Chapter : 25
Chapter 11. I’m an Expensive Man (2)
From the moment Seok Deokwol visited, Seok Jin-ho already had a rough idea.
Since Seok Deokwol was ranked third in authority at the Seokpung Escort Bureau—following only the Head Escort and the Vice Chief—the guess was an easy one.
But after listening, it seemed this wasn’t a simple matter.
“Yeah. Things got tangled in a nasty way.”
Wearing an expression full of discomfort, Seok Deokwol poured out his story like a storm. He explained the situation concisely, as though venting the frustration bottled up inside him.
“If what you say is true, then this is definitely something the White Horse Escort Bureau did deliberately.”
“Or maybe they worked together with other escort bureaus. Still, the White Horse Bureau seems to be at the center of it. The problem is, there’s no hard evidence.”
“So what you’re saying is—you need the help of Hero Baek.”
“Exactly. ‘Iron Fist of Mount Bong,’ Hero Baek Sang-geon, isn’t just a master representing the Hebei Peng family—he’s also one of the top ten martial experts in all of Hebei Province. Even if Black Crow Stronghold is part of the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds, if their opponent is Hero Baek, the situation changes. Of course, we won’t just sit back and watch either. The Seokpung Escort Bureau’s strength isn’t weak—what we lack is simply a peak-level master.”
The only reason Black Crow Stronghold dared act so brazenly was because of their leader, the so-called Giant Axe.
But if Baek Sang-geon stepped forward, not only could they recover the stolen goods, but they could also dismantle Black Crow Stronghold entirely.
While it would be difficult to exterminate every single bandit, destroying a mountain stronghold like Black Crow was more than possible. That was why Seok Deokwol looked at Seok Jin-ho with desperate eyes.
Because of the White Horse Bureau’s interference, Seokpung Escort Bureau had already been turned away by the masters they had connections with. The only person they could rely on now was Seok Jin-ho.
“Have you asked the Sect Leader?”
“That’s the problem. If we ask him, the matter would be resolved—but it would take time, and it could damage the Chief’s credibility.”
“That’s true.”
“Besides, Hero Baek is already here. It would save a lot of time. Of course, that’s assuming he’s willing to help.”
Seok Deokwol swallowed dryly.
The best solution now was to gain Seok Jin-ho’s help and, through him, enlist Baek Sang-geon.
That’s why Seok Deokwol’s gaze stayed fixed, pleading.
“But am I even capable of this?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Everyone’s aware you’re not just on ordinary terms with Hero Baek and Miss Peng. We even know the two of them come here every day.”
“The fact you investigated that means… you already tried once and were rejected, didn’t you?”
“W-well, yes.”
Seok Deokwol laughed awkwardly, then quickly grabbed Seok Jin-ho’s hands.
“Please, Jin-ho! Can’t you at least bring up the topic? I’ll never forget this debt!”
“Even if you say that, the chances of failure are far greater than success. As you know, our relationship isn’t anything especially deep.”
“But you could at least mention it! Other than the Sect Leader, who personally went to them, no one has been granted an audience while they’ve stayed in the annex. Yet the two of them come here every day.”
“Hm.”
Seok Jin-ho’s gaze lowered to Seok Deokwol, then to the rough hands gripping his own.
Calloused, scarred hands. A memory flashed across his mind—the original Seok Jin-ho’s memory.
“A favor, huh…”
When everyone else ignored and looked down on him, Seok Deokwol was the one who treated him like a nephew.
Though busy as an escort, whenever he visited the Seok family estate, he always gave Jin-ho pocket money or gifts. He never said much, but his silent support was clear.
“If you’ve received something, you should repay it. That’s just common decency.”
Besides, the Green Forest strongholds intrigued Seok Jin-ho—especially Black Crow Stronghold.
“If you can just create the opportunity, or even bring it up casually, that would be enough. I’ll handle the rest somehow.”
“…Alright.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll mention it. It’s not hard to say a few words. But don’t expect too much.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much! I’ll never forget this favor!”
The dark look on Seok Deokwol’s face brightened instantly.
Nothing had been decided yet, but he was overjoyed.
At the very least, a door had been cracked open. Still holding Jin-ho’s hands, he repeated his thanks over and over.
“Don’t get your hopes up too high. It’s more likely to fail than succeed.”
“Even so, the fact that you’re willing to step forward means everything. If it works, I’ll be even more grateful.”
“Write it down as a debt. I’m not the type to do favors for people.”
“Of course! If it works, I’ll report it to the Chief. If not, I’ll repay the debt myself.”
Seok Deokwol pounded his chest with determination.
That boast made Seok Jin-ho smirk as he stood up.
He had sensed a familiar aura approaching in the distance.
“Let’s get up. I think the people we’re waiting for have arrived.”
“Hm!”
A faint admiration lit up Deokwol’s eyes.
For Jin-ho to sense their approach before even he, a peak-level master, had—it was remarkable.
No wonder people kept calling him a genius.
‘And I thought I was a peak master myself…’
Deokwol, who had clawed his way up purely through effort, thought bitterly.
He had only broken through to the peak realm three years ago—after struggling ten whole years to surpass the wall of first-rate mastery.
Yet at just seventeen, Seok Jin-ho already seemed not far behind him.
“The difference in talent… I know how vast it is. Still, it stings.”
As Deokwol stood and followed Jin-ho outside, two towering figures came into view.
“Good morning, Young Master Seok.”
“Did you sleep well?”
Baek Sang-geon and Peng Nayun, spotting Jin-ho, smiled brightly and quickened their pace.
Jin-ho respectfully clasped his fists in return.
“Yes.”
“Oh, you’re…”
Baek Sang-geon’s brows drew together slightly as his eyes fell on the man behind Jin-ho.
He had spotted Seok Deokwol.
Nayun, who didn’t know him, only spared him a glance before turning her attention back to Jin-ho. Judging from the sword at his side, she knew he was a martial artist, but she wasn’t particularly interested.
“My name is Seok Deokwol, Hero Baek. I came to see you yesterday.”
“I remember. One of Seokpung Escort Bureau’s head escorts.”
“Correct, haha.”
Deokwol replied cheerfully, but Baek Sang-geon’s face remained stiff. His expression clearly said: Why is he here?
“Let’s head inside.”
Sensing the awkwardness quickly thickening, Jin-ho intervened. It would be better to talk indoors anyway—and this was his residence.
“Alright.”
“Hui! Come here!”
Unlike Baek Sang-geon, who crossed the courtyard wall with a complicated look, Peng Nayun smiled brightly and reached toward Hui, who—as always—was perched on the wall.
And of course, she hadn’t come empty-handed.
Knowing the cat’s preferences, Nayun waved a long strip of specially prepared jerky just under his nose.
“Meow.”
The jerky swayed, giving off a delicious smell, and Hui’s eyes followed it unconsciously. His body leaned toward it without realizing.
“Hehehe. You want it, don’t you?”
Hui licked his lips, unable to hide his craving, while Nayun teasingly pulled the jerky back.
It was as if Hui were torn between pride and temptation.
“Come here. Then it’s yours! I even brought pheasant jerky—your favorite.”
“Meow!”
In the end, Hui leapt into her arms, unable to resist.
“Fufu!”
Nayun’s face lit up with joy as she cuddled him, while Hui tore into the jerky enthusiastically.
Once, the kitten had shied away from strangers. But now, resting calmly in her arms, he ate while she stroked his fur and back.
Crunch, crunch.
Hui, however, seemed oblivious to her affection, focusing solely on the jerky.
Sohajeong and Tak Yun gave him snacks, and he hunted on his own, but Nayun’s jerky was special. It felt and tasted like the finest delicacy. Hui devoured it without pause.
Inside, the room now held two more people—no, two people and one cat.
Yet despite the extra presence, silence fell heavier than before.
“Urgh.”
The reason was clear: Seok Deokwol. He sweated nervously, unable to even meet Baek Sang-geon’s gaze.
Though he was respected in the escort world and a peak-level master, that meant little before the Iron Fist of Mount Bong. His rank, his skill—everything paled in comparison.
“This must be related to yesterday’s matter.”
“Did you hear about it?”
Jin-ho asked calmly when Baek Sang-geon glanced at Deokwol.
Baek nodded.
“I heard the basics. Black Crow Stronghold stole your escort goods, leaving Seokpung Bureau in a difficult position.”
“Then you’ve heard the important part.”
“So… are you asking me to intervene?”
His gaze shifted to Jin-ho. Circumstances suggested that was the purpose of this meeting.
“A request, huh.”
Tap.
With a strange expression, Jin-ho set something on the table—the identity token of the Hebei Peng family, which Peng Nayun had recently gifted him.
“I don’t intend to ask you for help. I never expected such a thing in the first place. The only reason I helped Miss Peng before was because it was the right thing to do in that moment—not because I wanted something.”
His voice was quiet, but it carried a strange weight.
Baek Sang-geon’s expression stiffened. Even Nayun, who had been petting Hui, froze.
A heavy, unexplainable pressure seemed to fill the room, pressing down on them both.
“I’ll return this.”
“There’s no need to…”
“For others, this token might be valuable. But to me, it’s meaningless.”
Jin-ho glanced sideways. Sure enough, Deokwol was staring at the golden token with eyes about to pop out.
“You misunderstand me, Young Master Seok. I didn’t mean it that way…”
“I know. But I truly don’t need it. I only brought it out to make one thing clear—that I’m not showing it to beg a favor.”
“Uh, hm.”
Baek Sang-geon looked flustered.
He stole a glance at Nayun, and just as he feared, her expression was troubled.
“I simply want to make a proposal to the two of you.”
“A proposal?”
“If you would accompany me to Black Crow Stronghold, there would be two benefits: first, to satisfy curiosity. Second, to gain real battle experience.”
Jin-ho’s gaze shifted from Baek to Nayun.
But there was no trace of pleading in his eyes. His face seemed to say It’s fine if you agree, fine if you don’t.
Baek smiled faintly at that.
“To satisfy curiosity? Do you perhaps know something about the Black Crow leader?”
“I’ve heard he’s called the Giant Axe, one of the most notorious bandits around.”
“And yet you’re confident? You may not know, but it’s been ten years since he earned that name.”
