The Invincible Commander – Chapter 13

—————————————————-

HwasanSect

[Translator: Chyluck]

[Proofreader: Chyluck]

—————————————————-

Chapter 13

The town square brimmed with smiling faces.

Everyone bowed to Sohyang.

“Oh, the jade ring my mother left me… Thank you, my lady. How can I repay this kindness?”

“No, this is the silver spoon my late father used!”

“This is…”

People reclaimed items and usury contracts taken by the Huangdu Gang, thanking Sohyang profusely.

Watching warmly, a sudden doubt struck Cheon Sinwoo.

Are these really their owners? Not scammers claiming what’s not theirs?

Unlike Sohyang, who handed out items with a gentle smile, Cheon Sinwoo glared sharply at the recipients.

Should’ve taken receipts.

Who, when, where, how, why it was taken—recorded in detail.

What if the real owner shows up, accusing them of giving away their property?

A dilemma.

In the past, he’d have scoffed, “Who cares if it was taken for debt? It’s not yours anymore. Finders keepers, you know?” and made a scene.

Not now.

While deep in thought—

“Candy.”

Chang grabbed Cheon Sinwoo’s hand, pointing at a candy shop across the street.

Time to buy candy for his adorable son.

“One’s enough.”

“Just one? Look at all those!”

“How could I eat more? One’s plenty.”

So frugal.

Not just because he’s his son, but already so restrained.

Cheon Sinwoo, pleased, bought a candy and handed it to Chang.

“Here, young master.”

“Thanks, Sinwoo hyung.”

“…Hyung?”

“Yeah. You’re older, so hyung fits better than sir.”

“Oh…”

Chang’s bashful smile as he ate made Cheon Sinwoo awkward.

Younger looks or not, hyung…

Sir would’ve been better.

Hyung becomes father, son becomes brother.

The family tree’s getting tangled.

…Well, a messy tree’s still a tree, right?

Chang’s joy, savoring the candy’s sweetness, was enough.

“Wow! Woosaeng hyung! This is so good!”

Huh?

Woosaeng hyung?

Hold on. Even a messy tree has limits.

Equal to Woosaeng?!

“Young master.”

“Yes?”

“Call him Woobok (Foolish Servant).”

“…”

“Why call a slave hyung?”

Cheon Sinwoo grumbled, displeased, but Chang’s cute eyes got cuter as he replied.

“Then I’ll call you Cheonbok (Heavenly Servant) too?”

“What?”

“You chose to be a servant, so it’s the same, right?”

“…”

“Sinwoo hyung, it’s not nice. You’re great at martial arts and hunting, but how can we judge or divide people by that?”

A sharp rebuke.

Chang’s stern scolding left Cheon Sinwoo stiff.

Scolded by his son…

What a fate.

What could he do?

He’d woven this fate himself.

From outside, it’s a master’s son and a servant.

Missteps could earn a scolding… or so he tried to think, but this was too much.

Messy tree?

Servant?

Hyung, not father?

He could accept it.

But being lumped with Woosaeng? No way.

“Oh, candy?”

“Yeah. Super sweet.”

“Looks tasty.”

Woosaeng drooled, staring.

“Wanna share?”

“Nah, who’d want that?”

“Buy another?”

“Really?”

Chang’s offer made Woosaeng’s eyes light up.

Why were both staring at him?

“Sinwoo hyung, could you buy one more?”

What a kind kid.

Caring for a servant’s food too.

“Thanks, big brother.”

Shut up! I haven’t bought it yet, don’t thank me early.

Trying to die?

Being treated as equal was bad enough, now big brother?

Not a trio of brothers.

Unable to smack him with Chang watching, Cheon Sinwoo glared, crumpling his face. Woosaeng avoided his eyes, laughing awkwardly.

“Oh, I forgot, candy’s so sweet it rots teeth? Haha.”

The dull guy had some sense here.

“Sinwoo hyung.”

“Yes?”

“I’m disappointed. I don’t want it.”

“What?”

Chang dropped the candy from his mouth, looking glum.

Disappointed.

The word echoed, ringing in his ears.

“Woosaeng hyung’s family too… How can I eat this sweet candy alone?”

“No, young master, you don’t have to—”

“No, I’m done.”

He said that, but his eyes lingered on the candy with regret.

Leaving it felt like earning resentment.

Childhood hurts linger, don’t they?

He’s twelve, puberty’s near…

“Shopkeep! One more candy!”

Cheon Sinwoo shouted, buying another and shoving it into Woosaeng’s hand.

Wanted to gouge those greedy eyes.

“Eat a lot, Woosaeng. Look at this sugary mess? So sweet, your teeth’ll rot.”

Glaring again, Woosaeng’s eyes stayed glued to the candy.

“Thanks, big brother! You’re the best.”

Wanted to rip out that licking tongue.

Rotten teeth, yank them all.

And you!

Thanking the candy?

“Thanks, Sinwoo hyung.”

At least Chang’s face brightened.

Kid.

Spending on Woosaeng stung, but Chang’s pure smile made it worth it.

“Try it, big brother. It’s so good.”

Woosaeng.

If not for Chang, I’d have torn your mouth.

After such drama, they returned with candy.

“Really! Even if a kid asks, buying sweets before a meal? You too, Young Master Cheon?”

“Men together always cause trouble. Could’ve waited till after. Tsk, tsk.”

“Exactly. Ugh, why are men like this?”

Sohyang and Jeongyang’s wife took turns scolding.

Candy, of all things…

Can’t I buy it?

But he only pouted silently, unable to retort.

He shrank before her.

Buying candy felt like a crime.

“Chang, eat up. Let’s have a meal since you’re hungry.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Pushing through the crowd thanking Sohyang, they headed to an inn.

Praises for her and the Seoga manor filled the streets.

This was enough.

A precious moment.

Walking side by side with her and his son.

He felt full without eating today.

The next day, a guest visited the Seoga manor.

“My lady, we bring our regards.”

Yoo Ji-in, the merchant guild leader.

He came to offer tribute on behalf of the merchants.

Sohyang eyed the promissory note before her.

Twenty nyang of silver.

From Bingju Bank, Shanxi’s most trusted, with deep history.

Expected.

With the Huangdu Gang gone, Jeongyang County was up for grabs.

Thugs, like poisonous mushrooms, sprout fast in lawless streets.

No renowned martial clan branch here, right?

Merchants knew this best.

They needed strong protection.

The law offers some, but there are always blind spots.

Sometimes fists are closer than law, aren’t they?

They knew the Seoga manor was vital.

Specifically, Cheon Sinwoo’s strength, and that required a price.

A contribution.

Not extorted like thugs, but offered willingly.

Maintaining order?

Martial clan pride?

Nice words.

Dig the ground.

Not a single coin comes up.

Many martial clans fund themselves partly with such contributions.

Especially for the destitute Seoga manor, it’d be a boon.

With that money…

No more selling pelts, no worrying about Chang’s tuition.

Cheon Sinwoo gazed fondly at the note.

Swoosh.

Sohyang, after long thought, smiled at him.

She was radiant today.

Take it.

Smiling back with that thought, she nodded and pushed the note away.

Huh?

Cheon Sinwoo’s eyes widened.

Her next words were stunning.

“I can’t accept it.”

“What?”

“Pardon?”

Yoo Ji-in and Cheon Sinwoo exclaimed in unison.

“Of course, the Seoga manor’s in need. I’m tempted by money.”

“…”

“But Young Master Cheon, who retrieved your goods from the Huangdu Gang’s hideout, said to share them.”

Sohyang smiled at Cheon Sinwoo again.

He forced an awkward smile.

Misunderstanding.

He didn’t bring them for that.

He’d racked his brain, unused to planning, to create this legal profit.

He aimed for steady income, not short-term gain.

“I was ashamed of my fleeting greed. He’s that kind of man. He chose servitude for a small bond, but to me, he’s like a benefactor. I can’t ignore his goodwill and noble heart.”

“My lady…”

The story veered in an unwanted direction.

Noble heart, my ass!

No such thing!

Just take it!

But the words stayed trapped in his mouth.

“Keep it. If you face trouble, ask. The Seoga manor will help when it can.”

“Oh…”

Yoo Ji-in’s face filled with awe, while Cheon Sinwoo’s eyes lost focus, lifeless.

Damn it… this wasn’t the plan.

“You’re just like the late master. I was rude, unaware of Young Master Cheon’s lofty intent.”

Yoo Ji-in sighed, tucking the note back into his robe.

No, don’t…

What a pity.

His chest tightened.

“Young Master Cheon, forgive my rudeness. I was foolish.”

Yoo Ji-in bowed respectfully.

Stop!

No need for bows!

Don’t look at me with those touched eyes!

Just the money! My note!

“Chang.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Remember Young Master Cheon’s goodwill for our family. Righteous actions always return as goodwill. Understand?”

“Yes. I’ll always learn from Sinwoo hyung’s example.”

Cheon Sinwoo froze like a statue.

Learn, he says.

His son.

It felt good showing fatherly virtue, but his heart sank.

All he saw was Yoo Ji-in’s chest.

The envelope’s outline was vivid.

Money inside…

His precious.

Should he sneak back, say he reconsidered, and take it?