Chapter 549. The Jegal Clan's Eccentric (2)
I asked the Supreme Patriarch.
"Were you perhaps kidnapped or went missing at some point?"
"No, that child simply chose not to return to the main house of his own volition."
Of his own volition?
Honestly, the three years of the Jamnyonghaeng—the wandering dragon journey—were a nonstop gauntlet of hardships.
You received no support from your clan whatsoever and couldn't even use the family name.
Having lived your life being pampered as the young master or lady of a prestigious house, you were suddenly cast alone into the harsh world.
Of course, you learned many things and received aid in preparation for the journey, but that was all before setting out.
The world that greeted you bare-handed was cruel and merciless.
In fact, there were even those who lost their lives during the Jamnyonghaeng.
Yet the clan merely watched from afar, never lifting a finger even if death loomed.
That was the rule.
As a result, most rushed back to the clan the moment the three years ended.
Only then could their name be officially entered into the Jegal clan's registry, granting them full rights as a member.
Yet this man had chosen not to return for twenty whole years, effectively forfeiting all rights to the Jegal clan on his own.
That was no easy feat.
So that's why they call him an eccentric, I thought.
"But why recommend such an eccentric to me?"
The Supreme Patriarch replied to my question.
"Because he's someone who could be of help to you. Frankly, it'd be easier to find someone in the main house lacking the skills you want. But isn't the key to find the one who can assist you the most?"
"I appreciate the consideration."
"Hoho, save your thanks for later. I may have chosen him, but he has to suit your tastes, right?"
This was someone personally selected by the Jegal clan's Supreme Patriarch.
He was bound to please me.
"Then I'll go meet him."
"You're going yourself? I could just summon him here."
The Supreme Patriarch looked puzzled, but I smiled softly and replied.
"Even Liu Bei, the Emperor of Shu Han, made three visits and bows to recruit a brilliant strategist. How could I just sit here and call for him?"
At my words, the Supreme Patriarch laughed delightedly.
"Hahaha! Well said—I'm grateful."
He nodded vigorously and moved to call a servant.
"Ah, Supreme Patriarch. There's something I was asked to pass on."
"A request?"
"Yes."
He glanced at the letter I handed him and asked.
"This wouldn't happen to be from Physician Jeok-ui Hwata, would it?"
"How did you know?"
Pointing to the drawing on the envelope, he explained.
"This image is the token of our pact."
Ah, so that's what that drawing signified.
"What connection do you have with Physician Hwata?"
"Well, actually..."
It was a story that would come out eventually anyway, and the Supreme Patriarch wasn't one to blab carelessly.
I began explaining step by step.
"...And that's how I ended up saving them—one of whom was Physician Jeok-ui Hwata."
"Heavens!"
The Supreme Patriarch shook his head with a sigh.
"To think such a thing happened! Truth be told, Jeok-ui Hwata is an old friend of mine. You've saved my dear companion—my deepest thanks."
"No need for that. Isn't it all heaven's will? Hahaha."
"And are they all right now?"
"Yes. They're staying at the Yeochun Guest Inn's Song Mountain branch. Word will soon reach their clans."
"I see. Why not bring them back to the main house?"
"I considered it briefly, but with eyes everywhere, I had no choice."
He nodded in understanding.
"If you thought that, there must've been good reason. Well done."
"Thank you for saying so."
I cupped my hands in a formal bow and continued.
"Supreme Patriarch, since my visit to the Jegal clan this time is official rather than personal, I'd like to pay my respects to the Patriarch as well."
"Ah! I forgot to mention—"
He chuckled heartily.
"The Patriarch is away on business and should return tomorrow, while the Young Patriarch will be back by tonight."
"I see."
"No need to worry. I'll send word for you to meet them upon their return."
"What are you saying? As the guest, it's only proper that I seek them out."
"Hoho, are you just any guest?"
"..."
Feeling a bit awkward, I changed the subject.
"Then I'll go meet the man you've recommended."
"Very well. Hmm... No time left today—make some tomorrow."
Seriousness filled the Patriarch's face.
He hadn't even read Jeok-ui Hwata's letter yet, so something else must be weighing on him.
What could it be?
I replied politely regardless.
"Understood."
***
A short while later.
Guided by a servant, I headed to the eccentric's quarters and asked.
"What is the name of the gentleman you're introducing me to?"
"Ah, it's Young Master Jegal Cheon-du. He's the youngest son of the Supreme Patriarch's youngest brother."
"I see."
That would make him cousins with the Patriarch, but his age...
Sensing my curiosity, the servant explained.
"He was born to his father at an advanced age."
"Ah, got it."
What strong vitality, I thought.
Wait a second... The Supreme Patriarch's youngest brother.
"That man surely..."
"Yes. He passed away long ago."
"..."
I cleared my throat awkwardly and pressed on.
"Ahem, what sort of person is Young Master Jegal Cheon-du?"
"Pardon?"
"I just thought it might help to know a bit beforehand."
He nodded as if understanding.
"Ah, I see what you mean. In that case... please refrain from mentioning the Murim Alliance."
Ah...
I instantly grasped the implication.
He harbors resentment toward the Murim Alliance.
That might explain why the Supreme Patriarch recommended him to me.
It meant the Patriarch had already discerned my reasons for establishing the martial hall.
What a terrifying man, I thought, rubbing my arms.
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing at all. Anything else?"
"He dislikes beating around the bush."
"Meaning he prefers directness?"
"You could say that."
We arrived at the outer quarters.
It made sense—Jegal Cheon-du was from a branch family.
Only direct descendants resided in the inner quarters.
"He's in his quarters at this hour?"
In martial clans like the Jegal, direct and branch descendants of the main line held key positions.
Upon completing their Jamnyonghaeng, they were assigned roles—even in the Jegal clan, or so I'd heard.
But court dismissal hadn't occurred yet.
He looked embarrassed as he explained.
"Well... He's tried various posts over the years but quit them all, saying they didn't suit him."
"..."
I sighed inwardly.
Oh, Supreme Patriarch.
Why do I feel like you're chuckling and saying, 'Take good care of him'?
Soon, we reached a separate pavilion.
In most clans, adults lived independently in such pavilions.
The Eunhae Merchant Group did the same.
A servant-like figure sweeping the courtyard spotted us and hurried over.
"Welcome."
"Is the young master inside?"
"Yes, he is."
"We have a guest. Inform him."
The servant dashed off.
"Young master! A guest has arrived!"
"Got it."
A voice drifted from within, and the door opened to reveal a man.
The moment I saw his face, I couldn't help but freeze in shock.
What? Why is he here?
I knew him from a previous encounter.
More precisely, from my past life.
After the Jegal clan fell, Jegal Yu-a became the bodyguard of a merchant leader.
She rose to one of the world's top hundred masters.
And the man she guarded was the leader of the Yu-gang Merchant Group—one of the Ten Great Merchant Groups.
The figure before me was the strategist who had elevated the Yu-gang Merchant Group to that status, serving as its chief steward.
To think he was from the Jegal clan.
The clan had collapsed before his Jamnyonghaeng ended, so the Murim Alliance never uncovered his identity.
"..."
As I stared blankly, Palgap nudged my side sharply.
"Young master."
"Ah!"
Snapping to, I quickly bowed.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Eun Seo-ho, young leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Jegal Cheon-du. The Supreme Patriarch mentioned you wish to appoint me as an instructor at your academy."
"Yes, exactly."
I nodded.
"I seek to recruit you as both designer and instructor for the martial hall we're establishing in partnership with the imperial court."
"Sorry, but I'm not interested. I decline."
As expected. The Supreme Patriarch said he picked the right man, not that it'd be easy to recruit him.
Convincing him is on me.
"Not interested? Or is there another reason?"
I continued.
"It'd benefit us both if you're frank."
He sighed at my words.
"Fine, since you insist. I simply don't want to work under you."
"Because I'm a lowly merchant? Of course, a noble young master from a prestigious house like the Jegal clan wouldn't stoop to that."
I needled him deliberately.
"You hold yourself too lofty to mingle with the base-born, right? Am I wrong?"
He scowled in displeasure.
"Don't paint me as some fool!"
"Then explain why. Just saying you hate working with me invites misunderstanding."
"..."
He glared before speaking.
"You're a hero of the Murim Alliance, bearer of the title Seonhyeopmirang. That's why."
"So you refuse because I'm tied to the Murim Alliance?"
"Precisely."
Only the leadership knew I was the Jegal clan's benefactor, after all.
"You're misunderstanding something."
"What?"
"Though the Eunhae Merchant Group is building this martial hall, the imperial court covers half the operating costs. And we can only build in Beijing with their permission."
"So what?"
I grinned.
"In other words, you'd be working under the imperial court, not me."
"..."
"And it seems you haven't heard the hall's true purpose."
His brow twitched.
"Purpose?"
"Yes."
I sent him a sound transmission.
— You seem eager to screw over the Murim Alliance. Am I right?
"...!"
He flinched.
— That's the exact goal of this academy. Screwing over the Murim Alliance.
He bit his lip slightly at my transmission.
"Can a bearer of the Seonhyeopmirang title say that?"
He couldn't use sound transmission yet, so his martial arts hadn't reached the peak.
— I never asked for the title. So what?
He smirked at my reply.
"No wonder the Supreme Patriarch said it'd suit me and be quite entertaining."
"Will you accept my proposal, then?"
He nodded readily.
"Very well. I'll do it."
"Thank you."
I bowed in gratitude.
"Glad I didn't need those three visits and bows."
"Don't say that—you'll embarrass me. Come in, have some tea."
"I won't stand on ceremony."
The pavilion had a small reception room.
A servant soon brought tea and refreshments.
As we chatted over tea, I realized we clicked surprisingly well.
I had so many questions for him. One in particular...
"You're wondering why I'm so hostile to the Murim Alliance."
"Caught me—I'm usually good at masking my expressions."
"Twenty years wandering the empire, facing every trial imaginable—it sharpens your eye for people."
He gave a wry smile.
"My instincts tell me you're trustworthy, Young Leader. The Supreme Patriarch said as much, but I trust only my own experiences."
"I understand."
The man who'd built the Yu-gang Merchant Group into a top-ten powerhouse had every right to that confidence.
"But proceeding with mutual doubts will only lead to friction."
"Agreed."
At my affirmation, he sighed and confessed.
"That's why I'm telling you this. The truth is... my father was murdered by the Murim Alliance."
***
At that moment.
The Jegal clan's Supreme Patriarch, Jegal Hyeon-ri, sat in the small pavilion in his quarters.
Before him lay a modest waterfall and pond—a space crafted for reciting poetry or quiet contemplation.
He fiddled with the envelope containing the letter Eun Seo-ho had delivered, then tore it open.
It was from his old friend, Jeok-ui Hwata.
To my dear brother-in-arms: To think I can send this letter to you—it's like a dream even now. I never imagined I'd live to see sunlight again.
Reading the opening, gratitude toward Eun Seo-ho welled up anew.
His friend had never been one for frequent updates, but the total silence had worried him deeply.
Without that young man, he might have lost his last close companion.
No—without him, both Jeok-ui Hwata and I would have met grim ends.
Gazing at the three trees drawn on the envelope, he wore a wistful expression.
Those three trees symbolized himself and his two friends.
But one had departed far too soon.
That friend's name was Gwak Won-gyu.
The lord of the Wind Palace.