The True Intent of Salt

“We didn’t suffer a financial loss, so wipe that look off your face.”

“…Brother.”

“I won’t deny that it was entirely done for your sake.”

In this martial arts world, a banking estate was basically a modern bank. To put it simply, Mangeum Bank was a place that cared about one thing above all else: making a profit. Yet, to think they had actively turned a blind eye to maximum profitability solely for the sake of their youngest child, Geum Seo-yul.

Over the past five years, the sheer volume of lucrative contracts funneled to the express escort agencies operating directly under the Namgung Clan’s banner had been staggering. In short, it meant they had willingly surrendered an immense fortune in potential earnings. And every single ounce of that abandoned profit had flowed directly into the pockets of the Namgung Clan.

“…….”

Even if I excused their actions over the past five years as a product of that era, there could only be one logical reason why they had continuously maintained that relationship even now, well after the engagement had been broken off. Both the Namgung Clan and the Mangeum Bank family undoubtedly assumed that Geum Seo-yul still harbored lingering romantic feelings for Namgung Hwi. Naturally, it was highly probable that Yeon Ji-oh and Namgung Hwi were also among the people who shared that exact assumption.

Sigh.

“Brother.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

The very instant my call left my lips, his exceptionally warm gaze locked onto me. Swallowing down the raw emotion bubbling inside, I forced the words out.

“Do not drag this matter out any further, and ensure you completely liquidate everything immediately.”

Now that I had explicitly confirmed the profound depth of affection Mangeum Bank held for Geum Seo-yul, I could not possibly allow myself to cause them any further trouble. Turning away from my brother, I immediately called out to the staff waiting right outside the reception hall.

“Is anyone out there?”

“Did you call for us, Young Master?”

At my summons, two servants stepped across the threshold and executed a perfectly synchronized, formal salute. I delivered my instructions to them without a single moment of hesitation.

“You, proceed to the kitchen immediately and fetch me a massive wooden basin filled to the brim with salt. And you, go retrieve one of my veiled hats.”

“…Do you genuinely intend to step onto the frontlines yourself?”

Utterly startled by my commands, my eldest brother frantically interjected. I gave a firm, unyielding nod of my head.

“I literally just stated it a moment ago, didn’t I? That I would be the one to personally throw it.”

If I chose to take action here, my master plan of living a completely quiet, uneventful life for the foreseeable future would be entirely derailed. However, even if it meant abandoning that peaceful future entirely, showing them absolute certainty right now took priority.

…If only for the sake of the family that cherished me.

“Given that a massive crowd has undoubtedly gathered out there, it provides the absolute perfect stage to put on a magnificent show.”

“I shall accept your thoughts with gratitude, but allow me to handle this.”

The only reason my eldest brother was worrying to this extraordinary extent was due to the ridiculous rumors currently plaguing the streets. I flashed a brilliant, radiant smile directly at him.

“Please do not fret over it. The public will undoubtedly side with me entirely.”

The moment those preposterous rumors were brought to light, absolutely no one in their right mind would dare to take the side of the Namgung Clan. Furthermore, what would happen if I confronted them while weaving a brilliant layer of theatrical acting into my performance? The Namgung Clan would be utterly unable to show their faces anywhere within the borders of Hefei ever again.

While the mere thought of that absurd pregnancy rumor left me utterly dumbfounded, the irony of the situation—knowing it would actually make resolving this disaster incredibly easy—forced a hollow smile onto my face. Rising fully from my seat, I smoothed out the faint wrinkles marring the fabric of my outer robe, prompting my eldest brother to step closer and gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

“I am more than capable of resolving this within my own jurisdiction.”

“Please dismiss your anxieties and simply watch the spectacle unfold. To be completely frank, I feel as though I must personally throw at least a handful of salt to thoroughly clear the lingering irritation from my chest. I must ensure they pay a staggering price for daring to treat me as a trivial pushover.”

The vivid memories of those Namgung Clan fools constantly looking down on me the exact moment Namgung Hwi began to direct his affections toward Yeon Ji-oh came rushing back with absolute clarity. If I utilized this grand opportunity to clearly demonstrate to those bastards that I had officially severed all ties with Namgung Hwi? I was intensely curious to see exactly what kind of expressions would paint their faces.

The corner of my mouth twisted upward into a subtle smirk.

“Furthermore, I must firmly remind them that we operate in entirely different social spheres, ensuring that those individuals never dare to view Mangeum Bank as an easy target ever again.”

“Seo-yul.”

“Please leave this matter entirely to me. I intensely desire to return the profound favor you, our family, and the members of this estate have bestowed upon me by wrapping me in such warmth all this time.”

At my declaration of wanting to return the favor, my eldest brother ultimately closed his mouth, entirely unable to offer a counterargument. Even so, his light brown eyes remained heavily clouded with deep anxiety.

In situations like this, physical reassurance was far superior to a mountain of words. The exact split-second I extended my hand, my eldest brother instantly took hold of it. Locking my eyes with his, the corners of my eyes crinkled with amusement.

“The moment I throw the salt, our parents and older sister will undoubtedly figure out that I’ve officially returned first thing.”

“…Which means a massive welcoming banquet will inevitably be set into motion.”

It seemed he harbored a faint hope that bringing up the dreaded banquet would cause me to change my mind out of sheer annoyance. I merely laughed off his passive attempt at dissuasion.

“Well, enjoying a grand feast to properly celebrate the permanent expulsion of the Namgung Clan sounds like a fantastic option in its own right.”

“You truly have steeled your resolve completely.”

“Yes.”

Compared to a generic banquet thrown to celebrate my simple return, a feast dedicated to that specific cause sounded infinitely more satisfying. I had a feeling I would actually thoroughly enjoy participating in it.

“…I shall remain strictly by your side to ensure absolutely no one dares to lay a single finger on you.”

I possessed absolutely no reason to decline such a magnificent offer. With the Young Master Leader of Mangeum Bank personally guarding my flank, even a character like Yeon Ji-oh wouldn’t dare to act completely reckless.

I bared my teeth in a wide, brilliant grin.

“As expected, there is truly no one else but you, Brother.”

“It has been an incredibly long time since I last witnessed you smile so beautifully.”

“I shall ensure I show it to you frequently from this moment forward.”

“Very well.”

Perhaps finding my response thoroughly satisfactory, the stern line of my eldest brother’s lips smoothly dissolved into a gentle expression. While I was quietly observing the subtle smile gracing his features, the objects I had been eagerly awaiting finally materialized.

“Young Master, I have prepared the salt exactly as instructed.”

“I have also successfully retrieved the veiled hat.”

Snapping my head toward the vocalizations of the servants, my eyes landed on a massive wooden basin packed to the absolute brim with coarse salt, sitting right alongside a veiled hat furnished with a pristine white cloth. I extended my remaining free hand toward the attendant.

“Bring them here.”

Though they hesitated briefly at my command, the servants approached with a level of extreme caution that was entirely visible to the naked eye, carefully handing over the wooden basin and the hat. This intense tiptoeing was undoubtedly the direct result of the tyrannical tantrums the original Geum Seo-yul had frequently unleashed over the past five years. However, the current me was an entirely different entity altogether. I possessed absolutely no intention of groveling before the Namgung Clan, nor did the concept of harassing innocent people exist anywhere within my personal dictionary.

Placing the veiled hat smoothly over my head, I quietly endured the gentle touch of my eldest brother as he meticulously adjusted the fabric to ensure my face was entirely concealed. A moment later, he gave a firm nod and withdrew his hands, prompting me to securely scoop up the heavy basin of salt.

规Now that we possess all the necessary equipment, let us make our departure.”

“Let us proceed.”

Now that my eldest brother’s official seal of approval had been granted, I possessed absolutely no desire to waste another single second. Clutching the basin tightly, I stepped forward alongside my brother, making a direct line for the grand main gates of Mangeum Bank where Yeon Ji-oh was currently waiting.

The moment we arrived at the massive thresholds of the main entrance, the low, collective murmurs of the crowd gathered outside drifted clearly into my ears. I glanced sideways at the man walking beside me.

“…….”

Fiercely displeased by the entire situation, my eldest brother’s countenance was set in a mask of absolute, freezing rigidity. Letting out a soft chuckle, I tossed a light jest his direction to cut through the oppressive tension.

“Perhaps because I am walking alongside you, Brother, it feels as though we arrived here incredibly fast.”

“It appears I must ensure we walk together in this manner frequently in the future.”

“I would thoroughly enjoy that.”

“I shall hold you to that expectation.”

Finding my reply entirely to his liking, a distinct note of warm amusement bled into his deep voice. Sharing in his soft laughter, the solid weight of the salt basin cradled in my arms served as a firm anchor, instantly grounding my soaring spirits back into absolute seriousness.

“…….”

From this exact moment onward, casually laughing and joking was strictly forbidden; adopting the absolute perfect emotional mindset took absolute priority. If the sequence of events I had meticulously calculated managed to execute without a single error, the streets of Hefei would soon be buzzing with an entirely different breed of gossip, completely replacing that preposterous, farcical rumor concerning the pregnancy of Mangeum Bank’s youngest son.

And resting directly at the absolute epicenter of that newly birthed storm would be Yeon Ji-oh and Namgung Hwi—the very individuals who had historically treated me with absolute disdain. Exchanging a brief, knowing glance with my eldest brother, I stepped decisively past the threshold of the main gates.

“Heavens!”

“It is the Young Master Leader!”

The exact split-second the heavy doors swung open to reveal my brother’s towering figure, the onlookers standing at the frontlines rapidly began to whisper among themselves. Listening to the rising tide of murmurs, I keenly registered the attention of the crowd gradually shifting directly toward my form.

“But who on earth is that individual standing beside him for the Young Master Leader to guard them so fiercely?”

“Could it perhaps be a secret paramour he holds dear to his heart?”

…Seriously, as expected of a BL novel world, these people are entirely too quick to link attractive men together.

While I was internally snorting in amusement at their wild theories, the guards stationed at the entrance powerfully booted the metal bases of their spears against the flagstones, creating a thunderous crack that caused my eyes to widen in genuine surprise. Like a massive wave cascading across the ocean, the dense crowd of hundreds simultaneously lowered their bodies to offer a flawless, synchronized show of deep respect—a spectacle that was nothing short of absolutely magnificent. While I was internally marveling at the sheer scale of the display, my eyes scanned the perimeter and locked onto a specific group standing with their spines completely stiff, refusing to bend their waists in the slightest.

And I recognized that particular group as the retinue of the Namgung Clan.

“…….”

To be completely fair, there was absolutely no explicit legal requirement dictating that members of a prominent martial clan must lower their bodies in deference like ordinary merchants. However, displaying such a blatant lack of even the most basic courtesy upon beholding the Young Master Leader of Mangeum Bank was an immense, unforgivable slight.

As my eyes slowly swept over each and every member of the Namgung Clan retinue, they abruptly widened to their absolute limits the exact moment I spotted the specific individual emerging from the center of their formation.

“…….”

While I had been fully aware that Yeon Ji-oh had been persistently seeking an audience with Mangeum Bank for the past month, his current appearance was entirely outside the realm of my calculations. His face was a mask of absolute, wretched misery, and the vibrant, sky-blue robes he historically wore like a proud badge of honor were entirely absent. Instead, he was clad in garments fashioned from a stark white fabric that appeared to be of exceptionally poor, coarse quality. As I was quietly analyzing his bizarre attire while enduring his piercing glare, my eldest brother’s voice cut through the silence.

“Who among you possessed the sheer audacity to demand an audience with the Young Master Leader of Mangeum Bank?”

A voice completely stripped of a single shred of human emotion cascaded across the main road. Instantly, the restless murmurs of the massive crowd ceased entirely, plunging the entire sector into absolute, suffocating silence.

While I was deeply grateful to him for masterfully setting such a chilling atmosphere, maintaining this level of extreme tension would naturally reduce the psychological impact of the salt-throwing spectacle. Signaling him to tone it down a fraction, I firmly squeezed my eldest brother’s hand before releasing my grip. Unexpectedly, he mirrored my exact physical actions before carrying on with his speech.

“I asked a direct question. Who is the individual that dares to look down on Mangeum Bank so lightly?”

…It appeared he had profoundly misread my signal.

An aura that was entirely incomparable to his previous tone completely saturated his voice, instantly freezing the surrounding atmosphere to absolute sub-zero temperatures. Simultaneously, the onlookers who had already lowered their bodies bowed their heads even closer to the earth in sheer terror. Internally clicking my tongue at the escalation, I directed my gaze entirely toward the Namgung Clan retinue.

Then, as if he had been desperately waiting for my eyes to finally land on his form, Yeon Ji-oh stepped forward from the formation, bringing his hands together in a formal martial salute as he offered his respects.

“My overwhelming desire to grant an audience with the Young Master Leader unfortunately caused me to commit a series of grave discourtesies over the past month. I profoundly pray that you will find it within the immense benevolence of your heart to grant me forgiveness—”

“To which specific lineage do you belong?”

As if deciding that Yeon Ji-oh’s words weren’t worth wasting another single second of his time, my eldest brother ruthlessly severed his sentence mid-stride. Startled by the blunt interruption, Yeon Ji-oh snapped his head up in visible dismay before quickly lowering it once more.

“I am…”

It was an incredibly basic, standard inquiry, yet Yeon Ji-oh appeared entirely incapable of formulating a proper response under the current circumstances. Watching him merely trail off into absolute silence was nothing short of thoroughly pathetic.

Furthermore, it ignited a spark of genuine fury inside my chest.

If he had possessed the sheer bravado to aggressively badger the Young Master Leader for an entire month, he should have easily anticipated a question of this nature and prepared a flawless response in advance.

“…….”

The absolute lack of even the most elementary preparation proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that not only the Namgung Clan fools, but Yeon Ji-oh himself, viewed Mangeum Bank as an incredibly soft target.

I could tolerate many things, but allowing them to look down on Geum Seo-yul—to look down on me—to the point where they dared to disrupt the peace of my family was something I absolutely refused to countenance. Releasing my grip on my eldest brother’s hand without a word, I began to walk down the stone stairs.

One step. Then another.

Perhaps startled because it was the veiled companion rather than the Young Master Leader who had made a move, Yeon Ji-oh subtly tilted his head upward to assess the situation, his eyes locking directly onto my approaching form.

My observation of the intense confusion painting his features lasted only a brief second. Before he could even process the movement, I planted my feet firmly directly in front of Yeon Ji-oh, the corners of my mouth curling into a sharp, venomous smirk beneath the veil.