Before Going Home

Clink. One coin. Clink. Two coins.

"Hehehe."

My pouch was heavy. As they say, a leader's presence and his coin purse should always be heavy.

"Are you really that happy?" Man Hanseok asked, looking at me with a pathetic expression as he saw my face split into a massive grin.

"Who in the world hates money? Even the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple probably smiles when he sees the donation box piling up with coins."

"I understand, but you're being a bit..."

"A bit what?"

"...Never mind."

He looked like he had a lot to say but was holding it back. This kid needed to earn some money with his own sweat and tears to truly appreciate the glorious value of ten gold coins.

Having received grand hospitality from the Murim Alliance, we had set off on our journey back to the academy. It was only when the main gates of the Alliance were completely out of sight that we finally checked our reward.

Our earnings consisted of a letter personally written by the Murim Alliance Leader, Du Yeonbu, and a bonus of ten gold coins. Some might ask what was so great about a mere letter, but the identity of the writer changed everything.

In this day and age, if you received a letter written by the Emperor himself, you would frame it on the wall and perform full prostrations before it every single morning. And when the writer was Du Yeonbu, the Alliance Leader, it was practically the same thing. I could carry this letter around later, puffing my chest out like some high-ranking official, and show everyone, "Look who I am."

For the record, the contents of the letter were quite predictable. It was written in an archaic, overly complex style, but to summarize it in a single line:

"As expected of the Sword Sovereign, he's incredibly generous. His magnanimity is truly worthy of one of the Four Sovereigns."

Clink, clink. A delightful sound echoed as I shook the pouch containing the ten gold coins. Ah, this is the life.

As I stood there grinning like an idiot, Seonwoo Seol nudged my side and asked, "If you come to the Sacred Cult later, I'll give you twenty gold coins. How about it?"

"I'll visit eventually, but Xinjiang is way too far. It'll probably take a whole month just to get there."

"Tsk." Seonwoo Seol clicked her tongue and pouted. Her lips looked so plump, I felt a sudden urge to pinch and pull them.

But she probably wasn't being entirely serious either, as she immediately changed the subject. "I never dreamed that man, Dong Gyeongdo, would bow his head so low to thank you for forgiving him. He's quite up there in years, too."

Just as Seonwoo Seol said, Dong Gyeongdo had tightly grasped my hand right before we departed, thanking me profusely for my forgiveness. Because of that, Gongson Yeongji had given me the brightest, most innocent smile, and she looked absolutely adorable. I guess living a good life really does bring its own rewards.

In any case, I had only one thing to say to Seonwoo Seol.

"Classic great hero move. Forgiving any mistake, no matter what."

"Didn't you call yourself a petty man last time?"

"Classic petty man move. Digging up the past. Ah, aaack!"

"Who are you calling petty?!"

"P-Petty man move... pinching someone's side... Aaaaack!"

Ow, she's going to tear my flesh right off. True to her title as the Little Heavenly Demon, her grip is incredibly painful.

Regardless, when you make a fortune, it's only polite to treat everyone to a grand meal. I immediately called out to the coachman outside.

"Is there a large, expensive inn or tavern nearby?"

"Of course, sir. Once we cross this mountain, there's a major city called Zhengzhou. Over there, you'll find a place called Gijwaru. It's a highly famous establishment that even the martial artists of the Murim Alliance practically beg to visit."

Gijwaru... What is that? A place that serves customers at the speed of light? Literally, the name meant "a pavilion where one stands up from sitting to greet guests," which was a very hospitable name for a tavern.

"Then let's head to Gijwaru. We can grab lunch there while we're at it."

"Understood, sir!"

The food prepared by the chefs of the Murim Alliance had been delicious, but I also needed to experience the high-end cuisine of an expensive tavern.

"By the way, what's so special about this tavern that the Alliance martial artists are so desperate to go?"

"Ahem... with the young lady and the child present, I'm not sure if I should say..."

"Just whisper it to me."

If it was a story unfit for women and children, I absolutely had to hear it. I leaned over toward the coachman's seat and pressed my ear close. The coachman whispered in a hushed tone, "The mistress of Gijwaru is famous for her breathtaking beauty. They say she easily ranks among the top ten beauties of the Central Plains."

"How pretty can a tavern owner really be? She's probably just some old, withered lady."

"Aigoo, heavens no! She's probably around the same age as the young lady traveling with you."

"Oh?"

"Gijwaru has five floors, and you can only catch a glimpse of the mistress if you book a room on the fifth floor."

"And how much does a room on the fifth floor cost?"

"I heard it costs one gold coin."

"That's insane. Do people just have money to burn?"

"Well, shouldn't a man see one of the top ten beauties of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Central Plains at least once in his lifetime before he dies?"

As a man, I was slightly curious, but was it really worth spending a whole gold coin? That amount of money could buy hundreds of bowls of piping hot beef noodles. Besides, I already had Seonwoo Seol, who could easily be called the greatest beauty in the Central Plains, sitting right next to me. Wanting more would be sheer greed.

"But booking a room on the second or third floor should be cheaper, right?"

"For the third floor, it'll cost about five silver coins."

Hmm. That was a perfectly reasonable price. When I returned to my seat, Seonwoo Seol gave me a knowing look and asked, "What were you whispering about with the coachman?"

"I was just asking how much it costs to book a room on the third floor of Gijwaru."

"You two were talking way too long for just that... Did he say anything else?"

"He said if you book a room on the fifth floor, you can meet the mistress of the tavern. Apparently, she's exceptionally beautiful and ranks among the top ten beauties of the Central Plains."

At my words, Seonwoo Seol snorted and crossed her arms. Ah, is she preparing to launch an attack?

"Does it make you happy to whisper about other women like that?"

"I was just playing along with him. How was I supposed to know he'd bring that up?"

"So, are you interested in this mistress?"

She asked in a casual, testing tone, but I knew I had to tread carefully here. Shrugging my shoulders as if it were nothing, I replied in my usual voice, "Not at all."

"Why? Don't men like pretty women?"

"I already have one right in front of me."

"Pfft!"

"What kind of laugh was that?"

I stared at Seonwoo Seol, who had let out a bizarre chuckle. She quickly covered her mouth and glared at me.

"Are you absolutely sure you've never dated anyone before?"

"I spend all day in the kitchen. Where would I even find the time to date?"

"Then how do you say things like that so effortlessly?"

At her question, I placed a hand over my heart and replied, "Because I'm just speaking from the heart."

"You're unbelievable, really."

Seonwoo Seol whipped her head away, then gently pulled the dozing Gongson Yeongji down to rest her head on her lap. She didn't seem angry, but I had no idea why she was acting like that.

"Chef Yoon."

"What do you want?"

When I turned to look at Man Hanseok, he was scowling deeply. This guy...

"Could you please do your flirting outside the carriage?"

"Just go to sleep like Yeongji."

"But I miss Lady Dang too."

"Go see her in your dreams then."

Man Hanseok continued to grumble. If you're so unhappy, build up your strength so you can travel with Dang Go-hye yourself.

By the time the sun reached its zenith, we finally arrived in Zhengzhou. In the distance, a tall building caught my eye—it was likely Gijwaru. While it couldn't compare to the Murim Alliance's Imcheondang, it was probably one of the largest buildings owned by an individual or a merchant guild.

Just then, Gongson Yeongji rubbed her eyes, looked around, and asked sleepily, "Mmm... are we here...?"

"Almost."

Since the streets deeper inside Zhengzhou were said to be too congested for carriages to pass easily, we decided to get off and walk the rest of the way to Gijwaru.

"Kaifeng, where the Murim Alliance is, was packed with people, but this place is no joke either."

"This is exactly when you need to watch your belongings. Make sure you hide your coin purses well so you don't lose them."

At my warning, Man Hanseok, Seonwoo Seol, and Gongson Yeongji all tucked their exposed coin purses deep into their robes.

"Bustling streets like this are always crawling with pickpockets. Once they slip into the crowd, you'll never find them."

"Have you been robbed before?"

"I've seen plenty of people get robbed. Even during the last break, the academy issued a special warning to all the students."

"Ah, that's right."

Man Hanseok must have remembered the official notice from the academy. Pickpockets were a plague not just in Poeun, but in any bustling area. Since there was no such thing as CCTV in the Central Plains, crowded places naturally became prime hunting grounds for thieves.

Just to be safe, we walked with Seonwoo Seol and Gongson Yeongji sandwiched between Man Hanseok and me.

"The moment we get there, I need a glass of cold-brewed tea. Why is it so hot today?"

"Tell me about it. It would be perfect if they mixed in a bit of honey."

On a hot day like this, I couldn't help but crave a brain-freezing glass of iced americano. I hadn't heard of coffee existing in the Central Plains, but maybe I should ask a merchant guild that traded with the Western Regions.

Just as we were about to reach Gijwaru...

"...?"

My eyes were suddenly drawn to a tanghulu stall in front of Gijwaru. A woman dressed in attire rarely seen in the Central Plains was standing there. Her clothes were distinctly different from the typical light robes of the region, looking more like Western attire. She wore a purple veil that completely obscured her face.

"Is she a foreigner?"

"Aren't foreigners supposed to have red or blonde hair?"

"Oh, please. Plenty of foreigners have black hair just like us."

"Ah, is that so?"

Her outfit was quite alluring—or rather, incredibly flashy—so she easily caught the attention of Seonwoo Seol and Man Hanseok. As the two whispered about the woman, Gongson Yeongji, who had been listening quietly, tilted her head.

"No, I think she's from the Central Plains..."

"Huh? How can you tell?"

"I can see her face under the veil."

We couldn't see it from our height, but from Gongson Yeongji's lower perspective, she apparently had a clear view. Just then, a gust of wind blew, lifting the veil slightly and revealing her face. As Yeongji said, she was indeed from the Central Plains. Unlike Seonwoo Seol's pure, crystal-clear eyes, this woman possessed a deeply seductive gaze. She's pretty. I made that brief mental note and was about to walk past when...

"...?"

Two short men sidled up close to her. One of them, a sturdy-looking fellow, pointed at a tanghulu.

"Hey, how much for one of these tanghulu?"

"Five hundred copper coins, sir."

"Five hundred copper coins for a tanghulu? That's ridiculous. Three hundred is more than ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠enough."

"Aigoo, do you have any idea how expensive sugar is these days? I can't sell it for three hundred."

He had a point. Even if sugar prices had dropped slightly recently, it was still a luxury. While the stall owner was flustered by the customer's unreasonable demands, a dirty, dark hand suddenly reached toward the coin purse hanging from the woman's waist. It was a classic pickpocketing tactic. One guy distracts the target, and while the victim is focused on the commotion, the accomplice slips the purse away.

I nudged Seonwoo Seol. Spotting the thief, she reached into her robes and pulled out a small hairpin. She then shot me a look that clearly asked, Do you want to throw it, or should I? A man has his pride. I immediately took the hairpin from her and waited for the thief to make his move. And then...

Snip. With a tiny dagger no larger than a palm, the thief severed the cord holding the coin purse. Judging by his swift movements, this wasn't his first rodeo. Just as he grabbed the purse and turned to flee—

Swish! Infusing the hairpin with the precise technique of the Sacred Hand Flower Needle, I threw it faster than anyone could react.

"Aaaagh!" Oof, even though I was the one who threw it, that looked incredibly painful. The hairpin had pierced straight through the back of his hand. Lacking any inner qi to protect himself, the thief shrieked in agony the moment the pin struck, instantly dropping the coin purse onto the ground.

"Damn it!" The accomplice who had been causing the distraction cursed and immediately tried to bolt. Seonwoo Seol pulled another hairpin from her robes and threw it without hesitation.

"Argh!" The hairpin flew like a flash of lightning and embedded itself in the man's calf. Having never experienced such pain in his life, he collapsed and rolled on the ground, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠groaning.

"Ugh... uuugh... You crazy bastards...!"

"You've got a lot of nerve talking back when you were just stealing someone's purse." The pickpocket duo glared at Seonwoo Seol and me, groaning in pain as if they were the victims. But so what? What were they going to do about it?

On a crowded day like this, constables were bound to be patrolling nearby. We promptly handed the two thieves over to the constables who rushed over to investigate the commotion. I picked up the fallen coin purse, dusted it off, and handed it back to the waiting ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠woman in Western attire.

"...Thank you," the woman said, bowing her head politely. Seonwoo Seol stepped in front of me and waved her hand dismissively.

"It was nothing. We are all fellow students under the same sky, so of course we should help."

"Please be careful. There are thieves around who will try to distract you to steal your purse, just like those guys did."

"As for a reward..."

"No, that's quite alright. It was only the right thing to do, so there's no need for a reward. We're perfectly fine." I waved my hand as well, leading Man Hanseok and Gongson Yeongji toward Gijwaru. Or rather, we were trying to head there.

Pitter-patter. The woman whose purse we had returned was quietly following behind us.

"Why is that woman following us?"

"How should I know..."

"Should I go ask her?"

"Confronting someone we just helped seems a bit much... Let's just leave her be. Maybe she was already heading to Gijwaru anyway."

"A woman going to a tavern alone?"

"Maybe she has someone waiting for her inside."

As we stepped inside Gijwaru, a well-dressed waiter bowed politely to greet us.

"Which floor would you like to be seated on, esteemed guests?"

"We'd like to go to the third floor. And we'll be having some alcohol as well."

"Ah, you truly know how to enjoy yourself. Right this way, I'll—oh." The waiter's sudden gasp wasn't directed at us. He was staring at the woman in Western attire behind us.

"Mistress? Why did you come through the front instead of the back door...?"

Mistress? The owner of Gijwaru? When I turned around, the woman slowly lowered her purple veil, revealing a seductive, alluring smile.

"Whoa..." Man Hanseok gasped, quickly clapping a hand over his mouth. The reason was obvious. They weren't kidding when they said she ranked among the top ten beauties of the Central Plains—she was stunning.

As I stared blankly at her captivating beauty, Seonwoo Seol gave my side a sharp, warning jab.

"Why do you keep staring at her?"

"...You're still prettier, Miss Hong."

"Don't make me laugh," Seonwoo Seol growled, whipping her head away.