Things Gone Astray (4)
Having calmed his agitation, Young Master Hangsu asked me,
"Then if I give you money, you'll leave right now."
"Ah, that's not it."
I said gravely,
"You've entrusted me with a task, Your Excellency. How could I abandon it and just go somewhere? I'm a merchant. And a merchant's greatest asset is their credit."
I continued,
"Don't make me someone without credit."
"...I'm sorry."
At least he apologizes quickly.
"And, though it's late, thank you."
"Pardon?"
"For noticing Lady Jaryeong's symptoms and dealing with them swiftly."
Hmm, a fairly belated thanks, but as a magnanimous person, I'll understand.
"Thank you for acknowledging it."
Confirming I had no interest in Lady Jaryeong, Young Master Hangsu asked no more unnecessary questions.
I'd thought he showed a cold attitude despite knowing about her initial poisoning, meaning no interest in her—but no.
It only seemed that way on the surface. In truth, he was a brother who cherished Lady Jaryeong deeply.
He was simply expressing his anger in his own way.
Fortunately, he could still think and act rationally.
.
.
.
After traveling for several days like that, we finally arrived in Zhangsa, the provincial capital of Hunan Province.
We headed straight for the estate of Hunan Province's Governor.
When we revealed our identities to the gatekeeper, he promptly let us inside.
"We've been expecting you. Please follow me."
A servant-like man greeted us and guided us to our lodgings.
As expected of Hunan Province.
Though humid, unlike Guizhou Province where the sun was hard to see, Hunan basked under the hot sun.
That's why farming thrives here.
Accordingly, the rear garden bloomed with all sorts of flowers.
"A beautiful garden. The flowers are especially lovely."
The servant replied to my words,
"His Excellency takes great interest in flowers and plants, so we pay extra attention to them."
"I see."
As we walked together, Young Master Hangsu spoke with a complicated expression.
"Come to think of it... Jaryeong liked this rear garden. I never understood why."
"Pardon?"
"Honestly, I still don't get why anyone likes flowers. They're just showy for reproduction, and they don't help much in real life, do they?"
"... ."
A brief silence fell.
The servant looked perplexed too.
I smiled softly and said,
"Liking pretty things isn't bad, is it? To Young Master Hangsu, Lady Jaryeong must look pretty, right?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
"But Lady Jaryeong doesn't act prettily just to look good to you. And yet you like her anyway—is that bad?"
"... ."
At a loss for words momentarily, he nodded as if realizing something.
"Come to think of it, you're right."
Something about Young Master Hangsu's demeanor felt familiar.
Someone around me was like this too...
Ah!
I immediately thought of Chief Steward Yu Soak.
He too lacked social graces and consideration for others.
He's much improved now compared to before.
Well, being cold-hearted yet considerate and socially adept is a contradiction anyway.
I now understood why Guizhou's Governor had sent me.
He'd spoken of expecting my insight, but it seemed he also wanted me to fill in such gaps.
His most rational son was also the one most lacking in social skills, so he needed someone to smooth those edges and soften the atmosphere.
Adjutant Jiyeong had come along too, but expecting that role from him was unrealistic...
It might be tiring, but thinking of the commission fee gave me strength.
Assigning me such tasks meant the Governor would pay generously.
And seeing him apologize and express thanks to me, he wasn't as bad as Chief Steward Yu.
Soon we arrived at our quarters.
As guests from the family of Guizhou Province's Governor's third son’s fiancée, we had an entire annex to ourselves.
"His Excellency is currently working at the provincial office."
Usually they'd stay at official residence, but since the estate was nearby, the Governor commuted.
"I'll come fetch you after he returns this evening."
"Understood."
Looking up at the sky, evening was already approaching.
Well, we wouldn't have to wait long.
Around the You hour (5-7 PM), dinner was served.
Perhaps wary that the place which tried to poison Lady Jaryeong might try the same on us, Adjutant Jiyeong barely touched his food.
But I ate heartily without such worries.
I had the reliable Taiyin Binghai Divine Art, and poisoning guests like us was unlikely anyway.
If honored guests were poisoned, the blame would fall squarely on Hunan Province's Governor's household.
As I'd sensed on the ship before, Adjutant Jiyeong was cautious in all things.
That aside, it was surprising that Young Master Hangsu ate without a hint of concern.
He must be thinking similarly to me.
By the way, the food's quite spicy.
Fortunately, it's sweetly spicy here. Sichuan Province's is aggressively spicy without the sweetness.
Probably because it's close to sugar-producing areas.
Serving noodles for dinner like this means we're truly esteemed guests.
In Hunan Province, rice is abundant but wheat scarce, so they serve wheat noodles to honored visitors.
Especially now, with poor harvests making wheat even rarer.
As we finished eating and sipped tea, the servant arrived.
"His Excellency has returned. He asks you to come in about half a shichen. I'll fetch you once you're ready."
"Understood."
We returned to our rooms, freshened our attire, and gathered.
It was likely a family gathering for Hunan Province's Governor.
About half a shichen later, the servant came to lead us, and we followed.
Along the way, we passed several reception rooms, and he stopped before the largest.
"Guests from Guizhou Province Governor His Excellency's household."
"Let them in."
The door opened, and our group entered.
As expected... my guess was right.
Hunan Province's Governor and several family members were seated.
The man at the head of the large table was the Governor himself.
We'd never met in this life, but I'd seen him a few times in my previous one, so I recognized him immediately.
To his left sat his family.
We bowed politely in greeting and introduced ourselves.
The Governor nodded in acknowledgment and invited us to sit.
"Sit."
"Yes."
We took seats to the right of the table.
"First, let me introduce my family. You probably haven't met some of them."
Just what I hoped for.
Thus, we were introduced to the family.
The middle-aged woman beside Hunan Province's Governor was his wife. Next was the second wife.
Then the eldest son and daughter, second son, third son, fourth son, and second daughter, in that order.
Six children.
Guizhou's Governor had six from one wife...
Impressive in many ways.
"So, coming in person like this means it's quite a serious matter."
"Yes."
Young Master Hangsu spoke up.
"As Your Excellency says, it wasn't something to convey by letter, so we came directly."
He continued,
"My younger sister Jaryeong's condition has improved."
"Oh! Really?"
Hunan Province's Governor brightened.
"I was worried because her illness seemed so severe, but improved! Does that mean she can make a full recovery?"
"Yes. We found an excellent physician, and thanks to that, full recovery is not far off. Thus, Father sent me to inform Your Excellency and your family."
"I see. What a relief."
Hunan Province's Governor nodded with a smile.
"Then we should prepare for the wedding now."
"We're deeply grateful for your patience thus far."
"Don't say that. A betrothal is a promise between two houses that can't be taken lightly, no?"
"We're grateful you see it that way."
Young Master Hangsu continued,
"However, since Jaryeong hasn't fully recovered yet, we'd appreciate waiting a few more months."
"Of course. After waiting three years, what's a few months?"
I looked at Young Master Hangsu with newfound respect.
He handles this more smoothly than expected.
While thinking that, I observed the family's expressions.
Upon hearing Lady Jaryeong's condition had improved, they showed relief, joy, and such.
But something felt off.
Why was the fourth son, not the betrothed third son, more delighted?
And the second oddity: a black道 aura emanated from that gleeful fourth son.
Having reached Super First-rate, the repulsive black道 energy felt far less intense.
And now I sensed something new in it I hadn't before.
A fishy, bloody scent mixed in.
Come to think of it, those connected to the Murim Alliance before also carried black道 auras.
My guess: the Murim Alliance was using black道 groups for something.
Which meant the fourth son was linked to the Murim Alliance...
But it didn't add up.
He'd wanted Lady Jaryeong dead and used poison—why rejoice at news of her recovery?
Then the second son across from me asked,
"I wondered when I heard the name Eun Seo-ho earlier—is it perhaps the great hero Seonhyeopmirang?"
Cough!
To think someone here knew that name!
Denying it wouldn't work; his eyes already shone with certainty.
So I readily admitted,
"Great hero? That's too much. It's just an empty title."
"Ooh! It really is you!"
Hunan Province's Governor's eyes lit up as he looked at me.
"I've heard of the famed Seonhyeopmirang, hero of the Yongbong Martial Assembly. To think it's you! Astonishing!"
He continued,
"But what brings you traveling with Young Master Hangsu?"
I answered without flinching,
"Guizhou Province's Governor showed me grace once, so I couldn't refuse his request to accompany him."
"I see."
I subtly turned my head.
The second son's admiring gaze was almost scorching.
Noticing, the Governor smiled and explained,
"Actually, my second son aspires to the martial world. He's an in-name disciple of Hyeongsan Sect."
"I see."
Truthfully, governing Hunan means dealing with martial artists causing trouble at times.
Hunan's military isn't weak, but for murim issues, it's easier and faster to seek sect help.
To that end, he'd sent his second son as an in-name disciple to Hyeongsan Sect.
Fortunately, the second son genuinely enjoyed martial arts, not forced into it.
In contrast, Guizhou saw little murim troublemaking.
Why? Martial artists only rampage for profit.
They don't risk life and limb without gain, right?
Guizhou has abundant herbs, but that's it—hardly enough for big profits.
Even bandits just rob passing merchants for herbs to fill their bellies, not venturing into dangerous mountains to harvest rare ones for trade.
Thus, no famous murim clans or sects in Guizhou.
The second son clasped his hands in salute to me.
"If it's not rude, could you broaden my horizons a bit?"
"Pardon?"
What was this now?
He continued,
"As a martial artist, I want to test my sword against many foes to expand my knowledge, but the warriors I've met so far are all mediocre. I'm worried I'll become a frog in a well."
"... ."
"Please show me the vastness of the great sea."
So... he wanted to spar with me?
I smiled awkwardly.
"I'm not skilled enough to broaden anyone's horizons."
This might be a Murim Alliance spot. Revealing my skills here felt off.
If he got hurt, it'd be quite awkward.
Frankly, a hassle too.
Then the Governor said,
"Why not humor him?"
"Pardon?"
"Truth is, the boy's always itching to fight strong foes and loiters near Dongjeong Lake..."
Ah, I get it.
Dongjeong Lake, a famed spot in the Central Plains, draws many outsider martial artists.
Clashing with a real master there would be trouble.
"I ask you."
"... ."
Even the Governor earnestly requested, so I couldn't refuse.
We rose and headed to the courtyard.
The servant returned my sword, which he'd been holding.
"Then, I leave it to you."
"Likewise, please go easy."
Thus the spar began.
Per ancient murim etiquette, I yielded three moves.
In real combat, no such thing—first strike wins.
Hunan Province Governor's second son charged at me.
Chaeng-!
Chaechaeng-!
Huh?
This habit of striking down with the sword, pressing harder after the initial contact.
Yes, definitely a habit I knew.
Knew? More like familiar... and nostalgic.