Chapter 391
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 391
Chapter 391. Seolpung Palace Was Not Destroyed (3)
A moment later.
We dragged back the man who had been cut in half.
Thud.
We threw him in front of Binghaerin, who had rushed over in surprise.
“Who is this man?”
“He is the mastermind behind the attempt to destroy the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“What?”
The young prince Binghaerin asked in response to my words.
“Is he the one who provided the fake elixir that the man named Cho-seok, who is currently being transported, mentioned?”
“It seems so. We happened to find him snooping around and caught him.”
“Huh.”
Upon hearing this, Palace Head Bing Haerin regained his composure and said,
“First, I must express my gratitude. But why is this man in such a mess?”
Hearing this, Jin Ho scratched the back of his neck.
"I'm sorry. I beat him up a little, and he ended up like this. He dared to cause trouble for my mother-in-law, my grandmother, and my wife's aunts. How could I let him live?
“...I understand. By the way, that's amazing. He's still alive even after being beaten up like that.”
Jin-ho rubbed his nose and said,
“It's all thanks to Seo-ho's advice.”
I smiled bitterly.
That wasn't the advice I gave you...
“Bring me Cho-seok.”
At her words, her disciples dragged Cho-seok over.
He looked badly beaten, probably from severe torture.
“Is this the man you told me about?”
Bing Hae-rin asked, and Cho-seok looked closely at the man lying on the ground.
He had been beaten so badly that he was unrecognizable at first glance.
Fortunately, Cho Seok nodded repeatedly, finding some similarities.
“Yes, it's him! It's him! It's definitely him! He's the one who encouraged and supported me!”
“I see.”
Bing Haerin's voice was calm. However, she could not hide her anger.
“Did you leave my share for me?”
“I'm sorry.”
She clicked her tongue and said to her disciples.
“Take good care of him. He must not die before receiving punishment from the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
.
.
.
It was late at night.
I sat in front of the bonfire and watched Pal-gap stir the fire.
“Pal-gap.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Have you learned a lot from Jin-yu Musha lately?”
Pal-gap laughed and replied to my question.
“I've been receiving a lot of praise lately.”
I already knew that. Jin-yu Musha had praised Pal-gap to me as well.
“Haven't I improved a lot in serving you lately?”
“Is that so?”
Come to think of it, Pal-gap was truly elusive.
Even though he was always by my side, it was as if he wasn't there.
I chuckled.
He was happy that he had improved his skills in serving me while learning the skills of the king.
Pal-gap is Pal-gap.
With a warm smile, I took out the Amulets from my pocket.
These would be perfect for Pal-gap.
The auctioneer at the auction house had given them to me in exchange for my secrecy.
“Take these.”
“Huh? What is this dagger?”
“It's a gift. They say it hides your killing intent.”
“Really?”
This weapon is perfect for Pal-gap, who can hide his presence completely if he wants to.
I had already decided to give it to Pal-gap as soon as I received it.
“Use it well.”
“Thank you. You are truly the best Liege.”
“You just realized that?”
“I already knew. But this looks very expensive.”
“That's right. It is expensive.”
“Then why don't you use it...”
“Because it will shine brighter in your hands.”
Besides, I already have two, one from my brothers and one from my grandfather.
A few days later, a familiar building came into view.
It was the Northern Sea Ice Palace Inn.
As we approached, the twin waiters came out to greet us.
“Welcome.”
“This is the Northern Sea Ice Palace Inn.”
They were impressed by the food we had brought with us.
“Is that food?”
“Wow! That's a lot.”
They were still close brothers.
I smiled and nodded at their words.
“We heard that you were short of food, so we rushed over. Please take care of the others.”
We had to hurry inside the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Among our group, only Miss Seo Hyang and I were allowed to enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
I was the owner of the Silver Sword, and Miss Seo Hyang was a woman.
The reason why Jin-ho was able to enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace before was because the Palace Head explained the situation to the Palace Head and received permission.
We couldn't break the rules too often, just in case something happened in the future.
“Have a safe trip. Give my regards to everyone for me.”
“Okay.”
Jin-ho saw me off with a regretful look on his face.
Seeing us, Palace Head Bing Hae-rin asked, “What are you doing?”
“Huh?”
“Are you not going in?”
“Isn't Captain Eun Jin-ho going in?”
Hearing that, Jin-ho pointed at himself and asked.
“Can I go in too?”
“Yes. Didn't I tell you before? Captain Eun Seo-ho is a benefactor of this palace, and we consider his family to be benefactors as well.”
Oh, now I remember the Palace Head saying that.
“The benefactors of the Northern Sea Ice Palace may enter regardless of gender.”
With that, the young palace head Bing Hae-rin handed him a necklace.
“Wear this around your neck.”
“Thank you.”
Jin-ho quickly put the necklace around his neck.
He really likes it.
We entered the foggy gate and arrived in front of the Northern Sea Ice Palace a short time later.
The white roof tiles looked mysterious no matter how many times I looked at them.
When I asked if they were painted white, I was told that they were all made of ice and that the white color was caused by frost.
Roof tiles made of ice...
This is indeed the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
I immediately went to see the Palace Head with Young Master Bing Hae-rin.
“Palace Head.”
Before Young Master Bing Hae-rin could say anything, we heard the Palace Head's voice from inside.
“Come in.”
“Yes.”
We entered and greeted the Palace Head with respect.
“Young Master Bing Hae-rin has returned from his mission.”
“I am Eunseo, the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
Actually, I wanted to greet him in a cool manner as the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace, but Hyung-nim was standing next to me.
It was still a secret from Hyung-nim.
“I am Eunjin-ho, the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
Finally, I introduced Seo-hyang.
“This is my newly hired aide.”
“Nice to meet you. I am Seo Hyang.”
“I see.”
The Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace looked at Seo Hyang for a moment and nodded.
For some reason, his face seemed to brighten a little.
Young Mistress Bing Hae-rin said.
“First, I have something to tell you. We have arrested those who tried to destroy the palace.”
At those words, the Palace Head's eyes widened and he stood up.
“Is that true?”
“Yes.”
Bing Hae-rin glanced at me and said.
“Eun Seo-ho, the Captain of the Royal Guard, was a great help.”
She explained the whole story. Thanks to Jin-ho, she left out the part about the ear-cutting ceremony as I had requested.
“...That is how it happened.”
“I see! I don't know how to thank you. I am grateful for the food, and now you have even captured the criminals!”
I said with a clasped hands greeting.
“It was our duty.”
I continued.
“The food I brought this time is rice, wheat, and dried vegetables.”
Due to the weather, fresh vegetables are very rare in the Northern Sea Ice Palace, but they are necessary for a healthy life.
Therefore, they mainly eat dried vegetables and wild greens.
This time, I brought mostly dried radish greens, as it is the right season.
The Palace Head smiled at my words.
“Thanks to you, the crisis in our palace has been quickly resolved.”
It was a little too early to be so grateful.
I continued.
“However, I am sorry to say that I am sure you are aware that the empire is currently facing many difficulties due to the recent crop failure.”
“I am aware of that.”
“In such a situation, it was quite difficult to obtain and transport such a large amount of food. I don't know how many battles we fought with the Green Forest Bandits on the way here.”
Jin-ho nodded at my words.
“And as you know, I am a merchant. Merchants move for profit.”
“So it's not free?”
“That's right.”
“Suddenly, I feel less grateful.”
“You can't blame me for saying so. Isn't that how the world works? And although it's important to say thank you in this world, saying thank you doesn't fill your stomach.”
The Palace Head laughed heartily at my words.
“You're right. All right, I accept your offer.”
She thought for a moment and said,
“Thanks to you, I earned 25,000 nyang, so I will add some elixirs to the order.”
“Thank you very much. I wish the Northern Sea Ice Palace eternal prosperity. I will take my leave now.”
“Please do.”
We left the Palace Head's room. When we came outside, I asked Seo Hyang.
“Did you write everything down?”
“Yes.”
Seo Hyang was reliable.
Hearing that, Jin-ho said with a dissatisfied look.
“Seo-ho. Isn't this a bit too much? It's the place where your sister-in-law's mother and grandmother live...”
“I know. That's why we got it so cheap.”
“Huh? You got it cheap?”
“Of course. If your sister-in-law's family weren't there, we would have gotten two or three times more. Why would you think I couldn't do that?”
Hearing my question, Jin-ho quickly backed down.
“No, I'm not saying that. Thank you.”
.
.
.
For dinner, warm porridge was served.
It was a special meal prepared for his disciples who had been starving.
I didn't refuse and ate it too.
I couldn't be the only one eating something different when everyone else was eating porridge.
Then, as I was walking outside the residence,
I felt a strange presence.
I turned my head and saw a beautiful woman with white hair.
“Greetings, Palace Head.”
“I see you here.”
She said it as if it were a coincidence, but seeing her approach me immediately, it seemed she had something to say.
“Have you eaten?”
“I haven't eaten so much in a long time. Thank you again.”
“Don't mention it. As I said, it wasn't free.”
“That's true.”
She continued.
“First of all, congratulations on your achievement.”
As expected, the Palace Head recognized my level. After all, she is at a level far beyond mine.
There was no way she wouldn't notice.
Since I am alone, it would be better to greet her again here.
I bowed with clasped hands.
“I will greet you again. I am Eun Seo-ho, the young master of Seolpung Palace, and I am here to see the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, the owner of the Ice Palace.”
The Palace Head smiled at my greeting and said,
“Finally, a young master has been appointed at Seolpung Palace.”
“It is all thanks to Master's decision.”
The Palace Head shook her head at my words.
“You are trying too hard to praise that child. There is no way that weak-minded boy could have made such a decision. If he had made the decision, he would have become the Palace Head.”
You know him so well.
I smiled awkwardly.
“Congratulations on becoming the Palace Head.”
“Thank you.”
“When a junior prince is officially appointed at Seolpung Palace, it is a tradition for the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace to give a gift. Is there anything you would like?”
I shook my head at her question.
“Even if I wanted something, it might not be something I need. I would be grateful if the wise Palace Head would choose something for me.”
The Palace Head smiled at my words.
“You are definitely different from that child.”
She must be referring to my Master.
I enjoyed our conversation today. Oh, aren't you going there?“
”...?“
When I tilted my head, the Palace Head said.
”It is where the people of Seolpung Palace are enshrined."
Ah!
As the new Palace Head, it was my duty to visit, but I had forgotten.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
I immediately headed west. That was where the remains of the Seolpung Palace warriors were enshrined.
I had been there before, so it was not difficult to find.
Soon, I saw a structure modeled after Seolpung Palace.
I approached it and bowed with clasped hands.
“It's good to see you again. I came here to inform you that I have become the new Palace Head of Seolpung Palace.”
Then I calmly continued.
“To be honest, I cannot promise that I will do well. I don't know what I should do to do well. However, I promise that I will do my best.”
“...
There was no answer. That was to be expected.
The dead cannot speak.
But it didn't matter.
I wasn't looking for an answer, but rather expressing my determination to myself.
”I will also take care of my disciples. And I will make sure that they are well fed."
Whoosh.
The wind blew. But for some reason, the sound of the wind sounded different to my ears.
It sounded like, “You've been through a lot.”
I chuckled.
Then I clasped my hands together again and said,
“Anyway, don't worry too much. You've been officially appointed as the Palace Head. So... phew.”
I exhaled and said what I really wanted to say.
“Seolpung Palace has not yet been destroyed.”
Yes
Seolpung Palace has not been destroyed.
It was still alive and kicking, and the fact that it had successfully defended the Northern Sea Ice Palace was proof of that.
But then a strange thought crossed my mind.
Was the reason the Palace Head came to see me earlier just to congratulate me on my promotion?
It seemed like he had something else to say...