This Won't Do (2)
I said it idly, lost in thought.
"Then let's pack the snow."
"Understood."
Snow piled up becomes no different from ice.
So we scooped it into several trays and layered them carefully inside a special box.
Then we sealed it tight again.
"Now let's head back."
"Yes."
We returned to the Beihai branch and immediately prepared to depart.
"Leaving already?"
At Branch Manager Su's question, I bowed my head sheepishly.
"I'm sorry to rush off like this. But this was an urgent commission from the start, and we've already fallen behind schedule more than expected."
He looked regretful as he replied.
"If you put it that way, I can't very well hold you back. At least let us pack plenty of provisions for you."
"Thank you."
I took only the lighter, smaller gifts I'd received, handing the rest to Branch Manager Su.
Being in Beihai, resources were scarce there. They'd put them to good use.
Once we left Beihai, the temperature would rise quickly, so I needed to chill the box in advance.
With that in mind, I placed my hand on the box to infuse it with energy—and jolted in surprise.
"Huh? W-what's this?"
The energy moved far too easily, exactly as I'd imagined.
In truth, directing energy precisely as you think is no easy feat.
When I'd first begun cultivating qi, it had taken a full hour just to guide it from my dantian through the twelve meridians.
Even after reaching the Peak Realm, it was much smoother, but I still had to focus meticulously.
Now... none of that.
I'd merely thought it, and my inner energy obeyed—like moving my own hand or foot.
No way?
I closed my eyes and examined my body inwardly.
"...!"
I quickly realized what had happened.
My dantian had grown larger than a few days ago, and my meridians had widened further.
Suddenly, the Heavenly Demon's parting words echoed in my mind.
"Judging by your achievement, this affair hasn't been an utter loss for you."
At that moment, he'd sensed I'd broken through the Peak Realm wall into the Super First-rate realm.
That's why he'd said it.
"What's wrong, young master?"
Seeing my stunned expression, the Seo-u Warrior asked with concern.
"Oh... I just had a realization."
"What kind?"
"I think my realm has advanced."
"Pardon? You just noticed now?"
He looked more shocked than I was. Sheepishly, I asked,
"So everyone else already knew?"
"Yes. We knew that day."
The six guards nodded in unison.
"......"
Embarrassed, I gazed off at the distant mountains.
The guards chuckled and congratulated me.
"Better late than never—congratulations."
"Our felicitations."
I scratched the back of my neck, accepting their thanks.
"Thank you."
"We'll have to step up our game too. Can't lag behind our lord if we're to protect him, right?"
The Seo-u Warrior's eyes burned fiercely as he spoke—it was somehow intimidating.
In any case, I infused the special box holding the snow with energy, chilling it thoroughly.
Then, amid farewells from the Beihai branch staff and the locals, we set off for Guiju.
Riding my horse, I reflected on my past life's events.
The Prefect of Guiju Castle's daughter had died a few months from now—around early autumn, when the weather cooled.
That meant we still had a little time.
Of course, no slacking off.
The Prefect had begged us to hurry, and the future I knew could always change.
Heading to Beijing, the seasonal shift was evident in people's clothing.
I'd overlooked it in Beihai, but it was summer now.
By the time we arrived in Beijing, the month had turned to the eighth—August.
I instructed the guards to watch the box, then headed to the Hyeonpung branch to handle backlog.
A proper bath and full belly felt great after so long, but having no time to rest was depressing.
We had to leave for Guiju again tomorrow morning.
And I couldn't neglect branch duties either.
As I worked through it all, Palgap came rushing in.
"Young master! Young master!"
"What? What's going on?"
"The Prefect has arrived."
"Huh?"
I tilted my head and asked again.
"You mean the Prefect of Guiju Castle?"
"Yes, that's right."
Why was a high official like the Prefect still in Beijing?
I hurried to the reception hall.
"Greetings, Prefect."
"Ah, it's been a while."
"Weren't you heading back to Guiju Castle?"
"Work dragged on longer than expected—finished just now. I checked on a hunch and heard you'd returned."
"Yes, arrived today."
"Did you bring the snow?"
"Yes, I did. Shall I show you?"
He nodded at my question.
"If possible, I'd appreciate it."
His eyes mixed hope, desperation, and skepticism.
He wanted me to have the snow but doubted it could be real.
I led him to the carriage house.
A special box sat on one of the wagons there.
"You've arrived?"
As I approached, the two guards watching it bowed to us.
"This is the Prefect."
At my introduction, they bowed to him as well.
"We've come to inspect the snow. Open the box."
"Understood."
The guards opened the outer box, then the inner lid.
They lifted out one tray.
"Here's the snow. The purest from Beihai. Feel free to touch."
He reached out tentatively.
His face lit up in shock.
"It's real... genuine snow!"
"Your daughter will love it."
"Of course she will—without a doubt!"
The Prefect beamed with excitement.
Then he tilted his head curiously.
"But how hasn't it melted in this heat? Truly wondrous."
I pointed to the tassel dangling from the inner box.
"Thanks to this artifact."
"Artifact?"
"Yes. It radiates chill around it. That's how the snow stays frozen even in summer."
A white lie, of course.
No need to advertise my realm.
Claiming it was the artifact prepared for contingencies.
The tassel was just a cheap market trinket. I'd picked a blue-gemmed one to sell the story.
This commission was a huge win for the Eunhae Merchant Group.
Word must have spread that the Guiju Prefect hired us.
Jealous rivals might try sabotage.
So, precautions.
Infused with my energy, I could track the tassel using imperial palace arts—especially the tracking technique.
A touch of my qi, and I could follow it anywhere. Sure, a thief might snag it instead of a saboteur.
No matter.
Either way, I'd outfox them.
"Impressive!"
The Prefect marveled at my explanation.
"If you've confirmed it, may we repack now?"
"Ah! It'll melt—put it back quick!"
"Yes."
I replaced the snow, secretly channeling cold qi, then sealed it tight.
"Can you depart tomorrow?"
"Of course."
"Then we'll head to Guiju Castle together in the morning."
"Thank you."
An unexpected boon.
Traveling with his entourage saved costs and hardship.
No bandit worries, no bureaucratic hassles.
Plus, after the battle with that freak—not Man-gyeong—and the long trek, my guards weren't at peak.
I welcomed the offer with open arms.
The next morning,
we readied ourselves and awaited the Prefect's group.
"Young master, the Prefect will arrive soon."
He'd sent a messenger ahead. I gave final instructions to the Hyeonpung staff, asked the Beijing branch's Silver Branch Manager to hold the fort, and headed to the carriage.
We loaded the box and left the Beijing branch.
"Good morning. Sleep well?"
"Truth be told, too excited to sleep much."
"It's a long journey. Rest is key."
"Noted—I'll make sure of it."
The Prefect smiled warmly, nodding.
Our place in his procession was set: right in the middle, just behind him.
A sign of how precious the snow was.
We departed for Guiju Castle.
"We'll go down to the Yangtze from here, take a boat upriver past the southern lands, then via the Zaling and Ujang Rivers through Shansi Province to Guiju. Sound good?"
A Hundred Household officer—the guide—explained.
As the top administrator of a province, the Prefect had his own guard unit: a hundred-man troop, commanded by a "Hundred Household."
Like the title for constabulary captains.
"Fine by us. Faster the better."
Boats shaved serious time off land routes.
But water posed risks.
Snow melts on contact.
The box was waterproofed meticulously, even with wax, but vigilance was essential.
Master must do this every escort—table country work's no joke, I thought anew.
With the Prefect, we skipped provincial checkpoints.
Boarded smoothly.
His large retinue required big ships.
But safer in numbers—I was content.
"Cast off!"
The captain's shout, and we were underway.
The Prefect of Guiju Castle, Dong-hwi, had several aides.
His office mirrored the capital's Six Ministries for division of labor.
Beyond that, he handled myriad duties—necessitating aides.
Among those joining this trip was Pyeong-tak, one of two aides. He slipped onto the deck.
To think I'd stoop to thievery—what rotten luck! Damn it!
He grumbled inwardly.
There was a reason for this mess.
The day he'd bungled something and caught hell from the Prefect.
Drowning his sorrows alone at a tavern—before the alcohol ban.
A friendly-faced man approached.
"No way! Isn't this Pyeong, aide to the Prefect?"
"Wrong guy."
Wanting no hassle, but he sat anyway, grinning.
"I know you're overworked. Truth is, you once did me a favor."
"Me?"
"Don't remember? Figures—only the beneficiary does. Haha."
His smooth deflection made Pyeong-tak buy it.
"You don't drink alone. Let me buy one."
Free booze. But not free.
His name: Mae-yeom.
From the Oseong Merchant Group—one of Guiju's top traders.
He kept buying rounds, so guilt-stricken, Pyeong-tak granted favors.
That started it.
Mae-yeom gifted lavishly in thanks; flattered, bigger requests followed.
The graft hooked him tight.
He didn't even notice sinking into the mire.
Just basked in the praise.
One day, Mae-yeom said,
"Heard the Prefect's daughter wants snow..."
"How'd you know?"
"Our group has good intel. So, when he seeks a merchant, recommend Oseong."
"Can you lot get snow in summer?"
"Naturally."
Thus bribed, Pyeong-tak planned to pitch Oseong to the Prefect.
But then...
The maddening twist hit.