Connections in Hangzhou (4)
She turned her head and, upon seeing me, widened her eyes in surprise.
"I felt a familiar energy, and it turns out it was my benefactor. So... you're Eun Seo-ho of the small branch, right?"
"Yes, that's me."
I nodded.
"To run into you here in Hangzhou of all places—quite unexpected."
"Same here."
"But what brings you here?"
She smiled as she replied.
But there was a chill in her voice.
"Even if you are my benefactor, do I have to share my personal affairs?"
Hmm, she's prickly.
"Of course not. I just saw you looking flustered because the Yangyang Martial Hall had vanished from its old spot. If it's about that, I figured I could help, so I asked."
"Ah..."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she bowed her head politely.
"I'm sorry. I overreacted."
"It's fine."
"But do you know something about the Yangyang Martial Hall? It was definitely here the last time I came."
"They moved."
"Pardon? Moved?"
"Just a few days ago. That's why you wouldn't have heard."
"Oh, I see. Well then..."
Suddenly, wariness flickered in her eyes.
"You seem to know quite a bit about the Yangyang Martial Hall, Small Branch Leader."
"Ah, I haven't properly introduced myself yet."
I clasped my hands in a formal greeting and said,
"Eun Seo-ho, disciple of the Snow Wind Palace."
Her wariness melted away, and her voice softened.
"...I knew it. I felt something familiar about your energy."
"I'll guide you to the Yangyang Martial Hall."
"Thank you."
I led her there. The new location was only about a quarter of an hour's walk from the old Yangyang Martial Hall site.
"Here it is."
"Hm, it feels like a manor."
"Spot on. It was a manor until recently."
As we stepped inside, Yeom Gwanju, who was in the courtyard, spotted us and hurried over.
"Has the Little Palace Lord arrived?"
"It's been a while, Gwanju. I hope you've been well."
"Eh, getting by. But what brings you all the way here?"
"I've brought sponsorship funds from the Ice Palace."
"Ah! Really?"
His face lit up at the mention of funds.
What an honest guy.
"Please, come inside."
"Yes."
As Yeom Gwanju moved to escort the Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin inside, he turned to greet me.
"Ah, Small Branch Leader. Thank you. We all ate like kings thanks to you."
"Glad to hear it."
Truth be told, during lunch at the tavern earlier, I'd been worried about the kids.
So I'd slipped some money to the server and asked him to deliver food here too.
I'd worried they might get sick from overeating all at once, but denying them good food would be missing the point entirely.
A good romp later should help them digest.
Yeom Gwanju started toward his office but paused and looked back at me curiously.
"What are you doing?"
"Pardon?"
"You should come too. You've been granted full authority from the Snow Wind Palace Lord, haven't you?"
"Ah, right."
.
.
.
And so the three of us sat around the low table in Yeom Gwanju's office, sipping tea.
"So..."
Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin looked at me and asked,
"Eun Small Branch Leader, you've been given full authority from the Snow Wind Palace Lord?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Is something wrong with the Palace Lord...?"
"No, she's perfectly healthy."
"Then why...?"
"There are circumstances."
I explained the whole story to her. Since Bing Hae-rin already knew about the Snow Wind Palace, there was no need to hide anything.
"...And that's how it happened."
A brief silence fell after I finished.
"Do you think it's too much, me taking over the building planned for that original Yangyang Martial Hall site?"
She shook her head at my question.
"No, not at all. I don't pity the ungrateful wretch. I'm thrilled the kids get a proper home."
She looked at me and said,
"If it were me, I'd have marched in with that real contract and claimed the land for the Yangyang Martial Hall on the spot. Your foresight in holding back for something greater—I'm impressed."
"You're too kind. Just to be safe, this matter is confidential."
"Of course."
Then Yeom Gwanju asked Bing Hae-rin,
"When did you leave the Ice Palace? The North Sea blizzards make travel tough around now..."
"Ah, I left before they really hit. I had urgent business to handle first, so I only arrived here today."
"I see."
Still, it wasn't late. I'd heard sponsorship came around spring anyway.
So this was plenty early.
"I'll have to impose on you here until spring."
"By all means."
Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin staying here.
Her skills were impressive from what I'd seen. Having an expert like her around made things feel secure, especially with the kids.
"Please take good care of the Yangyang Martial Hall."
"Are... you leaving?"
"I need to head back to Hubei soon. Probably the day after tomorrow."
"I see."
"Looks like we're done here, so I'll take my leave. Got to play with the kids a bit."
"Pardon?"
I headed to the courtyard after wrapping up.
The sun was dipping low, but it wasn't bedtime yet. I figured some vigorous play would help the kids work off their big lunch.
.
.
.
The next morning.
The kids each came to me, telling me what gift they wanted.
"I want pigments."
"Pigments? You mean dyes for painting?"
"Yes. I love drawing."
"Got it. What about you, Amin?"
"I want a poetry anthology. The famous Small Evil Poetry Collection."
Of all places, hearing that name here.
It was the collection where I'd taken poems by former Chief Manager Yu and published them.
Years later, and it was still renowned.
"Alright."
None of the kids asked for toys. Admirable, but a bit heartbreaking.
Hard lives forced maturity early.
Just then, a familiar voice came from the gate.
"Anyone home?"
"Ah! Yes!"
I hurried to the front gate.
Wi Jeomju stood there with porters.
"First, the paper you requested."
"Thank you."
"Where shall we put it?"
"Ah, hand it to me."
Palgap stepped up at the right moment, hoisting the heavy stack effortlessly and carrying it inside.
Learning martial arts has made him even stronger.
After thanking and seeing off Wi Jeomju, I returned to find the kids ogling the paper, eyes sparkling.
"Whoa! The paper's glowing!"
"It looks amazing."
I smiled at their excitement.
Perfect.
With Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin here, she could deliver their letters to the Ice Palace when she returned.
And the Cheongin Escort Agency had Ha Pyodu.
"Kids, me and the Cheongin folks leave tomorrow. Finish your letters by dawn, and I'll ask Ha Pyodu to pass them to the escorts."
"Can we really write on this paper?"
"Of course. I bought it for you. Wouldn't I be sad if you didn't use it?"
"Ah!"
"Y-You're right."
I gave each child five sheets.
Plenty left over, no big deal.
While they wrote, I bought their requested gifts and returned.
Then headed to Yeom Gwanju's office with them.
"Heavens! What's all this?"
"What the kids wanted."
"Why bring them here? Why not give them directly?"
"Hand them out after I'm gone, Gwanju."
"Why...?"
"I've spent less than a hundred days here with them. You live with them year-round."
"True, but..."
"Use my money to be a great gwanju for them."
Tears welled in Yeom Gwanju's eyes.
"Truly, thank you."
"No need. Oh, and..."
I pulled Geum-ryeong from my sleeve.
"Kkwi!"
"From now on, through this little guy..."
"Eek!"
Before I could finish, Yeom Gwanju recoiled, pointing at Geum-ryeong.
"I-Is that a Hanho-su? Why is it here...?"
"Yes, it is. Complicated story."
"You know it's the Snow Wind Palace's divine beast and spirit creature?"
"Yes, my master told me."
"..."
Seeing his shock, I held back—mentioning the Silver Mist Sword might make him faint.
"Anyway, for urgent messages, we'll send letters via Geum-ryeong."
"Understood."
"We leave at dawn tomorrow."
He nodded.
"I heard from Ha Pyodu. And..."
Composed now, he smiled and continued,
"Thank you truly. Your status as Snow Wind Palace disciple is a great blessing to our Yangyang Martial Hall."
His genuine gratitude embarrassed me; I scratched my ear.
.
.
.
The next day, we prepared to depart for Hubei.
I wanted to stay longer, but duties awaited.
Lingering risked brutal cold on the road.
As we readied, a kid—the kids' representative—approached with a large borrowed kitchen basket full of letters.
I took it.
Stacks of letters; they all had much to say.
"Quite a lot."
"We got carried away with stories. First letters, after all."
Ha Pyodu's eyes reddened at the sight. He'd known from my request yesterday.
"Got it. I'll make sure they get delivered."
"Thank you."
Ha Pyodu's eyes wavered as he packed them.
"Escort work is busy... Might not have time to reply. That okay?"
"Yes. Just hearing news is enough."
"Thanks for understanding."
I tilted my head.
Escort business wasn't that hectic—no time for one letter?
Then it hit me.
Escorts lived by the blade like martial artists.
Some died fighting bandits en route, others caught in sect feuds.
Ha Pyodu was gently saying replies might never come for some.
Heartbreaking.
To lighten the mood, I asked the kids,
"No letters for me?"
The kid grinned.
"We do."
"Huh?"
Two more kids brought another basket.
No way?
"Letters for you, hyung."
"..."
I'm a grown man; can't cry.
I was touched anyway.
Preparations complete.
We bid farewell to Yeom Gwanju, Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin, and the Yangyang kids.
"Take care."
"Safe travels."
And so we left Hangzhou for Hubei.
We crossed Mount Huang and passed the spot where I'd "died."
First time, tension had nearly blacked me out.
Now, it was where I'd gained eight-hundred-year-old Bingryeonju.
And the place that ignited my resolve.
* * *
After Eun Seo-ho and Ha Pyodu's group departed, that afternoon.
Wi Jeomju visited Yangyang Martial Hall and mentioned the items Eun Seo-ho requested.
"All of them?"
"Yes."
"Whoa..."
Yeom Gwanju could only marvel.
Eun Small Branch Leader's filthy rich!
Fitting master for a money-loving spirit beast like the Hanho-su.
* * *
Days of boating and riding later, we finally reached home.
"Home!"
Palgap asked,
"That exciting?"
"Obviously. It's home. Home."
We thanked the Cheongin Escort folks, greeted merchant group members, and returned to our posts.
I headed to Father's office.
"Father, your son has returned."
"Good work. Oh... a letter came for you."
"A letter?"
I tilted my head and took it. The envelope bore a familiar name.