Personal Gain
Standing at the door was Paeng Gang-ung, the eldest son of the Hebei Pang Clan.
He shrugged with a broad grin.
"I just wanted to see your face after so long. Did I interrupt?"
"A little."
"Oh dear. Sorry about that. Truth be told, that's not the only reason I came. Mind if we talk for a bit?"
"Sure."
Paeng Gang-ung entered and sat down.
He stared at Jeong Gwang's face for a moment before speaking.
"I heard from Father. You turned down the position of Jiryongdan leader."
"Yes."
"Honestly, I was a bit surprised. Why'd you do it?"
Jeong Gwang could see right through Paeng Gang-ung's intentions.
'This guy's testing me.'
And he wasn't even hiding it.
His face showed clear curiosity about how Jeong Gwang would respond.
'How far is he planning to push this?'
Jeong Gwang grew intrigued.
"It'd tie me down. Why bother?"
"Is that the only reason?"
"Yeah."
"No plans to take it in the future?"
"Of course not."
"……."
Paeng Gang-ung fell silent, then chuckled softly.
"Kicking away a position above all the later-generation talents. You're either a fool or a true Taoist."
"Hm. Neither, really."
"Hahaha. Right, you're a genius among geniuses, so empty titles don't interest you. What do you plan to do from now on?"
"Enjoy myself."
"Enjoy yourself……?"
Paeng Gang-ung repeated the words, shaking his head.
"Almost everything in the world is hard and painful, yet you plan to live leisurely on your own. Think that'll work?"
"I'll make it work."
"No, it'll be tough. The jianghu won't leave you alone."
"The jianghu?"
"Exactly. The name Jade Cloud Dragon is already firmly etched in everyone's minds."
Paeng Gang-ung's eyes sharpened.
"Not far in the future, the murim will revolve around you. Even things you do without much thought will hit the jianghu hard, interpreted in entirely different ways depending on who's receiving them."
He paused, then asked gravely.
"What will you do then?"
What else?
For Jeong Gwang's personality, there was only one answer.
"Ignore it."
"……Why?"
"Why bother?"
"……You can't just let misunderstandings fester."
Jeong Gwang shook his head.
"People like that will keep misunderstanding no matter how much you explain. They'll twist it to fit what they want, and keep doing it."
"……That's too extreme."
"Sure, some people won't. But how can I look after every single one? Better to just leave it."
Paeng Gang-ung tapped the table with his finger.
"……Hypothetically speaking. If someone misunderstands you to the point of rejecting you—or even attacks you—what then?"
Jeong Gwang smiled.
It was a refreshingly bright smile that could lift anyone's mood.
But Paeng Gang-ung felt chills run down his spine.
Jeong Gwang's eyes were icy cold, like a warning.
"What can you do?"
Jeong Gwang clasped his hands and murmured.
"Amitabha."
"……?"
"I'll send them to a good place."
"……!"
Jeong Gwang smirked as he watched Paeng Gang-ung's retreating figure.
'Test me all you want, but know your limits. Greedy bastard.'
He'd probed not just about interest in the Jiryongdan leadership, but future plans too.
And even how he'd handle "misunderstandings."
Naturally, Paeng Gang-ung would be among those causing such misunderstandings.
Jeong Gwang had given a clear answer, so Paeng Gang-ung's next move was obvious.
'He'll pull some scheme.'
No matter how much Jeong Gwang claimed disinterest in fame and power, this guy wouldn't believe it.
Why?
Because Paeng Gang-ung lived to seize them.
He could even become a rival to Namgung Hwa-in if he kept growing.
'Guys like him think if they crave it, everyone else does too.'
And they'd swing the sword mercilessly at any threats.
Jeong Gwang would be no exception.
'The former Guryong Sabong's Blade Dragon, right? Can't wait to see what you do.'
Jeong Gwang rubbed his hands with a grin.
Not for Paeng Gang-ung's martial arts, but his scheming mind.
'Wonder what kind of guys they are.'
From their first meeting, Paeng Gang-ung had exuded a different aura from the other Pang Clan members.
He'd clearly learned arts from other factions to grow stronger.
'When he comes for me, he'll bring them along.'
Judging by the faint unorthodox vibe, they weren't from the righteous sects.
'When I meet those guys……'
He planned to go all out.
It'd be his first real chance to cut loose since reincarnating.
A satisfied smile curved Jeong Gwang's lips.
But approaching Heo Cheong nearly had a fit.
"D-Disciple. What are you plotting now?"
"Plotting? Don't worry."
"Phew. I can't relax at all."
Heo Cheong slumped against the doorframe.
Then he looked up blankly at the sky.
The pitch-black night sky was embroidered with countless stars.
They were beautiful, but paled compared to those over Kunlun.
Just as Heo Cheong's face had been brighter back on Kunlun than here in the Central Plains.
After watching him for a while, Jeong Gwang quietly asked.
"Want to go back?"
"……A little."
"Then go."
"……Can't do that."
"Why not?"
"The generational shift in righteous murim has begun. As sect leader, I need to lead it."
"Hand it off to the martial uncles."
Heo Cheong let out a hollow laugh at Jeong Gwang's words.
"They'd just head back to Kunlun first."
"Then beat them to it."
"……Should I?"
"Hurry before it's too late."
Heo Cheong fidgeted, then sighed.
"Sigh. I can't. You know that—why say it?"
"Then pass it to another martial uncle."
"Who?"
"Hm. Heo Jik?"
"……I'd rather do it myself."
Heo Cheong shuddered.
Heo Jik, rigid enough to rival the world's best, would cause even bigger incidents than Jeong Gwang if he represented Kunlun.
"I shouldn't have whined. Pretend you didn't hear."
"Whining? The secular world just doesn't suit you—it's too dirty."
"Haha. As if I'm clean."
"Hm……."
"Hey, you punk. Stop pretending to think."
"I am thinking."
Heo Cheong frowned.
His proud disciple actually looked like he was pondering.
"Disciple. Think hard. I'm your master, after all."
"True."
Heo Cheong grinned, ruffled Jeong Gwang's hair, then paused.
"Oops. You've grown up, but I'm still treating you like a kid."
"Yeah."
"Hahaha. Right, yeah."
Bursting into laughter, Heo Cheong said calmly.
"The alliance leader race is taking shape. It'll probably be the Pang Clan head."
"Namgung head lost?"
"The mood says so. Some sects and clans were blowing cold winds. Seems they had some bad incidents lately."
Jeong Gwang nodded inwardly.
It was the natural outcome.
'Too late for other tricks now.'
No matter what Namgung Segah offered or promised, it wouldn't matter.
Who'd trust them after two strikes?
They were lucky not to face more backlash.
'Still, it'd be nice if they kept spreading bribes stubbornly.'
The thought of intercepting them cheered him up.
Noticing it on his face, Heo Cheong narrowed his eyes.
"Did you do something? Plotting more?"
"No way."
Heo Cheong glared, but couldn't read Jeong Gwang's mind.
"Fine. Anyway, where'd you get the ingredients for the True Void Marvel Pill?"
"I've got money."
"……True enough."
"Can I head in now?"
"……Yeah. Rest well."
"You too, Master."
As Jeong Gwang entered his room, Heo Cheong's voice followed.
"Wherever you go, whatever you do…… I'm always on your side."
Jeong Gwang turned with a grin.
"Yeah. I know."
Unlike the smiling Jeong Gwang, Heo Cheong's face was serious.
Jeong Gwang's expression gradually matched.
But his voice stayed bright, like his earlier smile.
"I really know, Master."
Jeong Gwang had no more schemes in mind.
Except one.
The next day, after training ended, he asked Jang I, who had collapsed.
"Jang hyungnim. How's your mother?"
"Huff. Huff. She's well, benefactor. She always asks about you."
"Then let's visit."
"……Pardon?"
Jeong Gwang turned and called Yu Jeong-pung too.
"Yu hyungnim. Got time?"
"Ah, sorry, little brother. I'm beat right now……."
"We're going for good food."
"……Beat, but craving good food. Let's go!"
Jeong Gwang hoisted the staggering Baek Seung-mu over his shoulder and unleashed his lightness skill.
The collapsed Jang I became Yu Jeong-pung's burden.
Soon, they arrived at Jang I's mother's noodle shop.
Pre-mealtime emptiness let her prepare quickly.
But as she brought the food—
Jeong Gwang's group fetched it themselves.
"Oh my. You nobles shouldn't serve yourselves."
"We're not nobles."
"H-How can you say that……."
Jeong Gwang pointed at each of them, including himself.
"Fake Taoist, beggar prince, virgin monk living more Taoistically than actual Taoists. Ah, your son counts as one."
"……."
"Come join us. Got something to say."
"A-Alright."
Jeong Gwang's group sat and tasted the dishes.
"……Huh?"
After a few bites, Yu Jeong-pung grabbed the plate and shoveled it in—a divine feat befitting the Righteous Dragon.
Jeong Gwang watched, then asked.
"How's the taste?"
"Little brother, I had no idea this backwater had such a gem. What's the price?"
Jang I's mother answered, and Yu Jeong-pung nodded vigorously.
"Excellent. This taste at that price? Incredible."
"I-I'm flattered."
"Flattered? I've thickened my bones begging. Places this tasty and cheap are rare."
As Jang I's mother blushed helplessly, Jeong Gwang chimed in.
"Just like Yu hyungnim said."
"Oh dear."
"Why run the shop here?"
"W-Well, no money……."
"If you had money, would you open in a busier spot?"
She blinked, confused.
Jeong Gwang asked Baek Seung-mu.
"Junior brother. Among the lands you bought, any good spots for a noodle shop?"
"Yes, senior brother."
"How big?"
"Hm. The best one's about Yimi Noodle Shop size. Senior brother, don't tell me……?"
"Yep. Exactly."
Jeong Gwang alternated glances between Jang I and his mother.
"I'll lend you the land and build the shop. Lease it to you."
"……!"
"It'll be bigger, so hire help. Tell Yu hyungnim if needed—he'll introduce reliable folks."
"L-Little brother, when did I……."
"And when Beggars' Sect folks come begging, give extra leftovers."
"Jang hyungnim, ma'am. Leave it to me. My connections are wide."
Jang I and his mother stared wide-eyed, at a loss.
They couldn't fathom why Jeong Gwang was so kind.
Hesitant Jang I finally asked.
"……B-Benefactor. Why us lowly folk……."
"That's why. Your cooking's great."
"……."
"You're set on martial arts anyway, so no cooking for you, right?"
"O-Of course."
"Worried about your mom working alone?"
"……Yes."
"So go big, hire people. Close to the Murim Alliance, easy for you to come and go."
"……."
His trembling mother cautiously asked.
"B-But you'll lose money, benefactor……."
"Depends on you two."
"Pardon?"
Jeong Gwang explained to the puzzled pair.
"Do well till the lease ends. Buy the land from me, or move if you find better. Sell it high to someone else then."
Tears welled in the dazed parents' eyes.
Jeong Gwang called it personal gain, but to them, it was immense benevolence.
Yu Jeong-pung looked impressed, but Baek Seung-mu differed.
-Senior brother. Why the sudden change? Eat something bad?-No.-Miscalculated then. One noodle shop won't profit.-I know.-Then why……?
Jeong Gwang grinned.