Chapter 17
Chapter 17: Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven
The few core figures who formed the backbone of the Baek house gathered behind closed doors.
Present were Baek Muryang, the Lord of the House; Han Seok’eon, the estate’s steward; and Gwak Mun, the retainer whose martial skill surpassed all others in the clan.
Lastly, slipping into the gathering with unbothered naturalness, sat Yanghwi.
“Open warfare has finally erupted between the Cheongsa Gang and the Honggyo Gang. Ensure our retainers avoid venturing beyond our gates as much as possible.”
“Ak’an County was already drowning in unrest. Heaven only knows how chaotic the streets will become now.”
Baek Muryang’s tone was heavy as his eyes swept over the other three. Steward Han nodded alongside him, his own voice thick with anxiety.
“Regardless, rumors indicate the Cheongsa Gang is cornering the Honggyo Gang at every turn. Given the Honggyo Gang’s superior numbers and strength, such a one-sided struggle makes no sense.”
“The reports suggest the Cheongsa fighters dismantle their Honggyo opponents with uncanny precision, seizing total control in every skirmish.”
To those kept in the dark regarding the secret counter-methods, the entire situation seemed downright baffling.
“My Lord, I worry our estate will be dragged into their bloody feud.”
“Do you say that because of the guest residing in our detached pavilion?”
“Precisely, My Lord.”
Rangnang was Gu Ak’s beloved, providing the Cheongsa Gang with an effortless justification to strike. Should they harbor ambitions toward the Baek Estate, her presence furnished the perfect pretext.
Yanghwi spoke up without delay.
“Aside from the Honggyo Gang leader and his closest inner circle, no one knows Sister Rang is connected to Brother Gu. You needn’t fear an assault from the Cheongsa Gang.”
Gu Ak was far from reckless. Aware that a defenseless, unaffiliated woman would become his greatest vulnerability, he had hidden her existence with meticulous care.
“Even if the Cheongsa Gang discovered her, casting out a solitary woman into peril to appease dark-path ruffians violates every tenet of chivalry. Yanghwi, when Gu Ak next sends word, reassure him that she is safe here.”
“I shall, Father.”
“And ensure he understands that fair compensation will be expected for our hospitality.”
A knowing smirk surfaced on Yanghwi’s lips.
“You hardly need to remind me, Father.”
Righteousness did not require giving away services for free. From the outset, Yanghwi aimed to use this arrangement to place Gu Ak heavily in his debt and reap significant recompense.
“Furthermore, Yanghwi, heed this command. You must not step foot beyond the residence for now. In a child’s vulnerable frame, you could easily be caught in unforeseen disaster.”
Baek Muryang’s stern admonition caught Yanghwi completely off guard.
This was unexpected.
He struggled to remember his present reality, perpetually overlooking the inconvenient fact that his physical body was merely eight years old.
“Father, wait—”
“Quiet now, and obey your father.”
Confinement would ruin his plans. Maintaining regular contact with Yeo Unjuk was essential to orchestrate their moves properly.
His thoughts spun rapidly as he searched for an ironclad justification to roam outside.
Request Gu Ak to serve as an escort? Out of the question; entangling themselves further with the Honggyo Gang was the last thing his father wanted. If so…
“Father, there is a crucial matter I must bring to your attention.”
“What might that be?”
“In my assessment, this conflict will hardly remain confined to a petty spat between two organizations.”
“Hmm? What leads you to such a deduction?”
Because he intended to personally pour oil onto the flames.
“Scoundrels of the dark path are beasts by nature. A pack of wolves never bypasses bleeding prey.”
“Understanding their own nature, wouldn’t the Cheongsa Gang and Honggyo Gang settle their differences before mutually destroying one another?”
“To be frank, when I ventured out earlier, I arranged a meeting with Brother Gu.”
Baek Muryang’s eyebrows knotted instantly.
“You did what? Why throw yourself into such reckless danger?”
“A war between these factions directly threatens the survival and future of our clan, so I sought firsthand intelligence. No one suspects or fears a young child, meaning I faced no genuine peril.”
“Confound it, boy!”
Before Baek Muryang’s reprimand could fall, Steward Han intervened smoothly.
“Young Master Hwi, were you able to uncover anything of note?”
“While he refrained from divulging precise details, he confirmed this war will not cease until one faction is completely annihilated.”
“That is intelligence of the utmost significance.”
“Young Master Hwi has rendered our clan a tremendous service.”
Baek Muryang, Steward Han, and Gwak Mun promptly leaned in together, debating their impending course of action. Their considerations focused almost exclusively on evading conflict and preserving their household. Yanghwi watched them deliberate for a short while before breaking the silence.
“Father. Or rather, Lord of the House. What if we transformed this crisis into an unprecedented opportunity for our family?”
“Explain yourself.”
“The balance of power throughout Ak’an County is unraveling. This upheaval offers us the golden chance to secure a profitable business of our own and establish a lasting stream of revenue.”
“Absolutely not. The risk is intolerable.”
Seeing Baek Muryang dismiss the notion out of hand, Steward Han offered Yanghwi his support.
“It appears Young Master Hwi has conceived a concrete strategy. Would it not hurt to hear him out, My Lord?”
Behind Baek Muryang’s line of sight, the steward discreetly touched his index finger to his thumb, flashing Yanghwi the universal sign for wealth.
“Rather than seizing territory claimed by either the Honggyo Gang or the Cheongsa Gang, we target a troublesome bone of contention that burdens both sides. By absorbing it, we eliminate their headache, incur no retaliation, and leave both factions indebted to our name.”
“Young Master Hwi, can such a delicate balance truly be achieved?”
“Without a doubt. With a calculated maneuver, we can execute it seamlessly.”
This war between the rival organizations had never taken place during his previous life.
Nevertheless, the vast reservoir of memories from his former existence remained far from useless.
Yanghwi unrolled his tactical scheme, backing every step with razor-sharp logic and unassailable reasoning.
By the time roughly half a shichen had passed, the leading retainers of the Baek Estate gave their unanimous approval to pursue Yanghwi’s design.
Now that the pieces were placed across the board, extracting maximum gain was the only sensible choice.
Triggered by the Cheongsa Gang’s relentless strikes, the conflict intensified with every passing day.
Defying all initial predictions, the Cheongsa Gang continued to back their rivals into a desperate corner.
The secret behind this unbroken momentum remained singular: the specialized counter-methods.
“Young Master, the Honggyo Gang has already surrendered three prime establishments. The Cheongsa Gang’s assault grows fiercer by the hour. When do you intend to release the subsequent counter-method?”
Having raised the inquiry, Yeo Unjuk examined the boy grinning across from him in silence.
Unlike any ordinary child of comparable years, the boy kept his genuine thoughts locked behind an unreadable mask.
He carried neither innocence nor childish naivety; instead, he exuded the hardened composure of a veteran warrior who had endured decades amidst the rivers and lakes of the jianghu.
A truly chilling prodigy. Even granting an extraordinary innate aptitude, how could an eight-year-old child manifest such seasoned gravity?
“The time to initiate our subsequent move has arrived. Did you secure the details I requested?”
“Indeed. By pure coincidence, the First Squadron Leader of the Cheongsa Gang is mobilizing his troops today to storm the enterprise managed by Blood Axe Gu Ak.”
“The timing could not be more favorable. We circulate the counter-method this very day.”
Yanghwi laid out the next steps of his design, leaving Yeo Unjuk shaking his head in admiration.
“Should this plot unfold as you anticipate, Young Master, the Baek Estate will reap unfathomable wealth.”
“Will you assist me in this matter, Old Sir?”
“The task itself presents little trouble, though it steps beyond the boundaries of our original pact.”
“Sister Rang has grown weary of idle days. My plan involves granting her full managerial oversight.”
“Count on my participation.”
Having secured Yeo Unjuk’s commitment, Yanghwi conveyed a few final guidelines before rising to his feet.
“I place the matter in your capable hands.”
He hurried back toward the Baek Estate without pause.
His objective was to brief Baek Muryang and secure his father’s presence for their journey to the battlefield.
“Father, the report came through. Our objective has been confirmed.”
“…”
Baek Muryang’s expression darkened, visibly troubled that young Yanghwi continued to dabble in perilous waters.
Yet the venture promised monumental prosperity for their clan. Left without a viable alternative, the clan head let out a heavy sigh and swallowed his reservations.
“Where is the location?”
“The confrontation will unfold at Geumseon Pavilion today.”
Geumseon Pavilion was an entertainment establishment of staggering proportions, standing as one of the premier assets controlled by the Honggyo Gang.
It operated under the direct supervision of Gu Ak.
“Is it genuinely necessary for you to accompany me?”
Revisiting a settled matter merely betrayed the depth of the father’s worry.
Yanghwi offered an impish grin.
“If you visit a pleasure house unchaperoned, Mother’s heart will shatter, Father. Furthermore, arriving alongside a small child makes our presence appear entirely coincidental.”
Watching the boy display not the faintest trace of fear natural to his tender age, Baek Muryang let out another defeated sigh.
“Your reasoning holds. Very well, we depart.”
With those words, Baek Muryang’s presence shifted entirely.
The fretful father vanished, replaced instantly by a resolute patriarch moving to secure the destiny of his household.
Though their clan commanded modest standing, Baek Muryang lacked nothing when carrying the mantle of a clan head.
That was the man who led their family.
They reached Hoyeong Pavilion in less than the time required to finish half a meal.
The multi-tiered pavilion rose beside the waters of Yuhang Lake. Even from the exterior, the sharp ringing of meeting blades, furious bellows, and agonized cries were already spilling past the walls.
“It seems our timing is precise. The Cheongsa Gang and Honggyo Gang are already locked in slaughter, Father.”
“So it seems.”
The entryway stood unmanned, framed instead by crimson spatters marking the deserted doors. Keeping Yanghwi shielded behind him, Baek Muryang stepped into Hoyeong Pavilion.
The ground floor was littered with fallen corpses alongside writhing, groaning ruffians clutching their wounds.
The spray of gore thickened with every wooden flight they ascended, until reaching the third level revealed over a dozen martial artists locked in mortal struggle.
Eleven Cheongsa enforcers had cornered three battered fighters from the Honggyo Gang, among whom stood Gu Ak.
The Honggyo combatants were visibly doomed to defeat. The situation could not have unfolded more perfectly.
Observing Gu Ak swinging his twin battleaxes with the ferocity of an enraged demon, Yanghwi raised his voice in a bright, cheerful shout:
“Brother Gu! Your younger brother has arrived!”
The high, clear tone of a young boy—wildly out of place amidst a den of flying steel and severed limbs—cut through the hall, freezing the clash instantly.
Having just driven an axe head deep into the neck of a Cheongsa attacker, Gu Ak stared in sheer disbelief.
“Little Brother, what madness brings you here…?”
“Did you not arrange an appointment with our Clan Head at this very pavilion today?”
Before Gu Ak could process the bizarre assertion, Yanghwi spoke on without pausing.
“And how fortunate that the Cheongsa Gang is present as well! Since we arrived specifically to mediate peace between your two factions, this timing couldn’t be more splendid!”
Yanghwi pivoted his gaze toward the martial artist commanding the Cheongsa group.
“You must be the First Squadron Leader, correct?”
“From whose house did this brat crawl out? If you cherish your breath, drag your father and scurry out of here this instant.”
Robbed of his imminent victory, the First Squadron Leader snarled with naked venom.
Recognizing the man’s agitation, Yanghwi merely offered a radiant smile.
“Come now, would it hurt to spare an ear?”
“Hah! Even if words were exchanged, I don’t barter with wet-nosed children. Does your father serve merely as your wooden puppet?”
Smiling at dark-path scum proved an exercise in futility, just as expected.
“My father’s lineage is far too distinguished to trade pleasantries with gutter-dwelling trash who scavenge the alleys for scraps.”
While Gu Ak—a gutter-dwelling scoundrel who fit that description to the letter—shifted uncomfortably,
the First Squadron Leader lost all patience, intent on ripping the insolent whelp apart, and lunged forward.
Clang!
The Squadron Leader’s descending steel met the unyielding defense of Baek Muryang’s blade.
Tucking himself behind his father’s tall frame, Yanghwi stuck out his tongue.
“An ambush! Truly the trademark of an uncivilized brute lacking the faintest shred of decorum!”
“Insolent cur. I’ll personally tear your jaws apart.”
A suffocating aura of slaughter rolled off the First Squadron Leader while the surrounding Cheongsa fighters adjusted their steps to complete the ring of encirclement.
Even encircled by drawn blades, Yanghwi showed not a flicker of unease.
“Care to place a wager? I will stake my neck that you, First Squadron Leader, retreat from Hoyeong Pavilion within half a gak.”
“Ha! I’ll wager everything I own that your head leaves your shoulders by my blade before half a gak elapses.”
Yanghwi’s lips curled into a smirk.
“A warrior’s pledge carries the weight of a thousand gold pieces. Brother Gu, take this!”
Yanghwi flung a slender manuscript across the space.
Catching the text and scanning the initial lines, Gu Ak’s eyes went wide with shock.
“This… this is…!”
“Indeed. The exact counter-methods designed to shatter the Cheongsa Gang’s martial disciplines.”
“Where under heaven did you acquire this?!”
“I happened to pick it off the pavement on my stroll here.”
“…?”
His answer was entirely genuine.
Following Yanghwi’s explicit instructions, Yeo Unjuk had already seeded hundreds upon hundreds of transcriptions detailing those counter-methods across every market stall in the county.
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