The Test (1)
I smiled as I gazed at the distant Eunhae Merchant Group's Beijing branch.
“Finally here.”
“Are you pleased, young master?”
I nodded readily at Palgap's question.
“Of course. It means the end of our journey.”
“That's true.”
“Sure, there'll be mountains of work piled up for me once we're back. But that sense of stability from being where I belong—that's what matters.”
The Seo-u Warrior nodded vigorously in agreement with my words.
“Just as you say, my lord. I feel that same peace when I'm by your side.”
Seeing the others nodding along, I scratched my cheek and said,
“I'm grateful you all think that way. Still, nothing beats being with family.”
“Hahaha.”
The Seo-u Warrior chuckled awkwardly.
Truth be told, I'd wanted to swing by the main headquarters in Hubei Province this time around to see my family.
But with so much backlog and urgent tasks waiting, I had to swallow my tears and head straight to Beijing.
Next time, I definitely will.
We soon arrived at the Beijing branch.
“Welcome!”
The gatekeepers recognized me and quickly opened the way, ushering us inside.
“Welcome back.”
The managers inside the compound greeted us.
“Any issues at the Beijing branch?”
“No, nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Good to hear. Where's Brother Jeong Ho?”
Acting Manager Mun, who was in the compound, answered my question.
“He's in his office.”
“Got it.”
“Oh, and the patriarch of the Se-eul-gyeong Clan stopped by.”
“Pardon?”
As I tilted my head, Acting Manager Mun explained.
“He said you saved his clan's child from a carriage that fell off a cliff—isn't that right?”
I grinned sheepishly and replied,
“Ah! Yeah, that happened.”
“And you've already forgotten about it!”
Acting Manager Mun laughed in disbelief.
“That's just like you, Third Young Branch Leader. You didn't do it for any reward, so you probably just put it out of your mind.”
“Pretty much.”
“Sorry to hold you up. Go see the First Young Branch Leader.”
“Sure.”
I instructed Palgap to guide Young Master Jegal Cheondu and his group to their quarters, then headed to Brother Jeong Ho's office.
“Ah! You're back?”
Jeong Ho's guard at the door recognized me and bowed with clasped hands.
“Safe and sound. He's inside, right?”
“Yes, he is.”
I called toward the room.
“Brother Jeong Ho! It's Seo-ho.”
“Come in.”
But Brother Jeong Ho's voice didn't sound right.
A voice on the verge of death.
I hurriedly pushed open the door to rush in, but stopped short without realizing it.
“B-Brother...? You okay?”
Was it my imagination, or was some black aura rising faintly from Brother Jeong Ho?
“You're here.”
“Yeah. But seriously, are you alright?”
“If he hasn't collapsed yet, he's still fine, isn't he?”
A familiar voice drew my gaze. Seo Hyang, the young lady, was rising from her seat.
Unlike the dying Jeong Ho, she looked lively.
Gal Hyeon, the deputy beside her, looked much the same as Jeong Ho, so maybe Seo Hyang was the exception?
Probably thanks to training in the Cheonryu Art.
That technique had the effect of staving off fatigue, after all.
“That much work?”
Brother Jeong Ho nodded weakly at my question.
Ah... no energy left even to explain.
Seo Hyang stepped in for him.
“Master Gong's new grand folding fans have been incredibly popular.”
The grand folding fan was a massive version designed for group workspaces.
“But as you know, production is limited.”
“True.”
“So we announced sequential delivery based on applications, but they flooded in, and sorting them took forever.”
“I see.”
Then the state of the other Hyeonpung Division staff was obvious without asking.
Jeong Ho was like this, after all.
I told him,
“I'll handle things from now on.”
“Freedom at last! Hahaha!”
Brother Jeong Ho's face suddenly brightened.
“No incidents on this trip?”
“You ask fast. Everyone's healthy, first off.”
“Glad to hear it. Oh, the Se-eul-gyeong patriarch came by.”
“Yeah, Acting Manager Mun mentioned it.”
“A noble deed. He said it prevented his second son's line from dying out.”
“I couldn't just leave a living child behind...”
“Yeah, that sounds like you. Anyway, he asked to be notified when you returned—he wants to come in person.”
“No need for that.”
“His heart's his own. Speaking of, any other incidents I don't know about?”
His words made me turn my head involuntarily.
“...What? No answer?”
I cleared my throat.
“Ahem, well, it wasn't like I sought it out... things just happened...”
I gave a brief rundown of recent events.
“So you rescued them and requested the Murim Alliance handle the Black Cat Sect.”
“...Something huge went down.”
Brother Jeong Ho chuckled dryly.
“I figured you wouldn't come back without some drama. But you're safe—that's what counts.”
He continued,
“So you upheld the Seonhyeopmirang title too?”
“Yeah.”
“Good job.”
Classic Brother Jeong Ho.
That's why he was called Hubei's Yunduk in his past life.
And that's why I like him.
That afternoon.
I introduced Young Master Jegal Cheondu's group to Brother Jeong Ho and informed the Crown Prince that we'd recruited him.
The Crown Prince visited the Beijing branch the next day, and I introduced Young Master Jegal Cheondu to him.
He was thrilled and immediately began drafting plans for establishing the martial hall.
Now I could focus on my core duties for a while.
I'd originally planned to scout talented instructors from other sects and clans right away, but it made more sense to do so after the blueprint was set.
The Murim Alliance Leader's office.
The Leader was hearing a report from Geon Man-seok, the recently returned Hojeong Division Leader.
“...And so the Black Cat Sect has been completely eradicated.”
“Evidence?”
“Evidence, you say?”
“The Black Cat Sect's leader is a slippery rabbit. The Kyoto Three Demons, right? He must have left something behind.”
“The Black Cat Sect burned to the ground completely. Nothing remains. We confirmed multiple times.”
“If so, fortunate... but...”
The Leader pondered briefly, then opened his eyes and asked,
“Did the people Eun Seo-ho rescued know why they were imprisoned?”
“No.”
Division Leader Geon Man-seok shook his head.
“We asked repeatedly, but they had no clue.”
“Possibility they were hiding it?”
“None. We pressed from all angles—they truly seemed clueless. Proof the Black Cat Sect did their job well.”
The Leader sighed at that.
“Which makes it all the more regrettable. Rescuing such people isn't easy.”
He asked again,
“How did Eun Seo-ho find that Thunder Prison in the first place?”
“Ah, pure coincidence.”
“Coincidence?”
“Yes.”
Division Leader Geon Man-seok explained as he'd heard from Eun Seo-ho.
“His curiosity about those mushrooms led him there.”
“If truly coincidence, no need to worry...”
But Eun Seo-ho kept nagging at him for some reason.
Long ago, there'd been an attempt to establish a secret Murim Alliance branch in Hubei Province.
They'd proceeded through the compliant merchant group Doun Merchant Group, but it ended unexpectedly.
Eunhae Merchant Group acquiring Yeonhwa Pavilion.
Since then, Eun Seo-ho's name cropped up whenever he least expected it.
Always interfering with Murim Alliance affairs.
But without knowing their secrets, there'd be no reason.
Hence the nagging suspicion.
“Aren't you overthinking him? He helped us at the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.”
“True.”
In that crisis, Eun Seo-ho had spared the Alliance great embarrassment and loss.
The Leader's thoughts were conflicted.
Unlike the division leader's words, his gut said Eun Seo-ho had sniffed out their secret.
The issue was the lack of any overt action.
No sense of hostility toward the Alliance.
For someone onto the secret, he's awfully quiet.
As he brooded, Geon Man-seok spoke.
“If he bothers you that much, why not eliminate him? For the Alliance's greater cause, we can't leave loose ends.”
The Leader shook his head.
“No, removing him now isn't feasible.”
“Why not?”
“The Emperor favors him. Plus, the Eunhae Merchant Group backing and the Seonhyeopmirang reputation can't be ignored.”
He continued,
“Act rashly, and it disrupts our plans. And he's a rare talent.”
“Fair point.”
Eun Seo-ho's abilities had proven genuine.
“If such a man served the greater cause, it'd be ideal.”
“Indeed.”
Division Leader Geon Man-seok nodded.
He too had observed Eun Seo-ho this time and recognized his exceptional talent.
Having commanded a division himself, he could judge from how Eun Seo-ho handled people.
“First, discern if he intends to obstruct us. If coincidence, recruit him.”
“As expected of the Leader. Your regard for talent humbles me anew.”
“Hoho, enough flattery.”
“How will you confirm his intentions?”
The Leader's gaze fell on documents on his desk as he pondered.
He held them up.
“Entrust this task to him.”
“Wise decision.”
“You're dismissed.”
“I'll take my leave.”
The Leader stared at the door after Division Leader Geon Man-seok left.
Geon Man-seok believed his actions served the Murim Alliance's greater cause.
Because the Leader had brainwashed him that way.
Nothing easier than exploiting blind faith.
No great skill required.
Just nudge that faith in the right direction.
That's why even his imperfect technique had sufficed.
The Leader licked his lips.
For him, whether Eun Seo-ho knew the secret was key.
The Eun Seo-ho he'd observed was sharp-minded with exceptional martial talent.
If he knew the secret, two options: win him over or eliminate him.
If not, one option: brainwash and use him like Geon Man-seok.
Wait... he inherited the Extreme Heaven Sword's ultimate art, didn't he? Damn!
A sudden realization hit.
Those who mastered the Cheonryu Ice Art, Extreme Heaven Sword Gwak Hoon's signature, were immune to brainwashing.
Like the Snow Wind Palace he'd wiped out.
Since it was just them, he'd left it alone.
First, confirm if he knows the secret. Decide his fate after.
He sat at his desk, penned a letter, and called outside.
“Who's there?”
“You called?”
“Fetch Team Leader Won.”
“Yes.”
I was meeting the Se-eul-gyeong Clan patriarch.
I'd kept my return quiet, but somehow he'd learned and come.
“That was truly tragic.”
Sadness filled the patriarch's eyes.
It was only natural.
His second son and daughter-in-law had died—how could he not grieve?
“My deepest condolences.”
“Thanks to you, I could at least recover their bodies for a proper funeral. And save my grandson's life.”
“I'm just glad I could help.”
He shook his head at my words.
“Don't say that. This favor is beyond repayment.”
I bowed slightly instead of replying.
“As thanks, we'll switch all feasible clan supplies to Eunhae Merchant Group products.”
“That's incredibly generous, but no need to go out of your way. Other merchant groups need to eat too. Cutting them off suddenly would hurt them.”
The offer was appreciated, but it'd earn us resentment from rivals.
“Hmm, true enough.”
“And as I told those people then, if the child I saved grows up righteous and bright, that's reward enough for me.”
Truth be told, while I'd helped the Se-eul-gyeong Clan, I sought no gains from it.
Taking from those who'd lost a son and daughter-in-law felt wrong.
If they could endure the grief and find happiness, I'd be content.
“So please understand my intentions.”
With some effort, I persuaded him and sent him off.
“Whew, exhausting.”
As I sighed, my guards around me gazed at me with moved expressions.
“Why the looks?”
“It's an honor to serve you, my lord.”
I smirked at the elite warrior's words.
“Young master!”
Then Palgap came running, calling urgently.
“What is it?”
“Someone from the Murim Alliance has arrived.”