264. Night of the Golden Garb (5)
A small groan escaped Ak Byeongbi's lips after hearing the full story.
"So..."
He could hardly believe what he'd just heard.
"You're saying that this Yaryul Geuk kid is bullying you?"
"Yes!"
Ak Jupyeong poured out his grievances like a man wrongly convicted and punished, spilling every ounce of his sorrow.
"That bastard comes at me every chance he gets. And ever since that last incident, the academy hasn't taken any real action."
"Yaryul Geuk... isn't that the kid you were unilaterally bullying?"
"That's right. But after that, I haven't laid a finger on him once...! Yet this lunatic keeps hounding me relentlessly."
At first, he'd thought Jin Sowoon was behind it because of the kid's unsettling face. But no.
"Not Jin Sowoon, but Yaryul Geuk, you say..."
"That Yaryul Geuk is just like Jin Sowoon. A nobody from some backwater who lucked into the academy and now struts around without knowing his place."
Ak Byeongbi's nodding head came to an abrupt halt.
"What did you say?"
Misreading it as Ak Byeongbi taking his side and getting angry, Ak Jupyeong chattered on excitedly.
"From what I hear, Jin Sowoon and that Yaryul Geuk are closer than just casual friends. They spar privately, and even the disciples from Jin Sowoon's sect, Tae-eul Gate, look out for Yaryul Geuk."
"..."
"Ever since that bastard Jin Sowoon became the academy representative, everything's gone to hell. It seems like he's got some shady connection with the current headmaster, Buk Wonpyeong... That's why the instructors and seniors aren't stepping in."
Ak Jupyeong, who had been wearing the most aggrieved expression in the world, suddenly brightened.
"That's why I need judgment from you, Uncle, as a member of the Inspection Hall."
Ak Byeongbi's mind flashed back to a conversation from a few days ago.
'When the natural order is perceived as a given privilege, people become arrogant. Even in the Ak family, aren't there plenty of wastrels who take such privileges for granted?'
He'd dismissed it as jealousy from Jin Sowoon, who knew little of the Ak family. But to think the precious nephew before him fit Jin Sowoon's mockery to a tee.
"Judgment, you say..."
The academy wasn't making an issue of Yaryul Geuk's actions because of the misdeeds Ak Jupyeong had piled up over time. Moreover, since they'd witnessed Ak Byeongbi, the Third Division Head, being dragged to the academy and forced to bow his head, the instructors and seniors had likely decided they couldn't intervene in their squabbles.
But this wastrel before him couldn't tell shit from soy paste, trapped in his narrow-minded view, convinced the whole world was oppressing him.
"Yes! Uncle! We need judgment!"
And he was so oblivious to his own thoughts that he firmly believed a rosy path lay ahead for him.
'How did the Ak family end up like this?'
Ak Byeongbi had cherished Ak Jupyeong like his own son. How much had he cried seeing him born the year after he lost his wife and child?
Setting aside emotions, Ak Jupyeong was important to the Ak family. Not the eldest grandson, but the firstborn son of his second brother. He wouldn't inherit the family, but he was destined to hold a key position and serve the clan.
For a boy meant for such a vital role to have brains this pea-sized...
Ak Byeongbi felt profound disappointment.
Unaware or uncaring, Ak Jupyeong pounded his chest with an innocent face.
"I've already sent a letter to the main family."
"A letter?"
"Yes. Asking them to send people to judge Yaryul Geuk and Jin Sowoon's gang. If you step in, Uncle, I'll handle the cleanup."
"..."
Ak Byeongbi swallowed the rage bubbling from his chest to the crown of his head, closing his eyes tightly.
'Right, this is how ordinary kids are. The so-called sacred prodigies of the jianghu, raised in pampered comfort, are just immature fools...'
But then.
As he tried to calm his anger, images of Dang Seohui—whom he'd shared trials with recently—and Jin Sowoon flashed through his mind.
'Nothing erodes a person's character or turns them into a frog in a well like a sense of privilege. How long can a family full of such scum last?'
BAM!
The table split in half under Ak Byeongbi's hand, papers and writing tools scattering everywhere.
The moment Ak Byeongbi's eyes snapped open, he saw Ak Jupyeong's face—full of eager anticipation, unable to hide his grin.
"You little..."
A kid he'd watched since infancy. The one he'd handed his first spear to and taught thrusting himself, cherishing above all others.
"For you to be like this..."
Now he looked like a demon devouring and rotting the family from within.
As if mocking this despair.
"Shall I prepare right away, Uncle?"
Ak Jupyeong wore a smug, triumphant expression, like he'd mounted a tiger's back.
The moment Ak Byeongbi clenched his fist to smash that face—
"Division Head! A guest has arrived!"
He froze at the voice from outside.
"A guest?"
Even knowing Ak Jupyeong was already here, they reported it...
Ak Byeongbi quelled his rage and asked back.
"Who?"
"Jin Sowoon, the academy representative."
"Jin Sowoon?"
"Th-that bastard?"
Just those three syllables, and Ak Jupyeong's face drained of color for some reason. His smug grin crumpled like paper, and his legs began trembling anxiously.
Staring at him, Ak Byeongbi commanded toward the door.
"Let him in."
"U-Uncle?"
Ak Jupyeong's eyes bulged as if they might pop out.
Not even from different classes—they were same-year classmates admitted together—yet how vast the difference in caliber.
'Ha...'
Ak Byeongbi barely swallowed a sigh.
In the previous generation, Ak Buk-san had been overshadowed by geniuses like Yong So-a and Ilmyeong. And.
"J-Jin Sowoon... Eek...!"
This generation seemed no different.
'To fulfill Big Brother's aspiration, we'll have to wait much longer.'
The family head's dream of shaking the world with the Ak name felt utterly remote in this era.
If Murim Alliance members named the last place they wanted to go, it would undoubtedly be the Inspection Hall or Execution Hall.
Unless assigned there, being dragged in meant slim chances of returning intact.
Yet here I was, walking in of my own accord.
'To the Third Division, no less.'
Some mocked those hauled in on false charges as having committed great sins in a past life, cursed with bad luck.
In that sense, I must've racked up some serious karma in my previous life.
Well, hanging with the Small Justice Squad bastards could count as a sin, I suppose.
Useless fucks anyway.
Thankfully, my destination was the office, not an interrogation room.
My escort was a stern, rigid-faced man fitting for the Third Division.
Birds of a feather, boss and underlings.
"I heard the Division Head uses the interrogation room as his office. You're not dragging me there, right? Haha!"
"..."
My joke earned a chilling glare.
Damn, who'd open their mouth with chills running down their spine?
Ignoring my words, the division member stopped before the office.
"Division Head, I've brought him."
"Send him in."
The stern man nodded, and I awkwardly pushed open the door.
The pursuing gaze prickled until it shut.
What, doing it on purpose?
Shaking off the unease, I stepped inside.
"Huh?"
An unexpected sight caught my eye.
A shattered table, papers strewn about.
And...
...Ak Jupyeong, scowling with furrowed brows.
When the hell did this punk show up?
Reading my gaze, Ak Byeongbi added, "Since your visit seems related to this child, I called him here on purpose. If it's inconvenient, shall we speak privately?"
I shook my head.
"No need. Anything I tell you will reach Ak Jupyeong's ears anyway."
"Then sit."
"...I don't know why the table's smashed, but can I still sit in front of one?"
"Hm... Quite right."
Ak Byeongbi casually rose and moved to the long conference table, with me and Ak Jupyeong facing each other across him in the middle.
"So, what brings you here?"
"Seems Ak Jupyeong came for the same reason..."
"Don't call me by name so casually!"
"..."
Ak Jupyeong bared his fangs and growled.
What's with the prickliness?
Hm, if he hates it, I won't. I'm a righteous wanderer who doesn't do what others dislike.
I pointed at him with my chin and continued.
"Heard there's bad blood between this punk and Yaryul Geuk. You know about that?"
Thud!
"Jin Sowoon!!"
Ak Jupyeong glared daggers at me.
"What? You said not to call your name."
"How dare you... Do you know who I am?!"
"...Tch. Who?"
"What?"
"Who are you? Ak Jupyeong from the Ak family, academy student... What else?"
Ak Jupyeong mumbled, then shot an indignant look at Ak Byeongbi.
"Uncle!"
Ak Byeongbi should've been pissed too, but his face showed no emotion.
Instead, he nodded at me.
"Academy Representative Jin, please continue."
"...!"
Ak Jupyeong's eyes widened, then he slumped into his seat.
I gestured vaguely at him with my chin and went on.
"Anyway, I hear this punk snitched to the main family. No need to drag adults into a kids' fight and make a mess, right?"
"..."
Ak Byeongbi glanced at Ak Jupyeong, then spoke to me.
"From what I hear, he's been seriously bullied too. Yaryul Geuk ambushing him constantly."
"I already explained that. From now on, it'll only be formal duels."
"This is similar to the incident that enraged you. You left Ak Jupyeong with a handicap as payback."
I gaped in disbelief.
What? Comparing it to a group beating?
Ridiculous.
"Why bring that up? Back then, this punk brought his friends and ganged up. Yaryul Geuk's got a shitty personality, no friends, so he fought alone. Totally different."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"No need for you to step in?"
"Why would I, if the Ak family or you don't?"
Ak Byeongbi nodded and agreed immediately.
"Understood. I'll handle the main family. The Ak family won't intervene."
Oh! That easy?
I'd worried about souring ties with Ak Byeongbi, with whom I'd had a good rapport, but he accepted readily.
"Uncle!"
Ak Jupyeong, who'd been listening silently, clearly disliked our deal.
"Why would the mighty Ak family bargain with scum like him...!"
But before his tantrum ended, Ak Byeongbi's fist slammed the table.
Thud! Crack!
The long conference table shattered in one blow.
So that's why the guest table was smashed earlier.
"Shut your mouth!"
"U-Uncle...!"
Ak Jupyeong stared at him with uncomprehending eyes.
But Ak Byeongbi's face was ice-cold.
"Speak so much as one more word defiling the Ak name with that foul mouth, and I'll rip it out myself."
"Wha... wha..."
Ak Jupyeong looked on the verge of tears, unable to grasp the situation.
But Ak Byeongbi pressed on.
"One question. You bullied Yaryul Geuk because his background was lowly and his skills weak, right?"
"..."
Obvious in the jianghu, where strength sets the hierarchy. Kids raised on that law wield it most viciously.
"You have a slight handicap, but it was treated well—no big drop in skill. Yet you came to me because he overpowers you now?"
"..."
His voice rose.
"Never thought to raise your skills and face him? To make him flee at the sight of you?!"
"..."
Ak Jupyeong silent, Ak Byeongbi's glare sharpened.
"And you dare invoke the Ak name?!"
"..."
Under his uncle's scolding, Ak Jupyeong ground his teeth.
"Is being born to a good family and parents your life's greatest achievement?! You can't do anything else!!!"
Ak Jupyeong finally bowed his head.
Tears splashed onto his knees.
"If Yaryul Geuk were from the Nine Great Gates... or even the 108 Peaks, would you have acted the same?"
I reined in Ak Byeongbi, who seemed to have gone too far.
Too harsh on the kid.
"Come on, Division Head, ease up. When have cowards ever challenged someone stronger?"
"!"
Ak Jupyeong jerked his head up, glaring through snot and tears—a hideous sight.
Undeterred by my intervention, Ak Byeongbi continued.
"Was entering the academy purely your merit?! If you benefited from the family, at least don't shame it!"
"Sniff..."
"Get out! I can't stand the sight of you!"
Shoulders slumped, Ak Jupyeong shuffled out at Ak Byeongbi's dismissal.
Still fuming even after he left, Ak Byeongbi grumbled.
"Raised in such an ideal environment, and that's all he's got."
After venting, he sighed deeply and gazed at me.
"I envy your sect elders. They must be pleased to have a disciple like you."
"...Doesn't seem like it."
Every letter begs me to live quietly.
As I scratched my cheek, Ak Byeongbi shook his head.
"They probably can't express it fully."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Muttering to himself, then:
"If only you were part of our family..."
He trailed off.
"...Never mind. I'm rambling."
I was curious about the rest but didn't pry.
Ak Byeongbi's expression was that of a man who'd seen it all.
True to his word, the Ak family stayed out of it.
Yaryul Geuk must've gotten the message from me—he stopped ambushing Ak Jupyeong.
At least the wildcat knew how to listen.
Instead, he applied for formal duels daily, forcing Ak Jupyeong to dodge and flee.
Still, progress, right?
Ak Jupyeong, as an Ak family scion, couldn't afford to be seen avoiding challenges.
His persistence drove Ak Jupyeong to secluded training.
Brother and kin alike, real pros at wearing people down.
Around then, I got a summons from Jegal Somyeong.
Time for the delegation's settlement sheet.
The long-awaited good news brought a grin.
'What can I squeeze this time?'
My mental library had no rest.