Chapter 693
Chapter 693
Chapter 693. On the Way to Deliver Wedding Invitations (3)
Young Captain Bok Yun said in admiration.
“Ha, as expected, Young Captain Eun has a large heart. It is something I could not even imagine doing.” (Bok Yun)
“You flatter me. It is merely something I thought of for myself and our Trading Company.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is not an easy thing, is it?” (Bok Yun)
He kept uttering words of admiration.
“Ah, dear me! I have kept a guest who came from far away standing for too long. Let us go inside at once!” (Bok Yun)
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
I entered the Gwangjun Trading Company together with Miss Seohyang.
A little while later.
We were served refreshments in the reception room.
“But what brings you here? Have you come this time as well in order to go to the Northern Sea Ice Palace?” (Bok Yun)
“That is true as well, but I came because I have another matter.” (Eun Seoho)
I answered like that and took a red envelope from my robe and held it out.
“Mm? This is……? Surely?” (Bok Yun)
“Yes. I am getting married this time.” (Eun Seoho)
I had already said it several times, so why did my face feel so hot?
Young Captain Bok, who opened the wedding invitation I handed him, laughed loudly.
“Hahahaha! Young Captain Eun is finally going too!” (Bok Yun)
“That is how it turned out.” (Eun Seoho)
“Congratulations. May I ask who the bride is?” (Bok Yun)
“She came with me.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, he looked blank for a moment, then said.
“She came with you? Surely!” (Bok Yun)
I pointed to Miss Seohyang beside me and said.
“Here, I am marrying Deputy Gwak.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ha! As expected!” (Bok Yun)
“Yes?” (Eun Seoho)
“In truth, it was not entirely unexpected. Hehehe. The way you looked at each other was no ordinary thing.” (Bok Yun)
Hm? Was I like that?
“In any case, congratulations. I will be certain to attend.” (Bok Yun)
After spending such a pleasant time with Young Captain Bok, in the evening, I met the Trading Company Head of the Gwangjun Trading Company.
The Trading Company Head expressed his gratitude to me and, according to my request, introduced farmland to me.
And the next day, I bought the farmland I had been introduced to and headed there with the families of the marauding bandits I had brought.
“This is the land where you will farm.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you. Truly, thank you.” (Old Man)
“To be honest, am I not the one who killed your families? And I brought you here to work you at farming, so there is no need to thank me.” (Eun Seoho)
“You do not need to deliberately speak ill of yourself.” (Old Man)
But it is true…….
Liaoning was a place where farming turned out better than expected, so as long as they worked hard, it would not be difficult for them to make a living.
“And we do not resent you, Master. Would one resent the mountain after climbing a mountain one was told not to climb and dying there? One would resent the one who urged him to climb the mountain.” (Old Man)
Come to think of it, Palgap had said that.
The ones they resented were not us, but the dead boss who had incited them to attack us.
If they think of it that way, that is good for me.
Then shall we go to the North Sea branch now?
I really hope nothing happens there.
.
.
.
The next day.
We set out again toward the North Sea.
Young Captain Bok Yun and his wife were disappointed, but both sides knew well that we were busy.
“I wonder whether they will adapt well to that land.” (Palgap)
At Palgap’s concern, I shook my head and said.
“They will adapt well. They were people who farmed from the start.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is true, but what I am worried about is whether other bands of marauding bandits might attack them.” (Palgap)
“Ah. About that.” (Eun Seoho)
I gave a faint laugh.
“There is a way to resolve it. I intend to resolve that matter while I am going to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.” (Eun Seoho)
“What method is it?” (Palgap)
“It would not be fun if I told you already, would it?” (Eun Seoho)
“……It is only you who does not find it fun, Young Master.” (Palgap)
“I think that is the most important thing, though?” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Palgap sighed and said.
“I will simply not ask.” (Palgap)
At the conversation between me and Palgap, Miss Seohyang beside us laughed.
In truth, the reason I did not answer Palgap’s question was because I was thinking over how to unravel that matter.
Having the Northern Sea Ice Palace protect that farmland would be the most certain way, but the Northern Sea Ice Palace would also need something to gain in order for their trouble to be worthwhile.
If it ended up with the Northern Sea Ice Palace one-sidedly bestowing grace, it could become troublesome later.
Soon, we entered the grasslands in earnest, and the temperature began to drop sharply.
The thing one must be most careful of in these grasslands is the tribes of the grasslands.
But there is nothing to worry about.
To begin with, when they see our Eunhae Trading Company flag, most of them will avoid us first.
It is also because we caused quite a rampage before, and because we once traveled together with Young Palace Head Bing Haerin.
And thanks to the whistle Young Captain Bok Yun gave me, we can also receive help from friendly tribes.
After continuing to ride like that, we stopped and changed our clothes.
Because perhaps since the entrance to the North Sea was not far off, the weather had gone beyond chilly and begun to grow cold.
We began moving again and soon arrived at the North Sea.
“Whoa, whoa!” (Coachman)
The carriage stopped and the door opened, and I got out of the carriage.
It is snowing.
Seeing the snowfield with snow falling like this makes me think of the Founder’s arrangement I faced through Choseolhui before.
“It is terribly cold. Is this the North Sea?” (Ma Sunbok)
The one who asked that was Warrior Ma Sunbok.
“That is right. This is the North Sea.” (Eun Seoho)
“Until only a few days ago, it was very hot, but snow is falling here.” (Ma Sunbok)
“That is why the North Sea is called a mystical land. This is a place where snow falls all four seasons. It only becomes colder in winter; the snow does not melt.” (Eun Seoho)
“If he works in a place like this……” (Ma Sunbok)
I could guess what he was trying to say.
“If you mean Merchant Manager Gu, you need not worry too much. He has already adapted and is doing well.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, I apologize.” (Ma Sunbok)
“Not at all. It is only natural to worry about your guardian.” (Eun Seoho)
I smiled softly and entered the North Sea branch’s depot.
The gatekeeper who had been standing guard before it welcomed us.
“I greet the Third Young Captain.” (Gatekeeper)
“It has been a long time. Is the branch at peace?” (Eun Seoho)
“Thanks to you, nothing unusual has happened.” (Gatekeeper)
“I see. Is the Branch Manager inside?” (Eun Seoho)
“He went to a nearby hunters’ village for a short while. I will send someone to tell him to return at once.” (Gatekeeper)
While he sent someone, we greeted the Deputy Branch Manager and had a late meal.
Then, while I was drinking warm tea with Miss Seohyang in my room, Warrior Jinyu’s voice came from outside.
“Liege. The Deputy Branch Manager has come.” (Jinyu)
Hm? The Deputy Branch Manager? Not the Branch Manager?
“Come in.” (Eun Seoho)
The door opened, and the Deputy Branch Manager entered.
“Well……” (Deputy Branch Manager)
The moment I saw his face, I could tell something had happened.
“What is it?” (Eun Seoho)
“The Branch Manager and his party who went to the hunters’ village today…… apparently never arrived at the hunters’ village.” (Deputy Branch Manager)
“……” (Eun Seoho)
I truly hoped nothing would happen here, but in the end, something had happened again.
I rose from my seat and said.
“Organize a search party at once. And request support from the hunters’ village as well.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Deputy Branch Manager)
“Please hurry.” (Eun Seoho)
He hurriedly left my room, and I too prepared to leave.
Just then, Miss Seohyang said.
“Young Captain. When you go, take Geumnyeong’s needle with you.” (Gwak Seohyang)
“Yes?” (Eun Seoho)
Wait, telling me to take Geumnyeong’s needle means…….
“And if you take Warrior Ma Sunbok with you as well, he will be of help.” (Gwak Seohyang)
“Understood. Then I will be back.” (Eun Seoho)
I left the room.
When I went out to the training ground, the warriors had already finished preparing for the search.
“P-please let me go as well!” (Ma Sunbok)
Just then, I heard someone shout from the side, and when I turned my head, it was Warrior Ma Sunbok.
“I heard that Uncle Gupyo disappeared together with them! I came all this way to meet him, and yet…….” (Ma Sunbok)
I turned my head and looked at the Small Captain who led the Silver Wind Unit of the North Sea branch.
The ones who lead the Silver Wind Units of each branch are called Small Captains, meaning small captains.
“Has Warrior Ma been excluded from this search?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. Since he is a new recruit and has no experience of the North Sea, I excluded him after judging it to be dangerous.” (Small Captain)
“I see. But I would like you to have him participate this time. Warrior Ma is someone whom Merchant Manager Gu, who disappeared this time, had been supporting. Since his benefactor has disappeared, how anxious must he be?” (Eun Seoho)
“You do not need to explain the circumstances and ask like that. You may simply tell me to do so.” (Small Captain)
He waved his hand as he spoke, but I shook my head.
Just because I am the Young Captain, it is not good to give one-sided orders.
Because a sense of resistance could arise in their hearts.
They made the decision through a reasonably rational procedure in their own way, so who would feel good if a superior unilaterally overturned that decision?
Thus, Warrior Ma also joined the search party, and we left the North Sea branch for the search.
“It is a road they have traveled for years. I cannot believe that the Branch Manager and his party lost their way.” (Small Captain)
The Small Captain continued.
“In my opinion, I suspect they may have been attacked by a spiritual beast.” (Small Captain)
I also think there is a high possibility of that.
As we were searching the surroundings like that, a group approached us.
They were hunters.
“It has been a long time.” (Eun Seoho)
“Oh! Young Captain, you were here as well.” (Black Iron Hunter)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
I clasped my hands and lowered my head to them.
“The Branch Manager and his party are missing. I would be grateful for your help.” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course. Our village has received so much grace from the Eunhae Trading Company, so how could we not help?” (Black Iron Hunter)
He was Black Iron Hunter, the son of the chief of the hunters’ village.
We had a connection from before, when he had told us that a snow wind was blowing and given us lodgings.
Beside him was his son, Bok.
Since the chief was elderly, it seemed his son and grandson had come in his stead.
“The timing was not good. Recently, there has been talk that the cry of the Child-Cry Bird was heard nearby, so we were just about to warn you.” (Black Iron Hunter)
“The Child-Cry Bird?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, Black Iron Hunter said.
“As the name says, it is a bird that makes the sound of a child crying. It has white feathers that resemble snow.” (Black Iron Hunter)
“Then it must be hard to see.” (Eun Seoho)
“So they say.” (Black Iron Hunter)
At those words, I could only let out a low hum.
“Mm, do those words mean you have never seen one yourself?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. Originally, it is an evil spiritual beast that can only be seen by going farther north. Because of Snow Wind Palace, it had never been able to come down this far, but perhaps due to a recent struggle for territory, it seems to have come down this far.” (Black Iron Hunter)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
“That creature is about twice the size of an adult, and its beak and talons are blades. They say it lures people close with the sound of a child crying, then harms them with its beak and talons.” (Black Iron Hunter)
“Does that mean…… it mainly targets people?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is not the case.” (Black Iron Hunter)
Black Iron Hunter shook his head.
“They say that no matter what animal hears the cry of the Child-Cry Bird, it sounds like the cry of that animal’s young. To be honest, protecting one’s young is the instinct of every animal, is it not?” (Black Iron Hunter)
“To hunt by using that instinct! It is certainly not a good spiritual beast.” (Eun Seoho)
He nodded worriedly.
“That is correct. And the Child-Cry Bird creates strong winds with its wingbeats, obstructing sight and making one lose balance, so it is extremely troublesome to face.” (Black Iron Hunter)
“I see. Thank you for your help. Then let us begin the search again.” (Eun Seoho)
And so we began the search.
Right now, it was still around mid-June.
The snow wind did not blow as often as in winter, but that did not mean the snow wind did not blow at all.
In summer, it blew at regular intervals, so it could be avoided.
And according to Black Iron Hunter, the snow wind would blow two days later.
“So to return safely, we must find them by tomorrow at the latest.” (Black Iron Hunter)
“Understood.” (Eun Seoho)
In truth, if I were alone, it would not matter.
Perhaps because of the Silver Mist Sword I carried, the snow wind did not blow around me.
It felt as though the snow wind avoided me.
But I could not tell others that.
And I could not search this wide place by myself.
Thus, we continued the search by joining forces with the people of the hunters’ village, but the Branch Manager’s party was nowhere to be seen.
There was also the fact that the continuing snowfall and even the wind had erased their footprints.
“This is serious. The sun will set soon.” (Black Iron Hunter)
“Once the sun sets, it will be the time when spiritual beasts are active. So we must hurry and find a suitable place to build a campfire and prepare.” (Black Iron Hunter)
At Black Iron Hunter’s words, I nodded.
“Small Captain. Please discuss with each other and find a place to camp for the night and prepare.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Small Captain)
Just then, Warrior Ma Sunbok approached me and said.
“Um…… Young Captain, I have something to tell you.” (Ma Sunbok)
“What is it?” (Eun Seoho)
“I discovered a strange trace a little while ago.” (Ma Sunbok)
If Miss Seohyang’s words earlier were correct, Warrior Ma Sunbok’s role would be important this time as well.
“Where is that place? Please guide us there.” (Eun Seoho)
Warrior Ma Sunbok spoke with an unconfident expression.
“What I discovered may be something useless. Then I would feel sorry for stopping everyone’s steps……” (Ma Sunbok)
“It is all right. We were just about to rest, so do not worry. And whether it is useless or not is something we do not know yet. Also, what if it is useless?” (Eun Seoho)
I continued.
“If you worry like that and miss something important, later it may become impossible to undo. So I would like you to have confidence.” (Eun Seoho)
In truth, considering his background, it was only natural that it would be difficult for him to have confidence.
Because he had not been in a situation where he could make mistakes comfortably.
However, his observation skills are real.
I should instill some confidence in him.
I ordered everyone to rest for a while and followed him with only the guard warriors.
“It is here.” (Ma Sunbok)
He pointed somewhere with his hand.
It was a cliff of snow, and the middle of it had been hollowed out.
“Could it not have been carved away by the wind?” (Changun)
At Warrior Changun’s words, he shook his head.
“That was definitely carved by someone on purpose. The traces of snow piled up below are the proof. If it had been carved away by the wind, would the remains be left piled up like that below?” (Ma Sunbok)
Oh, come to think of it…….
Then who on earth carved that?