Becoming a Branch Leader (3)
The old man's words made me jump in alarm.
"What? H-He said he'd eat me?"
The old man chuckled heartily at my reaction.
"Looks like you left quite the impression on His Majesty. The way he's coveting you says it all."
Cold sweat trickled down my back at that.
There had been a reason the Emperor asked my age. If it had been suitable, I would've been dragged straight into the palace to serve as an official.
No way in hell!
My goal was to become the top merchant of the world's greatest trading company—not some palace bureaucrat.
I need to be more careful not to catch the Emperor's eye from now on.
But can I really avoid that?
No matter how I thought about it, that seemed impossible.
So why was the old man telling me this now?
I glanced down at the red silk pouch in my hand.
No way...?
This pouch had to be the most valuable item in the sundries shop right now.
Priceless, even.
No matter how favorably he viewed me, it wasn't something to just hand over as a gift.
I cautiously voiced my suspicion.
"This pouch... Did that person give it to me?"
"He requested it. Said to give you the most useful thing I had."
"Why?"
"It's repayment for helping purge those insolent bastards and saving the real branch head's life. Also an apology for nearly getting you killed. And like I said earlier? He's grooming you to devour later."
"...So it's not free after all."
He's still set on dragging me to the palace somehow.
"His Majesty is eagerly awaiting how grandly you'll grow. So this is a gift to help you flourish."
I pondered for a moment.
This pouch would be incredibly useful to me.
Returning it out of obligation would make me weep with regret.
I decided to take it easy.
If he really intended to force me into palace service, I'd deal with it then. Somehow.
"Got it. Please tell him I'll put it to good use gratefully."
The old man's eyes widened at my words.
"You're taking it?"
"Why pass up a free gift?"
He burst into roaring laughter.
"Puhahaha! Indeed! You're a riot!"
"I do have my moments."
The next day.
While Palgap bustled about moving my quarters, I was busy with my assigned duties.
Since I'd been the one to unveil the salt winders, production and sales fell to me.
The salt retailers were gathering for my branch leader announcement ceremony.
We'd discuss production and sales then, so I had plenty to prepare.
In just two days, I'll truly be a branch leader. The thought stirred mixed feelings.
Of course, it was exciting.
With greater freedom of movement, I could pursue my goals faster.
The issue was that official employee vacations didn't apply to branch leaders.
Well, except for one summer break.
All other holidays vanished. Even the rest day every ten days.
Ah, why am I tearing up again?
Fifteen years old.
Must be the age for easy tears.
In Yoo So-ak's office.
As he reviewed documents, he glanced at the boy seated beside him.
Thirteen-year-old Seok Il-song.
The boy diligently pored over the paperwork Yoo So-ak had assigned as a task.
Honestly, at first, he hadn't understood why such a burden was dumped on him.
But soon he realized Eun Seo-ho had assigned Seok Il-song out of consideration.
Seok Il-song was a genius.
He never forgot anything taught once, and from one lesson grasped ten.
"Chief Steward, here's the task."
Seok Il-song had already solved it and handed it over.
Yoo So-ak checked the work.
Perfect answers.
And written in the exact format he'd taught—hard to believe it had been less than five days since he started learning.
A few more months of this, and he'd fill Eun Seo-ho's gap.
"But you know, clearing and resetting banquet tables one by one seems inefficient."
"Got an alternative?"
"Why not load a tray with a full table's worth and swap the whole tray?"
"Makes sense."
Thinking it over, it would serve more guests faster.
Not bad, considering guests waiting for tables.
"I'll discuss it with the kitchen master."
"Thank you for considering my humble opinion."
"No need. Constantly devising improvements is a fine habit. Here's the next task."
Yoo So-ak gave Seok Il-song another assignment.
Hmm...
One reason he held Seok Il-song in high regard was this keen insight.
He had a flash of wit for efficient methods.
A child who could excel as merchant or official.
Academically, he was already at university level at twelve.
That reminded him of Kwak Hyeong-jin, eldest son of Kwak Myeong-hyeon, Eun Seo-ho's swordsmanship master.
He'd just turned thirteen, same as Seok Il-song.
He's studying the Doctrine of the Mean now.
He'd heard Seok Il-song's circumstances from Eun Seo-ho.
Without his clan's fall, Seok Il-song would be studying the Doctrine of the Mean like Kwak Hyeong-jin.
A thought struck him.
With a good friend for rigorous study, Seok Il-song's talent could bloom further.
And an unfamiliar ambition stirred within him.
The third joy of the gentleman from Mencius: educating the world's prodigies.
Seok Il-song qualified as one; he wanted to teach him well.
"Il-song."
"Yes, Chief Steward."
"Don't you want to study literature more?"
"..."
"Be honest."
"Truthfully, yes. But right now, I want to master work quickly to repay the favor."
"Favor? What favor?"
"I want to become someone useful to Branch Leader Eun Seo-ho, who reached out and helped me."
To Yoo So-ak, the boy seemed exemplary.
"Your happiness comes first."
"Is that allowed?"
"Of course. Repaying a favor only matters after you're happy. Repaying while miserable is nonsense."
Those were words the trading company lord, Eun Gil-sang, had told him.
Until recently, he couldn't fully live by them.
Suppressed rage tormented him.
But Eun Seo-ho's unwitting poetry anthology had changed that.
It led him to a lifelong confidant: the Jegal Supreme Patriarch.
Only then did he realize his folly.
He'd thought happiness forbidden.
That he couldn't be happy.
Wrong.
He didn't want Seok Il-song lost in darkness like him.
I awoke in my assigned pavilion to warm sunlight streaming in.
Today, I finally became branch leader.
"Did you cough, young master?"
I answered Palgap's question.
"Yeah."
He brought in the washbasin.
"Here's your wash water."
"Thanks."
I splashed my face roughly and donned training robes. Palgap asked,
"But it's your branch leader announcement today... Still training?"
"Of course. It's just one day among many. No reason to skip sword practice."
I bore the Present Dragon Physique, with extreme yin energy.
The Jin-seol Twelve Form Swordsmanship was for handling potent inner power, but mine was vaster and more yin-heavy.
Like a child learning to walk, I had to practice the forms steadily, daily.
Knowing that, I couldn't skip.
Soon, I stepped into the courtyard.
My pavilion's yard was spacious. This would be my training ground now.
"You've arrived, my lord."
"Congratulations on becoming branch leader."
"Congratulations."
From yesterday, Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Yi-pil Warrior stayed here.
My personal guards now.
"Out for training?"
"Yes."
"But the announcement ceremony today..."
Palgap chimed in from behind.
"Young master trains swordsmanship every day. He says even the announcement is just one day among many—no excuse to skip."
The two guards looked at me admiringly.
"Impressive."
"Worthy of respect."
Palgap, you're gilding my image completely.
"I'm circulating the heart method. Please stand guard."
Guarding during heart method practice was their duty. They agreed readily.
"Of course."
"As you command."
After finishing, as I rose, my master appeared like a ghost.
"Master, you're here? I have a question."
"What is it?"
"How do you always arrive exactly on time?"
He replied,
"You'll learn that later, young master."
He eyed the guards. I quickly introduced them.
"Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Yi-pil Warrior, my personal guards."
"Yeo Eung-am."
"Yi-pil."
I introduced him.
"My swordsmanship master."
"Kwak Myeong-hyeon, escort chief."
"Pleasure to meet here!"
"Hahaha! Likewise."
They greeted warmly, seeming acquainted. Probably from escort bureau dealings with the company.
"Take good care of young master Seo-ho."
As he stared intently, their faces paled.
What's that about?
Master turned casually.
"Let's begin training. Guards, please step aside?"
Watching technique transmission was rude, but as guards, they could stay.
Yet they moved without protest.
Like rabbits before a tiger. Am I imagining it?
"That's enough for today."
"Whew, thank you for the instruction."
"A few more days, and you can move to the next form."
"Really?"
"Yes."
He continued,
"Actually, the Jin-seol Twelve Form Swordsmanship advances not by sword proficiency."
I knew the answer but waited.
"But by inner energy control."
"Meaning I've mastered the energy for the second form."
"Correct. But as you know, your energy is immense. Never exceed what you can control."
"Understood."
"And congratulations on becoming branch leader."
"Thank you."
He pulled something from his bosom and handed it over.
"A gift."
A small wooden box.
That explained the bulge.
"Open it."
I did. A small pill emanated cool fragrance and energy.
"A one-time pill to protect your meridians from cold."
I looked up puzzled.
Why give this?
"You rampage through duties without rest. As branch leader, you'll be even wilder."
"Hahaha."
I scratched my cheek, speechless.
"So take it. If you must exceed your control, swallow first."
His way of saying don't die.
"Thank you. I'll heed your words. But it looks precious."
"Naturally. Extremely rare."
"I'll avoid using it if possible."
"Now that's a satisfying answer."
After training, I donned formal robes.
Time for breakfast with family.
Formal greetings to grandfather, parents, brothers.
Honestly, I didn't know what today held.
I only remembered the ceremony after five years' practice.
Still, I'd handle it fine.