Han Seojin drew attention alongside Bang Biyeon in an instant.
“Then, Lord Bang. We’ll head back to the temple for now. Once the Sect Leader finishes her meditation, I’ll let her know you stopped by.”
“Haha, what am I to warrant such words to the Sect Leader... Please tell her not to trouble herself over someone as insignificant as me.”
The conversation flowed between Hye-yul and Bang Biyeon, but everyone’s eyes remained fixed on Han Seojin.
Even Cheongwol’s fellow disciples whispered among themselves.
‘Leather Room Leader?’
‘He’s gone out of the village a few times lately, and just like that, he’s made it big?’
‘He’s way more capable than I thought...’
Cheongwol clenched her fists tightly.
When they called him the least popular man in the village, said he’d live alone forever.
She hated how their gaze toward him changed now that the situation had shifted.
Just keep ignoring him.
I knew first. I was the only one who knew.
He’s my friend alone.
Every time Han Seojin shifted his gaze, a new woman responded.
Faces that once ignored him completely now straightened their necks, smoothed their hair, and flashed meaningful smiles the moment his eyes brushed past.
Some even nodded gently in greeting.
Why did it bother her so much?
A stuffy pressure built up in her chest.
Their two-facedness made her tremble with rage.
Wasn’t this less about liking Han Seojin and more about drooling over the prospect of his wealth?
Were people really this ugly at heart?
Did they have no pride?
Han Seojin, whom they’d mocked, hadn’t changed a bit—yet suddenly he seemed amazing?
What if... what if trash like them actually bewitched Han Seojin?
What if he got swayed and started neglecting her?
No.
When she snapped back to reality, Cheongwol’s right hand was already gripping her sword hilt.
She hadn’t meant to draw it.
It was just like instinctively pinching her nose against a stench.
Her hand sought the sword hilt against humanity’s nauseating greed.
Cheongwol shut her eyes tight against the violent impulse.
Calm your mind.
Right, it might just be fleeting interest?
When someone succeeds in the village, it’s hard not to react like this.
She still didn’t understand why it had to be Han Seojin, why it couldn’t be anyone else.
If they could just get past this moment, maybe nothing would happen—
‘...He suddenly looks so handsome.’
Cheongwol glared toward the whisper.
...Who was that just now?
She tried to find the culprit, but there were simply too many women gathered.
Her eyes quivered faintly before the crowd.
It felt like impossible-to-eliminate enemies had sprung up everywhere in an instant.
Even a middle-aged man suddenly approached Han Seojin.
As far as Cheongwol knew, that man had a marriageable daughter.
“Leather Room Leader, impressive...! But you know, I already sensed you’d—”
Reading his intent, Cheongwol’s body moved on its own.
She planted herself in front of the middle-aged man in a flash, looking down at him coldly.
“Elder. You must have much to say, but if everyone chimes in here, it’ll only cause more chaos. Save it for later.”
“Ah... th-that... Young Lady. I was just asking after your well-being—”
“—I advise you to refrain for now.”
Every time he twitched toward Han Seojin, Cheongwol’s gaze sharpened further.
She thought.
...Ah, really.
Cheongwol’s sword made a sound.
Beasts blinded by greed are too hard to watch.
At that moment, someone grabbed Cheongwol’s right wrist.
“Ah, ahahaha!”
Surprisingly, it was Han Seojin.
At his appearance, her rage subsided with astonishing speed.
“P-please don’t fight over me. Uncle Baek, let’s talk later. For now, as the Young Lady says.”
The middle-aged man awkwardly clicked his tongue and nodded at Han Seojin’s words.
“Y-Yeah, sure...”
Left behind, Cheongwol looked at Han Seojin holding her wrist.
Her sword naturally slipped back into place.
She had so much to say, but didn’t know where to start.
This isn’t a scam, right? Can you trust that merchant?
Leader, sorry. The gossip wasn’t sincere.
Feeling good about those women’s looks? Why the goofy grin.
How can I get you to forgive me?
...Those women are after your money, Leader. Don’t get cocky. The only one watching you is me...
“Lea—”
Han Seojin released her wrist with exaggerated flair.
“Oh dear. To think I dared touch the Young Lady’s person. Forgive me...”
Hiding his true nature, pretending to be the timid man again.
Even before everyone, he avoided revealing their relationship.
Cheongwol didn’t understand.
Plenty of people had already seen them together.
Did he have to go this far?
At the moment she most wanted to flaunt their friendship, he felt the farthest away.
That fake smile hurt even more.
Unable to find words, Cheongwol whispered to her fellow disciples.
“...You guys. Just gonna stand there?”
At her words, they snapped to attention, reluctantly tearing their eyes from Han Seojin.
Then they began dispersing the crowd.
‘Watch out, step back a bit...’
‘Please make some space, bit by bit. Yes, thank you...’
Meanwhile, Han Seojin conversed with Bang Biyeon from behind.
“Lord, why not head to my place first.”
“Hm, shall we?”
Bang Biyeon began issuing orders to his caravan workers this way and that.
Han Seojin walked to the Leather Room, drawing all eyes.
Bang Biyeon and his guards followed.
Cheongwol only chased his receding back.
****
...Fuck, I almost drew my sword back there, right?
This crazy nun.
Knew it’d come to this.
Where’s that killer instinct gonna run off to?
If I hadn’t grabbed her wrist then, it might’ve turned into a massacre show.
The thought that she’d unleashed a life-risking technique in a split second made sweat bead on my forehead.
“Whew, whew...”
“You alright there?”
“Hm? Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
...Or not. Maybe even this is my victim complex.
She’s not the type to draw a sword in the village, right?
If she were that crazy, she’d have drawn it ages ago.
Cheongwol just seems so scary, everything looks that way.
“Come on, this way. We’re here. Uh, Lord. Why bring such a huge caravan?”
“To sell my prayers and boost yours. What, not pleased?”
I chuckled.
“Pleased? Never. First time getting looks like that from the villagers.”
“Hahaha! Glad you like it. Get used to it. Soon, wherever you go, those eyes’ll follow.”
...Hm. Should I be happy or not.
Too much spotlight is a real pass.
The bigger you get, the harder to avoid wars.
...Eh, what big shot. Don’t get ahead of yourself on some hype.
How rich can you get selling sexy leather outfits?
“Here we are.”
I proudly showed Bang Biyeon my nest.
“...Way shabbier than I imagined.”
He frowned but strode inside without hesitation.
His guards waited outside the door.
Once seated, he got down to business.
“Young Hero Han. As you’ve guessed... it’s a hit.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. A massive craze. How’d you even think of those clothes...”
Bang Biyeon grinned.
“...Inspired by Emei Sect disciples? Perverted more than I thought.”
“Ahaha... Dangerous words, sir.”
...Perverted, sure, but not from Emei Sect.
Just looking at that Cheongwol bitch kills any lust that sprouts.
“Meant as praise. For merchants like us, making money’s all that matters, no?”
“I’m hardly a merchant yet...”
“You will be soon. And you’ll escape this cramped shack too.”
After some greetings, we dove into a long talk.
Staggering news: one silver per leather outfit set.
To fend off future copies, leave a unique signature on each.
Support for whatever we need.
Think up new outfits too.
“...Wow.”
The dizzying reality was hard to swallow.
One silver per set. After material costs.
“Of course, it hinges on the trend lasting. People might lose interest overnight.”
“I know. I know, but...”
That much silver ends my poverty.
No doubt about it.
Save steadily, and I could live like those rich folks in the capital—big mansion, servants and all.
My fate blooming like this?
On one fluke?
Leather clothes and a lucky break?
“You seem thrilled.”
Bang Biyeon noted my leaking grin.
“Sorry. Can’t stop smiling...”
“No worries, haha. Your joy makes me happy too.”
“Lord. Why treat me so well? Honestly, this favor makes me uneasy.”
“Fretting even over coming fortune? Poverty’s sunk deep into your bones, eh?”
The closer we got, the sharper his jokes.
He smiled.
“Didn’t I say? A merchant’s power is trust. Besides, no one in the Central Plains would’ve dreamed up such vulgar yet brilliant clothes. Who knows what else your mind’ll birth? Why slit the golden goose for one leather outfit?”
...This uncle.
So damn cool.
Can’t stop the surging respect.
“And why doubt my intent? I’m not losing out to favor you. I just sit back, broker, and money rolls in. Shouldn’t I be the grateful one? Might be Changhwa Caravan’s chance to level up.”
Is this how Demonic Cultists felt idolizing the Seven Heavens?
Bang Biyeon seemed to glow from behind.
Gonna rank him after those three beggar uncles in respect.
Talks wrapped up, he scanned my place.
“...Reminds me of my past. Lived in a dump like this as a kid. Folks busy working... I had to wrangle the siblings.”
“...”
“Tough times. Same for you? Cold when cold, hot when hot... Leaks in rain, bugs crawling everywhere. Stomach always starving. I had family warmth, but you? Not lonely?”
“...Manageable enough.”
Thanks to killing time with SM gear.
“Looks like you live alone, yeah?”
I nodded.
“Not separated from family?”
“Orphan here. Don’t know my parents’ fate or faces. No clue on other kin.”
“Alone either way.”
“Yeah.”
“Must’ve been rough solo. You’re tough.”
“Too kind.”
He blinked nostalgically, lost in memory.
“...Makes me miss my parents suddenly.”
“...”
“Became a merchant to end poverty, but now I regret not spending more time with family. Merchant life has endless hours, but family time? Fleeting.”
This uncle’s got his pains too.
“Buddha’s watching over them.”
“Probably. They’re near Henan, by Shaolin Temple.”
“...Pardon?”
“Hm? Thought they passed? Nah, just far away, don’t see ’em much. Living it up on my money, having fun.”
What. Worried for nothing.
But that’s cool too. Filial son.
If I make bank... gotta take care of Uncles Gwak Du, Gu Yeong, Ma Childeok.
Not nag over a few stolen coins.
“Anyway, better this way. No family here makes things easier.”
“Hm?”
Bang Biyeon took a deep breath.
“Ever thought of moving to the capital?”
That’s when noise stirred outside.
His guards were talking to someone.
Bang Biyeon and I both looked to the door.
Soon, a knock.
‘May I come in for a moment?’
A refined, kindly voice rang out.
Familiar, but not quite pinning it.
Bang Biyeon chuckled and eyed me.
“...Folks already angling to marry off daughters. Enjoy, but don’t get swept away.”
“What’re you...”
Honestly grinning inside, I forced it down and replied.
“Yes, come in!”
The rotting door creaked open.
Bang Biyeon and I both froze at the sight.
Muwol Satae.
Emei Sect’s Leader.
A presence that shot Bang Biyeon to his feet too.
“S-Sect Leader. To grace this hovel... Should’ve summoned me...”
I calmed my shock at Bang Biyeon’s words and actions.
Right. She’s here because of Bang Biyeon?
Scared me, forgetting the obvious.
Nun or not, who’d visit a dump like this—
“...Huh?”
Then, I peered past Muwol Satae’s shoulder.
Cheongwol stood there too.
“...”
Fidgeting like an eager puppy, lips bitten tight.
“No. Everyone I wished to meet was gathered here...”
The old nun’s gaze fixed on me.
...Wanted to see me too?
Even she, like the villagers, for Bang Biyeon?
I couldn’t speak.
...But something.
...My gut said it wasn’t for Bang Biyeon.
She glanced briefly at my lower abdomen and said.
“...Young Master Han Seojin. Might this old nun share a cup of tea with you?”