Backroom Deal (1)
The next morning.
Eun Jin-ho took a steady breath in his room.
Today was finally the day of his first preliminary match.
He wasn't particularly nervous or trembling.
He was just worried about whether he'd bring shame to High Il-pyeong, the external overseer, and the Eunhae Merchant Group.
And if he got hurt, his parents would surely worry sick—that was another concern.
Of course, his youngest brother, Eun Seo-ho, wouldn't stand idly by either.
'Maybe I shouldn't have entered after all?'
But this decision had come after he'd agonized over it dozens of times.
As the Eunhae Merchant Group grew, more people would envy or check them.
Whether to warn them off or pay them back in kind, he needed to build his own reputation.
If he had the mighty prowess of Georam Sword, the bodyguard of the Seven Bin Merchant Group's leader, people would back off on their own—but he wasn't there yet.
So he had to seize opportunities like this to display his skills and raise his name.
To protect the Eunhae Merchant Group.
"Brother, it's me."
A voice called from outside the door.
"Yeah, come in."
The door opened, and Eun Seo-ho entered.
"What's up?"
"You all set to head out?"
"Just need to put on my jeogori."
"Fits perfectly."
Eun Seo-ho set down the bundle he'd brought and unwrapped it on the table.
Inside was...
"A breastplate?"
"Right. Took some doing to get it. Made of ten-thousand-tempered steel, they say."
Steel forged through ten thousand rounds of tempering—its hardness and toughness were exceptional.
Yet it was remarkably light and comfortable, making it popular for undergarments like breastplates.
Of course, it wasn't easy to obtain.
It required top-quality iron and the skill to temper it that many times.
As such, the technique was passed down to only a select few.
"Friendship match rules ban full-body armor, but partial protection like this is allowed. They provide basic neck guards, but nothing else. So I prepared this."
If they were going to provide protection, they should include chest guards too—but there was a reason they didn't.
Certain martial arts styles were hindered by breastplates.
Opinions were divided, so in the end, they only supplied neck guards and left the rest to personal discretion.
Eun Jin-ho sensed his brother's intentions in giving him this.
Feeling that care, he smiled awkwardly.
"Thanks."
He picked up the breastplate and said,
"Since you're here, help me put it on?"
"Brother."
"What?"
"I'm busy."
"......"
"Still, make sure you wear it. I'll test it with a punch later."
I scratched my cheek as I left Jin-ho brother's room.
I could've helped him don the breastplate, but it felt awkward, so I made an excuse and slipped out.
And though I didn't tell him, there was a reason I'd gone to the trouble of procuring it separately.
It was because of his opponent in this match.
Yesterday, after the matches ended and during a break, Seo-hyang Sojeo came to me, her face pale as a ghost.
And she told me,
"Eun Jin-ho So-danju is in danger."
I heard the full story from her and pieced it together with my memories.
Jin-ho brother's opponent this time was Ji Kyung-hwa of the Ji Clan.
He wielded a whip studded with iron weights—dangerous things.
In my previous life, one of his match opponents had even died.
Jo-un Musang, senior brother to Chang-un Musang.
I only recalled it after hearing from Seo-hyang Sojeo because, in that previous life, I wasn't here.
My brothers had mentioned it, but they weren't the type to gossip about a death, and I hadn't seen it as important.
So it had slipped by.
Since the Murim Grand Assembly's friendship matches bore no responsibility for outcomes, Young Master Ji Kyung-hwa faced no punishment.
But the victim had been the future of the Jongnam Sect.
This soured relations between Jongnam Sect and the Ji Clan, who happened to be in the same region.
It led to ugly consequences later on.
But now, his opponent wasn't Jo-un Musang—it was my brother.
So I had to do everything in my power to prevent it.
I didn't know why Young Master Ji Kyung-hwa had used a killing blow back then or how exactly he'd slain his foe.
But according to Seo-hyang Sojeo, the victim collapsed bleeding from the chest—so that's where the attack landed.
That's why I gifted Jin-ho brother the breastplate.
I spotted Chang-un Musang meditating in the back garden.
After losing to Jin-ho brother in the preliminaries, he seemed shocked and had thrown himself into training.
Chang-un Musang, don't take your respected senior brother's elimination so hard.
It's more like his life was saved.
Of course, saying that would earn me strange looks.
I set those thoughts aside and called to him.
"Chang-un Musang."
"Yes!"
He opened his eyes and rose, and I turned, saying,
"Time to head to the match arena."
.
.
.
My group and I arrived at the arena.
"You wearing the breastplate I gave you?"
"Yeah. Asked Mani to help."
Mani was Jin-ho brother's servant. If he'd asked the little guy, it was on perfectly.
"Good job."
We took our seats.
After a short wait, Gold Flame Association's chief referee climbed onto the platform.
"Woooaaah!"
"Today's first match: Eun Jin-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group! Facing him is Ji Kyung-hwa of the Ji Clan!"
"Cham-ho Chang-ung! Cham-ho Chang-ung!"
"Hong Cheon-seon-pyeon! Hong Cheon-seon-pyeon!"
Hong Cheon-seon-pyeon was Young Master Ji Kyung-hwa's moniker.
Earned because his crimson whip strikes looked like a thousand red lines slashing the sky.
"Be careful!"
"Take care of yourself."
Jin-ho brother nodded firmly at our parents' worried words.
"Yes. I'll do my best."
He turned to me, and I flashed a grin.
Jin-ho brother and Young Master Ji Kyung-hwa mounted the platform.
With seven markers each affixed, the drum sounded as preparations ended.
Dong!
The match began.
After light probing, Jin-ho brother struck first.
Taat!
He kicked off the ground, lunging forward with a spear sweep.
Whirick!
Young Master Ji Kyung-hwa countered with his whip, but Jin-ho brother dodged nimbly.
If the spear tangled in the whip, he'd lose control.
So he had to avoid that.
Seeming aware, Young Master Ji targeted the spear more than Jin-ho brother.
Amid this, Jin-ho brother shattered two of his markers.
Thanks to one of his sweeping techniques.
Brother had wide vision and quick reactions.
Thus, he could bat away the whip's tip with his spear to create openings for attacks.
Brother can do that technique too?
Ah!
Something clicked, and I glanced over.
Mother was watching the match with a pleased smile.
Come to think of it, Jeong-ho brother had mentioned it.
Mother often sparred with them.
Her main weapon was a flexible sword akin to a whip.
She must've taught him counters for whips and such.
Even knowing the method, to use it so fluidly in real combat!
Impressive.
Kwajik!
Young Master Ji Kyung-hwa's remaining markers dwindled.
Three left.
Jin-ho brother had lost only one, so momentum was his.
Suddenly, Young Master Ji gritted his teeth and whipped at the spear.
But the whip seemed longer now.
What? Some trick?
Ah, the handle!
Looking closely, the whip's handle in his grip was much extended from before.
It had a hidden section.
One might call it a trump card, but after growing accustomed to its range, even an extra handspan could be lethal.
And the spear shaft was too short to counter safely. Dangerous.
My hunch was right.
The iron weight slammed Jin-ho brother's chest.
Kang!
"Huk!"
"J-Jin-ho!"
Our parents shot to their feet in shock; I stood too.
"Urk..."
Jin-ho brother groaned, staggering.
Phew, safe.
I sighed in relief.
If Seo-hyang Sojeo hadn't warned me, disaster.
His torn jeogori revealed a gleaming iron plate beneath his left chest.
And that metallic clang just now.
"......"
I explained to our puzzled parents.
"I gifted Jin-ho brother a breastplate this morning. Thankfully, he wore it."
They finally relaxed, patting their chests.
"But why think of giving him one today?"
"Just felt like it."
"A hunch?"
"Something like that."
I brushed it off and turned back to Young Master Ji Kyung-hwa on the platform.
For a split second, regret flickered across his face.
Regret?
Regret at not killing Jin-ho brother? No way?
Something's off.
The weapons clashed anew.
How would Jin-ho brother turn this...?
Eh?
He suddenly thrust out his spear shaft, letting the whip coil around it.
But a faint smile played on his lips.
Brother's gambit.
As he yanked the spear, Young Master Ji was pulled forward; Jin-ho brother charged, kicking his leg.
Thud!
Kwajik!
Two markers left!
Young Master Ji hastily uncoiled and retreated, but Jin-ho brother pressed relentlessly.
Thud! Thud!
His mind rattled from the recent blow, Young Master Ji couldn't respond properly.
Thus, the match ended in Jin-ho brother's victory.
"Woooah!"
Jin-ho brother roared in triumph.
"Cham-ho Chang-ung! Cham-ho Chang-ung!"
The crowd chanted his moniker in cheers.
With a satisfied grin, he descended and rejoined us.
"Jin-ho!"
"You okay, Jin-ho?"
At our parents' questions, he scratched his head.
"Sorry to startle you. But I'm fine, thanks to Seo-ho's fine gift."
"We heard. Seo-ho gave you the breastplate."
"Yes."
"Seo-ho's hunch saved you."
"I'm incredibly grateful right now."
.
.
.
After the morning matches, Jin-ho brother headed straight back to the inn for treatment.
Removing his jeogori and breastplate revealed a deep black bruise on his left chest.
"You alright?"
"Yes."
The physician prodded it.
"Aaaak!"
Jin-ho brother yelped; the physician nodded gravely.
"Seems your sternum is cracked."
"I see."
"Heard what happened. This breastplate kept it from being fatal—otherwise, you'd be in mourning."
The physician continued,
"To think you finished the other matches in this state! Haa..."
He sighed; I sighed too.
"And forfeit shamefully? When I had the upper hand?"
"So you'll enter the next one too?"
"Of course."
"Forfeit."
"What?"
"You look fine now, but you're not. Another hit could mean never wielding a weapon again."
"No, I'm fine! I'll fight!"
Jin-ho brother declared firmly.
And talking down that stubbornness wouldn't be easy.
.
.
.
After the afternoon matches, our parents returned to the inn and entered Jin-ho brother's room, emerging soon after with heavy faces.
Failed to convince him.
"Argh! That stubborn kid!"
"Hoo..."
High Il-pyeong, the external overseer beside them, had failed too.
"How do we break that boy's will...?"
I smiled and approached our father.
"Father. I have a good idea."
"What is it?"
I sent him a sound transmission; he nodded.
"Do that."
I took Seo-u Musang and Yeo Eung-am Musang and left the inn.
"Where to?"
Seo-u Musang asked; I replied,
"Yu-wol Guest House."
"Isn't that where the Ami Sect disciples are staying?"
"Correct. Planning to fetch Sister Hyang-ok."
I worried Jin-ho brother might get fleeced by her, but that wasn't the issue now.
Him racking up wins and fame was great for me.
But his health and life mattered more.
Elixirs could heal him, but with his personality, he'd push harder relying on them.
That wouldn't do.
No elixir was a cure-all, no matter how miraculous.
"What brings you?"
A disciple at Yu-wol Guest House asked; I replied politely,
"Sister Hyang-ok's cousin. Is she in?"
"One moment."
Thankfully, she was; she emerged soon with the disciple.
"What's this about?"
"Um, Sister. I have a favor to ask."