Greed Destroys a Man
The righteous Murim was home to countless sects and clans.
Naturally, there were many prestigious ones among them, but belonging to the Nine Great Sects One Gang or the Seven Great Clans marked you as the elite of the elite.
Occasionally, a sect or family outside those ranks would surge to prominence, shoving aside the established powers to claim a spot.
But it never lasted.
To hold such a position required not just raw strength, but the enduring foundation to sustain it.
Like the Hebei Paeng Clan.
Their estate was vast, every bit as grand as their reputation demanded.
Jeong Gwang roamed the grounds using the Chil Ya Ma Yeong, inwardly marveling all the while.
More money than I figured.
It wasn't just the sheer size—every pavilion gleamed like it had been dipped in gold.
With so many of them, scouting would take time.
Paeng Gang-ung's evil qi was too faint; he had to get close to detect it.
Ah, what a pain.
Jeong Gwang had little patience outside of training.
So he took the easy route.
Hey, Yeok Cheon Gyeong.
-......
Sleeping? Want me to bend you awake?
-Uung! Uung!
The relic vibrated wildly in his robes.
Enough.
-......
That guy with the evil qi earlier? Guide me.
-......Uung.
The relic pulsed in agreement, then realized its mistake.
How was a speechless thing supposed to guide him?
Luckily, Jeong Gwang had a plan.
I'll spin. Vibrate when it's the right way. Do it again on arrival.
-Uung!
Half a turn in place, and it vibrated.
Jeong Gwang unleashed the Chil Ya Ma Yeong at once.
How many rooftops did he leap across?
It vibrated again, and he halted.
Bigger than the others.
Even the tiles underfoot looked more luxurious.
A faint evil qi seeped from below—right on target.
Paeng Gang-hwi's energy too. Go in?
-Uung.
Job's done. Stay quiet.
-......Uung.
Jeong Gwang closed his eyes and invoked his stealth technique.
The demonic art he'd used to intercept Namgung bribes at the Murim Alliance: the Jam Ma Dae Beop.
His hazy form from the Chil Ya Ma Yeong melted away from the crown of his head downward.
In moments, he'd fully dissolved, seeping through the tile cracks.
Feels gross every time.
But nothing beat it, so what choice did he have?
Soon enough, he pierced the roof and clung to the ceiling beams.
Opening his eyes revealed the room in sharp detail.
Paeng Gang-ung and Paeng Gang-hwi sat across from each other, tilting their cups.
Pretty chummy.
The mood was downright cordial.
As they poured and traded drinks, Paeng Gang-hwi spoke up.
"Brother, how's the Alliance these days?"
"Busy as hell. Father's leading the elders in a full reorganization."
"Must be a lot of chatter."
"Chatter? It's nonstop. How can they be so selfish?"
Paeng Gang-ung shook his head with a wry chuckle.
"Still, the Kunlun-led sects are pitching in. It'll be sorted soon—no worries."
"The Alliance's Kunlun rep is Heo Cheong the Taoist, right? Met him once. Seemed like a good man."
"He is. Helps Father a ton. We need to keep good ties with Kunlun. You watch it too, Gang-hwi."
"Got it."
Paeng Gang-hwi nodded, then slipped in casually:
"What about that Jin Ok-ryong friend? Worth getting close to?"
"......"
Paeng Gang-ung drained his cup and muttered,
"Dangerous."
"......Dangerous how?"
"Can't read his intentions at all. And he's got genius talent to boot. If he's not dangerous, who is?"
Paeng Gang-hwi eyed his brother steadily.
The eldest son was flawless—martial prowess, knowledge, character, all top-notch.
But he had one flaw.
He tolerated no one above him.
Martial skill, fame, power—nothing.
"......Brother, he's not after fame or power."
"I know."
"Then why so guarded?"
Paeng Gang-ung took another drink before continuing.
"Even if he doesn't want it, the world will force it on him."
"......But......"
"Drop it. I know what you're gonna say."
Paeng Gang-ung filled both their cups to the brim.
"Listen up."
"Yes, Brother."
They clinked cups and downed them.
"Gang-hwi."
"......Yes."
"I know you met him and shed your greed. Or rather, traded it for something else."
He meant resolving to chase the dao's edge instead of becoming heir.
"......How'd you know?"
"After all our years together? Come on."
Paeng Gang-ung reminisced.
"When you came back from Kunlun and showed off your breakthrough. Father praised you to the skies."
"......"
"Figured you'd strut around. But you changed. No arrogance—just relentless training. Not just skill, but your heart grew too."
"......"
"Made me jealous of how much you'd matured."
"......"
"Grateful you stepped aside for the heir spot."
"Brother......"
"So I decided. Even if I meet him, I won't change."
"Why think that?"
Paeng Gang-ung's eyes gleamed.
"Don't wanna change. Don't wanna lose."
"......"
Paeng Gang-hwi hesitated long before speaking, genuine worry in his voice.
"......Even you, Brother—don't make him an enemy. This is for your sake. Don't take it wrong."
Paeng Gang-ung's reply held equal sincerity.
"Think I'd misunderstand you? Different mothers, same upbringing. Sure, I was wary—but never forgot you're my brother."
"......Brother, just rethink it once......"
"Enough. Let's drink."
"......Understood."
They drank in heavy silence.
About half a shichen later, Paeng Gang-hwi left, and Paeng Gang-ung hit the hay.
Jeong Gwang, watching from the ceiling, grumbled inwardly.
All useless talk. If you're plotting, get moving, punk.
Just in case, he waited longer.
Paeng Gang-ung started snoring like a beast.
Bust.
Jeong Gwang slipped out slowly.
Back at Paeng Gang-hwi's pavilion, he entered his room and pondered.
Not moving yet means one of two things.
One, the pig hadn't arrived.
Two, plenty of time till go-time.
Not the first, obviously.
Iron Blood Manor wasn't far from Paeng territory.
Sang So-un had left ages ago—probably arrived nearby and prepped long since.
But the second ain't fully right either... Feasts only got four days left.
Paeng Clan was slammed with prep. Prime time to strike—when else?
Or at least feast day.
Yet they wasted today?
......Maybe reason three.
Jeong Gwang grinned at the new possibility.
It'd make things easier to handle.
Let him loosen up fully.
"Ah. Can't wait."
He muttered absently, and Pang Su-bin piped up beside him.
"Master, what're you looking forward to?"
"Oh, right—you're here. How's the Qi Circulation and Breath Regulation feel?"
"An amazing art. What's it called?"
"Name? What was your old one's?"
"Hun Won Il Gi Gong."
"Then Su-bin Il Gi Gong. Like it?"
Pang Su-bin gaped, then barely managed,
"......D-did you make this art too, Master?"
"Yep."
"......H-how......"
"Pretty good, huh? Late—head back."
"......Was waiting for you......"
"What, got something to say?"
Pang Su-bin straightened and requested,
"Someone wants to meet you, Master. Will you?"
Jeong Gwang had zero interest in outsiders.
Like, none.
He refused flat-out.
"Nah."
"......Brought a humble gift......"
"If my disciple wants it, sure."
"......"
"Why make 'em trek here? I'll go."
"......No need. I'll relay."
Jeong Gwang patted her head, adding,
"Yeah. Don't know what it is, but if it's heavy, help out."
The guest arrived at dawn.
A slender middle-aged woman with a merchant's easy smile, radiating comfort.
Paeng Clan has folks like this?
Paengs were all burly types, men and women alike, with rugged features.
Looks like Su-bin. Her mom?
Spot on.
"First time meeting. I'm Yang Hui-in, Su-bin's mother."
"Figures."
"Pardon?"
"Just muttering. Hyeol-ryeon Hu. Come in."
They sat facing each other.
Jeong Gwang cut straight to it.
"Gift?"
Yang Hui-in smiled faintly and offered a bundle.
"Of course. Take a look."
"Thanks."
His hands flew, unwrapping the cloth in a blur.
A luxurious little box emerged—treasure in itself.
"Huh. Good eye."
"Right? Open it—you'll love what's inside."
Jeong Gwang liked the box, but her even more.
"Honest. I like that."
"Just stating facts."
Then the contents would be treasures too.
He eased the lid open.
Gems burst into brilliant light, illuminating the room.
"Ooh."
"To your liking?"
"A little."
"Thanks for taking in my daughter. And a promise to keep favoring her."
"Hmm. 'Keep' feels a tad short......"
"Think this is a one-off?"
"Haha. True Paeng matriarch. I'll put 'em to good use."
Gift secured, piece said—Jeong Gwang was done.
She laughed at his blank stare.
"Haha. Business over already?"
"Yep."
"Then I'll speak. You're Kunlun's Jin Ok-ryong, aren't you?"
"Huh? How'd you know?"
"Oh my. It really is you. Just a guess."
Jeong Gwang studied Yang Hui-in.
Her innocent smile held no trace of deceit.
Not from the family, then.
As expected.
She explained how she'd guessed.
"No young man commands that much respect and fear from Gang-hwi. Only Jin Ok-ryong."
"Fair."
"Father asked first. Only he qualifies."
"Yeah."
"And Su-bin was over the moon, bragging. 'Character's iffy, but world's best master.'"
"Front half's off, back's spot-on."
Yang Hui-in chuckled softly.
"Just like they say. You're unique."
"You're no ordinary lady yourself."
"Am I? Oh—only Father, me, Gang-hwi, and Su-bin know you're her master. Rest easy."
Rest easy? No need.
Leakers just needed a smackdown.
Yang Hui-in ventured another topic.
"One request?"
"Shoot."
"Paengs are greedy. My husband has ambitions—using power for his ideals."
Jeong Gwang pictured Paeng Su-gwan.
"Checks out."
"Eldest craves being the best at everything. Second wants dao's end."
"Hmm. Latter's impossible for this prince. Former too."
Yang Hui-in fixed him with a stare.
"Su-bin was greedy too—but you made it bigger. 'World's best person.'"
"Ah. That's doable."
"And when you ascend, she'll claim the title."
"Oops. Guess I'll outlive her."
"Pardon? Hahaha!"
After a good laugh, she turned serious.
"Jin Ok-ryong. Eldest and second are grown—we can't stop them. But let Su-bin live easy."
"Why?"
"......Greed destroys a man."
Jeong Gwang scratched his cheek.
Just a mother's worry, then.
And the reason? Merely...
......'Greed destroys a man'?