Chapter 241
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 241
Chapter 241. Beijing Branch (1)
I couldn't help but laugh.
Anyone who had set foot in the martial arts world would know that name.
Two hundred years ago, there was a hero who played a major role in the war against the Blood Cult.
Guo Xun, the Extreme Heaven Sword.
However, he is said to have devoted himself more to honing his martial arts skills than to building his power.
After that, no descendants who stood out appeared, and the family line ended...
Then, the martial arts that the Northern Sea Ice Palace Head taught me were the techniques of the Extreme Heaven Sword?
Does that mean there was some connection between the descendants of the Extreme Heaven Sword and the Northern Sea Ice Palace?
“I thought I had heard that martial arts name somewhere before... I see.”
“By the way, do you plan to use that martial arts technique often in the future?”
“I do, but is there a problem with that?”
“No, not at all. You only used the Heavenly Sword while passing through the North Sea, so I was just wondering. Besides, it seems like you've been trying hard not to reveal your martial arts skills to outsiders...”
“You knew.”
Seo Woo smiled and replied.
“All of my bodyguards already know.”
The reason I am reluctant to use my martial arts is, first of all, because I don't need to.
I have two peak warriors and two first-class warriors as my bodyguards.
Second, if I don't use my martial arts, I will be less suspected by the Martial Alliance.
However, now that I am traveling all over the Central Plains, I can't avoid using my martial arts forever.
Third, I was uneasy about using the martial arts of Seolpunggung. I didn't know who had destroyed Seolpunggung.
My master said that even he wouldn't be able to recognize them, but he told me not to use my martial arts if possible.
I looked at the Seo warriors and fell deep in thought.
Bodyguards are people who entrust their lives to me.
And from what I had seen of them so far, they were trustworthy.
Then I had to respond to their feelings.
“First of all, the bodyguards protecting me are so skilled that I didn't think it was necessary for me to get involved.”
“I see. Thank you for trusting us.”
“Of course I trust you.”
I smiled.
“And... as you know, the martial arts I learned were taught at Seolpung Palace.”
Seo Woo nodded.
“And I don't know who destroyed Seolpung Palace.”
“Some say it was the Demonic Cult, and others say it was the Northern Sea Ice Palace... but nothing is certain.”
“Yes. Those villains must have had a reason for destroying Seolpung Palace. In that situation, if it becomes known that I learned martial arts at Seolpung Palace, my life could be in danger.”
“...That's certainly true.”
“That's why I tried not to reveal my martial arts skills.”
“...Just as Jin-yu said.”
“What? Jin-yu?”
Seo Woo nodded. We all knew that Jin Yu was from Seolpung Palace.
The Baeknoo Corps had come to escort Chairman Ma's investment funds, and Jin Yu had revealed his past at that time.
“Jin Yu once said that your Liege is reluctant to reveal his martial arts skills because he is conscious of those who destroyed Seolpung Palace.”
Xiu Mu continued.
“If you're going to pretend, you might as well do it properly. Aren't you from the Chengdu branch of the Guo family, Head Escort Guo?”
“Ah!”
The name of the Extreme Heaven Sword is Guo Huan.
And my Master's name is Guo Mingxuan.
The reason why the Palace Head taught me the Heavenly Sword Technique must be related to this.
The Kwak clan has already died out, so who would argue with that?
“That's a good idea.”
.
.
.
We crossed the grasslands at a considerable speed and arrived in Beijing after passing through Liaoning.
Once again, we ended up staying at my aunt's house.
“Did you have a good trip?”
“Yes, Auntie.”
“I'm glad. But you're with that young mistress again.”
My aunt looked at Palace Head Bing Haerin standing next to me and her eyes lit up.
Auntie, she and I are not like that.
That evening.
I had tea with my aunt and heard an interesting story.
“This time, our Seonmi had tea with the Empress.”
“Really?”
I looked surprised on the outside, but inside I was smiling.
The Emperor had granted my request.
“Seonmi was also invited to a gathering for the wives of the university professors at the Hyeonghak Academy.”
It seemed that they had taken care not to make Seonmi stand out too much.
“Isn't that wonderful?”
“Yes. Now, no one will look down on Seonmi in her poetry anymore.”
Seeing my aunt so happy, I felt proud that my support had paid off.
After finishing my conversation with my aunt, I headed back to my quarters.
By the way...
I will be coming to Beijing more often in the future, and I'm not sure if this is okay.
My aunt and uncle say it's fine, but I feel bad staying at my aunt's house every time.
And it's not just me staying there, as quite a few people come and go.
There was only one conclusion.
Establish a Beijing branch of Eunhaesang Trading Company.
Currently, we do have a store in Beijing, but it is not large enough to be considered a branch.
Naturally, it lacks the capacity to handle important matters.
That is why I was late in learning that the Gunghyanggak had been abolished and the Ho-bu Sangseo and Gongbu Sangseo had been dismissed.
This is the domain of the Information Bureau, but even they are limited in what they can do in places where they do not have a branch.
This cannot be allowed to continue.
Currently, our Eunhae Trading Company ranks 40th among the 100 largest trading companies in the world.
In order to climb even higher, we must have a proper branch in Beijing, the capital.
In my previous life, I was 30 years old when I finally established a branch in Beijing.
However, the situation is different now.
The Hyeonghak Academy, which accounts for more than half of the Eunhae Trading Company's operating expenses, is also located here, and we supply silk to the imperial family, so the time has come.
Of course, we had sufficient funds.
Hmm, where should we locate the branch?
In my previous life, there was a location for the Eunhae Trading Company's Beijing branch, but to be honest, I didn't like it very much.
At that time, all the suitable locations for the Eunhae Trading Company to establish a branch in Beijing had already been taken.
We had no choice but to settle there.
But now, there is a suitable location.
In my previous life, the Baekcheon Trading Company established its second Beijing branch on that site.
But in this life, it belongs to the Eunhae Trading Company.
.
.
.
The next day, Master Jin came to see me.
I sent a message to the emperor as soon as I arrived yesterday, and it seems that he sent Master Jin after reading it.
“Did you have a good trip?”
“Yes, Master.”
“His Majesty asked me to check if you were safe.”
“I am safe.”
He looked me over closely and nodded.
“I see. I will report that to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Yes.”
“By the way, have the eunuchs approached you yet?”
“No one has come to see me yet.”
Master Jin-yeong nodded.
“That's good. We don't know when they'll come, but be careful no matter what they offer you. They're devious people.”
“I'll keep that in mind. Oh, and please tell His Majesty the Emperor that I am grateful.”
“I will.”
Master Jin-yeong left, and I let out a sigh.
I felt that I had to leave Beijing quickly to avoid getting involved in complicated matters.
“Pal-gap.”
“Yes, sir? You called me?”
“I'm leaving tomorrow morning. Tell everyone.”
“Yes, sir.”
The next day, we left Beijing.
My aunt and uncle and Hyung-nim asked us to stay a little longer, but I declined, using my pending work as an excuse.
It was true, after all.
Even now, my work continues to pile up.
My schedule was delayed because Jin-ho got drunk.
Sigh...
Let's not think about it.
So we left Beijing, passed through Hebei and Henan, and arrived at the headquarters of the Yinhai Trading Company in Hubei.
Perhaps because we had traveled so far, all of our family members came out to greet us warmly.
“Come in.”
“We're back.”
Hyung-nim Jin-ho and his wife also reported that they had arrived safely.
“Ah.”
Jin-ho handed me an envelope.
“This is a letter from your mother-in-law. And this is a letter from your great-grandmother.”
“Great-grandmother?”
My sister-in-law answered my father's question.
“My maternal grandmother is also a disciple of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“I see. You even got to see your maternal grandmother. You must have had a good trip.”
Hyung-nim said with a smile.
“Yes. I'm glad I went. I was very loved there.”
“I'm glad to hear that.”
Seeing their harmonious scene, a wicked thought suddenly crossed my mind.
I thought about telling my father that Jin-ho's drinking had caused a delay in our schedule so that he would ban alcohol.
It was really hard for me to learn martial arts from the investigator.
I'm a little slow to let things go...
“Ha...”
I let out a sigh.
Still, it wasn't entirely Jin-ho's fault, so I, being a good person, had to endure it.
Damn it.
I returned to my private quarters, Mungokdang, washed up, changed into my formal attire, and headed to my father's office.
I had something to report to my father separately.
“So, did you do what I asked you to do?”
“Yes, Father.”
I explained what my father had asked me to do step by step, and he was satisfied.
“Well done.”
“Father, I have something to tell you.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“During my trip, I realized that we need to establish a branch of Eunhaesang Trading Company in Beijing.”
“A branch in Beijing?”
“Yes.”
I explained the necessity to my father, and he nodded in agreement.
“You have a point. It is time for our Eunhaesang Trading Company to make a full-scale advance into Beijing. I understand. I will make it an official agenda item for tomorrow's Eunwolgak meeting.”
“Thank you.”
After finishing my conversation with my father, I headed back to the Moon Hall. A guest was waiting for me there.
It was Palace Head Byeonghaerin.
Bing Hae-rin, who had escorted our party to the Eunhaesang Trading Company headquarters, was staying here.
“You're here.”
“Yes. Did you wait long?”
“No, I just arrived.”
She was holding something wrapped in white cloth in her hand. She handed it to me and said,
“I came to give you this.”
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
I took it and unwrapped it.
“...!”
It was a book, and its title surprised me.
It was the family tree of the Kwak clan, or rather, a genealogy book.
“The Palace Head gave this to me and told me to give it to you when I arrived safely at the Eunhae Trading Company.”
Inside was a letter.
I opened the letter.
“I believe that a brilliant young master like you will understand the meaning of this.”
“Ah...”
As I thought, it was the Ice Palace Head's intention.
“Please tell him that I will use it wisely.”
“I will. And I am planning to leave tomorrow morning.”
“You've come a long way, you can stay a little longer.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“I have to go back before the snowstorm starts. And I've realized something recently.”
“You seem to have gained some insight.”
Palace Head Bing Haerin smiled slightly at my question.
“To be honest, I thought I was the best, but there is someone better than me. I can't stand being behind someone else.”
Then why is she smiling at me?
I didn't know the reason, but I replied to her anyway.
“I hope you achieve great success in your martial arts training.”
The next day, Palace Head Bing Haerin left early in the morning. I found out thanks to Lee Pil, who was escorting her.
“I see. Thank you for letting me know.”
“You're welcome.”
As usual, I went out to the courtyard and practiced breathing exercises.
As soon as I finished, my master entered the room as if he had been waiting there.
“Master, are you here?”
“I heard you went to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Yes.”
At the time, my master was on a secret mission, so I couldn't tell him about it.
However, looking at Master's face, I remembered the secret story of Master's childhood that the Northern Sea Ice Palace Head had told me.
Oh no.
I tried hard not to look at Master, but there was no way he wouldn't notice.
“You seem strange today.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Did you do something wrong that I don't know about? Why can't you look me in the face?”
“No, it's not that...”
If I don't say something, he'll misunderstand me.
“I went to the North Sea and met the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“The Palace Head?”
“Yes. And the Palace Head told me about your childhood. He told me stories about Baekokdo and how you were punished...”
My Master muttered quietly in response to my explanation.
“...You damn old hag.”