Debt Relations (5)
It started with bewilderment. It was completely unexpected behavior.
Next came fury.
"What the hell is this?!"
Yang Imsu bellowed with bulging eyes, but Jin Yeo-rip just calmly pressed down with his hand. It felt like the chopsticks were lodged in his throat.
"Y-you bastard."
Yang Taek couldn't hide his panic as the chopsticks pressed against his neck. No matter how bold he tried to act, it was only natural with a hole about to be poked through his throat.
"Quiet down."
Jin Yeo-rip's voice was so serene it bordered on languid. That made it all the more chilling, and Yang Imsu unwittingly clamped his mouth shut.
Suddenly, his father's life was in Jin Yeo-rip's hands. Yang Imsu's mind grew chaotic.
He didn't seem like the same person at all. The young man who'd been anxious about the food just moments ago was now casually toying with a man's life.
"By the way, what the hell was that?"
"……."
"That's what I want to ask."
"W-what?"
"Saihai Money House rules, right?"
"……?"
"Escorts have to be left behind. So shouldn't the hosts do the same?"
"What do you—?"
Yang Imsu's eyelids twitched. He tried to play dumb.
Jin Yeo-rip chuckled and glanced at three spots in turn.
"Why don't you come out now? No need to hide anymore."
His words and demeanor suggested he knew everything. The hidden warriors hesitated briefly before revealing themselves. Their faces were ashen. They'd been caught by Jin Yeo-rip, who was far younger than them, before they could even make a move.
"Young Master Jin, it's a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? I haven't said anything yet."
"They're……."
"Just escorts? Or there to protect you? People we can ignore? Spare me."
"Young Master Jin!"
"You know, after having my life targeted so many times, I've learned something."
"……."
"If there's anything threatening around, strike first without hesitation. Hesitate, and you get hit. Escort or whatever, none of my business. I can't know the intentions of people hiding in violation of the rules."
Jin Yeo-rip smiled brightly and continued.
"So, how's it now? Seems like the sword's in my hand. Want me to swing it?"
As Yang Imsu tried to make excuses, Jin Yeo-rip applied a bit more pressure to the chopsticks.
"Push any harder, and he dies. The blunt end of this metal thing in my hand is plenty sharp to pierce tender flesh."
It was a playful threat. With his eyes narrowed in a bright smile, Yang Imsu couldn't read his emotions at all and failed to hide his distress.
Then Yang Taek, who had been silent, let out a quiet sigh.
"Enough. You've seized the early momentum sufficiently."
"Sufficiently?"
"Or were you planning to actually kill me right here?"
"Maybe."
"You know you can't, and so do I."
Yang Taek's voice was composed, almost nonchalant. He'd looked panicked moments ago, but now, even inches from having his throat pierced, he showed no tension.
He knew. His initial fluster had been brief; unlike his son, he'd read Jin Yeo-rip's intentions.
But Jin Yeo-rip kept the chopsticks pressed as he spoke.
"Really? You think I can't kill you, Branch Lord?"
"That's your choice. But Cheongeumbang won't emerge unscathed either."
"True. But you know what?"
Jin Yeo-rip grinned wryly, locking eyes with Yang Taek.
"I've got nothing to lose anyway. Son of a traitor, public enemy of murim. Came back to find my place gone, full of vultures trying to pick me clean."
"……."
"So? Still think I can't kill you now? In my judgment, piercing your throat might actually be a win."
"A win?"
"Yep."
"How so?"
"If you die, I die too. Then your son there or one of the others takes over. Think any of them can handle my father?"
"……Hm."
Yang Taek's expression hardened slightly at the leisurely probing words. He understood the intent but couldn't predict the action. Jin Yeo-rip's attack was the best move to seize momentum—no one had seen it coming. He, his son, and the three warriors prepared for contingencies had all been played.
And his son had already exposed his panic, failing to respond calmly.
He'd lost. If he couldn't even match Jin Yeo-rip, he had no chance against the Cheongeumbang Lord.
A crouching bear. That's what the Cheongeumbang Lord was. He hid sharpness behind politeness, wisdom behind feigned dullness, but when he struck, he was an unstoppable storm. He knew exactly when to bite.
If Jin Yeo-rip was right and he died, with Yang Imsu taking over, Saihai would be the one ruined. After mutual heavy losses, of course.
"Heh, what a mess."
Yang Taek let out a hollow laugh. Jin Yeo-rip felt more monstrous than he'd imagined. His second son, whom he'd thought the best among his children and a good rival, was a miscalculation.
Even then, Yang Taek envied the Cheongeumbang Lord for having a son like Jin Yeo-rip.
Yang Taek turned to the warriors.
"You three, withdraw."
"Branch Lord!"
The warriors dawdled, and Yang Imsu glared and shouted.
"Chief Steward."
"……."
"Don't you get it? When you've lost, pull back first to lower the opponent's guard."
Yang Taek's gaze on his disappointing son was ice-cold. This was the son who'd come to greet him, who'd brought him to Hudeok Hall. He'd seen plenty about Jin Yeo-rip on the way. Jin Yeo-rip must have hidden his true nature to avoid prediction. Even a short time decided a merchant's fate. His son fell woefully short.
"What are you waiting for? Didn't you hear me say withdraw?!"
Despite his life in Jin Yeo-rip's hands, Yang Taek barked sharply. The warriors bowed and exited politely.
"There, how's that? I'm defenseless now. Merchants don't solve problems with force, after all."
Jin Yeo-rip smirked at Yang Taek's words. Old ginger indeed. He'd taken the hit but wouldn't yield complete momentum.
But.
"What if I let go?"
"What?"
"Will I be safe? Can't undo what's done."
"I guarantee it. If it ends here, I won't pursue."
Jin Yeo-rip pretended to ponder before grinning widely, removing the chopsticks, and stepping back.
"You're impressive, Branch Lord. So composed even now. Learned something new today."
He flicked his sleeve lightly.
Whoosh!
Thud!
The chopsticks flew from his hand and embedded deeply into a wooden pillar. Yang Taek felt a chill down his spine. Meticulous bastard. A reminder that he could kill anytime he wanted—even with warriors guarding.
But he didn't show it. The real battle with Jin Yeo-rip started now, and whatever card he'd brought hadn't been played yet.
"Sit. You must be hungry after all that before eating."
"Was just about to."
Only three remained in Hudeok Hall. Just two sat. Yang Taek denied his discarded son a seat, as if only equals could sit.
Yang Imsu stood apart like a servant, silent.
"Eat comfortably."
"Yes."
Food was offered, wine circulated. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, hard to believe they'd just been trying to kill each other.
"By the way, you sent a gift?"
As the light meal ended and maids cleared the table for tea, Yang Taek asked. About Tak Sobak. Sooner than expected. Having lost early momentum, he wanted to wrap up and send him packing.
Jin Yeo-rip smiled innocently.
"I was wondering since no reply. Did it please you?"
"Please? It annoyed me instead."
"Oh dear. I put a lot of care into the packaging. Shame."
"Not the packaging. Seeing a guy I fired for failing his role again rubs me wrong."
As Yang Taek showed displeasure, Jin Yeo-rip nodded. Already drawing lines. Tak Sobak and he had no connection.
"Fired?"
"Yes."
"Then I misunderstood big time."
"Misunderstood?"
"Yeah. Tak Sobak suddenly attacked me."
"What? Tak Sobak did?"
Yang Taek startled, eyes widening, and Jin Yeo-rip laughed.
"Yeah, brought Dokbi Yeo Jeokgwang and Tanggu too. Nearly died."
"That mad dog! All he knows is swinging a blade, overstepping without knowing his place. Attacking Cheongeumbang's young master."
He even feigned anger.
"You didn't know."
"No idea. How could I know everything about Cheongeumbang?"
That expression, that tone. Oscar-worthy denial.
"Young Master Jin, even with a daughter married in, I can't meddle in family affairs. Too busy handling exchange matters directly—no time to sleep."
"Makes sense now that I'm here."
"Still, elders report Cheongeumbang news to curry favor since I invested heavily. Pathetic fools. Embarrassing in front of you."
"No need to be ashamed. Natural."
"Thanks for understanding. But I heard nothing about you."
"I misunderstood, thinking you ordered it. No reply to the gift, so I came to confront. Sorry for upsetting you over nothing."
"No, no. He was your escort before, so understandable. Sorry for worrying you. Any injuries?"
Yang Taek scanned his body with concern.
"Lucky, no big deal. My skills held up."
"Heh, clearly. Took down three warriors without moving."
"Sorry. Kept misunderstanding. Forgive my youthful rashness."
"I understand. At your age, that spirit's needed. I'm relieved—if you inherit Cheongeumbang, it'll prosper more."
Yang Taek smiled affably.
"Sigh, but I ended up investigating Tak Sobak."
"Tak Sobak?"
"Yeah, short-sighted me suspected you."
"I see. And?"
"Checked his exchange transactions."
"Ho? Good move. Find anything?"
Yang Taek brimmed with confidence. No wonder. He'd traced dark channels, but So Hye found nothing. They used aliases meticulously. Same for Dokbi and Tanggu—they'd vanished like smoke. So Hye had fumed about it. Of course he was confident.
Jin Yeo-rip sighed disappointedly, shaking his head.
"Nothing. Makes sense—misunderstanding from the start."
The culprit, but no proof. Couldn't accuse on suspicion alone.
"Haha, still impressive. Merchants must be vigilant. Scrutinize everything. Looking forward to you succeeding Cheongeumbang."
"Thanks. But during the investigation, I learned some useful things. Want to hear?"
Jin Yeo-rip smiled meaningfully, and Yang Taek's smile froze. Merchants must be vigilant? True. Couldn't prove the attack, but prepared something else. Debts must be collected. And now began the real purpose of this meeting.
Time to shake him down thoroughly.