Eun Jin-ho Goes Missing (7)
I scratched my cheek and continued.
"Anyway, yeah, that's the gist of it. Truth be told, it was all just an excuse. What I really saw in all of you was the future of the Eumyeong Sect. You're all so outstanding."
No matter how outnumbered we were, each and every one of them was a master.
The fact that they had fought valiantly against such foes and held their own was proof enough of their potential.
"That's why I'm investing in that future."
Warrior Yoon nodded as if he understood my intent.
"Understood. We gratefully accept Young Master Eun's grace."
The moment I saw the man's bloodied face with his mask removed, a thought flashed through my mind.
"By any chance, when did the sect leader start feeling unwell?"
He pondered for a moment before replying.
"It began early this year."
"Does that man attend to the sect leader personally?"
"Yes. He's one of the disciples who serves him."
"Then summon Master Heo Cheong, the White-Haired Flower Physician of Hubei Province, to examine the sect leader's condition."
"Why him?"
"He's the finest physician I know when it comes to antidotes."
"...Antidotes?"
The face of the Eumyeong Sect's senior martial brother paled. He couldn't possibly misunderstand the implication.
I nodded.
"Yes. It seems like poisoning."
In a guest room at some inn.
Eun Jin-ho sat on the bed with a gloomy expression.
"Seo-ho..."
The sensation of Eun Seo-ho gripping his arm lingered vividly even now.
And the smile on his face as he let go.
'Why... did you let go?'
The spot on his shin where Eun Seo-ho had kicked him was still bruised purple.
"He really laid into me."
It must have been because he looked so frustrating and foolish.
For the past few years, he'd been worried about his brother's health, but suddenly he'd seemed fine.
So he'd thought it was a relief.
The clever, spirited little brother, Eun Seo-ho.
He was dead.
Not only was he anxious about how to break the news to the family, but the thought of never seeing him again tore at his heart.
He buried his face in the blanket and sobbed uncontrollably.
At that moment, commotion erupted outside.
"Huh? Wh-what? E-Eun Seo-ho, young master?"
"Gasp! No! How are you alive—no, I mean, Escort Leader! Escort Leader Mak Chung!"
"Section Chief Jeong Chung! National Branch Lord Eun Seo-ho has returned!"
"National Branch Lord Eun Seo-ho is back alive?!"
'What? Seo-ho's back alive?'
Fallen from a cliff that looked thousands of feet deep, and yet alive!
He had to see for himself.
Confirm it with his own eyes.
He sprang up, flung open the window, and leaped straight out.
It was only the second floor—nothing for a martial artist like him.
There, entering the inn's courtyard, was the man.
Still handsome as ever.
Eyes brimming with spirit, full of confidence.
It was Eun Seo-ho.
Undoubtedly Eun Seo-ho.
He smiled at him—the same smile from when he'd let go of his arm.
"I'm back, brother Jin-ho."
That exact smile.
"Sorry to worry you. I didn't mean to—urk!"
This time, it was Eun Jin-ho who kicked Eun Seo-ho hard in the shin and yelled.
"You idiot! What the hell were you thinking pulling that stunt?! Do it one more time, and I swear... I'll chase you to the afterlife and beat the crap out of you!"
"I'm really sorry, brother."
He didn't promise never to do it again.
"By the way, you weren't still holding a grudge about me kicking your shin in that foggy forest before, right?"
For some reason, Eun Jin-ho found his brother annoying and kicked his shin again.
Thwack!
I gazed at the familiar scenery passing by the carriage window.
It felt strangely nostalgic, disembarking the ship and heading back to the merchant group by carriage.
I'd explained the full story of my survival to everyone.
Honestly, even I didn't know how I was alive.
So I just said I'd opened my eyes and found myself lying perfectly fine on the ground.
And that I'd picked up this little guy in the process.
I didn't mention the Silver Mist Sword.
Just in case. You never know with people.
The sword was tucked safely in my pocket now.
Even after hearing my tale, they couldn't hide their bewilderment, but Escort Leader Mak Chung wrapped it up neatly.
"It must have been the mountain spirit's doing. There's an old legend that a mountain god dwells in those peaks."
"Guess that's it."
"That explains how you got this spirit beast too."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
They had no choice—otherwise, my survival made no sense.
I looked down at the creature sitting on my lap, staring up at me with bright, sparkling eyes.
Do you know what happened?
I had a feeling this one might.
But since it couldn't talk...
Beside me, Palgap was snoring loudly, dead to the world. All because he'd insisted on bathing the creature.
Impressive, though.
To wear out even Palgap like that.
Thanks to his efforts, we'd discovered the creature's true fur color—a white verging on pink.
After a long ride, we finally arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group.
"Palgap."
"Mmmph..."
"Palgap, wake up."
"Mmmph... You... take good care of our young master... He's amazing... mmmph..."
Man, what the hell is he mumbling?
And why are Warrior Seo-u and the two guards nodding along?
No helping it.
I gave a glance to the creature on my lap. It hopped up and kicked Palgap square in the face with its hind paw.
"Gah!"
Then it landed lightly back on my lap as if nothing happened, sitting primly and even putting on an innocent look.
Got all the qualities, doesn't it?
Palgap jolted awake, looking around wildly.
"Come at me, you rascal!"
"Get up."
"Huh?"
"We're home."
As we stepped out of the carriage, the family—who'd been notified ahead—greeted us warmly.
Especially since missing Jin-ho brother had returned too; their joy was profound.
"Jin-ho!"
"Sob! Jin-ho, my son... Do you know how worried your mother was?"
Seeing that, my conscience pricked unexpectedly.
I'd nearly made them hear of my death right there.
Section Chief Jeong Chung would report my cliff fall and return later.
Then, Deputy Ye Chang approached me.
"You're back?"
"Yes."
"Then hurry to the Hyunpung Branch. There's a mountain of backlog."
What? I barely survived, and now work without rest?
Who's the branch lord of Hyunpung anyway?
Oh... right, me.
The next morning.
I'd wrapped up work late last night and slept in, but my wake-up time stayed the same.
After morning meditation, as I rose, Master entered the Mun-gok Hall right on cue.
"Master, good morning."
"Good morning."
Master continued, looking at me.
"I heard from Escort Leader Mak Chung. You fell off a cliff but miraculously returned alive."
"..."
I bowed deeply to Master.
"I'm sorry for causing you worry."
"No need. You're safe—that's what matters."
Master glanced at Palgap and the two warriors; they sensed the unspoken pressure and quietly left the hall.
Normally, martial arts instruction shouldn't be seen by outsiders, so the guards leaving was standard. But today, even Palgap was sent out.
"Congratulations on reaching the Peak."
"Ah, you knew."
Master was as sharp as ever.
"It seems you attained enlightenment, and it's connected to acquiring that spirit beast."
The spirit beast...
I pulled it from my sleeve and held it out.
"This one?"
"Kyu?"
Master stared at it intently. The creature on my palm blankly stared back.
Peering closely, I saw Master's eyes trembling.
"So there was one left."
"Pardon?"
Did Master know about this creature?
"What exactly is it?"
"This is a Hanho-su, a Cold Guardian Beast. It once protected the Seolpung Palace."
Seolpung Palace...
"It's drawn instinctively to the unique chill of Seolpung Palace techniques. That's why it approached you, Branch Lord."
"Pardon?"
"Truth is, the family heirloom art you're learning... sigh..."
Master's sigh felt heavy.
"It's Seolpung Palace martial arts."
Master looked at me.
"You know where Seolpung Palace is."
"Only rumors."
"So you know something."
Master's gaze held such sorrow—no, more like longing.
No.
Mingled with anger.
I wondered why that place had been wiped out, but I couldn't ask.
It would be too cruel.
"That's why you told me not to reveal the origins of the art."
"I'm telling you this because I trust you'll keep the secret, Branch Lord."
"I'll honor your trust, Master."
So Master was from Seolpung Palace!
I hadn't known in my previous life.
Though I'd suspected.
The power of the arts I'd learned far outstripped others.
And the heart method was called Great Yin Ice Sea Divine Art.
A name like "divine art" wasn't handed out lightly.
Anyway, only in this life did I learn the truth.
Did he clear the hall just to tell me this?
Master composed himself and continued.
"The Hanho-su... loves money. Because it lives off money."
Ah...
So that's why it ate my silver.
I'd been quietly worried, but it was its food.
"It has an uncanny nose for money. It picks rich masters to sustain itself. And the scent it detects includes not just current wealth, but future riches too."
I looked at the creature on my palm.
If it chose me, it picked well.
No danger of starving ahead.
"By the way... did you give it money?"
I nodded.
"Yes. It acted like it wanted some, so I offered silver, and it gobbled it up. How did you know?"
Master chuckled softly.
"It's stuck to you like glue."
Master went on.
"Once it accepts money, it serves its master till death. It never eats money from non-masters."
"That's fortunate."
"No limit to how much it devours, but one silver piece a month suffices."
"Anything else to watch for?"
"Nothing. It's smart and self-sufficient. Costs a bit to maintain, but worth it."
"Got it. I'll raise it well."
I turned to the creature.
"Hey, I need to practice swordsmanship. Go wait over there."
Master shook his head lightly, stopping me.
"It can stay. No weapon in the world can harm it."
"Pardon?"
"Learn more about it later."
"Master..."
I called to him.
"What is it?"
"What I found at the cliff base wasn't just this."
"...?"
I drew out the Silver Mist Sword I'd kept hidden.
Master was from Seolpung Palace.
He'd recognize this sword.
As expected, his eyes widened at the sight.
"This... could it be the Silver Mist Sword?"
He'd been surprised before, but never like this.
"Seems so."
I recounted everything to Master.
Following the creature into the cave, finding the sword, fighting the mad warrior.
Entering a trance, reaching Peak realm.
The sword coming to my hand, the mad warrior's final words.
The mist vanishing once sheathed.
Finally, I presented the identity plaque and letter I'd taken from there.
"He had these on him."
Master took the plaque, caressing the inscription: Seolpung Palace's Yu Deok-jin.
He unfolded the letter.
Moments later, his face twisted.
I knew that expression somehow. One only those whose clan was exterminated could wear.
I'd felt it in my past life.