SYM 36

If one were to ask anyone in the Central Plains where the wealthiest place is, they would all point to the Golden Pavilion.

The promissory notes issued by the Golden Pavilion could be used anywhere throughout the vast Central Plains, and wherever there was a market, one could find a Golden Pavilion.

There was even a saying that if they were to add up all the gold and silver treasures accumulated in the Golden Pavilion, they could buy the Imperial Palace.

While it might be impossible to actually buy the Imperial Palace no matter how much gold and silver one had, the mere existence of such a saying demonstrated just how formidable the Golden Pavilion’s influence was.

The owner of this Golden Pavilion was Hwang Ok-san. He was known as a financial genius who had transformed a small trading company inherited from his father into the largest Pavilion in the Central Plains in just over a decade.

However, this Hwang Ok-san, who was said to be able to buy anything with money, was currently suffering from a headache because of his only daughter.

Hwang Ok-san clicked his tongue while reading the letter from his daughter, Hwang Joo-mi.

“I told her not to worry about someone like Namgung Eun-hyeon…. Why does Joo-mi keep concerning herself with that half-wit who can’t even learn martial arts?”

“My lord, things within the Sect have been unsettling lately.”

“…The Sect is unsettling?”

Hwang Ok-san looked at Hwang Joo-mi’s nanny who had brought the letter.

The nanny hurriedly lowered her head upon meeting Hwang Ok-san’s piercing gaze.

“After the Sect leader finished his training, he moved Namgung Eun-hyeon’s residence to the inner quarters and even assigned guards directly under the Family Head to him.”

“Tsk. I sent you to the Sect to look after Joo-mi, but how is it that you’re being led around by her?”

“…Pardon?”

When the nanny startled at Hwang Ok-san’s words, he clicked his tongue with a displeased expression.

“Wasn’t Namgung Eun-hyeon kidnapped recently? Right from the Sect grounds, no less. It’s only natural to move his residence and strengthen his security. What’s all the fuss about?”

To his eyes, which had built up the Golden Pavilion, Hwang Joo-mi’s commotion made no sense.

“Haven’t I said this multiple times? That position will be Eun-gwang’s even if we do nothing. Just what is making Joo-mi cause such an uproar?”

The nanny prostrated herself flat when she saw Hwang Ok-san’s displeasure. She knew well that Hwang Ok-san was only generous toward his beloved daughter Joo-mi.

“My lord… Don’t you know? Namgung Eun-hyeon is Jegal Hwa-yeon’s son…”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying! Why is Joo-mi making such a fuss over Jegal Hwa-yeon who’s already dead and gone to the other world!”

Hwang Ok-san heaved a sigh.

He knew well that his precious daughter had long been blinded by jealousy and was doing foolish things.

After falling in love at first sight with Namgung Juwon, her eyes had never dried of tears. When news came of Namgung Juwon’s marriage to Jegal Hwa-yeon, Hwang Ok-san had actually felt relieved.

But then Jegal Hwa-yeon passed away not long after the marriage.

Hwang Ok-san had arranged the marriage between Namgung Juwon and Hwang Joo-mi, unable to resist his daughter’s pressure, but he had never felt at ease since then.

“Joo-mi says she needs twenty first-class warriors.”

The nanny carefully raised her head at Hwang Ok-san’s deflated voice. His face, seated on the golden throne, was full of fatigue.

“Twenty first-class warriors would be equivalent to the fighting force of a small-to-medium martial arts Sect. I’ll add two supreme masters to that.”

Supreme masters were those who could rival the elders of the clan.

Such individuals were difficult to buy even with money. The nanny was once again surprised by Hwang Ok-san’s capability to speak of such figures so casually.

“Whatever Joo-mi is planning to do, it would be better if she’s safe. The best thing would be to do nothing at all, but…”

Hwang Ok-san still didn’t know that Madam Hwang had joined hands with the Hongbaek Sect members.

Until now, Hwang Ok-san hadn’t taken action because he was confident he could handle whatever his daughter might do.

But if the Hongbaek Sect was involved, that was a different story. Though the Hongbaek Sect was a new Sect that had emerged only about 200 years ago, its very existence was taboo in the martial arts world. If Hwang Ok-san were to learn that Hwang Joo-mi was involved with the Hongbaek Sect, while Joo-mi might be spared, the nanny’s head would surely fall.

The nanny bowed her head even deeper and swallowed hard.

* * *

Eun-hyeon had experienced many physical changes since taking the medicine given by Ha Yeo-un.

Perhaps it felt more dramatic because his original condition had been so poor, but now, while not at the level of his days as a martial artist, his body seemed to have reached an ordinary level of health.

Eun-hyeon quietly gazed out the window where the snow had melted. The weather had been warming up recently, and the thick snow had all melted away. On this perfect spring day, he was itching to go outside.

Despite how much he had wanted to come to this world of martial arts, he hadn’t properly explored the outside since returning here. Now that his physical condition had improved significantly after taking Ha Yeo-un’s medicine, wouldn’t it be alright to go out?

He wanted to walk around the market and visit restaurants to see how much things had changed from what he remembered.

However, the court ladies sent by Namgung Juwon wouldn’t let Eun-hyeon even mention such things. After the previous kidnapping incident, Namgung Juwon had apparently issued strict orders preventing him from going outside.

It wasn’t incomprehensible. It was natural to be worried when the sickly eldest son, who had only lived indoors, met with such trouble on his rare outing.

But Eun-hyeon didn’t give up. He hadn’t known this about his own personality before, but it seemed the more something was forbidden, the more his desire burned.

“Hwa-hong, I’m going to visit my former quarters in the outer court.”

“What brings you there? I believe all belongings have already been moved from that place.”

Eun-hyeon waved his hand dismissively.

“The weather’s nice, so I just want to take a walk there. If nothing else, the garden at the outer court residence is beautiful.”

The outer court quarters where Eun-hyeon had stayed had a particularly spacious and beautiful garden. Knowing this fact well, Hwa-hong nodded.

“I understand. Then I shall escort you.”

“That won’t be necessary. You and everyone else are busy with various things lately, aren’t you? It would be ridiculous to move in a crowd just for a walk within the Sect grounds.”

“But…”

“One person is enough. Soseo, let’s go take a look at my previous quarters together.”

Soseo, who had been lying low and watching the situation, brightened at these words. She had been wanting to escape this stifling place anyway. The inner court was practically a prison to Soseo now.

“Yes! I will escort you. I know that place well.”

Hwa-hong frowned briefly but soon nodded. Even to her eyes, Eun-hyeon had become noticeably healthier lately, and since they were just visiting his former quarters within the grounds, it seemed fine.

“Very well. Is there anything else you need?”

“Ah, then some money…”

“Pardon? Money?”

Hwa-hong’s eyes widened.

Eun-hyeon smiled sheepishly and whispered quietly to Hwa-hong.

“I’d like to greet some people who were kind to me when I stayed there. But I realized I don’t have anything right now.”

“Oh my… I apologize! My thoughts were too shallow to consider that. There should certainly be an allowance allocated for the Young Master…”

Rare confusion showed on Hwa-hong’s face, who usually maintained her composure and never got excited.

The Sect’s Young Master would certainly have an allocated personal allowance. However, from what she had observed of Eun-hyeon’s lifestyle so far, it seemed the allowance hadn’t been properly provided.

Hwa-hong decided she should inform Namgung Juwon about this and check how the Young Master’s allocated funds had been used.

“For now, though it’s not much, please use this. I will soon speak with the steward and check what happened to your allowance.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Eun-hyeon received the money pouch Hwa-hong offered and smiled gently.

“Soseo, let’s go!”

Eun-hyeon smiled happily as he tucked away the heavy money pouch, his first since coming here.

Of course, he had no intention of going to his quarters. Now that he had a money pouch, he planned to take a light tour of Hefei City.

As Eun-hyeon walked briskly ahead, Soseo followed behind, panting.

“Soseo, hurry up! At that pace, when will we ever reach the outer court?”

Having reached the outer court and planning to head outside, Eun-hyeon hurried his steps and urged Soseo on.