How Difficult Yi Gajang's Three Brothers Are
Yi Jingang, Yi Jinun, and Yi Jinpyeong walked side by side along the shore of Dongjeong Lake.
As they walked for a good while, they naturally encountered passersby. The people shot them puzzled glances.
Who are they? Just who could they be? Do I know them?
They tilted their heads, rolling their eyes, but upon taking in the refined, extraordinary appearances of the three young men, they involuntarily bowed their heads. They looked unmistakably noble, after all.
After a slight bow, they peeked up again—and yelped in surprise. "Eek!"
Two of the noble youths were bowing back at them, even deeper and more politely than they had.
The onlookers hurriedly bowed again. Another noble youth, puffing on his pipe with a displeased expression as he eyed them, spoke up.
"Brothers. If we bow back to every single person like this, we'll be at it till dawn. Let's get going."
Only then did the other two straighten up and resume walking.
The stunned onlookers checked the direction the youths had come from and counted them off again: one, two, three...
Sudden realization dawned, and they gaped at one another.
"No way! Could those have been... Yi Gajang's three brothers?!"
They looked nothing like the trio they remembered. Gone was the skeletal frailty that seemed ready to blow away in the wind. They were still lean, but now elegantly so, with upright, vigorous strides.
And their clothes? No more threadbare rags worn to tatters. Instead, crisp, snow-white martial robes of the finest silk—truly befitting the heirs of a prestigious house, exuding an effortless nobility.
"Whoa... Are those really the three brothers we remember? How can they change this much in just a few months?"
"Tell me about it. I've heard all sorts of rumors about Yi Gajang lately!"
"Me too. They say if you go near Yi Gajang, you hear pigs squealing like throats being slit. Turns out it was just their training noises?"
"That's not all. Word is, they've got so many able-bodied men now, they're ordering food left and right. That butcher Gu Sam up ahead's been supplying them meat exclusively and struck it rich!"
Sputtering with excitement, they swapped every scrap of Yi Gajang gossip they knew. As the brothers' figures faded into the distance, someone murmured softly.
"Is Yi Gajang really turning things around? Back to the old days?"
"The old days? You mean when they were called the greatest house under heaven?"
The people exchanged glances, then burst into belly laughs: "Puhehehe!"
A century ago, maybe—but the Yi Gajang they knew was better called "No-Family Village." Parading around in fine clothes and a bit of meat on their bones, daring to invoke the greatest name? It had to be a joke.
"It's been so long since the three of us walked together like this. Don't you think?"
Yi Jingang said with a gentle smile. Attending a grand gathering with sects from all over was still nerve-wracking, but with his brothers, his heart felt lighter, something special stirring within.
Yi Jinun, unable to hide his excitement, replied, "It's not just a long time—it's practically the first."
"No such thing."
"Strictly speaking, it is."
Yi Jingang mulled it over and realized what he meant. Even during Yi Jinpyeong's mad fits, the two elder brothers had sometimes taken him out. They couldn't leave him alone when they had to handle business outside.
But back then, Jinpyeong just shuffled blankly in their lead or had to be firmly supported during outbursts. Hardly "walking together."
That was just months ago. Now, not only were the three hale and hearty side by side, they were heading to a banquet attended by luminaries of the Nine Great Clans! Their late father and ancestors would surely rejoice.
Pride swelling, Yi Jingang turned to the youngest to share it—and flinched, swallowing his words.
Yi Jinpyeong's eyes gleamed unnaturally as he gazed at Dongjeong Lake. God knows what schemes brewed in that head...
This trip won't end smoothly, will it?
Jinpyeong had insisted it'd be fine, just a quick look around the world. But no one knew his true thoughts.
Yi Jingang gulped and stared straight ahead, walking silently.
Then—
"Jingang oraboni! It's you, right?"
A gaggle of children burst from the bushes. Around eight to twelve years old, filthy with dirt, scratched from romping through underbrush all day, each carrying firewood branches on their backs.
Leading them was a tanned girl who looked like the boss.
Oraboni? Yi Jinpyeong's eyebrow twitched.
"Yeon-a! It's been ages seeing you in daylight. Doing well?"
Yi Jingang beamed. The girl strode up, eyeing him top to bottom in awe.
"Oraboni! Almost didn't recognize you. It's that day, right? The big event far away... Dressed so fancy, you look like a real rich young master!"
"Haha, you think? Doesn't suit me."
"No way! You're super handsome!"
Her clothes were ragged, sweat-soaked, barefoot—no shoes at all. Same for the shy kids behind her.
Despite the vast gap in age and status, she treated him without reserve. And that nickname—oraboni.
The other kids hung back, hesitant. Yi Jingang spread his arms wide.
"Come on, everyone—group hug! Why just stand there?"
The kids hesitated, then "Waaah!" rushed him, piling into his open arms. Pent-up chatter exploded.
"Hyung! Still growing? You look taller!"
"Is that a real sword? Can I touch?"
"Why do you smell so good? What'd you put on?"
"Hyung! You used to come play with us during the day. Why not lately? Play with us!"
The girl slung an arm around his waist and yelled.
"Idiots! I told you—oraboni's busy these days! And who do you think keeps you from starving now?"
Yi Jinpyeong, watching from afar as they greeted warmly, asked Yi Jinun.
"Those the kids?"
He knew the answer. Probably. The slum children Yi Jingang secretly fed. Dongjeong Lake's plenty meant no more starving like them.
To help, Jingang skipped meals or snuck extras from storage, avoiding his subordinates' eyes. Thanks to them—and Jingang's stubbornness—Jinpyeong had to stealthily stuff food into his sleeping brothers' mouths.
And that time Dang Sobaek tracked his outings and kidnapped him, causing a fuss...
"Yeah. Adorable, right?" Yi Jinun replied.
He'd joined eldest brother on charity runs, but not as persistently or sleeplessly.
Yi Jinpyeong watched silently. The kids' reunion chatter dragged on.
Finally, losing patience, he grumbled, "Brother. We should move."
"Right. Let's go."
Yi Jingang stood—and "Ah!" the kids cried, noticing too late.
His dazzling white robe was now smeared with their dirt and grime.
Their faces paled. Yi Jinun jumped in to fix it.
"No worries! This wipes right off!"
He spat on his palm and scrubbed furiously. But it only smeared worse.
"Uh... oops?"
His hands slowed. Kids teared up. A chill gaze from behind.
The brothers turned slowly, like guilty children.
These were the robes Jinpyeong had prepared ambitiously for the banquet—ruined before even reaching Dongbeonhoe. How furious would he be?
But Jinpyeong said nothing, just staring at Dongjeong Lake, puffing his pipe vigorously.
"R-right! Flip it inside out—no one'll notice!"
"Enough. Let's just go."
The brothers sighed in relief and bid the kids farewell.
The girl, glancing slyly, whispered to Yi Jingang.
"That's the little brother? The super fighter?"
Yi Jingang looked awkward. "Yeah."
"Why's he so rude to you? Doesn't look much older than me, and he smokes like that?"
"Yeon-a, that's—"
"His eyes look mean. How strong is he? Beats Shaolin abbot? Wudang sect leader? If not, what's so great?"
"Hey. I can hear you."
She froze. Yi Jinpyeong, squatting afar with pipe in mouth, wagged a finger like demanding protection money.
The pointed kid flinched, eyeing Yi Jingang.
He smiled softly. "It's fine. He's my brother. He won't hurt you."
Emboldened, she puffed her chest and marched up. But his face didn't look kind at all—total opposite of her beloved Jingang.
"How old?"
"...Twelve."
"Still a baby."
She gaped. Sure, he looked older, but only two or three years.
"You lot. Got nothing better to do? Roaming midday."
"We do! We're busy! Made time to see off Jingang oraboni!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know you're free."
"What—!"
Ignoring her huff, he continued.
"Take your gang to Yi Gajang. Find Chief Steward Gwak Yeonyong. Say Third Young Master sent you—not First or Second, the youngest Third. He'll give you work. Odd jobs like cleaning halls or fetching water. Our guys are busy training, no time."
"Gah! Why trek all that way to clean? We got stuff to do!"
"Pay for your work. Not lavish, but way better than scavenging twigs."
"...!!!"
She was speechless.
"Give the pay to your parents. Buy shoes with the rest. Gotta wear 'em to work at Yi Gajang. Can't stand barefoot beggars. Got it?"
Yi Jinpyeong finished, striding off without waiting. Yi Jingang and Yi Jinun hurried after, patting the girl's shoulder in goodbye.
"Jinpyeong-ah. Thank you."
What for?
"Just... It was the right call. Better than feeding them endlessly. They need work."
"Your words are spot on. I'm still so lacking."
"Truly not easy, living by Father's last words... Building the house like this."
"Agreed."