The Genius Warrior Who Remembers Everything Chapter 87

Chapter 87. Time of the Hunt

“Daoist Master Myeonghyeon of the Diancang Sect has come to visit.”

At the words of the Mantongbu member, Jegal So-myeong’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Did you tell him I was not here?”

Jegal So-myeong, who was none other than the Grand Strategist of the Murim Alliance and the head of Mantongbu and Sim Hyeon-gak, spoke while radiating displeasure, yet the person who delivered the message showed no sign of tension and answered as if it had nothing to do with him.

“He says he came after seeing the alliance-entry records.”

If it had been another fellow, he would have trembled in apology, not knowing how to answer.

“…….”

Jegal So-myeong, who had briefly escaped reality through other thoughts, let out a long sigh.

“……Hoo. Of all days, today. I already have a mountain of work to handle.”

The atmosphere of the current Murim Academy Exam was already far more overheated than the previous one, and the documents awaiting his review had filled one side of his desk and were now piled up on the floor as well.

When Daoist Master Myeonghyeon came and went in the middle of an already busy time, Jegal So-myeong’s mood would become unpleasant on top of everything else, and his pace of work would slow even further.

“If he stands outside like that, it becomes difficult for the department personnel to work. Please clear him away quickly.”

“…….”

If another person had said such a thing, Jegal So-myeong would have beaten him into a pulp and thrown him out at once. But because the one who said it was Maeng Ju-won, he held it in and let it pass.

“……Bring him in.”

With those words, Jegal So-myeong moved to one side table in Mantongbu.

It was a shabby table that Jegal So-myeong never normally used, brought there so that Mantongbu personnel could quickly eat their meals.

Soon after, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon of the Diancang Sect entered Mantongbu under Maeng Ju-won’s guidance.

“I greet the Grand Strategist.”

“Welcome.”

After the two exchanged light clasped hands greetings, Jegal So-myeong sat down, but Daoist Master Myeonghyeon did not sit at the shabby table and instead looked around the surroundings.

“It seems rather noisy. How about moving elsewhere?”

From Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s standpoint, having always received the highest treatment befitting an upper-ranking position within the Murim Alliance, the very act of conversing in Mantongbu, which was indistinguishable from a messy storage room, was deeply uncomfortable.

Jegal So-myeong, who knew that, nodded.

“My apologies. I don’t have time, so I am receiving a guest in such a place. If you are uncomfortable, how about making an appointment somewhere better next time?”

If you don’t like it, leave.

At the blatant order to leave, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s face crumpled like paper, but he soon seemed to give up and sat down.

“Ahem. It is fine. Who knows when I will be able to meet you again?”

“…….”

Maeng Ju-won, who had handled the guidance earlier, brought tea.

However, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s brow furrowed once again.

It was because Maeng Ju-won, who had brought the tea, smelled sour, as though he had not washed for several days.

“Khmm.”

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon openly expressed his displeasure, but Maeng Ju-won, whether he did or not, set down the tea and returned to his seat to work like a corpse.

It was offensive that he did not show any tension before an Elder of the Alliance, but when Daoist Master Myeonghyeon recognized that he was a talent personally recruited by Jegal So-myeong, who had gone all the way to White Tiger Pavilion, he swallowed his anger.

“Kul, kul. My apologies. Since the Murim Academy Exam began, the children are barely managing to eat.”

On top of Mantongbu’s original work, they had to supervise the Murim Academy Exam, so the already scarce personnel were being ground down.

Mantongbu’s manpower shortage was always a problem, but this year, the overheated exam had further increased their workload.

“Khmm. Not at all. Is it not a fragrance born from the process of working hard for the future of the murim?”

“Would you like more tea?”

“……No, thank you.”

After roughly teasing Daoist Master Myeonghyeon, Jegal So-myeong went straight to the main point. He had far too much to do to idle around with him.

“What brings you here?”

“In this Advanced Scholar Exam, our Diancang Sect disciple Mu Mun-tak failed by an unfortunate score.”

Jegal So-myeong’s face furrowed once more.

Did he have to discuss this while he was already busy enough to die?

“Is Mantongbu not suffering from a manpower shortage every time because of the Grand Strategist’s strict exam?”

“…….”

The Murim Alliance selected Scholar Alliance Members for the smooth handling of the Alliance’s work, but to enter Mantongbu, one had to separately take the Advanced Scholar Exam proposed by the Grand Strategist.

That exam was so vicious and difficult that no one had passed it in the past few years.

“How can you say that is entirely my fault? It is all because of the Murim Academy Exam, which focuses only on martial arts and background.”

“…….”

Ever since Jegal So-myeong had been appointed Grand Strategist, he had demanded sweeping reforms to the Murim Academy and the Murim Regular Exam, but he had been thwarted every time.

“Did I not say this? If the Murim Academy Exam is conducted this way, then only those with money despite lacking skill, or those who have learned nothing but martial arts while excluding scholarship, will enter.”

“We did not come here to talk about the exam, did we?”

“…….”

He had said it countless times, yet these bastards still wanted to hear only what they wanted to hear.

“Moreover, I heard this exam has become so overheated that the personnel of Mantongbu cannot even go home and are eating and sleeping here.”

“That is correct.”

“Mu Mun-tak is known even in our sect as a child with outstanding scholarship and a bright understanding of martial arts. How about taking him in through Special Recruitment this time?”

No matter how short they were on manpower, they could not leave the positions empty in Mantongbu, which moved not only the Murim Alliance but the entire murim.

Thus, those who received the highest marks within the Murim Academy, or those whom Jegal So-myeong acknowledged, were permitted to enter Mantongbu.

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon wanted that exception.

‘They cannot even be called foxes.’

Jegal So-myeong had long known that the Righteous Path Association, led by the Nine Sects and One Gang, wanted to exert influence over Mantongbu.

Their petty Great Plan was to expand their foothold in Mantongbu, use that to develop the Righteous Path Association, which was treated as a social club, into an official organization, establish the Righteous Path Pavilion, and eventually swallow the Murim Alliance whole.

“I was not going to say this because it would sound as if I were deliberately pointing out Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s shame, but that child named Mu Mun-tak could not complete even half the exam within the time limit. Moreover, half of the problems he did solve were completely wrong.”

“…….”

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s face wrinkled even more than when he had smelled Maeng Ju-won’s stench.

“If you want to bring someone in and try to force him through, at least bring someone who makes a little sense.”

“……Do you mean a child like Jin So-un of Taeul Sect?”

“……?”

For the first time, Jegal So-myeong felt his head stop in confusion.

Why had that boy’s name suddenly come up here?

“It was quite noisy for a while, was it not? About the identity of the child to whom the Grand Strategist first gave an Entry Token, one he had never even given to his own family…….”

Five Entry Tokens were given respectively to the Grand Strategist and the Murim Alliance Leader.

Unlike the Murim Alliance Leader, who used Entry Tokens every time for political or personal purposes, Jegal So-myeong, the Grand Strategist, had never once used an Entry Token.

But when word spread that he had used an Entry Token for the first time this year, the entire Murim Alliance had become noisy.

“But what will you do? That child seems about to suffer a great disaster while taking the Murim Academy Exam.”

“…….”

For the first time, a triumphant smile appeared on Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s face.

“I heard our sect’s children have moved to target that child. Moreover, the children of Wudang Sect and Mount Hua as well.”

The disciples of the three sects counted among the strongest factions of the Nine Sects and One Gang were moving?

There was clearly no disciple who could face them.

“Let us do this. Our Diancang Sect will protect that child. Wudang and Mount Hua seem to be targeting that child for some reason. But if he moves with Diancang, what can they do?”

If he was lucky, he would only have his Trial Tokens or Entry Token taken away.

In the worst case, even death could be expected.

“In exchange, please use Mun-tak in an important position.”

“…….”

A deep silence settled between the two of them.

Even the Mantongbu personnel seemed to be secretly listening, as not even the sound of papers turning could be heard.

Just before they were swallowed by that deep silence, Jegal So-myeong’s mouth slowly opened.

“……Who are you talking about?”

“……Pardon?”

“I clearly gave the Entry Token to Namgung Clan’s…… Ah, right!”

Jegal So-myeong struck his own forehead.

“That is right! At the time, I ended up in quite an awkward situation and gave it to a disciple from some sect called Taeul Sect or whatnot…….”

“…….”

“But I was certain Namgung San would take it back again…… no?”

Jegal So-myeong turned his head and looked at Maeng Ju-won.

As if he had been waiting, Maeng Ju-won spoke.

“Judging by the fact that Namgung Clan also participated in the exam, it seems it still belongs to Jin So-un.”

“I see……?”

A sneer hung at the corner of Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s mouth. What shallow trick was this that would not even work……

Just as he was about to shoot back a word,

“Good grief, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon. Do things in moderation. Tsk. If you truly want to place someone in Mantongbu and accomplish your Great Plan, at least bring someone capable of thought. Stop trying to shove in people whose heads don’t work, like you.”

“Wh-what did you say?! Just now.”

When Daoist Master Myeonghyeon shouted, Jegal So-myeong lowered his voice.

“Now that you have received the position of Elder, you have no fear of anything, do you? Shall I knock you around like before?”

“What are you…… I-I am an Elder of the Murim Alliance…….”

“And I am the Grand Strategist of the Murim Alliance.”

“…….”

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon trembled as he recalled a past he had thought he had forgotten.

“Go back. I am busy.”

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon, trembling with humiliation, slammed the door shut and left.

At that moment, the documents Jegal So-myeong had to handle tumbled down in piles.

“Tsk. This is what happens when you give a position to someone who lacks the measure for it.”

“Why not just accept him?”

Maeng Ju-won grumbled as he picked up the documents that had fallen to the floor.

Jegal So-myeong furrowed his brow.

“What?”

“We could make him clean Mantongbu. Look here. At this point, I cannot tell whether Mantongbu is a slaughterhouse or a command-and-control room.”

“…….”

“Moreover, Jin So-un is moving with only four people in total. What if he really dies? Then our Mantongbu may have to work overtime until we die of old age.”

“You brat…… Do you know how important Mantongbu’s work is……?”

There was a limit to indulging him.

Just as Jegal So-myeong was about to say something, a question suddenly occurred to him.

“Come to think of it, how do you know Jin So-un?”

A moment ago, he had only pretended to casually ask about Namgung Clan, yet the answers had come out smoothly. And now, Maeng Ju-won seemed to know Jin So-un’s identity in considerable detail as well.

“I have been watching him since I heard the Grand Strategist gave him an Entry Token. This fellow is truly incredible. How can four people…….”

From the matter of Mount Tianmu to the recent matter of Mount Makgan, Maeng Ju-won knew everything that Jegal So-myeong had secretly looked into.

“Tsk, tsk. Not doing the work you are supposed to do…… This is why you work overtime every day.”

“Is he not a talent who will enter Mantongbu? As a senior, I should take care of him in advance.”

“Huh…… How many years do you think are left before that child graduates from the Murim Academy and comes here?”

“Does one not prepare a Great Plan while looking ten years ahead? I have no desire to keep working overtime here even after I get married.”

His glib manner of speaking was thoroughly unpleasant.

“……Did you not hear just now? Diancang, Wudang, and Mount Hua are targeting him. He will be fortunate just to save his life.”

“But just now, did you not say, ‘How many years do you think are left?’ Does that not mean you have his passing in mind?”

“…….”

Jegal So-myeong hated clever fellows because they were quick-witted.

As Myeonghyeon had said, perhaps he really should look for fellows he could at least assign simple tasks to.

Jegal So-myeong, who had continued thinking for a moment, looked at Maeng Ju-won. His hair was greasy because he had not washed it for several days, but he did not smell foul like a moment ago.

“What was that stench earlier?”

“I caught a few Yellow Stink Bugs. If the Grand Strategist idles around, we become even more exhausted.”

“Why, you!”

Jegal So-myeong finally failed to hold back and poured tea at Maeng Ju-won, but Maeng Ju-won dodged the tea as though he had predicted it in advance.

Watching Maeng Ju-won tuck his tail and flee, Jegal So-myeong cursed.

“In any case…… will he pass through the Regular Exam?”

The incident at the Demon Spirit Plateau was one thing, and each of his movements was extraordinary.

Recently, Jegal So-myeong had heard that Jin So-un had taken out Jegal Cheon-gi, who had been imprisoned in Jegal Clan, and had sat blankly for quite some time.

How had he persuaded those fellows whose heads were as stiff as stones?

Moreover, that fellow Jegal Cheon-gi did not even listen to his own grandfather, so how had Jin So-un taken out a man who had imprisoned himself in the Prison?

The Entry Token he had given out of mere curiosity was gradually becoming weighted with expectation.

He truly looked forward to seeing whether a fellow who was practically alone could really pass the Murim Regular Exam.

After we left Mount Makgan, our movements were unsettlingly smooth.

The attacks stopped completely.

“I don’t know whether I should call this good or not.”

That was what Eun-ho said as he warmed himself by a fire for the first time in days and tore into jerky.

At those words, I looked at his face.

“Why? Eldest Senior Brother?”

There was no beggar-like state worse than this.

“I’m looking at you because you keep saying ominous things for no reason.”

Geum-pyo, who was beside him, scolded Eun-ho.

Geum-pyo was the same. He looked almost half like a wild beast.

And Dong-ryong, who was frantically eating roasted rabbit on one side, smiled bashfully when his eyes met mine, then continued frantically eating the rabbit.

He looked so filthy that even a Beggars’ Sect Disciple would avoid him.

“……Let us stop by a village first.”

“Pardon? What if pursuers attach themselves to us…….”

“Pursuers are not what matters right now.”

“Then what is?”

“I am afraid people will look at you and see Beggars’ Sect Disciples instead of Taeul Sect disciples.”

“…….”

“…….”

Geum-pyo and Eun-ho looked at each other, then nodded silently.

Just because there were no attacks right now, I could not confidently say our safety was guaranteed. If that was the case, openly stepping forward might make it easier to face our enemies.

‘It will take some time for Wudang, Diancang, and Mount Hua to move too.’

When I heard Yang Gun-baek’s words, I had no choice but to tilt my head in puzzlement.

Wudang was in Hubei Province, while Mount Hua and Diancang were each located in Shaanxi Province. Were they really going to move all the way to Zhejiang Province just to catch us?

[They are not the main disciples of each sect.]

That had been Yang Gun-baek’s answer to my question.

[But Young Master So-un knows well that they are not opponents you can ignore either, does he not?]

There were not just one or two disciples of enormous sects, and each disciple received different support according to the interests of their masters.

There were main disciples who received direct support from Wudang Sect and were composed of Wudang Sect disciples.

Below them were disciples who received direct support from Wudang Sect but were protected by Wudang Sect’s lay-affiliated martial sects.

Lastly, there were disciples of Wudang Sect who did not receive direct support, but instead received support from their affiliated merchant houses and mobilized the warriors of their own families to take the exam.

[Those targeting Young Master So-un are people who receive direct support but are accompanied by disciples from lay-affiliated martial sects.]

The lay-affiliated martial sects of the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Clans possessed stronger military force than most small and medium-sized sects.

Since they could not surpass the main groups within the same province, they were pushed out of the competition and moved far away.

Because of this, the disciples of the existing small and medium-sized sects in that province suffered the hardship of being pushed aside by them.

“Even so, it is unexpected that they would come all the way to Zhejiang Province.”

If other people stole the Trial Tokens before they arrived, they would end up like dogs that chased chickens and were left staring at the roof.

[I suspect there was some kind of prior collusion.]

Even if they were not main disciples, a group formed by the three sects Wudang, Mount Hua, and Diancang was by no means an opponent to be taken lightly.

[So please be careful.]

Yang Gun-baek’s final words kept lingering in my ears.

After we crossed Zhejiang Province and entered Jiangsu Province, the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers were somewhat excited with Suzhou before us.

“They say the Four Great Gardens are very famous in Suzhou. Do you think we can go see them?”

At Geum-pyo’s leisurely words, Eun-ho clicked his tongue.

“Gardens? Have you already forgotten the concept that we are taking the Hell Regular Exam right now?”

“Who said I forgot? I only brought it up because I heard they were famous.”

“Sometimes, Geum-pyo, you seem more like a child than Dong-ryong.”

At Eun-ho’s words, Geum-pyo, stung, asked Dong-ryong,

“Dong-ryong, what do you want to do if we go to Suzhou?”

“Huh? ……Mm. Eldest Senior Brother. What food is famous in Suzhou?”

“Well. I have heard that freshwater fish dishes are famous…….”

Dong-ryong quickly nodded.

“I want to eat fish dishes in Suzhou.”

“Huh…….”

Eun-ho let out a long sigh and shook his head.

I smiled at the sight of them and said,

“We cannot go see the gardens, but let us try all the food.”

“Will that be all right?”

At Eun-ho’s worry, Geum-pyo sneered.

“You’re worried, so keep watch while we eat.”

“……Do you think everything you say sounds good just because you said it?”

“This brat? Did you just call your older brother ‘this brat’?! Senior Brother! This bastard just…….”

The Geum and Eun brothers, who were bickering like that, suddenly felt the gazes around them and stopped moving.

“…….”

After we entered Suzhou and headed toward the bustling streets, the gazes of countless sword-bearing warriors were focused on us from both sides.

Whispers could be heard from afar.

-Are those the Taeul Sect people?

-Probably.

-I heard they have many Trial Tokens.

-Many are targeting them.

-We should lend a hand to that.

The Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers probably had not heard the exact contents, but as though crushed by the great pressure those gazes gave them, they pressed their mouths shut.

“This way.”

Until I spoke, the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers had been walking in the wrong direction like wooden dolls. Then they hurriedly clung to me like chicks following their parent.

“Relax a little. Rather, showing no composure will look like an opening to them.”

“……Yes.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, Eldest Senior Brother.”

Eun-ho moved his shoulders and neck as though trying to loosen even a little of his tension at my words.

However, his expression froze stiff the moment we entered the inn.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

The uproar in the inn, which had been bustling loudly, subsided in an instant.

Everyone carrying a blade, whether on the first floor or the second floor, was looking this way.

It was a scene that seemed as though it would appear only in a frightening nightmare.

Perhaps even the waiter, who had been moving busily, sensed that the atmosphere was unusual, because he stopped while approaching and stood there with an expression that said he did not know what to do.

“Can we sit anywhere?”

When I spoke to him, only then did he seem to come to his senses.

“Ah, y-yes. You may sit wherever you like.”

“What is this place good at?”

“People usually order Dongpo Pork.”

“I heard Suzhou is famous for fish dishes?”

“Ah…… In that case, how about trying Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish?”

“Bring us Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish, Dongpo Pork, Jingjiang Shredded Pork, thin noodles, and dumplings.”

“Do you have more companions coming?”

“No, it is only us.”

“……Ah, understood.”

“Ah, right. And heat some water while we eat. Buy us some clothes as well.”

“Yes! Please wait just a moment.”

When I placed three silver taels on the table, the waiter, who had been trembling with anxiety until a moment ago, visibly brightened and entered the kitchen.

“Eldest Senior Brother, was there any need to deliberately say it was only us?”

Eun-ho muttered quietly, seeming conscious of the surroundings.

The people inside the inn made not a single sound with their chopsticks, as though trying to hear even that small voice.

“We will continue to face hardship from now on anyway. don’t shrink back just because of what we have experienced so far.”

“……That is true.”

We had crushed the sects of Zhejiang Province, including the Yellow Sword Sect and the Blue Saber Gang, and sounded a warning through that, but as long as we held Trial Tokens, this peace would not last long.

Before passing the final remaining Third Trial, and even after passing it, only more enemies would be waiting for us.

Even now, beyond the province, the elites of Wudang Sect, Mount Hua Sect, and Diancang Sect were running toward us.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.

A young master in silk clothes slowly descended from the second-floor stairs while applauding.

On both sides of him, two warriors who looked to be in their thirties stuck close to him like guards.

“What truly remarkable courage.”

The young master came before us and smiled.

“I knew you would move in this direction, but I did not think you would move so openly.”

“…….”

“If you don’t mind, may I share your table?”

Our table was wide enough for eight people to sit.

However, I shook my head.

“I don’t like having my meals disturbed.”

Step, step.

As expected, the warriors standing on either side of the young master moved as though they would draw their swords at any moment.

Seeing things like this, it seemed guard warriors all had a common training system.

Something like, ‘If your charge’s words are ignored, at least pretend to step forward.’

“It is not exactly a substitute, but I will treat you to the meal.”

“Junior brothers, what are you doing? Make room for our guest to sit.”

“…….”

The young master’s guards looked at me with dumbfounded expressions.

What? Is there anyone who dislikes free food?

“…….”

Soon, Eun-ho nodded.

“Eldest Senior Brother, then we can order more, right?”

“Of course. Seeing as the young master, who has to fight, wears silk clothes instead of a martial arts uniform, he seems to have money rotting away.”

Even at my sarcasm, the young master in silk only smiled.

“Here! Bring us Osmanthus Chicken and Scallion-Mixed Tofu. Ah! And some sauced beef too!”

“Hey! Let us try Twice-Cooked Pork. That one Gye Cheol-yeong bragged about so much.”

“Twice-Cooked Pork too, please!”

We deliberately ordered an unreasonable amount of food to grate on his nerves, but the young master’s expression did not change much.

He lightly clasped his hands and said,

“I am Song Baek of the Hwayeong Escort Agency, based in Suzhou.”

Hwayeong Escort Agency.

A large escort agency counted among the top five in Jiangbei.

Because of their nature, escort agencies had one foot in the merchant world and one foot in the murim. In that sense, they could be regarded as special places that possessed both money and martial force on their own.

“Do you need Trial Tokens?”

At my blunt words, the entire inn stirred.

Countless warriors stared this way with tense expressions.

On the other hand, the smile did not leave the corner of Song Baek’s mouth.

“You are extraordinary, just as I heard.”

“Is that so?”

“I have passed both the First Trial and the Second Trial.”

Since he was the child of an escort agency, he would know most of the information about mountain strongholds in Jiangbei.

Moreover, since he had one foot in the merchant world, obtaining Spiritual Pills would not have been particularly difficult either.

“Then was there any need to come find me?”

“After crossing Mount Makgan, did your schedule not become a little more comfortable?”

“…….”

The waiter brought out piles of food, but the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers and I all pressed our mouths shut and stared at him.

“In Jiangsu Province…… at least in Suzhou, you may stay comfortably. Hwayeong Escort Agency will be watching over the disciples of Taeul Sect.”

Suzhou in Jiangsu Province was a place overflowing with more manpower and goods than most provincial capitals, yet Hwayeong Escort Agency was confident that it had a tight hold over this place.

However, not a single person in the inn mocked Song Baek’s words.

“Is there any need to show such kindness?”

Song Baek shook his head as if troubled.

“I don’t need to, but…….”

Soon, his eyes widened fiercely.

“My senior brothers don’t seem to feel the same.”

“…….”

“Have you not already met Senior Brother Jong Byeok-gi?”

I wondered why Flying Cloud Fresh Wind Jong Byeok-gi of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly had suddenly come up.

“I am a lay disciple of the Diancang Sect.”

“Ah…… I see.”

Clink, clink.

As soon as the story of Jong Byeok-gi came up, the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers began moving their spoons and chopsticks.

Song Baek glanced at the three brothers, then continued speaking.

“Senior Brother Jong told me many things.”

“Were they good things?”

“How could that be?”

Jong Byeok-gi had spread a conspiracy theory, asking whether the true inheritance of the Taeul Sword Emperor belonged to Taeul Sect, and had been beaten into a pulp by Murong Gang.

I had expected him to suffer while being dragged around by Murong Gang in exchange for stopping his eccentric behavior, but had he already become able to move?

“Because of that, my other senior brothers seem to have quite a lot of resentment toward Young Master Jin as well.”

Soon, warriors dressed in the same clothes as the guard warriors descended from the second floor.

Every one of them had an extraordinary presence.

“Will you stay with us until my senior brothers arrive? If someone defeats you before then, I think I will be placed in quite a difficult position.”

“Do you have money?”

“Pardon?”

“You said you would buy the food. I am asking whether you have money.”

Song Baek laughed faintly. Then he took a pouch out from his pocket.

“I will host you at the finest pavilion.”

I immediately grabbed his head and smashed it into the table.

Thud.

Though the table was made of wood, it was cleanly carved out in the shape where his head had struck.

He had wrapped qi around his head to prevent the table from splitting.

Thanks to that, Song Baek, who had received the shock of the qi in full, was streaming blood from his seven orifices.

“Y-you mad…….”

Shing, shing.

All the warriors, including the guard warriors, drew their swords.

I pulled Song Baek toward me and brought my sword to his neck.

“Do you want to watch your young master die before your eyes?”

“…….”

“…….”

The warriors of Hwayeong Escort Agency looked ominous enough to start a life-and-death battle at any moment.

Following them, the warriors inside the inn also began placing their hands on their sword sheaths one by one.

At that moment,

Slurp.

Slurrrp.

Chomp, chomp.

The sound of food being eaten rang out inside the tense inn.

People’s gazes naturally gathered in that direction.

Whether blades were drawn or not, the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers were busy putting food into their mouths.

When I looked at them in disbelief, Geum-pyo glanced around and barely spoke.

“If we don’t eat now…… gulp. Who knows when we’ll get to eat again……. Slurp.”

“Eldest Senior Brother, p-please keep this standoff going a little longer. The food is still hot.”

After saying that, the three brothers were busy putting food into their mouths again.

“…….”

Not only the warriors of Hwayeong Escort Agency, but everyone inside the inn looked at the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers as though they were madmen.

Ah, this is embarrassing.