Chapter 533
The third floor, where the earlier commotion had taken place, had long since been emptied.
There weren’t many brave enough to keep drinking in a place where walls and railings had been wrecked during a fight between Murim warriors.
Moreover, martial artists with wealth and status high enough to frequent Gowolru would usually seek out a private tavern, not a common inn.
So it wasn’t hard to guess the identity of the uninvited guest who was still smiling despite it all.
‘A Murim man.’
There was no need to think too deeply.
The man, who looked no older than his early thirties at best, had a strikingly handsome face, and hanging at his waist was a dark, almost pitch-black, sword scabbard.
And most of all…
‘That presence.’
I silently let out an exclamation. The strength and presence radiating from this man exceeded that of any of the Ten Phoenix and Dragons I had met so far.
Even surpassing Jin Mu-gyeong before he went into seclusion.
‘Then… could it be?’
A name I had yet to encounter flashed through my mind.
Moyong Yeonghwi, the Sky-Piercing Dragon. The eldest son of the Moyong Clan and hailed as the top among the Ten Phoenix and Dragons—a genius ranked first even among the best of the younger generation.
‘I should use [Qi Perception] to check his name.’
As I looked at him, half in suspicion, Hyuk Mu-jin approached with an expression like he was about to crap himself and spoke.
“T-This person is my acquaintance. He said he really wanted to meet you…”
I kept my eyes on the man and spoke.
“Mu-jin.”
“…Yes?”
“I’m genuinely curious—did you actually think I’d believe that?”
“Guh…”
“Confess truthfully. Begin.”
“…I soiled myself, and he helped me.”
“Figures. We’ll talk later. Step aside.”
As Hyuk Mu-jin retreated with a face full of regret, the man’s smile deepened.
“My, you’re more perceptive than I expected.”
“Perceptive, huh? What’s weird is that a fabric merchant’s kid has a friend like this.”
“Hmm, I didn’t know that. Not that I had high expectations anyway.”
“Well, now that we’ve met, care to introduce yourself properly? Or are you going to stick with ‘passerby’?”
“Just a traveler passing through.”
“Short with words, aren’t you?”
“If it’s uncomfortable, you can speak casually too. Make it easy.”
Strange guy. Different from any I’d met before. Folding my arms loosely, I replied.
“Alright then. I’ll keep it casual.”
At that, the man let out a laugh.
“I’d only heard rumors about the Blazing Fire Dragon, but you’re more entertaining than I imagined.”
“Can’t say this situation’s all that fun on my end. Still not planning to introduce yourself properly?”
“You really don’t know who I am? A few people over there clearly do.”
As he finished, his gaze shifted toward Ju Hwaran, Gong Gi-bang, and Song Ilseom.
Just moments ago, Ju Hwaran had been smiling faintly. But now, she looked stern as she opened her mouth.
“It’s been a while, Lord So Mun.”
So Mun-ju?
I couldn’t help but mutter with a puzzled tone.
“Lady Ju… you know him?”
“We met once. In Gansu Province.”
“Gansu, huh…”
That was one of the regions hit hardest during the Great War of Justice and Evil, along with Qinghai and Sichuan. It was also the region where the Gongdong Sect of the Nine Great Sects resided.
I looked at the man again.
“No matter how I look, you don’t seem like a Taoist from Gongdong Sect. Tell me I’m wrong now.”
“No, you’re right. In fact, it’s the opposite.”
The man shrugged and continued.
“If the Gongdong Sect knew I was involved with someone like me—a heretic and an outsider—they’d be upset. Of course, the same goes the other way.”
“Heretic?”
“Ever heard of the Black Dragon Demon Sect?”
Black Dragon Demon Sect. It didn’t take long for that name to rise from memory.
“I’ve heard of it.”
I vaguely recalled something about a demonic sect that held power in Gansu. Even if the Gongdong Sect was the weakest of the Nine Great Sects, the notion that a sect from the demonic side could rival them had been pretty shocking.
‘Now I get why this guy wasn’t included among the Ten Phoenix and Dragons.’
It was a situation similar to Song Ilseom’s.
No matter how much people screamed about unity in the Murim world, at the end of the day, it was still divided by invisible lines.
Those in the righteous sects didn’t want to include heretics or rogue warriors—who they viewed as criminals-in-waiting—among the Ten Phoenix and Dragons.
“So, what’s the Black Dragon Demon Sect’s Lord So Mun doing here?”
At my question, the man narrowed his brows slightly.
“That’s it?”
“What else were you expecting?”
“Well…”
“If you want to keep talking, at least tell me your title. I might forget it later, but I should at least know it now.”
“…Black Dragon Blade, Sama Pyo.”
“Didn’t ask for your name, but fine. Got it. Nice name, by the way. Any relation to Sima Yi?”
“What?”
“What do you mean what—Sima Yi. From Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”
The man—no, Sama Pyo—looked bewildered as he replied.
“Just the same surname. No relation.”
“That so? Shame. If you were mortal enemies with the Zhuge Clan, I was going to introduce you to someone I know.”
“…I wouldn’t say I’m on friendly terms with the Zhuge Clan either.”
“Fair enough. So, what brings you here?”
With an odd look, Sama Pyo opened his mouth.
“I came to retrieve my subordinate.”
“Subordinate?”
“Yes. That bear-looking guy sitting over there.”
There wasn’t a single person who didn’t know who he meant.
Everyone, including me, turned their heads to look in the same direction.
The giant, over eight feet tall, was shrinking into himself like a child, casting nervous glances at Sama Pyo.
“Taesan. Stand up.”
That guy was from the Black Dragon Demon Sect too?
Whoever named him nailed it—couldn’t be more fitting.
Called by name, the massive man—who truly looked like a mountain—responded in a clumsy voice.
“Master. I’m not Taesan. You’ve got the wrong person.”
That guy seriously needs to invest some points into his Intelligence stat.
Sama Pyo clicked his tongue.
“Such a troublemaker. The moment I take my eyes off you, you cause trouble. That’s enough. Get up.”
“No. Food hasn’t come yet.”
“Have you ever seen such a bear-like bastard? You’ve eaten that much and still want more?”
“Today. Only ate six meals. Barely survived.”
“…Six meals?”
Sama Pyo murmured with a stiffened expression.
“Only six meals? Are you injured internally or something?”
What the hell. I don’t even know what to say anymore.
While everyone, myself included, was left speechless, Sama Pyo seemed to contemplate briefly before nodding.
“Fine. Let’s eat before we go.”
“Meal! Good! Taesan will eat all the food here!”
I spoke from the bottom of my heart.
“Please, just take that guy—whether his name’s Taesan or Taebaek—and get the hell out of here.”
Where do these lunatics get off trying to casually join us?
In response to my firm tone, Sama Pyo frowned.
“How cold.”
“Right! Cold-hearted! But, Lord… what is cold-hearted?”
“Taesan. That’s short for ‘cold-ass bastards.’”
I kindly explained to the sunny-class toddler, then pointed at the stairs.
“So now, please—get going, you cold-ass bastards.”
Thump.
A heavy silence crushed the air.
Ju Hwaran reached for the sword at her waist with a slow exhale, and Song Ilseom, who had been sitting loosely, straightened his posture.
Their sudden alertness was directed at a single person.
Sama Pyo.
But he didn’t move. His eyes merely widened slightly, staring at me with an unreadable expression.
Finally, his firmly shut lips parted and a soft voice flowed out.
“Refreshing. In Gansu—and even in my whole life—I’ve never experienced anything like this.”
“The first time’s the hardest. It gets easier after that. I’ll do it often, so don’t worry.”
“Often, you say?”
“Something tells me we’ll be seeing each other a lot. Or not.”
“Indeed… quite different. Don’t you think?”
That last question wasn’t directed at me.
Taesan, who had been rolling his bulging eyes like marbles, gave a nod.
“Master is right. That man—he’s different.”
“Yes, it seems so.”
A strange smile briefly appeared and vanished from Sama Pyo’s lips.
And then, in one smooth motion, Sama Pyo grabbed the much taller Taesan by the scruff of his neck and hauled him up.
“Staying where we’re unwelcome won’t do. Let’s go, you brute.”
“Taesan—sad. But will follow Lord. Taesan listens well.”
“Then we’ll take our leave. See you next time, Blazing Fire Dragon. And you as well, Lady Ju.”
That was the end of it.
After the two descended the stairs and the door of the inn closed behind them, Ju Hwaran’s stiff expression finally relaxed.
“Phew…”
A quiet sigh. Then Song Ilseom leaned back against his chair, relaxing the posture he had straightened earlier.
“He’s stronger than before. No—more dangerous.”
Hearing that made the question I’d been holding in grow even heavier.
From everything I’d seen, there was no doubt something had happened between them. But what exactly…
‘What is it?’
Perhaps noticing my thoughts, someone tapped my foot beneath the table.
No doubt it was Gong Gi-bang. The guy with the constantly chapped lips moved them slightly.
– Don’t say anything. Don’t ask.
– Why not?
– Just don’t, you son of a bitch.
This bastard—what the hell’s going on?
Still, human nature is predictable. Even if I don’t ask the person involved, I can’t help but want to hear it from someone who knows.
– Tell me.
– No. I won’t.
– Why?
– It’s not something you want to hear.
Just then, from across the table, Ju Hwaran—who had been sitting directly opposite me—handed me a dish with a smile.
“Try this, Jin Dae-hyeop.”
“Ah, yes…”
I should’ve smiled, but for some reason, I just couldn’t.
As I stuffed the food Ju Hwaran gave me into my mouth, I continued sending [transmitted voice] messages.
– Spill it.
– I said no.
– Tell me.
– I said no!
This bastard, seriously…
He shouldn’t have acted like he knew anything if he wasn’t going to say a word. His unshakable stone wall of silence made my blood boil.
And just as I was about to send another message—
“Ah, Jin Dae-hyeop. I forgot to mention something earlier.”
“You better tell me now while I’m still asking nicely.”
I almost made a huge mistake.
With my mouth full, I looked up, and Ju Hwaran continued.
“That man. He’s the Lord of the Black Dragon Demon Sect.”
“Sama Pyo?”
“Mhm. Yes.”
“Uh… did something happen between you two?”
“You could call it something. Or not.”
Ju Hwaran stared at me quietly, then dropped a single line.
No—it was a bomb.
“That man… was once my fiancé.”
“Whaaaaaaat?!”
“KYAAAAAAAH!”
“AAAAAAAGH!”
