Chapter 392
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 392
Chapter 392. Ice Crystal Eyes (1)
The next day
During breakfast, a disciple of the Ice Palace served me.
The Northern Sea Ice Palace did not have any maids or servants.
Therefore, when guests arrived, the disciples served them.
However, that didn't mean they could be treated like real maids.
I said to the disciple who was serving me.
“We are planning to return tomorrow morning.”
“So soon?”
“Yes. I would like to stay longer, but I have a lot of work to do, so I have no choice.”
It's about time to go to Hangzhou and collect what we need to collect.
And I will also announce that the Imperial Palace is recruiting a trading company for trade with foreign countries.
“Actually, I was planning to return this morning, but I thought my Hyung-nim, Elder Sang-ho, and Seol Seo-yoon would be disappointed, so I decided to stay one more day.”
“Is there any way you could stay one more day?”
“No, I can't.”
She nodded at my firm reply.
“I understand. I will convey your message to the Palace Head.”
There was only one reason I asked her to tell the palace master that I was leaving.
I wanted her to prepare money and medicine for me to take with me when I left.
After finishing breakfast, I left my quarters with Miss Seo Hyang and walked through the garden.
The garden of the Northern Sea Ice Palace was full of beautiful flowers, which were a delight to the eyes.
“Aren't you cold?”
She nodded in response to my question.
“Yes. It's much better than I expected.”
She looked healthy as she said so. I said to her, “May I hold your wrist for a moment?”
“What?”
She blinked in surprise at my words.
“There is no other meaning. I just want to check your energy.”
At my words, she cautiously held out her left hand, and I took it.
But...
I really didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to check her energy to see if she was okay.
Why was my heart beating so fast?
I wondered why, and checked her energy.
As she said, her condition was very good.
But I couldn't help but tilt my head.
The coldness of the Northern Sea Ice Palace and the yin energy here would make even a woman feel intimidated, let alone an ordinary person.
That is why the first training for girls who enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace is to adapt to the energy here and accept it.
She hadn't done that training, yet she was so full of energy?
Was the Heavenly Flow technique more suited to her constitution than I had thought?
In any case, I was relieved.
I let go of her wrist and said, “You are very healthy.
I am glad. I will not get scolded by the lord.”
She laughed at my words.
Miss, there's no need to laugh like that.
You don't know, but the Grand Master of the Gyeongju Province is a very scary person.
I still can't forget how he swung his fist at a man named Pyong-tak from the Insight Trading Company who was trying to ruin my work.
Even though he had no martial arts training, you knocked out two of his teeth with a single punch.
I gave her a clasped hands greeting.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Thank you for your help with the Hyakkyaku-bu last time.”
I was a little confused that what she had called a monster was actually a duck.
I laughed to myself.
But when I actually saw the Hyakkyaku-bu, it was no laughing matter.
If I hadn't listened to her and been careful, I would have been seriously injured.
She shook her head gently.
“It was my duty.”
“It must have been difficult for you to talk about it, since you're keeping your ability a secret.”
“Yes, it was.”
She was almost poisoned because of her ability, so it must have been even more difficult.
“But I didn't want someone to die because I didn't tell you.”
She continued.
“And I trust you, Captain.”
“What?”
“You are the one who can change the terrible and unpleasant future I saw.”
Her words made me scratch the back of my neck.
“You flatter me. I'm just doing my best.”
But her words made me feel good.
At that moment, my disciple who had been serving my breakfast approached me.
“The Palace Head is looking for you.”
“I see.”
I nodded and tried to ask Young Mistress Seo Hyang for her permission.
“Then I'll be going.”
Then my disciple spoke again.
“The Palace Head is asking for both of you.”
I headed toward the Palace Head's quarters with Seo Hyang.
As we approached, we heard the Palace Head's voice from inside the door.
“Come in.”
“Yes.”
We entered.
The Palace Head's quarters were so large that they were intimidating every time I saw them.
In that spacious room, the Palace Head sat slumped in a long chair that looked like a bed.
Was it just my imagination that he looked like a lazy white dragon?
“Did you call for us?”
At my words, the Palace Head straightened his posture and invited us to sit down.
“Please come and sit here.”
“Thank you.”
We bowed and sat down opposite the tea table.
Soon, a disciple entered and placed a teapot on the table.
“It's too early for snacks. Given the circumstances.”
“Snacks in a situation like this! You are too kind.”
“Still, I'm glad I have tea to offer you.”
She poured tea for us.
It was the same Seolryeon tea we had drunk before.
“You're leaving tomorrow?”
“Yes. I have a lot of work to do, so I can't stay any longer. I hope you understand.”
“It can't be helped. I know you're a busy man.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Right now, Jin-ho Hyung is surrounded by his mother-in-law, his wife's maternal grandmother, and his wife's aunts, who are showering him with affection.
Fortunately, due to the empire's prohibition on alcohol and the situation at the Northern Sea Ice Palace, he doesn't have to drink.
That way, his schedule won't be delayed because he got drunk.
“I'll give you the case I mentioned earlier. I also prepared some medicine. However, it's quite heavy...”
“It's okay.”
I have a credit card.
“I just want you to keep what happens from now on a secret.”
She smiled slightly at my words.
"Of course. Anyway, I don't have anyone to talk to. The only person I could talk to is blunt...“
Ah, she's talking about the young princess Binghaerin.
”She doesn't have a shred of charm..."
I smiled bitterly to myself.
She is the only survivor of Seolpung Palace, sharpening her blade for revenge.
In that situation, isn't it natural for her to be blunt and unplayful?
“Of course, I know it's hard, but it will only make things harder.”
I could sense the Palace Head's concern for the young princess.
“Anyway, why did she ask you to keep it a secret?”
“Oh, it's because of this.”
I took the inkstone out of my pocket and opened the letter.
When Seo Hyang saw it, her eyes widened.
This was the first time I had shown it to her.
Not only did I trust her, but I also knew she would never betray me.
However, the Palace Head's reaction to the letter was a little different from what I had expected.
“This is the note used by the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace.”
“Yes?”
“It is a treasure that has been passed down from generation to generation by the Palace Head of Seolpung Palace. I thought it was lost when Seolpung Palace was destroyed, but now it is in your hands...”
The Palace Head spoke with a voice filled with regret and asked me.
“How did you get it?”
“This...”
I told her the truth.
I said I bought something at a nearby general store and received it as a bonus.
And I found out by chance that it was a note.
After hearing my story, the Palace Head sighed and said,
“I guess this is fate. And so is Miss Kwak coming to the palace...”
“...What?”
What did that mean?
“But was there anything inside?”
“No. It was empty.”
All that was inside was an explanation of the Bigo.
“I knew it! Then the items that were inside must have been moved by that guy's Hanho.”
“What?”
The Palace Head explained to me as I tilted my head in confusion.
“The only ones who can enter the box are its owner and the owner's Hanho.”
Come to think of it, when I first learned of the box's existence, Geumryeong also entered the box and brought me the instructions.
I didn't understand why at the time, but after hearing the Palace Head's explanation, it became clear.
“And Hanho can take things out of the box or store things in it at the owner's request.”
“So that means I don't have to carry the inkstone around with me?”
The Palace Head thought for a moment and shook his head.
“Hanho can come and go as he pleases, but you will probably need the inkstone to enter the box.”
“I see.”
Then, when Young-yak took the elixirs, he didn't hide them in his stomach, but in the box?
But that wasn't in the manual.
When I asked about this, the Palace Head answered readily.
“If everything is written in the manual, there is no meaning in passing it down. During the succession process, I explain the details to the next Palace Head. And I also pass on the items stored inside to the next Palace Head.”
As expected of the Palace Head of the Ice Palace, who has a close relationship with the Snow Palace, he knew everything in detail.
However, I couldn't help but tilt my head at his next words.
“Even though I've never seen what a bigo looks like.”
“What?”
Wait a minute...
Come to think of it, the bigo was not visible to others.
I couldn't see the door, but when I saw the items disappear behind it, Pal-gap asked, “Is there really a storage room?”
Even Master didn't see it, but when the investigator poured out the items left behind, he guessed that there was something there.
“Palace Head, then how did you know about this storage room?”
“I knew from the inkstone in your hand.”
“You really can't see the door here?”
Seo Hyang was surprised by his words.
“Huh? Shouldn't that white door be invisible?”
Huh? Can Seo Hyang see it?
That's why she could say it was white even though I didn't tell her what color the door was.
As if to answer my question, the Palace Head opened his mouth.
“That is why I called you. To be honest, I wasn't sure, but now I am certain.”
A moment later.
After putting the payment for this job given by the Palace Head into my bag, I sat back down in front of the table.
The Palace Head looked at Seohyang and asked.
“Do you see the future?”
“...!”
At those blunt words, Seo Hyang flinched and looked at me questioningly.
When I nodded slightly, she obediently agreed with the Palace Head.
“Yes, that is correct.”
“That is because your eyes are special. It also means that your heart is very pure.”
I agree that her heart is pure.
When I first met her, I was moved by her pure heart.
Having a pure heart does not mean being good.
It means having no darkness in your heart and seeing everything with clear eyes.
“In our Northern Sea Ice Palace, we call your eyes ‘ice crystal eyes.’”
In the Northern Sea Ice Palace, ice crystals have a very special meaning. They are truly the treasure among treasures of the Ice Palace.
So I could see how important someone with those eyes was.
This was why the Palace Head looked at Miss Seo Hyang intently and his face lit up when she was introduced.
“Those with Ice Crystal Eyes can see more than just the future. They can see things that are hidden.”
“Is that why I was able to see the door to the secret room?”
“Yes.”
As he said that, he looked at Miss Seo Hyang with an unusual expression.
He had found something he liked...
I raised my hand and covered Seo Hyang with my sleeve, saying,
“Don't look at her. She's mine.”
“Ho ho ho.”
The Palace Head smiled at me.
“How did you know? That I was looking at her.”
“Have I been in business for only a day or two?”
“That's true. But you don't have to be nervous. I won't eat you, so put your arms down.”
Only then did I lower my arms.
“But it's true that you're eyeing her.”
The Palace Head said to Seo Hyang.
“Perhaps you didn't find it too difficult here. In fact, even though only women are allowed to enter, it's a difficult place to get used to unless you adapt to the atmosphere.”
“...”
“That means the environment here suits you well. We will also provide you with martial arts training so that you can become stronger, as well as an environment that is the envy of others.”
She continued.
“Except for the fact that you cannot marry, this is a very good place. So, I will make you a formal offer. Become a disciple of our Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Palace Head!”
My voice rose.
She said she wouldn't devour her, but this is devouring her!
I was about to protest to her.
That was when
“I'm sorry, Palace Head.”
“...?”
Seo Hyang spoke confidently.
“I cannot accept your offer, Palace Head.”
“Why not?”
“The safest place for me is by the side of Captain Eunseoho.”
“This place is also safe.”
“Even without the help of Captain Eunseoho?”
“....”
Speechless, the Palace Head burst out laughing.
“Oh no! You got me there. I knew you would reject my offer, but I didn't expect such a harsh rejection.”
Then why are you so interested in Young Mistress Seo Hyang?
Seo Hyang is not an easy person to deal with.
The Palace Head stopped laughing and continued.
“All right. But I have one request.”