The first thing that changed after becoming Gaju was my residence. I moved to the Main Residence, which, by tradition, had always been the Gaju’s quarters. Its location was right behind the Great Hall. So, I performed my duties as Gaju in the Great Hall and lived in the Main Residence.
Okmyogak had been a splendid and spacious building, but it was nothing compared to the Main Residence. The decorations, the sculptures, even the architectural methods here radiated authority. It was clearly designed to be imposing, yet for the past ten years, instead of authority, it had only drawn scorn.
“So, I’m really Gaju now.”
It was Geumwolsang who first spoke up. Unsurprisingly, the first people invited to the Main Residence were my siblings. There were no outsiders here. It was truly a place for our bloodline alone.
“So it’s come to this.”
“The Gaju’s seat is always so extravagant, no matter how many times I see it.”
Geumhwacheong clicked his tongue. Since the siblings had already agreed upon my position as Gaju, I sat in the Gaju’s seat.
I glanced behind me. The chair was wrapped in black dragon carvings, inlaid here and there with gold.
Looking at it now, it did seem a bit over the top. Maybe I only felt that way because the Hwanggeum Family had lost its authority for so long. Back when this chair was made, perhaps it had a certain dignity.
“It’s already been half a year since you took over. It’s getting cold now.”
Geumsurin pulled her outer robe tighter as she spoke. It really did feel like that much time had passed. Now that I thought about it, we were already near Ipdong.
Everyone had scattered like leaves, but the first time we’d gathered was when we went to Deungryeong Shrine on Okhwasan. If I remember correctly, that was around Soman to Mangjong.
We had sown the fields and planted the seeds in spring, endured the scorching summer, and spent autumn dealing with the Hyeongsanpa and Jusampa. Looking back, it was around then that dew began to bead on the grass and the nights grew longer.
And in the Murim Alliance, I saw frost forming on the window outside. Now, it was winter. Ever since I learned martial arts, the seasons hardly affected me, but Geumhwacheong and Geumsurin’s clothes had become noticeably thicker.
“So. What are you planning to do next?”
Geumhwacheong asked. In a way, our somewhat awkward relationship actually helped move things along quickly.
“There’s something I need to investigate first. I’d like to start with that.”
“What kind of investigation?”
“It seems there are shadowy forces that have been undermining our family.”
My words were like a bolt from the blue for my siblings. We’d barely managed to deal with Cheonju Fortress, Hyeongsanpa, and Jusampa, and just as we were beginning to restore the family to its former state, I was telling them there was yet another enemy.
“…Do you really have to do this? What are the chances they’ve given up on us?”
Geumwolsang asked. I answered firmly, without hesitation.
“Even if they have, we must find out.”
“We have plenty of enemies as it is. Aren’t those Gupailbang bastards, who’ve shackled us, also our enemies? Wouldn’t it be better to take out those who tried to drag us down first and cut out the roots? The fewer enemies we have, the better.”
Geumhwacheong added. I found myself at a loss for words for a moment. It was exactly what I’d been thinking.
I hadn’t told them yet, for fear they’d worry, but the shadowy force was Majyo. To be precise, I needed to investigate Majyo’s followers hiding within the Jeongpa. If we let them be, things would only grow worse. Either way, our family still belonged to the Jeongpa.
“So, the internal affairs of the family will continue as before?”
“Yes. Probably. But there will be some big changes. I’ll give you documents stamped with the Geum In to authorize you as proxies for various tasks. From now on, your signatures will carry the same weight as the Geum In. I’ll help where there’s a shortage of hands.”
The authority that comes with the Geum In is on a whole different level than that of a simple administrative seal.
For example, the funds of Geumseonwon, which manages the Hwanggeum Family’s finances, can’t be touched with an ordinary Administrative Office seal. The Geum In is needed.
Also, deciding where to invest those funds or making long-term plans for them were critical tasks that could now be delegated.
Of course, there was something important about all this.
“So, let’s each say what we want to handle. Since there’s more work now, it’ll be more efficient if the three of you divide the tasks.”
At my suggestion, Geumwolsang looked a bit expectant. He must have already been considering something.
“Working together, I’ve noticed that Hwacheong is really meticulous when it comes to administration. He never makes even the slightest error. I think it’d be best if he handled external affairs like the Pyoguk, Hoesandan, and Jeonjang.”
“That’s true.”
Geumsurin agreed, then continued.
“Elder brother seems extremely interested in martial arts. Mok Hwan, you wouldn’t know, but when you weren’t around, he was training so hard in martial arts. It was so unusual that even Oejonggwan noticed and commented.”
“Come on. A merchant should be doing business, not learning martial arts. What difference does that make?”
“It’s because we were powerless that we were overthrown in the first place. I’ll handle matters concerning the family’s martial artists.”
While Geumhwacheong grumbled, Geumwolsang smiled.
It reminded me of the first time the four of us sat together for a meal. Geumhwacheong sulked, Geumwolsang tried to steer the mood but failed, and Geumsurin said nothing at all. The atmosphere was like walking on a blade.
My siblings seemed to have grown much closer while working together during my absence.
“Geumsurin, you should take care of Naewon’s administration. I heard you’ve been studying Jinbeop since learning that you use Jinbeop yourself.”
“That’s not why I did it, though?”
“Whatever you say.”
Geumhwacheong and Geumsurin bickered, snapping at each other. Still, Geumsurin’s interest in Jinbeop was an interesting development. After all, Naewon was the place where Jinbeop was most needed. The administration of Naewon suited her well.
“Then let’s settle it that way.”
Strangely, it was exactly the arrangement I’d been thinking of.
I was about to wrap up the meeting. I didn’t have anything else to say. They were already being kept in the loop about everything through Gwak Jindo.
He was already, in terms of administration and knowledge, on a whole different level from anyone else.
Then Geumwolsang spoke up.
“Wait, are you really going to end it like this?”
“Yes.”
At my answer, Geumsurin let out a sigh. Geumhwacheong seemed indifferent, looking off elsewhere.
Geumwolsang, veins popping in his neck, protested.
“Becoming Gaju means you’ve rooted out the family’s internal enemies. On such an important day!”
“Yeah, that’s right!”
Geumsurin chimed in. I had no idea what they were getting at.
“Is that so? Then what should I do?”
“Exactly. I figured you’d react like that, so I came prepared. You really do nothing but work. People need to breathe sometimes, you know.”
Practically dragging me along, Geumwolsang led me out of the Main Residence. Geumsurin, looking excited, pushed me from behind, and Geumhwacheong followed quietly.
It seemed this, too, was something the siblings had discussed in advance. The place we were headed was the Great Hall.
The place where we used to gather for meals. After the family had changed so drastically and everyone had gotten busy, even the unnecessary rules had vanished naturally, and we hadn’t gathered there since.
Inside the Great Hall, all sorts of splendid dishes and wine jars were set out. A floral aroma wafted from the jars.
“…That’s wine.”
“It’s good wine.”
“I’m still too young to drink.”
I’d tried a sip once, a long time ago, and didn’t like the taste, so I never touched it again after that.
“Of course. We didn’t prepare this for you, but for the rest of us. You should drink something else, without alcohol.”
“Yes.”
Geumwolsang was nineteen, Geumhwacheong eighteen, and Geumsurin sixteen—old enough to enjoy drinking. Most adults quietly accepted that once you passed geohak, fifteen, you could drink.
Anyway, it was only then I realized Geumwolsang’s intention: to have us relax and enjoy ourselves here.
In truth, I found such things unfamiliar. The concept of resting, the idea of enjoyment, I’d never quite grasped.
“Come, come. Everyone, raise your glasses.”
Geumwolsang, excited, poured wine into Geumhwacheong and Geumsurin’s cups. Sometimes, he seemed like a kid.
Now that I thought about it, he probably couldn’t help it. Forced to take care of his younger siblings from a young age, he hadn’t really had a proper childhood.
Yes. Thinking of it that way, it was enjoyable to see my siblings like this. It was only right that they should feel things they’d always deserved.
I poured tea into my own cup and raised it slightly.
“Three cups to commune with the Way, and a measure of wine to become one with nature.”
With those words, Geumwolsang downed his cup. Geumhwacheong and Geumsurin drank too. I also sipped my tea.
Geumsurin, unaccustomed to drinking, scrunched up her face, while Geumhwacheong seemed quite at ease with it.
Come to think of it, there was room to breathe now. The Murim Alliance would be our shield, and we would build our foundation.
Thinking like that, I realized enjoying ourselves for just a day wouldn’t be so bad.
That was just a fleeting thought. Watching over them and taking care of them were two different things. After a few drinks, Geumsurin clung to me, completely drunk.
“…Wow, it’s spinning. Spinning.”
She pressed her face on top of my head, mumbling. I wasn’t spinning at all. I just sat there, picking at the food. Or rather, I couldn’t even bring myself to eat.
“Maknae. You should eat more of this, too.”
“Oh, yes.”
Geumwolsang kept serving me food. Was this what it meant to enjoy oneself? It was still a difficult question.
“I really think you’re amazing. At such a young age, you were so bold and outstanding. To be honest, you’re the one who saved us—”
“Brother, I think that’s the thirty-second time you’ve said that. Hahaha.”
Geumsurin, still hanging onto me, laughed quietly. For all his bravado, Geumwolsang wasn’t a heavy drinker. Geumhwacheong seemed to hold his liquor well, not showing any signs of drunkenness. From what I could see, he was the one who drank the most out of the three.
Or maybe not. He looked a bit glassy-eyed as he approached.
“You…”
“Are you going to torment me again? Maknae’s only putting up with you because you’re his brother. If I put my mind to it and beat you up—”
Slurring his words, Geumwolsang waved his finger. Except, he was pointing at empty air, not Geumhwacheong. Geumhwacheong just stared at him, looking exasperated, and ignored him.
“Let’s go to Deungryeong Shrine together someday. Let’s visit mother together.”
“All right, let’s do that.”
“Not now, you must be busy, but someday.”
Geumhwacheong lowered his head. He didn’t say much, but he looked embarrassed.
“I think I should stop drinking now. I’ll head out first.”
“Yes.”
With that, Geumhwacheong left. It was something I never thought much about, but it must still be a scar for him. Our mother passed away after giving birth to me.
Well. That wasn’t something I could fix right away. Still, it meant some progress had been made.
After that, it took quite a while. Once both Geumwolsang and Geumsurin had completely passed out, I called in the attendants to send them all off.
Then I returned to the Main Residence. As I crossed the Main Residence courtyard past the Great Hall, I found Myung Jaehee waiting for me.
“You had a great time without me, didn’t you?”
It was the first time I’d seen her since leaving the Murim Alliance alone for Jeokbyeok.
“Everyone needs time alone sometimes.”
“So coldhearted.”
She was probably just joking, in her own way.
More than that, what caught my eye was her attire. She wasn’t in attendant’s clothes, but everyday wear. I had a pretty good idea why.
“You’re heading to the Murim Alliance.”
“That’s right. Biyeon-gak got a summons from the Bandan. My replacement here will probably be that girl Gijeol. Word is she’s really been making a name for herself lately.”
“Yeah. No need to hide out here anymore. Biyeon-gak was here to protect our family’s forces in the first place.”
“Exactly. I’ll probably drop by from time to time to pass things on, but my days as your attendant are over.”
“That’s good. You never liked the job anyway.”
At my words, Myung Jaehee narrowed her eyes.
“That was only at first. Once I started getting paid, I didn’t mind. Oh, and when you left me in Muhyeon, I spent a lot of money. Gave some to the older sisters, bought frog skewers, added dumplings to somyeon, even bought a few outfits. It was the most extravagant I’ve ever been.”
“Glad you spent it well.”
“Right?”
Myung Jaehee squared her shoulders, looking pleased. It was an amusing relationship. In my past life, she’d killed me, and now she was helping me, even able to joke around.
“Well, I just came to say thanks. It was a meaningful time for me.”
“For what?”
I asked out of genuine curiosity. Myung Jaehee hesitated, then replied.
“I realized it wasn’t the money I liked. It was more fun giving money to the sisters than spending it on myself. I just liked seeing them happy, I guess.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, thank you.”
With those words, Myung Jaehee used her Sinbeop and disappeared. Judging by how freely she used her Sinbeop, it seemed she was already late.
Only after I watched her Shinhyeong vanish completely did I return to the Main Residence.
It was late. Why was she heading to the Murim Alliance at this hour? I guess Biyeon-gak always moved at night.
I tried to lie down on my bed, but changed my mind and went back to the Gaju’s seat—the one Geumhwacheong said was too extravagant.
I was exhausted. Spending three shichen with my siblings was somehow more tiring than three shichen of strength training or sword practice.
I rested my elbow on the armrest and propped up my face.
In a way, it was three shichen of doing nothing. I’d never spent three shichen just drifting like that.
Were those hours the most meaningful time to me, or the most meaningless? I suppose it could only be one or the other.
A shaft of moonlight shone through the window of the darkened room. With my chin resting on my hand, I kept thinking.
“Gaju.”
Today, as Gaju, I received from the head of Geumseonwon a ledger with the Hwanggeum Family’s assets.
My own fortune was just the three hundred Wonbo that Lee Cheongmyeong had painstakingly gathered from looting the family estate. One Wonbo was worth fifty Eunja—fifteen thousand nyang. Enough to live off for a lifetime.
“Really…”
But now.
I could use another five million nyang.
“There’s really so much filthy money.”
What should I spend it on? Or rather, how could I possibly spend it all? As the moonlight deepened, so too did my worries.