Risk Factors (1)
The next morning.
We finished preparing to leave Yusungmun.
The night before, I had settled the payment for Yusungmun's night-luminescent pearl, and true to the saying that a swift kick to the ox's horns pulls it out cleanly, the sect leader immediately summoned the creditors who were at the banquet and cleared the sect's debts.
Perhaps because of that, the sect leader's face looked remarkably refreshed as he saw us off.
"Then we'll be on our way."
"I've held up busy people. Go on ahead. Haha."
"Father, Mother, Grandmother. I'm off."
"Alright. Safe travels."
"Take care of yourself, and be good to your in-laws."
"Yes."
With the newlyweds and their family exchanging farewells, the sect leader's gaze turned to me.
"I don't know how to repay all these favors. Truly, thank you."
"No need to speak of favors."
"Haha, such excessive humility. You saved my nephew and our sect besides."
"It was all because the heavens look kindly on Yusungmun."
"I will repay this grace, without fail."
And so we departed Yusungmun and returned to Gwangjun Merchant Group.
I parted from the newlyweds and returned to my quarters, flopping onto the bed.
I'm exhausted.
But now that even the family rite is done, I can finally head to Beijing.
That was what I thought at the time.
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The next morning.
While eating breakfast, a servant from Deputy Leader Bok Yun arrived, requesting that I visit his quarters after the meal.
I gladly accepted.
He's probably calling to express thanks before I leave.
With that in mind, I finished eating and headed to Deputy Leader Bok Yun's quarters.
"Please, come in."
"Good morning."
He offered me a seat, and I sat at the low table.
"Tea...?"
"Ah, I've had some."
But there was something off in Deputy Leader Bok Yun's gaze as he looked at me.
Something... apologetic.
From experience, whenever someone gave me that look, it always meant something tiring was coming my way.
What could it be?
"I wanted to thank you for all the hard work you put in as my best man at the wedding."
"Not at all. It was an honor to be your best man, Deputy Leader."
"The Moyong family also came to congratulate us on the wedding."
"They did."
As befitting Gwangjun Merchant Group's prestige, the Moyong family's young lord had attended.
"So, I need to pay a return visit to the Moyong family."
Ah, that's it.
When a key figure from a merchant group holds a wedding, prominent sects in the area send congratulations, and in return, a visit is made to express gratitude.
It's a way of saying, let's keep things friendly going forward.
The law is distant, but fists are close—staying on good terms with such sects ensures help when needed.
And broadcasting "we're friends" widely keeps others from picking fights.
"I've sent word that I'd come to pay respects, and they've replied. We're set to depart the day after tomorrow."
Here comes the main point.
"The Moyong family requested to meet Seonhyeopmirang and speak with him, so they've asked you to join."
No way the young lord who came realized I'm the guy he met in the Ghost Demon Tomb and that's why?
That can't be.
I hadn't exchanged a single word with Young Lord Moyong Tae-geol that day.
It's probably just because of my nickname, Seonhyeopmirang.
I let out a sigh and said, "I was planning to leave for Beijing tomorrow, but things being what they are, I'll have to go to the Moyong family."
"Thank you for understanding. Then I'll make the preparations."
I returned to my room and informed Palgap and the guards that we'd be visiting the Moyong family.
That gives us two extra days.
I pondered what to do with the time, but there was only one answer.
Focus on martial arts training, which I'd been neglecting.
When I get back to Hubei, Master will notice if I've slacked off—that won't do.
And I should check on the Ironblood Horses at the ranch.
I'm their owner, after all; time to get familiar with their faces.
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The day to depart for the Moyong family arrived.
I finished preparing and headed to the carriage house, where Deputy Leader Bok Yun had already arrived. We exchanged greetings.
"Sorry if I'm late."
"Not at all. You're earlier than expected. I just came early to handle some packing."
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"Please relax. I'll let you know if I need assistance."
"Got it."
In the end, there was nothing for me to do before departure. Gwangjun Merchant Group was part of the top hundred merchant groups, after all—everything was systematically organized, leaving no room for me to pitch in.
And so, with gifts in tow, we set off for the Moyong family.
The Moyong family was about two hours' distance from Yusungmun, in the opposite direction.
"Who might you be?"
One of the gatekeepers ran over to ask, and Deputy Leader Bok Yun replied.
"I'm Bok Yun, deputy leader of Gwangjun Merchant Group. We had an appointment for today."
The gatekeeper brightened and bowed.
"Ah! We've been expecting you. I heard Eun Seo-ho the great hero was coming along too?"
I stepped forward. "That's me, Eun Seo-ho."
"Ah!"
The gatekeeper immediately cupped his fists in salute.
"An honor to meet the great hero."
"Great hero? I don't deserve such a title."
"How could we not call the hero of the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly, Seonhyeopmirang, a great hero?"
Ah... this is burdensome.
Really burdensome.
True to being a martial clan, even with a top hundred merchant group's deputy leader here to give thanks, they seemed more excited about me.
"You're too kind. May we enter?"
"Of course. Please, everyone, come inside."
We were escorted in, and I quietly said to Deputy Leader Bok Yun, "Sorry for drawing the attention."
He shook his head. "Not at all. It's well deserved. And thanks to you getting the spotlight, I can breathe easy—it's a relief."
"Pardon?"
"When you're the center of attention, you can't slack off, right?"
"Ah..."
"Plus, we're getting this level of treatment because we came with you. Hero perks are something else."
"I see."
Then no need to feel sorry.
We were promptly shown to our lodgings.
"The family head has a guest at the moment. My apologies, but please rest here, and we'll escort you later."
"Understood."
The escort assigned two maids to each of us.
The number of attendants shows the level of hospitality.
Two each meant they intended to treat us quite lavishly.
Creeeak.
We'd been given an entire annex as quarters.
It was tastefully decorated—elegant and orderly, not gaudy with ostentatious items.
Hm?
Standing at the door, I felt something peculiar.
There were no blind spots in the room from the entrance.
Truly a martial clan.
Likely for quick response in any situation.
Obstacles were also minimized, probably because the Moyong family's swordsmanship pursued swift speed.
I'd used swift sword techniques myself and knew: obstacles were the biggest issue with fast blades.
The higher your speed, the greater the risk of self-injury on clutter.
As I rested there, a maid approached. "The family head summons you."
I stepped out and ran into Deputy Leader Bok Yun and his wife, who had just emerged.
"Shall we?"
"Yes."
Soon after, we arrived at the reception hall and were served refreshments.
Mm, these pastries are delicious.
With the poor harvest making grain scarce, pastries had become far pricier.
Yet the Moyong family, true to their prestige, was generous with them.
"The family head and young lord arrive."
We rose quickly. Hadn't they just said the young lord too?
The door opened, and in came a middle-aged man with the young lord I'd met before.
From the middle-aged man emanated an overwhelmingly fierce inner energy.
Slightly above mine—Super First-rate, then.
Transcendent Realm experts were rare in the martial world.
I smirked inwardly at the young lord.
Long time no see.
Our connection from my previous life made it feel nostalgic.
But it wasn't all fondness.
Having met in the Ghost Demon Tomb, there was anxiety he might recognize me.
Being there was something best kept hidden.
"I'm Bok Yun, deputy leader of Gwangjun Merchant Group. An honor to meet you. And beside me is the eldest daughter of Yusungmun's sect leader, now my wife."
"In Jeong-yeon. Pleasure to meet the family head and young lord."
"Welcome to Moyong family."
The family head returned the greeting and turned to me.
"Eun Seo-ho of Eunhae Merchant Group. Pleasure to meet you, family head."
"Oh! So you're Seonhyeopmirang!"
"An undeserved name."
"Hahaha! Glad to meet you!"
The family head's face brightened even more as he introduced himself. "I'm Moyong Jin-il, head of Moyong family."
The young lord followed. "Moyong Tae-geol, young lord of Moyong family."
We exchanged greetings and sat.
Deputy Leader Bok Yun spoke first. "We've come to express our gratitude for your attendance at our wedding."
"Gwangjun is one of Yoneung's pillars; of course we had to attend. I'm sorry I couldn't come myself and only sent the young lord."
"Not at all! The young lord's presence was more than enough."
Deputy Leader Bok Yun continued, "And we've prepared a modest gift."
"A gift?"
"Yes."
He presented a box. "A tea set crafted by the master artisan Gongjeon of Beijing."
"Oh! That popular set that's hard to get? We'll gladly accept."
He looked quite pleased, sliding the box aside with a smile.
"Congratulations again on the marriage. And going forward, Moyong family will deal with Gwangjun Merchant Group in good faith."
"Thank you. Gwangjun will deal with Moyong family in good faith as well."
Deal in good faith.
Meaning no backstabbing, stay friendly.
This was the sweet spot for relations.
Too distant was trouble; too close, risky.
Best to keep distance for a quick retreat if needed.
The family head wrapped up and turned to me. "I heard you were with Gwangjun, so I took the liberty of inviting you. I wanted a leisurely chat. Forgive the suddenness."
"How could I blame you, family head? A mere merchant like me is grateful for your interest."
"Nonsense! You're a merchant, yes, but also the hero called Seonhyeopmirang."
"I'm embarrassed."
Our conversation flowed on various topics, mostly martial arts.
"Peak realm at your age! Astonishing."
I smiled sheepishly inside.
No, actually Super First-rate.
Thanks to Taiyin Ice Sea Divine Art, it seemed the Moyong family head hadn't detected my true level.
Since I wanted to hide my Super First-rate attainment, I continued calmly. "It's all because Master Jin Yeong Daehyeop's Cheonryu Ice Sword is such an excellent art."
"Haha. Cheonryu Ice Sword is fine, but the practitioner's talent matters more."
He gazed at me intently.
He hasn't figured out my constitution, has he?
"So your inner art is yin-based, matching Cheonryu Ice Sword."
"Yes."
"Your constitution suits it well, aiding your rapid growth."
The talk continued endlessly, the family head's attention fixed on me.
Whew, is this what Deputy Leader Bok Yun meant?
Can't rest when you're the focus.
Family head, can I go rest now? It's been a full hour of this.
I summoned superhuman patience and endured an hour and a half.
Finally, I returned to my quarters.
Thud.
I collapsed on the bed with a sigh. "Ah, that was brutal."
"You've been talking that whole time?"
"Yeah."
"What could there be so much to say?"
"It wasn't me with a lot to say—he wouldn't stop."
Palgap looked at me with pity.
Then—
"My lord."
Servant Seo-u Warrior's voice came from outside.
"The young lord wishes to see you."
"Now?"
"Yes."
After listening to my voice for an hour and a half, he must've realized I'm the one from the Ghost Demon Tomb.
Well, whatever...
I'm exhausted to death—did it have to be right now?