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chapter 31
In front of the Yang family’s fabric shop, Nabugang glanced to the side and asked,
“Why are you following me?”
“Well, I’m worried about you, brother. You’ve been acting so impulsively these past couple of days.”
“Oh-ho! Is that how it is?”
Nabugang didn’t say more and walked into the fabric shop.
Seeing the two of them, the shopkeeper bowed slightly and said,
“Oh! Welcome. If you’re here for the Yuanlong robe and Jehung-yu, don’t worry. We’ve secured the material and started making them. They should be finished in three days.”
Nabugang looked at the man with a detached expression.
Though the man with the goat-like beard seemed polite, he was subtly implying that cancellations were impossible.
Nabugang thought once again how impressive Danyeop was.
“Shopkeeper, I’m not here for clothes. I came to see Danyeop. Where is he now?”
“Danyeop? Did that boy do something wrong?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“Ah, I see. Let me see… it’s almost the evening hour (around 7 PM), so he should be back soon.”
“Did he send you on an errand?”
“No, he just wanders around without doing much. I let him slide, but others wouldn’t tolerate it.”
“I see.”
Nabugang pressed his lips together, as if he had nothing more to say.
An awkward silence fell inside the shop.
The shopkeeper excused himself to check on the fabric inventory and slipped away.
Nakumryeong whispered softly into Nabugang’s ear,
“The owner’s quite narrow-minded. He’s going to make a fortune because of Danyeop, yet others wouldn’t tolerate him?”
“Huh! Why? Are you angry?”
“I’m not angry; I’m just stating a fact.”
The siblings continued talking about the shopkeeper’s words when Danyeop returned.
As soon as his eyes met the two, he immediately bowed respectfully with both hands clasped in front.
“I am Na So-hyeop, and my sister is Na Yeoh-hyeop. Welcome.”
“You’re back. I came to talk to you, so here I am.”
Nabugang then asked the shopkeeper for permission, took Danyeop outside, and followed him.
By now it was the early evening hour (7 PM), and Nabugang chose a nearby tea house without going far.
Once seated, Nabugang naturally ordered tea.
Soon after, the tea set arrived, and Nakumryeong brewed and poured it into their cups.
As the aroma of tea spread, Nabugang spoke.
“I hope I’m not bothering someone busy.”
Knowing Danyeop’s age, Nabugang spoke casually.
“I’m not busy. All that’s left is going home and having dinner.”
Though two full days had passed, Danyeop was still alert and lively.
“Haha, that’s good. Actually, I was curious about what kind of person you are, so I came to find out.”
“Me?”
Nakumryeong interjected,
“It’s true. He said he liked your honesty, so he suddenly decided to meet you.”
Danyeop looked at Nabugang in embarrassment.
Nabugang chuckled softly and said,
“As you know, I am the eldest grandson of the Jinbo family, and this is my younger sibling. We both learned martial arts at Hyeonmugwan. My sibling still trains there, but I’ve been studying the Four Classical Studies recently.”
“The Four Classical Studies?”
“It’s where Confucian classics are taught. Nobles learn at national academies, while commoners study the Four Classics at private schools.”
Although he was the son of the Jinbo family, no one in his household held an official post, so Nabugang studied at a private academy.
“Oh, preparing for the civil service exams?”
“Well, it would be nice if I passed.”
Seeing his vague answer, Nakumryeong added,
“My brother wants to inherit the family business. These days, attending the academy is my father’s decision.”
Nabugang smiled awkwardly.
“I’m a filial son, after all.”
“Ah, I see.”
Danyeop nodded, and Nabugang asked lightly,
“Now tell me about yourself. What kind of person are you?”
“As I mentioned before, I lived with orphans until recently. Then, I was lucky to get a job at a fabric shop, and now I’m learning diligently.”
“Have you learned martial arts?”
Danyeop hesitated, so Nabugang quickly changed the topic.
“If it’s difficult to answer, you don’t have to.”
“Thank you for understanding. I’ll make sure to tell you about it when I get the chance.”
“To hear that, we’ll have to meet often and get closer.”
“Don’t expect too much; it’s a humble place.”
Danyeop’s tone was as calm as if he were talking about someone else.
Nakumryeong frowned slightly at his words, feeling he demeaned his own school.
But she assumed there was a reason and didn’t press further.
When they had finished the tea, Nabugang suddenly said,
“I like you, Danyeop. But what about you? Do you think I’m not suitable as an elder brother?”
“Oh! That’s absurd. How could that be?”
“Then why do you keep calling me Na So-hyeop? I call you Danyeop.”
Nakumryeong shook her head in disbelief.
Her brother had always pushed people away to protect himself. Many tried to take advantage of him.
Yet now he was suggesting close kinship to a mere fabric shop clerk he barely knew.
She watched Danyeop’s reaction closely.
But his response was unexpected.
He didn’t bite at the offer immediately.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but if the Jinbo family’s eldest grandson treats a shop clerk as a brother, people will think it strange.”
Nabugang’s expression turned serious.
“When making friends, do you consider their family? Have you forgotten I study at a private academy? Our family is ordinary, except for a bit of wealth from business. Sometimes we have money, sometimes we don’t. Refusing for such a reason? I’m disappointed in you.”
Danyeop, realizing his mistake, bowed quickly.
“I was short-sighted. Please guide this lacking younger brother well, elder brother.”
“Ha-ha! You should have said that sooner. Let’s get up.”
Thinking it was time to part, Danyeop stood quickly to say goodbye.
“Yes, then take care.”
“Why? You said all that’s left is dinner at home. Today’s a special day, so come along; I’ll treat you.”
“Yes.”
Danyeop, needing to eat anyway, didn’t refuse.
Nabugang led them to Hwageumdang, the largest and most luxurious restaurant in Poshibang.
The clerk, recognizing the Na siblings, guided them to a window table on the upper floor.
Once seated, the clerk spoke cautiously,
“Grandson, what would you like? Our specialty dishes include Roasted Hu-style Lamb, Drunken Phoenix Chicken, Jade Mountain Delicacies, Dragon Beard Golden Noodles, Steamed Flower Carved Abalone, and Drunken Beef in Yellow Wine.”
“Bring all of them.”
True to his status, Nabugang spent freely.
“Yes, sir.”
Danyeop was surprised by his adoptive brother’s generosity but kept his expression neutral.
The atmosphere grew awkward, so perceptive Nakumryeong spoke first.
“Our brother has a big hand when it comes to spending. Many tried to take advantage of him.”
“Sister, speak freely.”
Nakumryeong, two years older than Danyeop, gladly accepted his invitation.
“Good. You’re now part of our family, so maybe you can tell us about your school?”
Danyeop scratched his head, glanced around, and said softly,
“I am a student of the Point School, a branch of the Hao Sect.”
The siblings blinked in shock.
Both were from Hyeonmugwan and held strong prejudices against the Hao Sect.
The most despised sect in the martial world?
Nakumryeong now saw Danyeop differently.
Nabugang also felt that his supposed “extraordinary honesty” seemed cunning.
Danyeop felt bitter at their reaction.
Poverty was fine, but the Hao Sect seemed unacceptable to them.
‘I couldn’t have told them from the start. Sorry about that.’
Soon, the dishes arrived one by one.
Though it was a feast, Danyeop didn’t feel as happy as when he had the meat bun at Hyangmanlu.
Nabugang spoke less, and Nakumryeong, usually witty, also stayed quiet.
She noticed her brother, who disliked approaching others, was now actively befriending someone from the Hao Sect.
Especially since Nabugang was a top disciple of Hyeonmugwan and proud of his sect.
‘Tsk! I thought he hesitated, maybe he’s from the rogue sect…’
If that were the case, he might have brushed it off with a laugh.
But the Hao Sect was indeed questionable—thieves, scammers, and swindlers in the eyes of proper martial sects.
Halfway through the meal, the three left.
They parted in front of Hwageumdang, and Danyeop trudged back to Boseonbang, his lodging.
Boseonbang.
The old master’s house.
As Danyeop entered the yard, Ma-deung, having dinner, waved with a smile.
“Danyeop! You’re late. Did you eat?”
“Yes, someone treated me.”
“Lucky you. But why the long face? Was the fabric shop tough?”
“No, human relationships aren’t easy.”
“Girl problems? You shouldn’t be worrying about that face.”
“It’s a guy problem.”
“Ah! That’s worse. Are you saying you like men?”
“I like women.”
“Really? People relationships are hard. That’s why I endure working alone even if it’s tough.”
Danyeop quickly changed the topic to avoid misunderstanding.
“How about the old master?”
“Still not around. I wonder if he’s passed away.”
“No way.”
“If we don’t see him for a few days, we should worry. Even the person who used your room died this spring.”
“Really?”
Danyeop widened his eyes in shock.
Apparently, the flint given by the old master belonged to that person.
After a while, Danyeop bid farewell to Ma-deung and entered his room.
Sitting quietly, his mind became heavy with thoughts.
‘With Ma-deung in the yard, I can’t train martial arts. What should I do?’
He decided to find a suitable place for training.
Determined, he rushed outside.
Since the old master’s house was remote, a little further led to an empty field.
After wandering for some time, he saw an abandoned house.
The place felt eerie, but he entered without hesitation.
With the remaining walls and ruined buildings, one could hide and train.
“Perfect!”
Compared to the old master’s backyard, this place was a hundred times better.
Danyeop slowly began practicing his refined martial arts techniques.
Cheonbung Fist, Ho-hak Twin Fist, Beoncheon Water, Seomjeon Palm…
His mind, shaken by the Na siblings’ affair, gradually calmed.
‘Using the body really does help.’
He picked up a branch and practiced the Hundred Flow Sword Method.
As time passed, Danyeop fell into a state of ecstasy.
His aura swirled around him like a dragon’s power.
Whoooosh—
