Forever Eternal (4)
We watched the physician with tense expressions.
"But what is it?"
The Seo-u Warrior asked, and the physician replied cautiously.
"It seems the child will be somewhat affected by the fruit the lady ate."
"Pardon? The fruit... you mean..."
I had a feeling I knew which fruit she meant. Geum-ryeong had mentioned picking some for Madam Hong Geum-so in case she got hungry.
Geum-ryeong, what kind of fruit did you pick...
The Seo-u Warrior asked with a grave look.
"What fruit was it? And what kind of effect will it have?"
At his expression, the physician smiled.
Huh? She smiled?
Physicians only smile in front of patients when it's good news.
Which meant...
"It appears she ate a Taejae-sil fruit. For ordinary people, it wards off hunger and thirst. But if a pregnant woman consumes it, the child is born with exceptional talent in a particular field. That's why so many seek it out with desperate effort, yet it's never easily obtained. It's discovered so rarely, it's said to be a gift from heaven."
She continued.
"So, it's good news."
Only then did the Seo-u Warrior let out a sigh of relief.
I did the same.
No, Doctor, why put us through that?
The physician I'd brought was also an expert on spiritual herbs.
Worth bringing a skilled one, after all.
......
I ordered the Seo-u Warrior to stay by Madam Hong Geum-so's side, then returned to the main headquarters.
He'd protested that he couldn't leave me alone, but I commanded him firmly.
She needed him most right now.
Back at headquarters, I headed straight to Brother Jeong Ho.
"Brother!"
He rose from his seat upon seeing me and approached.
"Come on in. I heard you rushed off to Yidang for a physician right after arriving. What happened?"
"Ah..."
I sat at the desk in his office and explained.
"Madam Hong was in real danger."
"Madam Hong... you mean the one who makes clothes for the Self-Modeling Doll?"
"Yeah, that's her."
"How did you know?"
Brother Jeong Ho's question was fair.
Hmm, can't tell the full truth yet.
Not that I didn't trust him—it was caution against the 'ears in the walls' who could be anywhere.
"Madam Hong Geum-so is the Seo-u Warrior's wife. Even a peak expert's intuition sensed something off suddenly..."
"Just a good hunch wouldn't..."
"Of course. But a peak expert's intuition is more than that. Thanks to the Seo-u Warrior's senses, I've escaped danger several times myself."
He nodded, convinced by my repeated assurances.
"Fair enough. So, is Madam Hong alright?"
"Safe and sound."
"Good."
"How've you been holding up?"
He chuckled at my question.
"Great, of course. And busy, thanks to you."
"Me? Why?"
"Don't you remember? When Assistant Jo got injured before."
"That rebel group?"
"Yeah, you dumped managing them on me and left."
Come to think of it, the aftermath must've been no small task. Feel a bit guilty now.
I scratched my head sheepishly.
"Sorry..."
"No need. It boosted my standing in the merchant group. That's why you handed it off to me, right?"
He was spot on.
"So I'm grateful. Tough work, but..."
"Should I feel sorry to you then, Brother? Or proud?"
"......"
He laughed at my question, and I joined in.
"Anyway, good job getting here."
"Thanks. How are Geon-hyeok and Bo-yeon?"
He sighed.
"Healthy as can be. Running wild everywhere lately—total chaos."
A little later,
Visiting Brother Jeong Ho's residence, I understood why.
"Young master! Careful, you'll get hurt!"
"Miss!"
The near-three-year-old siblings were dashing madly around the courtyard.
Two nannies were sweating bullets trying to catch them.
"Uncle!"
"Baby uncle!"
They spotted me and came running for hugs.
"Whoa! You've grown so much!"
"Yeah!"
"We've grown a lot!"
Sister-in-law looked slimmer than before, as did the nannies. I couldn't bear to leave.
A martial artist like her exhausted? Unthinkable!
"I'll play with Geon-hyeok and Bo-yeon today."
Relief washed over their faces.
That evening,
Our parents and the group arrived at headquarters.
"You've arrived. I came ahead for some urgent business."
Father nodded.
"Heard you left in a hurry. All resolved?"
"Yes, fortunately. Details later."
"Understood."
As they greeted my other brothers, I went to my group.
"Young master!"
Palgap rushed up first, asking quietly.
"How'd it go?"
"No need to worry."
"Phew! Truly fortunate."
"Yeah, really."
"But why've you slimmed down?"
"Oh, this? Playing with Geon-hyeok and Bo-yeon..."
I greeted my guards, then approached Seo-hyang standing among them.
"How was the trip?"
"Very comfortable."
"Then let me show you to your quarters."
I escorted her personally. I owed her thanks, after all.
***
In Sunyang County, home to the Eunhae Merchant Group's main headquarters,
A large house in the marketplace housed a family: one woman and her four children.
The children were nine-year-old triplet boys and seven-year-old twin girls.
The woman's name was Man-ok.
She sat in the courtyard, doing piecework sewing.
She didn't need the money, but idleness made her anxious.
Years of daily toil to make ends meet had become habit.
She looked out and murmured.
"When will he come home?"
Over a decade ago, the man she'd met became a Silver Wind Corps warrior for her sake.
The merchant group's welfare was excellent—families of those who died in service were provided for.
Life as a swordsman was precarious, so it was his best choice for them.
But a recruit's pay barely covered her and the triplets.
Years passed, pay rose with seniority, and the twins were born.
Around then,
"I've been assigned as personal guard to Young Master Eun Seo-ho."
"Personal guard?"
"Yes. Won't be home often."
From that point,
Life grew comfortable.
His pay multiplied; the children ate their fill.
Lately, even higher pay let them afford this fine house.
But seeing his face grew harder.
Nearly ten months away this time. His last letter said he was well, though.
Then,
"Man-ok!"
A familiar, joyful voice from the gate.
Turning, she saw the face absent ten months.
"Ah! You're back?"
"I'm home."
"Father!"
The four children ran from the yard.
To the Eunhae Merchant Group, he was Eun Seo-ho's guard, but here, Yeo Eung-am was husband to one woman and father to four.
"Where'd you go this time, Father?"
"Through Beijing to the northern seas, down to Guizhou Province, and Shandong too."
"Wow!"
The children's wide-eyed awe filled Yeo Eung-am with inexplicable pride.
As he savored rare family time,
"Anyone home?"
A familiar voice outside. Yeo Eung-am opened the gate.
"Who... wait, you!"
It was Palgap, Eun Seo-ho's servant.
"So this is Yeo Warrior's home."
"It is. What brings you?"
"Young master sent me."
He waved, and a cart rolled toward the house, laden with grain, silk, and more.
"Wh-what is all this?"
"Young master said he's sorry for not looking after your family sooner and prepared it himself."
"N-no need for this..."
"Best accept. He'll be hurt if you refuse something he picked out personally."
True enough.
Eun Seo-ho seemed tough but had a soft heart.
"What's going on?"
Man-ok approached.
"My lord sent gifts."
"Pardon? All this?"
Palgap nodded as she gaped.
"Yes."
"He looks after you this much—you must be very important to him."
Yeo Eung-am felt his shoulders lift skyward.
***
I was handling work in my office.
Hyunpung Nation in Beijing didn't mean no duties here.
"Young master, it's Palgap."
He entered.
"All delivered well?"
"Yes."
I'd granted Yeo Eung-am Warrior two days' leave upon arrival.
Ten months without family—who wouldn't miss them?
And sent gifts via Palgap.
A token of apology for neglecting his family.
I'd have gone myself, but it'd overwhelm them.
"He was thrilled with the gifts?"
"Very much."
"Good. Seem like they needed anything else?"
"No."
Palgap described the house.
"Spacious yard. Kids playing there."
"Yeah?"
Something clicked.
"How old are the kids? Nine and seven?"
"Yes."
"No formal schooling?"
Children usually started at six. And at that hour, they'd be at academy.
"Not sure."
Two days later,
I asked Yeo Eung-am upon his refreshed return.
"Ah, well..."
He scratched his neck.
"My wife knows some letters, teaches basics... We're on the waitlist for academy."
"Waitlist?"
"The most famous one in Sunyang County."
"Enrollment capped that low?"
"Fifty students."
Sunyang had few academies.
Scholars preferred Beijing over provinces.
When Hyunpung staff moved there, childcare woes eased—for education too.
But childcare was an issue.
Women pausing work for kids hurt the group.
Experienced hands were vital.
Replacing them meant recruiting and training anew.
Hard to find trustworthy folk.
Harmful to individuals too, but as sub-branch head, I thought of the group.
Especially with Madam Hong Geum-so's impending birth—forcing a work hiatus.
Or hire nannies—costly...
I shot up.
"We need a nursery and academy for the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Pardon?"
"Why didn't I think of this sooner?"
I went straight to Father.
He responded positively.
"Fine idea. But plan the funding too."
"I'll cover any shortfall."
"You?"
"Yes. I've saved plenty."
Father looked skeptical—how much could a kid have?
Actually, Father, I'm richer than you.
He nodded readily.
"Gather opinions first, then."
Those benefiting most needed input.
I wrote on paper and posted it.
We plan to establish a facility for childcare from infancy through pre-adulthood education. Please share your opinions.
The next day,
Palgap staggered into the residence with a huge basket.
"What's all that?"
"What else? Opinion letters."
"Already that many?"
"More where that came from."
Wait...
I'm the one reviewing them.
Ah...
I'd made more work for myself.
Why am I tearing up?