Chapter 37
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: I'm in a Bind (3)
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A night that brought resentment to some and comfort to others passed, giving way to day.
"You're awake, sir."
"Heh heh. Thanks to you, I slept soundly."
Kang Moo-jin and the Diamond Escort Agency escorts, who had come down early and secured their spots, welcomed Won Jong-do.
Having finished their morning training at dawn, they had already ordered meals, including portions for Won Jong-do and Won Yu-hwa.
"We've prepared breakfast. Please eat."
"My thanks. I'll cover the bill."
"It's already been paid."
"By you?"
Won Jong-do's eyes widened in surprise.
In the long-yet-short journey they'd shared, Kang Moo-jin had struck him as the type to squeeze every coin, not one to pay upfront.
"Heh heh. Of course."
Moo-jin flashed a satisfied smile and glanced to the side.
There sat the inner palace eunuch Jeong-o, eating alone with a sullen expression.
"Ah. I see."
"Yes. Eat your fill, Elder."
Moo-jin shoved a whole chicken leg into his mouth, bone and all, then ordered eight more plates of braised spicy chicken.
Might as well fill up properly for once, since it was on someone else's dime.
"Heh heh. You eat well. It's a joy to watch such hearty appetite."
"Meat is key for muscle growth. Gotta eat it often for stamina... Hm?"
Moo-jin, mid-bite, turned his gaze backward.
Screeech—
At that moment, the inn's door swung open, and a group clad in black silk robes slipped inside.
Moo-jin muttered as he watched them enter without a sound.
"East Depot."
The Emperor's direct surveillance agency, staffed entirely by eunuchs, had stormed the inn.
"Ho. Sharp eyes. You must be Kang Moo-jin."
A pale-faced East Depot eunuch with long, narrow eyes approached Moo-jin.
"Hmm. Not bad-looking for a mere escort."
The apparent leader eyed Moo-jin like a snake.
"But you know, you could've just pretended to do the job. No need to stir up real trouble. You've given us no end of headaches."
"A man takes a job, he gives it his all."
Moo-jin tore into his meat with relish, glancing down and smirking.
"Maybe you wouldn't know, not being a man."
"You... courting death, are you?"
Shhh—
The East Depot eunuchs exuded chilling killing intent.
It felt like dozens of cold serpents coiling around them. The Diamond Escort Agency men grimaced at the discomfort.
"A lowly escort dares wag his tongue? Insolent fool! Shall we cut it out to teach you manners?"
"…."
Moo-jin irritably set down his chicken leg at the threat laced with malice.
'Should I just beat them all senseless.'
They say don't bother a dog while it's eating.
Meat was vital for building strong bones and muscles—how dare they interrupt.
And with that vile pressure, no less.
"Back off."
Kang Moo-jin irritably swiped at the air.
"…!"
The East Depot's oppressive aura vanished around him in an instant.
A mere gesture had nullified their momentum.
"What the hell are you...?"
The eunuch reeled from the escort's freakish prowess. Just then—
"Lord Royal Secretary."
Clang of armored plates— a squad of soldiers marched into the inn.
Resplendent in golden armor that thudded heavily on the floor, they were the Emperor's personal guard, the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
"It's been too long."
"General Jin. Indeed it has."
Won Jong-do smiled warmly.
Embroidered Uniform Guard's Grand General Jin Mu-gyeol was one of the few allies the old man had in the palace.
"Yes, my lord. We came to escort you upon hearing you were here. But... we have uninvited guests."
Jin Mu-gyeol's gaze shifted to the East Depot. The longsword in his hand hummed lowly.
"What business does the East Depot have here?"
"Grand General. Do I owe you an explanation?"
The eunuch sneered coldly.
As he stepped toward Jin Mu-gyeol, the air grew frigid.
"Leave. Guarding Lord Royal Secretary is none of your affair."
Jin Mu-gyeol arched a brow, lips twisting.
"Or we can settle it right here."
"Hmph! Another time, then."
The East Depot filed out silently with sneers.
"Hm."
Moo-jin finished off a sheet of beef with two chopsticks, intrigue flickering in his eyes.
"Elder, you weren't alone after all."
"Heh heh. Not everyone sides with Eom Soong."
"Is that so?"
"No river flows without clashes."
Won Jong-do rose with a kind smile.
"You've done well. Without you, we'd have been in dire straits. Truly grateful."
"No need."
"Diamond Escort Agency's Hero Kang. Fine work. The escort contract ends here."
Grand General Jin Mu-gyeol eyed Moo-jin with newfound respect.
Rumors said Eom Soong had thrown assassins, supreme masters, even armies at them.
A job that would fail any agency in the Central Plains, pulled off flawlessly.
'Even I couldn't guarantee success.'
Far from ordinary.
He almost wanted to recruit him into the Guard as a successor.
'But his heart's with the agency. Pity.'
Jin Mu-gyeol swallowed his regret.
"Payment will be deposited at Tianxia Battlefield, the finest in the Central Plains."
"Understood."
"Then let's go, Lord Royal Secretary."
"Very well. One moment first."
Won Jong-do, about to follow the Guard out, turned back to Moo-jin.
"One more favor?"
"Of course. What job?"
"My granddaughter. I entrust her to you."
"...Pardon?"
Moo-jin blinked in stupefaction.
What did he say?
His grand... daughter?!
"G-Grandfather?"
Won Yu-hwa looked equally shocked, her face paling.
"Heh heh."
Won Jong-do smiled warmly at Moo-jin's confusion over the unexpected request.
"My tale ends here. I won't tread my homeland again... but that's my burden to bear."
"...Grandfather!"
Won Yu-hwa's sobs filled the inn.
Her small hand clutched his robe, but the silk slipped gently free.
"I want my granddaughter to live freely. You can protect and aid her, can't you?"
Won Jong-do drew a manual from his bosom and offered it to Moo-jin.
"This should more than cover it. Sell it or learn it, as you will."
The faded title read: Heavenly Light Soul-Exterminating Finger.
The lost art of Chang Ho-ja, the peerless master who once shook the world with a single finger.
"…!"
Moo-jin gaped, recognizing its immense value.
'This... worth thousands of gold taels at least.'
He swiftly pocketed the manual and nodded.
"I'll take the job."
Truth be told, it was all upside for him.
The cherished granddaughter of Won Jong-do, deeply tied to the palace and bureaucracy. Her presence alone gave Diamond Escort Agency an edge over rivals.
Beyond that, Won Yu-hwa showed exceptional talent in many areas.
She could fill the agency's need for brains.
'And a free manual to boot. Big win.'
Moo-jin smiled contentedly. Misreading it slightly, Won Jong-do rose.
"Heh heh. In your hands, then. I'll take my leave."
He gently stroked his granddaughter's head, tears streaming unchecked, then headed to the Guard's carriage.
Better to go before reluctance rooted him.
"Take care of Yu-hwa."
"Safe travels, Elder."
After seeing him off, Moo-jin returned and checked on Won Yu-hwa.
"Miss Won. You alright?"
"...Yes. I'm fine."
"…."
She didn't look fine at all. Moo-jin stroked his chin.
'Tch. No helping it.'
Time healed all partings, they said.
Even he had struggled those first days after entering the Linked Qi Realm.
'Give her space.'
He called to the escorts packing up.
"Unpack, everyone. Three days' rest, then we head out."
"Yes, Leader!"
Grinning ear to ear, they dashed upstairs.
Good food, spectacles, staying in the capital—it was vacation to them.
"Uh... Hero Kang, then I'll be going..."
"Where to."
Moo-jin grabbed the fleeing Jeong-o by the scruff and dragged him back inside.
"Gah! Th-the escort's done. I have to go."
"Not yet."
"Huh?"
"You're still here."
Jeong-o paled and waved frantically.
"N-no need! I can go alone. N-no problems!"
"No. Too dangerous."
Moo-jin shook his head firmly and sat him down.
"Specially, we'll escort you back to Shanxi Province."
"C-can I refuse...?"
"Refusal not accepted."
"…."
First time facing an armed escort threat.
Tears welled in Jeong-o's eyes.
Crackle— pop—
Wood branches snapped softly under the quiet night.
"…."
Won Yu-hwa stared silently at the blazing stove in the inn's corner.
"What now?"
Kang Moo-jin, sitting quietly beside her, offered a bottle of liquor.
Fiercely potent baijiu.
"I don't know how I'll live from here."
She grimaced after a swig.
The throat-burning fierceness was unpleasant, yet oddly comforting.
"Feels hopeless alone."
"If alone's tough, join us."
"Pardon?!"
Her cheeks flushed pink.
Join...? Did he mean...? A pr-proposal?
Face beet-red from one drink, she nodded.
"Bit fast, but sure. Truth is, you're not bad, Hero Kang..."
"Plenty of spots at Diamond Escort Agency."
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
Perplexed Moo-jin met flustered Yu-hwa's eyes in midair.
"What did you say?"
"Y-you're great, Hero Kang! St-staying at the agency!"
"Ah. Yeah? You'd fit right in, Miss Won. Get along with Soo-yeon too."
"Soo-yeon?"
"Yeah. My niece."
"Oh..."
Throat burning again, Yu-hwa gulped down more baijiu.
'Idiot! Should've checked that first!'
Confirm marital status before catching feelings. What a foolish mistake.
"My eldest brother's daughter."
"Ah!"
Her face brightened anew with a smile.
"Sounds fun. I love kids."
"Perfect, then."
Kang Moo-jin smiled faintly and fed wood to the stove.
"…."
Yu-hwa, lost in the sight, offered the bottle.
"Care for some?"
"Hm. Liquor hinders muscle growth..."
"Tch. Causes losses, right? Got it."
Pouting slightly, she stood and climbed the stairs.
"Let you off today. Next time, drink with me."
"Hm."
Moo-jin glanced at a corner of the inn and nodded.
"Sure. Next time."
"Hee. Promise."
Face flushed, eyes misty, Won Yu-hwa headed to her room.
"…."
Alone now, Kang Moo-jin tossed his firewood into the stove and murmured low.
"Come out."
His voice spread into the deep darkness.
"…."
No reply from the shadows.
One might think he'd imagined it.
"Out, before I crack your skull."
Swish—
From the pitch black emerged a black-clad masked figure.
Cold, emotionless eyes glared down at Moo-jin.
"Golden Ghost Indestructible Kang Moo-jin."
The masked man's raspy, steel-scraped voice echoed through the inn.
"The Cabinet Chief Minister seeks you."
"Hm. Eom Soong."
"Insolent cur! Dare speak his name... Ack!"
The black-clad man, sword half-drawn, staggered to one knee.
Overwhelmed by Moo-jin's crushing presence.
"Keep that up, and you'll lose your jaw for life."
"Urk..."
"Good timing. I wanted to see his face anyway."
Crack— creak—
Kang Moo-jin slowly rolled his neck and stood.
"Take me to him."