Chapter 54
He had expected Bu Eun-seol to be quite a master, but—
Contrary to expectations, the counterforce transmitted to his fingertips from Bu Eun-seol's Pulse Gate was so faint it was barely perceptible.
'Disappointing. The atmosphere was convincing, though.'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes were sunken low, and an air of composure flowed through his entire body.
It was the posture of a martial artist with exceptional discipline, but upon closer observation, it seemed he was simply dry and uninteresting by nature.
'Whether his martial arts are strong or weak, it's none of my business. I just need to get some free drinks and scram. Heh.'
As it turned out, the young man's plan was to distract Bu Eun-seol, drink his liquor, and then make a run for it.
"Hahaha."
As awkward silence settled, the young man let out a hearty laugh.
"Truth is, I got into this line of work at a young age. Because of that, I've been through hell and back."
He cracked a joke, but there was no reaction.
Embarrassed, the young man scratched his head.
"You're a man of few words, aren't you? Did I make you uncomfortable by barging in like this?"
Bu Eun-seol, who had been silently observing him, shook his head without a word.
"Ah, that's a relief."
The young man breathed a sigh of relief.
"Honestly, I've been on edge this whole time, wondering when you'd kick me out. Hahaha!"
Though his attitude was impudent, it wasn't particularly grating.
To be even more honest, Bu Eun-seol didn't dislike the young man's easygoing nature.
Not only was he the first peer Bu Eun-seol had met since entering the Martial World, but he also carried a bright and refreshing energy.
'Is it because I chose the Demonic Path?'
Looking at the young man, radiant as sunlight, Bu Eun-seol suddenly felt as though his own surroundings were steeped in darkness.
'Or is it because I chose revenge?'
He couldn't tell.
As frustration tightened around his throat, Bu Eun-seol picked up his wine cup again.
His way of drinking was unusual.
Strong liquors like Yellow Rice Wine were typically downed in one go.
But Bu Eun-seol drank it as if sipping tea—slowly, letting it trickle down his throat in small amounts.
"Brother, you..."
The young man, who had been staring blankly at Bu Eun-seol's drinking, spoke up.
"Seems like you've been through a lot."
"...?"
"You drink strong liquor so sweetly."
The young man spoke with an awkward smile.
"My master used to say that those who drink bitter liquor as if it were sweet have already tasted all the bitterness life has to offer."
Though it sounded like nonsense, there was a touch of humor in his words.
"Hoho."
Unconsciously, Bu Eun-seol smiled.
That smile was as elegant and pure as a plum blossom blooming in the heart of winter.
'A man's smile can be this beautiful...?'
Dazed, the young man shook his head to snap himself out of it.
"Ah, right! Come to think of it, we haven't even introduced ourselves yet. I'm—"
"Myeong-un, you reckless brat!"
At that moment, with a loud clatter, nine martial artists in navy-blue uniforms stormed up the stairs.
"Y-you little—!"
The largest of the five, a man with thick eyebrows, spotted the young man and roared.
"You bastard! Did you sneak out again to guzzle liquor at a courtesan house?"
"Eldest Martial Brother!"
"'Eldest Martial Brother' my foot! You damn troublemaker!"
The large martial artist stomped forward and grabbed the young man by the ear.
"I won't let you off easy today, you little runt!"
"Ah? Wait— Ow! Ow! Let go—!"
Ignoring his protests, the martial artist seized the back of the young man's neck with a hand as large as a pot lid and dragged him away.
"Brother! It was fun!"
Even as he was hauled off like a puppy by the scruff, the young man waved at Bu Eun-seol.
"Let's share another drink next time!"
As the young man left, the remaining eight martial artists remained. Among them, a thin man with narrow eyes clasped his hands together toward Bu Eun-seol.
"Our apologies for the disturbance."
Clearing his throat, he continued.
"No doubt that brat spouted nonsense and ordered drinks on your tab, didn't he?"
When Bu Eun-seol nodded, the martial artist grimaced.
"If we hadn't shown up, he'd have drunk his fill and bolted."
Then, he pulled out a sizable silver tael from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"Our youngest disciple made a mistake, so we'll cover the bill."
"It's fine."
"Don't trouble yourself. Then—"
Just as the martial artist turned to leave, a waiter who had been watching from afar scurried over.
"Great Hero, this won't be enough to cover the cost."
"What do you mean?"
"This Yellow Rice Wine is ten taels per bottle."
"Ten taels? Since when is Yellow Rice Wine that expensive?"
"This isn't just any Yellow Rice Wine—it's our tavern's special vintage, aged for thirty years."
"What?!"
The martial artist nearly jumped out of his skin.
There were at least ten wine jugs on the table. The bill alone would exceed a hundred taels.
"Myeong-un... you insane little—!"
As the thin martial artist trembled in fury, Bu Eun-seol calmly placed two hundred-nyang banknotes on the table.
"I drank well."
Then he stood, gently patting the waiter's head.
"Keep the change."
"R-really?! Thank you!"
As the waiter hopped around in excitement, the thin martial artist approached Bu Eun-seol and extended a money pouch.
"At least let us cover half."
Just then, a bucktoothed man from the group spoke up.
"Senior Brother. That's our travel money for the return journey..."
"Enough."
But Bu Eun-seol indifferently walked past the gaunt martial artist extending the money pouch and headed toward the stairs.
"Wait!"
Perhaps offended by being ignored, the gaunt martial artist swiftly blocked Bu Eun-seol's path.
"Take it."
"That won't be necessary."
"Take it. Disciples of the Mount Heng Sect do not leave debts unpaid."
Mount Heng Sect?
Bu Eun-seol blinked as he recalled the booklet Master Cheol Wang Geol had given him.
Mount Heng Sect.
Once, they had proudly held a place among the Nine Great Sects and One Gang. But two hundred years ago, their sect leader, Neung-ryeong, had mysteriously vanished from the sect.
Because of this, the Twin Absolutes of the Mount Heng Sect—the Lute Sword and the Line-Drawing Secret internal energy techniques—were lost, and the sect had been in decline ever since.
Clang.
The gaunt martial artist placed the sword from his robes onto the table.
"This is a Dragon Spring Sword, forged from genuine refined steel produced in Zhejiang Dragon Spring. Even if you pawn it, you'll easily get five hundred taels for it."
Zhejiang Dragon Spring was famous for producing high-quality steel.
Swords bearing the name Dragon Spring Sword were treasured blades capable of cleaving through ordinary iron with ease. And yet, this man was offering it as collateral for a drinking bill?
"Second Senior Brother!"
The other three martial artists shouted in alarm, but the gaunt man waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't worry. We'll reclaim it later. Until then—"
Hmm.
Bu Eun-seol sighed inwardly.
These Mount Heng Sect disciples were pure and upright in temperament, as befitted those from a renowned orthodox sect. But now that their sect had fallen into decline, their inferiority complex was also immense.
No helping it.
Bu Eun-seol exhaled internally and subtly shifted his facial muscles.
He had thought of a way to leave this place a little faster.
"So you're from the Mount Heng Sect."
Bu Eun-seol approached the gaunt martial artist with a slightly surprised expression.
"You should have mentioned that earlier."
"What do you mean?"
"Had I known you were from the Mount Heng Sect, I would have insisted on treating you to drinks myself."
As the gaunt martial artist looked startled, Bu Eun-seol continued calmly.
"I grew up in a remote mountain village, so I've always longed to meet heroes from prestigious orthodox sects at least once."
Then, he gestured toward the window.
"That's why I came to Yueyang—to travel and see such figures. But I've had no luck meeting anyone, which has been disappointing. Now that I've encountered heroes of the Mount Heng Sect in person, some of that regret has faded."
The previously stiff-seeming Bu Eun-seol now lavished praise upon them, and a faint smile rippled across the gaunt martial artist's lips.
"Heroes? That's too generous."
"Not at all. If you don't mind, I'd like to treat you. How about sharing another drink?"
In the past, such bluster would have been impossible for him.
But after mastering the Art of Rooster Calls and Dog Thieves, Bu Eun-seol could alter his demeanor and speech at will.
"No need! We'll be leaving Yueyang soon. Please don't trouble yourself."
"What a shame."
Bu Eun-seol feigned regret and clasped his hands together.
"Then I'll take my leave first."
"Ah, yes. Well then..."
As the gaunt martial artist clasped his hands in return, the other senior brothers behind him also bowed respectfully to Bu Eun-seol.
With just a few words, he had left a favorable impression on these Mount Heng Sect disciples and made his exit smoothly.
An inferiority complex... It's like holding poison in one's heart.
An inferiority complex.
A deep-seated sense of inadequacy not only degrades oneself but ultimately corrodes both body and mind like poison.
A few days later.
After resting thoroughly at his hideout, Bu Eun-seol returned to the Hoehyeon Old Bookstore.
"Welcome back."
Sang-ryang looked pleased as Bu Eun-seol opened the door and entered.
"What brings you here today?"
"I thought I'd buy a book I didn't see last time."
"Is that so? It seems you're becoming quite the regular at our humble bookstore, Young Master. Heh heh heh."
Chuckling, Sang-ryang tilted his head slightly as he observed Bu Eun-seol's white garments.
But something's odd. His face seems slightly different every time I see him.
When Bu Eun-seol first arrived, he had looked like an ordinary traveler with unremarkable features.
But now, he resembled a wandering scholar who had spent years drifting between libraries.
Is it just the change in clothing?
In truth, it was because Bu Eun-seol was freely employing both the Art of Rooster Calls and Dog Thieves and the Face-Changing Bone-Shifting Art, but Sang-ryang couldn't even begin to guess that.
"You've returned, Young Master."
Just then, Ma-un, who had been organizing the shelves, noticed Bu Eun-seol and bowed slightly.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Sang-ryang waved a hand.
"Ma-un. This gentleman wishes to purchase another book. Escort him to the inner shelves."
"Understood."
As Bu Eun-seol stepped into the hidden inner shelves, his expression turned puzzled.
Last time, there had only been five or six books. Now, dozens were lined up.
"There are quite a few books now."
At Bu Eun-seol's remark, Ma-un replied flatly.
"Since you handled the Ninth Stack, the workload has increased somewhat."
That was only half-true.
Sang-ryang, sensing Bu Eun-seol's exceptional skills, had gathered every difficult mission available in Yueyang.
"All the tasks here have been issued five times or more at C-grade. Well, given your skills, I'm sure you'll manage just fine..."
Ignoring Ma-un's sarcasm, Bu Eun-seol began examining the books.
Hmm.
Though they were labeled Fifth Stack or above, many involved infiltrating sects to extract information or steal items.
After browsing the shelves for a while, he picked up a book titled Baopuzi.
Rustle. Thud.
His fingers froze as he opened it.
―C-grade, first issuance. Reward: Seven Hundred Nyang.
Eliminate all assassins of the Blue Sand Valley active in Yueyang.
