Future Over the Past (5)
Jin Yeo-rip narrowed his eyes, lost in thought. He didn't ask for much. In truth, he was only Jin Yeo-rip on the outside—his insides belonged to a complete stranger. If they'd just offered him a decent sum and sent him on his way, he might have nodded quietly and left without a fuss.
But looking at the situation, that wasn't going to happen. Maybe it was the influence of the Reverse Heaven Method, as Im Pilsaeng had suggested, sharpening his emotions. Or perhaps dying once had simply altered his personality a bit. Above all, wasn't there still that teenage boy lingering in his subconscious, whispering to him?
Yeah, fine. Let's do it your way. I've been thinking the same thing. You're you, but how did I end up alive again? Thanks to Buddha's grace, I was reborn as a rich kid in a whole other world and finally made it home. No way am I doing favors for others. Yielding? Sacrificing? Tried it. But that's just handing opportunities to someone else—a consolation for getting exploited. At least in my previous life. No more living like a sucker. I take care of my own.
As Jin Yeo-rip fell silent for a long stretch, So Hye, who had been watching him carefully, spoke up hesitantly.
"If it doesn't sit right with you, Young Master, you can refuse. The family head said it's your call regarding Lady Yi's request."
"My call? The family head?"
"Your father."
"……."
"Your father."
So Hye was as sharp as ever, correcting him with a kind face but unyielding tone.
"In any case, inviting you to the academy is clearly their way of sizing you up. If they spot even a hint of talent..."
So Hye trailed off, but Jin Yeo-rip could guess the rest. They'd snuff it out right away. Hadn't he watched plenty of dramas like that in his past life? Some chaebol family. The long-lost eldest son suddenly appears due to a birth secret. The stepmother pulls every dirty trick to keep her own sons from losing their spots to this newcomer!
And it wasn't just dramas. Kongjwi suffered under her late-arriving stepmother, Cinderella got bullied by her stepmother and stepsisters after losing her parents young... Anyway, it was the classic scenario with a long history and tradition.
"I get it. It must be weighing on you. Someone who spent fourteen years at Shaolin just reading sutras, now facing merchant clan teachings? Forget budding talent—you'll be a laughingstock."
"Huh?"
"What dragon-slaying skills do you have to compete with kids who've been studying for years? You'll probably do worse than the little toddlers just starting out. I hate the thought of that humiliation even more than you do."
Jin Yeo-rip's eyes narrowed at So Hye's words. Hey... you... Is that really concern? Feels more like an insult. These three were all headaches in their own way.
"Even Guardian Bi-hwang, the family head's chief escort, hinted at it. He hopes you won't go to the academy."
"What?"
"It's the family head's will."
Jin Yeo-rip pondered long and hard. This wasn't encouragement—it was everyone telling him not to crush the budding sprout. Even if it came from worry, it was enough to ignite his fighting spirit. Blame puberty. His mind was thirty, but his body was in that rebellious phase. And now he even had the talent to pull off moves that would make Black Flame Dragon jealous—at least at the level of shaking off illnesses for now.
"So, what about you guys?"
"Pardon?"
"You gonna stop me? If I wanna do something?"
So Hye paused at his words, then shook her head.
"We'll just follow you."
So Hye, Hwang Ja-su, and Im Pilsaeng all wore the same expression.
"Then I'll go."
"Pardon?"
"Why not go if they're asking?"
"Young Master."
"Don't worry."
"……."
"They're not gonna outright kill me, right? Let's see what they're up to first."
Jin Yeo-rip's eyes gleamed. An academy? Piece of cake. He'd done twelve years of school from elementary to high, four in college, military service, and even society—until he croaked. And in those dramas, the bullied eldest son always took over the chaebol empire, Kongjwi married the nobleman, Cinderella snagged the prince and lived happily ever after.
His mind raced. Being smart had its perks. Lady Yi requested it, huh? If she planned to swallow Cheongeumbang whole, she'd come prepared no matter what. Refusing the academy wouldn't dodge her. If he was her target, she'd cook up something else for her own gain.
"So Hye."
"Yes?"
"When does the academy start?"
"In five days."
"Hm, five days, huh?"
Having sorted his thoughts, Jin Yeo-rip scanned the manor. Unjeong Pavilion wasn't small. Naturally, more than just these three came and went, and they'd surely serve as Lady Yi's eyes and ears. Even if his father cared, the inner household was her domain.
So, what first? Clean house, obviously. To fight ahead, he needed to start on equal footing. They watched, listened, judged him—couldn't have him clueless while they schemed.
"So Hye."
"Yes?"
"You know how to cook?"
"Cook?"
"Yeah."
"Well..."
So Hye looked troubled, but Jin Yeo-rip had already decided. These three were the only ones he could trust. From now on, only they stayed in Unjeong Pavilion. And only trustworthy people by his side going forward.
"Give it a try."
"No way!"
"Huh?"
It wasn't So Hye—Im Pilsaeng barked it out, nearly shouting in fierce opposition.
"So Hye absolutely cannot!"
"What?"
Why the face? Anyone would think it was total war. It was just food?
"Young Master."
"Yes?"
"I agree with Im. Food from So Hye? Unthinkable."
Even Hwang Ja-su looked grave, shaking his head.
What the...?
"You could get poisoned."
"Pardon?"
Poisoned? Did he have to say it so loud?
"Sigh, Young Master hasn't tried it yet. It's really..."
Im Pilsaeng shuddered like he felt a chill, and Hwang Ja-su nodded vigorously. There were people like that—not unable to cook from inexperience, but with no sense for food at all. They experimented in the kitchen, assuming same color meant same taste... Some people just couldn't learn.
"If you need a cook, I'll do it."
"You, Uncle Pilsaeng?"
"Yes!"
"But you're coachman, guard..."
And handyman too.
"I can! So what if I'm tired? Better than eating So Hye's cooking."
"I agree! I'd rather chew herbs whole. Better that way. Bitter? Who cares?"
Consensus reached. So Hye's cooking was that bad. But badmouthing her right in front of her? Her eyes were glaring skyward like she scorned the heavens. That was killing intent...
"Then you do it, Uncle Pilsaeng."
Feeling a chill even in midsummer, Jin Yeo-rip hurried to decide.
"S-So Hye."
"Yes..."
So Hye responded to his urgent call with icy eyes.
"Can you get me a spear? Maybe?"
"Pardon? A spear?"
Her eyes widened as if she'd never been mad, while Hwang Ja-su and Im Pilsaeng looked puzzled at Jin Yeo-rip.
"No blade needed. Training one."
"Young Master, you don't mean...?"
"Yeah, gonna learn the maternal clan's spear art, Baji."
"For real?"
"Yeah. It's just me now. Someone's gotta carry it on. Time to train seriously."
The three fell silent. But their eyes swelled with raw emotion—something fervent. Of course. They were the last remnants of the fallen Ak clan. Hearing their master vow to seriously practice the family martial art? How moving.
"Uncle Pilsaeng."
"Yes!"
"You'll help, right?"
"You bet! I'll help till my bones grind to dust!"
Jin Yeo-rip chuckled at Im Pilsaeng's exaggeration. Bones to dust? Pure Meat Pilsaeng? That'd cost 2,000 won.
"Young Master."
"Yes?"
"May I go now?"
"Got work?"
"Gonna dig through medical texts. Can't sit idle if you're learning Baji! I'll scrounge ingredients and make helpful meds!"
Chaos erupted. Already. But it brought a smile to Jin Yeo-rip's lips. Each a bit lacking somewhere, but good people.
"I leave it to you all. But no one knows what I'm doing."
"You bet! Mum's the word!"
Jin Yeo-rip bowed politely, and they replied in unison before scattering to their tasks.
That day marked the start. Only four remained in Unjeong Pavilion: Jin Yeo-rip and his three. And he lived more diligently than ever.
He rose at dawn for qi method training, built stamina, practiced spear forms—the routine filled his days to bursting. Perhaps it stemmed from the habits ingrained by a boy who'd faithfully done dawn prayers every day, following Shaolin's schedule.
Unjeong Pavilion passed those five days in quiet.
"Young Master."
"Yeah."
As Jin Yeo-rip finished dressing and stepped out at So Hye's call, everyone's eyes widened.
It was warranted. Cooped up in Unjeong Pavilion, he'd let his hair tangle wildly during training, wearing only sweat-soaked training robes.
Now, his neatly combed-up hair was pinned with a jade hairpin, a sky-blue headband above his brows. His handsome features shone. Even he was startled looking in the mirror. Oh man, this good-looking...
Blue shadows cling to his fine brows, faint pink dusk rims his graceful eyes. Poetry sprang to mind.
But his looks weren't all. His body was primed from the start—fourteen years of external training at Shaolin. His posture stood out. Dressed neatly in training robes topped with a white changsam embroidered with blue dragon patterns? A masterpiece.
Look—Im Pilsaeng's jaw dropped, Hwang Ja-su fumbled his herbs. If men were like that, women would faint.
"So Hye."
"Yes?!"
She jumped at his call, clamping her mouth shut.
"Wipe your drool."
"Eep!"
So Hye dabbed her mouth with her sleeve at his smile, beaming proudly.
"Young Master!"
"Yeah?"
"Take these."
Hwang Ja-su opened his medicine box. Three pills.
"Wongi Pills. Not spirit pills, but made with our Hwang clan's secrets. Long-term use relieves fatigue, boosts stamina. Soon, I'll make training elixirs too."
Like tonics. Let's see the Hwang clan's secret... Huh? They melted before he could chew, sliding down his throat. Jin Yeo-rip's eyes bulged at Hwang Ja-su.
His head cleared like fresh dawn air. And strength surged! Tiger power! Kung fu...
"How is it?"
"Great. I could catch rabbits barehanded."
"Hahaha! Good sense of humor."
He meant it. Instant effects like that? As a merchant's son, maybe sell these? Big money.
"Young Master, let's go!"
Im Pilsaeng stepped aside, revealing a carriage at the open gate.
"C-carriage? Aren't we walking to the academy?"
"Of course. Can't have Cheongeumbang's heir walking like commoners? I'll get you there fast and safe."
Im Pilsaeng took the reins. Guard, coachman, handyman, cook—he was all. Yet all three brimmed with zeal. Probably from his vow five days ago. To them, he was Ak Seoyeonn's son, Ak clan's heir, before Cheongeumbang's young master.
Jin Yeo-rip smirked and boarded. So Hye and Hwang Ja-su bowed deeply, sending him off. Im Pilsaeng whipped the horses.
Inner Market scenery scrolled past the window. Taewon's massive walls loomed afar.
Past? Screw that. He'd focus only on the future he forged.
Father urged him to do nothing, but he couldn't. What was puberty? A crooked age. Always rebelling, doing the opposite of what's said.
He was puberty... no, Cheongeumbang's prime heir, Jin Yeo-rip.
If anyone wanted something here from now on, they'd need his permission.