Chapter 29: The Start of Change (4)
“Hah! Have you already read so many books in that short time? You haven’t been back long.”
“Well, yeah……”
I had things to do. Academy studies, training. Those were the two things he’d devoted the most time to since returning to Cheongeumbang. And what else was there to do with the remaining time? No friends to hang out with, no smartphone for solo entertainment—he had no choice but to read books.
It’s weird, though. In my past life, I barely read a few books a year, but now I can’t put them down. What the hell is this?
Did the ghost of someone who died without reading enough possess me…? Oh, right, I’m the possession. I’m the ghost.Fine, whatever. I’ll accept that. Being in a completely different body must have some unexpected influences.
But he wasn’t the only one who’d changed.
“So, you fell into the Repentance Cave back then?”
“Yes.”
“You nearly caused a disaster. I almost lost my son.”
“……”
His father had become quite the talker. Right after leaving Cheongeumbang. He had so many questions he couldn’t even endure a moment of silence, firing them off nonstop. What had he done at Shaolin? Which Buddhist scriptures had he read? What did they mean? What did he eat? What were his hobbies…? It was like he wanted to know every detail of the past fourteen years of his life.
And his reactions were spot-on. Oh my, really? Huh? So varied. Like he had an audience watching.
Jin Yeo-rip couldn’t adapt to this sudden change. Adapt… But at least now his father was making an effort to bond with his son. Though that stern, imposing expression—did he really think it fit?
What could he do? Born in the land of propriety and filial piety, he couldn’t ignore his father’s blood-and-sweat(?) efforts.
Does this mean I have to resolve to be a dutiful son again? Well, he had questions of his own anyway. How the economy of this world operated. Since he had insurance in mind, it’d be good to know. As the man called Paegum, with unmatched business acumen, there was no better teacher.
For starters, Cheongeumbang itself… To open the conversation, wasn’t sharing common ground the eternal truth?
“Father.”
“Hm? What is it?”
As Jin Yeo-rip called softly, Jin Ha-seong paused his questions and leaned in attentively.
“How is Cheongeumbang structured?”
“Cheongeumbang?”
“Yes. I attended the recent meeting and mingled with the branch families, so I know the basics, but I’d like more details.”
Jin Ha-seong smiled faintly at the cautious question.
“Hm, fair enough. No harm in learning early. You’ll inherit it one day, after all.”
Jin Ha-seong delved into the answer, covering everything about Cheongeumbang. At first, Jin Yeo-rip was nonchalant. It was just a conversation starter, and he already knew it all. How many branch families, how many affiliated merchant groups, what businesses they handled. What each elder department did. And hadn’t he learned even the intimate details through Jang Il?
But…
“Our fund management structure is poor. Too much money has been scattered to Saihai Money House.”
“……”
“For Cheongeumbang to advance better, we must first pursue financial independence.”
Jin Yeo-rip stared blankly at Jin Ha-seong. What he heard from his father’s mouth was utterly different from expectations. He didn’t describe Cheongeumbang as it was—he pointed out flaws, shortcomings, and paths forward. An advanced perspective. The difference between views from below and from above. That was embedded in his words.
The journey to Jangnyeongsan took nearly half a month, and Jin Yeo-rip shared quite a few stories along the way. Father-son talk that transcended into the words of a merchant aiming for the pinnacle—it gave Jin Yeo-rip much to ponder. He could see why a meal with the investment legend ‘Sage of Omaha’ cost billions. A few words could change lives.
And then the carriage veered off the main road, jolting roughly.
“Family head.”
Wang Seok, waiting outside, approached and spoke politely into the carriage.
“We’re entering Beksan Bandit Stronghold territory now. I’ve contacted an acquaintance ahead, so they’ll be waiting.”
“Understood.”
The conversation inside halted. Soon after, a thunderous shout—like someone who gargled raw eggs morning and night for vocal care—echoed through the mountainside.
“Halt~!”
Startled, Jin Yeo-rip peeked out the window, eyes sparkling with curiosity. He’d only heard of bandits, never seen them up close.
Men blocked the mountain path. Dressed in unfinished beast pelts, bare-chested like hermits detached from the world… nature folk awaited.
***
Mountain bandits. In this era, those who rob passersby on rugged mountains are called Green Forest bandits.
It doesn’t make sense. Green Forest? Too beautiful a name for roadside thugs.
Look at them.
Jin Yeo-rip scanned the bandits blocking the path one by one. Beast pelts, unkempt wild beards, matted hair unwashed who-knows-when. Where was the green or forest? Not nature folk— just mountain thieves ruining the forest vibe.
And their outfits—why so varied and assertively individualistic? Compare to Cheongeumbang folk: uniform martial robes, impeccably neat.
“Are you from Beksan Bandit Stronghold?”
Jin Ha-seong stepped forward through the group, asking the rustic bandits gently.
“Indeed. I am Sima Yeoryang of Beksan Bandit Stronghold.”
The burliest man among them stepped forward, flaunting his massive muscles through his open shirt, and replied.
“Your build and aura are impressive, as rumored. You must be the Vice Stronghold Leader of Beksan Bandit Stronghold. I’ve long heard of Iron Dagger’s fame. I am Jin Ha-seong of Cheongeumbang.”
Jin Ha-seong humbled himself while elevating Sima Yeoryang in greeting. Yet his voice was calm and dignified, exuding an authority that forbade disrespect.
“Pardon? P-Paegum?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected status, Sima Yeoryang shifted his tone, eyes widening slightly.
It was surprising. So courteous. Even bandits reacted that way—Paegum’s name carried immense influence.
“I’m at a loss, honored with such a grand title unfit for me.”
“No, no. We heard a Cheongeumbang negotiation team was coming, but never dreamed Paegum himself would. Had we known, the Stronghold Leader would have greeted you personally.”
“Think nothing of it. The thirsty dig wells. Is the Stronghold Leader at the stronghold?”
“Yes.”
“Would you guide us?”
“Of course. Follow me.”
Sima Yeoryang was exceedingly polite, escorting them like honored guests, exchanging pleasantries with Jin Ha-seong.
“Hm, fine mountain terrain. That waterfall is quite splendid.”
“Jangryang Falls.”
“So that’s the famous Jangryang Falls? Enviable. How wonderful to live in such a place.”
“Aigoo, try living with it daily. I envy you more, Family Head. Rich in wealth and money……”
Jin Yeo-rip, following behind, was dumbfounded. Victim and perpetrator. Bandit and merchant. How? It was like a traveler being guided by bandits.
As he stood baffled, Im Pilsaeng sidled up and whispered.
“Young master.”
“Yes?”
“From here on, stay on high alert.”
High alert? How, when he’s whispering with a smile like that? They’d share drinks and sling arms soon enough.
Jin Yeo-rip shot Im Pilsaeng an incredulous look at the out-of-place warning.
“Things could turn to blades at any moment.”
“Blades?”
“Yes.”
“Not hugs and dances?”
As Jin Yeo-rip squinted one eye, Im Pilsaeng chuckled softly and whispered.
“He’s a merchant, isn’t he?”
“A merchant…?”
“Merchants hide cold blades behind smiles. That’s how they lower guards. Nothing better for negotiations.”
“Ah!”
Jin Yeo-rip finally nodded with a small exclamation. Laughing Blade Hidden Within. Smiling sweetly while aiming a blade at the foe. He’d misunderstood.
As Im Pilsaeng thought, despite anxiety over detained merchant groups, Jin Ha-seong faced the bandits with smiles and agreeable words, dismantling their wariness—while ready to draw steel anytime. Smiling as he slashed. The foe falls deceived by the smile.
Merchants. They rarely show anger. Who’d buy if they pushed goods aggressively? Soft voices, easy smiles. Perhaps their greatest weapon—and Jin Ha-seong mastered it. Shandong’s top merchant, after all.
“Father’s scarier than I thought.”
“Smiling while hiding emotions isn’t easy.”
“Hm.”
Jin Yeo-rip nodded. Merchants. They walked a path apart from martial artists. Perhaps their hearts were far more insidious and terrifying.
“But isn’t it too lax?”
“What?”
“Bandit strongholds keep locations secret… Everyone who comes here can memorize it.”
“No issue.”
“Why?”
“They’re confident.”
Jin Yeo-rip tilted his head at Im Pilsaeng’s reply. Confident? He’d heard officials avoided martial matters. Even if murim incidents or killings occurred, the government stayed out. But bandits were different. They robbed homes, merchants, even government shipments—top wanted status.
Yet how?
“You’ll see why they’re so confident.”
He understood soon enough. The mountain path’s scenery shifted. The forest ended, revealing a ten-thousand-zhang sheer cliff. One misstep meant death.
“Over there.”
Sima Yeoryang pointed. A cliffside plank road stretched perilously, buildings at its end.
Ah, that’s why…
It clicked instantly. The only path: the precarious cliff plank road. Even knowing the location, soldiers or murim folk couldn’t easily assault. Beksan Bandit Stronghold was a natural fortress.
“If negotiations sour, their momentum will shift. Stay right by my side then. You must.”
Im Pilsaeng warned thoroughly, smiling innocently like casual chat to outsiders.