Apricot Blossom Academy (1)

That night.

As I stood in the courtyard, the Yi Pil warrior approached me.

"My lord."

"Yes?"

"Thank you for today."

The Yi Pil warrior bowed deeply to me.

"Thanks to you, my lord, I was finally able to reveal the truth, clear my name of injustice, and even receive an apology."

"I'm glad to hear that. I can't tell you to just forget all the pain you endured—it's not something you can control at will. Still, I hope you'll move forward with me without being bound by the past."

At my words, the Yi Pil warrior prostrated himself before me.

"……?"

"This unworthy Yi Pil vows to serve you with his life."

The next day, as we were busily packing, a visitor arrived at the annex.

"Elder!"

It was Man-gyeol Ui-seon.

He had vanished after the disciplinary assembly yesterday, but here he was, coming to the annex.

"I never imagined you were the Supreme Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang family."

"Tsk tsk, you're more dull-witted than I thought."

"Pardon?"

"If I weren't from the Sichuan Tang family, how would I have known that the internal energy reversal poison and the Seven Treasures Scatter Poison were Tang poisons?"

Eh?

Come to think of it, that was true.

"Ah, but did Yi Pil warrior not know you were the Supreme Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang family?"

"Truth be told, I didn't know for sure. I only met him once as a child, and so much time has passed since then."

"I see."

Man-gyeol Ui-seon smiled as he spoke.

"Besides, I was concealing my energy, so he wouldn't have noticed."

That explained why I hadn't realized the elder was from the Sichuan Tang family either.

"I've heard everything from Gyu-jeong. I came because I sensed something interesting was afoot, but it turned out to be no small matter. Truly, thank you."

I could feel the sincerity in Man-gyeol Ui-seon's words.

"Ah, I have ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠something for you, elder."

I handed him the real evidence that Blood Poison Ghost Baek Du-gap had planted, which I had in my possession.

"What is this?"

After my explanation, Man-gyeol Ui-seon looked at me with eyes full of admiration.

"Anyway, please handle it as you see fit."

"Passing the troublesome task to me, eh?"

"Yes, exactly. But I have one request."

"What is it?"

"Keep it secret that I gave it to you."

Yeo Eung-am warrior, Yi Pil warrior, and I received documents from the family head.

They were the promised guarantees: 'The Sichuan Tang family will provide assistance only in matters that cause no harm to them and where their help is appropriate.'

On our way back to the annex with the documents, we ran into Branch Head Dang Dae-jeong.

"Greetings, Branch Head."

"Ah, you're leaving today, I hear?"

"Yes. I've caused you much trouble during my stay—my apologies."

"Nonsense. The family has received great favors from you. It is I who should be grateful."

With those words, Branch Head Dang Dae-jeong asked me in a subtle tone,

"By the way, do you have a lady you're fond ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of, or perhaps a fiancée?"

"Pardon? Not yet……."

"I see. Understood."

What was that about? It felt like I'd made some mistake.

In any case, after finishing our conversation and returning to the annex, Dang Su-bin the young lady and Dang Jo-ung had come to see me off.

And unexpectedly, her three older brothers were there too.

No, why was the third young master here when he was still recovering?

I left the Sichuan Tang family amid their farewells.

Though exhausted from all the complicated affairs, I felt immensely satisfied at having thwarted the Murim Alliance's scheme once more.

Riding in a comfortable carriage escorted by Tang family warriors, I arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group's Sichuan branch.

"I'm back."

"Welcome home. Everything go well?"

"Yes, Uncle."

I greeted my uncle, aunt, brothers, and Ryeo-ok, then entered the room where I'd been staying.

Letting out a sigh, I said to Palgap,

"Palgap, we depart for the Uljin Merchant Group tomorrow."

"Pardon? Honestly, as a human being, shouldn't we rest a day or two?"

"I want to rest too."

But there was no time.

There was much to do here, and I'd spent more time at the Tang family than expected.

The year-end was approaching.

"Still, we should welcome the New Year with family, right? Isn't that so, Geum-ryeong?"

At my question, Geum-ryeong chuckled sweetly from inside my sleeve.

Murim Alliance.

There, Dang Du-jeong, the instructor for covert arts training, received a letter from the Sichuan Tang family.

Its contents were bitterly poignant to him.

His son, Dang I-pil, born between him and the woman he loved.

The abuse he had suffered had been exposed, and those involved had been sentenced to five years in the disciplinary cave.

He closed his eyes and sighed.

It was a sigh laden with regret for the past.

Obsessed with martial arts, he had neglected his family.

Only when Dang I-pil fled the family did he learn what had happened.

He had asked his brother not to issue a search order for Dang I-pil and to sever ties with the family on his behalf.

But he hadn't known the abuse had been so cruel.

It was a miracle I-pil had survived.

He felt profoundly sorry for I-pil.

If only he'd paid more attention, I-pil wouldn't have left bearing only wounds.

He continued reading the letter.

At those words, Dang Du-jeong tilted his head.

Just recently, the letter had brimmed with expectations for her to shine at the Murim Alliance.

His father, whom he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hadn't seen in years due to his travels abroad, had returned—his eyes widened.

He would need to visit the main house soon.

Though his heart ached for his wife and three sons confined to the disciplinary cave, he hoped they would reflect on their sins.

And someday, he might see his son, I-pil, again.

I quickly wrapped up my affairs, returned to the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠merchant group, and spent the New Year with my family.

Before I knew it, it was time to head to Beijing.

I had to report the results of the Uljin Merchant Group inspection to the Emperor.

Thus, I was organizing things so the operations wouldn't suffer in my absence.

"Branch Head."

Lifting my head, I saw Yeo-chang's deputy calling me with a deathly pale face.

"Yes."

"Please take a look at this."

Yeo-chang's deputy staggered over and handed me the documents. I reviewed them and issued instructions accordingly.

Watching him stagger back to his seat, I turned to see the others toiling like statues at their desks, scratching my ear.

The current staff handling affairs at the Hyeonpung Branch consisted of Yeo-chang's deputy and two others.

But with the workload growing, they were all turning into statues.

I'd need to hire a few more hands.

A few days later.

The day to depart for Beijing arrived.

With four personal guards, I didn't need additional escorts.

Moreover, Seo-u warrior and Jin Yu warrior were peak experts.

On par with sect leaders or protectors of most factions—no need to worry about my safety.

"When you get there, convey my regards to your aunt and her family."

I nodded at Father's words.

"Yes, I will."

I planned to stay at my aunt's house in Beijing this time.

"Travel safely."

I set off for Beijing amid everyone's farewells.

Upon arriving in Beijing, I headed straight for the Yeonjun Merchant Group.

My aunt came out personally to greet me.

"Welcome."

"It's been too long."

"Indeed, not since Seon-il passed the exam last time."

"Is Uncle well?"

"Of course."

"And Seon-il hyung and Seon-mi?"

"Both healthy."

"I'm glad to see you looking well too, Aunt."

"Yes, you must be tired from the long journey. Go wash up and rest."

"Thank you. Ah! These are letters from Grandfather and Father."

My aunt set the letters aside and escorted me to my quarters.

Previously, due to the Murim Alliance's dirty tricks against Seon-il hyung, the Yeonjun Merchant Group had nearly faced ruin.

At that time, I'd leveraged my Beijing connections to secure new trading partners.

As those partners grew, so did the Yeonjun Merchant Group.

Perhaps out of affection for her nephew compounded by gratitude, my aunt treated me all the warmer.

Though she didn't need to.

After washing up in my quarters, I joined my aunt's family for dinner for the first time in a while.

There, I heard about Seon-il hyung's recent situation.

"So he's working at the Hanlin Academy now?"

"Yes."

The Hanlin Academy refined imperial edicts, published books by the Emperor's command, and served as advisors.

Handling confidential documents, it was staffed mainly by top exam performers.

As far as I knew, those tutoring the princes were also from the Hanlin Academy.

In any case, it was a gathering place for promising talents.

Naturally, the odds of rising to high office were high.

Seon-il hyung was currently serving as a sixth-rank expositor.

Having topped the previous exam, it was only natural.

"Hyung, you've really made it."

Seon-il hyung smiled sheepishly at my words.

"D-do you think so? But contributing to making this land peaceful fills each day with joy."

His expression looked genuinely bright.

It had been worth sneaking into the lake to eavesdrop on that secret talk and petitioning the Emperor to change the exam format.

Then Seon-mi spoke to me with a pout.

"Why do you only ask about big brother Seon-il, Brother Seo-ho?"

"Hahaha, sorry, sorry. No excuses, but I missed you too. How have you been?"

"I'll believe you since it sounds like an excuse."

Seon-mi continued in a slightly softened tone.

"Lately, I've been learning the merchant business from Father."

"Really?"

Uncle chimed in.

"She takes after me—shows real business acumen."

I nodded.

In my previous life, Seon-mi had taken over the merchant group after Uncle.

She handled things admirably and became the successor.

She sat demurely now, but she was as much a tomboy as they come.

As a child, she'd wield a wooden sword for soldier play.

And if anyone bullied the scholarly Seon-il hyung, she'd charge in and settle it.

She seemed hot-tempered at times, yet not entirely.

She could tally accounts in her head like an abacus when needed.

Later, when Seon-il hyung turned cynical, it broke her heart.

Knowing her future, I smiled and replied,

"You'll do great. I'm rooting for you."

The next day,

After sending word that I'd visit the Emperor, I headed to Beijing's book district.

Beijing, with its highest concentration of literati, was a hub for all manner of books, and I planned to visit.

The erotic collection that had come bundled with my order from the Sichuan Tang family—and proved useful—had originated here.

Unable to return the mistaken book, I needed to pay for it to sleep soundly.

And pick up some new ones while at it.

Unlike other districts, the book street was remarkably quiet, free of hawkers.

Likely because its patrons despised such clamor.

I entered the bookstore where I'd placed the order.

"Welcome."

The shop boy greeted me.

"If you're looking for a specific book, let me know."

He continued his work, probably to avoid making customers uncomfortable by hovering.

I approached him.

"Who handles the book orders here?"

"May I ask what it's regarding?"

"Last summer, among the books I ordered here, one I didn't request got mixed in."

"Ah! My apologies for the inconvenience. Please wait a moment. The owner handles that."

He soon fetched the proprietor.

Having heard from the boy, the owner opened his ledger and asked,

"Terribly sorry. Might I have your name and affiliation?"

"Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group from Hubei Province."

Truth be told, procuring books could be delegated to our merchant group members traveling to Beijing.

We didn't have a branch there yet, but we passed through at least six times a year for business.

Still, I hated burdening them with personal errands.

Everyone knew how annoying others' tasks could be.