The day began with the metallic clinking of wheels being fastened to carts and the shouts of the loaders echoing through the company's courtyard. Jin, with muscles still aching from the night's training, hoisted heavy bundles onto his shoulders without uttering a word. His gaze remained distant, but alert. Always alert.
Choi Baekho watched him from atop a dark wooden balcony, arms crossed over his broad chest. The owner of the company had eagle eyes and the mind of a blacksmith. Forged by decades of transporting goods through perilous routes, he knew how to spot raw talent when he saw it.
— Jin — he called at the end of the afternoon. — Prepare yourself. Tomorrow, you're coming with the caravan. First mission. You'll learn on the road.
Jin simply nodded. Baekho didn't expect words. Too many words meant uncertainty.
At dawn, the caravan left Jeonghwa's gates with ten carts, six loaders, and three armed escorts. Jin walked among the loaders, eyes fixed on the surroundings. The distant mountains were shrouded in bluish mist. The woods flanked the road with shadows that were too dense for that time of day.
Chi appeared for the first time at noon, while Jin was stacking boxes onto one of the carts.
— What an honor, our heir of chaos being promoted to pack mule! — he mocked, hovering above the goods.
Jin took a deep breath, sweat dripping down his temple. — Not now.
— Every time is the right time when you're surrounded by potential ambushes and carrying refined salt and spices. Luxuries that bandits love.
Jin said nothing. But his eyes scanned the edges of the road.
The journey would last four days until they reached the village of Daemun. At every rest stop, Jin ate little and distanced himself from the others to train. Chi took advantage of it.
— Direct the Qi to your heels. Now jump, but let the momentum flow like a wave — he instructed as Jin tried to move like the breeze that danced among the leaves.
By the third night, Jin could move in short, silent leaps between the rocks. Still unbalanced, but already faster. Chi sighed.
— If you survive adolescence, maybe you won't be such a disappointment.
On the last day, a group of bandits appeared but withdrew upon seeing the escorts and the number of men. Jin watched the figures disappear into the forest and felt their Qi, dense and chaotic.
Upon reaching the village of Daemun, Baekho pulled him aside, fixing him with narrowed eyes.
— You don't talk much. But you listen. You learn. And you move like someone who knows he could die at any moment. — He gave a slight nod. — When we return, you won't be carrying boxes anymore.
Jin looked at him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Then, he bowed his head in respect.
Snow began to fall as the caravan started the return journey. But something inside Jin was no longer the same. His body ached. His mind burned. But his spirit... his spirit was beginning to take root.
And Baekho, without saying it, knew: there was far more to that silent shadow than just physical strength.