Becoming a Subdivision Leader (1)
At last, the main headquarters of the merchant group came into view.
Pointing it out, he said to Seok Il-song.
"See that up ahead?"
"Yes, there's a massive building."
"That's the Eunhae Merchant Group. It's where you'll be living and working from now on."
"It's incredible."
Seok Il-song exclaimed in awe.
His eyes sparkling, he added,
"If even someone like me can be of help, I'll work as hard as I can."
His father nodded in satisfaction at the sight.
When I'd first suggested bringing Seok Il-song along to put him to work, Father had voiced some concerns.
He worried I might be letting compassion get the better of me.
But I'd been firm.
"Father, I'm a member of the merchant group too."
At my words, Father had tested Seok Il-song himself and permitted him to come along.
I'd known Father would recognize talent when he saw it.
In truth, compassion was one of the emotions merchants had to guard against most carefully.
If you kept delaying payments out of pity or overlooking late deliveries, you'd eventually ruin yourself.
That didn't mean eradicating compassion entirely, of course.
It was a fundamental human emotion—stripping it away would strip away one's humanity.
The key was vigilance.
The carriage soon pulled up to the Eunhae Merchant Group.
We disembarked and entered the grounds.
"Welcome back, sir."
Having heard of our arrival, Chief Steward Yu and all the group's senior members had come out to greet us.
"Why is everyone out here?"
At Father's question, Pavilion Leader Yeon of the Upper Commerce Pavilion replied,
"You've returned from Beijing with such great achievements. Of course we had to welcome you."
"What if I'd come back broke?"
"Then yes."
"Heh..."
"Just kidding. Ho ho ho."
Pavilion Leader Yeon continued,
"The family is waiting in the rear garden. But this child...?"
She glanced at Seok Il-song, so I answered,
"His name is Seok Il-song. He's thirteen this year. I'll be placing him in the Finance Pavilion."
Chief Steward Yu looked puzzled.
"The Finance Pavilion, you say?"
"Yes."
"Why the Finance—"
I quickly cut him off.
"Chief Steward Yu, have I ever let you down?"
"..."
After a moment's thought, he replied,
"No, you haven't."
"Exactly. So trust me and take him on. You'll be thanking me every time you see me from now on."
"If the young master—no, Subdivision Leader—says so, then I understand."
I handed Seok Il-song over to Chief Steward Yu and headed to the rear garden. Time to see the family.
Meanwhile, in Beijing.
People were gathered around the notice freshly posted by the Gold Guard.
It announced that all those from the Dong Merchant Group who had ambushed Jin U-rim, the caravan leader acting on imperial orders, had been apprehended. The pursuit was now over.
It also warned those involved not to act rashly in the future.
Among the crowd stood a man in a bamboo hat.
"That's a relief, sir."
He nodded at the words of the man beside him.
"Now I can finally head home without worry."
"Yes."
They were the manager and his subordinates who had served Dong Ui-yeok, the second son of the Dong Merchant Group's leader.
"Young Master Eun kept his promise."
"Yes, he did."
Eun Seo-ho had kept his word.
Honestly, he hadn't been entirely sure Eun Seo-ho would follow through.
It required mobilizing the Emperor himself, after all.
But with no other hope, he'd fled on that slim chance.
And he'd hidden right in Beijing, of all places.
Exploiting the idea that no criminal would head straight to the capital.
Now, with the imperial decree posted, his flight was at an end.
"What are your plans now, Manager?"
The manager gave a wry smile.
"What else can a lifelong merchant do? I've got some capital left, so I'll start over in trade."
"I'll come with you."
"Why?"
"It's the only trade I know. And with you, I doubt we'll go broke."
"Is that a compliment?"
"It is."
"Good, then let's go. But it'll be hard work."
"If I regret it, it'll be my fate."
And with that, they left Beijing behind.
In front of Jin U-rim's residence.
A man stood dazed, listening to the gatekeeper.
"Is that... really true?"
"Yes, it is."
The man was an envoy from the Sichuan Tang Clan. He'd gone to the Eunhae Merchant Group seeking Eun Seo-ho, only to learn he'd headed to Beijing. So he'd reported back to the clan, then come here—and just arrived.
But Eun Seo-ho and his group had already left for Hubei Province ten days prior.
With no choice, he turned back once more.
The Sichuan Tang envoy sighed to himself.
"Ah, our clan leader... why must repaying a favor be so hard?"
He trudged away, utterly deflated.
The Eunhae Merchant Group buzzed with activity.
Preparations for my official announcement as subdivision leader had been delayed by the Beijing trip.
That morning, I'd trained early as usual.
Watching me, my master nodded approvingly.
"You're picking it up remarkably fast. You could move on to the third form soon."
"That's great to hear."
He continued,
"But why don't you push to advance faster, young master?"
"Pardon?"
"Truth be told, the True Snow Twelve Style Sword Art progresses slower than most sword arts. Disciples often complain about the pace. Yet..."
He looked at me and went on,
"You never have."
I scratched my cheek at the question.
In my previous life, I'd heard about this from my bodyguard—my master's second son, Warrior Gwak Jun-ha.
"Honestly, our family's sword art can feel a bit stifling to learn. But rushing it leads to problems."
"Problems?"
"Yes. The inner energy built through our heart method is extraordinarily potent. After all, it gathers the energy of extreme yin."
"True enough."
"That's why the True Snow Twelve Style Sword Art was created—to control that power. But taming such mighty inner energy naturally slows the progress."
"So if you don't master the sword art slowly and methodically, you can't control it."
"Exactly. Otherwise, the inner energy rebels, causing severe injury. Bursting meridians from the cold is the least of it—in the worst cases, your whole body freezes and shatters."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
That was why I hadn't pressed the issue.
And in this life too, my master was still my master.
I trusted he wouldn't lead his disciple astray, so I followed his lead.
That my patience puzzled him was a bit disconcerting, though.
Should I have asked?
But I wasn't one for needless questions.
I couldn't mention what Warrior Gwak Jun-ha had told me, so only one reason remained.
"I just trusted you, Master."
"Me?"
"Yes. Don't you wish for your disciple's success? So I trust and follow you."
He stared at me in silence.
"Why the look?"
"You move me, young master."
"Over something like this?"
"I'll redouble my efforts in guiding you. Starting today, we'll extend training by half a shichen. Rise half a shichen earlier."
Pardon?
That wasn't what I meant!
"Remember the sword path I taught you? Let's go again."
In that moment, I saw it.
Eh?
My master smiling.
The first smile I'd ever seen from him, across both lives.
So our master could smile.
That afternoon, I headed to the Silver Dragon Hall.
Pavilion Leader Jeok Byeong-cheol of the Three Winds Pavilion had summoned me.
After waiting about half a shichen out front, he approached with his adjutant.
"Greetings, Pavilion Leader Jeok."
"Greetings, Subdivision Leader."
"Not official yet."
"Soon you will be—calling you that early can't hurt. Heh heh heh."
Pavilion Leader Jeok chuckled good-naturedly.
"Let's go. I'll show you to your annex."
"Pardon?"
"Subdivision leaders get their own annex."
I'd forgotten!
Upon becoming subdivision leader, one received a private annex—a mark of recognition as an independent member of the group.
And it was longstanding tradition for the Three Winds Pavilion Leader to personally guide the new subdivision leader there.
I followed behind Pavilion Leader Jeok along a familiar path.
It led to the annex I'd received in my previous life as subdivision leader.
Right after returning to this life, I'd planned to head here.
Recalling that time filled me with fresh emotion.
Nine months had passed already, and I'd accomplished so much.
But it still wasn't enough.
I had goals: revenge on the Baekcheon Merchant Group and the Murim Alliance.
And making Eunhae the world's greatest merchant group.
We soon arrived at the annex.
Seeing my old home after so long brought a smile to my face.
"Like it?"
I nodded at Pavilion Leader Jeok's question.
"Yes, very much. It feels good to finally be recognized as someone who contributes to the group."
He replied,
"Don't say that. We've had our eyes on you since you started handling real work in the Finance Pavilion."
"Haha, really?"
His adjutant explained the annex's layout in detail.
It included my quarters, rooms for attendants, maids and servants, bodyguards, a storeroom, kitchen, and more.
Even living in the annex, we still took morning meals with the family.
But separate meals happened occasionally, hence the kitchen.
And the servants, maids, and attendants ate here too, prepared on-site.
"These will be your dedicated servants and maid from now on."
I met my exclusive attendant and maid.
The attendant was named Gyeong Sam, and the maid Yeong Yeong.
Even in this life, I'd be with them.
"You can move in today if you like."
"Understood."
"And feel free to name the annex—we'll make it official."
"Yes."
Annexes took their names from their owners.
The name often served as a reference to the owner too. Brother Jeong Ho's annex, for instance, had been named Geryang—Great Beam—by Grandfather, signifying his hope he'd become a pillar of the group.
Thus, Geryang Annex also referred to Jeong Ho.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Safe travels."
Pavilion Leader Jeok and his adjutant departed, and I toured the annex again.
"Hee hee! At last, our young master has his own annex! What an honor!"
I laughed at Palgap's words.
"Indeed."
"You can say you're happy! Then we'll start moving your things today!"
Palgap was as thrilled as in my previous life.
I returned to my quarters.
There, an adjutant awaited with a message from the Outer Chief Steward.
"Subdivision Leader, the Outer Chief Steward requests you."
Having received the annex, I could guess why.
Soon, I arrived at Outer Chief Steward Go's office.
"You've come."
"You summoned me."
"The reason I called is that now you're a subdivision leader, you must select your bodyguard."
As I'd expected.
Subdivision leaders handled independent duties, requiring personal bodyguards.
Usually, one scouted them beforehand.
Like Brother Jeong Ho's Warrior Jeon Woo-jin.
Since I'd risen so quickly and unusually, I hadn't yet.
"The announcement ceremony is in three days, so choose by tomorrow and inform me."
"Understood."
I replied and left the office. Inside, I heard Outer Chief Steward Go's voice.
"Aigoo, still more to handle?"
"This needs your attention too."
Hearing his grumbling, I said to Palgap,
"Let's head to the training grounds."
"Yes, sir."
On the way, I recalled the bodyguards I'd chosen in my previous life.
They were skilled with sword and spear.
But I wouldn't choose them this time.