Chapter 493. Liquor Evaluation Fair (3)
At my master's words, I gained fresh insight into something I hadn't consciously noticed before.
As one cultivates the Taiyin Ice Sea Divine Art, a phenomenon known as rejection sensitivity emerges.
It's a visceral aversion to anything impure—a sure sign that one stands on the cusp of the Peak Realm.
I'd heard that the founder of the Snow Wind Palace, who helped establish it, possessed such an ability, but nothing is passed down about their descendants.
This rejection sensitivity is the hallmark feature of the Taiyin Ice Sea Divine Art. According to my master, no other technique reacts so acutely to the demonic energies of the unorthodox paths.
"Then... the red eyes..."
"That's a trait of the Blood Eye Technique practiced by Blood Cult disciples. Once they reach a certain level, their irises turn blood-red."
"But it only happened sporadically. And the bloody stench of those unorthodox energies vanished right after they died."
My master let out a thoughtful hum, pondered deeply, then shook his head.
"I'm not sure about that. I'll look into it separately."
"Please do. But don't push yourself too hard. If anything happened to you, Master, I'd be utterly heartbroken."
At my words, my master smiled warmly and patted my shoulder.
"Hearing you say that fills me with joy—and gives me strength. Because the young palace lord is you, the branch head."
"This disciple is sorely lacking."
"Not at all. I'll be careful, so don't worry. I know better than anyone the need for caution."
"Yes."
"Oh, right—I heard you're heading to Beijing soon."
"Yes. It's my main posting now. Ah, and there's one more thing I'd like to mention."
I continued with an awkward expression.
"Please tell the ones guarding me not to overdo it. I dart around everywhere, and since I've started riding the Jujang horse lately, it must be exhausting for them."
They were the experts my master had assigned to protect me.
But they'd never once needed to step in.
I and my escort warriors were strong enough on our own.
And since acquiring the Jujang horse, just keeping up with us must have been a trial.
My master chuckled softly and nodded.
"...Understood."
After seeing my master off, I returned and sank into thought.
Blood Cult disciples...
During my previous visit to the Wudang Sect, their imprisoned Blood Cult leader had died absurdly from poisoned herbs.
And I'd caught that bloody stench quite often when meeting unorthodox figures tied to the Martial Alliance. Did that mean they were all Blood Cultists?
Officially, the Blood Cult had been eradicated.
Yet if their members kept crossing my path, did that mean they hadn't been wiped out?
Or rather, what schemes was the Martial Alliance plotting by using the Blood Cult?
But I couldn't expose this to the world.
There was no concrete proof beyond the bloody stench I sensed through the Taiyin Ice Sea Divine Art.
I couldn't even reveal the art's existence—doing so might backfire, painting me as a Blood Cultist or public enemy.
The Martial Alliance had the power for that.
So I had to approach this with utmost caution.
That's why I was building my strength for revenge. Power ensures you won't be victimized.
That's what I'd confided to my master earlier.
He'd picked up on it.
In time, as I dealt with more of these bloody unorthodox folk, I'd uncover more.
With my thoughts settled, I washed up, changed clothes, and headed to the dining hall.
Breakfast time.
Kwak Myeong-hyeon left the Eunhae Merchant Group and turned toward the escort agency, then paused.
Blood Cult disciples...
His father's warning came to mind.
Beware the Blood Cult.
And he recalled the Heavenly Flow Ice Sword, passed from the North Sea Ice Palace Lord to Eun Seo-ho.
Its original master, the Extreme Heaven Sword Kwak Hoon, was a hero who'd earned great merit in the war against the Blood Cult two centuries ago.
Perhaps it wasn't coincidence that it reached Eun Seo-ho.
"Il-seol."
At his call, a man appeared before him and bowed deeply.
In truth, "Il-seol" didn't refer to just one person—it was the squad he led as captain.
Five members, including himself.
"You called, sir?"
"Yes."
Come to think of it, Il-seol's face had grown much gaunter than at first. A sign of their hardships.
It had been about five years since he'd ordered them to protect Eun Seo-ho.
In effect, it had become observation, and even that had grown overwhelming in recent years.
"You've all worked hard."
"Not at all. Isn't he the future of our Snow Wind Palace?"
Unlike when Kwak Myeong-hyeon first issued the order, they now genuinely accepted Eun Seo-ho as the next palace lord.
"No empty words—I'm saying it because I know how grueling it's been."
"......"
"The young palace lord said not to overexert yourselves."
"...!"
He looked mildly surprised, then nodded firmly. At Eun Seo-ho's level, he'd have noticed them long ago.
"So, I'll revise the order. Protect him without pushing too far."
"But..."
"Use your judgment."
"Understood."
"You might doubt your own usefulness, but in a million-to-one chance, that one time could decide our Snow Wind Palace's fate."
"We'll keep it in mind. That said... thanks to him, our lightness skills have improved tremendously. Chasing after the young palace lord leaves us no choice but to run for our lives half the time..."
"......"
The end of the second month arrived, and the day came for me and my group to depart for Beijing.
This winter had been eventful indeed.
The whole family turned out to see us off.
"Travel safely. Take care of yourself."
"Yes."
"Uncle, see you next time."
"Play with us again."
"Of course, of course."
I bid farewell to the elders, then to my two brothers and sisters-in-law.
Finally, I greeted Geon-hyeok and Bo-yeon.
Then I approached my father.
"Father, you remember what I told you?"
"Of course."
"See you then."
I headed toward Yongmin warrior.
He was one of those rotating in from the Beijing Silver Wind Corps, his name on the roster.
"Take good care of my son."
"Don't worry. I'll look after him well."
"Brother, I leave it to you."
"And I leave this voyage to you."
"That's a given."
"Looking after Captain Yong's brother is a given too, so don't worry."
The head of the Yun River Bay Clan was joining us this time, heading back to their main house in Shandong Province.
His son, Palace Divine Manjeong, was staying behind to train the archery unit.
And so we set off for Beijing.
Riding the Jujang horses, but with companions, we took it slow and steady.
Even on the move, I made time each day to learn Dai Viet language from Yongmin warrior.
We stopped midway in Shandong to drop off the clan head at Yun River Bay, then resumed for Beijing.
"Welcome."
"We've been waiting."
Upon arriving at the Beijing branch, Branch Head Eun and the staff greeted us warmly.
"Was your journey smooth?"
"There were obstacles, but overall, yes."
The branch head looked puzzled at my reply.
"Pardon? Obstacles?"
"We ran into a bandit gang."
"Good heavens! Any losses?"
"None."
I glanced back at the Silver Wind Corps warriors.
Bandits show no mercy, so neither do we—just meet ruthlessness with ruthlessness.
My escorts shone, especially Yongmin warrior from the Silver Wind Corps.
He proved once more that when wielding a sword to kill, he could unleash his full potential.
As I'd suspected, sword in hand, he matched a Peak Realm warrior.
The other Silver Wind warriors finally saw his true prowess.
"You must be tired. Please, come inside."
"Yes."
I went to my quarters but, instead of resting, washed quickly and headed straight to the Present Wind Bureau.
The vice director of the courtesan bureau welcomed me.
"Director, you've arrived?"
"Yes. You've worked hard in my absence."
"No need for that. Shall we start work right away?"
"Yes."
"I'll bring the documents to your office."
I nodded and went to the office.
As I entered, Galhyeon adjutant, who had been busily scribbling at the desk beside mine, jumped up.
"Gasp! Branch Head, you're here?"
"Yes. Thank you for your hard work."
I sat at my desk.
Soon the vice director wheeled in a cart piled high with documents.
"All this... for me to review?"
"Yes."
Then Gal adjutant spoke up.
"Ah, Director. Besides those, there's more you need to see."
"That's trouble."
"Pardon?"
"I've got two more events I need to oversee personally."
First, the poetry contest.
That one was familiar—no big issue.
The problem was the new one I'd stirred up.
I sent a letter to Jin Yeong Daehyeop's residence. Requesting an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.
With my perpetual pass, entering the palace was no problem.
But meeting the Emperor was another matter.
Unless he summoned me, I couldn't just drop by anytime.
The next day, via I-pil warrior's delivery.
"Welcome, Jin Yeong Daehyeop."
"It's been a while."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop visited the Beijing branch.
But his aura felt different from his visit to the main headquarters.
Ah!
I clasped my hands in salute and offered congratulations.
"Congratulations on your achievement."
"You noticed right away! Haha, I'm embarrassed."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop had broken through to Peak Realm.
"Crossing that wall was entirely thanks to your advice. Didn't you tell me? To swing my sword at the ice without a single thought?"
I had given that counsel.
Fortunately, it had come at the perfect moment.
"With permission from the others, I took a section and focused solely on shattering ice thoughtlessly—lost in a trance, I gained enlightenment."
Jin Yeong Daehyeop continued.
"I'm truly grateful. Thinking back, I owe you so much. You let the Gold Guard claim merits to boost our prestige, saved my life in Nanzhou, and now elevated my realm... I don't know how to repay such grace."
"No need—I've benefited from you in many ways too."
He needed to feel indebted to me.
That way, he'd provide all sorts of conveniences.
Having a Gold Guard supporter was reassuring and handy.
Especially one in a high position.
Sure, the Emperor backed me, but he was a bit intimidating.
"Ah, enough chatter—let's go. His Majesty awaits."
"Yes. Right away."
I headed to the palace with Jin Yeong Daehyeop.
Once inside, I met the Emperor promptly.
I offered the utmost courtesies, and the Emperor spoke in a voice brimming with dignity.
"Raise your head."
"Your imperial grace is boundless."
I quickly expressed thanks again.
"I gratefully received the hidden weapon you sent via Jin Yeong Daehyeop."
"Good. Use it well."
I'd imprinted the hidden weapon Ghost Bead with recognition of me as its master.
"So, what brings you? Not just thanks, I presume."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I continued.
"Before the poetry contest, I'd like to hold one event."
"What is it?"
"A liquor evaluation fair."
"Liquor evaluation? Judging alcohols?"
"Precisely."
I went on.
"By imperial decree, we're now brewing liquor for foreign trade. But why not sell it for top price?"
"A contest to distinguish fine liquors, elevating their value."
"Exactly."
The Emperor indeed—spot on.
"And add the honor of imperial endorsement?"
"In this empire, what greater honor than Your Majesty's approval?"
"And my gain?"
"Entry fees and public favor."
"Fees to fill the imperial coffers?"
"As expected of Your Majesty."
I continued.
"With liquors from across the empire, the fees alone will be substantial."
"Hm, not bad."
The fair boosts liquor value, letting merchants sell dear; the court gets fees. Win-win.
"Public favor? Ah, you rascal..."
The Emperor gazed at me with a pleased smile.
"Approved. Proceed."
His Majesty's permission granted.
"But you won't handle it alone. Got a suitable merchant group?"
"Yes. I do."
I answered promptly.
There was the most renowned for liquor.
Qingshui Merchant Group of Guizhou Province.
Even the name meant "pure water."
But the alcohol ban had them in dire straits.
This would be rain in drought for them.
In my past life, they'd fattened the Martial Alliance.
This time, different.
Now, at last, I could repay their grace.