The Results of the Outing (1)
That afternoon.
After finishing work, I headed to the sundries shop in the alley.
The old man greeted me warmly upon seeing me.
"Hello, sir."
"Well, if it isn't my benefactor!"
"Pardon? Benefactor?"
"Thanks to you inviting me to that banquet, we were able to catch that rotten scoundrel. Of course you're my benefactor."
"I only invited you to the banquet, sir. And it was thanks to you that we caught the culprit who was trying to flee, so you're the real benefactor here."
The old man chuckled heartily at my words.
"Looks like we'll never settle this otherwise. How about we just call each other benefactors?"
"That sounds good to me."
At that moment, the old man addressed my bodyguard standing beside me.
"You there."
"Ah! Yes, sir!"
"What's your name?"
Having realized the old man's true identity as the revered martial arts senior known as Guimyeonpo, the bodyguard quickly cupped his fists in respect and replied.
"Yeo Eung-am, sir."
"Right, Yeo Warrior. It's not right to chat without refreshments. Here's some money—go buy us some tea and snacks."
The Yeo bodyguard glanced at me, and I nodded.
"Go ahead. This gentleman is an extraordinary master—what could possibly happen?"
"Understood."
"Have your attendant go with you too. It'd be tough carrying everything alone."
"Yes, sir. Right away."
Palgap and the Yeo warrior left the shop, and I looked at the old man with a hint of tension.
There had to be a reason for sending both of them away.
Something like a story they shouldn't hear, perhaps.
The old man spoke up.
"Was it you who left the Black Magistrate in that state?"
So that's what this is about.
His eyes held absolute certainty.
Making lame excuses here would be amateurish. And the old man before me wasn't one to talk lightly.
Not even in my previous life had I known he was Guimyeonpo.
I smiled lightly and took the words in stride.
"How did you know?"
"The nature of your internal energy feels chilling. And near where the Black Magistrate was strung up, I sensed traces of cold energy too."
"There are others who practice ice-based arts besides me, aren't there?"
"True enough. But crucially, you didn't kill him. And you even converted the gold and jewels you took from him into silver taels and distributed them."
"……."
"In this humble Sungyang County, how many people could possess that much silver right now?"
"I'm only fifteen. And at fifteen, how could I have that much silver…."
"I heard the employer of the craftsman who made those wooden puppets was you?"
"……."
I was at a loss for words for a moment.
Regaining my composure, I let out a hollow laugh and asked.
"And how did you know that?"
"This shop is a place where all sorts of rumors from the world trickle in."
He has no intention of spilling his sources.
Well, if he knew that much already, there was nothing left to say.
"Moreover, seeing you not covet that enormous fortune confirmed it for me. You came to mind—the young man who bought goods from me."
I straightened my robes and cupped my fists, bowing my head.
"I've heard. You stopped the officials from seizing the wealth you'd distributed to them. Thank you."
"No need. I just didn't like seeing the authorities try to take it either."
"Hahaha."
"It's impossible to fully compensate them for their losses anyway, so I thought your method was the best."
"I thought the same. There's no way to satisfy everyone, after all."
The old man nodded at my words.
"You're right. No method satisfies all. To realize that at your age!"
I cupped my fists again.
"And thank you for swiftly mobilizing the county troops to capture the assassin who targeted my brother's life."
"That was just because their crimes warranted it, even with official forces involved."
"Still, thanks are thanks."
He smiled at that.
"If you insist, then I'll accept them."
The old man gestured to the chair in front.
"Sit down, lad. My neck hurts looking up at you."
"Yes, sir."
I sat without hesitation.
"Oh, actually, my attendant knows about what I did."
"Is that so?"
"He caught on by accident. Haha."
Just then, Palgap and the bodyguard returned with the refreshments.
"Thanks, I'll dig in."
We sipped tea and chatted about this and that. They were light topics, but the old man's insights were truly astonishing.
"Do you plan to keep running this sundries shop, sir?"
"I've been thinking about it. The parade of juniors who'll come knocking is one issue… and that Inspector An fellow will show up too."
"Pardon? Inspector An?"
"Ah, he worked under me once. Rose through the ranks on great merits and became Hubei's Inspector, they say."
"I see…."
But the Inspector An who told me about this old man is a different person from the current one?
"You have quite a few juniors in high places, then."
"Boastful as it sounds, yes. Some in the military, some in the Gold Guard and Imperial Academy too."
I nearly choked.
A man holding judicial power over an entire province was an Inspector.
And that wasn't enough—he even had connections in the Gold Guard and Imperial Academy!
This gentleman is a true heavyweight!
An unparalleled master, renowned reputation, vast network.
And retired, with plenty of time on his hands.
I couldn't let a talent like this slip away.
He needs to become an advisor to the merchant group!
From a merchant group's perspective, the authorities were the biggest concern.
Having them as backing was solid, but if they started making trouble, it was madness.
That's why we greased palms without fail.
So, if this sundries shop elder became an advisor to the Eunhae Merchant Group, he'd be our greatest shield.
I had to lure him in somehow.
Suddenly, it hit me—I didn't even know his name.
"Sir, I should have asked this first, but forgive me for only doing so now."
"What is it?"
"May I have the honor of your name?"
"It's been ages since anyone asked my name."
The old man smiled and replied.
"It's Hwangbo Hwi."
Sharing his name meant he held me in high regard.
And from the Hwangbo Clan, no less!
I need to get even closer from now on.
Time flew by.
Eunhae Merchant Group leader Eun Gil-sang gazed out the window.
Spring was now in full bloom.
A new wooden puppet had been released.
This one was of Xi Shi, one of the Four Great Beauties.
That meant three more puppets to come, and plenty of collectors eager to complete the set.
"That kid… he really has a merchant's eye."
Eun Gil-sang smiled contentedly at the sales report for the Xi Shi puppet.
Sold out in a single day again.
He still remembered his late grandfather's words from long ago.
"Gil-sang, a true great merchant possesses three qualities."
"Three qualities?"
"Yes. An eye for profitable goods, the guts to act on it."
"Wait, that's only two."
"Right. The most important one is luck."
"Pardon?"
"Luck must follow. That's why great merchants are said to be heaven-sent."
"That's depressing. Does that mean no matter how hard you try, without luck, you're just an ordinary merchant?"
"Is that how you see it?"
"Yes."
"Suppose luck comes knocking at the right time. But you're not positioned to seize it—what then?"
"That'd be even more frustrating."
"Exactly. Effort prepares you to hook that luck. With effort, you get at least one chance. Without it, luck never even approaches."
"I see."
"Gil-sang, luckily, luck aligned for me to grow this Eunhae Merchant Group this far. But whether it will for you in your time… I don't know."
"Only heaven knows that."
"Yes. Still, never slack on effort. If your efforts lay the foundation for your son to seize his luck, you'll have been a fine group leader."
Finding and securing the puppet craftsman wasn't enough—he'd thought of ways to rake in massive profits.
Eun Seo-ho possessed all three qualities of a great merchant.
"If my mission is to build the foundation for my children to become true great merchants, then yes."
Just then.
"Group Leader, Chief Steward Yu So-ak is here."
At the bodyguard's words, he turned and replied.
"Send him in."
The door opened, and Yu So-ak entered.
He was a talent Eun Gil-sang had scouted in Beijing.
Since joining, Yu So-ak had thrown himself into work like a madman.
There was plenty to do, but it seemed like he was burying the Beijing incident on purpose.
He always looked exhausted, but lately, some color had returned to his face.
Has he gotten over the Beijing ordeal? Or is it because Seo-ho's handling things so well?
Either way, it was good news.
Eun Gil-sang had been worried about Yu So-ak's health.
The mounting fatigue made him fear a collapse.
"So, what is it?"
"The schedule for the clerks' special holiday, and the approval documents."
Eun Gil-sang took the approval papers Yu So-ak offered.
They concerned granting a special day off to the group's employees.
A reward for their efforts at Jeong Ho's announcement as branch leader.
"Group Leader."
"Yes?"
"Is Young Master Eun Seo-ho included in this?"
"Surely you didn't exclude him? He's officially with the clerks, even as a special apprentice."
"I… did include him."
"Then why ask?"
Yu So-ak spoke in a voice thick with emotion.
"Because without him, work is so much harder."
Eun Gil-sang burst into laughter.
"You, who claimed you could handle it alone, saying that? What a sight to live long enough for. Hahaha!"
Yu So-ak sighed.
"I never expected this. But he does such excellent work."
"Among my sons, you're the only one who's called his work excellent. You know that?"
"……."
"Means he impresses you that much. Still, I can't deny Seo-ho the holiday alone. Jeong Ho's getting one too. But you saying that…."
Eun Gil-sang narrowed his eyes.
"You're not thinking of forfeiting your special holiday, are you?"
Avoiding his gaze, Yu So-ak continued.
"There's so much to do…."
"Same with the last team holiday, and now this… wait, you forfeited that one too."
"There was a lot then too…."
"You think you'll drop dead and that's that? Who cleans up if you collapse?"
"Well, other capable…."
Yu So-ak trailed off.
He realized this wasn't a question seeking an answer.
"That's an order. I refuse your forfeiture of this special holiday."
"G-Group Leader."
"No entering the clerks' office! And no taking documents to your quarters."
Handing back the papers, Eun Gil-sang added.
"Bring them again, with your holiday schedule added. Work's hard without Seo-ho? Then rest with him."
"……."
Today had been another fulfilling day.
The highlight was Chief Steward Yu coming for approval looking glum, sighing heavily as he revised the documents.
I wondered what could have happened.
Yu revising approval papers? Unheard of in all our time working together.
Busy as life was, I looked forward to this special holiday.
That day, I'd crash in bed and sleep for real.
Actual sleep. No getting up.
After martial arts training and a bath, straight to bed—and stay there.
"Welcome back, young master."
Palgap greeted me.
"Yeah."
"Dinner plans for tonight?"
"Something simple. Dumplings and tea should do."
"Got it."
Palgap bowed and added.
"Oh, the Group Leader asked you to visit him tonight."
"Father?"
Wonder what's up?