Chapter 377
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 377
Chapter 377. A Letter from the Northern Sea Ice Palace (1)
Spring was approaching before we knew it.
Last year, we focused on strengthening our foundation rather than expanding the trading company.
If we focus only on growth without strengthening our foundation, it will be nothing but empty words.
When a crisis strikes, we will not be able to overcome it and will collapse.
One of the things I focused on the most last year was the establishment of the Beijing branch, which was one of the ways to strengthen the company.
Nevertheless, the fact that the Trading Company is now ranked 25th means that I am doing well.
I was on my way to the home of Seo Woo and Hong Geum-so.
At the end of last year, Hong Geum-so gave birth to a son.
Today, the period during which outsiders were prohibited from entering the house has ended, and I am on my way to celebrate the birth.
Seo Woo also remains at home.
He insisted that he must remain by my side as my bodyguard, but how could I not understand his concern for his wife and newborn child?
She must be even more anxious since something terrible almost happened to Mrs. Hong Geum-so before.
So I gave Seo Woo a command.
“Mrs. Hong Geum-so is a key figure in the production of martial arts manuals. Therefore, as my bodyguard, I order you to protect Mrs. Hong Geum-so.”
Seo Woo was moved by my words and headed home with a look of gratitude on his face. He stayed by her side and did not leave the house.
He had to protect her and the newborn baby from any harm that might come from outside.
Of course, he had already prepared food and medicine in advance.
I saw Seo Woo yesterday for the first time in almost three months, and he looked happier than I had ever seen him before.
After all, he had just had a child, so how happy he must have been.
He told me that outsiders were now allowed to visit, and I said I would visit today.
Soon, we arrived at Seo Woo-mu's house.
The rope that had been stretched across the door had been removed.
“Welcome!”
The servant recognized me and quickly ran over to greet me.
“I heard from Master yesterday. Please come in.”
“Thank you.”
We followed the servant to a room.
As we waited there for a moment, we heard Seo Woo-musa's voice from outside.
“My liege. May I come in?”
“Yes.”
The door opened, and Captain Seo and Lady Hong Geum-so entered. Lady Hong Geum-so was holding a newborn baby in her arms.
“Greetings, my lord.”
“Greetings, Captain.”
They bowed to me, and I accepted their greetings and said, “I am glad to see that both the baby and your wife are healthy.
Congratulations on the safe delivery.”
“Thank you.”
We sat down, and I took an envelope out of my pocket and handed it to her.
“Please accept this. It is a gift for the birth.”
“You didn't have to bring a gift…”
I smiled at Hong Geum-so's words.
“I know you like it.”
“Really? Ho ho ho.”
“Open it.”
At my words, Seo Woo opened the envelope. Their eyes widened.
“What is this...?”
“Is this a house deed?”
Yes, it was a house deed.
It was a deed for a fairly large mansion.
“I was wondering what kind of gift to give you, and I chose this. I thought that the accident you had before was probably caused by your house being too small.”
At my words, Mrs. Hong Geum-so bowed her head and said, “I am reflecting on my actions.”
That must be true. She must have been surprised, but she also knows how worried Seo Woo was.
That is why I want to solve the root of the problem.
"Please don't feel burdened.
“So please don't feel burdened and accept it.”
However, Seo Woo shook his head as if he felt burdened.
“Thank you, but it seems like too big of a gift. We have saved up enough money and were already planning to move to a bigger house.”
Of course, with their monthly salaries, they would be able to move to a better house than their current one.
After all, I am their employer.
Seo Woo was receiving a considerable monthly salary as my personal bodyguard, and Hong Geum-so was also receiving a considerable amount of money for taking care of Joo-moo's clothes.
However, raising a child costs a lot of money.
On top of that, Geum-ryung was born with a special talent thanks to the fruit that Hong Geum-so picked for him.
We don't know what that talent is yet.
But one thing is certain.
That talent can only be fully realized with money.
How many people with talent have to give up on their dreams because they don't have money or are in unfavorable circumstances?
I didn't want Seo Woo-mu and Hong Geum-so's child to go through that because they bought a house that was a little out of their means.
And to be honest, it is because of Geum-ryung, whom I am raising, that the child was born with such talent.
As Geum-ryeong's guardian, I have to take that responsibility.
“You should use that money for the child.”
I said that and looked at the baby.
The baby looked so cute, sleeping soundly.
“What did you name the baby?”
Seo Woo-musa answered my question.
“Please name him, my lord.”
“What?”
“To be honest, if it weren't for you, this child would never have been born. Therefore, I think it would be meaningful for you to name him.”
Huh? Name the child?
I looked perplexed and thought about it for a moment, then replied firmly.
“I refuse.”
“What?”
His eyes widened at my words. He looked perplexed.
However, being a loyal servant, he repeatedly asked me.
“Please, I beg you.”
“No, I can't do that.”
“Why are you refusing? Is there something about me that you don't like...?”
Looking at me like that makes me feel even more awkward.
“Ugh!”
At that moment, Pal-gap, who was standing behind me, sighed in frustration and said,
“No, it's because you care about Seo-woo.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, our young master's naming skills are terrible, and he knows it, so that's why you're refusing.”
Hey, Pal-gap?
If you say it too bluntly, I'll be hurt.
With that, Pal-gap suggested a few names.
Huh? How did you know?
I did think of names like that, but...
“I'm sure you'll come up with completely uncool, weird, and lame names.”
“...”
Pal-gap... You're really hurting my feelings.
With that thought in mind, I glanced at Seo Woo and Hong Geum-soo's expressions.
Hmm, I'm glad I refused to name him.
Their expressions look exactly like mine did earlier.
But I have something to say. It's not my fault that I'm bad at naming...
“Yes, anyway, that's how it is.”
I nodded.
“It's the name that will be called for the rest of the child's life. I want to avoid a situation where the child curses me every time his name is called. Hahaha.”
I continued.
“And I understand that a name has a big impact on a child's life because it is spoken aloud. So, for the sake of the child, I would like to ask someone else.”
I bowed my head and said with clasped hands.
“This is my true intention.”
Seo Woo-mushu looked confused and waved his hands.
“I understand. Please raise your head. Why are you bowing to me, my liege?”
“Will you understand my decision?”
“I understand.”
Seo Woo-mushu replied with a wry smile.
“Well then, let's find a famous name giver.”
“That is a good idea.”
“And I believe it is now acceptable for me to return to escorting you. Please grant me your permission.”
It would be acceptable at this point.
“Do so.”
.
.
.
The next day, at dawn.
I went out to the courtyard of the annex to practice martial arts.
“Good morning.”
Seo Hyang was already waiting for me.
I thought she was amazing because she had arrived at the annex before me, which meant she had gotten up much earlier than me.
Compared to me, who got up and dressed quickly, it would take her more time to get ready.
“Let's begin our training.”
“Yes.”
She and I sat facing each other.
Then we began our breathing exercises.
I practiced Tae-Eum Byeong-Hae-Shin-Gong, and Young Mistress Seo-Hyang practiced Cheon-Ryoo-Gong, the mental technique of Cheon-Ryoo-Byeong-Gam.
Last time, I received permission from Master to teach Young Mistress Seo-Hyang Cheon-Ryoo-Byeong-Gam.
“She is my niece, so she should at least learn that much to avoid their attention.”
It had been almost three months since I started teaching her the Heavenly Sword Technique.
Thanks to learning the Heavenly Sword Technique directly from the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, I had no difficulty teaching Young Mistress Seo Hyang.
After finishing the breathing exercise, I stood up. Soon, Young Mistress Seo Hyang also finished her breathing exercise and opened her eyes.
“Now, let's review what you learned yesterday.”
“Yes.”
In the early morning, it was time for me to train with my Master, so I mainly taught Seo Hyang sword techniques during lunchtime.
Then, in the early morning, it was time to review what we had learned.
While Seo Hyang was heading toward one side of the courtyard, my Master entered the annex.
“Greetings, Master.”
“Good morning, Captain.”
The fact that I was the Captain was a secret to the outside world.
That's why my Master called me “Palace Head” or ‘Captain’ as usual.
“Then let's begin training.”
.
.
.
Today, my Master's training was brutal.
Since I became the Palace Head, the difficulty level has increased ridiculously.
Ugh, I'm really going to die.
To be honest, there have been many times when I thought I was going to die, but I managed to survive.
I think the reason why I was able to do so was because of my Master's incredibly precise control.
And I also felt that my skills were improving, so I silently accepted the training.
When I think about the target of my revenge, I need to become much stronger than I am now.
“That concludes today's training.”
I survived another day.
I forced my trembling legs to stand and clasped my hands together.
“Thank you for your guidance.”
I couldn't bow down to greet him. I'm just too polite.
I collapsed.
I couldn't help but sit down right where I was.
Huh?
Usually, after training, Master turns around and leaves the annex with a refreshing air...
Seeing that he didn't do so today, I thought he might have something to say to me.
“Do you have something to say to your disciple?”
“Actually, last night, an urgent message was sent from the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.”
“From the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy?”
What could it be?
Could there be a problem with the construction of the new martial arts academy?
Or an attack?
Otherwise, there would be no reason to send an urgent message.
“The Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace has come to the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy.”
The Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace has come to the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy?
It's not a common occurrence, but is it something that warrants an urgent message?
Didn't he come last time?
As if to answer my question, Master continued.
“It seems that the Northern Sea Ice Palace is currently in a difficult situation. It appears that they have come to ask for our help.”
If the Young Master has come in person, the situation must be quite serious. But what can we do to help?
As if reading my mind, Master took a letter from his robe and handed it to me.
“Read it.”
Huh...
This is a letter sent directly from the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace?
As I read the letter, I couldn't help but let out a low groan.
I thought I knew why the Palace Head had sent the letter himself.
“Currently, Seolpung Palace is receiving help from the Northern Sea Ice Palace, but in fact, one of the purposes of Seolpung Palace is to protect the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
My master continued.
“I believe that you, as the current Captain, are more than capable of resolving the situation. What do you think?”
I smiled.
“Of course. This is my specialty.”
The Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace must have sent the Captain to me, anticipating that this letter would be sent.
However, in order to resolve this matter, I must go to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
The weather has improved a little, and it looks like I will be going on another business trip.
A short time later
I ordered Pal-gap and my bodyguards to prepare for my departure to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, then headed to the dining room to eat breakfast.
Just as I sat down, my father entered the room.
"Good timing.
I greeted my father and said,
“Father, I'm going to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“What? The Northern Sea Ice Palace?”
“Yes.”
My father laughed at my answer.
“You must be the only person who talks about going to the Northern Sea Ice Palace as if it were just next door.”
“Are you complimenting me?”
“Think what you want.”
My father smiled bitterly.
“So what is it?”
“The people of the Northern Sea Ice Palace are starving to death. I have to go help them.”
That was when it happened.
“What? What are you talking about?”
A voice came from behind me.
It was Jin-ho's voice. Jin-ho ran up to me and asked.
“Answer me! What happened to your mother-in-law?”
“Um... That's...”
Did I say that without realizing that Jin-ho was coming toward the restaurant?
“Actually, food isn't getting to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, so the people there are starving. That's why I'm going to take some food there myself.”
Jin-ho shouted solemnly.
“You idiot! You should have told me first! I'm going too! Don't try to stop me!”
I avoided Jin-ho hyung's gaze slightly. And I smiled triumphantly to myself.
Why should I stop him?
I was planning to go with him anyway.
Jin-ho hyung had taken the bait I had thrown him.