TYSN 11

TYSN

He rose from his seat, gazing at the faint moonlight seeping into the room. Thankfully, dawn had not yet broken, so he could move without drawing anyone’s attention.

He quietly opened the door and stepped outside.

“Snore—”

In the corridor, Jang Chu-hyung was sleeping on a mat. Told to sleep outside the room, he had obediently followed the instruction for days.

Perhaps the martial arts training had been exhausting—he was snoring soundly.

Even as the door opened and closed behind him, he didn’t stir.

He looked at the man and shook his head in disbelief.

He walked slowly, leaving the annex and then the entire Jin household.

A guard did try to follow him at that early hour, but stopped as soon as he was told not to.

The memory from a few days ago was likely still fresh—it wouldn’t be easy to think of him as the same young master he once was.

He had a destination in mind.

There were many hidden places in the Central Plains, invisible to the public eye.

And the group that controlled the most such places was the Hao Clan.

This jade token was the key to one of them.

He walked the quiet pre-dawn streets, heading toward a place he had in mind.

A shabby forge located just a bit away from the market street—he stopped in front of it.

Though no one was around, the forge was lit from within. In the center, a broad-shouldered man sat gulping down alcohol.

It was odd for someone to be awake and drinking at this hour, and clearly, he wasn’t open for business.

When he stepped inside, the man glanced at him.

“What do you want? We’re not open.”

He pulled out his jade token and showed it. The man’s expression shifted from confusion to panic as he quickly got to his feet.

“…Wait a moment.”

The man stepped outside to check the surroundings and, after confirming no one was around, closed the door.

He then pressed along the wall.

Kukreung—

A strange sound echoed as a hidden door opened, revealing a secret passage.

The man bowed slightly and gestured him inside. He entered without hesitation.

It was dark.

But the deeper he went, the brighter it became.

As if something awaited at the end of the path.

Before long, dozens of torches illuminated the area, revealing a vast underground space filled with people.

It was the Hao Clan’s black market—hidden in the deepest shadows.

He walked the path, scanning his surroundings.

Most items sold here were rare and impossible to find in public.

Things that couldn’t be sold openly, things stolen or looted from corpses—even worse.

Items obtained through questionable means couldn’t be sold in broad daylight, so they were traded here.

Carelessly buying something could lead to being framed as a criminal—or worse, getting killed.

You needed sharp judgment to shop here.

He stopped at one particular stall.

The old woman running it grinned.

“You have a good eye. Of all places, you stop here.”

He examined the items spread out on her mat.

Strange items—hidden weapons, armor, various tools.

Some clearly meant for assassination, others not so much.

Judging by the unusual designs rarely seen in the Central Plains, he could tell these were rare finds.

He noticed one item in particular.

It looked like a wrist-mounted device.

He recognized it—it was something the notorious Horidokjo used in the past. Far more efficient than the hidden weapons made by the Sichuan Tang family.

It could be hidden easily under the sleeve and fire five consecutive shots. The darts were so small they could kill before anyone even realized they’d been hit.

It was the perfect self-defense tool, especially since his martial arts weren’t yet perfected.

“How much?”

“That one? Forty-five silver taels.”

Pricey for a hidden weapon—but worth it.

He tossed her a silver ingot without hesitation.

The old woman grinned, rubbing the ingot like she didn’t want to give any change.

“Hehe, interested in anything else? I’ll give you a good price.”

He chuckled despite himself.

Was there anything else useful?

He browsed and picked up another item that stood out.

It was from the Sichuan Tang family—items like this occasionally appeared on the black market.

It wasn’t a poisoned liquor, but still the best choice for now.

“One silver ingot. Hehehe.”

“You really know how to swindle people.”

“I name the price. It’s not swindling.”

She chuckled again.

He frowned but let it go. He got what he came for.

Originally, he had come looking for spirit pills or herbs.

If lucky, maybe poison antidotes.

Improving his internal energy was important—but cleansing his body of poison came first. Still, he hadn’t found any here.

A bit disappointing, but the hidden weapons were useful.

He had once taken a similar weapon off a corpse—it had performed brilliantly until it broke.

He left without browsing further, just as the sun began to rise.

Time to hurry home.

“Where on earth did you go?!”

Cough, cough.

“Just out for a walk.”

“At that hour? I’ve been looking for you since dawn thinking something happened!”

“You think I’m a kid or something? Cough, cough!”

He ate breakfast while listening to Jang Chu-hyung chirp like a bird. Eating without worrying about poison was a blessing.

The clean food cleared his head.

Even Jang Chu-hyung’s voice seemed to fade.

He didn’t eat much.

When he’d had enough, he put down his chopsticks.

Jang Chu-hyung’s eyes filled with concern.

“Is that all you’re eating?”

“Yes.”

“How’s a person supposed to live on that tiny amount?”

“I’ve had enough.”

At that, Jang Chu-hyung’s concern shifted strangely.

“…Then can I eat it?”

“Go ahead. You need energy for training.”

“Hehe! Thank you!”

With a huge grin, Jang Chu-hyung pulled chopsticks from his sleeve. As if he always carried them just for occasions like this.

He was speechless.

As he shook his head in disbelief, a voice came from outside.

“Young Master, it’s Yoo Hyun. May I come in?”

“Come in.”

The door opened and Yoo Hyun entered, looking tired. He glanced between the young master and Jang Chu-hyung, who was stuffing his face, and gave a wry smile.

He sat down and rang a small bell beside him.

Jingle-jingle—

A maid quickly entered.

“Bring tea and snacks.”

“Yes, sir!”

She bowed and left.

Soon, as if it had been prepared in advance, tea and snacks were brought in.

As the maid placed them between the young master and Yoo Hyun, the report began.

“I have something to report.”

“What is it?”

“About the prisoners. As you suspected, no matter how much we torture them, we’re getting nothing. Further efforts seem meaningless.”

“That’s expected. The torture wasn’t to extract information. Kill those deeply involved with Hong Guhyeon. As for the rest, keep them locked up until my father returns, then release them.”

“Even if released… they won’t live normal lives.”

“That’s the point.”

“…!”

The maid flinched at those words.

She surely understood their meaning.

Maybe she even knew some of the prisoners personally.

With such things being said—who wouldn’t be terrified?

And the words would spread throughout the household soon enough.

That was the intent behind letting her hear it.

“This is the punishment for betraying the Jin family. Even if they leave alive, what awaits them is hell.”

She turned pale as he smiled calmly. Swallowing hard, she bowed and backed out slowly.

Fear of him would now deepen further—and with that, internal control would tighten.

Yoo Hyun, perhaps understanding his intent, silently watched the maid’s retreating figure.

“I will proceed as you’ve ordered. Also, about Hong Guhyeon—we’ve investigated those around him and questioned his supposed family…”

“They weren’t real family, were they?”

“No. They were people paid to act the part. Same with the others who died.”

He nodded and sipped his tea.

Naturally.

Backup plans were essential—especially for those operating in the shadows.

“No need to keep digging.”

“Pardon? But shouldn’t we track them down?”

“They’ll come to us… on their own.”

“What do you—”

He raised a hand, cutting him off, and Yoo Hyun fell silent.

It was natural to want revenge, especially since the Jin family had been targeted. But telling him not to pursue it made no sense.

“Anyway, cough! What about my father?”

“He’s currently delayed by a band of thieves. Even if he returns as soon as he gets the message, it may take some time.”

“Probably a month, at least.”

“Yes… seems so.”

“Bandits strong enough to hold him up? That’s impressive.”

“Sometimes skilled mercenaries go rogue and turn to banditry.”

“Fair point.”

He sipped his tea with a smirk.

It wasn’t impossible for skilled warriors to become bandits—but his father had elite Jin family guards with him, and his mother was once renowned in the martial world.

Their combined strength could crush a mid-sized sect.

To be stalled by mere bandits? Unlikely.

“Fine. Let’s keep things quiet on our end. Also… put up a posting.”

“A posting?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of posting?”

Yoo Hyun looked confused.

Postings were used to recruit or inform.

Was he planning to announce what happened?

But no—this was something else.

The Jin family posted such notices only for one reason.

“There are many vacant roles. We’ll need people—maids, servants, guards, everyone.”