Chapter 6
Emotional Assimilation
“Would you like to get some fresh air?”
“Fresh air?”
“Yes. Didn’t you enjoy going out to the marketplace and looking around?”
As Song Hoe said, the original owner of this body had loved visiting the city near the military camp, strolling through the bustling streets. He’d even made a habit of buying heaps of gifts for the guards on the way back.
Actually… a proper drink does sound tempting right now…
Yi Hwan was a lover of alcohol.
Even after unifying the martial world, he had left Daeyaseong in the care of trusted aides, traveling the land, collecting and enjoying fine liquors.
There’s nothing urgent to do until my internal energy recovers. Might as well.
“Get ready.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Am I coming too?”
Cha Jung-gyeong looked at him with hopeful eyes.
Song Hoe glared at him.
“Can’t you keep that mouth shut?”
Yi Hwan cut in.
“He’s coming.”
“…Sir?”
“His clothes are an eyesore. But we can’t have him wearing our army’s uniform either, so let’s take him along and buy him a proper set.”
“…Understood.”
* * *
General Peng Mu-wei of the Left Guard hailed from the Peng family of Hebei. He had entered government long ago and risen to the rank of general.
Possessing both formidable martial skill and an even greater ambition, he was a man who inspired extreme reactions within the military — people either admired him or despised him.
Clink.
Setting his teacup down, Peng Mu-wei let out a mocking smile.
“So he refused again today?”
“Yes. They say even the other commanders have been unable to meet the Fourth Prince.”
“Hmph. Looks like he’s avoiding me because he knows I’m on the Second Prince’s side. As he should… hahahaha.”
“But, General — they say that since waking from his serious injuries, the Fourth Prince has been like a completely different person. He volunteered for a mission, charged alone into the Black Tiger Unit, killed several of them, and even captured one alive.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. I’ve checked, and they say the prince’s martial skills that day were far from ordinary.”
“Is that so…”
Peng Mu-wei’s eyes narrowed.
“Then he’s been hiding his true ability all along.”
“That seems likely. Shouldn’t we report this to the Second Prince right away? He told us to report every detail, no matter how small.”
“Our concern is the Crown Prince. The Fourth Prince is irrelevant — whether he exists or not doesn’t matter. Let’s observe a bit longer. Killing a few Black Tigers isn’t anything special.”
“Understood.”
Peng Mu-wei took another sip of tea before asking,
“Have we received all the information I requested?”
“Yes. The Peng family’s warriors are examining it thoroughly. We’ll prepare an optimal plan to ensure success once we move out.”
“Preparation must be perfect. With a single operation, we must produce results and win the camp’s support. Only then will the Crown Prince step down without protest. Understand?”
“Yes, General.”
Once his aide left, Peng Mu-wei walked to the window and threw it open.
Across the way stood Yi Hwan’s quarters.
At that moment, he saw Yi Hwan boarding a carriage.
Their eyes met across the distance.
“…!”
Peng Mu-wei unconsciously stepped back — for a moment, it felt like a blade had stabbed straight into his pupils.
What was that…?
The carriage began to roll away.
Peng Mu-wei’s gaze followed it until it was gone.
Must’ve been my imagination.
* * *
The city was fairly large and prosperous.
The Southern Army housed around fifty thousand troops, and most of their families lived here.
“Wow! This place is fancy.”
Cha Jung-gyeong couldn’t help exclaiming at the bustling marketplace.
Yi Hwan headed straight for the largest and most luxurious inn on the street.
The owner and attendants rushed to greet him. Even the customers quickly stood and bowed.
Even a prince cast aside by the royal family was still a figure ordinary people wouldn’t dare to look in the eye.
“We’ll prepare your usual right away.”
Yi Hwan went upstairs.
The “original owner” had always used a room on the fourth floor — a floor so expensive that most people couldn’t even dream of entering it.
So this is where he came to feel free…
Entering his room, Yi Hwan’s eyes caught sight of a man sitting in the adjacent room through a slightly open door.
For a brief instant, Yi Hwan’s eyes flashed — but he quickly looked away and stepped inside.
Soon, attendants brought wine and light snacks.
Yi Hwan asked,
“That man next door — is he a regular here?”
“No, sir. It’s his first visit.”
Once the attendant left, Yi Hwan asked Cha Jung-gyeong,
“Do you know anyone in this city?”
“No. Like I said before, I was pretty much a loner in the Black Tigers. Why?”
“He was looking at you.”
“The man next door?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe they sent a pursuit team, thinking I deserted?”
As Cha Jung-gyeong tilted his head, Song Hoe spoke in a worried tone.
“That’s possible. In that case, we should leave immediately.”
“Quit overreacting and pour the wine.”
Song Hoe stopped himself from arguing further — he’d learned that Yi Hwan wouldn’t listen anyway.
Pour.
Yi Hwan raised his cup, his gaze growing calm.
A martial arts master… here?
He had instantly recognized the man’s level — someone who could completely suppress his energy.
And his eyes changed when he looked at this guy.
Yi Hwan hadn’t missed the brief flash in the man’s eyes when he looked at Cha Jung-gyeong — a look completely different from the one he’d given Yi Hwan himself.
If his intentions are hostile, could I handle him with my current strength?
There was no clear answer.
No point in running away.
His pride wouldn’t allow it.
* * *
“Sorry I’m late. I had something to check on the way.”
“Sit.”
The man drank silently.
Clack.
“There’s someone in the second room who matches the portrait.”
“…Are you certain?”
“No doubt — unless the sketch you gave me was wrong.”
“Then we should move now.”
The man shook his head, his gaze sinking darkly.
“He’s with someone… unsettling.”
“…?”
“I don’t have a good feeling. We wait for the right moment.”
The blue-robed man was curious about who this “unsettling” person was.
I’ve never seen him this cautious before…
If the man was this wary, that meant the target was an exceptional master.
“Any useful information?”
“I asked around. By Yan law, he’s an illegitimate prince sent to the frontlines. They say he’s talentless and ignored even within Yan. The Black Tigers’ ambush wasn’t even specifically targeting him. He’s not worth worrying about.”
“Doesn’t it seem strange that someone like that survived a Soul-Severing Device?”
“Maybe it was just luck.”
“….”
Pour.
After filling his own cup and drinking, the blue-robed man continued,
“Oh, just in case, I’ve also made a portrait of the Yan army’s high-ranking officers.”
He handed over a sketch.
The man’s eyes lit up instantly.
“What is it?”
“He’s in the second room as well.”
“…What?”
The man’s gaze grew heavier.
“Odd… why would someone enter an inn with the very man who tried to kill him?”
“If that’s true, it is strange.”
“Ask the inn staff how much food and drink they ordered. And whether they’re staying here tonight.”
“Understood.”
“Make sure they keep quiet — give them plenty of silver.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
Once the blue-robed man left, the man poured another drink, his thoughts drifting to Yi Hwan’s face as he’d entered the second room.
They say he’s talentless and ignored…
So he’s been hiding something after all.
* * *
The “original owner” had always stayed the night here, lying awake until morning, lost in endless thoughts.
Most of those thoughts were complaints about his situation and worries for his sister.
They were siblings from the same mother, so the bond was natural — but he had worried for her to an excessive degree.
Yi Hwan remembered the sister’s tearful face when the “original owner” had left home, and he frowned slightly.
I’m definitely starting to assimilate with his emotions.
It was the same feeling he’d had when thinking about the Second Prince — as if he had personally experienced it.
I hate this kind of thing… tch.
Clicking his tongue, Yi Hwan emptied his cup.
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
“Nothing.”
“I’ve reserved a room. Once you finish, you should relax with a hot bath.”
Yi Hwan looked out the window.
Night had already fallen, but the marketplace was still crowded.
Cha Jung-gyeong stood up.
“I’m going to the latrine.”
Song Hoe glared.
“You know what’ll happen if you try anything.”
“Yes, yes.”
“You brat!”
Cha Jung-gyeong shot Song Hoe a glare before leaving. Song Hoe then asked,
“Will you keep it secret from the captain too?”
“Keep what secret?”
“The reason you’re not killing him. Surely you can tell the captain.”
“I told you I’d explain later. Just pour the wine.”
“….”
Pour.
“Drink some too. Sometimes you should enjoy yourself.”
“Yes.”
They drank back and forth for some time. Still, Cha Jung-gyeong didn’t return.
“He’s taking too long.”
“He’s probably doing a big one.”
“He might’ve escaped — I’d better check.”
* * *
Song Hoe left the room and headed to the back courtyard where the latrine was. The stench hit him immediately.
“If you’re done, close the door.”
He walked toward the only closed stall.
“You in there?”
No reply.
“I said, are you in there?!”
Still nothing.
Song Hoe’s face twisted.
“Knew it.”
Bang!
He kicked the door open — but it was empty.
“That son of a…!”
Rustle!
Leaping onto the wall in anger, his eyes caught something below — a ring lying on the ground.
Song Hoe recalled his conversation with Cha Jung-gyeong:
—A ring? For a prisoner?
—It’s very important to me.
—Your parents’ keepsake?
—My master gave it to me. The others in my sect treated me like an outcast, but my master was sincere with me. So this ring is no different from my master himself.
There was no mistake — it was Cha Jung-gyeong’s ring.
