Return in Hemp Clothes (4)
We couldn't head straight to the banquet hall. Instead, we made for the bathhouse right away. Every time we scrubbed our bodies with the powder made from ground red beans and mung beans, filthy water poured out. Only after emptying the bathhouse three times could we finally change clothes and proceed to the banquet hall.
By the time we entered,
"Big Senior Brother!!"
"Sowoon!"
The Tae-eul Gate folks, who had initially kept their distance, now swarmed over with warm greetings.
This is too much. I'd even bathed in the stream beforehand.
Meanwhile, the gold-silver-bronze brothers, surrounded by their fellow disciples, approached their parents and offered proud salutes.
"Heh heh... The kids who left as boys have returned as men."
"...Sniff, sob."
Their parents struggled to hide their tears at the sight of their sons, grown so much in just a year.
And right beside them,
"You've worked hard. So hard."
Hong Moon-gi, hugging Saryeon tightly.
Touching reunions unfolded throughout the banquet hall.
My nose tingled for no reason.
Then, a familiar voice rang out.
"You were unpredictable when you left, and you're just as much now that you're back... Impossible to pin down."
I turned to see Wang Geumsan approaching with Wang Soso.
"How have you been?"
"Well... With all the work piling up, I feel like I'll die sooner than my allotted lifespan."
"I've heard the Wang Merchant Group's prosperity has spread beyond Jiangnam to Jiangbei."
"Haha, cut that out. It's still tough going."
Wang Geumsan eyed me oddly, then murmured slyly,
"Speaking of which... The dividends you bring are just too huge. Can't you tone it down a bit?"
Desperation filled his eyes.
But desperation was one thing, business another.
"House Lord, that's..."
Before I could shake my head, Wang Soso scolded him.
"Dad, seriously! Wasn't your dream to build the world's greatest trading company? Thanks to big brother, you're closer than ever. You should be thrilled."
"No... That was a young man's dream. Now I just want to retire, watch my grandkids play, and take it easy."
Wang Soso shoved her father aside and stood before me.
"Big brother. While you, big brother, and Gold Hyung were away, I took good care of the Tae-eul Gate folks."
She poked her head forward like a kid seeking praise. I chuckled and patted it.
"Thanks."
"Hehe."
Saryeon hated this, weirdly enough.
The faces of people I hadn't seen in a year had changed. The anxiety was gone, replaced by composure. They rejoiced openly, without forcing back their emotions.
Nothing like my previous life at this time, when we'd anxiously catered to the Gye-ryong Merchant Group's whims as their support dwindled and their bullying ramped up.
"Looks good to you too, huh?"
Hong Moon-gi's voice made me turn. He was gazing at the same scene.
Our eyes met, and he smiled faintly.
"You made this. You achieved it."
"What did I do? Everyone's hard work."
His frame was slimmer than in my previous life. Solid muscles spoke of grueling training. And those strong eyes I'd never seen before.
He met my gaze warmly with them.
Things were changing. Me, Tae-eul Gate—definitely changing, unlike before.
"Thank you."
Hong Moon-gi glanced around.
"Where'd Taesan wander off to? His strapping son is back."
"Yeah, with a son this fine."
I had a hunch where he was, so I grabbed a bottle of liquor and a cup, then slipped out of the banquet hall.
I left the banquet hall and headed aside.
The night was dark, no lights, but finding the way was easy. I'd seen it on the way to the bathhouse earlier.
Sure enough, Father stood by a small landscaped pond, staring into the moonlit water.
"Earning some money and already indulging in hobbies like this?"
He glanced at my jest, then back to the pond.
"For guests. They wait ages to see me. Without little pleasures, it'd be boring."
"Building a pond in the Tae-eul Gate courtyard was your dream too."
Ponds cost a fortune. Maintaining one symbolized leisure.
And Father had always wanted one badly.
"True. Now we have the spare to make one at Tae-eul Gate."
"Still far off. One per hall at least."
Father shifted his gaze to me and chuckled.
"Is that so?"
"Not saying make them for real. Nothing wastes more money."
"What do you take the Outer Hall Lord for?"
I studied Father closely. Like Hong Moon-gi, he'd slimmed down, but no visible muscle. Probably too buried in work for self-care.
"...Why'd you lose so much weight?"
Suddenly, I worried he'd been too frantic this past year.
Father replied playfully.
"Skinny's the trend these days, right?"
"...Wang House Lord looks hearty."
"He doesn't chase trends."
"Not there yet, Father?"
"Nope."
"Gotta try harder."
"Yeah."
Trivial talk, but neither of us minded the time.
I offered the bottle.
"Here, have some togeth—"
"You damn brat, openly saying you wanna drink now?"
"I-I'm an adult now, Father."
His glaring eyes wavered.
"...I see."
Taking the cup, he downed it in one go and handed it back.
"How've you been?"
I recounted my path since regressing. Mareung Plateau, Murim Academy entrance, Sichuan Blood Cult, bullying from the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families. Near-death countless times.
This cursed perfect memory made it all feel fresh as yesterday.
Reliving those vivid memories, I voiced the emotions honestly.
"Nothing much."
"..."
Father's hand paused pouring.
It trembled briefly.
I said calmly,
"Really, nothing."
"...Right?"
He never overfilled a cup, even in high spirits.
"Welcome home."
"Yes, Father."
"Really... welcome home."
We silently watched the carp splashing in the pond.
The banquet ended, and most headed home or back to Tae-eul Gate. In Jin Taesan's office remained only Hong Moon-gi, Gang Chaeseok, Jin Taesan, me, Saryeon, and Sama Jeong—six in total.
"...Gulp. So... this is that... thing."
Hong Moon-gi hesitated, as if afraid to name it.
"Oryeong Seonhwa Oil, Father."
"...Yeah. The stuff shaking the world..."
Zhongnan Sect missed it, sealed off Shaanxi, sparking outrage...
How'd it end up in remote Hebi?
"What the hell have you kids been up to...?"
Gang Chaeseok stared blankly at me and Saryeon.
Suddenly, it clicked—the ragged return and this treasure.
"No way... This why you came back like that?"
Saryeon rubbed her nose and coughed lightly.
"The key point is it's here at Tae-eul Gate, right?"
"...Security first, then."
One precious elixir could ruin a village. History flowed with blood alongside treasures.
"Better not rush refining... Need time."
"What? Sect Leader! We finally got something rare! Didn't you say give it to the kids right away...?"
Hong Moon-gi shook his head firmly.
"Rushing leaks rumors."
Having it mattered, but protecting it more.
Gang Chaeseok, knowing the jianghu, pursed his lips sullenly.
Breaking the silence, Jin Taesan spoke cautiously.
"How about Sama Physician's take first? Kids say it's real, but let's confirm the grade..."
He turned to Sama Jeong.
As eyes turned to him, Sama Jeong placed a hand on the table.
"Let me see."
He fetched the vial, uncorked it.
"...!"
A strange fragrance filled the office.
Drip.
He tilted it carefully, letting one drop into a cup, inspecting the color.
Tae-eul Gate folks watched his face tensely, like appraising a heirloom antique.
After a moment, Sama Jeong set the cup down, awed.
"It's real... Pure Seonhwa Oil too."
"Pure what?"
"Murim Alliance usually mixes it with pine oil."
"No pine oil means..."
Sama Jeong nodded.
"Even better effects."
Gang Chaeseok fidgeted eagerly.
"Sect Leader, just make it! Even Alliance can't use it freely."
"But..."
To the conflicted Hong Moon-gi, Jin Taesan said,
"I think making it now is fine."
"Huh?"
Gang Chaeseok was more shocked; he usually sided conservative like Hong Moon-gi.
Jin Taesan tapped the table.
"We've gathered ingredients for the kids anyway. Rumors won't spread much. Physician?"
Sama Jeong nodded.
"Main herbs are here; sourcing the rest won't draw eyes."
"I see..."
Hong Moon-gi's gaze slid to me.
"Sowoon, your thoughts?"
Asking a young disciple before the sect leader? No one questioned it.
"Obviously make it now."
"...Why?"
I pointed at the vial.
"Don't let good stuff go to waste, right?"
Jin Taesan scowled as if to say of course.
"And Tae-eul Gate isn't the old Tae-eul Gate anymore."
Hong Moon-gi blanked, then chuckled.
"Right, you're spot on. Tae-eul Gate has changed."
He scanned the room and commanded,
"Then let's make it at once."
We stayed the night at Daecheon Merchant Group, then visited Tae-eul Gate next day. First to greet me was...
"Biiiig Broooother!!!!!!"
...Jegal Cheongi.
He'd shot up in a year; no trace of the kid from before. But his disheveled clothes and grease-smeared face evoked my previous life's Cheongi.
"Doing well?"
Taller now, but nuzzling like a puppy, I ruffled his hair wildly.
After wagging his "tail" awhile, he grinned satisfied.
I eyed the hammer in his hand.
"Mechanism array not done yet?"
In my previous life, he never finished it. After meeting Mosanpa brewers, he'd redesigned it.
"No way. Installing at Wang House now, hence the mess."
"Wang House?"
"Yeah. Saw Tae-eul Gate's and wanted one. But their land's vast; it'll take time."
Wang House Lord could hire Jegal or Mosanpa directly... Choosing Cheongi's meant something special.
Genius is genius.
Yeongyeong beside him bowed.
"Heard of your exploits, Young Master."
Surprised at her openness,
"Safe to show yourself now?"
She glanced at Cheongi and nodded.
"Yes."
Meaning Cheongi could protect himself now.
This kid grew a ton.
"Hehe!"
Cheongi rubbed his nose bashfully.
"Worked hard."
His bright smile made me think it was time to return what was his.
"Got time now?"
"Huh? Now?"
"Yeah."
"...For what?"
I patted his head again.
"Got something for you."
I led the tilting Cheongi to the training ground.
"B-bro... Even if I trained hard, beating you is im-impossible."
Heh, a bit of training and he's cocky. Already dreaming of beating me.
I met his panicked eyes squarely.
Time had come.
"Something to teach you."
Jegal Samsik was originally his. Time to give it back.
"Think of it as learning."
"O-okay."
I gripped the Black Dragon Sword. As he'd said, no slacking—straight posture, sword ready.
Though it trembled nonstop from fear.
"Begin."
"Y-yes!"
Moments later.
Clang.
The Black Dragon Sword hit the ground with a racket.
"..."
"Wha—?"
Cheongi, still gripping his sword, looked baffled.
Hoo, overdrank last night? Hands weak...
"Ah! Sorry, Cheongi. Too much booze yesterday."
"...R-right?"
"Yeah. Again... let's go again."
Fastest way to teach Jegal Samsik: alternate original sword forms with Samsik conversions, using familiar Tae-eul arts like Socheon and Daecheon Sword Methods.
Clang.
Again, Black Dragon Sword clattered down.
...What?
"B-bro? You okay?"
"..."
Cheongi was already using Crushing Form.
"Bro?"
Fuck. What's going on?