Let's Hit the Jackpot Once (1)
The carriage I was riding in raced on without stopping.
Luoyang was a fairly large city in its own right, connected by an official road from Beijing.
So it wasn't a bad choice for traveling by carriage.
We had set out early because it wasn't just me and my escort warriors moving—we had others with us.
I couldn't ride my Jukang horse, so we'd departed ahead of time.
"By the way... you're heading to Luoyang for the Murim Grand Assembly, right?"
Jegal Cheondu, the young master riding in the seat ahead of me, nodded at my question.
"That's right."
"Is there a particular reason you have to go?"
He looked puzzled and asked in return.
"Does going to the Murim Grand Assembly require a reason?"
Ah...
So even Jegal Cheondu is a true child of the martial world.
Even though his father had been killed by the Murim Alliance, that was a separate matter from this event.
"Do you have a place to stay once you get there?"
"Yes. Our clan has a residence in Luoyang, so you don't need to worry about that."
Ah, I forgot even after visiting before.
A place that size surely had room for Jegal Cheondu.
Come to think of it, that's a bit enviable.
Having a place in Luoyang meant no need to book an inn.
The Eunhae Merchant Group's Luoyang branch existed, but it wasn't big enough for our whole group.
This won't do.
I need to expand the Luoyang branch too.
Luoyang was a major city, so investing there wouldn't be a loss.
To become the world's greatest merchant group, not just the Beijing branch but the Luoyang one needed to match.
After several days of travel like that, we finally arrived in Luoyang.
"We've arrived!"
At the Seo-u Warrior's words, we disembarked from the carriage.
The place we'd reached was the Yeonpung Inn, where we'd stayed this time and during the last Yongbong Martial Tournament.
"Welcome."
The errand boy greeted us.
"It's been a while."
"Yes, it has."
"The people from the Eunhae Merchant Group arrived yesterday."
"Thank you for letting us know."
Of course, I already knew our merchant group members had arrived.
A carriage bearing the Eunhae Merchant Group's emblem was parked nearby.
It was the one Father, the merchant group leader, rode in.
Mother must have come with him.
As we entered the inn, Father, who had been sitting on the first floor, spotted us and approached.
"You're here. You must have had a hard journey."
"The official road was well-maintained, so it was comfortable. You and Mother must have had it harder."
"Haha. Good to see you've been well."
Father's faint smile.
Now that I think about it, it's been a really long time since I've seen him.
"Is everything peaceful at home?"
"All is well, so no need to worry."
"That's a relief."
I continued.
"Has Brother Jeong Ho arrived at the main branch?"
"We crossed paths on the way here. He was with your master."
"Yes. They were coming to Beijing on escort duty, so I asked them on the way."
"You did well."
"And Mother?"
"She's out right now, meeting the wife of the Gwangjun Merchant Group leader."
"I see. Then, by any chance..."
Father smiled gently at my words.
"Subunit Leader Bokyun is here too."
"I knew it!"
The Murim Grand Assembly was a golden opportunity for merchant group members needing to build connections.
For a frontier group like Gwangjun, it was an absolute must-attend.
Originally, Brother Jeong Ho should have come in my place, but various reasons had brought me instead.
I was the one granted the right to claim a position from the Murim Alliance leader, and I had plenty of connections in the martial world.
It was easier for me to get acquainted with martial figures.
"Father, there's someone I'd like to introduce. This is Jegal Cheondu, young master of the Jegal Clan. He's the one who'll design the martial hall we're building in Beijing for our merchant group."
"Ah! I've heard through letters. I'm Eun Gil-sang, leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Jegal Cheondu of the Jegal Clan."
I'd brought him to the inn instead of sending him straight to the Jegal residence to make the introduction.
The two exchanged pleasantries.
"I ask that you spare no wisdom or skill for the new martial hall."
"I'll fulfill my duty, so please don't worry, Merchant Leader."
I said to Jegal Cheondu,
"Shall we go? I'll escort you to the Jegal Clan residence."
"It's fine. I can go alone."
"Don't say that. We can't treat an important guest like that. Besides, I have business at the Jegal residence myself, so it won't be any trouble."
"In that case, very well."
And so, my escorts and I headed to the Jegal Clan residence with Jegal Cheondu.
It wasn't far from the Yeonpung Inn where we were staying, so we arrived quickly.
"How may we help you?"
The Jegal Clan guards asked upon seeing us.
He was a collateral branch member who hadn't been back long, so it made sense they didn't recognize him.
Without offense, he pulled his identity token from his sleeve.
"Jegal Cheondu."
Confirming it, the guards cupped their fists.
"Our apologies."
"It's fine."
"And the gentleman beside you?"
"This is Eun Seo-ho, subunit leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Gasp!"
They bowed deeply in shock.
"We pay respects to Seonhyeopmirang the great hero."
"Please, come inside."
Receiving even warmer treatment than the clan member Jegal Cheondu, he tilted his head.
I noticed his confusion but pretended not to.
It's not a great thing to advertise, and it's another clan's business anyway.
If it's something he needs to know, the others in the clan will explain.
We were led by a servant who came at the sound of the bell to the reception room.
As we were served tea there,
Thud thud thud thud!
The door burst open with the sound of someone rushing in desperately.
"Great hero!"
It was Jegal Yua, the young clan leader.
"Ah, greetings to the young clan leader."
"I'm so glad to see you sooner than expected!"
"I'm glad too."
Jegal Cheondu tilted his head and said,
"Am I invisible?"
Jegal Yua laughed and replied,
"Are you a guest, Uncle?"
"...No, I'm not."
I smiled at the light banter between uncle and niece and asked,
"Are the Supreme Patriarch and clan leader with you too?"
"Yes. They're out meeting other guests right now."
"I see."
I nodded and continued,
"I heard you're participating in the Murim Grand Assembly this time. Any changes?"
"No."
"Then please take care."
"Thank you for your concern."
I held out a small vial and said,
"This is a gift, in hopes you stay safe."
"Pardon?"
"Apply it to serious wounds, and they'll heal quickly. It's valuable, so use it only when necessary."
"Thank you."
The reason I gave it to Jegal Yua was that her safety directly tied to the Eunhae Merchant Group's prosperity.
The Jegal Clan was Hubei's top martial family.
We'd invested heavily so far; she needed to be safe to reap the returns.
But that it was Golden Spirit Saliva was our secret.
She might feel awkward knowing, and it wasn't cheap anyway.
To make a golden spirit drool, you had to pay silver as tribute.
Even shaking it made it drool, but not paying made the golden spirit sulk.
"Then I'll take my leave. You were training, right? I wouldn't want to interrupt."
As I stood, Jegal Yua grabbed my sleeve.
"Wait a moment!"
"What's wrong?"
"Since you're here, could you spar with me?"
Her eyes held worry and anxiety.
She seemed so confident before... Guess it was bravado.
I could spar, but it was a hassle right now.
"Spar with me? My level isn't high enough to help."
"Don't lie. Who was it that broke my arm?"
"..."
Ah, me.
But that wasn't really breaking it—just pretending.
I scratched my cheek. No helping it.
"We won't use live blades."
"A weed in an expert's hand is deadlier than a real sword in a novice's."
She wasn't wrong.
"This way. I'll have someone show you where to change."
"Young clan leader!"
I glanced back.
Jegal Cheondu, whose presence I'd completely forgotten, shot his hand up.
"I'd like to watch too!"
"Do as you like, Uncle."
......
A short time later.
I changed clothes and arrived at the training ground.
It was clean and spacious, clearly reserved for high-ranking members.
"Only the clan leader and I use this training ground, so feel free to go all out."
"Is it okay for me to be here?"
"Of course. You're my sparring partner—how could you not? That's why the guards didn't stop you earlier."
"I see."
I asked her,
"But why me specifically? With the Jegal Clan name, finding a sparring partner shouldn't be hard."
"True, but it's hard to find someone like you, Great Hero."
"Like me?"
"Someone whose martial arts aren't just strong, but who uses them aptly, thinks strategically in a spar."
"You're overestimating me."
She shook her head at my words.
"Grandfather said the same. And honestly, it's not easy finding others. Peers who could match me will be at the Murim Grand Assembly."
"That's a problem."
She had a point.
Sparring right before the assembly would give others a chance to scout her.
"But I'm not so different."
"You won't do that, Subunit Leader."
"Why are you so sure?"
"You know how to keep secrets."
"..."
Nothing to say to that.
Jegal Yua's grown a lot.
Beating me with words.
"Here, your sword."
She drew her sword and assumed a stance. I did the same.
We circled slowly, probing for openings.
Jegal Yua's current realm was peak Super First-rate entry.
With the clan's secret arts and elixirs, but mostly from grueling effort.
Her level was high among peers, so the clan wouldn't stop her from competing.
With her skill, she could bring honor to the clan.
Right now, she feared failing those expectations.
So, what level should I match her at?
I pondered briefly and decided.
If this spar became the key for her to escape crisis on the tournament stage, it would be worthwhile.
Taat!
I charged first.
Whoosh!
My wooden sword shot toward her.
True Snow Twelve Forms Swordsmanship, fourth form: Snow Wind.
As its name suggested—like Snow Wind Palace—it captured the essence of the style well.
And it was a swift sword.
Ssssh!
The sound of it slicing air rang clearly.
Clang-!
As expected, she parried and immediately slashed at my shoulder.
I twisted my waist back with Iron Plank Bridge technique, spinning my body once.
And checked the ground material.
Blue stone.
Confirming that, I targeted her legs.
She dodged, and my strike hit the floor.
Exchanging a few moves, I grasped her style.
Heavy on defense to lure carelessness, then a fierce counter for a decisive blow.
But she should have noticed why I kept targeting her legs.
Slip!
"Eh?"
She lost balance for a moment.
She didn't fall, but in a spar between peak Super First-rate or higher, an instant mistake meant defeat.
Seeing my sword at her throat, she sighed.
"...I lose."
I withdrew my wooden sword and cupped my fists.
"Good spar."
"Thank you for indulging my whim."
She returned the courtesy, then tilted her head.
"I didn't sweat much, so why was it slippery?"
I pointed to the floor.
"Feel it yourself."
She touched it and gasped.
"Ice?"
"My art is ice-based. I frosted the floor slightly to induce a mistake."
"Ah..."
Her eyes sparkled.
"Worth asking you to spar."
"Glad it helped."
"Then I'll head out. It's getting late."
"Wait, one more..."
I shook my head firmly.
"Reviewing and absorbing this spar first will help more than another right away."
"..."
"I understand the weight on your shoulders. But I believe you'll do well."
She nodded.
......
I left the Jegal Clan residence.
Mother and Father must be worried.
As I hurried toward the inn,
"Even a dog in heat has more manners than you, you bastard! Don't you feel sorry for that thing between your legs living like this?"
Eh? That familiar tirade and voice...
I hurried over and saw a young nun in Amitabha Sect robes grabbing a bloodied man's collar and shaking him violently.
In that instant, an instinctive fear made me step back.
"What's going on?"