Chapter 10
“Oh. What a curious thing.”
Jegal Dam sighed as he spotted a woman entering the Deungcheon Branch of the Tengcheon Escort Bureau.
“What is it?”
His bodyguard, Yang Cheol-woo, asked in surprise.
Yang Cheol-woo was the son of Jegal Dam’s nanny and now served as his personal guard. Having watched over him since birth, he prided himself on knowing Jegal Dam better than anyone.
Since Jegal Dam almost never showed interest in women, his reaction was all the more surprising.
And who was Jegal Dam?
He was the eldest son of the prestigious Jegal Clan, one of the Five Great Houses, a family that had for generations produced military leaders for the Murim Alliance.
Although only fourteen years old, Jegal Dam had shown great brilliance from an early age. Once he began reading and studying on his own, his insight astonished everyone around him.
By the time he was past ten, even the elders of the clan found it hard to gauge the depth of his knowledge and wisdom.
People began to say that another divine prodigy had been born into the clan, calling it a great blessing. The expectations placed on him were growing by the day.
There was a strong push to elevate him to the position of heir sooner rather than later.
“Do you see that woman entering just now?”
“Yes. I do. I have eyes, don’t I?”
“What do you think?”
“She’s a beauty, sure—but is that what’s strange?”
“You say you have eyes, but they might as well be blind. Tsk.”
A delicate wrinkle formed between his brows. Clicking his tongue once, he spoke again.
“I mean her qi. Look at her aura.”
“You could have said that in the first place.”
Yang Cheol-woo examined her closely. His eyes widened in surprise.
“Huh? Y-Young Master, that woman…”
“Unless you really focus, her presence is vague, almost unnoticeable. Even with that appearance.”
“Is her martial ability… hmm, third-rate maybe?”
“She’s concealing her martial skill, but clearly doesn’t realize that erasing her presence can make her stand out more. That suggests inexperience. No, I don’t think she’s third-rate.”
“What are you saying then?”
“Well, only assassins and shadows usually hide themselves like that.”
“An assassin?”
“Who knows? Let’s find out.”
Yang Cheol-woo’s gaze sharpened, but Jegal Dam remained nonchalant.
He had arrived in Wuhan a few days ago at the summons of his uncle, a military officer of the Murim Alliance. Just as he was getting restless in the ever-peaceful atmosphere of the Alliance, something interesting appeared.
A mischievous smile crept over his refined face.
“Go and receive her escort package.”
“You’re really having me do this kind of thing now?”
“You’re good at it. Use that talent.”
“What talent?”
“Pretending to be a lowlife who loves money and throws his weight around.”
“Why am I always the one doing these things?”
“Would you rather I did it?”
“Fine, fine. I’ll go. Our Young Master really makes me do all sorts of things now. But what can I do? Orders are orders.”
Grumbling, Yang Cheol-woo headed toward the reception desk. With each step, his upright posture relaxed into a loose, swaggering gait.
Now, the elite bodyguard of the Jegal Clan’s heir looked every bit the part of a petty thug.
“Hey, you! The, uh, head escort is looking for ya.”
Watching from a distance, Jegal Dam couldn’t help but chuckle.
“He whined about not wanting to do it, but he’s good at it. Looks like a real scoundrel. Tsk.”
After accepting the woman’s package and dealing with several more customers, Yang Cheol-woo returned.
He was holding what looked like a letter, wearing a triumphant expression.
“This just got a lot more interesting.”
“What did?”
“It’s the package that woman tried to send. Hah, seriously…”
“Why did you bring it here?”
“You should read it yourself.”
Jegal Dam took the letter from him, and his brows furrowed as he read the recipient’s name on the envelope.
It was his own name.
“Looks like a love letter. The sender is a young lady from the Seol Family in Hongan County. Lucky you, Young Master.”
“Hm.”
“She must be a noble lady’s guard, don’t you think? No wonder she knows shadow techniques.”
“Hm.”
“Looks like you were wrong this time, Young Master…”
Jegal Dam, unmoved by Yang Cheol-woo’s teasing, opened the letter.
“What is it? Not a love letter?”
As Jegal Dam’s frown deepened while reading, Yang Cheol-woo asked cautiously.
But Jegal Dam said nothing, merely closing his eyes and standing still.
Knowing that this meant he was deep in thought, Yang Cheol-woo wisely stayed silent and waited.
At last, Jegal Dam spoke in a solemn tone.
“Guard Yang Cheol-woo, hear me.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
The previously playful atmosphere vanished completely. It was as if even the air had changed. Now stood the heir of the mighty Jegal Clan and his loyal guard.
“Immediately contact our clan’s Wuhan branch and the local Deungcheon Bureau. Gather all information about the Seol Family of Hongan County—every bit, public or hidden.”
“Understood.”
“And this task must be carried out in absolute secrecy.”
“Yes, sir.”
With a sharp salute, Yang Cheol-woo quickly left.
Left alone, Jegal Dam began reading the letter again:
[Spring comes and flowers bloom,
(春天来了花儿开)
A small pouch filled with money,
(小小口袋装满钱)
Beneath the sky, I am no beggar.
(天空下, 我不是乞丐)
Even if a dragon blocks the light,
(纵使天空龙遮住光亮)
Don’t be afraid, snowflakes will fall again.
(别害怕, 雪花又要来)They say street children sing this song.
I find it amusing. What do you think, Young Master? ]
“Hah. Indeed, Lady Seol. A most… intriguing song.”
With an unreadable smile, he carefully tucked the letter into his robe and walked away slowly.
The moss pink flowers blooming beneath his feet blushed as if bashful.
“So…”
Jegal Dam began after reading the investigation report on the Seol Family that Yang Cheol-woo brought.
Yang Cheol-woo’s head drooped low.
Though it included information from both the clan’s Wuhan branch and the escort bureau, it was shockingly sparse. Even considering the short time frame, it lacked substance.
“This… is all?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Hah. Unbelievable.”
Jegal Dam let out a dry laugh and scanned the document again, his eyes shining.
Yang Cheol-woo cautiously asked,
“What if we tried getting information from the Beggars’ Union or Hao Clan?”
“No need. Even if they had something, it wouldn’t be much different.”
“But why…?”
“Hm.”
A mischievous smile rarely seen on his face appeared.
“Isn’t it curious?”
“What do you mean?”
“Think about it. A family has remained in the same village for over 500 years, generation after generation. Not a hundred, not two hundred—but five hundred years. And their power has neither grown nor declined.”
“Hongan is a tiny place. I’ve never even heard of it before. Isn’t that why it was possible?”
Jegal Dam shook his head and began explaining.
“No, that’s not it. Everything in life—especially for people—rises and falls. Even our own clan, said to be the greatest under heaven, has had its ups and downs.”
“That’s true when you put it that way…”
“Exactly. Which means they’ve been deliberately maintaining just the right amount of power.”
“What does that mean?”
“To keep their standing steady, near both the Murim Alliance in Wuhan and the government, while staying away from both. Maintaining their merchant group and their status… that would require tremendous effort.”
Yang Cheol-woo’s mouth fell open. He sensed something serious was at play.
“Why would they…?”
“Indeed. Why would they?”
Jegal Dam’s eyes sparkled like a child who had found a fascinating toy. He stood up and added,
“If investigations yield nothing, why not ask directly?”
“A-Ask who?”
“You said she’s staying at the Huayeong Inn, didn’t you?”
“You’re going to ask her directly?”
“Yes. I am.”
“She’s just a guard. Would she even know anything?”
“Well, we’ll find out when we ask.”
Jegal Dam swirled his white robe and strode off.
Yang Cheol-woo hurriedly rose to follow his master. Soon, they arrived at the Huayeong Inn.
Sensing the arrival of extraordinary guests, the innkeeper rushed out.
“Welcome! Welcome to the Huayeong Inn. We have a lovely room on the fifth floor—may I show you the way?”
“Erhem. I heard a woman in a bamboo hat is staying here…”
When Yang Cheol-woo mumbled uncertainly, the innkeeper smoothly changed his tone.
“Ah, the fourth floor! We have an excellent room there. Right this way.”
Naturally, the clever innkeeper’s pockets grew heavier.
