To Hubei Province (2)
I brought the two warriors—Myeongjong and Cheongun—to my pavilion. Palgap set down tea before us in the reception room.
"So you've been putting up with that kind of ridicule all this time?"
At my words, the two warriors bowed their heads.
"We're sorry. It's our failing that made you hear such things, Young Branch Leader."
"It's because we fell short."
"Don't say that. It's their failing. And from what I saw earlier, it looks like you have some solid comrades."
"Ah... yes."
"That's right."
"Keep getting along with them from now on. They're comrades who'll be your strength."
"We will."
I looked at the two warriors. Resolve burned firmly in their eyes.
Back when they'd first come to the Eunhae Merchant Group's head branch with me, any lingering pride from their prestigious orthodox sect backgrounds or arrogance from being first-rate warriors had vanished.
They're growing in a good direction. It made me feel oddly proud.
I can see them sticking with me for the long haul.
"And if those gang types show up again, don't hold back."
"Pardon?"
"But if we don't hold back..."
"Ah..."
I could tell what they meant.
"It's fine. You two won't get expelled. Your affiliation isn't with the Silver Wind Squad—it's my personal guard detail. Who'd dare complain when I, your lord, say I won't release you?"
I chuckled.
"Just... not in public where it'd cause headaches. Lure them somewhere quiet and handle it discreetly. Haha."
"Hahaha."
They laughed awkwardly, probably thinking I was joking.
I'm not, though...
Anyway, time for the main point.
"The reason I called you two is because I have to head to Beijing."
"When will you return, then?"
"It won't take long. Just keep training hard in the meantime."
"Understood."
"If anything happens while I'm gone, tell the servants or maids here, or my brothers. Or go to the External Supervisor. They'll either send me a letter or handle it themselves."
"We'll keep that in mind."
"I look forward to your growth."
After giving those instructions to the Myeongjong and Cheongun warriors and sending them off, I headed to the External Supervisor.
Something had been nagging at me about the gang that insulted Myeongjong and Cheongun at the dining hall earlier.
"Come in."
"I have something to discuss briefly."
The External Supervisor offered me a seat.
"Make yourself comfortable."
I sat and got to the point.
"I'm heading back to Beijing this time."
"I heard. With Young Master Pang?"
"Yes, that's the plan. So, please take good care of Myeongjong and Cheongun warriors."
"Don't worry. I'll make them into fine guards."
"Thank you. Actually, I came separately because of an unpleasant incident today."
"Unpleasant incident?"
I explained the dining hall events in detail. It might look like tattling, but I wanted to alert the External Supervisor.
"What? That happened?"
As expected, he seemed completely unaware, genuinely shocked.
After all this time, he should have known...
It meant there was a problem with the reporting chain to him.
"External Supervisor. You truly didn't know?"
"..."
"You should probably keep a closer eye on the training instructors. This could shake the discipline of our entire merchant group if it escalates."
"If you hadn't tipped me off, I'd have made a grave mistake. Thank you for telling me."
The External Supervisor expressed his gratitude with a stern face.
He hated paperwork and was passionate about martial arts, but Father wouldn't have appointed him without reason.
This much should be enough—he'd handle the rest.
.
.
.
Today was the day we departed for Beijing.
Packing didn't take long.
But since I was traveling with Young Master Pang, I needed extra preparations for him.
Late in the eleventh month.
Winter was creeping in.
Young Master Pang said he'd ride horseback. I couldn't take a carriage if my guest was on horse.
So I decided to ride as well.
The carriage would carry our luggage.
"Then we'll be off."
"Take care."
"Yes."
After my greeting, Young Master Pang also paid respects to Father.
"Thank you for your generous hospitality. Please take care."
"Safe travels."
We set off for the Hubei Pang Clan.
The Hubei Pang Clan was based in Beijing, a day's ride from the imperial palace—and thus many had ties to the military.
But the current Emperor favored the Hwangbo Clan, so they were somewhat sidelined now.
The old man from the sundries shop was from the Hwangbo Clan, too.
Clop, clop.
Only the steady rhythm of hooves filled the air.
No need to rush, so we weren't galloping.
I glanced at Young Master Pang.
Silently guiding his horse, mouth shut—that seemed his true self.
His middle-aged attendant acted like it was the most natural thing.
And even on the move, Young Master Pang stayed vigilant, constantly scanning surroundings. His attendant did the same.
They've been through a lot.
And that attendant's at first-rate realm...
There must be a story there.
Could he be the one who sketched the portrait of the missing uncle we talked about before?
I wasn't one for idle chatter, but this silence was stifling.
"Young Master Pang."
"Yes."
"You're quite skilled at riding. Who taught you?"
"Ah, our clan has a specialist who teaches horsemanship. I learned from him."
"As expected of a prestigious clan—having a dedicated riding instructor."
"Come to think of it, you ride well yourself, Young Branch Leader."
"Ah, I..."
When did I learn to ride, anyway?
I smiled and brushed it off.
"Learned when I was young."
Palgap nodded and added.
"The External Supervisor said back then that you were a natural at it."
Ah, now I remembered.
When I turned thirteen, the External Supervisor taught me.
But on a pony?
Ah...
In my previous life, I only properly learned after recovering from illness.
Meaning, in this life, I hadn't trained seriously.
"You must handle big horses well because you mastered ponies first."
Young Master Pang agreed at Palgap's words.
"Exactly. Pony or warhorse, the basics are the same."
Good, it passed.
As we chatted idly, night fell.
"We can stay at the March Inn as planned."
I nodded at Seo-u Warrior's words.
"Yes."
"Got it."
The March Inn was a favorite of our Eunhae Merchant Group—perfectly timed to arrive by evening from the head branch.
I recalled it was named that because they started business in the third month.
"How about rooms? Separate for you and your attendant, Young Master Pang? Or shared?"
"We'll share one."
Seo-u Warrior and Palgap arranged rooms and meals with the innkeeper, and we headed to ours.
After washing up and coming down, Young Master Pang's group was already at the first floor.
"You're down already."
"I wash quickly."
"I see."
We ordered food, and soon the waiter brought it.
"Enjoy your meal."
"Thank you."
As I picked up my chopsticks, I noticed something odd.
Young Master Pang poking through his food, just like Yeo Eung-am Warrior.
Yeo Eung-am had that habit from childhood trauma, but...
And his chopsticks—silver ones, not the inn's?
Noticing my gaze, he flinched and scratched his neck.
"Sorry. I can't digest without checking..."
"You've had it rough roaming the jianghu."
"Ah..."
He gave a wry smile.
"Quite eventful."
His attendant sighed beside him.
"What's there to say? It'd fill over a hundred books."
Young Master Pang grinned.
"Plenty of near-death escapes. First that comes to mind: the Bloodsucking Old Freak."
"I heard he died a few years back."
"Not publicized, but our young master slew him."
The Bloodsucking Old Freak lived up to his name—sucking blood from young men in his youth obsession.
In my memory, corpses turned up in this life too, like before.
And the hero who killed him was Young Master Pang?
"Really?"
Young Master Pang nodded at Yeo Eung-am Warrior's question.
"That time..."
His tale unfolded like a storyteller's yarn.
In short: He'd tracked him suspecting his uncle, realized it wasn't, then slew him to escape.
Not top-tier martial arts, but ghostly speed made him a nightmare.
So he disguised as a woman, baited him with candy from his pack around his neck, then ripped off both arms barehanded.
Worth of Pang blood—born with monstrous strength.
Or rather, brilliant improvisation.
"Why not publicize it?"
"At the time... I didn't want my movements known."
In my past life, some fool got hero treatment for claiming the kill...
Good I heard the truth now.
We finished eating, retired to our rooms, and slept.
.
.
.
I woke to an unpleasant sensation.
How am I supposed to sleep with this killing intent pouring out?
Grumbling inwardly, I rose from bed.
I sensed Seo-u Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior next door.
Of course—with killing intent this thick, they'd notice.
I sent them sound transmission.
"Who are they targeting?"
Their replies came swiftly.
"Young Master Pang."
"Young Master Pang."
My guess was right.
I transmitted again.
"Let's go."
Doors creaked open simultaneously, and I stepped out too.
"...!"
Two masked men spotted us and froze in shock, then charged to silence us.
Thwack-!
Thud-!
But we weren't easy prey. We subdued and knocked them out in seconds.
Removed their suicide poison pills, then dragged them to my room.
Palgap was awake by then, ropes ready.
That's my Palgap.
We bound them, and Seo-u Warrior slapped them awake.
Slap-!
"Gasp!"
Smack-!
"Hurk!"
They blinked, then frantically checked their tongues.
"Looking for this?"
Pointing to the poison pill on the table, their eyes filled with despair.
"You've got some guts. Targeting me in Hubei Province."
They glanced at each other, then shouted at me.
"We don't know how you knew, but yes!"
"Once we're on you, you're as good as dead!"
Hey, uncles.
I can see right through your bluffing.
Trying to hide their real target was Young Master Pang, huh.
Do they even know who I am?
If they did, they wouldn't brag about targeting my life so boldly.
A fun idea struck me.
"Is that so? Heh heh heh. Quite the bold choice—making an enemy of His Majesty's man."
Their pupils shook violently.
They never expected "His Majesty's man" from my mouth.
"Whether you know or not, assaulting an inspecting censor counts as treason against His Majesty. Lucky for you, a Gold Guard hero I know is nearby."
"Gasp! W-We!"
"We'll confess everything!"
I smiled, pressing a finger to my lips.
"Shh. That's enough."
"..."
"Save the details for after the Gold Guard hero's 130 tortures grind you down. Where's the fun in spilling now?"
Whether awed or terrified, they trembled and begged.
"P-Please, let us confess!"
"We'll tell all! Just kill us cleanly!"
"Now I'm curious. What's the truth?"
"W-We... came for Young Master Pang Gang-un's life."
"Who hired you?"
"That..."
One squeezed his eyes shut and answered.
"The young lord of the Hubei Pang Clan."