The Dream
After Yi Jinpyeong entered the hall, Gang Ryong was left standing there alone. His position was an oddly ambiguous one. Just yesterday, he'd been the dodu of Hwang Sabang, but overnight, he'd become the dodu of Yi Gajang. Whether this was a promotion or a demotion was still impossible to judge.
But one thing was certain: he hadn't had any choice in the matter.
'Any alternatives?!' he shouted to himself.
Of course, there were none. He'd warned his former master, the Hwang Sabang leader, as best he could, but it fell on deaf ears. Instead, the third young master—the one he'd thought was the enemy—had extended a hand to him. What could he do? He had no choice but to take it. He didn't see it as betrayal. Wasn't that just the way of the jianghu? You thrashed about desperately to survive, drifting from one place to another... doing your utmost at every moment.
Who knew? This third young master, who now seemed to hold his life in his hands, might soon run into some other mad peak expert and get utterly crushed. Then what path would his own fate take? Would he be lucky enough to survive again, like this time?
'To make Yi Gajang the greatest family under heaven again...?'
Yi Jinpyeong's declaration, shouted before the Hwang Sabang warriors. It was an utterly absurd claim. They might have listened in stunned silence thanks to his overwhelming prowess, but no one would have taken it seriously. Not when you considered how Yi Gajang had plummeted over the past century.
Even so...
'The greatest under heaven.'
In truth, Gang Ryong rather liked the sound of it. It beat fretting over how to squeeze more coin from the gambling dens in their cramped back alleys, or scheming to outdo the neighboring gangs in collections, or clawing for a slightly higher spot on the Dongjeong Lake power rankings. This was a far more heroic dream, wasn't it?
And so, Gang Ryong dreamed while standing there.
In that dream, he truly was a member of the greatest family under heaven. Yi Gajang banners fluttered across the entire Central Plains, and at the forefront of an endless procession stood Gang Ryong himself. Mounted on a sleek, glossy-maned steed, he gazed commandingly ahead. Nothing dared block his path. Even the famed sword scholars of Wudang, the Shaolin monks, and the plum blossom sword experts of Hwasan averted their eyes and quietly stepped aside.
And that was just the start. Countless women gazed at him with eyes full of admiration...
'Ahem! A true hero keeps his distance from temptation...'
He sternly ignored their stares, feigning a dignified expression. But as he entered a quiet trail, weren't two women chasing after him all the way there? Not one, but two! If they'd followed him this far, what could he do? A hero was entitled to his dalliances!
"Euhihihi!"
Gang Ryong finally lost control of his face and let out a sleazy grin. The two approaching women blinked in confusion.
"Huh? Isn't that Brother Gang?"
"Why's Brother Gang here...?"
Brother? What the hell did that mean? Gang Ryong jolted awake, shaking his head furiously. The two women he'd imagined fawning over him turned out to be Yi Gajang's two brothers. Gaunt and twisted enough to be mistaken for women...
Mortified, Gang Ryong clasped his hands and bowed politely.
"Youngest Master, Second Master—have you both been well?"
"Uh... huh? Yes?"
Gang Ryong's demeanor was worlds apart from how he'd treated them before. The brothers exchanged glances, blinking in surprise, then hurriedly bowed to match the angle of his head.
"Brother Gang, it's you who should be well. We can't accept such formal courtesy—please, rise."
"Nonsense! How could I...!"
"No, how could we...!"
"How could I...!"
Gang Ryong's head dipped deeper, and the brothers followed suit... until their foreheads nearly touched the ground. Only then did the mutual greetings end.
The eldest, Yi Jingang, lifted his head and exclaimed as if realizing something.
"Ah! Come to think of it, our youngest passed on the message. The Hwang Sabang brothers are staying here for a while..."
"...That's right."
"We heard the Hwang Sabang leader met with some sudden misfortune. What kind of ruthless scum would commit such a horrific act?"
Gang Ryong gave an awkward smile without answering. There had been a misfortune, all right—at Yi Jinpyeong's own hands. But from their expressions, it seemed the brothers knew nothing about what had gone down last night. Yi Jinpyeong himself had said he hadn't told them about his martial prowess, so that made sense.
"Goodness! Brother Gang, you look badly hurt yourself. Why are you just standing here? Don't you need treatment?"
Genuine concern filled the brothers' faces as they stepped closer. Gang Ryong waved them off.
"No need to worry. It's nothing."
"Nothing? Look at you—you're a mess! Who did this brutal deed? The ones who took out the Hwang Sabang leader?"
"I'm really fine. This body's got a tough hide, you know?"
He slapped his waist with a hearty uhahaha, pretending it was no big deal. Only then did the brothers relax, offering faint smiles.
"Still, it's awkward hearing Brother Gang speak so formally all of a sudden. Please, treat us casually like before."
"No, no—how could this lowly one dare be casual with you young masters? That's not me."
It was him, usually. He was just wary around them because of Yi Jinpyeong.
"Haha. If it's because you're staying at Yi Gajang now, don't worry—just treat us like you always have. You stayed here years ago when you first came to Dongjeong Lake, right?"
"That's true. Back then, Brother Gang treated us like real little brothers. Feel free to do the same—like it's your own home."
Hearing their warm words, Gang Ryong nearly teared up. As he'd confessed to Yi Jinpyeong before, when this mountain hick had first set foot in Dongjeong Lake, he'd been taken in by Yi Gajang's embrace for a few months, just like anyone else. That was when he'd first bonded with the three brothers.
But after being recruited by Hwang Sabang, scraping by day after day in the brutal grind, all the grace and fond memories of Yi Gajang had washed away like they'd never been. Yi Gajang had kept plummeting, while he'd climbed to dodu in Hwang Sabang, riding high.
The power dynamic between him and the Yi brothers had flipped long ago. Yet here they were now—acting like they'd forgotten all his ingratitude, welcoming him with open arms.
Gang Ryong's throat tightened. "My own... home... How could I dare..."
Just then, the second brother, Yi Jinun, clapped his hands as if struck by a sudden thought.
"Oh right, duh! Brother Gang, have you seen our youngest by any chance?"
"Right! We were just looking for him! Where'd that kid wander off to now? This is the last place left!"
Recalling his mission, Gang Ryong rolled his eyes. No point hiding it now that they'd come this far.
"If you mean the Third Young Master, he's inside that front hall over there..."
"You mean Mugyeokjeon?"
"So that's what it's called."
"Yes. It's the space our founding patriarch used for training martial arts or meditation. And you're saying Jinpyeong's in there?"
"Yes. He said he'd be resting there, and asked that no one—especially not you brothers—enter until he comes out himself. That's why this one's standing guard here."
Gang Ryong spoke tensely. As Yi Jinpyeong had warned, if they tried forcing their way in, he'd have to stop them by force if necessary. It wouldn't be easy. They were Yi Jinpyeong's brothers, after all—and they were treating him so kindly. But unexpectedly...
"Then that's a relief."
"...Pardon?"
"Even at the peak of his madness, he'd quiet down strangely whenever he entered that hall. Seems like even now, with his mind restored, he finds it comforting there."
The brothers sighed in relief, realizing their youngest was safe. They exchanged hollow chuckles. Gang Ryong relaxed too—no need to block them after all.
Perhaps because the weight lifted, he suddenly thought their laughter sounded wonderful. Still gaunt-faced and raggedly dressed. But that laughter was so pure and clear. These brothers were the type filled with affection for family and others—a rare breed in this cutthroat world.
They urged Gang Ryong once more to rest and get treated. But he politely refused, saying he'd wait here and move with the Third Young Master once he emerged. They tilted their heads, insisting again, but yielded to his stubbornness.
"It's reassuring knowing Brother Gang's with our youngest. Take care of him."
"Don't worry."
"One more time: please, stay casual with us while you're here. The manor feels alive again after so long—brings back old memories."
He couldn't respond. Gratitude and shame choked him.
Seeing his silence, Yi Jingang smiled. "Brother Gang."
"Yes, speak."
"I just remembered what you said when you first came to Yi Gajang."
"What did this one say back then?"
"You said you'd come to chase a man's grand dream."
"......"
"Even if Hwang Sabang's in a tough spot now, don't get discouraged. Human affairs are like Sai Weng losing his horse—Saeongjima. Bad brings good, as they say. Your dream will come true."
"...Thank you."
The brothers finally turned away. Gang Ryong stared blankly at their retreating figures.
Yes. Back when he'd left that backwater village, he'd dreamed such dreams. But tumbling through Hwang Sabang since then, he'd ended up strutting over a mere dodu title. Maybe it was the limit of his talent, but he'd long forgotten that lofty ambition amid harsh reality.
Why did these pure Yi brothers—and that mad Third Young Master—remind him of it now?
Gang Ryong stood frozen. Time slipped by. Winds gusted this way and that, the sun climbed to its zenith and sank, countless clouds drifted overhead.
How much time passed? Lost in thought, forgetting sleep, Gang Ryong's ears caught a sound. From the hall he guarded.
The one called Mugyeokjeon. Used by the founding patriarch Yi Gyeol. Where the mad Third Young Master Yi Jinpyeong had gone to circulate his qi.
Vibrations rumbled, winds howled. Even the doors shuddered—something was off. Was qi circulation supposed to be this noisy?
Sensing trouble, Gang Ryong nearly dashed forward. But then—
Bam! The doors burst open, a gale surging from within.
And a booming laugh echoed out.
"Hahaha!"
His heart pounded at the clear, ringing voice. Amid the whirlwind, Third Young Master Yi Jinpyeong appeared—soaring straight into the sky.
A millennium-old submerged serpent
finally transforms into a dragon,
riding the wind and clouds,
soaring through the nine heavens.
"!!!!"
Gang Ryong prostrated himself flat on the ground. He'd never seen it himself, but if he'd met the greatest under heaven, Yi Gyeol, back in the day—this must have been his aura.
And following him... perhaps he'd reach that dream he'd once held...