Deciding the Path (5)
“Stop! Young Master!”
Just then, Wang Seok burst into the rear garden. But blocking his path were none other than Hwang Ja-su and So Hye. They were Jin Yeo-rip's protectors—why were they now standing in his way?
“What... what is the meaning of this?”
“Wait here.”
“What?”
Wang Seok stared in bewilderment at Hwang Ja-su's words.
“My lord is in the middle of a conversation, so you'll have to wait your turn.”
“What nonsense is that?! Can't you see what's happening right now?! The family head ordered me to stop the young master!”
“And?”
“Pardon?”
“What does the family head's order have to do with me?”
“Physician Hwang!”
Wang Seok's eyes widened at the unflinching blockade.
“That's enough, both of you. Escort Captain Wang, stand down as well.”
“Stand down? I have clear orders from the family head!”
“Have you forgotten?”
“Forgotten what?”
“Who we are.”
“...”
Wang Seok blinked rapidly at So Hye's beaming smile.
“You know neither I nor Physician Hwang serve Cheongeumbang. And you know we're not affiliated with it either.”
“So Hye, are you saying...?”
“What can we do? It's our lord's decision. Seems he has no lingering attachment to Cheongeumbang, unlike what we thought.”
“...”
“So please, step back. Escort Captain Wang.”
It was utterly baffling. Hwang Ja-su and Yeon Sohye—how could he not know them? Having served as Jin Ha-seong's escort since his youth, he knew the Ak family retainers better than anyone. Their skills. Their loyalties.
But this wasn't the time to quibble over such things, was it? Their address had even changed. Not young master, but lord. Their hearts were set.
“I must block the young master on the family head's orders!”
“Hm, seems like a poor choice.”
“What?”
“Even if we set me aside, do you think you can get past Physician Hwang?”
“...”
“Then give it a try.”
So Hye stepped aside with a smile, and Hwang Ja-su advanced on Wang Seok.
“Physician Hwang!”
“Why do you keep calling me? So Hye already said it all. If you want to pass, you'll have to go through me. But I prefer a war of words these days—my joints ache with age.”
How could Wang Seok not know? The escorts Ak Seoyeonn had brought from her marriage. Even when the entire murim formed pursuit teams, it was thanks to them that she survived to the end. Yeon Sohye, personally trained in Ak family martial arts by Ak Seoyeonn herself, could be discounted for her youth, but the other two were not to be trifled with.
Shandong's top swordsman, Gwiyeong Im Pilsaeng, and Hwang Ja-su. Especially Hwang Ja-su—few knew his true power. Wang Seok, who had spent much time with them, was one of those few.
Life-and-Death Physician, the freakish miracle doctor—that was Hwang Ja-su. Hidden in the Ak family as a physician, he was unknown in murim, but even in his youth, he had reached the realm of Uigi, infusing intent into his techniques.
Years had passed since then, making it impossible to gauge his current strength, so Wang Seok tried persuading him once more.
“Physician Hwang, we can't let this stand! You know what consequences the young master's actions will bring!”
Wang Seok pleaded again, but Hwang Ja-su showed no sign of yielding.
“Good grief, are your ears going deaf?”
“Pardon?”
“Didn't So Hye just say it? My lord seems to have no attachment to Cheongeumbang.”
“What do you...?”
“I respected your late lady wife, you know.”
“...”
“If it were her command, even as a physician, I could kill more ruthlessly than anyone. My new lord is the one who personally asked that of me.”
Wang Seok scowled in frustration at Hwang Ja-su's words.
“Physician Hwang!”
“Consequences? They don't matter. What matters is my lord's will. He's chosen to speak with Cheongeumbang's second madam right now, and even if it costs her life, I intend to uphold that will.”
“You're really going to do this?!”
“If you want to go, go. You, and those behind you. But remember this: my needles aren't just for healing patients.”
Hwang Ja-su had endured harsh beatings for Jin Yeo-rip's future, but in truth, if his lord wished it, he was the sort who could slaughter every soul in Cheongeumbang without hesitation.
“Mm...”
Despite the family head's orders, Wang Seok couldn't bring himself to step forward against the aura radiating from Hwang Ja-su.
In the meantime, Jin Ha-seong arrived.
“What is this?”
“It's been a while, family head.”
Hwang Ja-su bowed deeply in greeting. Jin Ha-seong immediately grasped that they were blocking his path.
“Physician Hwang, what is the meaning of this?!”
“Even you can't pass, family head.”
“What did you say?”
“You know better than anyone what kind of man I am.”
His tone was polite, but that single phrase was enough for Jin Ha-seong. If Hwang Ja-su dug in his heels, there was only one person in all of Cheongeumbang who could stop him: his own son.
“Physician Hwang, surely...!”
“Please wait. My needles might wander if I'm provoked—who knows what regrettable deaths might occur? Especially when I see the faces of those elders who troubled my lord; it stirs my anger.”
“Mm.”
“Isn't he a fine son, not lacking at all?”
Jin Ha-seong could persuade no further. Some said the man called Paegum, who dominated Shandong's commerce, could buy men and factions with gold. Even murim warriors yielded to him with respect.
But not these three. Im Pilsaeng, Hwang Ja-su, Yeon Sohye. They moved not for money, but for righteousness. For their lord, they knew no boundaries—even storming Hwangseong itself.
Money and power? They wouldn't even consider them. Trying to stop them would only lead to ruin, and fighting would turn Cheongeumbang into a wasteland.
They had held back until now solely for Ak Seoyeonn's dying wish: protect Jin Yeo-rip.
Now, all he could do was watch. The boy was already approaching Yang Sojin, wasn't he?
Jin Yeo-rip glanced toward the rear garden gate, where the unexpected commotion had erupted, and let out a chuckle. People these days...
He'd vaguely sensed they had skill, but enough to pin down even Vice Hwangdae Division Chief Wang Seok? Father really ought to pick a new escort captain. Im Pilsaeng wasn't enough; even his personal physician Hwang Ja-su had him cowering.
Well, it had cooled his anger, at least. At first, he'd wanted nothing more than to snap Yang Sojin's neck.
“It's been a while, Second Madam.”
With So Hye and Hwang Ja-su secured, Jin Yeo-rip's mind had settled. He gave Yang Sojin a curt nod.
“Second Madam... What a way with words. First Baek Mountain Stronghold, then Hwangbo, and now a little merit has made you arrogant and ill-mannered, it seems.”
“Exactly. Puberty's like that, isn't it? Rebellion bubbling up several times a day. Your sons will hit that age soon enough—keep it in mind while raising them.”
“As if you'd ever care about me. You've grown bold.”
Yang Sojin sneered at Jin Yeo-rip's nonchalant retort, though her eyes flicked toward the gate. The family head arriving already? What a pity. She'd told those useless elders to block him somehow.
But nothing had changed. No—in fact, it was better this way. With Jin Yeo-rip and his crew blocking the family head, she could provoke the boy into attacking her, fueling his rage. Then even the family head couldn't intervene.
“First time in my quarters, and you've made me come to you—I'm not sure how to thank you.”
Jin Yeo-rip looked around in mock admiration.
“My, quite the crowd. This must be what you wanted, right?”
“Wanted? I have no idea what you're talking about.”
“You don't know? It looks exactly like my stunt—stirring up a fuss for all to see, just like when I was ambushed.”
“What nonsense. Why would I imitate you? I merely acted as the overseer of these inner quarters.”
“As overseer?”
“Yes. Maintaining stability within the household is my role.”
“That's the nonsense. Torturing innocent people is how you maintain stability?”
“Innocent?”
“Aren't they?”
“Tsk tsk. Gwak Chu already confessed, and the crimes those Outer Market vermin committed during the interrogation are crystal clear.”
His eyebrow twitched at 'vermin.' Not something to call people, no matter her status.
“Where's Gwak Chu?”
“Dead.”
“Dead? Shouldn't it be 'I had him killed'?”
“Don't be ridiculous. It happens sometimes during torture—and the one targeting you died, so shouldn't you be relieved?”
Absurd. As if he wouldn't see she was eliminating evidence.
“Good grief. Not content with dealing with Gwak Chu, you've even detained the branch family heads? So swift—I've much to learn.”
“I'll take that barbed praise graciously.”
Yang Sojin smiled sweetly.
“I was just pondering whether to hold the branch heads accountable. They treat the matriarch's authority like a joke. Care to side with me?”
Sarcasm returned with interest. She was provoking him, just as she had the elders. Trying to make him snap, spout nonsense, act rashly.
Jin Yeo-rip eyed her with narrowed gaze.
“Fine. Let's drop the pointless emotional games.”
“Pointless?”
“If you want to catch me, target me directly. No need to frame the innocent, right?”
“More nonsense. Who said they're innocent?”
“Then they aren't?”
“Of course they are.”
“What crime?”
As Jin Yeo-rip asked, Yang Sojin tossed a stack of papers from beside her.
“Interrogation records.”
“...”
“Outer Market's Jang Il informed Gwak Chu of your movements. Other merchants in the alley joined in. And your retainers defied my order to arrest the merchants, injuring the enforcers in the process.”
“So you arrested Master Baekhak too?”
“Naturally. He incited the elders to defend criminals—grave offense. Considering his past contributions to Cheongeumbang, I merely confined him like the branch heads without interrogation.”
“Ha! Unbelievable.”
Jin Yeo-rip burst into incredulous laughter, prompting another jab from Yang Sojin.
“I see from your laughter that you understand. So stop the fuss and go home. This isn't for you to meddle in. I'll interrogate personally and reveal the truth plainly.”
It was obvious. She had to spew something plausible for the pretense of belief. Investigation records? Forced confessions squeezed from those who broke under torture.
She'd already decided the conclusion and was patching it together. Anyone could do that. Her brazen clumsiness was almost comical.
He could play mind games, but her crude ploy was too blatant for words.
Jin Yeo-rip scanned the Outer Market merchants filling the garden. They looked haggard, tormented to exhaustion. Part of him wanted to give Yang Sojin the same treatment.
But too many eyes. He glanced at Jin Ha-seong, blocked by Hwang Ja-su at the gate. The message in his father's eyes reached him: please hold back.
Yes, negotiate. The knot could only be untied by him and Yang Sojin. For the sake of those suffering because of him, swallow the rage and resolve it with words.
Calming his anger thoroughly, Jin Yeo-rip sighed.
“Hoo, looks like we won't get anywhere like this.”
“...”
“What do you want?”
“What I want?”
“Tell me. If it's reasonable, I'll listen.”
“What I want... Very well, let's do that.”
Yang Sojin, who had been watching Jin Yeo-rip silently, twisted her lips into an unsettling smile and nodded.
She then turned coldly to the enforcer guarding the merchants.
“Cut off Jang Il's head.”