There Was a Reason (1)
I asked cautiously.
"Is that truly what you were looking for, Palace Lord?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, I found it. My deepest gratitude."
"That ring must be incredibly precious to you."
"Of course. It's a memento left by my mother."
Ah….
Here I was, thinking it was a ring from some lover she cherished. Am I trash? Damn it.
When did I lose my innocence?
I gave a wry smile.
To survive in this cutthroat merchant world and exact revenge, I couldn't afford to stay pure forever.
Still, why had the Palace Lord of the Snow Wind Palace been holding onto it?
As if answering my unspoken question, the Palace Lord spoke.
"Some years ago, frigid qi invaded my marrow. Back then, I ruthlessly purged anything that hindered my cultivation."
"……."
"If the Snow Wind Palace Lord hadn't taken it, this ring would have vanished too. She knew I'd regret it later. The Snow Wind Palace Lord… she was a true friend."
Now that's real friendship, I thought.
The Palace Lord rose and approached us.
She then clasped her hands in a formal bow toward Seo-hyang Sojeo.
"My deepest thanks."
"I'm glad I could be of help."
"It's a pity you won't become a disciple of the Ice Palace… but since you've chosen to stay by the Sub-Unit Leader's side, I can't persuade you otherwise."
I said to the Palace Lord,
"As I mentioned, we'll depart tomorrow morning."
"I won't see you off. Travel safely."
"Yes."
We left the Palace Lord's chambers.
"It's a first for me."
"What do you mean?"
Bing Hae-rin, the Sub-Palace Lord, spoke up, drawing our eyes to her.
"I've never seen the Palace Lord make that kind of face before."
True enough—even to me, she had looked genuinely overjoyed at finding the ring.
"Anyway, my sincere thanks for this time."
The next day arrived.
We prepared to depart early in the morning.
"Then we'll be off."
"Safe travels."
"Yes. Please take care as well, Aunt."
Jin-ho hyung exchanged farewells with the relatives and other disciples.
We passed through the Gate of Mists and arrived at the Ice Palace's guest inn.
The inn's group was already ready to leave.
"Then, let's go."
"Yes."
And so we headed south once more.
Beijing.
With an unprecedented famine at hand, the ministers debated endlessly.
The topic was purchasing grain from foreign lands.
It seemed simple on the surface, but for the empire, it was far from it.
Finances were an issue, but the empire's prestige was the real concern.
One misstep, and it would look like the empire was begging for food—in the crassest terms.
"Then through another nation…."
"Can we trust another nation?"
"We have no better options…."
"Let's do this instead: hire the empire's own merchants to handle it."
"How can we entrust state affairs to lowly merchants…."
"Then lead the envoys yourself and bow your head abroad?"
"Hmph, ahem. We'll hire the merchants."
After prolonged debate, they reached a conclusion.
Just as Eun Seo-ho and Yong Eung-wan had foreseen.
Further discussions refined the plan.
The Emperor reviewed it and approved.
"Implement it as is."
"Yes."
"That kid's been quiet lately—what's he up to?"
The eunuch quickly grasped who "that kid" meant and replied.
"We received reports he headed north recently."
"North?"
"Yes. With a large amount of grain loaded on carts, it seems like merchant group business."
"Even in this famine, he's bustling about."
"He'll likely head south soon—shall I summon him?"
The Emperor waved it off.
"No need. With the public notice recruiting trading firms already out, calling him to the palace might spark needless rumors."
"He should appreciate Your Majesty's benevolence."
"Whether he does or not, it doesn't matter. As long as the job gets done."
We arrived in Beijing.
"Beijing at last!"
Jin-ho hyung laughed at my words.
"Just reaching Beijing feels warm!"
True, even in Liaoning, early April had been quite chilly.
Not for me, of course—but for the others.
"You were fine?"
I nodded at Jin-ho hyung's question.
"Yeah."
"Sigh, maybe I should've learned ice arts too."
"Hyung, your constitution suits yang qi techniques."
"Mm, true."
I said to Ha-cheol Escort Leader,
"Let's rest at the Beijing branch first. I have some business to handle too."
I needed to catch up on backlog.
Work piles up if you let it—handle it promptly to avoid future headaches.
On the way to the branch, we spotted a crowd around a wall.
Hm? What's going on?
I sent Palgap to check; he dashed over and returned.
"They posted a notice from the palace."
"The palace?"
"Yes. Recruiting merchant groups for foreign trade."
……
……
……
Soon after, we reached the Beijing branch, where people awaited us.
"Welcome. You've had a hard journey."
I exchanged brief greetings with the branch manager and got to the point.
"I saw the notice on the way."
"Ah, yes. The one about foreign trade."
"When was it posted?"
"Two days ago."
Two days—not too late. But posted already!
Faster than my previous life.
Back then, it came out after May.
That's why I'd leisurely gone to the North Sea Ice Palace.
Probably due to my advice….
Even with my input, without someone's maniacal drive, things wouldn't move this fast….
I sighed mid-thought.
Come to think of it, the palace had that go-getter. And thanks to me, unlike before, talented people were working diligently there now.
"Is something wrong?"
I shook my head at the branch manager's concerned question.
"Nothing. How's the situation?"
"Several groups are already mobilizing to apply. But as you know, you need ships to qualify…."
"Not many can apply, then."
I ordered the others to rest, washed up with Palgap's help, changed, and headed to the office.
There, I drafted a letter to Father.
I needed the exact status update.
I sent it via Gold Spirit.
"Sub-Unit Leader, it's Gwak Adjutant."
"Come in."
The door opened, and Seo-hyang Sojeo entered.
"Working right after arriving—not even resting."
"Ha, no choice. It's my job."
"I came to see if I could help."
"Rest easy. Not much backlog."
She pointed to the stack beside me.
"Isn't that for today?"
"……."
Ah, forgot about that.
"Please… help."
……
……
……
The next morning.
After waking and finishing my morning meditation, Gold Spirit returned with the letter.
Glad you returned safely. Family and group are well. Two large merchant ships completed, even trial runs done. So that's why you urged haste. Offering grain instead of wages drew endless laborers, speeding construction.
Eunhae Merchant Group Lord
The news I'd awaited.
Paying in grain—brilliant idea.
Money's useless now; grain's what no one can buy.
With our ships, Eunhae qualified.
I spread paper, wrote the application, and called Palgap.
"You called?"
"Submit this to the palace."
"Got it."
Palgap eyed Gold Spirit licking silver on my desk, tilting his head.
"Eats so much silver, yet same size."
"That's why it's a spirit beast."
Their eyes met—staring contest ensued.
"Ahem, Palgap."
"Gah! Sneaky beast! Made me spar eyes without realizing!"
"…Hurry back."
"Yes, sir."
Palgap left; I picked up the silver Gold Spirit clutched.
It dangled stubbornly, refusing to let go.
Gold Spirit's obsessed with its silver.
That stare-down? Probably "Don't touch my silver."
Palgap's was "Challenging me, eh?"
A pointless clash of misunderstandings.
Palgap's impressive, though.
Gold Spirit unleashed peak-pressure aura mid-stare, yet he shrugged it off.
I tucked Gold Spirit in my sleeve and stood.
Time to meet Jin-ho hyung.
I headed to the training grounds.
Obvious spot this hour.
Sure enough, Jin-ho hyung swung his spear vigorously.
"Haat! Ha!"
Whoosh—! Whoom!
The staff cleaved air with resounding force. My guard, Seo-u Warrior, behind me, remarked,
"Much cleaner than before."
"I agree. What's the record against you, Seo-u Warrior?"
"About 25 wins, 23 losses for him."
By hyung's standards, of course.
"Still, two wins."
"First win, he drained my stamina."
I'd read the battle review.
"But I don't fall for the same trick twice."
I smiled and approached.
"Hyung!"
He sheathed the spear, greeting warmly.
"Perfect timing! Spar? Won't lose lamely like last time."
"Haven't warmed up. Just woke up. Breakfast soon anyway."
I told him,
"Came to talk."
"To me?"
I nodded.
"Me and my group won't head to Hubei with you."
"Huh? Why suddenly?"
I explained patiently.
"You know the palace recruiting for foreign trade. We applied. Need someone here to monitor and handle things."
"Mm, makes sense."
He scratched his neck.
"Kinda disappointing."
"I trust you to lead everyone safely back. That's what the training's for."
I continued,
"No more battle reviews needed."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Real."
"Heh heh heh! Freedom at last!"
Is he that thrilled?
Got me annoyed.
But I just smiled. Good little brother, after all.
Days later,
Ha-cheol Escort Leader's group and Jin-ho hyung's departed the branch.
I asked Ha Escort Leader one favor:
If Master came to Beijing soon, tell him to stop by.
Wanted to deliver his father's item ASAP, but I'd be stuck here awhile.
Left in Beijing, I….
What else? Work.
Summer nearing—check monsoon prep.
Review new goods too.
Ah….
I recalled Father's letter end:
Your aunt's birthday soon. Convey my congratulations in my stead.
Eunhae Merchant Group Lord
Need to buy a gift.
I turned to Seo-hyang Sojeo sorting papers.
"Help me out?"
"Pardon?"
"Aunt's birthday. Need help picking a gift."
Soon, we hit the markets.
"Not sure if I'll be useful."
"Better than me—a woman knows women's gifts."
"What kind?"
"Hairpin or accessory."
We browsed women's shops, carefully selecting.
Sun-mi was away with her husband, so Seo-hyang as company.
Sun-il hyung isn't affectionate.
Less pessimistic than before—progress.
His heart's warm, though.
Why he asked my help at Sun-mi's wedding.
Then, someone unbelievable caught my eye.
A tall youth picking accessories….
Sun-il hyung, unmistakably.
Buying for Aunt too, huh? Wait—
Why two necklaces?
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