Beijing Branch (2)
I could tell that my master was embarrassed right now.
His right wrist, revealed as he placed a hand on his forehead, had turned red.
Today was the first time I'd learned that his wrists flushed when he was embarrassed.
Hmm, how peculiar.
"It's fine, Master. Everyone has a story or two from their childhood, don't they?"
"No need for comfort. It's the truth, after all."
"……."
"And hearing that kind of consolation only makes it more humiliating. Anyway…… ahem. So that's why it was hard for you to train while looking at me."
I clasped my hands in a fist and bowed my head.
"I'm sorry."
"It's for the best. For today's training, we'll do it with your eyes closed."
"……Pardon?"
Master, you're not doing this just because I told the North Sea Ice Palace Lord that story, are you?
It was out of my hands!
.
.
.
Training ended.
I really covered my eyes and practiced the Snow Frost Sword Technique, and it was incredibly difficult.
"Well done."
"Thank you for the instruction. And……."
I spoke cautiously.
"When I went to the North Sea Ice Palace this time, I encountered an arrangement left by the ancestor."
"……!"
My master's eyes flashed wide at my words.
"The arrangement I encountered was for the martial art called Extreme Yin Mixed Ice Throw."
"Is that true?"
My master's expression was one of profound shock.
"Do you know of it?"
"Of course. Isn't it one of the martial arts that only the lord of the Snow Wind Palace can learn? But……."
My master trailed off, closing his eyes.
Then, suppressing his grief, he continued.
"When Father passed early, I never received it. That's why I'm not a complete lord now."
With those words, my master asked me.
"But if it's an arrangement for the Extreme Yin Mixed Ice Throw…… surely not?"
"Yes. I learned it. So first, I must apologize to you, Master."
I clasped my hands and bowed my head.
"Your disciple learned it without your permission."
"No."
My master shook his head.
"No need to apologize. At this point, I'm grateful that you've learned it—and that the transmission hasn't been lost."
"Please wait a moment."
I went inside and brought out the manual for the Extreme Yin Mixed Ice Throw that I'd compiled, offering it to my master.
"Here you are. It's what I learned from the ancestor, written down."
My master took it with a strange expression.
I quickly explained.
"From what the ancestor told me, martial arts like the Extreme Yin Mixed Ice Throw, meant only for lords, don't have manuals."
"That's correct."
"I understand it's because if someone with insufficient training learns it, they could be consumed by demonic influence."
"That's right too."
"But since both you and I are so busy, I thought this was the most efficient way, so I recorded it. If you ever decide it shouldn't remain in the world, just burn it."
My master nodded.
"And…… honestly, the content is a bit complex, so I'll need to demonstrate it in person."
After briefly skimming the book, my master nodded again.
"Indeed…… that seems necessary."
"So whenever you request it, Master, I'll demonstrate."
It might take some time for my master to learn the Extreme Yin Mixed Ice Throw this way, but there's no helping it.
I could teach it the same way the ancestor did and finish quickly.
But this isn't the world of arrangements I was in.
A sword cut here means death.
Of course, my master's realm is far above mine, so even if I swing my sword, he won't be cut.
But the Extreme Yin Mixed Ice Throw demands full power, so I might accidentally injure him.
Who knows what could happen in this world?
"In that case, I'd like a demonstration of the first form right now."
"Understood."
I stepped back about ten paces from my master.
That's the safe distance.
Then I raised both hands and moved them slowly.
But the energy surrounding me was anything but gentle—it was overwhelmingly霸道.
So fierce it resembled the fourth form of the True Snow Twelve Style Sword Technique, Snow Wind, or even the seventh, Snow Hail.
My body moved like a dance. But this wasn't a dance for joy.
It was a dance to slice enemies, to bring death upon foes.
Each time my hands cleaved the air, the wind itself snapped.
If enemies had been in the path of my hands, they would have been rent apart.
About half an hourglass passed like that.
I lowered my hands, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.
As a domineering art, failing to calm the mind and circulate true energy at the end could be dangerous.
"That was……."
I turned at my master's voice.
"……!"
I was momentarily flustered.
Tears streamed from my master's eyes.
"That…… is the Extreme Yin Mixed Ice Throw. I saw it once as a child. When Father fought spirit beasts……."
What my master was seeing now wasn't me.
He was seeing his father from the past, unleashing the Extreme Yin Mixed Ice Throw, superimposed on me.
I understood my master's heart.
I too had memories from my previous life of losing my father.
He passed from illness, but now I sometimes wonder.
Was it really just illness……?
A moment later,
My master, having composed himself, bowed lightly.
"Thank you."
"The gratitude should go not to me, but to the ancestor who left such an arrangement out of love for the Snow Wind Palace."
I smiled and continued.
"And…… there's one more thing I have to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Do you know of the Heavenly Flow Ice Sword by any chance?"
"Of course."
"Do you know it was used by the Guo Clan?"
"Yes. Could it be……?"
"Yes, the Palace Lord gifted it to me."
I offered my master the manual for the Heavenly Flow Ice Sword, along with the Guo Clan family's letter of authentication.
"This is?"
"It seems the North Sea Ice Palace Lord still holds the Snow Wind Palace dear."
I explained how I'd learned the Heavenly Flow Ice Sword from the North Sea Ice Palace Lord and received it as a gift.
Listening, my master nodded.
"A good idea. People often ask which Guo Clan it is, after all."
"Really?"
"Disguising as that clan will make it even safer. Especially since they're the most likely suspects."
"Pardon?"
I tilted my head.
"You know…… who the enemy is?"
My master hesitated, then gave a wry smile.
"Not certain yet, but I have some idea. I'll tell you once it's confirmed."
"Understood."
I nodded.
My master never broke his word. To think such a master was a troublemaker in his youth!
Oops!
Thinking like that again!
I shook my head and held out the envelope.
"And this is a letter from the North Sea Ice Palace Lord."
"……!"
My master took it with trembling hands.
He'd called her a damn old hag earlier, but clearly, the North Sea Ice Palace Lord held a special place in his heart.
Well, that explains why she knew his childhood secrets.
.
.
.
After training and breakfast, I headed straight to the Silver Moon Pavilion.
There was a meeting there.
The top agenda today was the Beijing branch.
"Indeed, it's time to establish a branch in Beijing."
The others nodded at Chief Steward Yu's words.
"Cargo heading to Beijing is increasing. I was planning to petition soon myself."
Pavilion Master Yeon chimed in, and Brother Jeong Ho added.
"Plus, since our Eunhae Merchant Group supplies silk to the imperial court, a Beijing branch is essential."
Father surveyed the room and made the decision.
"No objections, then."
"Yes."
"Next, select the site for the branch."
Then.
"May I say something?"
All eyes turned to Pavilion Master Jeok of the West Wind Pavilion.
He wasn't one for idle talk.
Father nodded, and he continued.
"I suggest entrusting the entire Beijing branch matter to Young Division Leader Eun Seo-ho."
"To Seo-ho?"
"Yes. He's been to Beijing most recently, so he knows the situation best."
"True."
"And with His Majesty's favor, few will dare interfere."
"Hmm, that makes sense."
I sighed inwardly at those words.
Honestly, I'd planned for Brother Jeong Ho to handle this.
Establishing a branch in the capital Beijing meant plenty of visibility.
In other words, a merit that could solidly position Brother Jeong Ho as the next merchant group leader.
"Ho……."
"Good idea."
But contrary to my thoughts, the other pavilion masters—and even Brother Jeong Ho—were nodding in agreement.
This won't do.
"Pavilion Master Jeok recommended me, but I'd prefer Brother Jeong Ho take it."
"Jeong Ho?"
"I have to be away often. And there's the matter His Majesty entrusted to me…… Anyway, I want Brother Jeong Ho to handle it stably. He's already managing the silk deliveries, isn't he?"
Father thought for a moment before speaking.
"Seo-ho."
"Yes, Father."
"You've been away quite a bit lately, yet your tasks progress well."
"……."
No words for that.
"And does the work His Majesty entrusted really need to be done here in Hubei? You could do it from Beijing."
"But reporting to you, Father……."
"Just entrust it to those who travel regularly. I only need the reports."
"……."
"I agree with Pavilion Master Jeok."
Brother Jeong Ho smiled and added.
"I'd like you to take this on."
No, Brother, don't agree.
Sigh, no helping it.
I'll quietly pass the credit to him later.
.
.
.
That day, at the Present Wind Branch.
I informed the staff they'd be working in Beijing for a while.
"Oh! In Beijing?"
"Really?"
But they were thrilled.
"Aren't you all too excited?"
"Hahaha. It's Beijing! The name alone sounds fun. Hahaha."
"To see those splendid streets in person! I'm thrilled."
Everyone's excited.
Still, after a few years, it'll all blend together.
"And there'll be books hard to find here, right?"
That…… yeah.
Beijing's book street is huge.
"Plus, my kids can study in Beijing."
Ah…….
A father's practical woes hit me suddenly, leaving me speechless.
"Company housing…… I'll build it nicely."
.
.
.
Mid-May, lunar calendar.
Just half a month after returning home, I set off for Beijing again.
For the Beijing branch matters.
Even Palgap and the other escorts seemed accustomed to my constant travels.
Apparently, they keep their bags packed to depart in an hour…….
.
.
.
Arrived in Beijing.
This time, with the Present Wind Branch staff accompanying me, we set up temporary lodging separately.
I decided to stay there too.
Still, greetings were in order, so I headed to the Yeon Merchant Group. And I needed to meet my uncle anyway.
I requested a meeting with my uncle.
"You come to Beijing often these days."
"Yes. It turned out that way."
I took a sip of tea and got to the point.
"Actually, our Eunhae Merchant Group plans to open a branch in Beijing."
"Hm? A branch?"
"Yes."
"Makes sense for a group your size."
"That's why I requested this meeting with you, Uncle."
"Alright, what do you need?"
"Make some introductions."
After all, it would go smoother if my Beijing-based uncle paved the way rather than me, an outsider, buying land directly.
"We have a site in mind. About fifty thousand pyeong……."
My uncle blinked in surprise at the scale.
"Building a whole new merchant group?"
"No, just a branch."
"Right, ahem. I see. A branch."
After tapping the table thoughtfully, my uncle agreed to my request.
"We're not southern barbarians—how could we refuse the court? Where's the site?"
"Yes, it's……."
I described the site I'd selected, the price, and details.
A few days passed.
In the meantime, I handled work with the staff at our temporary lodging.
"Young master, someone from the Yeon Merchant Group is here."
At Palgap's words, I went out to see my uncle's attendant.
"The Division Leader summons you."
Moments later, I met my uncle.
His expression wasn't bright. Had something gone wrong?
"Seo-ho."
"Yes, Uncle."
"Does it have to be that site?"
"Pardon? Why?"
My uncle spoke with a troubled look.
"There's a problem with that land."