The Confirmed Future
After a fierce storm had passed, the atmosphere at Yi Gajang was the best it had ever been.
From Dodu Gang Ryong and Chief Steward Gwak Yeonyong on down, every warrior who had joined Yi Gajang had eyes sparkling with excitement.
The Dongbeonhoe and Jang Gapae—from the perspective of the (former) Hwang Sabang, they were colossal factions they wouldn't have dared to challenge even in their dreams.
Yet the Third Young Master Yi Jinpyeong, who now led them, had sent back their representatives—without them so much as uttering a word in protest.
And that wasn't all. The vast estate of Yi Gajang was piled high with sacks of rice.
The Dongbeonhoe in particular had shown up unannounced, let everyone watch the fight, showered them with gifts, and left—truly grateful allies.
"Man... With the grain we recovered from the village on top of this windfall! We won't have to worry about the storehouse for a while!"
Acting Chief Steward Gwak Yeonyong grinned from ear to ear.
Yi Jinpyeong nodded contentedly.
'The two factions running into each other at the same spot worked out perfectly. Provoking Jang Gapae turned out to be a stroke of genius!'
Yi Jinpyeong gave himself a very generous assessment for what had started as a spur-of-the-moment whim.
In truth, neither faction had come to Yi Gajang with good intentions. The Dongbeonhoe was one thing, but Jang Gapae had charged in swinging blades right away.
He could have subdued them all or given them a thorough thrashing. He could have even let them slaughter each other.
But Yi Jinpyeong chose otherwise.
The first reason: the short guy from Jang Gapae and the slippery one from Dongbeonhoe both had higher martial prowess than expected.
One was pristine and textbook-precise, just like his attire; the other instinctive and brilliant, matching his looks.
With two masters of such different styles clashing at full power, just watching that high-level duel up close would provide plenty of inspiration.
Not just for the (former) Hwang Sabang warriors who joined Yi Gajang, but for his Yi Gajang brothers too.
The second reason: both groups had moved with astonishing speed.
Even Yi Jinpyeong, who was pretty hot-tempered himself, was impressed.
Looking back, Hwang Sabang had been the same. The moment they learned their underlings got beaten, they'd rushed over with every available warrior.
Though their greed and ruthless methods led to a gruesome end.
In any case, the breathless pace of these Dongjeong Lake factions gave Yi Jinpyeong a wake-up call.
'It's completely different from before. This place has turned into a brutal battleground.'
That was a problem. No matter how much Yi Jinpyeong himself grew, if those around him got dragged into incidents without keeping pace, he wouldn't be able to protect them.
So he felt the need to adjust his speed. Not by much—just a little.
Rather than smashing everything or killing on impulse, he needed to grow those around him first, quickly.
And for that, there was a necessary step: formally accepting the Hwang Sabang warriors he'd arbitrarily merged into Yi Gajang.
"Everyone, gather round."
At his call, the (former) Hwang Sabang warriors assembled swiftly. Having just witnessed his divine prowess against those two, their movements were especially sharp.
Yi Jinpyeong stood before the twenty fired-up warriors, leading his brothers forward.
"Big Brother, Second Brother. Most of the Hwang Sabang folks here probably know you well enough through various ties. There may have been some rough patches along the way, but in any case, due to certain circumstances, they've turned over a new leaf and resolved to become part of our Yi Gajang family."
Jingang and Jinun still didn't know the exact details of those "certain circumstances."
But they had their wits about them. They'd seen Yi Jinpyeong's display against those two powerhouse representatives from massive factions, the fear on the warriors' faces when facing him, and the bloodstains still not fully erased around Yi Gajang.
They decided to shelve questions about the hidden truth for a while.
"Brothers. We look forward to working with you."
Yi Jinpyeong's two older brothers bowed politely in greeting.
The newly joined warriors, flustered by the courtesy, hurriedly bowed back.
Yi Jinpyeong, eyeing them disapprovingly, spoke in a cold voice.
"Though I was the one who took you in directly, the master of this Yi Gajang is unequivocally our eldest brother, Yi Jingang. The second in line is Second Brother Yi Jinun. You must never be lax in showing respect to our brothers. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
Their response boomed.
But every warrior knew full well where Yi Gajang's true power lay—and who the unyielding, terrifying force emanated from.
Now, the (former) Hwang Sabang members were officially part of Yi Gajang.
Yi Jinpyeong asked the hairy Gang Ryong.
"Dodu Gang. What kind of training did Hwang Sabang usually do?"
Gang Ryong replied, "Hwang Sabang was busy running businesses day and night, so there was no dedicated training time. We occasionally practiced joint locks together, but it was far from systematic. To learn proper martial arts, you'd have to buy manuals with your own money or catch the gang leader's eye for a trick or two."
"Hm. So that's why your skills were so sloppy."
"Yes..."
Yi Jinpyeong nodded and continued.
"Yi Gajang, now that you've joined, will be different. We're not some third-rate outfit obsessed with scraping by, working you to the bone day and night. Our priority is building power that rivals any faction, then steadily expanding across the Central Plains on that foundation. And for that, your role at this starting point is crucial."
"...!"
"I'm going to remake you completely. Starting today, right now. All of you will become warriors worthy of Yi Gajang's name. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!"
The response was thunderous.
Gang Ryong wasn't the only one thrilled. Most of the (former) Hwang Sabang warriors were weary of their pathetic old lives—guarding small-time businesses, beating down drunks, shaking down debtors for gambling debts.
But now, Yi Gajang's Third Young Master was promising something entirely different.
Instead of rotting in dingy shops brawling with gambling addicts—train diligently in true martial arts every day and stand tall against the entire Central Plains.
It wasn't empty talk. Not the ravings of the madman they once knew.
This was the word of the insane master who'd toyed with all of Hwang Sabang single-handedly.
The very one who'd casually sent packing experts from factions too massive to even imagine clashing with.
A grand dream took root in their dusty, worthless lives.
Though still just twenty strong, the organization needed structure.
At Jinpyeong's orders, Dodu Gang Ryong and Chief Steward Gwak Yeonyong divided the warriors into groups based on their specialties and talents.
He left it to them to decide their specific duties at Yi Gajang.
One had thick experience from an important post in the old group; the other was young but exceptionally sharp.
No need to micromanage—they consulted and handled things smoothly on their own.
In truth, compared to the headache of running gambling dens, Yi Gajang was still empty, with nothing major underway.
So adapting wouldn't be an issue for them.
If anything, the ones struggling to adjust to the changed Yi Gajang were brothers Jingang and Jinun.
It had been years since the last retainers abandoned them—Yi Gajang hadn't bustled with such vitality in ages.
Jinun asked him, "Jinpyeong. Don't we need roles too?"
"What roles for you brothers? Just focus on training hard in martial arts."
Jinpyeong's eyes gleamed ominously.
Jingang and Jinun shrank back instinctively.
"You watched those two duel well, right? Your first goal is to surpass them."
"How much... how long do we need to train to beat them?"
"Depends on you brothers. Reaching their level? A year would suffice."
Hope filled his brothers' eyes.
Jinpyeong continued, "That assumes you follow my training closely. Eat well, build strength and stamina through drills, diligent meditation and breathing, occasional spirit herbs for inner energy. Add swordsmanship and various weapon arts, fist and staff techniques, kicks, dodges, pressure points—then you'll look about their level."
"......"
Jinun's shoulders slumped.
Jingang listened silently.
"But that's just superficial mimicry. To win life-or-death fights against them, you'll need at least three years of grueling training."
"Th-three years!"
"Feel long? It's nothing. Consider the twenty-plus years you've wasted lounging around."
"......"
"They've trained martial arts their whole lives from infancy. One from a wealthy family, stuffed with elixirs and rare manuals; the other clawed to this height in a kill-or-be-killed world. Holding hope to catch them in two or three years? That's bold."
His brothers recalled the duel. A bloody clash like two tigers on a cliff's edge—harsh breaths amid flashing sword and saber glows, blood spraying everywhere.
A battle far beyond what Yi Gajang brothers could dream of challenging.
But beyond that abyss was a figure casually slipping through their blades.
The one who'd turned those ferocious warriors away with a few words and finger points.
Their own little brother, Yi Jinpyeong.
Jingang, who had listened quietly, asked, "And you? Where are you aiming?"
Jinpyeong replied, "Brother. Didn't I tell you?"
His confident answer pierced their hearts.
"This house holds the martial arts of the world's greatest, Yi Gyeol. So where else would I aim?"
Of course, the road was long. He'd awakened just two days ago, and Gwi Hwa Yeon Cheon Gong had barely reached the first stage.
But he was certain.
Soon, he, his brothers, and Yi Gajang would reclaim their past glory.
It was as good as confirmed—a future set in stone.