That night.
Escort Guard Lee Pil approached me as I stood in the courtyard.
“My lord.”
“Hm?”
“Thank you… for everything today.”
Escort Guard Lee Pil bowed deeply before me.
“Thanks to you, my lord… the truth has finally been revealed. I was able to prove my innocence… and even receive an apology.”
“That’s good. I won’t tell you to forget all the pain you’ve endured. No one can just forget something like that. But… I do hope you won’t be trapped by the past and will move forward with me.”
At my words, Escort Guard Lee Pil knelt down before me.
“…?”
“This unworthy Lee Pil pledges his life to follow you, my lord.”
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The next day, as I was busily packing, a visitor came to the annex.
“Elder!”
It was the Ragged Sage Physician.
He disappeared right after the Punishment Assembly yesterday, and now he was here.
“I never imagined you were the Former Clan Lord of the Tang Clan.”
“Tsk tsk… You’re duller than I thought.”
“Pardon?”
“If I weren’t part of the Tang Clan… how would I have known that the Plague and the Mountain Air Poison were poisons from the Tang Clan?”
‘Huh?’
‘Now that he says it… he’s right.’
“Oh… but Escort Guard Lee Pil didn’t know you were the Former Clan Lord?”
“Honestly… I didn’t know. I met him just once when I was very young. It’s been so long since then.”
“I see.”
The Ragged Sage Physician chuckled.
“Besides… I was concealing my Qi, so there’s no way he could’ve recognized me.”
‘That explains why I didn’t notice he was from the Tang Clan either.’
“I heard the whole story from my son. I thought something fun might happen, so I came to check… but it turned out to be something far bigger than I expected. Truly… thank you.”
There was genuine sincerity in the way the Ragged Sage Physician said that.
“Oh, Elder. I have something for you.”
I handed him the real evidence… the one that the Blood Venom Fiend Bae Dugap had installed.
“What’s this?”
When I explained, the Ragged Sage Physician looked at me with eyes full of admiration.
“Well… you can handle this as you see fit.”
“You’re just dumping the troublesome stuff on me, huh?”
“Yes. That’s right. But I have a request.”
“What is it?”
“Keep it a secret… that I was the one who gave it to you.”
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.
.
Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am, Escort Guard Lee Pil, and I visited the Clan Lord to receive a document.
It was the one we had agreed on before—the contract stating that the Tang Clan would assist in matters that don’t harm them and, when possible, would provide help.
On the way back to the annex with that document in hand, we ran into Commander Tang Dae-jeong.
“Greetings, Commander.”
“So… you’re heading back today?”
“Yes. I feel I’ve caused more trouble than help.”
“Not at all. The main family owes you a great debt. It is I who am grateful.”
Commander Tang Dae-jeong then lowered his voice and asked.
“By the way… do you happen to have someone in mind? A sweetheart… or maybe a betrothed?”
“Pardon? Not yet…”
“I see. Alright…”
‘What… Did I just make a mistake somehow?’
As I finished the conversation and returned to the annex, Lady Tang Su-bin and Tang Jo-ung were waiting to see me off.
And unexpectedly… there were three more people.
Lady Tang Su-bin’s three brothers.
‘Wait… even the Third Young Master, who’s still recovering, came out? Seriously?’
Receiving their farewell, I left the Tang Clan.
It had been exhausting with so many complicated events, but knowing that I once again disrupted the Murim Alliance’s plans… made me feel great.
Riding in a comfortable carriage, escorted by the Tang Clan’s warriors, I arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group’s Sichuan branch.
“I’m back.”
“Welcome back. Everything went well, I hope?”
“Yes, Uncle.”
I greeted Uncle, Aunt, my older cousins, and Ryeo-ok before heading to my room.
Letting out a long sigh, I spoke to Palgap.
“Palgap. We leave for the Euljin Merchant Group tomorrow.”
“What? Come on… shouldn’t we at least rest for a day or two?”
“I’d love to rest too.”
But there was no time for that.
There was still too much to do here, and we’d spent more time at the Tang Clan than expected.
The year’s almost over.
“Still… we should celebrate the New Year with family. Don’t you agree, Geumryeong?”
At my question, Geumryeong wriggled inside my sleeve and let out a cheerful “Kui.”
Murim Alliance.
Tang Dae-jeong, who served as an instructor for espionage techniques there, received a letter from the Tang Clan.
Its contents… left a bitter taste in his mouth.
It detailed how the truth behind the abuse of his son, Tang Lee Pil—the child born of the woman he once loved—had been exposed.
And how those involved were sentenced to five years of confinement in the Punishment Hall.
He closed his eyes and sighed.
A sigh… heavy with regret for the past.
He’d been so obsessed with martial arts that he’d neglected his family entirely.
It wasn’t until Tang Lee Pil left the clan that he realized what had happened.
He then asked his elder brother not to issue an order to track down Tang Lee Pil… to let him sever ties with the clan.
But… he never imagined the abuse had been that cruel.
It was a miracle Lee Pil survived.
He felt deeply sorry to his son.
‘If only I had paid more attention… if only… then he wouldn’t have left, carrying nothing but scars.’
He continued reading the letter.
[We were considering sending Su-bin to the Murim Alliance… but she has decided not to go. It wasn’t because I forbade her… she made the choice herself.]
That made Tang Dae-jeong tilt his head.
Not long ago, the previous letter had expressed high hopes for her success in the Murim Alliance.
[Come home soon. Father has returned… and he wishes to see you.]
Hearing that his father, whom he hadn’t seen for years due to his travels, had returned… made his eyes widen.
It seemed… he’d have to visit the main house soon.
[By the way… your son, Lee Pil, has grown into an outstanding man. He now serves as an escort guard under an extraordinary master… and has already reached the First-rate realm. It’s like watching your younger self.]
A smile unknowingly tugged at his lips.
It pained him that his wife and sons were now imprisoned in the Punishment Hall.
But… he hoped they’d reflect on their wrongdoings.
And now… it felt like the day he’d meet his son, Lee Pil, wasn’t so far away.
I wrapped up my work quickly and returned to the branch, spending the New Year with my family.
Before I knew it… it was time to head to Beijing.
I had to deliver the inspection report on the Euljin Merchant Group to the Emperor.
So I was busy organizing everything… to ensure the branch could operate smoothly even while I was gone.
“Department Chief.”
I looked up to see Deputy Yeo Chang-ui calling me with a face that looked half-dead.
“Yes?”
“Please take a look at this.”
Deputy Yeo Chang-ui stumbled over and handed me a document. I read it over and gave instructions accordingly.
Watching him shuffle back to his desk, I scratched the side of my head as I glanced at the others practically petrified at their desks.
Right now, there were only two staff members handling affairs at the Virtuous Wind Department, including Deputy Yeo Chang-ui.
But with the workload increasing, they were practically chained to their desks.
‘I really need to hire more staff.’
A few days later.
The day to depart for Beijing arrived.
I didn’t need any extra escort guards since I already had four of my own.
Not to mention, Escort Guards Seo Wu and Jin Yu were both Peak experts.
They were on par with the elders or guardians of most sects, so there was nothing to worry about regarding my safety.
“Go and deliver my regards to your aunt and her family.”
At Father’s words, I nodded.
“Yes. Understood.”
I was planning to stay at Aunt’s house during this trip to Beijing.
“Travel safely.”
With everyone seeing me off, I set out for Beijing.
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.
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Upon arriving in Beijing, I headed straight to the Yeonjun Merchant Group.
Aunt personally came out to greet me.
“Welcome.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes. The last time was when Seon-il passed the imperial exam. It’s really been a while.”
“Is Uncle doing well?”
“Of course.”
“And Seon-il and Seon-mi?”
“They’re both well.”
“I’m glad to see you healthy too, Aunt.”
“You’ve had a long journey. Go wash up and rest.”
“Thank you. Oh, this is a letter from Grandfather and Father.”
Aunt set the letter aside and led me to my room.
Previously, the Yeonjun Merchant Group had nearly been dragged into a mess due to the Murim Alliance’s foul scheme targeting Cousin Seon-il.
Back then, I used my connections in Beijing to introduce new trade partners.
That deal expanded rapidly, and thanks to that, the Yeonjun Merchant Group grew significantly.
Maybe that’s why Aunt treated me with even more affection and gratitude.
Though honestly, she didn’t need to.
After washing up, I joined Aunt’s family for dinner for the first time in a while.
There, I got to hear how Cousin Seon-il was doing.
“So he’s working at the Hanlin Academy now?”
“That’s right.”
The Hanlin Academy was responsible for drafting the emperor’s edicts, publishing books by imperial order, and offering counsel to the emperor.
It also handled confidential documents, so those assigned there were typically top scorers from the imperial exams.
As far as I knew, the tutors who taught the princes also belonged to the Hanlin Academy.
In any case, it was a place filled with the most promising talents.
Naturally, the chances of becoming a high-ranking official were much higher.
Cousin Seon-il was currently working as a Sucan, a sixth-rank official.
Given that he was the top scorer in the exam, it made perfect sense.
“Cousin, you’ve really made it big.”
At my words, Cousin Seon-il chuckled shyly.
“Haha… Have I? But knowing that I’m contributing, even a little, to this nation’s prosperity makes every day rewarding.”
The bright smile on Cousin Seon-il’s face said it all.
It felt like all my effort—sneaking into the lake to eavesdrop and requesting an audience with the emperor to change the exam format—had paid off.
Then Cousin Seon-mi, with a slightly pouty look, spoke.
“Why does Cousin Seo-ho only care about Brother Seon-il?”
“Hahaha. Sorry, sorry. It may sound like an excuse, but I missed you a lot too. So, how have you been lately?”
“I’ll take it as an excuse… but I’ll believe it.”
Her voice softened slightly.
“I’ve been learning how to run the merchant group with Father these days.”
“Really?”
Uncle chimed in.
“Maybe because she takes after me… she’s quite talented in business.”
I nodded at that.
Even in my past life, Cousin Seon-mi followed Uncle’s path and took over the merchant group.
She managed things remarkably well and became the successor to the Yeonjun Merchant Group.
She looked modest and composed now… but honestly, no one was more of a wild child than Seon-mi.
When she was little, she’d play war games with wooden swords.
And if anyone picked on the bookish Seon-il, she’d charge in like a storm and settle it herself.
At a glance, it seemed like she had a fiery personality, but that wasn’t entirely true either.
When it came time to calculate, her mind was sharper than anyone’s, running mental abacuses at lightning speed.
Later, when Seon-il became more cynical, Seon-mi was genuinely hurt by the change.
Knowing her future, I smiled and replied.
“You’ll do great. I’m rooting for you.”
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.
The next day.
I sent a message requesting an audience with the Emperor, then headed out to the book market in Beijing.
Beijing was famous for its book district.
Since it was home to the largest number of literate people, every kind of book could be found there.
I was planning to visit because last time, one of the books I ordered included an erotic art collection… which was mistakenly mixed in with the order.
Since I couldn’t return it after using it at the Tang Clan… I figured I should at least pay for it so I could sleep at night with a clear conscience.
And while I was at it, I might as well look for new books.
Unlike other markets, the book district was quiet with no loud street vendors.
Probably because the customers here disliked noisy crowds.
I stepped into the bookstore where I had placed my order.
“Welcome.”
The clerk greeted me.
“If you’re looking for a particular book, feel free to ask.”
He quickly went back to what he was doing, likely because hovering would make customers uncomfortable.
I approached him.
“Who’s in charge of book orders here?”
“What’s the matter?”
“Last summer, an item I didn’t order was accidentally included with my purchase.”
“Oh, is that so? Apologies for the trouble. Please wait a moment. The owner handles orders like that.”
The clerk soon brought out the owner.
It seemed he’d already explained the situation, as the owner opened a ledger and asked.
“My apologies. May I have your name and affiliation?”
“Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group in Hubei.”
Honestly, I could’ve asked one of the Eunhae Merchant Group members who traveled to Beijing to handle this.
We didn’t have a branch in Beijing yet, but the merchant group made at least six trips here every year for trade.
Still, it felt wrong to bother others over something so personal.
After all, errands for someone else are always a hassle.
–TL Notes–
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