I could tell Master was embarrassed right now.
Because Master’s right wrist, revealed while placing a hand on the forehead, had turned red.
I learned today for the first time that Master’s wrist turns red when embarrassed.
Hmm, how unusual.
“It’s fine, Master. Doesn’t everyone have one or two stories like that from their childhood?”
“You don’t need to comfort me. It’s the truth, after all.”
“…”
“And hearing such comfort makes me feel more ashamed. Anyway… ahem, so that’s why you had trouble training while looking at me.”
I clasped my hands and bowed my head.
“I apologize.”
“This works out well. Today’s training, let’s proceed with your eyes closed.”
“…What?”
Master, you’re not doing this just because I heard those stories from the Ice Palace Master, are you?
It was beyond my control too.
.
.
.
Training ended.
I really did train the Snow Soul Sword with my eyes covered, and it was truly difficult.
“Well done.”
“Thank you for the teaching. And I…”
I spoke carefully.
“When I went to North Sea Ice Palace this time, I encountered the Patriarch’s arrangement.”
“…!”
At my words, Master’s eyes shot open.
“The arrangement I encountered was about a martial art called Extreme Yin Soul Ice Combat.”
“Is that really true?”
Master’s expression looked extremely surprised.
“Do you know what it is?”
“Of course. Isn’t that one of the martial arts only Snow Wind Palace’s Palace Masters could learn? But…”
Master couldn’t finish the sentence and closed those eyes.
Then, suppressing the grief, Master continued.
“When Father passed away early, I didn’t receive it. So right now, I’m not a complete Palace Master.”
Master, who had been saying that, asked me.
“But you said it was an arrangement about Extreme Yin Soul Ice Combat… surely not?”
“Yes. I learned it. So first, I should apologize to Master.”
I clasped my hands and bowed my head.
“This disciple learned it without Master’s permission.”
“No.”
Master shook that head.
“You don’t need to apologize. Right now, I’m grateful that you learned it, and that its transmission wasn’t severed.”
“Please wait a moment.”
I went inside and brought out the manual for Extreme Yin Soul Ice Combat that I had created and gave it to Master.
“Here, please take this. I wrote down what I learned from the Patriarch.”
Master took it with a peculiar expression.
I quickly explained.
“From what I heard from the Patriarch, martial arts that only Palace Masters learn, like Extreme Yin Soul Ice Combat, originally have no manuals.”
“That’s correct.”
“I understand it’s because if someone with insufficient training learns it, they’ll be consumed by demonic influence.”
“That’s also correct.”
“But since both you and I are busy, I thought this would be most efficient, so I left this record. If you later judge that this shouldn’t remain in the world, you can burn it.”
Master nodded.
“And… truthfully, the content is rather complex, so I’ll probably need to demonstrate directly.”
Master, who had been briefly examining the book, nodded again.
“Indeed… that seems necessary.”
“So I’ll demonstrate whenever Master requests it.”
Then it might take Master some time to learn Extreme Yin Soul Ice Combat, but it can’t be helped.
If I teach the same way the Patriarch did, it could be finished in a short time.
But this isn’t the world of the arrangement I was in.
If you’re cut by a sword, you die.
Of course, since Master’s level is much higher than mine, even if I swing a sword, there’s no way Master would be cut by my sword.
But since Extreme Yin Soul Ice Combat is a martial art where you use all your strength, I might accidentally injure Master.
Who knows what could happen in this world?
“Then right now, I’d like to see a demonstration of the first stance.”
“Understood.”
I stepped back about ten paces from Master.
I needed to be at least that far away for safety.
Then I raised both hands and moved them slowly.
But the energy surrounding me was very domineering, contrary to that.
It was extremely rough, almost like Snow Wind, the fourth stance of True Snow Twelve Form Sword, or like Snow Hail, the seventh stance.
My body moved as if dancing. But my dance wasn’t meant to give pleasure.
It was a dance to cut enemies, to bring death to enemies.
Each time my hands sliced through empty air, the wind was severed.
If there were an enemy where my hands sliced, that enemy would have been cut.
About fifteen minutes passed like that.
I lowered both hands, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.
Since it was a domineering martial art, it was dangerous if I didn’t calm my mind and circulate my Qi at the end.
“That’s…”
I turned my head at Master’s voice.
“…!”
I was startled for a moment.
Because tears were flowing from Master’s eyes.
“That’s… Extreme Yin Soul Ice Combat… I saw it when I was young. When Father fought spirit beasts…”
Right now, Master wasn’t looking at me.
Master was seeing in me the image of Father from the past, unfolding Extreme Yin Soul Ice Combat.
I could understand Master’s heart.
Because I too had memories of losing Father in my previous life.
Though Father passed away from illness, now sometimes I suddenly think about it.
Whether it was really illness…
A moment later,
Master, having calmed down, lightly bowed that head.
“Thank you.”
“The thanks should go not to me, but to the Patriarch, who left this arrangement out of affection for Snow Wind Palace.”
I smiled and continued.
“Also… there’s one more thing I need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Do you happen to know about Thousand Flow Ice Sword?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you also know that those who used that martial art were the Gwak Clan?”
“Of course. Could it be…?”
“Yes, I received this as a gift from the Palace Master.”
I held out the manual for Thousand Flow Ice Sword along with the Gwak Clan’s genealogy record to Master.
“What’s this?”
“North Sea Ice Palace Master seems to still care greatly for Snow Wind Palace.”
I explained that I had learned Thousand Flow Ice Sword from North Sea Ice Palace Master and received this as a gift.
After hearing my explanation, Master nodded.
“It’s a good idea. Actually, I often get asked which Gwak Clan I’m from.”
“Is that so?”
“But if I disguise myself with this family, it could be safer. Especially since they’re the most likely villains.”
“What?”
I tilted my head.
“Do you know… who the villain is?”
Master hesitated for a moment, then smiled bitterly.
“It’s not certain yet, but I’ve got some sense of it. When I’m sure, I’ll tell you then.”
“Understood.”
I nodded.
Master never broke promises. To think this Master was a troublemaker in childhood!
Eek!
These thoughts again!
I shook my head and held out an envelope.
“And this is a letter sent by North Sea Ice Palace Master.”
“…!”
Master took it with trembling hands.
Though Master had called the Ice Palace Master a damned old hag earlier, North Sea Ice Palace Master still seemed to be a special person to Master.
Well, that’s probably why North Sea Ice Palace Master knows about Master’s childhood secrets.
.
.
.
After finishing training and eating breakfast, I immediately headed to Eunwol Pavilion.
Because there was an Eunwol Pavilion meeting.
Today’s most important agenda item was about the Beijing branch.
“Certainly, it’s time to establish a branch in Beijing.”
At Chief Administrator Yu’s words, the others also nodded.
“The logistics heading to Beijing are gradually increasing. So I was thinking of making a formal request soon.”
At Pavilion Lord Yeon’s words, Eun Jeong-ho also chimed in.
“Besides, since our Eunhae Merchant Group is supplying silk to the Imperial Court, a Beijing branch is essential.”
Father looked around at everyone and made a decision.
“I’ll take it that there are no objections to this.”
“Yes.”
“Then now it’s time to select a site for the branch.”
That’s when it happened.
“May I say something?”
At Pavilion Lord Jeok of the Operations Pavilion’s words, everyone’s attention focused on him.
Because Pavilion Lord Jeok was never someone who spoke carelessly.
When Father nodded, he continued.
“I think everything about this Beijing branch should be entrusted to Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho.”
“To Seo-ho?”
“That’s right. Since he’s visited Beijing most frequently recently, I think he’d be well-informed about the situation there.”
“That’s true.”
“And since he’s receiving the Emperor’s favor, there will be fewer people trying to cause trouble.”
“Hmm, that makes sense.”
At those words, I sighed inwardly.
Honestly, I had planned to have Eun Jeong-ho handle this matter.
Because establishing a branch in the imperial capital of Beijing would provide many opportunities to be seen.
In other words, it was an achievement that could firmly establish Eun Jeong-ho as the next Merchant Lord.
“Oho…”
“It’s a good idea.”
But contrary to my thoughts, not only the other Pavilion Lords but even Eun Jeong-ho were nodding in agreement.
This won’t do.
“Pavilion Lord Jeok recommended me, but I’d like Eun Jeong-ho to handle it.”
“Jeong-ho?”
“I’m often away. And I have tasks entrusted by His Majesty the Emperor… Anyway, I’d like Eun Jeong-ho to handle this matter stably. And isn’t he also in charge of supplying silk?”
At my words, Father thought for a moment, then spoke.
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Haven’t you been away quite a lot recently? But your work still proceeded well.”
“…”
I have nothing to say.
“And does the place for carrying out the work His Majesty entrusted to you have to be here in Hubei? You could move to Beijing and proceed from there.”
“But reports to Father…”
“You can entrust them to those who travel regularly. And I only need to receive reports.”
“…”
“I think Pavilion Lord Jeok’s words are reasonable.”
Eun Jeong-ho chimed in with a smile.
“I’d also like you to take on this work.”
No, you shouldn’t agree with this.
Whew, can’t be helped.
I’ll have to subtly give the credit to Eun Jeong-ho later.
.
.
.
That day at Virtuous Wind Department.
I told the staff that we’d be working in Beijing for a while.
“Oh! In Beijing?”
“Is that really true?”
But the staff were very pleased.
“Aren’t you too happy about this?”
“Hahaha. Well, it’s Beijing! Just the sound of Beijing somehow feels delightful. Hahaha.”
“To think we can see those splendid streets directly! I’m excited.”
Everyone seems thrilled.
Still, after a few years there, it’ll all feel the same.
“Won’t there be many books that are hard to obtain here?”
That’s… true.
The Beijing bookstore district is really big.
“And it also means my children can study in Beijing.”
Ah…
I was suddenly at a loss for words at one father’s realistic concern that hit close to home.
“The residence… I’ll build you a magnificent one.”
.
.
.
Mid-Seventh Month.
Just two weeks after returning home, I was leaving for Beijing again.
Because of matters concerning the Beijing branch.
By now, Palgap and the other escort guards seemed to have adapted to me traveling all over the place.
I heard they always have their luggage packed so they can depart within fifteen minutes…
.
.
.
I arrived in Beijing.
This time, since there were people from Virtuous Wind Department accompanying me, I arranged a separate temporary residence in Beijing.
I decided to stay there as well.
Still, I had to pay my respects, so I headed to Yeonjun Merchant Group. And I also had business to discuss with my uncle.
I requested a meeting with my uncle.
“You’ve been coming to Beijing quite often lately.”
“Yes. It turned out that way.”
I took a sip of tea and brought up the main point.
“Actually, our Eunhae Merchant Group is planning to establish a branch in Beijing this time.”
“Hmm? A branch, you say?”
“Yes.”
“Well, with the scale of Eunhae Merchant Group, it makes sense to have a branch in Beijing.”
“That’s why I requested this meeting with Uncle.”
“So, what favor do you want to ask?”
“Please act as an intermediary.”
Since I’m an outsider, it would be smoother for my uncle, who operates in Beijing, to act as an intermediary than for me to purchase land directly.
“I have a site in mind. About 125 acres…”
Uncle blinked in surprise at the scale.
“Are you establishing a new merchant group?”
“No. It’s a branch.”
“Right, ahem. I see. Right. A branch.”
After tapping the table for a moment, Uncle granted my request.
“We’re not strangers, so how could I refuse that request? So, where’s the location?”
“Yes, the place is…”
I told him about the site I had in mind and the price.
Several days passed like that.
During that time, I handled work with the staff at the temporarily arranged residence.
“Um, Young Master. Someone came from Yeonjun Merchant Group.”
At Palgap’s words, I came out and saw my uncle’s attendant.
“The Merchant Lord is calling for you.”
A little later, I met my uncle.
His expression doesn’t look bright—did some problem arise?
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“Does it have to be that site?”
“What? Why do you ask?”
Uncle spoke with a troubled expression.
“That land has a problem.”
–TL Notes–
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