Sprouts of Hope
Gu Sam left with Byeol Gae, his face a picture of misery.
He shot pleading glances right up to the end, but Geomwang and Woo-gang deliberately ignored them.
As a result, Gu Sam's steps grew slower and slower until, finally, he was dragged away by Byeol Gae's grip like a cow being hauled to the slaughterhouse.
Now that they were alone again, the world felt eerily quiet.
Woo-gang couldn't help thinking how fortunate they were to escape Gu Sam's nonstop chatter all day long.
On the other hand, he also felt a twinge of emptiness.
"Ah, there was one thing I meant to ask that kid to do before sending him off with Byeol Gae."
"What was it?"
"People from the Dang Family will arrive at the Ak Family soon. We'll have results quickly then. I was going to tell him to come back after hearing the news."
Geomwang spoke with clear regret.
"Since it's come to this, why don't we go ourselves?"
"Hm..."
But Geomwang seemed reluctant to head to the Ak Family.
"Instead of that, let's just go straight to Sichuan."
"To the Dang Family?"
"Yeah. They'll send word to the Dang Family once they've checked on Ak So-cheon and gotten results anyway, right? Even if they confirm it's poison, figuring out what kind will be the Dang Family's job. So we head straight there, arrive, and hear the results ourselves."
"That doesn't sound bad."
"Right?"
Once Woo-gang agreed, the corners of Geomwang's mouth curved up.
"Do you dislike the Ak Family that much?"
"It's not dislike exactly—it's just frustrating. I feel like I couldn't hold back from nagging if I went."
Geomwang scowled as he said it.
Woo-gang shook his head at the sight.
Sometimes Geomwang seemed so grave and mature, like a true elder, but moments like this made him feel a bit immature.
"It's a long way to Sichuan, so let's eat first. Gotta fill the stomach to build strength."
"Yes."
With their destination set, Geomwang and Woo-gang set off.
"Um... Master?"
"What?"
"Could I ask one favor?"
"Spit it out."
At Byeol Gae's words, Gu Sam cautiously spoke up.
"I have little brothers at the Ak Family. With the Sword King's help, I sent them there... Could I stop by and see them on the way?"
Byeol Gae glanced sideways at Gu Sam's question.
Under that gaze, Gu Sam shrank back a bit before continuing.
"No, I mean, if I go now, I won't see them for a long time, so it'd be better to check on them first. The kids are still so young. They're only five or six..."
"Let's do it."
"I figured as much, it won't wor—Huh?"
Gu Sam, who had been rambling in anticipation of refusal, snapped to attention and asked again.
"Let's go. To the Ak Family. What's so hard about that?"
"Thank you!"
Gu Sam's face lit up as he bowed deeply to Byeol Gae with a shout.
"And quit flinching every time you see me. I'm teaching you, not eating you. Was I harsh when I taught you that breathing technique and footwork before?"
"No, not at all..."
"Then why flinch?"
"It's not you I'm scared of, Master. Learning martial arts makes me a murim warrior, right? Honestly, that's what worries me."
Gu Sam confessed his true feelings bluntly.
"Save those worries for after you've learned everything. For now, Ak Family first."
"Yes, sir!"
Gu Sam replied energetically and took the lead toward the Ak Family.
"Big brother!"
"Waaah!"
Word of Gu Sam's arrival spread, and his little brothers came rushing out.
It had been less than twenty days since they'd settled at the Ak Family, but the brothers had changed noticeably.
Their hair was neatly combed, they wore clean, warm clothes.
And their faces, now plump and healthy, stood out immediately.
Gu Sam could hardly believe these were the same siblings he'd lived with for over a year at longest, mere months at shortest—they looked so pretty and cute now.
Seeing them filled him with even greater gratitude toward Geomwang, Woo-gang, and the Ak Family who had welcomed them so readily.
Gu Sam spent a joyful time with his brothers, free of worries for once.
Byeol Gae watched from a distance, munching on food and drink prepared by the Ak Family.
"Take good care of those kids."
Byeol Gae said to Ak Jung-san, who stood beside him.
"Of course. Even without anyone's request, they bring life to the place. All cute and full of charm—no one can stop smiling around them."
Ak Jung-san gazed at Gu Sam playing with the kids, a fatherly smile creeping onto his face.
"But how did you end up coming with that boy Gu Sam?"
Ak Jung-san asked casually.
Byeol Gae, who had been chugging straight from the bottle, wiped his mouth roughly with his sleeve and tossed out a single word.
"My disciple."
"Pardon?"
"My disciple. You don't believe me?"
Ak Jung-san blinked, at a loss for words.
A disciple of Byeol Gae? It was news to him.
"No need to be so shocked. He hasn't been my disciple long. Or has it been years now?"
Ak Jung-san's confusion only deepened at Byeol Gae's cryptic words.
"Anyway, that guy's my disciple, and those kids are his brothers, so they're connected to me too. Got it?"
"How could I not?"
Ak Jung-san replied promptly.
Geomwang had sent a letter entrusting them, and now Byeol Gae brought their brother and called him his disciple.
'If I don't look after them well, I'm done for!'
The thought jolted him awake.
"Oh, and people from the Dang Family are coming, right?"
"Yes. Did you know?"
"Tomorrow at earliest, day after at latest. They're eager, so I figured I'd mention it."
"Really?"
Ak Jung-san's face brightened as he asked.
"You doubting a Beggar Clan elder?"
"Never."
Ak Jung-san waved it off.
He knew the Beggar Clan's information network well.
He knew the distance from Sichuan to Shandong was vast, and travel took time.
Still, the heart waited impatiently—that news of their imminent arrival was pure joy.
"And this isn't from any intel—just a bad feeling I have."
"Go on."
"Prepare for the worst-case scenario."
"Worst case?"
"Yeah. I know the whole story. Someone impersonated your son. And while not certain, there's a chance of poisoning. If it really is poison?"
"You mean there might be a traitor inside?"
"Not sure if it's someone still here or gone. That's for you, the family head, to handle... Anyway, if the Dang Family confirms poison, it'll spell trouble for them too, right? Things have been dead quiet, and now the first trace linked to them appears. You know they erase evidence like perfect murders."
Ak Jung-san's expression hardened at Byeol Gae's words.
His mind had been so fixed on Ak So-cheon's condition that he'd overlooked it.
"Just my thoughts, as someone who's lived a bit longer. If it's groundless worry, all the better—but planning for the worst isn't bad."
"Thank you."
Ak Jung-san expressed his sincere gratitude.
"Geomwang my brother and Flame King's disciple planted seeds of hope—gotta nurture them right? So be careful. You've already felt hope crushed once; you'll handle it well."
Byeol Gae said, eyes fixed on Gu Sam and the kids.
'I absolutely can't repeat the same mistake.'
Ak Jung-san vowed inwardly, watching the children.
Byeol Gae and Gu Sam left the Ak Family as dusk fell.
As Byeol Gae predicted, people from the Dang Family arrived two days later.
Ten weary-looking Dang Family members entered, and Ak Jung-san hurried to greet them.
"Welcome. I am Ak Jung-san, head of the Ak Family."
"Dang Cheon-yong from the Dang Family. Dang Cheon-pung, our family head, is my brother."
"Ah, I see. You've come such a long way—truly, thank you. And thank you for coming at all."
Ak Jung-san bowed deeply, pouring in apology and gratitude.
"No need. We had to come. First, may I see your son?"
"You've traveled far and must be tired... Tomorrow would be fine."
"No. He's been bedridden a long time; we need to examine him and find the cause as soon as possible."
Ak Jung-san was deeply moved by Dang Cheon-yong's words, prioritizing his son despite the fatigue.
"Understood. Follow me. Will everyone come, or shall I guide the others to their quarters first?"
"Ah, just me for now. Please let the rest rest."
"Got it. You there—tend to the guests without fail. This way."
After instructing the servants, Ak Jung-san led Dang Cheon-yong to Ak So-cheon's chambers.
Seeing Ak So-cheon on his sickbed, Dang Cheon-yong immediately took his pulse.
Then, using tools and medicines from the Dang Family, he ran several tests.
His expression was utterly serious, so Ak Jung-san watched silently, holding even his breath.
As the tests proceeded, the deeply sleeping Ak So-cheon showed varied reactions.
Sometimes pained, other times at ease.
Ak Jung-san's face shifted with each change, but he steadied himself and endured.
The tests dragged on for quite some time.
Over one hour passed, nearing two before Dang Cheon-yong packed away his tools.
"How is it?"
Ak Jung-san asked cautiously.
Dang Cheon-yong opened with a grim face.
"It's poison."
Ak Jung-san's expression stiffened at the confirmation.
"How could this..."
The shock hit Ak Jung-san hard.
He'd braced himself since Geomwang first suggested poison, but the reality struck deeper than expected.
"I can't identify the exact poison here. To know for sure, we must transport young master Ak to the Dang Family."
Transporting him wasn't the issue.
The vast distance from Shandong to Sichuan was.
"If we identify it, can we treat it?"
"Of course. Unless it's a poison we've never seen—which is virtually nonexistent—we can cure it."
"Haa..."
Ak Jung-san sank down, exhaling in relief.
The seeds of hope planted by Geomwang and Woo-gang were finally sprouting.