It really was a tragic matter.
A promising warrior had died.
Elder Brother would live the rest of his life burdened with regret and guilt.
Neither the killer nor the one who hired them was ever caught.
The truth is, everything I’ve done has been to stop that from happening.
I’ve made all the preparations I possibly could.
I should be able to prevent the worst-case scenario.
Still, it seemed best to give him a heads-up.
“Elder Brother, about tomorrow.”
“Yeah? Why so serious all of a sudden?”
“I’ve just got a bad feeling. Maybe it’s nothing, but just for tomorrow, could you listen to me? Do what Jeon Wu-jin says. Don’t be stubborn.”
“Huh? Wu-jin?”
Elder Brother looked over at him with a puzzled expression.
Of course, Jeon Wu-jin looked completely clueless.
“Alright.”
“Can you promise me?”
“I promise.”
At our conversation, Jeon Wu-jin stepped forward and cupped his fists.
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect First Young Master even if it costs me my life.”
I let out a silent laugh.
Exactly. That’s why I’m doing this.
But since I couldn’t say that, I cupped my fists in return.
“Please take care of my brother.”
I’ll make sure you live through this.
Morning.
I got out of bed, circulated my Qi, and got dressed.
Today was Elder Brother Jeong-ho’s announcement ceremony as Deputy Merchant Lord.
But of course, Master wouldn’t let me skip training for something like that.
Just as I stepped into the courtyard, Master entered as well.
A couple of hours later, I was sitting on the ground, exhausted.
Once again, I’d trained to the brink of collapse.
“That concludes today’s session.”
“Thank you for your guidance.”
Master returned the bow and nodded, his expression growing serious.
“Today… You should be careful.”
“Sorry?”
“There’s a heavy killing intent.”
I froze at his words.
Honestly, if I hadn’t known what was going to happen today, I might’ve brushed it off.
But knowing what I do, I couldn’t take it lightly.
“What do you mean, Master?”
“I sensed thick killing intent within the merchant group earlier.”
“How could you tell?”
“That’s one of the abilities granted by the Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Art I taught you. You’ll understand once you reach a higher level.”
Even with that explanation, I still didn’t understand.
In my previous life, I’d reached the level of a First-rate warrior, and now I was nearly there again.
Yet I hadn’t sensed a thing.
That made me wonder something.
In my past life, the Changin Escort Bureau had been invited to this same banquet.
If that was the case, shouldn’t Master have been able to sense the threat back then and prevent it?
“There’s a high chance we’ll have an uninvited guest today.”
“I’ll speak with Father and request heightened security.”
“That would be best. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend today’s banquet. I have to leave for Zhejiang tomorrow for an escort mission, and I won’t be back for about a month.”
Only then did I realize why Master hadn’t been able to stop the incident in my previous life.
He’d been away.
“In any case, today you should practice the first form of my ‘Snowfall’ technique that I showed you.”
“Understood. But is it alright to practice swordsmanship alone?”
“You’ve already passed the stage where solo training would be dangerous.”
“I-I see.”
I turned my head slightly.
I’d been trying to get out of training and got caught red-handed.
Wait a minute.
If Master noticed the killing intent so quickly, then maybe he knew who the killer was?
The reason I couldn’t stop the killer at the source was because I didn’t know who it was.
According to Elder Brother’s testimony, the attacker had worn a palace maiden’s robe and a veil, so their face had been completely hidden.
Which meant the killer could be a woman—or a man in disguise.
“Master, do you know who’s targeting our merchant group?”
“I don’t. I only sensed it for a moment before it was suppressed. If they’d been closer, I might’ve been able to identify them.”
He continued.
“Whoever it is, they’re no ordinary person. Stay alert at all times.”
.
.
.
The banquet began.
From early morning, hired musicians and performers filled the air with music and dance, setting the mood.
Guests who had lined up outside the gates of the Eunhae Merchant Group began entering the banquet hall.
Over two hundred tables had been prepared.
The logic was simple—the more guests, the brighter the future of the Deputy Merchant Lord.
Thinking about how much had been spent on the event, I recalled the silent scream of Chief Administrator Yu clutching his head.
It made sense.
The expenses for this banquet were astronomical.
From my perspective, it was a reasonable cost, but for Chief Administrator Yu, who also served as Pavilion Lord of the Finance Pavilion, it was his burden to bear.
He had to approve every single expenditure with a heavy heart.
Still, thanks to people like him, the Eunhae Merchant Group ran smoothly.
Today, Second Brother Jin-ho and I were tasked with entertaining guests around our age.
Specifically, the children of nobles and influential families.
Their seating was arranged in a garden pavilion separate from the main banquet area.
“Welcome, Young Master.”
“It’s been a while. You look different—taller, more solid.”
“I’ve been training with the sword lately. Please, go in and enjoy.”
“I will.”
As I greeted the guests, I felt someone’s gaze and turned my head.
But all I saw were a group of noble daughters who quickly looked away and pretended to be chatting.
They were definitely talking about me.
Second Brother Jin-ho let out a sigh beside me and muttered,
“At this rate, the doorframe’s going to wear out from all the matchmakers coming through.”
“What are you talking about? I’m only fifteen. Why would matchmakers be showing up already?”
“Fifteen’s plenty old enough to marry.”
“Sure, but… why’re you bringing this up now?”
“Do you ever look in a mirror?”
“Well…”
I found myself unable to answer.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t looked in a mirror lately.
Since Palgap took care of all my grooming, I didn’t have any real need to check a mirror myself.
It’s not like I had a habit of admiring my own reflection either.
Just then, another young master approached with a noble lady. Second Brother Jin-ho and I quickly stepped forward to greet them politely.
“Welcome, Young Master Han. Young Lady Han.”
“Thank you for inviting us on such a joyous occasion.”
“We’re the ones grateful that you came in person instead of declining. On behalf of my brother, thank you.”
“Hahaha. Of course I had to come. Isn’t that right, Baek-ah?”
“Yes, brother.”
Their names were Han Baek-geon and Han Baek-ah. (TL Note: Traditional chinese names are weird. Both are Baek, but one is “Strong/Healthy” Baek [geon] and the other is “Elegant/Beautiful” Baek [ah])
Han Baek-geon was two years older than me, the same age as Second Brother Jin-ho, and Han Baek-ah was a year younger than I was.
They were the children of the Merchant Lord of the Hongnang Merchant Group.
It was a merchant group I held in fairly high regard—one that understood proper merchant ethics—and like us, it was counted among the Hundred Great Merchant Groups of the world.
Eventually, Han Baek-geon would inherit the Hongnang Merchant Group.
They’d been our friendly rivals, and would later grow into one of the Ten Great Merchant Groups of the realm.
A worthy competitor.
But the one more fearsome than Young Master Han Baek-geon was the one standing quietly behind him: Han Baek-ah.
She was the brain behind the Hongnang Merchant Group and earned the nickname “Hongnang’s Hidden Blade” (紅囊之錐) because of her piercing sharpness.
She’d occasionally make bold and incisive moves—enough to surprise even me.
Smiling, I said,
“Please have a seat. We’ve prepared quite a lot of food.”
At that, Han Baek-ah’s cheeks flushed slightly under my gaze.
“…?”
Just then, some young ladies nearby called her over, and she went to join them.
“Young Master.”
Han Baek-geon called out to me.
“Yes?”
“This is just in case, but don’t even think about making a move on my sister.”
“…Sorry?”
He turned and headed toward the other young masters without another word.
I stood there blankly, not understanding what he meant, and Second Brother Jin-ho chuckled and patted my shoulder silently.
“…”
What was that about?
I continued welcoming guests at the pavilion entrance. Before I knew it, it was already si-shi (9–11 a.m.).
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The music that had been playing from all corners of the venue stopped in time with the sound of drums.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward the platform in front of the Silver Dragon Hall—our largest building, Father’s office, and the symbolic heart of the merchant group.
Dressed in splendid robes, Father raised his voice.
“I am Eun Gil-sang, Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group. I thank you all for attending my eldest son’s announcement ceremony today.”
He bowed deeply to the guests.
“Now, let me introduce my eldest son, Eun Jeong-ho.”
At Father’s words, Elder Brother Jeong-ho ascended the platform. He cupped his fists and said,
“I am Eun Jeong-ho, eldest son of the Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group. I thank all of you for being here today.”
Father looked at him with pride, then turned to the crowd and declared,
“Today, I, Eun Gil-sang, Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group, formally announce my eldest son, Eun Jeong-ho, as Deputy Merchant Lord.”
Deputy Yu Dae-ik stepped forward and presented a silver identity token on a tray, which Elder Brother Jeong-ho received and fastened to his waist.
Watching him, smiling brightly as he expressed his feelings on becoming Deputy Merchant Lord, I smiled as well.
Hoping this time, that smile would remain.
As time passed, the banquet reached its peak.
Eun Jeong-ho was busy offering thanks to the many guests in attendance.
Normally, a simple “Thank you” would suffice, but there were cases where that wasn’t enough.
When someone offered a lavish gift or a large congratulatory fund, it was proper etiquette to invite them to a private reception room for a more formal exchange.
Elder Brother Jeong-ho pressed his fingers to his forehead.
Seeing this, Escort Guard Jeon Wu-jin looked worried.
“You must be tired.”
His attendant let out a small sigh and grumbled,
“How could he not be? He’s already met with twelve people privately. And why do they all talk so much? They could just say ‘Congratulations on becoming Deputy Merchant Lord, let’s stay on good terms, I look forward to working together,’ and leave it at that. But no—they talk in circles forever…”
“Don’t be too harsh. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for them to bring up their points.”
“Our young master’s just too kind for his own good. Isn’t that right, Jeon Wu-jin?”
At that, Jeon nodded.
“I agree wholeheartedly.”
“I’d love to be more blunt, but what can I do? This is just how I am.”
Elder Brother Jeong-ho gave a wry laugh and continued.
“Still, I’m lucky to have people around me to help guide me.”
Then, suddenly, the attendant’s face turned mischievous.
“By the way, she showed up today.”
“Who?”
“You know who. That noble daughter of the Jin clan.”
“Ugh!”
At that, Elder Brother Jeong-ho’s face turned red, and the attendant chuckled.
“Ah, if only that young lady could’ve seen your face just now.”
“Hmph.”
Just then, a maid from the reception team approached and said,
“Young Master, a guest is waiting to meet you in the Orchid Room (蘭室).” (TL Note: It’s where one receives important guests)
“Oh? Then I’d better go.”
Elder Brother Jeong-ho headed toward the Orchid Room.
But just as they were about to arrive, Jeon Wu-jin stopped in his tracks.
He called out to him.
“Young Master.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“I don’t think you should meet the person inside. I can’t explain it, but I’ve got a bad feeling. In my experience, this kind of situation rarely ends well.”
“But if they’ve waited just to see me, it’d be rude to send them away.”
“Still, I think it’s best to stay alert.”
“It’s fine. This is our merchant group’s banquet, and I’ve got you with me. What could go wrong?”
He said that as he reached for the door—but just then, he remembered what I had said the night before.
That if anything felt off, he should listen to Jeon Wu-jin.
And he had promised that he would.
–TL Notes–
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