Good for the Emperor, Good for Me (1)
The reason I'm making this request is that we need to recruit local manpower if we're going to establish and operate a docking station on Hae-nam Island.
Of course, the key personnel will have to be dispatched directly from our Eunhae Merchant Group.
Still, having the locals on friendly terms with our merchant group will make staffing easier and allow us to stabilize operations quickly. That's why I'm asking for this favor.
The Hae-nam Sect Leader grinned at my words.
"Don't worry about that. Haha!"
The Hae-nam Sect was like the spiritual pillar of Hae-nam Island, so if the sect leader stepped in, our Eunhae Merchant Group's reputation there would skyrocket.
But... why do I still feel uneasy?
I shook off the anxiety and continued.
"Actually, there's one more thing I need your help with."
The next day.
Hyang-ok noona came to visit me.
"Ah! Noona!"
"How's your body feeling?"
"Fortunately, I'm recovering quickly."
But according to my memory, it wasn't her turn for morning visits today?
"Noona, sorry, but there are others waiting to see me, so I can't spare much time."
"Yeah, I know."
She nodded as if she already knew.
"That's why I tried to add my name to the list, but they just told me to go right in."
"Ah..."
Well, she was my cousin privately, but no one would make the runner-up of the friendly spar wait in line.
"And I didn't plan to take up much of your time from the start."
"I see."
"We couldn't spar this time because of what happened, but it's fine. There'll be other chances."
Noona grinned.
"So look forward to it. I'll definitely spar with you next time."
"Noona, out of curiosity... why do you want to spar with me so badly? Normally, if a spar doesn't happen, people just let it go with 'oh well.' But you seem obsessed with sparring me."
She couldn't give a clear answer to my question.
"Well, I just feel like it?"
"Pardon?"
"Every time I see you, I get this weird feeling that you're stronger than me. I just want to confirm it."
I've always thought she was sharp in these matters.
"Hahaha."
I laughed awkwardly, not sure what to say.
"Once the friendly spar awards ceremony is over later, we'll head straight back to Sichuan. So I came to say goodbye early. Take care of yourself and live well. Your uncle and aunt are worried."
"Of course. Don't worry about that. And... do you have time later?"
She tilted her head at my request.
"Why all of a sudden?"
"There's something I need your help with."
"What is it?"
"I can't explain in detail yet. But you're the perfect person for it."
"Well, you'll handle it just fine, I'm sure. Got it."
Noona nodded readily.
She's so straightforward, as always.
"Then take care."
"Yeah."
Only after confirming she'd left the inn did I let out a sigh.
There were many reasons I found Hyang-ok noona intimidating, but that sharp intuition of hers was definitely one of them.
"Young master. The Jegal Yu-a young lady has arrived."
"Oh?"
Following noona, the next visitor was Jegal Yu-a, the young lady of the Jegal family.
"I won't have time later, so I came now."
"I see. Hyang-ok noona just left..."
"I saw her. We even greeted each other."
"Got it. Congratulations on your win."
"Thank you. But if you hadn't hurt your leg, you would've taken first, branch head."
"What does it matter if I won?"
"...Is that so?"
"You're the winner, so savor the joy. It won't last forever. If you start feeling guilty or sorry, you'll regret it later."
She smiled softly at my words.
"Branch head really is unique. We're not that far apart in age, yet you talk like my father."
That's because I've lived decades more than you.
After a bit more time, she said her goodbyes and left.
With the awards today, we'll be pulling out soon too.
They said finalists get prize money and a treasured sword.
I hope they don't withhold mine just because I didn't attend the ceremony?
Why did I even enter the friendly spar?
I worried just in case, but fortunately, I received my prize money and treasured sword intact.
Geon Man-seok, the grand master who'd visited before, brought them to me.
"Greetings, Grand Master."
"How's your body?"
"Thanks to your concern, I'm recovering quickly."
"Good. Here, take these. Prize money and treasured sword for the finalists."
I accepted them.
The prize was fifty taels of silver.
It seemed small since I dealt in large sums, but it was a considerable amount for most people.
"This treasured sword looks pretty nice."
"Of course! It's made by that master Chuchi himself."
He was a renowned artisan called Chuchi—meaning "hammer master"—famous for wielding the hammer like no other.
Even his ordinary iron swords were treasured sword quality.
"You showed some real skill this time."
"Very nice."
But I already had my Silver Mist Sword.
"Can I sell this?"
"Pardon?"
Geon Man-seok blinked in surprise at my question.
"What do you mean, selling it?"
"It's valuable, right?"
"..."
He sighed at my words.
"I thought you liking money was just talk, but it's real."
"I don't say empty words."
"There's no rule against selling it, but look at the blade—it's already engraved, so good luck finding a buyer."
I checked the blade as he said.
"..."
Sure enough, it was engraved with my name, title, and "Commemorating Finals Advancement in the Murim Festival Friendly Spar."
"Can't sell it, huh."
I set it down and said,
"I'll keep it at home as decoration. Good for showing off to people who mess with me for being a merchant."
"Please do, at least that much."
From his expression, my talk of selling it had shocked him, even briefly.
Is it really that shocking?
"And it's good you came, Grand Master. I had a letter for the Alliance Leader and was wondering how to deliver it."
I handed him the pre-written letter.
It apologized profusely for failing to meet the Alliance Leader's expectations.
My heart wasn't in it, but I needed to keep a good impression.
Honestly, I had to calm my anger several times while writing it.
"Don't worry. I'll deliver it."
"Thank you."
He took the letter and left.
Now, time to prepare to head back?
Murim Alliance Leader's chambers.
The Alliance Leader was hearing a report from Geon Man-seok, whom he'd sent to Eun Seo-ho.
"...so you can imagine how startled I was."
The Leader smirked at the report.
A typical martial artist wouldn't dream of selling a treasured sword received as a commemorative token.
But asking if he could sell it? It really drove home that Eun Seo-ho was a merchant.
He's an entertaining fellow, anyway.
With a smile, he said,
"Must be disappointing that I turned down your offer to work together."
"Honestly, yes. But this confirmed it—he's decent character-wise, but not a fit for the Murim Alliance."
"I think the same."
"Oh, and he asked me to deliver this to you."
The Leader took the letter and opened it immediately.
"Hm..."
It was a long-winded apology for failing to live up to his recommendation.
"I see. You may go."
"Yes."
After Geon Man-seok left, the Leader smirked again.
He said he was sorry, but there was no empty promise to recommend him again.
It was a clean, "Farewell. I'm returning to my routine. Don't seek me out."
In truth, recommending Eun Seo-ho for the finals wasn't impulsive.
He'd sensed something dangerous about him and wanted to test his skills and arts through the spar.
Even practicing Heavenly Flow Technique, his energy was too pure and clear.
As far as he knew, only those based in the North Sea had such pristine energy.
But they'd been thoroughly eradicated over twenty years ago.
They were the biggest obstacles to his plans.
Just in case, he'd tested Eun Seo-ho a second time via the spar.
But he found no traces in the sparring Eun Seo-ho.
He hadn't finished due to the leg injury from rescuing people at the fire, but it was enough.
No need to pay him more attention.
Besides Eun Seo-ho, he had mountains of headaches.
As time passed, visitors dwindled.
We wrapped up our temporary shop, and Father shared the profits.
"Really?"
"Yes. Running two temporary shops paid off handsomely. Hahaha!"
Father's hearty laugh showed how satisfied he was.
I'd also forged ties with those who shone in the friendly spar.
Thus, Luoyang matters concluded.
The next day.
Our Eunhae Merchant Group departed Luoyang.
Father and Mother headed straight back to the Hubei headquarters.
They'd share achievements with the Eunwol Pavilion members and discuss the Luoyang branch.
Jin-ho hyung would go with me to Beijing.
Thanks to the elixir-grade herbs I'd fed him, his broken ribs were nearly healed, and our parents worried about us going to Beijing alone.
"I'll carry you to the carriage."
"Thanks."
Palgap carried me into the carriage.
With my broken leg ruse, riding alone would've looked suspicious.
We bid farewell to our parents, who left first.
"Let's go!"
As the carriage moved, I gazed at Luoyang through the window.
Nearly a month— so much had happened.
Please, no more Murim Alliance entanglements.
I'm exhausted for real.
We soon arrived in Beijing.
The official road between Luoyang and Beijing made it smooth and swift.
Meanwhile, I removed the splint from my leg.
This should suffice.
If anyone questioned it, I'd say elixirs healed me.
"Is that the branch head?"
"Branch head!"
The Beijing crew welcomed me warmly.
"We heard! You placed high in the friendly spar!"
"Shame about the injury from rescuing people at the fire—you had to forfeit."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Our intelligence network had really improved.
They knew everything already.
"Then, let's hear the reports."
I headed to the office and got updates from Yeo-chang's deputy branch head.
Then Gal-hyeon deputy brought documents.
"Whoa... that's a lot."
"You've been away a long time."
No argument there.
I dove in, processing papers with Seo-hyang clerk and Gal-hyeon deputy's help.
"Oh, right—the Yeong-gu-jin craftsman's wedding is this fall, yes?"
Gal-hyeon deputy replied,
"Yes. End of this month."
Let me check the calendar...
Good, I could attend before leaving.
After handling urgents, I asked I-pil warrior to deliver a letter.
Recipient: Jin Yeong Daehyeop.
He'd know I was back, but courtesy demanded notice.
And I needed to see His Majesty.
The next evening, Jin Yeong Daehyeop visited.
"It's been a while."
"Yes, it has. Heard you shone in the Murim Festival friendly spar?"
"Haha, you're embarrassing me."
"But they said you hurt your leg—looks fine now."
"It was a ruse."
"Hm?"
"If I kept going, my palace arts training would've been exposed."
"Ah! So that's it..."
He looked convinced.
Truthfully, that wasn't the main reason for faking it, but I couldn't tell him the real one.
So I gave the most plausible excuse.
"Good you're mobile. His Majesty summons you."
"Yes. I'll prepare at once."
Soon, I entered the palace and met the Emperor.
After utmost courtesy, he asked with a grumpy face,
"So, you enjoyed playing with the martial artists in Luoyang?"
"No. It was tough."
I smiled.
"Why else would I fake a broken leg?"
"You talk well. So, what did you want to see me about?"
I knelt again and declared,
"To the merciful and just Emperor, father of the empire's people, who watches over them with benevolence!"
"What is it that you're piling on the flattery?"
"What I heard from the Hae-nam Sect Leader on Hae-nam Island was so heartbreaking, I could barely eat."
"You look pretty healthy for that."
Ah... should've skipped a few meals?