A Daughter Named So-ryeo
Yeon Sa-gu's lips curved up just a touch. He'd already sensed that Mu Yun from Nae-yang wasn't a demonic cultist. And everything this guy had done while under observation was intriguing. But the most important thing?
'Something about him just pulls at my heart.'
For Yeon Sa-gu, who trusted his gut above all else, that was as certain as it got.
He'd made up his mind, but he still had to ask one more time. He needed to hear it straight from the horse's mouth.
"You! You're not one, right?"
"Yeah. Not a demonic cultist."
Yeon Sa-gu tilted his head.
"But it's still weird. How'd a weakling like you end up tangled in that mess?"
"Wasn't weak back then. Didn't know shit about the world."
"You know who did it?"
"More or less."
"No revenge? With your skills and smarts, you could handle it now."
"If it was just that, I'd sneak into the Murim Alliance's Demonic Subjugation Squad right now."
"Then?"
"Can't face my parents. Acted like a fool, made 'em worry—gotta accomplish something real before I show up. The family's holding fine without me anyway."
Now Yeon Sa-gu had just one question left.
"What about your martial arts?"
"Why poke at someone else's trade secret?"
"Curious, duh. Don't wanna say? Fine."
No choice but to dodge.
"What else? Met a good master."
"Must be impressive."
"You can tell just looking at me."
That cleared up most of the doubts. Pushing on the martial arts felt rude anyway.
Yeon Sa-gu stared straight at Mu Yun with his usual gaze. That was how he showed trust best.
"Alright then. Keep going with that earlier talk."
A faint smile touched Mu Yun's lips.
'Knew it!'
True to what he'd seen, a guy worth trusting like Gong Ya-seong. A student he'd teach how to live it up. The Ju Son-hak stuff? Not his business, so he'd kept quiet. Could get risky.
Now this world had given him three friends, age be damned: Ha Hu-jin, Gong Ya-seong, and Yeon Sa-gu. Not quite on par with his old ones yet, but worth nurturing.
To do that, they'd weather storms together. To learn if brotherhood was heaven's noble gift.
Mu Yun spoke calmly.
"Planning to set roots here. Need power to handle Nae-yang business and revenge."
"So you're dragging Hao Mun in?"
"All related dealings go through Yeogwak Merchant House. No public ties to me or Cheong-ho Bang. Except between you and me."
"Cool. Got it. So how far you going?"
"Build strength quietly for two, three years first. Then we'll see."
Yeon Sa-gu had to ask.
"That'll clash with Jeok-un Mun in a few years. What then?"
Right answer for now.
"I'll be careful, but no tucking tail."
Yeon Sa-gu tilted his head. Raw power was off the table in his mind. Even if Mu Yun was sharp, couldn't take them solo. Only way to hold and fight?
'Gotta dominate most of Si-jeon.'
But one hurdle.
"Thinking Si-jeon, huh? One silver mine ain't enough. Even building slow, few years won't cut it."
Time to reveal. Only developing one of two mines.
"Got another silver mine. Just a few close aides know. Now you too."
"How big?"
"Two, three times this one."
Yeon Sa-gu's eyes went wide.
"For real?"
"You gotta see it now. When you free?"
No more doubts, just curiosity.
"That one too?"
"Same cut!"
Yeon Sa-gu swallowed hard. Passing this up would be stupid. Guy already tugged at him anyway.
But draw the line clear. Locked eyes with Mu Yun.
"Deal. I'm with you to the end. But not Hao Mun. If Jeok-un Mun hits, we move by situation. Non-negotiable. Got it?"
"Obviously. Good."
"Let's do this... friend."
"Yeah. Time to spill on the Si-jeon business."
"Show me. What schemes you cooking?"
"Explaining once, so listen up."
"What's this? No one in Hao Mun rolls brains like me!"
"You'll see."
The meeting dragged late into the night.
Finally heading back, Yeon Sa-gu kept tilting his head.
'Why's this punk in the jianghu? Past screams merchant lord.'
A few days later, rumors exploded in Chim-ju's markets.
"Hey, you hear the news?"
"What?"
"Chim-do Bang's deputy was a rapist scumbag."
"Gasp! Grab him now!"
"Already dead. Got him."
"Phew! Thank goodness. Chim-do Bang didn't know?"
"Bangju found out by chance, took him down with Hao Mun."
"Good! Shame it wasn't the whole bang crumbling."
"Huh? Why?"
"Cheong-ho Bang's been doing good deeds. Without 'em, Cheong-ho takes over."
"True. Can't be helped. But they say self-reflection for a while over responsibility. Might improve."
"Yeah! Silver lining."
Two months later, deep in Yeogwak Merchant House. Chim-ju Hao Mun branch leader Yeon Dae-bo grinned nonstop.
The numbers on the just-signed document danced in his eyes.
'Heh! This cut.'
One signature, and money worries gone till death.
Eyes on nephew Yeon Sa-gu, who brought this windfall.
'Heh! Not a headache—a blessing.'
But his face twisted watching.
"Hey! Others ain't here yet—how you eating first!"
Yeon Sa-gu didn't look up, mumbling.
"Told ya to start if late."
"Still... ya punk."
Yeogwak Merchant House leader Jin Yu-song cut in.
"We eat first. They're late."
Branch leader Yeon Dae-bo couldn't.
"Ahem! Wait more. Not just any meet..."
Then two entered.
Mu Yun bowed hastily to the room.
"Sorry. Late."
Yeon Sa-gu's head snapped up. Voice calm, but worry huge.
"Hey! How'd it go?"
Gong Ya-seong's smile entering with him said it all.
"Girl. Smooth birth, mom's fine."
"Man! Great news. Haha! Lots to celebrate today."
Secret meet, but formalizing Hao Mun in Yeogwak Merchant House. Perfect day for Yu-seon's birth. Why Mu Yun and Gong Ya-seong late.
Gwak Yu-yang raised his cup, beaming.
"Before we start, one more good thing."
Branch leader Yeon Dae-bo blinked.
"What?"
"Checked second silver vein full. Thick, near surface."
"Whoa! Mining costs down, output?"
"Yeah. Profits double, looks like. Heh!"
"Damn! Drinking all night."
"Damn right. When else?"
"Eat up, all! Haha!"
As drinks flowed deep.
Mu Yun slipped out, gazing far sky.
Stars pierced dark, filling view. Faint smile toward light held hidden emotion.
'So-ryeo!'
Today's newborn Yu-seon baby? Named by him at her request. Same as the daughter he'd raised long ago.
So-ryeo.
Hadn't planned it. Other fine names in mind.
But seeing newborn? Changed.
'Didn't know regret ran this deep. Sorry, So-ryeo.'
If Yeo Hwi's letter had greetings, maybe less. Last Bing-ok Seom-su pass-down aside, all regret, remorse.
Emptiness surged like tide.
'Why so petty? Sigh.'
Day So-ryeo left, words circled lips unsaid. Thanks for becoming daughter.
But newborn girl? First taking Wol So-ryeo as daughter—passion, thrill rushed back.
So he changed. Become father to this child, not soon-leaving Yu-seon.
New bond from guilt to Wol So-ryeo.
As he sorted old regrets, new resolve—one approached.
Yeon Sa-gu smirked.
"What? Moping solo?"
"Just old thoughts."
"Nae-yang?"
Had to say.
"What else?"
Yeon Sa-gu's hand on shoulder. Pondered, spat.
"Ain't you done enough? Time to go?"
"Not yet. Just starting. Gotta build something."
"That takes time."
"Yeah."
"When? One, two years?"
Past or present, no rush. Life path half-set, but needs time. Prep now.
Like before: till no sway by others, live proud. Till then, quiet, steady path.
"Two, three years."
"Too long?"
"Siblings, dad got it."
Yeon Sa-gu's voice reluctant.
"Aigoo! Not my place to worry. Me seeing dad? Long way."
"You? Decade?"
Yeon Sa-gu flared.
Bottled frustration burst tipsy.
"You bastard! Comforting me, now piss me off? If I mastered Eunwol Cheongyo Geom proper, you'd be bones by now—what's your deal!"
Mu Yun's eyes widened.
'Eunwol Cheongyo Geom? Why here?'
Sending Wol So-ryeo off, Do-cheon tagged along. Later Eun-ya Mun's protector. Guy who fancied So-ryeo—gave him arts for her future husband.
To guard her. One of Mu Lun's absolutes: Eunwol Cheongyo Geom.
Named to wrap So-ryeo's Bing-ok Seom-su blue glow secret.
Hearing it here.
"Eunwol Cheongyo Geom, right?"
"Huh? Did I? Eh, not big—pretend you didn't."
"Your art?"
"Drop it."
"Sounds familiar. Spill."
"Yeah? Fine. Don't blab."
"Won't."
"Not really mine—Hao Mun heirloom."
"Since when?"
"Dunno. Three hundred years back, Hao Munju ruled jianghu—passed to branch heads. Down to me. Was leader-only, but our arts suck, so shared."
Mu Yun's eyes widened.
"Even so, absolute art to branches?"
"Bull! Tops at super peak."
"What?"
"Heard weird shit. Old tales exaggerated. Still, super peak's plenty grateful."
Long years, maybe lost, warped. Check first.
'Eun-ya Mun precursor to Hao Mun?'
No memory, docs of Wol So-ryeo's info net Eun-ya Mun. Thought lost to time.
Yeon Sa-gu of Hao Mun might know.
"Ever hear Eun-ya Mun?"
Yeon Sa-gu's eyes widened slight.
"Whoa! How you know?"
"Knew it."
"Course. Hao Mun roots."
Mu Yun's gaze deepened.
'Bingo!'
Another lingering bond.