Before I knew it, it was the fifteenth day of the Eighth Month, when the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the biggest holidays of the year, happened.
The heat was still hanging on, but it also meant summer would start losing its grip soon.
I’ll need to make sure I’m well prepared for the cold again this year.
Beijing is farther north than Hubei, so winters here are harsher.
Of course, the summers aren’t as brutal.
Well, that’s how it goes. What counts as an advantage becomes a drawback, and what seems like a drawback turns into an advantage.
We headed to a restaurant near the Beijing branch.
Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the busiest times of the year, but that mostly applies to the few days leading up to it.
On the festival itself, fewer reports come in, so it was fine for a lot of the Beijing branch staff to step away.
I reserved the entire top floor of a restaurant.
I wanted everyone from the Virtuous Wind Department and the Beijing branch, who’d worked hard while I was away, as well as my escort party, to relax and enjoy a proper meal.
If we shared the floor with other customers, or if servers kept coming and going, we wouldn’t be able to talk comfortably.
Most of our conversations were tied to merchant group business, so it would’ve been a problem if anyone overheard us.
That was why I rented out the highest floor and asked them to serve all the food at once.
I could sense people approaching with my Qi and put up a Qi barrier since I’d reached the Profound Realm, but honestly, even that was a hassle.
In the middle of the warm, lively meal, Palgap spoke up.
“Eating out together like this really has a nice feel to it.”
Everyone else nodded too.
“You’re right. We should do this more often.”
“I’d love that!”
As Palgap beamed, I casually tossed out a remark.
“Oh, Palgap. Pack your things when we get back.”
“Huh?”
Palgap, who’d just been reaching for food with his chopsticks, flinched and froze.
“Where are you going this time?”
“Shaolin Temple. I got an invitation.”
My escort guards, on the other hand, reacted calmly, like they’d expected it.
They must’ve assumed I was being invited because I’d lent money to the Shaolin monks we met on the way to Lanzhou, and because my opinion on the true meaning behind Blood Staff Star Monk’s Sword Tomb had been reflected in the matter.
But Escort Guard Seo Wu and Escort Guard Jin Yu had faint smiles on their faces.
That was because they knew I wasn’t going to Shaolin Temple just because of the invitation, but also because of the final wish Venerable Blood Staff Star Monk had left in my hands.
“Whaat? Shaolin Temple?”
“Did you just say Shaolin Temple?”
The other Virtuous Wind Department employees looked completely stunned.
“Yes. That’s right.”
“And you’re saying they invited you personally?”
“Yes.”
At my answer, they broke into open admiration.
“Amazing, as expected!”
“Can we tell people about this?”
Since the invitation from Shaolin Temple was an official matter, I nodded without hesitation.
“That’s fine.”
Beside me, Lady Seohyang spoke.
“I’ve heard getting invited by Shaolin Temple isn’t something that happens often. That’s really impressive.”
“Hahaha. You’re embarrassing me.”
“Still, Shaolin Temple doesn’t allow women in, so I guess I won’t be able to join you this time either.”
“I do feel bad about that.”
At my words, she shook her head.
“No. It’s not your fault Shaolin Temple bars women, so you don’t need to apologize. Besides, if I stay here and handle things, won’t that make it easier for you later, Deputy Merchant Lord?”
“W–well, that’s true.”
It was true, so I couldn’t deny it.
She laughed softly and said,
“So don’t worry about me. Have a safe trip.”
Why did her words make me feel both guilty and strangely at ease?
Was it because of the beautiful full moon of Mid-Autumn Festival?
For some reason, the plum blossom fragrance drifting from her felt especially strong today.
The next afternoon.
I carefully gave the Virtuous Wind Department employees their instructions for what needed to be done while I was gone.
Since it was hardly the first time I’d left on outside business, Deputy Chief Yeo Chang-ui just smiled and said,
“Don’t worry about things here. Have a good trip.”
“Although… you seem weirdly proud right now?”
“You noticed. Hahaha.”
Grinning from ear to ear, he went on.
“You were invited by Shaolin Temple! Isn’t that something our Virtuous Wind Department should be proud of?”
To be fair, Deputy Chief Yeo Chang-ui’s reaction wasn’t unusual.
Being invited by Shaolin Temple was a tremendous honor.
“This morning, Manor Lord Yeong stopped by and we talked for a while. The moment he heard the Department Chief had been invited to Shaolin Temple, the man who usually strutted around so arrogantly suddenly became polite.”
Manor Lord Yeong… if I remembered right, he was someone with a strong interest in the martial world. I think his son had entered some sect as a secular disciple.
To someone like that, an invitation from Shaolin Temple must’ve seemed like a very big deal.
“Did that make you happy?”
“Of course it did! Isn’t that obvious?”
“I’ll give you plenty more things to brag about in the future.”
“Oh my, I’m grateful just hearing that.”
Still, Deputy Chief Yeo Chang-ui had gotten a lot smoother than when I first met him.
Since he was the first person I saved in this life, I couldn’t help feeling especially attached to him.
So you’d better live a long, long life and stay by my side.
.
.
.
The evening before I left for Shaolin Temple.
Warrior Jin Yeong came to visit my residence.
“I received your letter. I hear Shaolin Temple invited you?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
Shaolin Temple was one of the major powers in the martial world.
Considering its status, I’d sent word to Warrior Jin Yeong ahead of time.
My trip to Shaolin Temple would inevitably reach the ears of the Embroidered Guard and the Eastern Depot, and the Emperor would hear of it too.
Even so, considering the relationship between the imperial family and the Murim Alliance, it was better to report it to His Majesty in advance and avoid any unnecessary trouble.
The Emperor trusted me and was broad-minded, but if a crack formed over something like this, it could grow larger.
And when someone like him got upset once, it tended to last.
Warrior Jin Yeong stared at me for a moment before speaking.
“You only just recovered, and now you’re leaving on outside business again?”
There was definitely some bite in that.
“I’d love to stay still, but the world won’t leave me alone.”
“A foolish question answered wisely.”
Warrior Jin Yeong let out a snort of laughter.
“Still, it’s a relief you recovered quickly. Otherwise, His Majesty really would have sent an Imperial Physician.”
“…”
Sending an Imperial Physician was practically the Emperor’s ultimate display of concern.
When the Crown Prince mentioned it before, I thought it was just a warning wrapped in a joke, but apparently not.
I was suddenly very glad I’d wrapped up that fake illness fiasco when I did.
“Anyway, His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince told me to wish you a safe journey.”
“Please tell them I am deeply moved by their grace.”
“I will. Oh, and there’s something else I was told to pass on to you.”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
“The cloth bundle you received as a reward this time is called the Path-Revealing Map.”
“What?”
“That red cloth bundle. It isn’t just a bundle. It means it’s an Artifact.”
“…I had absolutely no idea.”
At that, Warrior Jin Yeong clicked his tongue at me like I was being ridiculous.
“Try saying that without the grin.”
“Haha, I guess it was too obvious.”
“Anyway, congratulations. To think you got your hands on an imperial Artifact. Are you lucky? Or are you just that talented?”
“I was only fortunate. His Majesty thought well of me, and that’s why he gave me that Artifact as a reward, isn’t it?”
I humbly answered that way.
It felt a little embarrassing to say with my own mouth that I was exceptional.
“You really are shameless. Let me explain the Path-Revealing Map.”
Warrior Jin Yeong went on to explain how to use the cloth bundle Artifact, the Path-Revealing Map.
What I hadn’t known was that the bundle could also be used as protective gear.
Nice.
After that, Warrior Jin Yeong checked how far I’d progressed in the Imperial Palace martial arts, offered a few words of praise, and left.
The next day.
As I stepped outside, I looked up at the sky.
Maybe because Mid-Autumn Festival had passed, the sky seemed to be getting higher and bluer by the day.
“We’re all set.”
At Palgap’s words, I lowered my gaze and turned my head. Palgap and the escort guards were standing there, fully prepared.
“Then let’s go.”
“Yes.”
We mounted our horses. Then, with Lady Seohyang and the Virtuous Wind Department staff seeing us off, we set out for Shaolin Temple.
Shaolin Temple was on Mount Song.
There were several ways to travel from Beijing to Mount Song, but I had the Path-Revealing Map.
And once again, it showed me the best route.
The Path-Revealing Map didn’t simply point out the shortest distance. It showed the safest road.
This time, it guided me from Beijing through Hebei, then into Shandong, across the river, and along the road south of it.
Seeing that, I was genuinely surprised.
Normally, when traveling from Beijing to Mount Song, the fastest, easiest, and safest route was through Luoyang.
Naturally.
Luoyang was the Murim Alliance’s stronghold.
And yet it pointed me toward a route that avoided Luoyang entirely.
It really did tailor the path to its owner’s circumstances.
Handing this over to me must have made the Emperor’s stomach burn.
Shaolin Temple had offered to send an escort if I wanted one, but I politely declined.
Traveling with them would only slow the schedule down.
Sure, the road probably would’ve been more comfortable, but I was a busy man.
For someone like me, the River-Crossing Horse was one of the best gains I’d made.
We first headed toward Shandong.
Jinan was the better choice if you planned to travel by boat, but we had the River-Crossing Horse, so there was no reason to bother with one.
So we went as straight as possible. The Path-Revealing Map guided us that way too.
In no time, we left Beijing behind and entered Hebei Province.
All of a sudden, I thought of Young Hero Peng Gang-un from the Hebei Peng Clan.
That was another place where I’d forged a connection.
Of course, I hadn’t forgotten his request.
Finding Young Hero Peng Gang-un’s eldest uncle.
With the condition that the Hebei Peng Clan couldn’t know about it.
Still, there was no deadline attached to it, which was why I’d accepted the request in the first place.
I wonder how Young Hero Peng Gang-un – no, Young Clan Lord Peng Gang-un – is doing these days.
Before long, night fell, and we began preparing to camp.
We lit a fire, hunted wild animals in the mountains, cleaned them, and worked busily at it. Not long after, all of us were seated together and eating.
“Venison is usually tough, but what Attendant Palgap cooked is incredibly tender.”
At Escort Guard Chang Un’s words, everyone nodded. I agreed with that too.
“How exactly are you cooking it?”
At my question, Palgap gave an awkward smile and said,
“It’s thanks to this.”
He pulled a hammer out of his luggage and held it up.
“That’s the secret?”
As I looked it over, I noticed something unusual.
“The head has a grid pattern on it?”
“That’s right.”
“And this side looks like it’s covered in dozens of blunt nails…”
Escort Guard Lee Pil asked,
“Is that a weapon? If someone got hit with that, it’d really hurt.”
At that, Palgap shook his head.
“It’s not a weapon for hurting people. It’s a tool for tenderizing meat.”
“This?”
“Yes. I use this side to cut through the sinews, and this side to pound the meat until it gets tender. Honestly, beating it with the back of a knife gets pretty annoying.”
“So that’s what that pounding sound was earlier. Still, I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“I made it myself. I wanted to serve Young Master delicious meat. So I even gave it a name – the Meat Hammer.”
“Thank you.”
So Palgap had made that hammer for me and me alone.
Of course, lots of people liked meat, but children whose teeth hadn’t fully come in yet, or elderly people with weak teeth, often had a hard time eating it.
Meat was tougher than you’d think.
There were ways to soak it in fruit or spices to make it softer, of course, but that wasn’t always easy.
But with this hammer, you could have tender meat anytime.
Should I… sell this?
Right then, Geumryeong’s voice came from my sleeve.
“Kui!”
Ah… even Geumryeong had acknowledged this as something that could make money.
I turned to Palgap and said,
“Palgap, let’s sell this.”
“Huh?”
“Since you came up with it, I’ll give you half the share.”
Palgap scratched the back of his neck and said,
“It’s not that I mind selling it. I’m just not sure I’m really the first one to come up with something like this.”
“People all think along similar lines. What matters is who makes it more convenient.”
“That’s how it works?”
“Yeah. That’s how it works.”
“But you’re giving me half? Then it really pays to work as Young Master’s attendant.”
“Hm?”
“Didn’t you say that if the creator gets three tenths because of manufacturing costs, distribution costs, and so on, that’s already considered generous?”
“That’s right. So treat me well.”
At that, Palgap grinned and said,
“Wow, then does that mean I’m going to be rich too?”
“Probably.”
Then Escort Guard Lee Pil said,
“If Attendant Palgap gets rich, doesn’t that mean he’ll quit being an attendant?”
Palgap’s expression immediately turned serious.
“Why would I ever quit being Young Master’s attendant?”
“…?”
“I already swore before heaven and earth that I would never stop serving Young Master.”
For some reason, hearing him say that made my nose sting.
Palgap…
“There’s no attendant job sweeter than serving Young Master.”
“…What?”
“Even after I die, I’ll still be Young Master’s attendant.”
Palgap, the mood was perfect – did you really have to say that last part?
And also… maybe don’t talk about after you die.
If you die, you should be going to paradise. Why are you planning to keep following me around?
–TL Notes–
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