Unexpected Guests
On the road back to Yi Gajang, Yi Jinpyeong gazed contentedly at the carts piled high with rice. There wasn't just one cart loaded with rice sacks—several had been mobilized to haul the haul from the village.
The total rice they'd collected from the village came to fifty seok. Considering they'd initially aimed for just twenty seok, this was an outstanding result. Sure, it was a shame they hadn't secured the full hundred, but dreams were meant to be big anyway. With this amount, even after covering various expenses, they wouldn't have to worry about food for at least a few months.
'Handing it over to a professional debt-collection crew really makes a difference!'
It was a moment when Hwang Sabang's expertise, honed from running gambling dens, truly shone. No surprise there—these were the kinds of guys who'd even tried to rip down Yi Gajang's name plaque. They had plenty of tricks and experience in this line of work.
Plus, they'd handled the job without ever letting Yi Gajang's name slip, which made the success even sweeter. It almost made him wonder if he'd liquidated Hwang Sabang's assets and forces too hastily.
'From now on, keep Yi Gajang in the shadows and use other groups for the dirty work...?'
Yi Jinpyeong pondered for a moment before shaking his head. For now, they'd only dealt with small fry using petty tactics. The real enemies ahead demanded far more.
He glanced back. His eldest brother, Jingang, was lagging quite a bit behind the procession, following slowly. No horse, no expression. Impossible to read his thoughts. Who knew? He might look drained now, but later he could pop up somewhere trying to make another pointless donation.
Still, this incident seemed to have shaken him pretty hard, so things should be quiet for a while.
His second brother, Jinun, looked utterly distracted. He walked beside the eldest, fretting over his mood, then lurched toward the rice-laden carts like a zombie, mouth agape and arms outstretched—only to repeat the cycle.
How had a guy who loved food that much endured all this time? It must mean he absolutely trusted and followed their eldest brother.
But he couldn't just let it slide. With all these subordinates watching, the head of Yi Gajang had to maintain some dignity. Yi Jinpyeong pulled Jinun's hand away from yet another rice sack and asked quietly,
"Brother. Be honest. Besides that village, we've lent to plenty of others, right? I don't care about the old stuff. Just the recent ones—especially after our family's fortunes really tanked."
Jinun hesitated, then started rattling off names from here and there. The quick-witted Chief Steward Gwak sidled up and jotted them down diligently.
Soon, a densely packed list. Gwak Yeonyong scanned it and shook his head.
"Any of these familiar?"
"Familiar? These bottom-feeders were Hwang Sabang's specialty. Especially the real scumbags—they're all over this list."
"Scumbags meaning?"
"Think about it. Our family's been in the dumps for years, not just months. Anyone around Dongjeong Lake would've known that. Yet they still came crawling for loans or aid? Most were just exploiting you two young masters' kind and naive natures."
Hmm. As expected, this bucktoothed steward had a sharp head on him. Too honest, even. Yi Jinpyeong felt his temper flare again, while Jinun looked downright flustered.
"N-No way? They all came to us in such dire straits. They had nowhere else to turn... if not us..."
"Young master. Take a look at this."
The steward pointed down the list one by one.
"Pung Gaekru's owner said he couldn't even pay his staff salaries due to hard times? More like he was too stingy. Right now, he's building a second branch on the opposite shore of Dongjeong Lake. Moneybags through and through."
"And that herbalist who claimed he couldn't afford house calls to remote villages? Turns out he got caught in a scandal with a woman ten ri away—big dramatic affair. Even built a separate shed to meet her. Where'd he get the cash and time for that?"
Jinun's face drained white as he stammered,
"H-How could that be? Old Man Gwang from the smithy, at least..."
"Old Man Gwang... You mean Gwang Rabbit, probably."
"Gwang Rabbit...?"
"Rabbits symbolize fertility, right? Word is, that guy's forge spits out babies instead of iron. Saw his sixteenth kid just recently. And he claims he can't scrape together a single coin of interest? Makes no sense."
Yi Jinpyeong massaged his temples. Exhaustion hit hard. He waved the steward off—woi, woi—and the bucktoothed man, who seemed ready to drone on forever, bowed lightly and retreated.
He trusted they'd handle the list on their own.
"Brother."
"......"
"Handing out from the granary without even checking those guys properly—that's why our house ended up like this. What do we do from here?"
No answer from Jinun. He just glanced back at their eldest, trailing far behind.
Jingang walked alone, lost in thought, his steps somehow forlorn. Emotions flickered in Jinun's eyes as he watched, then he clenched his lips and nodded firmly.
"Sure, there were mistakes. But those decisions—we three brothers made and carried them out together. You too, even if your mind was gone back then. 'Live by giving' has been the family precept since our ancestors."
"But that precept from the ancestors—"
"I know what you're gonna say. It has to change with the times. I agree. So let's move forward—us brothers uniting our strength to get through it. Like today. Thank heavens your madness lifted, you're sharp as a tack, and you even awakened the ancestor's martial arts..."
Jinun gripped Jinpyeong's hand tight. How did such skinny arms pack that punch? Jinpyeong couldn't wrench free.
"Right, Jinpyeong. Eldest is right, and so are you. From now on, let's pool our heads and strength as three brothers and make it work. We'll revive the house together."
Good words. Good attitude. But Yi Jinpyeong hated the cringey vibe. He yanked his hand free and changed the subject.
"Anyway, where the hell did that ridiculous Byeokgokdan come from?"
"Ridiculous? It's a miracle food—huge effects from minimal resources—"
"I get it. How'd you end up eating it? Who told you about it?"
"A few years back, a benefactor monk of our family shared the secret recipe."
"Benefactor? We have one of those?"
"Yeah. He's helped our house since Father's time. Always gave good advice in tough spots. Few years ago, when we were really starving and desperate, he showed up with this recipe. Said to tough it out for three hundred days and we'd see big results. Funny thing—today marks exactly three hundred days since we started. Suddenly no hunger, skin even looks better, right?"
Jinun stroked his skin; Yi Jinpyeong massaged his temples again.
"...Does that monk visit here often?"
"Yeah. Every two or three years, he swings by Dongjeong Lake. Probably due soon."
Yi Jinpyeong vowed: If that bald bastard dared set foot in Yi Gajang again, he'd smash his legs to bits.
By now, the group neared Yi Gajang's grounds. He sorted his thoughts. Too much to do. First, burn every fake Byeokgokdan to ash. Second...
His thoughts cut short. Upon arriving, they spotted guests who'd beaten them there.
Dozens of fine steeds and carts lined up outside the manor. A sight from Yi Gyeol's living days, but alien to today's Yi Gajang.
The (former) Hwang Sabang crew buzzed in surprise. Just the scale of horses and carts out front dwarfed their current setup.
Standing anxious guard at the gate: Gang Ryong, whom they'd left snoring alone. Spotting the group return, the hairy brute's face lit up. Despite his wounds, he lumbered toward them.
"Young master! They're here! Looking for you!"
"Jang Gapae goons?"
Obvious. After the chaos at the market, they'd come for revenge. Perfect—he'd sprouted his dantian last night via meditation. Good chance to loosen up.
Though, why drag all those carts for revenge? Planning to dismantle the buildings for pillars and foundations?
"Jang Gapae? Why would you tangle with those losers, young master?"
Gang Ryong shot back.
"We did. Anyway, not them?"
"No. The ones looking for you are..."
An unexpected guest. Dongbeonhoe—the Dongjeong Prosperity Association. Top-ten powerhouse among the hundred-plus Dongjeong Lake factions. They'd come for Yi Jinpyeong.