Chapter 36
Seol Wonpyeong, Seol Jadan, and Seol Dojin—the three men of the Seol family—ate the porridge placed before them. It was boiled with the delicious powder that Unyeong had provided.
Chief Wi observed their reactions carefully, watching for any signs.
He saw this as a good opportunity. A chance to grow the Seol Merchant Guild, which had long kept a low profile.
He knew well the policies of the head of the Seol family, but as a merchant, Chief Wi couldn’t suppress his instincts—he wanted to expand the guild even more.
“This is the tasty, ahem, powder that Yeong-ah came up with?”
“Yes, that’s right. I heard she developed it together with the master chef of Yeonhongwon.”
Seol Wonpyeong put down his spoon and dipped his finger into the powder, tasting it. After savoring the flavor, he nodded.
“A good idea, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. How she thought of this… It’s simply admirable.”
Seol Jadan, his lips curling into a pleased smile, responded with pride.
And who wouldn’t be pleased? The story went that Yeong-ah had created it because she was saddened by Seol Jadan’s long trading trips and overnight stays.
That thought warmed Seol Jadan’s heart.
“Yeong-ah seems to have an exceptional business talent.”
Seol Dojin also added joyfully, clearly proud of his younger sister.
“Indeed, indeed. It’s all because she takes after me, no?”
As Seol Wonpyeong nodded and spoke, Seol Jadan frowned.
“Ahem. However…”
Seol Wonpyeong cleared his throat to change the mood and continued.
“We cannot sell this through the Seol Merchant Guild.”
“…Why not?”
Seol Dojin asked with a resentful expression. Seol Wonpyeong responded calmly.
“This is enough to be used by our Seol Escort Bureau and our merchants during travel. That alone will suffice.”
Nothing had changed after all. If anything was going to change, it would have by now. Seol Jadan quietly closed his eyes.
Seol Dojin was still young. And back when Seol Jadan was his age, he too had found the family’s ways stifling.
“Yeong-ah… Yeong-ah didn’t just come up with that.”
Seol Dojin suddenly spoke. Both Seol Wonpyeong and Seol Jadan turned to look at him.
Swish—Seol Dojin pushed a small jar forward.
“And what might that be?”
“It’s an ointment Yeong-ah gave me a few days ago. It helps with muscle training.”
“What? Something like that exists?”
Seol Wonpyeong raised his voice in surprise, and Seol Jadan also stared at the jar with wide eyes.
“Hooh. So such a thing exists? The young lady never showed me anything like that…”
Chief Wi’s eyes sparkled. There must have been a reason she had only given it to Seol Dojin. Based on what he’d seen of Unyeong, it made sense.
Seol Dojin calmly explained the effects of the ointment.
“I’m a merchant’s son, but I don’t have much business talent. I don’t know what to buy or sell.”
Unlike his usual self, Seol Dojin spoke with conviction.
“But Yeong-ah is different. You know her talent is extraordinary. To make use of it, we must grow the Seol Merchant Guild. Please reconsider.”
“I agree with the young master.”
Chief Wi also voiced his agreement.
Was it because this was all for Unyeong? Perhaps moved by that thought, Seol Wonpyeong looked deeply at Seol Dojin and opened his mouth.
“This… is not something to decide immediately. I’ll speak with Yeong-ah about it later.”
His previously rigid stance had softened just a bit.
“Chief Wi, you may leave now.”
“Yes, Head.”
Chief Wi bowed and exited, leaving the three men alone in the chamber. Seol Wonpyeong looked carefully at both Seol Jadan and Seol Dojin before speaking.
“How are our guests doing?”
Now they were going to talk about the unexpected guests of the Seol family. The ones who had suddenly appeared and thrown everyone into confusion.
“Namgung Gongja is training. The So Yeon Martial Hall was vacated ahead of time for the young lords’ training.”
“That was well done. Dojin, you’re handling matters well.”
Pleased by Seol Dojin’s clear answer, Seol Wonpyeong smiled in satisfaction.
“As for Jegal Gongja…”
He hesitated as he brought up Jegal Dam’s name.
“He went up the mountain.”
“The mountain? You mean… the ancestral mountain?”
“…Yes.”
At the mention of the mountain, Seol Wonpyeong’s face turned red and blue in shock. The ancestral mountain, located behind the estate, was an important place.
Due to the sheer number of mountains in Jungwon, the mountain didn’t even have a formal name. It was simply known as the ancestral mountain of the Seol family.
But it was where their ancestors were laid to rest, and the mountain itself was a sacred place, specially maintained by the Seol family.
Although the mountain was open to the common people of Hongan-hyeon, having an outsider visit it was an entirely different matter.
“F-For what reason?”
“He said he was curious about where the mushrooms grew. He wanted to see it for himself and went to the ancestral mountain.”
“Huhh. Did you assign him a guide or escort?”
Sighing, Seol Wonpyeong continued to question.
“Well… he only took one escort. He refused a guide…”
“That rascal! What is he thinking?”
Seol Wonpyeong ground his teeth.
“He dares trample on another’s ancestral mountain?! On the land handed down by our ancestors, acting however he pleases!”
Seol Wonpyeong, furious, scolded Seol Dojin.
“…Father.”
Seol Jadan waved his hand, dispersing Seol Wonpyeong’s qi.
“That’s not the real issue, is it?”
“Ahem. I got overly worked up.”
Seol Wonpyeong calmed his anger with difficulty, his face showing awkwardness.
“We… expected this, didn’t we?”
Seol Jadan said in a neutral tone.
“…Yes, you’re right.”
Seol Wonpyeong’s eyes lowered with deep regret. The three of them exchanged silent looks.
“Hoo.”
With a deep sigh, Seol Wonpyeong spoke again.
“But… nothing’s certain yet.”
“That’s true as well.”
Seol Jadan nodded.
When the three had met Jegal Dam at the Seol estate, they couldn’t help but be surprised.
The name Jegal held special meaning for the eldest sons of the Seol family.
The Seol household had followed two legacies passed down from their forebears. Legacies from their founding ancestor who settled in Hongan long ago.
Protect Hongan.
If a Jegal seeks help, aid him to protect the world. That is the pact.
Passed down over generations, even the true intent had grown unclear. They were merely following the path set by their ancestors.
They passed down the family’s martial arts only to the eldest son, hiding and hiding everything about their lineage.
Keeping a promise without certainty.
Not even knowing what they were protecting or how long they must wait.
That was what had frustrated Seol Jadan in his youth.
But after disguising his identity and traveling the martial world, Seol Jadan realized something.
The martial arts of the Seol family were strong.
So how could he not dream of soaring across the world?
But he let go of that dream and accepted protecting the Seol family as his destiny.
‘Would Jegal even remember that promise…?’
Surely not.
Seol Jadan shook his head.
Now, he was skeptical of the ancestor’s legacy.
The issue wasn’t the legacy—it was that he couldn’t trust Jegal. Not that it was Jegal’s fault.
The Seol family had simply been too stubborn, guarding Hongan for generations to honor a vague promise.
“He likely didn’t come because of the pact.”
Having sorted through his thoughts, Seol Jadan spoke firmly.
“Why do you think so?”
Seol Wonpyeong also had reached a similar conclusion after observing Jegal Dam’s demeanor, but he wanted to hear his son’s thoughts.
At the banquet, they had praised Unyeong’s martial skills to test Jegal Dam. If he were interested in the Seol family’s martial arts, he would’ve shown it then.
But Jegal Dam had only shown interest in Unyeong’s personal achievements.
“For all those long years… the Jegal family never made any contact.”
All three of them knew this. Seol Jadan paused and exhaled softly before continuing.
“If Jegal Dam, the eldest son of the Jegal family, knew of the pact, he wouldn’t have come rushing here. That’s not how such a matter would unfold.”
“True.”
Seol Wonpyeong nodded in agreement.
“Jegal Gongja is renowned as a genius born once in a thousand years. His preparations wouldn’t be this sloppy.”
“That’s true as well. But he is still young.”
“Even accounting for his age, he’s a Jegal.”
“My thoughts are no different from yours.”
Seol Wonpyeong stroked his beard and nodded.
“But…”
It was Seol Dojin who spoke, having listened to their conversation.
“He did climb the ancestral mountain. I think we should watch him a little longer. We still don’t know what he’s thinking.”
“Yes, Dojin’s words are also valid.”
Looking at Seol Dojin, Seol Wonpyeong gave him an approving gaze.
“I don’t believe Jegal Gongja knows about the pact either. However, his actions are unusual—we must not take our eyes off him.”
“Yes, Head.”
Seol Jadan and Seol Dojin answered in unison.
“If… Jegal has not forgotten the pact.”
Seol Wonpyeong’s voice echoed low and deep with resolute energy.
“Then we will stake everything we have to protect the world.”
A gleam shone in Seol Wonpyeong’s eyes.
Thump.
Seol Jadan heard the beat of his heart.
Thump, thump. Again, it sounded.
Clench. He balled his fist tightly.
