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Chapter: 03
Bang!
The gates of the government office slammed shut.
Step. Step.
Walking out side by side, Jin Cheong-un and Jeong Soso stared blankly into empty space as though they had made a silent agreement.
“…”
“…”
Perhaps this was what people who had lost their country looked like.
The two had desperately clung to the official’s pant leg, begging for help, but in the end, they received nothing.
“What do you mean, what should you do? That’s for you to figure out yourselves. Tsk, tsk! Young people ought to be more careful.”
“That’s what fraud is. The ones who get scammed are stu— H-Hey! You lunatic! Who are you grabbing by the collar?! L-Let go! Guards! Guards!”
Creeak!
Jin Cheong-un ground his teeth so hard they seemed ready to shatter.
‘That Building King…’
Murderous intent flashed through his eyes.
‘Just let me catch you. I’ll grind even your bones into powder.’
Never in his life had he felt such overwhelming rage.
This was the kind of enemy one would call an irreconcilable foe.
He swore to the heavens that the man would pay dearly.
‘But…’
What was he supposed to do for now?
‘Should I send a message to the Alliance?’
Even if he had retired, the Alliance Leader wouldn’t simply ignore him because of their relationship…
“Didn’t you just retire? What happened already? Hm? Building King? Which martial arts master is that? What? Just a swindler? You lost your retirement fund? Hahaha! Don’t worry. I’ll help you. Of course I’ll help! Absolutely!”
…He would rather drown himself in a basin of water than ask the Martial Alliance for help.
“Haa… Fine. I’ll just consider this an expensive life lesson.”
Jin Cheong-un let out a long sigh.
Some people lost their entire fortunes after being scammed once.
Compared to that, wasn’t he still relatively fortunate?
The land might be gone, but the manor legally belonged to him, and he still had some savings left for opening his martial arts school…
“…”
Damn it.
What was there to feel relieved about?
His eyes became moist.
Just then—
“Um… are you alright?”
Jeong Soso cautiously asked, watching his expression.
“…I’m fine. Forgive me for showing such a disgraceful side of myself.”
“Please stay strong. I know exactly how you feel.”
“…?”
“It’s always like this in the beginning. But time solves everything.”
“My lady, I appreciate the comfort, but do you even know what kind of money that was?”
That money had been squeezed from him beneath the tyrannical Martial Alliance Leader.
Not figuratively.
Literally his blood and sweat.
“Maybe so. But in the end, it’s all pretty much the same.”
“The same?”
“At first you refuse to accept reality and stay in denial. Then after a while, you’re furious enough to explode. Eventually… you give up and compromise. You tell yourself it was just the price of learning how the world works.”
Jin Cheong-un was secretly astonished.
What is she? A fortune teller?
“You cry a little in the middle of the night, lose sleep for a few nights…”
She smiled with the serenity of an enlightened old monk.
“…and eventually, you really do get over it.”
“So let the past go. Somehow, people always find a way to keep living.”
Jin Cheong-un slowly nodded before asking curiously,
“But… how do you know all that?”
“Please don’t ask.”
She smiled bitterly.
“I never wanted to know either.”
“…”
Jeong Soso gazed toward the distant mountains.
Silence settled between them.
Jin Cheong-un took a deep breath.
‘Right. Just because I buttoned the first button wrong doesn’t mean I have to ruin the rest.’
Building King was one thing.
He still had to open his martial arts academy, recruit disciples…
There was a mountain of work ahead.
‘That’s right. You can’t spend your whole life looking backward. You have to look forward.’
With a faint smile, he said,
“Thank you for your advice. It truly helped.”
“It was nothing.”
“I’ve shown an embarrassing side of myself before someone so young. You must feel just as though lightning struck you out of a clear sky.”
“No.”
Jeong Soso smiled with complete resignation.
“My debts are already piled up like a mountain. One more rock won’t make much difference.”
“…”
“I’m really fine. You’re the one who lost so much money. You must be worried. Stay strong.”
“Huh.”
She looked barely grown, yet she carried herself with such maturity.
‘Alliance Leader… you really should learn something from this young lady.’
As he imagined Yeo Unbaek flying into a rage if he heard that thought, Jeong Soso asked,
“By the way… do you have anywhere to stay?”
“Somewhere to stay?”
“I never intended to let anyone in, but considering your circumstances… you can stay at our house for a while.”
“…What?”
“The manor has plenty of empty rooms, so you won’t be uncomfortable…”
“Wait.”
Jin Cheong-un frowned.
“What exactly are you talking about?”
“Please don’t refuse. Since fate brought us together, you can stay a few days until you find another place.”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Hm?”
“Why do you keep talking as though I’m the one who has to move out?”
The surroundings suddenly fell silent.
At that very moment, the warm atmosphere froze like thin ice.
“Because… I’m the owner of the land.”
“I’m the owner of the house.”
“The house is standing on my land.”
“Not your house. My house.”
Their eyes changed instantly.
Like starving beasts, each glared at the other, unwilling to surrender their prey.
“That house originally belonged to the Jeong family.”
“I’m the current owner. It was sold to the creditor.”
“But not the land. That part was obtained through fraud.”
“…!”
“What kind of world lets the landowner get kicked off her own land? My family has lived there our entire lives. Our entire lives!”
“Then does it make sense for the homeowner to be thrown out of his own house?”
“…Excuse me. Why have you been speaking more and more casually?”
“Me? Since when?”
“Even now!”
“Now, now. Calm down. Why are you getting so angry? You’re disturbing everyone around us.”
“W-When was I angry?!”
“You are right now. These things should be settled through calm conversation. Why are you shouting like that…”
“Hey! Stop casually talking down to me!”
Just then—
Bang!
The government office gates flew open, and a guard shouted,
“You idiots! Do you have any idea where you are? You got thrown out and still haven’t come to your senses! Get lost already!”
Jin Cheong-un and Jeong Soso turned their heads simultaneously.
“You’re the noisy one! We’re discussing something important!”
“We’ll handle it ourselves, so stay out of it. Damn it… maybe I should just burn this government office down.”
The guard froze, overwhelmed by their momentum.
Standing stiff as stone, he slowly bowed his head.
“My apologies. Please… continue your discussion.”
He awkwardly backed away before quietly closing the gate.
Inside, his superior narrowed his eyes.
“I told you to chase them away. Why’d you come back?”
“They’re insane.”
“Hm?”
“They’ve completely lost their minds. I think it’s best not to provoke them.”
His superior blinked for a moment before nodding.
“Hmm. You’re right. It’s best not to get involved with crazy people.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Kids these days… Tsk.”
A little while later, at the Jeong Manor on the northern edge of Cherry Blossom Village.
Seated at the dinner table, Jeong Soryong glanced from one side to the other.
“…”
“…”
Jin Cheong-un and Jeong Soso sat facing each other.
To prepare dinner for her younger brother, Jeong Soso had ended the argument first and returned home.
Naturally, Jin Cheong-un had followed, since the house was legally his.
“So… you really came without holding back.”
They ended up sitting across from one another at the table.
“I didn’t come on my own. This kid invited me.”
Jin Cheong-un confidently pointed at Jeong Soryong.
“That’s right, Sis. We have a guest. How could we eat separately? You always said that wasn’t polite.”
“Soryong, listen carefully. Just because someone enters the house doesn’t automatically make them a guest.”
Jin Cheong-un nodded.
“Exactly. Since I’m the homeowner, how could I be a guest?”
“As I’ve already said, I’m the owner of the land.”
“Who said anything about the land? I said the house.”
“…!”
Jeong Soso’s eyes widened after taking that hit.
Jeong Soryong sighed.
“Sis, let’s stop. No matter what, he’s our guest. Raising your voices at the dinner table isn’t polite.”
Naturally, the argument came to an abrupt halt.
Jin Cheong-un blinked.
‘Does a child usually say things like that?’
Jeong Soso seemed accustomed to it and let out a long sigh.
Finally, she spoke in a slightly sulky voice.
“…For now, please eat before the food gets cold. It isn’t much, but if it isn’t enough, just let me know.”
In the end, she was the first to back down.
Whatever the situation, he was still a guest… sort of.
It felt wrong to keep arguing after setting the table.
“Ahem. Good. I thought I’d have to skip dinner. Thank you. I’ll eat well.”
“…You’re welcome.”
“Oh, by the way.”
“Do you need something?”
Jin Cheong-un slowly looked over the dishes.
“Isn’t there any meat?”
“…No.”
“Ah… I don’t really feel full unless there’s meat.”
Jeong Soso blinked and absentmindedly touched her ear.
Did I hear that right?
“Still, you went to the trouble of preparing this meal. It would be shameless to complain. I can eat just fine even with simple side dishes. Thank you for the meal.”
Isn’t that already shameless?
You’re complaining plenty!
She stared blankly, speechless.
‘How can someone be so shameless?!’
Ignoring her reaction, Jin Cheong-un examined the table again.
“Hmm.”
Boiled greens.
Stir-fried greens.
Seasoned greens…
Even the monks of Shaolin would admire such a perfect vegetarian spread.
He casually picked up some stir-fried vegetables and took a bite.
“…!”
His eyes flew open.
‘Did I just eat meat?’
No.
‘This flavor came from stir-fried vegetables?’
Delicious.
People said hunger was the best seasoning, but even considering that…
This was genuinely excellent.
The seasoning was perfect, and the vegetables had been cooked to exactly the right texture…
Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack!
Jin Cheong-un’s chopsticks began moving at lightning speed.
“So… does it suit your taste?”
“It’s incredible! How did you make vegetables taste like this?”
Jeong Soso couldn’t help looking a little proud.
“I learned directly from the best inn in Cherry Blossom Village. My cooking is always praised by the guests.”
“I believe it. You’re better than most chefs at high-class inns.”
“Have you tried the braised tofu?”
“What? Tofu can taste like this?!”
“Would you like another bowl of rice?”
“Oh, thanks.”
“Eat as much as you want!”
Beaming, Jeong Soso happily piled another mountain of rice into his bowl.
Then she suddenly froze.
‘Wait… is this right?’
She suddenly felt awkward.
For some reason, she no longer had much of an appetite.
Only after the meal was over did she speak again.
“Now that we’ve finished eating… I’d like us to have a serious discussion.”
“Fine. Let’s do that.”
With the dishes cleared away, the two faced each other with icy expressions.
“So… what are you planning to do?”
“I’ve been thinking.”
Jin Cheong-un lightly tapped the table.
“How about selling me the land?”
Jeong Soso bit her lower lip.
Looking downward, she quietly replied,
“…I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“This is the precious home I’ve lived in my entire life.”
“Then buy the deed to the house back from me.”
“I-I don’t have that kind of money right now…”
Jin Cheong-un sighed.
“Let’s be honest. I heard you’re carrying a lot of debt. Selling the land would solve several problems at once. I thought I was making a considerate offer.”
“…”
“If you have a better solution, let’s hear it.”
Jeong Soso remained silent, staring only at the floor.
Finally, she spoke.
“…I’m sorry. I know I’m being shameless. But… we can’t leave this house.”
“Hmm.”
Jin Cheong-un crossed his arms and sighed.
Just then—
“Then… why don’t we just live together?”
Jeong Soryong’s sudden suggestion startled Jeong Soso.
“Soryong! What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Why? We have lots of empty rooms. No one even uses the detached house.”
“You can’t just let an unrelated man stay in our home. What would the villagers say? Besides, people carrying swords like him aren’t the kind you casually invite in.”
“The man with the sword is listening, you know…”
“I-I didn’t mean… Sorry.”
Jeong Soryong calmly continued,
“Then what are we supposed to do? Didn’t this mister buy our house deed?”
“…”
“Who cares what the villagers think? This mister’s fine. He’s not like those men from the Black Tiger Gang…”
Cough! Cough!
Suddenly, Jeong Soryong covered his mouth as a violent coughing fit overtook him.
When he lowered his hand, bright red drops of blood stained his sleeve.
Jeong Soso cried out in horror.
“Soryong! D-Don’t tell me you didn’t take your medicine today?!”
“No… I just… the medicine’s expensive. I was going to take it after dinner… Cough!”
“S-Stay still! I’ll brew your herbal medicine right away!”
“I’m fine. Really… I’m…”
Reaching out to stop his sister—
His body suddenly collapsed from the chair.
“Soryong! Soryong!”
Jeong Soso caught him, her face turning pale.
‘His body’s burning up! He’d been feeling better lately, so why is he having another attack?!’
At that moment, Jin Cheong-un spoke in a calm voice.
“Move aside for a moment.”
Without waiting for permission, he grabbed Jeong Soryong’s wrist.
The boy’s wrist was far too thin, even for a child.
An instant later, Jin Cheong-un’s eyes widened.
‘A Severed Meridian?’
