That Man’s Name Is……
Late at night, only a deep hush lay over the courtyard of the West Lake Number One Inn. The inn’s family, flushed from the victory banquet, had long since retired to their rooms. Jang Mu-eon and the Black Wind Association martial artists, who had no lodging of their own, snored contentedly inside the inn.
The masked judge stood before Kang Yeon. Lee Seong-min bowed with careful courtesy.
“Good evening. My name is Lee Seong-min. I’ve come because there is something I need to discuss with you privately.”
“At this hour… Is it urgent?”
“Yes. It’s rather important. I’d prefer the others not overhear.”
Kang Yeon nodded. He released a subtle veil of energy that sealed every sound within their circle.
“We’re clear now.”
Lee Seong-min’s eyes lit with quiet admiration.
“As expected… remarkable.”
Kang Yeon walked to a table in a quiet corner of the rear courtyard and sat. Lee Seong-min took the seat opposite. Kang Yeon reached into empty air and drew out teacups, a teapot, and loose leaves.
A soft hum of power rose. He transformed it into water qi and filled the pot, then breathed fire qi into it; the water boiled in an instant.
A fragrant stream poured out, and the scent of fine tea unfurled around them. Lee Seong-min watched without surprise. Kang Yeon offered him a cup.
“Have some tea first.”
Lee Seong-min accepted it, studying Kang Yeon with a meaningful gaze.
“So you already know who I am?”
Kang Yeon’s expression remained calm.
“I do. You’re from the modern world.”
Lee Seong-min’s pupils flickered.
“May I ask how you noticed?”
“Just instinct.”
In truth, Baek Mi-ong had already told him about the transmigrators scattered across the Central Plains, and Kang Yeon had confirmed it through the masked judge’s energy and mannerisms throughout the tournament. He simply said “instinct” to keep Baek Mi-ong’s confidence.
“Truly as formidable as your reputation.”
Lee Seong-min, for his part, already knew Kang Yeon was the Absolute Martial God.
He set his cup down and continued.
“Kang Yeon, you’re one of us as well, aren’t you? From twenty-first-century Korea.”
“I am. How did you know, Seong-min?”
“That noodle-pulling technique you showed today… it looked exactly like a pasta machine. And the egg fried rice, the pork cutlets—dishes like those.”
“I see. Then… how long have you been here?”
“Five years. At first it was pure despair. To wake up in a world like this overnight… But fortunately I wasn’t alone.”
Kang Yeon asked as though he didn’t know.
“Not alone?”
Lee Seong-min nodded.
“Yes. There are many others in the same situation. We call our gathering the Return to Home Association. A society of people who came from the modern era.”
“I see. That’s astonishing.”
Genuine wonder colored Kang Yeon’s voice. He already knew of the group through Baek Mi-ong, yet he had to feign ignorance.
“Scattered across the Central Plains, each of us lives under a different assumed identity. We help one another survive.”
Lee Seong-min’s face grew earnest.
“Kang Yeon, there are limits to what one person can do alone. The common sense of this world is different, the dangers are many… We have to stand together to survive.”
Kang Yeon sipped his tea.
“So what are you proposing?”
“Will you join us? With the modern knowledge we possess, we can make this world a better place.”
Passion flared in Lee Seong-min’s eyes.
“Medical advances, agricultural reform, commercial innovation… Our members are already achieving remarkable results in every field. We can dismantle the outdated customs of the Murim and build a rational system.”
Kang Yeon was silent for a moment, then shook his head.
“I understand the good intention, but I prefer to be alone.”
“But with your abilities you could accomplish so much! With your martial strength you could—”
Lee Seong-min tried again, but Kang Yeon raised a hand.
“I simply want to run my inn quietly and live in peace. I’m not interested in grand undertakings.”
“Ah… I see.”
“As long as my family and the guests at my inn are happy, that’s enough for me. Small happinesses matter more to me than world-changing ambitions.”
Regret flickered across Lee Seong-min’s face.
“Truly… no chance you’ll change your mind?”
“I’m sorry, but organizational life doesn’t suit me. I’m not fond of rules or obligations either.”
Kang Yeon smiled and added,
“And honestly, this world is livable enough in its own way. No need to overthink it—just live each day faithfully, don’t you think?”
Lee Seong-min sighed.
“A pity. A real pity. But… I can’t force you.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Lee Seong-min rose and drew a small jade token from his robe.
“Keep this. If you ever change your mind, contact us through it.”
Kang Yeon accepted the token. Fine, intricate carvings covered its surface.
“And if anything dangerous arises, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Fellow moderns should look out for one another.”
“Thank you. Though I doubt anything truly dangerous will come my way.”
Lee Seong-min gave a bitter smile.
“I suppose not. But a man who draws as much attention as you… can things really stay quiet forever?”
Kang Yeon’s eyes narrowed.
“What do you mean?”
Lee Seong-min hesitated, then spoke.
“The truth is… the Return to Home Association isn’t the only organization of moderns. There’s another group whose purpose is the exact opposite of ours.”
“The opposite?”
“They call themselves the New World Association. Same modern origins, yet their goal is to seize the Central Plains. They abuse modern knowledge to manipulate existing powers and ultimately become this world’s ruling class.”
Kang Yeon’s expression hardened.
“People that dangerous…”
“They stop at nothing—assassination, conspiracy, brainwashing—exploiting modern psychology and political science. We’ve even received word that they’ve already compromised high-ranking figures in several Murim factions.”
Lee Seong-min’s voice dropped.
“And they’ve taken an interest in you as well.”
“In me?”
“They’ll try to recruit a powerhouse like you. And if you refuse…”
He couldn’t finish. Kang Yeon’s gaze turned cold.
“They’ll try to eliminate me.”
“That’s highly likely. So be even more careful. Of course I know how formidable you are… but the power they wield may exceed even your expectations.”
Lee Seong-min walked toward the gate and spoke one last time.
“I’ll take my leave. It was truly good to meet you tonight—the familiar name, the feeling of meeting someone from home… And please, stay safe.”
“Likewise. Take care on your way.”
After Lee Seong-min left, Kang Yeon remained alone with his thoughts.
Moderns forming organizations… two of them, no less. And the New World Association…
He turned the jade token over in his hand.
A well-intentioned Return to Home Association, and an ambitious New World Association… complicated.
Then—
A faint rustle sounded beyond the inn. Kang Yeon’s senses sharpened at once.
Someone there?
He moved silently to a window and looked out. In the darkness a faint shadow was trailing Lee Seong-min.
That one… has been following Seong-min?
The figure wore black and moved with the practiced grace of a trained martial artist. What troubled Kang Yeon more, however, was the nature of its energy.
That qi… doesn’t belong to someone of the Central Plains. Something feels off…
His eyes narrowed. At that moment the stalker paused and glanced back, as if sensing a gaze.
Their eyes met.
Though the figure wore a mask, its gaze carried a cold intellect and a peculiar confidence—as though everything had already been calculated.
Is that one… also a modern?
The stalker inclined its head slightly toward Kang Yeon, then slipped after Lee Seong-min into the dark. Kang Yeon looked up at the sky. The stars still glittered, yet now a faint sense of foreboding clung to them.
Seong-min was right. Things really won’t stay quiet.
He slipped the token into his pocket and stood.
Tomorrow will be busy again. Once word of the victory spreads, the guests will pour in…
He cast one last look around the kitchen, then headed for his room. Yet in a corner of his mind Lee Seong-min’s words lingered.
—Can things really stay quiet forever?
The next day.
After the rush of the lunch service, Kang Yeon stepped out of the inn for a while. The events of the previous night still weighed on him; he needed to clear his head. The streets of West Lake still thrummed with celebration of his victory. Everywhere people recognized him and offered congratulations.
“Chef Kang! You were magnificent!”
“You’re the pride of West Lake!”
Kang Yeon answered with a smile as he walked, then halted before a small teahouse. A quiet sign hung above the door: Qingyun Studio.
“Baek Mi-ong said he would be here.”
He pushed open the door. Inside, the atmosphere was serene and refined. Seated in a corner, Baek Mi-ong looked up, his face breaking into a bright smile.
“Well, look who it is! Kang Yeon! Come in, come in.”
“Hello, Teacher.”
Kang Yeon bowed respectfully and sat opposite him. Baek Mi-ong poured tea with his own hands.
“Did you sleep well last night? I heard the victory banquet ran late.”
“It was a bit noisy until late, yes.”
Kang Yeon accepted the cup and spoke carefully.
“Teacher, a special guest came looking for me last night.”
Baek Mi-ong’s eyes sharpened at once.
“A special guest?”
“The masked judge. He said his name was Lee Seong-min.”
Baek Mi-ong set his cup down and smiled knowingly.
“Ah, so that young man finally made his move. What did he say?”
Kang Yeon looked surprised.
“You knew about him as well.”
“Of course. He’s in the same situation as us.”
Baek Mi-ong glanced around and lowered his voice.
“He spoke of the Return to Home Association, didn’t he? And invited you to join.”
“Yes… Are you connected to that organization, Teacher?”
Baek Mi-ong shook his head.
“As I told you before, I remain neutral. But I’m aware of their existence. The Return to Home Association… a gathering with reasonably good intentions.”
“‘Reasonably’?”
“Meaning they’re not entirely pure. They too dream of advancing the Central Plains. The stronger the will to change the world, the more extreme the methods one sometimes chooses.”
He took a sip of tea and continued.
“But the real problem lies with the other side.”
“The other side?”
“Have you heard of the New World Association?”
Kang Yeon nodded.
“Lee Seong-min mentioned them briefly last night. An organization that wants to seize the Central Plains…”
Baek Mi-ong’s expression grew grave.
“Those bastards are the true threat. They abuse modern knowledge in their hunger for power. They’ve already infiltrated several Murim factions and even stretched their hands toward the imperial court.”
Kang Yeon’s face registered genuine shock.
“Is that true?”
If even he, the Absolute Martial God, had been unaware, their secrecy needed no further proof.
“Their leader is called ‘Master.’ No one knows his true identity, but he is meticulous and ruthless. He applies modern psychology, political science, and management theory to run his organization within the Murim.”
An English title no native of the Central Plains would ever use. Kang Yeon wondered if the man might be a foreigner. Baek Mi-ong fixed him with a serious gaze.
“The fact that Seong-min mentioned them means they’ve already taken an interest in you. Only natural. To them, a presence like yours is an irresistible prize.”
Kang Yeon’s eyes gleamed.
“This Master… does he have a name?”
Baek Mi-ong hesitated a moment, then opened his mouth.
“That man’s name is……”