Changes at Yi Gajang
Gu Sam ran a jerky shop in a back alley of Dongho Market. It had been a full week since Yi Jinpyeong, the third young master of Yi Gajang, had saved him from a nasty run-in with Jang Gapae.
Then, out of nowhere, a message arrived from Yi Gajang.
"Let me see... a hundred jin?! They want me to deliver a hundred jin of pork? And only the prime cuts?"
Gu Sam's eyes bulged wide. He glared the messenger up and down.
The man, sword at his waist, looked utterly worn out. His gait was awkward and unsteady, his exposed skin covered in wounds and bruises. Suspicious as hell. And he'd even prepaid part of the fee upfront.
Gu Sam had been on edge ever since—no word from Yi Jinpyeong. Was this guy really from Yi Gajang? Or some Jang Gapae ploy?
"You really from Yi Gajang?"
"Damn, this fool gonna get duped his whole life..."
"Why didn't the third young master come himself? He's the one I made the deal with."
"Hey!"
The man glared and jabbed a finger at him. "Is the third young master your buddy?! Huh?! You wanna taste that filthy temper of his?!"
Huh. Seemed like he knew the young master pretty damn well.
The warrior grumbled threats for a while before stomping off. Deliver by evening, or we're both dead meat. And it had to be Gu Sam himself delivering—no substitutes. He emphasized that part over and over.
Suspicions not fully eased, but what choice did he have? Gu Sam slaughtered his biggest pig—a beast twice as hefty as the plump one he'd gifted Yi Jinpyeong before—and set off for Yi Gajang.
This has to be legit... right? Not getting played?
A hundred jin of pork was no small order. If one person ate a jin, you'd need a hundred mouths. Even big eaters downing two jin each meant at least fifty. But the Yi Gajang he knew housed only those three scrawny brothers.
Heart pounding, Gu Sam approached. Something off—boisterous noise from inside, like a battlefield. Shouts, punches, screams. Hard to believe just three brothers lived there.
As Gu Sam startled and turned his cart to flee, the grand gate burst open.
"Hey! Where you goin'?"
"Uh... n-nope, just takin' a stroll..."
"Stroll my ass. You're Gu Sam with the meat, right? Get in here!"
A fierce, hairy brute barking at him. Gu Sam hesitated, then wheeled back inside.
The brute bellowed toward the compound: "Listen up! Meat— has— arrived—!"
"Yeah—!"
"Kkiyoot!"
A roar of cheers, and the gates flung wide. Gu Sam could only gawk, eyes popping.
Greeted by a mob of warriors. Like the messenger, drenched in sweat, bodies mottled with bruises and cuts. Reeking of manly sweat, eyes blazing with feral hunger. Dozens strong, arms raised high—welcoming him. Or rather, the meat.
"Wh-what the hell..."
Gu Sam panicked. Their joy seemed genuine—no Jang Gapae fakes here. But how? Yi Gajang overflowing with warriors? Invaded by another sect?
Then the warriors parted like a tide, revealing a figure. Gu Sam's doubts evaporated in an instant.
"Kid!"
Gu Sam called out warmly to Yi Jinpyeong. But the air froze cold. Silence fell. Warriors turned disbelieving stares. The hairy brute who'd stopped him drew his sword with steely resolve.
"Today, I'm slicin' this punk's yap—"
"Hey. Sheathe it."
"Yes, young master."
Clink—the sword went back, but the killing intent? Not a shred withdrawn. Gu Sam, pinned by that murderous glare, instinctively clasped his hands humbly.
"Thanks for comin'. Hundred jin, as promised?"
"Y-yes... sir."
"Speak easy, like before."
Easy? With twenty ferocious warriors glaring daggers?
"...How could I dare disrespect you, young master?"
Yi Jinpyeong barked a laugh. "Guess not with these guys watchin'. Gang Ryong, feed 'em first. Worked 'em ragged all week—let 'em stuff themselves silly."
"Huh? You not eatin', young master?"
"Gotta chat private with this guy."
"Got it. If you say so..."
The hairy brute—Gang Ryong—turned with eyes aflame. He eyed the famished warriors, starved like a month without grub, and bellowed:
"Everyone know what day this is?!"
"Yes!"
"Young master's treatin' for our hard week's trainin'!"
"Kkiyoot!"
"Loyal! Service!"
Thunderous cheers. Someone muttered softly: "Beat us then hand out candy... mff!" Gang Ryong shot a frantic glare, quashing the mutterer.
He roared: "Everyone! Gongs—! Sound 'em—!"
"Gongs~ Sound~!"
The warriors echoed thunderously, moving in perfect sync. For the grand meat feast.
Still dazed, Gu Sam trailed Yi Jinpyeong. Past the middle gate into a small garden. Only after checking repeatedly they were alone did he sigh in relief.
"Kid, what the hell's goin' on? Yi Gajang crawlin' with warriors? That killer vibe... whew."
"New additions to the Yi family. You'll see 'em plenty."
"Family? How'd they pop up overnight...?"
"Kinda like how you signed on with us."
Gu Sam finally sized up Yi Jinpyeong properly. Same kid from days ago, but the aura? Night and day. Ragged clothes swapped for crisp new ones. Rough skin smoothed, sunken cheeks plumped white. Strolling with hands behind back, exuding real dignity. Hard to square with the pitiful urchin from a week back.
Time for honorifics...?
Those warriors' deference chilled him. They'd hit it off casual at first, but this boy's presence screamed different league. And considering Yi Gajang's old glory, it fit.
Yi Jinpyeong sat naturally on the pavilion, pulling a pipe from his robe. Lighting it before his elder? Ballsy as hell. But Gu Sam held his tongue, waiting meekly.
After fumbling strikes, Yi Jinpyeong lit it and scowled. "Lightin' one pipe so damn fiddly. Gotta hit Sa-dan-gong soon..."
Gu Sam had no clue what that meant. Finally, Yi Jinpyeong drew deep and exhaled smoke. "Wh."
"Called you here for the real scoop on market happenings. Too slammed myself to scout."
"Y-yeah... sure."
Inner war raging, Gu Sam stuck to casual—but eyes Yi Jinpyeong like a hawk. Ready to switch modes at the first frown.
"Jang Gapae scum come sniffin' after? Any hassle?"
"Nah. Braced for it. Figured they'd bust my balls again. But zilch! Not just me—no Jang Gapae sighted in the market all week."
"Hmm..."
"Had me worried sick. You stirred the pot worse... thought they'd hit Yi Gajang for payback."
"They did."
"They did?!"
"Yeah. Lured 'em myself."
"How'd it go?"
Yi Jinpyeong shrugged. Gu Sam gaped. Dumb question—he was fine, wasn't he?
Gu Sam's face lit up. Knew he was no ordinary punk pounding thugs with a thighbone. And now Jang Gapae repelled, warriors multiplying? Building an empire, clear as day!
"Yi Gajang's martial glory's back! Incredible!"
"Told ya. Just trust me. You didn't, huh?"
"N-no... believed ya, but... was graspin' at straws then..."
Gu Sam trailed off, sheepish. Yi Jinpyeong pressed on undeterred. "Dongbeonhoe? Any stir?"
"That's the weird part. Dead quiet. Even after I declared no more tribute."
Gu Sam's face darkened. Jang Gapae were street thugs, but as a shopkeep, Dongbeonhoe's shadow loomed larger. They pulled strings across Dongjeong Lake markets.
Gu Sam had gripped Yi Jinpyeong's hand ready to flee town forever if it soured. But Yi Jinpyeong just grinned at his worried words.
"Rumors leashed, no moves... playin' cautious. Not just us. Jang Gapae's backers bigger than thought."
"...?"
"Bought us time. Perfect chance."
Gu Sam clueless. For ages after, Yi Jinpyeong grilled every detail—who thrived in trade, hot sellers, stray gossip, wild rumors.
When Gu Sam mentioned Hwang Sabang—a gambling den gang—vanishing overnight, Yi Jinpyeong flashed a cryptic smile.
Finally sated, Yi Jinpyeong stood. Heading back to the gate, he paid the rest owed. Promised weekly orders—at least this size. With hope.
"And Gu Sam. Each time, compile all market news like today. Miss nothin', big or small."
"Piece o' cake."
"Dongbeonhoe, Jang Gapae, whoever—soon as they stir in the market, tell me ASAP. If they squeeze tribute or hassle ya, just pay up."
"Just pay?"
"Yeah. I'll get ya multiples back. Guaranteed."
Yi Jinpyeong said it smiling, but dead serious.
Then a tipsy warrior stumbled up, clutching his robe. "Young master! Trouble! Seo Supervisor—that meat thief—is on his fifth jin alone!"
"What? That bastard... told him feed the kids first!"
Yi Jinpyeong's eyes blazed fury. Whoosh—a gust, and he vanished.
Gu Sam stood slack-jawed, long minutes. No doubt. Yi Gajang was changing. Not the one he knew. Not the one anyone knew.