Stealing Fortuitous Encounters (4)
“I'm late, too late!”
Even though I'd bribed the servant manager, my status as a lowly servant came with plenty of restrictions. So I hurriedly boarded the boat.
I might not make it at this rate. I need to pick up some top-tier lightness skill soon.
What should I learn? The Shadowless Divine Ghost's Shadowless Soulless Art? Or maybe steal the heart of the famed beauty and lightness skill expert, the White Jade Immortal Lady Yeo Honglang, and get her to teach me?
There were plenty of options and paths open to me. With my thorough knowledge of the original story—hell, I'd even contributed to parts of it—and the protagonist Cheon Myeong's cheat-like fortuitous encounter magnet ability, I had nothing to worry about.
I'll figure it out step by step. First goal: shed this servant status and become an official cadet at Cheonmu Academy.
Leaving the academy early could speed up my growth, but what could I do? The original Cheon Myeong dreamed of graduating from Cheonmu Academy and heading to the Cheonmu Assembly.
The world's top martial arts in every field show up in the late game anyway, claimed by someone or other.
In other words, even if I took my time graduating from Cheonmu Academy at this early stage, I could snag everything before the late-game plot kicked in—no losses.
“We'll arrive in Hebei shortly!”
The seasoned boatman's shout snapped me out of it. I focused ahead and spotted the docks of Hebei, home to Cheonmu Academy. Eager to rush straight there, I scanned the docks—only to freeze.
What?
To my shock, there amid a group of experts at the docks stood a face I knew all too well. No chance of mistaking him for anyone else—it was unmistakable.
That pattern like a heavenly dragon dancing!
Standing with the group was none other than Heavenly Dragon Sovereign Sword Baek Muhon. And with his looks modeled after the era's hottest heartthrobs—a collaborative effort with my maternal uncle—I spotted him instantly.
He and his entourage, followers of the current world's greatest martial artist and his father, the Invincible Wind Cloud Sword Baek Taeryeong, seemed to be waiting for my boat.
This is weird. At this point in the story, protagonist Cheon Myeong and Baek Muhon never cross paths.
Servant Cheon Myeong and the prodigy heir to the world's top spot lived in opposite worlds—they weren't supposed to meet until mid-story at least. Back then, Cheon Myeong would spot him from afar and feel a thrill, while Baek Muhon dismissed him as just another peasant. Plenty of readers probably rage-quit there.
But running into Baek Muhon this early? Never dreamed of it.
Aha! Got it.
Right before the boat docked, it clicked why Baek Muhon was here. My guess: he'd heard from herbalists and shepherds about the cave I'd just left.
Looking back, the timeline matched the original almost perfectly.
World's greatest martial artist Baek Taeryeong must have sensed the cave held some insane martial art and sent his son ahead with underlings before anyone else could claim it.
In the original, when his men struggled, Baek Taeryeong himself led his personal guard. So this was just the advance team.
“Everyone disembarking at Hebei, get off quickly! The only son of the world's greatest hero, Invincible Wind Cloud Sword Baek Taeryeong—Young Master Baek Muhon has urgent business!”
My prediction was spot on. They were all tensed up for a reason—racing to beat anyone to the cave where the Divine Transformation Heart Method lay dormant in Shandong.
“Pardon?”
“Get off now!”
“Hurry up!”
I got their urgency, but dragging merchants who knew no martial arts—and kids—off the boat didn't look good. And Baek Muhon himself, watching from afar as his men handled it? Even worse.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
Then, after clearing everyone else, he boards all high and mighty. Infuriating.
What pissed me off more was the crowd's reaction. Staring at the son of the world's greatest and future top dog, not a peep of protest—just fawning admiration, a duet of sycophancy.
“Hey, boatman. Head straight to Shandong. I'll pay handsomely if you save time.”
They were that desperate. What now?
I grinned down at them from a safe distance. The Divine Transformation Heart Method that should've been Baek Muhon's prize? Already mine. No take-backs. I pictured his hollow face staring at the empty reward after clearing the cave's trials.
Maybe learn some humility before chasing fortuitous encounters?
“Your heart method was lit.”
Muttering that, I waved cheerily at Baek Muhon's boat heading back to Shandong.
Heading to the academy again, I checked the time—hmm.
Feels like a waste to go straight back now.
I was late anyway; a couple more hours wouldn't hurt. Especially with some easy pickings nearby.
This stretch of river by the docks was a favorite haunt for river pirates. Meaning: somewhere around here, they'd stashed their loot from raids.
Pirates were sly as foxes, never spilling where they hid treasure—not even to each other.
But I know all about it.
Their secret stash was like my personal piggy bank—more like a pig I could raid at will.
No guilt whatsoever. How'd I know? Servant Cheon Myeong gets robbed of his life savings by pirates fresh off a haul.
Early-game Cheon Myeong was basically the icon of bad luck.
The protagonist Cheon Myeong had an episode where pirates stole his lifetime savings. Then they bury it somewhere...
“And I remember it crystal clear.”
Not hard. A spot off the beaten path, hard to stumble on: right near this dock, a rundown shrine.
It housed minor mountain gods, but thinking back, genius spot.
Who'd guess river pirates would hide loot behind a mountain god shrine?
If I hadn't read the original cover to cover and helped my uncle flesh out the details, no one would know.
“The mountain god shrine should be around here...”
Heading behind the hill visible from the docks, there it was: a pathetic, decrepit little shack.
Even for a minor deity shrine, folks feared divine retribution—no one touched it. Pirates exploited that.
“Lucky for me. If I'd learned attack arts already, I'd slaughter you all and take it.”
They were probably out pirating; the shrine was empty. I circled behind to the well, just like I knew, and dug a bit nearby.
Jackpot!
A massive pit of pirate gold—dozens of ingots. Plus ornaments, rings, jewels galore. Haul it all, and I could live large in the sticks.
“But killing the golden goose?”
This shrine was my golden goose. Sure, bigger scores existed, but none this safe and sucker's easy. Others meant bigger risks and hassle—not ready yet.
For now, this was prime for a casual withdrawal.
Don't take it all—keep it subtle.
That way, the idiots refill it without noticing. Even if they tracked it, they'd just suspect each other—thieves distrusting thieves.
Clink!
I pocketed a modest handful. For reference: a lifetime as servant wouldn't net this much.
“Thanks for the good deed, pirates.”
Wrapped up neatly, I slipped out—cautiously checking for watchers. With Divine Transformation Heart Method and Great Power Iron Hardening Skill under my belt, I was sensitive to qi and presences. No worries.
“Aigoo, really cutting it close now.”
Lost track of time raiding the pirates' stash; sky was darkening. I bolted for Cheonmu Academy.
* * *
“You punk! What the hell—showing up this late?”
The servant manager I'd bribed with candy and silver before leaving laid into me. He was furious enough to swing.
I wasn't an official hire; I was an orphaned kid sold into service for a fee—basically a slave.
“This bastard won't even apologize... Gahk!”
As I bowed without much contrition and he wound up—
“How much did you get for taking me in as a servant?”
I pulled a gleaming gold ingot from my robe.
I wasn't stupid. Too much gold raises flags; one ingot, rest stashed secret.
“H-Huh?!”
Not silver—a fist-sized gold ingot. He froze mid-swing, eyes wide.
“This cover my fee?”
Guess: protagonist Cheon Myeong, old orphan with no prospects, fetched maybe ten silvers tops.
Paid in full. Now I demanded employer-servant terms.
“Even after my buyout, silver left over... Keep the change.”
I patted his shoulder casually—unthinkable as a servant. His word was law then.
Now? Paid up, free as a bird.
“Uh? Y-Yeah. Th-thanks.”
No more scolding. The leftover silver topped what I'd given pre-trip; he gawked.
“Wh-where'd the gold come from? Turns out you're not an orphan—distant rich relative? Inherited some, delayed you?”
Perfect cover for the gold, my outing, the delay. He nodded, convinced.
“Haha! Big news! But... why back here? Go play with your inheritance.”
Simple answer.
“Not much inheritance... Just a bit. And I'm not returning as servant.”
“Th-then?”
“I'll take the cadet exam when Cheonmu Academy opens.”
Just like Cheon Myeong wanted: become an official cadet, rise triumphantly.
For now, one step forward. That's all.