Chapter 534

Jingle. Thud.

As the bell marked the closing of the inn’s door, the piercing gazes stabbing at the back of his head since he descended the stairs disappeared with it. But Sama Pyo already knew. This wasn’t the end—only the beginning of something else.

“Those two who just came out of Gowolru…”

“It’s them, right?”

“Without a doubt. That’s Sama Pyo, the rumored young lord of the Black Dragon Demon Sect. The big guy next to him is the monster who crushed Hyeolgwon’s skull seven days ago.”

“I heard they had a run-in earlier with the young head of the Hwangbo clan. Causing trouble like this in times like these… Tsk, tsk.”

“Let them be. That’s just how people like Sama-oe are. If we want to drive out Dark Heaven, we’ll need help from people like them.”

“I really don’t like him. Who knows when he’ll stab us in the back?”

“My thoughts exactly… Shh. The big one’s looking this way.”

Countless stares and murmurs focused on them. Even if spoken quietly, at this distance, they were clearly audible to anyone willing to listen. Yet, despite the whispers clawing at his ears, Sama Pyo’s expression remained indifferent as he walked.

‘Nothing unusual about this.’ It was a scene he had grown all too familiar with. Even in Gansu, the stronghold of the Black Dragon Demon Sect and the source of its immense influence, things had been the same. The label of Sama-oe that had followed him since birth was a shackle he could never shake off.

“Phew.” A rough snort escaped beside him. Sama Pyo glanced sidelong at Taesan, whose eyes, round like gongs, rolled with unease.

– Stop it.

In that instant, Taesan’s hand, which had been inching toward the massive cudgel on his back, froze. Sama Pyo’s whisper carried force.

– Taesan. You little rascal.

– …Understood, my lord. Taesan will hold back.

– Good. That’s a good boy.

– Taesan listens well. My lord is great. Hehe.

Sama Pyo chuckled as Taesan grinned broadly as if nothing had happened.

– Yes, I like you too.

– Taesan. Heard lots of compliments today.

– Oh? And who was that kind soul?

– Mm. Blazing Fire Dragon praised me.

Sama Pyo’s steps slowed.

– Blazing Fire Dragon Jin Taekyung?

– Yup. Jin Taekyung. He called me a good kid.

– Seems you’ve taken a liking to him.

– I like him. He’s super strong. And nice. Taesan praised him too.

Sama Pyo quietly watched Taesan as he strode ahead in excitement.

Though born with immense martial talent and divine strength, a tragic accident long ago had left him with the mind of a child. Maybe because of that, he was cautious and shy, never opening up to anyone but Sama Pyo.

‘It’s rare for him to speak so fondly of anyone besides me.’ Blazing Fire Dragon Jin Taekyung.

The image of that relaxed and sly young man flashed in his mind. Along with it came the unfathomably powerful energy hidden behind his calm demeanor and voice.

‘There’s a reason they call him the Divine Dragon.’ The world was vast, and powerful warriors were plenty. People called the Ten Phoenix and Dragons the peak of Murim’s later generation, admiring them greatly—but Sama Pyo had never acknowledged them.

‘Just empty titles confined within their own boundaries.’ Those beyond the walls were always excluded. He had met his fair share of orthodox Murim warriors who, despite their righteous talk of justice and virtue, committed shameless acts.

But…

‘He was different. He was definitely different.’ Blazing Fire Dragon Jin Taekyung.

Though their encounter was brief, Sama Pyo realized it clearly. Jin Taekyung was a special existence. His martial prowess far surpassed that of the Ten Phoenix and Dragons, but what truly set him apart was his distinct attitude.

The conversation he had just shared with Jin Taekyung crossed Sama Pyo’s mind.

‘Have you ever heard of the Black Dragon Demon Sect?’
‘So, what brings the young lord of that sect here?’
‘Is that all?’
‘What more do you need?’

The unexpected response had caught him off guard. It was a question Sama Pyo—young lord of the Black Dragon Demon Sect—had never once been asked along his path.

‘What more do I need?’ The question echoed silently in his mind, yet he didn’t speak it aloud. His lips moved soundlessly before he turned his head toward Taesan.

– Let me ask you something.

– ?

– If you had to fight Blazing Fire Dragon Jin Taekyung, what would you do?

It was a split second. Taesan’s cheerful expression instantly hardened. Then came a voice in response—firm, unwavering.

– Taesan. Owes his lord a great debt. If my lord commands it, I’ll fight anyone.

– Didn’t you say you liked Jin Taekyung?

– Jin Taekyung is good, but not more than my lord. Taesan. Will give his life for my lord’s order.

– I see. I understand.

Sama Pyo let out a faint laugh and shook his head.

– That’s enough. You really are a good boy.

– Taesan is good. And good Taesan… is hungry.

Wearing a pitiful expression, the large child glanced at him hopefully, and Sama Pyo let out a hearty laugh.

“All right. Let’s go anywhere. Tonight, I’ll feed you until you burst.”

“Hehe. My lord promised. Taesan believes you.”

“Of course.”

“But, my lord.”

“Hmm?”

“That woman from earlier. She was pretty. Really pretty. Who was she?”

Sama Pyo suddenly halted in his tracks. Sensing something off, Taesan tilted his head.

“My lord?”

“It’s nothing. So, you found her that pretty, huh.”

“Yeah. Pretty and kind.”

“They say you can read the depths of water, but not a person’s heart. How could you know her true feelings just from her face?”

Taesan shook his head firmly.

“No! Pretty women are kind!”

“…Don’t shout that so loud. People are staring.”

“Admit it! Taesan is right! If she’s pretty, she’s kind!”

“Sigh. You damn rascal…”

“I’m going ahead.”

“My lord! My lord!”

Leaving behind Taesan’s sorrowful cries, Sama Pyo walked on with a face dry as sand.

‘Ju Hwaran… I never expected to meet her in a place like this.’
Whether it was coincidence or fate, Sama Pyo couldn’t tell.

But one thing was certain. Even if only briefly, they had once been betrothed. And that woman— Ju Hwaran—would likely see everything related to him as a cursed fate.

‘A cursed fate… She’s not wrong.’ Sama Pyo’s gaze grew cold.

* * *

That meal ended without incident. With the innkeeper’s warm hospitality and the crowd’s endless curiosity, we left the inn and exchanged farewells. Or rather, Ju Hwaran did—more accurately speaking.

“I think I should get going. I’ve got matters to attend to regarding the escort agency.”

A sharp jab to my side from Gung Gi-bang snapped me out of my daze, and I instinctively opened my mouth.

“Ah, yes. Take care.”

“You too, Jin Daehyeop.”

Poke.

Damn. That wasn’t it.

“Um, Miss Ju.”

“Yes?”

“Should I escort you back to your quarters?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine. I heard you barely have time to train as it is.”

“Uh, who told you that? Well, I have been a bit busy lately.”

Poke. Poke poke.

Thanks, you bastard.

I gripped the steering wheel tight under Gung’s persistent navigation punches telling me I was veering off course again.

“Still, you never know if some weirdo might approach, so maybe I should at least—”

“Haha, it’s fine. I’m a martial artist too, you know.”

“Ah, right. I wasn’t trying to look down on you or anything…”

“It’s okay. It’s true my martial skills are lacking compared to Jin Daehyeop’s. Plus, Song Ho is here.”

Then Song Ilseom added gruffly.

“If any weirdo approaches, I’ll cut them down on the spot. So don’t waste time worrying about nonsense.”

“You heard him.”

“…Yeah. Got it.”

Poke poke. Jab jab jab.
I’m gonna get a hole in my ribs at this rate.

But this time, I couldn’t think of anything to say. My already scrambled mind couldn’t form coherent words. And that brief silence meant the moment had passed.

“Well then, I’ll be heading back. See you next time.”

Ju Hwaran smiled sweetly as she turned to leave. Her silk-like hair swayed gently, and a subtle fragrance lingered in the air. I stood silently, watching the two of them walk away.

“You’re seriously hopeless.”

“Wow. Truly impressive, captain.”

I didn’t need to look to know who it was. I gave Gung Gi-bang and Hyuk Mu-jin a forlorn look.

“Where exactly did I go wrong with all this?”

The two replied at the same time as if waiting for the question.

“From the moment you spat food at her face.”

“Or maybe… the problem is just you in general.”

Different answers, but with two things in common: they both pissed me off, and they were both kind of true.

“Damn it.”

I kicked the ground for no reason. Honestly, I felt wronged. How the hell was I supposed to act normal in that situation?

‘Suddenly finding out she was his ex-fiancée?’

Even just remembering it made my head spin. This wasn’t a simple landmine—it was a ballistic missile. The only consolation was that the word ‘ex’ came before ‘fiancée.’

“See? I told you not to ask.”

I sighed in response to Gung Gi-bang’s remark.

“If I knew it’d be like this, I wouldn’t have asked either. But she brought it up first.”

“You kept showing how curious you were. That’s why.”

“Gung Sohyeop is right. You could’ve just thought, ‘There must be a reason,’ and let it go—”

“Shut up, you pants-pooper.”

“…Yes, sir.”

“Well, I didn’t poop my pants, so I’ll keep talking.” Gi-Bang chimed.

“You won’t be saying that after a bit. You’ll be pooping blood soon.”

“Calm down. Put your fists down first.”

Honestly, I didn’t even have the strength to hit anyone.

Lowering my fists as per customer request, I stared into the void and muttered,

“Ah, I wish I could turn back time.”

“You can’t.”

“Can’t be done.”

“But I didn’t act that weird afterward, right? I think I was pretty calm.”

Gung Gi-bang and Hyuk Mu-jin responded with warm smiles.

“Totally. You looked super calm—except for spilling your water six times.”

“And dropping your chopsticks seven times.”

“The highlight was when the server asked if you wanted to add anything to the order list, and you glared at Sama Pyo.”

“How’d you even connect the order list to Sama Pyo in that situation? Took me a while to understand that one.”

“You were basically a lunatic.”

“Minimum Dark Heaven level.”

Alright, that’s enough, you damned bastards.

Honestly, I wanted to beat the crap out of them, but I didn’t have the strength. All I could do was drag my feet, face half-hidden beneath my slanted bamboo hat. I didn’t even care if people recognized me.

“Isn’t that…?”

“Gasp! It is. Blazing Fire Dragon Jin Taekyung.”

“But why does he look like that?”

“Why are you asking me?”

“Looks like he got dumped or something.”

“Haha. Good one.”

Don’t laugh. It’s not a joke.

Now I get flamed from all sides just for breathing. Letting out a deep sigh, I adjusted my bamboo hat. My mind was still a mess.

‘Ex-boyfriend. No, ex-fiancé?’

I already heard the gist of it. Ju Hwaran had calmly and honestly explained her past.

‘It was an arranged marriage. We hadn’t even seen each other before that.’

It was a common story. Yongbong Escort Agency had been in decline, and the Black Dragon Demon Sect extended a hand to her—with an offer she couldn’t refuse.

‘I made the decision. For my ailing father.’

Her calm voice and composed expression still lingered in my memory when—

“Maknae.”

I blinked. Without realizing, I had arrived at the residence. A large man, not as massive as Taesan but still imposing—Jin Wi-gyeong—called out to me.

“[Ma Daehyeop]. No, the Lord is asking for you.”

(T/N: The “Ma Daehyeop” refers to Ma Jong-hak, the head of the Murim Alliance and Cheongpung’s grandfather, who is summoning Taekyung)