Chapter 548
Chapter 548
Chapter 548. The Eccentric of the Jegal Family (1)
The Eunha Merchant Guild has a branch in Henan as well.
It is one of the most prominent regions in the Empire, including great cities such as Luoyang and Kaifeng, after all.
The Henan branch plays the role of delivering information on the movements of the Martial Alliance, Shaolin Temple, and the murim of the Henan region to the main headquarters, as well as assisting with matters related to their events.
In other words, that means it has a proper communications network.
Even without going through Geumnyeong, I can sufficiently send news to the main headquarters.
“Welcome!” (Henan Branch Manager)
The Henan Branch Manager greeted me warmly.
“You have been working hard.” (Eun Seoho)
“Not at all.” (Henan Branch Manager)
He continued speaking.
“I heard you made a great contribution this time in dealing with a Black Path group called the Black Cat Sect.” (Henan Branch Manager)
“Rumors are quite fast.” (Eun Seoho)
“There is no need to even discuss whether rumors are fast or slow. After all, someone shouted in front of the Martial Alliance, ‘It is an urgent message from Seonhyeop Mirang, the hero of the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts Competition!’” (Henan Branch Manager)
“Hahaha, that is true as well.” (Eun Seoho)
Phew, I had done that so the Alliance Leader would have no choice but to receive that letter... but it only made it more embarrassing.
“But what brings you here?” (Henan Branch Manager)
“I came because I want to send a letter to the main headquarters.” (Eun Seoho)
I held out the letter I had written and said,
“As quickly as possible, please.” (Eun Seoho)
“We will use a messenger hawk.” (Henan Branch Manager)
Among the several methods used to send letters quickly to distant places, the representative ones are messenger pigeons and messenger hawks.
Messenger pigeons make use of a pigeon’s homing instinct, but because there are many beasts of prey that target pigeons, many messenger pigeons disappear, so several have to be released at once.
For that reason, matters requiring absolute secrecy are not sent through messenger pigeons.
Messenger hawks cost more to maintain, but they can send letters faster and more safely than messenger pigeons.
And the Henan branch possesses messenger hawks.
The letter I handed over contained a request to contact the families of the people I had rescued.
In truth, sending it through Geumnyeong would be the fastest, but then explaining it later would become difficult.
It was not that urgent either, so I chose the official method.
“Thank you. Then I will be counting on you going forward as well.” (Eun Seoho)
After entrusting the letter to the Henan branch like that, I returned to the inn.
Now it was about time to head to the Jegal Family.
From here on, I do not have to travel with Younger Brother Woo Gyeok, so we can increase our travel speed.
Therefore, there should be no major problem with the schedule going forward.
Then I heard a voice calling me.
“Young Head Eun Seoho.” (Red-Clad Hua Tuo)
When I turned back, Red-Clad Hua Tuo was approaching me.
“Divine Physician.” (Eun Seoho)
“I heard you are on your way to the Jegal Family.” (Red-Clad Hua Tuo)
“Yes. That is correct.” (Eun Seoho)
He handed me a letter.
“Deliver this to the Former Clan Head of the Jegal Family.” (Red-Clad Hua Tuo)
There was not a single character written on the envelope. There were only three trees and one house drawn on it.
“I entrust this to you.” (Red-Clad Hua Tuo)
Red-Clad Hua Tuo’s reputation is very good. And the character I personally experienced was also excellent.
There is no way someone like that would send some foolish letter to the Former Clan Head of the Jegal Family.
“Understood. I will be sure to deliver it.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you. Then when do you plan to depart?” (Red-Clad Hua Tuo)
“I will depart tomorrow.” (Eun Seoho)
“That early?” (Red-Clad Hua Tuo)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
I nodded.
“The task entrusted to me is not my personal affair, but a matter being carried out in cooperation with the Imperial Family. I can no longer delay the work, so I ask for your understanding.” (Eun Seoho)
“It is not something for me to understand or not. It is just a little disappointing.” (Red-Clad Hua Tuo)
That evening.
I gathered all the people I had rescued and told them that I had contacted each of their families.
“And my party and I must leave tomorrow due to our schedule.” (Eun Seoho)
“Is that so?” (Rescued Person)
“Huh... so soon.” (Rescued Person)
“I have paid the inn generously for lodging and meals, so you may stay here comfortably without worry.” (Eun Seoho)
“Truly, we are indebted to you for many things.” (Rescued Person)
“They say all within the four seas are brothers. And I am merely glad I was able to help.” (Eun Seoho)
I took out twelve pouches and held them out.
“And I prepared this because each of you may have places where you need it.” (Eun Seoho)
At the money pouches I handed over, everyone looked at me in emotion.
The more I move them deeply like this, the more crumbs will fall to me.
Then someone asked,
“No matter how much money one has, spending money for someone else is not an easy thing. So, what is it that you want, to show us such kindness?” (Ingeol Daoist)
Oh...
To think he realized my intention this quickly.
The one who asked was Daoist Ingeol, from the Mount Hua Sect.
Warrior Myeongjong seemed to know him too, and had been very surprised upon seeing him in the prison.
Daoist Ingeol had also been glad to see Warrior Myeongjong.
Perhaps because he is a daoist of the Mount Hua Sect, he grasps the situation quickly.
I readily nodded.
“That is correct. There is something I want from all of you.” (Eun Seoho)
“What is it?” (Ingeol Daoist)
Everyone’s expressions grew tense.
I smiled gently and continued speaking.
“There is no need to be so tense. I am a merchant. I know at least what must be placed on the scales for them to balance.” (Eun Seoho)
“......” (Rescued People)
“What I want is connections.” (Eun Seoho)
“Connections?” (Ingeol Daoist)
“Yes. For a merchant, what is difficult to obtain even by paying a thousand gold is connections. But when an opportunity has come to form ties with such renowned people, how could I let it pass?” (Eun Seoho)
I clasped my hands and continued speaking.
“So please, generously understand this humble merchant.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Daoist Ingeol said,
“You... are you even considering our hearts?” (Ingeol Daoist)
Pardon? What do you suddenly mean by that?
I was momentarily flustered.
“Are you not deliberately making such an excuse because you worry that if we only receive, our hearts will become heavy?” (Ingeol Daoist)
Huh? No?
That is the real reason, so why is he thinking that way?
“As expected of Seonhyeop Mirang!” (Rescued Person)
“We will never forget that heart of yours!” (Rescued Person)
“If we turn our backs on this grace, would we even be human?” (Rescued Person)
No, why is the conversation turning out like this?
Well, if that is what they think...
But in truth, the money inside the pouches is money I brought from the Black Cat Sect.
After finishing my conversation with everyone like that, I came outside the inn.
Seeing that a warm energy was mixed into the wind, I felt that summer was not far off.
It has become the season when the wind-making fans will sell well.
And umbrellas will also sell well.
Because much rain will fall this summer.
Phew, seeing that I think of goods that will sell well first when looking at the change of seasons, I must be a merchant by nature.
As I was feeling the breeze like that, I sensed a presence behind me.
“Younger Brother Woo Gyeok, you have not gone to bed yet.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes, Hyung-nim. I heard you are leaving tomorrow.” (Woo Gyeok)
“That is right.” (Eun Seoho)
“I learned many things from you, Hyung-nim. I will never forget meeting you.” (Woo Gyeok)
I, too, will not forget it, in many ways.
“That aside, I respect you, Hyung-nim.” (Woo Gyeok)
“What do you mean?” (Eun Seoho)
“When an opportunity arises to perform a righteous deed, you leap in without hesitation. To be honest, I hesitated.” (Woo Gyeok)
At those words, I chuckled and shook my head.
“No. Younger Brother Woo Gyeok. I hesitate a lot too.” (Eun Seoho)
“I did not sense that at all.” (Woo Gyeok)
That would be because the hesitation was brief.
And my hesitation is usually about how to save someone without aftereffects, and whether I can avoid revealing all my skills.
That is why I can avoid thinking for long.
Now that I think about it, leaping in without hesitation is correct.
“I, too, wish to accumulate righteous deeds like you, Hyung-nim. Honestly, what I have accumulated until now was only infamy.” (Woo Gyeok)
“I think knowing that is the beginning of righteous deeds.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, he scratched his head.
“And the greatest righteous deed I think of is the righteous deed given to one’s family and those close to oneself.” (Eun Seoho)
“Pardon?” (Woo Gyeok)
“To disregard them and bestow righteous deeds upon complete strangers? Honestly, I think that is hypocrisy.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“I heard that your only family is your Master.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is right. I heard that Master took me in after I lost my family when I was young.” (Woo Gyeok)
“Exactly.” (Eun Seoho)
I smiled.
“If you start from that, accumulating righteous deeds should not be difficult.” (Eun Seoho)
Only then did his face become somewhat relieved.
“Understood. And if you come to Fujian Province, please be sure to visit our sect.” (Woo Gyeok)
“I will.” (Eun Seoho)
.
.
.
Day broke.
My party and I prepared our horses and left the inn, and everyone I had rescued came out to see us off.
“Phew, it finally feels as though the journey is beginning in earnest.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Palgap nodded.
“That is true.” (Palgap)
It feels somewhat hectic.
After we rode for about an hour like that, Warrior Jinyu was waiting for us.
“You have worked hard.” (Eun Seoho)
“Not at all. I have been resting as though I had received a vacation.” (Warrior Jinyu)
After joining up with Warrior Jinyu like that, we rode again, and that day, we were able to arrive at the Jegal Family immediately.
Honestly, I thought it would take two days.
The Jugang horses that had run at high speed looked refreshed.
Well, they had run properly for the first time in a while.
I got down from my horse and approached the gatekeeper.
“Where have you come from?” (Gatekeeper)
The gatekeepers asked politely, and I held out my identification plaque and said,
“I am Eun Seoho, Young Head of the Eunha Merchant Guild.” (Eun Seoho)
When the gatekeeper heard my identity, he brightened and opened the gate.
“Please enter. We have been waiting for you.” (Gatekeeper)
It seems the Former Clan Head spoke to them in advance.
The gatekeeper quickly rang a bell to summon people, and attendants and servants came running.
The servants took our horses and headed toward the stable, and the attendant greeted us.
“It has been a long time.” (Attendant)
“Yes. I am glad to see you again.” (Eun Seoho)
He was the Former Clan Head’s attendant, and I had already met him before.
“Please follow me.” (Attendant)
“Thank you for your hospitality.” (Eun Seoho)
“Considering what you have done for our Jegal Family, it is only natural.” (Attendant)
As we headed toward the Former Clan Head’s residence, I suddenly recalled the incident I had encountered here when I was fifteen.
The beginning of the matter was when the Former Clan Head of the Jegal Family invited me because of the collection of poetry and prose that I had published secretly behind Chief Administrator Yoo Soak’s back.
Since I was a co-author too, I was invited along with him.
While drinking tea and enjoying poetry and prose, I realized there was poison in the tea.
And that the Former Clan Head of the Jegal Family was poisoned as well.
With the help of Miss Jegal Yooa, who had deliberately acted like an immature young lady, we were able to catch the culprit.
The culprit was Jegal Dongwoo, the Former Clan Head’s younger brother.
It seemed the matter would be resolved like that, but it was not.
Something far more dreadful had been waiting for the Jegal Family.
Jegal Gyeong, the Clan Head’s nephew.
He had tried to activate the Honaanmak Formation, which had been discarded by the Jegal Family, and erase the Jegal Family.
I had stopped it.
As thanks for that, I obtained the distribution rights for the Anxi Tieguanyin owned by the Jegal Family in Fujian Province, and that still remains a great source of income for the Eunha Merchant Guild.
Soon, we arrived at the Former Clan Head’s residence.
“Former Clan Head, Young Head Eun Seoho of the Eunha Merchant Guild has arrived.” (Attendant)
“Tell him to enter.” (Former Clan Head)
The door opened, and I entered and respectfully gave my greetings.
“It has been a long time.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes, it has been a long time since I saw you at the last poetry and prose competition.” (Former Clan Head)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
He judged at the poetry and prose competition in Beijing this spring.
“You look healthy.” (Eun Seoho)
“Not working has made me healthier.” (Former Clan Head)
“Hahaha, is that so?” (Eun Seoho)
“Sit. Let us have a cup of tea.” (Former Clan Head)
He offered me a seat, and I sat before the tea table.
The Former Clan Head of the Jegal Family poured tea for me.
“Drink.” (Former Clan Head)
“I will drink it gratefully.” (Eun Seoho)
Mm, as expected of the Jegal Family.
They brew tea properly.
It is not easy to brew it this cleanly without a single trace of bitterness.
“So, what is this about a martial arts academy?” (Former Clan Head)
The Former Clan Head brought up the main point right away.
“In truth, our Eunha Merchant Guild is planning to establish a martial arts academy on the outskirts of Beijing this time. That martial arts academy...” (Eun Seoho)
At my explanation, the Former Clan Head nodded.
“Certainly, those trained at a martial arts academy with the Imperial Family’s influence behind it will become the Imperial Family’s strength. So what is the purpose of that martial arts academy?” (Former Clan Head)
“The purpose?” (Eun Seoho)
“Would you do such a troublesome thing for no reason?” (Former Clan Head)
“You know me too well.” (Eun Seoho)
I smiled faintly and continued speaking.
“Would it suffice if I said it is to keep the Martial Alliance in check?” (Eun Seoho)
“I like it.” (Former Clan Head)
As the Former Clan Head said that, a slight killing intent flowed from him. He has not forgotten what happened before.
Well, because of that incident, the Jegal Family nearly met destruction.
In my previous life, they were actually destroyed.
In a situation where it is almost certain that the ones who caused that incident were the Martial Alliance, my proposal must be very satisfactory.
That is also why I came to the Jegal Family first.
“And so, I requested the Jegal Family because we need an instructor who will be in charge of designing the academy and the lessons, and who will also teach theory classes to the academy students.” (Eun Seoho)
“Indeed, our family would be suitable for such work. I have already selected an appropriate person.” (Former Clan Head)
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
“Mm, thank me later. It may still be too early.” (Former Clan Head)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“There is someone who is just right for it... but that fellow is a bit of an eccentric.” (Former Clan Head)
“What do you mean by that...” (Eun Seoho)
The Former Clan Head pondered for a moment before opening his mouth.
“Our Jegal Family has something called the Dormant Dragon Journey.” (Former Clan Head)
“I know. You explained it to me before.” (Eun Seoho)
The tradition of the Jegal Family that when one turns fifteen, one must leave the family for three years and survive without receiving the family’s help.
Those who have not completed the Dormant Dragon Journey cannot have their names placed in the Jegal Family’s family register.
It was a tradition made long ago by an ancestor who was the Clan Head of the Jegal Family, and he said that one could not know the truths of the world by only looking into books, so he enforced it, was it?
Perhaps thanks to that, among those whose names have been placed in the Jegal Family genealogy, there are almost none who commit the foolishness of a naive scholar.
“That fellow has only had his name placed in our family register for three years.” (Former Clan Head)
“Then is he not yet even of age?” (Eun Seoho)
Because the Dormant Dragon Journey begins at fifteen and ends at eighteen.
At my question, the Former Clan Head shook his head.
“No. That fellow is already past thirty.” (Former Clan Head)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“To be precise, he is thirty-five. That fellow left on the Dormant Dragon Journey at fifteen and returned to our family after twenty years.” (Former Clan Head)