A Fleeting Respite
“Nngh…? H-how many people?!”
“I was thinking we’d need to hire at least ten.”
“B-but we don’t have that kind of money, Miss! The budget allocated to the Kaifeng branch is already tight, and after that embezzlement incident the finances are in ruins. Right now we barely have enough internal funds to—”
“I’ll send word to Uncle Cheong-san.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake…”
Jin-pa’s mouth fell open at Bing Ok-yeon’s words. She had assumed they would be lucky to hire three or four people just to keep up appearances.
“I’m sorry. That was crude of me. Still, if it’s you asking, I really think the old man will listen! Kyaaah!”
The Eunpa Merchant Group was not short on funds. After the former head stepped down, Bing Ok-yeon had traveled through Henan and its surroundings, seeking out old trading partners and former members. Eun Baek-ho’s influence still lingered; many connections had been restored and many members had returned. Before departing for Kaifeng, Cheong-san had told her that if she ever needed money, she only had to say the word. No matter what she attempted, she would never be allowed to fail for lack of funds.
“In that case, how about one—no, two—bodyguards for you? And two accountants under me…”
“Shall we split them evenly?”
“…”
Jin-pa’s face darkened. She had originally thought even three or four hires would be plenty, yet somehow her expectations had soared in the meantime.
“Are there still more applicants coming?”
“Yes, they said a few more should arrive over the next couple of days.”
“Then we have some time until we receive their replies. No one else today, correct?”
“That’s right. Huh? Are you leaving already, Miss?”
“Yes. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Bing Ok-yeon stepped out into the street. There was nothing else to do today anyway.
“Haa…”
It was something she could never speak of to anyone, yet the more steadily she advanced her plans, the heavier her chest grew. Part of her wanted to raze everything to the ground the moment she left the Blood Valley and console the spirits of her family. But the path to finding her enemies was still long, and the provisional foes arrayed against her remained overwhelmingly powerful.
“I’ve grown stronger, and I’ve gained backing, but…”
If she launched a surprise attack, she was confident she could kill even an elder of a great sect in a single strike. She had also secured an endless supply of funds by swallowing the Eunpa Merchant Group whole. Even so, she still felt hopelessly small. Every single day the anguish only deepened.
“Am I doing this right…? Has my resolve truly not changed…?”
Was it because she had become a woman? A periodic melancholy visited her. There were times when she wanted to wail at the top of her lungs and pour out every emotion. Even on ordinary days like today, the feeling came unbidden. She could suppress it by circulating her inner energy, but for some reason she had no desire to do so today. Occasionally she felt the need for someone she could bare her heart to, yet the loneliness of having no one she could truly trust never left her.
“So-yeon…”
She set her destination and walked without hesitation.
***
“Unni~!”
So-yeon ran over and threw herself into Bing Ok-yeon’s arms in one go. Even at sixteen, So-yeon was still a little sister to her. The moment she held the girl, the fog in her heart seemed to clear a little.
“…Is something bothering you?”
“No… nothing’s wrong.”
She always carried worries, but nothing new had arisen this time. That was why she knew this feeling would soon pass.
“Hehe…”
So-yeon looked pleased that Bing Ok-yeon was holding her for so long.
“Unni, you know…”
“Yes, So-yeon.”
“I made a friend…”
“A friend? That’s wonderful. You should bring them over sometime.”
“Ah… I’m sorry. Not yet. I want to become friends first.”
“Is that so? If it’s you, I’m sure you’ll win their heart.”
“Do you really think so…?”
“Of course. I fell for you at first sight, after all.”
“Ehehe…”
So-yeon’s lips twitched. It was a secret she kept to herself, but whenever Bing Ok-yeon acted like this, sadness and joy crossed her face. The person who always looked only forward was now drooping, and it hurt to see.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“A little.”
“Shall we go to Hwahongru?”
“Yes…!”
Only then did Bing Ok-yeon release her. So-yeon quickly took her hand. Then, suddenly, she realized how impossibly soft Bing Ok-yeon’s palm was. The courtesans at Hwahongru also kept their hands soft because they had to hide their martial arts, but Bing Ok-yeon’s hands felt entirely different. It was like touching a baby’s skin. In contrast, So-yeon had done hard labor since childhood, and since last year she had thrown herself into training, so her hands were never without scars. Even though Bing Ok-yeon had cared for them meticulously, the two pairs of hands were worlds apart.
“…”
The Bing Ok-yeon she had always looked up to. The Bing Ok-yeon who, terrified of being abandoned, only ever showed her best side. For some reason, So-yeon began to think that perhaps she was as fragile as these palms.
“Hmm, it seems I came at a bad time.”
At the entrance of Hwahongru, the doorman who recognized Bing Ok-yeon bowed with an awkward expression. Apparently there were no seats left. Although many martial artists had been eliminated in the first round of the examination, Kaifeng’s bustle had yet to subside.
“We’ll have to go somewhere else.”
“I’m fine with anywhere…!”
“Is there a place without people?”
Kaifeng was crowded no matter where one went. To find an empty spot, one would need somewhere remote and unpopular—or a place willing to accommodate an unreasonable request.
“Ah, I just thought of one place. Shall we walk a bit?”
“Sounds good!”
So-yeon beamed and agreed. After walking for a while, they arrived at their destination.
***
Yeom Seo-rin. She was Ma Cheon-yu’s personal shadow guard. But after leaving home and wandering the world for a year, her travel money had long since run out, and the duty of secretly protecting her master grew more distant with each passing day. That master had been obsessed with someone named Jegal Do-yeong for the past several months. Was it even possible to fall for a woman he had never once met? Earning a living had become entirely Yeom Seo-rin’s responsibility.
“We’ve received payment for a private booking today, so treat the guests with proper respect.”
“Understood.”
“And don’t make the same mistakes as before. These are people of high standing.”
“When have I ever made a mistake?”
“Have you already forgotten how many customers got beaten and thrown out by you?”
“That wasn’t a mistake. They got hit because they deserved it.”
“You damned brat. Even those kinds of people are still my customers.”
The owner of Su-an-ru had hired Yeom Seo-rin as one of the waiters. However, her fierce personality frequently caused conflicts with guests. The small woman’s fists were so sharp that the usual troublemakers had become remarkably docile. “I’ve run a restaurant in Kaifeng my whole life and hired all sorts of people, but you’re the first waiter like this.”
“Your luck with people must be terrible if you’ve never had a perfect waiter like me before.”
“Listen to you talk.”
His only son had gone off to learn swordsmanship, only to realize late that he had no talent and now stayed home moping. Left with no choice, the old man continued running Su-an-ru with his aged body. There had been fierce female waiters before, but this was the first one who had beaten down every single troublemaker.
“You. You’re not secretly some incredible expert, are you?”
“Why would an expert work as a waiter in a place like this?”
“That’s exactly why I’m asking.”
He truly couldn’t understand, but since she handled difficult customers well, he couldn’t bring himself to fire her either.
A short while later, the reserved guests arrived. He heard they were renowned martial artists from the Murim Alliance. The owner thought that even that Yeom brat would behave herself around Murim Alliance people and headed to the kitchen with peace of mind.
“They said it was famous, but isn’t this place too old and dirty?”
“The location is what it is. On the other hand, the fact that it’s this famous despite being in a place like this means the food is guaranteed to be good.”
Martial artists carrying swords filed into Su-an-ru one by one. Yeom Seo-rin worked in silence, doing her best to avoid meeting their eyes. A few of them glanced at her striking appearance, but none spoke to her, mindful of the people occupying the best seats on the second floor.
“Really…? You’re saying that woman was at the place where you went to apply as a bodyguard?”
“Yeah, I’m telling you it’s true. Her name’s Bing Ok-yeon.”
“I was wondering where she’d gone, and she was in a place like this. Heh heh…”
“Why are you suddenly laughing so creepily?”
“Well, you know, old connections and all that.”
“What kind of connection?”
“You’re being cold.”
The private booking had indeed filled the tavern completely. However, not everyone seemed to be on friendly terms; aside from those sharing drinks, the groups were scattered in different directions. They were probably separate factions following the people who had reserved the place. From a corner seat, particularly from the group that didn’t mingle with the others, conversation drifted over.
“That face… I really wanted to see it again at least once…”
“I figured that was your goal.”
“Why? If any of you were as pretty as that young lady, I wouldn’t have said anything like this.”
“You crazy bastard… Watch your mouth. She could end up being the one I serve.”
“If she hadn’t been called at that spot, she would’ve been eliminated anyway.”
“No. She was told she’d get good marks.”
“Why are you already talking like you’ve been hired?”
“Shut up. Don’t speak so carelessly about my employer.”
“Have you all forgotten? The captain was looking for that young lady.”
“Eh? Was he?”
“Ah… Competing with the captain feels a bit much.”
“It’s not because you’re two-faced. You know why the captain was in Wungye County, don’t you?”
“What was it again? He said there was one secret he absolutely wanted to uncover. Does it have something to do with that young lady and the captain?”
“I don’t know. I only heard a little of what the captain said. He mentioned that we shouldn’t have let that young lady go as she was.”
“If I get hired, I’ll have to introduce the captain to her later.”
Yeom Seo-rin was listening with growing interest when a loud voice came from outside.
“I already told you it’s not possible today.”
It was another waiter’s voice, sounding quite troubled.
“Look, whether I know the owner or not, I already paid for the private room! They’re from the Murim Alliance, you know!”
It seemed a late arrival was stubbornly demanding a seat, even claiming acquaintance with the owner.
“What an ill-mannered fellow.”
“Why don’t you go out and handle it?”
“The owner will take care of his own business. Hey, waiter.”
“Yes.”
“Go tell them not to make a fuss and to come back another time.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Huh…? What did you just say?”
“I said I don’t want to. You’re not my employer, so why should I listen to you?”
“Puhaha…”
“Pfft!”
Having already drunk quite a bit, laughter erupted from various places. The man ignored by Yeom Seo-rin flushed red.
“You insolent little—”
Just as he was about to explode in anger, someone looking down from the second floor spoke.
“Let that young lady in. She’s an acquaintance.”
It was Jin Cheong-myeong, essentially the center of the gathering. At his words, no further complaints were raised.