It's Really Just a Misunderstanding (4)
Gwak Myeong-hyeon’s fist had knocked Eun Seo-ho out cold, and Seo-u and Jin Yu swiftly supported him.
Yet no one flew into a rage or drew their sword.
“Thank you.”
They expressed only gratitude.
Gwak Myeong-hyeon clicked his tongue at the limp Eun Seo-ho.
“Tsk tsk. Why push yourself so hard that you worry everyone like this?”
Of course, Eun Seo-ho couldn’t hear him.
Seo-u gave a wry smile.
“I’ve wanted to do something like this for a while now, but as you know, your realm is higher than mine, and besides…”
“A bodyguard can’t lay hands on his lord.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
By then, Palgap had approached and scooped Eun Seo-ho into his arms.
“Then I’ll lay him down in bed.”
“Please do. He’ll probably sleep soundly for about three days.”
That was why he’d asked Eun Seo-ho about his schedule.
Then he turned to Seo-u.
“By the way, you’re impressive.”
“Pardon?”
“You haven’t been at the Super First-rate realm long, yet you’re already facing a wall.”
“……”
Seo-u flinched.
He hadn’t expected anyone to discern his situation so precisely and effortlessly.
“Actually, hitting a wall is something worth celebrating.”
“Celebrating?”
He had no choice but to ask.
Gwak Myeong-hyeon wasn’t the type to mock others, based on what he’d seen.
“Hitting a wall means you know there’s a next realm beyond it. Compared to those who don’t even realize where the wall is, you’re far ahead.”
“……I see.”
“That said, don’t get too impatient. That once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you had won’t come again. Remind yourself of your goal.”
Seo-u stared blankly into space for a moment, then cupped his fists in respect.
“Thank you for your valuable advice.”
“No need… It’s only natural. Our future is bright only if my precious disciple stays safe.”
He glanced toward the room where Palgap had carried Eun Seo-ho.
“If he ever pushes himself like this again, just let me know anytime. I’ll put him right to sleep.”
“I won’t hesitate.”
Gwak Myeong-hyeon nodded at Seo-u’s words, then strode out of the pavilion as if nothing had happened.
I opened my eyes.
“Uh……”
I was lying in my bed.
Huh? When did I get in bed? I don’t remember lying down.
And I’m not in my外出 clothes either.
Did Palgap change me?
As I blinked and gathered my wits, the events came back to me one by one.
Master had said to summon him once my urgent business was done, so I’d sent Geumryeong.
And Master had come to the pavilion……
Ah……
I pulled up my jeogori and checked my stomach.
No bruises.
In truth, there were sleeping pills or ways to administer sedatives.
But Master had chosen this rough method because my Taiyin Ice Sea Divine Art had reached the Super First-rate realm, rendering those useless.
And I hadn’t even reacted to his speed.
That meant he’d been going easy on me during our usual training.
Whew, I’ve still got a long way to go.
Just then, the door opened and Palgap entered.
“Oh? Did you wake up, young master?”
I sighed at his beaming face.
“So, who asked you to do it?”
“Do what?”
“To knock me out cold.”
“Who would ask that?”
“……”
Then it must’ve been decided when Master visited me at dawn.
“Ah! He said if you ever push yourself too hard again, just let him know anytime.”
“Eek?”
I paled involuntarily.
But……
Geumryeong was my guardian spirit, wasn’t it? It could’ve blocked Master’s fist.
“Geumryeong, come out.”
“Kkwi?”
Geumryeong poked its head out from my sleeve.
“Why didn’t you block when Master swung at me?”
“Kkwi! Kkwi!”
“No killing intent?”
“Kkwi!”
“You knew it wasn’t meant to harm me, so you stayed put?”
“Kkwi kkwi!”
“You’re a smart little spirit fox that knows what’s best for your master?”
Damn, they were all in on it.
But I couldn’t say anything.
I’d been pushing myself too hard lately, even by my own standards.
Self-inflicted, basically.
“Kkwi! Kkwi!”
Geumryeong tapped my knee insistently.
It wanted its reward for fetching Master.
“Alright, I’ll give it to you. Just wait a sec.”
I got off the bed and staggered slightly.
“How long was I out? My body’s stiff.”
“It’s the third day today.”
“Huh……”
He’d said three days, and they’d really put me under for exactly that.
I could almost understand how those sailors felt when the Emperor ordered them put to sleep.
With Palgap’s help, I washed up, changed, and left my quarters.
“Did you wake up?”
Yi Pil warrior and Myeong Jong warrior cupped their fists to me.
“Yes. Thanks to you all, I got some real rest.”
They smiled at my words.
Then something tapped the bridge of my nose. I held out my hand—snowflakes.
Right, it was already mid-December.
Snow, snow……
“Ah! Where’s Vice Captain Kwak?”
“He’s handling work in the office right now.”
“Got it.”
I nodded and headed to the office.
My office was in Eunryong Pavilion, the same building as Father’s.
It had been Eunryong Hall originally, but we’d quickly renamed it to Pavilion when the Emperor’s attention focused here.
Entering the office in Eunryong Pavilion, a faint incense greeted me.
“You’re here.”
“Yes, take it easy.”
“The moment the branch leader wakes up, he’ll dive right into work. Isn’t it the vice captain’s job to have everything ready?”
“My mistake.”
She chuckled at my words.
“You must’ve slept well for three days—your complexion looks much better.”
“Does it?”
“Yes. You look far healthier.”
I smirked.
“It’s lunchtime. Shall we step out?”
“Sure.”
I walked with Seo-hyang toward my pavilion, snow falling around us.
She smiled up at the sky, and for some reason, her plum blossom scent seemed even richer.
“Still like the snow?”
“Yes. It’s so wondrous and beautiful.”
“Didn’t you see enough to last a lifetime at the Northern Sea Ice Palace?”
“Of course. But I still love it.”
Then she really loves it.
True love doesn’t fade no matter how much you experience it.
“Miss your family?”
Instead of answering, she gazed quietly at me.
“I’ll make sure you return to them.”
“Yes. I believe you.”
Why did her trust feel so reassuring?
If the chance arises, I should bring Lord and Lady Baek Jeong-sa of Gwiju. They need to see she’s healthy.
The next day.
I met Gong Mil after a long while.
Now a composed young man, he was still glued to his workshop, but his complexion had improved noticeably.
“You look healthy.”
“Sigh, Hyungjin hyung and Ilsong hyung drag me to the training grounds every morning…… I can’t help but get healthier.”
I burst out laughing.
Those guys did a great job.
“More importantly, are you okay?”
“With what?”
“You collapsed from overwork, right? Everyone in the merchant group is worried sick.”
Huh? Collapsed from overwork? Me?
No…… I just got knocked out by Master.
Why did the rumor spread like that?
Come to think of it, people had been looking at me strangely. That explained it.
But correcting it felt awkward, so I just grinned sheepishly and changed the subject.
“What’re you making? Looks like a tassel?”
“Ah, this is for Ra-a. There’ve been a lot of creeps bothering her lately.”
He explained the item.
“Twist this part of the tassel, and it shoots powder from inside, blinding the target.”
“Oh! So it’s for Gong Ra’s safety!”
“Exactly.”
A voice came from behind.
“Ah! Branch leader!”
Turning, I saw a lovely young girl.
“Gong Ra?”
“Yes!”
She’d grown so much I almost didn’t recognize her. I said to Gong Mil,
“I get why you’re so worried now.”
“Right? But thanks to you, no one dares mess with her.”
Gong Ra asked with concern.
“Are you okay? I heard you collapsed from overwork.”
It’s a misunderstanding……
“Take care of yourself.”
“Yeah, I will.”
After chatting briefly with the Gong siblings, I headed to my next stop and asked Palgap,
“About that rumor I collapsed from overwork—why phrase it that way?”
“How else should I explain it?”
“There are other excuses……”
I trailed off. No other explanation justified me lying in bed for three days straight.
Damn.
Palgap added,
“If Captain Kwak hadn’t done that, you really would’ve collapsed from overwork.”
“Sorry about that.”
I had nothing to say this time.
I tucked in my tail quick.
My next destination was where Captain Yong and his family were staying.
“What brings you here, sir?”
“How have you been?”
Captain Yong Eung-wan smiled.
“Very well, of course.”
“And everyone else?”
“Yes.”
His family emerged from inside, greeting me in clumsy but clear imperial tongue.
“Hello.”
“Come in for some tea.”
“I won’t refuse.”
I entered the house. As captain in the Eunhae Merchant Group, he was practically a deputy manager.
Father had taken good care of them; it was a fine place with a guest room.
We sipped tea and chatted idly.
“And your brother?”
“He’s with the Silver Wind Corps now. Wanted to serve as a member.”
“I see.”
Makes sense. Captain Yong’s brother was a warrior and former battle slave, so the Silver Wind Corps was perfect for his talents.
He’d pick up the imperial language quickly around the warriors there.
“Actually, there’s something I’d like to ask your mother.”
“What is it?”
“Teach me and my group the Dai Viet language.”
“Dai Viet?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“Someday, we’ll have to go to Dai Viet ourselves. I don’t want to rely solely on interpreters.”
I smiled.
“Even with interpreters, it’s different if I can speak it myself, right?”
“True enough. I’ll ask Mother.”
He spoke to her in Dai Viet, and she nodded with a smile.
“She says she’d be delighted. She’s happy to repay the favor, even a little.”
“What are you saying? Of course we’ll pay for it.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s proper work. We’ll compensate her fairly. The favor she feels is yours to repay, Captain.”
“Hahaha, right.”
He nodded, then said,
“But are you alright? I heard you collapsed from overwork.”
Another misunderstanding.
“Of course. I’m fine. Hahaha.”
That day, I heard “Are you okay?” nonstop. And not just that.
I ended up with armfuls of herbs said to aid fatigue recovery.
Evening came.
I headed to the lodging next to my pavilion, where the head and young master of the Yun River Clan were staying.
It didn’t look big from outside, but inside it rivaled a high-end inn.
They were out in the courtyard.
“Are you alright? I heard you collapsed from overwork……”
Again with this.
It’s a misunderstanding. Really just a misunderstanding.
“I’m fine. Ready to go?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s head out.”
I led them to the open field in the merchant group grounds.
We were to demonstrate archery for Father today.
As we waited, Father and Outer Corps Leader Go Il-pyeong approached.
“Greetings, Merchant Group Leader.”
“At ease.”
Father waved off the formalities.
“No need for preamble. Show us your skills.”
“Understood.”
Go Il-pyeong spoke from behind.
“We’ve set up targets ahead. See the red ones over there?”
Wow, they went all out. Means they’ll scrutinize closely.
“I see them.”
“Shoot those.”
Man Gong-ja took stance and loosed his arrow.
Wait, that wasn’t one arrow.
Bang!
It looked casual, but the result was astonishing.
All five arrows hit their targets dead center.
And not just hit—they shattered them.
“……”
Silence fell, then Father let out a hearty laugh.
“Impressive. I see why you brought them.”
“Hahaha.”
Exactly. There’s a reason I brought them.
That’s why they’re called archery gods.
Both men praised Man Gong-ja with satisfaction.
“Truly remarkable!”
“Such archery! It’ll be a huge help!”
“Please lend that strength to our Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“Of course.”
Thus, we took the first step toward forming the merchant group’s archery unit.
Then.
Someone came running urgently from afar. One of Father’s bodyguards?
Off duty now—what’s up?
Father asked the panting man,
“What’s the matter?”
“A messenger just arrived from the Myeongmyeong Merchant Group. But…… something seems wrong.”