Single-Minded Devotion (2)
I was curious about his circumstances, but that was his private life.
So I tried to just let it go... but then I saw the look in Deputy Jo Young-young's eyes as she gazed at Inner Guard Captain Yu.
Sigh.
Come to think of it, he'd once told me that Father had saved him from a dire situation, which was why he now served under him.
They'd known each other that long—maybe Father knew the reason?
He was probably busy right now, though. I'd have to ask later.
"Let's go see Jeong Ho hyung."
I headed to Jeong Ho hyung's office.
He was currently in charge of silk and fabrics, among other things.
That division was one of the busiest in the entire Eunhae Merchant Group.
Especially now, with the harsh winter cold driving demand for beast hides sky-high, it had gotten even busier.
When I arrived at his office, people waiting for approvals were lined up: one, two, three...
A lot.
I turned on my heel without hesitation.
I could have pushed past them and gone in, sure.
But that would delay their work, make things harder for them, and hurt the merchant group overall.
Couldn't do that.
Changing plans, I headed to the training grounds instead.
Jin Ho hyung would be there anyway.
I arrived soon enough.
But...
Familiar faces were drenched in sweat, running laps around the grounds.
The warriors who'd slacked off in Beijing and gotten punished by me?
They had crude iron weights strapped to their arms and legs.
I'd definitely ended their punishment when we left Beijing for the main branch.
So why were they still at it?
And it wasn't just them—other warriors were running too, with similar weights.
"The merchant group is advancing—we Silver Wind Corps can't fall behind!"
"Right!"
"Hear, hear!"
"Standing still means getting weeded out! Constant training is the only way to avoid that!"
I blinked at their chatter.
My words to those five deserters must have stuck with them.
And what I'd said wasn't just empty flattery. The Eunhae Merchant Group's real strength was the Silver Wind Corps, after all.
Honestly, I hadn't expected much from them, but seeing this stirred something odd in me.
"As expected of the young master."
Seo-u Warrior smiled warmly at the sight.
"You've inspired them to change, young master."
"Wasn't intentional."
"That's why it's so impressive."
"..."
It felt awkward, somehow.
But... Jin Ho hyung.
Why are you running laps with them? You're way beyond that level.
Someone approached me then.
"Third Young Division Leader, you've arrived."
"Ah! Greetings, Outer Guard Captain."
"When did you get to the main branch?"
"Just now."
The Outer Guard Captain glanced at the runners and turned to me.
"Truth be told, I gave them a choice: pack up and leave the Silver Wind Corps, or accept a half-pay cut for three years."
The punishment was harsher than I'd expected.
"They chose the latter."
"I see."
"They said they'd been foolish. That thanks to you, Third Young Division Leader, they'd realized how complacent they'd become as members of the Silver Wind Corps, guardians of the world's top merchant group."
"..."
"Since returning, they haven't missed a single day of that training. At first, everyone just shrugged it off. But then came the regular sparring matches a while back, and the results shocked us all."
The Silver Wind Corps held sparring every fortnight to gauge their levels.
"Now the whole corps is buzzing with tension."
I smiled faintly.
Now I understood the full picture.
"I was about to call a full assembly because the corps' discipline seemed to be slipping, but you've saved me the trouble."
"Haha, you're embarrassing me."
"Also, the training for Myeongjong Warrior and Cheongun Warrior just wrapped up."
"You worked hard."
"Nonsense. It was fun training passionate young folks after so long."
And regarding what you mentioned before, I looked into it and dealt with the one muddying the waters.
I nodded at the transmission.
A little later,
I waved as I approached Jin Ho hyung, who'd finished training.
"Hyung!"
"Huh? When'd you get here?"
"Earlier. Saw your face, so I'm off."
"A-already?"
He'd looked full of energy running laps earlier.
So I could head out worry-free.
"I'm busy. Gotta see Jeong Ho hyung, and your wife, Geon-hyeok, Bo-yeon..."
"Geon-hyeok and Bo-yeon are the real goal, huh?"
"...No way. Haha."
"Your answer was a beat late?"
Sharper than I thought.
After chatting with Jin Ho hyung, I headed back to Jeong Ho hyung's office.
Perfect—no one at the door. As I approached, the guard announced me.
"Third Young Division Leader is here."
"Come in!"
The door opened, and I stepped inside. The moment I saw Jeong Ho hyung's face...
"Hyung, how many days have you not slept?"
Dark circles under his eyes—he clearly hadn't slept properly in at least three days.
"Your wife must be worried."
"You think I want to pull all-nighters?"
He sighed and continued.
"This is all because of you."
"Me?"
"Yeah. You."
He nodded.
"The alcohol ban's coming soon, for sure. So before that, we need to scout brewmasters everywhere and pick who to recruit. Whose job is that?"
"Mine?"
"Yeah. Yours."
He sighed again.
"But you got back late because of work. So who had to cover?"
Ah...
My conscience suddenly pricked.
But I had my reasons.
"Sorry, but I couldn't help it. The old man at the sundries shop suddenly made me assistant instructor. Couldn't turn that down..."
"That's why I didn't drag you back. Otherwise, I'd have tied you up and hauled you here."
"Hahaha."
Jeong Ho hyung chuckled, opened a drawer, and tossed me a pouch.
Thud!
I caught it, tilting my head.
"Huh? What's this?"
"Your birthday gift. Figured you'd come here, so I kept it stashed."
"Can I open it?"
He nodded, so I did.
Inside was a belt ornament.
"Thought it'd suit you."
"Uh... thanks."
Gold fittings with rubies—worth a pretty penny.
"Done being touched?"
"Huh?"
"Then get to work. Go see my wife and kids."
.
.
.
Ah, exhausting.
After handing off tasks to Jeong Ho hyung, I headed straight to the Hyunpung Branch.
Worked all day, and only made it back to my annex for dinner.
"Welcome back, sir."
"Yeah."
Palgap greeted me.
I glanced next door. Earlier, I'd rushed off to greet Grandfather and my parents after washing up, so I hadn't noticed—but there was a sturdy new building there.
My guard team's barracks.
Right, they'd said it was finished.
Not a huge structure to begin with, and with the famine leaving laborers plentiful, it'd gone up fast.
As I'd arranged before, Myeongjong Warrior and Cheongun Warrior were staying there.
Long time no see—should eat together at least.
Sharing meals builds bonds quick.
"Palgap. Let's check out the new barracks."
A moment later,
I stood before the new building.
There weren't strict limits on personal guards for a division leader.
But forming one required the clan head's approval, and you footed the bill.
Most kept it to around ten.
I wanted more.
After dying like a dog to the Murim Alliance and Baekcheon Merchant Group in my past life, I'd learned:
To topple them, you needed lots of strong warriors.
So I'd built it big enough for over fifty.
A servant must have notified them, because Myeongjong Warrior and Cheongun Warrior emerged, bowing deeply.
"We greet the young master."
"We greet the young master."
"Been a while. Everyone doing well?"
Their eyes were sharper, more resolute than before.
Ah... Outer Guard Captain.
How hard did you drill them to make them look like battlefield veterans of ten years?
Either way, good for me.
"Here to tour the new place. Mind showing me around?"
They exchanged glances, and Hwasan Sect's Myeongjong Warrior stepped forward.
"Gladly."
The barracks had five floors, room for about sixteen per floor.
"First floor's the mess hall."
"Yeah. Modeled after an inn. Need a spot for everyone to gather."
"Where do you bathe?"
"Communal baths out back."
Rooms started on the second floor. Opening one revealed an empty space.
Made sense—no need for beds yet.
"Let us show you ours."
Second room from the stairs: two beds on each side, a small chest, and a low table in the middle.
Spotless. Not a speck of dust.
"Incredibly clean."
"Ah, we tidied up."
Myeongjong Warrior spoke, and Cheongun Warrior added,
"Cleaning's second nature since childhood. Sect duty was scrubbing every building..."
"Good habit."
Their faces lit up. My praise meant that much?
"Tour's good. Dinner together tonight—cool?"
"Of course."
A moment later,
A table was set on the first floor.
Thought about eating out, but we needed to discuss guard rotations—better here.
Can't blab security outside.
My annex maids handled dinner. Great cooks; solid dishes in no time.
Chili stir-fry, fried meat, even scorched rice.
Time for a bonus.
"Feels good eating together like this. Dig in."
"Thank you. We'll eat well."
Once we started, the six warriors and Palgap followed suit.
When we were nicely full,
I set down my chopsticks and got to the point.
"Changing guard shifts starting tomorrow. Was four people, four-hour rotations. Now with six, it's four hours on, eight off."
"From two shifts to three."
"Right. Draw lots for groups."
To Palgap: "Make some lots?"
"Yes, sir."
He did, and the six drew.
Seo-u and Myeongjong.
Jin Yu and Cheongun.
Yeo Eung-am and I-pil.
Those pairs.
"Oh, and redraw monthly. Over dinners like this."
"Got it."
"Which team first?"
Yeo Eung-am Warrior raised his hand.
"Us. Myeongjong and Cheongun need briefings anyway."
Classic Yeo Eung-am Warrior. Most experienced, always seeing the angle I missed.
.
.
.
Night fell.
I headed to Father's office. I'd sent Palgap ahead to request a quick meet after dinner.
But...
"The Clan Head says meet him in the rear garden."
Father's attendant relayed it, so off I went.
"You're here. Figured it was sensitive since you wanted to meet at night."
"..."
Father, as always.
I climbed to the pavilion; he offered a seat.
Tea was ready.
Sipped, and Father spoke first.
"So, what is it?"
"Might be rude, actually."
"Out with it."
"About Inner Guard Captain Yu."
"...?"
I pressed on.
"Why hasn't he married?"
Father sighed at my question.
There was definitely a reason.