Chapter 106: The New Seong-un Inn
Early morning.
Jin Seong-un opened his eyes and blankly stared at the sunlight pouring through the window.
He liked the unique, tranquil peace that lingered in the time before the world fully woke up.
Ever since collapsing at Falling Flame Manor a few days ago, even though he didn’t feel that tired, he made an effort to sleep for at least a fixed amount of time.
Martial arts weren’t all-powerful.
The Martial Gods who had listened to his story also said it would be better to sleep at least two hours a day.
Stretching for a moment, Jin Seong-un finished washing up lightly and headed toward the inn.
“……”
It still didn’t feel real.
That this massive inn was the Seong-un Inn.
He barely kept his lips from curling upward, forcing himself into a calm mindset before stepping outside.
In his hand was a broom.
An inn must always maintain cleanliness right from the entrance. The doorway should be spotless if blessings were to roll in.
With that thought, he was sweeping when something unusual suddenly caught his eye.
“……”
Jin Seong-un stopped what he was doing and lifted his head to look at the outer wall of the inn.
Flap—!
The wide wall next to the front gate.
Five lavish scrolls were fluttering magnificently in the wind.
Wishing for the Prosperity of the New Seong-un Inn.
The Wudang Sect.
Congratulations, to Yichang’s finest inn and innkeeper.
The Seomoon Clan.
Along with the Sichuan Tang Clan, the Namgung Clan, and even the Murim Alliance.
They were congratulatory banners sent by sects, clans, or alliances to support and celebrate a new beginning.
“……”
It was utterly baffling.
Who in the world came at night to secretly hang such congratulatory banners?
He especially didn’t know why the Namgung Clan was included. As for the Murim Alliance, it was probably sent by Sima Baek, the Chief Strategist who had visited a few days ago.
Their sentiment was, of course, deeply appreciated.
It was appreciated, but still…
“At this rate, anyone passing by would think this is some newly-rising orthodox sect rather than an inn.”
Judging from the names written, it was a reasonable assumption. Either way, since they had sent them, he at least had to keep them hung for a few days.
For the time being, it seemed unorthodox martial artists wouldn’t dare come near the inn.
Fortunately, the inn was doing well in business.
He had worried that with so many rooms, they might remain perpetually empty.
But at that very moment, ten out of thirty rooms were occupied. One of them was even the most expensive Gold Flower Room.
Jin Seong-un divided the rooms by grade into Gold Flower Room (金華室), Silver Flower Room (銀華室), and Blue Flower Room (靑華室).
There was, however, a small problem.
After tidying up the rooms and returning to the dining hall, Seomun Ak shot him a glare that practically cursed him with his eyes.
‘Aren’t you going to hire more people?’
That was exactly the look.
It was the expression of someone staring at a ruthless innkeeper, making Jin Seong-un scratch his cheek awkwardly.
Cleaning the empty rooms alone wasn’t a problem, but tending to the rooms while also managing the dining hall during the day was a bit overwhelming.
‘I’ll have to hire one or two more soon.’
He thought it would be best if they were martial artists.
Normally, martial artists rarely worked as inn staff. They were prideful by nature, and from an innkeeper’s perspective, the cost-to-benefit ratio didn’t add up.
But after employing Seomun Ak, the satisfaction was tremendous. Not only was he tireless, but thanks to his large build and intimidating look, the number of troublesome guests had decreased dramatically.
If only he had one more innkeeper’s assistant like Seomun Ak.
Just as he was thinking that, a man lifted the bead curtain and walked in. Since it was a night of pouring rain, he was completely drenched.
“Welcome.”
Jin Seong-un greeted the man.
At a glance, he was clearly no ordinary fellow.
He looked around forty years old. His build was as large as Seomun Ak’s, and his face was far more rough and menacing.
The man was holding in his arms a boy who looked to be about seven years old.
‘His son?’
Yet there was something oddly off about it.
Perhaps because the two didn’t resemble each other at all.
Or perhaps because a man who looked like he should be carrying a sword instead was carrying a child, which felt unnatural.
As Jin Seong-un was lost in thought, the man surveyed the interior of the inn for a moment before speaking.
“Do you have a room?”
“Yes, we do. Will it be the two of you?”
The man nodded.
Even as he did so, he kept glancing around uneasily.
Jin Seong-un asked,
“There are three types of rooms. From the best: Gold Flower Room, Silver Flower Room—”
“The cheapest room.”
“Ah, yes.”
Nodding, Jin Seong-un instead guided the man to the most expensive Gold Flower Room.
The cheapest was the Blue Flower Room, but the Gold Flower Room was closest to his own quarters.
Upon entering, the man looked around in confusion and said,
“This… this is the cheapest room?”
“No, it’s the most expensive. But since there are many vacancies and to celebrate the reopening, I’m offering it to you at the price of the cheapest Blue Flower Room.”
The man eyed him suspiciously.
Jin Seong-un simply shrugged.
“Don’t go back on your word later.”
“Of course. You seem soaked from the rain—shall I prepare some cloth to dry yourselves?”
“Do that.”
The man replied curtly, then immediately laid the boy down on the bed.
Despite the fierce downpour outside, the child was fast asleep.
Bringing them some cloth, Jin Seong-un lingered for a moment to look at the boy before returning to the dining hall.
.
.
.
After a short while, the man entered the dining hall holding the boy’s hand.
“What’s the cheapest food you have?”
“Plain noodles.”
The man nodded and ordered a bowl of plain noodles.
The boy held the man’s hand and stared intently at Jin Seong-un.
When Jin Seong-un looked at the boy for a moment, the man tugged the boy’s hand as if displeased.
“...Please wait just a moment, it will be out shortly.”
After passing the order to the kitchen, Jin Seong-un busied himself tidying up the tables and chairs.
Even as he worked, he stole glances at the man and the boy. No matter how he thought about it, something felt off.
Soon, Jin Seong-un brought the noodles from the kitchen and set them on the man’s table.
“Is he your son? He looks young but very well-behaved.”
“Well, yes.”
The man nodded awkwardly.
After placing down the noodles, Jin Seong-un stepped away but continued observing the man carefully.
‘He definitely trained in martial arts.’
And at quite a high level.
Compared to Seomun Ak, this man clearly held the advantage.
What bothered him wasn’t the martial strength but the atmosphere around him.
At the very least, he didn’t seem like someone trained in an orthodox sect.
Hadn’t he interacted with many orthodox martial artists before?
Their presence was always distinguishable compared to unorthodox fighters.
This man, however, seemed more similar to the unorthodox martial artists he had encountered in Deyang.
That was why it was hard to take his eyes off him.
Unorthodox martial artists generally didn’t use polite speech with innkeepers.
Nor did they usually travel with children.
‘Kidnapping?’
But the boy showed no signs of wariness.
The man’s gaze, as he watched the child eat, was heavy with complex emotions. Meanwhile, the boy struggled to eat noodles with clumsy chopstick movements.
‘Come to think of it…’
The boy hadn’t spoken a single word yet.
Jin Seong-un turned to Seo Yu-gyeom, who was in the kitchen.
“Brother Seo, do you happen to have any candied fruit left?”
Seo Yu-gyeom pulled one from his pocket. He often snacked on candied fruits while cooking.
Taking it, Jin Seong-un approached the man’s table.
The man looked at him warily.
“What is it?”
“Nothing much. I just happened to have a spare candied fruit and thought the boy might like it.”
Saying so, he handed it to the child.
The candied fruit’s vivid red sheen made the boy’s eyes light up as he smiled brightly.
“May I give it to him?”
When Jin Seong-un asked, the man nodded.
The boy accepted it happily and immediately popped it into his mouth.
As the child sucked on the candied fruit with delight, Jin Seong-un noticed the man’s expression grow even heavier.
Then Jin Seong-un said,
“When an adult gives you something, you should say thank you.”
The boy just stared at him.
It seemed like he understood. At seven years old, that was natural.
But still, he only smiled silently without uttering a word.
Feeling unsettled, Jin Seong-un expanded his qi sense to observe the boy’s meridians.
‘This is…’
The boy’s qi was truly unusual.
Not in a bad way—rather, it was too good.
Ordinary people who hadn’t learned martial arts had qi that was faint and unstable. Since they couldn’t control it with breathing techniques, that was only natural.
But this boy was different.
His qi was in an extremely stable state.
Even more so than Seomun Ak or Seo Yu-gyeom, who had trained in martial arts.
‘A special constitution?’
If so, that would explain a little.
Such a constitution in the martial world was dangerous. If discovered by villains, misfortune would surely follow.
Perhaps that explained the man’s hostile and anxious attitude. Perhaps even the boy’s silence.
“Let’s eat.”
“Ah.”
The man’s curt tone snapped Jin Seong-un out of his thoughts.
“Yes, if you need anything, please feel free to ask.”
Saying so, Jin Seong-un stepped back.
After finishing their meal, the two returned to their room.
Jin Seong-un lingered, gazing at their empty seats, an uneasy feeling still gnawing at him.
For the next few days, Jin Seong-un observed the man and the boy.
Over time, the man’s wariness seemed to soften, though the boy still hadn’t spoken a word.
“One bowl of noodles.”
The man always ordered the same thing.
He would watch the boy eat for a long time before finishing whatever remained.
This time, Jin Seong-un brought a plate of dumplings along with the noodles. The man looked at him in confusion.
“I didn’t order dumplings…”
“It’s for guests who stay more than three days.”
Of course, no such rule existed.
He just couldn’t bear to see a child eating nothing but noodles and broth for days.
The boy’s eyes sparkled at the sight of dumplings.
When he quickly picked one up to eat, the man reached out, split it in half, blew on it to cool it down, and handed it back.
‘He doesn’t seem like a bad person after all.’
Then Jin Seong-un spoke, as though remembering something.
“Ah, if you’ll be staying tonight as well, I believe it’s time to settle the room fee.”
“Ah.”
The man flinched.
Jin Seong-un clearly saw the hesitation in his eyes. From his behavior over the past days, it was obvious his finances weren’t sufficient.
After a moment of struggle, the man finally said,
“Can I pay later this evening?”
“Yes, of course.”
Jin Seong-un nodded without hesitation.
After the meal, the two returned to their room. A short while later, the man emerged alone into the dining hall.
It was the first time he had come out without the boy, making Jin Seong-un watch with curiosity.
Then the man spoke in a grave tone.
“This evening, please prepare one bowl of noodles for the boy. I’ll pay in advance.”
He handed Jin Seong-un the money.
Accepting it, Jin Seong-un asked casually,
“That’s fine, but when will you be back? The boy might be uneasy alone.”
“I won’t be long.”
“I see, then.”
Jin Seong-un nodded.
The man then left the inn, his steps tense and rigid.
Watching him go, Jin Seong-un leaned toward Seomun Ak, whose face was pale, and lowered his voice.
“Brother, could you watch the place alone for a while?”
“Y-you crazy bastard.”
Seomun Ak shook his head violently.
But Jin Seong-un was firm.
“Please. And if I don’t return by evening, give the boy in the Gold Flower Room some dumplings. Make sure to blow on them to cool first.”
“N-no, no, no…”
Seomun Ak’s eyes filled with tears.
Jin Seong-un patted his shoulder gently and nodded.
“You can do it. Pride of the Seomun Clan. The world’s greatest innkeeper’s assistant.”
The world’s greatest innkeeper’s assistant—the very words written on the congratulatory banner sent by the Seomun Clan.
With that, Jin Seong-un left the inn. He had to confirm this nagging unease.