For the first ti in a while, I walked alone.
While internal energy could be restored through breathing techniques, and muscles through rest, sothing less tangible—sothing ntal or spiritual—seed to require solitude to recover.
That was just how I felt.
Whether it was the soul or the mind, I gave myself ti to heal by walking slowly.
I could’ve gone to Baek Eung-ji and regrouped with the Four Villains.
I could’ve gone to Ilyang County and rested a few days.
But instead, I left Baekun Mountain without setting a destination. I let thoughts of Dark Fragrance Drifting and martial arts drift away.
For so reason, when a person trains too much, there’s a higher chance of becoming an idiot. After forty-so days of nonstop training, taking a day or two off was the right answer.
I looked up at the clouds floating across the sky, watched a river off in the distance flowing at the sa pace I was walking, and every now and then, I kicked a rock on the path just to see how far it’d fly.
With burdens and worries montarily laid down...
...I just walked.
Adopting the mindset of a jomsoi from Ilyang County again, I forgot that I was a powerful martial artist. I forgot the mories of mingling with powerful clans under the Murim Alliance. I forgot my battles against bandits and pirates, and even the more grueling fights against wraiths.
Even the expressions of those etched deep in my mory faded. The face of the Four Heavenly Kings in the rain, Cheonak’s rare laughter, the mont the White-Robed Scholar coughed up blood after getting beaten by Cheonak—these all ca and went in my mind, then vanished.
And so I walked, until I got hungry.
I passed through several streets and shops before noticing one particularly crowded establishnt. It was around sunset, and many people were out for an early dinner.
“A local favorite?”
I sat at an empty table and waited, but even then, no jomsoi ca right away—it was that busy.
I placed my wooden sword on the table and took a sip of water, glancing around. The place was mostly filled with male custors.
From their gazes and shifting expressions, I noticed soone stepping out from the kitchen. A woman approached from behind, speaking bluntly.
“What’re you eating?”
I wasn’t sure who she was talking to, but the mont she saw , her eyes widened.
“Oh, sorry about that.”
She was a young woman. I couldn’t tell if she was a jomsoi or the owner. Too confident to be a server, too young to be the boss. On top of that, there wasn’t a single nu posted, so ordering was a bit of a shot in the dark.
“One bowl of noodles. And a mid-sized bottle of Dugangju, if you have it.”
“Sure. But noodles with alcohol is kind of strange, so order one more dish—Tangcho Richuk or diced chicken. Dugangju doesn’t co in small bottles. Mid-size is the smallest.”
“I’m not eating chicken for a while, so Tangcho Richuk it is.”
“Got it.”
The ordering process was a bit unusual. Once she disappeared, I felt the eyes of the crowd shift toward .
From a few tables over, a woman whispered to soone next to her.
“Sehyung, why do you think he carries a wooden sword?”
When did my hearing get this sharp?
“That’s no ordinary wooden sword.”
I focused, and their conversation beca clearer.
“Really? I didn’t know.”
“Don’t ask about another man’s weapon so openly. Save those questions for after you’ve finished eating.”
“Understood.”
Soon after, a boy erged from the kitchen with the Dugangju and a dried side dish I didn’t order. He placed them on the table.
I absentmindedly poured a glass. The liquor was quite cold, likely stored in the shade or pulled from a well. Just from tasting the water and the alcohol, I could already tell—
“Definitely a good spot.”
From the kitchen, I could hear the girl barking orders at the boy—mixing teasing, scolding, and laughter all at once.
Chewing the dried side dish, I watched the street outside.
It was lively. People passing by looked cheerful. I saw a group of young folks in matching uniforms—perhaps martial students—headed sowhere for dinner. One of them peeked into the inn, saw there were no seats, then stepped out shaking his head.
“It’s full. Let’s go.”
Soon after, three well-dressed n ca in and scanned for open seats. Since I was alone at a table, one of them approached .
“Mind if we sit here too?”
I pointed to an empty chair to show it was fine. The three of them sat tightly around the table, and one of them nudged aside with his hip.
I shifted over, moving my wooden sword to the edge, and took another sip of Dugangju.
The boy returned to take their order, and the three n casually rattled off a list of items while chatting.
“Learn to cook already. Your sister’s doing all the work.”
The boy said nothing and returned to the kitchen. One of the n grumbled,
“Damn brat didn’t even respond.”
“Don’t curse. Yeonhong hates that.”
So the girl’s na was Yeonhong.
Right on cue, Yeonhong ca out from the kitchen, tying a white ribbon across her forehead. All the n’s gazes followed her as she walked over.
“...We’re out of tofu. Order sothing else.”
“Then what should we get?”
“I’m busy, so hurry up.”
“Hold on. Should we get chicken?”
“Nope. Get Tangcho Richuk. That’s the quickest right now.”
“Got it.”
Sohow, it felt like she was just going to portion more of the Tangcho Richuk I’d ordered and share it with them.
After she left, the n started chatting again.
“Why is she always so confident?”
“Exactly.”
“Is this your first ti here?”
I wasn’t sure who he was talking to—again, it was . The three of them were young, and co to think of it, I’m young too. I wondered what kind of tone I should use, then just nodded casually.
One of them pulled out a sword and wiped it with his sleeve.
Just then, the table next to us emptied. I picked up my Dugangju and side dish.
“I’ll move over there.”
“Sure.”
I brought my things to the empty table and went back for my wooden sword. One of the n grabbed it first and pulled off the handle—revealing a silver blade. All three stared at it with wide eyes.
“......”
I said to the man holding it,
“Hey, don’t go touching soone else’s weapon without asking.”
I reached out, and he returned the sword.
They looked up and down.
“Nice blade.”
“Looks like sothing an assassin would carry.”
“Where’d you get it?”
Back at my seat, I answered.
“Gift. No idea what it cost.”
Just then, Yeonhong appeared, carrying a large plate of Tangcho Richuk.
“Oh? Hey, grab a small plate!”
She set the large dish down on my table, then the boy ca with a smaller one. She split it and left a sizable portion for , while the rest was taken to the three n.
One of them grumbled,
“Why does he get so much? There’s three of us.”
Yeonhong looked at them and said,
“Can’t you just enjoy it?”
“Fine.”
After she left, one muttered,
“She’s prettiest when she’s being serious.”
I picked up a piece of Tangcho Richuk and burst out laughing. The n all stopped mid-bite to stare at .
“Isn’t that laugh a bit much?”
I wiped the smile off my face and looked at them silently.
“......”
They soon resud eating. I also dug in, and just one bite confird it—
“Definitely a good spot.”
No wonder it was so packed. And Yeonhong’s atmosphere probably made her popular with the local guys.
As I ate my noodles, I looked around for a signboard. There was none. As the early dinner crowd thinned, the inn finally cald.
I heard Yeonhong’s voice from behind .
“That’s it for today. Let’s not take more custors.”
“Got it.”
The boy went to the door and flipped a sign hanging beside it. Then Yeonhong approached.
“Was it good?”
I picked up so Tangcho Richuk with my chopsticks and said,
“This?”
“Yes.”
“Excellent.”
“How about the noodles?”
I glanced at my half-eaten bowl.
“Tasted like boiled twigs.”
As I spoke with her, one of the n chid in.
“Why are you talking down to Yeonhong? You two know each other?”
Yeonhong answered for .
“Don’t start sothing. I’ll flip this table.”
“Are you crazy? What kind of owner flips a custor’s table?”
She smirked and waved the boy over. He ca reluctantly, and she pointed to my noodles.
“He barely touched it.”
The boy sighed and gave a slight bow.
“Sorry. It didn’t taste good.”
As he walked away, Yeonhong said to ,
“Sorry. I made him handle it because I was busy.”
“No need to apologize. But are you deducting the noodles from the bill?”
“Nope.”
“You should.”
She sat across from and flicked the Dugangju bottle with her finger. I poured her a drink. She took it, stole a bite of my Tangcho Richuk, then sipped the liquor.
The n next to laughed.
“There she goes again—stealing the custor’s food and drink.”
I glanced at them, then back at her. She must not have eaten yet, judging by how busy she’d been.
I asked,
“Did your brother eat?”
“Not yet. I’ll buy him sothing later. He doesn’t like my cooking.”
She flicked the wooden sword on the table and asked,
“Are you skilled in martial arts? Or is this just for self-defense?”
Suddenly, a loud clatter ca from the kitchen, and the boy ca rushing out, eyes fixed on the sword.
“Are you good at fighting?”
“...Hmm.”
I cleared my throat and poured another drink. Since I didn’t answer, the boy turned to Yeonhong.
“Noona, I think this hyung is really good at fighting.”
“Why?”
“I can just feel it. Right?”
What should I even say to that?
“I’m not bad.”
“See? Told you! How good are you?”
I thought for a mont and gave a rough answer.
“There are probably at least {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} twenty people stronger than . The world’s full of masters.”
The boy frowned.
“Oh. So you’re not that strong.”
“That’s still strong, isn’t it?”
“Is it? Sounds just okay to .”
“Kid’s got ambition.”
As the boy returned to the kitchen, Yeonhong stared at .
The n beside us chuckled.
“How’d you calculate that ‘twenty’?”
“Exactly.”
Yeonhong looked from them to and asked,
“Mister?”
“What.”
“I think my brother was asking if you’re the best around here. Of course, being that strong is impressive.”
“And?”
“Were you maybe saying there are only about twenty in the entire world stronger than you?”
“Maybe.”
“What do you an, maybe?”
“I haven’t t everyone. Could be more. Could be fewer. ‘About twenty’ is what I ant.”
“Really?”
The conversation felt like it was skimming the surface, but that was all I could offer. I haven’t fought every master in the world, after all—and there are still plenty I’ve never even t.
Then again, saying “hundreds of masters” would be excessive humility.
There aren’t many who could match in a formal biwu against the Blade King...
...and if it ca to a fight to the death, my ranking would only rise.
Yeonhong asked,
“My brother keeps saying he wants to learn martial arts and beco a master. As his sister, what should I do? We don’t have the money to send him to a martial school.”
One of the n interrupted with a question of his own.
“You’re saying you’re one of the Hundred Masters of Jianghu?”
I nodded.
“That’s right.”
“......”
I looked at them.
“Want to get slapped by a Hundred Master of Jianghu? Stop butting in.”
All three burst into laughter.
“Ha ha ha ha...”
“Pfft.”
After chuckling for a while, one of them asked Yeonhong,
“How much is it?”
She glanced at the table and answered promptly.
“Twenty.”
He pulled out coins from his sleeve, dropped them on the table, and stood up.
“Let’s go.”
As the three left, I watched them and muttered,
“What a cheerful town. Everyone’s got a sunny disposition. Just up and leave like that.”
I thought they’d vanished outside, but then one of them shouted:
“A Hundred Master of Jianghu has appeared at Yeonhong Guest House! A mighty expert!”
“If he’s one of the Hundred, that ans he doesn’t even care about Virtuous Heroes Sect or Bright Justice Clan!”
“A real master has arrived!”
Listening to that, I realized—they weren’t just cheerful idiots after all.
Yeonhong reassured .
“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”
“That’s good.”
“There’s Virtuous Heroes Sect and Bright Justice Clan in this area, and lots of martial schools. So things don’t get too out of hand. The dark sects vanished from here ages ago.”
“Are there so many martial schools because those two sects recruit students through an entrance exam?”
“Yes. How’d you know?”
“Just a guess.”
I tried to recall those sects, but they weren’t from any area I was active in. Not knowing them wasn’t strange—neither was widely famous.
Now I asked her a question.
“Why does your brother want to learn martial arts?”
She answered coolly.
“Isn’t that just how boys are at that age?”
I nodded.
“If he trains seriously, you won’t see him often.”
“Why? His friends go to martial schools.”
“To beco the twentieth strongest in this town, sure, send him to school and hope he gets into one of the sects.”
“And to be one of the strongest in the world?”
“Then he needs to leap into the world.”
“So I won’t see him much.”
I called over the boy from the kitchen.
“Co here.”
When he arrived, I reached out and checked his fra, bones, and hands. Physique is inherited—so people are simply born with martial potential. I tried to think of any master suited to train this kid, but no one ca to mind. His build wasn’t particularly good, either. Just as it’s hard to find a disciple for Cheonak, it wouldn’t be easy to find one for or the Four Villains, either.
I asked the boy,
“Ever been in a fight?”
“No.”
“Don’t give your sister grief. You don’t seem cut out for cooking, so go to a martial school.”
I pulled so money from my pouch—enough to cover the food and tuition—and placed it on the table. Even to , it felt like too much.
Yeonhong asked,
“Why are you giving so much?”
“Because it’s a good spot.”
I looked around the inn and said,
“Call it Yeonhong Guest House. Use the extra to make a signboard. Not sure if this’ll an anything, but if trouble ever cos, just say this place belongs to Haomun. Doesn’t hurt to try.”
She and the boy exchanged glances, then looked at with wide eyes.
Yeonhong asked,
“Who are you from Haomun?”
I blinked.
“You know Haomun?”
The boy answered this ti.
“There’s this young master who fought the Lords of the Murim Alliance and didn’t lose. They say the Master of Haomun is the strongest of the post-generation.”
The rumors really travel fast. Not that surprising.
“I see. Any other rumors?”
“He’s the goal of every young master. Because there are so many martial schools here, people talk about the Murim Alliance a lot. These days, they don’t even say ‘Master of Haomun’ anymore—it’s shortened.”
“To what?”
“Hawang. They say he’s on the level of a king.”
Hearing others talk about like that felt oddly refreshing. I stood, ready to move on, and looked at the two.
“I’m heading out.”
As I stepped outside, the boy called after .
“Wait! What’s your na? We need to repay you later!”
I turned to him.
“I’m the Master of Haomun. And don’t call Hawang.”
“Why not?”
I smiled and said,
“Sounds too powerful. I’m not quite at that level.”
Leaving the Yeonhong Guest House, I let out a long yawn.
“There are too many kings these days... and looks like I helped increase the number. Goddammit...”
If I stayed any longer, masters from Virtuous Heroes Sect and Bright Justice Clan would probably show up. I decided to disappear before they did.
Fa is sothing one should be cautious of...
...but avoiding it is no easy feat.
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