Chapter 49
Spring Visitor Inn
A pair of eyes watched a scene where a storm of blood had just passed.
It was a wandering swordsman who had been chasing Ihwan.
“Unbelievable… He disguised himself, left the military camp, and now even wears a mask to do this?”
He didn’t take his eyes off Ihwan, though disappointment was already creeping into them.
“Could it be that he’s not one of ours?”
The person he was seeking would never commit such acts. It would dishonor the legacy of their ancestors.
“No… the ones being attacked might actually be villains, so it’s too early to judge.”
As he hesitated, Ihwan and Cheolmuok—who had been fighting fiercely—suddenly vanished into the forest, and the swordsman furrowed his brow.
“After all this, he just leaves the apparent leader of the group behind?”
Suspicion now replaced the disappointment in his eyes.
The swordsman stared at the forest where Ihwan and Cheolmuok disappeared, then vanished like a ghost.
Ihwan and Cheolmuok watched Wang Jigyung’s party leave in haste. Cheolmuok looked at Ihwan’s profile, his eyes calm.
“He really was hiding his true strength.”
Ihwan today was far stronger than before. Even facing a master like Heukbaek Igeom, his breathing remained calm as if he were a child.
Cheolmuok, unaware of Ihwan’s gradually recovering strength, naturally thought so.
“Will the target act according to the plan?”
“After tasting a fear worse than death, he certainly will.”
“Then why did you deliberately show some fatigue?”
“There must be a reason to leave Wang Jigyung behind. If we returned looking completely fine, suspicion would arise, and suspicion creates variables.”
Cheolmuok didn’t immediately grasp Ihwan’s reasoning.
Ihwan removed his mask and turned around.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Gomi handed over a sheet of paper.
“The owner of the Spring Visitor Inn arranges martial artists for Wang Jigyung. He’s a former master of the rogue sect, and Heukbaek Igeom was connected through him as well.”
“So he arranges them and takes the money, huh?”
“Yes. Wang Jigyung has been doing business with him for a long time. It should be fine to go through him.”
“Does the owner also connect martial artists to other powers?”
“Yes. The Spring Visitor Inn traditionally finds jobs for martial artists. The more skilled they are, the more money they get, usually going to families with more influence.”
Listening to this, Ihwan felt bitter, wondering how martial artists ended up living this way.
“Good work.”
“Did you really kill Heukbaek Igeom?”
“Otherwise, you wouldn’t be talking to me right now, would you?”
Gomi was secretly astonished. According to her intelligence, Heukbaek Igeom was an incredible master. Yet Ihwan and Cheolmuok alone killed such masters. Including the other guards, their numbers weren’t even twenty.
“I knew he was hiding his strength, but I didn’t expect him to be this strong.”
“Wolju.”
“Yes?”
“Will you stay here?”
“Ah! Then I’ll take my leave.”
After Gomi left, Ihwan immediately immersed himself in a bathtub filled with hot water.
Splash!
“I’ve become quite strong, but…”
His whole body ached. Especially his right arm, which had wielded the sword—pain surged with every movement. Though growing stronger day by day, he still couldn’t fully handle his own power.
Ihwan lay back in the water, enjoying the warmth while operating his mind technique.
“Not bad.”
The Spring Visitor Inn boasted a respectable reputation in the city. The cooks were skilled, business was booming, and recent renovations made it look dazzling.
Today, the inn was crowded with guests.
What stood out was the unusually large number of martial artists compared to other inns.
Ihwan and Cheolmuok entered.
“Welcome!”
“Take us to the quietest place.”
“Yes! Please follow me!”
They followed Jeomsoi up the stairs. Ihwan asked quietly:
“This place arranges jobs for martial artists, right?”
“Jobs, huh?”
“Just answer.”
“Correct. If you’re here for jobs, you came to the right place.”
“Who should we meet?”
“First, fill out an introduction letter, and I’ll deliver it to the inn’s owner.”
“They meet you after seeing the letter?”
“Yes. Many people come every day, so we have no choice. Ah! Follow me there.”
Ihwan and Cheolmuok were seated by the window. Looking around, they saw several people radiating unusual energy. Some were intensely writing with ink brushes and inkstones.
“Shall I bring you ink and brushes?”
“No, just deliver it to your master. Those who miss this will regret it.”
“But you still have to write the letter…”
Jeomsoi quickly shut his mouth, intimidated by Cheolmuok’s deadly gaze.
“Bring two bottles of premium liquor and the best dishes from here.”
“Understood.”
Jeomsoi scurried downstairs.
“Will the master meet us?”
“Absolutely.”
“How are you so sure?”
“Jeomsoi is clever. If he cowered like a monkey under your gaze, he’ll surely deliver the message properly. If not, we’ll just pick someone here and give them a taste of our skills.”
Cheolmuok smiled. As always, Ihwan’s casual words were full of wisdom.
“How much will you ask for?”
“Heukbaek Igeom earned 5,000 nyang per month, so at least 10,000 nyang is fair.”
“Will Wang Jigyung pay that?”
“I told you, after tasting fear worse than death, he’ll comply with our demands. Of course, we’ll have to show we’re better than Heukbaek Igeom.”
“Haha.”
“Why laugh?”
“It’s amazing how every word is useful. I find that remarkable.”
Jeomsoi brought the alcohol first, but no ink and brushes.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Who’s the strongest visitor recently?”
“Hmm… Heukbaek Igeom came, and so did Sangsan Hyeoldo… I think Heukbaek Igeom is the strongest. He’s very famous.”
Judging by how nonchalantly he spoke, Heukbaek Igeom’s death hadn’t been reported yet.
“Did you tell the master?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Tell him again. If he doesn’t arrive by the end of the meal, we leave.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
Jeomsoi left.
Cheolmuok poured Ihwan a drink.
“When will you go see the princess?”
“After this is done.”
“Don’t you want to see her?”
“Drink.”
“…”
A pair of eyes watched Ihwan and Cheolmuok.
A middle-aged man with a goat beard and large mole—he was the owner of the Spring Visitor Inn.
He looked ordinary but had once been a famous master of the rogue sect.
“Hmm, the atmosphere is quite convincing.”
“The one sitting with his back turned seems extraordinary. His gaze… wow.”
Jeomsoi shivered, pointing at Cheolmuok’s back.
The middle-aged man frowned and muttered:
“I’ve been fooled by atmospheres like this before…”
“Trust my instinct this time. I assure you, in my life, no one has had a gaze like this. A master speaks with their eyes.”
“This guy’s making a fuss…”
“I’m serious. Just trust me once.”
“How can I trust your eyes? We’ll test it like last time.”
“What if someone dies like last time? The authorities won’t stay idle.”
“With Lord Wang present, what’s there to worry about? He’ll handle the aftermath. Now stop nagging and go down.”
After Jeomsoi left, the middle-aged man studied Ihwan and Cheolmuok, his gaze calm.
“If only they could match Heukbaek Igeom’s impact…”
“I heard that the Jin forces mobilized many martial artists, completely crushing Zhao.”
“I heard too. The Namgung clan, a prominent martial sect of Jin, acted. Could this lead to war? Jin had been quiet for a while, but now they attacked Zhao—it’s unsettling.”
“Will it escalate? Maybe it was just a chance clash.”
Ihwan silently listened. They were discussing the recent conflict between Jin and Zhao near Guizhou. Jin, after a long period of military restraint, suddenly struck first, drawing attention. Ihwan’s interest peaked at the Namgung clan.
The Namgung clan had been considered the foremost of the Five Great Clans even in his era.
“How absurd… The sects we dominated survive, but Dae-yaseong was destroyed.”
Ihwan asked Cheolmuok:
“Do you know about the Namgung clan?”
“I’ve rarely been to Jin. The Namgung clan has been inactive recently, so I’ve only heard rumors.”
“What kind of rumors?”
“A prodigy appeared in the Namgung clan. At a young age, he surpassed even the peak, and the emperor wants him as a son-in-law. If true, it’s huge, since the emperor has only one princess.”
Incredible. Historically, no emperor had taken a martial artist as a son-in-law. Even top-tier martial artists were essentially commoners politically.
“That guy was truly remarkable.”
Ihwan recalled the head of the Namgung clan, called the Sword God in his era. He had been the first to defeat him, later rising as a major figure while the Namgung head took his own life.
Clink.
Cheolmuok refilled Ihwan’s cup.
Ihwan’s gaze shifted to two figures entering the third floor: two strong men in blue and black robes.
They approached and sat at the table next to Ihwan, staring directly at him as they walked. Cheolmuok, with his back turned, didn’t notice.
Ihwan quietly sipped his drink. As he reached for a piece of food:
“Hey, you there.”
The blue-robed man called out. Ihwan looked at him; Cheolmuok turned.
The blue-robed man scanned them, asking:
“How’s the food? Is it good? We’re new here.”
Cheolmuok’s gaze turned fierce.
Ihwan telepathically communicated:
[Seems like they want to test our strength.]
Cheolmuok looked puzzled; Ihwan continued:
[Beat them, but don’t kill.]
[Yes.]
Cheolmuok drained his cup and rose.
The blue-robed man smirked:
“What? Did that upset you?”
Cheolmuok picked up a single chopstick and advanced. The tension drew everyone’s attention.
“You’ll stab me with that? Won’t work. Just draw your sword. Hehehe.”
“This is enough.”
Then the black-robed man stepped forward:
“Young one, you’ve got pride. Careful, your hand might get cut off.”
“Unlikely.”
Clink.
Thud!
Ihwan continued quietly drinking but kept his eyes on the doorway, where a middle-aged man watched expectantly.
He had seen it—the exchange of glances between the two strong men and the middle-aged man as they entered.
“Easier than writing an introduction letter.”
Clink.
