Reunion (3)
……?
The inner manager and the Re-kyung Pavilion Master couldn't continue their words. Their eyes bulged as if they'd seen a ghost. The heavy drunkenness vanished in an instant, snapping them sober.
"What's with you two? Come in already!"
"……Sister-in-law!"
"What…… is this real?"
Gu Seo-jin didn't want to turn his head. What kind of cosmic joke was this! With a heavy heart, he slowly turned, and sure enough.
"Darling!"
"……What about Cheon-woo?"
"When did you get here?"
"Don't change the subject."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The inner manager and the Re-kyung Pavilion Master shot up from their seats, offered a deep bow to their sister-in-law, and fled in panic. There was nothing more foolish than expecting loyalty from married men. Family came first, and staying out of others' household affairs was the smart play.
'These damn bastards!!'
After feeding them expensive Yeo-ahong, they vanished without a word of excuse?! Wait, they even took the Yeo-ahong with them!
The inner manager and the Re-kyung Pavilion Master displayed nimble speed in snatching up the Yeo-ahong. Their hands were quicker than the eye.
Zzt! Drip!
Gu Seo-jin broke into a cold sweat under his wife's stern gaze. And yet, he felt wronged. She'd said he was coming tomorrow, right? He'd been tricked by her letter. She'd clearly used the note to set a trap and watch his reaction.
But still, using extreme stealth arts just to enter the house? That was too much!
Gu Seo-jin confessed everything.
Kraaaack!
That night, the master's bedroom was incredibly noisy.
"You said you'd forgive me if I told the truth!!"
"My husband is so naive. Hohoho!"
"……You demon!"
"What was that?"
"A heavenly fairy, of course!!"
***
Cheon-woo sat cross-legged. As always, he stimulated his muscles and bones with Paewang Qi, cycling through inhalation, circulation, and accumulation. Since his return, he hadn't paused for a moment.
He reinforced his body, mind, and spirit out of habit. It wasn't faster than before, but the solidity of his foundation was leagues ahead.
'I should draw a line.'
Mu-myeong had said the world stagnated and died because of Mireok Paedo. Hard to confirm the intent. There had been mistakes up to the 20th regression, but from the 21st onward, he'd executed Mireok Paedo flawlessly for 400 years without a single deviation.
'So just let it be?'
Did a lawless zone left to fester without eradicating evil even deserve to exist? In this brutal world of the strong devouring the weak, how much suffering would the common folk endure?
-Can you swear it was entirely for the people?
Mireok Paedo's completion brought peace to the people, but Cheon-woo couldn't claim that as the goal. He'd simply advanced with the conviction that it had to be done.
'It's true, but……'
Looking back, the people hadn't been his first priority. It was far from pure altruism for their sake. He hated evil and saw it only as something to be executed. The people's golden age was merely a byproduct of Mireok Paedo.
'So what?'
It was like debating which came first, the chicken or the egg. Evil was cruel and tenacious—like maggots that spawned endlessly no matter how many you killed. If someone had to do it, shouldn't it be the one who did it best? The longer eradication dragged on, the more victims piled up. What was wrong with maximum efficiency at top speed?
'Resentment?'
Even if Mu-myeong meant well, this was work Cheon-woo had done for 40,000 years. All efforts to uphold justice turned to bubbles in an instant—naturally, it pissed him off.
'Feels fresh.'
Had such resentment ever surged like this? His memories were hazy. Even the rage of the 1st regression had dulled over 40,000 years into rote routine.
'If I must change……'
He needed to reflect on his current life. If the reason for regression was Mireok Paedo, avoidance was one path. But ignoring evil unfolding before his eyes would negate his entire existence.
Then he had to set boundaries: no karma accumulation. Execute evil happening right in front of him, especially if tied to the merchant group. Not for the grand righteousness of world peace, but the small righteousness around him. Pull Mireok Paedo down to the realm of family and disciples.
'Gotta cross some walls too.'
He no longer settled for the pinnacle of Paewang Martial Extreme Realm. He wouldn't lead, but he wouldn't be dragged around either.
'Curious, too.'
It differed from raw strength. Regression was a miraculous feat twisting time back. He leaned toward formations and immortal arts, but no firm answers yet. For now, he was content with the line drawn.
He didn’t want to repeat the kind of constant clashes he’d had with the Wind Dragon Stronghold before even reaching the capital. He would decide whether to kill or not—and act without hesitation. Indecision and inner conflict did not suit a conqueror.
He unfolded his legs. Footsteps approached his room.
"Brother, it's me."
"Come in."
A gruff voice sought permission, then the door opened. Similar features to Cheon-woo, but softer overall lines. Too refined for a merchant. Working together must have rubbed off— he even resembled the scholarly outer manager.
-Do what you want. I'm always on your side.
Seeing his brother, Cheon-woo recalled: Unlike his sister who raged every regression, Cheon-su had steadily supported him. Maybe that's why—no special memories with the third brother or sister, but none here either. After agreeing once, he'd paid no further mind. No news was good news; he trusted him to handle himself.
'Good.'
One must solve their own problems. Dependence became habit, eroding self-reliance.
"The branch inventory audit ran late. My apologies."
"You're here now. That's what matters."
"Heard some odd rumors on the way. That you've become a master martial artist……."
"Not quite at that level."
"So you're not pursuing the warrior's path?"
"Not exactly."
"Relief."
"The successor will be decided through fair competition, so no worries."
"You do it, brother."
An unexpected response for Cheon-woo. Every regression, Cheon-su became the Jeokgeum Merchant Group's master. He'd assumed competition this time too.
Was he yielding his seat for this brother? From 100 regressions' worth of Cheon-su, it fit his character.
"Don't abandon your dreams for me."
"What are you saying? I never wanted to be a merchant to begin with. Whew! I was on pins and needles worrying you'd stick with it."
"Never?"
"Of course. You know I have a knack for scholarship. From now on, I'll pursue studies full-time—handle the merchant group yourself. Great, now I'm free~~~~!"
"Hold on, no need to rush."
"Provincial exam's a given; top honors in the national exams within three years. Await my triumphant return in glory, brother!"
This guy. Ignores me completely. Didn't know he talked this much. Said his piece, stubborn too. Couldn't fathom why he'd acted that way before.
"Figured you were learning martial arts for business. Such foresight. I made so many mistakes on my first trade run—embarrassing in hindsight. You're born to be the Merchant King."
"Troubling."
"What's troubling? I'm always on your side. Be the merchant you want."
Same words as before, yet they rang utterly different. Strangely irritating. Wasn't he always like this? Felt deceived for 40,000 years.
Susin Jegah might be harder than world domination.
"Can't just let a day like today pass idly."
Cheon-su carefully unwrapped a bundle like a sacred relic and pulled out a liquor bottle nestled in a seven-string case.
"Special bamboo leaf liquor. Nothing fancy, but suits my taste—perfect for before studying."
"……?"
Drinking before studying? Wasn't it the opposite? Liquor dulled focus. It softened the mind and brought calm, but detrimental to scholarly pursuits. And not just a sip—a full bottle of strong bamboo leaf brew?
Looked like he couldn't hold a drop, yet a born drunkard.
"Really no intent to become successor?"
"Never wanted to be a merchant. Was waiting so long for you to take over, nearly keeled over."
"But Cheon-gi has talent, no?"
"He's an idiot, so no."
……?
So blunt and unyielding—Cheon-woo was speechless. Shattered his image of Cheon-su. Trusted axe right on the foot.
This meant he was inheriting the merchant group. He'd accepted fair competition for Susin Jegah, but not like this.
"What's wrong with Cheon-gi?"
"Can't study, no merchant sense, half-assed martial arts. That's an idiot, not a person."
Sharp to the point of malice. Were these brothers? If Cheon-gi were here, self-esteem crushed—he might hang himself.
Brothers weren't meant to cheer and uplift each other, apparently.
'Cheon-ye, even this is my fault?'
Cheon-gi's wayward path seemed Cheon-su's doing. Lucky he hadn't picked up bad habits under this guy.
"Brother, have a drink."
"How long you been at it?"
"Why? Seven years now."
"……?"
Cheon-woo was 18. Cheon-su 17. Seven years ago—that's 10! And he knew. Accomplice.
Cheon-su's cunning shone. Wouldn't die alone—a true water ghost.
Far from savoring brotherly reunion, his foot was mangled.
"Feels like yesterday sneaking drinks with you, but seven years already—nostalgic."
"Same here."
Know ten fathoms deep but not a man's heart. Cheon-su's double life as model merchant shocked. Even parents unaware. Far from scholar—textbook deviant, thorough.
"The day you raise your name in martial arts and commerce draws near."
"No guarantee."
"No, brother will. You're the type who does what he sets out to."
"I see."
He'd said as much, but it rang hollow. Excessive praise to foist unwanted duty. Slight guilt too.
Every time Cheon-woo completed world domination, Cheon-su ended as merchant. Endured unwanted role 100 times, never pursuing dreams.
'Can't stop his studies.'
Though Mu-myeong denied it, Cheon-woo never regretted devoting life to Mireok Paedo. Fair to give Cheon-su his chance.
"You'll need top provincial honors."
"Eh, so many geniuses out there."
"I said you will."
"I'll try!"
"Judge by results."
"……Brother!!"
Cheon-su sensed: Fail top honors, life won't be smooth.
'Mood…… swing?'
Cheon-woo resolved full support for brother's top honors. Not resentment over pumpkin seeds, but pure brotherly duty.
"Scholars of old were versed in both pen and sword."
"……Brother!!"