“I have a friend in the Jegal Clan.”
“A fri…end? Who are you talking about?”
“Someone you don’t know. He’s a guy who took me in after you left the Jegal Clan.”
“…….”
“You’re going to the Jegal Clan anyway, aren’t you? You can meet him when you get there.”
“Is that friend… kind?”
“Well, he’s not exactly a bad guy.”
“Understood. I will go and meet him myself.”
Who could it be? Is that person also a master with profound martial arts like Sau?
Who on earth could he be to have earned the favor of a father as fierce as a tiger?
“But is it really alright to leave that token with the innkeeper?”
“Why? Do you want to take it back? Do you think the Black Serpent Society would just leave that place alone if you did?”
“……No. Never mind.”
Jegal Haesu released his grip on Sau’s shoulder.
‘I thought he was a heartless warrior, yet he occasionally shows kindness like a different person.’
He truly was a strange man. And because of that inscrutable nature, Jegal Haesu couldn’t quite trust him.
He was like a thick fog; he was by no means an easy opponent to read like Namgung Jin.
For now, he was behaving well thanks to Soso, but there was no telling when he might turn on them.
I must be careful and stay vigilant.
At that moment, Soso cut into the conversation, preventing any further talk with Sau.
“Young Master Sau! How does one use the Acupoint-Striking Technique? Can I also hit—no, treat—Young Master Jegal?”
“…….”
Soso, why does it sound like you want to hit me?
Jegal Haesu let out a deep sigh.
“You can’t do it. You have special abilities, but you have no internal energy. You must strike the blocked acupoints precisely by channeling your internal energy.”
“Can’t I use my energy like internal energy?”
“Well. I suppose you’ll have to try.”
“Young Master Jegal! Did you hear that? Can I practice by pummeling you as well?”
“Soso, is that really for the purpose of treatment?”
“Yes. I want to treat you with all my heart! But whenever you say something annoying, I might feel the urge to practice.”
I don’t know why I’m smiling at the thought that she might intentionally hit me.
Facing her cute, beaming smile, I found I couldn’t bring myself to stop her.
“Fine, do as you please.”
* * *
The Infinite Inn, the finest restaurant in Yangyang.
Even though it wasn’t late, the spacious restaurant was filled with diners, people sharing private conversations, and those burning with ambition.
There were also plenty of warriors with extraordinary presence.
Aside from the warriors of the Jegal Clan, there were a few from other sects as well.
This was because the Infinite Inn was famous as a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to Yangyang.
While its size and excellent facilities were part of the reason, the name of the restaurant played a much larger role.
The Infinite Inn, which carries the meaning of “ascending to the Dragon Gate.”
Rumors abounded that many people had overcome the difficulties they were facing after visiting this place.
People facing important exams, warriors unable to progress in their martial arts due to inner demons… it was said that all of them found relief after visiting the Infinite Inn.
Perhaps thanks to those rumors, the Infinite Inn was always bustling with customers.
However, not everyone could use the Infinite Inn equally.
The restaurant had designated areas for customers on each floor.
The first floor was for commoners or obscure warriors.
The second floor was for those slightly more well-known.
Finally, the third floor was accessible only to special individuals whose status was guaranteed.
Among these, the most popular spot was the window seat on the third floor.
It was a seat that offered a panoramic view of the wide river flowing in front of the inn and the various buildings of Yangyang.
The competition to secure that seat was fierce.
But usually, the winners were the people of the Jegal Clan. This was because Yangyang was the Jegal Clan’s territory.
Today was no different.
Men with the air of scholars were sitting at the window seat on the third floor.
“Is this not truly a scene of ‘high mountains and clear waters’? When I admire the scenery here, I feel as if all the turmoil in my heart has vanished.”
“Indeed, Garim. I am glad that even the turmoil in your heart has faded. Is that not so, Brother?”
The ones conversing were Baek Sam and Jegal Sochu.
Jegal Sochu’s gaze landed on the man addressed as “Brother.”
That man had a face clouded with deep sorrow. Unlike Baek Sam and Jegal Sochu, he was not wearing scholar’s robes.
The man was dressed in white martial attire.
“……I’m not sure.”
Baek Sam poured a moderate amount of liquor into the man’s cup.
“Please have a drink, Clan Head. If you get a little tipsy, you might feel better.”
“Thank you, Garim.”
The man’s name was Jegal Cheon.
He was the Clan Head of the Jegal Clan and the father of Jegal Haesu.
Just as Jegal Haesu had discussed, he possessed a face that brought to mind a tiger of Mount Tai. His features were slightly different from those of Haesu, who took after his mother’s side.
Jegal Cheon downed the drink Baek Sam had poured in one gulp.
He wished he could get at least a little tipsy, but his mind remained perfectly clear.
No, had he ever been drunk since his two sons disappeared before his eyes…?
At that moment, a noisy commotion broke out.
*Crash!*
It sounded as if it had come from the second floor.
“What is this disturbance?”
Jegal Sochu, the most curious of the three men, reacted first. The quick-witted Baek Sam responded to his words.
“I will go and find out.”
“Very well.”
Baek Sam went down to the second floor without a hint of annoyance.
In truth, he was just as curious as Jegal Sochu and couldn’t just walk past a place where a commotion was happening.
On the second floor, which he reached via the stairs, a physical altercation was in full swing.
Baek Sam grabbed a passing kisaeng.
“What is going on?”
“It seems a dispute broke out while the guests were talking.”
“Talking about what?”
The kisaeng looked a bit troubled at that. As if it were a matter related to Baek Sam himself.
While waiting for an answer, Baek Sam assessed those who had caused the commotion.
He noted the martial arts level of the two men, their status, and the items placed on the table.
‘A bunch of nobodies.’
At that moment, one of the men fighting spotted Baek Sam and shouted.
Seeing the scholar-style silk robes Baek Sam was wearing, they seemed to have realized he was from the Jegal Clan.
“……It’s someone from the Jegal Clan. Instead of fighting, let’s just ask him directly!”
Hearing that, Baek Sam moved first.
He walked over with long, silent strides and stood before the men who were grabbing each other by the collars.
“Why are you mentioning the Jegal Clan?”
“I am Im U-shin, who runs a small martial arts hall nearby.”
“I am Mak Gae-su, who runs a fabric store in Yangyang.”
“I see.”
“Well, this fellow Mak Gae-su, who doesn’t even know martial arts, claims he saw a warrior of the Jegal Clan at some remote inn in Yangyang!”
“Oh? That is an interesting development.”
Baek Sam’s eyes curved beautifully.
His face was filled more with interest than surprise.
“He says it was a warrior who used the Fan Technique! Does that make any sense? I heard the Fan Technique can only be learned by the direct descendants of the Jegal Clan, and the direct descendants are……”
Im U-shin trailed off, glancing at Baek Sam.
There wasn’t a single person in Yangyang who didn’t know that the two sons of the Jegal Clan were missing.
Stumped, Im U-shin instead pressed Mak Gae-su.
“So that’s why I’m saying you’re lying! You wouldn’t tell the truth, and that’s why the fight escalated!”
“No, look here. I’m telling you I really saw the fan martial arts! That young master performed martial arts as if he were dancing with a fan. He was even a very handsome young master with excellent features.”
Baek Sam, who had been watching the two bickering with amusement, smiled beautifully once more and asked.
“Where is that inn?”
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