‘To think that So-ah was that kind of child…’

Jin Won-tak couldn’t hide his astonishment at the true nature of his younger brother, who he wouldn’t have minded putting in his eyes.

—Young Hero Jin. I am willing to grant you whatever you wish, so speak without hesitation! Your contribution in subjugating the White Lotus Cult and saving the people is not small, so as the father of the nation, I cannot simply let it pass!!

—Your Majesty! Are you serious?

—Hohoho! That’s right!!

—Then, although it is shameless of me…

—?

—Give me money.

‘Phew!’

A terrible moment even when he recalled it again.

Of course.

Thanks to that, So-ah had managed to obtain a reward of 3 million nyang of silver and various rare gold and silver treasures from the emperor.

‘It’s so absurd that I can’t help but laugh, huhuhu!’

Jin Won-tak thought that from now on, he had to get to know everything about his younger brother step by step.

***

“Long live Great Hero Jin So-ah!”

“Long live!”

“Long live-e-e-e-e!”

Yoryeong was in an uproar.

The news that So-ah had wiped out the White Lotus Cult and had received a huge reward from the emperor had spread like wildfire, to the point where there was no one among the common people who didn’t know.

“Hahaha! Yes, yes! Thank you, thank you!”

Although So-ah was embarrassed to have his face gilded, this time he was secretly enjoying it.

‘Because I’ve been running hard all this time.’

When he thought about it, was there anyone who had lived as hard as So-ah in the past few years…

Even throughout the entire martial world, there would be no one who had lived as passionately as So-ah.

He was still realizing the value of infinite stamina and physical remodeling by running at full speed for several hours every dawn without using his internal energy.

Moreover, he was a person who had accumulated contributions that were impossible for an individual.

Of course, they were things he had done for his own and the Moyong family’s prosperity, but at the base of his actions, there was always a great cause and justice.

Now in Yoryeong, So-ah was.

“Shouldn’t we erect a statue of Great Hero Jin?”

“Thanks to Great Hero Jin, Yoryeong has become a clean city without a single common gangster!”

“Is that all? According to the recommendation of the [Yoryeong Merchant Association Prosperity General Assembly] founded by Great Hero Jin, all businesses such as restaurants, taverns, brothels, pawnshops, construction, and blacksmiths have stopped delaying the monthly wages of their workers, and their treatment has also been upgraded to a level incomparable to the past!”

“Great Hero Jin cannot be simply classified as a martial artist. He is the hero of Yoryeong and the hero of the Central Plains!”

“That’s right-o-o-o-o-o!”

The people’s praise for So-ah continued without end.

Fortunately, the agenda for the ‘Jin So-ah Statue Construction’ promoted by the [Yoryeong Merchant Association Prosperity General Assembly] was canceled due to his own strong opposition.

“Everyone! Please! I’m not a great saint. If you look closely, I’m a selfish and materialistic person, and a wicked brat who can’t resist money!”

Of course, So-ah’s acquaintances.

‘I know well… I know very well!’

‘You’re too honest.’

‘Ke-ke-kek!’

…were facts they were well aware of.

***

Yoryeong, Cheong-a-ru—

How long had it been since he had sat in this seat?

So-ah, who had sorted out most of the profits he had earned from his journey, was finally able to sit down at the Cheong-a-ru today and have a business meeting with Yuk Jeong-ran and the Grand Steward after a long time.

“Wow! Really? The third mining team has been dispatched to the North Sea Ice Palace all this time?”

“Hohoho! That’s right. The amount of mining was so significant that the Yi family of Shandong, who had decided to process and distribute the ice stones, were amazed. Moreover, they were the best quality items among the top-grade products.”

“Kehkehkeh! Young Master… while you were subjugating the White Lotus Cult, we weren’t just playing around either. In fact, at this rate, it’s clear that our financial situation will be more solid than that of the Namgung, Zhuge, and Tang clans within three years. It’s unprecedented for a martial family to make such a huge income!”

Hearing about the completely changed financial state of the Moyong family from Yuk Jeong-ran and the Grand Steward, So-ah’s heart was moved.

“Is this for real? Is all this our money?”

The profit details densely written on the ledger.

It was truly a world of difference.

“Young Master Jin. You’ve worked really hard. Now you can live with dignity as the top master of the martial world without having to worry about money. Kal-kal.”

“Young Master! The dream you wished for has come true.”

A hot sense of elation.

And an indescribable feeling of being overwhelmed.

Was that why?

“Miss Yuk. Grand Steward.”

“?”

“Yes?”

“Since we’ve earned a lot of money, shall we do something good?”

“…”

“…What kind of?”

“They say that even the king can’t save the poor. But isn’t that honestly bullshit? Let’s help the orphans and the young boys and girls of Yoryeong. We can build a facility in the name of the <Merchant Association Prosperity General Assembly>, provide continuous living and educational support, and also increase jobs by hiring people to take care of the children.”

At So-ah’s words, both Yuk Jeong-ran and the Grand Steward readily nodded.

“Hohoho! Young Master Jin. You’ve grown up.”

“Young Master! I agree. Now, no one in the martial world will call you a money-grubbing ghost! Kehkehkeh!”

“Hahaha!”

The laughter of the three people filled the Cheong-a-ru.

***

In the evening, when the dark shadows fell…

So-ah, for the first time in a while, climbed to the top of Mount Bok-o with his disciple, Yi-baek, and looked up at the starlight that was brilliantly adorning the sky.

“Baek-ah.”

“Yes, Master.”

“I saw you training during the day. Your martial arts have improved quite a bit. It shows that you’ve worked hard all this time. You’ve suffered.”

In an instant, Yi-baek’s eyes widened like lanterns.

Usually, So-ah, while highly valuing Yi-baek’s tenacity and insight, had shown a stingy side when it came to praise.

It was because he was afraid that Yi-baek would become arrogant, and in fact, since his talent for martial arts was lacking, it was to make him push himself to the end.

But today, he was patting his shoulder while giving him uncharacteristic praise.

“Master…”

“Baek-ah.”

“Yes.”

“You know. I’ve never been ashamed since I entered the martial world at the age of fifteen. I wasn’t intimidated even when I fought with an old geezer like No Yeong-myeong at a young age, and now I’ve even twisted the Blood Demon’s neck. Besides, the Moyong family’s power has grown, so I really have nothing to wish for.”

“You are truly amazing, Master.”

“No.”

“…”

“I’m not trying to brag about myself.”

“Master…”

“I was trying to say that even I have my shortcomings.”

“Do you have shortcomings, Master?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

At Yi-baek’s question, So-ah suddenly grabbed his hand.

“Not taking care of you.”

“Ah!”

“I’m Jin So-ah’s disciple in name, but I was indifferent to you with the excuse of being busy. So I made a promise. For the next three years, I’m really going to take care of you and only you, to death.”

“Master!”

“Can you follow me?”

“…”

“Three years. It’s really going to be hell. To be blunt, you’re the son of a chaebol family, right? Martial arts? You don’t have to learn them. Is that still okay? For reference, there’s no half-assing it. The moment you embark on this march. You have to jump in thinking that you’ll also open your Ren meridian within three years.”

Yi-baek’s heart pounded wildly.

Opening the Ren meridian!

The realm of a superhuman that all martial artists dream of.

The moment he heard those words, there was no choice for Yi-baek.

“Master.”

“Yes?”

“I will go even if I die. I will definitely go.”

‘Wow! Look at this brat’s eyes. As expected, I’ve got a disciple who is amazing.’

So-ah had guided countless trainees until now, but he had never seen a person with the same eyes and resolve as Yi-baek.

“I believe in you, my disciple. Sleep well and eat a lot today.”

“…”

“Because you’ll be having breakfast in hell tomorrow.”

***

So-ah, who had started to take charge of Yi-baek in earnest, was pushing his disciple like a madman.

At first, everyone was clamoring to learn martial arts from So-ah.

But when they saw So-ah training with the intention of killing someone, and Yi-baek, who seemed like his life would be cut short at any moment, but was still digesting the training, such talk completely disappeared.

‘Yi-baek is scarier than So-ah. Is there another brat like that in the world…’

Moyong Baek couldn’t hide his astonishment as he watched the two.

But he smiled as he imagined Yi-baek, the second external disciple of the family, who would one day proudly become the strongest master and command the martial world.

Then one day.

“Yi-baek.”

“Yes, Master.”

“This week is self-training. Eight hours a day. Repeat the forms of the Ten-Second Invincible Arts so that you can carve the movements into your soul.”

“Yes! But where are you going, Master?”

“I have somewhere to go.”

“Where?”

“To meet my nephews and nieces. Hehehe!”

***

‘Oh my… I’m going crazy. How can I be more nervous than when I met the emperor?’

Currently, So-ah’s heart was more tumultuous than the opening of heaven and earth.

He had come to his older brother’s house to keep his promise with Jin Won-tak.

But when he thought of meeting his nephews and nieces, who were related by blood, and his sister-in-law, he couldn’t help but be nervous.

But.

“So-ah. It’s here.”

“Yes?”

“This is our house.”

‘Huh?’

So-ah felt extremely bewildered in front of the gate.

‘Why is the house of the head of the Imperial Guard, who is said to be able to make even a flying bird fall, so shabby?’

It was because Jin Won-tak’s house was much more shabby than he had expected.

Jin Won-tak was a public official.

And a clean public official who had not received a single penny of bribes.

Therefore, he had not expected a palace-like house, but he had thought that he would be on the wealthy side to some extent.

Surprisingly, Jin Won-tak’s house was reminiscent of a common, three-room thatched house.

“What’s wrong? Are you surprised because it’s so shabby?”

“Ah… no, brother.”

So-ah couldn’t say it because he was afraid his brother would be disappointed, but he seemed quite surprised.

‘My younger brother is so rich, but it doesn’t make sense for my older brother to live like this. I guess I have to give him a big house as a present.’

Of course, he would have to study a way to push it in naturally, without hurting his brother’s pride, so that he could never refuse.

Just then.

The wicker gate, which could hardly be called a gate, opened slightly, and,

“Daddy!”

“Daddy-y-y-y-y!”

…weren’t two indescribably cute little girls popping out with big smiles?

“Haha! My little ones. Have you been well? Daddy’s here.”

Jin Won-tak hugged the two children and wiggled the corners of his lips with eyes that seemed to be dripping with honey.

At the same time, a woman who looked to be in her mid-20s, with a simple and elegant grace, though not gorgeous, followed behind and said with a happy face.

“Honey. You’re here.”

And then,

“Ah! Then this person is…?”

She glanced at So-ah and asked Jin Won-tak.

Jin Won-tak nodded his head.

“That’s right. My younger brother, So-ah. Your brother-in-law. Hahaha!”

***

“Really? Is he really our uncle?”

“Uncle-e-e-e-e! Uncle-e-e-e-e! Uncle So-ah-a-a-a-a!”

So-ah didn’t particularly like children.

Of course, he had done many good deeds, such as starting a movement to help orphans and young boys and girls, and even taking the parentless children from the house of Lord Nam in Sichuan to Yoryeong and entrusting them to Miss Yuk, but his nature itself was not particularly affectionate towards children.

But.

But what on earth was this scene?

—Giggle-giggle-giggle! My little ones!

—You’re just, so, so handsome. Is this for real?

—Kehahahaha! Ogu-ogu, good job! My little one! Good job, good job, good job!

—Is there anything you guys want?

—Your uncle will, huh? I’ll even pluck the stars from the sky for you! Just say the word, just say the word!

Are they your kids?

They’re Jin Won-tak’s kids.

This is just…

Completely.

At the level of having lost his mind.

“Hohoho! Brother-in-law. Our So-min and So-so like and follow you so much.”

“Sister-in-law. It must be because we’re related by blood, right? Hahaha!”

So-ah, for the first time in his life.

…had entered the fence of a real family.

Although he had grown up without any wrinkles, being cared for by legendary figures such as the God of War, Moyong Cheon, the Heavenly Demon, Wi-ji Un, Moyong Baek, the Yeon So-so couple, Abbess Hongryeon, Hong In-geol, Jang Beon-pal, Jang Beon-ha, and even Baek In-hwa, a corner of his heart was always empty with a longing for his blood relatives.

But now, such a So-ah would not exist in the world.

“So-min, So-so! Shall we go to the cloth store with uncle?”

“Why-y-y-y?”

“Why the cloth store-e-e?”

“Because uncle is going to buy So-so and So-min clothes.”

“Yay!”

“This is fun!!!”

So-ah lifted his two nieces and nephews.

And then,

“Brother!”

“Yes?”

“How can a person who is the head of the Imperial Guard have such a household, what is this?”

“Huh?!”

He grumbled and then suddenly sent a telepathic message.

[Brother! From now on, take some bribes and live a little more cunningly! What’s the point of being revered by the people for a hundred days, a thousand days? While making our sister-in-law, So-min, and So-so suffer!]

[Ah…]

[Brother. Family is the best, family! I’ll get you a house right away, so don’t say anything else! Phew!]

The two eyes of So-ah, who was saying that, were blazing with resentment.

Jin Won-tak couldn’t even dare to talk back and could only nod his head.

“Let’s go. My little ones!”

“Yahoo!”

“Uncle is the best!”

For some reason, So-ah’s laughter today.

…felt exceptionally happy.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep