The Times Are Changing
At dawn, a busy bustle had already begun at the West Lake Number One Inn. It was a full two hours earlier than usual, but today was a special day.
“I think we should move the tables over this way.”
Yeong-ho said as he lifted a heavy round table.
“No, the center’s better. So everyone can sit as equals.”
Kang Yeon pointed to the middle of the inn. Cheol-san and Myeong-wol were carefully wiping down the chairs. Their earnest determination to leave not a single speck of dust was plain to see.
“I never thought I’d end up doing this kind of work.”
Myeong-wol said with a wry smile.
“Not so bad, is it? Trading a sword for a rag. Turns out cleaning things up is more my style than I expected.”
Cheol-san’s joke drew laughter from everyone.
In the kitchen, Jo Seol was preparing a special tea—Dragon Well tea, the finest in West Lake. She had always hoarded it carefully, but today she was determined to serve it freely.
“Seol-ah, how are the snacks coming?”
Jo Hwan asked while kneading dough. Yakgwa and yugwa cookies were taking shape under his careful hands.
“All ready. I even looked into each innkeeper’s preferences ahead of time.”
“That’s my girl.”
Meanwhile, Jang Mu-eon stood on the second floor gazing out the window. His expression as he looked over West Lake was complicated.
“Guild Leader, are you all right?”
One of the Black Wind Association subordinates asked carefully.
“I’m fine. It’s just… the feeling is new, that’s all.”
Before Jang Mu-eon’s eyes stretched the peaceful morning scenery of West Lake. Merchants opening their shops, children running and playing, ordinary people beginning their day. The fact that he—who had once made these people tremble in fear—was now delivering warm food to them still felt like a dream.
“It’s time.”
Nang Hyeon announced. Everyone took their seats with tense faces.
The first to arrive was, surprisingly, Yu Ha-yeong, the owner of Eunha Inn. The white-haired old man entered slowly, leaning on his cane. A young successor followed behind him—Yu Ha-yeong’s grandson.
“You’re early.”
Kang Yeon greeted him courteously.
“When you get old, sleep leaves you. More than that…”
Yu Ha-yeong’s sharp eyes swept the inn. In particular, he could not tear his gaze from the Black Wind Association martial artists standing to one side.
“So it’s true the Black Wind Association is really here.”
The air grew heavy in an instant. Yu Ha-yeong had suffered great losses at the Black Wind Association’s hands. Years ago, during their expansion, Eunha Inn had been badly damaged. Of course, the Black Wind Association had never paid any compensation.
Jang Mu-eon stepped forward slowly and bowed deeply at the waist.
“Innkeeper Yu, I sincerely apologize for what happened in the past.”
“Hmph!”
Yu Ha-yeong snorted.
“An apology doesn’t erase the past.”
A heavy silence fell. But Jang Mu-eon did not raise his head.
“I know. But even now, I mean to walk a different path. Please give me the chance to show you my sincerity.”
Just then, Yeong-ho approached quietly and set down tea. The subtle fragrance of carefully steeped Dragon Well tea spread through the air.
“Please, have some tea while we talk.”
Yeong-ho’s polite manner softened Yu Ha-yeong’s expression a little.
“Hmm… Dragon Well. You’ve brought out the expensive stuff.”
“It’s our sincerity.”
Yu Ha-yeong lifted the cup and took a sip, then gave a small nod.
“The tea is good. Well, the past is the past… and I came today to discuss the future.”
As the atmosphere eased a little, the door opened again. This time it was Kim Dae-bu of Geumpungru. Unlike yesterday, he was dressed in completely ordinary clothes.
“Ah, Brother Yu, you’re here as well.”
“Master Kim, you’re early too.”
The two men were rivals, yet they had shared many years together at West Lake. They exchanged light formal bows.
“But this really is a peculiar sight.”
Kim Dae-bu said, looking at the Black Wind Association martial artists.
“The terrifying martial artists of the Black Wind Association wearing aprons.”
Cheol-san answered calmly.
“These days we’re just delivery people.”
Last to arrive was Baek Un-seong of Cheongunru. The youngest innkeeper at West Lake surveyed the surroundings with eyes full of curiosity.
“Fascinating. Truly fascinating.”
Baek Un-seong’s eyes sparkled as if he were looking at some marvelous spectacle.
“Martial artists making deliveries… who ever thought of that?”
“I did.”
Kang Yeon answered with a smile.
“Well then, now that everyone’s here, shall we get down to business?”
Everyone sat around the round table. Kang Yeon spoke first.
“As Master Kim of Geumpungru already heard when he visited yesterday, I wish to create the West Lake Delivery Alliance.”
“So what exactly are you proposing we do?”
Yu Ha-yeong asked.
“Rather than each inn competing separately on deliveries, creating shared quality standards and sharing training methods will benefit everyone.”
“But in the end it’s still competition, isn’t it?”
Baek Un-seong pointed out sharply.
“Customers are limited, and there are many inns.”
Kang Yeon nodded.
“That’s true. But what if we change our thinking? Once the new culture of delivery takes root, the overall market will grow.”
Jo Seol chimed in.
“Exactly! People who couldn’t come to the inns before will be able to enjoy the food too.”
Jo Hwan added,
“Besides, each inn has its own character. Geumpungru for fine cuisine, Eunha Inn for traditional dishes, Cheongunru for innovative cooking… customers’ choices expand.”
Kim Dae-bu stroked his chin.
“Hmm… that makes sense.”
“But who does the training?”
Yu Ha-yeong asked. Jang Mu-eon stood.
“We will.”
“The Black Wind Association?”
Everyone looked surprised.
“Yes. We’ve already been doing actual deliveries. We want to share that experience.”
Jang Mu-eon continued slowly.
“So I propose: first, basic etiquette training.”
He unrolled a paper. A detailed training curriculum was written on it.
“We start with the fundamentals—greeting methods, speech, attire, hygiene management, and so on.”
Jang Mu-eon went on to the next point.
“Second, route optimization.”
Myeong-wol spread out a large map of West Lake. Marks covered it in many places.
“These are the optimal routes we’ve mapped over the past week. Time-based foot traffic, shortcuts, areas to watch out for—all marked.”
Baek Un-seong marveled.
“Wow… this is really systematic.”
Jang Mu-eon grinned.
“Third, and most important of all.”
Just then, Dan U-ryeong entered through the back door, carrying several wooden boxes.
“Special insulated delivery boxes.”
Dan U-ryeong set one box on the table.
“They use formations for heat retention. Shall we demonstrate?”
Jo Hwan brought freshly made dumplings, still steaming. He placed them in the box and closed the lid.
“Now we wait.”
Dan U-ryeong flipped an hourglass. A little over fifteen minutes passed.
“All right, let’s open it.”
When the lid lifted, warm steam still rose. The dumplings were as hot as if they had just come out. Baek Un-seong exclaimed in wonder.
“Whoa! What is this? Something like this was possible?”
“Of course. We plan to provide these delivery boxes to all of you going forward.”
Kim Dae-bu looked astonished.
“For free?”
“Yes. But there are conditions.”
Kang Yeon said seriously.
“Every Alliance member must uphold the quality standards. Fresh ingredients, careful cooking, courteous delivery. These three must be observed without fail.”
“That’s only natural. Using fresh ingredients and cooking with care is the basics of running an inn.”
Yu Ha-yeong nodded.
Just as the mood was warming, a loud voice suddenly rang out from outside.
“I oppose this! Absolutely not!”
Bang, bang, bang!
The door slammed open and dozens of martial artists stormed in. All of them wore the blue robes of the West Lake Escort Agency.
“What is the meaning of this!”
Kim Dae-bu sprang to his feet in shock. At their head stood Jin Cheol-un, son of the West Lake Escort Agency’s master and one of its escort captains.
“If the inns start making deliveries, what becomes of our escort agency! This is cutting off our livelihood!”
The escorts behind him roared.
“That’s right! We oppose it!”
“Delivery is the escort agency’s business!”
The atmosphere turned hostile in an instant. The Black Wind Association martial artists reflexively started to rise, but Jang Mu-eon stopped them with a gesture.
“Wait. No violence.”
“Now the Black Wind Association dogs speak of peace?”
Jin Cheol-un sneered.
“Not content with plundering our cargo in the past, now you want to steal our very work!”
Yeong-ho clenched his fists, but Kang Yeon stepped forward.
“Captain Jin Cheol-un, please calm yourself first and hear us out.”
“What’s there to hear! Disband this meeting at once!”
Kang Yeon spoke calmly.
“What does the escort agency mainly transport?”
“Letters, goods, silver, valuables, of course…”
“Exactly. And you will continue that work in the future. We deliver only food.”
“Sophistry! Delivery is delivery!”
Then Jo Seol stepped in.
“Hold on a moment! Think about it. What happens when delivery becomes active?”
Jin Cheol-un glared at Jo Seol.
“What do you mean, what happens?”
“If more people place orders, more ingredients will be needed. So who handles the ingredient transport?”
“Well…”
“The escort agency does, right? You’ll actually have more work.”
Jin Cheol-un’s words stuck in his throat. Kang Yeon added,
“Moreover, think about it. Some of your escort staff will have free time. If they help with deliveries, they can earn extra income.”
“That’s…”
Just then, a commanding voice rang out.
“Cheol-un!”
The door opened and a half-white-haired old man entered—Jin Dae-san, master of the West Lake Escort Agency.
“Father!”
Jin Cheol-un spun around in shock. Jin Dae-san looked at his son with a stern face.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Father, I was only thinking of our escort agency…”
“Silence! Storming into someone else’s home and causing a scene—is that protecting the escort agency?”
Jin Dae-san clasped his fists in greeting toward Kang Yeon.
“Young Master Kang, my son was rude. Please forgive him.”
“Not at all. I understand completely. You must have been worried.”
Jin Dae-san looked around. His gaze stopped on Jang Mu-eon.
“Black Wind Guild Leader… or should I call you Martial Artist Jang now?”
“Call me whatever is convenient.”
“Martial Artist Jang, is it true you’re really doing deliveries?”
Jang Mu-eon nodded.
“Yes. We are.”
“And how does it feel?”
“It was hard at first. But now… I feel rewarded.”
Jin Dae-san slowly nodded.
“The times are changing. We must change as well.”
He looked at Kang Yeon.
“Young Master Kang, I accept your proposal for cooperation.”
“Father!”
Jin Cheol-un cried out in surprise.
“Be quiet. Young Master Kang is right. We can continue our own work while also seizing new opportunities.”
Jin Dae-san addressed everyone present.
“Everyone, the West Lake Escort Agency wishes to join the Delivery Alliance as well. Will you have us?”
Kim Dae-bu extended his hand first.
“Welcome, Master Jin.”
Yu Ha-yeong nodded as well.
“Having the escort agency with us will make things more solid.”
Baek Un-seong clapped.
“This is going to become something truly remarkable, isn’t it?”
Kang Yeon smiled brightly.
“Well then, shall we truly begin the West Lake Delivery Alliance?”
Everyone rose. The faces of those gathered around the round table were filled with expectation and hope.
“West Lake Delivery Alliance—launch!”
Applause filled the inn to the brim.