

“But everyone can see your gift for commerce outshines mine.”

“I’m not after the top spot. I just enjoy growing the merchant guild.”

“You enjoy it? Seriously?”

“Yes! There’s a thrill in watching it expand through my efforts.”

“Then that’s all the more reason—”

“No, really, I don’t want it! Brother, let’s be honest—being the leader means dealing with unsavory characters and upholding a certain image to protect the guild’s reputation, right?”

“…”

“I’d rather work in the shadows. There’s a rush to it.”

My eldest brother chuckled at the mention of shadow work. He, too, was part of the merchant guild and knew exactly what I meant. “Well, that sort of thing does suit your sharp mind.”

“Glad you see it my way.”

“If that’s how you feel, I’ll take the lead with pleasure.”

And so, my kind and thoughtful eldest brother became the Merchant Guildmaster. My second brother, a righteous man skilled in martial arts, took charge of the Silver Wind Squad. I, with my keen intellect, served as their strategist. People widely referred to us as the Virtue[3], the Military Commander[4], and the Hidden Dragon[5] of the Silver Sea Merchant Guild—likening us to legendary figures. Together, we propelled the guild into the top three worldwide. Those were truly golden days. At that pace, becoming the world’s greatest merchant guild wasn’t just a dream.

But then, disaster struck. 

On my way back from a message from my second brother, promising a birthday feast, I was ambushed. It wasn’t my first brush with danger—growth invites envy and grudges, after all. I’d always survived unscathed. 

Until today. 

Now, I was the last one standing, my body battered beyond movement.

Step, step, step. 

A man approached. 

A figure with a goatee—Namgoong Gang[6], leader of the rival White Heavens Merchant Guild[7]. Backed by the Martial Righteous Alliance’s funds, his guild had once towered over ours when I first joined the Chamber of Financial Management[8]. They were third among the top three then. But as I took a hands-on role, the Silver Sea Merchant Guild overtook them.

I’d heard whispers of a grand counterstrike from the White Heavens Merchant Guild. But to think they’d stoop to an ambush with the Martial Righteous Alliance’s forces—those supposed champions of justice! It was laughable.

Cough! 

“Planning to kill me today?”

He smirked. “I’ll admit, it’s a pity. I know your skill well. You lifted a bottom-tier merchant guild into the top three.”

“Nice to hear you acknowledge it, cough! Though I’d rather not hear it now. Isn’t this a bit petty?”

“Maybe you see it that way.”

“I thought we’d been competing fairly all this time.”

“Competing?” He laughed. “You only got this far because the higher-ups let you run free.”

“…”

“Honestly, it was amusing watching you scramble for petty cash.”

“Petty… cash?” Anger flared within me. “Why did the Martial Righteous Alliance even start a merchant guild if not for money?”

“You think it was about petty cash? Hardly. Why bother when people hand it over willingly?” Namgoong Gang sneered.

“Then why?”

“To unify the martial world.”

“…”

“Just kidding. They needed a distraction from the Martial Righteous Alliance’s scrutiny. So, they put me in charge of a merchant guild.” His grin turned wicked.

“Then I don’t get it. Why kill me if money’s not your game?”

“You’re a thorn in their side.”

“What—”

“Your Silver Sea Merchant Guild’s grown too big, too bothersome. And your righteousness? Annoying. They don’t want the bar for goodness raised because of you. You’re an eyesore.”

I ground my teeth. Now that I thought about it, our guilds overlapped heavily—same key goods, same markets. Herbs and silk had been our fiercest battlegrounds, and we’d come out on top. I’d always given my all, seeing them as worthy rivals. Yet here we were. Beyond rage, I felt a hollow futility.

Wait… an eyesore? Does that mean— If so, they wouldn’t stop with me. And their pinpoint knowledge of my location sent a chill through me.

“What… what have you done to my family?”

Namgoong Gang’s smirk widened, ominous. “Wondered when you’d ask.” He turned to a subordinate. “Bring the box.”

He took a box, opened it, and revealed its contents. I froze. My body trembled. Inside was my second brother’s head—the one who’d promised a birthday feast.

“Like the gift? Hubei’s Yoonzhang[9] begged so hard to spare you.” He chuckled darkly.

In that moment, I understood. Normally, anger made me cold and calculating. But this? This was beyond that—no calm remained. “You bastard!” I roared, swinging a fist.

A futile strike. 

Thud! 

He kicked me down with an amused look. Raising his sword, he pressed it to my throat. “That’s the reaction I wanted. It’d be dull otherwise.”

“Do you know something?”

“What?”

“The real reason the Silver Sea Merchant Guild had to go? It’s you.”

“What do you—”

“Farewell.”

Stab! My body went cold, as if encased in ice. So this is death…

***

“Young master…”

“…”

“Young master Eun Seo-ho!”

My name jolted me awake. Before me stood Yoo So-ak[10], the Chief of Internal Affairs[11].

“Dozing off the moment work starts?”

“Huh? Work?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Review last year’s grain deliveries and fill out this document. It’s your first day, so it might be tough…”

I couldn’t grasp it. The memory of Namgoong Gang’s blade piercing my neck lingered, vivid. Yet here I was, being scolded by Yoo So-ak.

I glanced around. The Chamber of Financial Management, no doubt. But not as I’d last seen it. This layout, this feel—it was from my training days. Three years of practical work here were etched in my mind. The papers on my desk? My first task, botched so badly I’d earned a tongue-lashing from Yoo So-ak.

…! 

Realization hit. I looked up. “Chief of Internal Affairs Yoo, how old am I today?”

“Pardon?”

“How old am I?”

“Why the sudden—”

“Please, tell me.”

“Yesterday was your fifteenth birthday.”

“…”

My hands—still youthful, unhardened—confirmed it. I slapped my cheeks hard. Smack!

“Ow!”

“Young master! Why—” Yoo So-ak’s eyes widened, as did those of my coworkers.

The stinging pain burned my cheeks. I… I died, didn’t I? I murmured.

***

That day, I left early. Yoo So-ak, worried, sent me home.

“No need for a physician?” my attendant Pal-gap[12] asked. Seeing him young, not aged, felt odd, but he was still Pal-gap.

I waved him off. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

“Young master…”

“I’m fine.”

“No, your quarters are that way.”

I stopped. I’d been heading toward the annex I’d used at thirty-nine, assigned at twenty. At fifteen, though, I still lived in the main house—adulthood in the Silver Sea Merchant Guild required five years of training.

“Oh…” I turned, memory guiding me to my room.

Slide. 

Familiar sights greeted me. I nearly relaxed but held firm. “I need rest, Pal-gap. Don’t disturb me.”

“Understood.”

He shut the door. I collapsed onto the bed. 

Is this real…? 

Still doubting, I touched my neck—intact. I pinched my arm. Pain brought tears. Alive. Fifteen again. How?

I recalled my death. Namgoong Gang’s vile smirk. The warriors and kin who died shielding me. My second brother’s severed head. Fury clenched my fists. Our life’s work, crushed not by fair rivalry but brute force. If I’d had more power, I wouldn’t have been so helpless.

But… did I really come back?