Single-Minded Devotion (1)
"By the way, I seem to remember saying I'd buy alcohol and tobacco for my friends at the academy... Do I not need to get any after all?"
Before arriving at Jeongin Academy, when I asked that, Seok Chu-gil flinched.
"H-how did you know?"
I'd heard it all, of course. But instead of answering, I just smiled faintly.
Seok Chu-gil let out a small sigh.
"It's just as Instructor said. But from now on, I have no intention of living dissolutely."
His eyes burned with firm resolve.
The problem was that those eyes were fixed on me, but at least he was on the path to righteousness now. That was a relief.
"Still, it'll be tough maintaining white amid a sea of black."
"You're right. But it's about time those guys started getting their acts together too."
He continued.
"If demerit points exceed five hundred, even third-years can't graduate and have to stay for another three years."
Ah...
Come to think of it, Jeongin Academy had a demerit point system.
Exceed five hundred points, and you couldn't graduate—you'd roll over into a fourth year.
"Our academy offers more benefits the higher your year. But from fourth year on, those perks start dwindling."
"Sounds rough."
"That's why quite a few make it to six years, but almost none go beyond."
Indeed, to make them realize the value of what they have, you had to take it away.
It was cruel, but an effective way to drive the lesson home.
Thus, fourth-years, having lost their former privileges, regretted their past lives and buckled down for graduation.
"So I'll gather those friends coming to their senses, one by one. An individual is weak, but a group is strong."
A wise and solid plan.
Especially among those living communally, the power of the collective was greater than one might think.
Now I could finally see glimpses of the Vice Captain Seok I knew.
Just then, Seo-u Warrior's voice came from outside.
"My lord, we're almost at Jeongin Academy."
"Got it."
.
.
.
About an hour later.
We arrived at Jeongin Academy. Instead of entering right away, I sent Jin Yu Warrior to fetch the old man from the sundries shop.
Soon, the old man appeared at the academy's main gate.
"What’s this about summoning me like... Gasp!"
The old man stared at me in shock.
"What the hell are all those?"
"Rice."
"N-no, I mean, why rice? And so much of it."
"I'll explain later. Anyway, we made it back safe."
"Good."
"Please show us to a warehouse for storing this rice. We'll unload it."
The old man nodded at my words.
"This way."
Following him to the grain warehouse... was I seeing things?
The shelves were bare.
The finances were in worse shape than I'd imagined. At least with a hundred seok of rice incoming, they could breathe easier.
After sorting the rice, I gave confirmation receipts to the transport guild folks and sent them off.
With business wrapped up, I headed to the director's office, where the sundries shop old man was waiting.
"I'm coming in."
"Enter."
I opened the door and stepped inside, sitting at the low table as I spoke.
"No tea?"
"Was just about to pour some."
The old man chuckled and personally brewed the tea.
"So, what’s the deal with all that rice? A hundred seok, no less..."
"A donation from the head of the Sanghyeon Seok Clan in Hubei Province."
I explained the whole story to him.
"Makes sense—they're sticklers for discipline, to the point of exhaustion sometimes. I knew you never come empty-handed wherever you go, but I didn't expect this."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Heh, sure."
"By the way, when's the director coming back? Isn't it about time?"
The promised fortnight was nearly up.
The sundries shop old man nodded at my question.
"Just got word via messenger bird. He's wrapping up clan business and heading back. Should arrive in a day or two."
"I see."
So my stint as temporary instructor had a day or two left?
.
.
.
Two days passed since my return to Jeongin Academy.
Worried about Seok Chu-gil, I'd kept an eye on him, but he was doing far better than expected.
In just two days, he'd rallied those trying to escape their dissolute ways and formed a new faction.
I'd need to look into the cadets in that group.
If they reformed this quickly, our merchant group could use them.
After breakfast, as I headed to my dorm, Wi Instructor approached.
"Instructor Eun."
"Yes?"
"The director wants to see you."
Not the proxy, but the director himself. So he'd returned.
I went to the director's office and called out from outside.
"Director, I heard you summoned me."
"Come in."
I entered. The worry I'd seen in the director's eyes before was gone.
He'd left for clan matters, and it seemed they'd resolved well.
My advice must have helped. Good.
"Good to see you, Director."
"Sit comfortably."
"Yes."
Sitting at the low table, I tilted my head.
"Where's the old man?"
"He left the academy earlier."
"Already?"
"You didn't know? I thought you did..."
"No clue."
Too much. At least say goodbye.
I was doing this instructor gig for him, after all.
As I grumbled inwardly, the director smiled.
"Forgive him. He's like the wind—can't hold him. Even His Majesty couldn't. Who could?"
"..."
"Said he had business elsewhere and stopped by briefly."
"I see."
"Anyway, your temporary instructor term ends today. You did great."
"No, it was meaningful thanks to you."
"And I heard about the donation from Sanghyeon Seok Clan."
"Yes. Did the old man fill you in?"
"Roughly. Thanks to you, he said."
"..."
"I'm grateful."
The director smiled, placing a pouch on the side table.
"Take it. Pay for your fortnight of hard work."
"No need—I didn't do it for reward."
"I know. But take it anyway. As a merchant, you get it: nothing uglier than free labor."
Couldn't refuse after that. I'd earned it fair and square.
"Thank you."
I tucked it into my sleeve.
- Kkwiit?
Gold Spirit noticed it was a money pouch and chirped.
- Don't even think about it. Not yours.
- Kkwi...
"Heard the cadets call you Heukbaek Musang?"
"..."
As I looked sheepish, the director laughed.
"Thanks to you, many straightened out. I see changes among the second-years too, centered on Seok Chu-gil."
As expected of the director.
Back today, and he'd already grasped the situation.
"Credit to the academy's system."
"Glad you say so."
"May I go now?"
He nodded readily.
"Of course."
As I rose, a prior idea resurfaced.
"Ah, Director. Remember what I said about compensation for sponsorship?"
"Of course."
"So, we'd like to send an instructor from our group to teach merchant work. All right?"
"As long as no meddling in operations."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
I continued.
"Having done the instructor role myself, I see why you said that."
"Appreciate it."
"I'll send documents soon."
"Fine."
"Until next time."
I bowed politely and left the office.
Finally heading home.
I told Palgap.
"Palgap, pack up. We're going home."
"Yes, sir!"
He packed swiftly—faster than expected.
"Huh? That was quick."
"Figured the director'd be back soon, so I prepped ahead."
"Smart."
We left the dorm.
Wi Instructor approached with a regretful look.
"Leaving?"
"Yeah. It was just a fortnight deal."
He clasped hands in salute, bowing.
"Thank you for your service. And... back at your vice captain announcement... I was rude."
"Forgotten."
I smiled and added.
"Take care. See you soon."
A few might want formal goodbyes, but slipping away quietly felt better.
Thus, we left Jeongin Academy in silence.
* * *
Jeongin Academy's Director Young Se-yun gazed at the main gate through the window.
Eun Seo-ho's group was just passing through.
Before heading to his clan, he recalled his friend's words.
"When you go to the clan this time... guard the heirloom well."
"Huh? What's that out of nowhere? Guard the heirloom? Heard something?"
"Not sure myself. Just what that guy said."
"That guy... Eun Seo-ho Vice Captain?"
His friend nodded.
"He doesn't speak idly. If he said it, there's reason. Don't take it lightly."
"If you say so, how could I?"
Upon arriving at the clan, Young Se-yun attended the meeting right away.
The issue was installing a new young clan head.
The prior one lacked qualifications, per the elders' consensus.
Amid it all, Young Se-yun stayed vigilant about the heirloom.
Thus, he uncovered the ousted young head's plot to steal it in revenge.
The Gangju Young Clan's heirloom was a sword.
One of the divine weapons that repelled an evil sword, but more importantly, it symbolized the clan.
The thought of it misused was chilling.
Vice Captain Eun saved our clan.
He could have grilled Eun Seo-ho on how he knew, but he didn't want to treat his clan's benefactor that way.
Farewell. And let's meet again soon.
* * *
"Home at last."
Palgap asked at my words.
"That happy?"
"Of course. You wouldn't be glad to be home?"
"I am too, sir."
After my birthday trip to Beijing with Paeng Gang-un Vice Captain, over a month on the road.
Already the first month.
Good to reach Hubei before then—Beijing's first month was brutally cold.
I headed to the Eunhae Merchant Group's sub-branch.
No prior notice, so no welcome party.
No matter. Just being home was enough.
"Gasp! Vice Captain!"
"Yeah. Long time. All quiet?"
"Peaceful."
We handed the horses to the sub-branch servants and went to my pavilion, Mungok Pavilion.
After a thorough wash and fresh robes, I went to Father.
"Welcome back."
He was in his office.
"Your son returns safe."
"Good work."
Father smiled warmly.
"First, met Poet Song Lok. Yu Inner Manager saw his true worth."
As I'd predicted.
"Heard about Chui Il-gong from him too. Shameless scoundrel."
"Yes. Handled him properly this time."
"Well done. Yu's fully regained confidence, thanks to you."
"Just didn't like the guy."
Father laughed heartily.
"Knew you'd say that. Oh, Song Lok's family is quartered at the guest house for now."
"Got it."
"Anyway, what of young hero Paeng?"
I explained the full story.
"Paeng's young clan head now! Glad no incidents along the way."
We discussed various matters.
Father handled what he could; the rest went to the Eunwol Society.
"By the way, we ranked thirty-fifth in the year-end list."
Up from fortieth.
"Great news."
One step closer to top merchant group.
After withdrawing from Father, I paid respects to Grandfather and Mother.
En route to Jeong Ho, I spotted Poet Song Lok.
"Hey, Son—"
But he was with someone, so I stopped.
Who?
Yu Inner Manager.
Bonded over poetry, it seemed. But... I felt eyes on them.
Turning, there was Assistant Manager Jo Young-young.
Still harboring feelings for Yu Inner Manager, huh.
Though he's no spring chicken—why no marriage?
Some reason?