Small Branch Leader Proclamation Ceremony (3)
It was truly regrettable.
The death of a promising warrior,
the fact that his brother would live the rest of his life in regret and self-blame because of it,
and the failure to capture either the assassin or the one who hired her.
In truth, all my actions had been to prevent this.
I had done everything in my power to prepare.
I could avert the worst-case scenario.
Still, it seemed best to give him a heads-up separately.
"Brother, about tomorrow."
"Yeah. Why the sudden serious face?"
"I have a bad feeling. It might just be my imagination, but I'd appreciate it if you listened to me just for tomorrow. Pay close attention to what Jeon Woo-jin says tomorrow. No stubbornness."
"Huh? Jeon Woo-jin's words?"
Brother tilted his head and glanced at Jeon Woo-jin.
Of course, Jeon Woo-jin looked utterly clueless.
"Got it."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
Jeon Woo-jin, who had been standing behind us, cupped his fists in a salute and spoke up during our exchange.
"Don't worry, young master. I'll protect the eldest young master with my life if need be."
That's exactly why I'm doing this.
But I couldn't say that outright, so I returned the salute.
"Please take good care of my brother."
I'll make sure you keep that life of yours.
It was morning.
I rose from bed, circulated my energy for morning cultivation, and changed clothes.
Today was Jeong Ho's small branch leader proclamation ceremony.
Still, Master wouldn't skip training for it.
As I stepped into the courtyard, Master Jin Yeong Daehyeop entered right on time.
A few hours later, I collapsed in the courtyard.
Today's training had pushed me to the brink of exhaustion, as always.
"Today's training is concluded."
"Well done, Master."
Master returned my bow, then grew serious and spoke.
"Today, you must be cautious."
"Pardon?"
"The killing intent is thick."
Master's words left me momentarily stunned.
If I had no prior knowledge of today's events, I might have brushed it off.
But knowing what was to come made it impossible to take lightly.
"What do you mean, Master?"
"Earlier, I sensed dense killing intent within the merchant group grounds."
"How could you tell?"
"It's an ability of the Taiyin Ice Sea Divine Art I taught you. You'll understand when your realm advances."
Even with that explanation, it didn't click for me.
In my previous life, I'd reached the level of a first-rate warrior, and now I was at a comparable stage.
Yet I sensed nothing of the killing intent Master described.
One question arose here.
In my previous life, the Changin Escort Bureau—key trading partners—had also been invited to the banquet.
So why hadn't Master sensed it then and stopped it?
"There's a high chance an uninvited guest will appear."
"I'll tell Father to tighten security."
"Good idea. Unfortunately, I can't attend the banquet myself. I must lead an escort to Zhejiang Province starting tomorrow—I'll be gone about a month."
Only then did I understand why Master hadn't intervened back then.
He had been away on business.
"In any case, practice the first form of my sword arts I taught you today: Falling Snow."
"Understood. But is it alright for me to train swordsmanship alone?"
"You've already passed the dangerous early stages of solo practice."
"I... see."
I nodded and subtly turned my head away.
It felt like I'd been caught trying to cheat.
Wait a moment.
Master had detected the thick killing intent at a glance. Then surely he knew about the assassin too?
I had prepared for contingencies but couldn't eliminate the threat at its source.
Because I didn't know who the assassin was.
According to Jeong Ho's account, the culprit had worn women's palace robes with a veil covering her face completely.
That meant the assassin could be a woman—or a man in disguise.
"Master, do you know who's targeting our merchant group?"
"No idea. I only sensed it for an instant before it vanished. If they'd been closer, I might have identified them. Pity."
Master continued,
"This isn't the work of an ordinary foe. Stay vigilant at all times."
The banquet had begun.
Musicians and dancers, hired from morning, filled the air with melody and grace as guests lined up at the Eunhae Merchant Group gates began entering the venue.
Over two hundred tables prepared for this occasion.
The extravagant scale was deliberate—to signal a bright future for the new small branch leader with as many attendees as possible.
Thinking of the costs made me recall Yu Chonggwan clutching his head in silent agony.
It was understandable.
The expenses were staggering.
To me, it was money well spent, but Yu was the chief steward and head of finance.
Every expenditure must have torn at his heart before approval.
That's probably why the Eunhae Merchant Group ran so steadily.
Jin Ho and I were tasked with greeting guests our age—
the children of VIPs, seated separately in the garden pavilion.
"Welcome, young master."
"It's been a while—you look different. Taller, and more built."
"Must be the sword training. Please, come in and enjoy."
"Will do."
As I greeted arriving guests, I felt a gaze from somewhere and turned.
But the spot was filled with young ladies who now averted their eyes, pretending otherwise.
They'd definitely been talking about me.
Jin Ho sighed beside me.
"Soon the matchmakers will wear out our doorstep."
"What? I'm only fifteen—why matchmakers already?"
"Fifteen's old enough for marriage."
"Sure, but... why bring it up now?"
"Do you even look in the mirror?"
"Well..."
I trailed off awkwardly.
Come to think of it, I hadn't checked a mirror lately.
Palgap handled my grooming, so no need.
And I wasn't one for vain self-admiration.
Then another young master approached with a lady.
Jin Ho and I quickly bowed in greeting.
"Welcome, Han Baek-geon, Lady Han Baek-a."
"Thank you for inviting us on this joyous day."
"We're honored you accepted and came in person. On behalf of my brother, thank you."
"Haha, of course we'd come. Right, Baek-a?"
"Yes, brother."
Han Baek-geon was two years my senior, same age as Jin Ho. Han Baek-a was a year younger than me.
They were the children of the Hong Nang Merchant Group leader, whom I held in high regard.
A merchant group that understood decorum well—and like us, one of the world's top hundred.
Han Baek-geon would inherit it.
They'd competed honorably with Eunhae and later rose to one of the top ten merchant groups.
Good rivals.
But more fearsome than Han Baek-geon was the demure Lady Han Baek-a behind him.
The brains of Hong Nang, called the Red Pouch Needle for her sharp strategies.
Her incisive moves had surprised even me at times.
I smiled and said,
"Please, have a seat. We've prepared plenty of food."
Lady Han Baek-a's cheeks flushed slightly under my gaze.
"...?"
Then some ladies called her over, and she went to join them.
"Young master."
Han Baek-geon called to me.
"Yes."
"Just in case—don't even think about touching my sister."
"...Pardon?"
He headed to the other young masters' seats.
I stood there dumbfounded, and Jin Ho chuckled, slapping my shoulder wordlessly.
"..."
What just happened?
After greeting guests at the pavilion for a while, it was suddenly Si hour (9-11 a.m.).
Dung-dung-dung!
The drums sounded, and the music from all directions cut off sharply.
All eyes turned to the platform before the grandest building—the symbol of the merchant group and Father's office—the Silver Dragon Hall.
Father, in splendid robes, boomed,
"I am Eun Gil-sang, leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group. Thank you all for attending my eldest son's small branch leader proclamation today. I offer my deepest gratitude."
Father bowed to the guests.
"Now, allow me to introduce my eldest son, Eun Jeong-ho."
Jeong Ho ascended the platform at Father's words, saluted, and said,
"I am Eun Jeong-ho, eldest son of the Eunhae Merchant Group leader. My thanks to all who have gathered here."
Father beamed with satisfaction at Jeong Ho, then proclaimed to everyone,
"Today, I, Eun Gil-sang, leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group, hereby declare that my eldest son, Eun Jeong-ho, is officially a small branch leader."
Deputy Yu Dae-ik presented a silver identity plaque from a tray, which Brother accepted and hung at his waist.
I smiled watching him share his beaming joy as the new small branch leader.
This time, I hoped that smile would endure.
As time passed, the banquet grew lively.
Eun Jeong-ho was busy thanking attendees.
Usually, a simple "Thank you" sufficed for congratulations, but not always.
For lavish gifts or hefty congratulatory sums, etiquette demanded a private reception room.
Eun Jeong-ho pressed his brow with his fingers.
Jeon Woo-jin, his guard, looked concerned.
"You seem tired."
Jeong-ho's page sighed and grumbled softly,
"Can't be helped. He's already met twelve privately. And why drag out their words? 'Congratulations on becoming small branch leader. Let's work well together. Be friends.' Just say it straight—instead, they circle around forever..."
"Don't be too harsh. It must be hard for them to speak up."
"Our young master Jeong-ho is just too kind for his own good. Right, Jeon warrior?"
Jeon Woo-jin nodded at the page's question.
"I agree."
"I'd love to turn them down bluntly, but that's not my style."
Eun Jeong-ho chuckled ruefully and added,
"Lucky for me, I have people around to guide this personality of mine."
Suddenly, the page grinned mischievously.
"Speaking of, she came today."
"Who?"
"You know—the daughter of the Jin family martial instructor."
"Ugh!"
Jeong-ho flushed, and the page laughed.
"She should see our young master like this."
"Ahem."
Then a maid from the reception rooms approached.
"Young master, a guest awaits you in the Orchid Room."
"Oh? Better go, then."
Eun Jeong-ho headed to the Orchid Room.
Just before the door, Jeon Woo-jin halted.
And called out,
"Young master."
"Yes? What is it?"
"Best not to meet the person inside. Can't explain why, but it feels off. Nine times out of ten, trouble follows."
"But they've waited to see me—sending them away would be rude."
"Still, stay cautious."
"It's fine. This is our merchant group's banquet, and you're here—what could go wrong?"
As Eun Jeong-ho reached for the door, he recalled his brother Eun Seo-ho's words from last night.
Listen closely to Jeon Woo-jin because of a bad feeling.
And he'd promised he would.