The Second Young Master's Unexpected Turn
The morning light had just begun to filter through the windows.
Early dawn.
“Master! What... what is this?!”
Cheon Gang’s eyes bulged wide as he stared at Gwak Yeon.
His clothes were in disarray. Dirt and blood had dried onto torn patches, clinging like dried mud from some muddy field.
“W-What happened to me?”
“I couldn’t sleep last night.”
“Eh?”
“I went out for a run.”
“Wha—? You trained at night? The duel was yesterday! Besides, you took the medicine for your physique—how could you…!”
A grin spread across Gwak Yeon’s face.
He simply smiled without saying a word.
Cheon Gang, watching him, wore a complicated expression, then thumped his own chest.
“My mistake! Sleeping once every three days is enough, but I should have kept watch to make sure the Young Master rested properly—even at dawn!”
“You’re saying ‘guard’ like it’s no big deal.”
“It’s not ‘guard’—it’s for the Young Master’s safety—”
“Enough, you.”
Gwak Yeon chuckled softly and waved a hand.
It had been worth it.
Cheon Gang and the others who had stayed awake at dawn to watch him, worried he might flee during the duel with Gwak Ho-shin—those same men had vanished the moment the duel ended the previous night.
“Even you worrying about me would have made things really awkward.”
“Eh?”
“There is that kind of thing.”
If Cheon Gang had kept watch too, he wouldn’t have experienced that.
Thanks to the protagonist’s ability mixed into this body, or perhaps because the emotions woven into it had been shed.
Right now, with his life’s goal clearer than ever, Gwak Yeon felt an incredibly refreshing and clean emotion.
‘……Oh…!’
Cheon Gang’s eyes curved in delight as he looked at him.
‘He really seems in a good mood?’
Gwak Yeon’s expression and tone had brightened.
From the moment he had claimed to have lost his memories, his demeanor had always been serious and heavy.
In just one day, that atmosphere had lightened.
Thanks to the victory in the duel.
Of course.
He had seen a degree of luck at work in Gwak Yeon’s win, but what mattered was that the Young Master had gained confidence and was beginning to change.
That was the important part.
“Huhuhu…”
“What a good mood you’re in.”
“Huhu… Seeing the Young Master like this makes my heart feel good.”
“Drinking?”
“Huhu… I couldn’t possibly.”
In truth, the old self’s glib tongue was starting to slip out a little—able to turn villains’ clothes inside out with just three inches of silver.
“Huhuhu…”
Cheon Gang, who knew nothing of that, was simply happy that his master had changed.
“By the way, Young Master. You haven’t rested even for a single day since that day, have you?”
After a moment’s thought, Cheon Gang spoke.
“From now on, you’ll have to prepare for the duel against the Jusan Baek Family in a month. If you keep running like this, you might really tire yourself out. At least a day or two of proper rest would be enough.”
“I understand.”
“So, at least today, go out and drink something…”
“E-Eh?!”
“To drink.”
“R-Really?”
“I’m exhausted from staying up all night. It would be best to sleep now and head out in the evening.”
“Ooooooh!”
“Find a good place and drink properly. Today you’ll guide me.”
“Yes!”
Cheon Gang’s heart raced as he led the way to the first drinking party since entering the sect—with the Second Young Master.
He was so excited he nearly blurted out the habits from his vagabond days.
“Sir, I will escort you to an absolutely magnificent place!”
* * *
That evening.
Walking through Hangzhou’s brilliantly lit streets.
Tap… tap… tap.
Cheon Gang stopped, scratched his head, and bowed once more.
“Ah, I’m sorry. This is my first drinking party with the Young Master, so━━”
“Don’t worry. You’ve said it’s fine several times.”
“I can’t let you be so rude━━”
“Shut it!”
Watching Cheon Gang walk again, Gwak Yeon chuckled.
Right now.
Among the martial artists who followed him—the ones who belonged to his own pavilion—Iyeongak—the only one was this man.
He now understood why the once-elite Biryongdang warrior had chosen this path.
‘Thanks to Gwak Yeon’s character.’
The memory of receiving the medicine.
It had been clear that Cheon Gang had said to the original owner of this body:
- In this family, only the Young Master has treated me as a real person.
That was true.
When he had first joined Biryongdang, the subordinate members had looked at him with cold eyes as they watched him break the leader of a minor branch.
Those who had made Cheon Gang uncomfortable.
Even though they were noisy, they had been lacking in courage—especially the ones who came from the vagabond world, wearing plain clothes and lacking refinement.
In short, they were all ordinary men who simply lacked the courage to step forward first.
‘Pathetic. At least say something to me.’
Cheon Gang, who had always been alone.
That was how he had become the bodyguard who gave him warm words—and the very first martial artist to belong to Iyeongak.
[Iyeongak]
Thinking back, only one person remained in the entire pavilion.
Gwak Yeon had found that convenient.
But now, Cheon Gang’s thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.
“Stop worrying!”
“What?”
“People will soon flood into the Young Master’s service! I’ll spread word of the Young Master’s achievements everywhere! I, Cheon Gang, will work hard to expand the strength of Iyeongak!”
“No need for that.”
“Besides, your fame has already spread far thanks to this duel! Isn’t this the perfect situation to show off the Young Master’s grand ambitions?!”
Honestly, it meant nothing.
This duel?
Most people still believed Gwak Yeon had only won against Gwak Ho-shin by chance or pity.
‘He doesn’t look like the type who believes I won it with my own skill…’
Either way.
Tap… tap… tap.
As they entered the bustling street of taverns and brothels lined with green and red lanterns, Cheon Gang noticed a few people glancing their way.
“See? This is him! The famous young genius of Hangzhou, Soundless Thunder Gwak Ho-shin—he’s been subdued by—”
“Enough already.”
“But to raise the Young Master’s fame quickly—”
“He looks tired from drinking, so stop.”
“Ah, sorry!”
It was meaningless anyway.
Just by focusing on his senses, he could tell there was no good in the whispers directed at them.
But.
The splendid attire of the people passing by was impressive.
Sparkling!
Silk robes that shimmered as they fell, elaborate patterns woven into their hats, silver and gold accessories adorned with glittering gems on rings and necklaces—there were so many.
And not just that.
Red lanterns, blue lanterns, yellow lanterns.
Floodlights lit the streets as brightly as day, and high-rise taverns pierced the sky lined every block.
The music of the musicians, the loud laughter of guests from every floor, the carriages and people flowing in both directions.
‘Still the same dazzling world here.’
As expected, Hangzhou was Hangzhou.
The saying that even one night here brought in more gold than the stars above still held true in this life.
So then.
Naturally, the black-clothed gangs that fed on the common people’s blood in the shadows of this city were still numerous.
‘Even in my past life, this was a city full of black-path factions.’
That was right.
Today, Gwak Yeon had come here not just to drink.
He had come to survey the changing atmosphere of the martial world over the past eighty years and take a rough look at the forces in Hangzhou.
‘There should be some bad bastards here who deserve killing.’
Not only those who could be judged for their own sins, but also the black-path figures who might reveal connections to larger evil sects.
On top of that, he could test the vampire’s other ability—the one that had been awkward for wolves to handle.
Perhaps.
In the duel against the Jusan Baek Family a month from now, he might use a bloodline ability that would normally be dismissed as sorcery…
“Here we are, Young Master!”
At that moment.
Cheon Gang stopped, grinning as he pointed at the sign ahead.
[Operating Pavilion]
It was a five-story high tavern.
Compared to the towering skyscrapers beyond, it looked relatively shabby, yet Cheon Gang declared confidently.
“This place serves the best alcohol in town. It’s the real deal that outsiders don’t know. My first round is on me.”
The moment they stepped inside, a bustling crowd greeted them.
Following the waiter’s lead, they headed to their seats.
Before even sitting down, Cheon Gang raised a finger and ordered.
“Here, bring me one Dongpo pork and a bottle of digestive wine.”
“Yes.”
“Especially today—pay extra attention. The Second Young Master of Seoho Gwak Family is here.”
“Oh.”
“Ah, sorry.”
Cheon Gang’s loud excitement had been a whisper to the waiter.
Even as he scolded his subordinate’s behavior, Gwak Yeon smiled at the absurdity.
When the waiter bowed and left.
A glance around revealed the surrounding stares.
But that lasted only a moment.
“Don’t worry. This place is so famous for its delicious food and wine that even our master wouldn’t hesitate to enjoy himself.”
Cheon Gang laughed while watching the customers who had lowered their heads to sniff the dishes.
Because the place was so crowded, the food and wine arrived quickly.
Digestive wine and Dongpo pork.
Cheon Gang pointed at the bubbling dish.
“This is the most famous item from this restaurant—Dongpo pork.”
“Oh ho.”
“Thinly sliced pork belly simmered for a long time with various seasonings and spices. Of course, you already know this better than I do, haha.”
“……Wrong.”
The answer came from an unexpected direction.
“……?”
“Uncouth. That’s just a general description of Hongshao pork, a dish found in Sichuan or South Man. Dongpo pork is the Hangzhou-style braised version of it.”
“Who… who are you?”
“One who understands the taste of food.”
When he turned his head, a chubby man with greasy lips let out a fart.
“I came because I heard Hangzhou’s food is famous, but the quality of service is way below the food’s level.”
“Tourist?”
“That’s what I said—one who understands food.”
“If you’re a tourist, eat nicely and leave. Why spout nonsense? Standing here with the best pork from the central plains in front of you—”
“You’re truly uncouth.”
“Wha—?!”
“Pigs from Sichuan are the best under heaven.”
“What?”
“You don’t know the saying ‘Sichuan pigs bring peace to the world’?”
“Where did you come up with that nonsense!”
“Enough. If you know anything about eating, you’d know.”
“You, you bastard! How dare you try to ruin the mood when you don’t even know who this man is!”
“What do I care?”
The chubby tourist had arrived in a strange city and dared to criticize someone else’s food, meaning he was far from an ordinary person.
By now.
Amid the gathering gazes of the other customers.
“W-What?!”
Cheon Gang’s face flushed red.
Enraged, he bowed to Gwak Yeon and rose.
“Young Master, I’m sorry. Shall I teach this man some manners?”
“Hah!”
“Outside. Now.”
“Look at that. People who don’t even know food taste… ugh!”
Crash—!
The tourist who had been arguing with Cheon Gang suddenly collapsed backward.
And.
“Why is this bastard doing this?”
“……S-Slayer! A Slayer!”
He raised a trembling hand toward the right.
Cheon Gang and Gwak Yeon turned their heads slowly in that direction.
Together with them,
A cold silence fell among the guests who had just recognized the newcomers.
“What’s going on? You crazy bastards! Summon the city guards! A, a mad murderer has appeared…”
“Hyung… Master?”
“……?!”
He had been the only tourist to witness it.
Kihihihi━━
The murderous smile of the Seoho Gwak Family’s Third Young Master that could fell a man with just a glance.
* * *
The smile from moments ago had clearly been one of welcome.
“………”
“………”
After a brief commotion, Gwak Yeon faced Gwak Ho-shin across the table.
‘As expected, it was that expression that was the problem.’
He knew.
“………”
“………”
That Gwak Ho-shin, who had been silent and staring at him the whole time, was in fact incredibly tense.
Thud… thud… thud… thud… thud!
The fierce heartbeat of a vampire caught by heightened senses proved it.
“Fuhat.”
Gwak Yeon could no longer hold it in and let out a genuine laugh.
There was no other choice.
The moment he had seen the tourist—previously so arrogant—become pale as a sheet after being called “hyung” and smiling by Gwak Ho-shin.
- I-I’m sorry! I’ll never do it again! Please spare my life!
The man had fled at full speed, leaving only that one sentence.
‘Cheon Gang honestly isn’t bad, but.’
Ho-shin’s emotionless face had surpassed it by far.
“………”
“………”
An overly quiet gathering.
In contrast,
On the opposite side of the table where Gwak Yeon and Gwak Ho-shin were having their private talk, subordinates were mixed in, each whispering about their own masters.
Well, more precisely, it was Cheon Gang alone confronting the martial artists of Samho-gak.
“Hey! Are you laughing at our Young Master right now?”
“Our Young Master is naturally a bit of a laugher.”
“You crazy bastard!”
“Don’t insult him—drink nicely and leave.”
“Guys, just let Cheon Gang get drunk. We’ll enjoy ourselves with the money we lost on purpose.”
“Lost on purpose?”
“Of course.”
“Damn, I’ve been enlightened by Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Hangzhou’s future is bright!”
“What, you bastard?!”
The men growled at Gwak Yeon for the laugh he had let out earlier.
Or not.
Swish.
Swish.
Without a word, Gwak Yeon and Gwak Ho-shin brought their cups to their lips.
After setting the cups down.
It was Gwak Ho-shin who spoke first.
“……Be careful.”
At that moment, pandemonium erupted among the spectators.
Slaughter has been announced! Another madman! Look at those eyes—they’re the eyes of someone who kills people. Damn, this tavern’s roof is about to fly off in less than a year━━
Amid a torrent of murmurs.
“Jusan Baek Family’s Baek Jung-hyeok. He’s dangerous.”
Gwak Ho-shin’s words were born from genuine concern for his brother.
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