Seonmi's Wedding (3)
I quietly observed the man.
He appeared to be a young man in his late thirties, neatly dressed in a scholar's robe.
But... he looked familiar somehow.
Where have I seen him before?
It was definitely a face I recognized.
Jin Yeong Daehyeop had mentioned it before. Suspicious movements had been detected, and they were keeping him under surveillance.
"We need to identify and investigate everyone he meets and talks to here. He's likely the linchpin connecting these shady factions."
But why here of all places?
I grumbled inwardly, but I could guess the reason.
As the saying goes, hide a tree in the forest, a pebble in a pebble field.
Was there any better spot than a local magnate's wedding banquet, where people could bump into each other and chat without raising eyebrows?
My uncle-by-marriage was the leader of Yeonjun Merchant Group, which had run operations in Beijing for generations.
And his in-laws were from the household of a high-ranking Minister of Rites.
It was safe to assume a good portion of Beijing's influential voices were attending this banquet.
No wonder they felt free to converse here without worry.
But still... why Seonmi's wedding banquet?
Sigh... this rubs me the wrong way.
That said, his face really did ring a bell.
I turned to the Gold Guard daehyeop.
"Do you happen to know his name, by any chance?"
"A fellow named Yang Eun-jik."
"...!"
In that instant, a scene flashed in my mind.
From my previous life.
It must have been when I was in my late twenties.
At a Baek Merchant Group gathering, I'd been introduced to a man accompanying Nangong Gang, the merchant group leader.
"This is Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Ah! I've heard the name. Nice to meet you. I'm Yang Eun-jik. I work at the Murim Alliance, nothing impressive."
I offered a fist salute and bowed, and what caught my eye was the well-worn hilt of his sword.
"Working at the Murim Alliance... so you're a martial artist?"
"Don't be surprised! Daehyeop Yang here is a peak realm master."
"Really? Peak realm?"
"Heh heh, I told you not to be shocked."
"You're so young to be a peak realm master—that's what surprised me."
"Truth be told, I reached peak realm about three years ago."
"I see. What an honor to meet a peak realm master like this!"
"No need for flattery. Compared to Nangong Merchant Leader here, I'm sorely lacking."
I took a deep breath and looked at him again.
He hadn't grown a beard like back then, and his plain attire had thrown me off.
But hearing the name made it certain.
He'd reached peak realm three years prior, so by now, he was probably a first-rate warrior.
No, wait—why was a Murim Alliance member here?
Usually, tailing and surveillance fell to those of lower rank or seniority.
That explained why the dispatched Gold Guard daehyeops seemed to peg him as a scholar.
Good thing we're at a distance in this noisy spot—they probably didn't overhear us.
I leaned in and spoke to them.
"If I may say something...?"
"Go ahead. What is it?"
"That man's a martial artist."
"...!"
Their eyes widened at my words.
"What did you say?"
They were well-trained enough not to shout in shock.
"A martial artist?"
"Yes. I saw him once in Luoyang. He said he was with the Murim Alliance back then."
"..."
The daehyeop leading the group—Song Daehyeop, was it?—asked me.
"Do you know his martial prowess level?"
No wonder he's in charge. Straight to the key question.
"From what I overheard, I think he was first-rate."
"Thanks. We'd have botched this mission without you."
"I'm glad I could help."
Just then, someone approached Yang Eun-jik, and the Gold Guard daehyeops focused on him.
They jotted down names if they knew them, or descriptions if not—discreetly, of course.
The daehyeops in front of me must have been below my level; they hadn't noticed I practiced martial arts.
Having reached peak realm myself, and grown even stronger after Master Jin's arrangements at the North Sea Ice Palace, I could hear Yang Eun-jik's conversations crystal clear.
Being a Beijing native, he exchanged greetings with many people.
Some of those exchanges felt off.
"Long time no see."
"Yes, you've been well."
"How've you been?"
"Doing fine."
"The weather's awfully hot lately. Know any cool spots around here?"
"Three days from now, at the hai hour's start. Westside Gwanje Temple."
"Got it. Thanks for the tip. Give my regards to Minister Chun."
Like that.
To the casual ear, it sounded like idle chit-chat, but there were hidden messages in between.
Three days from now, start of the hai hour, Westside Gwanje Temple.
Probably planning to meet there for some scheme.
Soon after, Yang Eun-jik left his seat.
Song Daehyeop ordered his two companions to tail him. I started to rise too, but he grabbed my sleeve.
"...?"
"Sit a moment."
"Yes."
As I sat, Song Daehyeop asked,
"Jin Yeong Daehyeop said you're insightful beyond your years."
"...He was just being kind."
"I thought so too, but what you just told us changed my mind."
His expression was deadly serious.
"I'd like your advice. Among the people he met today, anyone we should watch closely?"
I thought for a moment.
Whatever it was, the Murim Alliance was clearly up to no good.
And if the Gold Guards were mobilizing like this, it wasn't anything wholesome.
I hesitated because I worried getting dragged in might backfire on me.
They might even question if I had ties to them.
But...
Jin Yeong Daehyeop wouldn't steer me wrong, and this Song Daehyeop seemed straight too.
"In that case... just my humble opinion..."
"Speak."
"Focus on the third and seventh, tenth and twelfth, and fifteenth people he met."
"You... remembered everyone?"
"I have a good memory."
He quickly jotted it down on paper, pocketed it, and said,
"We'll be off. Thanks for the cooperation."
"No trouble at all. Glad to help."
With that, Song Daehyeop quietly slipped out of the banquet hall.
No wonder the Murim Alliance has been suspiciously quiet lately...
Still, if this foils their plans, it's all good for me.
I stood up.
It was about time for the groom to arrive.
I wanted to see Seonmi, but tradition forbade men—fathers or brothers—from seeing the bride's face on her wedding day.
So I asked a maid to check on her and report back.
Moments later,
she approached and handed me a letter.
"...?"
"The young miss said to give you this."
"Big brother, curious about my face? The first one to see it should be my husband. Anyway, thank you so much. This red happiness today is all thanks to you."
I could feel her joy in the words.
Chuckling, I folded the letter and tucked it away.
The tutelage from the university scholars' wives had lent her poise and grace, but Seonmi was still Seonmi.
.
.
.
The scorching sun had dipped below the horizon.
Yet the heat rising from the baked earth kept things sweltering.
Whirr whirr whirr.
Palgap beside me was fanning himself nonstop.
"That hot?"
"Seriously, young master, you and the warriors have no idea how lucky you are."
I got his envy.
I'd mastered ice arts and reached peak realm; my escorts were peak or near-peak first-rates, so heat barely fazed us.
Then Jin Yu Warrior said,
"If Palgap trains hard in martial arts, he'll handle this heat too."
"In what lifetime?"
"...Ahem, depends on how diligently you train."
Palgap's face fell.
He looked like a bear with drooping ears—I couldn't help laughing.
That was when—
"The groom's coming!"
"Woooah!"
Far off, the music troupe approached.
Behind the lively musicians came the red sedan chair to carry Seonmi away.
Come to think of it, in my previous life, after Seonmi's wedding, Aunt had been quite downcast.
They'd been as close as friends, so it hit her hard.
And whenever Seonmi visited home, Aunt would ache seeing her worn face.
No more of that now, but she'd still feel lonely.
Once the Beijing branch finished, I'd be staying here often—I should visit her regularly.
.
.
.
Seonmi's wedding concluded.
Today was her return to her family home.
Custom had the bride, after going to the groom's house post-wedding, visit her parents three days later.
"We're here."
"Mother! Father! We're back!"
Uncle and Aunt welcomed Won Si-rang and Seonmi.
That's when Won Si-rang and I locked eyes.
He flinched.
Did he do something wrong to me? What's with that?
The newlyweds received blessings and gifts from Grandfather and the elders.
Finally, my turn.
I was the youngest by age.
"Live happily."
"Yes, big brother."
"And..."
Glancing at Won Si-rang, he flinched again.
"Why do you keep doing that? I'm not that scary. Haha."
"..."
"Anyway, you still remember your promise to me, right? So make our Seonmi happy."
"O-Of course! I'll devote everything to it, daehyeop!"
Daehyeop?
I'm not old enough for that...
I almost corrected him but let it slide.
Better not drag this out.
"Here, a gift."
I handed over a red pouch. Usually filled with money.
Mine was too—though an amount beyond imagining.
Giving a red pouch of cash to the newlywed was for juniors, not seniors.
Seonmi was first from me, so I'd stuffed it generously.
"Alright, let's eat."
"Yes."
We spent the time in warm harmony.
Midway, Yang Eun-jik crossed my mind.
Eh, I gave them plenty of info. The Gold Guards will handle it.
.
.
.
Three days passed like that.
Worried about Aunt's loneliness, Grandfather decided to stay in Beijing awhile.
Jeong Ho was swamped with imperial silk delivery matters.
He'd come for Seonmi's wedding but also to handle the silk business.
And I... was busy.
On top of my usual duties, Beijing branch affairs had me wishing I could split myself in two—not just once or twice.
But who am I?
A body tempered by decades of work from my previous life!
Plus Master's training had my stamina covered.
Today, deep in paperwork, Palgap entered the room.
"Young master. A guest."
"Guest?"
"Yes. Gwak Pyodu-nim."
Gwak Pyodu? Master came?
I shot up and hurried to the courtyard. Master stood there.
"Disciple greets Master after so long. Why stand here? Come to the guest quarters."
"No need. I don't have much time."
Even in his busy schedule, he made time?
Ah, that's why.
"I wanted the next form of the Extreme Yin Ice Soul Throw. Passing through, so I stopped by."
As expected.
"Sorry. I dragged you all this way."
"No matter. We're even."
I led Master to the rear garden of my temporary lodgings. No eyes for practicing Extreme Yin Ice Soul Throw.
There, I demonstrated the third form.
"I see. Got it."
"As expected of Master."
Then it hit me—Master had Murim ties, traveled as an escort, heard plenty. Maybe he knew Yang Eun-jik.
"Master, a question."
"What?"
"Do you know a Murim Alliance man named Yang Eun-jik?"
"...Who did you say?"
Master's aura shifted ominously at the name.