I’m just as frustrated.
I received a Black Token from Mr. Wang at the textile shop in Chilgok County, Hubei Province. We became close while I was working as a negotiator. I want to be straightforward from the start.
Unless there’s just one reason.
One, I’ve told you how to use the Black Token, so use it well, but never mention where you got it.
The vague statement about the Black Token’s origin was due to a promise with Uncle Wang.
What?
Eating brunch is the life of a bum. I don’t want to get mixed up with strange folks again.
If someone asks where it came from, I’ll have to answer, right?
If you’re gonna say anything, you should give it back.
Hey, why would you say that? I’ll take it. So, what do I say about how I got this?
Don’t worry. Most people won’t even ask, and if they do, make something up.
“The Shadowless Thief is my sworn brother.”
I made up a vague excuse, just like Mr. Wang said.
“You’re saying the Shadowless Thief and you are sworn brothers?”
“That’s right. Since we’re siblings, I also received the Black Token from the Shadowless Thief.”
If I want to clarify how I got the Black Token, I’d need to explain everything in detail.
I’d have to talk about how I became close with the textile shop uncle while working as a negotiator, chatting, going to sauna, eating, and drinking together.
What happens then? If it’s Hao-mun, Uncle Wang’s whereabouts will naturally be traced.
I can’t break my promise with Uncle Wang.
So how do I navigate this situation?
Sworn brothers.
If I mention this magical relationship, I could explain why I got the Black Token without any lengthy details. I can handle everything in the current situation too.
Uncle. From now on, we are best friends. No, we are best brothers. Don’t complain later since you didn’t explain the details properly.
“What nonsense are you talking about… Where’s the Shadowless Thief right now?”
“It’s about a difficult incident my sworn brother went through. As a sworn brother, I have no intention of sharing it with you, complete strangers.”
About ten years ago, the Hao-mun rebellion incident. The hint has already been given.
I don’t know how Uncle Wang is involved, but if he disappeared after that incident, there must be a reason.
I don’t know the details. However, the people from that rebellion may still exist, and I can’t trust these strangers, even if I met them for the first time.
Plus, it’s possible that Uncle Wang might be involved in that rebellion incident.
Right now, I am the sworn brother of the Shadowless Thief.
I have no intention of putting the Shadowless Thief in danger. This will become a good excuse.
“Someone you don’t even know. How long have I known that man!”
So that’s why you recognized the Black Token. It’s funny because you mentioned most wouldn’t ask about it, yet here we are. What a coincidence.
“Your brother has distanced himself from the world. So I can’t tell you.”
Even if the department head is close with the Shadowless Thief, he won’t be spilling anything.
‘The first to reveal the hidden identity of a recluse in martial arts novels is the first to die.’
I don’t know why Uncle Wang kept his identity hidden and went into hiding. But recklessly exposing it could cause trouble for me too.
“Are you really not going to tell me?”
“As a sworn brother, I will never tell you.”
Even if I weren’t a sworn brother, I wouldn’t share anything.
One should repay kindness with kindness.
Uncle Wang is someone who showed me kindness. In the Central Plains, hostile towards black-haired barbarians, he helped me live like a human when I was basically a beggar.
And I have a promise with Uncle Wang.
If I speak of Uncle Wang’s whereabouts in front of them, it could endanger someone who showed me kindness, so I won’t say anything.
I might not be a martial arts hero, but as a writer about heroes, I will not betray my integrity.
If it comes to that, it’s better for me to deflect all the arrows towards myself by saying I’m the sworn brother.
“You can’t even trust that I’m your sworn brother? Didn’t you just say you were close?”
“Could you easily call someone your sworn brother if you were like you, a gentleman?”
I’m the sworn brother of a thief. Which idiot would admit that so easily?
“I saw you panic at the mention of the Shadowless Thief, but now you expect me to believe it?”
“I knew my sworn brother was involved in shady business back then, but I didn’t know he had such a grand title.”
“Even though you’re sworn brothers?”
No. Rather, because we are, it makes more sense.
“We became sworn brothers after aligning our intentions and repaying kindness, so how could I dig into my sworn brother’s minor flaws?”
Continuously digging into someone else’s flaws is shameful. Especially digging into the flaws of my sworn brother deserves scorn.
The title of sworn brother justifies all my actions.
“Are you telling me to believe that?”
Can’t you give me a little trust?
Indeed, I’m saying I’m the sworn brother. Oh, oh, oh, and the Shadowless Thief’s sworn brother. It would be strange if we didn’t know you. But it’s okay.
“What will you do if I don’t believe you?”
With just one word of sworn brotherhood, I’ve secured legitimacy.
I sat confidently in my chair and glared at the department head.
“What?”
“Prove that I’m not the sworn brother of the Shadowless Thief.”
“What do you mean?”
“I brought the Black Token, and I have proof it’s real. I’ve revealed my connection with its owner. If you still doubt me, then you have to prove you’re not who you claim to be.”
“You little brat! How dare you talk back to the department head!”
As I took an attitude with someone who looked at least twice my age, a member of the Hao-mun, who was behind, shouted.
“Hey! The adults are talking; stay out of it!”
When I looked at him incredulously, the Hao-mun member couldn’t charge and shot a frustrated glare instead.
Frustrated? What are you going to do about it? I’m the sworn brother of the Shadowless Thief. If there’s someone more powerful than me claiming to be my elder, then they can try it. Got it?
“Be quiet! So you’re telling me to prove my innocence?”
“I’ve said everything I can. I’m the store manager of the Tea Bookstore, a guest of the Sichuan Tang Family, and the sworn brother of the Shadowless Thief. That’s who I am, Kang Yoon-ho. Else, prove me wrong.”
I spoke boldly like a madman barging into a gang office.
Legitimacy is on my side. I have a solid backing. Don’t mess with me.
“… So you’re subtly threatening me now. Hey, just because you’re polite doesn’t mean I won’t take you lightly. This is Hao-mun. Interrogating someone is nothing here, you know?”
The department head, seemingly in disbelief, threatened me with a calm murderous intent.
Quick to draw a knife, quick to threaten. That’s why factions like this are no good.
“Do what you want. But the consequences afterwards will be yours to bear completely.”
I’ve stuck my head into the tiger’s mouth multiple times, do you think I’ll flinch?
As I boldly confronted him, the department head’s expression twisted subtly.
In a predicament, huh?
If I really am the sworn brother of the Shadowless Thief, he might have just crossed the wrong person. He even knows that I’m a guest of the Tang Family.
In the worst case, he might think he’ll get the blame for this.
In the end, the department head, perhaps out of words, only exchanged meaningless glances with me.
“…Secret Code.”
The woman with pink hair, who had been quietly observing, spoke; she’s someone I know as the Shadowless Thief.
“Secret Code? What do you mean by that?”
When she spoke up, the department head turned to her and asked.
“If that man gave him a Black Token, he must have shared the Secret Code.”
Is she aware of the Secret Code for the Black Token? Uncle Wang said he didn’t know anyone who did. If she knows, this could make things easier.
“Secret Code? There’s nothing like that with this Black Token.”
The department head asked her in confusion.
“There is with this Black Token.”
She stared at the black token with a troubled expression as she spoke.
“Do you know the Secret Code?”
“Yes. Do you know it, Manager Kang?”
She answered and then turned to ask me.
“Go ahead and ask.”
She gazed at me, looking sly, then sighed softly before speaking.
“On a night with no shadows of the moon.”
She unveiled the first part of the Secret Code. Thankfully, I remembered it.
“For a single flower, I will send a guest.”
I instinctively responded with the answer I knew.
Even if Uncle Wang doesn’t know anyone, maybe he told me to remember it just in case I met the Shadowless Thief.
She looked at me with trembling eyes as though she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
What’s wrong? Did you remember it wrong?
“…Send me. I did indeed receive the Black Token from that man.”
—–
“Looks like I can leave now.”
I finally managed to apologize and step out. Getting out of Hao-mun is tough.
“It’s a debt repaid.”
As we left Hao-mun, she spoke bluntly.
“Thank you very much, but are you perhaps the sworn brother of my father?”
I asked her, knowing full well but wanted to confirm.
“Do you know me?”
As expected, I was right.
Uncle Wang, you mentioned that you had a daughter with a courtesan when you were doing well, huh?
“I heard you indeed have a daughter. I also heard your hair color is similar, and that you can recognize the Black Token, so I had my suspicions. Thank you, Im Ha-yeon.”
I addressed her formally while bowing once again.
“That man… it seems he hasn’t forgotten after all. And the name of a courtesan isn’t something just anyone can call me by.”
Seems like their relationship isn’t good. I could sense an unpleasant vibe from her.
“Then at least tell me your name.”
The name a courtesan had before becoming one is referred to as a “nickname.” I suppose you couldn’t just call it out casually.
“Call me the runaway courtesan… Call me whatever you like.”
“Then I’ll call you Du Eung-hyang.”
I joked lightly, smiling.
“…Just call me Im Ha-yeon.”
“Im Ha-yeon?”
That’s indeed her real name, but Uncle Wang’s surname might be a pseudonym.
“I’ve never used that man’s surname.”
Im Ha-yeon, sensing my surprise, frowned as she replied.
She must not have received a surname since she’s the child of a courtesan, not from a marriage. Or maybe she’s deliberately leaving it out.
“Though it’s a coincidence, I’m slightly amazed that I saved the daughter of my sworn brother.”
Actually, I recognized her identity, but I feigned surprise like I was a Joseon person finding someone from my hometown in the Central Plains.
“Speaking of that man doesn’t bring me much joy.”
How nitpicky.
“I’m happy.”
“……”
As I laughed, she stared at me as if she were at a loss for words.
Wait a minute.
Since I said I was the sworn brother of Uncle Wang, Im Ha-yeon is technically becoming the daughter of my sworn brother.
In an instant, a good idea flashed through my mind.
“I know you’re in a predicament.”
I made a move to speak.
“So?”
“I owe a lot to my sworn brother. And I cannot pretend I don’t see the daughter of my sworn brother.”
Since I made up a fake relationship, I could create a better one. I didn’t know whether she would need help or not. However, I should always keep the connections open with someone who could potentially become the true heroine.
So,
“If you need help at any time, just knock on the door of the Tea Bookstore. As your sworn brother, I’ll always be waiting for you.”
For now, let me cast this sweet bait.
