The Farmer Who Ended Up Teaching the World’s Greatest Martial Artist
“I have understood His Lordship’s words. I will need to widen my perspective a little more in the future.”
But the fact that Yoo Eunhyeon had done it meant that Jang Deokhyeon would have to risk a major injury in any confrontation with him. In the end, it also confirmed that Hwajin Satae’s decision had been correct, so Jang Deokhyeon bowed his head to Hwajin Satae in gratitude.
“This matter doesn’t have to be kept secret, but I would appreciate it if you could keep it under wraps for the time being. Nothing is certain yet, so I won’t hold you responsible.”
“I understand. And may I ask one more thing?”
“Of course.”
“What kind of choice do you believe His Lordship would make for the author?”
Hwajin Satae stopped walking, having been a step ahead, as if lost in thought. Jang Deokhyeon followed suit and waited for her answer. After only a short while, Hwajin Satae turned back, her expression impossible to read.
“If he’s a petty person, he would easily defect for the sake of immediate gain. A common person would try to escape without solving the immediate problem.”
Jang Deokhyeon nodded lightly in agreement and waited for her next words.
“But a superior person will not fixate on a single thing, so they would seek to avoid leaving traces while pursuing the gain.”
Indeed, the most practical approach Hwajin Satae described was to pretend to seek advantage, grab what mattered, and then wash one’s mouth.
Yoo Eunhyeon was already entangled with the Uiseon Suga, and with one of his companions in the Dang Clan, he could not simply be ignored. Jang Deokhyeon would probably do the same.
“But those who surpass even the superior and earn the title of great in the world will find another way to answer.”
“What is that way?”
Yet the fact that there was more beyond drew Jang Deokhyeon’s interest, but Hwajin Satae shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
“You truly don’t know?”
Jang Deokhyeon asked in a slightly dazed voice at the unexpected reply. Hwajin Satae smiled faintly.
“It is to handle matters in a way no one can imagine, earning the title of legendary. And even someone with the same talent might not know, so there is no helping it.”
“You mean His Lordship calls him the legendary one?”
“I don’t know that either. But… it will be revealed in the future. Where the Young Master Yoo belongs.”
Hwajin Satae spoke and resumed walking. Jang Deokhyeon looked toward the inn where Yoo Eunhyeon had been, frowning, then followed her.
After Hwajin Satae and Jang Deokhyeon left, Yoo Eunhyeon sat in the inn for a moment before rising, as he no longer had reason to stay.
After paying for the flower tea, he stepped out into the street but found himself wandering without a clear destination.
Should I head to the Dang Clan? Probably not the best idea to go straight to Hwanyangmun.
Normally he should have met up with Ju Yu-ryeon and Ho Won-jik, but since they had split up, his mind grew more complicated. On second thought, going to the Dang Clan first made more sense. He wasn’t particularly siding with either faction, yet blood ties existed, and the Dang Clan, as one of the Seven Great Families, would not openly oppose him.
Especially since Ju Yu-ryeon was there, and Hwajin Satae and Jang Deokhyeon had mentioned the Dang Clan, it would be easier to investigate directly.
With that decision made, Yoo Eunhyeon tried to move toward the Dang Clan but remained rooted in place.
“Now, where is the Dang Clan?”
He had been in Chengde for some time, yet as a first-timer who had been trapped in an inn since arrival, he had no idea. But then again, not knowing the location of the Seven Great Families in Sichuan wasn’t exactly something to worry about.
Yoo Eunhyeon began scanning his surroundings. After all, it was better to ask someone who knew martial arts even a little than an ordinary person.
In the corner of his eye, he spotted a martial artist staring at the man who had just exited the inn.
The inn is full of martial artists, so this guy is probably from a nearby sect. If he knows me, he should know where the Dang Clan is.
Yoo Eunhyeon approached the man after thinking it over. The man, in his early thirties, widened his eyes in surprise.
Whoa, he’s reacting way too dramatically. Does he think I look that terrifying?
Actually, having come straight from farming, his clothes were dirty, and having fled through the mountains, he probably looked like a beggar on the verge of death.
Yoo Eunhyeon decided to ask his question quickly before the man could get the wrong impression.
“Uh, how did you know it was me?”
Eh?
The sudden question left Yoo Eunhyeon speechless, forgetting his original purpose. Yet the man erupted in admiration.
“As expected, you are truly extraordinary! I thought I might have been scammed when I saw you from afar, but the moment you noticed my existence and approached, it proved that seeing is better than hearing a hundred times! Hahaha!”
Yoo Eunhyeon stared blankly as the man rattled on at breakneck speed.
“…Who are you?”
“Ah, my turn was out of order. I am Dang Sukrang. Please forgive me for nearly collapsing from shock at your recognition.”
Dang Sukrang? From the Dang Clan?
Yoo Eunhyeon asked, ignoring the rest, pulling out the core of the name. Dang Sukrang scratched his head awkwardly.
“Haha, I’m merely a collateral branch that inherited the Dang name. I haven’t properly learned martial arts, so here I am running errands. How fortunate that I can serve the Dang name in public. Those who don’t even have the Dang name….”
Dang Sukrang trailed off, but Yoo Eunhyeon cut him short.
It was improper etiquette for a stranger, yet the man’s endless chatter made it hard to mind.
“From what you said, it seems you know me?”
And yet Dang Sukrang nodded without a care that his words had been interrupted.
“Of course. You must be Young Master Yoo Eunhyeon?”
Dang Sukrang suddenly asked, as if realizing it now. Yoo Eunhyeon gave a faint nod without words, though his expression asked if he was serious.
“As expected. Since you recognized me, you must be Young Master Yoo Eunhyeon. I came here to escort you.”
Me? Where from?
“From the Dang Clan, of course! Hahaha.”
Dang Sukrang waved it off as if the question were obvious, but Yoo Eunhyeon frowned slightly. He wanted more details, yet Dang Sukrang seemed to know little beyond the name.
“Then why are you standing out here instead of inside the inn?”
Yoo Eunhyeon asked with a touch of resentment. In truth, Ju Yu-ryeon was extremely thorough in her preparations; she would never have left without setting up a trap. Had he met the man earlier, the encounters with Hwajin Satae and Jang Deokhyeon would have been avoided.
I’ve made this man’s life miserable for nothing.
That thought struck him too. The conversation with Hwajin Satae and Jang Deokhyeon had been exhausting enough. But then again, Dang Sukrang had his own reasons.
“Aigoo, don’t say that. I was waiting inside the inn from the start. But about ten days ago, some lackeys from Hwanyangmun—whatever that Qingseongpa faction is—started staking out the place. To the Dang Clan, they’re minor pests, but clashing with them would bring the whole sect down, so we had to retreat and observe. And with our own situation at a low point and orders to avoid attracting attention while escorting you quietly….”
Yoo Eunhyeon tuned out as the man’s words stretched on, closing his ears and sinking into thought.
Dang Sukrang’s logic held water. In the current Dang Clan situation, he would have preferred to avoid entangling with either righteous or demonic factions if possible.
“Still, you could have spoken to me the moment I stepped out.”
“In truth, the moment the young master announced his name in the inn, I considered approaching….”
But?
“But?”
Dang Sukrang hesitated, preferring talk over breathing, and Yoo Eunhyeon asked. The man scratched his head as if the original impression remained unchanged.
“I heard he was a tall, intelligent young master whose very presence radiated light. Hahaha.”
Young master?
Yoo Eunhyeon looked incredulous. Dang Sukrang gave an awkward smile, realizing his slip.
“Haha. Of course, seeing you recognize me already proves the difference, but I couldn’t tell you were hidden. My apologies.”
“No matter. I can roughly guess who told you that impression.”
Yoo Eunhyeon sighed as he pictured Ju Yu-ryeon laughing loudly behind Dang Sukrang. The man had probably believed it blindly, so he couldn’t blame him.
Even if I had recognized him, it wouldn’t have mattered much… Honestly, not recognizing him sooner might have been better?
If Dang Sukrang had been sent ahead and intercepted by Hwanyangmun, things might have gone differently. Then Hwajin Satae and Jang Deokhyeon arriving would have been impossible to predict.
At least the Qingseongpa sect leader would have gone mad. And I couldn’t have killed this mere errand boy. It worked out after all.
Yoo Eunhyeon nodded at the thought, but Dang Sukrang asked, oblivious.
“What was that?”
“Nothing. About escorting me?”
“Yes. I’m here to bring you to the Dang Clan. I can finally complete my task.”
Yoo Eunhyeon felt no resentment either way; it was simply one event among many. He urged the man on.
“Then let’s go.”