The Return Journey (3)
After that, they chatted with the merchant about this and that.
As night deepened, they parted ways with a promise to share a cup of tea if they met again later.
The next day, they bid farewell to the merchant and soon arrived at the Gwangjun Merchant Group.
As they drew near, a gatekeeper approached and asked,
"Where do you hail from?"
"I'm Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group. Please inform the sub-branch leader that I've returned safely as promised."
"Understood."
They waited about half a geun.
The sound of hurried footsteps approached. Looking up, a welcome face came into view—Sub-branch Leader Bok Yun.
"Welcome! You've returned safely."
"Yes."
"Please, come inside."
He glanced at Eun Seo-ho's group, then his expression darkened as he asked,
"But... one of your companions..."
"Ah, you mean Jin Yu Warrior. He's staying in the North Sea area for a bit due to some business."
"No issues, I hope?"
"Of course not."
At Eun Seo-ho's firm assurance, he sighed in relief, patting his chest.
"That's a relief."
They were shown to their lodgings, bathed in warm water, and had a meal.
After tea, fatigue began to set in.
Considering their long journey, Sub-branch Leader Bok Yun had suggested meeting the next day—perfect timing.
Today, I really need to rest up.
The next morning.
After circulation exercises, Eun Seo-ho stepped outside to find Palgap waiting right there.
"Young master, Sub-branch Leader Bok requests to join you for breakfast."
"Of course. Let's eat together."
Moments later, a servant led him to the dining hall.
Having taken on a new servant showed he'd overcome much of that past trauma.
Truth be told, a sub-branch leader couldn't handle everything alone—servants were essential.
Arriving at the dining hall, Sub-branch Leader Bok Yun was already seated, waiting.
"Good morning."
"Yes, did you rest well last night?"
"Thanks to you, I slept very comfortably."
Eun Seo-ho sat and pulled a whistle from his robe, offering it.
"Thanks to borrowing this, the trip was smooth."
"I'm glad it helped. And it's good you returned safely."
Food began arriving then.
They ate while chatting amiably—the meal was delicious, the mood pleasant, and they clicked well, so time flew by unnoticed.
But they were both busy men.
"When do you plan to depart?"
"Tomorrow."
"Leaving so soon. I understand you're busy too, Sub-branch Leader Eun, but it's a shame."
"I feel the same."
"If opportunity allows, could we meet at the next Hundred Merchants Gathering?"
"I'll make sure to attend."
"I look forward to it then."
With that, Sub-branch Leader Bok Yun sipped his tea, lips twitching as if holding back words.
"Speak freely."
"Pardon?"
"You seem hesitant about something."
"Well... I feel we get along quite well, and we're the same age. So... could we consider ourselves friends?"
Eun Seo-ho felt a spark of delight and responded lightly.
"Have you thought otherwise until now?"
"N-no! That's not it..."
"We've been friends since we first met."
"Ah..."
His face brightened at Eun Seo-ho's words.
"Actually, as thanks for saving my life before, Father sent a gift to your merchant group."
"A gift?"
"You'll see when you get back."
His beaming smile suggested it was something substantial—and he clearly had no intention of spoiling the surprise.
"I'll look forward to it with great anticipation. Then I should express my thanks..."
"Unfortunately, Father's away on business."
"We'll save the greetings for next time. By the way, I hear the Sambu Merchant Group got smashed?"
"Ah, that!"
Sub-branch Leader Bok Yun chuckled and continued.
"No need to show mercy even to those who targeted my life, right?"
"Exactly."
The next morning, they departed the Gwangjun Merchant Group early.
Now, I should stop by Beijing to pay respects to His Majesty before heading down.
North Sea Ice Palace.
Vice Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin stood before the Palace Lord.
The beauty with white hair simply passed the fleeting years in this place, as always.
At first, Bing Hae-rin hadn't understood, but now she knew.
The day the North Sea Ice Palace Lord ventured to the Central Plains, the plains would freeze over.
Thus, she handled most matters as vice lord.
Bing Hae-rin reported the recent events.
"The beast targeting our palace obtained information about us from a Demonic Cultist."
"They assume it came from the Demonic Cult. As if we haven't had a non-aggression pact with them for ages."
"I agree."
"There's only one group ignorant enough of our pact with the Demonic Cult to target us."
"The Murim Alliance."
"The Murim Alliance... Can we even call them that now?"
"..."
"Anyway, handle that beast yourself. It's probably half-dead already. And as per our benefactor's request, we'll treat this as an internal Ice Palace matter."
"Yes."
"Repair the inn as well."
"Yes."
Bing Hae-rin hesitated, then spoke.
"Once this is resolved, I'd like to step out briefly."
"Step out? Digging into the Murim Alliance again?"
"..."
"Don't forget—you're the vice lord."
"I know. But I can't forgive them. They... killed my father."
At her words, the Palace Lord showed anger too.
"I can't forgive them either. But I'm suppressing that rage. An opportunity for revenge will come someday."
She gazed at the sky and continued.
"Just as the prophecy foretold."
Beijing.
In the imperial palace, ministers bustled about as usual, while the Emperor sighed through his paperwork.
"When the hell are we getting new talent?"
He muttered, rolling up a scroll and tossing it aside.
Then the door opened, and an eunuch entered, whispering to the standing Chief Eunuch Jeong.
Chief Eunuch Jeong approached the Emperor.
"Your Majesty."
"What is it?"
"Young Lord Eun Seo-ho has just entered Beijing."
"Oh?"
The Emperor's eyes sparkled; he straightened up.
"Hm, long journey—he should rest a day."
"He'll be deeply grateful for Your Majesty's grace."
"Let him rest today and summon him tomorrow."
"As you command."
"It wouldn't hurt to check if he still deserves the inspector general title I gave him. Chatting with that kid is always entertaining anyway."
Arriving in Beijing, Eun Seo-ho went straight to his aunt's Yeonjun Merchant Group.
In his previous life, he hadn't visited often.
Probably because seeing his worry-filled aunt due to elder brother Seon-il had been burdensome.
But this life, he visited carefree, imposing on her hospitality.
"Come in. How'd it go?"
"Yes, resolved well."
"Good, but..."
Anticipating her words, Eun Seo-ho quickly added,
"Ah, Jin Yu Warrior's staying there for merchant group business."
"Oh, I see. I worried since one was missing."
"We're all fine."
She nodded.
"Glad you're safe."
His aunt gave him an odd smile. What was that?
"A eunuch just left."
"Pardon?"
"Said rest today and come to the palace tomorrow—by imperial order."
"Ah..."
He could guess why His Majesty summoned him.
He'd planned to go on his own anyway.
The next morning.
After breakfast, he ran into the Emperor's man.
"Er... Jin Yeong Daehyeop."
"Yes, we meet again."
"..."
"Sent by His Majesty. He said to bring you."
"..."
Get here quick, no dawdling.
Grumbling inwardly, Eun Seo-ho headed to the palace with Jin Yeong Daehyeop. No wait time—they entered right away.
"Last time, your exceptional loyalty to His Majesty caught my eye. You truly deserve his favor."
"Hahaha. Not as much as you, Daehyeop."
That first meeting, he'd overdone the act of being moved by the imperial decree.
Soon, he entered the Emperor's presence.
"Your subject, Eun Seo-ho, pays respects to His Majesty. Long live, long live, long live forever!"
He prostrated.
"Rise."
"Your grace is boundless."
The Emperor eyed him with keen interest.
"So, what did you see on your North Sea trip?"
A casual question, but Eun Seo-ho grasped its intent.
Did he wield the inspector general's badge freely?
Or become the Emperor's work slave?
This was to judge that.
He'd half-expected it, but tension was inevitable.
Deep breath, then calmly:
"What I saw traveling the North Sea is that the world has many good people... but also many bad."
"That's all?"
"I could explain everything, but fearing to waste Your Majesty's time, I kept it brief."
"Always scheming..."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind. Give one example each of good and bad people you saw."
"Yes."
He recounted the hunter who warned of the blizzard and sheltered him in his hut, and the merchant who swindled that hunter's tribe.
Safest stories—others tied to his secrets.
That's why he'd said he feared wasting time.
"Indeed, admirable hunters."
"All thanks to Your Majesty's benevolence."
"How is that my benevolence? They're just good people."
"..."
Straight-faced at the flattery—a true sage ruler.
"But merchants swindle them? Even so, that's outright fraud."
"I agree."
"You plan to let them be?"
"I'm but a mere inspector general—what authority do I have?"
Inspectors held prestige from imperial mandate, but no real punitive power.
"Gonna make me talk like in the saga?"
"Pardon?"
"Think I don't know you? You could send them to the grave without that badge."
"..."
Emperor through and through.
Eun Seo-ho grinned.
"As Your Majesty says, I plan a little 'discipline.' But without permission, how could I punish privately? Minor retribution is fine—nothing more."
"That's why talking with you is fun."
The Emperor's tone regained imperial dignity.
"What to give a loyal minister who works hard for me?"
He pondered, stroking his chin, then instructed an eunuch.
The eunuch brought a fine scroll; the Emperor wrote, stamped his seal, and handed it over.
"...?"
Reading it, Eun Seo-ho fought a rising smile.
It granted authority for official investigations.
"Some ministers disdain commerce as lowly, but I disagree. Commerce circulates goods, keeping the economy healthy."
He continued.
"But like bodily ills, trade has diseases—fraudsters like them."
"Wise words, Your Majesty."
"Without such ills in trade, the people's lives ease. I'll back you—clean up those who taint commerce."
"Your grace is boundless."
"Enough. Dismissed."
"Your subject withdraws."
He backed out of the Emperor's presence.
Whew, never easy.
Even in his second life, the Emperor was no one to underestimate.
Favored, yes—but still a tightrope walk.
One slip, and downfall.
Still, things leaned his way—quite satisfying.
The next morning.
He and his group prepared to depart for the Eunhae Merchant Group.
"Long trip ahead—why not rest more?"
His aunt asked; he smiled.
"I'd love to, but delaying merchant work further might overwhelm us."
"Can't be helped then."
"See you next time."
They bid farewell and spurred toward Hubei Province.
The familiar road let them ride unimpeded.
"Hm?"
Then, a group approached from afar; their familiar crest drew an involuntary smile.