The Hao Clan's Discreet Welcome
Heochang. Once the capital of the Later Han. A city situated near the heart of Henan, known for its thriving commerce.
“They say Heochang’s prices are high because it’s a hub for goods and transport.”
“I’ve heard the same! They say it’s hard to even stay a single night…”
I wasn’t exactly short on money, but if we ended up staying here for nearly half a month, my purse would take a beating.
“Finding a decent inn won’t be easy.”
“Still, there should be cheaper places on the outskirts, right?”
“In a city like this, even the outskirts are expensive.”
Following Hyeryeong’s suggestion, we could try the outer districts, but prices didn’t work that way. Nowhere in a single city was uniformly cheap or expensive. I could only hope the cost of living here wasn’t as brutal as in Wuhan.
Centuries ago it might have been different, but modern Heochang had lost much of its former glory.
“Let’s head down first. We’ll have to queue to enter the city anyway. As for lodging… we might not even manage two rooms, depending on the situation.”
It wasn’t intentional, but the circumstances weren’t ideal. This was the Central Plains, after all—the birthplace of the saying that men and women over seven years old shouldn’t sit together. Unless we were married, sharing a room would invite gossip.
Hyeryeong, however, looked up at me with shining eyes at the mere mention of sharing a room.
“Mister…”
“I know what you’re thinking, so stop. It’s still too soon.”
I had no intention of consummating anything before the war began. If luck turned against me, I might end up leaving behind a widow. I’d seen too many women lose their husbands on the battlefield to act so recklessly. Believing I would definitely survive was nothing but arrogance.
“Understood.”
“A little sulking is fine, but anything more will have to wait until everything’s settled… got it?”
“…I’m here too, you know.”
“Right. We’re not alone…”
And don’t glare at me like that, Mokgyeong. You’re making it awkward too. I ruffled Hyeryeong’s hair a couple of times and set off toward Heochang. The sooner we arrived, the better our chances of securing lodging.
“Come on, let’s go.”
The two of them followed me with very different expressions.
“There are so many people!”
“It’s the logistics hub of Henan, after all.”
“I don’t see many people wearing martial robes. There probably aren’t any martial clans nearby.”
As Mokgyeong observed, the streets held almost no one who looked like martial artists. Most of the armed men we saw were merchant bodyguards. It made sense—ordinary martial artists had little reason to come here.
“…The prices here are something ordinary martial artists couldn’t endure.”
Thanks to various circumstances, we were wealthier than most martial artists, but unless one was born into a famous clan or a merchant family, being a martial artist wasn’t a lucrative profession. Even the great clans either lived off their local estates like landlords or ran their own trading companies. Or, like the Nine Great Sects, they accepted donations.
That was why, aside from the Five Great Clans, it was hard to call the orthodox sects particularly rich. Still, they were better off than the unorthodox factions, many of whose members were criminals, or the Demonic Cult, which squeezed every last coin from its followers.
“Wow, you’re right. Even the sugar-roasted pears are more expensive than in Wuhan!”
“The fact that you checked the price of sugar-roasted pears says a lot about you.”
How obsessed was she with sweets? She’d even lit up at the sight of the pastries served as dessert at the Peng Clan.
“But they’re delicious.”
“Fine, let’s keep moving.”
“Okay~”
We continued wandering through Heochang’s streets. The unfortunate part was that we couldn’t find a single inn that wasn’t crowded. Even the ones with flashy exteriors clearly catered only to the wealthy, so we were forced farther and farther toward the outskirts.
“Benefactor. It looks like we may not find lodging at this rate.”
“You’re right. Are we going to have to sleep outside?”
“Maybe.”
I fiddled with the wide-brimmed hat pulled low over my face. If my guess was correct and everything had gone according to plan, simply wandering like this was the best way to find the finest lodging.
Just as the thought crossed my mind, a small, thin man bumped lightly into my shoulder.
“Ah, my apologies, my lord. I was distracted…”
“It’s fine.”
Our hands brushed naturally. Something felt off in my palm.
“Thank you, my lord…”
The man quickly vanished into the crowd. I kept walking until we reached a quieter area, then carefully unfolded the note he had slipped me.
“‘If one’s words do not astonish others, one will not rest even in death’… What does that mean?”
A poem?
While I tilted my head in confusion, Mokgyeong explained.
“It’s a line from Du Fu.”
“So we’re supposed to find an inn connected to this poem?”
“It’s probably using the name Zimei. Using one’s courtesy name or personal name for an inn would feel improper.”
I see. Since I wasn’t familiar with such things, I’d just follow Mokgyeong’s lead. As I reached that conclusion, Hyeryeong tugged lightly on my sleeve.
“Mister, that man just now…”
“Hao Clan.”
“The Hao Clan…?”
Hyeryeong lowered her voice, clearly startled by the sudden mention. But I had half-expected this. The branch leader in Wuhan would have already informed the Hao Clan Lord, and the Hao Clan wouldn’t fail to track my movements. Once I reached Heochang, they would naturally provide lodging.
…If I’d been wrong, it would have been troublesome, but since I was right, all was well.
I asked passersby for directions, confirmed the existence of an inn named Zimei, and headed that way. Fortunately, it wasn’t far from where I’d received the note. Though less ostentatious than the grand inns in the city center, it had its own quiet charm—and it was in a location that didn’t draw much attention.
“We’re staying here?”
“It’s a fine inn.”
“This is why connections matter.”
Though busy, the inn still had a few open tables. We took seats in a relatively quiet corner and watched the approaching figure—not a waiter, but the innkeeper himself.
He came over and spoke carefully.
“Are you the Saja Sword Hero…?”
“That’s me.”
“I see you’ve been guided here.”
“Ah, yes.”
I showed him the note. After checking it, he smiled.
“The Hao Clan Lord has already covered the expenses. You may rest comfortably until the matter is resolved.”
“He’s quite generous.”
“He’s the one hiring, after all. It’s only natural to treat a distinguished guest well. If secrecy weren’t required, we would have arranged something even finer.”
“This is more than enough.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Then I’ll have a meal prepared. Once you’ve eaten, I’ll show you to your rooms.”
“Much appreciated.”
“Then…”
The innkeeper left, and the waiters began bringing out food. Every dish was excellent in both quantity and quality. Without a word, we all picked up our chopsticks.
Our days in Heochang passed peacefully. Partly because we avoided going out to stay inconspicuous, but also because I spent most of my time meditating in the room, trying to fully internalize the experiences I’d gained so far.
The Three-Step Sword Art. The trial and error of using lightness arts from Wuhan to Henan. Incorporating Taeheo Jinin’s teachings into my swordsmanship. Each task was difficult, so naturally I spent long hours meditating in the corner of the room—or sparring with the children in the hidden space beneath the inn.
“Mister, you’re too strong!”
“Of course. The gap in our realms is like a penguin versus an eagle.”
“What’s a penguin, and why are you comparing me to one?!”
If I had a picture, I would’ve shown her. I chuckled at Hyeryeong, who flapped her arms with a pouty face while glaring up at me.
“It’s a cute-looking creature.”
“Cute…”
Look at that face melting. I left the beaming Hyeryeong alone and turned to Mokgyeong.
“Mokgyeong, you’re next.”
“Won’t consecutive matches be tiring?”
“Not really, so it’s fine.”
Hyeryeong might be more skilled than most her age, but she was still only first-class at best. She’d improved a lot from sparring with me recently, but she was no match for me. A Super Peak expert could easily handle a hundred first-class martial artists at once. That was why the martial world bestowed grand titles on Super Peak experts.
“Hyeryeong, go laugh in the corner over there.”
“Okay!”
Hyeryeong skipped off to the corner. Once the sparring area was ready, Mokgyeong and I faced each other and cupped our fists.
“I’ll learn from you.”
“I’ll teach you a thing or two.”
One who had crossed the great wall of Super Peak, and one who had not. Without hesitation, we both drew our swords and assumed our stances.