Everything Has a Reason (4)
I was a bit dazed, but I faithfully followed my father's advice.
"Ugh... this pain is quite... severe..."
Thud.
And with that, I promptly pretended to pass out.
"My lord! My lord!"
"Oh no! Hurry and carry him to the inn!"
"Yes!"
Thus, my guards carried me off to the inn.
— Guard: My lord, it looks like people will see you being carried away. What should we do?
— Eun Seo-ho: Rather, that's good.
In that manner, I was stretchered off as if unconscious and brought to the Yeonpung Inn.
Once we reached the guest room, Palgap's voice rang out.
"You can open your eyes now, young master."
I relaxed and opened my eyes, sitting up in bed. Then I asked Palgap,
"How did you know I was fine?"
It made sense to ask—Palgap had made a huge fuss when he saw me being carried in, but now he was utterly calm.
Had my guards sent him a sound transmission?
"Actually, Lieutenant Gwak gave me a heads-up in advance."
"Ah..."
I chuckled softly.
Then I turned to the two guard warriors who had carried me here.
"How about it? Did the people buy it?"
They nodded at my question.
"Yes."
"Perfectly."
"We've caused you unnecessary trouble. We're sorry."
At my apology, Seo-u Warrior and Yeo Eung-am Warrior waved it off.
"No, please don't say that."
"Isn't this just another way of protecting our lord within the greater scheme?"
"That's true."
"We're just happy to be of help in safeguarding you."
"Thank you for saying so."
I turned to Palgap.
"Then let's get moving, quick."
"Yes, understood."
I washed up and changed into bedclothes. Just then, the physician entered.
"I heard from the merchant leader. So, which leg is the broken one?"
To his question, I answered awkwardly.
"The left one."
The physician took out a splint, applied it to my left leg, and deliberately spoke loudly.
"Let me know when you regain consciousness. I'll prepare the medicinal broth."
Palgap replied,
"Understood."
And just like that, I became the perfect picture of a patient with a broken leg.
Once the physician left, my father and mother entered the room.
"It's just me and your mother now, so you can open your eyes."
I opened my eyes, got up, and bowed my head.
"I'm sorry for the sudden trouble."
"Hoo, I half-expected something like this."
My father gave a wry smile as he spoke.
"Sparring with Hyang-ok must have been quite the burden."
"..."
"And the outer steward mentioned it—your realm... it's Super First-rate."
"...!"
I looked at my father in shock.
My realm isn't something easily discerned.
One of the traits of the Taiyin Ice Sea Divine Art is that it doesn't reveal one's level outwardly.
Yet the outer steward had noticed...
I once saw Master and the outer steward talking. Was that when the outer steward asked Master about my realm?
"That's why I was inwardly uneasy despite your winning streak. If your true level got out, it'd bring a world of headaches."
I bowed to my parents.
"I'm sorry for hiding my abilities."
My mother shook her head.
"No need to apologize for that. A true martial artist never reveals their full strength carelessly."
A fitting response from the woman once called the Beautiful Flowing Sword.
"Still, you won't be able to move properly for a few days. Won't that be frustrating?"
"I'm fine. I needed the rest anyway. If anything, I'm sorry you'll have to attend those gatherings in my place and offer excuses."
My father shook his head at my reply.
"No worries. The important ones are done, and only the unnecessary ones are left. I was wondering how to skip them gracefully, so this works out perfectly."
Ah, right—the gatherings where merchant leaders fawn over the Murim Alliance's elders.
The last place I'd want to go.
"I'll use your excuse to skip them and rest too."
"But Seo-ho."
My mother spoke with a serious expression.
"Next time something like this happens, give us a heads-up at least. Your mother's heart dropped."
"I'm truly sorry."
"Considering your antics so far, this is actually pretty tame."
"..."
I was at a loss for words.
Seeing my embarrassment, my father patted my shoulder lightly and stood.
"Rest easy, then."
"Yes."
After my parents left, I called for Clerk Seo-hyang.
"Bring the backlog of paperwork. Might as well handle some work while I'm at it."
But instead of moving right away, she smiled faintly.
"Bringing the papers is no trouble, but do you really have time to look them over?"
"What?"
She continued at my puzzled look.
"You'll have quite a few visitors coming to pay their respects."
"How many?"
Clerk Seo-hyang just smiled in response.
No, why make it sound ominous?
Her words turned out to be spot on.
The first visitors were those staying in the same inn—our company's managers, Silver Wind Squad members, and all the staff.
They numbered quite a few on their own, but then Dae-nok Warrior and Su-am Warrior followed.
Next came Sister Hyang-ok.
"Hey! Eun Seo-ho!"
"S-Sister..."
"Who told you to wreck your body right before our match?"
She narrowed her eyes at me.
"You didn't do this on purpose because you didn't want to spar with me, did you?"
Sharp as ever.
But admitting it would get me a beating.
I put on my most hurt expression.
"Sister, what are you saying? That wounds me."
"Yeah, I guess not. Sorry for suspecting you even briefly."
"It's fine. It'd be natural to think that from your position."
I asked Sister Hyang-ok,
"So, what happened with the match?"
"What else? Since you couldn't compete, I became the winner by default."
"Then you'll face off against Jegal Yu-a, the young lady of the Jegal family, for the championship."
"Yeah, that's how it shook out."
Sister Hyang-ok sighed.
"Ended up like this somehow. Kinda embarrassing, though. Even that Seomun Il-sin公子 is stronger than me."
As she said, Seomun Il-sin's martial prowess outstripped hers.
"But he dropped due to the Hidden Yin Demon, I advanced... you dropped because of the fire, and I advanced again..."
A thought struck me.
Is heaven itself favoring Sister Hyang-ok, showering her with luck?
Not that it mattered.
"Oh, speaking of which, what happened to that Hidden Yin Demon? What drove him to crash the arena, risking death for revenge?"
Sister Hyang-ok sighed at my question.
"Sigh, that bastard..."
"...?"
"In subduing him, I... kinda cut off his manhood."
"Ah..."
Those called lust demons or yin demons obsess over their privates to an unnatural degree.
That must be why he staked his life on revenge.
Utterly pointless.
Especially after doing something to deserve having it cut off.
But how did he even infiltrate Luoyang, the heart of the Murim Alliance?
No matter how skilled, slipping past patrols, kidnapping Seomun Il-sin公子, disguising himself, and entering the tournament...
He definitely had accomplices.
"By the way, I heard you saved the Baekcheon Merchant Group's people this time?"
"Ah... yes."
I nodded.
Truth be told, I couldn't stand the sight of Baekcheon—my enemies—but the servants working the warehouse were innocent.
Plus, saving them shut down any notion I was moving against Baekcheon.
Who'd believe someone who risked their life for Baekcheon's people held a grudge?
"Congrats. You're the talk of Luoyang now."
"What?"
"Word's spread across the city: the Seonhyeopmirang performed another act of valor."
"..."
"Anyway, take care. I've got the finals tomorrow."
"Yes. Good luck."
After Sister Hyang-ok left, I sighed.
"Why the sigh, young master?"
I smiled awkwardly at Palgap's question.
"You knew I was the center of attention in Luoyang?"
"Of course."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Palgap replied,
"If I did, you'd just say, 'That wasn't my intention! Why does this keep happening? I'm not in the habit of playing hero!' right?"
"..."
No retort.
"Better not to know, I figured."
"I-I see."
Soon after, Jegal Yu-a, the young lady, and the family head came to visit.
They offered brief condolences.
They seemed eager for more talk, but with the finals tomorrow, they kept it short and left.
Lucky for me.
Night fell.
Phew, finally some rest.
As I thought that, the window creaked open.
Creeeak.
"Kkwi?"
Gold Spirit perked up happily. If it reacted like that...
"Master."
Master entered through the window and approached me.
"I heard what happened. You broke your leg saving people from the fire today. Got worried and came to check."
"Hahaha."
I laughed awkwardly and got out of bed.
Seeing me stand perfectly fine, Master smiled.
"Clever ploy."
"Yes. Sorry I couldn't warn you ahead."
"No need."
Master shook his head.
"To deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your allies, as they say."
Master saw right through it—this was to hide my true skills and arts.
"Seeing you're healthy, that's enough."
Ah, since you're here, time to ask that question.
"Master, I have something to ask."
"What is it?"
"After escorting Brother Jeong Ho to the Hubei headquarters, did you come straight to Luoyang?"
Master nodded slightly.
"Something like that."
"I'm sorry. You went to extra trouble on my account..."
He shook his head.
"No. I had business at the transport company anyway and was heading back. Stopped in Luoyang for other matters and caught the tournament while at it."
Luoyang business...
"By any chance, imperial affairs?"
This time, no answer.
But silence was affirmation.
That meant there was someone in Luoyang to secretly relay letters to the Emperor...
Wonder who?
As if reading my mind, Master approached and patted my shoulder.
"No need to wonder. You'll learn in time."
"Hahaha."
"See you next time."
"Yes, Master."
I cupped my hands in respect.
"Take care."
Master chuckled and vanished through the window.
My master, but so elusive.
Phew, now I can really sleep.
.
.
.
.
Daybreak.
Two days into my "bedridden" state.
Finally, Baekcheon's manager arrived.
"Baekcheon's manager Jang Jang-ju is here, sent by the merchant leader. How are you feeling?"
I'd gotten injured saving their people—shouldn't Nangong Seok, the leader, come himself?
Especially since it wasn't far.
Sending just the manager meant he didn't deem my sick visit worth his personal time.
"Thanks to your concern, I'm okay. And the ones I saved?"
Jang Jang-ju replied,
"All good. They escaped without major injuries."
"Relieved to hear it."
"The leader asked me to convey his thanks."
"Tell him he's welcome."
Why come today, not yesterday morning?
Maybe they suspected me for the fire and investigated first.
The Nangong clan would do that.
But coming now, late as it was, meant suspicions cleared.
"Why did you suddenly have us sprinkle water on the tents and fetch buckets before the fire?"
Still lingering doubts?
I calmly gave my prepared answer.
"The air was awfully dry. In those conditions, even tent ropes fraying in the wind or stray embers could spark a blaze."
"...Now that you mention it, causes everywhere."
"Exactly. Who knows what might ignite it? Better prevent thoroughly."
I continued,
"Still, glad most companies avoided heavy losses. I think I sent our manager to warn Baekcheon too..."
"..."
Jang Jang-ju fell silent.
He was the one who'd ignored my manager's warning.
"Heard the damage was bad. Hope you recover swiftly."
Heh heh, that must sting.