Chapter 17: The Treasure of the Baek Ri Clan (2)

The main gate of the Muhan Branch swung open for the first time in a long while.

Red lanterns, signifying a joyous occasion, adorned the eaves, and bonfires crackled merrily in the courtyard.

Servants scurried about, preparing for the arrival of an esteemed guest.

“Hahaha, Master So, welcome!”

Baek Ri Jeong-sun, his face beaming with delight, rushed forward to greet the man who had just arrived on horseback.

So Yong-dae.

The man known as Master So was a middle-aged merchant with streaks of gray in his hair.

He dismounted gracefully, his long, flowing robes billowing in the wind.

“Greetings, Master Baek. Thank you for your warm welcome.”

After exchanging pleasantries, So Yong-dae got straight to the point.

“I heard the manual is finally complete. Is it true?”

“Haha, why would I lie to you, Master So?”

“Wonderful! Thank you, Master Baek!”

So Yong-dae expressed his gratitude profusely, then barked, “What are you waiting for?! Show Master Baek our appreciation!”

“Yes, Master!”

The servants who had accompanied So Yong-dae quickly unloaded several chests from their wagons.

Baek Ri Jeong-sun’s eyes gleamed with delight as he saw the jewels and silver that filled the chests.

“I apologize for the meager offerings. We were in a hurry.”

“Meager offerings? This is a fortune! Master So, you’re too generous!”

“It’s nothing. We’re practically family now.”

Baek Ri Jeong-sun laughed heartily.

“Hahaha, you’re right! We’re family!”

“Greetings, Father-in-law.”

Baek Ri Man-ho and his wife beamed with delight.

“Haha, I’m so happy to have such a wonderful brother-in-law.”

“This is a joyous occasion! Please, make yourself at home.”

The gates of the Muhan Branch closed behind them, sealing their fate.

***

Baek Ri Jeong-sun led So Yong-dae to the guest hall.

It was one of the most lavishly decorated rooms in the Muhan Branch, rivaled only by Baek Ri Jeong-sun’s own office.

The servants called it the “Hall of Wealth and Honor,” and it was so opulent that it could intimidate even the most seasoned guests.

It was reserved for important occasions, such as welcoming esteemed guests or negotiating business deals.

After several rounds of drinks…

Baek Ri Jeong-sun, his face flushed with alcohol, called for a servant.

“Bring Seol-ah here.”

“Yes, Master.”

Moments later, Baek Ri-seol entered the room, dressed in a flowing blue and white gown.

She had traded her usual training uniform for a traditional dress, her hair adorned with elaborate ornaments and her lips painted a bright red.

She walked gracefully, her every movement calculated to please.

So Yong-dae’s eyes widened in appreciation.

“Oh my, she’s beautiful.”

“Haha, it seems our new groom is smitten.”

Baek Ri Jeong-sun chuckled, trying to appear nonchalant.

“Don’t drool, you’ll have plenty of time to admire her later. Come, have a seat.”

The feast resumed, and Baek Ri-seol was once again ignored.

“Sniff… sniff…”

She fought back tears, her heart breaking.

‘It’s over.’

How had it come to this?

Was it her fault for listening to her family, for believing that her duty was to serve the clan?

Was it her fault for enduring their abuse, for hoping that things would get better?

Perhaps it was a combination of all those things.

She suddenly felt envious of Cho Un-hwi and Namgung Yun-ho.

She longed to return to those carefree days, even if they had been built on a lie.

‘I have to give up.’

Tears streamed down her face, soaking her dress.

***

The streets were wide, spacious enough to accommodate four carriages side by side.

The walls that lined the streets were so tall that he had to crane his neck to see the top.

Beyond the walls, countless grand buildings towered over the city.

It was one of the wealthiest districts in Muhan City.

Cho Un-hwi walked for a long time before reaching his destination.

His first impression was simple:

“This place is depressing.”

Yeo Mae-hong had told him that it was an exclusive district, home to high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants.

She had said that everyone dreamed of living here.

But he disagreed.

“This isn’t a place for people to live.”

The streets were lined with cold, gray walls.

And the houses were surrounded by high fences, designed to keep out intruders and prying eyes.

He doubted anyone would even notice if their neighbor’s house burned down.

“But I like that.”

He walked down the middle of the street, repeating Yo-ran’s words in his mind.

*Baek Ri Jeong-sun, the White Dragon Swordsman, is not the honorable man he pretends to be.*

*He rose to power through his cunning business skills, not his martial arts prowess.*

*He’s become obsessed with wealth, willing to do anything to increase his fortune.*

She had also told him about Baek Ri Jeong-sun’s family.

*Baek Ri Man-ho, the eldest son, is a parasite who relies on his father’s influence.*

*He’s a disgrace to the Baek Ri Clan, and everyone knows it.*

And she had told him about Baek Ri-seol.

*She’s been ostracized by her family.*

*She’s nothing more than a valuable asset to Baek Ri Jeong-sun, a pawn to be traded for profit.*

*The servants call her the “False Flower.”*

“So that’s why…”

He had always found Baek Ri-seol’s constant boasting strange.

*I’m special!*

*I’m the precious daughter of the Baek Ri Clan!*

*My father will give me anything I want! Are you impressed?*

*My room is a reflection of how much I’m loved!*

He had suspected that something was amiss.

Her constant need for validation had been a red flag.

“Truly loved children don’t need to brag.”

They know they’re loved, so they don’t feel the need to constantly remind everyone.

He had started to suspect that something was wrong, and his suspicions were confirmed when he saw her room.

It was bare and empty, devoid of any personal touches.

What kind of loving parent would leave their child in such a desolate room?

It was a temporary space, a place that she could easily discard.

That was the feeling he got.

“She’s more trouble than I thought.”

He reached the end of the street and saw a large manor, its red walls glowing in the setting sun.

*The Muhan Branch of the Baek Ri Clan.*

His destination.

***

Cho Un-hwi approached the manor and addressed the guard at the gate.

“Excuse me, is this the Baek Ri Clan’s residence?”

“It is.”

“It seems rather lively today. Is there a special occasion?”

“There is a celebration.”

“What are you celebrating?”

“I’m afraid I can’t tell you. The master will make an announcement soon. But…”

The guard’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Cho Un-hwi chuckled.

“I’m Cho, an instructor from the Shinmu Academy.”

“The Shinmu Academy… you must know Miss Seol.”

“May I enter?”

“We received a message from the Head Instructor of Dongcheon Hall. Please leave your weapons here.”

“Thank you.”

He handed his sword to the guard and stepped inside the manor.

“Instructor Cho!”

A young woman, her face pale with worry, rushed towards him.

“Miss Seol! Miss Seol!”

Ryeong-ryong’s voice trembled as she spoke.

Cho Un-hwi’s lips curled into a small smile.

***

Ryeong-ryong led him through the manor, her voice trembling as she explained the situation.

“The master suddenly summoned Miss Seol…”

“Who is this Master So?” Cho Un-hwi interrupted.

“Master So Yong-dae is the main benefactor of the Muhan Branch. He’s a wealthy merchant who owns several large trading companies.”

“I see.”

“He’s been a close friend of the master for many years, and he proposed to Miss Seol a while ago. She rejected him, but he didn’t give up.”

It was a cliché story.

A wealthy merchant falls in love with the daughter of a powerful clan leader.

The clan leader, blinded by greed, forces his daughter to marry the merchant.

That was Ryeong-ryong’s explanation.

“He picked a rather inconvenient day to visit. I shouldn’t have come.”

“…The master is waiting for you in the annex. He wants to thank you for your service and speak to you privately.”

“Thank me? This is turning out to be quite a productive visit. Lead the way.”

“Yes, Instructor.”

They walked through several corridors and passed two gardens before reaching a small annex nestled behind a bamboo grove.

“This is a secluded spot.”

“The master said he needed a private place to discuss confidential matters with his guest.”

“Well, I can’t complain. Lead the way.”

“Yes, Instructor.”

They entered the annex, and Cho Un-hwi was greeted by a scene of opulence.

The walls were covered in gold leaf, and the room was filled with exquisite ornaments and furnishings.

It was like a treasure vault.

‘There she is.’

He spotted Baek Ri-seol sitting alone in a corner of the room.

A middle-aged man, seated at the head of the table, stood up and addressed Ryeong-ryong.

“Is this him?”

“Yes, Master. This is Instructor Cho Un-hwi, Miss Seol’s instructor.”

“My daughter has spoken highly of you. You’ve been a great help to her.”

Baek Ri-seol avoided his gaze.

‘She’s embarrassed.’

It was understandable. She was being forced to marry a man old enough to be her father.

Cho Un-hwi chuckled and bowed halfheartedly.

“I’m just that good.”

“Haha, you’re a bold one. Most people are too intimidated to speak in my presence. You’re a true man.”

Baek Ri Jeong-sun laughed heartily, then noticed the box Cho Un-hwi was carrying.

“What’s that?”

“It’s the reward you gave me. I’m returning it. It doesn’t suit me.”

He opened the box, revealing the silver ingots.

Baek Ri Jeong-sun clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk, you fool. You think you can buy a man of his stature with such a paltry sum? Guards!”

He had misinterpreted Cho Un-hwi’s intentions, assuming he had come to bribe him.

He called for his guards and ordered them to bring another box.

“Take this.”

“Is this gold?”

Baek Ri Jeong-sun pointed to the gold ingots that filled the box.

“Consider it an apology for my foolish daughter’s mistake. Take it.”

“I’ll get fired if I accept bribes.”

“Hahaha, I’m not going to punish a dedicated instructor for accepting a small token of appreciation from a grateful parent.”

“That’s very kind of you, but…”

“But I have a condition.”

Baek Ri Jeong-sun set down his cup and leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with greed.

“Let’s get straight to the point.”

“I heard you’re quite skilled at analyzing martial arts techniques. How would you like to work for me?”

“I’m afraid I can’t.”

“You can’t?”

“It’s against the rules to hold two jobs.”

“Hahahahahaha!”

Baek Ri Jeong-sun’s laughter died abruptly, his expression turning cold.

“It seems you’re not interested in my offer.”

He gestured towards his guards, who were standing in the corners of the room.

They tapped their sword hilts menacingly.

“Is this why you invited me to the annex?”

“This is the most secure location in the manor. Think carefully. My offer won’t stay on the table forever.”

Baek Ri Jeong-sun’s voice was laced with menace.

“I’ll ask you one more time. Will you accept my offer?”

The guards’ eyes narrowed.