Most buildings of the Hwanggeum Family have a Sarangbang. However, the direct descendants probably have never set foot inside one, since no guests ever come from outside.
I, too, knew there was a Sarangbang in Yokmyogak, but this was my first time entering it. The center was coated in black lacquer, while the legs and the rest of the structure were finished with red lacquer.
“Please, have a seat.”
I turned to the opposite side, pulled out a chair, and sat down. Geumwolsang’s expression, as always, held a constant smile.
“How come you came without any notice?”
“Do I need a reason to visit my younger brother?”
Geumwolsang showed a subtly hurt expression. Of course, he was on my side, but he didn’t consider us personally close enough for such informal visits.
“That’s not it. I just thought you must have some purpose for coming without warning.”
“That’s true. You have a keen sense, after all.”
Geumwolsang covered his mouth with his hand and chuckled. Alone in the Sarangbang, he glanced around left and right, alert, then drew close to me.
“It’s about Elder Lee Cheongmyeong.”
“Yes.”
Only then did I really listen. Coming all this way without contact meant something serious was going on. Otherwise, the Hwanggeum Family would never casually alert direct descendants, who were already being closely watched.
But what Geumwolsang said next shattered my expectations.
“Did you see his expression when he entered Yeongeumdong? Ha ha ha.”
Without caring about my feelings, Geumwolsang gleefully continued.
“That noble, solemn face twisted like a demon’s. Ha ha ha! I was genuinely surprised. Who would have thought to leverage the status of the Elder Council to manipulate the Outer Chonggwan?”
I took a moment to gather myself before replying.
“It wasn’t an extraordinary strategy.”
I believe they—and I—were all too intimidated. It was a deeply ingrained feeling of defeat since childhood. So even if they hated it, they couldn’t even conceive of resistance. They could only do what was possible.
Soon, Jichul brought two cups of pale crimson Qi Sea black tea. I accepted the cup and was about to continue the conversation, but Jichul stayed behind, looking uneasy.
“Why?”
I asked, and only then did Jichul speak.
“Sir, the reason you weren’t awakened by the alarm today…”
“The Outer Chonggwan must have ordered it. I know. You can leave now.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Jichul hurriedly left the Sarangbang. I hadn’t even touched my nerves, yet his legs trembled.
As soon as Jichul left, Geumwolsang nodded repeatedly with a troubled look.
“The servants have completely lost their nerve. If only the Elders, even those with bare chests like that one, could come out like this.”
“That would be nice.”
I sipped my tea and looked up at Geumwolsang.
“Is that why you came here?”
The smile on Geumwolsang’s face began to relax. I wasn’t pressing him; I was merely curious.
“No, that was just my personal gossip.”
Though Geumwolsang seemed somewhat sullen, I drank my tea. The sensation wrapped around the tip of my tongue was exquisite as ever.
“Hah, I guess you’re a bit excited that my younger brother is such a competent strategist. Please forgive my momentary impropriety.”
“That’s quite alright.”
“By the way, are you aware that Elder Lee Cheongmyeong’s binding spell is lifted tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“So you did know.”
Geumwolsang took a moment to steady his breath and drink tea. Despite his bulky build, his posture while drinking was perfectly elegant, thanks to years of etiquette training since childhood.
“He’ll definitely seek revenge on you.”
“That big gamble will be difficult.”
“From a rational perspective, yes. But Elder Lee Cheongmyeong isn’t exactly a rational person. Don’t you know his old Beolho when he roamed Gangho?”
“No.”
“…It’s impressive you can face him so boldly.”
Since most Elders in Jingjeongwon are martial artists, many of them are people worthy of legends and anecdotes passed down through generations.
My weakest point was common knowledge—things anyone living in Gangho would know.
I had lived most of my previous life in seclusion. Though I could predict future events to some degree, I had no idea how Gangho really operated now or who held the reins.
“Of course, he calls himself Biyogeom, but the martial artists call him Seohyeong Sasu.”
I paused to interpret.
“A rat-shaped beast?”
“He acts like a rat, but he isn’t a rat. He also doesn’t behave like a human. So they call him a rat-shaped beast.”
Seohyeong Sasu. What kind of deeds must someone have committed in Gangho to earn such a derogatory nickname? Still, it made sense.
I didn’t know what exactly he had done in the past, but from what I saw of him in the future, he definitely acted like a rat. People don’t change easily.
Geumwolsang seemed to have remembered something, clapped his hands, and asked me.
“Then, you don’t know what kind of martial artist the Outer Chonggwan is, do you?”
“No.”
“That’s unacceptable.”
For the first time, Geumwolsang showed a disappointed expression. I shook my cup and stirred the tea. The first leaf had settled too deeply at the bottom.
“Still, isn’t he your master? Rumor even says you’re about to officially enter the Hae Nam Pa as an Jeokjeon Jeja.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
I had heard various baseless rumors from servants, but this was the first time hearing this one.
It definitely meant many rumors were spreading that I was unaware of.
“That’s a very plausible story, considering the Outer Chonggwan’s status within Hae Nam Pa.”
“Indeed. He even has the magnificent Beolho Cheonryuyuseong Sword.”
When I casually replied and sipped my tea, Geumwolsang looked exasperated.
“What’s more important than that title is that he’s one of the Namhae Samgaek.”
As he said this, Geumwolsang kept watching me, seemingly gauging my reaction. After a moment, he slowly spoke.
“…Don’t tell me you don’t know the Namhae Samgaek either?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Haah.”
Geumwolsang played the thumb and forefinger game with his hands.
“The Namhae Samgaek were the three who made the greatest achievements repelling demonic cultists that raided via the southern seas. The Cheonryuyuseong Sword wielder Gwak Jindo, Pasuhaeung Gu Angha, and Suryugokdo Jang Gihae. Never heard those names?”
Geumwolsang became unusually fiery for a noble scion, even spitting as he spoke. These were the righteous heroes who risked their lives to protect Namhae, nearly drowning in blood. They were incredibly strong and just.
I chose the Outer Chonggwan as my master not because of his strength or high standing in Gangho, but simply because of his loyalty to the Hwanggeum Family.
But if such a person were recognized in Gangho and possessed formidable martial skills, then nothing bad could happen to me.
“He’s even more remarkable than I thought.”
“You seem just as stubborn as I am. Since you were recognized by someone like that, you’re the one who’s truly remarkable.”
Geumwolsang looked at me with envy. He had no idea this Cheongmyeong sword technique originated from the Namhae Sibigeom.
Feeling embarrassed under his gaze, I changed the subject.
“Elder Lee Cheongmyeong is certainly an irrational person. As you said, he must be thinking of revenge.”
“Then why is he so relaxed? Even if he can’t move, it’s best to prepare for the worst.”
“He looks unmoving, but he’s moving.”
Geumwolsang looked confused. I smiled gently.
Though he’s the eldest son, Geumwolsang is still a child. He couldn’t possibly understand the complex dynamics of the underground power struggles.
As Geumwolsang said, Lee Cheongmyeong is irrational and will consider revenge. But he also has ears and will know of my connection to Gwak Jindo, preventing him from acting recklessly.
If I were to move now, it would only give Lee Cheongmyeong a clue. For now, it was better to do nothing and brood alone.
In fact, I was already acting. The proof was Geumwolsang coming to see me. Lee Cheongmyeong’s gaze would surely be fixed on my movements.
Even if I had business with Geumwolsang, it was better to wait for him to come than to visit. Just like now.
“Brother, how is Biseon outside?”
“It’s fine.”
My sudden question made Geumwolsang tense slightly.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Please keep an eye on the movements in Gangseo for a while.”
Geumwolsang hesitated at my request. Seeing his face, I realized I had been too brief.
“Check if any new forces, martial groups, or suspicious estates have appeared near areas like Anui, Bongshin, Goan, Jangsu, or Yeogang.”
“…I see. I’ll try my best.”
“Thank you.”
I took a sip of tea as I said this. Geumwolsang looked somewhat spellbound.
***
The door opened. Perhaps it was because I saw raw sunlight after so long, but Elder Lee Cheongmyeong squinted.
This was the separate wing of Jingjeongwon where he had been bound. Though calling it a binding seemed excessive—the place was far too splendid.
“Thank you for your hard work, Elder.”
The one who opened the door was my Naegong Chonggwan. The moment he saw Lee Cheongmyeong, he bowed deeply. Lee Cheongmyeong twisted his wrists in the other’s grasp and asked,
“Have you been watching things for me?”
“Yes. The Elder sent me messages by foot courier.”
At this, Lee Cheongmyeong slammed the palm of his hand against my Chonggwan so hard that his face turned pale and he was slammed against the ground.
Though he didn’t believe in Naegong, Lee Cheongmyeong was a martial artist, while my Chonggwan was a civilian.
Even though Lee Cheongmyeong was at least fifteen years younger, the Chonggwan couldn’t say a word.
Lee Cheongmyeong looked down on the trembling Chonggwan like a dung beetle and spoke.
“Naegong Chonggwan.”
“Yes!”
My Chonggwan stood abruptly, straightening his back like a flower arrangement. The white sleeve soaked with blood was bright red.
“Is this an ordinary situation? Even foot courier or horse courier would be insufficient!”
Lee Cheongmyeong said this angrily.
“I apologize. It’s my negligence.”
Though inwardly cursing Lee Cheongmyeong for not giving clear orders, the Chonggwan spoke obediently.
Boche, Geupgakche, and Mache are types of couriers. Boche are foot couriers walking, Geupgakche are runners, and Mache are horse couriers.
Of course, Mache is the fastest but also the most expensive.
If he had used Mache without permission, he would have been beaten for the cost. Now, the Chonggwan had a rough understanding of who Lee Cheongmyeong was.
“Is Gold-necked Hwan still just wasting time with practice?”
“Yes. Sometimes the Cheotsae Gongja visits Yokmyogak, but the Youngest Master is always loitering with the Outer Chonggwan at the practice hall.”
“The First is not worth worrying about. He’s a dull, weak boy.”
What mattered now was Gold-necked Hwan’s behavior. Lee Cheongmyeong was both dumbfounded and insulted.
How dare the brat from a mere second-rank family challenge a martial artist? Gold-necked Hwan needed to feel the meaning of this sharply.
“His Outer Chonggwan is the problem.”
But the problem was still the Outer Chonggwan. If even a martial artist of that rank was guarding him, it was hard to do anything.
Still, Lee Cheongmyeong couldn’t stay attached forever. He had to prepare for that.
“Naegong Chonggwan.”
“Yes.”
“Contact Sung Gajang. So they can move in case of emergency.”
The Chonggwan hesitated slightly. Sung Gajang was the group Lee Cheongmyeong used for secretive affairs.
Whenever Sung Gajang was called upon, the results were always soaked in blood.
“Understood.”
My Chonggwan bowed. To avoid further beatings, he had to request the fastest foot courier route to Yeogang.