Chapter 53
Staying too long at a guest inn inevitably leads to encountering more people.
Bu Eun-seol, who had received three thousand taels as payment for killing the Black Serpent Saber Seok-jeong. The first thing he did was rent a small house far removed from the village.
For the time being, he intended to continue handling missions for the Yueyang Branch. During this period, Bu Eun-seol created his own hideout where he could rest assured.
"Now I should stock up."
The next thing Bu Eun-seol did was purchase the equipment necessary for his missions.
"There's no need to stubbornly use the items stored in the old bookstore's warehouse."
The equipment piled up in the secret warehouse of the old bookstore was of poor quality and completely unmaintained.
Likely because no one in the branch felt any sense of belonging.
"Welcome."
Bu Eun-seol went to a forge located in the deepest alley of the marketplace and purchased a longsword made of hundred-fold refined steel and a back-worn assassin's blade.
"Customer."
The blacksmith, noticing not only that Bu Eun-seol had bought the assassin's blade but also that his pockets were stuffed with banknotes, grinned slyly and whispered,
"By any chance, would you need any hidden weapons or spring needle tubes?"
"Hidden weapons?"
Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed.
Some forges did manufacture hidden weapons. But places selling sinister devices like spring needle tubes were usually found only among back-alley fences.
"Do you have such things here?"
"Of course. Please follow me."
The blacksmith guided Bu Eun-seol to a small annex installed inside the forge.
There, throwing weapons like daggers and throwing darts were densely piled up alongside hidden weapon devices such as the Extreme Violent Dart Tube and the Spiral Burst Light.
"Among us blacksmiths, there's one who makes astonishingly good hidden weapons. What do you think?"
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol picked up what looked like a metal wrist guard.
"My, you certainly have an eye for quality."
The blacksmith fastened the metal wrist guard onto his own wrist.
Click.
As the blacksmith, having secured the guard, flicked his wrist, a ping sound rang out, revealing a spring mechanism.
"A genuine hidden weapon device crafted by Death Incense. You just load Feather Rain Needles into this spring mechanism."
'Death Incense...'
A crimson blood light surged in Bu Eun-seol's pupils as he stared at the hidden weapon device.
"Do you know where to acquire Death Incense's hidden weapons?"
The moment Bu Eun-seol, who had been consistently mild and indifferent, suddenly exuded killing intent, the blacksmith recoiled in shock.
"H-how would we know such a place?"
"Then how did you obtain this?"
The blacksmith's lips trembled as he met Bu Eun-seol's gaze, from which tendrils of blood light were radiating.
"W-we just happened to buy it cheaply as black-market goods. The fences thought it was a wrist guard, not knowing it was a hidden weapon..."
Indeed, there was no way this small forge could have dealings with Death Incense, the grandmaster of hidden weapons.
'I got too excited.'
Bu Eun-seol recomposed his expression and reached out.
Click.
He removed the hidden weapon device from the blacksmith's wrist and fastened it onto his own.
"Wait, that's—"
As the blacksmith stammered and stretched out his hand, Bu Eun-seol pulled out a wad of banknotes from his pocket and placed them in the man's palm.
Ten sheets. Bu Eun-seol had paid one thousand taels for a single hidden weapon device.
'I've met the God of Wealth!'
Counting the banknotes in his hand, the blacksmith bowed deeply toward Bu Eun-seol, who was already stepping out the door.
"Thank you, sir!"
Bu Eun-seol, who had left the marketplace and was heading back to his hideout, suddenly halted.
A rich, savory aroma had wafted from somewhere.
Following the scent through a winding alley, he spotted a street vendor selling dumplings in a corner.
'I should buy some dumplings to take back.'
Bu Eun-seol's hideout was quite far from the village, leaving no food options nearby.
"How much for one dumpling?"
"Five mun."
"Five mun..."
Bu Eun-seol forced a bitter smile after asking the vendor the price.
Handing a hundred-nyang banknote to a street dumpling seller would be pointless—they wouldn't be able to give change.
"I'll come back another time."
Just as Bu Eun-seol turned to leave the alley,
"Young Master."
A young waiter with a towel draped over his shoulder suddenly stood before him, clasping his hands and beaming brightly.
"We meet again."
The waiter bowed his head cheerfully, smiling as if greeting an old acquaintance.
Bu Eun-seol, sifting through his memories, raised one eyebrow.
The young waiter before him was none other than the same waiter from Gyeongha Pavilion whom Bu Eun-seol had encountered when he first arrived in Yueyang.
'Did he recognize me?'
His encounter with the waiter back then had been extremely brief.
Moreover, at that time, he had been dressed in fine robes, posing as the scion of a renowned clan out for leisure.
But now, Bu Eun-seol was clad in plain black martial attire, and wasn't he also using the Face-Changing Bone-Shifting Art to alter his appearance?
"You recognized me?"
At Bu Eun-seol's question, the young waiter blinked, answering with an unruffled expression.
"Didn't I see you here not long ago?"
'So it's not my face he remembers.'
Bu Eun-seol's curiosity was piqued.
This marketplace saw at least hundreds of people passing through in a single day. So how had this boy recognized Bu Eun-seol, when Bu Eun-seol couldn't even remember the boy's face?
"If you don't mind—"
"Lead the way."
Bu Eun-seol cut him off with a nod.
"I was just getting hungry anyway."
Gyeongha Pavilion.
Not the kind of tavern overlooking Dongting Lake, but one located far from the bustling marketplace.
A high-class establishment renowned for its aged wines and exquisite dishes, with a splendid view outside its windows.
"Please come this way."
Even after ascending to this floor, the waiter gestured for Bu Eun-seol to go one level higher.
That was where the special suites were—seats that cost over a hundred silver taels just for the reservation.
"I'll take a seat by the window."
Bu Eun-seol pointed to an empty table on the second floor.
"Are you sure?"
The waiter didn't press further and guided him to the window seat.
"Fortunately, a good table is still available."
The waiter bowed slightly as he spoke.
"What would you like to—"
"First, I have a question."
"Please ask."
"How did you recognize me? Our meeting back then was only for a brief moment."
"Hahaha. If we waiters couldn't remember our guests' faces, we'd starve to death."
The waiter wiped his nose and blustered, making Bu Eun-seol's eyes flash.
'As I thought—it's not the face he remembers.'
From that answer, Bu Eun-seol realized two things.
First, that the young waiter hadn't recognized his altered appearance.
And second, the reason why the boy wouldn't reveal the secret behind his recognition.
"I'd like to hear that secret in detail."
Bu Eun-seol pulled out a banknote and offered it, but the waiter waved both hands in refusal.
"You're giving me this much?"
"I don't have small change."
"Then I'll just deduct a small portion for myself when you settle the bill. Please keep it for now."
"Fine."
When Bu Eun-seol nodded indifferently, the waiter finally lowered his voice and shared the trick.
"Even if we can't remember a face, we must remember a voice—that's part of our job."
A voice.
No matter how one changes their clothes or alters their face, the voice remains the same.
The Art of Rooster Calls and Dog Thieves had lumped the essence of disguise under the vague term "mood." But if you thought about it the other way, "mood" inherently included the voice as well.
"The voice... I see."
Every profession had its own secrets.
Even these waiters, who seemed to do nothing more than carry dishes and wipe tables, were honing unseen skills in the background.
"That was a great help."
He meant it.
The most crucial aspect of the Face-Changing Bone-Shifting Art and the Art of Rooster Calls and Dog Thieves—he had just learned it from a mere waiter.
"Oh my, you flatter me too much."
The waiter grinned brightly.
"What would you like to order?"
"Hmm."
Originally, he had planned to dine leisurely while observing the people around him.
But lingering too long in such a busy tavern would inevitably draw attention.
'I should order generously.'
"Bring me the three—no, four—best dishes this place is known for."
"Would you like any wine?"
"Wine?"
"Our tavern's specialty is a premium-grade yellow rice wine brewed from choice glutinous rice."
The waiter seemed to have read his thoughts and whispered low.
"Our tavern makes most of its profits from wine. If you order a bottle of our finest and sip it slowly, you can sit here as long as you like without drawing suspicion."
This young waiter was not only sharp-witted but also remarkably perceptive.
Pfft.
Before he knew it, Bu Eun-seol's lips curled into a smile.
"Very well. Bring me a bottle as well."
When Bu Eun-seol grinned, baring his teeth, the waiter blinked in surprise.
Despite his plain features, the moment he smiled, his entire face brightened like sunlight reflecting off a river.
"What are you staring at?"
"Huh? Yes."
The waiter, having regained his composure, bowed his head deeply and exclaimed,
"Please wait just a moment!"
Soon, a table was laden with delectable braised fish, a cold salad made with five ingredients, stir-fried beef, and a shrimp dish.
"Hmm."
Upon seeing the mouthwatering spread, Bu Eun-seol felt a hunger he'd never experienced before.
He normally paid little attention to the taste of food, but the rich aroma of aged liquor wafting from the yellow wine bottle stirred his appetite.
"Mmm."
He had never before brought alcohol to his lips, nor had he ordered it with the intention to drink.
Yet as the deep, sweet fragrance tickled his nostrils, Bu Eun-seol found himself unconsciously filling his cup to the brim.
Gulp.
Downing the wine in one swift motion, he wiped the corner of his mouth with a flick of his hand.
"Remarkable."
It differed slightly from what he'd heard.
He'd been told it was bitter and somewhat potent... so why did it taste so inexplicably sweet?
Gulp.
Without realizing it, one cup became two, then more.
In no time at all, Bu Eun-seol had emptied three bottles of yellow wine. But far from feeling intoxicated, his mind only seemed to grow clearer with each sip.
"Ah... no seats left."
Just then, a young man who had ascended to the second floor clicked his tongue as he surveyed the surroundings.
Had he just passed his twentieth year?
Though he wore a sword at his waist, his slender limbs and delicate frame were unlike that of a typical martial artist. Yet his sharply defined features, large bright eyes, and composed demeanor gave him an air of dignified grace.
"Oh!"
The young man, who had been turning away with a crestfallen expression, let out an exclamation upon spotting Bu Eun-seol sitting alone by the window, draining his cup.
"Well, well! It's been ages!"
As if reuniting with an old friend, the young man plopped down across from Bu Eun-seol and enthusiastically waved both hands.
"I can't even remember how long it's been!"
Bu Eun-seol's brow furrowed slightly, prompting the young man to blurt out something unexpected.
"Three bottles of this strong yellow wine, and your complexion hasn't changed a bit? I don't recall ever meeting such a stalwart drinker before!"
At the man's nonsense, Bu Eun-seol pressed his lips together.
"Truly, all great men have high alcohol tolerance!"
After another bout of bluster, the young man cleared his throat and whispered conspiratorially,
"Are you waiting for someone?"
When Bu Eun-seol shook his head, the young man pressed further.
"So you're drinking alone, then?"
Bu Eun-seol nodded, and the young man slapped the table with gusto before declaring in a hearty voice,
"Perfect! How could I pass by after meeting such a fine fellow as yourself? Hey there!"
He called out to a passing waiter.
"Bring us a large cannon cup and five more bottles of your premium yellow wine! And for snacks..."
His gaze lingered on the untouched dishes already on the table before he narrowed his eyes and shouted,
"For snacks... one plate of peanuts!"
Clatter. Clatter.
At the order of five expensive bottles, the waiter scrambled over in a fluster, setting down a wine jug.
Bu Eun-seol stared at him incredulously, but the young man waved his hand dismissively.
"Ah, don't worry! The drinks are on me."
Picking up a bottle, he filled Bu Eun-seol's cup to the brim.
Then, for himself, he packed a massive cannon cup—large enough to fit a child's face—tightly with yellow wine, pressing it down firmly.
"Come, come, drink up."
Gulp. Gulp.
As if possessed by the ghost of someone who'd died unable to drink, the young man gulped down the wine with gluttonous abandon.
"Ahhh. That's the stuff!"
Wiping his mouth, the young man grinned broadly and asked,
"Do you know why the yellow wine here has such an exceptional aroma?"
When Bu Eun-seol shook his head again, the young man refilled his cannon cup to the brim and explained,
"Other places use stale glutinous rice, but Gyeongha Pavilion uses fresh glutinous rice. It's a bit pricier, but... that's not something true drinkers should worry about, right? Ahahaha!"
Raising his cup once more, he bellowed,
"Come, let's have another!"
Bu Eun-seol silently studied the young man who had so abruptly appeared and was now pushing drinks on him.
In the past, he would have either driven the youth away or left the table himself.
'A Master... of the Righteous Faction.'
But Bu Eun-seol had discerned that the young man before him was not just a martial artist—he was a formidable Master of the Righteous Faction.
Righteous Clear Demonic Tyrant.
The True Qi of the Righteous Faction is clear, while that of the Demonic Path is tyrannical.
When their cups had first clinked, a pure and lucid True Qi had coiled around Bu Eun-seol's Pulse Gate through the cup. The technique was so subtle that no practitioner of the Demonic Path could have detected it—yet Bu Eun-seol had sensed it instantly.
Clear and Turbid Together Devoured.
A phrase meaning to swallow both the clear and the turbid, it perfectly described the Reverse Polarity Heart Method—a cultivation technique that combined the strengths of both orthodox and demonic mental techniques.
"You must be new to the martial world, brother!"
The young man, who had been repeatedly pushing drinks on Bu Eun-seol, narrowed his eyes.