The Regressed Vault Keeper Took It All

Chapter 4: I Only Need To Face One Of Them

I came outside with Min-soo’s frail body in my arms.

Looking uneasy and hesitant, Yang Yeong followed me.

Her face was filled with the kind of confusion only someone standing before a sudden change could have.

“Let’s go.”

As I led the way, Zhang Wei approached Yang Yeong.

She stiffened nervously.

“Young lady.”

“……”

“The Master is waiting for you.”

“……I have family?”

“Yes. Young lady, the Master has been searching for you all this time.”

Kamangi—no, Yang Yeong—could not bring herself to easily accept the situation, as if it was all too bewildering.

“Yang Yeong, we have to save Min-soo, right?”

At last, Yang Yeong ran toward me.

“Oppa, I don’t know what on earth is going on. I can’t even believe that I had family. But… but we have to save Min-soo.”

We retraced our steps back.

When Yang Sobo, who was waiting on the bridge, saw Yang Yeong, his eyes froze for a moment.

His expression remained as cold as ever, but his gaze stayed fixed on Yang Yeong.

Before his men could stop him, he went down under the bridge.

“Yeong-ah.”

Yang Sobo called her in a calm voice.

As the unfamiliar old man approached, Yang Yeong hid behind me in surprise.

Seeing this, Yang Sobo halted without any change in expression.

“Sir. Yang Yeong is frightened.”

“Yes. Slowly. Slowly… It’s enough that I’ve found her.”

“Do you not doubt it?”

Even if there was the stone, how could he be so certain that the girl he was seeing for the first time was his granddaughter?

Especially since Yang Sobo was known for not trusting people easily, I thought he would be even more doubtful.

“Doubt?”

His voice was composed.

“They say blood is thicker than water. I knew the moment I saw her. How could I not recognize my own granddaughter?”

“That’s fortunate. For now, Min-soo……”

At that moment, Yang Sobo’s gaze shifted to Min-soo, who was in my arms.

“Is that boy your younger brother?”

“Yes. His condition isn’t good.”

“Let’s head back first.”

We climbed up the bridge and arrived before the sedan they had come in.

Yang Sobo first gave instructions to Zhang Wei, then spoke to me and Yang Yeong.

“Zhang Wei, take another car. The two of you, ride together in the back.”

As if unwilling to be apart from Yang Yeong for even a moment, he had the three of us sit in the backseat, while he took the passenger seat himself.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Master.”

The car carrying us cut through the dark night streets of Seoul.

Unlike the pitch-black underside of Cheonggyecheon Bridge, the streetlights flashing past the window sparkled like stars.

When we arrived at Yang Sobo’s mansion, the gates opened and several men came out to greet him.

“The doctor?”

At Yang Sobo’s question, one of the men answered.

“He is waiting, Master.”

I got out of the car with Min-soo in my arms.

He still hadn’t regained consciousness.

Yang Yeong clung close to my side, scanning our surroundings.

She had come along because I had said we had to save Min-soo, but her eyes were still full of fear and confusion.

We passed through the wide garden and were led into a room.

Inside, the doctor was taking medical tools out of his bag.

“Please lay the child here.”

The doctor spoke.

I carefully laid Min-soo on the bed.

His face was pale as paper, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Seeing the doctor put a stethoscope to his ears, I turned to Yang Sobo.

“Mr. Yang, please have Yang Yeong examined too.”

Nodding, Yang Sobo told the doctor,

“Examine both children thoroughly.”

“Yes, sir.”

“We’ll wait outside.”

Yang Sobo went out first.

I gently grasped Yang Yeong’s trembling shoulder.

“It’s alright. Stay by Min-soo’s side. I’m asking you.”

Yang Yeong looked at me quietly, then nodded.

“Okay, oppa.”

While the doctor examined the children, Yang Sobo and I waited in the next room.

Silence filled the air as we drank the tea a servant brought.

“That child, she is indeed my granddaughter.”

Setting his cup down, Yang Sobo spoke.

I gave a faint smile and asked,

“You had doubts?”

“No.”

He shook his head.

His calm voice continued.

“The moment I saw her, I knew. She has my son’s eyes and my daughter-in-law’s face.”

Yang Sobo’s expression remained cold, but in his eyes lingered the weight of many years.

“I already found out what happened to my son and daughter-in-law.”

I kept silent and simply listened.

Somehow, it felt like I should.

“They were already dead. It seemed they had been murdered by someone.”

“……”

“But I could not find Yang Yeong. The only reason I endured, staying behind in this land of Joseon until now, was because I held onto the hope that she was alive.”

I couldn’t tell whether he was speaking to me or to himself.

His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was not light.

“How that child ended up on the streets……”

Just then, the door opened and the doctor came in.

We stood up.

Without realizing it, a slightly urgent voice escaped my mouth.

“How is it?”

“Both children have tuberculosis.”

The doctor’s voice was steady as he gave the diagnosis.

“Especially the boy’s condition is severe. His lungs are damaged and he must be treated immediately.”

“And the girl……”

Yang Sobo trailed off, hesitant to ask, as if afraid of the answer.

“Fortunately, the young lady’s condition is not severe.”

At the doctor’s answer, he gave a small nod.

His face showed no change, but I saw the tension in his shoulders ease a little.

“Do your utmost. Whatever is needed, I will prepare it.”

“Yes, sir. I will do my very best. I am glad I can at least repay your kindness in this way. For now, we’ll start with medication and monitor their progress. Both need rest.”

“Would it be possible to speak with them briefly?”

After a moment of thought, the doctor said,

“A short time should be fine. I will go prepare the medicine.”

Once the doctor left, Yang Sobo looked at me.

“Your brother can be saved now.”

“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

“Let’s go to the children.”

When we entered the room, Yang Yeong was sitting beside Min-soo, holding his hand.

Her eyes were red and swollen.

“Yang Yeong.”

Yang Sobo carefully called her.

She lifted her head.

Wariness was still there, though lighter than before.

“You said… grandfather?”

Carefully watching him, Yang Yeong asked.

“Yes. I am your grandfather. Do you not remember?”

“I… I have no memories from when I was young. Am I truly your granddaughter?”

Yang Sobo slowly approached, knelt before her, and met her gaze.

His expression remained cold, but his voice softened slightly.

“When you were two, I lost you while fleeing. I’ve been searching ever since.”

“What about my parents?”

For a moment, Yang Sobo was at a loss for words.

His lips trembled slightly before he finally spoke again.

“When I found them, they were already… I’m sorry.”

Tears streamed down Yang Yeong’s face.

I couldn’t tell if it was grief for parents she couldn’t even remember, or tears of relief at not being alone anymore.

Perhaps it was all the emotions tangled together.

For a long while, Yang Sobo wiped Yang Yeong’s tears before pulling the stone out of his pocket.

Yang Yeong’s gaze turned to it.

“Yeong-ah. This is what I once gave you.”

“Grandfather, you gave this to me? I always felt this stone was special. I didn’t know why, but……”

I quietly watched the two of them talk.

In Yang Sobo’s eyes, I could feel sincerity.

He truly must have spent countless years searching for Yang Yeong.

“I’m sorry I was late, Yeong-ah.”

“Ah… no.”

“I’m sorry, Yeong-ah.”

Yang Sobo apologized to his granddaughter in a calm voice.

But just because his tone was steady, it didn’t mean the guilt and regret seeping through could be hidden.

“No. Truly, no. Thank you for finding me even now. And……”

Yang Yeong’s gaze fell on Min-soo.

“Please save Min-soo.”

“Yes, yes. The doctor will do his best. Both of you will recover soon. I promise.”

Yang Yeong gripped Min-soo’s hand tightly.

“Min-soo was my only friend on the streets. And oppa too……”

She looked at me.

Gratitude filled her eyes.

Yang Sobo’s gaze shifted toward me.

“Your name was Baek Min-woo, wasn’t it. You found my granddaughter for me. I will never forget this favor.”

“Just support me as you promised.”

“Of course. But I still don’t know exactly what it is you want from me.”

“I’ll tell you in time. Right now, Min-soo and Yang Yeong’s recovery comes first.”

“Yes. That is the priority indeed.”

Silence filled the room.

Outside, dawn was breaking.

A new day, a new beginning.

In the second chance of my life, this was the moment I cut the chains of fate myself and sought my own path.

A few days passed since coming to Yang Sobo’s house.

I organized my thoughts while taking in good meals and rest.

I spent the time planning what lay ahead and what I had to do.

In that time, Min-soo regained consciousness, and he was happier than anyone to hear that Yang Yeong had found her family.

“Kamangi, congratulations.”

Though Min-soo’s voice was weak, it carried genuine joy.

“Min-soo, my name is Yang Yeong……”

Yang Yeong spoke her real name out loud.

Repeating it once more, a smile spread across her face.

It was like the joy of finding a treasure long lost.

Seeing her like that, Min-soo also smiled brightly.

The two talked without noticing time pass.

Yang Sobo simply watched them with a calm face.

“Sir.”

Since Min-soo had recovered somewhat, it was now time to settle the grudge of the past.

“What is it?”

“I need help.”

“Help?”

I nodded, looking at him intently.

Yang Sobo jerked his chin.

“Let’s talk in my office.”

Yang Sobo’s office was a space steeped in his dignity.

The heavy wooden desk, leather chair, and walls lined with old books all spoke of his years and knowledge.

We sat facing each other.

“I want to settle accounts with the shantytown where I used to live.”

The unchanging eyes of Yang Sobo narrowed ever so slightly.

“Settle accounts?”

“In order for me to move forward, I need to put an end to the grudge I left behind there.”

“That grudge, is it a person?”

He lightly tapped his finger on the desk.

Tok, tok.

The sound echoed rhythmically.

“There is one man I want to deal with myself. Just set the stage so that no one can interfere.”

My voice carried the anger I had suppressed for so long.

Yang Sobo’s eyes gleamed faintly.

“One man. Just let me face one man.”

After a moment of silence, Yang Sobo spoke.

“I will send Zhang Wei.”

Then, suddenly leaning forward, he spoke in a hushed tone.

“But if I do this, should I consider my debt repaid for you finding my granddaughter?”

At his transparent question, I met his gaze head-on and countered.

“Do you think finding your granddaughter can be offset with just this much help?”

Now that he had found her, was he begrudging me what he had promised? Or was his granddaughter to him merely something to reclaim as his own?

Even I was beginning to feel uncertain.

During the past few days, Yang Sobo and Yang Yeong had met and spoken many times.

I did not know what words had been exchanged between them.

But not once in front of me had he openly shown any affection for Yang Yeong.

“If you intend to end it with just this, then so be it.”

I was asking Yang Sobo—was that all his granddaughter meant to him?

We spoke with our eyes, without words.

After a long silence, Yang Sobo finally said,

“Zhang Wei!”

The door opened quietly as Zhang Wei, who had been waiting outside, stepped in.

“Go with Min-woo.”

“Yes, Master.”

Perhaps because he resembled his master, no emotions showed on Zhang Wei’s face either.

But his eyes were different—they brimmed with loyalty toward his master.

“Zhang Wei alone will be enough. And… the promised support for finding my granddaughter will be exactly three times. I will help you with three things you desire. If those three satisfy you, I’ll continue the support. Consider this matter a bonus.”

This was far greater help than I had expected.

Assigning Zhang Wei, his right-hand man, was the greatest aid Yang Sobo could offer.

Anyone who knew of Zhang Wei’s abilities would understand how valuable he was.

“Thank you, Mr. Yang.”

After bowing, I stood, but Yang Sobo’s sharp voice cut in.

“Are you planning to go right away?”

“Yes. He is someone who must be dealt with the moment I’ve resolved to.”

“Your condition? You can’t be fully healed yet.”

His gaze swept over my still unhealed wounds.

“It’s enough.”

As he said, my body was far from being in good shape.

A few more days of rest wouldn’t have fixed it anyway.

But I had no intention of delaying further.

At my steady reply, Yang Sobo gave a slight nod.

“Come back alive.”

It sounded less like an order than a warning.

“Zhang Wei. Make sure no one interferes in their affair.”

“Understood, Master.”

Outside the office, I looked up at the sky and steadied my breath.

It was time to face the shadows of the past.

Soon after, Zhang Wei followed and spoke.

“Let’s go.”

Together, we got into the car and headed toward Cheongnyangni.

As we left the city center, the scenery grew poorer, until the bridge where the shantytown—once my whole life—came into view.

“Let’s wait a little before getting out.”

The beggars were returning one by one after finishing their begging.

I waited until I saw the Fly and his gang come down last, then stepped out of the car.

Taking a deep breath, I stood on the bridge and shouted toward where they were tallying up the day’s begging.

“The Fly! You son of a bitch!”

My voice tore through the winter air.

The Boss, the Fly, and the beggars counting money all turned their eyes to me standing on the bridge.

Their gazes mixed shock and fury.