I smiled at the building in the distance.
It was the Eunhae Merchant Group’s Hubei headquarters.
Had it already been nearly half a year?
After rescuing Brother Jeong-ho in late autumn last year, I’d headed straight to Beijing.
Huh. I really had been living one hectic life.
I parted ways with Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin’s party at the ferry landing.
My group needed to take a ship east along the Yangtze River, while the North Sea Ice Palace had to head north.
After seeing them off, I asked Lady Seohyang a question.
“We could pass through Guizhou on our way. Would you like to stop by your home?”
I was asking whether she wanted to visit the Provincial Administration Commissioner’s residence for a little while.
However, she declined my offer.
“It’s all right. The time still isn’t right. And even though it’s roughly on our way, we’d still have to make a detour. It wouldn’t be right to delay everyone because of me.”
“But…”
“I’m truly all right. Besides, it might be dangerous if my brothers happen to be there. I’ll ask you another time.”
“Understood.”
And so, without stopping at the Provincial Administration Commissioner’s residence, we returned directly to the Eunhae Merchant Group’s headquarters.
“Seeing headquarters again after so long sure does warm my heart, Young Master.”
I nodded at Palgap’s words.
“I feel the same way.”
Then I turned toward Escort Guard Seo Wu and Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am.
“I’m giving the two of you four days of leave. Go spend some time with your families.”
“That won’t be necessary. I will remain by my lord’s side.”
Escort Guard Seo Wu shook his head at Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am’s response.
“Do you imagine you’ll have many chances to spend time with your family, Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am?”
“Pardon?”
“When our lord gives you the opportunity, go and spend time with them. Let this chance slip away, and who knows when the next one will come? As you well know, tomorrow is never guaranteed for men who live by the sword.”
Escort Guard Seo Wu had once worked as an Escort Chief and had also spent several years bedridden.
That was probably why he understood better than most how precious an ordinary day with one’s family could be.
“Escort Guard Seo Wu is right.”
I knew that truth all too well myself.
“So go home and enjoy four full days of rest. The other Escort Guards can cover for you while you’re gone. I intend to stay inside the merchant group’s grounds anyway, so I won’t need that many guards.”
“Understood.”
“I will gladly obey your command.”
Before long, we arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group’s Hubei headquarters.
“Huh? Third Deputy Merchant Lord?”
“Isn’t that the Third Deputy Merchant Lord?”
Everyone was startled by my sudden appearance. That was only natural, considering I’d arrived without sending any word ahead.
“Circumstances happened to bring me this way, so I decided to stop by.”
I dismounted, handed my horse’s reins to the servants, and asked,
“Has everything been peaceful at the merchant group?”
“Of course. Everything has been perfectly peaceful.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
I immediately went to my quarters, washed, changed into proper clothes, and then visited my family.
Everyone was surprised, but they were also delighted to see me.
Father was away on business, so I had no choice but to postpone paying my respects to him.
After greeting the rest of my family, I returned to my quarters and asked Palgap,
“Is Warrior Man Jeong at his lodging?”
“No, Young Master. I heard he’s at the waterborne training ground right now.”
“The waterborne training ground?”
Ah, that must be the place Outer Chief Administrator Go Il-pyeong had insisted on building some time ago.
He’d said practical experience was essential and that he intended to create a place where people could train under conditions resembling a real battle. Now I was curious to see what he’d come up with.
“Let’s go take a look.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
The waterborne training ground was located a short distance from the Eunhae Merchant Group.
More precisely, it stood near the stretch of river where the ships were moored.
It was about two hours from headquarters.
A tall bamboo palisade surrounded the site.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Whoosh!
As we approached, I heard arrows slicing through the air.
“Aaagh!”
Splash!
There were even screams and the sound of bodies hitting the water.
It seemed they really were training under conditions close to an actual battle.
When I approached the palisade, the gatekeepers stepped forward and blocked my path.
“Please state your identity and purpose.”
Some might have found it bothersome, but I was pleased instead.
It meant discipline had been firmly established and everyone was following the proper procedures.
And however inconvenient such procedures might be, those in authority had to observe them most faithfully. Otherwise, the rules would become nothing more than empty formalities.
After all, what subordinate would obey the rules when those above him ignored them?
“I am Eun Seo-ho, the Eunhae Merchant Group’s Third Deputy Merchant Lord.”
I showed them my identity plaque.
Upon seeing it, the guards stepped back and spoke respectfully.
“Please forgive our discourtesy. You are authorized to enter.”
“Who exactly is authorized to enter this place?”
“That is…”
One of the guards held out a wooden tablet.
“Please refer to this.”
The tablet bore only Father’s name, the names of my brothers and me, and those of the two Chief Administrators and the Pavilion Lords.
“That answers my question. Thank you.”
I returned the tablet and stepped through the open gate.
“Wow…”
My mouth fell open before I even realized it.
Part of the river had been artificially diverted to create the training ground, and a ship large enough to carry roughly a hundred people floated upon the water.
Dozens of people were aboard that ship, shooting arrows at targets erected on another vessel.
“Aim!”
Clack!
“Loose!”
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
The arrows flew much farther than ordinary arrows before burying themselves in the targets.
“Wow! That’s incredible!”
“It truly is, Young Master. Nearly every arrow struck the target. Ah, what a shame – one of them just barely missed.”
Huh?
At Palgap’s words, I pointed toward the targets.
“You can see them from here?”
“Yes, Young Master. I can see them clearly.”
That wasn’t a distance an ordinary person could see across…
Palgap might possess the King of Assassins’ talent and had been training diligently, but his Internal Power wasn’t nearly advanced enough to explain eyesight like that.
Escort Guard Jin Yu, who stood behind me, spoke up.
“Palgap’s eyesight was remarkably sharp even before he began training. It seems his training has improved it even further.”
Palgap added,
“The manual you gave me said that I needed keen eyesight to monitor your condition from a distance and respond whenever necessary, Young Master. It even includes special exercises for sharpening my vision.”
“…I see.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Palgap was as devoted to his duties as an Attendant as ever.
Perhaps he had finally noticed my arrival, because Warrior Man Jeong came running from the distance.
“Deputy Merchant Lord!”
“It’s been a long time. The standard of training here is extraordinary.”
“Of course. You showed my family a tremendous kindness, Deputy Merchant Lord. I could never neglect my duties when I have such a debt to repay.”
“I appreciate you feeling that way.”
I continued,
“As expected, the bows possess remarkable range and power.”
He shook his head at my praise.
“They are still lacking in my eyes.”
“No one achieves perfection overnight.”
“But we’ll be setting sail soon, and they still seem woefully inadequate to me.”
“Don’t be too anxious. Whatever they lack in skill can be compensated for with tactics.”
Drawing upon the memories of my previous life, I continued,
“Divide the archers aboard each ship into three groups and have them fire in rotation. The first group fires oil-soaked arrows, the second fires flaming arrows, and the third suppresses anyone who tries to put out the flames.”
“Oh! That’s an excellent strategy.”
His eyes widened at my suggestion.
“We must try it immediately! This very instant!”
“By the way, this training ground is truly impressive.”
“Yes. The Merchant Lord has provided the Eunpoong Archer Division with his full and unconditional support.”
Ah, so the archer unit’s official name was the Eunpoong Archer Division.
Some people might have considered raising such a force a waste of money, but they would have been completely wrong.
Once we expanded our maritime trade, conflict with pirates would become inevitable.
Any merchant group that failed to prepare a way to repel them would eventually suffer catastrophic losses.
Besides, battles fought on land and battles fought at sea were fundamentally different.
By raising a specialized unit in advance, we would be able to defend our ships against pirate raids.
Even accounting for all that, though, the division seemed to be receiving far more support than I’d expected.
Father…
He really was throwing his full weight behind them.
It was almost as though he were venting years of frustration from being unable to properly support the ventures he’d truly believed in.
I patted Geumryeong, who was wriggling its little rump inside my sleeve.
Judging by Geumryeong’s reaction, the Eunpoong Archer Division was certain to bring considerable profit to the Eunhae Merchant Group.
That evening.
Father returned, and I went to see him.
“This is your home, so there’s nothing strange about you arriving without notice. Still, what brings you here? You must have your hands full with one thing after another.”
I gave a small laugh at Father’s question.
“I missed my family.”
Father smiled at my answer.
“I also observed the Eunpoong Archer Division’s training.”
“So, you visited the training ground. What did you think?”
“It was astonishing. Their skill was impressive, but their equipment and training regimen surprised me even more. I never imagined you would invest quite so much in them.”
Father slowly nodded at my answer.
“It is partly my own will, but in truth, it is also the will of our ancestors.”
“Pardon?”
“Do you remember the book I mentioned before, the one passed down from one Merchant Lord to the next?”
“I remember.”
“That book states that whenever the merchant group operates merchant ships, it must prepare a means of resisting pirates.”
“I see.”
“So I had already resolved to offer my full support once the proper time arrived.”
“In that case, Father, are you happy?”
Father grinned broadly at my question.
“Yes. I am.”
“Then you’re welcome to support them even more. Your son will simply earn enough money to pay for it.”
“Are you planning to create an invincible Eunpoong Archer Division, unmatched under heaven?”
“That sounds good to me.”
Father burst into hearty laughter at my answer.
.
.
.
The following morning.
As soon as I awoke, I completed my Breathing Meditation and stepped into the courtyard.
“Good morning.”
“Master!”
I quickly ran over to my master.
Yesterday, immediately after arriving at the Eunhae Merchant Group’s headquarters, I’d used Geumryeong to inform my master that I had returned.
One look at my master’s face told me that he was intensely curious about everything that had happened.
Other people would have seen nothing but his usual expressionless face, but I could tell.
“Has everything been well in my absence?”
“Yes. Everyone has remained safe, and nothing untoward has happened.”
“First, I should report what happened at Zhurong Palace.”
My master raised a hand before I could begin.
“Before that, let us start with your training.”
“I understand that you’re concerned about my progress, Master, but I believe I should give you my report first this time.”
A trace of puzzlement crossed my master’s face, but he soon nodded.
“Go ahead.”
“Yes, Master.”
I carefully recounted everything that had happened at Zhurong Palace.
I had already conveyed the broad details in a letter, but it would be better for my master to know precisely what had happened.
How Young Lord Maeng Hyeon had gotten on my nerves from the very beginning.
How I had used my spar with him as an opportunity to examine the Palace Lord’s records inside one of Zhurong Palace’s halls.
How the Palace Lord had caught me in the act, and how our subsequent conversation had allowed me to determine that Zhurong Palace wasn’t responsible.
How I had received permission to enter the archives and discovered additional documents concerning the Doyeon Sect and the Blood Heaven Sect.
How Young Lord Maeng Hyeon, after being stripped of his position as Young Palace Lord, had attacked Zhurong Palace alongside the Black Lotus Gang.
And how the Extreme Martial Awakening Pill had left Young Lord Maeng Hyeon a cripple, while the second son, Young Lord Maeng Cheon, had become the new Young Palace Lord.
However, I said nothing about Young Lord Maeng Cheon’s true identity.
He had entrusted me with that secret, and revealing it to someone else would have been a betrayal of his trust.
“I see.”
After listening to the entire story, my master slowly nodded.
“That boy Jin has certainly been through a great deal.”
“Yes.”
There was one last thing I needed to give him.
“I believe you should be the one to keep this, Master.”
“So this is the whetstone you mentioned.”
The letter I’d previously sent through Geumryeong had also included a brief explanation of the whetstone.
Perhaps that was why my master immediately recognized the object I handed him.
“That’s right.”
“Understood. I will keep it safe.”
My master carefully wrapped it again and tucked it inside his robe.
“There is one thing I find puzzling. You said that after consuming something called the Extreme Martial Awakening Pill, Young Lord Maeng Hyeon temporarily reached the Transcendent realm. Yet you do not seem to have crossed the barrier to the Transcendent realm yourself… How did you defeat him?”
As expected of my master.
He’d immediately noticed the crucial point.
“That, in fact, is why I asked you to hear my report before we began training.”
I continued,
“Inside those archives, I encountered an arrangement left behind by the Patriarch.”
My master’s eyebrow twitched.
“Is that truly what happened?”
“Yes. It is. On that subject, Master, have you ever heard of the Extreme Ice Sword?”
My master’s eyes widened.
“Did you just say… the Extreme Ice Sword?”
“Yes.”
“That is… one of Snow Wind Palace’s lost supreme arts…”
“What? You said it was… lost?”
My master nodded.
“That is why Father was so deeply regretful. He said that if the Extreme Ice Sword had not been lost, he could have beaten some sense into the North Sea Ice Palace Lord, even if he had to pummel her half to death.”
Ah…
Come to think of it, I had previously heard that the North Sea Ice Palace Lord had lost her reason after cold Qi invaded her brain.
She had eventually recovered as her realm advanced, but only after a great deal of suffering.
Only now did I understand what the Patriarch had meant.
I finally understood why he’d said Snow Wind Palace’s role was so important.
Snow Wind Palace was the North Sea Ice Palace’s guardian, yet it also stood as its equal precisely because of that duty.
Having reached that realization, I continued,
“In any case, I was able to subdue Young Lord Maeng Hyeon with the Extreme Ice Sword. I would like to teach you the Extreme Ice Sword that I learned, Master. However…”
“What is it? Is there some kind of problem?”
“The Extreme Ice Sword is exceptionally difficult to learn.”
It had taken me a full three years inside the space arranged by the Patriarch, precisely because the Extreme Ice Sword was such an exacting and temperamental sword art.
“It is the Extreme Ice Sword. Such difficulty is only to be expected. Fortunately, I have nothing else scheduled today.”
.
.
.
A short while later.
I watched my master perform the Extreme Ice Sword and smiled bitterly.
A Transcendent master truly was in a realm of his own.
Haah. Just who did I think I was worrying about?
–TL Notes–
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