Chapter 374
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 374
Chapter 374. The Palace Head (1)
My master said with a complicated expression.
“To be honest, I didn't think this day would come so soon.”
“I didn't think I would reach my peak so quickly either.”
My master smiled at my words.
“Honestly, as your master, I should be happy for your achievement, but I can't be completely happy with this decision.”
I tilted my head and asked.
“What decision are you talking about?”
“The martial arts I taught you recently are actually the martial arts practiced by the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace.”
I know that.
“If someone who has learned those martial arts reaches the peak of their abilities, a decision must be made. Whether to continue or stop.”
“Of course I must continue...”
“In order to continue, you must officially become the Palace Head.”
“...!”
Something is wrong.
“Master, didn't you say that the martial arts I learned were the martial arts practiced by the Young Master? Then why do I have to become the Young Master? That doesn't make sense.”
“To be precise, the sword techniques I have taught you so far are sword techniques used to assess the qualities of the Young Master. They are sword techniques practiced by candidates for the position of Young Master. Through these techniques, the Palace Head decides whether or not to appoint a candidate as the Young Master.”
“...
”And based on that decision, we will proceed to the next stage. This is because the martial arts I will teach you from now on are the basics of the martial arts practiced by the Palace Head.“
So that's why when I asked my Master if I should go to Beijing to learn new sword techniques before I left, he said, ”I wish you could."
My Master continued.
“Deciding to become a junior palace head means that you are aiming to become the Palace Head.”
My Master drew the sword from his waist. Then he drew a long line in front of me.
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“You're stating the obvious.”
“I don't like that. I want to remain your junior brother forever.”
“...”
My master's eyes wavered as he looked at me.
“If Seolpung Palace wasn't in its current state, I would have forced you to become the junior palace head.”
“On the contrary, isn't that why I was able to learn the martial arts of Seolpung Palace? If not, how could I have mastered the martial arts required of a candidate for the position of Palace Head?”
“You have a point.”
“I have one more question.”
“What is it?”
“Is it necessary to reach the highest level to become Palace Head?”
“No, that's not true. However, once the candidates have mastered the sword techniques and reached the peak of their abilities, this decision is inevitable.”
“...”
This must be a decision made for the survival of Seolpung Palace.
I looked at the line drawn by my Master in front of me.
I could sense a warning from that line.
The Junior Palace Master...
But Master, do you know something?
Through the arrangements made by the investigator I met in the North Sea, I have already been asked to rebuild and revive Seolpung Palace.
If that is not the role of the Palace Head, then what is it?
I smiled wryly, stepped forward, and crossed the line.
The expression on my master's face as he looked at me was difficult to describe.
“So... you've made your decision?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and replied.
“Master, you don't want your children to bear the harsh fate of being the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace, so shouldn't I, your disciple, understand your feelings?”
“...!”
My words made Master's eyes widen.
“How did you...?”
“I already knew. If you wanted to give Hyung-nim or Joon-ha the position of Crown Prince, you would have already done so, but you put it off. And your question just now confirmed it.”
“I have no words to express my regret.”
In my previous life, the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace was not decided until I died.
The reason he asked me to take Jun-ha as my bodyguard instead of making him an escort or head escort at the Changin Escort Agency must have been to avoid that fate.
As a father, how could he watch his son walk down such a thorny path?
I could understand his feelings a little, so I couldn't dare to criticize his decision.
But Jun-ha died protecting me.
One of the reasons I decided to become the Crown Prince is for Jun-ha, who died protecting me in my previous life.
Did he not know that he had to become the Crown Prince?
No, that couldn't be.
Jun-ha wasn't that foolish.
But my father, my Master, didn't want that, so he didn't appoint him as the Crown Prince.
Joon-ha must have been tormented by this fact.
But if I become the Palace Head, he won't have to suffer anymore.
“And Master.”
I looked straight at my master and said.
“I am the only one who has access to the investigation's findings. Doesn't that mean that the investigation has already recognized me as the Palace Head?”
“That makes sense. But...”
My master looked at my feet. He looked at the line he had drawn behind me.
“Becoming the official junior master of Seolpung Palace means walking a thorny path. Not only will your life be threatened by the unknown people who destroyed Seolpung Palace, but the lives of your family will also be in danger.”
My master said.
“You can still change your mind. Are you sure you don't regret it?”
Master, the path of revenge I have already chosen is a thorny one.
A threat to my life?
In my previous life, I was killed by the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Martial Alliance at the young age of thirty-nine.
My family also suffered a tragic fate.
Whether I reject or accept my fate as the junior palace head, it will have little effect on my life.
I smiled.
“Didn't I tell you earlier? I want to continue my relationship with you as my master forever.”
“Is that why you made this choice?”
“That is one of many reasons.”
However, I did not make this choice simply for my Master, Seolpungung, or Joo Jae-ho.
If I became the Palace Head of Seolpungung, it would mean that Seolpungung would become my power base.
In other words, it would also be for my own benefit.
I still remember what Namgung Kang said to me when he died.
“Because you are a thorn in the side of those above.”
The higher-ups he referred to were the leaders of the Martial Alliance.
That is why the Martial Alliance is the ultimate target of my revenge.
However, the Martial Alliance is the largest organization in Murim.
In order to fight against such an organization and take revenge, I needed power.
In that situation, I couldn't let the position of Seolpung Palace's deputy head slip away.
Of course, Seolpung Palace is not a tool.
Naturally, I intend to do my best for Seolpunggung.
I looked at my master and said with a slight smile.
“Master, I promise that I will make Seolpunggung prosper.”
My master bit his lip at my words. His eyes were red, and he seemed to be trying hard not to cry.
Was he moved by my words?
“Huh...”
After a moment, he seemed to compose himself and said,
“I should have told you this first...”
“...?”
“You worked hard to reach the highest level. It couldn't have been easy.”
“...”
This time, I was the one who was moved.
I didn't tell him in detail, but it was really hard fighting the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
It was so hard that I wanted to give up, but I gritted my teeth and held on because I couldn't die there.
My master recognized my hard work.
“Now that you have officially succeeded me as the Palace Head, I will teach you even more carefully from now on. First, let's check what you've learned so far.”
“A duel?”
“To be precise, it's a training duel.”
My master drew his sword again.
Seeing the sword shine, I knew it was sword flux.
Master? Why are you using sword flux in a guided duel with your disciple?
I was so impressed just a moment ago, but now my excitement has completely disappeared.
My back began to sweat from the intensity of my master's sincerity.
Now that I had reached my peak, I could be certain.
The gap between my master and me was still significant.
Master?
If you accidentally graze me with your sword flux, you will kill your only disciple, the Palace Head.
.
.
.
As soon as the training ended, I collapsed on the ground.
Ha...
Everything is yellow in front of my eyes.
As if all my training up until now had been a joke, today's duel was truly terrifying.
Even though I am at the peak of my abilities, if even I am exhausted to the point of collapse, then there is nothing more to say.
“Today's training is over.”
At those words, I barely managed to stand up and bow.
“Thank you for your teachings.”
“Now that you have officially become the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace, please stop by the Changin Escort Agency this afternoon.”
“Yes, sir.”
I had to inform the important people.
“Then, may I talk to my new nephew?”
“Yes, of course. And... I have a favor to ask.”
***
Kwak Myung-hyun returned to the Changin Escort Agency.
“You're here?”
Those who saw him clasped their hands together in a bow. Kwak Myung-hyun nodded slightly in return.
“Where is the governor?”
“He is in his office.”
He headed straight for the governor's office.
“I am Kwak Myung-hyun.”
At his words, the door opened. The King had opened the door himself.
That was only natural, as Kwak Myung-hyun was the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace.
“Come in.”
“I have something to tell you.”
“Please sit down.”
Kwak Myung-hyun did not address the King informally. This was to avoid attracting attention.
“What is the matter?”
“It is about the new Captain of the Royal Guard.”
At those words, the King adjusted his posture.
“Does that mean that a new Captain of the Royal Guard has been appointed?”
“Yes.”
“Is it Eun Seo-ho?”
At those words, Kwak Myeong-hyun's eyes widened, but he quickly nodded.
“That is correct.”
“I already expected this, so I am not surprised.”
He smiled faintly.
“Looking at his actions so far, there is no other choice.”
“I apologize. We have decided to appoint Eun, who is not my son, as the new Captain.”
“The Palace Head has nothing to apologize for. To be honest, what we need right now is a Captain who can help rebuild the palace, regardless of whether he is related to the Palace Head or not.”
He continued.
“And in my opinion, Captain Eun is a very talented person.”
“That is true.”
“In any case, you have made a big decision.”
Gwak Myeong-hyun shook his head at those words.
“No.”
“What?”
“It wasn't my decision. This decision was made solely by my disciple.”
The king's eyes widened.
“You mean... you made a ‘choice before the line’?”
Gwak Myeong-hyun nodded.
Drawing a line in front of Eun Seo-ho and forcing him to make a decision was not something he did on the spur of the moment.
It was one of Seolpung Palace Head's martial arts techniques, and unless one was truly determined, it was impossible to cross the line.
Knowing that he was qualified to make that “choice before the line,” the King was satisfied.
“I can look forward to the future of Seolpung Palace.”
“My disciple said he would promise the prosperity of Seolpung Palace.”
Gwak Myeong-hyun closed his eyes and said.
“I think I will finally be able to look my father straight in the face in the next world.”
***
As promised, I headed for the Changin Escort Agency.
As I traveled by carriage, I stroked the golden bell in my sleeve.
The golden bell was jingling, as if it was in a good mood.
Suddenly, I remembered that I had the silver sword, which was the sacred treasure of Seolpung Palace.
And I also had Hanho, the guardian spiritual beast of Seolpung Palace.
I wondered if this was my destiny.
I hadn't thought about it this morning.
“Whoa.”
Lost in thought, I arrived at the Changin Escort Agency before I knew it.
I got out of the carriage and led Pal-gap and the escort warriors to the small gate at the front of the building.
Like a trading company, the escort agency also needed a place for carriages and horses to enter, so it had a front gate.
And at the front gate, there was a main gate to enter the building, which was called the small gate.
“Where are you from?”
Pal-gap replied to the gatekeeper.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, the captain of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Then he rang the bell next to the gate.
Ding, ding, ding! Ding, ding, ding! Ding, ding, ding!
At the sound of the bell, someone rushed out from inside.
Huh? Why is he coming out?
It was Ha Cheol, Jin-ho's palm print master.
“Greetings, my father-in-law.”
“No need to be so formal. Come in. Everyone is waiting.”
Ha Cheol took me to a building.
Inside, eleven people, including my Master, were waiting for me.
My Master spoke on behalf of the group.
“There are ten guardians in Seolpung Palace, and they are currently responsible for protecting Seolpung Palace.”
They were people I had seen many times before.
The head of the Changin Escort Agency and Ha Cheol were also there.
“As the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace, I would like to appoint Eunseoho, the Captain of the Palace Guards, as the Deputy Palace Head. If anyone has any objections, please speak now.”
Huh?
Wasn't it supposed to be my decision?
But come to think of it, just because I am the Palace Head, I cannot make decisions on my own.
Just like our Eunhaesang Trading Company, important matters must be approved by the Eunwolgak Council.
As I carefully examined the ten guardians, my gaze stopped on one of them.
And then he spoke.
“I oppose this.”
Why is my intuition wrong?