Chapter 5 – Gathering Gazes (3)
Seok Jin-ho spoke firmly, and Seok Mi-ryong gazed at him quietly.
As she had expected, it wasn’t just a simple beating, and the realization brought a strange smile to her lips.
“You’ve grown up, Jin-ho.”
“I don’t know since when I became your Jin-ho.”
“Isn’t that a bit too cold? I’m still your older sister.”
“You’re my sister, but also not.”
Jin-ho clearly drew a line.
They had the same father and shared the same surname, but there was a barrier between them that couldn’t be crossed.
Jin-ho made that boundary very clear.
“You’re not wrong. But doesn’t that make it even better? I’ve heard you’ve been training in martial arts lately. They say you’ve got great talent. If even Hwasan and Jongnam are trying to recruit you, then you must be quite extraordinary.”
“I only declined because I had already started learning another martial path. It’s not because I’m especially talented.”
“Liar. You turned down the elders from Hwasan and Jongnam because you saw greater potential elsewhere, didn’t you?”
Mi-ryong smirked.
Unless there was a very good reason, no one would dare refuse invitations from two of the Nine Great Sects.
Her suspicion was entirely reasonable.
“Maybe it was just the naive pride of someone who knows nothing.”
“Let’s stop with pointless jokes. We’re just wasting each other’s time.”
“Fine by me.”
“I’ll get straight to the point. Help me become the head of the Seok family.”
Mi-ryong looked at him with blazing eyes.
Her gaze burned with fierce ambition.
“I refuse.”
“What? Did our brothers already make you an offer?”
Mi-ryong’s expression sharpened.
She couldn’t understand such a blunt rejection otherwise.
“No. I haven’t met either of them. I haven’t heard from them, either.”
“Then why? Ah… Are you waiting for one of them?”
“I’m not interested in any of the three of you.”
“…”
Mi-ryong’s face grew complicated.
She couldn’t read what he was thinking.
“So you don’t have to worry.”
“Can you tell me why you made that decision?”
“Because my path doesn’t lie within the Seok family.”
“You’re leaving for the martial world? But is there really a need to leave the estate? If you worked with me, you could still achieve your goals. I’d even support you fully—you could advance much faster. Just think about it. If I control the family’s wealth and you wield the strength, we could have immense influence in both business and the martial world. More than you imagine.”
Mi-ryong’s voice burned with passion.
It was the kind of gaze that could easily sway anyone.
“But that only benefits you and the Seok family.”
“It benefits you too. This is your home—your roots. You’d have the backing of the Seok family. And right now, more than anything, you need a strong support system. Don’t you?”
“Yes.”
Jin-ho smiled faintly as he sipped his tea.
That confident smile left Mi-ryong momentarily dazed.
She didn’t know why, but it somehow felt convincing.
Then the report she’d heard that morning suddenly came to mind:
“He took down a first-rate martial artist in under six months. Without a single scratch. And he even used a technique that twisted the opponent’s meridians…”
Though born from a concubine, he was still the son of the head of the Seok family—and her younger brother.
So it wouldn’t have been easy for the bodyguard to go all out.
Not to mention, Jin-ho had only recently started training, so the opponent likely underestimated him.
Still, the fact remained: he had subdued a first-rate warrior alone, and without injury.
“So he really is a genius…”
Mi-ryong bit her lip.
She had suspected as much when even elders from Hwasan and Jongnam were showing interest.
It was clear now.
Elders of the Nine Great Sects wouldn’t chase someone of average talent.
“He’s already like this—what about next year? Ten years from now?”
Sure, his growth was explosive for now, but that wouldn’t last forever.
There was no guarantee that his genius would persist even a decade later.
Life was full of variables.
But what mattered was potential.
“I can’t let this go. I already have fewer forces than my brothers…”
Mi-ryong’s mind worked quickly.
Most of the capable people in the Seok family were already aligned with her two older brothers.
That’s why she moved swiftly.
“Even without me, I’m sure you’ll do well.”
“Don’t flatter me. Anyone can say that.”
“Not everyone can. Some people will agree with everything you say just because you’re in charge.”
“…You’re sharp. If my nanny weren’t around, I’d almost believe your body had been possessed by someone else.”
Mi-ryong made a bitter face.
Something about him made her feel strangely backed into a corner.
She’d never felt outmatched in a verbal exchange before.
“There’s no way to prove that souls exist. Even the unorthodox factions who practice illusion and witchcraft can’t do that properly.”
“It’s just a saying. But why do you keep calling me lady? That’s kind of hurtful. You used to call me noona when we were young.”
“There’s a strict divide between legitimate and illegitimate children. How can I casually call you noona now? Besides, I’m almost an adult.”
“Stop pretending to be grown-up.”
Mi-ryong pouted.
Though he’d grown tall and built enough to be called a young man, his face still carried youthful traces.
She looked at him with mild annoyance.
“Being of age doesn’t make you an adult. Thinking and acting like one does.”
“Is that why I beat that guy up this morning?”
“You beat someone senseless just for barking?”
“A dog that bares its teeth at anyone needs to be taught a lesson.”
“You shouldn’t say ‘dog’ in front of your noona.”
Even as she scolded him, Jin-ho just shrugged.
He couldn’t think of a better word.
“Let’s be honest. What are you planning to do once you leave?”
“First, I’ll focus on training.”
“You do know that living costs money, right?”
“I can handle it. I’m already mostly self-sufficient.”
He sounded completely unbothered.
He had two people to support—maybe even a third soon—but three people were still manageable.
He’d worked as a porter, guard, mercenary, soldier—you name it.
“Instead of that, just stay and help me. Just ten years. That’s a reasonable offer, right? You know the saying—‘Life outside is hell.’”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sigh…”
Mi-ryong sighed at his annoyingly firm refusal.
But strangely enough, it only fueled her determination.
Even though Jin-ho hadn’t actually shown her anything substantial.
“Then just do me one favor.”
“Go ahead.”
“Can we at least have tea together sometimes, like today? You know I don’t have any real siblings I’m close to. I know a lot of girls, but they’re all outsiders anyway.”
“As long as you don’t send rude guests my way.”
“Deal. You promise?”
Jin-ho nodded, and Mi-ryong smiled meaningfully.
She acted like she was giving up, but she hadn’t.
Persistence was just as crucial for merchants as it was for anyone else.
Early the next morning, the front yard was bustling.
Today was the day Jin-ho had told So Ha-jung and Tak Yoon he would be leaving.
So, naturally, So Ha-jung was in a complete frenzy from the start.
“Do you really have to go?”
“For us, I have to.”
“Can’t you not go for my sake?”
“That’s not possible.”
Her eyes welled up, as if she’d cry any moment, but Jin-ho shook his head.
To him, now was the perfect time to go—he couldn’t miss this chance.
“Then at least take Yoon with you. I can manage alone.”
“Taking Yoon would slow things down at least twice as much. It’s better for me to go alone. Besides, Yoon has things to do here.”
“Y-young master~!”
Just then, a familiar voice called out from beyond the wall.
Jeong Ma-ryung, who had finally earned Jin-ho’s approval after much effort over the past few days, came running over.
“You?”
“Haha! Starting today, I’ll be staying here too! The young master gave me permission!”
Jeong Ma-ryung smiled, lugging a large bundle on his back.
But So Ha-jung didn’t look too pleased.
Unlike the quiet Tak Yoon, Jeong Ma-ryung was extremely talkative, which annoyed her.
“He’s got work to do, too. And isn’t it better for Yoon to have help taking care of the nanny? She’s not getting any younger.”
“I’m still plenty spry, young master.”
“No need to get offended. I didn’t mean it that way. Besides, having an energetic helper around makes things easier.”
“I’ll do anything you ask! I’m the youngest now, after all!”
Jeong Ma-ryung thumped his chest enthusiastically.
He seemed ready to take on any task.
But So Ha-jung still looked unconvinced.
She had never trusted loudmouths.
“Sort out the pecking order yourselves.”
“I’ll treat Yoon respectfully, even if I’m the younger one! I’m still second-in-line!”
“Like I said, Yoon isn’t my disciple. I’m just teaching martial arts. Same goes for you. Don’t try to sneak into a disciple’s role.”
“M-maybe someday?”
Jeong Ma-ryung laughed sheepishly.
But Jin-ho didn’t even blink.
“We’ll see if you reach the ‘peak level.’”
“P-peak level!”
Just hearing the words made Jeong Ma-ryung dazed with excitement.
That realm was like a dream to him.
“Now that Ma-ryung’s here, why not take Yoon with you? You’ll need someone to assist you.”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry. I can manage alone. Nothing’s going to happen. I’ll be back after finishing what I need to do.”
“But you never tell us exactly what you’re doing.”
“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. So just trust me and wait here. Everything will work out.”
“Sigh…”
So Ha-jung let out a deep sigh.
He really did have that signature Seok family stubbornness.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“There are bandits in Shandong Province…”
“I’m traveling alone—there’s no reason I’d run into them. I’m not even taking my sword. It’s not like I look rich.”
Jin-ho tapped his small travel pouch with his finger.
Even that seemed too little to So Ha-jung.
It wasn’t just a one- or two-day trip, yet he carried barely anything.
“Still…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon. In the meantime, get some rest, too. You must be tired from looking after me. I’ll bring back a gift, too.”
“Forget the gift. Just come back safe.”
“Got it. Yoon, Ma-ryung. Take care of the nanny.”
Thinking she might cry if he stayed any longer, Jin-ho turned halfway.
He said what he needed to—and that was it.
“Don’t worry, sir!”
“Have a safe trip.”
The stark contrast in their responses made Jin-ho chuckle as he left through the Wol-dong Gate.
And the moment he stepped out—
—his figure vanished like the wind.
