Chapter 49
Kang Yoo strolled leisurely around the mansion.
The countless guards protecting the estate seemed almost meaningless.
As he walked through the mansion, Kang Yoo noticed something peculiar.
From afar, the guards looked ordinary, but their skills were surprisingly high for martial artists.
Of course, they weren’t on the level of Tae Cheong-hwan or Yeo Dong-wan, but they were at least stronger than the participants of the Yongbong Society tournament.
And it wasn’t just one or two—every single one of the hundred or so guards was like this.
It was definitely strange.
The person who rented the mansion, Yeon-gyeom, had said he had hidden his strength while competing, and because of the plague, it was unlikely there were others of a similar age in his faction.
Yet here were people stronger than the tournament participants, guarding the mansion like a fortress.
“Where is Gap?”
“Currently out.”
“And Gap Three?”
“He finished his personal training in the back garden and has returned to his quarters.”
From the flow of the conversation, it seemed “Gap” and “Gap Three” referred to people. But why refer to people this way?
“Remember that the time is near. Not even the slightest lapse in vigilance is allowed.”
“Of course.”
Why be this serious just for a martial arts tournament?
’From what I see, that guy is dangerous.’
Indeed, just like the beggar grandfather had said, there was something suspicious about him.
At this point, Kang Yoo was starting to feel certain. He needed one more piece of evidence to confirm it.
Kang Yoo moved through the garden shadows, avoiding the guards’ eyes.
Soon, he reached the front of the main hall, the only entrance guarded on both sides by men.
Because of the many hanging night-lanterns, the shadows were faint.
He could enter if he tried, but he couldn’t afford to be caught even with his strong suspicions.
The Mu clan grandfather could hide even without shadows, but Kang Yoo wasn’t yet at that level.
’One hundred eighty-one… one hundred eighty-two…’
He continued counting in his mind as he entered the mansion.
’One hundred ninety-five… one hundred ninety-six…’
At the moment his count reached the hundreds…
“Ma-Master.”
“?”
A commotion started inside the mansion.
A guard ran toward the man called the “Master” who was guarding the main hall entrance.
“What is it?”
The running guard replied with a troubled expression:
“There’s a beggar causing a scene outside the main gate. He refuses to leave until his begging bowl is filled…”
“A beggar?”
The Master’s expression darkened.
“Was there a knot on his waist?”
“I checked. There was only a string without a knot. He seems to be a White-Clothed Beggar-in-Training, but I didn’t want to stir up trouble, so I reported it.”
The Master’s anger flared at such a trivial matter, yet the situation required such caution. The guard’s carefulness was commendable.
The Master’s expression softened.
“Very well. Then I’ll go…”
But as he took a step, a thought struck him.
“…”
He immediately looked around the garden.
Well-maintained stone pagodas and lotus-filled ponds. Vines and ornamental stones arranged neatly.
It was a familiar scene, yet his instincts screamed that something was wrong.
He immediately ordered his subordinates:
“Strengthen the defenses around the main hall. Illuminate the garden with torches and bring the White-Clothed Beggar here.”
The entire mansion lit up like daylight.
An old beggar was thrown before the Master. He grabbed the man by the collar.
“What are you plotting?”
“Huh? Pl-plotting, sir?”
“Why would a mere White-Clothed Beggar cause a disturbance at this hour?”
The Master’s gaze was terrifyingly intense. The beggar hurriedly spoke:
“Well, usually those who rent this place get a few days of meals for minor troubles…”
The Master shook the beggar’s collar.
“Confess. Until the truth is told.”
The beggar panicked.
“N-no, sir! I only wanted to fill my starving stomach…”
Before he could finish, the subordinates dragged him away. The Master swiftly assessed the situation.
The garden lit up like day. The guards’ vigilance sharpened.
True, many beggars and wandering monks passed through the mansion daily because it was so large.
But his instincts told him this was different. Something was lurking beyond the darkness.
“Expand the guard perimeter to one hundred jang beyond the mansion and add Gap’s protection. No patrols tonight; everyone stays alert.”
The Master personally guarded the main hall entrance. Tonight, no one would pass.
Kang Yoo glanced back.
“Expand the guard perimeter to one hundred jang beyond the mansion and add Gap’s protection. No patrols tonight; everyone stays alert!”
Despite the garden’s bustling activity, Kang Yoo had already slipped into the main hall.
The Master had taken a step, but his instinctive glance at the garden was enough for Kang Yoo to act.
It was like playing hide-and-seek with the Mu clan grandfather—an eternity in a single instant.
“If you can come, come. Let’s see if you can!”
The Master’s confident voice echoed behind him.
“….”
Kang Yoo felt a twinge of guilt.
’I can’t help it. The survival of our faction depends on it.’
As he was about to enter the main hall, a shadow emerged from inside.
“What’s this commotion?”
’Eek…!’
Kang Yoo froze. One figure came from the dark hallway.
There was only one presence inside, and though it passed close, no force was sensed—he must be an expert. Almost certainly a dangerous figure.
“C-Courtier!”
The men outside bowed to the shadowy figure.
The light revealed a rare and formidable figure. Kang Yoo tilted his head in confusion.
’Hmm…?’
The face was familiar, the scent recognizable.
’Who… is this?’
Since learning Ilgyeonapwa from his master, Kang Yoo remembered most events visually. This meant he had met this person before.
As Kang Yoo recalled memories from Jilin to Mount Baek, the figure emerged fully from the hall.
“What’s going on? I’m resting, you know.”
The previously confident Master hurriedly bowed.
“Apologies, sir. There was a problem in the side hall…”
The Master explained everything. The shadowy figure furrowed his brows.
“An intruder…?”
The Master bowed.
“As I said, it’s just instinct. But I thought we should be cautious of even the smallest detail…”
The shadow’s gaze swept the mansion: torches and lanterns lighting the garden, stone pagodas and lotus-filled ponds, guards lined up between ornamental stones.
“….”
When he finally glanced at the corridor from which he had emerged, Kang Yoo saw his face fully. A thought struck him immediately.
’This person…!’
“Gah!”
The figure grabbed at the shadows. Kang Yoo, hiding there, was pulled out. The man’s pupils glinted strangely.
“Muyeonghaeng (Shadowless Walk)!!”
His mouth twisted into a peculiar smile.
“You…!”
“You…!”
The two recognized each other instantly.
“You…!”
Though his appearance had changed, it was undoubtedly Muyeonghaeng. The man from Mount Baekdong.
The shadow’s eyes turned sharp. Veins bulged in his hands.
Simultaneously, the shadow struck upward. Kang Yoo dodged and jumped outside.
“Everyone, draw your swords!”
Over a hundred guards drew their blades, but
“Enough.”
The shadow restrained them.
“S-Sir…!”
“Enough.”
“….”
Kang Yoo met the shadow’s gaze again, observing the disciplined guards.
“You’re the one, right? Back then.”
The shadow lowered his hand.
“Yes. Back then.”
It was the man Kang Yoo first met in the village, beside the quarrelsome grandfather. Kang Yoo swallowed nervously.
“Are you… Yeon-gyeom?”
Yeon-gyeom looked silently at Kang Yoo, then smirked before speaking.
“For now, yes.”
“For now?”
“….”
This time, no response followed. Yeon-gyeom simply stared at Kang Yoo. Perhaps he recognized the face of his grandfather, whom he had met on the journey to Liaoyang.
“Stop.”
Cheong-gyeong, the leader of Cheonma Shin-kyu, was precise in all matters.
“You focused only on speed and sharpness, missing the essence. The pursuit of Meteor Sword lies within your internal strength. Train.”
Yeon-gyeom, only fourteen, had just mastered the Meteor Sword. He had hoped for praise, but his grandfather’s words continued:
“No one has mastered the Meteor Sword at fourteen. You are a prodigy.”
“….”
His grandfather’s evaluations were always exact, leaving no room for exaggeration or understatement.
This allowed Yeon-gyeom to assess his own abilities precisely. A perfect measure and guide. Ruthlessly factual.
Until the moment he met this person in the remote mountains of Liaoyang Mount Baek.
“While climbing the mountain, I met a child.”
“Not a child. He’s already of age.”
“Is it this one?”
“Yes, it is him.”
Until then, he had thought the person was a simple mountain villager.
“Compared to the one behind you, how was he?”
“….”
His usually precise grandfather had nothing to say. Instead, Mahyang smiled.
“Indeed. I see.”
The implication was clear. His grandfather’s clarity was known to both him and his teacher.
’Compared to the one behind you…’
Silence.
It was an unexpected act of care, the first time he had ever received such thought from his family.
It was humiliating. The more he pondered, the more his chest burned.
His grandfather had always been precise. Lifelong precision, no exaggeration or understatement. Unfeeling, indifferent to others’ moods.
Yeon-gyeom snapped back to reality.
“Everyone, sheathe your swords.”
“Huh?”
He signaled his subordinates while looking back at Kang Yoo.
“Let’s move. You must have a reason for sneaking in.”
“Reason?”
Without waiting for a reply, Yeon-gyeom launched out of the mansion.
“A-Ah, sir…”
The Master hesitated as Yeon-gyeom suddenly left. Kang Yoo spoke to him:
“Put your swords away.”
“What?”
Kang Yoo smirked and followed Yeon-gyeom.
“….”
All the evidence pointed to Yeon-gyeom. It was actually fortunate.
