Letter from the North Sea Ice Palace (2)
I've felt this for a long time, but Brother Jin-ho's drive was truly incredible.
The bait I tossed out this morning... and by evening, he had already finished all the preparations to depart.
"A-already all set?"
"Where's the time to dawdle? Mother-in-law and the other in-laws are starving!"
Fair enough.
"If I had my way, we'd leave right now, but I'm holding back."
"Got it. We'll head out tomorrow morning, then."
This time, the Silver Wind Corps' Six Divisions, led by Brother Jin-ho, would accompany us as well.
It wasn't just anywhere—it was his wife's family home.
And since both he and I were going personally, Father had ordered the Six Divisions to join.
Officially, of course, it was to deliver provisions to the North Sea branch.
That night.
Second Sister-in-Law came to see me.
I'd expected her, so I welcomed her without surprise.
"Please, come in."
"Sorry to bother you when you're so busy."
"It's fine. No matter how busy I am, how could I not have time to greet you, Sister-in-Law?"
I pulled out a chair at the low table in the center of my study.
"Have a seat."
"No, that's okay. I just... came to ask you to take good care of Mother, the aunts, and my husband."
"No need to worry about that. I'll do my utmost. It might not be right to call myself a substitute, but..."
I continued.
"Could I ask you to look after our parents in my stead?"
"You're saying the obvious."
......
Today was the day we departed for the North Sea Ice Palace, but Master wasn't one to skip training for that.
After finishing my meditation, I stood with a grin.
As expected, Master was entering the annex.
"Good morning."
"Yes, Master. Good morning."
"Then let's begin training right away."
......
Today, too, we burned white-hot.
I collapsed on the floor, gasping for breath.
"Master, today's the day I head to the North Sea Ice Palace... isn't this a bit much?"
Master chuckled at my question.
"That's exactly why I couldn't go easy. Who knows what threats might come? It's a master's wish for his disciple's safety, you could say."
"......"
I had nothing to say.
Huh?
I was a little surprised. Master had extended his hand to me.
"Up you get."
"Thank you."
I took his hand and rose.
"For today, this concludes our training."
"Thank you for your guidance."
I clasped my hands in a formal bow.
"And... take care."
I nodded at Master's words.
"Your disciple will do his best."
A moment later.
At the breakfast table, I bid farewell to the family, promising to return safely.
"Jin-ho."
"Yes, Father."
"Don't fly off the handle and cause trouble. Listen to Seo-ho."
Brother Jin-ho scratched his head at Father's words.
"Aw, come on, Father. I'm a married man now."
"That's precisely why I'm saying this. A grown man with a wife who can't tell right from wrong and goes berserk—that's the height of embarrassment."
"......"
Father sank him with a single sentence.
As expected of Father.
To be honest, Brother Jin-ho did have a hot-tempered side.
Still, I wanted to take him along for several reasons, one being that I needed someone to lead the caravan in my place if things went south.
We also needed manpower to guard those grains.
Given the circumstances, with that much grain, there'd surely be desperate bandits with stars in their eyes.
"Anyway, come back safe."
Mother's words had Brother Jin-ho and me bowing with clasped hands.
"Yes, Mother."
"We'll be careful and return safely."
......
Seo-hyang young lady was joining this journey too.
Her stamina had improved enough for long-distance caravans, and having learned the Heavenly Flow Ice Sword, she was resistant to the cold.
The reason for bringing her was that, as my deputy, she'd handle tasks in my stead.
And her skills could prove invaluable.
"My lord, do we meet the North Sea Ice Palace's sub-palace lord on the way?"
I nodded at Seo-u warrior's question.
"Yes. We're meeting in Beijing."
I'd sent a letter via gold falcon to Sub-Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin, who was staying at the Yangyang Martial Hall in Hangzhou.
Proposing we meet in Beijing and head to the North Sea Ice Palace together.
Her reply, brought by the falcon, simply said she understood.
If she truly wanted my help, coming to Hubei Province herself would have been easier, but she'd gone to Yangyang Martial Hall probably to hide the existence of the Cheongin Escort Agency.
Or... did she not even know where it was?
...That wasn't impossible.
Well, I could ask later.
Lost in such thoughts, we headed to the carriage depot, where we spotted a welcome face.
"Ha Escort Leader."
"I've decided to join this escort mission."
He was Ha Cheol, Brother Jin-ho's father-in-law.
Though Brother Jin-ho, the Silver Wind Corps' Six Divisions, and I were going, the massive grain shipment required heavy escort.
Hence the request for support from the Cheongin Escort Agency.
"I didn't expect you personally, Ha Escort Leader."
"Truth be told, it was someone else's turn, but I insisted. My wife's worried, you see."
I could understand, so I nodded readily.
"Understood. Just follow my orders."
"Of course."
We set off toward the North Sea.
The Six Divisions under Brother Jin-ho had been there before, so no worries there.
The first trip was the hard part; after that, it was straightforward.
Even in the carriage heading north, I was swamped with work.
Matters for the new Yeongyeong Hospital we were establishing.
I planned to handle them en route and send via gold falcon.
I could submit to Father upon return to headquarters, but that would delay things.
This round trip to the North Sea Ice Palace would take at least a month.
Those eagerly awaiting the hospital's opening couldn't wait.
I'd have to pay the gold falcons extra silver for the volume, but no choice.
Evening came.
Instead of an inn, we opted to camp in a suitable spot.
Our large group couldn't fit in one inn anyway, and we didn't want word spreading about hauling this much grain.
Camping was less conspicuous.
Soon, the escort agency's porters lit several bonfires, and we gathered around.
Dinner was from provisions packed at headquarters.
The weather still chilly, we hung a large pot for hot soup.
"My lord."
Then Jin Yu warrior called me.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Something I'd like to ask."
"Go ahead."
"From what I saw, the North Sea Ice Palace didn't seem that short on supplies. So why the trouble delivering food... What's the reason?"
The others looked curious too, eyes on me.
"Truthfully, I don't know either."
"Pardon?"
"All I know is they're short on food. Details from the sub-palace lord."
Still, we'd come because I was the Snow Wind Palace's sub-palace lord.
And I'd brought Brother Jin-ho and the Six Divisions because I trusted their skills.
"Night's deepening. Time to rest."
I told Palgap.
"Prepare a spot in the carriage for Seo-hyang young lady to sleep comfortably."
"Got it."
Stack boards over the seats, lay blankets—voilà, a spacious, cozy bed.
I yielded it to her.
If word reached Governor Po Jeong-sa of Guizhou Province that I'd let her sleep on cold ground, it'd be awkward.
He already disapproved of her as my deputy...
"I'm fine. Just a blanket on the ground works."
She declined, but I insisted.
"No. Do as I say."
"Really, I'm okay..."
"If you're uncomfortable, it burdens me more."
"Pardon?"
Palgap chimed in at her puzzled look.
"Meaning, if Deputy Gwak falls ill, handling tasks gets harder, piling work on Young Master, right?"
"Ah, I see."
"So you house the family's horses and oxen in the warmest spots."
"Ah..."
Palgap, phrasing it like that—what would Seo-hyang think of me?
That I see my deputy as livestock?
It's not like that...
Really not.
"Pfft!"
Then Seo-hyang burst out laughing.
Huh? Why laugh?
"No misunderstanding, so no need for that troubled face."
Was I that obvious?
"Thinking it over, if I push and get sick, it'd trouble the young division leader. I won't be stubborn."
"Thank you for indulging me."
"No problem. I'll head in first."
She went to the carriage. I glared at Palgap.
"Palgap."
"Yes?"
"Even so, saying that to Seo-hyang young lady—what does that make me?"
"Make you what?"
"Why compare to horses and oxen?"
"Young Master, how vital are oxen and horses to common folk? You insulting them now?"
"N-no, not that, but..."
True, to commoners, oxen and horses were essential for farming and survival.
Still, likening a person to them felt off...
Sigh.
Whatever.
She's not one to misunderstand, and she said she wouldn't.
"Still too much."
"Too much how? You work like an ox yourself, sleeping just two hours a day."
"......"
Couldn't argue; he was right.
Palgap always was.
Morning.
I woke and rose.
"Coughing, sir?"
My guards rotated in pairs; now it was Yi Pil warrior and Myeong Jong warrior beside me.
"Good morning."
"Ah, Deputy Gwak's already up."
Turning, there stood neatly dressed Seo-hyang.
Whoops!
Late thoughts last night delayed my sleep; I'd overslept.
"Ahem. Time for meditation."
"Yes."
I asked the guards to stand watch and began.
Finishing, I sensed Brother Jin-ho's energy nearby.
Practicing wide-range spear arts, he'd gone to a secluded spot to avoid endangering others.
Shall I go watch?
Been a while since I checked his skills.
I told post-meditation Seo-hyang to review yesterday's lessons, then headed his way.
His spot was apart from the group, but close enough to rush if needed.
"Hah! Ha!"
He swung the Azure Dragon Spear I'd gifted him.
Now a full-fledged peak master.
Blue sword qi on the tip proved it.
This North Sea trip would help him greatly.
He needed intense real combat now.
Sure, as Silver Wind leader he'd done caravans, but not enough for a warrior's growth.
True growth came from life-risking battles.
The North Sea route was familiar but not safe.
Unpredictable dangers lurked.
I wanted this for him because I hoped he'd grow stronger than in my past life.
I still couldn't forget his severed head before my death.
Now at super first-rate, with elite guards—we could protect him even in peril.
Lost in thoughts watching him, he paused and turned.
"What? When'd you get here?"
"Just now."
"Perfect timing."
"Huh?"
He leveled the spear at me.
"Sparring time!"
"What? Out of nowhere?"
He grinned at my surprise.
"Honestly curious about your skills. You've never shown them to me."
True.
"So, show me now."
"Hmm..."
Pretending to ponder, I said,
"How about a wager? Loser grants a simple favor?"
He agreed readily.
"Deal."
Falls for it so easily.
Well, he didn't know my true level.