The Fist King, My Brothers......

Episode 7: The Fist King, My Brothers......

"Father, let me see your hand."

As Lee Sung-min extended his hand, Dan Woo-sung grasped his father's rough, calloused palm and checked his pulse. Practicing martial arts meant understanding the body, so Dan Woo-sung was more knowledgeable than most physicians. Still, pretending to be a doctor in front of Lee Sung-min felt awkward, so he simply kneaded his father's hand as if giving a massage.

Dan Woo-sung spoke.

"I've heard that pent-up anger is an illness that can be easily cured once its root cause is removed. Since I'll be taking care of that cause step by step, please recover quickly."

There was no serious illness.

It was purely a sickness of the heart—pent-up anger caused by psychological distress. Of course, if the situation didn't improve, even a healthy body could fall prey to various ailments.

Lee Sung-min, lying in bed, couldn't respond immediately. The biggest cause of his anger had returned, completely changed—how could he not be bewildered? After swallowing dryly a few times, he finally managed to reply.

"Well... thank you for saying that."

Dan Woo-sung patted the back of his father's hand as if telling him not to worry.

"It's not just words. That's how it's going to be."

When Dan Woo-sung smiled, Lee Sung-min studied his expression before nodding slowly.

"Alright. I understand. It's good to have you back. You should go rest now."

"Yes."

Lee Sung-min watched his eldest son leave, then absentmindedly looked down at his own hand. His palm was marked with red spots from how forcefully Dan Woo-sung had pressed into it. Even a man toughened by years of trade had his instincts. Staring at his palm, he made a quiet deduction.

'That boy has learned martial arts.'

Dan Woo-sung kept Gongson Myeong's death a secret for now. There was no need to burden a sick man's mind unnecessarily. Aside from whoever had ordered the assassination, no one seemed to care about Gongson Myeong's absence. He wasn't a servant, so there was no reason for him to return with them.

After meeting with the head of the merchant group, Dan Woo-sung followed a servant's guidance to visit his second brother, Lee Hwa-eon, who was currently recovering from an injury while serving as Chief Administrator.

He hadn't expected warm hospitality from his brothers in the first place. It was common knowledge that the richer the family, the more frequent the quarrels between siblings as they grew older.

He was simply curious about their expressions. He intended to find out who had ordered the physician's assassination, and the best place to start was with those closest to him.

From his past life, Dan Woo-sung had seen countless cases where family turned into enemies. Those with power sought to resolve conflicts with force, leading to tragedy. Those with money sought to amass even more, also leading to tragedy.

Second brother Lee Hwa-eon was shirtless, with a servant applying Golden Wound Ointment to his shoulder.

A guard outside announced,

"Chief Administrator, the Grand Prince has arrived."

Lee Hwa-eon tilted his head slightly before gesturing for the servant to go check. He had heard about his brother's return, but it was unusual for the Grand Prince to visit him first.

From outside the door, Dan Woo-sung spoke.

"I'm coming in."

"Yes."

When the Grand Prince entered with a stern expression, Lee Hwa-eon hurriedly pulled on his robe and replied dryly,

"I was applying ointment..."

"Stay comfortable."

For a moment, the two brothers studied each other.

Dan Woo-sung could see that Lee Hwa-eon resembled the Grand Prince quite a bit. His expression and gaze, however, held no goodwill. Even after such a long absence, his attitude was far from welcoming. Since these were feelings directed at Lee Jin-eon, Dan Woo-sung didn't take it personally. In Lee Jin-eon's memories, Lee Hwa-eon hadn't been particularly malicious.

Lee Hwa-eon asked with a blank face,

"How is your health? You seem much better now."

Dan Woo-sung glanced at the stacks of documents on Lee Hwa-eon's desk and scanned the room before answering.

"I'm fine now. I heard from Mok In-seop that you fought with the third brother."

"Yes."

"I understand fighting, but how did you end up getting stabbed?"

Lee Hwa-eon tilted his head at the Grand Prince's changed tone before replying.

"It just happened."

"Who stabbed you...?"

"You think I got stabbed by my own guards? It happened while trying to break up the fight. Since I was holding a sword too, I don't have much to say."

"The third brother stabbed you?"

"Yes."

Dan Woo-sung nodded.

Whether he was involved in the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠assassination or not, the third brother deserved a beating. Even as a child, he had idolized the martial world, making him the most violent of the three brothers.

Sensing the change in his eldest brother, Lee Hwa-eon asked,

"Did something happen at the estate? You seem... different. I can't tell if it's good or bad."

Dan Woo-sung nodded.

"Does it show?"

"Yes."

"Good observation. By the way, when are you returning to your duties as Chief Administrator?"

"It's not a serious injury. I'll rest today and resume work normally tomorrow."

Dan Woo-sung responded immediately.

"Then send word that we're rejecting the Soseon Sect's demands."

Lee Hwa-eon looked slightly surprised.

"Huh? I was planning to send them gifts to smooth things over. If we don't respond, they might come after us. They've been hinting that they could interfere with our other businesses."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Dan Woo-sung smiled.

"Even better. Reject them. If they come, we'll meet them. We're a merchant group that turns profits, not a charity. There's no ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠need to bow our heads every time a martial sect throws a tantrum. And after hearing Mok In-seop's report, I've been thinking... The problem isn't the Soseon Sect."

"Then?"

"It's the Guyang Clan. If the Soseon Sect is extorting money from us with the Guyang Clan's approval, then part of that money will go to the Guyang Clan. They're already taking protection fees from us, and now they're getting more through the Soseon Sect."

"Isn't that jumping to conclusions?"

When Lee Hwa-eon tilted his head skeptically, Dan Woo-sung countered,

"The Soseon Sect is weak. Would they dare extort money from a merchant group guarded by a master from the Guyang Clan? Which scenario is more likely? If the Soseon Sect is threatening us, then the problem isn't them—it's the Guyang Clan. At least if a stronger faction pressured us, it'd make sense..."

Lee Hwa-eon fell into thought before speaking again.

"I'll reject them. You're right. I'll also instruct the Escort Team to prepare in case things escalate."

Dan Woo-sung nodded before flipping through the employee registry on the desk. Lee Hwa-eon was stunned—his eldest brother had never shown interest in such records before.

"What are you looking for?"

"Just checking the registry."

"Yes."

Merchants kept meticulous records.

And since his brother was the Chief Administrator, all the important information about the merchant group was likely here.

Dan Woo-sung traced his finger down the list until he stopped at the name Gongson Myeong.

「Gongson Myeong, from Wei'an, recommended by Guyang Hoo, monthly salary of two silver and three copper.」

Seeing the name he had expected, Dan Woo-sung felt a sense of relief. At least he wouldn't have to kill Lee Jin-eon's brothers with his own hands.

That said, this Escort Team Leader Guyang Hoo seemed to have plans to swallow the Silver River Merchant Group whole. He was shaking things up from both inside and out.

Dan Woo-sung closed the registry decisively.

"Hwa-eon, take care of yourself."

"Where are you going?"

"To educate the third brother."

"Huh?"

As Dan Woo-sung strode out, Lee Hwa-eon blinked repeatedly in confusion. His eldest brother taking interest in the merchant group's affairs was strange enough, but now he was going to meet the third brother, whom he'd never gotten along with? And the tone of their entire conversation had been bizarre.

Educate him?

If he came back without ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠getting beaten up, it'd be a miracle.

Still, the change was positive, so Lee Hwa-eon wasn't entirely displeased. The Grand Prince's return was baffling in every way.

As Dan Woo-sung left Lee Hwa-eon's residence, Mok In-seop grinned and fell into step beside him.

"Grand Prince, it's Mok In-seop. I was late to greet you due to shift rotation."

Dan Woo-sung walked alongside him.

"The entire Escort Team came out to greet me. Quite the welcome for a scoundrel."

"Heh heh, is that so? By the way, where are you headed? Your residence isn't this way."

"To the third brother."

"Haha, then I'll accompany you."

"Why?"

Mok In-seop smirked.

"Things might get rowdy. You don't have an assigned guard yet, so I should tag along. Since the Chief Administrator got injured, our Deputy Leader gave us an earful."

Mok In-seop was curious to see the changed Grand Prince face off against the temperamental third brother. If the third brother's guards drew their swords again, Mok In-seop wouldn't stand idly by this time.

At the entrance to the third brother's residence, Mok In-seop deliberately called out in a cheeky tone.

"Hey, the Grand Prince is here. Announce him."

"Yes."

A young man brushing the courtyard hurried away, and Mok In-seop gestured for Dan Woo-sung to enter.

"After you."

"You're here?"

That was the first thing Third Brother Lee Ja-eon said upon seeing the Grand Prince. He glanced at Mok In-seop before speaking indifferently.

"Mok boy, long time no see."

Mok In-seop chuckled.

"Yes, Third Prince."

Lee Ja-eon had been practicing his swordplay in the courtyard training ground, slicing wooden dummies with a real blade while two personal guards watched.

As Dan Woo-sung observed, Lee Ja-eon swiftly cut down two dummies standing side by side. He examined the clean cuts before speaking.

"What brings you all the way here?"

Dan Woo-sung didn't answer.

Instead, he scanned the training ground before locking eyes with the stone-faced guards. They weren't familiar even in Lee Jin-eon's memories. Dan Woo-sung wasn't keen on beating the third brother in front of outsiders.

He turned to Mok In-seop.

"I need to speak with the third brother alone. All of you, leave."

Mok In-seop replied with exaggerated reluctance.

"Yes, understood."

He had been looking forward to watching the third brother get pummeled.

'Ah, I wanted to see this... What a shame.'

As Mok In-seop strode away, the guards looked to Lee Ja-eon for confirmation. They wouldn't move unless he ordered them to.

Lee Ja-eon laughed.

"Why send the guards away? Planning to fight me? Did you dig up some elixir at Mount Jiuhua? Ridiculous."

He tossed his sword to one of the guards, then waved them off.

"You lot, the Grand Prince of the Silver River Merchant Group tells you to leave, and you hesitate? How insolent."

The guards bowed.

"Yes."

After Mok In-seop and the guards had all left the courtyard, Lee Ja-eon walked right up to Dan Woo-sung and studied his face closely.

"You look healthier. But your expression is like a different person's. Did something happen? You even know how to glare now. Did you take the wrong medicine? Or did some tonic mess with your brain?"

Dan Woo-sung spoke. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Ja-eon."

Lee Ja-eon clapped a hand on Dan Woo-sung's shoulder.

"Brother, get ahold of yourself. Now that you're back, stop causing trouble. And cut back on the drinking."

Dan Woo-sung nodded.

"I plan to."

Lee Ja-eon nodded approvingly.

"Good thinking. I've been afraid to tell people I'm Lee Jin-eon's brother. If Father hadn't sent you to the estate, your nickname in the martial world would've been 'Lecherous Demon' by now."

Dan Woo-sung assessed Lee Ja-eon's physical condition, curious about his martial training. But the hands of this so-called swordsman were smooth and soft.

Lee Ja-eon continued.

"'Lecherous Demon' might be too grand. How about 'Brothel Demon'? That suits your level."

As he spoke, Lee Ja-eon's grip tightened on Dan Woo-sung's shoulder.

In a voice too low for anyone else to hear, he said,

"If you don't want to get beaten like before, behave yourself. I'll ignore you if you do. The merchant group's atmosphere is bad enough as it is."

Normally, the Grand Prince would have yelped in pain by now, but his expression remained unchanged. Instead, Dan Woo-sung gripped Lee Ja-eon's shoulder with his right hand and replied,

"Understood."

"Oh? Finally coming to your senses?"

Dan Woo-sung increased his grip strength.

"People change when they face death. In my case, I'd say it was for the better."

Lee Ja-eon's face twisted instantly. A short, stifled scream escaped him.

"Ah! Ah, ah, ah!"

The pain was unbearable—his shoulder felt like it was being crushed. The worst part? Dan Woo-sung was only just beginning to exert real force.