Yu So-ak closed the book.
“That’s it for today’s lesson.”
“Thank you for your teaching.”
“Thank you for your teaching.”
Two young boys sat properly in front of Yu So-ak.
No, calling them young men was a stretch—their faces were still full of youthful innocence.
They were Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song.
They were both about to reach adulthood this year.
Two years ago, they met at Eun Seo-ho’s Deputy Merchant Lord inauguration and began studying together under Yu So-ak.
They were fierce rivals and closest friends at the same time.
Thanks to sharpening each other constantly, they were now learning the Book of Documents (書經) despite being barely fifteen years old.
A remarkable achievement.
Perhaps spurred by Seok Il-song working at the merchant group, Gwak Hyeong-jin also asked to work.
Naturally, External Chief Administrator and Commander of the Eunpoong Division, Go Il-pyeong, snatched him up immediately.
“Oh! Judging by your frame, you must practice martial arts. Your father is Escort Chief Gwak, right? Learning your family’s martial arts, huh? I see you’ve already studied the Analects? Smart kid. Excellent! I’ve got way too much work piled up. Mind helping me out?”
“I’ll do my best.”
He’d been needing a capable deputy anyway.
But the problem was, most recruits brought in from the Finance Pavilion never lasted long.
Dealing with warriors wasn’t easy.
Yet Gwak Hyeong-jin wasn’t just sharp—he wasn’t intimidated by martial artists at all. Go Il-pyeong wasn’t about to let talent like that slip through his fingers.
Gwak Hyeong-jin thrived like a fish in water.
His document-writing skills improved rapidly under Yu So-ak’s guidance.
And he even resolved the chronic problem of the Eunpoong Division—warriors never submitting their required paperwork on time.
If someone didn’t submit the documents he was supposed to receive—
“Didn’t you say you’d submit the roster for tomorrow’s duty shifts by this morning? Why haven’t you handed it in?”
“I said I’d give it to you.”
“Then hand it over. Now.”
“Damn, kid, you sure are pushy.”
“Yeah, I am. And I’m not leaving till you give it to me.”
“Ugh, seriously…”
The martial arts Gwak Hyeong-jin trained in were the Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Art and the True Snow Twelve Form Sword, his family’s techniques.
The same martial arts Eun Seo-ho practiced.
Though his internal Qi and mastery were far below Eun Seo-ho’s.
Still, the Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Art was modeled after the ferocity of a winter sea.
The Qi was harsh enough that ordinary warriors couldn’t handle it.
Besides, growing up under the aura of his father, an Escort Chief, made him completely unfazed by warrior pressure.
In the end, the warriors of the Eunpoong Division, who’d always delayed paperwork and caused trouble for other departments, had no choice but to submit their reports immediately because of Gwak Hyeong-jin.
Work started flowing smoothly. Both External Chief Administrator Go Il-pyeong and Deputy of the Eunpoong Division, Yun Chung-jin, were very pleased.
“See? I sure know how to spot talent. Hahaha.”
And so, Seok Il-song in the Finance Pavilion and Gwak Hyeong-jin in the Eunpoong Division were growing into recognized talents.
“Your vacation starts the day after tomorrow, right?”
“Yes.”
“That’s right.”
The Eunhae Merchant Group had two official holidays.
The Summer Blessing Holiday during the hottest days of the year, and the Winter Solstice Holiday.
For the Summer Blessing Holiday, employees could pick one of the three hottest days—Chobok, Jungbok, or Malbok—and take three days off in a row.
Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song had chosen to take theirs during Malbok.
“No lessons during the holiday either, so enjoy your time fully.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
“So, what are you two planning for your vacation?”
“Well…”
“We’re… not sure.”
They suddenly realized something important.
They had three days off, but no idea what to do with them.
“Think it over.”
“Yes.”
They bowed to Yu So-ak and stepped out of the detached quarters where he stayed.
Yu So-ak lived in one of the residences within the merchant group.
“Let’s go. I’ll walk you to the Eunpoong Division.”
“Sure.”
Seok Il-song could’ve waited and returned with Yu So-ak later since he lived in the same quarters, but he chose to walk Gwak Hyeong-jin to the Eunpoong Division first before heading back to the Finance Pavilion.
“So… what do we actually do during vacation?”
“Yeah… no idea…”
Just then, they spotted someone very familiar up ahead.
Eun Seo-ho.
To both of them, Eun Seo-ho was their benefactor.
He’d saved Gwak Hyeong-jin when he was nearly killed in the bamboo grove near his home.
He’d rescued Seok Il-song when he was wandering the streets like a beggar.
So, to them, Eun Seo-ho wasn’t just someone important. He was someone truly special.
‘I heard he caught that scammer from Shaanxi…’
‘And took over three merchant groups from Shaanxi, too…’
‘He’s incredible!’
‘No wonder Father praises Lord Eun Seo-ho so much.’
They quickly greeted him.
“Hello!”
“Hello!”
Eun Seo-ho greeted them back warmly.
“Hey. Just came from your lessons, huh?”
“Yes.”
“That’s right.”
Since it was Eun Seo-ho, they felt comfortable enough to bring up their current dilemma.
“Um, can we ask you something?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“We’ve got the Summer Blessing Holiday starting the day after tomorrow.”
“Nice. Lucky you. I’m jealous.”
He really did sound jealous.
“So, um… we wanted to ask. What do you do during your holidays, sir?”
At that, Eun Seo-ho burst out laughing.
“I don’t have holidays.”
“Huh?”
They were stunned.
“Yeah. Ever since I became Deputy Merchant Lord, there’s no such thing as a holiday.”
“…”
“I think there used to be an official two-day summer break… but these days I’m too busy to even take that.”
“…”
“Still, if things aren’t too hectic, I can unofficially sneak away for a day or two.”
But from their perspective, Eun Seo-ho always looked insanely busy.
They doubted he ever had time for rest.
The vacation he technically had was always canceled due to the mountain of work.
Gwak Hyeong-jin spoke first.
“Well… the thing is, we actually don’t know what we should do during our vacation.”
Seok Il-song nodded.
“Yeah. What do you think we should do?”
Eun Seo-ho laughed.
“First… just have fun.”
“Huh?”
“Go down to the marketplace. See what’s being sold, watch the street performers from the Beggars’ Union. If you enjoy yourself, ideas will come.”
I watched Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song walk off into the distance.
Vacation, huh…
Man, I’m jealous.
Because the schedule in Shaanxi dragged on, I completely missed my official two-day summer break.
There was simply too much work piled up to enjoy it.
Clicking my tongue, I hurried my steps.
Father had called for me.
“You called for me, Father?”
Father pointed to the tea table.
“Sit.”
“Yes, sir.”
Seeing him offer a seat at the tea table meant this conversation would be long.
A maid brought us tea.
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes, Father.”
“You need to pay a visit to your aunt.”
“…What?”
Father handed me a letter in response to my puzzled tone.
“Your maternal cousin passed the civil service exam.”
“…”
I took the letter and read it.
It was an invitation to a celebratory banquet. My cousin had passed the metropolitan exam, the Huishi (會試).
To pass the imperial examination, one had to first clear the local exams—Xiucai, then the provincial exam—Juren, and then pass the Huishi in the capital. Passing that meant qualification for the final palace exam, the Dian Shi (殿試).
Passing the provincial exam made one a Juren and eligible for lower official ranks. But to become a central government official, one had to pass the Huishi and then the Dian Shi.
My cousin had passed the Huishi.
It was something truly worth celebrating.
Passing the Huishi was extraordinarily difficult.
The Dian Shi was the final step, where rankings were determined, and the top scorer—the Zhuangyuan—was chosen.
“So, here’s the thing. I want you to escort your grandfather and attend on our behalf. As you know, both Jeong-ho and Jin-ho are away.”
“I…”
“You were going to Beijing anyway. Don’t you need to report on your inspection of the Wu Merchant Group in Shaanxi?”
“…”
He was right.
After completing an inspection, a report had to be submitted within a month.
I was planning to go later this month…
“When should I depart?”
“At the latest, the day after tomorrow.”
“I see.”
My aunt had married into a merchant family in Beijing.
I’d visited her family last time I was there.
“Start preparing.”
“…Yes.”
I stepped out of Father’s office.
Meeting my cousin, huh…
Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled about it.
Every time I met him, it was nothing but “Confucius this, Mencius that”—endlessly dull lectures.
Last time I went to Beijing alone, he was deep in his studies, so I just visited my aunt and slipped away.
But this time, I was going there officially to congratulate him.
Basic courtesy required that I spend at least one shichen with him unless I was impossibly busy.
My ears were gonna bleed.
Honestly, I didn’t like the whole Confucian mumbo jumbo. That’s why I always thought Yu So-ak and the kids learning from him, like Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song, were impressive.
Wait.
Come to think of it, didn’t Hyeong-jin and Il-song say they were starting their three-day vacation the day after tomorrow?
I turned right back toward Father’s office.
“Father, I have a request.”
.
.
.
I got permission to take Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song with me to Beijing.
The official reason was to broaden the horizons of these future talents of the Eunhae Merchant Group.
And, honestly, Grandfather needed some company too.
That afternoon, when I told the two about the trip to Beijing, they were thrilled.
“To Beijing?”
“Really?”
They were so excited that their Clerks, Internal Chief Administrator Yu and External Chief Administrator Go, couldn’t bring themselves to say no.
Exactly what I was aiming for.
Besides, they weren’t handling anything too critical yet, so freeing up a month was manageable.
.
.
.
The next morning.
Right after finishing my Qi circulation, Master appeared.
“Good morning.”
“Master, welcome.”
“Let’s begin today’s training.”
Starting today, I was learning the eighth form of the True Snow Twelve Form Sword.
The name of this form was One Hanging Icicle (一點懸氷).
It meant focusing on a single point, like a sharp icicle suspended midair.
“You concentrate all your power into one point. It’s a technique designed for a one-strike kill.”
“That sounds like it requires a lot of focus.”
“Exactly right.”
I wondered how long this form would take to master.
Just hearing about it made it sound like a time sink.
Still, today’s training was meaningful.
Though, I did grumble in my head—‘Master, you’re so mean.’
“That concludes today’s lesson.”
“Thank you for your guidance.”
Master looked at me and said,
“Hyeong-jin was absolutely thrilled. He said he’s going to Beijing.”
“Ah…”
Then, quite suddenly, Master lowered his head and cupped his fists toward me.
“Huh? M-Master?”
I jumped in surprise at the gesture.
“Please take care of my Hyeong-jin.”
“…”
It was the bow of a father entrusting his son.
I politely bowed in return.
“Yes. I’ll bring him back safely.”
.
.
.
After breakfast, I headed to the carriage yard.
That’s where we were set to depart from.
By the time I arrived, preparations were already complete.
Then, I heard hurried footsteps approaching. Turning my head, I saw Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song running over.
“Sorry we’re late!”
“Apologies!”
“It’s fine. You’re not late.”
Grandfather hadn’t arrived yet, so they weren’t late at all.
But… they were carrying way too much stuff.
“What’s with all the luggage?”
“It’s clothes… and snacks for the trip.”
“…?”
“Chief Administrator Yu packed it for me.”
Yu So-ak had practically become Seok Il-song’s father at this point.
I looked at Hyeong-jin.
He was carrying quite a load himself.
Scratching his cheek, he answered,
“Mother… packed it.”
“I see.”
Just then, Grandfather arrived.
He was dressed sharply, clearly eager about this rare outing.
We each boarded separate carriages.
Grandfather rode with the two boys while I rode with Palgap and Deputy Yeo Chang-ui since there was work to discuss along the way.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
“Yes, sir.”
At Grandfather’s words, we set off with our family seeing us off.
Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song were delighted to be riding with Grandfather.
Seemed like they were getting some useful stories out of him.
I told them to listen well and remember every word.
Those were lessons you couldn’t buy with money.
.
.
.
A few days later, we arrived in Beijing.
The trip wasn’t particularly difficult since the roads were well-maintained.
Thanks to the message we’d sent ahead, Aunt, Uncle, Cousin Seon-il, and Cousin Seon-mi were already waiting to welcome us.
–TL Notes–
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