An Unexpected Guest (2)
My father tilted his head at my words.
It was the first time I'd ever been so proactive about wanting something specific for my birthday, so he was understandably puzzled.
"Alright, what is it you want?"
"On my birthday, I'd like to hold my birthday banquet on a grander scale."
"A grander birthday banquet, eh..."
Father murmured to himself and smiled.
"So, what's the real reason behind it?"
He'd caught on. He knew there was more to my request for a lavish banquet than met the eye.
"The ones suffering from the famine are the common folk and the poor."
"That's true."
"If we feed even them a proper meal, won't our family be safe when trouble arises later?"
I continued.
"As the saying goes, even beasts don't bite the hand that feeds them. Famines like this inevitably spark rebellions, big or small."
In my previous life, a massive uprising had erupted.
This time, thanks to my advice to the Emperor, the imperial court had made thorough preparations, but covering the entire empire was no easy feat.
And there were always those who exploited such times, using their silver tongues to incite the masses.
"A single meal will mean the world to them in those moments."
"But not everyone will see it as a favor."
"True. Some things can't be helped, right? Everyone weaves their own fate."
Father nodded at my words.
"Fair enough."
The Seseung Pavilion Lord and the others burst into laughter, showering me with praise.
"Haha, even his own birthday, our third young division head turns it into something for the Eunhae Merchant Group! It's enough to bring tears to my eyes."
"That's why everyone calls him Seonhyeopmirang, Seonhyeopmirang."
"Haha! A true hero born from the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly!"
"I've known it all along."
"The father of a hero—haha, not bad at all."
"......"
Why are they all so earnest about teasing me?
I wanted to complain, but their eyes shone with genuine pride, so I just smiled sheepishly.
Time flew by, and my birthday was just a few days away.
In the meantime, I'd been busy running around with various tasks, but the bulk of my time went to collaborating with Gongmil.
We discussed the mechanisms I'd been pondering, and he confirmed they could be made.
True to his action-oriented nature, Gongmil even produced prototypes for my commissioned devices in just three days.
Definitely a genius.
To work a genius like him to death like that!
No matter how I thought about it, the Jin-gyeon Merchant Group's leader had let him off too easy by sending him to the afterlife so painlessly.
Speaking of which, it might be time for Gongmil to take on some disciples.
Producing all those mechanisms single-handedly was impossible.
The issue was the risk of leaking secrets...
Was there a way to ease his burden while keeping everything confidential?
I mulled it over as I walked.
I was on my way to meet the old man at the sundries shop in the western district.
He sat in front of his shop, basking in the warm sunlight.
"It's been a while."
"So, how's it feel to be a hero now?"
"Aigoo, even you, sir? I've already been teased plenty by everyone else."
The old man chuckled at my grumbling.
We exchanged brief updates on recent events, then I pulled an invitation from my sleeve and offered it.
"I'm holding a birthday banquet this time."
The old man tilted his head as he looked at it.
"You know the people's hearts are restless with this famine... What's your angle?"
As expected of the old man.
I smiled and replied.
"For my birthday, at least, I want no one in this area going hungry."
He smirked at my answer.
"Clever kid."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Better than a hero with no substance, anyway."
Again, as expected. He saw right through me.
After a moment's thought, he said,
"If you're at it, make sure to feed the beggars well too."
The old man never spoke idly. There was a reason behind it.
"Thank you for the advice."
He nodded and added,
"Good timing, you came just now."
He rose from his seat, went inside, and soon returned with a pouch, handing it to me.
"Take it."
"What's this?"
"I heard you earned great merit when the former Minister of War and Minister of Works rebelled."
Ah...
"And you gave some good ideas about the gambling dens too, right?"
I scratched the back of my neck.
"They entrusted it to me as thanks."
Peeking inside, I saw a hefty stack of banknotes.
I asked cautiously,
"Is it really okay for me to take this?"
"Of course. Nothing's free with him."
I pondered briefly, then grinned and tucked the pouch into my sleeve.
"Please pass on my thanks."
On a certain day in the eleventh month.
Shunyang County in Hubei Province was abuzz today, all thanks to the birthday banquet for the Eunhae Merchant Group's third young division head, Eun Seo-ho.
Notices had gone up days earlier, inviting anyone and everyone to join the festivities.
Honestly, even with the posters, ordinary folk usually felt too intimidated to show up.
The Eunhae Merchant Group, anticipating this, set up separate venues for those who felt uneasy or couldn't make it to the main event.
Thanks to that, people across Shunyang County ate and drank their fill.
Among the poor were tenant farmers.
Even in good years, little grain made it into their hands.
So in a famine? Day laborers scraping by could hardly dream of attending.
After a grueling day, Eunhae staff visited homes with hot meals.
"Wh-what's this?"
"From the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Why from Eunhae?"
"It's young division head Eun Seo-ho's birthday today. He wanted no one in Shunyang going hungry on his special day, so we prepared this food."
"Really? Can we just take it?"
"Of course. If it feels awkward, pray for young division head Eun Seo-ho's long life and the Eunhae Merchant Group's prosperity."
"Got it. We will."
The tenant farmers teared up watching their starving children devour the delicious food.
The day was waning.
Musicians' tunes kept the birthday banquet lively from morning on.
We'd saved on dancers to buy more food.
And thanks to the unexpected imperial reward, we had even more to go around.
I hope no one gets sick from the food I prepared.
We distributed to everyone, and per the old man's advice, even to the overlooked beggars.
I'd planned to anyway, but still.
Long without rich food, suddenly eating it can cause issues—even fatal ones.
That's why stomach-settling foods prevent that.
We'd prepared tasty yet soothing dishes for that reason.
"Happy birthday."
"Thank you for coming."
I exchanged formal greetings.
"I heard you fed everyone in Shunyang County."
"It's nothing. I just didn't want anyone hungry on my birthday."
"As expected of Seonhyeopmirang!"
"......"
I should've gotten used to that nickname by now, but nope.
For merchants, birthday banquets were prime networking opportunities.
Especially for a major group like ours—tons showed up.
With local notables gathered, it was perfect for discreet talks.
And thanks to my hero title from the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly, even more came than expected.
Then—
"Gasp! Th-that person!"
"No way! How's he here?"
Murmurs rose from one side.
I hadn't seen him yet, but I knew why.
A familiar aura—impossible here—washed over me.
Thanks to cultivating the Great Yin Ice Sea Divine Art, I was sensitive to such energies.
Soon, Seo-u Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior noticed too.
A burly man soon emerged.
"......"
His name: Paeng Gang-un.
Winner of this year's Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly.
Why's this young swordsman here?
I couldn't fathom it. No reason for him to attend my birthday.
But I kept a bright smile and welcomed him.
"I'm honored the martial world's new hero graces this humble gathering."
"Humble? Nonsense. It's the home of the hero who saved countless at the assembly—his birthday no less. Please retract that."
Paeng Gang-un bowed politely, no pretense on his face.
That made his intentions even harder to read.
He'd offered his hand to Jegal Yu-a, cushioned her fall with his instep—courteous and considerate.
And now this...
Is he really just here to celebrate my birthday?
Father approached, smiling at him.
"What brings you all this way? Didn't I say I'd visit the Paeng family myself?"
"Hahaha, true. But how could I let the hero's father come to me? I came instead."
"I see. This way."
Father led him to the guest quarters.
I met him properly the next day.
He'd formally requested an audience.
After breakfast and the Eunwol Pavilion meeting, I headed straight to the guest quarters.
As I waited, Palgap brought young master Paeng.
"Young master, I've brought Paeng young hero."
"Show him in."
"Yes, sir."
The door opened, and Paeng entered, followed by the maid in charge.
"Any refreshments you'd like, just say."
"Nothing in particular—anything's fine."
She bowed and left, soon returning with treats, which she set before us.
"Please enjoy."
"Thank you."
At my urging, he ate while we chatted idly.
Then I noticed something off.
A rash on the skin inside his sleeve when he lifted his arm.
That's a clear food allergy reaction.
Some people react badly to certain foods.
Severe cases swell the throat, risking death.
Common culprits: nuts like walnuts or peanuts, fruits like peaches.
These pastries used peaches harvested last summer, pickled in liquor, candied with honey, and topped.
Rare treats—we served them for the assembly winner.
But he seemed allergic to peaches. Suppressing it with inner energy.
Surface skin fine, hidden areas wrecked.
Aigoo. If you're allergic to peaches, just say so—why 'anything'?
He knew—he was suppressing it with qi.
His practical prowess at the assembly, hiding this now...
Confirmed.
This young hero wandered the harsh jianghu without family protection.
Hence, no revealing weaknesses.
"Haa..."
I sighed, sliding the peach pastry plate aside.
Couldn't watch him eat poison with a straight face.
He tilted his head.
"Why clear the plate?"
"My apologies. Tasted it myself—not up to par. Unworthy of the assembly winner. Forgive me."
I tugged the servant cord, had the plate removed, and new treats brought.
Watching, Paeng gave a strange look.
Then he smirked.
"You're a good man."
"Pardon?"
"Saw it when you threw yourself to save the spectators, but now I get why they call you Seonhyeopmirang."
"Too grand a title."
"No."
He shook his head.
"Makes me even surer I came to the right person."
Here it comes—the main point.
"The reason I sought you out, young division head, is I have a commission."