Becoming the Branch Leader (2)
The bodyguards I'd initially chosen weren't really ones I had selected, strictly speaking.
They were picks made at my request to the outer steward.
But in the end, they betrayed me.
No, it wasn't betrayal.
They'd never truly served me as their lord from the start, so it wasn't betrayal.
They were plants from a rival merchant group, and because of them, the business I was running took a hit.
I recovered quickly, but when I investigated the reason, it turned out my bodyguards were the rats.
The outer steward, learning of it late, apologized profusely to me.
That wouldn't happen this time.
I soon arrived at the training grounds.
The reason I'd come here was because I had some warriors in mind.
It was Yeo Eung-am warrior and I-pil warrior, who had accompanied me to Sichuan.
Their teamwork was solid, their skills decent, and their situational judgment sharp.
And judging from the future I'd experienced, they hadn't caused any major incidents.
Most importantly, they had tight lips.
Back in Sichuan Castle, when I'd sown discord between Young-po, the rowdy manager who was a rat for the Dan merchant group, and the Dan merchant group's head, I'd slipped them a gold ingot. They still had it.
Even knowing that, they hadn't breathed a word to anyone.
That alone was enough to pass them.
After all, maintaining secrecy was crucial for what I had planned ahead.
Right now was the training time for the team that Yeo Eung-am warrior and I-pil warrior belonged to—Team 2 and Team 1.
I'd learned that much from Palgap when I met the outer steward earlier.
Standing on the platform was Yun Chung-jin, the unit leader, drilling the warriors.
"You lot think I've been going easy, so your discipline's slipped? Today, I'll hammer it back into shape!"
Yun Chung-jin's aura was like a blast of frost.
It seemed the fury stemmed from our near-disaster on the way to Beijing, where the Thunderclap Bomb had almost killed Father, Jeong Ho hyung, and me.
Watching the warriors roll through the dirt under the unit leader's commands, I chuckled softly.
The warriors were training with real venom in their eyes.
I'd have to send some meat and booze around later.
I said to Palgap,
"Try not to make a sound. I want to watch them without being noticed."
"Got it."
Palgap nodded at my words. In that instant, his presence vanished.
Huh? What the...?
Come to think of it, this wasn't the first time.
Even when we dealt with the Black Kitchen's O Dae-deuk gang leader, I hadn't sensed Palgap's presence at all.
Suddenly, a story from my previous life came to mind.
There are those born with the ability to blend their presence so seamlessly that the environment itself hides it for them.
That's the hallmark of the Slayer King, the king of assassins.
Back when I first heard it, I'd dismissed it as exaggeration.
But it wasn't.
People with that real talent existed.
And one was right here as my servant...!
The fact that I hadn't known in my previous life was astonishing.
"Huh? What's up, young master?"
Noticing my odd expression, Palgap's presence reappeared in a flash.
He blinked at me.
I chuckled at the sight.
Even with the talent of a Slayer King, Palgap was still Palgap.
My most trusted servant.
"Nothing. Just remembered something. Let's keep watching quietly."
"Got it."
Palgap's presence faded again, and I concealed mine too, observing their training.
When it ended and a break began, this was my plan:
Approach them as coolly as possible.
Then, in the coolest voice, say, "Yeo Eung-am warrior, I-pil warrior—join me."
I wanted them to feel proud that I had come here personally to name them.
When making them mine, better to start strong.
And comfort their hard work to move them a bit.
But things took a weird turn.
"Whew, what the hell is this?"
One warrior wiped his sweat and grumbled.
"Yeah, all this because that Seo-ho young master saved that Jin Woo-rim merchant head or whatever."
"How'd it come to that?"
"Seo-ho young master saved Jin merchant head, exposing the real culprits. Then the Dong merchant group got wrecked, and their second son held a grudge, ambushed us, and set off the Thunderclap Bomb. That's why the unit leader's pissed."
"Oh, got it."
"If Seo-ho young master had just stayed put, we wouldn't be suffering like this."
Those words left a bitter taste.
Truth be told, I hadn't expected things to escalate that way.
We almost died—Father, hyung, and me. But they suffered too.
This might be the price of the future I'd changed.
I had no complaints paying it myself.
But hearing that made me hesitate about others bearing it.
It was just hellish training now, but it could cost lives in the worst case.
Like how Father and Jeong Ho hyung nearly died.
That was when it happened.
"Hey, shut your trap."
A familiar voice.
Yeo Eung-am warrior's.
"What d'you mean 'cause of Seo-ho young master'? Get the title right. It's not Eun Seo-ho young master—it's Eun Seo-ho branch leader."
"He hasn't been officially announced as branch leader yet..."
"Everyone in Eun Wol Pavilion already acknowledges it. Who are you to nitpick?"
"W-Well..."
"And 'cause of Branch Leader Seo-ho'? You damn bastard! The villains are those Dong merchant dogs—why blame the branch leader?"
"Right. It's not the branch leader's fault."
"That bastard almost killed the branch leader."
Then I-pil warrior spoke up.
"You said earlier the branch leader should've stayed out of it? Are you sane? A true swordsman upholds justice. The branch leader did just that. And now he gets flak for it? What's your justice, then?"
"This punk! That's it!"
"To think you're on my team—embarrassing!"
"It's 'cause we slacked on training that this happened!"
"If we'd done our jobs right, would this have gone down? We know they're always in danger!"
"Kick this guy out now!"
"Hell yeah!"
"H-Hey, but what if we die?"
"Then we die! Isn't cheating death part of the job when you eat sword rice?"
"Dying for the merchant group? Honorable death."
"Why overthink it?"
I'd meant to inspire them, but they inspired me.
Thanks.
I couldn't show myself now. Not because my eyes were stinging—no way.
Just didn't want to embarrass those warriors.
"Let's head back."
Instead of picking them myself, I'd tip off the outer steward to assign those two bodyguards.
Honestly, since I'd decided to change Eunhae Merchant Group's future, a lot would shift.
But the step was taken.
What I could promise: minimize harm and an honorable future.
"Hm?"
Heading to my quarters, the next groups—Team 4 and Team 5—were heading to the training grounds.
That's when I spotted some warriors.
They were already in Eun Pung Corps.
Makes sense. They'd been there, so when I became branch leader, the outer steward could recommend them as guards.
What to do with them...
I grinned.
No sense tossing useful tools just because they fell into my hands.
Time to work them properly.
...They say if you cry then laugh, horns sprout on your butt.
.
.
.
A moment later.
I went to the outer steward and named the warriors I'd selected as my guards.
"Yeo Eung-am warrior and I-pil warrior. Solid skills and sharp eyes."
"They guarded me in Sichuan last time, and our synergy was good."
"Hahaha. True. Guards need good chemistry above all. Even masters struggle without it. Understood. I'll handle it as you wish, branch leader."
"Thanks."
I continued,
"Oh, and Yun Chung-jin unit leader was drilling the warriors hard."
"Ah."
The outer steward nodded.
"Heard about the Beijing trip incident and got fired up. Especially with your announcement ceremony coming. So I sparred with him."
"..."
I could see the full picture now.
The outer steward was a master called One Sword Pierces Heaven.
No matter how skilled the unit leader, sparring him meant taking a beating.
He'd vented that on the warriors.
So he started this.
"I see. Still, in this heat, too much training might exhaust them when it counts. Think I'll send some booze and meat later."
"Our Seo-ho branch leader's too kind-hearted. Hahaha."
Finishing with the outer steward, I returned to my quarters.
I lay on the bed and sighed.
The announcement ceremony hadn't even happened, and I already felt drained.
Then Palgap spoke.
"Young master, anyone else to send invitations to?"
Invitations were already sent.
He was checking for oversights—big rudeness if missed for someone important.
"Sent to the Jegal family?"
"Of course."
"Gave them to Jin Woo-rim merchant head and others before leaving Beijing..."
I sat up on the bed.
"What about Chang In Escort Agency?"
"Sent."
"Good job."
I got off the bed.
"How many of the ones I said to hold back are left?"
"One. For the sundries shop elder."
The retired Ghost-Face Network elder was someone I was investing in heavily now.
For him, I'd deliver it personally.
I'd given one to Master yesterday morning; he'd confirmed he'd come.
I straightened my clothes, took the invitation from Palgap, and tucked it into my sleeve.
"To the sundries shop."
.
.
.
A moment later.
I arrived at the sundries shop in the west district.
The Ghost-Face elder sat leisurely with his pipe, rising when he saw me.
"Back again?"
"Again? Haven't seen you in ages."
"Every day's the same to me, kid."
"Hahaha."
I sat before him, pulled the invitation from my sleeve, and offered it.
"Day after tomorrow, I become branch leader."
"I know, kid."
"You'll come, right?"
He read it, face twitching—he was holding back a smile.
He likes it...
"How old are you to become branch leader already?"
"Fifteen."
"Well, with your talent, not strange at that age."
Muttering, he stood.
"Wait a sec."
"...?"
He returned from inside, plunked something on the table.
"A gift."
"Pardon?"
"To celebrate your branch leadership."
"Oh, thank you."
I hadn't expected a gift from him; I was stunned.
It was a red silk pouch.
But it felt empty.
Usually, you put something in these, right?
"A... pouch?"
"Yeah, a pouch."
"Is the pouch the gift?"
"Yep."
He sat, eyeing me.
"No matter what you put in, the weight feels the same. And it can hold a hundred times its size."
"...Pardon?"
I was shocked.
If true—and it was; he wasn't one for bluster or lies—this was treasure.
"Too grand a gift!"
"You get it. But you deserve it."
He continued,
"Thanks to you, I fulfilled my lifelong wish."
"..."
Well, a gift's a gift—graciously accept.
"Thank you. I'll treasure it."
"Not free."
"Pardon?"
"Heard you stirred things up flashy at the palace."
He knows.
"Any issues?"
"Nah. If those bastards had wised up sooner, none of this. They're too busy surviving the sword dance to bother with you. But."
"...?"
He grinned at me.
"Seems His Majesty has his eye on you."
"Me?"
"Grow strong, or he'll eat you alive."