Bonds That Aren't Easily Forged
Dan Yeop ordered food since he was truly hungry.
“Bring out a bowl of yangyuktang and some yukhyupmak.”
“Yes, yes, sir. Coming right up!”
As soon as the waiter left, Yang Hoi-Munwi growled in a low voice.
“Tell me exactly what wrong you did to Lord Yang.”
Dan Yeop clicked his tongue lightly and began.
“Tsk. It seems Lord Yang phrased it strangely. The truth is…”
He briefly recounted what had happened between him and Lord Yang.
Yang Hoi-Munwi, who had been listening with a dumbfounded expression, asked again.
“You refused even when he offered you a whole tael of silver?”
“In business, isn’t trust more important than money?”
“Have you forgotten who you are? You’re not a merchant. Don’t tell me you actually want to become the owner of a fabric shop?”
“Of course not. My goal is to climb higher.”
Dan Yeop pointed his index finger toward the sky.
“Then you should have taken the silver.”
“I was taught to do my best in whatever task I’m given.”
“Kid, that’s something only…”
Yang Hoi-Munwi was about to say ‘sages would say’ when the waiter approached, so he shut his mouth.
Soon, a bowl of mutton soup and a plate of meat-stuffed flatbread were placed before Yang Hoi-Munwi.
Dan Yeop, who had already finished his noodles, stared at the yukhyupmak.
Yang Hoi-Munwi picked up one piece and held it out to him.
“Try it.”
“Thank you.”
Dan Yeop tore the bread apart with his hands and put it in his mouth.
It must have been a while since he last had meat, because it practically melted on his tongue.
When Dan Yeop devoured the piece in the blink of an eye, Yang Hoi-Munwi quietly slid the entire plate toward him.
“Eat more.”
He then called the waiter and ordered another full plate of yukhyupmak.
“So you’re not going to follow Lord Yang’s words?”
“Lord Yang’s guests can be treated however he wishes, but at the very least, I want to serve my guests at a fair price.”
“I see. If that’s what you want, then there’s nothing I can do.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Oh, and about your monthly wage. You’ll be receiving two hundred and fifty coins instead of two hundred.”
“I looked into it, and Lord Yang is incredibly stingy. If the chance comes, I’m thinking of moving somewhere else. Would that be alright?”
“Of course it would. It’s only right for a man to take care of his own future.”
Yang Hoi-Munwi looked at Dan Yeop with renewed eyes.
He was clearly the same guy who couldn’t even meet my gaze properly just two days ago…
In just two days, he seemed like an entirely different person.
Even the aura emanating from his eyes and expression had completely changed.
In the end, Yang Hoi-Munwi only bought him food and then left.
Chang’an Castle.
Simultaneous, Great Security Hall.
Jinbo Merchant Guild.
Na Geum-ryeong’s daily routine was always the same.
In the morning she trained in martial arts at the Xuanwu Hall, and in the afternoon she composed poetry or played the pipa at home.
Her older brother, Na Bu-gang, wasn’t very different from her.
The only difference was that after graduating from Xuanwu Hall, Na Bu-gang had gone on to study at the Four Gates Academy.
When Na Bu-gang returned from the academy that afternoon, Na Geum-ryeong went to find him.
“What?”
“The more I think about it, the stranger it seems.”
“What does?”
“What exactly did you like so much about that clerk we met at the fabric shop?”
Na Geum-ryeong stared intently at her brother’s face.
For her strict older brother to sign a contract for the Cloud Spirit Robe without asking a single question?
No matter how she thought about it, it didn’t make sense.
Na Bu-gang asked in return.
“Then why did you say you wanted to buy the Crimson Breastplate?”
“I needed it, so I just went along with you, Brother.”
“That sounds like an excuse.”
“It’s the truth! So why did you do it?”
“Well… That friend simply caught my interest.”
“Because he’s handsome?”
“Didn’t you feel anything when he approached?”
“You mean how frail he looked?”
“As expected, you only looked at his face.”
“I told you I didn’t look at his face!”
“His gait was subtle. It felt almost ethereal, like when Master demonstrated the Floating Cloud Step.”
“You’re saying that clerk was a martial artist?”
Na Geum-ryeong’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.
“I didn’t say he was a martial artist. I said his gait was subtle.”
“That’s the same thing.”
“Not necessarily. There are people with naturally unique walks. And doesn’t his slender build seem far from someone who practices martial arts?”
“That’s true. So you helped him just because his walk was strange?”
“No. What he said caught my interest. He is an unusually honest person.”
“You don’t think he’s just strange?”
Na Geum-ryeong recalled what the clerk named Dan Yeop had said.
No matter how generously one interpreted it, those were not words to say to a passing stranger.
“Hahaha! You’re right. He’s honest to the point of being strange. I should go speak with him right away.”
As Na Bu-gang suddenly stood up, Na Geum-ryeong rose as well in surprise.
“Right now?”
“Fate is like flowing water. If you don’t seize the opportunity when it comes, it will simply pass you by.”
Na Bu-gang left his startled younger sister behind and strode out.
Chapter 31. Human Relationships Aren’t Easy
In front of the Yang Family Fabric Shop, Na Bu-gang glanced sideways and asked.
“Why did you follow me?”
“Because I’m worried about you, Brother. You’ve been acting far too impulsively these past two days.”
“Oh? So that’s how you’re going to be?”
Na Bu-gang said nothing more and entered the shop.
When Yang Bok saw the two of them, he bowed deeply.
“Oh my! Welcome, welcome. If you’ve come about the Cloud Dragon Robe and the Crimson Breastplate, please don’t worry. We’ve secured the fabric and begun production. They should be ready in three or four days.”
Na Bu-gang looked at Yang Bok with indifferent eyes.
The goat-bearded owner appeared to be speaking kindly, but he was actually subtly saying that cancellation was no longer possible.
He once again thought that Dan Yeop was truly impressive.
“Shopkeeper, I didn’t come for the clothes. I came to see Dan Yeop. Where is he right now?”
“Dan Yeop? Did that rascal do something wrong?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“Ah, I see. Let’s see… It’s almost the end of the You hour (7 p.m.), so he should be back soon.”
“You must have sent him on an errand.”
“Not exactly. That boy wanders around without doing any real work. I let it slide because it’s me, but anyone else would have fired him by now.”
“I see.”
Na Bu-gang pressed his lips together as if he had nothing more to say.
An awkward silence filled the fabric shop.
Yang Bok made an excuse about needing to check the inventory of fabrics and quietly slipped away.
Na Geum-ryeong whispered softly into her brother’s ear.
“The owner is a petty man. Thanks to Dan Yeop he’s about to make a fortune, yet he says he can’t stand him.”
“Heh. Why? Are you angry?”
“Not angry. I’m simply stating the facts.”
The siblings were still discussing Yang Bok’s behavior when Dan Yeop returned at that very moment.
The moment his eyes met the brother and sister, he immediately performed a formal bow with both hands clasped.
“Young Master Na, Young Lady Na, welcome.”
“You’re back. I came because I had something to say to you.”
Na Bu-gang then asked Yang Bok for permission before taking Dan Yeop outside.
By now it was the beginning of the Sul hour (7 p.m.). Instead of going far, Na Bu-gang led them into a nearby teahouse.
Once they were seated, Na Bu-gang naturally ordered tea.
When the tea set arrived shortly after, Na Geum-ryeong steeped the leaves and poured it into the empty cups.
As the fragrant aroma spread, Na Bu-gang opened his mouth.
“I hope I’m not holding up a busy man.”
Knowing Dan Yeop’s age, Na Bu-gang spoke to him casually.
“I’m not busy. All that’s left is to go home and make dinner.”
Even though two full days had passed, Dan Yeop still looked energetic.
“Haha, that’s good to hear. The truth is, I was curious what kind of person Brother Dan is, so I came to see you.”
“Me?”
At that moment, Na Geum-ryeong cut in.
“It’s true. He suddenly said the man was so honest that he liked him, then declared he was going to meet you right away.”
Dan Yeop looked back and forth between them with a slightly bewildered expression.
Na Bu-gang chuckled and said.
“As you know, I am the eldest son of the Jinbo Merchant Guild, and this is my younger sister. We both learned martial arts at Xuanwu Hall. My sister still attends, but I’ve been studying at the Four Gates Academy lately.”
“The Four Gates Academy?”
“It’s a place that teaches Confucian classics. Noble children study at the Imperial Academy or the National University, while commoners study the Four Books and Five Classics at the Four Gates Academy.”
Although he was the son of a guild master, since no one in his family held an official post, Na Bu-gang studied at the Four Gates Academy.
“Ah, so you’re preparing for the civil service exams?”
“Well, it would be nice if I passed.”
When her brother spoke vaguely, Na Geum-ryeong stepped in again.
“Brother actually wants to inherit the family business. Going to the Four Gates Academy these days is Father’s idea.”
Na Bu-gang smiled awkwardly.
“I’m a filial son, you see.”
“Ah, I understand.”
As Dan Yeop nodded, Na Bu-gang asked casually.
“Now then, why don’t you tell us about yourself, Brother Dan? What kind of person are you?”
“As I mentioned before, until recently I was living with orphans. Then by good fortune I found work at a fabric shop, and now I’m diligently learning the trade.”
“Have you ever learned martial arts?”
“……”
When Dan Yeop didn’t answer immediately, Na Bu-gang quickly changed the subject.
“If it’s difficult to talk about, you don’t have to.”
“Thank you for understanding. When the opportunity comes, I will definitely tell you about that part.”
“Then it looks like we’ll have to meet often and become close.”
“It’s not much of a place, so please don’t expect too much.”
Dan Yeop’s attitude was utterly calm, as if he were talking about someone else entirely.
Na Geum-ryeong slightly furrowed her brows at his words.
It was because he had disparaged his own workplace as ‘not much of a place.’
But she assumed there must be a reason and didn’t press further.
When they had almost finished their tea, Na Bu-gang suddenly said.
“I like you, Brother Dan. What about you? Do you think I’m unworthy of being your older brother?”
“Oh my! What are you saying? How could that possibly be?”
“Then why do you keep calling me ‘Young Master Na’? I call you ‘Brother Dan.’”
Na Geum-ryeong shook her head in disbelief.
Her brother Na Bu-gang had spent his entire life pushing away people who approached him.
It was because there were far too many who tried to use him, the eldest son of a wealthy merchant guild.
Yet here he was, suggesting a brotherhood with a mere fabric shop clerk he barely knew!
If others heard this, they would call it a lie.
Na Geum-ryeong watched closely to see how Dan Yeop would respond.
But Dan Yeop’s reaction was unexpected.
She thought he would jump at the chance, but he didn’t.
“I’m grateful for the offer, but if the eldest son of the Jinbo Merchant Guild becomes sworn brothers with a lowly fabric shop clerk, people will look at you strangely.”
Na Bu-gang’s expression turned serious.
“Brother Dan, when you make friends, do you look at their family background? And it seems you forgot that I told you I study at the Four Gates Academy. Our family is perfectly ordinary aside from having earned some money through trade. Money comes and goes. To refuse for such a trivial reason… I’m disappointed in you, Brother Dan.”
At those words, Dan Yeop realized something profound and quickly bowed his head.
“My thinking was shallow. Please guide this lacking younger brother well, Brother.”
“Puhahaha! You should have said that from the start. Let’s get up now.”
Thinking it was time to part ways, Dan Yeop quickly stood and prepared to say goodbye.
“Ah, yes. Then please take care on your way home, both of you.”
“Why? Didn’t you say all you had left was to go home and make dinner? We’ve just gained a precious younger brother. How can we part ways so easily—”