The Fleet-Footed Pickpocket
Having left the Ak Family, Geomwang set off westward without hesitation, bringing Woo-gang along.
He pondered where to go and decided showing the boy a grand city would be best.
Though the sea was just a few days' journey from the Ak Family, he figured Woo-gang had seen enough fine scenery lately, so he chose somewhere bustling and complex instead.
And so, Geomwang's destination was Jeonam, the provincial capital of Shandong Province.
Tall buildings rose here and there, throngs of people weaving between them.
Woo-gang's gaze flitted from one spot to another amid the babel of voices rising from every direction.
His face showed little change, but Geomwang, standing beside him, could tell.
The boy was a touch excited right now.
"Ever been to a city this big before?"
"No."
Woo-gang answered, eyes scanning every which way.
"Pretty chaotic, huh?"
"It's dizzying. Hard to imagine living in a place like this."
"Some folks love the hustle and bustle, while others prefer a quiet life amid nature. Anyway, let's head over there. Biggest eatery around here."
Geomwang pointed to a towering building nearby.
"Looks pricey."
"It is, but it's a must when you're in town. Let me check..."
Geomwang rummaged in his money pouch and frowned.
"Gotta make a quick run to the gambling dens. A bit short."
"We can go somewhere else."
"Nah, it's fine. Rare experiences like this shouldn't wait. Place is crowded—head to that quieter spot over there and wait. Be right back."
"Got it."
Woo-gang could sense Geomwang's intent to fill the void left by Si-woo, even if just a little, and found he couldn't refuse.
Geomwang hurried off, and Woo-gang pushed through the crowd toward a less populated area.
It was while threading through the dense throng that he felt it.
Huh?
Amid the chaos, a hand crept toward his waist.
No matter how packed it was, Woo-gang wasn't one to miss something like that.
But with so many bodies pressing in, reacting in time proved tricky.
By then, the hand had swiftly brushed his waist and begun pulling away.
"Ha... So this is what they call a pickpocket."
Woo-gang scratched his head and muttered.
His senses were already locked on the fleeing thief.
He followed with a slight frown.
A young man with an honest face but eyes brimming with mischief stopped at a street stall in a quiet corner.
He drooled over the appetizing array of foods, then called to the vendor.
"Auntie, gimme everything you've got here!"
The youth declared boldly.
But the stall owner's reaction was lukewarm at best.
Any merchant would rejoice at someone buying out their entire stock.
So why the indifference?
"Gu Sam, I ain't falling for your tricks again. Not this time!"
At her words, Gu Sam puffed up with smug pride.
He pulled a small embroidered pouch from his bosom.
"Look at this! You don't even know how much those vouchers inside are worth?"
"You didn't pickpocket that somewhere, did you?"
"Heh heh! I quit that life, I swear! Some kind-hearted soul gave it to me so me and the little ones could eat our fill."
"Hmph..."
The stall owner narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"There really vouchers in there?"
"Of course!"
Gu Sam threw his shoulders back and shouted.
But cold sweat trickled down his back.
He had no idea what was actually inside.
Damn... Should've checked first. But a fancy pouch like this? Gotta be vouchers, right?
Gu Sam muttered inwardly.
"Then show me. Won't hand over a thing till I see with my own eyes."
"Tch, fine."
A bit guilty but convinced of his guess, Gu Sam opened the pouch without hesitation.
His face hardened instantly.
The stall owner, swatting flies from her wares and glancing at him, clicked her tongue.
"Knew it. Get lost! I've let you slide before for your siblings' sake, but not today!"
She snapped firmly.
"Heh heh... I'll pay you back next time, pretty please?"
Gu Sam switched to wheedling charm.
"Save that cutesy act for someone who buys it. No way. Times are tight for me too!"
"Half then...?"
"No."
"Half of half...?"
"Absolutely not. Scram, or my hand'll swat those flies right off your cheeks."
Facing her unyielding glare, Gu Sam drooped his head.
"Fine. I'll come back next time."
"With real money this ti— Hey, you rascal!"
Dejected one moment, Gu Sam flipped in an instant, snatching handfuls of food and bolting.
Hot dishes, saucy ones—he grabbed whatever came to hand, heedless.
"Fast as ever on his feet... Ha... When's that kid gonna grow up?"
The stall owner muttered into the air, utterly deflated.
Woo-gang, watching the whole scene from afar, slipped away quietly.
"What the hell!"
Gu Sam glared irritably at the jumbled mess in his hands.
In his frantic escape, he'd dropped half; what remained was a mushy, unrecognizable slop unfit for man or beast.
"Told ya—steal smart, know what you're grabbing."
Gu Sam jolted.
The voice from behind froze him solid.
Too spooked to turn, he stood rigid—then exploded into full sprint.
His speed was blinding.
"Trained in martial arts?"
No ordinary runner could pull that off.
Woo-gang sighed softly at the bolting figure and gave chase.
"Huff! Huff! Huff!"
Gu Sam gasped raggedly.
He'd ditched the food long ago, running harder than ever in his life, nonstop.
Only after twisting through alleys to near his hideout did he finally stop.
"What the—? Who was that guy?"
Still shaken, he clutched his chest and muttered.
"Who else? The owner of that pouch."
"Gyaah!"
This time, the voice from ahead made him flop onto his butt.
There stood Woo-gang, leaning against a building wall.
"S-sorry! My bad! Here's your pouch!"
Gu Sam flattened himself to the ground, hoisting the pouch overhead.
Woo-gang approached slowly, snatching it from his grasp.
He opened it and checked the contents.
Money? He wouldn't have cared if it'd been stolen.
But no—the pouch held a letter from Si-woo.
Geomwang had learned of it by chance, bought the pouch to keep it safe, and Woo-gang had carried it ever since.
"Took me ages to track you down. Where the hell were y— What's that?"
Geomwang appeared, having noticed Woo-gang's absence and rushed over.
He eyed the prostrate Gu Sam.
"Bold kid swiped this and ran."
Woo-gang held up the pouch.
"Hah, even you fall for pickpockets? Waste of your skills."
"Too slick, and too crowded to react in time."
A martial artist?
Gu Sam's face drained of color.
The crowd had been his undoing.
Woo-gang carried his spear wrapped in thick hide slung backward, hidden from view.
Judging by appearances alone, Gu Sam had snatched the pouch and fled.
"Do what you want. I'm out."
Geomwang stepped back, and Woo-gang squatted before Gu Sam.
"Who taught you martial arts?"
"Huh? Martial arts?"
Gu Sam peeked up cautiously.
"Don't play dumb. Who?"
"Martial arts? I just learned how to go longer without eating and run real fast. That's it."
Snap!
Woo-gang seized his wrist.
Channeling qi through the pulse...
Sure enough, qi flowed in Gu Sam's body.
The starvation trick was likely a breathing method; the speed, some lightness skill or footwork.
Taught without calling it martial arts? He might not realize.
"You have trained in it."
"Feels like qi to me."
Geomwang frowned at Woo-gang's words.
He fixed Gu Sam with a stare.
"Tell the truth, or I'll drag you to the magistrates right now."
"N-no! I swear! I don't know any martial arts!"
Gu Sam yelped at "magistrates," sounding genuine.
"Then describe the one who taught you to endure hunger and run fast."
Geomwang asked.
"Got a suspect?"
"Maybe. Gotta confirm."
"He... had hair half white, half black, mixed. Stank like he never bathed. Matted and tangled. But built like an ox, gravelly voice—old man."
Gu Sam spilled it all.
Geomwang chuckled.
"Knew it. Only one fits."
"Who?"
"Byeol Gae."
Woo-gang tilted his head at the unfamiliar name.
Gu Sam too.
"Anyway, what to do with him?"
Woo-gang eyed Gu Sam again.
"Heard you mention siblings earlier?"
"Yeah... Not blood, but some kids we ended up with. All orphans, nowhere else to go..."
Woo-gang pondered, then spoke.
"How many?"
"Five."
"Where?"
"Close by."
"Lead the way."
"Huh?"
"I said lead."
"O-okay."
Woo-gang followed Gu Sam, while Geomwang shook his head watching.
"Just like his granddad—too soft-hearted."
Grumbling, but trailing after Woo-gang all the same.