Unexpected Guest (3)
Paeng Kang-un So-hyeop continued.
"Truth be told, I have an uncle who went missing long ago."
A missing uncle?
I briefly recalled the Hubei Paeng Clan's family tree.
From what I remembered, long ago, the second son among the current clan lord's children had left home.
And in my previous life, he hadn't returned until after the clan lord—Paeng So-hyeop's grandfather—passed away and the eldest son, another of Paeng So-hyeop's uncles, succeeded him as clan lord.
"Ever since I came of age, I've roamed the entire empire searching for him, but my skills were lacking... I couldn't find him."
He bowed his head to me.
"Please, find my uncle for me."
I found it a bit odd.
Of course, it wasn't strange to commission a merchant group to find a person or an item.
Song Jang-ju had once asked our Eunhae Merchant Group to locate a cursed wooden doll, after all.
No one traversed the empire as actively as merchant groups did.
Escort agencies were similar, but their main roles were protection and transport, so they faced more limitations than merchant groups.
But the man before me was one of the empire's top rising stars in the post-peak realm, and he'd been wandering the land for years.
If even he couldn't find his uncle, what chance did I have?
And there were other questions.
Why go to such lengths to search for his uncle?
And out of all the merchant groups, why come to me specifically?
I decided to clear up these doubts.
"Have you commissioned anyone else for this?"
"No. You're the first person I've ever asked."
I tilted my head.
He hadn't asked anyone else until now, so why suddenly come to me?
I needed an answer right here and now.
"Before I accept your commission, I have a few questions."
"Please, ask away."
I started with the most important one.
"Why me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Our Eunhae Merchant Group is sizable, but there are many larger ones. So why us... and why me, instead of your father, the clan lord?"
If he'd gone to my father, he surely would have mentioned it to me.
"If you don't give me a straight answer, I'll have to decline your commission."
Paeng So-hyeop pondered for a moment before speaking.
"I understand your suspicion. The main reason I'm asking you is because you're trustworthy."
He continued.
"During the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly, you threw yourself into danger to save people, didn't you?"
"That was because my parents were there."
"Even after those two warriors who caused the incident were sentenced to expulsion, you knelt before the Murim Alliance's elders and begged for their lives, saving them."
"That was..."
"And recently, I had a chance to speak with Jegal So-jeo. She said that while you're skilled, you're above all a man of deep integrity."
Paeng So-hyeop looked me straight in the eye.
"That's why. Integrity matters more to me than anything."
"By integrity, you mean..."
I met his gaze.
"You want me to keep your commission to find your uncle a secret?"
He nodded at my question.
"Yes. The Paeng Clan must not know I'm searching for him."
I sighed inwardly.
"So that's why you came on my birthday. It gave you a perfect excuse to visit me."
"Exactly."
He nodded.
"If the clan lord or someone from your merchant group visited our clan, discussions about support would likely follow the clan's preferences, not mine."
By coming under the guise of celebrating my birthday, he'd seized the initiative.
Wait—did that mean he hadn't returned to his clan from Luoyang?
"How did you know it was my birthday, though?"
"Jegal So-jeo told me."
"..."
I let out a small sigh.
"Anyway, why go to such extremes for your uncle? The fact that it has to be kept from the clan suggests they wouldn't approve."
"Well..."
Paeng So-hyeop smiled as he replied.
"I plan to become the next head of the Hubei Paeng Clan. So I need to show that I care for all our retainers, don't I?"
No, that's a lie.
There has to be a real reason.
Something that minor wouldn't make him wander the empire alone for so long.
Paeng So-hyeop was twenty-six.
By imperial law, fifteen marked adulthood, but most clans of any size recognized twenty.
Our Eunhae Merchant Group did the same.
That meant he'd been searching for six years...
Frankly, that didn't add up for such a trivial motive.
Moreover, when he answered, he'd subtly averted his gaze. That proved it wasn't the real reason for seeking his uncle.
But when he mentioned becoming clan lord, his eyes had lit up with fervor—that part rang true.
He might have grown adept at hiding his feelings after six years of trials, but he couldn't fool me.
Should I press him on it?
The thought crossed my mind, but Paeng So-hyeop didn't seem likely to open up easily.
He might even dodge me—or worse, decide I'd misjudged him and leave in disappointment.
That would put Jegal Yu-a So-jeo, who'd spoken well of me, in an awkward spot...
Well, I could look into it later.
"Your devotion to your clan runs deep. But if you couldn't find him after searching so long, I'm not sure I can."
"I'm not asking you to find him at all costs."
He smiled and continued.
"Just keep an eye out while you're traveling. If you spot my uncle anywhere, let me know."
"That much is easy enough. Consider it done."
"Truth be told, I'd love to keep searching myself, but winning the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly has drawn too much attention my way... I'll be busy for a while."
In other words, with all eyes on him, he was handing the task to me.
I'd gotten my share of hero worship too, but far less than him.
"Plus, I have clan matters to attend to upon my return."
"So you're heading back to Hubei now?"
"That's the plan."
After a moment's thought, I said to him,
"Conveniently, I have business in Beijing soon myself. Why don't we travel together?"
I added,
"If I let you go alone to Beijing, what would the Paeng Clan think?"
Paeng So-hyeop nodded at my words.
"Understood. I can't let the man who accepted my commission take the blame."
"And tell me about your uncle's appearance."
"Right! I almost forgot the most important part."
He pulled a white silk cloth from his bosom and unfurled it.
It bore a portrait along with a detailed physical description.
The moment I saw it, I realized this uncle was extremely important to Paeng So-hyeop.
Most portraits were drawn on paper, but he'd used silk.
Silk was pricier, but durable and sturdy—ideal for vital records.
And this was high-quality silk at that.
No wonder he'd searched for six years.
But I said nothing, just studied the face on the silk.
Quite handsome.
Height around seven feet.
Tall, but considering the Hubei Paeng Clan's tradition of burly builds, it wasn't exceptionally so.
Paeng So-hyeop before me was about six-and-a-half feet, but from memory, he'd reach seven feet once fully grown.
Meaning he was still growing.
The Paeng Clan trait was growing until thirty—even past typical adulthood. At that age, he'd be fully grown, yet still sprouting taller!
Maybe some special elixir, or their martial arts— who knows.
He added an explanation.
"He was skilled in formations too, but I hear his Hwonwon Byeokryeokdo was top-notch."
...You hear?
"You've never met him in person?"
"No. He left before I turned three."
"Then this portrait?"
"An old retainer who'd served our clan for years drew it for me."
"When?"
"Around when I was sixteen—I threw a fit until he did."
Meaning there could be inaccuracies in the portrait.
I asked a few more details.
"Got it. So, what fee did you have in mind for this commission?"
He scratched under his ear at my question.
"Well... isn't it up to the one accepting to name a price first?"
"How could I judge its value?"
"As expected of a merchant."
I didn't deny it.
"Yes. Before hero, I'm a merchant."
"..."
A silence fell, and Paeng So-hyeop spoke first.
"In the future, if I become clan lord, I'll grant you one request—as long as it doesn't threaten the clan's survival."
That's quite the offer.
It showed how vital this uncle was to him.
"But how can you be so sure you'll become clan lord?"
"I will, no doubt. But if I don't... I'll give you my most valuable possession."
His most valuable possession?
"Byeokrye Pill. That'll be yours."
The Byeokrye Pill was a treasured elixir even in the Hubei Paeng Clan, reserved for their finest post-peak talents across generations.
But I shook my head.
"I'll pass."
"Pardon?"
"You said your most valuable thing, didn't you? It might be to you, but not to me. And I might find your uncle before you become clan lord."
"Then what...?"
"Paeng So-hyeop."
"Yes?"
"Isn't you your most valuable asset? So if I find your uncle before you take the clan lord seat, serve me for three years."
He looked flustered at my proposal.
Understandably so—I'd just asked him to be mine for three years.
"That's... unexpected. I've never heard anyone say I'm my most valuable thing before."
He scratched the back of his neck, then nodded.
"Very well. Deal."
"Shall we draw up a contract, then?"
And so Paeng So-hyeop and I formalized the agreement.
Once done, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to me.
"A fine deal. Then I'll be off..."
"Where to?"
"Pardon?"
"We've covered your personal commission. Now it's time to discuss support for you, isn't it?"
.
.
.
After finishing with Paeng So-hyeop, I went straight to my father.
I needed to report on the support for him and our joint return trip.
"You're committing twenty gold taels annually to Paeng So-hyeop?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Not a bad deal. But why'd he come in person, anyway?"
"He didn't want support dictated by his clan's tastes."
I silently apologized to my father in my mind.
Sorry, Father. I promised to keep the real reason secret.
Fortunately, he accepted the explanation.
"More enterprising and elixir-worthy than expected. Who knew the Hubei Paeng Clan had such talent."
People often called the Hubei Paeng Clan "strong but dumb brutes."
It stemmed from a lack of sharp-minded heirs. But seeing Paeng So-hyeop, it seemed they just didn't need brains.
Protected by the clan, their innate divine strength solved most problems.
"And we're returning to Hubei together."
"Good call. Sending him alone would invite criticism."
Father smiled warmly.
"Which means you're heading to Beijing soon."
"Yes."
"What about the two warriors training with the Silver Wind Unit?"
"I'll pick them up next time. I'll ask the outer steward to watch them meantime."
After reporting to Father, I returned to my pavilion.
Construction was underway next to it—for housing my growing bodyguard unit.
I was building spacious from the start, anticipating more guards.
In my previous life, constant expansions had been a hassle.
The building itself came from merchant group funds, though daily expenses were on me.
"Welcome back, young master."
Palgap was beaming.
I'd raised his monthly pay today. And ended up slipping Gold Spirit a silver tael too.
She'd been a bit sulky.
Sigh. I'm such a softie.