Let's Get Along Well
Only after the crowds had dispersed did Baek Seung-mu finally unclench his fist.
Blood trickled from the palm where his nails had dug in.
It hurts.
He wasn't talking about his hand.
Jin Ok-ryong shows off such splendor, and here I am... what am I even doing?
The rising star of the Baek Merchant Group, its heir. Strip away that background, and he was just one of the promising young talents whose name occasionally floated around Qinghai Province.
Promising talent? More like a pretty apricot pit—looks good but worthless inside.
What real geniuses could there be in a remote borderland like Qinghai anyway?
I want to be like him. But how?
Jeong Gwang's words echoed in his mind.
"Become a Taoist. A true mountain disciple. Meat? Liquor? Women? That's the problem? Pfft. Just do it on the sly."
Absurd nonsense.
Besides, Baek Seung-mu was in the position of inheriting the Baek Merchant Group in place of his brother, who had entered government service.
He considered abandoning his primal desires and shedding the shackles of his family... but...
"I've been the baby of the family for nineteen years now. I need a junior to boss around comfortably, and you seem perfect for it."
Who would join a sect for that reason?
But...
Witnessing Jeong Gwang's prowess today had changed his mind.
What did it matter why he'd been invited? As long as he performed well, that was enough.
With his resolve hardened, Baek Seung-mu rushed to Baek Jin-hwan.
"Father!"
"I'm busy. Talk later."
Baek Jin-hwan truly was swamped.
The crisis had been resolved, but there were countless details to wrap up. And preparations for the departing Kunlun Taoists, who would leave at dawn tomorrow.
Baek Seung-mu knew this, but he had to speak now.
"It's important."
Baek Jin-hwan eyed his son for a moment, then nodded.
"Speak."
"......"
"Hah. I said speak."
When the moment came, the words stuck in his throat. Baek Seung-mu wet his lips with his tongue, mustered his courage, and said it.
"I want to join Kunlun."
"You know they don't accept lay disciples anymore."
"I know. I want to become a true mountain disciple."
"......Become a Taoist?"
"Yes. Please allow it."
This time, Baek Jin-hwan fell silent.
He could guess why his son was doing this, which made responding even more delicate.
Your benefactor is extraordinary, but you're aiming too high, son...
Baek Jin-hwan had grand dreams in his youth too. But time had worn them down through clashes with the world.
Fortunately, he'd met a fine woman in Heo Yeo-min, and together they'd built their current business. But it fell short of what his younger self had envisioned.
Of course, he was content and happy now... but...
Seung-mu can't understand that.
Youth looks upward.
It was their right.
Not something for an aging father to deny or criticize.
Baek Jin-hwan made his decision.
He'd explain reality, then respect his son's will.
But first—
"Have you told your mother?"
"No. I came to you first."
"Knew it. If you had, your face would have a few bruises by now."
Father and son chuckled softly together.
With the mood softened, Baek Jin-hwan continued.
"I know you made this choice after seeing your benefactor's divine might."
"......"
"But there's something you don't know. Do you think what you saw earlier was his full power?"
"......!"
Baek Seung-mu's eyes widened.
Did that mean Jin Ok-ryong's skills went beyond what he'd shown in the spar?
"During the match, the elders said something."
"What did they say?"
"That your benefactor, who always holds back in spars at Kunlun, finally found an opponent he could cut loose against and was thrilled."
Come to think of it, Jeong Gwang had been grinning ear to ear throughout the bout.
"To fight that intense battle with such joy... incredible."
"Intense battle..."
"Wasn't it?"
"Your benefactor broke Yeong Chu-ja's ultimate technique with a single sword stroke. Then knocked him out with a single punch."
"But up until then, it was a fierce exchange, wasn't it?"
"No. Recall your benefactor's expression when Yeong Chu-ja fell."
Baek Seung-mu dredged up the memory.
"He looked... a bit sulky."
"Exactly. The elders put it like this: like a kid who drops a favorite snack by accident while trying to savor it."
"......You mean?"
"He had high expectations for Yeong Chu-ja. Thought he could at least handle that much. But..."
Baek Jin-hwan chuckled wryly, as if even he found it absurd.
"......He fell short of your benefactor's expectations."
Baek Seung-mu's jaw dropped.
An elder of the Gongdong Sect was disappointing?
Absurd!
Seeing his disbelief, Baek Jin-hwan pondered briefly before speaking.
"Let me tell you something you don't know."
From his mouth poured the tale of what had happened in the Taklamakan Desert.
It was a long story. Baek Seung-mu listened with his mouth agape the whole time, and even after it ended, he stared blankly for a good while.
Baek Jin-hwan sighed inwardly at the sight.
"That's the kind of person your benefactor is. Or rather, not even quite human. Still want to be like him? Got the guts?"
Baek Seung-mu's flickering gaze finally hardened into firm resolve.
"I want to chase after his back, even if just a little."
"......"
"I don't have the confidence, though."
"......Hahaha!"
Baek Seung-mu bowed deeply to his chuckling father.
"I'm sorry."
"No need. Saying you lack confidence makes me trust you more."
After a brief silence, Baek Jin-hwan nodded vigorously.
"It's your path anyway—you should decide. But! Remember this: whatever obstacles arise, whatever hardships come, you must overcome them yourself."
"Thank you! I will!"
"Enough to make my ears ring. They haven't even approved you yet—why the fuss? They're not the type to accept just because of donations. It'll be tough."
"Haha. I know, Father. But I feel so good."
Bouncing with joy, Baek Seung-mu calmed himself and asked cautiously.
"But if I join the Taoist sect... what about the family...?"
"Don't pretend to worry now. Whip your brother into shape to take over sooner, and as for business... I've done enough. Then your mother and I can spend freely."
Baek Seung-mu's head bowed lower.
He knew full well how much effort and attachment his father had poured into the Baek Merchant Group.
Guilt and gratitude toward his father swelled in his heart.
"Oh, and one more thing."
"Yes, Father!"
"Get permission from your mother. Go alone."
The emotion filling Baek Seung-mu's chest shattered.
*
Jeong Gwang stretched as he rose from bed. Stepping outside, he found warm sunlight pouring down—a perfect day.
Ah, I'm stuffed. Been a while since I had properly cooked food.
Last dawn, he'd sneaked into the kitchen and devoured meat—it had been pretty good. His gluttony left his belly still bulging.
Good weather, satisfying fullness.
The irritation from Yeong Chu-ja passing out in one hit had vanished.
Skipping breakfast sounds tempting...
The world wouldn't let him.
"Little bro. Time for breakfast."
"Not hungry."
Senior brother Jeong U placed a hand on Jeong Gwang's shoulder, urging him along.
"Don't talk nonsense. Come on. Hurry."
Kunlun survived on donors' alms, so they always ate with gratitude.
Skipping a meal was seen as disrespecting that sincerity—an absolute no-no.
Dragged to the dining hall, Jeong Gwang had no appetite and merely picked at his food.
But to the Baek Merchant Group folk, it hit even harder.
Incredible! Even eating looks so graceful!
A heavenly god in battle, an immortal sage at the table!
Worth the effort. I was furious about the missing meat prepped since dawn, but now I'm at peace.
After the meal, the Kunlun disciples prepared to depart. Their luggage was just bundles, so it didn't take long.
Baek Jin-hwan gathered Un Hak and the Un-generation Taoists in the inner quarters, expressing deep gratitude on behalf of the Baek Merchant Group.
"Thank you. I'll never forget Kunlun's grace."
"Amitabha. We merely did what was right."
Un Hak smiled faintly, then sensed something off.
Baek Jin-hwan's lips parted and closed—he had something hard to say.
"Baek Group Leader. Speak freely if you have words."
"......Then, shamelessly, I'll ask. My second son desperately wishes to join Kunlun. Is it possible?"
"Ah, sorry. The main sect doesn't take lay disciples."
"I mean as a true mountain disciple."
Caught off-guard, Un Hak thought of Baek Seung-mu.
Risked his life for his subordinates. Good heart, but talent's the issue.
Nearing weak crown age was a problem too. Martial training and more—he'd struggle.
And timing's off.
Too late for Heo-generation, too early for Jeong-generation.
The other Taoists' expressions matched his thinking.
Have to refuse.
Baek Jin-hwan was perceptive. Sensing rejection, he spoke up.
"Please. Even if you refuse, at least see the boy once first?"
"......Very well."
Baek Jin-hwan sighed inwardly.
I've done my part, son. Now it's on you.
He worried about his son's state, but no other way.
"Seung-mu. Come in."
The door opened, revealing Baek Seung-mu bowing deeply.
"Greetings. Baek Seung-mu of the Baek Merchant Group meets Kunlun's sages."
"Hoho. Pleased to meet you. Seeing your heroic deeds, the Baek Group has no worries... eh?"
Un Hak's ritual greeting halted as his eyes bulged. Straightening, Baek Seung-mu's face was a mess.
"Did you fight someone?"
"No."
"Hm. Thought so. Anyone can see it's a one-sided beating."
Yeong Chu-ja's was a sloppy one-eyed shiner; Baek Seung-mu's was a proper double-black-eye panda.
"Anyway, tell me. Why do you want to join the main sect?"
"Well..."
"Better to speak the plain truth than pretty lies."
Panicked, Baek Seung-mu heard his father's transmission.
-It's fine! Say exactly what I told you! That you seek the Dao like Kunlun sages! And want to help the needy through heroic deeds!
Baek Seung-mu hesitated, then sighed softly.
The elder said that much. If I lie... even if accepted, how could I hold my head high?
He spoke from the heart.
"Because Kunlun and Jin Ok-ryong are cool. I want to be like that."
*
Quite some time had passed, but Baek Seung-mu was still dumbfounded.
Am I really a Kunlun disciple now? How? Why?
He'd given a childish, pathetic answer.
He'd blushed in shame afterward, yet Un Hak and the elders were delighted.
'Cool,' huh? Refreshing to hear. I like it. Brothers?
The elders agreed, so Un Hak concluded.
Baek Group Leader. Let's do it.
......Pardon?
Seung-mu. Your master will be decided later. Prepare—we're leaving soon.
......Pardon?
It felt like he'd been possessed.
Coming to, he was bundled up, embraced by his mother Heo Yeo-min.
"Sob sob. So this is how it ends. Be careful always. Consult your benefactor for tough matters. Oh, my boy. I hate sending you off like this..."
She stroked his face, tears like chicken droppings falling.
She'd beaten him for abandoning family and parents to 'become a crazy Taoist,' but she was just a worried mother.
Only after a long while could Baek Seung-mu escape her arms.
What the hell just happened?
Soon, Kunlun Taoists surrounded him, congratulating.
Baek Jin-hwan, with a bittersweet smile, called out loudly.
"We wish Kunlun sages martial fortune!"
The Baek Merchant Group echoed.
"We wish Kunlun sages martial fortune!"
The Kunlun disciples clasped hands in salute, then headed for the gate. They'd refused Baek Jin-hwan's heaps of gifts, so bodies and hearts were light.
Walking beside Baek Seung-mu, Jeong Gwang smirked oddly.
"Welcome, junior brother. Let's get along well from now on... Hah. Driving me nuts. This formal speech is stuck to my tongue."
"......Benefactor?"
"Not benefactor. Call me senior brother. Let's get along well. Really well."
Chills ran down Baek Seung-mu's spine.
He didn't know why, but it did.
"The sages are leaving! Open the gates!"
At Baek Jin-hwan's shout, the massive gates swung wide.
Revealing one man.
"Oh. Finally out. Hope you all fared well."
The Kunlun Taoists froze at his face.