Chapter 551
Chapter 551
Chapter 551. The Eccentric of the Jegal Family (4)
At my question, the Grand Clan Head asked in return.
“Did you not think something was strange?” (Grand Clan Head)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“From the first time you came here with Younger Brother Yoo, I showed hatred toward the Martial Alliance.” (Grand Clan Head)
Come to think of it, he had.
Even though Chief Administrator Yoo Soak, who was not a martial artist, had been present along with me, he had been so enraged at the Martial Alliance’s letter brought by the Clan Head that he had emitted killing intent.
“Were you not curious about the reason?” (Grand Clan Head)
At the time, I had thought he showed such hatred because the Martial Alliance was constantly watching for an opportunity to target the Jegal Family.
And since the Jegal Family had nearly collapsed because of the Martial Alliance, I thought it only natural for him to feel hatred.
Moreover, yesterday, since Young Master Jegal Cheondu’s father and the Grand Clan Head’s youngest brother had been killed by the Martial Alliance, I had thought it was only natural for the Grand Clan Head to hate the Martial Alliance.
The Martial Alliance had called it an accident, but Young Master Jegal Cheondu was certain.
That he had been murdered because he did not follow the Martial Alliance’s will.
But the fundamental reason Grand Clan Head hated the Martial Alliance was something else.
Because they were the ones who had annihilated Snow Wind Palace, the sect of his close friend.
“It was the Martial Alliance!” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, the Grand Clan Head nodded.
“Imok said he sensed the qi of the Black Path from several people in the Martial Alliance. But I did not agree with him. Rather, I told him he must have mistaken something... That was what I said. But I was wrong. The one who had been mistaken was me.” (Grand Clan Head)
He continued.
“It is shameful to say, but even after seeing that letter from Imok, I thought it could not be. In the end, only after losing my youngest brother was I able to realize that my close friend’s letter had been true.” (Grand Clan Head)
Then he let out a sigh.
That sigh held deep remorse and regret.
“Then what about the Blood Cult? Until now, I have experienced countless incidents that disturbed the murim, and I was able to learn that the Blood Cult was involved in them.” (Eun Seoho)
“The likely possibility is that the remnants of the Blood Cult are scheming something, but the Blood Cult can be said to have been effectively annihilated.” (Grand Clan Head)
“Are you certain?” (Eun Seoho)
“I heard that the man who had been the Blood Cult Leader died due to the incident that occurred at Wudang Sect before. The martial arts of the Blood Cult Leader are passed down through generations. So now that he is dead, there is no possibility of their revival.” (Grand Clan Head)
No.
My intuition is telling me.
That I must never overlook the Blood Cult.
“But...” (Eun Seoho)
The Grand Clan Head continued.
“By relying on my shallow knowledge and beliefs, I failed to believe Imok’s words and came to regret it greatly. So this time, I do not intend to let your words pass me by. From now on, the main family will keep watch over it steadily.” (Grand Clan Head)
That is a relief.
If the Jegal Family steps forward like that, it will be quite a great help.
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
“What I had to say is finished, and next is Sammok’s business.” (Grand Clan Head)
If it is Sammok, then the Red-Robed Divine Doctor?
He held out a small box that had been placed on the table.
“This is yours.” (Grand Clan Head)
That box had been on my mind since earlier, and it was something meant to be given to me.
“Open it.” (Grand Clan Head)
I opened the box, and for an instant, I was startled.
It was as if a fragrant flower scent filled the room.
That fragrance was full of clarity.
“This is...” (Eun Seoho)
“As expected of the young Captain of the Eunhae Trading Company, you recognize it.” (Grand Clan Head)
A single red flower resembling a hibiscus.
It remained vivid, without having wilted.
Thousand-Year Spiritual Blood Flower.
It is famous as a spiritual herb that increases inner arts, but it is even more famous as a spiritual herb that heals external wounds.
They say that if this flower is crushed and applied, any external wound heals in an instant.
“That is something that friend entrusted to me. And he told me to give this to you.” (Grand Clan Head)
But for me, there is no need to receive it.
Because I have Geumryeong.
Geumryeong’s saliva has effects no less than the Thousand-Year Spiritual Blood Flower, so if the Jegal Family keeps this, it may be able to save someone else’s precious life.
So it would be better to ask the Red-Robed Divine Doctor for a different favor.
“I apologize, but I will not accept that.” (Eun Seoho)
“You will not accept this?” (Grand Clan Head)
The Grand Clan Head’s eyes grew round.
“Yes. I cannot accept something so precious. I did not save him because I wanted compensation.” (Eun Seoho)
“However...” (Grand Clan Head)
“If you truly feel disappointed, rather than this, I would simply like him to treat someone I request of him next time.” (Eun Seoho)
Because someday, there will come a time when I need the Red-Robed Divine Doctor.
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.
.
I withdrew from the Grand Clan Head’s quarters and returned to the annex where I was staying.
Then I lay down on the bed.
If Palgap saw me lying on the bed while still wearing my outdoor clothes, he would nag me, but right now, I just wanted to lie down.
Whew, I am exhausted.
Through the Grand Clan Head, I had heard clearly about the culprits who annihilated Snow Wind Palace, and that had drained my mental strength.
I ground my teeth.
Martial Alliance, those sons of bitches!
I now had one more reason to take revenge on them.
As the Young Palace Head of Snow Wind Palace, I could not leave them alone.
If they found out that I had learned Snow Wind Palace’s martial arts, they would try to eliminate me by any means.
So even for my own survival, it was an important matter.
But the problem was that not everyone belonging to the Martial Alliance was a target of revenge.
There must be a considerable number who know nothing.
For one, Warrior Lee Pil’s father is also serving as a hidden weapons instructor in the Martial Alliance.
I need to clearly distinguish friend from foe and determine exactly who the enemy is.
What is certain is that the Martial Alliance Leader is an enemy.
I was able to learn that through Warrior Jin Yoo.
Then where exactly must the piece called the Blood Cult fit for the picture to be complete?
As I was thinking like that, a sudden sense of emptiness came over me.
For years, I had struggled desperately and wandered in search of the identity of the culprit who annihilated Snow Wind Palace, yet the Grand Clan Head of the Jegal Family had already known.
But soon I shook my head and brushed off those thoughts.
Because in the end, this is just like a reward for all the effort I poured in.
If I had not stopped the Grand Clan Head from nearly being poisoned to death, and if I had not saved the Jegal Family from the hell caused by the Soul-Covering Eye Curtain Formation, the person who could tell me that truth would already have been gone from this world.
And if I had not fought and struggled to survive, I would never have reached the transcendent level.
So the life I have lived, struggling to prevent the future that would befall the Eunhae Trading Company and also to take revenge, was absolutely not in vain.
Drip.
Huh? Why are tears coming out?
Without realizing it, tears kept flowing uncontrollably.
“Kkui? Kkui! Kku!” (Geumryeong)
Perhaps having noticed this, Geumryeong came out of my sleeve and comforted me.
“Kkui... kku.” (Geumryeong)
“I’m fine.” (Eun Seoho)
Yes, I am truly fine. These are closer to tears from joy than tears from sadness.
It seems it is true that tears come out even when you are happy.
“Kkui? Kku?” (Geumryeong)
Hm? Since you comforted me, can you receive a silver coin?
“...” (Eun Seoho)
My tears stopped at once.
Whew, is now the time for me to be sniveling?
The Eunhae Trading Company’s ranking is still twentieth.
On top of that, the things I have to do from now on are as high as a mountain.
Thanks to Geumryeong, my mind has become clear in an instant.
“Geumryeong. Run an errand for me.” (Eun Seoho)
“Kkui?” (Geumryeong)
“I need to send a letter to Master.” (Eun Seoho)
Because the fact that the Martial Alliance was the culprit is something I must inform him of at once.
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.
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That afternoon.
I was invited to the Jegal Family’s banquet.
The banquet hall I arrived at with an attendant’s guidance fully reflected the Jegal Family’s household style.
It was not splendid, but it was not light either.
The food filling the table looked plain and neat.
What was unusual was that there were dumplings among the dishes.
“Is something the matter?” (Jegal Yua)
Seeing Young Master Jegal Yua ask with her head tilted, I shook my head.
“It is nothing. I simply found it fascinating that dumplings were placed on a banquet table.” (Eun Seoho)
At my answer, she smiled.
“Ah, so that was it. Usually, dumplings are common food, so they are not placed on banquet tables. But this is the Jegal Family, is it not? It is meant to commemorate at every banquet the heart of Marquis Muhyang, Prime Minister Zhuge, who cherished human life so much that he deceived the water god with dumplings instead of human heads.” (Jegal Yua)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
There are many different opinions on where and from whom dumplings began.
But what matters must be that heart that did not tolerate meaningless sacrifice.
“Please sit.” (Jegal Yua)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
After we sat down, others soon arrived at the banquet hall as well.
This banquet was attended by the Grand Clan Head and the Clan Head and his wife of the Jegal Family, as well as Young Master Jegal Cheondu’s family.
In other words, it was a farewell banquet for Young Master Jegal Cheondu, who would become an instructor at the martial arts academy to be established in Beijing.
And his family was quite large.
His mother and four older brothers.
Seeing that all of them looked quite advanced in age, I truly felt that Young Master Jegal Cheondu had been born late.
He had said he was the late-born youngest among five sons and three daughters.
“Hahaha, our youngest has a bit of that sort of personality, so I hope you will understand.” (Jegal Cheondu’s Brother)
“Of course. Since I am accepting an outstanding talent of the Jegal Family, I must endure that much.” (Eun Seoho)
“Our youngest...” (Jegal Cheondu’s Brother)
“So our youngest...” (Jegal Cheondu’s Brother)
His older sisters had married out, so only his brothers were present, but even one remark became four times as many.
At the worried words about Jegal Cheondu, the youngest, Young Master Jegal Cheondu finally grew irritated.
“Ah! Hyung-nims! How long do you think I am a child? I am all grown up now! I even finished my Hidden Dragon Journey!” (Jegal Cheondu)
“Yes, the Hidden Dragon Journey...” (Jegal Cheondu’s Brother)
Young Master Jegal Cheondu should not have brought up the Hidden Dragon Journey.
“When your family was waiting anxiously, you came back only after twenty years, that is.” (Jegal Cheondu’s Brother)
“We thought you were dead!” (Jegal Cheondu’s Brother)
“Hoo, honestly...” (Jegal Cheondu’s Brother)
At their denunciations, Young Master Jegal Cheondu finally surrendered.
“I am sorry, Hyung-nims. I have committed a sin worthy of death.” (Jegal Cheondu)
At this, I suddenly became curious.
“Um, as far as I know, during the Hidden Dragon Journey, a clan martial artist secretly watches over you. Then would you not have known whether he was alive or dead?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, one of Young Master Jegal Cheondu’s older brothers answered.
“That is correct. They watch in case there is concern he might become involved with wicked groups. But this fellow slipped off onto another path in the brief moment when the martial artists who had been watching him withdrew after confirming that he had returned to the clan.” (Jegal Cheondu’s Brother)
“Ah... I see.” (Eun Seoho)
I turned my head toward Young Master Jegal Cheondu and said.
“I sincerely hope you will not slip off midway when working with me.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ahem, that will not happen.” (Jegal Cheondu)
“That is true. There is a contract, after all.” (Eun Seoho)
“A contract?” (Clan Head)
At the Clan Head’s question, I nodded.
“Yes. It is a tool that adds trust to dealings between people.” (Eun Seoho)
“I know that.” (Clan Head)
“You seem to be worried there may be a poisonous clause.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is correct. I suppose it showed.” (Clan Head)
“As the one who oversees the great and small affairs of the Jegal Family, Clan Head, you are qualified to see Young Master Jegal Cheondu’s contract. Please check it.” (Eun Seoho)
I handed the contract I had to an attendant, and the attendant delivered it to the Clan Head.
The Clan Head examined it carefully, then nodded.
“It is extremely reasonable in content.” (Clan Head)
“That is correct.” (Eun Seoho)
There is no way I would play tricks with a contract when the other party is none other than the Jegal Family.
I received the contract back and placed it in my breast again.
“But could Cheondu not also pretend not to know and run away?” (Clan Head)
“Of course he could. But you do not need to worry about that part.” (Eun Seoho)
I grinned and continued.
“Because this contract will receive His Majesty the Emperor’s notarization.” (Eun Seoho)
At those words, Young Master Jegal Cheondu was startled.
“What? Did you say His Majesty the Emperor’s notarization?” (Jegal Cheondu)
“Of course. It is a matter of appointing an instructor for a martial arts academy being established in cooperation with the Imperial Family, so do you think they would handle the matter carelessly?” (Eun Seoho)
A contract’s effect differs vastly depending on whose notarization it receives.
Receiving the Emperor’s notarization means the final boss of notarization.
“In other words, if you decide this work does not suit your aptitude and quit before disappearing, you will have to be pursued by the Royal Guards and the Eastern Depot for the rest of your life. And if you are captured, you will have to work at the martial arts academy for the rest of your life.” (Eun Seoho)
“...” (Jegal Cheondu)
Looking at the horrified Young Master Jegal Cheondu, the Clan Head said calmly.
“What is there to worry about so much? You only have to work for ten years without quitting midway.” (Clan Head)
“T-that is true.” (Jegal Cheondu)
“Then I look forward to working with you.” (Eun Seoho)
When I raised the corners of my lips and clasped my hands, he clasped his hands in return with the expression of someone chewing on a rotten cucumber.
This is the true poisonous clause I prepared.
Even so, I do not particularly feel sorry, because this is not bad for him either.
If the disciples he raises truly start taking action, the Martial Alliance’s influence will weaken, and there will also be occasions to screw over the Martial Alliance.
Then he will voluntarily work harder and stay longer at the martial arts academy.
Because his hatred toward the Martial Alliance was that strong.
Even in my previous life, to the point that he had interfered with the Baekcheon Trading Company’s actions at every turn with the power of the Yugang Trading Company.
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.
.
Before I knew it, five days had passed since I came to the Jegal Family.
We decided it was about time to leave for Beijing.
“Please take care of yourself.” (Grand Clan Head)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
The Grand Clan Head’s farewell may have sounded ordinary on the surface, but there was another meaning inside it.
It meant to beware of the Martial Alliance.
“It seems we will be able to meet this autumn.” (Jegal Yua)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
When I tilted my head at Young Master Jegal Yua’s words, she smiled softly and continued.
“There is the Great Murim Assembly, after all.” (Jegal Yua)
“Ah!” (Eun Seoho)
The Great Murim Assembly.
This is the Martial Alliance’s largest event, held once every nine years, and it is a martial arts competition with no age restrictions.
And it is also an opportunity for trading companies to earn a solid profit.
Of course, a fair amount of fees would be taken by the Martial Alliance under the pretext of seat fees and protection fees.
“Are you perhaps participating in the Great Murim Assembly?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. I intend to.” (Jegal Yua)
“It is dangerous.” (Eun Seoho)
“It would be. But a reputation in the murim is the strength of a clan.” (Jegal Yua)
Since she was right, I could not stop her.
“I see. I will look forward to our meeting this autumn.” (Eun Seoho)
I also greeted the others and mounted my horse.
“Then I shall be going now.” (Eun Seoho)
“Go safely.” (Grand Clan Head)
We departed from the Jegal Family.
From behind, I heard the voices of those seeing Young Master Jegal Cheondu off.
“Young Master, will we stop by the Yeochoon Inn’s Mount Song branch on the way?” (Palgap)
At Palgap’s question, I nodded.
“Yes. It is on the way anyway, and I should check whether the people I saved returned home safely.” (Eun Seoho)
Because that will make my pockets even fuller.