A Gift for Brother Jin-ho (3)
Seeing the spear crafted by the Yeom Clan's elder master made my mouth water, even though I'd commissioned it as a gift.
The reason such a skilled artisan wasn't more widely renowned was simple: he created items worth exactly the fee paid—no more, no less.
For one nyang of silver, you'd get precisely one nyang's worth. For a hundred nyang, exactly a hundred nyang's value.
He never dipped into his own pocket to make something better, nor did he ever demand extra payment.
When asked about it, the Yeom Clan's elder had said:
"The world reaps what it sows. You want top quality for peanuts? That's the thief's mentality—what else?"
That's why I'd shelled out a fortune this time for the spear meant for Brother Jin-ho.
It was an amount that even shocked the elder, and in return, he'd forged a weapon of equal value.
"Thank you."
"Hoho, I'm the one who should thank you. Thanks to that, I could splurge on the finest materials without a second thought and craft a true masterpiece."
The elder closed the box lid again and packed it carefully.
Then, hesitantly, he spoke up.
"That said... I have one small request."
"Yes?"
"Might I take a look at the young branch leader's sword?"
The sword at my waist was the Silver Mist Sword.
True to his reputation as a master smith, he seemed to sense its extraordinary nature at a glance.
"No objection, but you mustn't draw it from the scabbard yourself, elder."
"Then, if the young branch leader draws it and shows me the blade?"
I pondered for a moment, then nodded.
How could I refuse a request from the man who'd crafted such a magnificent spear?
I drew the sword from its scabbard.
Shing.
The blade emerged with a smooth, whispering ring.
Gazing upon it, the elder let out a gasp of admiration.
"Heavens, to think such a sword exists!"
After studying it intently for a long while, he clasped his hands in respect.
"That's enough."
Click.
As I sheathed the blade, the elder exclaimed again.
"That sword is worthy of being called a divine blade—nay, it surpasses the name."
I smiled awkwardly.
In truth, it was a genuine divine sword.
"Indeed, it's no ordinary sword anyone could wield. How to put it... it's attuned to a very specific energy, not a versatile one."
His words caught me off guard inwardly.
He'd discerned the Silver Mist Sword's nature just by looking.
"Given its extraordinary material, without mastering a fitting martial art, its full power can't be unleashed."
"A fitting martial art?"
"Frost techniques."
"Ah..."
Well, that was a relief, then.
But something else caught my ear.
"You mentioned its material is particularly special?"
"Yes, ice crystal."
Ice crystal—the crystallized essence of yin energy, found only in the land of utmost cold.
Incredibly rare, in other words.
"Is it even possible to forge a sword from that?"
"A master's determination turns the impossible possible."
"A foolish question on my part."
That raised a new concern.
"Could other smiths identify it as ice crystal forged?"
"Hard to say no one could, but most wouldn't. Perhaps the Three Great Masters of the world."
"Meaning you're one of them, elder."
"So others call me."
To think I'd had such a legend right under my nose without realizing.
Past life's me, reflect on that.
"Plus, I'd seen ice crystal before, which made it easier to spot."
"I see."
"So rest easy."
With the elder's reassurance, I could finally relax.
Treasures were harder to keep than to obtain—a lesson I was learning firsthand.
Palgap shouldered the box with the spear, and after a respectful bow, I left the forge.
I stroked the hilt of the Silver Mist Sword.
Forged from ice crystal?
Why hadn't Master mentioned that? Did even he not know?
From what I recalled, ice crystal wasn't something just anyone could acquire.
It was the treasure of the North Sea Ice Palace.
Only with their permission could one obtain it.
Did Master know the Silver Mist Sword was made from ice crystal?
What bizarre power did a sword forged from such a precious material hold?
.
.
.
That evening, I headed to Brother Jin-ho's residence.
Upon becoming a branch leader, he'd been granted his own pavilion, not far from my Mungok Pavilion.
"Brother!"
At my call, Brother Jin-ho, who was directing the servants this way and that, turned with a bright grin.
"Hey! You rascal! Heard I got my own pavilion and came to congratulate me, huh?"
"Yeah, exactly."
"Hahaha! Thanks!"
"Congrats on becoming a branch leader."
"Now I'm a branch leader too! Get ready—I'll shine just like you."
"Looking forward to it."
"And... thanks."
"Huh? For what all of a sudden?"
"When you came to rescue me this time."
"Ah..."
He meant the incident in Yunnan Province at Mount Wuchulmusan, where he'd gone missing.
We'd made it out safely and returned home, but it had left a deep impression on me.
Thanks to that, I'd shed my worries and hesitations about altering the future.
Though seeing Brother Jin-ho sometimes still conjured the image of his severed head from my past life—unavoidable.
And I'd gained the Silver Mist Sword and Golden Bell in the process.
The Golden Bell was tucked in my sleeve now; my sleeve had become its permanent home.
"If you hadn't saved me, I wouldn't be a branch leader now. So yeah, thanks."
His gratitude made my chest tingle, goosebumps rising on my arms.
"In that misty forest, exhausted, starving, consciousness fading... all sorts of thoughts flooded my mind. Grandfather, parents, my brothers and sisters-in-law..."
"..."
"But strangely, you came to mind the most."
"..."
"I vividly remembered when you were little, grabbing my hand and calling me 'brother' for the first time. That's when I vowed it."
"..."
"I'd train hard in martial arts and protect my little brother—you, no matter what."
His words recalled what the Nangong Gang Merchant Group's leader had told me before my death.
"The one called Hubei's Cloud General begged to spare you of all people. Hoho."
I'd always wondered why Brother Jin-ho, who never bowed or begged to anyone his whole life, would plead with Nangong Gang's leader like that.
Now I knew.
He'd kept that vow all along.
Who am I to deserve this...?
Whew.
Sentimental stuff didn't suit me.
Goosebumps were crawling up my neck already.
Why was he getting all emotional out of nowhere?
I needed to shift the mood.
"Hey, Brother, you know what?"
"What?"
"Once you're a branch leader... no vacations."
"...What?"
Brother Jin-ho stared in disbelief.
"For real?"
"Yeah?"
"They give summer leave, right?"
"Think you'll actually get it?"
"Damn."
"Didn't notice watching Brother Jeong-ho and me?"
"Jeong-ho's so serious, and you've got so much mess going on, I just figured..."
Ouch, that stung a bit.
"It's fine. You don't die from the workload."
"..."
I chuckled.
Pointing to the small platform in the pavilion courtyard, Palgap set down the spear box there.
"Brother, a gift."
"A gift?"
Opening the box, Brother Jin-ho's eyes widened in shock.
"Th-this is a spear? Why a spear all of a sudden? I chose the sword."
"No."
I shook my head.
"In my eyes, the spear suits you best. It plays to your strengths—wide field of vision and raw power."
"..."
"If you doubt me, just train spear arts for a year. Trust my judgment a little."
Brother Jin-ho grinned fiercely.
"Fine, if you're that insistent."
He gripped the spear and stepped into the courtyard, swinging it experimentally.
Whoosh—! Hwoong—!
The bold sound of it slicing the air rang out.
I could almost see Brother Jin-ho from my past life, wielding it masterfully.
In this life, he'd never meet a dog's death.
Pausing his movements, he stared at the spear and turned to me.
"Hey... what is this spear?"
"Why?"
"Why does it move exactly as I think?"
Even masters don't blame their weapons, but you can't ignore a good one.
Why do you think masters seek the finest arms?
I smirked and replied.
"Yeah, it's ridiculously expensive."
* * *
Early dawn.
Eun Jin-ho finished his qi circulation meditation and rose.
It was the Yanggang Heart Method taught by Outer Division Leader Go Il-pyeong.
He quietly missed training alongside Eun Seo-ho. His poor health had put an end to their joint sessions.
Lately, Eun Seo-ho looked remarkably healthier.
And more handsome, too.
He attributed it to mastering frost arts suited to his constitution, but Jin-ho suspected more.
Secretly taking spirit pills or something?
It didn't matter.
As he'd told Eun Seo-ho last night, it was a vow from childhood: to protect him.
He headed to Outer Division Leader Go Il-pyeong's residence.
Every morning, he went there to train.
"Disciple Eun Jin-ho pays respects to the Outer Division Leader."
"Today marks the end of calling you young master. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
Go Il-pyeong noticed something different about Eun Jin-ho. He held an unfamiliar spear.
"A... spear?"
"Yes. Seo-ho gifted it yesterday. He said it suits me best and to train with it for just a year."
Eun Jin-ho continued.
"Trying it out yesterday, I finally understood why you recommended the spear to me."
"Good. If it's sparked your interest in spear arts now."
"Seo-ho said it's insanely expensive."
Go Il-pyeong glanced between the spear and Eun Jin-ho.
Eun Jin-ho didn't grasp the full implication of "expensive" from Eun Seo-ho.
When Seo-ho the branch leader calls something expensive, it's astronomically so...
Not yet a full member of Eunwol Pavilion, he didn't know.
Eun Seo-ho's personal wealth already ranked among the top in the merchant group.
The profits from selling the self-operating dolls, wind-powered machines, and self-duplicating gold had been immense.
Weak at math, but as outer division leader, Go Il-pyeong wasn't clueless about finances.
And he had a knack for people.
Eun Seo-ho struck him as someone who generated hidden income beyond the visible.
In just three years of rising prominence, he'd achieved that much.
The future would be even more terrifying.
If he called it expensive...
At least a hundred nyang in gold.
The spear in Eun Jin-ho's hands was clearly no ordinary weapon.
Feeling "I've got talent for spear arts!" upon wielding it wasn't unreasonable.
Beyond that, Eun Jin-ho truly had aptitude for it.
Even so, Go Il-pyeong was grateful it'd ignited his interest this way.
Gifting such a premium spear means Seo-ho branch leader recognizes Jin-ho young master's spear talent too...
He'd subtly probe that during thanks later.
* * *
People began gathering at the Eunhae Merchant Group, one or two at a time.
To attend Brother Jin-ho's branch leader inauguration banquet.
Many attendees were acquaintances of the outer division leader.
In other words, a horde of armed martial artists.
It was natural for common folk to fear them.
So a separate area was set aside for the martial guests.
Brother Jin-ho, dashing in his formal robes, busily greeted arrivals.
I smirked watching him.
Today was busy for me too. I had to ensure nothing ruined this festive banquet.
I approached one of the pavilions.
There, disgruntled figures mingled apart from the main revelry: Division Leader Yu, Seok Il-song, Gong Mil and Gong Rae, Gwak Hyeong-jin, and others.
Among them was Man-gyeol the Virtuous Immortal, who'd come from Uichang at my invitation.
"Enjoying the banquet, elder?"
"A proper feast for once."
"When the Eunhae Merchant Group hosts, we go all out."
I chuckled.
There was good reason I'd brought Man-gyeol the Virtuous Immortal into the fold.