Chapter 242
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 242
Chapter 242. Beijing Branch (2)
I could tell that my master was embarrassed.
When he raised his hand to his forehead, I could see that his right wrist was red.
Today, I learned that my master's wrist turns red when he is embarrassed.
That's strange.
“It's okay, Master. Everyone has a few stories like that from their childhood, don't they?”
“You don't have to comfort me. It's the truth.”
“...”
“And hearing such words of comfort makes me feel even more ashamed. Anyway... So that's why it was difficult for you to train me.”
I bowed my head with clasped hands.
“I'm sorry.”
“That's good. Let's do today's training with your eyes closed.”
“...What?”
Master, you're not saying this because you heard that story from the Palace Head, are you?
It was beyond my control.
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Training was over.
I really covered my eyes and practiced the Seolhon Sword Technique, and it was really hard.
“Well done.”
“Thank you for your guidance. And I...”
I said cautiously.
“When I went to the Northern Sea Ice Palace this time, I encountered the arrangement made by the investigator.”
“...!”
My master's eyes widened at my words.
“The arrangement I encountered this time is for a martial art called Gyeok-eum-hon-bing-tu.”
“Is that true?”
My master looked very surprised.
“Do you know what that is?”
“Of course. Isn't that one of the martial arts that only the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace can learn? But...”
My master couldn't finish his sentence and closed his eyes.
Then, suppressing his grief, he continued.
“My father passed away early, and I was unable to learn it. Therefore, I am not a complete Palace Head.”
After saying that, my master asked me.
“But when you say arrangements for the Extreme Yin-Yang Technique... Could it be?”
“Yes. I have mastered it. Therefore, I must first apologize to you, Master.”
I bowed with my hands clasped together.
“I mastered it without your permission, Master.”
“No.”
My master shook his head.
“You don't need to apologize. Right now, I am grateful that you have mastered it and that the tradition has not been lost.”
“Please wait a moment.”
I went inside and brought the secret manual of Gyeok-eum-hon-bing-tu that I had made and gave it to my master.
“Here you are. This is what I learned from the investigator.”
My master took it and looked at it with a strange expression.
I quickly explained.
“I heard from the investigator that martial arts like Gyeok-eum-hon-bing-tu are only taught to palace heads and that there are no secret manuals.”
“That is correct.”
“I understand that this is because if someone who has not trained enough learns it, they will be tainted by it.”
“That is also correct.”
“However, since both you and I are very busy, I thought this would be the most efficient way to pass on my knowledge. If you ever decide that this should not be left in the world, please burn it.”
My master nodded.
“And... actually, the content is a bit difficult to understand, so I think I should demonstrate it myself.”
After briefly looking through the book, Master nodded again.
“Indeed... That is necessary.”
“Therefore, I will demonstrate whenever Master requests.”
Then, it may take some time for Master to master the Extreme Yin-Yang Sword Technique, but it cannot be helped.
If I teach him the same way I taught the investigator, he will be able to learn it in a short time.
But this is not the world I was in.
If he is cut by a sword, he will die.
Of course, my master's skill is far superior to mine, so even if I swing my sword, there is no way he will be cut by it.
However, Gyeok-eum-hon-bing-tu is a martial arts technique that requires all of one's strength, so I might accidentally injure Master.
Don't you know how the world works?
“In that case, I would like to see you demonstrate the first technique.”
“Yes, sir.”
I took about ten steps back from Master.
I had to keep that distance to be safe.
Then I raised both hands and moved slowly.
However, the energy surrounding me was very aggressive.
It was so rough that it resembled the fourth technique of the Jinseolshik Sword Technique, Seolpung, or the seventh technique, Seolbak.
My body moved as if dancing. However, my dance was not meant to bring joy.
It was a dance meant to cut down my enemies and bring them death.
Every time my hands cut through the air, the wind stopped.
If there had been an enemy where my hands cut, I would have cut them down.
About half an hour passed.
I lowered my hands, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.
Because it was such a powerful martial art, it was dangerous if I didn't calm my mind and circulate my genuine qi at the end.
“That's...”
I turned my head toward my Master's voice.
“...!”
I was taken aback for a moment.
Tears were streaming from my Master's eyes.
“That is... Gyeok-eum-hon-bing-tu... I saw it when I was young. When my father was fighting spiritual beasts...”
It wasn't me that my master was looking at.
He was seeing his past self performing Gyeok-eum-hon-bing-tu.
I could understand how my master felt.
I also had memories of losing my father in my previous life.
He passed away due to illness, but now I sometimes wonder.
Was it really an illness...
After a moment
Master calmed down and bowed his head slightly.
“Thank you.”
“It is not me you should thank, but the investigator who loved Seolpunggung and left this arrangement.”
I smiled and continued.
“And... I have one more thing to say.”
“What is it?”
“Do you know anything about the Heavenly Sword?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you also know that the Gwak clan used that martial arts technique?”
“Of course. Could it be...?”
“Yes, I received this from the Palace Head.”
I handed my master the secret manual of the Heavenly Ice Sword along with the Gwak family's genealogy.
“What is this?”
“It seems that the Northern Sea Ice Palace Head still cherishes Seolpung Palace.”
I explained that I had learned the Heavenly Ice Sword from the Northern Sea Ice Palace Head and that he had given it to me as a gift.
After hearing my explanation, my master nodded.
“That's a good idea. Actually, I often hear people ask which Gwak family you belong to.”
“Is that so?”
“But if you pretend to be from that family, you'll be safer. Especially since they are the most powerful enemy.”
“What?”
I tilted my head.
“Do you know who the enemy is?”
My master paused for a moment, then smiled bitterly.
“Nothing is certain yet, but I have a pretty good idea. I will tell you when I know for sure.”
“I understand.”
I nodded.
My master never broke his word. To think that such a master was a troublemaker when he was young!
Oh no!
Not that again!
I shook my head and handed him the envelope.
“And this is a letter from the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“...!”
My master took it with trembling hands.
Even though he had just called her a damn old hag, it seemed that the Northern Sea Ice Palace was someone special to my master.
That must be why the Northern Sea Ice Palace Head knew about Master's childhood secrets.
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After finishing my training and eating breakfast, I headed straight for Eunwol Hall.
There was a meeting at Eunwol Hall.
The most important agenda item for today was about the Beijing branch.
“It is definitely time to establish a branch in Beijing.”
The others nodded in agreement with Chief Administrator Yu's words.
“The amount of logistics heading to Beijing is increasing. That is why I was planning to make a request myself soon.”
Jeong Ho agreed with Yeon Gak-ju's words.
“Furthermore, as our Eunhae Trading Company supplies silk to the imperial family, a branch office in Beijing is desperately needed.”
His father looked around at everyone and made a decision.
“I believe there are no objections to this.”
“Yes.”
“Then it is time to select a site for the branch office.”
At that moment,
“May I say something?”
Everyone's attention turned to Se-pung-gak, the deputy leader of the Se-pung-gak.
He was not a man who spoke lightly.
My father nodded, and he continued.
“I think it would be best to leave everything related to the Beijing branch to Captain Seo-ho.”
“Seo-ho?”
“Yes. He has been to Beijing the most recently, so I think he would be familiar with the situation there.”
“That's true.”
“And since he is favored by His Majesty the Emperor, there will be few who would dare to interfere.”
“Hmm, that makes sense.”
Hearing that, I sighed inwardly.
To be honest, I had planned to let Jung-ho handle this matter.
Establishing a branch in Beijing, the capital, would give him a lot of exposure.
In other words, it would be a great achievement that would ensure Jung-ho's position as the next captain of the Trading Company.
“I see...”
“That's a good idea.”
However, contrary to my expectations, not only the other chiefs but even Hyung-nim Jeong Ho nodded in agreement.
This cannot go on.
“The enemy chief recommended me, but I would like Hyung-nim Jeong Ho to take charge.”
“Jeong Ho?”
“I have many things to attend to. And I have a task entrusted to me by His Majesty the Emperor... Anyway, I would like Jung-ho to take on this task and carry it out reliably. And isn't he also in charge of delivering the silk?”
My father thought for a moment and then said.
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes, Father.”
“You've been away quite a lot, haven't you? Still, you've done your job well.”
“....”
I had no words.
“And does the place where you carry out the task entrusted to you by His Majesty the Emperor have to be here in Hubei? You could move to Beijing and do it there.”
“But I have to report to you....”
“You can entrust that task to those who travel back and forth regularly. All I need is a report.”
“...”
“I think the enemy commander's words are reasonable.”
My brother Jeong-ho smiled and added, “I also want you to take on this task.”
No, my brother can't agree to that.
Sigh, I have no choice.
I'll have to give him credit later.
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That day in Hyungpung.
I told my staff that I would be working in Beijing for a while.
“Oh! Beijing?”
“Is that really true?”
But my staff was very happy.
“Aren't you too excited?”
“Hahaha. Well, it's Beijing, isn't it? Beijing has such a pleasant ring to it. Hahaha.”
“You'll be able to see those gorgeous streets with your own eyes! I'm so excited.”
Everyone was excited.
But after a few years, it's all the same.
“There must be a lot of books that are hard to find here, right?”
That's... probably true.
The Beijing bookstore district is really big.
“And my children will be able to study in Beijing.”
Ah...
I was speechless at the realistic concerns of a father who suddenly spoke up.
“I'll build you a nice house.”
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It was the middle of June.
I left for Beijing again, only two weeks after returning home.
It was for work at the Beijing branch.
Now, Pal-gap and the other bodyguards seemed to have gotten used to me coming and going as I pleased.
I heard that they always had their bags packed so that they could leave at a moment's notice.
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I arrived in Beijing.
This time, I had some people from Hyungpung-guk accompanying me, so I arranged a temporary place to stay in Beijing.
I decided to stay there as well.
Still, I had to pay my respects, so I headed to the Yeonjoon Trading Company. I also had something to discuss with my uncle.
I asked my uncle for a meeting.
“You've been coming to Beijing often these days.”
“Yes, that's right.”
I took a sip of tea and got to the point.
“Actually, Eunhae Trading Company is planning to establish a branch office in Beijing.”
“What? A branch office?”
“Yes.”
“Well, a company the size of Eunhae Trading Company deserves to have a branch office in Beijing.”
“That is why I requested a meeting with you.”
“Yes, what is it you want?”
“Please help me.”
As a foreigner, it would be easier for me to purchase land if my uncle, who is active in Beijing, helped me.
“I have a site in mind. It is about 50,000 square meters...”
My uncle was surprised at the size and blinked his eyes.
“Are you going to build a new trading company?”
“No, it's a branch office.”
“I see. I see. A branch office, you say.”
After tapping the table a few times, my uncle agreed to my request.
“We are not strangers. How can we refuse your request? So, where is it located?”
“Yes, it is...”
I told him the location and price of the site I had in mind.
Several days passed.
During that time, I worked with my employees at a temporary office.
“Young master. Someone from Yeonjoon Trading Company is here.”
When I came out at Pal-gap's words, it was my uncle's servant.
“The captain of the Trading Company is calling you.”
A moment later, I faced my uncle.
He didn't look very happy. Was there a problem?
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes, uncle.”
“Does it have to be that site?”
“Yes? Why?”
My uncle spoke with a perplexed expression.
“There's a problem with that land.”