People Gathering
Jeong Gwang didn't bother arguing back.
Everyone has their own thoughts, after all.
That didn't mean he planned to heed Yang Hui-in's words, though.
"So, you want me to teach her just enough to curb her ambitions, right?"
"Yes."
"Nah, not happening."
"...May I ask why?"
Jeong Gwang casually hid the gift box he'd already received behind his back.
Perfectly natural.
"Su-bin gets to decide how she lives her life."
"She's still just a child."
"Exactly. So let her do what she wants until she's old enough to take responsibility for her own choices."
Yang Hui-in looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"You're not quite what the rumors say. Isn't teaching her a hassle?"
"It is."
"Then why do it?"
Jeong Gwang's eyes sharpened.
Steely resolve gleamed within them.
"Because I promised."
"..."
"She might struggle if her talent falls short, but I promised to make her one of the world's best."
Jeong Gwang realized his slip as soon as the words left his mouth.
'Come to think of it, I told my junior brother the same thing.'
Oh well. One of them will make it.
While Jeong Gwang entertained this absurd thought, Yang Hui-in pondered once more.
Her conclusion remained unchanged.
Her husband and two sons were already trapped in that painful path of ambition.
She couldn't let her young daughter follow suit.
Turning her head toward the door, she called out.
"Bring it in."
The door opened, and a maid handed over a bundle.
Yang Hui-in placed it before Jeong Gwang.
"What about now?"
"No."
She ordered the maid again, and another bundle joined it.
"Now?"
"...Yes."
Two more piled on.
Yang Hui-in spoke firmly.
"This is the last one. Think carefully before you answer."
Jeong Gwang fought to steady his wavering eyes.
Hiding his admiration.
'She's got some serious guts!'
They were clearly the same boxes as before.
Turning these down would make him the fool.
But.
A gambler's blood coursed through his veins.
'Fine! One more for the finale!'
His mouth opened, a resolute voice emerging.
"No dice."
"...Why on earth? Beyond the promise—is there another reason?"
As if.
Jeong Gwang scraped together an excuse.
"You keep going on about ambition."
"...?"
"What's so wrong with ambition? It's the people who can't control it who are at fault."
"...!"
Yang Hui-in's eyes trembled.
After staring at him for a moment, she turned to the maid.
"One more..."
"...!"
"...Haaah. No. Close the door."
A soft click echoed as the maid shut the door.
At the same time, a thunderous boom resounded in Jeong Gwang's chest.
Thud!
'Why?'
The mystery resolved swiftly.
Yang Hui-in bowed deeply in apology.
"Forgive me for troubling your ears, Daoist."
"...I'm not a Daoist."
She lifted her head at his words.
Her once-stiff face now wore a gentle smile.
"They say Kunlun's sages always deny being Daoists. It must be true."
"It is."
"Ahahaha."
Her soft laughter faded into a sigh.
"Hoo. Your will is unyielding... What am I to do?"
Jeong Gwang was dumbfounded.
'What do you mean? Just offer one more and be done with it!'
Did she read his mind?
She spoke up.
"Still, my resolve hasn't changed."
"Oh? Then..."
"Yes. As you say, we'll wait until Su-bin can decide for herself."
"...Pardon?"
"I'll trust you until then. Please take good care of her."
"...Don't trust me."
"Haha. That's more convincing than if you'd asked me to. Thank you."
Yang Hui-in rose with a lighter expression than when she'd arrived.
"Then, if you'll excuse me..."
"Hold on."
He couldn't let her leave just yet.
Jeong Gwang played his final card.
"Leave the bundles. They'll weigh you down."
Yang Hui-in left with a hearty laugh.
Her heart still tangled, but grateful for the amusing jest.
And she didn't leave empty-handed—or rather, what she left behind wasn't mere words.
Jeong Gwang's gamble had paid off.
She'd abandoned the bundles!
The ones the maid carried went with her, unfortunately.
'Still, this haul ain't bad.'
He'd been in the Central Plains a while, but tallying wealth wasn't his job.
"Junior brother! Come in!"
"Yes, senior brother!"
Baek Seung-mu flung open the door and froze.
Five small boxes brimmed with treasures!
"Gasp!"
"Not bad, huh?"
"Senior brother! Where'd you... procure these?"
"Su-bin's mom gave 'em. Rough estimate?"
"Ah. One moment, please."
Gems, jewels—countless trinkets meant sorting by type was tedious.
Jeong Gwang called in Jao and Pang Su-bin too; the three excluding him diligently organized.
Once Baek Seung-mu tallied it all...
A smile crept across Jeong Gwang's lips.
"Nice."
It paled against the Namgung bribes from the Alliance, but unexpected windfalls like this were always welcome.
Meanwhile, oblivious Pang Su-bin—who'd unwittingly helped—was puzzled.
She'd come with her mother but never imagined the bundles held such riches.
"Um... Master."
"Yeah?"
"Why'd Mom give these to you?"
"You said she was preparing gifts."
"...This many?"
"Gotta be worth it."
"...Because it's you?"
Jeong Gwang ruffled his sharp disciple's hair.
"Smart kid."
"..."
"Whoa, why the long face?"
"...Mom overdid it because of me..."
Jeong Gwang's smile vanished.
"Disciple."
"...Yes, Master."
"Say she did overdo it. What should you do?"
"...I don't know. Please guide me."
His answer was simple.
"Pay it back later."
"...Huh?"
"Become an outstanding master worth the investment. Then repay her yourself. Why worry needlessly?"
Baek Seung-mu and Jao gaped.
Master pockets the gold, disciple foots the bill? What kind of logic was that!
But on second thought, it wasn't wrong.
'The price of becoming his disciple. Not excessive.'
'If she truly becomes one of the best, this wealth is trivial.'
Even the young, clever Pang Su-bin thought so.
It only steeled her resolve.
'I'll master his teachings and become one of the world's best.'
As they sank into thought, Jeong Gwang clapped.
"Alright, enough sorting. Junior brother, secure it well."
"Got it."
Once done, they headed to the training ground.
Training began under Jeong Gwang's guidance, but soon Pang Man-so and Paeng Gang-hwi appeared.
Pang Man-so was composed; Paeng Gang-hwi looked baffled.
"...Hyul-ryeon gongzi?"
"Yep."
"Even Baek hyeop and Jao daehyup... Why the face change again?"
He might run into Sima Lian's pig.
But he couldn't say that outright.
Jeong Gwang gave a universally acceptable reply.
"Just felt like it."
"...Ah."
Paeng Gang-hwi accepted it instantly.
It fit Jeong Gwang perfectly.
Pang Man-so beside him didn't buy it but didn't pry.
"What brings you?"
Pang Man-so answered.
"I'll be busy soon, so I came to apologize in advance."
"Feast prep?"
"Yes. Only three days left—chaos. Gang-ung's leading, but I must assist."
"Good luck."
"...Nothing else?"
"Fight on."
"...Thanks. You too."
As the Pang grandfather and grandson departed, Jeong Gwang drove the remaining three harder.
More efficiently! Stronger! Longer!
Come nightfall, he left the collapsed trio and deployed Chil Ya Ma Yeong.
Landing at his target hall, he slipped inside with Jam Ma Dae Beop.
Pang Kang-ung was frantically sorting feast documents.
'Worked late again. Third reason confirmed?'
He lingered just in case, but it mirrored the night before.
Once Pang Kang-ung retired, Jeong Gwang withdrew.
'What if they strike on feast day?'
Waiting itched at him.
'Better to hunt them myself.'
Trace their auras with Yeok Cheon Gyeong.
But issues abounded.
'Nah. Can't risk startling the snake while beating the grass.'
If scattered, he might nab underlings and miss the pig.
Jeong Gwang decided to hold out a bit longer.
His white teeth gleamed coldly in the moonlight.
'See you soon.'
Hebei Province housed the capital, Yeongyeong, seat of the Son of Heaven.
Unsurprisingly, official influence dominated—making a martial clan like Hebei Pangga here remarkable.
But reasons explained it.
First, roots as a major landowner from ages past.
Second, not just martial, but a renowned military family.
Officials and murim mixed like oil and water, yet Pangga balanced masterfully.
Thus, friends in government and murim, ties with merchants and traders.
Two days before the feast.
Guests of all stripes began arriving.
"Whoa. Impressive."
Baek Seung-mu marveled from the training ground wall.
Jeong Gwang asked.
"What is?"
"I knew Pangga was prestigious, but this many visitors? Unimaginable."
"They're stretching too. Pulled every favor and coin."
"How'd you know?"
"Remember when you passed the palace exams? Your nanny and uncle went all out."
"...They overdid the feast, yeah."
"See? More brag than celebrate. Chance to flex influence, forge ties—why not go big?"
"Mm. True."
"Get down. More coming steady."
"Ah. Far-flung guests today."
"Yep. Tomorrow, day after—feast day—packed to bursting."
"Man. Truly grand."
"Quit gawking. Grow Baek Merchant Group that big yourself."
"...I'm a Kunlun disciple now."
"Your fame lifts the family."
"...Possible?"
Jeong Gwang smirked at the earnest question.
"Ask yourself."
"...Understood."
In the end, it was on Baek Seung-mu.
No point asking others without will or confidence.
He steeled himself and trained.
Jao and Pang Su-bin, enlightened too, focused.
Jeong Gwang napped; evening brought another bust.
Next morning.
"Imperial guards! The guards are coming!"
The shout from the main gate threw Pangga into uproar.
Residents and guests rushed out—including military men of rank.
"Who dares cause this commotion!"
"Leave it to us! We'll handle it!"
Official matters for officials.
They strode forward confidently.
Then froze at the approaching riders.
"Th-that's!"
"Why are they here!"
The riders in golden armor—
Jinuiwi!
The Emperor's personal guard and secret service!
As the officers stood stunned, the Jinuiwi halted near Pangga.
Horses parted, revealing a lightly armored youth at the center.
Several officers gasped, prostrating at his face.
"We greet Crown Prince Ju Jin-gi!"
Crown Prince!
All recoiled in shock, knees buckling—
But the youth dismounted, clasping hands in murim fashion.
"I am Ju Jin-gi. Today, as a fellow murim wanderer, I come to congratulate Pangga. Greet me as such."
Absurdity reigned.
'As a murim man?'
'Congratulate Pangga?'
'Murim rites?'
Outlandish words from the Crown Prince!
Meanwhile, watching from afar, Jeong Gwang eyed another.
'Not bad. Comparable to Geol Jon.'
A middle-aged man shadowing the Crown Prince at two paces.
'The real deal's hiding.'
Jeong Gwang's gaze shifted to Ju Jin-gi's shadow.