Chapter : 110: Has Spring Come? (1)
“Gross.”
“…Aren’t you going a bit too far saying that to my face?”
Seeing Seok Jin-ho openly frown, Seok Mi-ryong bristled with indignation.
She had tried to act cute even though it felt awkward, and his reaction hurt her pride.
“Don’t do things that don’t suit you. I can’t guarantee the short-term intensive course either. There are just too many places that want to make contracts.”
“Still… we’re siblings.”
“As I said earlier, you have to separate business from personal matters. And I think I took care of you enough last year.”
“That’s unfair.”
Seok Mi-ryong looked genuinely hurt.
But she didn’t argue further.
Although Seok Jin-ho also benefited from the deal, when you calculated it coldly, she had gained more. He had supplied her with things like the Baeknyeon jade pendant, which allowed her to build her current power.
“I’m not saying it’s completely impossible. I tell this to all visitors the same way.”
“Alright. I’ll compete fairly. Still, at least my situation is better than the two older brothers.”
Seok Mi-ryong smiled, knowing well the story of Seok Jin-ryong going to the Seungcheon Military Institute only to be flatly rejected.
At least it wasn’t the worst-case scenario.
Moreover, considering Seok Jin-ho’s current influence, it was about time to filter things out.
“Don’t be too disappointed.”
“I still wish I could get a little more support.”
“Think about it, maybe.”
“You’re just saying that.”
Seok Mi-ryong snickered.
Having dealt with him many times, she already understood Seok Jin-ho’s nature.
So she just pursed her lips, saying no more.
If coaxing him would have worked, she would’ve gotten it long ago.
“Still, it’s a shame. I was gaining momentum.”
Seok Mi-ryong watched Seok Jin-ho calmly sip his tea, feeling the brake applied at a crucial moment.
But she had no intention of just sitting and waiting.
“The lucky thing is that the eldest brother completely failed.”
Seok Jin-ryong, after being rejected by Seok Jin-ho, immediately sought out famous military instructors to help his subordinates overcome the Wall of Wailing.
But the plan ultimately failed. Money was spent, and the results were poor.
“Thanks to that, the competition only got tougher.”
Surprisingly, many shared Seok Jin-ryong’s sentiment.
Even though the Seungcheon Military Institute had become famous, there were countless military academies in Jungwon with long histories and traditions.
Some were as influential as major sects.
Many of them inquired about courses similar to Seungcheon Military Institute’s short-term program, and many did sign contracts.
But success stories were few.
It wasn’t a formal military academy, the students were beginners, and very few instructors, like Seok Jin-ho, could naturally guide them while sparring.
Even the few successes were mostly attributed to luck.
If someone had real ability, they would have allowed all their students to overcome the Wall of Wailing like Seok Jin-ho, but unfortunately, there wasn’t a single place like that.
“I should pay a visit to Seok Poong Martial Hall.”
After thinking about her eldest brother, Seok Mi-ryong recalled Seok Poong Martial Hall.
Since they were likely in the same urgent situation, it would be worth brainstorming together.
Like the saying goes, “Two heads are better than one.” It was better to think together than to struggle alone.
Seok Jin-ho stepped into the early morning mist and once again surveyed the backyard.
And as expected, Heuk-hwi was perched on his shoulder.
Perhaps it was the novelty of the walk, but Heuk-hwi’s eyes shone brightly as he sat proudly, as if showing off the ranch.
Meow!
“Alright, alright. You’ve worked hard. I know everything you’ve done, and even took care of the kids’ training.”
The wolf trio was indeed clever, but only by animal standards. Compared to Heuk-hwi, they were lacking.
Unlike Heuk-hwi, who understood human speech perfectly, the wolf trio only recognized words they were familiar with.
Of course, they had improved greatly, but they still couldn’t be called magical beasts yet.
Clack, clack.
Scratching Heuk-hwi’s neck lightly, Seok Jin-ho slowly looked over the ranch, which had tripled in size since he first saw it.
The first thing that caught his eye was the barn: chickens, ducks, and pheasants mingled together.
Even the chicks and ducklings scurried about in the early morning.
Moo!
Then he noticed the cows and pigs, whose numbers had grown significantly.
The deer and goats had established their own territories.
However, the number of rabbits had noticeably decreased.
“Maybe I should get more horses.”
Seok Jin-ho scratched his chin, observing how well the horses brought by Sachaedang’s guards fit in with the existing ones.
Though horses weren’t as useful as cattle, having them wasn’t a problem.
Besides, now that Tak Yun, Jeong Ma-ryung, and the Chae siblings knew how to ride, increasing the herd seemed fine.
It wasn’t a financial issue either.
“Or maybe catch some wild horses?”
They had survived in the wild among predators, so taming them wouldn’t be easy. But Heuk-hwi was there.
As long as he captured them alive, training them wouldn’t be too hard.
“No matter how fierce, they’ll have no choice but to submit when facing death.”
Meow!
Heuk-hwi responded with a short meow, then started licking his front paw.
It was quiet and serene; the walk with Seok Jin-ho seemed to put him in a good mood.
“Sam-rang is good at guarding now too.”
Though there were fences, if an animal was determined, escape wasn’t impossible.
Yet none had ever tried. The livestock knew this was the safest place.
Thump, thump.
Seok Jin-ho slowly walked toward the small garden tended by So Ha-jung.
But there was already a visitor.
Even at this early hour, someone was watering the garden.
“Dang So-ja?”
“Oh my?”
“You come out at this time every day?”
Seok Jin-ho’s eyes widened.
Judging by her posture, it wasn’t the first time she had watered the garden.
“Oh, yes. I’m not really a morning person, but the early morning air is refreshing. I come out for a walk. I also have to pay attention to the tea garden.”
Seok Jin-ho had given her land to personally grow tea.
But he hadn’t expected her to manage So Ha-jung’s vegetable garden too, and he couldn’t hide his surprise.
“You could have the kids do it.”
“It doesn’t take long, actually. And there’s a big difference between doing it carefully and not.”
“I see.”
Seok Jin-ho looked at Dang Ha-rin with newfound interest, surprised by this side of her.
“Are you out for a walk?”
“Yes. It’s been a while since I last checked the ranch. I also want to think about how to use the empty land. How’s the tea garden?”
“The yellow tea from our main house doesn’t suit this climate, but the oolong and jasmine teas are growing well. I’m growing other flowers too. Of course, the technique of fermentation and drying is as important as growing them well.”
“I think I can help with that.”
Seok Jin-ho was skilled not only in cooking but also with tea.
He had tasted many types in his life, and though he couldn’t grow them all, he was confident in roasting and fermenting. He also had nearly perfect taste.
“Thank you, I appreciate that.”
“Do you have any difficulties? Anything inconvenient?”
“Hmm… there is one thing. Can I tell you?”
“Of course.”
“Your way of speaking, Master.”
Seok Jin-ho blinked.
He didn’t immediately understand.
Dang Ha-rin smiled and continued.
“I think I mentioned this before. You can speak comfortably. Back then, we hadn’t been together long, so it was fine. But now, we have plenty of time ahead. So please speak casually from now on.”
“If that’s the case…”
Seok Jin-ho shrugged.
It wasn’t a difficult request, and since they’d likely spend five years together, he immediately spoke casually.
“Much better.”
“You too.”
“I’m comfortable this way. I’ll speak casually with Arin though.”
“My younger sibling? Hmm…”
Seok Jin-ho tilted his head.
He thought it better not to speak casually with Dang Arin. Even now, she often caused trouble; casual speech would make it worse.
“She’s strict but has a good heart.”
“I know that.”
“I also help with the tea garden. Oh, and the surrounding land belongs to my older brother, right?”
“Older brother?”
Seok Jin-ho frowned at the unfamiliar word.
But Dang Ha-rin smiled.
“You told me to speak casually. And since you’re older than me, ‘older brother’ is appropriate. Or should I call you Gaka?”
“Just older brother.”
‘Gaka’ could be misunderstood, so he shook his head immediately.
With Dang Gun-sung harboring mischievous intentions, calling him ‘Gaka’ could spark absurd rumors across the entire region.
“That won’t do.”
He hadn’t thought about marriage seriously yet, but he didn’t intend to stay alone for life either.
He had experienced living alone enough to be tired of it. This life, he thought, it wouldn’t hurt to marry and start a family.
He was confident he could support them financially.
“My ability speaks for itself.”
It wasn’t boasting; it was simply a fact.
He could support as many as needed. He was already preparing for the retirement of So Ha-jung, Tak Yun, and Jeong Ma-ryung.
“I’m fine with Gaka too.”
“Older brother. By the way, what were you going to say?”
“Instead of leaving the land idle, how about using it as an orchard? Fruits could be used in the inn’s dishes or sold.”
“Oh?”
“This idea came from the inn’s mistress. She’s researching cooking with fruits recently.”
Seok Jin-ho’s expression brightened.
He had been wondering how to use the extra land. Leaving it idle seemed wasteful.
“An orchard, huh.”
The idea wasn’t bad. Maintaining it would require manpower, but finding help wouldn’t be hard.
“You seem to like the idea?”
“Not a bad thought. I should discuss it with the nanny first.”
Dang Ha-rin smiled at his positive response.
But Seok Jin-ho’s eyes remained focused on the orchard.
At opening time, So Ha-jung visited Ha-jung Inn.
She did this once a day to supervise operations.
Even though the business had just started, there were already customers on the first floor.
“They’re coming now.”
Unlike the cheerful middle-aged man, So Ha-jung’s expression wasn’t bright.
Despite her slightly stiff reaction, the man kept smiling.
“You’re here today too.”
“Everyone in Hwanghwa-hyeon knows that Ha-jung Inn serves delicious food. Plus, I’m alone with no one to take care of me, so I have to watch my meals. At my age, skipping meals leaves me weak.”
“That is your age, indeed.”
