Chapter 445
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 445
Chapter 445. To Shaolin Temple (1)
It was already the fifteenth day of August.
It was one of the major holidays, Mid-Autumn Festival.
Although the heat was still intense, it meant that the heat would soon subside.
We must prepare well for the cold weather this year.
Beijing is north of Hubei, so it is colder in winter.
Of course, it is less hot in summer.
Well, advantages become disadvantages and disadvantages become advantages.
We headed to a restaurant near the Beijing branch.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is the busiest time of the year, but that is only for the few days before the festival.
Therefore, on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, there are no reports to be made, so many of the Beijing branch employees can take the day off.
I reserved the top floor of a restaurant.
I wanted everyone who had worked hard in my absence, including those from Hyungpunggak and the Beijing branch, as well as my bodyguards, to be able to enjoy their meal in peace.
It would be difficult to have a conversation if we were on the same floor as other customers or waiters were coming and going.
Most of our conversations were related to the Trading Company, so it was important that no one eavesdropped.
Therefore, I reserved the top floor and asked them to serve all the food at once.
I am at the peak of my powers, so I can sense the energy of people coming up and block their attacks, but even I find it troublesome.
While we were enjoying our meal in a harmonious atmosphere, Pal-gap said, “It's really nice to have a meal like this with everyone together.”
The others nodded in agreement.
“Yes, we should have gatherings like this more often.”
“I agree!”
Pal-gap, who was smiling happily, said to me, “Alright, I'll go pack our things.”
I said to Pal-gap, who was smiling happily.
“Oh, Pal-gap. Pack your bags when we get back.”
“What?”
Pal-gap, who was about to pick up his chopsticks, stopped and froze.
“Where are you going again?”
“Yes. Shaolin Temple. I received an invitation.”
On the other hand, the bodyguards reacted calmly, as if they had expected it.
They would think that I was invited because I lent money to the monks of Shaolin Temple on the way to Lanzhou and because my opinion on the true nature of Blood Sword Master Jin was reflected in the invitation.
However, Seo Woo and Jin Yu were smiling faintly.
That was because they knew that I was going to Shaolin Temple not only because I had been invited, but also because of the request from the monk of the Blood Moon Sect.
“What? Shaolin Temple?”
“Did you just say Shaolin Temple?”
However, the other Hyungpung Kingdom officials reacted with surprise.
“Yes, that's right.”
“You're going there because you were invited?”
“Yes.”
They were impressed by my answer.
“You're amazing!”
“Can we tell others about this?”
Since the invitation from Shaolin Temple was official, I nodded in agreement.
“It's fine.”
Seo Hyang, who was standing next to me, said.
“I heard that it's not common to receive an invitation from Shaolin Temple. That's amazing.”
“Hahaha. I'm embarrassed.”
“By the way, Shaolin Temple is a place where women are not allowed, so I won't be able to go with you this time.”
“I'm sorry about that.”
She shook her head at my words.
“No, it's not your fault that Shaolin Temple is off-limits to women. You have nothing to be sorry for. Besides, you'll be more comfortable later if I stay here and take care of things.”
“That's true.”
That was the truth, so I couldn't deny it.
She laughed and said, “Don't worry about me. Have a safe trip.”
“So don't worry about me and have a safe trip.”
I felt sorry for Miss Seo Hyang, but why did I feel so relieved?
Was it because of the beautiful full moon on Chuseok?
Today, the scent of plum blossoms seemed to emanate from her.
The next afternoon.
I carefully instructed the employees of Hyungpung Kingdom on what to do while I was away.
As I was often away on business, the deputy governor of Yeochang smiled and said,
“Don't worry and have a good trip.”
“But...you seem strangely proud?”
“You're very observant. Hahaha.”
He continued with a smile on his face.
“You received an invitation from Shaolin Temple! Isn't that something to be proud of for Hyungpung Kingdom?”
It wasn't unusual for the deputy governor of Yeochang to react this way.
Receiving an invitation from Shaolin Temple was a great honor.
“The Chairman of the Yeong visited me this morning, and we had a chat. When he heard that you were going to accept the invitation from Shaolin Temple, he suddenly became very polite, even though he usually acts so arrogant.”
The Chairman of the Yeong was quite interested in martial arts, wasn't he? I think his son was a disciple of a sect.
To someone like him, an invitation from Shaolin Temple must be a big deal.
“Was it good?”
“Of course! Isn't that obvious?”
“I will continue to make you proud.”
“Oh, I am grateful just to hear that.”
By the way, the deputy governor of Yeochang has become much more talkative since I first met him.
He was the first person I saved in my life, so he is very special to me.
That's why you must live a long life and stay by my side.
.
.
.
The evening before leaving for Shaolin Temple.
Master Jinyang visited my quarters.
“I received your letter. You have been invited to Shaolin Temple, right?”
“Yes, that's right.”
Shaolin Temple is a fairly large force in the martial arts world.
Considering its status, I sent a letter to Master Jin-yeong in advance.
My trip to Shaolin Temple will inevitably reach the ears of the Royal Guards and my classmates, and it will also be reported to the emperor.
Still, considering the relationship between the imperial family and the Martial Alliance, it is better to inform His Majesty the Emperor in advance to avoid any trouble.
The emperor trusts me and is a generous man, but once a crack appears in a situation like this, it can grow into something bigger.
Once someone like him gets upset, it lasts for a long time.
Master Jin-yeong stared at me intently and said,
“How long has it been since you recovered, and you're already going out on a field trip?”
His words were sharp.
“I want to stay put, but the world won't let me.”
“That's a wise answer to a foolish question.”
Master Jin-yeong smiled and said.
“Still, I'm glad you recovered quickly. If you hadn't, His Majesty would have sent a royal physician.”
“...”
Sending a royal physician was considered the ultimate sign of the emperor's sincerity.
When the crown prince said it, I thought it was a warning joke, but it wasn't.
I felt that I had ended the feigned illness騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒動騒
“Please tell them that I am deeply grateful for their kindness.”
“I will do so. Oh, and I have something else to tell you.”
“Yes, I am listening.”
“The name of the cloth you received as a reward is Hyunro-do.”
“What?”
“It is the red cloth. It is not just a cloth, but a royal artifact.”
“...I had no idea.”
Master Jin-yeong scolded me as if he couldn't believe what I had said.
“Lower your mouth a little.”
“Haha, I guess it was too obvious.”
“Anyway, congratulations. You got your hands on an imperial artifact! Are you lucky? Or are you talented?”
“It was just luck. His Majesty the Emperor took a liking to me, so he gave me that artifact as a reward, didn't he?”
I said modestly.
It was a little embarrassing to say that I was good at something.
“You're so clever. Let me explain what that sword is.”
Master Jin explained how to use the brocade armor.
What I didn't know was that this brocade could be used as protective gear.
Very good.
After checking my progress in the imperial martial arts, Master Jin praised me and left.
The next day.
As I came out as the second in command, I looked up at the sky.
Perhaps because it was after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the sky was becoming higher and bluer.
“Everything is ready.”
At Pal-gap's words, I lowered my gaze and turned my head. Pal-gap and the bodyguards were standing there, ready.
“Let's go.”
“Yes.”
We mounted our horses. Then, seeing us off by Miss Seo and the people of Hyungpunggak, we set off for Shaolin Temple.
Shaolin Temple is located in Songshan.
There are several ways to get from Beijing to Songshan, but I know the secret road.
This time, too, the secret road showed me the best way.
The secret road is not simply the shortest route, but the safest route.
This time, the secret road told me to go from Beijing to Hebei, then to Shandong, cross the river, and follow the road below the river.
I was quite surprised to see this.
Normally, the fastest, easiest, and safest way to get from Beijing to Songshan is to go through Luoyang.
Of course.
Luoyang is the headquarters of the Martial Alliance.
But he told me a route that did not go through Luoyang.
This meant that he was telling me the route that best suited my situation.
He must have felt terrible passing this task on to me.
In fact, the Shaolin Temple offered to send an escort with me, but I politely declined.
If I went with them, it would delay my schedule.
Of course, it would be more comfortable, but I am a busy man.
That is why Zhuang Gang is one of my greatest assets.
We headed toward Shandong first.
Jinan would be a good place to board a boat, but we had Zhuang Gang, so there was no need to take a boat.
Therefore, we decided to take the most direct route. Hyunro also guided us that way.
We quickly left Beijing and entered Hebei Province.
Suddenly, I remembered Master Peng Gangyun of the Peng Clan in Hebei.
That was also one of the connections I had made.
Of course, I hadn't forgotten his request.
Find Master Peng Gang-un's uncle.
However, there was one condition: the Peng Family in Hebei must not find out about this.
But since there was no deadline for this request, I accepted it.
I wonder how Master Peng Gang-un, or rather, Young Master Peng Gang-un, is doing.
Before we knew it, night fell, and we prepared to spend the night.
We worked hard to prepare the fire and catch wild animals in the mountains, and before long, we were all able to sit down and eat.
“Deer meat is usually tough, but the deer meat that Pal-gap cooked is really tender.”
Everyone nodded in agreement with Chang-woon's words. I had to admit that it was true.
“How did you cook it?”
Pal-gap smiled shyly and replied.
“It's thanks to this.”
Pal-gap took a hammer out of his bag and handed it to me.
“This is the secret?”
I examined it and noticed something unusual.
“The head is patterned like a grid.”
“That's right.”
“This side looks like it has dozens of blunt nails stuck in it...”
Lee Pil-mu asked.
“Is that a weapon? It must hurt a lot if you get hit with that.”
Pal-gap shook his head.
“It's not a weapon to hurt people, it's a tool to tenderize meat.”
“This?”
“Yes. This is used to cut the tendons of the meat, and this is used to tenderize the meat. Honestly, using the back of a knife is a bit too much trouble.”
“So that's what the banging noise was. I've never seen anything like this before.”
“I made it myself. I wanted to serve you some delicious meat, so I named it ‘meat hammer.’”
“Thank you.”
So Pal-gap made this hammer just for me.
In fact, many people like meat, but if they are children whose teeth are not fully grown or elderly people with uncomfortable teeth, it is difficult for them to eat meat.
This is because meat is tougher than expected.
Of course, there are ways to tenderize meat by marinating it in fruit or spices, but that is often difficult.
However, with this hammer, you can eat tender meat anytime.
Should I sell this?
At that moment, I heard Geum-ryeong's voice from my sleeve.
“Kui!”
Ah... Geum-ryeong recognized that this could be profitable.
I said to Pal-gap.
“Pal-gap, let's sell this.”
“What?”
“I'll give you half of the profits since you invented it.”
Pal-gap scratched the back of his neck and said,
“The problem isn't selling it, but I'm not sure if I was the one who came up with it first.”
“People's ideas are all pretty much the same. The key is who can make it more convenient.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, that's right.”
“But you're giving me half! It makes working as your servant worthwhile.”
“Huh?”
“Didn't you say that giving the designer a third of the profit was a lot, considering the production and distribution costs?”
“That's right. So be nice to me.”
Pal-gap smiled at my words and said.
“Then I'll be rich too?”
“I suppose so.”
Lee Pil-mu said.
“If you become rich, won't you quit being a servant?”
Pal-gap replied sternly.
“Why would I quit being a servant?”
“...?”
“I have already sworn to the gods that I will never quit being your servant.”
Hearing Pal-gap's words, I felt a lump in my throat.
Pal-gap...
“Where else could you find a servant who is as lucky as your servant?”
“...Huh?”
“Even if I die, I will still be your servant.”
Pal-gap, the mood was good—did you really have to say that?
And... let's be a bit more restrained after death.
When you die, you should go to paradise—why would you want to follow me around?