Chapter 17 It’s Been a While
It’s Been a While
Chapter 17 – It’s Been a While
After walking for quite some time, he eventually left the main road and entered a quiet, deserted path.
As he looked around, a small inn came into view — an old signboard read Chunhyang Banjeom.
“That’s the place.”
Muk Yeo-jin stepped inside the inn. A young boy immediately ran up to greet him.
“Welcome, sir! We’ve got some fine chickens today — how about our crispy Gwon Dong Chicken, esteemed guest?”
Muk Yeo-jin sat down at the table he was shown to, pulled out a small silver tael from his robe, and placed it on the table.
“That sounds good, but I’m craving Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork today. And since the weather feels heavy, bring me a bottle of strong Fire Wine too.”
Ironically, the day was bright and clear.
The boy hesitated for a brief moment before snatching up the silver.
“Ah— you must be the one who left something behind the other day! Go up to the third floor, fourth room. He’ll be there.”
Shouting “One Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork!” toward the kitchen, the boy disappeared behind the door.
Muk Yeo-jin slowly rose from his seat and began walking.
Before establishing his merchant guild, Bu-yeon had once run an intelligence network.
And this Chunhyang Banjeom was one of its hidden branches.
What Muk Yeo-jin had just said to the boy wasn’t an order — it was a coded phrase to request an audience with the intelligence broker himself.
On the third floor, Muk Yeo-jin stopped before the fourth room and opened the door.
Creak—
Contrary to the inn’s shabby exterior, the inside was lavishly decorated.
At the low table in the center sat a young man in his early twenties, wearing a warm, friendly smile.
“Welcome. I’m Bu-yeon, the broker.”
This was none other than Bu-yeon, the future master of the world’s greatest merchant guild — Hongryeon.
Seeing Bu-yeon’s unlined, youthful face stirred something deep in Muk Yeo-jin’s chest.
Bu-yeon, who had once aided the martial world against Wonumgyo, had eventually been captured by the cult’s leader, Guryun Hwayeo, the Nine-Wheel Flame Woman, and met a tragic end.
“It’s been a while, Bu-yeon. It’s me, Muk Yeo-jin. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you back then.”
Suppressing his emotions, Muk Yeo-jin sat across from him.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Muk Yeo-jin of Sadocheon.”
Bu-yeon’s eyes flickered.
Just before Muk Yeo-jin introduced himself, he had noticed a fleeting emotion in his eyes — something like nostalgia, or sorrow.
“What was that?”
Why would a man he’d never met look at him like that?
Still, Bu-yeon was a man well-versed in human dealings. His expression didn’t waver as he welcomed the guest.
“Haha, so you’re the youngest son of the Sadocheon Lord. What an honor to meet such a distinguished guest.”
“There’s no need for such formality.”
Of course, Bu-yeon had already figured out who he was.
After all, Makho was practically his own backyard.
“He must also know I dealt with the ‘Mask-Faced Ghost’ last night.”
Muk Yeo-jin glanced at the table and spoke calmly.
“Would you mind dismissing the ears that are listening?”
Bu-yeon widened his eyes innocently, glancing around.
“Why, it’s just the two of us here, isn’t it? What people could you mean?”
“Two above the ceiling on the left, one on the balcony outside the window, one behind the right wall, and two beneath my feet.”
Flinch!
Bu-yeon’s face stiffened instantly.
Muk Yeo-jin had just listed the exact positions of the hidden guards he’d placed, just in case.
Running an intelligence network often meant dealing with dangerous situations — and extraordinary people. The guards were simply a precaution.
Bu-yeon lifted a small flute hanging from his neck and blew.
There was no audible sound — but the faint presences in the room vanished instantly.
It must’ve been a whistle only trained warriors could hear.
Bu-yeon bowed deeply.
“My apologies. They were merely for my own protection. I had no intent to threaten you.”
Muk Yeo-jin nodded.
“I understand.”
Bu-yeon sighed in relief.
Had Muk Yeo-jin misunderstood, it might’ve looked like an ambush against the Sadocheon Lord’s son.
Still, he couldn’t help but think:
“He sensed all of them the moment he entered the room?”
His bodyguards doubled as scouts — their martial strength might not be top-tier, but in stealth and infiltration, they were unmatched.
Yet Muk Yeo-jin had seen through them as if it were nothing.
“He’s far stronger than I thought. And to remain this composed…”
Bu-yeon felt tension rise in his chest.
“So, what information brings the young master of Sadocheon to me today?”
Muk Yeo-jin got straight to the point.
“I’m not here to request information. I’ve come to hire you. I want you to serve as the chief administrator of the merchant guild I’m forming.”
Bu-yeon’s brow twitched.
He’d come all this way to recruit a small-time broker from the borderlands? Without even explaining anything first?
Was this some sort of joke?
But Muk Yeo-jin’s eyes told him otherwise.
“I fear I’m too dull to grasp the deeper meaning behind your words, young master.”
“There’s no hidden meaning. I’m asking you to become the head of my guild — and help me make it the greatest in the Central Plains.”
Bu-yeon stared into his eyes — and realized he was utterly serious.
“He’s not joking…”
Why would a direct heir of Sadocheon care to run a guild? And why choose him?
He couldn’t understand it.
But even so, his answer was already decided.
“I’m honored by your trust. However, there’s something I must take care of first. I have no room to look elsewhere for now.”
His tone was polite, but firm.
Muk Yeo-jin took a calm sip of tea.
He had known Bu-yeon would refuse. And he had come prepared for that, too.
“Bu Yeong-seol.”
Clink!
The teacup shattered in Bu-yeon’s hand.
Blood dripped from his palm, but he didn’t even flinch. His face turned as cold as ice.
“…How do you know that name?”
Bu Yeong-seol — his younger sister.
And the “task” he had just mentioned — was finding her.
She had disappeared three years ago. That was the real reason he’d built his information network.
“Tell me. How do you know my sister’s name?”
The once-gentle man’s face now looked like that of a wrathful spirit.
Muk Yeo-jin didn’t back down.
“Let’s make a deal. I’ll tell you not only where your sister is — I’ll help you bring her back.”
“…”
Bu-yeon’s hardened face finally moved.
“What do you want?”
“I told you — I want you to lead my guild. That’s all.”
“Is that truly all?”
“If you doubt me, I’ll swear it on my father’s name, and seal it with my handprint.”
Bu-yeon stared, suspicion in his eyes.
Who would believe such a thing — that a man would suddenly appear, claiming to know the whereabouts of his missing sister when no one in the Central Plains could find a trace?
And in exchange, all he asked was for him to manage a merchant guild?
But no matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for Muk Yeo-jin to lie.
And besides — even if it was a lie, Bu-yeon was in no position to question it.
Whether it was a straw or a rotten rope, he had to grasp it if it led to his sister.
Finally, Bu-yeon spoke.
“I’ll agree. If you can help me find my sister — I’ll be whatever you want. Chief administrator, porter, anything.”
Bu-yeon was a shrewd man, but not one to break his word.
Even under the threats of Wonumgyo, he had once thrown himself into the flames to keep his promise.
A man of that depth — his word was the strongest guarantee.
Muk Yeo-jin smiled faintly.
“Then I’ll be counting on you, Bu-yeon.”
But Bu-yeon immediately drew a line.
“Let’s be clear. My sister comes first. Now tell me — where is she?”
Muk Yeo-jin nodded.
There was no need to prolong the man’s torment.
“Your sister is in Zhejiang Province, Hogum County, trapped in the underground of a pleasure house called Chosongru.”
Bu-yeon’s face went pale.
His sister had once volunteered to become the concubine of a wealthy merchant, Heo Sang-do, to help support their impoverished family.
But three years ago, she vanished without a trace.
When Bu-yeon confronted Heo Sang-do, the man had claimed she’d eloped with another lover.
Oddly enough, Bu-yeon had felt relief — he had never wanted his sister to live as that old man’s concubine anyway.
He even repaid Heo Sang-do for the stolen jewelry his sister had supposedly taken.
Still, she wasn’t the type to disappear without a word.
He’d been searching for her for nearly three years.
And now, a pleasure house?
Why would his sister be there — and underground?
“What do you mean… she’s being kept underground?”
Muk Yeo-jin answered plainly.
“Every ten days, Chosongru hosts a secret black auction.”
He watched Bu-yeon’s face darken and continued,
“Human trafficking is one of its main sources of profit.”
Bu-yeon’s expression froze, ice cold. He didn’t need any further explanation.
“…No…”
Muk Yeo-jin nodded gravely.
“Yes. Five days from now — on the fifteenth day of the sixth month — your sister is set to be sold as one of the items at that auction.