Chapter v9c6

Although most of the fires in the Cheonmu Academy Sword Spirit Hall had gone out,

the bustling center of Namchang was still brilliantly lit,

creating a city that never sleeps.

The fact that the lights of the brothel district go out at night is as absurd as wearing a fur coat in summer.

Bi Ryu-yeon’s footsteps had led him to Sunpung Tower, one of the largest taverns in Namchang. Sunpung Tower was known for being open all year round, always busy before noon, and for providing the best service to its guests.

The higher the floor, the more luxurious it became. In other words, the higher you went, the better treatment you could receive.

“Hey! Stop right there!”

Just as Bi Ryu-yeon was about to climb to the third floor, where the rank changed from low to middle , a harsh and sharp voice, like the sound of metal, halted his steps.

This place, comprised of six floors, was divided into upper , middle , and lower ranks, with two floors each serving different classes of guests.

“Me?”

Bi Ryu-yeon pointed to himself.

“Yes, you!”

The hefty man nodded while maintaining his scolding gesture. It was an attitude full of arrogance.

Bi Ryu-yeon’s gaze sharpened slightly. The one who dared to interrupt his progress was a burly, show-off bodyguard. Of course, his bulging muscles might seem threatening to ordinary people, but to those in the martial world, they were nothing more than heavy and useless decorations.

The bulky man spoke in an overbearing voice.

“Kid! This isn’t a place for little kids like you. This is Sunpung Tower, the premier tavern of Namchang, boasting a different dimension of history, tradition, and class than other cheap taverns. Run along before your soul is harvested!”

‘Namchang’s premier tavern? I’m certain I’ve heard others claim the same title elsewhere.’

It seemed that ‘Namchang’s premier tavern’ was not exclusive. However, that wasn’t the issue at the moment. The words were clearly dismissive. Of course, Bi Ryu-yeon wasn’t the type to retreat just because of such words. Today, this bruiser had picked the wrong opponent.

With a slightly offended face, Bi Ryu-yeon retorted.

“Why can’t I?”

Usually, those who knew him would instinctively take caution at his curling smile.

“Hmph! Look at yourself before you say such things!”

His bangs were messy, his martial outfit was old and smelled cheap, and nowhere on his body could a weapon be seen. It was fortunate that he didn’t look like a beggar.

“Why? I look great, what’s the problem?”

Clearly, Bi Ryu-yeon’s perspective was quite different from that of ordinary people.

“The kid’s really asking for trouble today.”

Meanwhile, the person in question was actively inviting death.

Wang Jeong, the burly bodyguard, had no idea that he was playing with his own life, unaware that the king of hell had come for an inspection.

No trace of a Cheonmu Academy official could be seen on Bi Ryu-yeon. This phenomenon was even more pronounced for those like Wang Jeong who harbored subtle fantasies about the people of Cheonmu Academy. Their fantasies only embellished and aggrandized the real Cheonmu Academy officials.

“You’re new, aren’t you? Is it okay to just stand around here instead of running errands?”

“Gasp! How… how did you…”

Wang Jeong’s eyes went wide. He felt a twinge in his chest. In fact, he was the least experienced among the Sunpung Tower guards.

“Well, that’s common sense.”

It was said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Surely someone of his stature would be a bodyguard or a messenger. It must be a busy time, he thought, to be borrowing even a cat’s hand.

“The little brat is curt.”

The bodyguard’s hand, as large as a pot lid, was raised to the sky. Now all that remained was to strike down.

However, by a hair’s breadth, Wang Jeong’s life was spared. Just as he was about to be struck, Jom Yeong Bal, the general manager of Sunpung Tower, rushed over like a protector.

“Wait a moment!”

The desperate and agonized voice was aimed at Wang Jeong, who had just laid his neck on the executioner’s block of Death himself.

Startled by the sudden intervention of his employer, the hand that was about to strike froze in mid-air. Along with it, the swing of Death’s blade also stopped. Death’s declaration of death had stopped just above his nape.

“General manager! Who exactly is this guy?”

Unconsciously, Wang Jeong pointed at Bi Ryu-yeon and asked the general manager. The general manager’s face turned pale as if he had been drained of blood. Wasn’t it said that the tongue is the root of all evil?

“What… what are you doing! This person is…”

General manager Jom Yeong Bal tried to warn with a bleeding heart, but it was already too late. Bi Ryu-yeon’s gaze was fixed on the tip of that finger.

“What an impudent finger.”

Bi Ryu-yeon quickly grabbed that rude index finger.

“Wha-?”

Wang Jeong’s eyes widened in disbelief. He wondered if he was dreaming, as his feet were not touching the ground. They were floating about an inch in the air. The only reason that could be was Bi Ryu-yeon’s hand holding the tip of his index finger. After all, he had never learned how to levitate.

Whoosh!

“Ah!”

For a moment, Wang Jeong was perplexed as to why the sky and the earth had flipped without warning. It turned out that it was not the sky and the earth that had flipped, but himself. As soon as Bi Ryu-yeon’s thumb and index finger, holding his own, twisted slightly, it happened. His head was now falling from chest height to the ground. The amazing thing was that there was no pain in the index finger that should have been supporting his entire body. But this was just the beginning.

Whoosh!

“Uh, oh…”

With a smile, Bi Ryu-yeon’s moving fingertip restored Wang Jeong’s sky and earth to its original state. But only for a moment…

“Ahh!”

His body suddenly began to spin like a windmill. His eyes rolled, up and down, left and right mixed together, his eyeballs spun, and his ears buzzed.

He started to feel very nauseous.

“Sir! There are many eyes upon us. Let’s stop here. I’ll reprimand him sternly. Please hold back, Sir Bi Ryu-yeon…”

Startled by this absurd spectacle, General Manager Jo, who had been at a loss for words for a while, hurried to resolve the situation. It felt like there would be a corpse to deal with tomorrow.

“Should I?”

Still spinning the human windmill, Bi Ryu-yeon spoke.

“Yes! Please do. Haha! Hurry up and eat. I will serve you a grand feast soon. So let’s stop here for today!”

Moved by General Manager Jo’s pleading tone, Bi Ryu-yeon’s heart softened.

“Then I will!”

Thud! Tempted by the promise of a meal, Bi Ryu-yeon finally stopped the human windmill.

Once again on solid ground, Wang Jeong’s legs had turned to jelly. He stumbled and bumped his head on the surrounding objects dozens of times! It took quite some time before Wang Jeong regained his senses enough to converse. All the while, Bi Ryu-yeon had not left his spot and continued to watch.

“See? I told you you’re new here.”

Bi Ryu-yeon stared at Wang Jeong’s face and asked. Wang Jeong’s spine was drenched with cold sweat under his invisible, sharp gaze. He was still dizzy, unable to tell where the sky was or where the ground was. Wang Jeong’s calves were trembling.

“Yes, yes!”

Wang Jeong replied, trying to keep still.

“Really? Then maybe you didn’t know. Don’t worry. General Manager Jo here will take responsibility for your mistake!”

“Ah… Sir? Why should I…”

At Bi Ryu-yeon’s words, General Manager Jo’s face fell.

“It has always been the duty of those above to take responsibility for the mistakes of their subordinates. Isn’t that the duty of those seated in the upper ranks! So, General Manager Jo and the true owner of this tavern above him, Sunpung…”

“Sir! Please, not that!”

Suddenly, General Manager Jo frantically waved his hands to stop Bi Ryu-yeon’s words. That was a secret that should never leak out.

“Oh! That was supposed to be a secret. Anyway, I firmly believe that person will take responsibility.”

“Good heavens!”

The Chief Steward inwardly screamed.

It was Bi Ryu-yeon, a place he sometimes visited when he was in high spirits. Every time he came, it was torture for the Chief Steward. However, he had no choice but to accept. It was all because of the mistakes made by the higher-ups. When the one above makes a mistake, it’s the subordinates who suffer, as clear as day.

There was a risk that the conversation with Bi Ryu-yeon could develop into something more unpredictable. That was something that had to be prevented at all costs.

“Master Bi! Please, take your seat! We just received some good liquor from Sichuan today. As an apology, allow me to offer you a drink.”

Here, one drink meant a whole bottle on the house.

“A drink usually comes with a side dish, doesn’t it?”

Bi Ryu-yeon asked slyly.

“Of course. Please, this way! Hey! What are you doing not attending to our guest!”

At the Chief Steward’s bellow, a server dashed like lightning to guide Bi Ryu-yeon to the top floor.

“I’ll follow as soon as I finish my work.”

The Chief Steward gave a warm smile and bowed deeply to Bi Ryu-yeon, who waved his hand in response and calmly ascended to the upper floor.

And a short while later!

“Ah! Aaaaaah! Uh-ah-ah-ah!”

An eerie roar as if to tear away the building.

“Your naaame…….”

Eventually, Bi Ryu-yeon disappeared from view, and in the eyes of the Chief Steward turning back toward the establishment, there was a fierce murderous intent that could scare away even ghosts.

Though he concealed his identity, the Chief Steward was a martial arts master, and the muscles soaked by Wang Jeong could not handle the razor-sharp killing intent.

“Heek!”

Wang Jeong nearly wet himself in fear.

“Huh? What’s that sound?”

Bi Ryu-yeon perked up his ears.

It was because a series of miserable screams followed from behind him as he walked, guided politely by the server.

“Kuuaaaaack!”

Thump thump thump! Thwack thwack thwack! Tush tush tush!

Flap flap!

“Die! Die, you scum! Die! Did you plot to ruin our family? You spy, where were you sent from, huh? Won’t talk straight? Trying to shake the foundation of someone else’s business?”

“It’s not true! Ugh! No, please! Ugh!”

“What do you mean it’s not! You’re a spy sent from our competitors, aren’t you! Can’t admit the truth, huh?”

Thump thump! Ugh ugh! Thump! Agh! Thump! Kuuack!

“Kaaaaaaaack!”

The night sky vibrated with the long-drawn wails.

“This is, this is, too noisy!”

Bi Ryu-yeon sat down, shaking his head from side to side.

“What would you like to Order!”

“Wow!”

Like a comet, a server rushed over. Bi Ryu-yeon finally felt like the world had been restored.

“Surely, this restaurant secretly owned by Sunpung Sanboo Yi Nadae is a splendid place, as always.”

His ears were exceptionally large, but his petite stature made it hard to imagine he was the owner of such a glamorous establishment. The connection of awareness suffered due to the unremarkable appearance of his. Moreover, his business place was not as splendid as one might think. It was truly a wonder where he had garnered such wealth.

But upon reflection, the tavern was directly related to his profession. Throughout history, busy taverns have always been hubs of information. Moreover, this place was clearly divided into upper, middle, and lower classes, allowing access to a variety of information all at once. It was naturally advantageous for gathering information.

‘Well… this is also a kind of human victory…’

Sunpung Sanboo Yi Nadae’s position in the information market, gained through selling information in Namchang, was no small feat. True to his profession as an information broker, he had many faces of utmost secrecy that he never revealed to others. This tavern was one of those faces. Only a very few locals knew that the real owner of this place was Sunpung Sanboo Yi Nadae, nicknamed “Ssangnam,” for his large ears. It was proof of his exceptional self-management and ability to protect secrets.

Among the non-locals who knew this fact were a few, including Yeom do, who had learned of it through a chance encounter in the past. Thanks to Yeom do, Bi Ryu-yeon came to know this place and now was a regular here.

‘Anyway, thanks to that, it’s very convenient!’

Above all, money hardly mattered here. Although Bi Ryu-yeon had some doubts about whether there was truly any conscience involved in money matters, he wasn’t always treated for free. Contrary to expectations, Bi Ryu-yeon was quite strict about paying his dues. It must have been due to the indoctrinating education he had received since childhood. Perhaps the training was part of his master’s scheme to ensure repayment for raising him, though there was no way to confirm that now. Even considering all these circumstances, the cost of using this place for Bi Ryu-yeon was almost nothing compared with other places.

“Pretending to be poor, but you’ve scraped together quite a fortune secretly. You’ve managed to get your hands on quite a grand tavern. The investment must have been no joke…”

To acquire a tavern of this scale would have required more than one or two life-threatening deals.

“Looks like information really does turn into money…”

The collection and sale of information assured a high income, and that strongly piqued Bi Ryu-yeon’s interest. However, he had no immediate plans to jump in. He still enjoyed his life at the Heavenly Martial Arts School.

‘So, what to eat…?’

Bi Ryu-yeon unfolded an elegant menu wrapped in red silk.

Chyarararak!

In an instant, a dazzling, profound, and philosophical world of cuisine unfolded before his eyes.

“What? That guy’s here again?”

Nadae yelled with a face like he had eaten something bitter. This was the topmost floor of Sunpung Tower, a place where only one person could conduct business—the owner of the establishment, shrouded in secrecy from the public. Surprisingly, the owner had unusually large ears. That person was none other than Sunpung Sanboo Yi Nadae, the local information broker of Namchang with the nickname “Ssangnam”.

“If only he would stop coming… Does he like freebies that much?”

It felt as though he himself had become the spring. It was ironic for a merchant to become a spring instead of making the customer one, like a snake that had been eaten by a frog.

“Shall we get rid of him?”

The Chief Steward tentatively inquired, mirroring the owner’s sentiment.

“Got any sharp ideas?”

While he had the same sentiment as a chimney, he was in a situation with no sharp solution, more aptly described as resignation.

“I heard he’s appeared around here.”

“And?”

“They call him the ‘Bloodhound,’ the greatest assassin of the martial world.”

“Oh! The assassin who earned the fame of ‘Thousand Executions’? Famous for only taking the lives of the strong without regard to good or evil and not harming the weak, right?”

Indeed, Nadae was well aware of Bloodhound since he had been receiving both overt and covert requests for information about him. The fact that this was news to him suggested it was hot off the press.

“Because of that, he’s quite popular in some circles. Seems like he’s here on business. What should we do?”

“Hmm! Bloodhound, you say…”

It was certainly a tempting proposition.

“Shall we proceed?”

If Nadae gave his approval, tomorrow Bloodhound would receive an application form, along with half of the attachment fee as usual!

But…

Zzzt!

Startled!

At Nadae’s deadly stare, the Chief Steward naturally shrank back.

“Are you insane?”

“No!”

“If it’s not about ruining the business, don’t even dream of such thoughts! Do you think I’m doing this because I don’t know how to use force?”

It seemed like Nadae was simply venting his anger on the Chief Steward. He couldn’t help but grumble internally. It wasn’t unreasonable for him to feel that way. Nadae shook his head from side to side.

“Never mind! Bloodhound is not enough to defeat him and Yeom do behind him! You still don’t fully understand how formidable a person Yeom do is! Rather than hiring someone expensive with a high chance of failure, it’s better to just waste the drink money. After all, he’s not going to drink until bankruptcy, right?”

He is not bankrupting! That was, at least, a consolation to Nadae. Indeed, Bi Ryu-yeon had not been excessively exploiting Yeom do.

‘But should we try just once?’

After scolding the Chief Steward and collecting himself, Nadae found himself struggling against a strong temptation and resolutely shook it off.