It's All Just Empty Fame
Kang Yeon offered Jin Mu-gyeong an empty room on the second floor.
“You can stay here.”
Jin Mu-gyeong pulled a silver ingot from his robes and held it out.
“For a long-term stay.”
Kang Yeon shook his head but took the silver anyway.
“Why are you so set on staying at the inn?”
“Truth is, I don’t have anywhere else to go. Ever since Cheon-i-gak was disbanded I’ve been wandering from place to place. Besides, having me around should help, shouldn’t it? No one can match me when it comes to information warfare.”
Kang Yeon nodded.
“All right. But there’s one condition.”
“What condition?”
“Don’t ask me to cook for you every day.”
Jin Mu-gyeong’s eyes wavered violently.
“That’s too cruel.”
“I mean don’t specially request dishes. We still have a business to run, so you’ll get to taste my cooking either way.”
“If that’s all, I can accept it. The food you sell at the inn should still be decent, right?”
“Of course. Our inn’s cooking is always the best. And I’ll make sure there’s plenty of the pu’er tea you like.”
“That’s more than enough.”
The two of them laughed at the same time. It felt just like the old days—back then they had laughed like this while preparing for the next battle.
“Oh, and one more thing. It would be best if we hide my identity from the people at the inn. Just say I’m some wandering scholar who’s learned a bit of martial arts…”
“Keep the fact that you were chief of Cheon-i-gak a secret?”
“Right. The more people who know, the greater the danger.”
Kang Yeon nodded. It was a sound decision.
“Understood. Then starting tomorrow we’ll officially treat you as a guest. Ah, and…”
Kang Yeon smiled.
“Our inn already has quite a few interesting people. You’ll have fun living with them too.”
“Oh? What kind of people?”
“You’ll find out when you meet them yourself.”
And so the West Lake Number One Inn gained a new member of the household. On the surface Jin Mu-gyeong was merely a long-term guest, but in truth he was about to become Kang Yeon’s reliable source of intelligence.
The next morning, sunlight began to pour over the inn. Jo Seol rose early as always and started cleaning. That was when she spotted Jin Mu-gyeong coming down the stairs.
“Oh? You’re the gentleman who arrived yesterday, aren’t you? You’re up early.”
Jin Mu-gyeong offered a mild smile. The sharp bearing of the former chief of Cheon-i-gak was nowhere to be seen; he looked like nothing more than an ordinary middle-aged scholar.
“The early morning air feels good. Is there anywhere nice for a stroll?”
“Ah, then the rear courtyard is perfect! There’s a little pond and the trees are lovely.”
The inn’s rear courtyard had been decorated entirely to Dan U-ryeong’s personal taste.
“Thank you. Ah, and…”
Jin Mu-gyeong took several silver coins from his pocket and handed them to Jo Seol.
“I plan to stay for a month, so take this for the lodging fees.”
“Didn’t Yeon-oppa already receive payment yesterday?”
“That was far too little.”
Knowing full well that Kang Yeon would never accept a proper sum, Jin Mu-gyeong paid Jo Seol the remaining amount.
“Ah, yes! I’ll give it to Father. How long will you be staying, though?”
“Well? I don’t really have plans yet…”
“Then stay a long time. If you’re an acquaintance of Yeon-oppa’s, you’re an important guest to us too.”
Jo Seol’s bright expression made Jin Mu-gyeong smile as well. This pure, warm atmosphere felt unfamiliar, yet pleasant.
I think I understand why Yeon wants to protect this place.
When Jin Mu-gyeong stepped out into the rear courtyard, Nang Hyeon was already there performing his morning training. The soft movements of the Great Cloud Fist unfolded beautifully beneath the morning sun.
“Oh?”
Jin Mu-gyeong, who knew the Great Cloud Fist, found Nang Hyeon’s training anything but ordinary. The foundation was solid, and it looked as though he had made considerable progress recently.
With that level of skill… did Kang Yeon teach him?
Sensing the gaze, Nang Hyeon stopped and offered a greeting.
“Good morning. You’re the guest who arrived yesterday, aren’t you?”
“Yes. And you? Ah, may I speak casually?”
“Of course. I’m Nang Hyeon. I help out around the inn.”
“Oh? The Money-Fighting Demon, Nang Hyeon?”
Nang Hyeon’s eyes went round.
“You know of me?”
“Just heard the rumors floating around. You’re quite a famous solver, aren’t you?”
“I’ve retired now.”
“I see. That’s a fine fist technique, by the way. Where did you learn it?”
Nang Hyeon hesitated a moment before answering.
“Young Master Kang Yeon taught me.”
Jin Mu-gyeong nodded inwardly. It was just like Kang Yeon—unflashy, practical, and grounded in fundamentals.
“You’ve found yourself a good master.”
“Yes. It was truly fortunate.”
While Jin Mu-gyeong offered advice and the two of them talked, Kang Yeon began preparing breakfast in the kitchen. He was making a special morning meal for Jin Mu-gyeong.
What did hyung like for breakfast…?
He had liked porridge, but Kang Yeon remembered that sometimes he had wanted something more substantial. He began selecting ingredients one by one.
First he took out fresh pork, sliced it thin, and marinated it in a special sauce. This was a dish he had often cooked during the Cheon-i-gak days for Jin Mu-gyeong, who would be exhausted after staying up all night sorting intelligence.
The thing hyung especially loved…
Kang Yeon’s hands moved with practiced ease. He mixed a spicy sauce and prepared fresh vegetables, setting aside generous amounts of the bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms Jin Mu-gyeong favored.
Just then Jo Seol entered the kitchen to help with breakfast.
“Oppa, what are you making? It smells amazing.”
“A special breakfast for Mu-gyeong-hyung.”
Kang Yeon lifted the wok and began stir-frying over the flame. With a sharp sizzle, a savory aroma filled the kitchen.
“Wow, I’ve never seen this dish before!”
Jo Seol watched with sparkling eyes. Kang Yeon’s handwork was as fluid as a dance.
Sizzle. Sizzle.
The fierce flames obeyed his will perfectly.
“This is called Heaven-Shattering Fragrant Meat Shreds.”
“Heaven-Shattering Fragrant Meat Shreds? The name sounds like a murim technique.”
Kang Yeon laughed at her words.
“Exactly. I named the dishes like martial arts. It means a meat dish fragrant enough to shatter the heavens.”
He plated the dish and finished it with finely sliced green onions. The meat tossed in red sauce, the crisp vegetables, and the green onion garnish formed a perfect harmony.
“And this…”
Kang Yeon ladled a clear soup into another bowl.
“Clear Heart Soup. It means a soup that clears the mind. Eating it after something spicy settles the stomach.”
Jo Seol lifted the tray with admiration.
“It looks delicious. I’ll take it out!”
“No, I should deliver this myself.”
Kang Yeon carried the tray out to the rear courtyard.
Jin Mu-gyeong had finished speaking with Nang Hyeon and was sitting in the pavilion.
“Hyung, breakfast’s ready.”
Jin Mu-gyeong’s eyes widened.
“Ohh! Heaven-Shattering Fragrant Meat Shreds!”
“You remembered.”
Kang Yeon set the tray down.
“I first made it for you after the battle in Shanxi.”
Jin Mu-gyeong’s eyes grew moist at the corners.
“That’s right… it was. Feels like only yesterday, yet years have already passed.”
He picked up his chopsticks and put a piece in his mouth. Instantly his expression brightened.
“This taste! This is exactly the taste!”
Nang Hyeon watched from the side, astonished.
“Is it that good?”
Jin Mu-gyeong nodded as he answered.
“Of course. This is a taste filled with memories. In the days when we risked our lives fighting, you can’t imagine how much comfort one bowl of this gave us.”
Kang Yeon smiled quietly.
“Eat quickly. It’s best while it’s hot.”
While Jin Mu-gyeong ate, morning customers began arriving at the inn.
“Welcome!”
Jo Seol’s bright voice filled the hall.
“Oh? There’s a special scent today.”
One customer sniffed the air.
“Ah, that’s the aroma of a special dish our head chef prepared! The morning special is also delicious, so look forward to it!”
At that same moment, Dan U-ryeong opened the window of a second-floor guest room and looked down. They had overheard every word of Kang Yeon and Jin Mu-gyeong’s conversation the night before—how the chief of Cheon-i-gak had retired and come here, and how there were unsettling movements in the murim lately.
A new master of the Blood Shadow Tower, is it…
Dan U-ryeong’s eyes glinted coldly.
Well… with Mu-gyeong-hyung joining us, we should uncover their identity soon enough.
Meanwhile, having finished breakfast, Jin Mu-gyeong set down his chopsticks with a satisfied look.
“That was excellent. I feel alive again.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Kang Yeon poured tea as he spoke.
“Hyung, have a cup.”
Jin Mu-gyeong lifted the teacup and glanced around.
“This place is truly peaceful. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like this.”
Just then Jo Hwan stepped out into the rear courtyard.
“Oh, Master Jin Mu-gyeong is here as well. Have you had breakfast?”
“Yes, Yeon prepared something special. It was delicious.”
Jo Hwan smiled with quiet pride.
“Our Yeon’s cooking really is remarkable. Is the room comfortable?”
“Absolutely. Feels like home. I’m sure I’ll be a burden… please look after me from now on.”
“Not at all. Since you’re Yeon’s guest, we’ll make you comfortable too.”
After Jo Hwan returned inside, Jin Mu-gyeong looked at Kang Yeon.
“They’re good people.”
“Yes. Truly good people. That’s why I want to protect them even more.”
Jin Mu-gyeong nodded.
“So these are the things you want to protect. Don’t worry. While I’m here, nothing will happen.”
“Hearing you say that puts me at ease.”
While the two of them sipped tea and talked, Nang Hyeon threw himself back into Great Cloud Fist training. He reexamined every piece of advice Jin Mu-gyeong had just given him and continued the forms.
“The flow… like water. The power… like stone…”
Nang Hyeon’s fist technique began to change little by little—more natural, more fluid. Yet the power contained within grew even stronger.
“Yes, that’s it!”
Jin Mu-gyeong praised him.
“Don’t forget the feeling you just had. That’s the true essence of the Great Cloud Fist.”
Nang Hyeon smiled brightly and cupped his fists in salute.
“Thank you!”
It was a peaceful morning scene.
But no one knew how long that peace would last.
At that same hour, in a damp alley somewhere near West Lake.
Men in black clothing had gathered. Embroidered on their chests was the mark of a crimson blood droplet. They were assassins of the Blood Shadow Tower.
“Have you gathered all intelligence on the West Lake Number One Inn?”
“Yes. The inn’s structure, the staff on duty, and the surrounding terrain have all been mapped.”
“Good. But is it truly possible the Absolute Martial God is there?”
“We can’t be certain. If the Absolute Martial God really is present…”
The man receiving the report raised a hand and cut him off.
“Enough. The Tower Master’s orders are absolute. Absolute Martial God or anyone else, we complete the mission and nothing more.”
“But Captain, if it’s the Absolute Martial God…”
“Are you afraid?”
The cold voice made the subordinate tremble.
“No, sir!”
“Good. The target must be killed. Do not let your watch on the inn slacken, so we miss no opportunity.”
The assassins bowed as one.
“Yes, sir!”
Their figures scattering into the darkness looked like shadows of death itself. Left alone, the captain’s gaze sank low.
“What is the Absolute Martial God supposed to be, anyway? It’s all just empty fame.”