Unexpected Talent
Jeong Gwang shouldered his bundle and stepped out of the room with Paeng Gang-ung.
A crowd of people waited outside.
"Why's everyone gathered like this?"
Paeng Man-so answered on their behalf.
"We saw your group hauling luggage. We figured you'd say goodbye before leaving."
Jeong Gwang first sent a sound transmission to Paeng Man-so.
-It all worked out, so talk to the eldest young master later.
Seeing Paeng Gang-ung's dramatically improved complexion—a far cry from before—Paeng Man-so nodded with uncharacteristic gratitude.
That is, until Jeong Gwang's next transmission hit.
-But seriously, no matter the circumstances, why do you have such a loose tongue?
"……."
-No more chats with the elder for you.
Having jabbed Paeng Man-so, Jeong Gwang turned to Paeng Gang-hwi.
"Had a good time eating and playing, huh?"
"Haha. Glad to hear it."
"We're off then."
"Come visit often. I'll be waiting. No—I'll head out into the jianghu myself."
"Sure, that works too."
Next up was Pang Su-bin.
"Disciple. Keep up the training. See you next time."
"Yes, Master. But... could I ask one favor?"
"What is it?"
"......I want to see your true face."
"Oh. Almost forgot."
Jeong Gwang jabbed a few points on his face with his finger.
His features reverted to their original, dazzling beauty that could blind the eyes.
"That do it?"
"......Yes."
"Your reaction's kinda lackluster. Not to your liking?"
Pang Su-bin hesitated before answering cautiously, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"......It's a bit less than the rumors said."
A bit?
A bit underwhelming?
What kind of nonsense was this?
'Is her eyesight off or something?'
Jeong Gwang undid Baek Seung-mu's and Jao's disguises as well.
They reverted to a refined young heir's face and an ordinary middle-aged man's, respectively.
"How do I stack up against them?"
"......"
"Why the hemming and hawing?"
"......"
Now he was utterly baffled.
Her reaction suggested she actually preferred those two.
"......Disciple."
"Yes, Master."
"Out of everyone here, who's the most handsome?"
Pang Su-bin glanced at the two men.
Her brothers, Paeng Gang-ung and Paeng Gang-hwi.
Jeong Gwang sighed inwardly.
'Grew up around nothing but bandit-looking thugs. No wonder her sense of beauty's ruined.'
He might be her master, but he couldn't fix her tastes too.
Abandoning the idea, he turned to the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness. Take care."
"Haha. Seeing your true face has ruined my composure."
"Aw. Hang in there. I can't be the one who dooms you."
"Hahaha! I'll do my best. I trust you'll keep your promise."
"Sure thing."
Jeong Gwang glanced downward.
Toward the Crown Prince's shadow.
-Eung-sama. Do your job right.
-......Understood.
-Man, I came up with it, but it fits perfectly. Eung-sama, Eung-sama. Rolls right off the tongue.
-......
Having bid everyone farewell, Jeong Gwang circled the yard once, offering a cupped-fist salute.
All returned the gesture with their hands clasped, praying for Jeong Gwang's safe journey... and no incidents.
"Let's go!"
"Yes!"
Jeong Gwang set off with Baek Seung-mu and Jao.
Their destination: Shanxi Province.
* * *
Jeong Gwang's group headed to Shanxi for good reasons.
First, it bordered Hebei Province where they'd been.
Second, as Jeong Gwang had argued—same old slop from the same pot—it was packed with famed Buddhist sites, dear friends to Taoism.
Though Jeong Gwang had decided the itinerary solo, Baek Seung-mu brimmed with anticipation.
Proving it, he quickened his steps with an excited voice.
"We're visiting Mount Wutai, home to Manjushri Bodhisattva—one of the Four Great Buddhist Mountains: Wutai, Emei, Putuo, and Jiuhua. Just thinking about it makes me happy. Right, Jao Daehyeop?"
What a obvious question.
Born in far-off Guizhou Province and raised in Sima Lian, when had Jao ever been to such a place?
"Exactly, Young Master Baek. And our first stop, the Yungang Grottoes—what about them? One of the Three Great Grottoes, alongside Longmen in Henan and Mogao in Gansu. Incredible, isn't it?"
Only Jeong Gwang stayed calm.
He issued immediate orders.
"Jao. Got a mission for you."
Jao, unusually giddy, snapped to a serious expression.
A task right after leaving the Paeng Clan.
Whatever it was, it had to be important.
"Just say the word, True Jade Dragon."
"Play to your strengths and scout ahead."
"Got it. Anything specific to watch for?"
"Of course."
Jao fixed his deep-set eyes on Jeong Gwang's mouth.
Waiting for which group's movements to track, what intel to gather.
Jeong Gwang's lips parted slowly.
"Check out the famous noodle shops, inns, and taverns along our route. Pick good ones and settle the tabs in advance."
"......Pardon?"
"Don't skimp—go for the best... wait, no, haggle as much as you can. Legit methods only."
"......Pardon?"
Jeong Gwang added to the stunned Jao.
"Leave coded messages on your picks along the way. You know, that Sima Lian stuff. The high-level code."
Jao barely recovered.
"......If Sima Lian spots it and tracks us...?"
"We beat 'em down and shake 'em for loot."
"......I'll head out."
As Jao, mind reeling again, tried to bolt, Jeong Gwang was thorough.
"Oh. Might miss the code. Tie a black cloth knot at the entrance of your pick."
"......Why black cloth?"
"You're wearing black."
"......"
In short, rip off a piece and knot it.
Jao lacked the energy to retort, bowed, and left.
His movement art was stunning, his skills honed daily.
Jeong Gwang nodded approvingly at the sight, but Baek Seung-mu bowed.
"Senior Brother. See you later."
"Huh? Where you off to?"
"To make sure he haggles properly, right?"
Jeong Gwang looked baffled.
"Junior Brother. After all our time together, you think I'd use you like that?"
"......Senior Brother."
Baek Seung-mu's profound emotion shattered at Jeong Gwang's follow-up.
"You don't have time for that. Gotta figure out how to grow our money. Everyone does what suits them."
"......Fine for me, but what'll you do, Senior Brother?"
"Me? Pondering what to blow your earnings on."
"......Have a good one."
Thus began the trio's journey—and it wasn't smooth.
All Jao's fault.
"This is your haggle?"
"......I did my best......"
"Best doesn't cut it. Aim for top-tier."
"......Sniff."
Jao was ex-Sapa.
Not fully reformed post-Jeong Gwang, but leaning good—still, after decades of theft past forty, how could he negotiate properly?
Banned from beatings and threats, he crumbled against pros' slick tongues at noodle shops, inns, taverns.
Day by day, Jao's spirit frayed.
'I'm a shadow-dweller, so what the hell am I doing?'
He wished bandits would show to vent on, but only women swarmed.
"Oh my gosh. How can a person be that handsome?"
"Haaa. That elegant Taoist robe, flashy sword—perfect match with his face."
Obviously about Jeong Gwang, not Jao.
Undisguised, Jeong Gwang drew such praise effortlessly.
"Taoist makes it hotter! Untouchable forbidden fruit vibe!"
"Totally! Heart pounding—can't even get close!"
Indeed, the women stayed distant, hands clasped in awe from afar.
'Even so, this is ridiculous!'
Unlike Baek Seung-mu, used to it, Jao wearied of the shrieks and begged Jeong Gwang.
"How about disguising again? Easier to eat meat and drink."
"No need. Been overeating lately—craving veggies and tea now."
Jao suspected.
'Is he secretly enjoying this?'
As if.
Reincarnated, Jeong Gwang had faced wilder cheers daily.
Why bask again in the Central Plains?
He had deeper plans.
A new business venture.
"Junior Brother. How much today?"
"......More patrons than yesterday, so bigger cut."
"Ooh. Nice pocket money."
Jeong Gwang clasped hands to the noodle shop owner.
"Amitabha. May you receive blessings and prosper."
The owner bowed deeply, nearly forehead to floor.
"Thank you, Little Immortal. Visit often."
"Just like that?"
"Would I be so shameless? I'll up the percentage."
"If business booms."
"An honor! I'll pray to the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord for that day!"
Jao gaped.
'......Profiting off the women flocking to the owner?'
Yep.
Women savored Jeong Gwang's face as anju with drinks and food.
World's top handsome guy—lavish spending inevitable.
Jeong Gwang raked in more than Jao's "con" losses.
"Jao. What're you doing? On to the next."
"......Yes."
"Haggle well. Think I want this? Forced by your deficits."
"......Noted. Off I go."
Jao gritted teeth and ran.
Vowing not to lose this time.
Of course, not easy.
More defeats piled.
Amateurs can't beat pros.
But Jao persisted.
'I won't lose!'
Over time, not wins, but "graceful" losses increased.
Fewer rip-offs.
Meanwhile, Jeong Gwang detoured to Mount Heng—northern peak of the Five Mountains—for scenery.
Everyone but Jao.
'Visiting everywhere!'
Swallowing bitterness, Jao's diligent efforts yielded his first victory near Yungang Grottoes in Datong County.
Inn tab below market rate!
Baek Seung-mu hugged him like his own win.
"Jao Daehyeop! Congrats!"
"Kuhk. Thanks, Young Master Baek."
Jeong Gwang joined in.
"Whoa. Nailed it."
"Thank you! I'll do my best from now—wait, top-tier!"
Jao's fiery eyes dimmed at Jeong Gwang's words.
"Nah. We'll travel together now."
"......Pardon?"
"You picking everything kills the choice fun."
Veins bulged on Jao's forehead.
What kind of guy was this!
But recalling it was Jeong Gwang, his blood chilled.
'No! Stay cool! Another test!'
He regained composure.
"Understood. As you wish, True Jade Dragon."
"Yeah. Let's head in."
Misreading Jeong Gwang's whim, Jao led the way.
"This way. I'll guide you."
Jeong Gwang praised sincerely.
"Ooh. You could work here. Got unexpected talent."
"......Yeah."
Jao's pick: Apricot Flower Spring Wind Inn, Shanxi's top luxury spot—the priciest annex.
Thus began their first day in Datong County.
"Hear any useful rumors?"
"The Black-path (Heuk-do) sects from elsewhere have begun clashing violently with the local dominant sect over their disputed turf. The entire atmosphere has grown thick and incredibly tense—it is clear that a massive and bloody fight is brewing to erupt very soon."
"Totally useless."
"......Yeah."
Jeong Gwang let it go in one ear and out the other, but not Jao.
Chance to vent pent-up rage.
Stress relief, basically.