Chapter 79: Unintended Meetings Can Bring Trouble (1)

The girl who had stepped from the carriage was unmistakably Eun So-cheong. By her side stood her bodyguard, Jong Ri-su.

"So-cheong!"

"Hm?"

At the sound of Bang Jin-bo's voice, Eun So-cheong turned. When she recognized him, her pupils expanded dramatically.

"You're… Jin-bo."

"So-cheong, it is you!"

"How are you here? That's right—you said you were coming to the Heaven's First Tower too."

Eun So-cheong brightened and strode over.

"My lady!"

Jong Ri-su called from behind, but it was no use. She reached Bang Jin-bo in an instant and seized his hand.

"Jin-bo."

"Mm!"

"I'm sorry about that day. I had to leave so suddenly—my schedule was moved up and there was nothing I could do."

"No, no, I'm fine."

"I'm glad we've at least met again."

Eun So-cheong smiled radiantly.

She seemed genuinely delighted to have reunited with Bang Jin-bo. Her guileless warmth lifted Bang Jin-bo's spirits, and he smiled.

Eun So-cheong's gaze turned to Dam Ho.

"Sir, have you been well?"

"Mm!"

"Hehe! Still as quiet as ever. But are you already leaving after eating?"

"No, we couldn't get a reservation, so we're heading back. They told us to come again next month."

Bang Jin-bo answered in Dam Ho's stead.

"Is that so?"

Eun So-cheong's brows furrowed slightly. The Heaven's First Tower guards who had been standing by tensed.

'That fat boy knows Lady Eun, the precious treasure of the Silver Fortress?'

The Silver Fortress was a family of immense wealth, counted among the top in Hunan Province. They were also members of Hunan's Five Great Sects and, above all, closely connected to the Medical Benevolence Gate, which stood behind the Heaven's First Tower.

Sim Woo-won, the Sect Leader of the Medical Benevolence Gate, was Eun So-cheong's uncle and doted on her. To cross Eun So-cheong on the soil of Hunan was virtually suicidal.

Eun So-cheong's gaze turned to the guards.

"Can you arrange seats for these gentlemen as well?"

"There's no need to go that far…"

Just as Bang Jin-bo was about to decline—

"Of course. I will immediately instruct them to prepare an additional table."

The guard who had been so obstinate moments ago answered immediately.

Eun So-cheong smiled sweetly.

"You heard that? We can all go up together."

"But still…"

"It's fine—let's go up. I feel bad about leaving so abruptly that day, so I'll treat you here."

Bang Jin-bo looked to Dam Ho with a troubled expression. Only after seeing Dam Ho nod did a smile return to his face.

Eun So-cheong and Jong Ri-su led the way, with Dam Ho and Bang Jin-bo following behind.

From the inside, the Heaven's First Tower was several times more magnificent than it appeared from outside. Furniture crafted by master artisans occupied every wall, and even in broad daylight, ornate lanterns illuminated the interior.

At tables of the finest wood, those who were visibly wealthy sat dining. There were many such people—over twenty tables could be counted on the first floor alone. With five per table, over a hundred people were dining here.

"Wow!"

Bang Jin-bo gasped.

The aroma wafting from the food was extraordinary. The powerful scent刺激 his nostrils, and he felt his salivary glands erupting.

Eun So-cheong passed through the scene without a glance and ascended the stairs. The second floor, the third, the fourth—she continued upward until she finally stopped at the fifth floor, the topmost level.

The fifth floor was open on all sides, offering an unobstructed view of Dongting Lake and the Yuan River. There were only five tables—a clear indication of its exclusivity.

Eun So-cheong looked around and spoke.

"I've heard much about it, but this is my first time visiting the Heaven's First Tower."

"Thank you!"

"There's still plenty of time before my appointment, so I'll stay with you until then."

Eun So-cheong pulled Bang Jin-bo toward an empty seat.

Jong Ri-su looked troubled. Though there was some time before her guest arrived, it was not as much as she made it seem.

But he knew better than anyone that once Eun So-cheong made up her mind, no one could dissuade her.

As they took their seats, an elderly chef ascended the stairs.

He was an old man with a goatee, appearing rather cantankerous. He strode toward Eun So-cheong.

"You're from the Silver Fortress?"

"That's right."

"Hmph! No wonder the lady asked me to come up personally."

Do Hak-gyeong spoke in an irritable tone.

He took tremendous pride in his cooking. He considered his work in the kitchen a matter of honor and believed it entirely natural that others should pay dearly for his creations.

Among the things he despised most were high-born aristocrats who summoned him. To have his cooking rhythm interrupted was a unique torment that only a fellow chef could understand.

With his pride in his profession unmatched, Do Hak-gyeong loathed such situations above all.

"I am Do Hak-gyeong, the head chef of the Heaven's First Tower. What would you like to eat?"

"If I name anything, you can make it?"

"Hmph! There is no dish under heaven that I cannot make."

Do Hak-gyeong crossed his arms. At his arrogant demeanor, Eun So-cheong's brow creased slightly.

She could accept his pride as a chef, but the condescending manner in which he seemed to look down upon the rest of the world was difficult to tolerate.

Do Hak-gyeong asked again:

"What would you like, precious lady of the Silver Fortress?"

"First, I'd like the Golden Silk Black Dragon."

At Eun So-cheong's answer, Bang Jin-bo looked taken aback. The Golden Silk Black Dragon was the dish he had prepared when they first met.

Unaware of the circumstances, Do Hak-gyeong snorted.

"Hmph! A simple dish. What else?"

"Surprise me with the rest."

"Very well. Wait a moment. I'll have it ready shortly."

"Please."

Do Hak-gyeong turned without another word and descended the stairs.

Only then did Bang Jin-bo breathe a sigh of relief and look at Eun So-cheong.

"Why did you order that?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Golden Silk Black Dragon."

"Because it was the most delicious thing I've ever tasted."

"Ugh!"

Bang Jin-bo sighed again. But a smile lingered on his lips.

"So the Silver Fortress—quite impressive."

"I'm sorry! I didn't get a chance to tell you."

"No! I was just surprised. Your status is so extraordinary—I wondered if I was even qualified to speak with you like this…"

"What does status matter? We're friends."

"Friends?"

"Yes! Friends. I consider you a friend—don't you?"

"I—I…"

"I don't have many friends. I'd like you to be my friend."

At Eun So-cheong's forthright words, Bang Jin-bo's face flushed red. But he quickly nodded.

"Yes! We're friends."

"Hahahaha!"

Eun So-cheong's clear laughter rang out.

Watching her, Jong Ri-su shook his head.

She was Eun So-cheong, the precious treasure of the Silver Fortress. While she might not be the most exalted person under heaven, within Hunan, few could claim status equal to hers.

She could have been a bit more arrogant, but Eun So-cheong was remarkably down-to-earth. Her bold personality led her to form friendships with people who bore no resemblance to her noble station.

Just like now.

'If the Lord learns of this, he'll be beside himself. Friends with an unidentified boy.'

A thunderous rebuke might well follow.

Eun Il-myeong, the Lord of the Silver Fortress, was fiercely proud and despised those of inferior standing associating with his daughter.

Mediating between Eun Il-myeong and Eun So-cheong was one of Jong Ri-su's roles. But reconciling two people of such vastly different dispositions was an arduous task.

Jong Ri-su's gaze shifted to Dam Ho.

Since entering the Heaven's First Tower, Dam Ho had hardly spoken a word. His silence and distinctive aura were troubling.

At first he had not noticed, but the more closely Jong Ri-su observed Dam Ho, the more concerns piled up. He had not relaxed his vigilance for a single moment.

'Dam Ho, was it? I'll need to conduct a separate investigation into this man later.'

Eun So-cheong and Jong Ri-su had come directly here immediately after parting ways with Dam Ho. As a result, they had heard almost none of the rumors circulating in the world. They could not guess Dam Ho's identity in the slightest.

Meanwhile, the conversation between Eun So-cheong and Bang Jin-bo continued.

"So you have an appointment here?"

"Yes! They arranged to meet here."

"They must be someone important, making appointments at a place like this."

"Well, you could say that."

Eun So-cheong smiled sweetly. Bang Jin-bo's face reddened.

At that moment—

"The food has arrived."

Waiters emerged bearing trays of food. Do Hak-gyeong led the procession.

The waiters efficiently set dishes on the table where the four sat. The food was visibly sumptuous, filling every inch of the table.

The aroma alone was enough to make one dizzy.

"First, please enjoy the Soup Dumplings lightly, then the Boiled Fish. After that, have the Golden Silk Black Dragon—the flavors will complement each other beautifully."

The Soup Dumplings were juicy-filled parcels with a unique eating method: one inserted a thin straw into the dumpling and sucked out the broth.

The Boiled Fish was a dish in which fish was filleted, lightly fried in oil, then stir-fried with various seasonings.

Neither was a common dish. But even rarer was the Golden Silk Black Dragon.

Using sea cucumber and minced meat as its primary ingredients, the Golden Silk Black Dragon could easily go wrong—if the sea cucumber shriveled, the flavor was lost. For this reason, many chefs found it difficult to prepare.

Do Hak-gyeong described his dishes with a confident expression. Following his instructions, Bang Jin-bo and Eun So-cheong inserted straws into the Soup Dumplings and began to suck.

Through the straws, finely minced filling rose into their mouths.

In that instant, both their eyes went wide.

"Delicious."

They exclaimed simultaneously, neither waiting for the other. Do Hak-gyeong snorted, as though this were only to be expected.

The novel flavor was a delight to the palate. A look of bliss appeared on both their faces.

Dam Ho, however, ate the Soup Dumplings without any expression. Do Hak-gyeong's brow twitched at the sight.

'Hmph! An ignoramus who can't tell good food from bad.'

There were such people occasionally. Those who could not distinguish flavors and simply assumed expensive meant delicious.

Do Hak-gyeong assumed Dam Ho was one of them.

The second dish was the Boiled Fish. Though it had been fried in oil and stir-fried, the filleted fish retained its perfect shape.

Bang Jin-bo and Eun So-cheong carefully brought the fish to their mouths.

Slurp!

The moment it entered their mouths, the fillet melted away.

Sweet yet spicy, the flavor filled their mouths completely. The slight greasiness from the Soup Dumplings was cleansed away.

"Ah!"

Both exclaimed once more. They were experiencing a new world of flavor.

'Truly remarkable. He truly deserves the title of Food Immortal.'

Bang Jin-bo finally understood why his father, Bang Woo-gwang, had been so desperate to taste Do Hak-gyeong's cooking.

The finest ingredients, the greatest seasonings, living fire, and the masterful skill of the world's greatest chef—all combined to create an entirely new flavor.

'It's my first time… tasting something like this.'

Bang Jin-bo's eyes even glistened with tears.

Without thinking, he glanced at Dam Ho. Dam Ho was also eating the Boiled Fish. But unlike himself, Dam Ho showed no expression whatsoever.

'Why is that? Doesn't he like it?'

Dam Ho, who had always been clear about whether he liked or disliked his food, was now silent. This made Bang Jin-bo inexplicably anxious.

He quickly shook off the thought and refocused on the meal.

He took another bite of the Boiled Fish. It was still heavenly.

Suddenly, Bang Jin-bo tilted his head. The flavor seemed strangely familiar. But he could not recall where he had tasted it.

'It must be my imagination.'

At that moment, Do Hak-gyeong's voice rang out again.

"Now for the Golden Silk Black Dragon. Eat the sea cucumber, meat, and stir-fried vegetables all together."

Bang Jin-bo and Eun So-cheong complied.

Do Hak-gyeong watched them eat the Golden Silk Black Dragon with an arrogant expression, anticipating their surprise.

"It's delicious."

But Eun So-cheong's reaction fell short of his expectation. He looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Mm!"

Bang Jin-bo's reaction was similarly lukewarm.

The flavor was certainly there. But it was a taste he had encountered before. Not so novel.

'Where have I tasted this before?'

At that moment—

Click!

Suddenly, Eun So-cheong set down her chopsticks and looked at Bang Jin-bo.

"Yours was better."

In that instant, the atmosphere in the room plummeted.

Iron Umbrella Sect was on the way to Poison Valley.

From Fumin, where Shadow Bureau was located, it was about two hundred li. For Mang Ryo with his lightness skill, it would take a leisurely two days, but for Jin Ja-gang, it would take at least seven days even if he hurried.

Since Mang Ryo knew Jin Ja-gang’s destination was Iron Umbrella Sect, it wasn’t difficult for him. He could set a trap for Jin Ja-gang exactly as planned.

On his way to Iron Umbrella Sect, Mang Ryo stopped at a village midway.

Without treating his burns or changing his half-burned clothes, he visited a nearby sect.

Five Birds Sect.

It was one of the few orthodox sects in Yunnan that had joined the Martial Arts Alliance.

With about forty to fifty disciples, it wasn’t large in scale, but it had quite a long history and considerable fame in the surrounding area.

The sect leader of Five Birds Sect was Chu Hyo, known as the Vast Sword. He was only in his late forties.

Mang Ryo had been keeping an eye on this Five Birds Sect for some time.

He had diligently built a relationship with Chu Hyo since Chu Hyo was in his early forties and still the heir to Five Birds Sect. Since Chu Hyo succeeded as sect leader, Mang Ryo had openly supported him, most notably by helping Five Birds Sect join the Martial Arts Alliance.

In truth, small and medium-sized sects like Five Birds Sect were abundant in the martial world. Such sects weren’t easily admitted to the Martial Arts Alliance because they might carelessly use the Alliance’s name for their own benefit.

Moreover, a small sect from a remote region like Yunnan had little value to the Martial Arts Alliance.

Mang Ryo had helped Five Birds Sect join the Martial Arts Alliance, providing them with a solid backing. Because of this, Mang Ryo was practically a benefactor to Five Birds Sect.

Chu Hyo even called Mang Ryo “elder brother,” which said everything about their relationship.

So when Mang Ryo visited Five Birds Sect, Chu Hyo came out in his socks to greet him.

“Elder Brother!”

Chu Hyo, who had come out with a welcoming face, was greatly shocked by Mang Ryo’s appearance. Anyone would be, seeing Mang Ryo’s body covered in burns.

“Oh my, Elder Brother! What happened to you!”

“Ah, my brother. Don’t be too alarmed. It’s not a serious injury.”

“I’ll call a doctor for you.”

“Wait. The doctor can come later… I have something to say first.”

Mang Ryo kept looking around as if he didn’t want to be seen by others. Chu Hyo, quick to notice, guided Mang Ryo to a small inner room.

After entering the room and drinking a cup of tea, Mang Ryo finally let out a long sigh.

“Ah, that’s good.”

“Elder Brother, please tell me what happened. I’m dying of worry.”

Mang Ryo suddenly burst into loud laughter.

“I encountered the culprits behind the Stone Forest Gang massacre. I sustained some minor injuries fighting them.”

“What?”

“They were quite stubborn fellows.”

“You’ve already caught the criminals? That’s great news! I’ve been worried about the unrest in Yunnan because of them.”

Mang Ryo lowered his voice subtly.

“I’ve come to discuss an urgent matter with you about this.”

“What is it?”

As if afraid someone might overhear, Mang Ryo moved closer to Chu Hyo.

In fact, this could have been done using mental transmission. Yet Mang Ryo’s unnecessary gestures only amplified Chu Hyo’s sense of secrecy and curiosity.

“Yesterday, they reduced Shadow Bureau to ashes.”

“What?”

Chu Hyo was shocked.

“A complete annihilation?”

“Yes. Not a single survivor.”

It was no ordinary matter-two of Yunnan’s Five Great Poison Sects had been annihilated in such a short time.

“How could they do that to Shadow Bureau?”

“Shh. Lower your voice. No one else knows about this yet except me.”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

Mang Ryo gestured to his appearance.

“By the time I arrived, they had already finished their work and were trying to escape. I fought them and got caught in the flames, ending up like this.”

“My goodness, what kind of people are they…”

“Unfortunately, the fire made it impossible to capture them. I had no choice but to use lethal force. Except for one.”

“One?”

“The limping one.”

Chu Hyo’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you referring to the one who’s been rumored recently?”

“That’s right.”

“Is he such a skilled master?”

Mang Ryo smirked and waved his hand dismissively.

“He’s no master. It turns out the limping one was just a front man for them. His martial arts are at the level of a third-rate thug. I let my guard down for a moment, and while I was killing the others, he escaped. Tsk.”

Mang Ryo felt a certain pleasure in referring to Jin Ja-gang as a “third-rate thug.”

But unaware of this, Chu Hyo remained serious.

“So the rumors were exaggerated.”

“Because the criminals moved so secretively, only the most visible one-the limping one-became known.”

“But why did you come to me without treating your wounds first?”

This meant he understood the situation and wanted Mang Ryo to get to the point.

Mang Ryo smiled slightly and said:

“Oh my, Brother. Don’t you understand why I’ve come to you yet?”

“Not really…”

Mang Ryo lowered his voice even more secretively.

“Two positions are vacant.”

Mang Ryo’s smile deepened. Seeing this smile, Chu Hyo suddenly realized something.

“Elder Brother, please enlighten this foolish younger brother.”

“Stone Forest Gang, Shadow Bureau.”

“Ah!”

Finally, Chu Hyo understood what Mang Ryo was saying.

Unlike sects located in remote mountains, worldly sects engage in various business ventures. Stone Forest Gang alone owned dozens of mines.

The interests held by the Five Great Poison Sects in Yunnan were substantial. When poison sects fell, most of their interests essentially transferred to Poison Valley.

“Shadow Bureau wasn’t exposed to the general public, but they operated numerous inns, taverns, and teahouses for surveillance and communication networks. The annual revenue must be at least several thousand taels.”

That position of Shadow Bureau, with its operational rights, was now vacant.

Someone needed to take Shadow Bureau’s place.

That was the meaning of Mang Ryo’s words!

Chu Hyo swallowed dryly.

But his expression still showed uncertainty.

“Elder Brother, but aren’t those all poison sect businesses? Poison Valley won’t stand idle.”

“We need a justification that will silence Poison Valley. For instance…”

Mang Ryo paused as if about to say something important, then placed his fire-scorched hand on Chu Hyo’s shoulder.

“What if it wasn’t me who caught the criminals at Shadow Bureau, but Five Birds Sect?”

Chu Hyo’s mouth fell open.

“Having achieved the merit of dealing with the criminals who turned Yunnan upside down, the Martial Arts Alliance’s central headquarters would surely reward Five Birds Sect. How does that sound?”

“E-Elder Brother… how could I possibly…”

It was an enormous gift. Capturing the criminals who had attacked Alliance-affiliated sects like Stone Forest Gang and Shadow Bureau and thrown Yunnan into chaos would be a tremendous achievement.

Mang Ryo deliberately put on a bitter expression.

“I don’t belong anywhere anyway, and earning merit won’t do me any good in the afterlife. But you have grown sons, and you need to expand this Five Birds Sect that your father left you.”

“Elder Brother…”

Chu Hyo was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.

“Oh my, it’s too early to be moved. It’s not done yet. There’s still something you need to do.”

“What is it? Just tell me. I’ll repay your kindness even if it costs me my life!”

“There’s no need to sacrifice your life. In a way, this is for your benefit too.”

Mang Ryo said:

“The limping one. You need to catch him.”

Chu Hyo’s eyes flashed.

“I confirmed that he fled in this direction. That’s why I came straight to you without hesitation.”

“Then!”

“He’ll pass through here soon. Capture him and find out who’s behind them. That way, no one will be able to dismiss your achievement.”

Mang Ryo suggested in a low voice:

“Then even Poison Valley won’t be able to say anything. For instance, if Five Birds Sect were to take over Shadow Bureau’s businesses.”

Greed flickered across Chu Hyo’s face.

If he just caught the limping one with third-rate martial arts, Shadow Bureau’s entire business would come to him. Five Birds Sect’s size would instantly grow six or even ten times larger.

“We must catch him.”

“That goes without saying.”

Mang Ryo finally relaxed his face and laughed heartily.

“Now, gather your warriors. We need to go find him quickly.”

“No, Elder Brother. Leave the rest to me. I’ll prepare new clothes for you and call a doctor. Please rest for a few days. I’ll catch him and bring him to you.”

“My friend, you don’t need to bring him to me. Ha ha ha! Well, alright. Then I’ll leave the rest to you and take a rest. If this goes well, perhaps you could give me a room to live in at Five Birds Sect later.”

“If it goes well? That’s disappointing, Elder Brother. I was planning to do that regardless of this matter.”

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Mang Ryo asked:

“Ah, could you prepare some writing materials for me?”

“Of course. Are you going to send a letter somewhere?”

“I need to send a report to the Martial Arts Alliance first, saying that I’m pursuing the criminals who attacked Shadow Bureau. That will be advantageous for Five Birds Sect later.”

“For such a matter, I’ll prepare it right away. I’ll also have someone ready to send the letter as soon as you write it.”

“Thank you.”

“I should be the one thanking you, Elder Brother.”

Mang Ryo and Chu Hyo firmly clasped hands.

Chu Hyo was moved, and Mang Ryo’s expression also showed deep emotion.

However, the reasons behind their emotions were entirely different.

* * *

Baek Li-jung received Mang Ryo’s urgent secret letter.

Shadow Bureau annihilated.

Please attribute all Shadow Bureau’s businesses to Poison Valley.

Urgent.

Baek Li-jung’s brow furrowed deeply.

Already three of Yunnan’s Five Great Poison Sects had been wiped out.

Yunnan’s poison sects were currently affiliated with the Martial Arts Alliance. Although the poison sects of Yunnan didn’t constitute a large part of the entire Martial Arts Alliance, Baek Li-jung, who had brought the poison sects into the Alliance, was in an awkward position.

“What on earth is he plotting…”

The request to push Shadow Bureau’s businesses to Poison Valley wasn’t particularly difficult.

Originally, the Martial Arts Alliance mediated conflicts between affiliated sects and arbitrated their interests. A single official letter temporarily delegating Shadow Bureau’s assets to Poison Valley before disposal would suffice. After that, Poison Valley would handle the rest, whether embezzling assets or whatever else.

But the relationship between Baek Li-jung and Poison Valley wasn’t good, so it was puzzling why he would ask to favor Poison Valley.

“Hmm.”

After pondering for a moment, Baek Li-jung picked up his brush.

He was about to write a letter entrusting Shadow Bureau’s business rights temporarily to Poison Valley, as Mang Ryo had requested.

After completing the letter, Baek Li-jung placed it in a bamboo tube and put a lump of beeswax on top. He placed his palm on it and drew up his internal energy, causing the beeswax to melt and seal the bamboo tube.

After calling someone to send it, he muttered to himself:

“Whatever you’re thinking, the outcome better be what you want. If the result isn’t good, I’ll be very angry.”