@Xionsteel I don't trust that Merchant one bit. Dude is way too nice. Anybody that nice is suspect AF. That sincere looking smile of his looks totally fake and well-practiced.
Will the guy report they didn't escort till the end, even letting him alone to explore the labyrinth and taking the mount with them? So he can get paid back the fee he paid and they will most likely get some form of punishment from the guild... Either that or he just allied with bandits and planned to keep the body for himself.