Let's Hit the Jackpot Once (2)

Palgap eyed me curiously, and without a word, I pointed straight ahead.

At that, he glanced forward, flinched, and began edging backward stealthily.

"Why are you acting like that?"

"Miss Hyeong-ok scares me just as much, you see."

Unlike in my previous life, my martial prowess far surpassed Hyeong-ok's these days.

But there was no shaking this instinctive fear.

Especially not when she was shaking that bloodied man like a rag doll.

The venomous tirade she spat at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him, combined with the other Ami Sect disciple standing nearby with a flushed face, made the situation crystal clear.

That guy must have been harassing the Ami Sect disciples.

The murmurs from the crowd around us confirmed it.

"Tsk tsk, that's what he gets for messing with the Ami Sect sword maidens…"

"And with Snow Sword Maiden there, no less."

Snow Sword Maiden.

That was Hyeong-ok's renowned title.

And right now, she was proving it in spades.

Piiik! Piiik!

At the sound of a whistle, a group came rushing over.

Judging by their uniforms, they were one of the patrols organized by the Murim Alliance to maintain order.

But one of them looked oddly familiar… oh no!

He spotted me and called out with a delighted face.

"Well, if it isn't Swordsman Beauty! What an honor!"

"Hahaha. Oh, it's been a while."

"Yes, I hope you've been well. To run into you here—what else could this be but fate decreed by the heavens?"

"You're too kind. So, are you on patrol duty for this Murim Grand Assembly?"

"That's right. With the Young Dragon Martial Tournament coming up, they beefed up the patrols, and I got roped in."

"I see."

I quickly continued.

"Perfect timing. This is my older sister, currently training with the Ami Sect."

Hyeong-ok had set down the man she'd been throttling by the collar and now stood demurely for the introduction.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Hyeong-ok of the Ami Sect."

Sis…

With blood splatters on your face, demure doesn't quite land, you know.

But I kept that to myself.

"I'm Won-eop, leader of the Sixth Patrol Unit of the Alliance Security Force. From the Hwangsan Won Clan, who treat Mount Hwang as their front yard."

After the exchange of greetings, Hyeong-ok asked,

"You seem to know my cousin well."

"Yes, we worked a mission together once. Thanks to this hero, we completed it without a hitch."

This story could drag on—no good.

I swiftly changed the subject.

"Squad Leader Won, this scum insulted my sister. Right, sis?"

"Yeah, spot on."

Hyeong-ok nodded.

"We were just walking, and he started harassing us from the side."

Tsk tsk.

Jerks like him pop up everywhere you go.

Squad Leader Won glared coldly at the man, then ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cupped his fists to us.

"Leave him to me. This filthy rat will face proper punishment."

"Much appreciated."

I added,

"We should sketch these creeps' faces and plaster them all over Luoyang."

"Wise words. I'll take him in and handle it now."

He dragged the guy—whom Hyeong-ok had beaten dustier than a rainy day—back toward the Murim Alliance headquarters.

"Speaking of which, Seo-ho. You showed up again this time, huh?"

"Yeah, it worked out that way."

"I heard you came to Sichuan because of Brother Jeong-ho. Said he nearly got in big trouble?"

She was talking about when Jeong-ho hyung nearly drowned trying to save Seong Yu-jin, the young master of Myeongmyeong Merchant Group.

"That's right."

"Glad he came out safe. Heard you played a big part. As reliable as ever."

"Thanks for the praise."

I smiled, cupped my fists, and cautiously asked her,

"Are you participating in the Murim Grand Assembly too, sis?"

"Of course!"

"Please take care. And did you come with Sea Blue Fairy this time too?"

"Yeah, Master and the sect leader came along."

As expected of the Murim Grand Assembly.

A gathering fit for the big shots.

Held once every nine years, it was the martial world's grandest event, drawing the heads of sects and clans.

It ran for quite a stretch, featuring meetings on major issues among the leaders and sparring matches for the later-generation disciples.

Of those, the later-generation spars took center stage.

Probably to dilute attention from the meeting outcomes.

Unlike the Young Dragon Martial Tournament, the Grand Assembly had no entry restrictions on skill.

So plenty of underqualified folks joined in.

Usually, they'd get ringed out mercifully, but not always.

Which led to serious injuries—or deaths.

Thus, the custom emerged: only peak experts and above.

Originally meant to foster camaraderie through spars, it had devolved into a pride contest between sects and clans.

No age limits, but later-generation participation became the norm too.

The crowds went wilder than at the Young Dragon tournament.

Which meant—this was my chance to strike it big!

I must've grinned without realizing, because Hyeong-ok tilted her head.

"Why the goofy smile?"

"Just happy to see you, sis. Anyway, stay safe."

"Don't worry about me."

No, this won't do.

I needed to have Geum-ryeong prep some special golden wound salve for her.

"Where are you staying?"

The Ami Sect had no residence in Luoyang, so an inn it was.

"The same one as last time."

"Yuwol Inn, right?"

"Yep. We have a contract with them."

Ah, so the Ami Sect handled lodging via inn contracts.

"Got it. I'll come by later then."

I headed back to Yeonpung Inn.

Stepping inside, I saw Father, Mother, and the rest of our merchant group seated on the first floor.

Right, dinner time.

I went straight to Mother and bowed.

"Mother, you must be tired from the trip."

"You've had it rough too. But you took longer than expected from the Jegal Clan."

"Yes, the talks ran long. And I ran into Hyeong-ok sis on the way back."

Mother's eyes lit up at that.

"Oh, really? So she's competing this time too."

"That's right."

Meanwhile, Deputy Yu Dae-ik whispered to Father, and they both stepped out.

"Sit down for a bit. Let's chat before dinner."

"Yes, Mother."

I sat obediently before her.

"I've heard about all the recent happenings. Especially that you caught the killer from the Beijing Poetry Contest murder."

I gave Mother a brief rundown of events.

Omitting the need-to-know stuff, of course.

Some things were secret, and spilling everything would just worry her.

Mother's visit to Luoyang mirrored Father's reasons.

The Grand Assembly drew countless sects and clans—and their merchant counterparts.

Perfect for networking and deals.

The matriarchs joined in, mingling and bonding.

Those gatherings were exhausting in their own right…

Mother tilted her head at my expression.

"Why the long face?"

"Huh?"

"You suddenly looked so wistful."

Can't fool Mom, huh.

"I just realized how much you've endured. If not for marrying Father, you'd be a clan matriarch, treated like royalty."

"Hush. I never regretted marrying your father. And…"

She beamed.

"I have a very fine son who's been a huge help."

"Pardon?"

"Swordsman Beauty, remember?"

Ah, got it.

I instantly grasped her meaning.

Right then, that title filled me with pride.

Father returned just then.

"Shall we eat? Food ordered?"

"Ah, not yet."

I called the waiter and ordered simple dishes.

The others had already eaten, it seemed.

"Oh, I almost forgot to mention."

"What is it, Father?"

"Know Yoon Seong-jin, young master of the Jin Soyun Clan?"

"Ah… the one I rescued recently."

One of those trapped in the Black Cat Sect's thunder prison on the way to the Jegal Clan.

Good thing I'd just told Mother about it—dodged a bullet.

"His clan sent five hundred silver taels as thanks."

"I see."

I nodded calmly; I'd expected our group to get a reward.

But Father's next words floored me.

"Deposited it in Geumsan Bank under your name."

"What?"

"And various clans and sects sent a few hundred each. All told, over ten thousand taels. That too, in your name at Geumsan."

"Not using it for the group's funds?"

"Those are personal rewards you earned. They belong to you, not the group."

Father's face was dead serious.

Grateful, truly.

…

Two days later.

I headed to the Murim Alliance with Father.

Today was commercial ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠district lot selection.

As we approached the gate, the guards crossed spears to block us.

"State your business."

Father replied,

"Here for commercial district lot selection."

"Show your ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠passes."

We presented our tokens, and they checked them.

The guard inspecting mine paused, face twisting oddly, muttering,

"Eun Seo-ho… rings a bell from somewhere."

Newbie, probably.

Veterans would've known the name on sight.

Not to brag, but I'm that famous.

Then—

"No way! Swordsman Beauty in the flesh?"

A figure rushed from inside.

Who…?

Ah, right.

The guy from the golden Buddha theft summons.

The one who tried dragging me in, only to step into the Alliance Lord's letter as I'd planned, forcing him to bow politely.

Name again…?

Doesn't matter. Smile and greet.

"Fancy meeting you here! Great to see you."

"What brings you?"

"This."

I showed the document still bearing the Alliance Lord's clear footprint seal.

"Gasp!"

He jolted, sweat beading.

"Th-that's, well…"

"No worries. I'm not one to hold a grudge over a mistake."

"Thank you, hero. And this gentleman?"

"My father."

"Vice Minister Chun! Pleased to meet you. Wang-gu, Third Squad Leader of the Alliance Security Force."

Ah, Squad Leader Wang-gu.

First I'd heard of it.

"Pleased to meet you. Eun Gil-sang, head of Eunhae Merchant Group."

Squad Leader Wang-gu spotted the guards holding our passes and barked,

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Just the entry check!"

"Entry check? Do you know who this is? The hero of the Young Dragon Tournament, Swordsman Beauty! His presence alone verifies identity. And you're doing entry checks? Checks?!"

They paled, handing back our passes.

"S-sorry for the offense."

"Forgive our ignorance!"

Guess you really need status to see the perks.

Father and I reclaimed our passes amid their profuse apologies and entered.

"Ah, what of the thief?"

Squad Leader Wang replied,

"Still at large. Meanwhile, he sent a letter threatening to steal from the Nangong Clan treasury, so we dispatched a unit—nothing."

"Damn. I see."

"With the Grand Assembly, investigations are basically halted."

"No leads at all?"

He nodded grimly.

"None. We're just guessing it's a thief who's reached the God of Theft realm."

"Fair assessment, at that level."

"Folks are calling him One-Stone God of Theft now."

My little pebble had sparked that chain.

Ah…

Not thrilled about "stone" in the title?

But even diamonds, jades, rubies—they're all stones at heart.

"I'll get back to work. Have a good one."

"See you around."

As he left, Father quietly asked,

"How do you know him?"

"Tell you later."

…

Soon, we reached the commercial district selection hall.

Merchants already crowded the place, waiting.

We exchanged greetings with acquaintances.

Some we approached first, but more came to us.

Moments later, a few warriors and a scholar entered.

The guy from the Young Dragon lot selection must've lost his head—literally.

Makes sense; skimming Alliance funds? Surviving that was the real feat.

"We now begin lot selection for the Grand Assembly commercial district."

He listed precautions.

"Draw a number from the container. But first…"

He looked at Father and me.

"Per the Alliance Lord's promise, Eunhae Merchant Group selects first."