The Dawn of Change (1)
After his conversation with his father, Jin Yeo-rip's life could be divided into what remained unchanged and what had shifted.
One thing that stayed the same was his early-morning cultivation practice. He couldn't skip it. Seeing his inner energy piling up day by day filled him with satisfaction. How does it grow so well? He was growing so fond of it.
Next came the morning run, at the same time and along the same route. But ever since the ambush, Im Pilsaeng ran alongside him, and the surroundings had changed a bit.
A strange banner hung at the noodle shop. Householder, the day after your early-morning visit, another message appeared...Householder, these regulars are ridiculous. What if the householder got mad about his name being used carelessly? But as if anticipating that, the shop had a message from Jin Ha-seong prominently displayed.
Delicious as always.
Householder Jin Ha-seong
A guestbook? This wasn't some celebrity signing at a hot spot.
And when had he come by to leave that?
But that was just the beginning of the changes. After the banner went up, noodle shop owner Jang Il started raking in big money. Before long, a signboard appeared at the alley entrance: Alley Blessed by the Householder's Visit. And it happened.
Now, not just people from the Inner Market but even branch family members came to eat there.
Noodle shops, fruit stands—banners with the names of visitors fluttered everywhere. The market was booming.
The alley in the Outer Market where he ran every day even got renamed Yeorip-ro.
They praised him for reviving a dying commercial district.
Months passed like that, and Jin Yeo-rip matured swiftly in both martial arts and academics.
When he switched the protective weights on his limbs to eight geun (5kg) ones each, snow fell amid the chilly weather.
The year had turned.
In that time, he'd undergone his coming-of-age ceremony, turned seventeen, graduated from the academy, and grown familiar enough with Baji to land three successful strikes against Im Pilsaeng in sparring.
It was without using inner energy, but afterward, Im Pilsaeng kept complaining. What a whiner...
And the biggest change was attending Da Geumgak meetings instead of academy in the mornings.
It was his father's consideration, respecting his intent to inherit Cheongeumbang.
Observe and learn in advance.
"From today, the young master, now of age, will join the retainer meetings."
"I look forward to working with you all. I'll do my best to learn."
Jin Yeo-rip bowed to the retainers lined up on both sides inside Da Geumgak at Jin Ha-seong's words.
"Haha, congratulations."
Branch family heads greeted him with bright faces, and the elders nodded, accepting his entry into the retainer meetings.
Their eyes showed reluctance at an unofficial heir attending, but they didn't object. They had their guilt.
Of course, it was just observation. His father gave him no position.
But attending alone taught him much: the twenty-five great merchants, countless mid- and small-scale traders, and how Cheongeumbang operated organically.
Another major change was his father bringing Baekhak back as an Elder Council member.
There had been fierce opposition, he'd heard.
Though neutral now, Baekhak was originally the householder's man. And he had the power to rally the elders.
To Lady Yang or the elders, he was a massive headache.
But after long debates, his return was decided. Baekhak had worn them down with relentless arguments.
How many could win a debate against him, anyway?
Baekhak, now an advisor, bowed in greeting to Jin Yeo-rip.
Having one more reliable person by his father's side was good.
The problem was Jin Yeo-rip himself.
Months after the noodle shop incident(?), he still hadn't decided what to do.
This wasn't some creative economy.
He couldn't pin down an idea.
Zero-capital startup. Results that would shock Cheongeumbang.
"......"
Damn it! What the hell was he supposed to do?!
He'd brainstormed plenty.
But every idea already existed.
His genius and past-life memories were useless.
Who knew creativity would fail me like this?
He even asked for help.
-Father, can't you give me even a small hint?
-No, that won't do.
So firm. Flatly rejected.
It wasn't money—just a clue. Was that too precious?
He'd said to become Cheongeumbang's lord.
This was bad. In four months, after spring, the merchant assembly would happen, and Father would announce him as heir to all merchants.
He'd be kicked out empty-handed then.
He had to start a business and make money himself.
And if he went outside, Lady Yang and the elders, ever watchful for a chance, would come for his life...
It was maddening.
Someone said there's always a way out even if the sky falls? He'd die if caught.
The deeper his worries, the more he sank into a dark mire.
Was baldness coming?
Even retainer meetings had nothing new to teach...
One day, as he killed time in gloom, unexpected bad news hit Cheongeumbang.
"Householder! The Geumhyang Merchant Group, detouring around Dongpyeong toward Habuk, was seized by bandits while crossing Jangryeongsan."
"What?"
The retainer meeting froze at the messenger's urgent report bursting in mid-session.
Geumhyang was a small merchant group recently under Cheongeumbang.
"What nonsense is this? Geumhyang crossing Jangryeongsan? Their route doesn't go there."
Grand Elder Gong Yasin frowned, and Yuk Yeseo, head of the Third Elder Bureau managing external traders, urgently called his aide to check Geumhyang files.
"Yes. Their route was set to skirt wide around Jangryeongsan and take the official road."
"Then how?"
As Gong Yasin demanded answers, Jin Ha-seong cut in.
"Enough!"
"......"
"The messenger wouldn't know details."
He asked the messenger sternly yet calmly.
"Who brought the news?"
"One of the escorts protecting Geumhyang. He guarded the group during the bandit attack and barely escaped."
"Hm. Where is he?"
"Critical condition, being treated in the infirmary."
"Understood. You're dismissed. I'll meet the escort who brought the news myself."
"Yes, Householder!"
The messenger dashed out, and Jin Ha-seong rose, issuing swift orders.
"Listen. Jangryeongsan is Beksanchae territory. Hongmyeon-gwi Sim Jongsan knows Geumhyang is under Cheongeumbang! They targeted us knowingly!"
The elders fell silent, listening intently. Internally divided, they all looked to him in external crises.
That was Paegum Jin Ha-seong's dignity, the force that had defended Cheongeumbang through countless challenges.
"Grand Elder, prepare the ransom they might demand. Third Elder, contact Geumhyang headquarters immediately to identify this shipment's cargo."
"Yes."
"Bandits mean it's an official matter. Seventh Elder, reach out to nearby magistrates for aid. Yuk Jangro, contact Hwangbo family estate."
"Yes."
Sound judgment. Jin Yeo-rip nodded.
Merchants and martial clans were inseparable. Merchants had money, clans had power—they aided each other.
Strategic ties formed various ways, for times like this.
But Yuk Jangro hesitated.
"Yuk Jangro, why no reply?"
At Jin Ha-seong's words, Elder Sanggwan Jiryang looked troubled.
"Householder, we'll contact officials, but Hwangbo family..."
"What's the issue?"
"They won't bother with a small group like Geumhyang."
"And?"
"Pardon?"
"Then! Why do you sit there as elder?!"
Jin Ha-seong's thunderous roar shook the hall; Sanggwan Jiryang shrank like a turtle.
"If you sit idle over 'Hwangbo' or 'small merchant,' what right do you have as elder?!"
"H-Householder."
His voice rose, icy aura flaring; Sanggwan's face darkened.
Gong Yasin intervened to calm him.
"Householder, no need for such anger. You know better than anyone Hwangbo can't ally with us. The Ak family ties too..."
Jin Yeo-rip nodded unwittingly. Makes sense. How could they look kindly?
Hwangbo, rivals to Shandong's hegemon, and Jin Ha-seong had even married Ak Seoyeonn.
But Father's response surprised.
"Silence! As if it's because of the Ak family! How dare you obscure the truth with nonsense?!"
Jin Yeo-rip tilted his head. What? Not the Ak family?
"But years of effort yielded nothing. The Ak family..."
"That again! How long will you blame Ak? And what have you done for Hwangbo ties?!"
"Householder, calm down."
"Silence! Mention Ak once more to sway opinion, and even Grand Elder won't be spared!"
Gong Yasin shut his mouth at the bellow.
Between elders blaming Ak and Father denying, Jin Yeo-rip was confused.
Hwangbo, Ak, Cheongeumbang—maybe something else linked them, beyond elders' words.
"An escort walked hundreds of ri injured to report, yet an elder only talks surrender? No shame? Even now, our people suffer bandits!"
Gong Yasin, who'd meddled, got scolded too.
"Fine! If that's how you handle it, Sanggwan Jiryang doesn't deserve the seat! I'll find a successor—hand over to your aide and reflect at home!"
"H-Householder."
"I said clearly. Sanggwan Jiryang, step down!"
Sanggwan, facing demotion and exile, pleaded desperately, but got only banishment.
"What are you dawdling for? Move!"
"Yes!"
His biting command sent everyone scrambling.
Jin Yeo-rip, observing, smirked faintly.
Unlike the usual mundane meetings, this was entirely different.
Householder Jin Ha-seong. In crisis, he seemed another man.
Slicing an elder's position with dignity.
But why did elders seem so inept? Competent usually, yet so dull now.
"Wangseok!"
"Yes, Householder."
"To the infirmary."
"This way."
After storming the elders, Jin Ha-seong glanced at Jin Yeo-rip.
"Yeo-rip, follow me."
"Yes."
At the gentle order, he trailed, gazing at his father's broad back.
Handsome today. Commanding elders like a battlefield general...
"......"
Wait! What am I thinking?!
Soon to kick him out penniless, no help—a cruel father.
Don't forget. I'm no filial son. No filial son.
Jin Yeo-rip shook his head to dispel the thought.