Over a Bowl of Rice Soup
Ma Jung-hyeop decided to postpone his visit to the Jang family for the time being.
If he did not return by nightfall, he instructed his men to proceed to the Jang family first.
He had a carriage prepared and followed Pajuk Seonsaeng while suppressing his presence.
Why would such a prominent figure be wandering the markets of Qinghai?
No matter how he thought about it, it made no sense.
Ma Jung-hyeop had not sought an audience with Pajuk Seonsaeng to ask for favors.
He had been captivated by the scholar’s noble character and his calligraphy.
Yet the gifts he sent had been returned, and even traveling to Beijing had not granted him a meeting.
He had only been able to watch Pajuk Seonsaeng from afar as the scholar entered the imperial palace.
Even that had been enough to bring him joy.
In Ma Jung-hyeop’s residence hung a piece of Pajuk Seonsaeng’s calligraphy that he had purchased for five taels of gold.
After all, Pajuk Seonsaeng was both a great scholar and a renowned calligrapher of his time.
If Ma Jung-hyeop had been born into a family of Confucian scholars rather than a martial clan, he would have followed Pajuk Seonsaeng anywhere.
That was why, whenever a merchant caravan headed to Beijing, Ma Jung-hyeop would go in search of the scholar.
Unfortunately, by the time he arrived, Pajuk Seonsaeng had always just departed.
Yet here he was, seeing the man in Qinghai!
“My luck must be good today.”
Still, simply watching from afar felt insufficient.
Pajuk Seonsaeng entered a nameless household.
Judging by the dilapidated gate, it was no influential family.
Ma Jung-hyeop quietly made his way toward the residence.
A single guard sat dozing at the entrance.
This meant one of two things: either they were confident in their strength, or their discipline had grown lax.
If it was the former, this place might be far more significant than it appeared.
Ma Jung-hyeop approached the main gate in silence.
Passing through, he encountered no resistance whatsoever.
He stepped inside without hesitation.
The compound was smaller than he had expected.
Suppressing his presence as he moved deeper inside, Ma Jung-hyeop froze like a statue.
He had spotted Pajuk Seonsaeng playing Go on the wooden veranda with someone.
The two were conversing casually as they played.
Who could possibly be playing Go on equal terms with the great scholar Pajuk Seonsaeng?
Ma Jung-hyeop racked his brain, but no suitable candidate came to mind.
A few names surfaced, yet none of them would ever come to Qinghai.
The great general was tied down in the north, and Jang Wangya, Pajuk Seonsaeng’s friend, was someone Ma Jung-hyeop knew by face.
Then who?
Either a hidden power concealing his identity, or a supreme master of the murim.
In truth, the man playing Go on the veranda was none other than Jang Yuseong.
Jang Yuseong occasionally served as Pajuk Seonsaeng’s conversation partner during his visits.
At first, he had wondered why some beggar-like old man had come, but upon hearing that the man knew his youngest nephew, he had invited him inside.
Judging by his appearance, the old man clearly could not even afford porridge.
Jang Yuseong had been impressed by Jang Muhwi on that point.
He had thought his nephew’s martial arts were improving by leaps and bounds, but it seemed his character had matured as well.
To befriend such a pitiful old man!
Jang Yuseong could not possibly turn away an old man whom Jang Muhwi was looking after.
From that day on, whenever Pajuk Seonsaeng visited, Jang Yuseong would serve him food.
The food was nothing more than the same rice soup the family ate.
Yet now the old man came so often it had become bothersome.
Still, there was something strangely endearing about him.
“Are you not hungry?”
“Hoho. Should we not finish this game first? Are you making excuses because you think you will lose?”
“Come now, why would I lose?”
“Here is a large group…”
“Ah, you are confusing me. How can you do this?”
“Since the game is over, I suppose we may eat the rice soup now.”
“It is already on its way. I had it prepared from the moment we arrived.”
“Haha, thank you.”
“By the way, do you know that man over there?”
Jang Yuseong pointed at the middle-aged man in the distance.
“I do not. But does he not look hungry?”
“Well, he must be a guest who came looking for my youngest nephew.”
“I feel the same.”
“What does it matter? I would like to offer him a bowl of the leftover rice soup. Would that be all right?”
“Why ask me? You are the master of this house, are you not?”
“Then I shall call him over.”
“Do so. It makes no difference to me.”
When Pajuk Seonsaeng nodded, Jang Yuseong waved his hand.
“Hey, you over there.”
“Me, sir?”
The middle-aged man looked around in confusion.
Or rather, he seemed slightly dazed.
The middle-aged man—Ma Jung-hyeop—had been secretly watching the Go game and had let his mind wander for a moment.
Being addressed so suddenly startled him.
Jang Yuseong quickly continued.
“Do not just stand there. Come and have a bowl of rice soup.”
“Is that all right?”
Ma Jung-hyeop asked in a trembling voice.
He could not believe his own ears.
The middle-aged man in shabby clothes who had been playing Go against Pajuk Seonsaeng was now offering him rice soup.
And he did so with complete nonchalance, as if calling over a neighbor passing by.
There was no wariness or flattery in the man’s eyes.
Only pure goodwill, the desire to show kindness to someone who looked hungry.
Ma Jung-hyeop hesitated briefly, but he could not let this opportunity slip away.
This was the perfect chance to speak naturally with Pajuk Seonsaeng.
“If it is no trouble, then I would be grateful to accept your hospitality.”
Ma Jung-hyeop lowered his posture as respectfully as possible and approached the veranda.
His usual dignified stride had been replaced by caution.
“Hoho, it is nothing. Have a seat. The rice soup should be ready by now.”
Jang Yuseong gestured to the seat beside Pajuk Seonsaeng.
Ma Jung-hyeop quietly took his place.
Right beside him sat Pajuk Seonsaeng, the greatest scholar of the age and the teacher of all, calmly tidying up the Go stones before turning to look at him.
“I do not know who you are, but you seem to have good fortune.”
“Haha. I suppose I do.”
“The rice soup here is truly delicious.”
At Pajuk Seonsaeng’s words, Jang Yuseong shouted.
“This is not an inn. If you keep saying that, there will be none for you next time.”
“Hoho. I misspoke. My apologies.”
The two spoke without any formality.
Ma Jung-hyeop’s pupils trembled as if struck by an earthquake.
He could not believe he was sitting before Pajuk Seonsaeng, and the mystery of this place refused to fade.
There was such a place in Qinghai?
He could not understand how he had never known about it until now.
Seeing Ma Jung-hyeop’s flustered expression, Jang Yuseong handed him a bowl of rice soup brought by a servant.
“You must have been very hungry.”
“Indeed.”
Ma Jung-hyeop lowered his head and began eating to hide his bewildered face.
Just then, someone approached the veranda.
Thud. Thud.
The footsteps drew closer, and a familiar voice reached his ears.
“Have you been well, Uncle?”
“Yes. Did you have a good trip?”
When Jang Yuseong asked, Jang Muhwi smiled brightly.
Then he turned to Pajuk Seonsaeng.
“What brings you here, sir?”
“I came because I was bored, but you do not seem pleased to see me.”
“That is not true.”
“So, how is that fellow doing?”
“He came with me, as it happens.”
“Has he caused any trouble?”
“Thanks to your teachings, he has changed quite a bit.”
“His name was Ma Uiryong, was it not?”
“Yes. He should be arriving soon.”
At that moment, Ma Jung-hyeop suddenly raised his head and stared at Jang Muhwi.
Jang Muhwi smiled casually at the sight.
“You have already arrived. I heard the family head had departed for this place and came running at once.”
“W-wait a moment! What did you just say?”
“Why do you ask?”
“This is your family?”
“Did you come without knowing?”
“Ah, no. The rice soup was so delicious that I lost my senses for a moment.”
Ma Jung-hyeop quickly changed the subject.
A short while later, everyone had gathered in one place.
When Ma Uiryong saw Pajuk Seonsaeng and Geomhui, he rolled his eyes as if calculating the best moment to flee.
His father, Ma Jung-hyeop, was so flustered he could not continue speaking.
It was understandable—he could not believe his son was receiving instruction from Pajuk Seonsaeng.
Now he finally understood the changes in Ma Uiryong.
Ma Jung-hyeop had come to evaluate the character of the Jang family.
Yet somehow, he felt as though he was the one being evaluated instead.
When Pajuk Seonsaeng departed, Ma Jung-hyeop’s carriage arrived.
Along with gifts, Ma Jung-hyeop immediately moved to the main topic.
Upon hearing Ma Jung-hyeop’s proposal, Jang Yuseong, the Law Hall Master, tilted his head in confusion.
“I do not understand why you would make such an offer. The Ma Family Merchant Group would have no reason to be impressed by us.”
“Do not say that. The Ma Family Merchant Group has always sought reliable allies. I have only now found one.”
“It is getting late, so I will send word to my elder brother first.”
“I would appreciate that.”
When Ma Jung-hyeop clasped his hands in salute, Jang Yuseong bowed his head in return.
─┼
Three days later.
A new agreement was signed between the Jang family and the Ma family.
As soon as the agreement was concluded, Ma Jung-hyeop headed west with Wang Jimak to handle matters concerning the Jangryong Merchant Group.
Everything had gone according to Jang Muhwi’s plan.
Jang Muhwi enjoyed breakfast with his family for the first time in a while.
Every gaze at the table was fixed on him.
After quietly watching Jang Muhwi, Jang Yujung spoke.
“Muhwi. You have worked hard. I am sorry that is all I can say.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“I can only offer words, but you have brought blessings to the family through your actions. Thank you.”
Jang Yujung’s expression was complicated.
This was the son he had once considered the family’s weak point.
Yet he kept bringing unexpected blessings.
Through the alliance with the Ma family, the Jang family had risen several ranks at once.
“Please do not praise me too much. I might choke.”
“Yes, we cannot have that. From now on, do not worry about the family.”
“Understood.”
Jang Muhwi smiled brightly.
Jang Yuseong, who had been watching quietly, added a remark.
“There are times when the murim saying ‘the one who survives is strong’ proves true. I survived, and now such a day has come. Haha.”
Jang Yuseong laughed heartily.
Just then, a guard rushed over in a hurry.
According to his explanation, someone from the Murim Alliance had arrived.
Upon going out to check, they found it was a warrior serving under Wang Jimak.
The man hurried toward Jang Muhwi.
“Something serious has happened, Chief Jang.”
“What is it?”
“Because of what the Branch Chief started, we are in quite a predicament.”
“Did the Branch Chief not depart for the Jangryong Merchant Group?”
“Before leaving, the Branch Chief posted a notice recruiting members for the Hyeonmudae.”
“Why is that a problem?”
“I do not know where they heard the news, but applicants have formed a line. If we do not handle this quickly, the Murim Alliance will turn into a marketplace. You need to come with me.”
“Let us go at once.”
At that moment, someone came running from behind.
It was Ma Uiryong, who had been staying at the guest quarters.
With Ma Jung-hyeop’s permission, Ma Uiryong had attached himself to Jang Muhwi’s side.
“Big Brother. I want to join the Hyeonmudae as well.”
“You want to go too?”
“Are we not one in body and mind, Big Brother?”
He must have been truly desperate for his words to get tangled like that.
After gauging the mood, Ma Uiryong raised his iron staff with a confident expression.
“Very well. Let us see if there are any useful talents first. If you are confident, you may take the test as well.”
“Thank you, Big Brother.”
Just then, the warrior pointed outside.
“Then let us depart.”
After speaking, the Murim Alliance warrior looked at Ma Uiryong with a worried expression.
He clearly did not trust him.