Why Are Your Eyes So Wide? (3)
“Saihai Money House lord?”
“That's right.”
Jin Yeo-rip eyed the man who had come looking for him. A smirk played on his lips, but it looked sleazy. You shouldn't judge people by their faces, but with the polite speech, the gentle demeanor, the squinted eyes... this guy screamed heartless bastard from a mile away. The type who gets stronger just by opening his eyes.
[That's Tak Sobak. He's a low-quality piece of shit.]
Sure enough.
Phrenology must be a real science after all. Jin Yeo-rip paused his wandering thoughts at Im Pilsaeng's voice transmission, nodded, and smiled.
So, the Saihai Money House lord wanted to see him. He'd already heard plenty from So Hye. The influence Saihai wielded in Shandong, their ties to Cheongeumbang, and the insiders they had planted within Cheongeumbang itself. She was also convinced that the recent disturbance in the inner quarters had been his doing.
It was more or less expected. But when she'd laid it all out, what surprised him wasn't Golden Eyes—it was So Hye. Where the hell did she pick up all that intel? Her information network was insane. He'd heard about some of it from Pilsaeng too, but it still blew his mind.
Then again, she spent the most time at Unjeong Pavilion. Im Pilsaeng handled the food, cleaning, and guarding, while Hwang Ja-su was always busy brewing meds. He even went up into the mountains himself sometimes to gather herbs. So Hye... didn't do much of anything.
That explained it. He could guess why even Hwang Ja-su and Im Pilsaeng couldn't lay a finger on her. Her intel probably held their weaknesses.
If he'd known sooner, he could've used her instead of Jang Il to dig into Cheongeumbang. Then maybe the Outer Market folks wouldn't have gotten roughed up.
Jin Yeo-rip thought of Jang Il's nasty lingering scars and let out a wry smile.
“You know, she could run an intelligence agency or something.”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself.”
Tak Sobak tilted his head curiously at the mutter. But Jin Yeo-rip meant it. If insurance tanked, maybe pivot to that line of business. Gotta plan for the worst case.
Truth be told, looking back now, there were tons of ventures he could pull off. So Hye's spy network, Hwang Ja-su's apothecary, Im Pilsaeng's... whatever. Even if he left Cheongeumbang penniless, he wouldn't starve.
“Anyway, you're here to take me to him?”
“Yes. If you have no pressing matters, please come with me. He's likely at the banquet hall.”
“Hm.”
Jin Yeo-rip pondered briefly. Calling him directly without going through his father hinted at some scheme, but ignoring a summons from an elder wasn't polite. And this was the investor pouring massive funds into Cheongeumbang, after all. He might not like the guy, but for the future's sake, no need to make enemies. Who knew when he'd need quick cash?
“Eh, sure. Let's go.”
He replied nonchalantly and glanced at So Hye.
“So Hye.”
“Yes?”
“Time to get ready.”
It had nothing to do with her, but his father's guest deserved better than casual clothes. Manners mattered.
Just then, Biwang Captain Wang Seok came barreling into Unjeong Pavilion.
“Young master! Young... whoa!”
He froze upon spotting Tak Sobak as he burst through the door.
“Huh? Captain Biwang, what brings you here at this hour? Aren't you supposed to be at the banquet?”
“Ah, well, yes...”
“Did Father send you to fetch me? You're late—the Saihai lord's messenger already...”
Jin Yeo-rip chuckled and eyed Tak Sobak, but something felt off. Wang Seok's uncharacteristic fluster. And his gaze was locked on... Tak Sobak?
He quickly realized Wang Seok had other intentions. Meaning Tak Sobak wasn't supposed to be here.
“Perfect timing. I had something to discuss with you, Captain.”
“Discuss?”
“Yeah, about that Wall Mountain Bandit mess last time. Father promised twenty taels, but he just keeps laughing it off. Guy's impossible to read.”
“......”
“Come on in. While I change.”
Jin Yeo-rip beamed widely to throw off Tak Sobak's suspicions and beckoned Wang Seok inside.
“So Hye, serve our guest some tea. He'll have to wait a bit.”
“Yes, my lord.”
So Hye nodded with a smile and led Tak Sobak toward the pavilion.
“This way.”
“I'm fine here.”
“The pavilion has a nicer vibe.”
Tak Sobak resisted, but So Hye tugged his sleeve and pulled him along. She was sharp as ever, picking up on Jin Yeo-rip's intent and keeping Tak Sobak away from the room.
“What? Why? Why are you staring like that?”
“Nothin', just...”
Im Pilsaeng squirmed under Jin Yeo-rip's gaze, hiding his discomfort poorly. Sharp when it mattered, huh.
“Sigh, come in already, Pilsaeng.”
“Tch!”
Jin Yeo-rip shut the door, posted Im Pilsaeng outside as guard, slipped on his outer robe, and turned to Wang Seok.
“What is it?”
“Pardon?”
“You freaked out seeing Tak Sobak.”
“Ah, you noticed?”
“Anyone would've. It was obvious.”
Wang Seok sighed as Jin Yeo-rip smirked.
“Sorry. Didn't expect him here.”
“Happens. But your reaction means Father gave different orders, right?”
“Yes. The family head instructed me to keep you from the banquet.”
“Keep me away?”
“Yes. Even make up excuses to get you out of Cheongeumbang until Golden Eyes leaves, if needed. But Tak Sobak beat me to it. Golden Eyes must've anticipated.”
“Hm.”
Jin Yeo-rip nodded at Wang Seok's words. Avoid Golden Eyes? He got the picture. Father must've known Golden Eyes was coming and wanted to head it off. Obvious scheming, but Father probably figured he wasn't ready to face the man yet. Sure, he'd acknowledged his talent, but the impulsiveness of youth likely factored in.
“My lord, what now?”
“What do you mean?”
Im Pilsaeng, who'd switched to a more respectful title after the inner quarters fiasco, scowled deeply.
“I've heard about Yang Taek too.”
“......”
“He's dangerous. Plenty of merchant groups got ruined by his schemes, left penniless. Best avoid meeting him now.”
Like he didn't know? Golden Eyes was risky—duh. So Hye had drilled it into him dozens of times. Exaggerate a bit, and it was a hundred.
Geuman Yang Taek. From what he'd heard, the man was greed incarnate. Whatever he targeted, he claimed; if not, he smashed it utterly. People or things, didn't matter.
But everyone kept saying no, don't go—stirring his defiance. Like a real rebellious teen.
“The inner quarters mess was probably his doing too.”
Jin Yeo-rip shook his head with a chuckle at Im Pilsaeng's guess. Pilsaeng and So Hye both thought so, but reality was likely different.
“He probably gave some vague nudge.”
“Pardon?”
“You think a guy everyone calls dangerous would botch it that badly? Father's not blocking the banquet over some amateur plot.”
“...True.”
“Golden Eyes might've pushed, but Lady Ibu crafted the plan. And he's already got my number. Full investigation—Cheongeumbang, Wall Mountain Bandits, Hwangbo family, even this inner quarters incident. Nothing escapes Saihai's eyes and ears across Je-nam City.”
“Hm.”
“Hiding from a guy like that? Father's actions just confirm it for him.”
“But the family head...”
“I know. He thinks we have to hide anyway. Still sees me as a kid.”
“Pardon?”
Wang Seok looked puzzled, but Jin Yeo-rip just grinned.
Because he cared. Didn't say it much, but So Hye had filled him in nonstop. How broken he'd been losing Ak Seoyeonn. Must've hurt bad. So even knowing it was avoidance, Father tried shielding him from Golden Eyes. Didn't want to lose him too.
“But sending Tak Sobak early means Golden Eyes saw right through Father's feelings.”
“Ah.”
Wang Seok sighed worriedly, and Im Pilsaeng cut in coldly from the side.
“My lord.”
“...?”
“Wanna just bury him?”
“Huh? Bury what?”
“Only Tak Sobak saw you. Off him, problem solved. Dead men tell no tales, right?”
“......”
“Been itching to anyway. You might not know, my lord, but he's trash in a different way from Golden Eyes. Better off dead—saves folks the harm.”
His eerie, meaningful expression sent chills. Jin Yeo-rip stared him down and sighed deeply.
Taesan Butcher lived up to the name. Murder was a hobby to him. Burial? That was his big idea?
“No need to dirty your hands, my lord. Leave it to me. Clean, no traces.”
“Pilsaeng.”
“Yes! Just give the order.”
“What order? Cut the dense crap.”
“Pardon?”
“Bury him? Think Golden Eyes sits idle?”
“No evidence...”
“This is Cheongeumbang. Healthy guy vanishes—who gets suspected?”
“......”
“God, seriously.”
Im Pilsaeng pouted speechlessly, and Jin Yeo-rip shook his head with another sigh.
So what now? He got Father's protective intent, and honoring it felt right. But his dilemma didn't last.
Run? No more fleeing this life. No more getting dragged along. He'd done enough of that in his past life. New life, new vow: no running, no following.
“Captain.”
“Yes?”
“Let's go. Can't ignore a summons.”
“But.”
“Can you dodge a slimy old snake forever? Just show him the real deal.”
“Sigh. Understood.”
He had no choice. Tak Sobak had already seen him. Still, he added a caution like a nag.
“Just one thing: don't shine too bright in front of Golden Eyes.”
Jin Yeo-rip chuckled and shook his head.
“Captain. If a tiger wears dog skin, is it a dog?”
“Pardon?”
“Hide the fangs and claws—still a tiger. Everyone knows. Get me?”
Wang Seok blinked at the words.
“So, the tiger is...?”
“Me, obviously.”
Pointing at himself so brazenly amid the tension felt off-key, and Wang Seok gave an awkward laugh.
Eh? Why are your eyes so wide? That hint of mockery... maybe time to unsheathe the claws and rake him.