Chapter 6

In truth, it is quite dangerous for three children to go out to the Marketplace alone.

Even if it is only a third-rate martial family, to others, they would appear to be children from a wealthy house, which could invite those targeting their money or ransom.

‘But the main house lacks the funds to spare a guard with decent martial arts skills to escort us.’

Such circumstances were laid bare by the questions of Baek Yeon-yeon, who had just finished her morning ablutions.

“Brother, but will we be able to get permission to go out? I don’t think the adults will let us go…”

Despite knowing the situation, Yang-hwi replied with certainty.

“Yeon-ah.”

“Yes?”

“This brother of yours is a man who makes the impossible possible.”

Yang-hwi grinned and looked at Baek Heon-so.

“So, I am sorry.”

“Yes? W-what are you…?”

Baek Heon-so wore an incredibly anxious expression. Soon, Baek Heon-so’s anxiety became reality.

Yang-hwi, having taken Baek Heon-so and Baek Yeon-yeon with him to find Manager Han, bluntly blurted out these words.

“Manager. So says that because I am from a beggar’s background, he cannot accept me as his older brother.”

“Uh, ah, uh, what?”

Baek Heon-so, whose face turned pale in an instant, couldn’t even speak properly and just stammered.

Whether he did or not, Yang-hwi continued.

“Though Father ordered us to hone both literature and martial arts, I believe that before such skills, the most important thing is to instill upright intentions in one’s heart.”

Manager Han, looking back and forth between Baek Heon-so and Yang-hwi, let out a deep sigh.

He had a strong premonition that the new Patriarch’s child would continue to be a source of worry in the future.

“Young Master Hwi. What is it that you want to say?”

“It seems necessary for So to step outside the walls of the Baek Manor and gain learning from the world beyond.”

“In other words, you want to go out. It is impossible. It is too dangerous.”

Watching Manager Han speak with such finality, Yang-hwi let his words flow like a mountain stream.

“It is naturally dangerous for three young heirs of a high-standing family to go out. However, I have lived on the streets for eight years. I dare say there is no one in the main house more well-versed in the ways of the Marketplace than I am.”

“Well-versed in the ways of the Marketplace, I see. But what will you do if those with black hearts, coveting your money, reach out with their devious schemes?”

That was a fair point. If the three children went outside, they could indeed end up in danger even if they only encountered the Black Path Band, or rather, even ruffians who didn’t even reach that rank.

However.

Yang-hwi was confident he could subdue even a decent third-rate ruffian with his current young body.

‘Since I can’t say that, I do need an excuse.’

“Then how about this? We could ask Brother Gu to take charge of our protection.”

“Brother Gu? Do you mean the Blood Axe who raided… or rather, visited the main house yesterday?”

“That is correct.”

“I don’t think Blood Axe would show such favor, Young Master Hwi.”

“Please, just allow me to deliver a single letter. If Brother Gu does not send an escort, I will not go out.”

The corners of Manager Han’s mouth twitched upward.

‘He is breaking his own resolve… no, wait. It feels like something similar happened yesterday.’

No. Unlike yesterday, today there would be no such thing.

It was inconceivable for someone from the Black Path Band, and the son of the Leader of the Red Bridge Gang at that, to act as a nanny for children.

“Very well, Young Master Hwi. Will you write the letter yourself?”

The question of whether he knew how to write. When he nodded, a strange light filled Manager Han’s eyes.

It seemed신기 (marvelous) to him that a child who had lived as a beggar for eight years knew how to write.

Yang-hwi wrote the letter in one go, sealed it so the contents couldn’t be seen, and handed it to the Manager.

“Here it is, Manager.”

“Hmm. I will at least try to deliver it.”

And a moment later.

Manager Han’s jaw dropped.

It was because Gu Ak, with a highly displeased expression, had visited the Baek Manor.

“…….”

“…….”

What happens when a person who was suddenly attacked and a person who charged in with great vigor only to have their money pouch snatched face each other?

Yang-hwi simply stepped between the silent Manager Han and Gu Ak.

“Manager Han. Since Brother Gu has come in person, I hope you will give us the opportunity to receive new learning as his younger siblings, just as promised.”

“……Huff. Do as you wish. However, I will report this to the Patriarch.”

“Of course! There is no need to trouble yourself with a report; I will speak to him about it myself!”

Having finished speaking, Yang-hwi looked at Gu Ak and smiled slyly.

“Brother Gu. For now, I plan to go on a trip to the Marketplace with my siblings. How about we talk about what was written in the letter after sending my siblings back?”

“……I shall follow the will of Young Brother So.”

And so, the Three Baek Siblings set out.

* * *

“Wow! Brother! It feels like it’s been four months since I’ve been out!”

“Has it been that long?”

“Yeah! Father was so busy….”

True enough. Since they lacked the luxury to even hire guards, their father could not often find the time to play with his children.

Seeing Baek Yeon-yeon so happy made him smile contentedly.

“Let’s play to our hearts’ content today before going back.”

“Yeah! Hehehe.”

“So, you too.”

“……Yes.”

Though he was still a bit cowed, Baek Heon-so also seemed excited by the rare outing.

In other words, the only one among the group who was dissatisfied was Gu Ak.

“All day? Young Brother So, this Gu Ak is not a man of such leisure.”

“Then why don’t you do this? Let’s weigh our options.”

“Ugh…….”

Watching Yang-hwi reply with a grin, Gu Ak groaned.

‘Damn it. If only he didn’t have such a loose mouth.’

The letter Yang-hwi sent had only one sentence written on it.

-Brother Gu. If you want to be “Brother” again, please spare one day of your time.

The problem was that after hearing Yang-hwi say he would repay the Honggyo Gang to settle their debt, he had snorted and said that if that were possible, he would gladly call him “brother.”

‘Damn this mouth of mine.’

Murim people value honor and reputation like their own lives.

And even if one is from the Black Path Band, a Murim person is a Murim person nonetheless.

It meant he could not suffer the humiliation of calling a mere pipsqueak of a child “brother.”

‘I can’t just kill him to silence him, either.’

Beyond the fact that he was reluctant to commit murder for someone in the Black Path Band, the problem was that the brat had become an adopted son of the Baek Manor.

Regardless of its lack of power, the Baek Manor was a place that had a strong sworn brother to its Patriarch.

Gu Ak was already in a position where he was competing against over ten brothers for the position of the next gang leader.

Rather than creating trouble for a reason that could hardly be disclosed, it was less of a loss to just spare some time.

“Brother Gu. Do smooth out your face. You’ll get wrinkles.”

“…….”

For a moment, Gu Ak felt his temper flare and thought to himself instinctively.

‘Should I just do it?’

Whether he cared or not, Yang-hwi took his siblings around and bought them everything they asked for.

“Brother! I want some candy!”

“Let’s see, should we buy about ten? Let’s take them back and share them with the other servants too.”

“Okay!”

Baek Heon-so looked at Baek Yeon-yeon eating the candy deliciously with envious eyes.

Now that he looked, Baek Heon-so had a preference for salty things over sweet ones.

For instance, like those chicken skewers at the street stall over there.

‘The poor kid. He can’t even say what he wants because he’s self-conscious.’

Yang-hwi approached the stall first and bought ten chicken skewers.

“So, eat.”

“……Thank you.”

“Don’t be so down. Today is a day to play to your heart’s content.”

“……Understood.”

Wondering for a moment why he kept acting like this, he realized the reason.

‘Ah. I used the kid So as an excuse for Manager Han.’

It seemed he was worried that his words about not being able to accept him as a brother because of his beggar background would reach their father’s ears.

“So. If they ask what you learned from today’s outing, tell them ‘Insangmuin (Inangmuin), Inhamuin (Inhamuin)’.”

There is no person above others, and no person below others.

If a seven-year-old child said such insightful words, everyone would be satisfied.

“R-really?”

“Really. I told you before, this brother of yours is a man who makes everything possible. Believe me.”

Baek Heon-so, his expression significantly brighter, began to enjoy the outing more.

Following that.

Yang-hwi didn’t just show them bright and pleasant things; he even took them under a bridge to give alms to beggars, teaching his siblings to cultivate a righteous character. After that, they returned to the Baek Clan.

“So. And Yeon-ah. How was today?”

“It was so fun!”

Yang-hwi smiled as he watched Baek Yeon-yeon bouncing around, then looked at Baek Heon-so. Baek Heon-so was also looking at Yang-hwi silently.

Though there was still a hint of insolence, Yang-hwi decided to be satisfied with this much, seeing that a different emotion had sprouted in Baek Heon-so’s eyes.

‘Truly, seducing a child is so easy.’

Because if you show them something that is overwhelmingly impressive yet slightly cool, something they couldn’t possibly feel jealous or envious of, they quickly start to admire you.

“Then, would you two go in first and tell the Manager something for me? Tell him I’ll be back after talking a bit more with Brother Gu.”

Having nudged his siblings through the main gate, Yang-hwi turned his body toward Gu Ak.

“Thank you for your hard work, Brother Gu!”

“……Young Brother So. The price has been paid, so I hope there will be no more of this in the future. Otherwise…….”

Gu Ak growled.

A threat that he would not tolerate it if Yang-hwi tried to create such an event again with the same excuse.

Of course, Yang-hwi was not scared in the slightest.

“Of course, Brother Gu. Now, shall we talk about business?”

“Business? It seems Young Brother So is neither in a position nor at an age to discuss business with me.”

That was true. But Yang-hwi possessed information that could make Gu Ak not only listen but beg him to continue.

“There is a rumor rife in the Marketplace. The sixth son of the Leader of the Red Bridge Gang has taken a concubine before even taking a wife.”

In an instant, Gu Ak’s expression hardened terrifyingly. The words Yang-hwi had just spat out were Gu Ak’s reverse scale.

“You little brat, there is a limit to how much I’ll let slide.”

True to his nature as a member of the Black Path, dense killing intent began to press from all sides.

However.

“Come now, one should listen to the end of what a person has to say. Can’t this brat solve Brother Gu’s worries?”

When Yang-hwi remained unperturbed while receiving the full killing intent of a master who had reached the First-rate Realm, Gu Ak wore an incredulous expression.

‘Is this brat’s liver really…?’

Did he catch a tiger and replace his liver with its?

“What is it you want to say?”

“It’s simple. I have some business today; help me out a little. If you do that.”

“If I do?”

Yang-hwi thought for a very brief moment about an incident from his previous life.

‘Gu Ak. And Gu Ak’s concubine. The cause of the bloodbath that would happen in the Honggyo Gang a few years later.’

“I will make the lady who cannot be your wife, your wife.”

This time, Gu Ak’s face hardened for a different reason.

“What are you talking about?”

“Exactly what I said. I will make your father, the Leader of the Red Bridge Gang, recognize your beloved.”

The reason the Leader of the Red Bridge Gang blocked Gu Ak from making the woman he loved his official wife was simple.

She was a mere gisaeng, and Gu Ak, like the other children of the Leader of the Red Bridge Gang, had to enter into a political marriage with the direct descendant of another Black Path faction for the sake of the Honggyo Gang’s future.

“You are refusing the arranged marriage, aren’t you? You are truly a man, Brother Gu. But if you continue this way, you will be eliminated from the succession race.”

“What do you know to babble on like that!”

“At the very least, I know one thing. The fact that listening to me will not be a loss to you, Brother Gu.”

Having finished speaking, Yang-hwi recalled everything he had heard about Gu Ak in his previous life.

Gu Ak was, in many ways, different from the ordinary Black Path thugs.

‘He reached the First-rate Realm before he was thirty while being in the Black Path. He avoids lust and loves only one woman, so his character isn’t entirely beyond saving. He’s perfect to use for the time being.’

There were limits to what he could do with his young body.

If he set Gu Ak up as his proxy, his range of movement would be much wider.

That was the reason Yang-hwi intended to quietly tempt Gu Ak.

“Go on then, speak. However, if you waste my time, be prepared to pay the price.”

His attitude was still rough, but since he had spoken like that, it was as good as accepting the proposal.

Because Yang-hwi truly intended to make a very tempting offer.

“I know where the Secret Hideout is where the Cheongsa Gang has gathered their secret funds. Shall we hit it together? I will take eighty percent, and you can have twenty.”

“The Secret Hideout of the Cheongsa Gang? How do you know its location?”

“Well, I just happened to know.”

Gu Ak furrowed his brow, having asked with wide eyes only to receive such a half-hearted answer.

However, hearing Yang-hwi’s next words, Gu Ak was finally struck with shock.

“There are also dozens of Poison Bomb that were secretly brought in to attack the Honggyo Gang, are there not?”

“What? Poison Bom…?”