Chapter 236
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 236
Chapter 236. It Was Here (1)
After traveling for about an hour, white tiles could be seen in the distance.
“Could that be...”
“Yes, that is the main palace, the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
Seeing it, I understood why the Northern Sea Ice Palace was called that.
It looked like a palace made of ice.
And a beautiful woman with silvery white hair stood in front of the palace.
As soon as I saw her, I broke out in a cold sweat.
Her strength was beyond my imagination.
“Ah, the Palace Head herself has come out.”
As expected, it was the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Soon we approached her, and she came toward me.
“Welcome. I am the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“I am Eunseoho.”
I quickly clasped my hands together and bowed my head.
“My name is Eunjinho.”
“I am Hasumin.”
“Please raise your heads.”
She spoke to us in a gentle voice.
“The palace and I welcome you all.”
“I am overwhelmed by your hospitality.”
“I heard that Master Eun saved my disciples from the monster. I will treat Master Eun as my benefactor. I will also do the same for his family.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
“Please come inside.”
The Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace personally guided us, and soon we arrived at a building.
"You may stay here. All of the children here are here to serve you, so please ask them for anything you need.“
Looking around, I saw about twenty people lined up wearing aprons.
Did she mean for us to use them as maids?
”Thank you.“
I thought I understood what Bing Haerin, the Palace Head, meant by ”generous hospitality."
It was truly generous hospitality.
The meals were a feast made with the finest ingredients, and each room was furnished with soft silk clothes and silk bedding.
And there were twenty people always on standby to help us.
On top of that, we could stay as long as we wanted.
I had to stay alert.
If I let my guard down, I could become complacent.
That can't happen.
I have a goal to become the world's best trading company and to take revenge on the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Martial Alliance.
In order to achieve that goal, I need to continue to train myself and work hard.
However, I couldn't refuse their kindness, so I had no choice but to stay focused.
Then, one of the people who had been following me approached me.
“Master, your brother is going to meet your mother-in-law. Would you like to go with him?”
Of course I would.
I have a letter for my father.
“Yes, please show me the way.”
As she led me away, I asked her quietly.
“Who is my brother's mother-in-law?”
“Ho-beom Seol Seo-yoon is…”
“What? A law enforcer?”
“Unlike other places, our palace has eight law enforcers, and Seol Seo-yoon is in charge of the western part of the ice palace.”
That means he must be at least a mid-level character.
Moreover, this is the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
“Ho-gong Seol Seo-yoon is a very kind person. That is why many people follow him. He is especially skilled in martial arts, and his attacks combining the Twelve Flying Steps are...”
So Ho-gong Seol Seo-yoon was a master swordsman.
“Then he must have stood out from an early age.”
“No, that's not the case.”
Huh?
“He has only had the Seol surname for less than ten years.”
He became a law enforcer in less than ten years? Is that possible?
However, I couldn't think about it any further.
“We're here.”
We had arrived at the place where Jin-ho and his wife were waiting.
I was led to the reception room of the building where we were staying.
The building was so large that it took a while to reach the reception room.
When I entered, I saw Jin-ho and his wife looking nervous.
Are you nervous?
You need to relax a little.
“What's wrong? Why are you so nervous?”
“Of course I'm nervous. I'm meeting my mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law. You'll understand when you get married.”
“I'm sure you are. But Hyung-nim.”
“Why?”
“You look uglier when you're nervous.”
“Ugh!”
Hyung-nim Jin-ho, who had been sitting upright, flinched at my words.
“Are you serious?”
“Ho ho ho ho.”
My sister-in-law burst out laughing, either because my words were funny or because Jin-ho looked embarrassed.
Thanks to that, the tense atmosphere was broken.
I was relieved.
“Relax. You'll make a mistake and end up sleeping on the floor tonight.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Hyung-nim Jin-ho nodded and took a deep breath.
At that moment, I sensed someone approaching.
It was a strong energy.
They're here.
The door opened, and I heard the voices of Lee and Elder Sang-ho-ran outside.
“Seol Seo-yoon, the law enforcer, and Elder Sang-ho-ran are here.”
Then two women entered the room.
One was the woman I had seen at Jin-ho's wedding, and the other was a woman in her fifties.
She looks so young!
Soon, we were face to face with them.
“Mother!”
My sister-in-law exclaimed with a happy expression.
However, the expression of the woman called “mother” was cold.
“Why are you here?”
“....”
“Why did you come here, causing so much trouble to so many people?”
“...”
“Did you expect me to show you any motherly love?”
Her words were as cold as a dagger.
But I noticed that her lips were trembling and her hands were clenched tightly.
As I expected... She was suppressing her desire to run to her daughter, hug her, and tell her she loved her.
With that kind of venom in her heart, no wonder she only came to the wedding to see her from afar.
I'm worried about my sister-in-law.
She must have been hurt by those harsh words and that look in her eyes...
“You still don't know your daughter very well.”
“...!”
But my sister-in-law was smiling brightly.
Wow... My sister-in-law is no ordinary woman.
“One of the things I learned from my father is how to see through people's true intentions. There are so many deceitful people in this world. But mother...”
My sister-in-law continued with a smile.
“You're such a bad actress.”
“Actress? What do you mean?”
My mother-in-law's eyes wavered, and she looked embarrassed.
“My father told me that your wish was for me to get married and live happily. That's why I came here. To introduce you to my husband.”
Hearing that, Jin-ho jumped up from his seat and pushed his chair away.
“Mother-in-law! Grandmother-in-law! Please accept my bow.”
Then he bowed deeply in front of them and shouted loudly.
“Thank you for giving birth to such a pretty, intelligent, beautiful, cheerful, and wise girl like Su-min! We will live happily together.”
My brother caught his breath and continued.
“I came here to say this.”
That's right, Jin-ho said he had something to say to his mother-in-law.
Jin-ho really came all the way to the Northern Sea Ice Palace to say those words to them in person.
Overwhelmed by his dignified presence, the two were speechless for a moment.
“Ha! Ha ha ha ha!”
The first to burst out laughing was the old master called Elder Sang-ho.
He was Jin-ho's great-grandmother.
She looked at Jin-ho and smiled.
“He's just like Cheol. Exactly the same. He also shouted so confidently in front of me.”
If you mean Cheol... You must be referring to Head Escort Ha Cheol.
“Welcome. Thank you for coming. And thank you again. Don't you dare make my granddaughter cry, or I won't let you off.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
So that's Jin-ho's great-grandmother, but what about his mother-in-law?
She bit her lip tightly, looking both moved and as if she was trying to hold back her emotions.
Oh no!
I almost forgot.
I took the letter out of my pocket and handed it to her.
“This is a letter from my father to your master.”
“I will accept it with gratitude.”
Elder Sang-ho received the letter on his behalf and said.
“By the way, this is a strange coincidence. My brother-in-law is your son-in-law.”
“Isn't fate a strange thing?”
“So, when are you planning to return?”
“We plan to leave tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
At those words, Jin-ho's mother-in-law's eyes widened.
“Isn't that too soon? You're leaving after only three days?”
“Please understand. We have a lot of work to do at the Trading Company, so we can't be away for long.”
“In that case... it can't be helped.”
At that moment, Jin-ho's sister-in-law said to her mother.
“Mother, I'm just saying this in case, but I've never resented you. My father always told me how much you love me.”
She smiled faintly.
“So please live a long and healthy life. When I have a baby next time, I'll bring him to see you.”
Then my sister-in-law got up from her seat.
“We're leaving now.”
As they were about to leave, they heard someone's voice.
“Are you coming back to this dangerous place again?”
“....”
“I'll... go. I'll go see the child... I'll go.”
Seol Seo-yoon said with an embarrassed look, and her sister-in-law smiled at her.
“I'll wait for you.”
Thus, the family reunion ended happily.
.
.
.
It was evening.
Hyung-nim Jin-ho was socializing.
It was a gathering hosted by Elder Sang-ho, and all the elders and law enforcers of the Northern Sea Ice Palace were in attendance.
Earlier, I noticed that he seemed to really like Jin-ho.
It was as if he had become the son-in-law of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Feeling that it was about to be my turn to drink, I quickly escaped.
I'm sorry, Jin-ho.
As I had said before, I packed my things to return home the next day.
My disciples, who had been waiting to attend to me, asked me to stay longer, but I gently declined.
I still have a lot of work to do.
I can't sleep when I think about it.
I've already achieved my purpose for coming to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
And I feel a little sorry that only we are enjoying such a happy time.
Pal-gap and the bodyguards...
I hope they are all well.
Suddenly, the scent of nan flowers wafted through the air.
“You are here after all.”
When I turned my head, the Palace Head, Bing Hae-rin, was standing in front of my quarters.
I couldn't help but tilt my head.
“I heard you were busy...”
“Yes, that's right. I had quite a lot of work to do because I was away. But I finished everything today.”
He looked proud of himself.
“Follow me.”
“What?”
“The Palace Head is calling for you.”
I followed the Palace Head's son to where the Palace Head was.
The place where the Palace Head was located was called the Ice Hall.
The Ice Hall was surrounded by bodyguards standing guard.
“It's not usually like this, but today the Palace Head gave the guards a special day off.”
Ah... That's why Jin-ho Hyung-nim and the others are drinking so much.
They greeted us politely and made way for us.
Following the young palace head, we went deep into the palace and finally arrived at the palace head's quarters.
“Palace Head, we are here.”
When the young palace head spoke inside, the crystal door slid open.
“Come in.”
She was reclining on a chair that looked as if it were made of crystal, and she stood up to greet me.
“I heard you were looking for me.”
“Yes. Would you like some tea?”
“I would be honored.”
Binghaerin, the Palace Head, stepped aside as if her work was done, and I sat down with the Northern Sea Ice Palace Head and drank tea.
“My family is in the tea business, so I've tried all kinds of tea, but this is the first time I've tasted this one.”
“I'm sure you would like it. This tea is made from snow lotus.”
“Thank you for offering me such a rare tea.”
She looked at my waist and her eyes lit up.
“The sword you're carrying. Is that the Eunmu Sword?”
“...!”
I was slightly nervous at her sudden question.
I didn't expect her to recognize the Eunmu Sword right away.
But when I thought about it, it made sense.
The Eunmu Sword was made from ice from the North Sea, and I had heard that Seolpung Palace and the Northern Sea Ice Palace were closely related.
“That's right. I obtained it through a connection.”
“May I take a look?”
I took out the Eunmu Sword and handed it to her.
She took the Eunmu Sword, examined it quietly, and then drew it.
Swoosh.
“Ah! If you draw that sword...”
“It's okay. I won't go mad even if I draw the Eunmu Sword that has a designated owner.”
“...”
“It's because I've been blessed by Bingjeong.”
The look in her eyes as she gazed at the silver sword was one of longing.
Clang.
She put the silver sword back in its sheath and returned it to me.
“Thank you for letting me see it. I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable.”
“Not at all.”
“By the way, the Palace Head said you were a disciple of Seolpung Palace?
”Yes, that's right.“
”Who is your master?“
”My master is Master Kwak Myeong-hyun.“
”Is he... doing well?“
She must be referring to her master.
”Yes, he is doing well."
“I remember when he first came here. He climbed a tree to pick a peach in the garden and fell, breaking his leg.”
“Ha ha!”
I couldn't help but laugh.
Excuse me, Master.
I overheard you talking about your childhood.