Chapter 378
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 378
Chapter 378. Letter from the Northern Sea Ice Palace (2)
I've always felt this way, but Jin-ho's drive is truly incredible.
I threw out the bait this morning, but...
It's not even evening, and he's already finished getting ready to leave.
“You're already ready?”
“Where is there time to dawdle? My mother-in-law and other elders are starving!”
That's true.
“I want to leave right now, but I'm holding back.”
“I understand. Then let's leave tomorrow morning.”
This time, Jin-ho's team, Eunpungdae Yookjo, will accompany us.
It was Jin-ho's in-laws' house, no less.
Furthermore, since Jin-ho and I were going there ourselves, my father ordered us to take the six generals with us.
Of course, the official reason was to deliver food to the North Sea branch.
That night.
My second sister-in-law came to see me.
I had expected her to come, so I wasn't taken aback and welcomed her.
“Please come in.”
“I'm sorry to bother you when you're so busy.”
“It's fine. No matter how busy I am, I can always make time to welcome you.”
I pulled out a chair from the table in the middle of my office and said.
“Please sit down.”
“No, it's okay. I just came to ask you to take good care of my mother, my aunts, and my husband.”
“You don't have to worry about that. I will do my best. It's not much, but...”
I continued.
“Can I ask you to take care of my parents?”
“Of course.”
.
.
.
Today is the day I leave for the Northern Sea Ice Palace, but Master would never let me skip training.
After finishing my breathing exercises, I got up and smiled.
As expected, Master was entering the annex.
“Good morning.”
“Yes, Master. Good morning.”
“Then let's start training right away.”
.
.
.
Today was another day of intense training.
I lay on the floor, panting, and said, “Master, today is the day I leave for the Northern Sea Ice Palace... Aren't you being too harsh?”
My master smiled at my question.
“That's why I couldn't take it easy. We don't know what kind of threat we'll face. It's because I want my disciple to be safe.”
“...”
I had nothing to say.
Huh?
I was a little surprised. My master reached out his hand to me.
“Get up.”
“Thank you.”
I took my master's hand and stood up.
“That's all for today's training.”
“Thank you for your guidance.”
I clasped my hands together in a bow.
“And... please take care of me.”
I nodded at my master's words.
“I will do my best.”
A moment later.
At breakfast, I said goodbye to my family.
“Jin-ho.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Don't get carried away and cause trouble. Listen to Seo-ho.”
Jin-ho scratched his head at his father's words.
“Come on, Father. I'm an adult now, married with a child.”
“That's why I'm saying this. As you said, you're an adult who is married, so if you lose your temper and act rashly, it will be a great disgrace.”
“...”
My father silenced Jin-ho with a single sentence.
He is my father, after all.
To be honest, Jin-ho does have a tendency to lose his temper.
There were many reasons why I wanted to go with Jin-ho, but one of them was because I needed someone to lead the way in case something happened.
We also needed people to guard the grain.
Given the time of year, there would surely be people who would try to steal the large amount of grain.
“Be careful on your trip.”
My mother said, and Jin-ho and I bowed with our hands clasped together.
“Yes, Mother.”
“We will be careful.”
.
.
.
Seo Hyang also decided to accompany us on this journey.
She is now fit enough to travel long distances, and she has become resistant to the cold thanks to her training with the Heavenly Sword.
The reason for taking Miss Seo Hyang with us was because she had things to do as my aide.
And her abilities could be very helpful.
“Liege. Then will we meet the young princess of the Northern Sea Ice Palace on the way?”
I nodded in response to Seo Woo's question.
“Yes. We agreed to meet in Beijing.”
I sent a letter through Geumryung to Palace Head Bing Hae-rin, who was staying at the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy in Hangzhou.
I asked her to meet me in Beijing so we could go to the Northern Sea Ice Palace together.
Geumryung brought back her reply, which said she understood.
If what the young palace head of Binghai wanted was my help, it would have been easier to come to Hubei Province directly, but she probably went to the Yangyang Martial Arts Academy on purpose to hide the existence of the Changin Escort Agency.
Or maybe she doesn't know where the Changin Escort Agency is?
...That's not impossible.
I'll ask her about it later.
With these thoughts in mind, we headed for the train and saw a familiar face there.
“Head Escort Ha.”
“I decided to accompany you on this trip.”
He is Ha Cheol, the palm print of Jin-ho's brother.
We mobilized Jin-ho and the Eunpungdae Six Generals for this trip, but we needed a large escort because we had to transport a considerable amount of grain.
That was why they had requested support from the Changin Escort Agency.
“I didn't know Head Escort Ha would be coming.”
“Actually, it was someone else's turn, but I insisted. I was worried about your wife.”
He understood his feelings and nodded readily.
“I understand. But please follow my orders.”
“Of course.”
We set off for the North Sea.
Led by Jin-ho, the six officials did not seem worried, as it was not their first time visiting the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
In fact, the first time is always difficult, but the second time is not so difficult.
I was busy with work even in the carriage heading for the North Sea.
Work related to the establishment of the Yeongyeongwon.
I plan to finish it on the way and send it through Geumryeong.
I could submit it to my father when I return to the headquarters later, but that would delay the work.
This trip to the Northern Sea Ice Palace will take at least a month.
I can't delay the work when I think of those who are eagerly awaiting the opening of the Eternal Life Palace.
I will have to give Geum-ryeong more silver for the large amount of paperwork, but it cannot be helped.
It was evening.
Instead of staying at an inn, we decided to spend the night in a suitable place.
Our group was so large that it was difficult to stay at a single inn, and we did not want to let anyone know that we were carrying such a large amount of grain.
So it was better to sleep outdoors.
Soon, the escort agency's guards lit several bonfires, and we sat around them.
We prepared dinner with the food we had brought with us when we left.
It was still cold, so we hung a large pot over the fire and boiled some hot soup.
“Liege.”
At that moment, Jin-yu called me.
“Yes, what is it?”
“I have something to ask you.”
“Go ahead.”
“From what I saw, the Northern Sea Ice Palace did not seem to be lacking in anything. But you said that food is difficult to obtain... Is there a reason for that?”
The others seemed to be wondering the same thing and turned their attention to me.
“I don't know either.”
“What?”
“All I know is that it is difficult to obtain food. We will have to meet with the Palace Head to find out the details.”
Nevertheless, I came here because I am the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace.
And I brought Jin-ho and the Six Generals of Eunpungdae with me because I trust their abilities.
“It is getting late. Let's go.”
Then I said to Pal-gap.
“Make a comfortable place for Miss Seo Hyang to sleep in the carriage.”
“Yes, sir.”
Placing a wooden board on top of the chairs in the carriage and laying a blanket on top of that created a fairly spacious and cozy place to sleep.
Then I gave that place to Miss Seo Hyang.
If Miss Seo-hyang were to sleep on the cold ground, it would cause quite a problem if it reached the ears of the governor of Gyeongju.
He was already unhappy about Miss Seo-hyang working as a deputy officer...
“It's fine. I can just sleep on the ground with a blanket.”
Miss Seo-hyang declined, but I insisted.
“No, do as I say.”
“I'm really fine...”
“If you are uncomfortable, I will be uncomfortable too.”
“What?”
Pal-gap replied to her retort.
“So, if you fall ill, it will be difficult to get your work done, won't it? That means you will have more work to do.”
“I see.”
“That is why we keep the horses and cows in the warmest place in the house.”
“Ah...”
Pal-gap, if you say that, what will Miss Seo-hyang think of me?
Won't she think of the lieutenant as trash, like a horse or an ox?
It's not like that...
It's really not like that.
“Pfft!”
At that moment, Miss Seo-hyang burst out laughing.
Huh? Why are you laughing?
“Don't misunderstand, you don't have to look so troubled.”
Did I look that troubled?
“Come to think of it, if I insist on my way and end up getting sick, Captain Dao will be in a difficult situation. I won't be stubborn.”
“Thank you for listening to me.”
“You're welcome. I'll go in first.”
With that, Miss Seo Hyang headed toward the carriage. And I glared at Pal-gap.
“Pal-gap.”
“What is it?”
“No matter what, how could you say that to Miss Seo Hyang? What would that make me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why did you compare her to a cow and a horse?”
“Young master, cows and horses are very important livestock to the common people. Are you disregarding them?”
“No, that's not what I meant...”
It is true that cows and horses are very important livestock to the common people.
They are necessary for farming and for their livelihood.
Still, comparing people to cows and horses is a bit much...
Ugh.
I don't know.
Young Mistress Seo Hyang isn't the type to misunderstand, and she said she wouldn't.
“Still, that was too much.”
“What did I do that was too much? You sleep two hours a day and work like a horse.”
“....”
It was true, so I had nothing to say.
Then again, Pal-gap is the type of person who only says what is true.
It was morning.
I opened my eyes and got up from my seat.
“Did you cough?”
My bodyguards took turns guarding me in pairs, and now it seemed to be the turn of Lee Pil and Myung Jong, who were sitting next to me.
“Good morning.”
“Ah, Lieutenant Kwak is already out.”
When I turned my head, Miss Seo Hyang was standing next to me, neatly dressed.
Oh no!
I must have fallen asleep late last night after thinking about various things, so I woke up later than usual.
“Let's do some breathing exercises.”
“Yes.”
I asked my bodyguards to stand guard and began my breathing exercises.
After finishing my breathing exercises and getting up, I sensed Jin-ho's energy a short distance away.
Since he needed to practice spear arts, which required a wide range of movement, he seemed to have gone to a quiet place where he wouldn't disturb the others.
Should I go take a look?
It's been a while since I've seen Jin-ho's skills.
After asking Seo Hyang to review what she had learned yesterday, I headed toward Jin-ho.
Jin-ho was a little away from the rest of the group.
Still, it wasn't so far that I couldn't rush over if something happened.
“Ha! Ha!”
Jin-ho was wielding the Blue Dragon Sword I had given him.
Jin-ho had now become a true master swordsman.
The blue sword qi on the blade was proof of that.
This trip to the North Sea will be very helpful for Jin-ho.
I think he needs some real combat experience, which may be a little intense for him at this point.
Of course, as the leader of the Eunpungdae, he has been on many missions, but that is not enough real combat experience to gain as a martial artist.
Real combat experience that allows one to grow as a martial artist can be life-threatening.
Although he is familiar with the road to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, it cannot be said that it is an easy journey.
Furthermore, it is a trade mission where no one knows what dangers may lie ahead.
The reason I want Jin-ho to gain this kind of practical experience is probably because I want him to become stronger than he was in his previous life.
I still cannot forget the image of Jin-ho that I saw before I died.
I am now at the peak of my abilities, and my bodyguards are also quite skilled.
At this point, I am confident that I can help Jin-ho even if he is in real danger.
As I was thinking about the future while watching him, Jin-ho stopped his training and turned toward me.
“What is it? When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
“Really? Good.”
“Huh?”
Jin-ho pointed his spear at me and said.
“Let's spar!”
“What? Why suddenly spar?”
Jin-ho smiled at my question.
“To be honest, I'm curious about your skills. You've never shown me your skills in front of me.”
That was true.
“So I want to see how good you are.”
“Um...”
After pretending to think about it for a moment, I said to Jin-ho.
“How about we make a bet? Just a simple one.”
Jin-ho readily agreed to my proposal.
“Okay, let's do it.”
He fell for it so easily.
Then again, Jin-ho hyung doesn't really know my true level.