Announcement Ceremony of the Vice-Leader (3)
It was truly a tragic affair.
The fact that a promising martial artist had died,
that my brother would live his whole life in regret and self-blame because of it,
and that the assassin, and the one who hired them, were never caught.
Honestly, everything I've done was to prevent that from happening.
I had prepared, as thoroughly as I could.
I should be able to stop the worst-case scenario.
Still, I thought it'd be good to give him a heads-up.
"Brother, about tomorrow."
"Yeah? Why the serious face all of a sudden?"
"I just have a bad feeling. It could just be my imagination, but I'd like you to do as I say tomorrow, just for one day. Please listen to Master Jeon. Don't be stubborn."
"Huh? Master Jeon?"
My brother tilted his head and looked at Master Jeon.
Naturally, Master Jeon had a face that said he had no idea what was going on.
"Alright."
"Can you promise me?"
"I promise."
Hearing our conversation, Martial Master Jeon Woojin, who had been standing behind us, bowed with fists clasped and said,
"Do not worry. I will protect the First Young Master with my life, no matter what."
I laughed dryly to myself.
That's exactly why I'm doing this.
But I couldn't say that out loud, so I also bowed and replied,
"Please take good care of my brother."
Because I'll make sure to save that life.
***
Morning.
I got out of bed, practiced energy circulation and breathing, and changed clothes.
Today was Elder brother Jeong-ho's Vice-Leader Announcement Ceremony.
But of course, Master would not allow me to skip training for that.
Just as I stepped into the courtyard, Master entered from the other side.
A few hours later, I was slumped down in the courtyard.
As usual, I had trained until I was nearly collapsed from exhaustion.
"That concludes today's training."
"Thank you for your instruction."
Master nodded in return, then with a serious expression, said,
"Today… it would be wise to be cautious."
"Pardon?"
"There is a thick killing intent in the air."
At his words, my mind blanked for a moment.
Honestly, if I had no idea what was going to happen today, I would have brushed it off without concern.
But because I did know, I couldn't take his words lightly.
"What do you mean, Master?"
"I sensed a heavy killing intent within the Merchant Group a little while ago."
"How could you tell?"
"This is one of the abilities of the Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Arts I taught you. Once you reach a higher level, you will understand."
Even with that explanation, I didn't understand.
I had reached the level of a first-class martial artist in my previous life, and even now, I was nearly at that level again.
Yet I couldn't sense the killing intent Master spoke of at all.
And that raised a question.
In my past life, key partners from the Prosperous Escort Agency had also been invited to this banquet.
So then, if Master had already known, couldn't he have prevented what happened?
"There is a high possibility of uninvited guests showing up."
"I'll tell Father to tighten security."
"That would be wise. And unfortunately, I won't be able to attend today's banquet. I'll be traveling to Zhejiang Province on escort duty starting tomorrow, and I won't be back for about a month."
Hearing this, I finally understood why Master hadn't been able to stop the incident back then.
He had been away on a mission.
"In any case, for today, practice the First Snowfall movements I taught you."
"Yes, Master. But… is it okay for me to train swordsmanship alone?"
"You've already passed the dangerous stage of solo training."
"I-I see."
I replied, quietly turning my head away.
It felt like I'd been caught trying to take a shortcut.
Wait a minute.
Master sensed the killing intent instantly. Then, wouldn't he also know who the killer is?
There's a reason I can't stop the assassin completely, even though I'm trying to prepare.
It's because I don't know who the killer is.
According to Elder brother Jeong-ho's testimony, the culprit wore women's court dress and had a veil covering their face, so nothing could be seen.
That means the assassin could be a woman — or a man in disguise.
"Master. Is there any way to identify who is targeting our Merchant Group?"
"I don't know. The killing intent I sensed was only for a brief moment. And it vanished quickly. If they had been nearby, I might have figured it out — it's unfortunate."
He continued,
"For this level of presence… it's no ordinary person. Never let your guard down."
.
.
.
The banquet had begun.
From early morning, the hired musicians and entertainers lifted the atmosphere with music and dance, and the guests who had been lining up outside the Eunhae Merchant Group gates began to enter the banquet hall.
Over two hundred banquet tables had been prepared for this event.
It was a massive banquet, meant to reflect the bright future of the new Vice-Leader — the more people attended, the better it looked.
When I thought about the cost of the banquet, I remembered Chief of Internal Affairs Yoo silently clutching his head in agony.
It made sense.
The money spent on this banquet was astronomical.
From my point of view, it was a justifiable expense — but Chief Yoo was not only Chief of Internal Affairs, but also Finance Pavilion Master.
Which meant he had to approve every expense with a bleeding heart.
Well, it's thanks to people like him that the Eunhae Merchant Group runs so solidly.
Today, my task along with Elder brother Jinho was to entertain the young guests of similar age — essentially, the children of important figures.
A separate space had been arranged for them in a garden pavilion.
"Welcome, young master."
"It's been a while — you've changed. You've grown taller and look more fit."
"Must be because I've been training with the sword lately. Please, come in and enjoy yourself."
"Will do."
While greeting the guests, I suddenly felt someone's gaze and turned my head.
But where I looked, a group of young ladies were gathered, quickly turning away and feigning ignorance.
I was sure they had been talking about me.
Next to me, Elder brother Jinho sighed and said,
"Soon, the matchmakers will wear out our doorstep."
"What are you talking about? I'm only fifteen. Why would matchmakers start showing up already?"
"Fifteen is a perfectly acceptable age for marriage."
"Well, yeah, but… why are you bringing that up all of a sudden?"
"Do you ever look in the mirror?"
"Well…"
I found myself at a loss for words.
Come to think of it, I hadn't looked in the mirror lately.
Since Palgap took care of my grooming, I hadn't really needed to check the mirror myself.
And I didn't have the kind of hobby where I admire my own face.
Just then, another young master approached, accompanied by a young lady. Elder brother Jinho and I quickly greeted them with proper etiquette.
"Welcome, Master Han, Lady Han."
"Thank you for inviting us on such a joyous occasion."
"We're honored that you accepted the invitation and came in person. On behalf of my brother, I thank you."
"Hahaha. Of course we had to come. Isn't that right, Baek-a?"
"Yes, brother."
Their names were Han Baek-Geon and Han Baek-Ah.
Master Han Baek-Geon was two years older than me, the same age as Elder brother Jinho, and Lady Han Baek-Ah was one year younger than me.
They were the children of the Hongnang Merchant Group's Leader, a group I held in quite high regard.
It was a merchant group that understood proper trade conduct, and like ours, Hongnang Merchant Group was one of the Hundred Great Merchant Groups Under Heaven.
And Han Baek-Geon would inherit it.
They had engaged in friendly competition with us, and eventually grew into one of the Top Ten Merchant Groups Under Heaven.
A worthy rival indeed.
But even more formidable than Han Baek-Geon was Lady Han Baek-Ah, quietly standing behind him.
She was the brain of Hongnang Merchant Group, nicknamed the Awl in the Hongnang for her sharp mind.
She often made moves that were unexpectedly piercing — even I had been surprised more than once.
I smiled and said,
"Please, have a seat. We've prepared plenty of food."
At that moment, Lady Han Baek-Ah's cheeks flushed slightly upon meeting my gaze.
"…?"
Just then, a group of young ladies sitting nearby called out to Lady Han Baek-Ah, and she headed over to them.
"Young master."
It was Han Baek-Geon who addressed me.
"Yes?"
"I'll say this just in case — don't even think about laying a hand on my sister."
"…Excuse me?"
Then, he turned and walked off toward where the other young masters were seated.
Left completely bewildered, I stood frozen. Seeing me like that, Elder brother Jinho smiled and wordlessly patted my shoulder.
"…?"
What was that all about?
While I continued welcoming guests at the pavilion entrance, it eventually reached 9:00 a.m.
Doom doom doom!
At the sound of drums, the music that had been playing from all sides came to a sudden stop.
Everyone's gaze turned toward the platform in front of the Silver Dragon Hall — the largest building of the merchant group, which housed my father's office and symbolized the entire organization.
Dressed in formal, splendid clothes, Father raised his voice and spoke.
"I am Eun Gil-Sang, Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group. I thank you all for attending today's Vice-Leader Announcement Ceremony for my eldest son."
Father bowed his head in gratitude toward the guests.
"Now, allow me to introduce my eldest son, Eun Jeong-ho."
At his words, Elder brother Jeong-ho stepped onto the platform and bowed with fists clasped.
"I am Eun Jeong-ho, eldest son of the Eunhae Merchant Group's Merchant Lord. I thank everyone here for coming."
Father looked upon him with satisfaction, then officially declared to all,
"Today, I, Eun Gil-Sang, Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group, hereby announce that my eldest son, Eun Jeong-ho, is officially the Vice-Leader."
Then, Vice-Leader Yoo Dae-Ik handed over a silver identification badge from a tray, which Elder brother Jeong-ho received and fastened to his waist.
Seeing him smile broadly and express his thoughts as the newly appointed Vice-Leader, I smiled as well.
Hoping that smile would last this time.
***
As time passed, the banquet reached its peak.
Eun Jeong-ho busily offered thanks to those attending the event.
Usually, a simple "Thank you" sufficed for most congratulations, but there were exceptions.
In cases where someone gave an especially expensive gift or a large sum of money as a congratulatory gift.
Those individuals were invited to a separate Reception Room to express thanks properly.
Eun Jeong-ho pressed his fingers against his brow.
Seeing this, his personal guard, Martial Master Jeon Woojin, said with concern,
"You must be tired."
His servant sighed quietly and grumbled,
"It's no wonder. He's already had to meet with twelve people separately. And why do they talk so much? Just say, 'Congratulations on becoming Vice-Leader, I look forward to working together, let's get along well' — short and sweet. But no, they go in circles and around again and again…"
"Don't be too harsh. They must have worked up the courage to speak."
"Well, our young master Jeong-ho is just too kind — isn't that right, Master Jeon?"
At the servant's remark, Jeon Woojin nodded.
"I agree completely."
"I want to turn them away coldly too, but what can I do? This is just how I am."
Jeong-ho laughed and continued,
"Still, I'm glad those around me support me well."
At that, the servant suddenly wore a mischievous grin and said,
"Speaking of which, she came today, didn't she?"
"Who are you talking about?"
"You know — the daughter of the Jin family martial officer."
"Ugh!"
At the mention, Eun Jeong-ho's face turned red, and the servant chuckled.
"If only that lady could see our young master looking like this."
"Ahem."
Just then, a maid in charge of the reception rooms approached and said,
"Young master, a guest is waiting to meet you in the Orchid Room."
"Ah, really? Then I'd better go."
Eun Jeong-ho headed toward the Orchid Room.
When he was nearly there, Jeon Woojin suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Then he called out to Eun Jeong-ho.
"Young master."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"I believe it would be best not to meet the person inside. I can't explain it, but I have a bad feeling. In these cases, nine out of ten times, something bad happens."
"But it would be rude to turn away someone who came specifically to meet me."
"Even so, I advise caution."
"It'll be fine. It's our group's banquet, and you're here too — what could possibly go wrong?"
Just as he was about to open the door, Eun Jeong-ho recalled something his younger brother Eun Seoho had said the previous night.
He had asked him to be careful and listen to Martial Master Jeon Woojin's advice if something felt wrong.
And he had promised to do so.