The issue with Dang Soran had somehow been glossed over.
But once Uncle's feelings were hurt, he kept nitpicking endlessly.
The road to the Capital.
We stopped at inns in every little village we passed, filling our empty stomachs, but Uncle was always irritated.
At one place.
“Would've been cheaper and tastier if we'd eaten at home. What is this? And why are the dumplings like this.”
“...We're not at home. I'm paying for it, so just eat.”
At another place.
“You're buying this with money? Ever since you opened the Leather Room, you've gotten quite extravagant. I didn't raise you like this.”
Then the next day.
“Back in my day, we just picked up bugs off the ground and ate them. You don't die from skipping a day or two. I, for one...”
“...”
And then the day after that.
“Pfft! Ugh... Is this booze or cow piss? Hey, you eat it.”
The more he went on, the more veins bulged on my forehead.
Why is a beggar so damn picky... The profoundly unfilial words rose to the tip of my tongue but I barely swallowed them back.
Of course, I knew why Uncle was acting like this.
I'd earned the dislike of Cheongwol and Dang Soran, so I must look like a total sleaze to him.
But beneath that, there was definitely affection for me.
That's why I'd been holding back.
When I set down my chopsticks, Uncle finally noticed and flinched.
“Ugh. Fine, I'll go on alone then. I've been sucking up and throwing tantrums for days, but you won't drop it. Enough! I've done plenty.”
“Hey, Han Seojin.”
“Enough, I said! Better alone. Spends the money, spews the insults. Alone, I save cash and skip the nagging—how great is that? You think I can't survive without you?”
“...You might run into some bandits on the road.”
......Yeah? Hate that idea.
Still, pride wouldn't let me back down now, so as I tried to brush past Uncle.
Uncle let out a deep sigh and lightly tapped my calf from behind.
With that, I simply tripped over my own foot and face-planted onto the inn's wooden floor.
“Guak!”
The commotion made someone burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahahaha!”
Being human, I felt embarrassed and annoyed, frowning as I got up.
Petty as it was, instead of the second-rate martial artist Uncle, I glared at the man laughing at me first.
My forehead throbbed.
“What's so funny?”
The man was older than me but younger than Uncle.
Early to mid-thirties?
But what caught my eye first was his attire.
Fine fabric, impeccably neat without a single fray, necklace around the neck, ring on the finger.
He looked well-off. Probably a merchant.
Even the food on his table—nothing fancy from a small inn like this, but still a proper feast.
I could see chicken too.
He composed himself, clearing his throat.
“Ah, my apologies. It was a reflexive laugh. Uh... Fix your pants first. They're down quite a bit.”
I hiked up my pants, frowning, but the mood wouldn't lighten.
While I sorted myself out, the middle-aged man spoke quietly.
“I don't know the circumstances... but surely a young hero like you has patience. Do you really want to snap at your elder like that?”
He was using polite speech toward me consistently, so maybe he felt bad.
He continued.
“And anyway... even if you get mad, what can you do? You don't seem like you could beat the elder.”
...Nope. Just mocking me. Knows Uncle's from the Beggars' Sect.
Uncle smirked smugly from the side.
“Sit down first, Seojin. You weren't really gonna leave anyway.”
“Keep it up, and I really will go alone.”
“I get it. Sit, come on.”
Grumbling, I sat back down.
Then the middle-aged man from the next table grabbed his cup and strode over.
“Sorry for laughing. Let me buy you a drink. Name...?”
“...Han Seojin.”
“Ah, Young Master Han. Have a cup.”
“When did you see me to call me Young Master?”
“Should I call you Seojin then?”
“...No, that's not it either...”
I felt childish myself, still sulking over the laugh.
But he didn't mind, just showing a warm smile.
“That's how fateful encounters start. My name is... Juhul.”
The liquor he poured looked far superior.
Strong stuff, judging by the potent aroma and viscosity.
After walking all day, refusing wasn't as easy as it sounded.
Truth be told, the moment that thick liquor hit my cup, all my anger melted away.
Definitely high-proof.
I stared blankly at the cup, then cleared my throat.
“...Uh... Brother Juhul. Sorry I overreacted too.”
“Hahaha, no need. My fault. And Young Master, cool attitude. Real men don't sulk. Let's brush off the bad blood with this drink. Hahaha!”
Juhul filled Uncle's cup too and proposed a toast.
The three of us naturally clinked glasses.
Uncle's eyes lit up at the first sip.
“Wow... This booze... You sure it's okay sharing like this, hero?”
I exhaled a long, hot breath.
Warmth spreading inside.
Like Uncle said, liquor this good was a shame to hoard.
Been too long since something like this.
“Liquor tastes best shared. Even the finest brew is just cow piss alone. I'm offering so we enjoy it more—don't worry. That elder's reaction earlier was my appetizer.”
“...But the elder doesn't look that much older.”
“Name?”
“Gwak Du.”
“Then I'll call you Brother Gwak. No big deal.”
****
“Hold!”
Dang Jiun raised his hand high, halting the Tang Clan procession.
Poison King Dang Jeokcheon slowly rode forward, eyeing the insolent figure who dared stop the great Tang Clan of Sichuan.
“Hm?”
A female martial artist. Conical hat, face veiled in cloth.
Evil faction? Or hiding her identity?
Black uniform of unknown origin draped over her.
“State your name.”
The Poison King intoned quietly.
The woman at a distance carefully removed her hat and cupped her fists.
“...Thousand-Year Flower.”
The Poison King hadn't expected to face her here and didn't know how to react.
“Changed your mind? I thought you'd decided not to come.”
Cheongwol approached cautiously, nodding.
“Yes. But... I have other business, so please forgive stopping your procession briefly.”
The Poison King nodded, and Cheongwol began weaving through the Tang Clan ranks.
Dang Jeokcheon and Dang Jiun stared blankly at her actions.
No clue what her intent was.
Surely not after possessions. She was a nun who suppressed material desires.
“Wol-ah?”
Dang Soran peeked out from her carriage upon seeing Cheongwol.
“...”
Cheongwol poked her head into Dang Soran's carriage, then looked around again.
“What? What's going on?”
“...”
Cheongwol said nothing.
From start to finish, she checked every Tang Clan member's face one by one, then returned to the Poison King and cupped her fists.
“...Pardon the intrusion. I have matters to attend and head to the Capital first. I'll greet you properly there.”
With that, she whirled away and vanished.
Watching her odd behavior and departure, Dang Jeokcheon thought.
'...Is she really possessed by a heart demon?'
****
Wi Chang spotting him was pure coincidence.
The path between the Capital and Mount Emei was so deserted that anyone passing drew eyes.
But linking the Leather Room owner Cheongwol visited with this panting walker required real effort.
Yet, no matter how he racked his memory or looked closer—it was the same man.
Unremarkable looks. Slightly burly build.
Acting like he'd come from Mount Emei. Ignore gut and check the Leather Room, might find it empty now.
...But why...
‘...Beggars' Sect?’
With a Beggars' Sect beggar?
They looked pretty chummy.
The beggar grumbled and nagged endlessly, annoyed, while the man clung to him.
Wi Chang's stomach churned.
...Did the Beggars' Sect beat Hao Gate to it?
Or was the heart demon doctor a Beggars' Sect trap?
Why the Beggars' Sect of all things.
Everyone knew the long rivalry between Beggars' Sect and Hao Gate.
Wi Chang quit agonizing quickly.
No point brooding alone.
Better to clash head-on.
“That's how fateful encounters start. My name is... Juhul.”
After meticulous scheming, Wi Chang slowly poured expensive liquor into Han Seojin's cup.
And that moment, Han Seojin swallowed hard, eyes changing.
‘...Good.’
Wi Chang knew right away.
Easy to get close.
Seems to have some taste for luxuries.
...Then why hide away? A bit of that knowledge and...
...No. Don't overthink. Or I'll end up like that bear Heo Yo.
Reason doesn't matter. Only if he can resolve the heart demon.
“How's the liquor, Young Master Seojin?”
“Wow... This is insane.”
“Hahaha, glad you like it. Another?”
Wi Chang smiled.
Was heading back to Mount Emei, but now redirecting to the Capital.
Since Han Seojin was going there.
And the Capital? Perfect.
The Capital was Wi Chang's home turf.
Gambling, booze, pleasures, women...
Anything he wanted.
Wi Chang now had full confidence in blowing Han Seojin's mind.
The awkward drinking session loosened with the premium liquor.
Their relationship.
Why heading to the Capital.
Future plans.
Light questions like greetings led to personal probes, but.
Got rough outlines, but neither dove deep.
‘So, what's your relationship?’
‘Sigh. Annoying one. Makes my heart race thinking about it...’
‘I said sorry! You think I wanted this?’
‘What story...’
‘Nothing, hero.’
‘No, Brother Juhul.’
‘Why the Capital?’
‘There was a spar on Mount Emei recently. As an eyewitness, heading to report to the Sichuan branch leader.’
‘Ah, right. Heard it was impressive.’
‘You bet. Top of my life's fun moments.’
‘Then Young Master Seojin for that too...’
‘Sigh.’ ‘Sigh.’
‘...Why...’
‘Nothing.’ ‘It's complicated, Brother Juhul.’
‘Living plans?’
‘Me? Crash on the ground. But this monk might need an inn to sleep.’
‘I sleep on floors too, Uncle.’
‘We’ll see. Your spending lately doesn't inspire trust.’
‘Here we go again. I said I'll go if you nag more?’
‘Got it, sorry. Sit back down.’
Felt like I could pry something useful, but only got useless chatter.
Still, things progressed.
Wi Chang introduced himself as a merchant as planned, lying he'd been going from Capital to Mount Emei but turned back hearing the Tang Clan Leader was gathering later-generation experts.
They bought it, and now we traveled together.
“Wow. That's why carriages rock.”
Han Seojin rubbed his legs on the driver's seat.
Two days into this joint journey already.
Far off, near the horizon, a massive city gradually emerged.
“There. That's the Capital.”
Gwak Du informed Han Seojin.
Han Seojin quietly took in the vast city for the first time.
From days observing, Wi Chang concluded Han Seojin was utterly ordinary.
Just liked what guys his age like, disliked what they dislike.
No one would peg him as a heart demon doctor.
Yet Wi Chang was convinced he was special.
Even now, countless story openings, but not once mentioned Cheongwol or Dang Soran.
Ordinary guy would've bragged endlessly.
‘Something's there, definitely.’
Wi Chang thought.
Didn't matter.
Just squeeze it out somehow.
“Arrive tomorrow, Brother Juhul?”
“Yeah. Tomorrow.”
“Finally. So damn far.”
...First, tastes. Preferences.
Wi Chang bided time, casually blew his nose.
Then tossed a question like killing boredom.
“Hey, Seojin.”
“Yeah?”
“No girlfriend?”
“...Girlfriend?”
“Yeah.”
Han Seojin whispered, complicated expression.
“...Nope.”
“Broke up?”
“No. Never had one.”
“Oh, had one?”
“No, never. Not once.”
Gwak Du chuckled, Han Seojin bit his lip.
But Wi Chang thought.
Good.
“Why not? Such an upright, nice guy. Right, Brother Gwak? Totally girlfriend material.”
“Hero Juhul, don't pry. Seojin might have a secret one.”
“No, I don't.”
Wi Chang soothed on.
“Huh? Guys hitting the Capital's red-light district without a girl?”
“'Cause poor. Not super handsome. No family, orphan—who'd approach? If I had a few cows maybe. Yeah... Men need ability.”
Has ability, Wi Chang thought alone.
Ability to shake the Central Plains.
But if hiding, leave it for now.
Take it slow.
As said, easiest way to handle a man: women.
No wonder seduction arts, beauty traps, bedroom techniques exist.
“...So no experience either?”
“Huh?”
To make sure Han Seojin got it, Wi Chang made a circle with thumb and forefinger, slid his index back and forth.
Gwak Du shook his head, looked away.
“...Why?”
Glancing at Gwak Du, Han Seojin whispered low.
Wi Chang saw the faint anticipation and tension in his eyes.
Yeah, natural for a guy.
...But after seeing Cheongwol and Dang Soran up close, would courtesans even register?
Dunno, but Wi Chang flashed a slick 'big bro' grin and told Han Seojin.
“Capital's the city of pleasure. Once there, thought unwind with some fun... Interested?”
“...”
“Real man thing. No girl experience is lame.”