What Must Happen (1)
We arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group's Beijing branch.
"You've arrived?"
"Yes. I hope you've been well."
"Of course."
I instructed Palgap to guide Ja-ryeong Sojeo and her maid to temporary quarters, then headed to my own room.
And there, I wrote a letter to my father.
"Gold Spirit."
When I tapped my sleeve, Gold Spirit poked its head out and chirped grumpily.
"This is a letter for Father."
At my words, Gold Spirit wagged its tail. I tied the letter securely to it.
"Alright, off you go."
"Chwee!"
Gold Spirit shot off like an arrow.
I straightened my robes and made my way to my office in the Hyunpung Branch.
No sooner had I sat down at my desk than a voice came from outside—Cheongun Warrior.
"My lord, Yeochang's deputy branch manager is here."
"Send him in."
The door opened at my response, and in walked Yeochang's deputy branch manager. He'd taken over running the Hyunpung Branch in my stead since becoming deputy.
"You're finally here!"
His gaunt face lit up with joy as he cried out.
"Ah, yes. It took longer than expected. Sorry about that."
"No, no. That's not the issue right now—this is more urgent."
Thud!
He dropped a thick stack of documents onto my desk.
Wh-what was that sound just now?
A thud? From a pile of paper?
And then the deputy branch manager declared gravely,
"These are all the backed-up documents. Awaiting your approval."
"……."
Ah…… right back to work.
That's when Ja-ryeong Sojeo crossed my mind.
Yeah, might as well test her skills while I'm at it.
A short while later.
Ja-ryeong Sojeo entered my office.
"You called for me?"
"Yes. Have a seat here first."
I sat her down at the desk beside mine.
"And these documents……."
I showed her the papers and explained how to process them.
"Do it like this. Think you can handle it?"
"Yes. Easier than I thought."
……Pardon?
Most newcomers find this pretty tough, and she says it's easy…….
Soon enough, she got to work—and at a speed that blew my mind. Not just fast, but flawless.
Whoa…… what is this pace? And the accuracy!
Honey practically dripped from my eyes as I watched her.
In the end, she cleared the entire stack far quicker than I'd anticipated.
For me, her paperwork speed was even more impressive than her foresight.
Can't let talent like this slip away.
Suddenly, I understood why Inner Manager Yu So-ak had been so reluctant to let her go.
"Sojeo!"
"Yes?"
"Let's make it official. I'll pay you seven silver nyang a month."
Seven silver nyang—that's what seasoned veterans with rank get in our merchant group.
But I'd pay even more to hire her.
The Governor might not like it later if he found out.
But I had a solid reason.
She needed a complete cover identity—no one would suspect a high official's precious daughter working as my aide.
A blind spot, plain and simple.
Her eyes widened at my offer.
"Pardon? I wasn't planning to take money. Father covers my living expenses."
She continued,
"I just wanted to repay the favor."
"No can do. I never make anyone work for free. It's against my principles. Everyone deserves fair pay for their labor."
She nodded at my words.
"If that makes you more comfortable, fine. So I get to earn my own money."
She beamed.
"First time making my own."
True enough—which high official's daughter jumps into earning a wage?
And so, Ja-ryeong Sojeo and I signed a formal employment contract.
"Now, what name should we use?"
She couldn't use Dongja-ryeong anymore. Though keeping it could poke holes in the Murim Alliance's facade.
Still, better to avoid drawing eyes altogether—no suspicion at all.
"How about Seo-hyang?"
"Quick choice—must mean something."
She smiled and nodded.
"Father named me after the lilac tree's flowers. Said he wanted me fragrant like those purple clusters."
"I see."
"I've always wanted Seo-hyang as my nom de plume. Guess it worked out."
And so, her name became Gwak Seo-hyang.
The next day.
A letter arrived from Father.
Glad I made it back safe. Suggested moving Dongja-ryeong—no, Gwak Seo-hyang Sojeo—to Hubei Province instead of Beijing.
Sounded right to me.
Our influence—and Master's—is stronger there than in Beijing.
For now, an empty room here as temp quarters would do.
I burned the letter. Couldn't risk anyone seeing it.
As I stood, Gold Spirit pawed at the desk in protest.
"Chwee! Chwee!"
"Ah! Sorry."
Forgot the payment.
I pulled silver nyang from my pouch and offered it; Gold Spirit snapped it up.
Despite devouring all that silver and gaining abilities, its size hadn't changed since we met.
Makes sense—if it grew bigger, my sleeve wouldn't cut it. Probably perch on my shoulder then…….
I shook off the image.
"Oh, right! Sorry to ask again so soon, but one more letter run."
"Chwee? Chwee-chwee!"
"Huh? Money makes it fine? Uh…… sure."
I wrote the letter, tied it to Gold Spirit's tail. For Master.
Announcing her alias as Gwak Seo-hyang.
He needed to know ahead to keep stories straight.
"Thanks."
After sending Gold Spirit off, I meditated and circulated my energy.
Post-training, I had breakfast.
Back in my quarters, I handed a letter to Yi-pil Warrior for Jin Yeong Daehyeop.
Announcing my return.
He'd told me before that His Imperial Majesty has urgent matters to discuss—ignoring that upon return felt rude.
Sure, he'd know I'm back without the letter.
But etiquette matters.
"Understood."
"And rest up when you return."
"Yes."
Yi-pil Warrior took the letter and left. I turned to Palgap.
"Alright, let's gear up to head out."
"Got it."
"Today…… let's dress sharp."
"Dressing to the nines—where to?"
"Ah, need to buy some buildings."
At that moment.
In Eun Seo-ho's office, as Gwak Seo-hyang worked, a vision flashed before her eyes.
It was…….
Several mansions collapsing.
"No!"
She jolted to her feet in shock.
"Huh? This……."
She tilted her head. She'd seen this before.
Mansions crumbling, people dying or injured—it had broken her heart.
So she'd begged Father: on his Beijing trip, ask the officials to inspect the buildings.
But seeing it again meant the future hadn't changed.
What must happen, happens?
But…….
This time, it differed slightly. She saw Eun Seo-ho tsking at the collapsing buildings.
But only briefly—then he grinned.
That smile eased her heart.
I stood before a fairly large tiled mansion in Beijing.
"Anyone home?"
Someone emerged at my call.
"Who might you be?"
"Eun Seo-ho, sub-branch manager of the Eunhae Merchant Group. Is the owner in?"
"One moment."
He went inside, then returned.
"Come in."
I entered and was shown to the reception room. After tea and a short wait, the owner arrived.
"You wanted to see me?"
"No need for formal speech. I'm still young."
"Ahem, right. So, why'd you want to meet?"
I cut straight to it.
"I'd like to buy this house."
"Buy…… this house?"
"Yes."
I nodded.
"Name your price."
He eyed me curiously, wondering my angle.
"What for?"
"We just set up our Beijing branch. No staff housing yet, so we're crammed in branch rooms. A proper capital branch needs a mansion, don't you think?"
I continued,
"This one's close to the branch and looks solid. Whatever you want, I'll pay."
He pondered, then spoke.
"A thousand silver nyang. No less."
Double market rate.
"Done."
"Huh?"
Stunned by my quick yes, he asked,
"For real?"
"Yes, for real. Would I, sub-branch manager of Eunhae, joke about this?"
I pulled out the prepped sales contract.
"Mind if I borrow ink and brush?"
As I dipped the brush,
"A th-thousand's too much even for me…… eight hundred……."
"No. A thousand as you said. Just vacate within a fortnight. Can do?"
"In a rush, eh. Fine."
"Geum Mountain Bank's note, or silver nyang?"
"Note's fine. Settle at the bank."
We signed right there and headed straight to Geum Mountain Bank.
True to word, we used the bank as witness and paid the thousand silver nyang.
Just like that, I owned a mansion.
Next house, pronto. The Gui Prefecture delay left little time.
Why buy up houses? Because several in Beijing were doomed to collapse soon.
Designs were sound, but greedy contractors cut corners—six pillars where ten were needed, say.
Then bribed the inspecting officials for approval.
Sigh.
Scheming against me? Worry about building safety first.
I mixed doomed and safe ones in my purchases. All collapsing would look suspicious.
Sure, some might ask: why buy knowing they'll fall? Take the loss?
Loss?
Do I look like a fool?
This turns huge profit for me.
A true merchant doesn't chase short-term gains and fret.
And…….
The real reason: collapsing houses mean deaths and injuries.
Big mansions, no less—powerful families hit.
Chaos ensued, naturally.
Anyway, innocent lives lost to corruption—poor or rich, I couldn't stand by knowing.
Blame my soft heart.
Nosy? Fair. But I'll spin nosiness into max profit.
And I refuse to live devoid of humanity.
Save what you can, right?
.
.
.
That evening.
As expected, Jin Yeong Daehyeop visited.
"His Majesty summons you."
"Yes."
I followed him to the palace.
"Merchant Eun Seo-ho pays respects to His Exalted Majesty the Emperor. Ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand!"
I prostrated fully before the Emperor.
"Rise."
"Your grace humbles me."
I looked up at him.
"Good work this time. But why do troubles follow you everywhere? Do you summon them, or do they summon you?"
"I wouldn't know. Perhaps Your Majesty's benevolence spreads through me across the Central Plains?"
"Smooth talker."
The Emperor chuckled, then continued.
"The Murim Alliance keeps pestering, though."
"How so?"
"Classic tail-cutting. Claimed it was that one's solo act—no orders from them. Said they'd accept any punishment we deem fit."
Knew it.
"Speaking of—heard the Governor's daughter you saved in Gui Prefecture died in an accident? Tsk, tragic."
"Indeed."
The Emperor eyed me, incredulous.
"Hah, look at this punk. So that's how it is?"
I flinched.
"Pardon? I don't follow, Your Majesty."
"Guess I'll check on her welfare later."
"……."
How did he know I snuck Ja-ryeong Sojeo out?
Not like my old alias "Silver Python" gave away expressions easily.
Does he read minds or what?