Letter from the North Sea Ice Palace (1)
Spring was already approaching before they knew it.
Last year, rather than focusing on the growth of the merchant group, he had concentrated on strengthening its foundations.
Because if you chased expansion without solid foundations, it would end up as an empty shell, no different from a paper tiger.
When a crisis hit, it would crumble without overcoming it.
Among the efforts to build those foundations last year, the establishment of the Beijing branch had taken the most attention.
Even so, the fact that the merchant group's ranking had risen to twenty-fifth meant he was doing well.
Right now, he was heading to the home of the Seo-u Warrior along with Madam Hong Geum-so.
At the end of last year, Madam Hong Geum-so had safely given birth to a son.
And today, after the period prohibiting outsiders had passed, he was going to celebrate the birth.
The Seo-u Warrior had also stayed home continuously.
He had insisted that as his bodyguard, he needed to stay by his side, but how could he not understand the man's worry for his wife and unborn child?
Especially after the close call with Madam Hong Geum-so before.
So, he had given the Seo-u Warrior an order.
"Madam Hong Geum-so is a key figure in the production of the Self-Operating Dolls. Therefore, as my bodyguard, I command you to protect her."
With those words, the Seo-u Warrior had headed home with a moved expression and hadn't stepped outside once, staying by her side.
For the sake of the newborn, they had to prevent any external contaminants from coming in.
Of course, they had stocked up on food and medicinal herbs to nourish the body in advance.
Yesterday, he had seen the Seo-u Warrior for the first time in nearly three months, and the man's face was beaming with happiness like never before.
Well, having safely gained a child, how great must that joy be?
He had informed him that outsiders could now visit, and he had said he would come today.
Soon, they arrived at the Seo-u Warrior's house.
The golden cord that had been strung across the gate was already removed.
"Welcome!"
A servant who recognized him hurried over to greet him.
"I heard from the warrior yesterday. Please, come inside."
"Thank you."
They followed the servant to a room.
After waiting a moment there, the voice of the Seo-u Warrior came from outside.
"My lord. May I enter?"
"Yes."
The door opened, and the Seo-u Warrior and Madam Hong Geum-so entered. In Madam Hong Geum-so's arms was the newborn baby.
"Greetings to my lord."
"Greetings to the young division leader."
They paid their respects to him, and as he received their bows, he said,
"I'm glad both the baby and madam look healthy. And congratulations on the smooth delivery."
"Thank you."
They sat down, and he pulled an envelope from his bosom and offered it.
"Please accept this. A gift for the birth."
"You didn't need to bring a gift on top of everything..."
He chuckled at Madam Hong Geum-so's words.
"I can tell you're pleased."
"Oh, is that so? Hohoho."
"Open it."
At his words, the Seo-u Warrior opened the envelope. Their eyes widened immediately.
"Th-this is..."
"A deed to a house?"
That's right, a house deed.
For a fairly large mansion, no less.
"I pondered what gift would be best and chose this. I figured the previous incident happened because the house was too cramped."
Madam Hong Geum-so bowed her head at his words.
"I've been reflecting on it."
Of course she had. She must have been shocked herself, but she would know how worried the Seo-u Warrior had been.
So, he intended to solve that root problem.
"Don't feel burdened and accept it."
But the Seo-u Warrior shook his head, looking burdened.
"Thank you, but it's too grand a gift. We've saved enough from our salaries, and we were planning to move to a bigger house anyway."
Of course, with their monthly pay, they could afford something better than their current place.
Since he was their employer.
The Seo-u Warrior received a substantial salary as his personal bodyguard, and Madam Hong Geum-so earned well handling the clothing for the Self-Operating Dolls.
But raising a child cost a lot.
Moreover, thanks to the fruit that Geum-ryeong had given Madam Hong Geum-so, the child was born with some extraordinary talent.
They didn't know what it was yet.
But one thing was certain.
That talent needed money to truly spread its wings.
How many with talent folded their wings due to lack of funds or unfavorable circumstances?
He didn't want the Seo-u Warrior and Madam Hong Geum-so's child to go through that by stretching to buy a house.
And honestly, since the child was born with that talent because of his Geum-ryeong, he had to take responsibility as her owner.
"Save that money for the child."
He said that as he looked at the baby.
The sleeping child, breathing softly, looked incredibly clever.
"What did you name the baby?"
At his question, the Seo-u Warrior replied,
"Please name him, my lord."
"Pardon?"
"Honestly, without you, this child wouldn't have been born. So, it would be meaningful for you to name him."
Huh? Name the child?
He made a troubled face as he pondered, then answered firmly.
"I refuse."
"Pardon?"
The man's eyes widened at his words, his face perplexed.
But the loyal warrior pleaded again.
"Please, I beg you."
"No. I can't."
"Why refuse? Have I done something displeasing to you...?"
Don't look at me like that; it makes me even more awkward.
"Sigh!"
At that moment, Palgap, standing behind him, let out a frustrated sigh and spoke.
"It's not that. The young master cherishes you, Sir Seo-u, that's why."
"What do you mean?"
"Our young master's naming skills are utterly terrible, and he knows it too well, so he's refusing."
H-hey, Palgap?
Saying it so bluntly hurts me.
Palgap then listed a few names as examples.
Huh? How did he know?
He had thought of those...
"The young master would definitely give a totally lame, weird, crappy name."
"......"
Palgap... that really hurts.
With those thoughts, he glanced at the Seo-u Warrior and Madam Hong Geum-so's expressions.
Hmm, good call refusing.
Their faces mirrored his own earlier troubled look.
But he had his defense: his poor naming wasn't his fault...
"Yeah, well, anyway, that's the situation."
He nodded.
"It's a name the child will hear for life. I don't want the kid cursing me every time it's called. Haha."
He continued.
"And I believe a name, spoken aloud, greatly influences the child's life. For the child's sake, ask someone else."
He bowed with clasped hands.
"This is my sincere wish."
The Seo-u Warrior waved his hands in fluster.
"Ah, I understand. Please, lift your head. Why should my lord bow to me?"
"You'll respect my wish?"
"Yes."
The Seo-u Warrior gave a wry smile as he answered.
"Phew, then we'll find a famous namer."
"Wise choice."
"And I judge it's time to resume my duties as your bodyguard. Please grant my request."
Now should be fine.
"So be it."
.
.
.
The next day, at dawn.
He came out to the courtyard of the annex for martial arts training.
"Good morning."
Seo-hyang Sojeo was already waiting for him.
It was impressive; her arriving at the annex before him had been the case for quite some time.
Unlike him, who threw on clothes haphazardly upon waking, it took her longer to prepare.
"Then, let's begin training."
"Yes."
They sat facing each other.
And started meditative breathing.
He with the Tae-eum Ice Sea Divine Art, and she with the Heavenly Flow Ice Sword's mental method, Heavenly Flow Art.
Last time, he had received his master's permission to teach Seo-hyang Sojeo the Heavenly Flow Ice Sword.
"She's my niece, after all. She needs at least that to evade their eyes."
It had been nearly three months since he started instructing her in the Heavenly Flow Ice Sword.
Thanks to learning it directly from the North Sea Ice Palace's Palace Lord, guiding her was no trouble.
Finishing meditative breathing, he stood.
Soon, Seo-hyang Sojeo also completed hers and opened her eyes.
"Now, review yesterday's lesson."
"Yes."
At dawn, he received training from his master, so he mainly taught her swordsmanship at lunch.
And dawn was for review.
As Seo-hyang Sojeo headed to one side of the courtyard, his master entered the annex.
"Greetings, Master."
"Yes, good morning, Young Division Leader."
His identity as the Little Palace Lord was a closely guarded secret externally.
Thus, his master called him Division Head or Young Division Leader as usual.
"Then, let's start training."
.
.
.
Today's training with his master was brutally intense as always.
Since becoming Little Palace Lord, the difficulty had skyrocketed unreasonably.
Ugh, I'm really going to die.
Honestly, there had been more than a few times he thought he'd die, but somehow he survived.
The reason it was possible was probably his master's astonishingly precise control of intensity.
And he could feel his own skills improving, so he endured the training silently.
Considering his revenge targets, he needed to become far stronger.
"With this, today's training ends."
He survived again today.
Forcing strength into his trembling legs, he barely stood and clasped his hands.
"Thank you for the instruction."
He couldn't greet lying down. He was a stickler for propriety, after all.
Thud.
Immediately collapsing in place was unavoidable.
Hm?
Usually, after training, his master would turn crisply and leave the annex...
But today, he wasn't, so it seemed he had something to say.
"Do you have words for this disciple?"
"Sigh, actually, urgent news came from the Yangyang Martial Hall last night."
"From the Yangyang Martial Hall?"
What could it be?
Some snag in building the new hall?
Or an attack?
Otherwise, no reason for urgent news.
"The North Sea Ice Palace's Little Palace Lord visited the Yangyang Martial Hall."
The Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin visited Yangyang?
Not common, but urgent news worthy?
She'd come before, hadn't she?
As if answering his doubt, his master continued.
"The North Sea Ice Palace is currently in a difficult situation. It seems she came requesting aid."
For the Little Palace Lord to come personally, it must be quite dire. But what could they do to help?
As if reading his mind, his master pulled a letter from his bosom and handed it over.
"Read it."
Uh...
This was a letter directly from the North Sea Ice Palace's Palace Lord?
As he read the letter, he involuntarily let out a groan.
He could guess why the Palace Lord had sent it personally.
"Currently, the Snow Wind Palace receives aid from the North Sea Ice Palace, but in truth, one of the Snow Wind Palace's purposes is to protect the North Sea Ice Palace."
His master continued.
"In the current situation, I believe the Young Division Leader can resolve it adeptly. What do you think?"
He grinned.
"Of course. This is my specialty."
The North Sea Ice Palace Lord must have anticipated sending this letter to him by dispatching the Little Palace Lord.
But to resolve it, he needed to go to the North Sea Ice Palace.
The weather had improved a bit, and now he had to go on another business trip.
A moment later,
He ordered Palgap and the bodyguards to prepare for the trip to the North Sea Ice Palace, then headed to the dining hall for breakfast.
As he sat in his seat, his father entered.
Perfect timing.
After morning greetings to his father, he said,
"Father, I'm going to the North Sea Ice Palace this time."
"What? North Sea Ice Palace?"
"Yes."
His father chuckled heartily at his reply.
"You're the only one who talks about going to the North Sea Ice Palace like it's the neighborhood next door."
"A compliment?"
"Think what you will."
His father gave a wry smile.
"So, what's the matter?"
"The people of the North Sea Ice Palace are on the verge of starving to death. I have to go help."
It was then.
"What? What nonsense is that?"
A voice from behind.
Jeong Ho hyung's voice. Jeong Ho hyung rushed over and demanded,
"Answer straight! What's happening at the place where Mother-in-Law is?!"
"Uh... well..."
Had he spoken without noticing Jeong Ho hyung approaching the dining hall?
"Actually, the North Sea Ice Palace isn't getting proper food supplies right now, so the people there are starving. That's why I'm thinking of taking provisions and going directly."
Jeong Ho hyung shouted resolutely.
"You bastard! If something like that happens, you tell me first! I'm going too! Don't try to stop me!"
He subtly avoided Jeong Ho hyung's eyes and smirked inwardly.
Why would I stop you?
He had planned to go with hyung from the start.
Jeong Ho hyung had firmly bitten the bait he dangled.