“Master Kang, I have brought the ledger and voucher you requested.”
Well ahead of the promised fortnight, a representative from the Hao Clan showed up.
“If you had just contacted me, I would have come myself. I didn’t expect you to come all this way.”
Just talking, I could have gone to express my gratitude.
The visitor was a courtesan in her early thirties, someone I had seen a few times—one of the people serving Master of Arcane Fragrance.
“There is a message from Lady Huayul.”
“Message from Lady Huayul?”
The courtesan from the Hao Clan steadied her voice and looked at me with eyes similar to those of Master of Arcane Fragrance as she spoke.
“Unless it’s something very important, don’t come for a while.”
“Pardon?”
“Strange rumors are spreading in Gilu these days.”
“Ah…”
What is she talking about? A weird misunderstanding, I suppose.
“While Lady Huayul isn’t one to concern herself with such gossip, Master Ho Pil is soon to become engaged to the daughter of the Zhuge family, is he not? It would be a problem if any unnecessary rumors affect Master Kang, so she advised against unnecessary meetings.”
That was quite considerate of Master of Arcane Fragrance. Sound advice too.
“Please tell her I’m sorry because of that foolish guy.”
“How can Master Kang say such a thing? It’s just a brief rumor, like flowers dancing in the spring breeze. If you hold on a little longer, I think it will pass.”
Is my impression wrong, or does her tone suggest she’s hinting at some kind of trouble? Is there a chance she thinks I’m some sort of man hiding a mistress?
“Is there any information about the assassin?”
I thought it would be weird to ask again, so I swiftly changed the subject.
“I had planned to provide that along with the ledger, but there has been a small issue while compiling the information, so I will need a few more days.”
“A small issue, you say?”
“Sometimes contradictory information comes in at the same time, so we need to verify the facts separately.”
“Sounds like you’ll need a bit more time.”
Since they mentioned gathering information from Wuhan as well, it certainly seems like it will take time.
“If no conspiracy comes to light, we never know when they might suddenly show their claws. Just stay safe until the end. That’s the message from Master of Arcane Fragrance. I have to leave now; I have my own matters to attend to.”
“I’ll be careful. You take care.”
So, don’t let my guard down, huh? For the time being, I’ll need to have escorts every time I go out.
After seeing off the representative from the Hao Clan, I returned to my office to unfold the voucher and the big bag.
“I can’t believe it’s really possible within less than fifteen days.”
Double the amount stated on the voucher had been brought in. In just fifteen days. I thought it was a ridiculous challenge, but they actually succeeded.
In fact, they brought in more than double the amount.
“Wow! Are you going to Man Geum Battlefield right away?”
Miss Zhuge checked the amount and her eyes sparkled as she asked me.
“I’ll be moving tomorrow.”
I shook my head.
“What? Are you sure that’s all right?”
“I have some time, so I want to try something. I hope you’ll help me, Miss Zhuge.”
“Ah, yes!”
“Let’s get moving right away.”
I had overcome all the obstacles.
Now, it was just a matter of preparing for the final touches.
“Umm…”
Lost in thought about my remaining tasks, I felt Miss Zhuge’s gaze on me.
“Is there something you would like to say?”
At my question, Miss Zhuge lowered her head and began to fidget with her fingers. Why is she acting shy?
Now that everything has been successfully dealt with, is there something she wants to propose? Or is she going to bring up that Tang Family saga, which always seems to be held back?
I wouldn’t mind anything.
I had already overcome all the hurdles.
“Ah, um, well, you see. Since I put two beds in one place yesterday, the formation isn’t activating properly, so I think we should only use one bed.”
“Ah…”
The hurdles are not yet over.
The finish line of the long race is now in sight.
As the participants are running their hardest towards the visible finish line, those waiting for the winner at the line are also busily moving about.
“Is Master Yoon-ho being properly guarded?”
The event planner, Man Geum-jeon, watered the garden’s orchids and asked the head of guards.
“We are ensuring everything will be thoroughly managed to prevent a repeat of the previous mistake.”
Since I ordered the guards to reinforce the area, I never expected the security would be compromised. The head of guards bowed his head, recalling the chilling news from just days ago.
“Such an incident must never happen again. So what about the culprit?”
The Blue Robe Swordsman, Tak Go-jeok. His identity was a threat to the future of Man Geum Battlefield.
“That is…”
“Couldn’t find him?”
The head of guards quickly lowered his head in front of Man Geum-jeon.
“He vanished as if shot straight into the sky, his whereabouts are suspiciously unclear. Unless he was mortally wounded during the last ambush, he shouldn’t be able to just disappear like this…”
If only he were alive, we would be able to catch him quickly. With the resources of Man Geum Battlefield, tracking him shouldn’t take long. But this Blue Robe Swordsman was different from what we expected.
We can’t find any trace of him at all.
Unable to hide his disappointment over the unexpected failure, the head of guards felt pressured.
“If someone has wounded me, it’s not about what knife stabbed me, but who did the stabbing that matters.”
The expression on Man Geum-jeon’s face was stoic despite his anger towards the head of guards for his repeated failures. He offered a calm piece of advice.
“We will reduce the personnel assigned to find the Blue Robe Swordsman and instead focus on investigating who commissioned the assassination.”
Man Geum-jeon nodded towards the head of guards, who seemed to understand his intent immediately.
The person who should bear the brunt of his frustration now is not the head of guards, who has dedicated decades to the Man Geum Battlefield. Jang Noya bowed and picked up the garden shears.
Branches stretched everywhere, soaking in the soil’s nutrients. Jang Noya placed the shears against the branches of the garden trees.
“Those connected to this incident will face strict punishment, be they my daughter or grandchildren. Make sure to separate personal feelings and family matters while conducting the investigation.”
It’s not that I need to chop everything down. They’re all branches that have grown from the same root of Man Geum Battlefield. But this issue is different.
There’s a branch that doesn’t know where it came from.
If a branch dares to hinder the growth of the entire tree, then it must be pruned without mercy, even if it shares the same root.
Even if it’s my own blood.
“I will keep that in mind.”
“How is the exam progressing?”
“The young masters are busy moving about, but it seems unlikely they will accomplish it in time.”
“Is that so?”
In Man Geum-jeon’s voice, disappointment was not present.
Disappointment is an emotion that arises from great expectations. Instead, it was merely pity towards the grandchildren who were unable to succeed in all three trials.
“Some are having difficulty either finding someone to lend to, struggling to collect, or suffering losses due to scams, leaving one young master bedridden.”
“Good to hear there weren’t any accidents.”
“W-well….”
The head of guards’ face turned awkward as he refrained from continuing.
“Did they mess it up?”
“During the collection process, a bloody incident occurred, and one of the young masters was dragged off to the government office.”
“…”
“The matter will be dealt with smoothly.”
That was news that just stripped away any remaining hope.
“What is that child up to now?”
The head of guards didn’t bother to ask whom Man Geum-jeon was referring to, knowing full well.
“He’s been holed up for more than ten days now. It seems the repeated ambushes have shaken him, and he’s having trouble sleeping.”
“That’s understandable. Send over some good medicinal herbs. He needs to regain his strength.”
He had been on the edge of death twice in a day. And one of those times, his life was threatened in what should have been the safest place.
No matter how strong-willed someone might be, such a shocking incident would take a toll. Man Geum-jeon let out a small sigh of concern.
“There’s no need for that.”
The head of guards couldn’t hide the smile on his face.
“Whenever you make that face, it’s because there’s good news. So is there some fortunate news?”
“Recently, it seems he is sharing a room with Miss Zhuge.”
“What?! Is that true?”
A look of shock flooded Man Geum-jeon’s face from the unexpected news.
“Miss Zhuge proposed it first, and now it’s become commonplace for them to hold hands and go to the same room at night.”
Hehe. “Looks like our granddaughter is up to something big! She’s doing something great!”
Master Yoon-ho, go charm her.
Even though he hadn’t had high hopes due to his shy nature, to hear such unexpected news was delightful.
It seems creating unexpected outcomes isn’t solely Master Yoon-ho’s forte.
“Apparently, he hasn’t been restless for the past few days and is gradually regaining his health.”
Hehe. “Seems the assassination incident actually turned into a blessing. After all, when it comes to comfort, nothing is better than the embrace of a woman.”
He was a boy who lived with the granddaughter of his friend firmly in his heart.
No matter how much he wanted to pair them together, the doors of the heart don’t open easily. He had been worried if he’d inadvertently put a wall between himself and his granddaughter.
But they’re sharing a room now.
The shocking event must have pushed him to find a place to lean on. Now, in his heart, both his granddaughter and his friend’s granddaughter would reside together.
Man Geum-jeon laughed joyfully from the bottom of his heart.
————
“Today, the aroma of tea is particularly delightful.”
Feeling the fragrance of tea wafting through the room, Man Geum-jeon remarked.
“It seems to be the best tea I’ve had in recent years.”
Hehe.
It’s the same tea as always. No need to mention why it tastes better. Both simply smiled at each other without words.
“The retreat has been too long. This time, I doubt Master Kang will succeed in the third trial.”
In the softening atmosphere, the head of guards delivered some unfortunate news.
Due to the assassination incident, Master Yoon-ho had wasted too much time. It was unlikely he would pass the third trial. But that’s okay.
In any case, not passing the third trial wouldn’t change the outcome. After all, hadn’t we heard the rare news about them sleeping together?
It seemed like a blessing in disguise. The head of guards thought so.
“Do you really think so?”
Man Geum-jeon didn’t agree.
“Y-yes?”
“Do you genuinely think that child has cowardly given up just because he got scared?”
Man Geum-jeon raised his cup with a relaxed smile.
“There is now only two days left.”
Anyone asked would likely arrive at the same conclusion.
It’s impossible.
He’ll fail.
“That child swore an oath to me.”
Except for the one person, Man Geum-jeon.
He quietly gazed beyond the door as if waiting for something. His face brimmed with belief. His eyes sparkled with conviction.
I will prove that I am your successor.
The finish line of the long race is now in sight.
The old man was waiting for someone at the end of the finish line.
It was an incredibly grueling trial. In some ways, it was natural. The footprints made by the old man were the steps of a giant, built over a lifetime.
The old man asked.
Can you follow this single step?
If you can follow this one step, I will grant you everything I have achieved.
The grandchildren spoke.
“It’s impossible. It’s too hard. It’s beyond our capabilities. Isn’t that what you’re here for, to help us?”
The old man turned away. And there stood that child.
Do you also say it’s impossible?
The young man shook his head.
I will walk a different path from yours. But I will show you that I can walk as far as you do.
“Good. If you want, prove it. I will wait right here.” The old man sat down, trying hard to hide his anticipation.
The finish line of the long race is now in sight.
The outcome of the long race could end up in disarray. Everyone might collapse, needing to lift each other up.
Surely, it wouldn’t be too bad, right?
But the old giant was waiting for someone at the finish line.
The old man stood at the end of his footsteps, at the edge of the finish line, waiting for someone.
“No matter how much of a Master Kang you are, just a few days isn’t enough…”
“Master Jeon! Master Kang is here!”
“What?!”
The finish line is in sight.
A young man entering the finish line is met by the old man waiting there.
As the young man approaches the finish line, he sees the old man who’s been waiting for him.
“Am I late?”
When had he last seen such a bright smile? The young man’s laughter resembled that of his younger self or perhaps his best friend whom he had relied upon.
The old man who has been waiting at the finish line spoke to the past he had trodden and the future that is yet to come.
“No, you were fast enough.”
The old man was waiting at the finish line.
He was waiting for a new future.
