Chapter 550
Chapter 550
Chapter 550. The Eccentric of the Jegal Family (3)
After finishing my conversation with Young Master Jegal Cheondu, I was guided by an attendant to my quarters.
“You may stay here.” (Attendant)
The quarters I was shown to looked even better than Young Master Jegal Cheondu’s quarters.
I suspect they were perhaps the finest quarters given to guests.
That must mean they consider me that important.
I did not decline.
They had shown consideration in their own way, so refusing would not be proper.
And there was likely an apology mixed into it as well.
“Please convey my thanks to the Grand Clan Head.” (Eun Seoho)
We entered the quarters.
The quarters were in the form of a detached annex, with two male servants and two maidservants assigned to it.
As I was unpacking, I sensed a familiar presence.
And soon, Palgap’s voice rang out.
“Young Master. The Young Master of the Jegal Family has arrived.” (Palgap)
At those words, I quickly answered.
“Tell them to come in at once!” (Eun Seoho)
“I have already escorted her to the reception room, sir.” (Palgap)
I quickly straightened my clothes and headed to the reception room attached to the annex where I was staying.
When I opened the door and stepped inside, I saw a familiar face.
“It has been a long time, Young Master.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. It has been a long time. Please, sit.” (Jegal Yua)
The one who greeted me was Miss Jegal Yua.
She was none other than the Young Master of the Jegal Family.
At the last Dragon and Phoenix Martial Arts Competition, she had been pushed aside by Young Master Peng Gangun and had stopped at second place, but it had not been enough to deny her martial prowess.
Thus, after a meeting of the Jegal Family, she had been recognized as the Young Master.
Given the characteristics of the Jegal Family, they prioritize a wise appearance, but as a murim clan, they cannot help but consider martial prowess as well.
Just as the current Clan Head and the Grand Clan Head are exceptional martial artists.
I had heard that her reputation as Young Master was quite good, and considering the meticulousness she had shown me and her appearance in my previous life, it was only natural.
“You could have simply called me. Why did you come all the way here?” (Eun Seoho)
“What of it? It is not as though doing this damages my authority.” (Jegal Yua)
She continued.
“The authority of the Young Master arises when the people of the clan acknowledge and follow me. It is not something created just because I insist on it, is it?” (Jegal Yua)
She is right.
If she does not forget that thought, she will become an excellent Clan Head.
“How have you been?” (Jegal Yua)
“Well, nothing much.” (Eun Seoho)
Of course, all sorts of things had happened, but I could not tell her every little detail.
After exchanging light updates like that, we parted.
Not because we had run out of things to talk about, but because Young Master Jegal Yua had another appointment.
“Let us have a meal together next time.” (Jegal Yua)
“Yes. I would like that.” (Eun Seoho)
And with that, she left my quarters.
Young Master Jegal Cheondu had asked for three days’ time, so until then, I was on vacation.
I made up my mind.
Tomorrow, I would sleep in.
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong tugged at the hem of my clothes with her mouth.
Ah... I suppose I should give Geumryeong her gold coin before I sleep.
If Geumryeong sulks, she is cute, no, I will not be able to sleep.
I took out a gold coin and gave it to her, and Geumryeong hugged it and rolled around.
She really likes it.
But you said you were nourishing yourself, did you not? Are you not going to eat it?
.
.
.
The next dawn.
When I opened my eyes, I let out a sigh.
Haa.
What do you mean, sleeping in?
When this hour comes, my eyes open naturally.
Since the time I wake up is consistent, my body had already adapted to the point that waking up at this hour had become a given.
I tried closing my eyes and going back to sleep, but far from becoming sleepy, my mind grew wide awake.
In the end, I grumbled inwardly as I got up and began my breathing cultivation.
Then, after even eating breakfast, I headed to the Grand Clan Head’s quarters.
He had asked me to set aside time today.
“Ah! You have come at just the right time!” (Grand Clan Head)
The Clan Head of the Jegal Family was also in the Grand Clan Head’s quarters.
“This humble one, Eun Seoho, young Captain of the Eunhae Trading Company, greets the Clan Head of the Jegal Family.” (Eun Seoho)
At my respectful greeting, he accepted it with a smile.
“I am pleased to meet you like this. It has been a long time.” (Clan Head)
“Yes. It has been a while.” (Eun Seoho)
“I know you have been busy, so do not trouble your mind over it too much.” (Clan Head)
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
The Clan Head rose from his seat and bowed to the Grand Clan Head.
“Then this son shall take his leave.” (Clan Head)
“Very well.” (Grand Clan Head)
Then he looked at me and said in parting.
“While you are staying in the main family, tell us at any time if there is anything that inconveniences you.” (Clan Head)
“Thank you for your consideration.” (Eun Seoho)
The Clan Head withdrew from the Grand Clan Head’s quarters, and the Grand Clan Head said to me,
“Let us have a cup of tea.” (Grand Clan Head)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
I followed him inside.
The place we soon arrived at was the place where I had once come with Chief Administrator Yoo Soak and recited poetry.
A place where we could be disturbed by no one.
He brewed tea for me himself, and we drank without speaking.
“Do you know of Snow Wind Palace?” (Grand Clan Head)
“...!” (Eun Seoho)
At that sudden remark, I was so startled that I nearly spat out my tea, but I barely managed to hold it in.
“...What do you mean?” (Eun Seoho)
“I asked whether you know of Snow Wind Palace.” (Grand Clan Head)
“May I ask why you are asking about that place?” (Eun Seoho)
“Because I can sense Snow Wind Palace’s distinctive qi from you.” (Grand Clan Head)
“...” (Eun Seoho)
I looked at him nervously.
I still cannot reveal to the world that the martial arts I have learned are Snow Wind Palace’s martial arts.
That was why I had been passing it off as the martial arts of Master Kwak Hoon, the Extreme Heaven Sword, and others had more or less accepted it as such.
But how did he recognize the martial arts I had learned?
Even the Martial Alliance Leader had not recognized it.
“I apologize. I was too hasty.” (Grand Clan Head)
The Grand Clan Head took something from his breast and set it on the tea table.
A small white jade token that could fit neatly in the palm of one’s hand.
It was shaped like a plum blossom, and I sensed a familiar qi from within it.
To be precise, the qi of the Great Lunar Ice Sea Divine Art that I had learned.
“This is...?” (Eun Seoho)
“It is a token of friendship I exchanged with a close friend. When the main family was once put in danger by the Soul-Covering Eye Curtain Formation, thanks to this jade token, I was able to avoid being affected by that formation.” (Grand Clan Head)
He smiled bitterly.
“My friend died, but this jade token he left behind saved me.” (Grand Clan Head)
I asked carefully.
“May I ask who that friend was?” (Eun Seoho)
“Have you not already guessed as well? That friend’s name was Kwak Wongyu. He was the Palace Head of Snow Wind Palace.” (Grand Clan Head)
I had guessed as much.
Unless he had been at the level of the Palace Head, he could not have imbued a jade token with such clear, pure, and powerful qi.
“And I had known that you had learned Snow Wind Palace’s martial arts from the moment you first came to the main family.” (Grand Clan Head)
“I see. Then the reason you did not pretend to know was because you knew there was something suspicious about Snow Wind Palace’s annihilation?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, he nodded.
“You are correct.” (Grand Clan Head)
“Then I suppose I should offer you my thanks.” (Eun Seoho)
“How could I put a disciple of the place where my close friend belonged in danger?” (Grand Clan Head)
He continued.
“When I heard that Snow Wind Palace had been annihilated, I began investigating in secret. But truly, nothing was left.” (Grand Clan Head)
“I heard that the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace recovered the remaining remains.” (Eun Seoho)
“Indeed, the Northern Sea Ice Palace side would not have been unaware either. It is fortunate that even the remains were recovered. Had even the remains been eaten by spiritual beasts, it would have been truly agonizing.” (Grand Clan Head)
His expression plainly revealed his sorrow and regret for his close friend.
“Is your Master perhaps Myeonghyeon?” (Grand Clan Head)
He knows Master.
And the fact that he calls him by name without any other honorific means they were that close.
“That is correct.” (Eun Seoho)
“So he was alive after all! Ah, then Myeonghyeon must have inherited the position of Palace Head of Snow Wind Palace.” (Grand Clan Head)
But my questions had not disappeared.
“That is correct. But Master has never mentioned you, Grand Clan Head.” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course he would not know.” (Grand Clan Head)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“We called one another by different names. All those with the surname of the Jegal Family have separate true names, but there is a law that forbids us from telling them to outsiders. Yet I also did not want to tell them the name Hyeonri, so I asked them to call me by another name.” (Grand Clan Head)
He continued.
“Then that fellow Sammok suggested an interesting form of address.” (Grand Clan Head)
Sammok?
“Ah, I am Ilmok. And the Red-Robed Divine Doctor is Sammok.” (Grand Clan Head)
Huh? Then perhaps?
“Is the Grand Palace Head of Snow Wind Palace Imok?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is correct.” (Grand Clan Head)
“Then the drawing of three trees in the letter I was asked to deliver was proof of that.” (Eun Seoho)
He nodded.
I suddenly felt chills rise all over my body.
In that case, I saved two close friends of Master’s father, no, of the Grand Palace Head.
Is this fate too?
“I came to know Imok during the Hidden Dragon Journey, and afterward, we mostly built our friendship through letters.” (Grand Clan Head)
He smiled.
“When I met that fellow Imok, he said he was in the midst of his Snow-Washing Journey.” (Grand Clan Head)
I remembered hearing about the Snow-Washing Journey from Master.
It was Snow Wind Palace’s law that once one’s martial arts reached a certain level, one had to spend around ten years active outside.
Had he said it was to ensure Snow Wind Palace did not become cut off from the outside?
“That was when I also met Sammok, meaning that fellow the Red-Robed Divine Doctor. I truly miss those times when the three of us were together.” (Grand Clan Head)
What filled his eyes was deep regret and longing for days gone by that could never return.
“After that, we chose a place and decided to leave letters there. We were in situations where it was difficult to visit one another’s residences.” (Grand Clan Head)
“Then did you never come and go even once?” (Eun Seoho)
The Grand Clan Head shook his head.
“That is not the case. After that, we did come and go in secret once or twice. Back then, I also saw young Myeonghyeon. He was so young at the time that he probably does not remember me.” (Grand Clan Head)
“...” (Eun Seoho)
“It was because I had visited Snow Wind Palace before that I was able to investigate that place when I heard Snow Wind Palace had been annihilated. If I had not known its location, there was so little left that I would not have been able to find it.” (Grand Clan Head)
“...” (Eun Seoho)
“So Myeonghyeon may know about ‘Uncle Ilmok,’ but he would not know that he is me.” (Grand Clan Head)
If that was the case, I could understand why Master had not mentioned it.
As I was thinking that, the Grand Clan Head asked.
“Has Myeonghyeon held his wedding? Imok had many worries about what kind of fine woman he ought to take as his daughter-in-law.” (Grand Clan Head)
“Yes. He has held his wedding.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is fortunate. He can continue the line. Then his son must have become the Young Palace Head.” (Grand Clan Head)
“Um, about that...” (Eun Seoho)
Now that things had come to this, I would have to tell him.
Since he had first revealed himself, it was only proper that I show courtesy in return.
I rose from my seat and respectfully clasped my hands.
“Eun Seoho, Young Palace Head of Snow Wind Palace, greets the Grand Palace Head’s bosom friend.” (Eun Seoho)
At my greeting, he blinked.
“Huh? Y-y-y-you?” (Grand Clan Head)
“Yes. One thing led to another, and it turned out that way.” (Eun Seoho)
I sat down and looked at the Grand Clan Head, who still could not hide his startled expression.
Then a question suddenly occurred to me.
My connection with the Grand Clan Head was by no means brief.
Even if he could pretend not to know at first, it was not as though he had lacked time to tell me about this afterward.
Then why was he only now revealing this story?
“By the way, Grand Clan Head. There is something I am curious about.” (Eun Seoho)
“What is it?” (Grand Clan Head)
“Why are you only telling me about Snow Wind Palace today? Could it be that you did not trust me until now?” (Eun Seoho)
“No. That cannot be!” (Grand Clan Head)
The Grand Clan Head waved his hand as he spoke.
“You have bestowed grace upon the main family, so how could I say I did not trust you?” (Grand Clan Head)
“Then why was it?” (Eun Seoho)
“Because I judged that you are now capable of bearing the truth.” (Grand Clan Head)
“Pardon? What do you mean by that...” (Eun Seoho)
Instead of answering my words, the Grand Clan Head asked again.
“You are at the transcendent level, are you not?” (Grand Clan Head)
He noticed.
Well, though we are both at the transcendent level, the years he has accumulated and his wisdom as the Grand Clan Head of the Jegal Family indeed cannot be underestimated.
I readily acknowledged it.
“That is correct. I was able to reach the transcendent level around a year ago.” (Eun Seoho)
“As expected.” (Grand Clan Head)
“But being prepared to bear the truth... is it that dangerous?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, he nodded with a bitter expression.
“To some extent, yes. If you are at the transcendent level, you are at a stage where you will not be easily harmed. Also, the training and experience you underwent to reach that stage will restrain you from acting rashly.” (Grand Clan Head)
Just what kind of truth is it...
“Moreover, since you say you are the Young Palace Head, telling this story now has all the more meaning.” (Grand Clan Head)
To me, who was looking at him with puzzled eyes, the Grand Clan Head asked.
“How much do you know about Snow Wind Palace’s annihilation?” (Grand Clan Head)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“I asked exactly how much you know.” (Grand Clan Head)
I bit my lip slightly and answered as though sighing.
“I learned not long ago that the Blood Cult was involved.” (Eun Seoho)
“The Blood Cult...” (Grand Clan Head)
He closed his eyes briefly in thought, then took out a letter and placed it on the tea table.
“Read it.” (Grand Clan Head)
It was a letter that looked quite old, but it had been well preserved.
However, the traces remaining here and there were unmistakably bloodstains.
“It is Imok’s final letter, left at the place the three of us had promised on, which I mentioned earlier.” (Grand Clan Head)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
I heard Geumryeong’s telepathy.
“Kkui! Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
You can feel your family’s qi from this letter?
Ah! At the final moment, he must have entrusted this letter to Han Hosu.
I carefully unfolded the letter.
[The main palace has been attacked. I was right. I told you, did I not? Not to trust them! And you told me not to talk nonsense.]
Seeing the hastily scrawled handwriting in the letter, I could tell how urgent the situation had been.
Well, of course. That must be why there was blood on this letter.
[I worry about my son, who is currently out on a mission. Please, take good care of my son.]
Even in that urgent situation, the Grand Palace Head had been worrying about his son.
There is no need for you to worry. Master became a truly excellent Palace Head.
[Please beware of them. And live on for a long, long time in my stead. I will not forget my friendship with you two even in death.]
I folded the letter and set it down on the tea table, then asked the Grand Clan Head.
“Who are the ‘them’ mentioned in this letter?” (Eun Seoho)