Return to Yi Gajang
The Yi brothers quietly watched as the Open Faction members carried away No Gae's body.
No Gae had left the Open Faction's embrace and wandered the Central Plains his entire life. Yet neither he nor the faction's beggars had ever truly forgotten or turned away from one another for even a moment. Seeing him finally return to his family's arms like this, they felt it had been the right choice to risk misunderstanding and hand his remains over to the Open Faction.
"Well then. It's time we headed back."
With even the Open Faction members gone, no sects remained at the Dongbeonhoe. Only the Dongbeonhoe's warriors, who had demolished halls and walls alike to host the grand Murim Conference, stood around in a daze. And with Un Sa-nang having mobilized her organization to set fires here and there, the place looked utterly desolate, scorched in spots.
"Now that's a sight for sore eyes!"
Yi Jinpyeong burst into laughter at the scene. Un Sa-nang looked a touch apologetic as she said,
"The Dongbeonhoe poured a fortune into this, only to lose it all in one go. They're loaded enough to weather it somehow, but it'll cramp their style for a while. Their standing around Dongjeong Lake might take a serious hit too, don't you think?"
"Exactly why they should've just handed that cash over to us instead of wasting it. Yi Gajang would've put it to very good use."
"You're so greedy. Sure, there were ups and downs, but everyone can see Yi Gajang walked away with the biggest haul from this Murim Conference."
She had a point. In the impromptu sparring tournament, Yi Jinpyeong, Yi Jingang, and Yi Jinun had shattered all expectations with their stunning performances. It had spread the word—not just to the factions around Dongjeong Lake, but across the entire Central Plains—that Yi Gajang hadn't crumbled yet and was still kicking. That alone would greatly aid their future expansion.
And the ledgers and elixirs he'd shaken out of the Shadow Enclave's lair were no small side gain either.
Yi Jinun nodded. "True enough. We ate like kings at the Dongbeonhoe these past few days too. Shame we can't squeeze in one last meal before we go..."
"Who thinks of mooching off a house in mourning? Better to scram before someone picks another fight."
Yi Jingang gave Yi Jinun a nudge on the back.
The truce had only held because of the Murim Conference; the factions around Dongjeong Lake were fundamentally a pack of predators devouring each other. With fights liable to erupt anywhere, anytime, it was best to hurry back to the family estate.
The three Yi brothers set off. Un Sa-nang, leaning on Yi Jinun for support, suddenly halted.
"Miss?"
Yi Jinun blinked in confusion, then understood and let a sad expression cross his face.
Un Sa-nang smiled at the three brothers. "I think this is where we part ways."
"Didn't you say you were done with the Dongbeonhoe?"
"I did. But it's best to tie up loose ends properly. I still have subordinates lingering here to wrap up, and above all, we should part on good terms if I want to keep operating in these parts, right?"
As they spoke, a woman approached and handed her a black veil to drape over her shoulders with her windbreaker cloak, concealing her face. As if it had all been prearranged.
Un Sa-nang naturally accepted the garments, donning the cloak and veil. Though she no longer wore the skin mask that had hidden her true face, she had seamlessly reverted to the guise of Un Sa-nang, the Dongbeonhoe operative.
Her voice came from behind the black veil. "Reorganizing the group will take some time. I'll come visit once everything's sorted."
"Miss... please take care of yourself."
Yi Jinun bid her a wistful farewell. Yi Jingang offered a gentle smile and a clasped-hand salute, while Yi Jinpyeong gave a light nod.
Un Sa-nang turned away with her subordinate. Striding boldly through the chaotic Dongbeonhoe crowds, she cut an imposing figure. Hard to believe she'd been too weak to walk unaided just moments ago.
Yi Jinun stared blankly after her retreating form, reluctant to move. Yi Jingang and Yi Jinpyeong had to drag him away by force.
"Man, it's been forever since we headed home!"
Yi Jinun's lingering reluctance over Un Sa-nang didn't last. Soon enough, he perked up with a whoop of excitement at the thought of returning to the home he'd never once left.
"Forever? It's only been a few days."
"Really? Feels like a fortnight... no, a whole month to me."
No wonder he felt that way. Since arriving at the Dongbeonhoe, they'd met all sorts of people and been swept up in one relentless event after another.
If the conference had run its full course as planned, it would've dragged on much longer—but the Yi brothers had immersed themselves far deeper than anticipated.
"Hard to believe we actually forged ties with the Open Faction. Didn't they promise to throw their full support behind Yi Gajang, come what may?"
"Hmph. Bunch of beggars, what of it?"
Yi Jinpyeong snorted derisively, already forgetting how he'd clasped the old beggar No Gae's hand like a comrade-in-arms.
"Beggars? The mighty Open Faction of the world!"
"Doesn't change the fact they're beggars at heart. A destitute house like ours tangling with them? Folks'll be yapping about how birds of a feather flock together."
"Gah! No wonder they smelled like kin..."
Yi Jinun spoke without a shred of pride or prejudice, casually claiming kinship with the Open Faction. Then again, hadn't he feasted heartily alongside No Gae himself?
"Forget Elder Bang Cheonpyo—even the faction lord and the rest didn't seem like bad sorts. No Gae especially... They're a far cry from the other Nine Great Beggars Sects. Something pure about them, you know?"
"Pure, huh? Sounds just like us brothers, doesn't it?"
"You think?"
Yi Jinpyeong smacked his lips. He held fond memories of No Gae—the man who'd fought beside him and sincerely apologized to both him and Yi Gajang—but that didn't mean he felt any special bond with the Open Faction as a whole.
Still, for all his gruffness, building friendly ties with them was far from a bad move. Beggars occupied the very bottom of the Central Plains and were everywhere; their information network was their greatest strength. With their cooperation, it could synergize massively with the organization Un Sa-nang was rebuilding.
"Anyway, the Open Faction's the Open Faction. Once we're back at the estate, our tasks are crystal clear."
"Right."
Yi Jingang and Yi Jinun nodded.
"To build the strength to face that Ryeong-ju bastard, we'll need to train even harder than before, yeah?"
"That's a given—no need to state the obvious."
"...Then?"
"We make money."
They'd expected him to say ramp up training. Money out of nowhere? Yi Jingang and Yi Jinun exchanged baffled looks.
Yi Jinpyeong continued. "Earn money, use it to recruit more subordinates, expand the family's territory with that, pile up more wealth from there—and repeat the cycle endlessly to grow the house. Bigger and stronger than any clan or sect in the Central Plains."
"...!"
"A house that can stand firm against vile forces like the Demonic Cult, unshaken by other powers' schemes or meddling. One that won't crumble or waver—not in a century, but centuries."
Yi Jinpyeong's face hardened with resolve. It was Yi Gyeol's resolve too, the world's greatest martial artist. He never wanted to witness the clan he'd founded decay again...
That was the moment.
"Hand over all your money, you bastards!"
A gang of ruffians burst out from a narrow mountain path, full of bluster. Then,
"Hiiiik!!!"
They screamed in terror, as if they'd glimpsed something unspeakable.
It was them. The very bandits the Yi brothers had run into days ago on their way to the Dongbeonhoe—the ones Yi Jinun had eagerly charged to show off, only to ruin his new clothes. What fools, still not learning their lesson and picking on the trio again.
Yi Jinpyeong eyed his brothers' and his own outfits. The once pristine white uniforms were now rags; no need to baby them anymore. No pressing appointments or schedules either.
Plenty of reason for a little fun.
"Last time, we were in a rush, so no time to drop by your lair."
Yi Jinpyeong grinned wide. "Lead the way! This body'll strip you clean first and add it to our seed capital!"
The terrified bandits scattered in panic. Yi Jinpyeong and his brothers gave chase, kicking up gusts of wind.
The bandits were small fry, and their lair too puny to bother with. After squeezing out a pittance and forcibly disbanding them, the Yi brothers hurried onward to Yi Gajang.
As the estate drew near, their pace quickened. Walking the Dongjeong Lake shoreline, they broke into jogs one by one, then unleashed lightness skills to race neck-and-neck.
Yi Jinpyeong led, of course—but surprisingly, Yi Jinun kept close. Yi Jingang trailed last, yet not by much.
Considering Yi Jingang and Yi Jinun had only recently begun properly cultivating Gwi Hwa Yeon Cheon Gong, and still lagged far behind Yi Jinpyeong overall, their lightness skill progress was remarkable.
Yi Jinpyeong arrived first and vaulted straight over the wall. Why bother with the gate?
If anyone had slacked on training in their absence, he'd rain down fury. But what he found was unexpected.
A gaggle of young kids, barely eight to twelve years old, diligently sweeping the Yi Gajang training grounds.
"...?"
They yelped in shock at his sudden appearance amid them. Who should be startled here?
"Aigoo, you scared me!"
"Who the hell are you kids?"
Yi Jinpyeong frowned.
"You're the intruder! Who are you?"
The kids shot back, fearlessly brandishing brooms at him. Absurd as it was, he blinked—then a girl came running up, waving her broom frantically.
"Everyone, stop! Hold it!"
The girl panted heavily. Yi Jinpyeong finally recognized them: the slum kids Yi Jingang had shared food with. Before leaving for the Dongbeonhoe, he'd told them to come do odd jobs at Yi Gajang.
Evidently, Chief Steward Gwak had put them to proper work. But it was odd—where were Gwak, Gang Ryong, Seo Dal, and the rest? Why were only these kids left in the empty estate?
Yi Jinun and Yi Jingang arrived soon after. Spotting them, the girl cried out joyfully—and urgently—
"Uncles, everyone's gone off to fight!"