Save the Rich Friend (2)
“Aigoo, what a plight.”
A young man aboard a boat departing from Yeongyang in Sichuan Province let out a sigh so heavy it seemed like it might capsize the vessel. The refined air about his face and the fine silk robes he wore made it clear at a glance that he was the scion of a wealthy house.
The reason for his sigh was simple, despite having everything anyone could envy.
‘Father’s sixtieth birthday is tomorrow, but unlike my two older brothers, I have nothing to give him.’
This was none other than Seok Mu-sam, the third son of the Stone Family Manor and the one known as the Pitiable Young Master.
Unlike his two outstanding older brothers, Seok Mu-sam had earned his nickname through repeated rude and clueless behavior that drew ridicule from others. Yet, contrary to that lowly moniker, he was actually a decent fellow at heart. Take this very moment: wasn’t he lamenting the fact that he had no gift for his father’s birthday?
“Euuuuh.”
Seok Mu-sam heaved another deep sigh. He hadn’t even sighed like this when he’d been saddled with that misleading nickname, which didn’t reflect his true intentions. What pained him now was that on his revered father’s sixtieth birthday, he had nothing to offer.
‘My eldest brother, with his massive merchant guild, and my second brother, heir to that monstrous martial house, have surely prepared fine gifts already, haven’t they?’
The reason the three sons of the Stone Family Manor head didn’t get along? They were half-brothers from different mothers.
The heir to the Stone Family Manor had, since ancient times, taken many wives for political marriages. The mother of Man-geum Young Master Seok Mu-il was the only daughter of the Yellow River Merchant Group’s head, a giant in Sichuan Province. The mother of Priceless Young Master Seok Mu-tu hailed from the martial lineage of the Sichuan Yuk Clan, one of Sichuan Province’s traditional powerhouses.
‘And here I am with nothing to my name.’
Unfortunately, Seok Mu-sam had no maternal clan to back him. His mother had been a mere servant in the Stone Family Manor who’d caught the family head’s eye by chance and borne him. Because of that, his power base was far weaker than his brothers’, leaving him neglected and even the target of schemes.
“The day is clear and a cool spring breeze blows—what worries could make you lament so?”
Instead of admiring the scenery or enjoying the river wind, Seok Mu-sam kept sighing nonstop, prompting someone to speak up.
It was a strikingly handsome young martial artist in neat martial robes, clearly out for a carefree boat excursion without a worry in the world.
“No, it’s nothing.”
Seok Mu-sam shook his head, unwilling to continue. He’d always been cautious, knowing there were those lurking in the shadows who targeted him or plotted mischief.
“Come on, don’t be like that—let’s talk. As the old saying goes, joy doubles when shared, and sorrow halves.”
Seok Mu-sam tried to ignore the persistent young martial artist but soon changed his mind. The man’s handsome face aside, he looked like a pampered young master from a wealthy martial house, with no creases in his clothes—hardly the image of an assassin.
“Very well, then. It’s just… my father’s sixtieth birthday banquet is the day after tomorrow, and I have nothing worthy to give him.”
“Hm? That’s your worry? Isn’t it enough that his children are healthy and filial?”
“You wouldn’t understand. I have two older brothers who are in far better positions. Eldest brother’s prepared some incredibly expensive treasure for Father, and second brother’s bringing rare elixirs and tonics, they say.”
“Oh! Is that so?”
Chatting with this affable young martial artist eased Seok Mu-sam’s heart somewhat. Perhaps that was why he opened up more freely than he’d intended.
“Yes, actually… we’re half-brothers. Unlike my brothers with their powerful maternal clans, even my own mother has passed away.”
This wasn’t an exaggeration on Seok Mu-sam’s part. After his servant-born mother died, his standing in the Stone Family Manor had plummeted. Rumors even swirled that his brothers’ maternal clans were behind her death, forcing him to watch his step around them all the more.
“Aigoo, that’s rough.”
“I truly revere Father, but I can’t express it fully, and that breaks my heart.”
Seok Mu-sam rummaged in his bosom. All he had was a single ingot of gold—barely enough to maintain his dignity, provided by the Stone Family Manor. For a son of the family head, it was a pitiful state.
“Hmm, does your father have any particular likes or favorite treats?”
The handsome young martial artist pondered deeply before speaking up.
“Pardon?”
Seok Mu-sam snorted, wondering what out-of-left-field question this was.
“Well, your brothers’ gifts…”
“Yes, the rare treasures, elixirs, and tonics.”
“I’ve been thinking—they’re certainly valuable and rare, but looking back, both brothers are just giving what they want to give, not what Father truly desires.”
“……!!”
Seok Mu-sam felt like a hammer had smashed the back of his head. At first, it sounded like sophistry, but the treasure was something only a merchant lord could provide, and the elixirs only a martial house head. Neither was what the Stone Family Manor head truly yearned for.
‘He’s right. The manor, vast as a city, overflows with such treasures and medicines. Father wouldn’t lack for them.’
The Stone Family Manor was said to have everything, enough to make even an emperor envious. As its master, how many such items had he seen? He must be utterly bored of them.
“Now, think carefully. What does Father truly enjoy and use often?”
Seok Mu-sam found himself drawn deeper into the young martial artist’s words. His pleasant demeanor and witty eloquence were utterly charming.
‘Let’s see.’
Calmly recalling his father, the Stone Family Manor head, one thing immediately came to mind.
“That’s it! Father loves tea!”
Seok Mu-sam was spot on. The Stone Family head was renowned for his mastery of the tea ceremony, even saying the moments he savored tea leaves were his happiest.
“See? There’s surely something fitting.”
Relief washed over Seok Mu-sam like a toothache vanishing, but his expression soon soured again.
“But… there’s a problem with that too.”
“A problem?”
“Yes. Father’s so leisurely that he’s sampled famous teas from every corner of the Central Plains—even foreign ones.”
From Dragon Well to Cloud Mist or White Crane Silver Needle, he’d tasted teas more precious than gold by weight. He’d even savored foreign varieties, a hobby befitting the world’s richest man.
“Hmmm, that’s tricky indeed.”
As even the young martial artist pondered, he spoke again.
“How about this?”
“Pardon?”
“No matter how rich a father is, there’s one tea he hasn’t tasted.”
“What’s that?”
The martial artist smiled meaningfully.
“Tea ground and brewed by his own son. Have you or your brothers ever served him tea personally?”
“N-no, never once…”
Thinking back, none of the brothers had dared serve tea to their erudite father in that field—they’d all shied away in intimidation.
“But would Father like it? Compared to what he’s had, it’d be like rabbit blood…”
“Even rabbit blood would delight him, receiving tea from his son for the first time.”
“You think so?”
“Absolutely. Taste isn’t just for the tongue. Add the flavors of memory and sincerity, and it multiplies.”
The young man’s profound advice struck home.
‘When I was young, it was always Mother who brewed Father’s tea.’
And Seok Mu-sam had grown up watching her every move from her side, the memory still vivid. Recreating it—brewing and serving tea—might satisfy even the world’s richest man.
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Conviction surging, Seok Mu-sam joyfully seized the martial artist’s hands, thanking him profusely.
Unlike his handsome face, the young man’s hands were callused.
“No need.”
“We’ve shared such a conversation—it must be fate. Let’s exchange names. I’m…”
Seok Mu-sam was utterly taken with the man. Feeling those calluses shattered his initial pampered impression. His speech, substance, and now those hands made Seok Mu-sam yearn for lasting friendship. Ever since his mother’s death, he’d been lonely in the vast Stone Family Manor.
Just as they were about to share names—
BOOM!
Something shocking happened.
The boat, cruising smoothly, nearly capsized after a massive vessel suddenly rammed it. And that wasn’t all—the identity of the colliding giant was none other than…
“River pirates! River pirates!”
“River pirates from downstream have attacked!”
“Crew, prepare for battle!”
They were river pirates who prowled the waters, preying on boats and passengers’ wealth.
“R-river pirates?”
“No way!”
At the words, Seok Mu-sam and the young martial artist, who’d been in high spirits, recoiled to the rear deck in shock.
River pirates on the Yangtze were as fearsome as mountain bandits. Their notoriety made all riverfolk avoid and dread them.
“Passengers, don’t worry.”
Thankfully, the captain and crew were seasoned. They prepared for combat instantly.
“We’ll help too!”
Merchants aboard—precisely, their hired escort warriors—stepped forward in groups.
Most passengers, like Seok Mu-sam and the other merchants, lacked martial arts and retreated to the rear deck.
Clang! Clash!
A fierce shipboard battle erupted, hell unfolding anew. The two sides—pirates versus crew and escorts—clashed savagely.
“Will you help them too?”
As the fight dragged on, Seok Mu-sam asked the young martial artist. Those calluses suggested he wasn’t helpless.
“I… have other business.”
But the response was the opposite of what Seok Mu-sam expected from the witty, affable advisor he’d wanted as a friend.
Every hand was needed, yet he claimed other business? It looked like cowardice, pure and simple.
‘What a letdown.’
His favorable impression soured at this timid display.
“Isn’t this a deadlock? If you won’t step up, even this young fool will.”
Sensing the balance, Seok Mu-sam grabbed a sword rolling under the deck. No martial arts, but he’d trained his body for health and learned basic qi circulation. Swinging it might fell a blind pirate or two.
As furious Seok Mu-sam charged into the fray—
“Stop.”
Shockingly, it was the young martial artist restraining him.
Just as Seok Mu-sam was about to snap at the petty interference—
“The pirates, captain, and crew are all in cahoots. You’d just die going out there.”