“Let’s see who didn’t show up for work today! No one, huh?” chuckle
It’s been a few days since I came to find Kang Yoon-ho late at night.
Im Ha-yeon observed Kang Yoon-ho, who was busily checking on the staff’s attendance, from a corner of the room, as if nothing had happened.
“Hahaha!”
“Let’s work hard again today.”
His fluent speech in the Central Plains was hard to believe for someone from Joseon. How much effort must he have put in to take on this new life?
Learning about Kang Yoon-ho’s background made Im Ha-yeon admire even his previously disregarded way of speaking.
“Manager! I can move the luggage to the second floor!”
“Go on up and get to work quickly.”
Was it a sign of his past aims to enter the world of the Black Knife that he trained in martial arts? Now that she knew his background, every little thing he did seemed to carry significance.
“Ha-yeon So-jo?”
Had he noticed her gaze? When Im Ha-yeon met Kang Yoon-ho’s eyes, she quickly turned her head away.
What should she say? She had misunderstood him on her own. Looking back now, it was embarrassing to have gone to find him late at night.
Since that day, Im Ha-yeon hadn’t exchanged even a single word with Kang Yoon-ho for several days.
“Ha-yeon unnie. Did you have another fight with the manager?”
Ha So-so, unable to hold back any longer, approached Im Ha-yeon.
“It’s not like that.”
“Then is the manager being cold again?”
“Not that either.”
“The manager really… Unnie, you’re also a problem. You should put on an act and show weakness; be cute and throw a tantrum. If you do that, the manager will treat you nicely.”
Im Ha-yeon couldn’t respond to Ha So-so, who looked at her with concern.
Kang Yoon-ho liked her.
Im Ha-yeon had been firmly convinced of this until recently. But upon learning the truth, she felt even more confused.
‘Maybe he was just caring for me because we are in similar situations.’
Like how she compared herself to him, could it be that he helped her by comparing her to his past self? Was it because his mother was a courtesan that he looked at her with a little affection?
Had she mistakenly thought that his kindness was just an act of care because of their similar backgrounds?
Perhaps, just as she had misinterpreted his past, she was also misreading his feelings.
‘He may not have liked me; it could have just been pity.’
As those thoughts crossed her mind, her shoulders slumped without her realizing it.
“It’s fine. I’ll be leaving work now.”
Ultimately, Im Ha-yeon fled the Da-seo-gak.
The sun had already set. Looking up at the gloomy sky, she noticed raindrops beginning to fall onto her head. She hadn’t brought an umbrella.
Hurriedly, Im Ha-yeon used Light Body Movement to head towards the inn where she was staying.
“Where the hell did that bastard go?!”
“It’s all over! Let’s grab whatever we can inside!”
“What’s going on?”
When Im Ha-yeon arrived at the shabby inn she usually stayed at, angry people surrounded the place.
“Are you a guest here? Then pack your things and leave quickly!”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
“The innkeeper skipped out without paying off his debts!”
*
Before the sun had risen,
From the Tang family to Yichang. Regardless of the rain pouring all night, I was struggling to finish a long, arduous task.
“Congratulations on reaching minor success! You’ve accumulated five years’ worth of energy in your Danjeon.”
The Tang patriarch cheerfully congratulated me as he pulled the needles from my body.
“Thanks to you, I feel as though I’ve become a master.”
I waited for my prickled back, like a porcupine, to finish shedding its needles, then cautiously moved my fist.
From the Danjeon to the fist, I could clearly feel the flow of energy. Five years’ worth! My energy had finally doubled.
Originally, the only moves I had were those explosive techniques like the Spiral Booster or the non-recoverable Rocket Punch, just yelling out “Barbarian Punch” was all that mattered.
Though my energy had simply doubled, I felt like I could make broader use of it now.
“Haha! This reminds me of old times. I understand how you feel. The energy from the elixir inside Kang Yoon-ho has been fully stored, so now your skill level is at a secondary level.”
“Secondary level…?”
To accumulate five years’ worth of energy in just two years of training in martial arts is worthy of the tale of a rebellious genius with SSS-level martial arts, but reality is different.
‘I barely gathered the ginseng energy that lingered in Kang Yoon-ho.’
In the Central Plains, ginseng from Joseon is the elixir that people can’t get enough of; yet the rebellious Yoon-ho would eat it like a snack in dishes like samgyetang or ginseng candy.
With the Small Wheel Mental Image Technique contributing half and Tang family’s medical skills adding the other half, I successfully harvested the lingering ginseng energy that had soaked into all of Kang Yoon-ho’s meridians.
At this level, I should have a free pass to get a job as a postman in town.
“Actually, it’s not exactly secondary.”
“Not secondary?”
“The rank of martial arts isn’t determined by just energy levels.”
Now that I think about it, aside from the mental techniques, I have nothing else to confidently boast about. It’s like having upgraded specs for a computer but only using it for web searching or playing Minesweeper.
Sadly, I should put my dreams of becoming a postman on hold.
“Whether I’m a top-tier author or a secondary one, what does it matter? For taking care of myself and living long, this level is more than enough.”
There’s no risk of getting robbed by punks or low-tier Black Knives like back in the day; rather, I could overpower them. Besides, I won’t willingly walk into danger, so living long with this level is perfectly fine.
Of course, if asked whether I wanted to try using sword qi in a martial arts world, I couldn’t deny it, but for that, I’d have to live by a sword in a treacherous world.
I always remind myself of the saying that the pen is mightier than the sword; I want to be lived on ink, not blades.
“Yes, indeed. That’s why I helped you.”
Looking satisfied with my answer, the Tang patriarch nodded slightly.
“Deputy Medical Official, we’re all set for departure!”
“Then it’s time to leave.”
Today marks the day the Tang family’s martial artists return to Sichuan Province. When the Tang patriarch opened the door, he spotted the fully prepared carriage ready for their return.
Fortunately, it seemed the heavy rains had finally stopped. The homeward-bound Tang family people would be fine, and today’s operations at Da-seo-gak wouldn’t be problematic either.
“Do you truly have to go!!!”
“We also wish to remain in Yichang a bit longer and discuss more about the Rise of the Tang Family. But we must return.”
“The members of the Tea and Book Club are eagerly awaiting to converse with the Tang family martial artists. They could circle Da-seo-gak dozens of times in their excitement; it’s so disappointing.”
Outside, not only the Tang family martial artists but also the members of the Tea and Book Club, who had befriended them, were preparing to send them off.
“I still have so many words left to say. Sniff! I’ll definitely return when Volume Four is out!”
“Boo-hoo!”
“I truly believe the rightful partner is that person. Just keep it between us.”
“Of course! I actually suspected it too!”
“I’ll create a Tea and Book Club even in Sichuan Province!”
“Please take care of yourselves!”
“I’ve prepared what you asked for in the printing house.”
The Tang patriarch observed the scene, then carefully spoke so that only I could hear.
“Thank you.”
“If you ever need further assistance, reach out anytime.”
“I’m incredibly grateful for all the help until now. But we should start becoming like Sichuan Province and Hubei Province, shouldn’t we?”
I smiled like a grandson politely declining his grandmother’s overflowing love on a holiday.
“Sichuan Province and Hubei Province?”
“Far yet close. Close yet distant. That would be good for both of us.”
I had gathered all that I could. Wanting more would simply be greed.
“… Is that so.”
A hint of pity for someone who sacrificed everything for love crossed the Tang patriarch’s face.
I felt no pity whatsoever.
“Ah! Please deliver this letter to Hwa-rin for me.”
Though I had faced crises due to a mysterious night visitor, thankfully I handed over the carefully written letter proudly.
I wrote to So-hee immediately after arriving in Yichang, so now I had to do the same for Hwa-rin.
“Of course. Everyone, mount your horses!”
“Charge!”
Once my conversation with the Tang patriarch ended, the Tang family martial artists swiftly mounted their horses.
“Take care everyone. Please extend my regards to Hwa-rin, and you can also tell the Tang family head that he has worked hard.”
“Hahaha! Of course. I’ll make sure everyone remembers to keep their mouths shut about the uniforms.”
“… Please do.”
It would indeed be best to keep the story of the cheongsam a secret from Hwa-rin. I smiled wryly as I sent off the Tang family martial artists and headed back to Da-seo-gak.
——–
Unlike the drenched streets from the all-night rain, the sky hadn’t yet brightened but showed signs of clearing up for the day.
“Huh?”
Who’s that in front of Da-seo-gak? It’s still quite early before opening time.
A drenched figure was curled up against Da-seo-gak, seeking refuge from the rain. Or perhaps they were a guest arriving to buy a copy of the Rise of the Tang Family?
As I cautiously approached, a very familiar woman came into view.
“Ha-yeon So-jo?”
The drenched figure turned out to be Im Ha-yeon.
“Why are you here…?”
Why is this man standing in front of her? Im Ha-yeon struggled to lift her head, soaked from the all-night rain.
“Turn around.”
“Oh…”
With a tired expression, Im Ha-yeon turned around to see the door where she came every morning for work.
Why was she here? Had she wandered the streets aimlessly all night, arriving at Da-seo-gak without realizing it?
“Come in.”
Without asking why she was there or why she was drenched, Kang Yoon-ho opened the door of Da-seo-gak for her.
Im Ha-yeon silently followed him inside, sitting in a chair in the attic where he slept.
Kang Yoon-ho skillfully boiled water and presented her with a warm kettle and some tea to warm her up.
As she took a sip of the tea he offered, a warm sensation seeped into her frozen body from being out in the rain all night.
Pretending not to care about Im Ha-yeon, Kang Yoon-ho distanced himself slightly, gazing out the window as he shared a quiet sip of tea with her.
“Don’t you want to ask why I was in the rain?”
Perhaps he noticed that Im Ha-yeon had regained enough energy to speak. Kang Yoon-ho looked at her with an expression that seemed willing to listen to anything.
“I was waiting to hear when you would tell me.”
Why does this man smile so naturally? Why does he act as if she could share any concerns without worry?
After hesitating briefly, Im Ha-yeon opened up, just like a few days prior.
“… The Shadowless Thief’s successor got robbed.”
Im Ha-yeon murmured in a tone full of embarrassment.
“Robbed?”
“The innkeeper skipped town. He promised full meals if I paid a year’s worth up front, so I paid my entire month’s salary, and well…”
On the surface, it sounded like a good deal. Rather than paying for meals every day, it would save money if the inn provided them.
In reality, it had been the innkeeper’s ploy to take as much money and escape under the cover of night.
With not a single coin to her name at this time of night, Im Ha-yeon had been wandering the streets aimlessly, unable to grasp the latest misfortune.
Recalling the events of the previous night, Im Ha-yeon opened her drenched bundle, reflecting her dazed expression as it revealed the ruined papers.
“The paper is all wet.”
“It was the rough draft I submitted to the Yichang Literary Association…”
The ink and paper had ruined her tightly written drafts. Especially from wandering around all night, her first written novel had become completely illegible.
This was the only accomplishment she had achieved since fleeing to Yichang. In an instant, it turned to nothing.
“Nothing works out for me.”
Suddenly overcome with sadness, Im Ha-yeon let her voice break.
Why was her life shaped like this?
She lost even the invaluable things she had held onto.
If things continue like this, she would be taken back as a fugitive courtesan. Having learned thievery, she couldn’t even do that. All her money had been swindled away.
Her only achievement upon coming to Yichang, her novel, had turned into a soggy pile of papers.
“I can’t even manage half a person’s worth.”
Was she being punished for fleeing the gisaeng quarters? Was getting out of that fate going to bring her this penalty? Im Ha-yeon couldn’t lift her head in despair.
“Who says you can’t manage half a person’s worth? Ha-yeon So-jo is the most outstanding attendant in Da-seo-gak, not just on the second floor. I trust you with important tasks, and you are an irreplaceable figure in this place.”
“Anyone can do that job.”
“No. I gave you that job because you’re Ha-yeon So-jo.”
Why does he speak with such conviction?
Kang Yoon-ho’s words barely propped up Im Ha-yeon’s heart, which had been tangled up and turned into a mess.
“… Nothing is working out.”
“When that happens, reaching out for someone’s help is also a good method.”
Who is she supposed to reach out to? Who is left for her?
There’s no one to help her. Those from the gisaeng quarters perished, and they only looked after themselves. Her mother had passed away, and that person was someone she didn’t even want to associate with.
Where is the hand that would reach out to her?
Im Ha-yeon looked at Kang Yoon-ho with tearful eyes filled with resentment.
There was someone.
One person.
Someone in a similar situation.
Someone who could understand her more than anyone else.
He had been silently waiting for her to reach out to him.
“… Help me.”
Im Ha-yeon struggled to extend her hand towards him.
“I was waiting to hear that.”
Why would this man help her even if he was rejected? Why would he always seem ready to offer his hand?
‘Why do you want to help me?’
Is it because she resembles his mother, a courtesan? Because they share similar situations? Because she’s the daughter of that man? Are his feelings for her truly just pity?
Or perhaps…
“First….”
Im Ha-yeon awaited a word from Kang Yoon-ho. What would he say?
“Starting today, let’s live together.”
Kang Yoon-ho’s words were enough to shake the head of a woman filled with grievances and hopelessness.
