Chapter 527
Chapter 527
Chapter 527. The Second Departure (2)
As I went out to the marketplace, I recalled what had happened that morning.
Master had truly learned the Extreme Ice Sword quickly.
Before, it had taken him quite some time to learn the martial arts I had received from the ancestor.
But as I watched that time grow shorter and shorter, I became certain.
Master had become stronger than before.
What should I call the feeling I have about that?
Half of it is a feeling like, ‘As expected of Master!’, and the other half is a feeling like, ‘I still have a long way to go.’
Phew, I still have far to go if I want to catch up to Master. Far indeed.
Just then, Pal-gap asked.
“By the way, Young Master.” (Pal-gap)
“Yeah?” (MC)
“Why did you bring all the guards out to the marketplace, sir?” (Pal-gap)
At that question, I gave a faint laugh.
“I was curious whether Warrior Seo Woo and Warrior Yeo Eungam were spending their time well as I ordered. And if I bring some gifts and show my face, their shoulders will rise a little too.” (MC)
“Ah…… so you had such a deep meaning, sir.” (Pal-gap)
And I glanced back.
Because it was not something I could do for the other four warriors.
Warrior Myeongjong and Warrior Changwoon still had no intention of leaving their respective sects, so they were not thinking of marriage either.
But Warrior Jin Yu and Warrior Ipil could be thinking about marriage…….
Do they have no intention of marrying?
Then I soon gave a faint laugh.
Because I thought, when their liege, me, has not settled down and is wandering all over the place, when would they meet women and share their hearts?
I was the bad one.
The place we arrived at first was Warrior Seo Woo’s home.
As it happened, Warrior Seo Woo was out in the courtyard.
“Liege! What brings you here?” (Seo Woo)
“I came to check whether you are following my order well.” (MC)
In Warrior Seo Woo’s arms was a baby boy.
“Ah! That child is Yoon!” (MC)
“Yes. That is right.” (Seo Woo)
It was a name Warrior Seo Woo had chosen after going to the most famous namer in Hubei Province.
Because he brought my letter of introduction, the namer apparently pondered for several si-jin before naming him.
And so the name given was Yoon.
It means water that is deep and wide.
It is a name wishing for not only talent and wisdom, but also a heart that is deep and wide.
Of course, it would be good if he earned that much money too.
By the way, for a boy, he is quite pretty. Is it because he is still a baby?
I approached Seo Yoon, waved my hand, and greeted him.
“Hello?” (MC)
At my greeting, Seo Yoon laughed brightly.
“Oh? He laughed.” (MC)
At my words, Pal-gap let out a deep sigh and said,
“There is no child who does not smile when they see you, Young Master.” (Pal-gap)
“I-is that so?” (MC)
After briefly chatting there and handing over gifts and a monetary gift, we headed to Warrior Yeo Eungam’s home.
Warrior Yeo Eungam was teaching martial arts to his two daughters.
“Ah! Liege!” (Yeo Eungam)
He quickly ran over to me.
“Are you spending your leave well?” (MC)
“Wh-what brings you all the way here?” (Yeo Eungam)
“I came because I was curious whether you were spending time well with your family.” (MC)
His two daughters quickly performed a clasped hands greeting to me, and their posture was quite plausible.
How old were they now?
Were they eight or nine?
“We greet you, Young Captain.” (Daughter)
“We greet you, Young Captain.” (Daughter)
“I think this is our first time meeting, so how did you know?” (MC)
At my question, among the twin sisters, the girl who had tied her hair with a red hair ribbon spoke.
“Because Father called you Liege earlier. Father only has one liege, after all.” (Daughter)
“Ah…… that was a foolish question.” (MC)
I could only laugh faintly.
Then I asked Warrior Yeo Eungam.
“Were you teaching them martial arts?” (MC)
“Ah, yes. That is right.” (Yeo Eungam)
He nodded.
“They seemed to have quite a bit of talent…… and while teaching them, I lost track of time.” (Yeo Eungam)
Come to think of it, I remembered receiving a report from the director of Yeongyeongwon.
That Warrior Yeo Eungam’s twin sons had talent in scholarship, and his twin daughters had talent in martial arts.
Unless it skipped a generation, it seems the two daughters took after their father.
“Go play by yourselves for a moment.” (Yeo Eungam)
“Yes.” (Daughters)
Warrior Yeo Eungam guided me into the room.
Meanwhile, Warrior Yeo Eungam’s wife also came out and greeted us.
I briefly chatted with them, handed over the gifts and monetary gift I had bought at the marketplace, and came out.
Staying too long at a subordinate’s house would only burden them.
Just then, Warrior Myeongjong said,
“Actually, Warrior Yeo Eungam often asked whether there were any decent martial arts academies nearby. I wondered why, and it was for his two daughters.” (Myeongjong)
Well, finding a good martial arts academy and entering at the right time is important.
It should not be too early, but being too late is not good either.
Because it is best to begin training in earnest before the bones and muscles stiffen.
Just then, Warrior Changwoon said,
“Warrior Yeo Eungam should also have the martial arts academy he attended, so I do not know why he asked.” (Changwoon)
I explained the reason.
“All parents’ hearts are the same. They want to give their children better things.” (MC)
“That sort of generalization is not good, sir.” (Pal-gap)
Pal-gap cut in.
“It does not seem all parents sacrifice themselves for their children, sir. There are also many people for whom the name parent is wasted, are there not?” (Pal-gap)
“Are people like that parents?” (MC)
“Yes?” (Pal-gap)
“I do not see people like that as parents.” (MC)
At my words, Pal-gap nodded.
“That is right, sir. People like that smear mud on the noble name of parent.” (Pal-gap)
I looked up at the sky for a moment, then continued speaking.
“Now that I think about it, our Eunha Trading Company has an academy for literary scholars, but not one for martial artists.” (MC)
With this, my next course of action was decided.
I should make a martial arts academy for children who wish to become martial artists.
Of course, before that…… I have to take care of the urgent matters first.
.
.
.
That afternoon.
I went to find Captain Yong.
Originally, I had wanted to visit him as soon as I came to Hubei Province, but he had been out, so I was going today.
The place I headed to was the dock where our Eunha Trading Company’s ship, the Eunha, was anchored.
I marveled at the majesty of our fleet.
The Eunha was impressive, but there were no less than four ships.
With this much, we can gain a considerable profit from this voyage.
I saw Captain Yong discussing something with Navigator Songjuk and the other sailors.
Perhaps they were quite focused, because no one noticed me until I approached.
“Is there some serious matter?” (MC)
Only at my question did they startle, turn to look at me, and greet me.
“We greet you, Young Captain.” (Sailors)
“You are working hard. I always remember the labor you put in for the Eunha Trading Company.” (MC)
“We are so moved merely by your saying so that we do not know where to put ourselves.” (Captain Yong)
At Captain Yong’s words, I laughed.
“Your flattery has improved greatly.” (MC)
“It is not flattery.” (Captain Yong)
“Yes, yes, I know. By the way, what were you discussing so seriously?” (MC)
At my question, Captain Yong lightly shook his head.
“It was not that serious. We were merely discussing which goods should be loaded onto which ship, and the personnel assignment for it.” (Captain Yong)
“I see.” (MC)
As if realizing something, Captain Yong said,
“Ah, come to think of it, I apologize for the late introduction. This sailor here is someone you are seeing for the first time.” (Captain Yong)
Come to think of it, everyone else was familiar, but there was one sailor I was seeing for the first time.
He was a middle-aged man with a sturdy build, and his gaze was very deep.
Who is he? He does not seem like an ordinary person.
“This elder’s name is Jang Wol.” (Captain Yong)
Jang Wol……
Could he be that Jang Wol of the Nine Returns?
In my previous life, he was a very famous sailor.
He was given the title Nine Returns because, after going out to sea by ship, he went missing no less than nine times, but in the end, returned safely all nine times.
Ordinarily, one would consider the fact that he went missing nine times ominous, but the owner of one fleet thought differently.
That it meant he had that much abundant experience, along with patience and perseverance that did not give up.
I think the same.
And Captain Yong seems to have thought the same way as I did.
“In truth, the reason I went out this time was to bring Elder Jang here.” (Captain Yong)
“Yes, Father told me. That you had gone out because of the fleet’s personnel selection.” (MC)
He nodded.
“That is right. Our Eunha Trading Company now has four ships. Because of that, I thought it would be too much for just me and Navigator Song.” (Captain Yong)
“I see.” (MC)
I greeted that sailor Jang Wol.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Eun Seoho, Young Captain of the Eunha Trading Company.” (MC)
“I am Jang Wol. It is an honor to meet Seonhyeop Mirang.” (Jang Wol)
“To meet the famous Sir Nine Returns like this, Captain Yong must truly have wide connections.” (MC)
At my words, Captain Yong asked in surprise,
“You know Elder Jang?” (Captain Yong)
“Of course. You worked hard to bring someone like him here.” (MC)
“That is…….” (Captain Yong)
Captain Yong trailed off and hesitated. I think I know why.
“Father and I entrusted all of the fleet’s personnel selection to Captain Yong. If they are people you chose, you must have confidence and stand proud. If you do not, would the others trust you, Captain?” (MC)
“That is true. Thank you for enlightening this foolish one.” (Captain Yong)
I smiled gently and nodded.
“You only need to do well from now on.” (MC)
After encouraging him like that, I spoke to Sailor Jang.
“Since you have come to work with our trading company like this, you will be a great help to us from now on. I look forward to working with you.” (MC)
“How could I not? But how are you so certain I will be of help?” (Jang Wol)
His attitude was polite, but what was contained in those words was a kind of test.
Depending on how I answer, he may remain with our trading company, or he may leave after finishing only this matter.
A ship owner with strong pride would say, “How dare you test me!” but I am not like that.
Because pride never earns money.
From his position, this is a choice that will decide the direction of at least several years of his life, so could I not go along with that much?
I gave a faint laugh at that question.
“You ask why I am certain Sir Jang will be of help?” (MC)
“Yes. I am someone who has gone missing nine times. Others call me someone with filthy bad luck.” (Jang Wol)
“But since you returned alive nine times, does that not mean, on the contrary, that your luck is fiercely good?” (MC)
“If I were to go missing yet again, I could inflict tremendous losses on your trading company.” (Jang Wol)
I understand his concern too.
Of course, because I know the future, I know his disappearances stop at nine times, but I cannot say that as it is.
“Do you not possess experience that others cannot easily obtain?” (MC)
“Yes?” (Jang Wol)
“Experience one could not obtain even by paying a hundred million gold, I can obtain for less than one nyang of gold a month. So why would I reject that?” (MC)
“…….” (Jang Wol)
“It is not just me. Other trading companies are the same. The reason they value experience is because it can reduce losses that much.” (MC)
“But…….” (Jang Wol)
“Even if you do not understand my words, well, that is fine. Hahaha. Still, you only need to know this one thing.” (MC)
I made a meaningful expression.
“You say you might go missing and cause losses to our Eunha Trading Company? That is all right. Our Eunha Trading Company is not a trading company that will stagger from a loss of that degree. Does that answer your question?” (MC)
“Yes. It answers it sufficiently.” (Jang Wol)
Satisfaction settled in Sailor Jang Wol’s eyes.
“Then, Captain.” (MC)
“Yes.” (Captain Yong)
“Before departure, I would like to gather the fleet’s officers and hold a modest banquet. How is your time three days before departure?” (MC)
Because two days before departure, Father was scheduled to gather all the sailors and hold a banquet.
He looked at Navigator Songjuk, and he nodded.
“The time is fine.” (Songjuk)
“Did you perhaps come in person to convey that?” (Captain Yong)
“Yes. I heard you were so busy that it was difficult for you even to see your mother and younger sister. I cannot summon such a person to come and go.” (MC)
“I feel only sorry toward my mother and younger sister.” (Captain Yong)
“They will understand.” (MC)
I continued speaking.
“And I wanted to see the preparations for myself. Seeing them like this, I am looking forward to this journey.” (MC)
I returned to my office again.
“I miss Hongryeo.” (MC)
At my words, Pal-gap gave a faint laugh.
“Do you miss Miss Hongryeo that much, sir?” (Pal-gap)
“Of course! She is Brother Jinho’s daughter!” (MC)
Hongryeo was the child born safely early this year after my second sister-in-law gave birth.
When I sent a letter to Father through Geumryeong, Father informed me by letter, but I have never seen her in person.
They had been worried because there were no labor pains even though the due date had arrived, but apparently labor began as soon as Brother Jinho returned to the trading company.
So there had been endless praise calling her a filial daughter who waited for her father to return.
In any case, Hongryeo has not yet even been born for two full months.
And I am someone who has been to Yunnan. For the baby’s health, I still must not meet her.
So I am trying my best not to go to Second Brother’s annex.
By the way, Brother Jinho and second sister-in-law’s child…….
I really wonder what she looks like.
In my previous life, the two of them could not be joined together.
But this time, they safely married and even had a child!
This is one of the futures I changed.
It feels somehow satisfying.
A few days later.
I headed to a tavern in Hubei Province.
Because today, we had decided to hold a banquet there for the officers of the Eunha Trading Company’s fleet.
I had to arrive at the tavern first in order to make various preparations and receive them.
So I left a little early and walked through the marketplace.
Then, at one place, I had no choice but to stop walking.
“……?” (MC)
Because on the way to the tavern, I saw someone sitting in a certain teahouse.
“Huh? Is that not Merchant Head Geon of our fleet, sir?” (Pal-gap)
At Pal-gap’s words, I nodded.
“That’s right. It is Merchant Head Geon.” (MC)
But…….
Why is someone who should have left the trading company and come to the tavern around now here?
I quietly concealed my presence and flew up onto the roof, then looked at the person sitting across from him.
The seat Merchant Head Geon was sitting in was one where he would not know from the inside, but his figure could be seen from outside.
Thanks to that, I could see the person sitting across from him well.
In that instant, my expression turned grave.
Because the person sitting across from him was someone I knew well too.
He was a merchant head of the Baekcheon Trading Company.