Divine Transformation Technique (4)
I was taken aback by the Emperor's sudden words.
"Y-Your Majesty."
Watching me, the Emperor chuckled softly.
"You act like nothing scares you in my presence... How amusing."
"......"
The Emperor turned to my master and asked,
"So, what's your answer?"
At the Emperor's question, my master pondered for a moment before countering,
"Do I have the right to refuse?"
"I don't force anyone. That's why I've prepared a reward you'll find satisfactory."
The Emperor held out a piece of paper, which Jin Yeong Daehyeop took and passed to my master.
My master unfolded it.
What could be on it to make even his eyes tremble like that?
He folded the paper again and handed it back to Jin Yeong Daehyeop, who nodded to the Emperor.
Whoosh!
Jin Yeong Daehyeop set the paper ablaze with a candle flame.
"What do you say?"
"It's compensation enough."
"Will you accept my proposal?"
"Yes."
What kind of reward could make him accept in an instant a task he'd avoided for years in my previous life?
I was dying to know, but neither of them would tell me even if I asked, and the paper was already ash...
"You there."
Who else would he address like that besides me?
No one.
"Yes? Your Majesty?"
"Don't worry. I won't eat your master alive."
"Of course not. I trust Your Majesty completely."
The Emperor chuckled again, then turned to my master.
"I'll have Jin Yeong convey the details. Be prepared."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Now go."
At the Emperor's dismissal, we left the reception hall and returned to the third floor.
That's when my master sent me a sound transmission.
- The day you returned later than planned before... That was after meeting His Majesty, wasn't it?
- Yes.
- So, my name came up that day.
- That's right.
- Thank you.
- Pardon?
Caught off guard, I looked at my master, who spoke calmly.
- You must have spoken to His Majesty on my behalf. That's why he deliberated and offered me this compensation.
- Well, yeah, something like that.
- It makes me grateful all over again that you're my disciple.
I felt a twinge of embarrassment and scratched under my ear.
- And today, it seems His Majesty holds you in particularly high regard.
I gave an awkward smile.
It's good to be regarded highly, but not too highly.
......
A few days later.
Thanks to about half a month of my master's guidance, we'd mastered the Divine Transformation Technique.
"That should be enough not to earn me an earful from the friend who taught me this art."
"Thank you for instructing us."
"No trouble at all."
My master continued,
"Well then, it's about time for me to head back to Hubei Province."
Yesterday, Jin Yeong Daehyeop had visited the Beijing branch for a private meeting with my master. Was it related?
My master was thorough, enveloping himself completely in energy, so I had no idea what was discussed.
He must be keeping it secret to avoid any potential harm to me...
Sigh, is this what a master's care feels like?
"Master, allow me to escort you to your quarters."
"Very well."
I headed to my master's quarters with him.
With a glance, I'd signaled the guards not to follow, and no one did.
"So, what is it you wish to discuss?"
As expected, my master had seen through my intent and asked first.
I could only smile sheepishly.
"You noticed, of course."
"I've had plenty of time to read you by now."
"True enough."
I continued gently,
"Master, why do you always refuse my requests to speak casually with you?"
"Is that what's been bothering you?"
"Yes."
I nodded, and my master chuckled, gazing at the sky.
He chose his words carefully before speaking.
"Perhaps... I didn't want to grow too attached."
What did that mean?
"As you know, Little Palace Lord, our Seolpung Palace could vanish at any moment. We've barely kept the lineage alive, but there's no guarantee how long that will last."
He lowered his gaze to meet my eyes.
"If it were to disappear someday, wouldn't it hurt more if we'd grown close?"
"You were deliberately keeping your distance?"
"Something like that."
"But even after I became Little Palace Lord, you still refused. I promised you the prosperity of Seolpung Palace—did you doubt my word?"
"No, that's not it."
My master shook his head.
"The reason I continued with formal speech afterward was different."
He looked me in the eye.
"It was gratitude for the hard decision you made for Seolpung Palace—and respect for the future Palace Lord who will lead its new era."
"New era? What do you mean?"
"The Seolpung Palace you'll lead must be entirely different from the old one. The previous version couldn't survive."
"......"
"What shape it takes is entirely up to you, Little Palace Lord. So grow quickly."
My master went on,
"I'm curious what the new Seolpung Palace under you will look like."
I chuckled.
"So, no casual speech anytime soon, then?"
My master met my gaze with a faint smile.
This must be his way of showing affection.
I shouldn't push it.
"That aside, Master, I have a request."
"What is it?"
"When you head to Hubei Province, could you travel with Jeong Ho?"
"Is this a commission?"
"You could see it that way."
"My companions and I don't come cheap."
"How much?"
At my prompt reply without hesitation, my master shook his head with a mutter.
"That was a foolish question."
I looked at him earnestly.
"Master, I don't want to be a burden. I want to be your strength."
"Pardon?"
"So, lean on this disciple whenever you need help."
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that as your master?"
"Does it matter who says it? Whoever has the means should help."
"True enough."
"So... please don't shoulder heavy burdens on my account."
"......I'll keep that in mind."
......
The next day.
Jin Yu Warrior's face had changed when he arrived for breakfast.
He'd altered it with the Divine Transformation Technique.
Not completely different—just similar enough to his original face.
But anyone who knew him would think, Am I seeing things?
He didn't need the disguise yet, but practicing it this way was one method of training.
Master said enduring a month in disguise was as good as mastery.
"Is it alright?"
"Yes. No issues yet."
"It must feel awfully stifling."
Since he'd changed it enough to avoid evoking his true appearance, it had to be uncomfortable.
The more extensive the transformation, the greater the strain.
I knew from experience.
"This is far less stifling than the restrictions from the gold seal. And better than wearing a mask."
"Glad to hear it, but..."
"Don't worry. I'll endure to the end."
There was even a hint of madness in Jin Yu Warrior's voice.
"Am I late?"
Seo-hyang Sojeo entered then.
We often held meetings over breakfast, so she joined us.
But her other deputy, Galhyeon, didn't eat with us yet.
Our trust hadn't reached that level.
Seo-hyang Sojeo had altered her distinctive aura with the Divine Transformation Technique.
Her elder brother figure, Donghyeok-su Daein, had already seen her.
Touching her face now would only arouse suspicion.
When we were pondering, Master suggested changing just the aura.
People sense something from a face.
Hers had been soft; now, maximizing her Cheonryu-gong, it was icy cold.
From warm, benevolent beauty to an unapproachable ice queen.
She even resembled Bing Hae-rin So-gungju like this...
Is it because of the Ice Spirit Eyes?
I said to her,
"You're not late. Sit."
"Yes."
"Young master."
Palgap, who was attending to my meal, called me.
"What?"
"Why aren't you using the transformation technique, young master? Didn't you learn it to hide your fatal charm?"
"Uh... well, I gave up."
"Pardon? I thought you had more perseverance than that—what's the issue?"
I sighed.
"I asked how I could look ugly. You said to add a big mole or freckles."
"That's right."
"Hmm... Better to show than explain."
I paused, activated the Divine Transformation Technique, and added freckles and moles to my face.
"......Huh."
"Mm......"
Those who saw nodded with ambiguous smiles.
Seo-u Warrior said,
"I get it now."
"Pretty boy with a mischievous streak."
"Moles that enhance the charm."
"Exactly."
I released the technique. Palgap sighed and muttered.
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"'This unfair, filthy world,' sir."
"Kui!"
Gold Spirit, why are you agreeing?
......
Jeong Ho's preparations to return to the Hubei headquarters went smoothly, and the day came.
"You look excited."
"Of course! How long's it been since I saw my wife and kids?"
"What about your grandfather and parents?"
"You testing me right now?"
"As if!"
I hated tests myself.
"Just teasing."
"You little—!"
"You've worked hard. Rest up when you get there."
"Hey! I'm not going for fun—it's work!"
Jeong Ho planned to return to Beijing once his father arrived.
The martial hall construction wasn't done, and I could leave anytime.
In my previous life, the Crown Prince was dispatched to Nanking years later.
With the capital in Beijing, imperial control weakened southward.
They made Nanking a secondary capital, sending the Crown Prince for governing experience.
That sparked an idea.
What if Jeong Ho's family moved to Beijing instead?
We'll discuss later...
I bowed politely to my master.
"Please take good care of my brother."
"Don't worry."
Of course, Jeong Ho had his own escorts and the Silver Wind Squad.
But none as reassuring as my master.
"And it was good seeing you like this. Stay well."
"I will. I too..."
"......?"
My master cleared his throat.
"I too... was glad to see you."
Anyone else might seem shy saying that, but from him, it surprised me.
He rarely showed emotion.
My master mounted his horse, took the lead, and called out,
"We depart!"
"Yes!"
And so, Jeong Ho and my master's group set off for Hubei Province.
......
Time flew, and soon it was early September.
In that time, Jin Yu Warrior and Seo-hyang Sojeo had fully adapted to the Divine Transformation Technique.
Meaning, they could face the Murim Alliance Leader up close without being exposed.
And I...
"Gwak Deputy, could I get the files on this?"
"Yes, here."
"And the materials for line four on this document too."
"Got it."
Was swamped.
The Murim Grand Assembly, the biggest event every nine years—the peak season for merchant groups like ours—was approaching.
Since I'd earned the right to choose any position with the Alliance Leader, I had to go myself.
So, I needed to handle everything so Hyunpung Branch ran smoothly without me.
Then,
"You seem... quite busy."
A visitor arrived.
"Young Master Jegal Cheondu, what brings you here?"
"Well, that is..."
"I'm busy—get to the point."
"When you go to Luoyang this time, I'd like to come along."
"No issue there, but are you sure?"
His father had died in Luoyang due to Murim Alliance intrigue, so it was a fair question.
"Don't worry about that."
"Alright. But I have a favor."
"What? Anything within my power."
"Help with these documents."
He glanced at the stack beside me and backed away.
"Uh, maybe I can go alone..."
"Hey! No dodging now!"
......
Thanks to Young Master Jegal Cheondu, I departed on schedule.
The Jegal family lives up to their name—truly capable.
As expected from the brilliant strategist and chief steward in my past life.
"Then, take care while I'm gone."
The Hyunpung deputy branch head and Beijing branch manager nodded vigorously.
"Don't worry."
"We'll guard it well."
Count on it. I'll bring back a huge haul. Heh heh heh.
- Kui!
Even Gold Spirit was pumped.