Chapter 20
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: My Master
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"Whoa... Young Master, look over there."
A-so couldn't stop chattering away.
They had merely crossed over one castle wall, but to So-dong, who was stepping into Shang Mountain for the first time, it felt like an entirely new world unfolding before him.
Jinan was the castle city of Shandong, too. To So-dong, for whom Jinan and a few counties made up his whole world, Shang Mountain had a completely different sheen to it.
One might say everywhere people lived was the same, so how different could it be?
Perhaps because it bordered Beijing, even the fabrics on the passing pedestrians were of superior quality. There wasn't a single beggar from the Beggars' Sect on the main streets, and the glittering jewelry adorning people and stalls alike dazzled the eyes no matter where one looked.
If he had to name cities more splendid than this, he could confidently say Suzhou and Hangzhou.
'How much grander must Beijing be?'
They'd practically have to haul all of Beijing here itself.
'There weren't many Beggars' Sect members in Jinan either.'
When it came to the polish that encompassed not just the city but the entire region, Shandong had no choice but to yield a point.
And that made sense, for Shandong was gripped by the real power of two martial sects.
It couldn't compare to the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, made up of Daoist and Buddhist factions, but anyone who called themselves a martial artist had to shun unrestrained indulgence and luxury.
"Young Master?"
Unlike A-so, who was too busy gawking, Seo Mun-ha seemed utterly unimpressed.
As if it were all too familiar.
"Yeah, it's impressive."
Seo Mun-ha replied halfheartedly.
His response clearly didn't satisfy, and having failed to bond over shared wonder, So-dong stared at him in bewilderment—this man who had also just emerged from his sheltered world.
'Is he embarrassed...?'
Shang Mountain stood out even more compared to Jinan in one particular way.
"Isn't that guy Ghost Flash?"
"Seo Mun Clan's Third Young Master, right?"
"Everyone knows the Seo Mun Clan."
"He's handsome."
Whispers pierced through A-so. It was a daily occurrence back in Jinan, too, but the content people were murmuring differed between heaven and earth.
So-dong's small shoulders straightened on their own. And the smile tugging at his lips?
Bandits were the existence that common folk feared and trembled before the most, so the appearance of a rising star like Seo Mun-ha drew far more acclaim than any ordinary martial artist.
"Don't be embarrassed, Young Master. You have to act confident at times like this."
"That Yi Myeong guy said that?"
"Yes!"
A-so was purely delighted by Seo Mun-ha's feats.
Was this how parents felt gazing upon their grown child?
It was hard to believe this was the same person whose heart had been boiling with anguish just a day ago, having overcome so much suffering and hardship.
'Embarrassed, my foot.'
Seo Mun-ha paraded through Shang Mountain with A-so—who barely reached his waist—trailing behind.
As announced beforehand, his destination was a money house. With several such indeterminate spots scattered about, it was bound to take considerable time on foot.
"Ha, Ghost Flash? These days, even dogs and pigs are getting nicknames."
In truth, only about three in ten people even recognized them.
That was why A-so was especially attuned to the crowd's chatter, and with his ears always perked for worldly affairs, certain words naturally jumped out at him.
"I hear the Seo Mun Clan's Third Young Master is the world's biggest delinquent?"
Of course, not all the talk was flattering.
"No way."
"Hey, I heard it straight from an acquaintance."
Envy and jealousy were human nature itself, akin to bandits in their predatory sharpness, slicing and scraping at A-so's insides like a blade.
Seo Mun-ha himself seemed utterly unbothered, however.
"Don't mind them."
"Still..."
"It's true, isn't it?"
He playfully ruffled So-dong's hair, striking first.
In the meantime, they'd taken several wrong turns, which grew tedious, repeating the aimless wandering of their earlier searches through the money houses.
"This much is downright gentlemanly."
"After training in martial arts, you've become a sage or a noble man, it seems."
A-so rolled his eyes, unsure if that was good or not.
"A pretty ominous nickname for a sage or noble man."
Seo Mun-ha chuckled.
Sang Man-seok, who regretted it instead, opened his mouth but ultimately held his tongue.
The unexpected moniker, along with Sang Man Escort Agency's young leader, was lending momentum to people recognizing Seo Mun-ha.
"Don't mind it, Young Leader."
"You really read people like a ghost."
Sang Man-seok conceded anew, though he wouldn't say it suited him perfectly.
The nickname Ghost Flash stemmed from two things—and its lack of a place name—and was tied to geography as well.
First, it wasn't Shandong but Hebei. With even rumors scant, it referred to a rising star who appeared like a ghost.
"I should have gone with you to meet the Scholar Lord."
Second, the rising star's martial arts were unclear.
You only see as much as you know, so Sang Man-seok, unable to pinpoint his style, kept descriptions minimal.
The best lies reveal only as much truth as the listener knows.
The Scholar Lord, a man of uncommon status. They couldn't rattle off unknown techniques in front of him.
Swordplay, spearwork, even a single palm against a demon—none fell short of "masterstroke" in Sang Man-seok's eyes.
'If it's sticking, something like Triple Absolute Divine Wind would be better.'
He inwardly lamented on the man's behalf, regardless of whether the man himself would approve.
"I'd be fine with it."
Seo Mun-ha responded to his earlier words.
"Haha, just something I tossed out. No need to worry."
Martial artists distrusted officials, and officials distrusted martial artists. Generally speaking.
With the current Seo Mun Clan elevating their house's sword prestige, and unlike Seo Mun-ha and A-so, Sang Man-seok—who had long sold his past for nostalgia—had no desire to tangle with the authorities.
'He's changed a lot.'
Few good memories from his previous life.
"There it is, Young Master! Myriad Gold Money House!"
A-so hopped up. Thanks to Yang Jeong and Sang Man-seok's prior efforts.
'Seventeen years. Or for this body, it's the first time.'
Despite its grandiose name, the large plaque on the hall bore the weight of ages past.
Seo Mun-ha entered the hall calmly.
"What business brings you to our house?"
As they passed the entrance, two guards subtly sharpened their vigilance.
Entry was free, but exit was another matter—that was the way of money houses.
"I am Sang Man-seok of Sang Man Escort Agency. We've just completed an escort run and are staying briefly in Shang Mountain."
Only after scrutinizing the sword-bearing man did the guards relax.
Sang Man-seok's attire screamed his identity at a glance, but with self-proclaimed warriors and ronin occasionally causing trouble, they double-checked.
"We've heard the rumors. Then this must be..."
"Seo Mun Clan's Third Young Master. He has business at your esteemed house."
"Seo Mun-ha."
"I see."
"A polite hero just like the rumors," the guard jested, stepping aside.
Following the other guard's lead, Seo Mun-ha glanced around the unfamiliar interior and asked,
"Pardon my rudeness, but may I know the house lord's honorable name?"
Unlike the worn plaque, the interior reflected their stature. Possessing both tradition and substance—typical merchants with their greed.
"Our house lord goes by Man Won-baek."
"A fine name."
Man Won-baek. A boy from his youth flickered through Seo Mun-ha's mind.
That child had already founded his own house and become head of a money house. Time felt real, yet strangely elusive.
"The house lord is away on business, so I'll fetch the young house lord."
Myriad Gold Money House was a place Yi Mok-yeom frequented in his previous life.
Lacking greed for wealth, he amassed vast riches from his mid-grade official post simply because he had no use for it—not foreseeing his next life.
The era's Ming Dynasty overflowed with thieves inside and out.
Military men knew not a step ahead, and those without family often left no salary behind.
Better to donate to Daoist or Buddhist temples than let it line officials' bellies.
Seo Mun-ha was no different. The difference? Shameless sorts openly coveted his wealth. Knowing this, he dispersed it among trusted men to deliver to his subordinates' bereaved families.
'Still some left.'
Myriad Gold was his final bastion.
The previous house lord, once an official and subordinate who oversaw Yi Mok-yeom's assets, was his scribe.
"You've kept us waiting. I am Myriad Gold Money House's young house lord, Man Won-sip."
He resembled him. The boy from faded memories.
"An honor to meet Ghost Flash of the rumors and Sang Man Escort Agency's young leader."
The host's age differed little from his two guests.
"How fares your grandfather?"
Brushing aside pleasantries, Seo Mun-ha subtly inquired after his old subordinate.
"...I wouldn't know how you know my grandfather, but he retired long ago."
Man Won-sip's face held no sorrow; he'd never seen his grandfather alive after coming of age.
"I see. Then to business: I'd like to retrieve some funds."
"Funds?"
The procedures before the two men met were simple: sizing up the client, as merchants do. In that short time, Man Won-sip had investigated Seo Mun Clan's Third Young Master, who was turning Shang Mountain upside down.
"To my knowledge, you haven't deposited here. Did someone else or a branch do so?"
Seo Mun-ha shook his head at the request for a receipt.
"Sang-yeo-mok."
"...?"
"The funds are held under that name. In exchange for five-tenths of the interest, you're managing them and performing charity."
Sang-yeo-mok was undoubtedly an alias. One of dozens crafted to evade greedy eunuchs' eyes.
"...Indeed held in our house."
Man Won-sip acknowledged readily before Seo Mun-ha's assured gaze.
For this era's money houses, credit and trust weren't virtues—they were essentials. And with the substantial stake, denial was impossible.
"May I dismiss the attendants?"
He added after admitting it.
"Please do."
It was what Seo Mun-ha wanted too; those waiting a few steps back all filed out.
"Pardon, but your relation to the one using the alias Yeo-mok...?"
Besides the two in private talk, a presumed bodyguard concealed his presence at a set distance.
"Depending on that, I can't share account details or client info."
Seo Mun-ha grinned.
"He is my master."
A gasp erupted from there.
"Gasp!"
A beat late. Seo Mun-ha paid no heed to the bodyguard's voice revealing his position, as if he'd known all along.
"First I've heard of Ghost Flash having a master."
Man Won-sip's expression didn't change, however.
He'd heard plenty about Sang-yeo-mok, and knew well of the rising star shaking the world.
"Never heard a peep about him taking disciples."
Hence the lingering doubt.
"Not from my clan, and my master's name lacks 'Seo Mun'—that alone would stir talk."
"Clan aside, I don't care."
Few knew the secret, which was good—but even if not, it was fine.
"Has your master been absent long?"
He's right here. Younger and hale.
"...Regrettably."
But Seo Mun-ha shook his head again.
"I see."
Man Won-sip nodded in understanding, mistaking the Third Young Master's fortune for deriving from a deceased master—hardly violating clan laws.
"Do you have the token?"
Man Won-sip requested a kind of identity and proof plaque.
It was grave, and for a twenty-year-old well-versed in accounts, blind faith was unwise.
Despite probing, nothing was surer.
Thud.
Seo Mun-ha proffered a wooden plaque without hesitation. Plain, without a single character.
No such proof existed across past and present lives. Never formalized, it remained safely stored even after a decade-plus.
"What are you—?"
Made so none but himself could claim it. Thief or otherwise.
Crack!
Strictly, his personal martial art was the proof.
Seo Mun-ha snapped the plaque and carved characters into it.
A portion of Northern Guard Divine Cavalry Art was a claw technique he'd devised himself.
"Proof enough?"
"...I'll verify. One moment."
Man Won-sip nodded readily. To match the characters etched with Dragon Fang Claw.
Martial arts left traces; the result was obvious.
"Honestly, it still feels like a dream."
As Seo Mun-ha requested, he brought the ledger. Even the sparse room shifted.
"Do you know what kind of man my master was?"
"Somewhat. Why do you ask?"
"He was..."
Man Won-sip flinched and swallowed dryly.
Along with unspoken words.
"It's fine. Master had his reasons. As his disciple, it's my burden to resolve."
"Thank you for understanding."
Seo Mun-ha skimmed the ledger quickly and handed it back.
"No issues with the seal either."
"Not my place, but for a martial artist, you seem more suspicious than most."
"The jianghu isn't kind."
"A fine trait, if anything. Our house isn't of the jianghu, but we don't discriminate against martial folk."
Meaning he understood well.
"What will you do? Little time left till extension; if you wish, we can void the contract."
Steady payouts to bereaved families till now, for excess wealth bred disaster.
"Continue the support as before. The term's short, but that's Master's will."
"Overstepping, but not the wisest choice."
True enough. Frozen expenditures ate interest and principal; remaining funds weren't vast.
"Hand over the remaining receipts and some silver ingots."
Compared to Yi Mok-yeom's lifetime assets, anyway.
"Any branch in Sichuan?"
"Of course."
After settling the balance, Seo Mun-ha reclaimed all immediately available funds. Ceasing support changed little for the two men, and new contracts proceeded smoothly.
"Hmm."
Stamping in the house lord's stead, Man Won-sip sounded faintly regretful.
"Our ties end for now. Personally, I'd hoped to build good relations with Ghost Flash, shaker of the Central Plains."
The contract terms, and Seo Mun-ha's air of closing the past chapter.
"New wine needs new bottles."
"..."
"In that vein, may I make one request?"
Seo Mun-ha drew a palm-sized orb from his sleeve.
"That is..."
Man Won-sip's eyes chilled at the forbidden tool and weapon.
"Where did you get it?"
Thunderbolt Heaven-Shaking Thunder.
"Golden Tiger Merchant Group."
Seo Mun-ha produced the trump he'd even spared against the demon.