“I heard some suspicious guys are digging into the lady’s background.”
Last night, someone approached a Joseon person drinking at the inn, casually asking about the pink-haired lady.
Innkeeper An came over to inform us after finishing breakfast.
“Looks like they’re still snooping around.”
As expected, the Doumen were tightening their encirclement.
“What should we do?”
“For now, I’ll notify Si-mun Hyang-ju separately.”
Even if there’s no clear solution, it’s necessary to pass on the current situation.
“Lady, don’t worry. Everyone has agreed to keep their mouths shut.”
“Sigh…”
Im Ha-yeon let out a small sigh, her face etched with concern.
“Don’t worry too much. We’ll protect you no matter what. We’re moving to the mansion today, and even if they find out, it won’t be dangerous for now.”
Unless the Doumen have ice in their veins, they won’t dare to touch the mansion.
I had Im Ha-yeon wear a veil and straw hat, grabbing the moving belongings as we headed to the mansion.
——————
“Miss Zhuge said she had a rough night and would be a bit late.”
“Haha. That’s understandable.”
Once I finished organizing things with Im Ha-yeon, a guard spoke apologetically before leaving.
I also had my share of sleepless nights when moving into my first place, feeling half worried and half excited.
“Someone went through all the trouble of moving their luggage…”
Im Ha-yeon, perhaps a bit on edge from the news about the Doumen, grumbled.
“It seems Miss Zhuge’s things have already been moved from Man Geum Battlefield, so let’s just practice some martial arts until she arrives.”
“What are you talking about?”
“To protect Ha-yeon, I must become stronger.”
I put on a deliberately mischievous expression. I’m tired from moving luggage; I need some laughs amidst this mess.
“What do you mean? I’ll practice in the courtyard because there’s more space there.”
Im Ha-yeon made a face of disgust for a moment, then began arranging the training wooden dummies from the remaining luggage in the courtyard.
Maybe I should move my body a bit too.
—————
“Don’t stop moving your body!”
“Ugh!”
The unfamiliar routine. A situation that requires swift movements.
As my movement slowed momentarily, Im Ha-yeon mercilessly hurled a stone at me.
“Stop and shoot while running? That won’t work once, let alone twice!”
“If I focus on the Shadowless Body Technique, I can’t concentrate on the Hidden Knife technique.”
Isn’t that incompatible since it’s not the same martial arts of the same sect?
I subtly said it as a half-joke.
“The Shadowless Body Technique goes well with any martial arts style. You have to move with the feeling that stopping equals death.”
So, move like a bus ready to explode!
I followed the footprints Im Ha-yeon had carefully marked, continuously launching Hidden Knives.
“My accuracy seems to be dropping.”
No matter how good a pitcher is, hitting the strike zone while running is a different story.
Let alone unleashing the Hidden Knife technique from the Tang Family while using the Ascending’s Skill, hitting the target itself was proving difficult.
“I told you. If you fail on the first throw, you won’t get a second chance. After that, it’s a battle of attrition. Your opponent will bolster their defenses, so you have to keep moving to make an opening.”
Im Ha-yeon took several Hidden Knives and quickly shot them at nine targets, moving faster than me.
Did I say I would protect her with martial arts for my own sake?
“I’d better try to end it with the first shot.”
I didn’t think I could shoot all nine Hidden Knives while running, so I had to release them all at once and escape.
What should I name it? Dragon Slaughter?
“Where do you think you’re sneaking off to?!”
Can’t I take a break?
I felt good after hearing those sweet words, but the more I practiced martial arts, the more I felt like I was in a ranked PVP game match.
I felt a bit smug in free play, but now in a ranked match, it feels like heaven is way out of my league.
“Hello!”
Just as Im Ha-yeon urged me to get back to it, a familiar voice called out.
Did Miss Zhuge finally arrive?
“Where do you think you’re walking in from now?!”
As Zhuge Hyang stepped toward the courtyard, Im Ha-yeon furrowed her brow, scolding her fiercely.
“Eek! W-well, um…”
“Peeking into someone else’s martial arts? Is the daughter of a prestigious family allowed to disregard the rules of the martial world?”
“W-well, I didn’t mean to…”
“Miss Zhuge just arrived to greet us, right? If it’s not urgent, can we share a discussion after practice?”
Im Ha-yeon might be going a bit overboard, but in this case, Zhuge Hyang was indeed at fault.
Training martial arts is like drafting a rough manuscript. The methods of martial arts, the flow of internal energy, and even the movements that are considered significant.
If one is a capable martial artist, they can observe and steal the raw ideas. As an outsider, one shouldn’t take a glimpse at others’ martial arts unless granted permission.
In the martial world, one must avoid actions that might raise suspicion.
“……”
But Zhuge Hyang didn’t retreat to her room and kept staring intently at Im Ha-yeon.
“What’s going on? Do you have business with me?”
Perhaps subdued by Im Ha-yeon’s aura, Zhuge Hyang lowered her head before asking her.
“Ah… Is Sister Ha-yeon teaching the Master martial arts?”
“Yes, that’s right. So outsiders…”
“Erm… S-she wouldn’t know, but… there’s something called rules of the martial world…”
“I know what it is. And I’m following it well.”
“Are you really following it?”
Zhuge Hyang murmured with a look of disbelief.
What’s her deal?
As I tried to get closer to the two, Im Ha-yeon blocked me.
“Now, the outsider should leave, okay?”
“Ugh…”
Im Ha-yeon’s cold dismissal spell had Zhuge Hyang retreating with her head down.
She didn’t have to say it so harshly; I could’ve scolded her gently.
I’ll have to apologize later when Im Ha-yeon isn’t around.
————–
“Everyone, I appreciate your cooperation. Let’s discuss our future plans, Miss Zhuge.”
We gathered at the table in the living room.
“……”
Did I just throw her out too harshly? Zhuge Hyang seemed to have some dissatisfaction as she kept her head down.
Im Ha-yeon, aren’t you a bit too relaxed in your smile? She’s just a year younger; be a bit nicer.
“Miss Zhuge?”
“Ah, yes!”
“Did Elder Man Geum-jeon send a note separately?”
“Nothing like that was mentioned.”
Elder Man Geum-jeon. We agreed to live together, but he should have sent a note about the expenses.
Could this be a silent message that he expects me to create a history by not spreading rumors?
“Cleaning isn’t a problem, but meals could be an issue.”
Should I start cooking? I don’t mind going to the inn every day, but it would be a problem for Zhuge Hyang, who loves staying at home.
“Why not cook ourselves?”
As I pondered over this, Im Ha-yeon casually suggested an unexpected plan.
“Cook ourselves?”
“We can take turns deciding the order. Doesn’t that sound good, Miss Zhuge?”
“Uh, um…”
Zhuge Hyang looks obviously unsure.
“Oh, are you saying women can’t cook?”
“……”
“I heard you can’t cook either, Ha-yeon…”
Weren’t you the one who said you never learned how to cook because of being a courtesan in Yichang?
Why are you mocking her when you’re at the same level?
“Hmm… The rice should be ready by now. Wait a moment.”
Im Ha-yeon grinned and stood up.
“What’s up?”
“Food.”
Im Ha-yeon skillfully set the table in an instant, preparing a meal.
“Pork kimchi stew? And some vegetable side dishes?”
The spread before us was a perfect Joseon-style meal.
“Dig in.”
What’s this?
“Familiar taste.”
As I scooped some kimchi stew, I was hit with waves of nostalgia that made me exclaim!
“Does it taste like home?”
“It’s familiar, but more like a familiar taste from a closer place.”
To be precise, it’s a taste from somewhere just 30 minutes away. I chuckled at Im Ha-yeon.
No wonder it came out quickly.
Seeing her looking evasively as if feeling guilty, she finally confessed.
“T-the kimchi was made by the innkeeper, but I made the stew!”
Kimchi stew mostly depends on the kimchi; if the kimchi’s good, then nine-tenths of it is already done.
“The side dishes taste a bit too familiar.”
“I got the side dishes from the inn…”
So, she bought the vegetable side dishes from the inn, huh? Be a bit lazy, and suddenly it’s not easy to make.
“Hmph.”
Zhuge Hyang turned away, stifling a chuckle.
“Ugh!”
Why are you teasing her?
Im Ha-yeon shot Zhuge Hyang a glare, blushing, but could only remain silent.
“Thank you! It’s delicious. It reminds me of home after a long time.”
Regardless of whose kimchi it was, the fact that Im Ha-yeon cooked remains unchanged. Come to think of it, is this my first time eating food somebody else cooked?
“Looks like learning from the innkeeper paid off.”
With her chin resting on her hand, Im Ha-yeon spoke with a satisfied smile.
“You learned cooking as well?”
“It would be tough if I can’t cook as a woman. I wouldn’t want to hear that I’m unqualified to be a wife when I get married later.”
Im Ha-yeon subtly glanced to the side as she spoke.
“Ha-yeon.”
“Hmph. What is it?”
I understand that there’s a slight hint of hostility towards you, but don’t torment her right from the start.
“About that…”
“Miss Zhuge?”
“It’s something you should hire a maid for.”
Zhuge Hyang meekly countered, looking aggrieved and turning towards Im Ha-yeon.
“……That’s true, but!”
Why are you both being so petty?
“Let’s just request a maid from the Man Geum Battlefield. As long as we have the guards and a maid, we shouldn’t have too much trouble living; let’s move on to the Tea Bookstore issue.”
Im Ha-yeon seemed to have received a shock as if hit, so I should quickly change the subject before it turns into an emotional quarrel.
“Since Hyang-ju has called for me separately, I’ll go and visit.”
The message came from Si-mun Hyang-ju quickly.
“Shouldn’t I go with you?”
“She said it’s just for me. The carriage is ready, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Make sure to tell me all about it when you return.”
“Got it. Elder Coachman, let’s depart.”
I warned Im Ha-yeon not to leave the mansion and climbed into the carriage, informing the coachman of the destination.
“Yes, I shall escort you.”
Is the coachman particularly skilled?
Normally, I feel the road conditions with my butt, but today it didn’t feel bad at all.
He’s not strictly going straight and subtly altering the direction; is he driving to be considerate of the passenger?
Thinking about it, I guess I should buy a carriage since we just moved.
After all, if Im Ha-yeon wants to maintain her anonymity while commuting, she’ll need to ride in one.
That’s probably not cheap. If I hire a full-time coachman, I’d have to pay a salary too. How much would it cost to hire the elder coachman sitting up front?
“Hmm? I think you’ve taken a wrong turn.”
While absorbed in thoughts of the coachman’s skills, I suddenly noticed unfamiliar scenery.
This isn’t the right path!
“……”
“Coachman! I think you’ve taken a wrong turn!”
Ignoring my words?
I thought his driving was commendable, but could he be a money-grabbing driver taking the long route for fare?
As I stood up to shout, the coachman spoke without looking back.
“This path is correct.”
His low, dignified voice contained a power that forced even an angry passenger to sit back down.
“……”
A martial artist.
I involuntarily swallowed hard. Is he not a scammer after all? I’ve heard tales of robbers disguised as coachmen occasionally appearing.
What if the Black-haired Barbarian has gotten wind of some money? Or could it be the Doumen?
I cautiously fiddled with the Hidden Knives in my robes.
Should I subdue him with Hidden Knives? Or should I just jump out? Or both?
“I just want to talk, so relax.”
It seemed the coachman was aware of my thoughts as he spoke leisurely.
“Who are you?”
“I came because that fat gambling fool said he’s been keeping a precious one, and I wanted to see what they look like.”
Fat gambling fool.
A guy with a low salary who should be nimble has a potbelly.
It wasn’t hard to figure out who he was referring to.
“I heard it’s been over a decade since Hyang-ju served food herself.”
“Haha. A guy like that takes pride in saying he served food to someone, so here I am.”
Is this about that time he personally served dessert?
How does he know that detail? It happened in the inner chamber of Si-mun’s base.
Exactly who is this person?
“Do you enjoy gambling?”
He must be one of Doumen’s people.
“I like gamblers more than gambling. They tend to give big tips when they’re feeling good. Drunkards in gambling houses have plenty to swindle out of them, so it works for me.”
The coachman casually drove while eliminating two options from my mind.
Now I know who he is.
Currently, there are four major powers in Wuhan’s Hao Men.
The courtesans’ association, the Gi-mun, the gamblers’ association, Dou-mun, and the pointy-nosed guys’ association, Si-mun.
If it’s not one of these three, there’s only one left.
The only person who could call Hyang-ju a “fat gambling fool” is…
I stood up in the carriage, took hold of my knuckles, and politely greeted the carriage driver.
“Greetings, Lord of the Ma Men.”
The middle-aged man driving the carriage known for his mastery was the head of all coachmen and laborers in Hubei Province, Lord of the Ma Men.
