Treasures Belong in the Warehouse (1)
Finally, we arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group's main headquarters.
Having sent a letter ahead announcing my arrival, Jeong Ho hyung was there to greet me warmly.
"Hyung!"
"You must be tired."
"Tired? Nah, I was just out having fun. Where's Father?"
"He's in his office right now. There's a backlog of work, plus some new ventures kicking off. Thanks to a certain someone."
"Hahaha."
I laughed awkwardly.
The "new ventures" he mentioned—though he couldn't say it outright with people around—were undoubtedly about the intelligence network centered on Chun Il.
Jeong Ho hyung glanced at Heo Un gongja stepping down from the carriage and asked,
"And who's that?"
"Oh, he's going to be working for our merchant group from now on."
"I see."
Jeong Ho hyung nodded calmly.
A short while later,
I asked Palgap to escort Heo Un gongja to the guest quarters, then headed to Father's office.
"Your son has returned after completing his duties in Luoyang."
"Good work."
Father looked quite fatigued. The sight tugged at my heart unexpectedly.
"I thought you'd stay longer in Luoyang, but you came back sooner than expected."
"The later I return, the more work piles up for my future self, right?"
"Fair point."
We got straight to business.
"How did things go with the intelligence network?"
"We settled it at the Eunwol Pavilion meeting. Chun Il will lead it for now."
"I see. Where is he at the moment?"
"Probably on an assignment."
"An assignment?"
"Yes. Se-pung Pavilion Master suggested it, and everyone agreed. Before full operations, we give him daily tasks to keep his kleptomania in check."
I was impressed by Father's words.
As expected from that Pavilion Master. How did he come up with that?
"It's inspired by your wager with him, so no need to be so amazed."
As I scratched my cheek sheepishly, Father smiled softly.
"Go rest now."
"Father, there's one more thing."
Father looked puzzled, and I asked cautiously,
"Do you know Heo Won, the top manager of the Baekcheon Merchant Group?"
"A truly capable man. He's the pillar that built the Baekcheon Group as it is today."
As if recalling memories, Father wore a regretful expression.
"I heard he passed away recently. Such a shame."
"Yes. Word is he died not long ago."
"Actually, I once offered him a position here at Eunhae, but he turned it down. Said he couldn't abandon the people who trusted and followed him."
That was why I hadn't been able to recruit him.
In my past life, I'd heard about Heo Won gongja from Father.
That's why his residence remained untouched even after his death.
But Heo Un gongja, abandoned by the Baekcheon Group leader, was a different story.
"Why do you ask about Heo Won?"
"Truth is, I came back with his son."
I explained the whole situation to Father.
"Heavens!"
Displeasure crossed Father's face.
"After all Heo Won did for Baekcheon! To cast out his son so heartlessly?"
"……."
"Nangong Gang—that man never sat right with me, but this is beyond the pale!"
That was the first I knew Father disliked Nangong Gang, the Baekcheon leader.
"So, bringing Heo Un gongja means you want him in our group. What role do you have in mind?"
"For the first few months, it might be best to place him in the Shangyu Pavilion."
I had specific plans for Heo Un gongja, but others didn't know his talents yet.
To earn recognition, he needed a fitting starting point.
Putting him in a high position by my authority alone would breed gossip and jealousy.
Especially for someone already facing prejudice over his appearance—it would be too harsh.
But his abilities were exceptional, peerless even. He'd prove himself quickly.
Then I could deploy him as planned.
"Understood. I'll discuss it with Yeon Pavilion Master."
Father asked again,
"Where is he now?"
"In the guest quarters."
Father rose and headed there with me.
Soon, we arrived at the guest quarters and saw Heo Un gongja sitting with Palgap, refreshments before them.
"This is my father, the leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
At my introduction, he startled and tried to stand, but Father waved him down.
"No need. Stay seated."
"My apologies."
Father sat across from him and offered comfort.
"I've heard the story from Seo-ho. First, my condolences for your father's passing."
"Thank you."
"You've been through so much."
"……."
At Father's gentle words, tears seemed to well in Heo Un's eyes.
Hearing "you've been through so much" from the Eunhae leader, not Baekcheon's, must have stirred complex feelings.
"So, you wish to work for our group?"
"Yes. That's right."
"What did you do at Baekcheon?"
"I handled the ledgers."
"I see. We have a division called Shangyu Pavilion that manages goods distribution and sales. How about working there?"
"Of course. Give me any task, and I'll work diligently."
Father chatted with him for about an hour before rising.
For a group leader to spare that much time was a grand gesture.
Heo Un gongja, aware of it, said gratefully,
"To welcome me so warmly—I'm at a loss."
Father smiled.
"Not at all. There was a connection with your father, and if Seo-ho recommends you, I trust your abilities without doubt. Here's to a good partnership ahead."
Heo Un gongja's temporary lodging was arranged at the guest house for visitors.
Though he'd get work clothes upon joining, he couldn't live in those alone, so a few outfits as gifts were in order.
I entrusted him to Palgap and headed to the inner quarters.
I needed to pay respects to Grandfather and Mother, and visit my sister-in-law.
After changing clothes, I first visited Grandfather, then Mother's chambers.
Whoosh!
Screee!
Something sliced through the air. Yeo Eung-am musa, following behind, remarked,
"That's the sound of a chain sword being swung."
"Chain sword...?"
"Yes."
Yeo Eung-am musa nodded.
"It's a highly unique weapon, so it makes that sound when wielded."
I smiled faintly.
There was only one reason for that sound.
I glanced toward Mother's chambers.
Mother, dressed in training garb, was practicing with the belt-style chain sword I'd gifted her.
Her movements were as dazzling as a sword dance, and her expression radiated joy.
Watching her, I felt glad I'd given her the chain sword.
As I stood there briefly, Mother finished her practice and sheathed it.
I made my presence known and approached.
"Mother."
"Oh? Ah! Seo-ho, you're back?"
"You were training."
"Ah."
Mother nodded and said,
"You gave me this chain sword for my safety, but if I can't wield it properly when needed, what's the point?"
"I see. You looked so happy practicing—makes me even gladder."
"Ho ho, if it seems that way, I'm relieved. Did everything go well?"
"Yes, Mother. Your son has returned safely."
Mother nodded, then looked at the chain sword.
"This gift of yours... Whenever I swing it, I feel like whatever I aim to cut, it will surely be severed."
Of course. That's its power.
"Was it expensive?"
I smiled at her question.
"Expensive is relative, isn't it?"
"True enough."
"And it suits you perfectly."
Her cheeks flushed slightly at my words.
"How do you say the exact same things as your father?"
Ah...
Father beat me to it.
After chatting with Mother, I went to see my sister-in-law next.
"I returned safely from Luoyang."
"Glad you made it back unharmed."
"How's the baby?"
At my question, she touched her belly.
"With the due date nearing, our little pig must be feeling cramped."
Her pet name was "pig" from a pig dream in her prenatal vision.
She was nearly eight months along, so delivery was indeed close.
"Come to think of it, I never gave you a congratulatory gift. So, I bought one in Luoyang for you."
I pulled a pouch from my sleeve—where I'd stashed it earlier—containing a hair ornament.
But Geum-ryeong was dangling from it, mouth clamped on the pouch.
It's precious metal, not food!
"Let go, Geum-ryeong."
"Oink..."
At my stern tone, Geum-ryeong finally released it.
"Ahem."
A bit of drool stained one corner.
"Sorry. Must've looked tasty to her."
"Haha, could happen. Ho ho ho."
I chuckled awkwardly and placed the pouch on the table.
"I hope you like it."
She opened it, took out the hair ornament, and gasped in admiration.
"My goodness! Is this jade?"
"Yes, adorned with jade."
It was one of two artifacts I'd bought from a shop under Baekcheon.
Each artifact affects its user differently—for better or worse.
I chose this one for her because its energy calms the mind and body.
A mother's peace ensures a healthy baby.
But that's not all.
The pin was made of millennium cold iron.
Processed specially to seal its unique energy, of course.
The craftsman who made it was called heaven's artisan for a reason.
As the daughter of a martial family, she'd know what millennium cold iron is.
It's iron aged a thousand years, incredibly tough yet flexible after that time.
It resists most sword qi and withstands even strong qi clashes.
And it's exorbitantly expensive.
But it's an artifact not just for the material.
It lets even those without inner power wield sword qi.
Perfect for emergencies without qi access.
I didn't explain all that, though.
Startling her could harm the baby; I'd tell her later.
So, I kept it simple.
"They say it's made to serve as a sword in emergencies."
"I see. Very useful in a pinch."
The skilled martial artist she was, her satisfaction deepened.
After that, I headed to the office.
A mountain of Hyunpung Division work must have piled up in my absence.
"Has everyone been well?"
At my greeting, the staff rose quickly to welcome me.
"Division Head, you're back?"
"Division Head"—it'd been ages since I heard that.
"Yes."
I looked over the staff.
They seemed healthier, more vibrant than before I left for Luoyang.
.
.
.
The next morning,
I rose from bed.
Whether I'd slept late or early, my wake-up time was always the same.
I had morning training.
After qi circulation in the courtyard and rising, Master entered.
It had been a while since I'd seen him.
And his training, as always, was grueling.
"Starting tomorrow, we'll begin the ninth form of the True Snow Twelve Sword Techniques."
Finally, the ninth form: Snow Light.
Snow Light drew from the flash of snowflakes, an advancement of the fourth form, Snow Wind, and fifth, Snow Flower.
"It's a pity, seeing you now—your palace techniques are all but lost."
"Palace" meant Snow Wind Palace.
"You probably suspected, but when the palace was destroyed, everything burned."
"Then the True Snow Twelve Sword Techniques...?"
"That's one I mastered. I was learning another sword art midway when... Anyway, I can't pass on what I didn't fully master."
Master spoke with deep regret.
"The most regrettable is the insights left by Matron Investigator on the opening of the Supreme Yin."
Huh? Come to think of it, the first line of the manual I got in Luoyang was 'Opening of the Supreme Yin,' wasn't it?