Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Southern Jiang Merchant King (4)
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Regardless of the era, training the talents who will uphold the organization in the future is an important and urgent matter.
Moreover, for a group like the Silver Radiance Merchant Group, through which all the produce and gold and silver of Southern Jiang flow, there are no worries about materials or funds.
Thus, my preparations for the training proceeded smoothly.
In just one night, a plaque embroidered with the bold, dragon-like characters "Escort Cradle" was hung at the rear of Radiant Prosperity Hall's grand training ground.
"It suits you better than I expected."
The sturdy training uniform, made from tough canvas dyed dark green like sailcloth, was also produced in an instant.
"I-Is that so... No, wait. Young Master Eon."
"?"
"There's something I wanted to ask you."
"Speak."
"...D-Do I really have to go through this training? You mentioned yesterday that it'd involve crawling on the ground and climbing mountains, and the sandbags, lead weights, and iron lumps you asked for all seem like tools for physical conditioning."
"Didn't you say you're preparing to enter the Righteous Martial Academy?"
"That's true, but I was planning to take the civil exams and study military strategy or finance?"
That's how it is now.
But she'll end up entering the Righteous Martial Academy, catch the Sword Master's eye, awaken to the sword, and change her mind.
Though my presence will create all sorts of butterfly effects, Yin Xia Lian's constitution and potential won't simply vanish.
The Sword Master's temperament and her martial arts won't have changed either, so even if she has these doubts now, she'll eventually thank me later.
'But I can't exactly say stuff about the original story or the future right now.'
Still, I had a way to respond.
I could just go straight to the point.
"A healthy body houses a healthy spirit, doesn't it?"
"...That's true, but."
"And the edge of a blade doesn't spare merchants or strategists, does it? I learned that well from the Northern Deer Bandit Lair incident. To survive in the jianghu, it's best to have enough skill to escape danger on your own."
"...You're right about that."
And considering Yin Xia Lian's personality, a little prodding here would seal it.
"The Righteous Martial Academy will teach you properly once you're in, but as you know, they rank almost everything and compile those rankings into the annual Righteous Martial Yearbook, publishing it for all the world to see."
"……!"
"With a body that's only ever wielded brushes and abacuses, without even basic fitness, you won't score well in physical subjects. Flunk those, and you'll never climb high in the rankings. Of course, it's your choice. If you don't want to, skip it—I won't mind."
"...You're absolutely right, Young Master. I was short-sighted."
"Good thinking. You seemed a bit scared after seeing Ha-seong yesterday, but that was because the fool lacked manners, so I went a little overboard with the etiquette lesson."
"I-Is that so?"
"Yes. Besides, we're practically friends, bound by that friend-making ceremony, so I won't go that far with you. No need to worry."
Well, there might be a bit of blood.
Your egg might swell a little.
Your teeth might grind now and then?
"...Th-Thank you. Anyway, I understand what you're saying."
Well, anyway.
That wrapped up the persuasion.
Yin Xia Lian nodded quietly and held out the wooden box she'd brought.
"The special order is in here."
"Oh, it's done already?"
"Yes. I told the tanners to make it exactly like your sketch, but the shape and color are so unique—I'm not sure if it matches what you had in mind."
"If it's exactly like the sketch, then it's perfect. I even got compliments on my drawing skills back in the day."
"Understood. Then my business here is done. Should I head to the training ground and stand with the others gathering there?"
"Yes. I'll finish preparing as instructor and join shortly. Oh!"
"What, more to say?"
"Tell them in the Escort Cradle, there's no age, rank, or position. Just superiors and inferiors—me and you all. Coming from you, the Southern Jiang Merchant King's daughter and Radiant Prosperity Hall Leader, wearing that uniform, it'll carry weight. Make sure you remember it yourself too."
"Got it."
After sending Yin Xia Lian out of the Escort Cradle's instructor room, I quickly opened the wooden box and pulled out the contents.
"Oh, nicely done."
- That thing for the neck looks like a wind instrument, but that bright red one's shape is peculiar. For the head?
"Exactly."
Yin Xia Lian and Master both reacted that way to the red hat's form and color at first, but it wasn't anything grand.
I'd ordered the essentials for a K-instructor: a red hat and a whistle.
- The forehead guard is long like a brim or eave, blood-red in color. With a demon face carved on it, it's intensely striking. Like ritual gear for exorcism?
Hm.
Soldiers exorcising ghosts would have trained under someone wearing this, so Master's words weren't entirely off.
Anyway, when seriously drilling someone, this is a must.
I grinned at my reflection in the room's mirror, hat on.
"Looks pretty sharp. Takes me back."
- ...What 'old days' is a kid who hasn't even lived a few years reminiscing about, with that sinister smile...? What the hell were you up to before meeting me?
Now in the full training uniform and red hat brought by Yin Xia Lian, whistle in hand, I left the instructor room and mounted the platform at the training ground.
'Two-four-six-eight rows. Five lines of ten each. Ha-seong's face is still swollen, but he's here. Yin here too, so... all present.'
From the platform, I scanned the group—the numbers matched yesterday's and today's rosters. I spoke immediately.
"Greetings. I am the instructor who will turn you into the Silver Radiance Merchant Group's elite retainers or elite escorts."
A brief silence followed my voice.
I broke it and continued.
"As Radiant Prosperity Hall Leader Yin Xia Lian already explained, in the Escort Cradle, there's no age, rank, or position. Only hierarchy—me above, you below. No names. The number on the left of your uniform is your last name; 'Owl' is your first. Any questions? No? Then shoulder the leather bags in front of you. From now on, we..."
These people would have received orders stamped with Southern Jiang Merchant King Eun Se-pyeong's seal, and Yin Xia Lian—one of his hot-blooded heirs—would have mentioned it beforehand per my instructions.
With her and the other hothead Yin Ha-seong in matching uniforms, standing in formation, silence was the norm here.
But there was an anomaly.
"Right here~."
A slouchy group had irked me from the start; one raised his hand swaggering.
- Look at that punk's attitude!
Master tsked from my waist, but I opened my mouth to hear him out.
"Number Thirty-One Owl, ask away."
"First off, calling me that pisses me off! I'm Subduing Dragon Tiger! Not Thirty-One Owl!"
"Continue."
"Honestly, I don't get why I have to listen to you. I came for special training, but you look younger than me. Clearly not a famed escort or merchant senior, nor a Murim Alliance agent. Skipping names means you lack confidence—no notable moniker to boast. Why should I obey you?"
"I'm the one who doesn't get Number Thirty-One Owl's behavior."
"What?!"
"An order in the Merchant King's name came down, didn't it? Need more reason? You're a Silver Radiance man, living and dying by his word."
"Sure, but what if someone's blocking the King's eyes and ears? Like Radiant Prosperity Hall Leader up front!"
Master kept raging at Subduing Dragon Tiger's words.
- This punk's just a newbie escort trainee—how dare he claim the Merchant King's blinded? No thunderbolt punk like this!
He has backing, that's why he's so bold.
'With that barely-literate thug face and musclehead brain, those words aren't his own.'
And sure enough.
Subduing Dragon Tiger, puffed up, rallied support and turned to Yin Ha-seong in the front row, confirming my guess.
"Right?! Cancel this or proceed under Radiant Prosperity—no, Radiance Prosperity Hall Leader as planned!"
"Right!"
"Hear hear!"
I shot Yin Ha-seong a thin, sharp gaze.
'You did this?'
The drill sergeant was disappointed again.
Under my look,
Yin Ha-seong flinched, snapped to attention, and blurted desperately.
"N-Nothing to do with me! Not my idea! Really!"
Not you?
Then his mom, whatever.
Didn't matter. Now I knew why Eun Se-pyeong asked me this favor.
'About a third backing Subduing Dragon Tiger?'
He wanted me to straighten out the young escorts blindly caught in Radiant Prosperity and Radiance Prosperity Halls' whale fight.
'Too many to cull entirely, too burdensome to keep as is. Help salvage them.'
No big deal.
After rolling a hundred times till their bones turned to dust, souls lost or not, such thoughts would vanish.
Oh, of course.
That thunderbolt punk challenging the process gets a special etiquette class.
I pulled my red hat low and spoke lowly.
"Number Thirty-One Owl, front and center. Execute."
Subduing Dragon Tiger sauntered up and sneered, bowing mockingly.
"Ha! Think I won't come? In Hefei, everyone knows Chao Lake Iron Fist Subduing Dragon Tiger. Keep pushing, and your skull's dust. Nicely now, you..."
I circulated Reverse Heaven heart method lightly and planted a fist in his face.
Crack!!!!!!!!!
"Hurry up when I say come! Why so much talk?! Iron Fist? Face ain't iron!"
Situation sorted.
"……?"
"???"
"Wh-What just happened? Did Escort Sub go down in one hit? The specially hired fist master from Hefei...?"
"Looks like it? Didn't see the hand. You?"
"Nah, me neither."
Murmurs buzzed, but the mood was noticeably disciplined now.
I cleared my throat and spoke again.
"Any more questions, Owls?"
Yin Ha-seong in front answered first.
"None!"
"Why only one voice?"
The rest roared in unison at my prod.
"None, sir!!!!!!!!!"
"No questions? Shoulder your leather bags. Climb Lotus Peak, Huangshan's highest, and return. Execute!"
"Execute!!!"