Chapter 501. White Dew Liquor (5)

I hurried to the lodgings where the brewmasters had gathered.

The courtyard was crowded with people murmuring in excitement.

Pushing through the throng, I saw the Minister of Military Affairs standing face-to-face with a woman wearing a veiled hat and the craftsman Yeong Gu-jin.

"Are you the one who brewed the White Dew Liquor?"

"Yes, I am."

The craftsman Yeong Gu-jin answered confidently.

"Was there some problem with the liquor I brewed, by any chance?"

"No, nothing like that. What I'm curious about is the liquor itself..."

I cut in before the minister could continue.

I couldn't let those words reach the other ears.

"Well, if it isn't... Minister of Military Affairs, sir?"

"Hm? It's Eun Seo-ho, the young branch leader."

"Yes. I heard you'd come looking for our Yeong craftsman, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠so I rushed over."

"Indeed. I have business with him."

"In that case, rather than chatting out here, why not go inside? The morning is still chilly—it would be better for your daughter as well."

He nodded at my suggestion.

"That would be best."

With that, I guided the minister and his group to the reception room, and Palgap prepared some refreshments.

"Please, have some."

"My thanks."

I was about to ask the minister to let me sit in on the meeting.

But Yeong Gu-jin beat me to it.

"I apologize, sir, but Eun Seo-ho, the young branch leader here, is my sponsor. He ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠handles all matters concerning my affairs, great and small. With that in mind, I request that he join us."

The minister accepted the request readily.

"Very well."

"Thank you."

I quickly took a seat beside Yeong Gu-jin.

"Let me ask once more. Are you truly the one who brewed the White Dew Liquor?"

"Yes, I am."

I have no idea why he's confirming it over and over like this.

But it didn't seem like bad news.

If there had been a problem, the Gold Guard would have stormed in.

"The White Dew Liquor was indeed brewed by Yeong Gu-jin here. Over a hundred invited guests at yesterday's tasting witnessed it, along with countless others."

"I see."

He nodded.

"There's a reason I'm confirming this again. The truth is... my daughter suffered from mania."

"..."

I already knew from Yeong Gu-sang, but I couldn't let on, so I feigned surprise.

"It was a mania that drove her to self-harm. An inexplicable madness that tormented her greatly. But after I gave her the White Dew Liquor bestowed by His Majesty yesterday... the mania vanished."

"Pardon?"

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't know either, I suppose. In any case, it was a miraculous and grateful event for me. No medicine had helped, yet a single sip of liquor cured it."

Yeong the craftsman still seemed clueless about the reason, but I had a pretty good idea.

It had to be the energy of the Tae-eum Ice Sea Divine Art I'd sensed in the White Dew Liquor.

The minister's daughter's mania wasn't a true illness—it was closer to brainwashing or a curse.

A Taoist from Mosan Sect had cured it.

The White Dew Liquor infused with Tae-eum Ice Sea Divine Art must have played a similar role.

But the minister's next words shocked even me.

"No method worked before... This must be heaven's arrangement. So, you there! Marry my daughter."

"Pardon?"

"Pardon?"

Why is the conversation suddenly heading this way?

But it seemed the matter was already decided—the minister's daughter sat demurely beside him without a word.

Yeong Gu-jin, flustered, replied,

"Th-this is too sudden, sir. And your daughter is far too good for the likes of me."

"Nonsense. If not for you, my daughter would surely have ended her own life someday."

I couldn't contradict him.

It hadn't been her life, but in stopping her, her husband-to-be, Yeong Gu-jin, had lost his.

"If you're the one who brewed the liquor that cured my daughter's mania, I can entrust her to you."

The minister's resolve was firm, while Yeong Gu-jin looked troubled.

Watching this scene, I felt a strange mix of emotions.

These two, who were married in my previous life, are connecting again in this one?

It really makes you believe in fated partners.

I had no real reason to object.

In the previous life, he'd sacrificed due to his wife's mania, but here, his own brew had resolved it.

And the minister's family made for fine in-laws.

Still, for the flustered Yeong Gu-jin's sake, I needed to buy some time.

I spoke carefully.

"Sir, isn't marriage a major union between families?"

"True enough."

"And a lifelong bond between man and woman. So perhaps it's best to take some time before proceeding."

"Ah... You're right! Forgive me. I got ahead of myself."

"N-no, not at all."

Yeong Gu-jin waved his hands hastily at the apology.

"So, is your father, the head brewer, in Hubei Province?"

He already knew Yeong Gu-jin came from a brewmaster in Hubei.

"No, my father is in Guizhou Province."

"Guizhou?"

"Well..."

Yeong Gu-jin scratched his cheek as he answered.

"He serves as the Deputy Regional Commander there."

At that, the minister blinked before asking again.

"By any chance... how are you related to Yeong Gu-sang, the provincial secretary?"

"He's my second eldest brother."

So he hadn't looked into that far yet. No wonder the shocked expression.

"Heavens! So that's it! What ails him that he took sick leave?"

Yeong Gu-jin looked awkward at the question.

The reason for the sick leave was obvious.

He'd been beaten black and blue by his eldest brother Yeong Gu-man in the rain—how could he be fine?

"My apologies. I don't have much contact with my second brother, so I'm not sure."

"I see."

The minister looked immensely pleased regardless.

Naturally—the man he'd chosen as son-in-law came from a respectable family.

.

.

.

That evening, I returned to my room and called for Geum-ryeong.

"Geum-ryeong."

"Kkwi?"

"Want some silver? Do me a favor."

At my words, Geum-ryeong kkwi-ed and hopped onto the low table before me, eyes sparkling.

I tied a pre-written letter to its tail.

"Deliver this to Master, and bring back a reply."

"Kkwi."

"Off you go."

Geum-ryeong dashed straight to Master.

I didn't know exactly where he was, but at Geum-ryeong's speed, I'd have a reply by tomorrow at the latest.

The next morning.

"Kkwi!"

I opened my eyes to find Geum-ryeong perched on my chest, peering down at me.

"Yawn... You got back quick?"

I yawned and stroked it.

Then, rising from bed, I untied and read the letter from its tail.

Snow Dew Liquor?

Dew of snow, perhaps?

From the handwriting, Master seemed quite excited too.

Our thoughts align.

Those who thoroughly destroyed Snow Wind Palace would take notice of the White Dew Liquor.

They'd come for it, and capturing them would reveal their identities.

He's leaving the rest to me.

I ignited Samadhi True Fire to burn the letter.

Now, time for some ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠meditation and breath control?

As I moved to rise, Geum-ryeong bit my robe hem and wouldn't let go.

"What's up?"

"Kkwi!"

Geum-ryeong tapped the bed with its front paw.

Ah... Haven't paid the silver yet. Such a thorough little beast.

.

.

.

Before long, all the competitions had concluded.

As I'd predicted, White Dew Liquor took the top prize. Its brewer advanced to the emperor, receiving a certificate proving it the finest at the inaugural imperial liquor tasting, along with a prize sum.

"Splendid work! Continue striving to brew fine liquors."

"Your grace overwhelms me."

The runner-up excellence award went jointly to Moon Dew from Moon Pavilion and Peaceful Liquor from a brewmaster under Cheongsu Merchant Group.

Seven others earned honorable mentions.

Ming-myeong—literally, "inscribed name."

Meaning their names would be recorded and proclaimed across the empire.

Entering the top ten among countless brewmasters nationwide was a tremendous feat.

After the audience, Yeong Gu-jin staggered out.

"Are you all right?"

"Hoo... Y-yes, fine. Just the tension releasing."

I get it.

Facing the emperor always shrinks my guts too.

And I had to meet the emperor separately.

Whew...

I told him,

"Follow my attendant there."

"Yes."

"See you later."

I sent him off, took a deep breath facing the emperor's office.

A moment later.

I stood before the emperor.

"Raise your head."

"Your grace overwhelms me."

"Well done this time. The officials approve, the people's hearts are gladdened, and the entry fees were quite profitable to boot."

"How could it be due to this event alone? All thanks to Your Majesty's benevolence."

"Spit some saliva on your lips before speaking?"

At the rebuke, I moistened my lips and replied,

"It is the truth."

The emperor chuckled and changed the subject.

"I reviewed your proposal. Different bottles for liquors trading abroad—quite a good idea."

"I am overjoyed you approve."

"Proceed as planned."

"I shall. However, Your Majesty."

"What?"

"How ample will the budget be?"

"Budget?"

"Yes. As the saying goes, a generous budget lets workers proceed without worry. An uneasy heart births no masterpieces."

I continued,

"Moreover, these liquors are for foreign trade, are they not? To display the empire's prestige abroad, they must be exemplary."

"So, you're saying spend more freely."

I bowed in lieu of answer.

The emperor pondered briefly, then approved.

"Fair point. I'll allocate generously."

"Your grace overwhelms me."

"On that note... I hear the minister's daughter drank White Dew Liquor and her mania was cured?"

"..."

As expected, the emperor inquired.

"I asked Yeong the craftsman earlier. He said a positive energy infused the brewing process—and that you explained it."

Ah...

I did explain that much.

The brewer himself had to know something.

I'd given a detailed account, but instructed him to say only "positive energy was infused" to outsiders.

And to credit me for the explanation.

He'd followed orders well.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I looked into it separately—the White Dew Liquor's energy is cool yet pure. Much like yours."

"..."

The emperor had surely investigated via his Transcendent Realm guards.

Can't let my guard down even a little.

Good thing I'd consulted Master beforehand.

"Your Majesty, I don't know the details, but the cool energy in the White Dew Liquor seems to have cleared her mind."

I kept it vague.

Bait works best when tossed where it's not too obvious.

That disarms suspicion.

"My guess stems from my own energy sharing that nature, as you noted."

"So your energy has similar effects."

"Indeed. But please, keep this confidential."

"I have that much integrity."

"Thus I confide in you, Your Majesty."

Somehow, the emperor's gaze felt... burdensome. I quickly added,

"But it won't always manifest reliably."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Understood. Give your all to the upcoming Poetry Contest as well."

"I shall."

"Well done. Withdraw."

I withdrew from the emperor's presence.

I didn't stagger like Yeong Gu-jin, but the tension's release drained my strength all the same.

Back at the Beijing branch, Yeong Gu-jin was absent.

"His father, the head brewer, arrived, so he went to the family estate."

"I see."

I returned to my room and unrolled the documents.

Papers for liquor bottle production, received on the way out of the palace.

Reading them, I realized something and sighed.

This... is my job now?

Poetry Contest in a few days, and I've taken on extra work without thinking.

Pass it to High Leader Ko? No, ask him?