Chapter 625
Chapter 625
Chapter 625. The Sword Tomb of Chungyeong Fortress (4)
It was about time for Master Kwon Jik to finish his audience with His Majesty the Emperor and come out.
The reason those people could pick a fight with me right now was that everyone else was busy with their personal maintenance, and Master Kwon Jik was not here.
Just seeing them come pick a fight with me during the personal maintenance time when everyone was supposed to be checking their weapons and armor showed they were hopeless when it came to rising high.
As expected, I saw Master Kwon come out, and I deliberately raised my voice.
“Yes? What do you mean by that? How could you Masters volunteer for such hard work?” (Eun Gilsang)
“Huh?” (One of the two Masters)
The two men blinked blankly at my sudden words.
“No matter how much you want to prove your loyalty, you should not do that!” (Eun Gilsang)
As expected, Master Kwon Jik approached me with a puzzled look.
“What is going on?” (Kwon Jik)
“Master Kwon. The thing is……” (Eun Gilsang)
Master Kwon Jik was the overall person in charge of this matter, and his rank within the Royal Guards was also fairly high, so they could not treat him carelessly.
Because the Royal Guards were close to a military organization, the chain of command was strict.
“I believe I told you to call me Captain until this matter is over?” (Kwon Jik)
“Yes! I apologize.” (Eun Gilsang)
“So what is going on?” (Kwon Jik)
“Captain, it is nothing. There is no need for you to concern yourself.” (Royal Guard Master)
They tried hard to smooth over the situation, but that would not do.
This was only the beginning.
As though sensing the disturbance, the gazes of the others focused on us.
I lowered my head with an embarrassed expression.
“My apologies, Captain. In my confusion, I ended up raising my voice.” (Eun Gilsang)
“All right, what happened?” (Kwon Jik)
“Well! These two Masters said they would personally pull the cart from here to Chungyeong Fortress instead of horses!” (Eun Gilsang)
The Royal Guard Masters who had picked a fight with me looked flustered and tried to say something, but I did not give them the chance.
“When I asked their reason, they said they felt their loyalty had grown lax, so they wished to volunteer for hardship and remind themselves of that loyalty.” (Eun Gilsang)
“So such a thing happened.” (Kwon Jik)
The workers around us were people from our Trading Company.
They were on my side, not theirs.
The very point that had been advantageous for them in secretly picking a fight with me had turned around and become advantageous for me.
Master Kwon, no, Captain Kwon looked at the two Masters and said,
“I did not know your loyalty was so deep. To think you do not wish to lose that loyalty even if you must volunteer for such hardship. I am moved.” (Kwon Jik)
“T-that is……” (Royal Guard Master)
“Er……” (Royal Guard Master)
Since they were being praised so openly, they could not say it was not true, and they did not know what to do.
At that moment, someone behind us said,
“Since the two of them want it so much, I do not think it would be proper to refuse them.” (Seo Im)
It was Master Seo Im.
My guess was that he…… no, she was the Princess.
But since she was posing as a Master belonging to the Royal Guards, I had to go along with it.
However, Master Kwon Jik, who knew her true identity, could not ignore those words.
“I think so as well. They themselves must know best that it will be hard. Even so, the fact that they are asking like this means their resolve is set. So, Young Master Eun. I ask you to let them show their loyalty.” (Kwon Jik)
“Whew, since you put it that way, I have no choice. Understood.” (Eun Gilsang)
I gave a clasped hands greeting to the two Masters and said,
“I look forward to your help until Chungyeong Fortress.” (Eun Gilsang)
“…….” (Royal Guard Masters)
Their mouths opened and closed as though they were stunned by what had happened in an instant.
“Then we need to hold a meeting before we depart, so everyone gather.” (Kwon Jik)
Captain Kwon left first for the meeting, and Master Seo Im followed after him.
Soon, the two Masters who grasped the situation growled at me.
“I will not forget what happened today.” (Jang Gal)
“Be prepared.” (Song Cheong)
Among people who told me to be prepared, none had ever truly made me need to prepare.
Looking at their backs, Palgap quietly said,
“Rather than angering Young Master, I think it would be better to pour oil over one’s body and walk into a fire, sir.” (Palgap)
“What do you mean?” (Eun Gilsang)
“I simply mean just that, sir.” (Palgap)
Palgap, really……
“I am not a frightening person……” (Eun Gilsang)
“…….” (Everyone)
No one answered.
“As long as no one provokes you, sir.” (Palgap)
“That is true.” (Seo Hyang)
* Kkui?
Yes, you think so too.
I turned my head to Miss Seo Hyang and said,
“You were startled, weren’t you? I apologize for causing something like this to happen.” (Eun Gilsang)
“I am all right. Standing behind you, Young Master, made me feel reassured.” (Seo Hyang)
“I am glad I can be a reassuring presence.” (Eun Gilsang)
I smiled at those words.
Not everyone in the world could like me.
In my previous life, I realized that no matter how hard I tried to make those who hated me come to like me, it was useless.
People like that could simply be ignored.
I was already busy just thinking of and looking after the people who loved and cherished me, so there was no need to concern myself with people like that too.
But what should I do if they got on my nerves and picked fights with me?
The answer was simple.
I had to make it so they could not pick fights.
Pulling a cart while traveling from Beijing to Yunnan was true hardship.
Once the day’s schedule was over, they would be too busy collapsing into sleep.
If they still tried to harm me in the middle of that, then I would have to acknowledge them.
In truth, doing anything else is only possible because one has leisure.
.
.
.
After a brief meeting, we departed for Chungyeong Fortress.
A hundred people.
And I was not under the command of this exploration party.
In other words, it meant I had considerable freedom.
“Huuuk, huuuk…….” (Jang Gal and Song Cheong)
As I traveled in the carriage, I looked out through the window at the two Masters behind us pulling the cart in place of horses.
Their names were Jang Gal and Song Cheong.
I found out their names in advance in case something happened later.
Both of them had reached first-rate level, so pulling the cart was not too much for them, but a long distance like this would never be easy.
Ah! How satisfying!
Why is it so satisfying?
Some might think I was going too far, but I was no noble gentleman.
The other workers did not look at them with pity either.
They had watched them insult me right beside them.
Perhaps their usual attitude had not been good either, because their eyes looked satisfied.
We departed as soon as it became the Hour of the Rabbit (05:00–07:00), traveled for about three double-hours, then ate lunch and rested.
“We depart in one quarter-hour!” (Kwon Jik)
“Yes!” (Everyone)
At those words, the eyes of Master Jang Gal and Master Song Cheong, who had been lying collapsed in exhaustion, trembled.
We had only traveled about three double-hours, but the road ahead must have felt hopeless to them.
So why did they have to pick a fight with me……
But I must not let my heart weaken at the sight.
It was not as if I had seen only one or two people like them before.
At this degree, they would actually be full only of resentment and hatred.
I had to break them thoroughly enough that they would not even feel that way.
With this group, it would take almost a month to reach Chungyeong Fortress in Yunnan Province.
Since we were such a large party and not everyone was riding horses at a gallop, it was inevitable that it would take a long time.
Moreover, we had to pull the supplies by cart too.
That was why I was permitted to travel by carriage, because I had to manage the supplies while moving and prepare to resupply along the way.
Before long, we arrived near Hubei Province.
It was where the main headquarters of our Eunhae Trading Company was located, and it was also the midpoint.
And from this point on, the climate would change drastically.
So we decided to leave the fur clothes we had been wearing here before moving on.
Before arriving, I sent a letter to Father in advance.
“This humble merchant, Eun Gilsang, greets the Captain and Masters.” (Eun Gilsang)
And Father, who received that message, came out personally to welcome me and our party.
“I am Kwon Jik, serving as Captain of the exploration party. Thank you for your hospitality, Trading Company Leader.” (Kwon Jik)
“It is only proper courtesy toward those who are carrying out an important duty for the nation. Please come inside.” (Father)
Vice Officer Im Man led the exploration party, including Captain Kwon, toward the guest hall.
“It has been a long time.” (Father)
“Yes. Father.” (Eun Gilsang)
Miss Seo Hyang removed her veil and greeted him.
“This girl greets the Trading Company Leader.” (Seo Hyang)
“No.” (Father)
“Yes?” (Seo Hyang)
“Now you should not call me Trading Company Leader, but Father-in-law. My dear new daughter.” (Father)
At Father’s words, both of Miss Seo Hyang’s cheeks turned red.
“Yes. Father-in-law.” (Seo Hyang)
Those words meant that the matter he had gone to Guizhou Province for this time had gone well.
I headed to my detached residence with my party.
In the evening, there was to be a banquet to console the exploration party, and I could not be absent from it.
In my heart, I wanted to skip it and sleep deeply.
After washing and changing clothes, I immediately paid my respects to my family.
Then I headed to Father together with Miss Seo Hyang.
We could not stay here long, so we had to move quickly.
“Father, we are here.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Come in.” (Father)
Miss Seo Hyang and I entered Father’s office, and Father offered us seats and poured tea for us.
“Thank you.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Thank you. Father-in-law.” (Seo Hyang)
“Hoho! How pleasant to hear.” (Father)
Father let out a hearty laugh and drank his tea.
He was probably organizing his thoughts.
Tak.
“I think autumn would be good for the date.” (Father)
“If it is autumn, I think I am fine with that too. What about you, Vice Officer Gwak?” (Eun Gilsang)
“I like it too.” (Seo Hyang)
“Your mother says she will prepare it, so if there is anything you want, tell her directly.” (Father)
“Yes. Understood.” (Eun Gilsang)
Since I was busy, Mother seemed to have decided to step forward personally.
“And I will personally send a letter to Head Escort Gwak Myeonghyeon and ask him to serve as the bride’s host.” (Father)
“Thank you.” (Seo Hyang)
“You can give me a list of anyone you wish to invite separately. Is there anyone you will deliver an invitation to yourself?” (Father)
“Yes. There is.” (Eun Gilsang)
“All right, then you handle that part yourself.” (Father)
After finishing that discussion about the marriage, we moved on to other matters.
Since Father had already finished discussions with the Guizhou Provincial Administration Commissioner, there was honestly not much left to discuss.
“First, Father. His Majesty the Emperor has designated Eunhae Trading Company as the Trading Company in charge of supplying the exploration party……” (Eun Gilsang)
I told him about the general circumstances surrounding this matter and the profits we could gain from it.
“That much is appropriate. But you are not entering the Sword Tomb yourself, are you?” (Father)
“Yes?” (Eun Gilsang)
“The Sword Tomb is a dangerous place.” (Father)
“I know.” (Eun Gilsang)
But Father. Even knowing that it is dangerous, I have no choice but to go inside.
It is for my revenge, but also for the future of our Eunhae Trading Company.
“Father. I will be careful. So please do not worry.” (Eun Gilsang)
“You are not saying you will not go inside the Sword Tomb.” (Father)
“I can protect my own body at least.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Whew, fine. How could I stop your stubbornness? Now, no matter what happens, I will not be surprised.” (Father)
“Hahaha.” (Eun Gilsang)
I do not know why Father’s words prick at my conscience.
“A message came from the Luoyang branch this time. They said the physician you invited identified the branch manager’s illness and is currently treating it.” (Father)
“Yes. That is correct.” (Eun Gilsang)
“And they said they interrogated the physician who pretended not to know about the illness and obtained a confession, and they expressed their gratitude, saying the matter was safely resolved thanks to you.” (Father)
“It is embarrassing.” (Eun Gilsang)
“I am grateful as well. If not for you, it could have become quite a big matter.” (Father)
“It was simply the branch manager’s fate to live.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Yes, so that is how you wish to move past it. Understood.” (Father)
The conversation with Father grew fairly long. There were quite a few things to discuss besides that as well.
After finishing my conversation with Father, I headed to the banquet hall.
Since it was a banquet for nearly a hundred people, the banquet hall was set up outdoors.
This place was a little chilly, but not so much that one could not enjoy a banquet.
“Thank you for holding such a banquet for us.” (Kwon Jik)
“Please do not mention it. I only hope this can give a little strength to those working for the nation. Please enjoy yourselves.” (Father)
Father said to the entertainers,
“Let the music sound.” (Father)
“Yes.” (Entertainers)
Soon, cheerful music rang out, and people began eating.
The prohibition order had not yet been lifted, so there was no alcohol, but the atmosphere was decent enough.
It was a chance to replenish our energy while comfortably eating delicious food for the first time in a while.
I gave a small laugh inwardly.
Because up ahead, Master Jang Gal and Master Song Cheong were nodding off with chopsticks in their hands.
“That is why they should not have provoked you. Tsk, tsk.” (Kwon Jik)
At Captain Kwon Jik’s words from beside me, I feigned ignorance and asked back,
“Yes? What do you mean?” (Eun Gilsang)
“There is no need to play innocent. I already heard from the others. I heard those fellows picked a fight with you and harassed the woman who is to become your wife.” (Kwon Jik)
“…….” (Eun Gilsang)
“I will apologize in their stead.” (Kwon Jik)
Since he went so far as to say that, I could no longer pretend not to know.
“No, it is all right.” (Eun Gilsang)
I shook my head and spoke gently.
“A person must pay the price for his own wrongs. They are not children, but adults. They should take responsibility for their own actions.” (Eun Gilsang)
“…….” (Kwon Jik)
“But what I did was also for their sake. They did that to me during personal maintenance time. If people like that were left alone, I thought they would bring shame upon the Royal Guards.” (Eun Gilsang)
I continued speaking.
“I have received many favors from the Royal Guards. That is why, though it was presumptuous of me, I could not simply stand by and watch. Therefore, I deliberately had them pull the cart. So that it would become personal training through this. If more luggage is added on the way back, the effect of the personal training will be even better.” (Eun Gilsang)
At my words, Captain Kwon Jik looked moved.
“How can you be such an upright person? Even now, I realize that the title of Benevolent Heroic Handsome Young Man was not an empty name. To think you considered our Royal Guards even at the moment you yourself were insulted!” (Kwon Jik)
I scratched the back of my neck.
I had simply wanted to give those fellows a hard time, but it seemed I had talked too well.