Puberty and Menopause (1)
Yang Sojin's face, which had been smiling under Jin Yeo-rip's farewell, turned icy cold the moment she climbed into the carriage.
"That insolent little brat..."
But Shaolin, of all places. Things had flowed exactly in the direction she'd feared. She hoped it wouldn't go beyond that.
Though she was a merchant's daughter, how could she not understand the ways of the murim? Martial artists were a group bound by strong collective consciousness. They banded together not for profit, but for shared purpose. That's why they reacted so sensitively to the murder of a fellow disciple, stepping forward as a sect to demand accountability.
Even the legendary Shaolin Temple, which had historically sought to transcend the petty struggles of worldly power, continued to reign supreme as the most sacred mountain within the vast and turbulent murim. One could hardly count the sheer number of prestigious families and sects that had branched out across the entire land, successfully establishing their own legacies upon the profound and ancient foundation of Shaolin martial arts. The age-old adage claiming that every martial art under the heavens originates from Shaolin was far from being a mere empty phrase, as it stood as a testament to the temple's unrivaled and foundational influence over the martial world as a whole.
Even without Shaolin itself intervening, those who inherited its arts wouldn't sit idly by. Moreover, as a merchant, ties to Shaolin were a tremendous advantage. Just mastering Shaolin techniques would make it easy to form friendly relations with Shaolin-connected figures across the realm. Such networks couldn't be bought with money.
Now that Jin Yeo-rip had learned Shaolin martial arts, he was untouchable. If her anger led to a strained relationship with Shaolin, even seizing Cheongeumbang later would cost them reputation in the murim world.
"This is troublesome. And with the grand assembly coming up soon."
That part worried her most. Like merchants returning home for the holidays, leaders of subordinate trading companies from across the land would soon gather. Word of today's leniency would reach their ears, along with news of his Shaolin ties. It was only natural they'd waver.
Wasn't he the perfect candidate for next Cheongeumbang leader? Jin Ha-seong's blood heir, showing magnanimity by covering for a subordinate's mistake, and now deeply connected to Shaolin.
"Just when I've nearly won them over."
Yang Sojin ground her teeth and muttered.
"Was it a mistake? Should I never have brought him back in the first place?"
She'd only worried he'd become a future threat, but he'd turned into a real variable. While clashing with the family head and slowly devouring Cheongeumbang, he'd become a grave danger to them. Everything had gone awry. Because of a mere coincidence.
If it had come to this, she should have sent a renowned assassin to sever Jin Yeo-rip's lifeline completely...
No matter how she pondered, only one path remained. Even with Shaolin behind him, she could no longer leave him be. But she couldn't act directly.
"Are you outside?"
"Yes, Madam."
"Turn the carriage around. I'm suddenly craving abalone from Jangdo Mountain today."
"Shall I inform the head chef? Breakfast might be difficult, but dinner should be possible."
"No need to bother. It's been a while since I visited Yongsan Court."
"Understood."
The maid replied politely, and the carriage veered toward a new destination.
Yongsan Court—that was another name for Saihai Money House, Yang Sojin's family home. Shandong's greatest tycoon, with branches in every city of the northwest Central Plains, lending funds from common folk to renowned trading companies.
She used abalone as an excuse to head there because she needed to meet the master of Saihai Money House—her father, the Golden-Eyed Yang Taek. If anyone could devise a silent way to eliminate Jin Yeo-rip, who might be under Shaolin's protection, it was her father, who had discreetly removed rivals for years.
Of course, her actions might give the family head cause to move. No—they definitely would. Though it was a political marriage and their relationship had soured because he couldn't forget his first wife, who knew him best? She'd studied him to claim him, researched him to topple him.
No time to hesitate. Even if this choice proved wrong, she had to kill Jin Yeo-rip quickly. The branch families were rallying around him, and this incident had cowed the elders. If he won over the trading leaders at the assembly, her painstaking tower would crumble in an instant.
"Speed up."
"Yes!"
Damn that woman. Of all places, why did she have to leave her spawn at Shaolin? She should have killed her back then...
Yang Sojin glared with venom in her eyes, recalling Ak Seoyeonn.
"What did you say? Who went where?"
Jin Ha-seong, reviewing documents in the grand hall, paused and fixed his widened eyes on Wang Seok.
"The carriage carrying Second Madam, who visited Unjeong Pavilion, just exited the east gate of the Inner Market."
"Out the east gate?"
"Yes."
Jin Ha-seong's brow furrowed deeply at Wang Seok's reply.
The dawn raid, the incidents at the academy and Unjeong Pavilion—he'd already received full reports from Wang Seok. He was furious. His son, returned home after fourteen years. He'd suppressed the urge to meet him like other fathers, share stories, drink. He could slaughter the whole family and it wouldn't suffice.
But he'd held back. Hearing his son had deferred judgment on them, he'd respected that. No—he'd inwardly praised it as wise.
Magnanimity. Not a mindset a sixteen-year-old easily embraced. Shaolin's teachings must have deeply shaped his character. He didn't know how far the boy had thought ahead, but it had exposed the elders' weakness—ultimately a good thing.
But if Yang Sojin had met his son at Unjeong Pavilion and left via the east gate?
"She actually...!"
Bam!
His fury-laced fist slammed the desk.
He could guess her intent.
"Yongsan Court."
She was going to her father—the man who'd given his daughter in political marriage while harboring ambitions to swallow Cheongeumbang from the shadows.
The reason was obvious. To kill Jin Yeo-rip—his son.
"I specifically warned her. Told her to do nothing."
Jin Ha-seong's face twisted. Not just anger, but worry dominated his expression.
He had to warn him. He already knew his son's talents were exceptional—from the academy feats to gathering intel while training in the Outer Market under that pretext.
But the master of Saihai Money House, Yang Taek, was different. Called Golden-Eyed for those ghost-like eyes that sniffed out profit. And like a serpent slithering close to bite throats and spread slow poison.
"Seok-ah."
"Yes, my lord."
Wang Seok bowed politely at Jin Ha-seong's low call.
"I'll leave at dawn tomorrow. Prepare."
"Pardon?"
"I need to meet Yeo-rip."
"My lord."
"I know. But she knows too. The moment she heads to Yongsan Court, I'll start moving."
"......"
"I planned to let him live quietly and send him off when ready. But now I can't stand by. I must learn what ambitions he harbors."
"Sigh... Understood. I'll prepare for dawn."
Jin Ha-seong had long prepared. So that, even if Saihai took everything, the branch families and subordinates who'd followed him could survive independently. And after Jin Yeo-rip returned, he'd secured a peaceful haven beyond Cheongeumbang's reach for his later years.
But he'd misjudged. His son thought differently.
Then, he'd let him live as he wished. He had no choice now.
"Pardon? You're going out again today? After yesterday's ordeal?"
"What's the big deal? Skipping exercise?"
So Hye gaped incredulously at Jin Yeo-rip's words. His life had been targeted just a day ago.
"No way! I absolutely can't let you go today!"
"I have to go today."
"What?"
"Truth is, I asked Hwang the physician for training tools. I was supposed to pick them up yesterday but broke the promise."
"Promises be damned! No means no!"
"Always nagging."
"This is nagging?"
"Anyway, I'm off!"
"Young master!"
Jin Yeo-rip bolted from Unjeong Pavilion before So Hye could grab him.
"Argh, seriously. Who does he take after, so stubborn?"
So Hye sighed, scowling, and glared at Im Pilsaeng, who had just finished sweeping.
"Hey, Pilsaeng."
"Yeah?"
Pil-saeng? Even if she was mad and high-ranking, the age gap... But her glare was too fierce, so Im Pilsaeng just blinked.
"Not going?"
"G-Gonna go. Right now. Yeah!"
Her casual speech irked him again, but he jumped to reply.
"Your guarding sucks. If this happens again... I won't let it slide."
"Yes!"
Im Pilsaeng dashed off at her sharp threat, while Hwang Ja-su, trimming herbs on the porch, hurriedly averted his gaze.
"Hwang Physician."
"Yes!"
He was an elder. Far older than Im Pilsaeng. But rank was tyranny. And when angry, So Hye flipped out regardless of status. She spared him casual speech out of respect for age.
"Making Spirit Pills, right?"
"Ah, well..."
"Well what?"
"Hard to source spirit herbs..."
"So?"
"No, I mean."
"Saw you had lots of wounds yesterday."
"......"
"If your internal energy was stronger, you wouldn't have so many."
"......"
"Huh? Whaa?!"
Hwang Ja-su could only grimace under her bulging eyes.
No Jin Yeo-rip, no Im Pilsaeng. He was alone.
Should've gone herb-hunting too.
"Argh! Thinking about it pisses me off. Why's everyone like this? Don't they remember how Madam passed? What she entrusted us with? Those tearful eyes—forgot it all?"
"No, can't forget. How could we? What she meant to us."
"Then why?"
"Huh?"
"Why delay the Spirit Pills?"
"......"
"What the hell are you thinking? Huh?"
So Hye plopped down beside Hwang Ja-su, launching into a tirade. He aged by the minute, speechless, praying Jin Yeo-rip and Im Pilsaeng hurried back.
"Young master! Young master!"
"Huh? Why're you following?"
Jin Yeo-rip tilted his head at Im Pilsaeng huffing after him.
"So Hye pitched a fit. Called me 'Pilsaeng-ssi'? Kid's got no manners despite the age gap. Tsk tsk."
Another nagging session.
"Anyway, can't let you get in danger again or she'll devour me. Sticking close from today."
"So Hye that scary?"
"Who said scared? Annoying as hell."
"You're older and way stronger."
"True, but... still no match for So Hye."
"Why?"
"Madam entrusted her."
Jin Yeo-rip cocked his head.
"Mother did?"
"Yeah."
"What?"
"'Promise me. Be Yeo-rip's sister and mother.'"
Im Pilsaeng mimicked the long-forgotten Ak Seoyeonn.
"But how can we boss So Hye around?"
"She's gone."
"Yeah. But she lives in my heart, my memories."
"Really?"
"Damn right. Same for So Hye and Hwang Physician. Madam was truly kind. We'd give our lives for her anytime."
Jin Yeo-rip just nodded.
The quiet dawn streets. He suddenly missed a mother he barely knew. What would it feel like if she'd lived...?
"Let's run together. From now on."
"Yes, should."
"Ah, but will Hwang Physician be okay?"
At Jin Yeo-rip's puzzled question, Im Pilsaeng grinned wickedly.
"Getting skinned alive by now. Heh heh heh."
What's so funny?
The run was as usual. Past the gates into the Outer Market, through the fruit vendor alley...
Huh?
Jin Yeo-rip halted unconsciously.
Merchants prepping for dawn were all prostrated. The noodle shop he always chatted at was ringed by a band of armed warriors.
And at the center...
His father.