Book 1 Chapter 6: Minor Clan Lord Yang (1)

Translator: Hwarang

Editor: Jay

A fateful event took place the next evening.

As I was walking through the practice ground, a middle-aged man slowly approached me.

Young Master Byuk, I heard the rumor that you were practicing martial arts. Is it for real this time?

I knew of this man. I heard from Kwang Du that his name was Seo Jun and he is the Master of the Sword Sect which was run by our clan.

Yes, I have started training.

Even if I hadnt answered, he would have felt the changes in my glance and my body. But it wasnt enough to convince people about my actions, due to my previous mishaps.

You know that all the problems you caused brought great deal of trouble for the Gaju-nim and the clan. He was saying this with sincerity in his heart.

I am sorry, I will not make the same mistake again. Bowing my head, I truly apologized from the bottom of my heart.

He was a little bit disconcerted due to my actions, as this was not how I normally acted.

It was going to take time getting used to everyone as well as everyone getting used to the new me.

I will continue monitoring you, observing how you have reformed.

As he was about to turn around I asked him a question. What do you mean by our clan is in trouble because of me?

His face hardened. You dont know what you have done?

No, I know.

I didnt question him any further. He wasnt the only one that I could get that answer from.

The one who was going to tell me everything was busy cleaning the yard.

What are you doing this late?

Cleaning the yard usually took place in the morning. However, Kwang Du was cleaning yard late in the evening.

The messenger said that Lord Yang was coming later this evening.

Lord Yang?

You really dont remember anything?

No, I dont.

He looked at me with a questionable look every time, but he still believed me. If he didnt, then he wouldnt have explained everything in acute detail.

He is the lord of the Yang Clan, Yang Gi Chul. The Yang Clan is the strongest clan in San Dong at the moment. Our clan was the strongest at one point.

Following what Kwang Du said, there were many different factions and clans competing for power in San Dong. At one point our Byuk Clan was the strongest and had the most influence. But now the Yang Clan is the number one, the Song Clan is number two and our clan is not even in the top ten anymore.

Why did we lose so much power and influence?

Kwang Du looked baffled as he responded, Are you really asking this question?

It was as I expected. Of course, its because of me.

Do you know how much it cost to clean up after your mess? Since then we are in a tight spot and our income diminished considerably. We had to release many our men, thus decreasing our power and influence.

Did we ever borrow money because of that?

Of course! We had to borrow money from different people, but we borrowed the most from Lord Yang.

This reminded me of what happened yesterday. So, that Yang Gi Kang was the son of Lord Yang.

How much did we borrow?

He replied while looking at the pile of snow that he collected, Way more than this pile.

Originally we had three Sword Sects, but slowly we had to consolidate everything into one. We had to let more than half of our maids and servants go. I dont know for sure, but from what I heard from others, its been pretty hard Kwang Du couldnt finish the last part and gave a big sigh.

This was all because of me, and he didnt tell me everything, nor did he want to tell me everything that I did.

So are you behind in your monthly wages?

No, we are not. The Gaju-Nim takes priority in our paying our monthly wages.

Even so, the pay raise that they should have gotten hadt come, and I was the reason for all of this.

Lets just say that I f*cked up, how come are you so busy cleaning?

Can we talk later, young master? I am busy cleaning before Lord Yang comes.

Kwang Du left rather suspiciously. Then someone behind me said something.

Its because young master Yang disciplined Brother Kwang Du.

When I turned around I saw a small figure. Kwang Du told me her name was Song He and said that she was very innocent child.

He hit Kwang Du?

I remembered that bastard from yesterday. He dared to hit Kwang Du?

Yes, they couldnt do anything to us before. But once our clan started declining they started acting up.

Why did he hit Kwang Du?

He said it was because there was trash on the ground and that lazy servants should get disciplined. But he was the one that brought the trash. He just wanted a reason to hit Brother Kwang Du.

I finally understood why he was cleaning this late in the afternoon.

Song Hes eyes were tearing up, I could sense that she really loves Kwang Du.

Was I there?

She stared at me right in the eyes. This was more than enough for me to understand.

You were so drunk that you were just laughing.

Shit. Son of A. I got more mad at Byuk Lee Dan than Song Gi Gang, the one who hit Kwang Du.

Why are you telling me this?

Yesterday, Brother Kwang Du said that you changed a lot in a good way. But Im still not sure I believe it. But I will believe Brother Kwang Du.

That was the last bit of willpower she had before turning red and leaving after bowing.

When I turned around I saw poor Kwang Du still cleaning and my heart grew heavy. You are still so kind to me even though something like that happened.

It became pretty chaotic when the Yang Clan showed up later that evening. Including their bodyguards, more than twenty people showed up.

It was considered rude to visit other Clans this late in the evening. Unless they wanted to intimidate or to give no face to that Clan, this usually didnt happen. Also, if someone decides to visit late at night, they will bring the least amount of bodyguards to be more considerate of others.

Yang Gi Chul casually walked up to my father and casually tossed a greeting.

HAHAHA, have you been well Lord Byuk.

My father said with a bright face, You must be tired from your travel, Lord Yang.

A long time ago they were so humble in front of my father, they even came barefooted when my father called them. But now his attitude changed and he even walked arrogantly in front of my father. The best way to know someones true intentions and feelings are by being in dire situations.

Yang Gi Kang was part of the horde that was following Yang Gi Chul.

After making eye contact with me he made some gesture with his hand. I think he was implying that I should change the look in my eyes.

Yang Gi Chul took the liberty of asking my father, You know of Lord Peng Mun Do of the Western Water Peng Clan?

Of course I know of him.

I was just coming from his house. We made an agreement on our new project.

Oh! Congratulations.

I have told him about you.

Would he really have done that? I think not.

Lord Yang gave me a bad first impression, just like his son. In my previous life, I have met many different leaders throughout Kang Ho. From the cold and smooth leaders of big clans all the way to the leaders of a small clan who tries to kiss ass. I could claim that I knew the most about these people with power.

Usually someone who leaves a bad first impression will always act that way. Lord Yang was one of those people.

Thank You for talking to him about me.

Haha. It is nothing. No one else takes better care of you than me.

With every single one of his actions, I could sense his arrogance flowing out.

Lets talk more in depth inside.

Yes, lets do that.

My father led Yang Gi Chul inside the building.

I came out to give him a greeting, but he just walked passed me as if I didnt even exist.

Sword Sect Master Seo Jun greeted the bodyguards of the Yang Clan. Thankfully the bodyguard in command didnt try to irritate Seo Jun, rather he gave Seo Jun face.

I learned from Kwang Du the story behind why the Sword Sects were consolidated into one. Due to hard times, the other two masters left for other clan since other clans were offering them more money, but Seo Jun showed his loyalty to my father and stayed. Other clans really wanted Seo Jun and were offering him more money than he could possibly make here, but his loyalty didnt waver and he stayed with our clan.

Everyone knew of this, thus giving him face.

Well well, we meet again.

The one who tried to annoy me yesterday slowly walked towards me. He didnt know that my feeling for him have changed to anger.

Energy inside my dantian started turning and getting excited.

I really wanted to teach him a lesson. If it was me from the past I would have started with cussing him out. But I let it go this time for my father and the clan. If it was known that I hit him, it would have resulted in Kwang Du getting disciplined.

I am sorry Kwang Du let it go just for this one time.

As if understanding my intention, Kwang Du kept his head lowered and never made eye contact with him.

Sh*t. This is pissing me off. If this continues, I might really cause some trouble.

Since you are here, have some dinner before you go.

I tried my best to keep my composure in front of him, and turned around. But he said something that ticked me off.

You know, beggars have one of the nastiest prides. Dont bullshit me, and pay back what you owe me. When will you pay off twenty thousand Nyang?

Twenty thousand Nyang. This was enough money to build a small sized Clan. What kind of trouble had I gotten into that we had to borrow that much money?

I should just sell you off to the slave market. Even then I can only get at most ten Nyang.

Since they were special guests, the martial artists of our family couldnt do anything and just hardened their faces.

I replied without even turning around, I dont owe it to you.

What did you say? Do you still believe your clan is the strongest under in this city?

I know we are not.

What do you know?

I know that I am trash.

People who had their eyes on me were somewhat surprised. This was the time that I could prove to them that I was slowly changing.

I didnt say anything further and was slowly walked away. Then I heard a scream.