Chapter 554
Chapter 554
Chapter 554. The Test (2)
At Palgap’s words, I had no choice but to grow tense.
“What? The Martial Alliance?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. That is so. They are in the reception room now.” (Palgap)
I headed for the reception room, trying to calm myself.
The opponent was the murderer who had annihilated Snow Wind Palace.
And since they moved with extreme caution and meticulousness, they surely would not have sent someone to me without any reason.
What on earth are they scheming?
Ah, now that I think about it, there are people who need to be careful.
I sent a telepathic message to Warrior Myeongjong.
* Tell Warrior Jinyu and Miss Seohyang to go into their rooms. (Eun Seoho)
Warrior Myeongjong quietly nodded and moved.
Seeing that, I asked Palgap by telepathy.
* The person from the Martial Alliance did not happen to see Warrior Jinyu and Miss Seohyang, did he? (Eun Seoho)
“He did not. I took him straight to the reception room.” (Palgap)
Then that is a relief for now.
Suddenly, I remembered the disguise technique that Master had once spoken of.
With the great murim banquet this autumn and all, I think I will need it from now on.
I should ask Master about this.
Soon, I arrived at the reception room.
The person waiting for me in the reception room was a young man I had never seen before.
There was a sword fastened at his waist, but something felt strange.
Ah, that sword is a smokescreen.
His main weapon is a whip sword hidden inside his belt.
Aside from my mother’s family, the Yeongseon Min Clan of Gansu Province, what other families were famous for whip swords?
“Eun Seoho of Shaoxiang greets the Master of the Martial Alliance.” (Eun Seoho)
“Haha, are you not also called Master, the Immortal Hero Beauty? There is no need for such excessive courtesy.” (Won Eop)
His words were smooth, but he had already washed his manners down the drain.
There could not be much of an age difference between us, yet he was speaking down to me from our first meeting.
He called me Master in title alone. In reality, he was already looking down on me as beneath him.
“Pardon me, but may I ask the Master’s honorable name?” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, my introduction was late. My name is Won Eop. Do you by any chance know of Huangshan?” (Won Eop)
“Is there anyone in the empire who does not know Huangshan?” (Eun Seoho)
“The place that has made that Huangshan its courtyard is none other than our family, the Huangshan Won Clan.” (Won Eop)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
He seemed to have tremendous pride in his family. Considering how grandly he explained it when I had not even asked what family he came from, that is.
Or perhaps he simply wanted to elevate his family.
“The reason I have come here is because the Alliance Leader ordered me to deliver a letter.” (Won Eop)
Then he held out a letter to me.
“Take it.” (Won Eop)
I received the letter politely.
“May I read it?” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course.” (Won Eop)
By the way, this bastard is not even telling me to sit. Usually, by this point, he should be telling me to sit.
I read the letter.
[To the hero of the murim, and the hero of the Dragon and Phoenix Martial Arts Competition, Master Immortal Hero Beauty.]
Being praised from the very opening feels somehow unpleasant.
[I am sending this letter because I have an urgent favor to ask of you. In truth, there is an item I entrusted to someone in Shandong Province. Bring that item to me. You may move together with Squad Leader Won.]
There is an item the Alliance Leader entrusted to someone in Shandong Province?
And he is asking me to bring it to him. What on earth is he scheming?
The fact that he is deliberately asking me to do something that would be more than enough to entrust to someone else means there must be some reason.
[I know you are busy, but this matter is necessary for the peace of the murim, and it is something that can raise your name even higher, so I hope you will not refuse.]
In other words, “I refuse your refusal.”
I am already busy to death, so what kind of nuisance is this?
Phew, I folded the letter again and put it back into the envelope.
I could guess the reason behind this matter.
It must be because I rescued those who had been trapped in the prison of the Black Cat Sect this time.
They need to be certain whether I rescued them because I know the Martial Alliance’s secret, or whether it was just a coincidence.
Now that I think about it, I have interfered with the Martial Alliance’s affairs quite a lot.
It is about time my existence started becoming an eyesore.
However, I cannot simply stand by and watch the Martial Alliance’s events just to protect myself, because the purpose of this life of mine is clear.
Revenge against the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Martial Alliance.
I have moved while trying not to stand out as much as possible, but in the end, becoming an eyesore cannot be helped.
That is why the Alliance Leader must have felt the need to make a clear judgment about me.
Whether or not I know the Martial Alliance’s secrets and am interfering with them.
So I cannot refuse this proposal.
If I did, harm might come to me or the Eunhae Trading Company.
Revenge is revenge, but before that, my family and I living happily and in good health to a ripe old age is also my goal in this life.
Damn it.
This means I cannot avoid going to Shandong.
I said to Squad Leader Won Eop,
“The Alliance Leader wants me to move together with Squad Leader Won.” (Eun Seoho)
“I wondered why he told you to go, and that was the reason.” (Won Eop)
“It seems so. Pardon me, but may I ask what order Squad Leader Won received from the Alliance Leader?” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, it is to retrieve a golden Buddha statue being kept by a sect on Mount Tai.” (Won Eop)
“A golden Buddha statue?” (Eun Seoho)
“As you know, the great murim banquet is being held this autumn, is it not?” (Won Eop)
“Yes. I know.” (Eun Seoho)
“That golden Buddha statue is needed to strengthen the protective formations of the martial stage so that nothing like what happened at the last Dragon and Phoenix Martial Arts Competition occurs again. That golden Buddha statue has the ability to amplify and strengthen the effects of formations.” (Won Eop)
“Then there must be quite a few people aiming for that golden Buddha statue.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is so. That is why they are sending me, an outstanding talent of the Martial Alliance. Hahahaha.” (Won Eop)
“…….” (Eun Seoho)
I was so dumbfounded that I was at a loss for words, but he continued speaking as if he did not care.
“The Alliance Leader, truly. It is something he need only entrust to me, so I do not know what he is so worried about that he tells me to receive your help.” (Won Eop)
I forced a smile and said,
“Would it not be because he is being that cautious?” (Eun Seoho)
“I suppose so. We plan to depart for Shandong Province tomorrow morning.” (Won Eop)
“I will prepare accordingly.” (Eun Seoho)
By the way, this bastard is not telling me to sit until the end?
Well, it does not matter.
There will be plenty of chances to make him realize our hierarchy.
“Then guide me to my lodging.” (Won Eop)
I was momentarily taken aback by his attitude, as though it were only natural for me to prepare their lodgings.
“Are you thinking of staying here at the Beijing branch?” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course! Are you not the rich man everyone in this Beijing knows of? Hahaha. Surely you are not going to make us sleep on the street?” (Won Eop)
Phew, how shameless.
In my heart, I would like to.
Honestly, the very fact that someone from the Martial Alliance has entered this Beijing branch does not sit well with me.
I am holding back now because this is the reception room. If he had gone any farther inside without my permission……
Phew.
In any case, I do not want to let him stay in this Beijing branch.
Not only Squad Leader Won, but the others who came with him could also spy on the Beijing branch.
They could also lay hands on the people of the branch.
That, I cannot tolerate.
“There is a decent inn nearby. I will make arrangements so you may stay there.” (Eun Seoho)
“Hm? Not here?” (Won Eop)
Wish for something you should wish for, you bastard.
I swallowed those words and answered with a smile.
“This Eunhae Trading Company Beijing branch is lacking as a place to have a guest of the Martial Alliance such as Squad Leader Won stay. And I have heard that someone like Squad Leader Won, whose martial arts are so profound, has sharp senses.” (Eun Seoho)
“Mm, that is true.” (Won Eop)
“The Trading Company’s wagons come and go all day long. Would you be able to get proper rest?” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah! That is true.” (Won Eop)
“Do not worry. I am a rich man everyone in this Beijing knows of, so would I have you sleep at some shabby inn?” (Eun Seoho)
“Indeed. Hahahaha!” (Won Eop)
I plan to have him stay at Yuryun Inn.
It is not apparent from the outside, but its true identity is an inn where the Royal Guards gather information.
Every waiter at that inn also belongs to the Royal Guards.
Since he has walked into the tiger’s den on his own two feet like this, I cannot just let him leave peacefully.
Should we not strip away everything that can be stripped away?
Every last piece of information he knows, too.
Ah, of course, this is not revenge for him never telling me to sit until the end, nor is it revenge for speaking down to me from our first meeting.
I am not that petty a person.
.
.
.
After ordering them to guide Squad Leader Won’s party to Yuryun Inn, I returned to my office.
Then I took out the letter the Alliance Leader had sent and read it again.
“Phew…….” (Eun Seoho)
I let out a sigh.
This is definitely the Alliance Leader’s test. And this test will determine what comes next.
I had to show the Alliance Leader, as much as possible, that I was not a dangerous person.
Honestly, I want to thrust a sword openly at the Alliance Leader, but for now, that would be like striking a boulder with tofu.
I do not like this situation, but for revenge, one must have the venomous resolve to lick even a gallbladder.
I grinned.
The Alliance Leader should not have tried to test me.
Through this test, I will make him think I am tofu. In truth, hidden inside that tofu is a dagger made of ten-thousand-year cold iron, sharp enough to split a boulder.
And I will steadily sharpen that dagger.
The door opened and Palgap entered.
“Young Master, I have escorted them to Yuryun Inn.” (Palgap)
“Good work. You did not forget to secretly deliver the letter to the innkeeper, did you?” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course not.” (Palgap)
The innkeeper will be very pleased, saying he can raise his performance.
And separately, I sent a letter to Master Jinyoung through Warrior Ipil as well.
It was a letter containing the details of the current situation, for the purpose of reporting to the Emperor.
“Let us pack.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Palgap)
“And tell all the escort warriors to gather.” (Eun Seoho)
A short while later.
All the escort warriors gathered in my room.
“Did you call for us?” (Warrior Seowoo)
At Warrior Seowoo’s words, I nodded and began to speak.
“We will be leaving for Mount Tai tomorrow. And this time, only Warrior Seowoo, Warrior Yeo Eungam, and Warrior Ipil will move with me.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, the escort warriors nodded.
They knew it too.
Why I was leaving the three warriors behind.
First, Warrior Jinyu’s identity must not be revealed.
Warrior Myeongjong and Warrior Changwoon are in the position of criminals who sinned against the murim because of the incident at the Dragon and Phoenix Martial Arts Competition.
It would be hard for them to endure the Martial Alliance warriors sneering and mocking them.
“Liege.” (Warrior Myeongjong)
Warrior Myeongjong spoke cautiously.
“We know you are thinking of us, but we are all right.” (Warrior Myeongjong)
“That is right. For the sake of protecting you, Liege, we can endure any insult.” (Warrior Changwoon)
At that, I shook my head.
“No. You cannot endure it.” (Eun Seoho)
“We truly are……” (Warrior Myeongjong)
“I cannot endure it.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes?” (Warrior Myeongjong)
“You two are my escort warriors. Before that, you are also precious people to me. To insult such people? I cannot tolerate it.” (Eun Seoho)
“Liege…….” (Warrior Myeongjong)
“Kheup!” (Warrior Changwoon)
The two warriors teared up with moved expressions.
Is that really something to be so moved by? It is just obvious.
“In any case, the three of you may think of this as a vacation and spend your time that way.” (Eun Seoho)
“We obey your command.” (Warrior Myeongjong)
At that moment, Palgap asked,
“But might they not say something about you only bringing three escort warriors?” (Palgap)
“That is a good point.” (Eun Seoho)
I said to the three warriors,
“So I have thought of a suitable excuse. I will say that the three warriors made a mistake and that I am punishing you.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Warrior Myeongjong)
At that moment, Warrior Jinyu said,
“It is a little awkward to say this in the present situation, but there is something I would like advice on.” (Warrior Jinyu)
“What is it?” (Eun Seoho)
“What training do you think we need most right now?” (Warrior Jinyu)
“Yes?” (Eun Seoho)
“I know it is an abrupt question, but…….” (Warrior Jinyu)
I looked at Warrior Jinyu. His eyes looked extremely earnest.
In that case, I should also answer sincerely.
“My Master said that a warrior’s realm rising is the process of body and mind coming into balance.” (Eun Seoho)
“By that, you mean?” (Warrior Jinyu)
“Honestly, to assist me, you have been moving around in every direction all this time, so your bodies have moved enough, but I think you have lacked the time to organize all of that.” (Eun Seoho)
“Are you referring to something like meditation?” (Warrior Jinyu)
“That is right. Time to observe and look back upon yourselves.” (Eun Seoho)
“If it is that sort of thing, we have consistently made time for it.” (Warrior Jinyu)
“Have you ever taken sufficient time and gone deeply into it?” (Eun Seoho)
“…….” (Warrior Jinyu)
“Take this opportunity to spend enough time deeply observing yourselves. The same goes for you two warriors as well. Then this vacation will be of great help to the three of you.” (Eun Seoho)
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.
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That night.
I walked through the rear garden to organize my thoughts.
“Hm?” (Eun Seoho)
While doing so, I ran into a woman in the rear garden.
It was Miss Seohyang.
“You came.” (Miss Seohyang)
Seeing her smile gently, she must have known in advance that I would come here tonight.
“It is a beautiful night.” (Eun Seoho)
“The moon is not out, though.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Ahem, I simply meant it that way.” (Eun Seoho)
At her smile, I smiled back as well.
“Seeing that you came out here, it seems you have something to say to me.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Miss Seohyang)
She nodded.
“In truth, I saw the future related to the Martial Alliance from a very long time ago. The threat against me is probably because I saw the future concerning the Martial Alliance.” (Miss Seohyang)
She is intelligent.
With only a few clues, she could surely infer that much.
“I am curious as well. Just what did you see that made you fear the Martial Alliance so much?” (Eun Seoho)
“It is not fear.” (Miss Seohyang)
She continued speaking.
“I was angry. Because the Martial Alliance is sowing the seeds of conflict in the murim. It would not be enough even if they united the murim into one, so I do not know what they are doing such a thing for.” (Miss Seohyang)
“I see. It is certainly strange.” (Eun Seoho)
“So please be careful. And……” (Miss Seohyang)
She approached me and whispered in my ear.
The reason my face somehow turned red was surely because she was too close.
But soon, I had no choice but to blink both eyes.
Because I was flustered by Miss Seohyang’s words.
However, I quickly managed my expression, smiled, and clasped my hands.
Her advice was that important.
“Thank you. Lieutenant Gwak.” (Eun Seoho)
If not for her advice, I would have gone through hell.