"But, sir, how did you happen to form ties with Merchant Lord Yongmyeong? I've heard you are very difficult to meet. I am truly curious."
"It was nothing special. For quite some time I've simply been teaching children to read and write. Then the Merchant Lord came to me and requested it, that was all."
"I–is that so? But then why did others…"
"I never refused to teach those who came seeking lessons. I only declined the many who sought me out for private connections."
"Heh… so that's how it is…"
At Go Seok-jeong's answer, so frank and upright, the merchant lords let out short sighs of admiration.
From their perspective, it only meant that using Go Seok-jeong's connections would be all the more difficult.
And yet, as fellow men, they could not help but feel respect for him.
"You are remarkable. A true model of the righteous scholar."
"Yongmyeong's Young Lord must be proud indeed, to have such a master for a teacher."
"If your disciple is the Young Lord, surely he could have become a scholar himself. Do you not regret that he chose instead to succeed as merchant heir?"
Each of the merchant lords added a word, eager to draw Go Seok-jeong's attention.
But perhaps because this topic was not disagreeable, the man who had seemed so reserved now let the faintest smile cross his lips.
"Regret? Of course. But it is all right."
Swish.
"No matter how lofty one's learning, if it is not put to worthy use, it becomes dead knowledge. The Young Lord is among the most intelligent of all my students. I believe he will use my teachings for something truly worthwhile."
As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Cheon Woo-ha.
And everyone present felt it clearly—
Whatever else, Go Seok-jeong's affection for this young man was exceptional.
If anyone truly wished to form ties with Go Seok-jeong, they would have to go through Yongmyeong Trading House—and through this Young Lord himself.
As all began running calculations in their heads, Go Seok-jeong finally rose to his feet.
"I have lingered too long. I must take my leave."
"Oh dear, you are leaving? Allow me to escort you—"
"That won't be necessary. With so many guests here, it would be improper to send the host away for my sake."
"Still, I should—"
Thanks to his appearance, the atmosphere of the ceremony—once so dark—had completely turned.
It was unthinkable to let him leave without proper acknowledgment.
At that moment, Cheon Woo-ha also rose and stepped to his side.
"Father, I will see Master off."
"Now, now. Did I not say I am but a guest today?"
Go Seok-jeong spoke with mock sternness, but Woo-ha only shrugged with a grin.
"Guest or not, you're still my teacher. That doesn't change just because you came as a guest."
"…Ahem."
Unable to argue, Go Seok-jeong coughed lightly, a smile tugging at his lips.
"You rascal. Your tongue is quite sharp."
"Well, whose disciple do you think I am? Shall we go?"
"Very well, let's."
Thus, Cheon Woo-ha left the banquet hall alongside his teacher.
Once their figures vanished, the merchant lords could no longer hold back their curiosity. They surged toward Cheon Myeong-hak with a barrage of questions.
"Merchant Lord! How on earth did you win over Master Go's heart? Tell me your secret!"
"Merchant Lord, could you not speak to Master Go about my son? It would be such a blessing if the boy had a teacher like him…"
"W–wait! Don't misunderstand me. I'm not on such terms with Master Go that I could make requests like that!"
Cheon Myeong-hak raised both hands, sweating under the flood of requests.
But even so, the crowd only pressed closer.
Even if they could not be introduced directly to Go Seok-jeong, forging a bond with someone tied to him—Cheon Myeong-hak—was no loss.
So the atmosphere of the banquet shifted entirely in Yongmyeong's favor.
And the Lord of Jonguimun, together with So Woon, could only bite their lips in silence as they watched.
"Thank you for coming, Master."
"As a teacher, is it not natural to come and congratulate my disciple? No need to thank me."
Go Seok-jeong's calm response came as Cheon Woo-ha bowed his head.
Yet Woo-ha's smile remained slightly awkward.
"When I asked you before, you seemed as though you wouldn't come…"
"Ahem. Once, I served the nation and ate of its grain. I avoid noisy places, yes. But today is different, is it not?"
"Even so…"
"Enough. I came simply to celebrate my disciple. Do not burden yourself with it."
Patting Woo-ha's shoulder, Go Seok-jeong tried to ease his heart.
In truth, it had been Woo-ha who begged him to attend.
He knew Jonguimun would try to ruin the ceremony, and hoped any support at all might counterbalance it.
But Go Seok-jeong was far more influential than he had imagined, and his mere presence had reversed the entire tide of the event.
"Judging by the mood, the ceremony hasn't gone entirely smoothly."
"You noticed."
"Your father must have faced greater crises than this in keeping the house alive. From today, you too are part of Yongmyeong. You must use all your strength to protect what is yours to protect. Do you understand me?"
"…Yes."
"Good. You are capable of it. Now, go back inside."
"Please take care, Master."
With his disciple's bow, Go Seok-jeong left Yongmyeong Trading House.
For a long while after his figure vanished, Woo-ha remained standing, before finally raising his head to the sky.
'Protect what is mine…'
If only his master had spoken more clearly.
Instead, the words "what you must protect" weighed down on him as a burden.
Had he still been Sa Woo-myeong of his past life, protecting a single trading house would have been nothing.
But as Cheon Woo-ha of this life, the weight was not so light.
'I should head back soon.'
Now that Go Seok-jeong was gone, Jonguimun would surely make another move to reclaim the stage.
Though he wished it might pass quietly, that seemed unlikely—
especially since the look in So Woon's eyes had reminded him all too much of certain people he once knew.
With an inexplicable smile, Cheon Woo-ha turned back toward the banquet.
"This is Lord of Hwapyeong Trading House. He runs the third-largest house in Chang'an, so you will have much to learn from him."
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Cheon Woo-ha, Young Lord of Yongmyeong Trading House."
"And a pleasure to meet you as well, Young Lord. To meet Master Go's disciple is an honor indeed, hahaha."
After Go Seok-jeong's departure, Cheon Myeong-hak began introducing Woo-ha to the lords now gathered around him.
Woo-ha disliked their transparent opportunism, but still greeted each with patience.
After all, the difference before and after Go Seok-jeong's visit was immeasurable.
Fortunately, Myeong-hak guided most of the conversation, leaving Woo-ha free to sit back and observe the sour faces of the Jonguimun side.
"By the way, wasn't the Young Lord known as a genius since childhood?"
"To call him a genius is too much. He merely showed an interest in books."
"Haha, Merchant Lord, too much modesty can be rude. From what I've heard, the Young Lord had mastered the Thousand Character Classic by the age of five?"
"F–five years old? Is that true?"
"Heavens, how could that be…"
At this, the Lord of Cheonho Escort Bureau—renowned in Shaanxi for his wide connections—added with a flushed face, drunk on wine:
"And I've heard that by ten years old, he was already studying the Four Books and Three Classics. Isn't that right, Young Lord?"
"Th–that is true, but…"
"The Four Books and Three Classics?"
"Why, that's enough talent to be a true scholar!"
The astonished reactions were no act.
Cheon Myeong-hak looked at his son with eyes full of both pride and embarrassment.
"Yes, it's true. Since childhood the boy showed such talent that I once thought to raise him as a scholar. Even Master Go said the same."
"…!"
"But when he was ten, he said this: that the worth of learning depends on how it is used. He wanted to help me run the house and use his knowledge that way."
"Ho…"
"Truly enviable, Merchant Lord of Yongmyeong."
Jealousy flickered openly on many faces.
For a child brilliant enough to pursue scholarship, yet who chose instead to use his talents to aid his father's house—what greater blessing could there be?
'So the Yongmyeong Lord not only has a blessed wife, but a blessed son as well.'
'Meanwhile, I fear giving my own boy even a single seat in the company…'
The atmosphere warmed entirely toward Yongmyeong, until—
"So the Young Lord of Yongmyeong was hailed as a genius from youth. I hadn't heard that before."
The voice came from the Jonguimun Lord, his table nearly emptied of company. He tipped back a cup of wine and continued.
Clack.
"I suppose I paid too much attention to my son's education and ignored the world around me. As the head of the sect closest to Yongmyeong, I am ashamed."
"T–that is something anyone might overlook."
"Indeed, Jonguimun is part of the martial world. It is only natural you should focus on the affairs of Jianghu."
Sensing his irritation, others quickly tried to soothe him.
But the Jonguimun Lord only refilled his cup and spoke in a slow drawl.
"Today, I'm glad I brought my boy with me. Since leaving Mount Zhongnan, his nose has grown a bit too high. Now he can see for himself that there are many kinds of geniuses in the world."
"W–wait. Did you say, he left Mount Zhongnan? Then, does that mean he officially studied martial arts there?"
"Ah! Now I recall. Wasn't the Young Lord of Jonguimun once known as a martial prodigy of Chang'an?"
At last, the merchants remembered So Woon's existence, and their eyes lit up.
Yes—connections to Yongmyeong and Go Seok-jeong were vital, but this was also the boy hailed as Chang'an's greatest prodigy, who had studied under the mighty Zhongnan Sect.
Such a rising star was a connection not to be overlooked.
Realizing belatedly that they had distanced themselves too far, several lords began sidling back toward him, showering him with hollow praise.
"Astonishing. To think Chang'an produced not one but two geniuses. One in scholarship, one in martial arts—what a blessing for our city!"
"Jonguimun Lord, might we one day witness the Young Lord's swordplay? My son and I are most keen on the martial path, you see, hahaha."
Perhaps mollified by the attention, the Jonguimun Lord's expression softened. He smiled faintly, then addressed the hall.
"Well… as for witnessing my son's swordplay, you may have the chance today."
"What? Today?"
"Yes. In fact, today a friendly spar has been arranged between Yongmyeong Trading House and Jonguimun."
"A spar? Between Yongmyeong and Jonguimun?"
"Is this true, Merchant Lord?"
Startled, all eyes turned to Cheon Myeong-hak.
The friendly duel had been meant to proceed quietly, but now it was laid bare before all.
"…Yes."
With practiced composure, Myeong-hak forced a smile.
"The Jonguimun Lord himself suggested it. So though we are lacking, we agreed, for the sake of friendship."
"Oh-ho…"
Excitement flickered in the merchants' eyes.
A chance to glimpse martial arts of the venerable Zhongnan Sect—
and also to gauge the hidden strength of Yongmyeong, which had long been a matter of rumor.
Seeing this, Myeong-hak gave a bitter smile and added:
"Perhaps your expectations are too great. It is true we agreed to a friendly spar, but how could Yongmyeong compare to a martial sect like Jonguimun?"
"Well, of course…"
"Hahaha, Merchant Lord, you need not be so modest."
At that moment, the Jonguimun Lord suddenly let out a hearty laugh.
As puzzled gazes turned toward him, he spoke with a gentle smile.
"This spar was requested by us. There is, in fact, one person from Yongmyeong whom we greatly wish to see."
"Someone you wish to see? Who is that?"
"Surely some of you have heard the name. They say Yongmyeong Trading House has within it a master known as the Ghostblade."
"Ah…!"
The name alone made every eye gleam.
Years ago, news had spread that Yongmyeong had hired a first-rate master called the Ghostblade, and it had been the talk of the city.
Satisfied at the reaction, the Jonguimun Lord spoke unhurriedly.
"Until now, my son has only faced masters within his own sect. I hope that through this spar, he might meet a new opponent and broaden his horizons."
"Hmm…"
Having dragged even Ghostblade's name into this, Cheon Myeong-hak could only stifle a groan.
If he refused now, it would appear as though he disdained even a formal invitation from the Jonguimun Lord.
But the other merchants were interpreting his hesitation quite differently.
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