163. Master's Request (2)
I arrived at the sundries shop and explained the circumstances requiring me to head to the North Sea.
"I see. Make sure you come back alive."
The old man spoke curtly, but his sincerity came through.
"Yes, Master."
"Is that all you came here for?"
"Well... are there any precautions I should take on the way, anything like that?"
The old man pondered my question for a moment before chuckering softly.
"The most perilous journeys are merchant caravans and escort missions. What more advice could I possibly give?"
He had a point.
"Then, please put in a good word with your superior."
"Got it. Safe travels."
The next morning, I informed my master—who had come for my martial arts guidance—that I would accept his request.
Master responded by cupping his hands in a fist and bowing deeply to me.
Flustered, I quickly helped him up. "Master, what is this?"
"I'm just expressing my gratitude."
"How could I refuse my master's request after becoming his disciple?"
"True enough. Any further thanks would insult my own disciple. Understood."
Master smiled faintly and nodded.
"Then I'll express my gratitude in my own way." But Master... why are there flames dancing in your eyes?
"Before you depart, I'll make sure you fully master the tenth form, Snow Collapse."
"......"
Master's gratitude toward me had veered off in an unexpected direction.
Didn't you say you were injured...?
Having thus prepared step by step, I set off for the North Sea on the night of the full moon in the fourth lunar month.
* * *
Kwak Myeong-hyeon watched from afar as Eun Seo-ho departed toward the North Sea.
"Il-seol."
At his call, someone appeared and bowed deeply.
Just the speed of their arrival hinted at their prowess.
"You called, Palace Lord?"
Kwak Myeong-hyeon gave a wry smile at the title.
After his father, the lord of Snow Wind Palace, passed away, he—the young palace lord—had inherited the position.
Bearing that responsibility, he had been searching far and wide to rebuild the remnants of Snow Wind Palace.
But lately, he had come to realize his true mission.
"I give you this order: protect my disciple, as we discussed before."
"Understood. But may I ask one thing?"
"What is it?"
"Do you truly intend to pass the position of Snow Wind Palace Lord to your disciple?"
"It's too early to discuss that."
Kwak Myeong-hyeon answered firmly, and the other nodded.
"As you command. But how is your health?"
"It's much better, thanks to Father-in-law."
"You must take better care of yourself, Palace Lord."
"I'll keep that in mind. But the situation left me no choice. They had caught on to our existence—if I hadn't eliminated them despite the strain, we would have suffered heavy losses."
"......"
"The body is well hidden, so we'll be safe for a while. The Alliance will assume seclusion. No need to worry."
"Understood. Still, please preserve your health."
"I will."
With a whoosh, the figure vanished, and Kwak Myeong-hyeon let out a sigh.
He frowned and pressed his side, where the wound throbbed.
Thanks to his timely father-in-law's visit, it was healing rapidly.
He recalled the man he had slain this time.
One of those who had raided Snow Wind Palace, who had coincidentally learned of the survivors' efforts to rebuild.
Naturally, Kwak Myeong-hyeon couldn't let him live, so he disguised himself as an escort to approach.
But at his original level, victory wasn't guaranteed.
However, through the manual Eun Seo-ho had brought—detailing insights from the Snow Wind Palace investigation—he had gained enlightenment.
That breakthrough allowed him to surpass his limits and win the fight.
Yet the battle left him with a non-trivial injury, preventing him from seeking the traces himself.
As he pondered, it felt like the will of heaven.
So he sent Eun Seo-ho.
In truth, it was a kind of test for Eun Seo-ho.
If he truly had the qualities of a palace lord, he'd return with something gained from those traces.
And the other survivors would acknowledge it upon seeing.
Kwak Myeong-hyeon chuckled.
I'm looking forward to what he'll bring back.
His remarkable disciple had always exceeded expectations, no matter what.
Still, if his disciple had to shoulder this heavy fate, he hoped it would be later rather than sooner.
We were traveling on horseback.
The route from Hubei Province to the North Sea split into two main paths.
Detour through Beijing, or cut straight across the desert.
I chose the former.
Previous quick routes had been safe based on intel.
But crossing the desert was far too risky and unpredictable.
Master had said just arrive before winter—no need to push.
Heading north, we entered Wudang Sect territory.
One reason for this route was to take a boat from Shandong, but there were others.
To pass through Wudang territory without entering the sect gates, one stored weapons at the disarming post—or for mere transit, packed them in luggage or carried swords upside down as a sign of respect.
Of course, Wudang Taoists were exempt.
"We'll disarm."
The Seo-u Warrior spoke, but I shook my head.
"No need. We can go as is."
"Pardon?"
I explained. "My group has permission to enter Wudang territory armed."
The others didn't know—I'd met the sect leader alone when receiving the special permit.
Trusting my assurance, my entourage nodded and proceeded armed. We encountered patrolling Wudang disciples.
"Halt! You dare insult Wudang by—"
I silently held up the permit.
Mine was a special permit, exempting my group from disarming.
The disciples switched to courtesy upon seeing it.
"We of Wudang greet the benefactor."
I returned the fist-cup salute. "Pleased to meet you. Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"The Seonhyeopmirang Eun Seo-ho?"
"An undeserved nickname, but yes."
The Wudang disciples bowed repeatedly.
"Forgive our ignorance. We heard you greatly aided our sect recently."
"Call on us anytime you need assistance."
I smiled warmly. "Just passing through on urgent business. Please convey my apologies for not visiting the sect leader."
"We will."
"Take care."
Thus, we traversed Wudang territory without disarming.
While crossing Wudang Mountain, a hall came into view.
Dedicated to the Zhenwu Emperor.
Such halls dotted the mountain.
"We'll stop there briefly."
"Understood."
We halted before the hall.
One purpose of routing through Wudang was this visit.
Inside hung a fierce yet dignified portrait.
I bowed respectfully. "Thank you. Thanks to you, I saved my nephews and set things right."
"......"
"But no prostration. It was my own merit, after all—no need for that."
The portrait seemed to smile. An illusion, surely.
"By the way... among those I saved, was there anyone under your protection? Just a thought."
The portrait trembled slightly. Another illusion.
"Well, I'll be going."
I saluted and turned.
Glancing back, I added, "Deals are always welcome, anytime."
Outside, I smiled at my group. "Shall we continue?"
Yeochun Guest Inn.
It bustled from early morning.
Meal prep, room cleaning—plenty to do.
"Joo-seong! Guests!"
"Joo-seong! Bill!"
"Joo-seong!"
"Joo-seong!"
"Joo-seong!"
"Damn it!"
Mun Joo-seong finally yelled in frustration.
"I know I'm good at this, but this is too much!"
His mother laughed from the kitchen. "They rely on you."
The young couple nodded. "Exactly." "Yep."
"Sis, how did you run this place alone without me?"
Pa Du-pa-pa smiled. "Wasn't hard. Few guests."
"......"
Pa Du-pa-pa had built Yeochun Inn to protect and support her husband, the Eternal Sword Emperor.
Her eternal youth from fine liquor, his from reaching the Transcendent Realm—both looked thirties.
No grandparent vibes, so brother-sister terms.
Not because she caressed her axe demanding it.
Anyway, after parting with Eun Seo-ho and returning home, Mun Joo-seong grabbed some funds and left.
En route, bandits nearly robbed him—but Pa Du-pa-pa and Eternal Sword Emperor, at Eun Seo-ho's request, saved him.
He got hired here.
That's when it started.
Local bandits cleared out, making it safe—guests poured in.
Fourteen rooms, often shared or overflowed to the floor.
Hence the constant calls for Joo-seong—too many guests.
"So, we need to expand the inn."
Mun Joo-seong scratched his head at Eternal Sword Emperor's words. "No other way, bro."
He had funds from home and Eun Seo-ho's rainbow ice crystal payment.
They built a five-story pavilion.
Half a year ago.
Expansion brought more guests; ten errand boys still swamped.
Spring flew by into summer.
Cooling devices made it bearable.
Mun Joo-seong rose early, directing boys and cleaning himself.
Eternal Sword Emperor descended. "Cleaning already? So diligent."
"Yes. Cleaning I must do personally. It's crucial."
Mop in hand.
"True."
He glanced out the window. "Focus extra on cleaning today."
"Pardon?"
"Feels like a welcome guest is coming."
I stood before the five-story pavilion, deep in thought.
Is this really Yeochun Guest Inn?
The sign was the same. But the building? Transformed.
Not just me—Palgap, Yeo Eung-am Warrior, and Yi Pil Warrior, who'd been here before, gaped too.
"It's huge now!"
"Amazing."
I'd heard from managers about expansion.
But not this much.
"Let's go in."
Another reason for Wudang route: this stop.
Composing myself, we entered. An errand boy greeted warmly.
"Welcome."
"Rooms available?"
"Of course. Six of you—three rooms? Or four?"
"Three rooms, and meals."
"Got it."
Then, descending with a laundry basket: a familiar young face.
"Whoa!"
His eyes widened. I sent a sound transmission.
— We agreed to pretend not to know each other, right?
"......"
— Glad you're doing well.