Beijing Branch (1)
I couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh.
Anyone who had even dipped a toe into the martial world would know that name.
Two hundred years ago, there was a hero who made great contributions in the war against the Blood Cult.
Geukcheon Sword Kwak Hoon.
But it was said that he focused more on refining his martial arts than building a faction.
After that, no notable descendants appeared, and the family line simply died out...
So, the technique the North Sea Ice Palace Lord taught me was Geukcheon Sword's signature ultimate art?
Does that mean there was some connection between Geukcheon Sword's descendants and the North Sea Ice Palace?
"I thought the technique's name sounded familiar... So that's it."
"By the way, do you plan to use it as your main technique from now on, young master?"
"That's the idea, but is there some problem with that?"
"Not at all. I just asked because, while passing through the North Sea this time, you only used Heavenly Flow Ice Sword... And you've seemed to go out of your way not to reveal your skills to outsiders up until now."
"So you noticed."
The Seo-u Warrior smiled as he replied.
"All the escorts already know."
The truth was, I hesitated to use my martial arts for three reasons.
First, there was no need for me to step in.
I had two Super First-rate warriors and two first-rate warriors as my guards.
Second, pretending I hadn't learned martial arts helped avoid scrutiny from the Martial Alliance.
But now that I was traveling all over the Central Plains, I couldn't avoid using them forever.
Third, I was uneasy about using Snow Wind Palace techniques. I didn't know who had wiped out the Snow Wind Palace.
Even Master wouldn't recognize them at a glance, but he'd still advised me to avoid using them if possible.
I gazed at the Seo-u Warrior, lost in thought.
These escort warriors were the ones entrusted with my life.
And from what I'd observed so far, they were trustworthy.
In that case, it was only right to respond to their concern.
"First off, my escorts are so outstanding that I didn't think there was any need for me to get involved."
"I see. Thank you for trusting us."
"Of course I trust you."
I smiled.
"And... as you know, the techniques I've learned come from the Snow Wind Palace."
The Seo-u Warrior nodded.
"And we still don't know who destroyed it."
"There are rumors it was the demonic cult, or the North Sea Ice Palace... but nothing confirmed."
"Yes. That fiend must have had some reason to wipe out the Snow Wind Palace. If word got out that I'd learned their techniques, my life could be in danger."
"...You're right."
"That's why I've kept them hidden as much as possible."
"...Just as Jin Yu Warrior said."
"Pardon? Jin Yu Warrior?"
The Seo-u Warrior nodded. We all knew Jin Yu was from the Snow Wind Palace.
He'd confessed his past when the Baekroe Company came to escort Ma Jangju's investment funds.
"Jin Yu mentioned it once. He said you avoid revealing your skills probably because you're wary of those who destroyed the Snow Wind Palace."
The Seo-u Warrior continued.
"If you're going to disguise yourself anyway, why not do it thoroughly? Leader Kwak's surname is Kwak, after all."
"Ah!"
Geukcheon Sword's name was Kwak Hoon.
And Master's name was Kwak Myeonghyeon.
This probably wasn't unrelated to why the Ice Palace Lord taught me Heavenly Flow Ice Sword.
The Kwak clan's line had already died out—who would object?
"That's a great idea."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
We crossed the plains at a brisk pace, passed through Liaoning, and arrived in Beijing.
Once again, we imposed on my aunt's household.
"Did everything go well?"
"Yes, Aunt."
"I'm glad. And you've brought that young lady along again."
My aunt's eyes sparkled as she looked at Bing Hae-rin, the young palace lord standing beside me.
Aunt, we're really not like that.
That evening, I had tea with my aunt and heard some intriguing news.
"Our Seon-mi had tea with the Empress, of all people."
"Really?"
I feigned surprise outwardly, but inside, I smiled.
The Emperor had granted my request.
"She was invited along with the wives of the professors from the Hwaha Academy..."
It seemed they'd taken care not to make Seon-mi stand out too much.
"Isn't that wonderful?"
"Yes. No one will dare belittle her poetry anymore."
Seeing my delighted aunt, I felt a swell of pride—my support had worked.
Soon after, I wrapped up our chat and headed to my quarters.
Still...
I'll be coming to Beijing more often from now on. Is staying at my aunt's place like this really okay?
She and Uncle insist it's fine, but I feel bad imposing every time.
And it's not just me—a good number of people come and go.
There was only one conclusion.
Establish a Beijing branch for the Eunhae Merchant Group.
Beijing already had our shops, but nothing on the scale of a full branch.
They lacked the capacity for major operations.
That's why we only learned late about the dissolution of the Gungheon Pavilion and the dismissal of the Ministers of Works and War.
That's the intelligence team's domain, but without a branch, their movements were limited.
We couldn't have that.
Right now, Eunhae was ranked fortieth among the Hundred Great Merchant Groups of the world.
To leap higher, we needed a proper branch in the imperial capital, Beijing.
In my previous life, we didn't establish one until I was thirty.
But the situation was different now.
With Hwaha Academy—where we invested over half our operating funds—here, and our silk deliveries to the imperial family, the time had come.
And we had plenty of funds.
Hmm, where should we buy the land?
There was the site from my previous life, but honestly, I wasn't thrilled with it.
Back then, all the prime spots for a Beijing branch had already been snatched up.
We'd settled for second best.
But now, there was a good one.
The site where Baekcheon Merchant Group built their second Beijing branch in my previous life.
But in this life, it would be ours.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next day, Jin Yeong Daehyeop came to see me.
I'd sent word to the Emperor right after arriving yesterday, and it seemed he'd dispatched Jin Yeong in response.
"Did everything go well?"
"Yes, Daehyeop."
"His Majesty wanted me to confirm you returned safely."
"I'm fine."
He scrutinized me closely, then nodded.
"Looks like it. I'll report back to His Majesty."
"Yes."
"By the way, no eunuchs have approached you yet?"
"No one's come to see me so far."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop nodded.
"Good. They might show up anytime, but whatever they offer, be cautious. They're crafty black-hearted lot."
"I'll keep that in mind. Oh, and please tell His Majesty 'thank you.'"
"Got it."
After Jin Yeong Daehyeop left, I let out a sigh.
To avoid getting tangled in complications, I needed to leave Beijing quickly.
"Palgap."
"Yes! You called, young master?"
"We're leaving tomorrow morning. Tell everyone."
"Understood."
The next day, we departed Beijing.
My aunt and uncle, along with older brother Seon-il, urged us to stay longer, but I declined, citing postponed business.
It was true, after all.
Even now, work was piling up.
Jin-ho hyung's hangover had delayed things too.
Haa...
Don't think about it.
We left Beijing, passed through Hebei and Henan, and arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group headquarters in Hubei Province.
Since we'd been on a long journey, the family all came out to greet us warmly.
"Welcome back."
"Your son has returned."
Jin-ho hyung and his wife also reported their safe return.
"Ah."
Jin-ho hyung handed over an envelope.
"This is a letter from your mother-in-law. And this one from your grandmother-in-law."
"Grandmother-in-law...?"
At Father's question, sister-in-law replied.
"My maternal grandmother is also a disciple of the North Sea Ice Palace."
"Haha, you even met Grandmother-in-law. Glad you went."
Jin-ho hyung smiled.
"Yes. It was worth it. She doted on us greatly."
"That's fortunate."
Watching their warm exchange, a mischievous thought crossed my mind.
Should I tell Father about Jin-ho hyung's hangover delaying the schedule, to get a no-drinking order in place?
Training under the investigator had been grueling.
I can hold a grudge...
"Haa..."
I sighed.
But it wasn't entirely his fault, so the kind me would endure.
Damn.
I returned to my pavilion, Mungok Pavilion, bathed thoroughly, changed into fresh robes, and headed to Father's office.
I had a separate report for him.
"Did you handle what I assigned well?"
"Yes, Father."
I explained everything he'd ordered step by step, and Father seemed satisfied.
"Good work."
"Father, there's one more thing."
"What is it?"
"On this trip, I felt we need to establish a Beijing branch for Eunhae."
"A branch in Beijing?"
"Yes."
I explained the necessity, and Father nodded thoughtfully.
"You have a point. It's time for Eunhae to properly enter Beijing. I'll put it on tomorrow's Eunwol Pavilion meeting agenda."
"Thank you."
After speaking with Father, I returned to Mungok Pavilion. A guest was waiting.
Bing Hae-rin, the young palace lord.
She'd escorted our group all the way to headquarters and was staying here.
"You're here."
"Ah, yes. Have you been waiting long?"
"No. I just arrived."
She held something wrapped in white silk. She offered it to me.
"I came to give you this."
"What's this?"
"Open it."
I took it and unwrapped the silk.
"...!"
It was a single book whose title startled me.
It was the Kwak clan's genealogical registry, their bojeop.
If the young hero is as clever as I believe, you will understand the meaning of this.
"Ah..."
So the Ice Palace Lord did have intentions.
"Please tell her I'll put it to very good use."
"I will. And I'm leaving tomorrow morning."
"You came a long way; stay longer."
"No."
She shook her head.
"I need to return before the snow winds start. Plus, I've had a recent realization."
"Sounds like an enlightenment."
At my question, Bing Hae-rin smirked.
"Honestly, I thought I was the best until now, but I met someone even better. I can't stand falling behind."
Why's she smiling at me like that?
I didn't know the reason, but I replied anyway.
"I wish you great progress in your cultivation."
The next day, Bing Hae-rin left at dawn. I learned of it thanks to the Yi-pil Warrior on guard duty.
"I see. Thank you for letting me know."
"No problem."
As always, I went to the courtyard for my morning meditation.
Just as I finished, Master arrived right on cue, like a ghost.
"Master, you're here."
"I heard you went to the North Sea Ice Palace."
"Yes."
He'd been away on escort duty back then, so I hadn't mentioned it.
But... looking at Master's face brought back what the Ice Palace Lord had shared about his childhood anecdotes.
Oh no.
I tried not to look at his face, but Master noticed immediately.
"You're acting strange today."
"Ahem! Sorry."
"Did you cause some trouble I don't know about? Why won't you look me in the eye?"
"It's not that..."
This would only deepen the misunderstanding.
"I met the North Sea Ice Palace Lord on this trip to the North Sea."
"The Palace Lord?"
"Yes. And she told me... about your childhood stories. Things like the White Jade Island incident and when you got scolded..."
At my explanation, Master muttered softly.
"...That damn old hag."