Gu-ak was now thirty-two, six years younger than Baek Mu-ryang and twenty-two years older than Yang-hui—a clear sign that being called "older brother" by a child was hardly appropriate. Yet Yang-hui, unfazed and as bold as ever, used the same title again.
"Brother Gu! I offer my respectful greetings to you!"
"A brazen little brat. Who are you?"
"I am Yang-hui, who will soon be known as the son of the esteemed Baek Mu-ryang!"
"What?"
"Not only that, but a mere hour ago, I was a pitiful boy kidnapped by those Na-heuk scoundrels under Hon-gyo's banner, barely escaping being sold into slavery like a dog's wretched offspring."
For a moment, Gu-ak's eyebrow twitched. Yang-hui's words could be interpreted in two ways:
First, that Na-heuk deceived Hon-gyo and acted heinously on their own accord. Or, second, that people under Hon-gyo's banner committed acts so vile that no righteous sect could overlook them.
"This Blood-Hound has no inclination toward killing children, but if you think of trying to testify or something of the sort, banish the thought of leaving here alive, brat."
"Why would I ever cause trouble for you, Brother Gu? Hahaha." Laughing, Yang-hui used the title "Brother Gu" once more, subtly gauging his reaction.
"Look, I'm at least twenty years older than you. Why on earth would I be your 'brother'?"
'His attitude is softening,' Yang-hui noted. It seemed that Gu-ak realized he wasn't intending to threaten him. Yang-hui replied with the same nonchalance.
"Aren't we all family under heaven's order?"
"Then wouldn't it be more fitting for you to call me 'Uncle' instead?"
"That would make you a sibling to my father."
"..."
Gu-ak, inwardly, couldn't help but think, So it's fine for me to be called your brother, but... really? This kid is insane. How can he be this fearless?
"Gutsy brat, so what exactly do you want?"
"It's simple. I intend to repay hatred with grace."
"You, a mere brat, think you can repay the grudge that's festering here?"
"You read me perfectly, Brother Gu."
Gu-ak scoffed.
"If you manage that, I'll call you 'Older Brother' instead."
"Is that so? You know, a man of honor never makes empty promises," Yang-hui's smile widened as he offered just one clue.
"Are you looking for the mole from Cheongsa-bang?"
At that moment, Gu-ak and Buk-ak-shin's expressions turned stony.
"How does a brat like you know about that?"
Cheongsa-bang had recently been one of the most fierce competitors with Hon-gyo in disputes over territory.
"Until two hours ago, I was a poor, lost beggar fated to be sold as a slave, and up until three days ago, I roamed from place to place to scrounge up food. It's fair to say I overheard quite a lot."
"Keep it brief, brat."
"Of course. Ah, Brother Gu, would you be able to come a bit closer?"
Gu-ak's lip twitched.
"Who do you think you are, brat, giving me orders to come closer?"
Yang-hui continued nonchalantly.
"Then please command your sworn brother to step back. Then I'll come to you instead."
"What nonsense is this now?"
"Just hear me out, and if it sounds like nonsense, feel free to end my life. I won't hold it against you."
Gu-ak eyed Yang-hui, surprised at his lack of fear.
"Good grief. Your courage really is something. Fine. Buk-ak, take ten steps back."
"Elder, must you entertain the tricks of this insolent brat?"
"Isn't it entertaining? The youngster claims his life is on the line."
"..."
Though his expression was unreadable, Buk-ak-shin slowly stepped back.
"Well, brat, come over and spill what you know."
Yang-hui darted forward and whispered into Gu-ak's ear.
"Strangely, doesn't it seem like Cheongsa-bang always moves as though they're aware of Hon-gyo's every plan during fights? And you've been working hard to uncover that mole, haven't you? By the way, that tattoo on your arm suits you well, Brother Gu."
A vivid red carriage was inked on Gu-ak's shoulder—proof of his affiliation with Hon-gyo. In the world of Heukdo, nearly everyone bore a tattoo. Given Heukdo's notorious reputation for betrayal and false alliances, they had taken to marking people with tattoos like brands to discourage such things.
"Brat, I said to get to the point."
'Patience, isn't his strong suit,' Yang-hui thought and continued.
"You're aware that all of Cheongsa-bang's members bear a small blue snake tattoo. Check Buk-ak-shin."
At Yang-hui's remark, Gu-ak's face twisted with anger, and he grabbed Yang-hui by the collar.
"You're really crossing the line, brat. Are you claiming my sworn brother is the mole?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then your life belongs to me. I've already checked my brother."
"Likely, your last inspection was a year ago, right? Maybe right around the time he got his tattoo at his initiation?"
Gu-ak scoffed.
"Wrong. I personally checked all members just last month. My sworn brother even volunteered, proving his loyalty."
Despite this, Yang-hui maintained his composure.
"Is that so? You would have had him strip down to his undershorts. Did he take off even his inner undergarments?"
"..."
'That's impossible. Even I wouldn't make Buk-ak-shin remove his undergarments.'
Realizing Yang-hui was a step ahead, Gu-ak fell silent, his expression strained. Yang-hui then spoke with fluid confidence.
"Cheongsa-bang needed a mole who wouldn't raise suspicion and demanded that the tattoo be placed somewhere it would never be seen. Thus, they chose the inner thigh—precisely, the very inside of the upper thigh."
Not the scalp or other such places where people might imagine; it was an obscure spot that no man would typically reveal to another man.
"How do you know that?"
Because in the future, that traitor exposes the identities of every single mole, he thought to himself.
Of course, he couldn't say that aloud.
"Who would have access to the inner thigh of a man? While begging for scraps in a tavern, I heard of someone boasting about their blue snake tattoo in that very location," Yang-hui said, giving Buk-ak-shin a deliberate look and a brazen smile.
"It seems he had the courage to spy but not the discipline to contain his appetites."
"..."