Chapter 537
Chapter 537
Chapter 537. Let’s Establish an Academy (3)
First, I have to find Old Man Mae’s son, but…….
To do that, I need an item his son used.
While I was wondering how to obtain one, a door caught my eye.
“Then by any chance, is that your son’s room?” (MC)
“……It is.” (Old Man Mae)
“May I look inside for a moment?” (MC)
“Do as you like.” (Old Man Mae)
I quietly opened that door.
A clean room, even though it had been empty for nearly fifteen years.
But there were no traces of life.
It meant Old Man Mae cleaned it every day. That was how sincerely he believed his son would return.
I sent a telepathic message to Geumryeong.
“Geumryeong, go into that room and smell something like his clothes.” (MC)
“Kkui.” (Geumryeong)
And I closed the door.
Because Geumryeong was half spirit, she had no trouble passing through walls.
And yet I could not understand why, whenever I asked her to run an errand, she wriggled around and insisted on coming in through the window.
“It is very neat. It seems you clean it often.” (MC)
“Should he not be able to sleep comfortably whenever he returns?” (Old Man Mae)
“I see. Then is there any place where you suspect your son might be?” (MC)
“If there were, I would have gone to look for him long ago.” (Old Man Mae)
Well, over fifteen years, he must have looked everywhere he could.
I returned to the Beijing branch.
Geumryeong left at my request to find Old Man Mae’s son.
There was a high chance he was already dead, but I earnestly hoped he was alive.
Old Man Mae could only move if his son returned, and if he was already dead, I would have to go through quite a bit of trouble to prove it.
And since he was that desperate, that wish must come true.
As usual, I woke in the morning, performed qi circulation, finished my training, and was about to begin work.
“Kkui! Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
I saw Geumryeong wriggling as she climbed over the window.
I quickly ran over and received Geumryeong.
“You’re back?” (MC)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
“How was it? Did you find him?” (MC)
At my question, Geumryeong nodded with a triumphant expression.
“Kkuit!” (Geumryeong)
At that answer, my expression brightened too. In other words, it meant he was still alive.
I immediately called Palgap.
“Palgap!” (MC)
“Yes!” (Palgap)
“Prepare to leave! We’re going to find Old Man Mae’s son.” (MC)
Preparations for departure were finished in no time.
Because I had given word in advance, everyone had already been preparing.
This time, we had to move quickly, so I took only Palgap and the escort warriors with me.
“My Liege, I do not know if I may ask something like this, but…….” (Chang-un)
Warrior Chang-un trailed off.
“Please ask freely.” (MC)
“Yes, to be honest, if it were anywhere else, Old Man Mae’s house would have already been forcibly pushed down. From what I have seen until now, if one has power, that is only natural.” (Chang-un)
“You mean I am inviting hardship upon myself.” (MC)
“Hahahaha.” (Chang-un)
“To put it simply, this is for the Eunhae Trading Company.” (MC)
I continued.
“From ancient times, if grudges are piled up one by one, they become a poison that can bring down even the sturdiest castle. For the sake of the Eunhae Trading Company’s future, I do not want to let such poison accumulate from the start.” (MC)
“Ah…….” (Chang-un)
“And who knows? My actions like this may raise the reputation of the Eunhae Trading Company.” (MC)
“So you mean it is for the trading company.” (Chang-un)
“Yes. So I am by no means taking on this hardship because I am a good person.” (MC)
At my words, Palgap and the escort warriors’ gazes became somewhat strange.
“Wh, what is it? Why are you suddenly looking at me with those eyes?” (MC)
At my question, Warrior Seo-u gave a faint laugh.
“It is nothing.” (Seo-u)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
Just then, Geumryeong, who was sitting on the head of the Zhujiang horse I was riding, pointed in a direction.
At present, we were following Geumryeong’s guidance along the road.
This is south…… how far do we have to go?
“Geumryeong. By any chance, what region is the place we’re going to now?” (MC)
“Kkui?” (Geumryeong)
“I mean, something you saw there that left a deep impression…….” (MC)
“Kkui! Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
“Uh…….” (MC)
I was momentarily flustered.
“Sugarcane? Old Man Mae’s son was in an enormous sugarcane field?” (MC)
There are many places that grow sugarcane, but if it is an enormous sugarcane field…….
Could it be Guangxi?
That is really far down south.
Kuh! It is incredibly far.
Seeing how late Geumryeong returned, I should have thought the distance might be far…….
Hoo, why did I not think of that?
Still, I could not turn back now.
And for some reason, I had a feeling that I should go personally instead of sending someone.
I said to the escort warriors,
“It seems we will have to go all the way to Guangxi.” (MC)
I would be away for that long, but I was not that worried because Hyung Jeongho was at the Beijing branch.
If it is Guangxi Province, then it is south of Guizhou Province…… should I have brought Miss Seohyang?
For a moment, that thought crossed my mind, but I soon shook my head.
Since we had to make a quick trip to Guangxi Province and back, it would be too much of a strain on her.
So this time, it was better for her to simply stay at the Beijing branch.
“Geumryeong.” (MC)
“Kkui?” (Geumryeong)
“We’ll move at full speed from now on, so go inside.” (MC)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong went inside my sleeve, and I spoke to my party.
“Then, let’s run.” (MC)
“Yes!” (Escort Warriors)
We moved quickly.
Because everyone was riding Zhujiang horses, we reached Hubei in only a few days.
I considered briefly stopping by home, but there did not seem to be enough time for that, so we just passed by.
After riding for several more days like that, we arrived in Guangxi Province.
If we had not had Zhujiang horses, it probably would have taken several times longer than this. It would have been tremendously exhausting too.
For some reason, I felt grateful to Geumryeong, who had dragged these Zhujiang horses to me.
“Kkui.” (Geumryeong)
You want me to give it to you in money if I’m grateful?
As expected of Geumryeong. She never disappoints.
Thinking that, we rode a little farther and were able to see a vast sugarcane field.
“Wow!” (Palgap)
Palgap exclaimed in admiration.
“Is all that sugarcane, sir?” (Palgap)
“Yes.” (MC)
“…….” (Palgap)
Palgap was left speechless, and I gave a faint laugh.
“Would this place be the largest producer of sugar for no reason?” (MC)
“But somehow, Young Master, you seem as if this is not your first time here, sir. As far as I know, this is definitely your first time in Guangxi Province, sir.” (Palgap)
Sharp.
Well, that is because Guangxi Province was a place I often came to in my previous life.
Thanks to Maeng Cheon, who was the Young Palace Head of the Zhurong Palace now but had been a wanderer back then, our Eunhae Trading Company was able to distribute sugar.
Suddenly, I remembered the first time I had come here.
At the time, I too had been very surprised by the tremendous scale of the sugarcane fields.
And this was a place I had visited in my previous life as well.
Nothing has changed, either then or now.
Then a thought suddenly came to mind, but I put it aside for the time being.
Right now, finding Old Man Mae’s son came first.
“So, Geumryeong.” (MC)
“Kkui.” (Geumryeong)
“Where is Old Man Mae’s son?” (MC)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong pointed ahead with her tail.
“He is not far, right?” (MC)
At my question, Geumryeong nodded. That is a relief.
But still, to think she could find someone all the way from Beijing to Guangxi Province just by one scent.
Geumryeong really is amazing.
Then a warrior approached us.
“This is the Yeo Cheong Trading Company’s sugarcane field. Where have you come from?” (Warrior)
“We are people of the Eunhae Trading Company.” (MC)
“What business does the Eunhae Trading Company have here?” (Warrior)
“Is there perhaps someone named Mae Jeong here?” (MC)
Old Man Mae So-gun’s son’s name was Mae Jeong.
I had not heard it directly from the old man, but found it out separately through investigation.
The warrior thought for a moment, then seemed to recall someone and cautiously said,
“By any chance, are you referring to Head Merchant Mae? The Head Merchant’s name is Mae Jeong.” (Warrior)
Hm?
Head Merchant?
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.
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A moment later.
In the reception room of the Yeo Cheong Trading Company, I faced the man presumed to be Old Man Mae’s son.
I sent a telepathic message to Geumryeong inside my sleeve.
“Geumryeong. Is this the man?” (MC)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
You say it is? And not to doubt you?
“Kkui! Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
To just make sure I pay you the silver properly?
Fine…… I understand.
If Geumryeong was saying it this firmly, it was certain.
Then Head Merchant Mae Jeong asked me,
“You are Young Master Eun Seoho of the Eunhae Trading Company, you said?” (Mae Jeong)
“Ah, yes. That is correct.” (MC)
“May I ask why a place like the Eunhae Trading Company is looking for me?” (Mae Jeong)
I set down my teacup and said,
“Your father is waiting for you.” (MC)
“……Pardon?” (Mae Jeong)
He wore a bewildered expression, then cautiously asked,
“By any chance…… do you know about my father?” (Mae Jeong)
“Pardon?” (MC)
No, if you ask like that, I become even more flustered.
“What else do you know about my father?” (Mae Jeong)
“His name is Mae So-gun. I understand he is around his mid-sixties this year. He is currently living as a farmer on the outskirts of Beijing.” (MC)
“Is that all?” (Mae Jeong)
“I have not known him for very long, so I do not know much. But I do know that fifteen years ago, his son left home saying he would succeed, and that news from him ceased a year later.” (MC)
His eyes were still full of suspicion.
I sighed and asked,
“I ask just in case, but did you perhaps lose your memory?” (MC)
“……!” (Mae Jeong)
Head Merchant Mae Jeong flinched.
So that is it.
Geumryeong had clearly said this man was Old Man Mae’s son, but the man before me was instead asking whether I knew his father.
And when he asked me to explain about his father in detail, I sensed something like a vague longing.
“……Did you not come here already knowing that?” (Mae Jeong)
“I did not come here knowing it. I merely came here because there was a reason I had to find Elder Mae’s son.” (MC)
“How did you find me while knowing that I am that man’s son? Do you not think your words contradict themselves?” (Mae Jeong)
“It may seem that way. Then, to clear up the misunderstanding, I should tell you this first.” (MC)
“Tell me what?” (Mae Jeong)
“I have a wondrous object that can find people.” (MC)
Since I could not reveal Geumryeong’s existence, I had no choice but to explain it away as the power of a wondrous object.
“Pardon? Did you say a wondrous object?” (Mae Jeong)
“Yes. Thanks to that wondrous object, I knew Head Merchant Mae was Elder Mae’s son and came here. For reference, you must keep this matter secret.” (MC)
“Hoo, I understand for now. Then why did you search for me, even going so far as to use such a wondrous object?” (Mae Jeong)
His expression still showed his suspicion had not been resolved.
I spoke honestly.
“Our trading company is trying to establish a martial arts academy together with the imperial family. Elder Mae’s house is within the site, but no matter how generous a compensation we offered, the elder would not budge. So when I asked the reason, he said that if he moved, his son would have nowhere to return to.” (MC)
I continued.
“That is why I came looking for Head Merchant Mae like this. Only after finding his son for him will the elder be able to move with peace of mind, will he not?” (MC)
“…….” (Mae Jeong)
As if he had not expected me to speak honestly, he cleared his throat.
“In any case, judging from your reaction, Head Merchant, it seems quite a few swindlers have clung to you until now.” (MC)
“Hoo…… That is true.” (Mae Jeong)
There are no good swindlers, but someone who takes advantage of a person who has lost his memory is a bastard who deserves heavenly punishment.
For a person to know nothing about himself is no different from walking a pitch-black road at night without a single lantern.
So how desperate must he be for a lantern?
They are people who trample on that desperation.
“You must have suffered much.” (MC)
“Yes, well…… I suppose so.” (Mae Jeong)
He pondered for a moment, then opened his mouth.
“So, may I ask one favor of you?” (Mae Jeong)
“What is it?” (MC)
“If you truly are the Young Master of the Eunhae Trading Company, and if the reason you came looking for me is truly that, please stay here for a few days. I will investigate you as well.” (Mae Jeong)
“Very well.” (MC)
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.
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We unpacked our belongings in the quarters within the trading company.
I had thought of getting rooms at a nearby inn, but he had requested that we stay inside the trading company.
To think they immediately prepared quarters inside the trading company for our entire party to stay!
He may be a head merchant, but it seems he has quite a bit of power.
Ordinarily, head merchants cannot let guests stay within the trading company, after all.
We headed to the stables to fetch the luggage loaded on the horses.
“You are working hard.” (MC)
I said that to the stable servants as I went inside.
And as I was unloading the luggage from the horse, an older-looking warrior beside me cautiously asked,
“Um, by any chance…… that horse. Is it a Zhujiang horse?” (Warrior)
“You know it.” (MC)
“As expected! As expected, it was a Zhujiang horse!” (Warrior)
“But how did you know our horse was a Zhujiang horse?” (MC)
At my question, the warrior answered,
“To tell the truth, I love horses very much. So when I was young, I went around devouring anything and everything about horses. Thanks to that, I was able to come across records on Zhujiang horses as well.” (Warrior)
“I see.” (MC)
“But to think I would get to see a Zhujiang horse like this! My wish will come true.” (Warrior)
Suddenly, I became curious about that warrior’s wish.
“May I ask what that wish is?” (MC)
“Well, it is not a secret. It is simply my wish that the Trading Company Leader of our trading company recovers.” (Warrior)
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.
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I returned to the quarters given to me, took off my outer garment, and lay down on the bed.
I did find Old Man Mae’s son, but he lost his memory…….
Is that why he could not return?
For now, it was fortunate he was not dead, but…… this too was a pitiable story in its own way.
Then Geumryeong came out from inside my sleeve, took my hair in her mouth, and pulled.
“Kkui! Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
“I know. I’ll give it to you. I said I’ll give it to you.” (MC)
I took silver out of my wallet and handed it to Geumryeong, and Geumryeong hugged the silver and rolled around on the bed.
I watched that sight and sank into thought.
The Trading Company Leader of the Yeo Cheong Trading Company is lying ill…….
There was a memory that had come to mind earlier when I arrived at the sugarcane field here.
I had heard he was a very good person, but he would pass away without recovering.
Even though the medicine that could cure him was right under his nose, without ever knowing it.