Chapter 25

Jang Chun-sik woke up beneath a high ceiling.

It was the first time in his life he had slept in such a nice place.

The bedding beneath him was soft, and the silk against his skin felt smooth.

It was so luxurious it felt as if sleep itself might flee.

“Well, I’ll be…”

Good. So good.

It felt almost wrong to enjoy such luxury in his lifetime.

But…

“This is oddly uncomfortable.”

Jang Chun-sik had spent his whole life roaming back alleys.

He had been a shabby guesthouse petty owner before becoming head of the Cocoon Silkworm Clan, yet his rooms had always been an oil-stained corner of an inn.

So how could he not feel awkward sleeping on a plump mattress in silk clothes?

“I’m too uneasy to rest quietly.”

He had tossed and turned through the night.

“No matter how you look at it, this is a bit much, isn’t it?”

Jang Chun-sik had long lived off being the head of the Cocoon Silkworm Clan.

During that time he had sold countless secrets about the Bukgung Family—family intrigues, schemes, retainers’ private affairs, even facts about individual family members…

From the Bukgung Family’s perspective, Jang Chun-sik was nothing but a leech, a parasite.

And yet here he was, staying in a luxurious guestroom under the name of a benefactor.

It was no wonder he couldn’t relax.

He stared quietly at the tightly closed door.

How many times had he imagined sword-bearing warriors bursting in from beyond that door?

—Hey! Are you that Cocoon Silkworm Clan leader, Jang Chun-sik?!

—No, warrior! It’s a misunderstanding!

—What misunderstanding! Our warrior Yeon revealed your true identity!

—What? Yeon Mujin, that bastard! He said he’d protect me, when did he turn around and sell me out!

—Sinner, submit to my order! No, I’ll cut your throat myself!

—Aaaah! Save me!

Even as imagination, it sent shivers down his spine.

Surely that wouldn’t actually happen, would it? Really?

Then,

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Aaaah!”

Jang Chun-sik jumped in alarm, kicking the quilt aside.

A young servant’s voice came from outside the door.

“Elder Jang? I’ve brought your breakfast tray.”

“Ahem! Ahem! Come in!”

A young girl of about fifteen stepped in with a neatly prepared octagonal tray.

Jang Chun-sik accepted it with a flushed face; he felt ashamed to have screamed in front of such a girl.

“I was clearing my throat.”

“I didn’t hear anything.”

…

Secretly, Jang Chun-sik hoped the servant would leave quickly.

But she did not and waited quietly.

“…You’re not leaving?”

“I must take the tray back after you’ve finished your meal.”

Is that how rich households do things?

He didn’t know. Those details never made it into the Cocoon Silkworm Clan’s reports.

Eating in someone else’s presence made him uneasy.

Jang Chun-sik picked up a plump chicken leg and asked the servant, “What’s your name?”

“Hye-ran.”

“Won’t you have a bit of this with me?”

“I’ve already eaten.”

That answer surprised him.

“What? She ate meat at breakfast?”

Indeed, the illustrious Bukgung Family— they feed even a mere servant a chicken leg in the morning.

Even old Cocoon Silkworm Clan members only saw chicken on special occasions.

Hye-ran shook her head. “Actually, earlier the captain distributed meat.”

“Captain, who do you mean?”

“It’s Yeon Mujin, the External Protection Troops’ captain.”

Jang Chun-sik was left speechless.

The Yeon Mujin he knew would snatch meat from someone else’s mouth rather than give away meat from his own table.

“The captain asked that Elder be well looked after so you have no discomfort during your stay.”

“Ahem ahem—‘Elder’—ahem ahem!” The girl’s polite address made Jang Chun-sik’s nostrils flare.

He had only ever been called things like “hey, innkeeper,” “hey, group head,” or “hey, money-worm.” He was weak to such flattering words—especially coming from a pretty girl.

“Did Captain Yeon truly say that?”

“Yes. If there’s any discomfort, please tell me at any time.”

…

Jang Chun-sik tilted his head. That man wouldn’t be so kind, would he? Is Yeon Mujin afraid he’ll run away?

“That rascal… where is the captain?”

“At this hour he’s likely overseeing External Protection Troops training.”

“Really?”

“Shall I send word to the captain?”

“No!”

Have you gone mad?

Jang Chun-sik swallowed the words that rose to his throat. Would he go to a place swarming with warriors just because he was curious? It was said life was smoother the further one kept courtesans and warriors away.

Then a male servant about Hye-ran’s age appeared. “Elder Jang, the External Protection Troops’ deputy captain is outside.”

What did you say?

The news struck him like a bolt.

Hye-ran clapped with delight, perhaps unaware of his state of mind. “Perfect timing. If you follow the deputy captain, you’ll be able to see the captain as well.”

“No, I don’t particularly want to see him though…”

“Hurry up and get ready, Elder. I’ll clear away the breakfast tray.”

“Wait, hold on. I’m ill. I feel sick! Really!”

It was useless—Jang Chun-sik was pushed out of the guestroom.

Under the scorching sun, a warrior with a large longsword awaited him.

“Are you Jang Chun-sik?”

“I am, but…”

“My name is Yang Gwan-wol. I’m the deputy captain of the External Protection Troops of Flying Swallow Manor. Please follow me.”

“…What business do you have with me?”

“You’ll find out if you follow me.”

Cocoon Silkworm Clan members came out to see him off and waved when they heard their leader was being taken away.

“The ungrateful group head is leaving like this…”

“I knew this would happen back when that beast tried to avoid giving the monthly stipend.”

“Who’ll be the next clan leader?”

Jang Chun-sik followed Yang Gwan-wol feeling like a cow led to slaughter.

As they walked, Flying Swallow Manor’s workers greeted them.

“Greetings, Deputy Captain.”

“Good day.”

“Good morning.”

Servants and minor staff exchanged warm greetings and walked on smiling—retainers from other manors.

As he trailed behind, a thought struck him: there had been rumors that Flying Swallow Manor was a ghost manor, empty from master down to servant.

But the manor he saw was the complete opposite—people lively, warriors robust, even the lowliest servants showing proper manners.

Were all those outside rumors wrong?

“By the way, where are we going?” he asked.

Yang Gwan-wol glanced at him. “Why are you speaking to me so formally?”

“Huh?”

“You’re a benefactor, so speak less formally with us. The captain asked that Warrior Jang be shown around our manor.”

“W-w-wait—Warrior Jang?”

The corners of Jang Chun-sik’s mouth twitched.

Warrior—Warrior Jang! It was a title he’d never heard in his life.

When they reached the training ground, warriors sparred in the duel area.

“Hya!”

“Yah, cha!”

Swords, blades, fists, spears—men wielding all kinds of weapons exchanged lethal techniques as if to kill one another.

In his life, Jang Chun-sik had never seen such a brutal display of martial arts.

Do these people consider each other mortal enemies?

Yet all the sparring wore the same uniform—the External Protection Troops’ attire.

“Everyone, stop!”

When Yang Gwan-wol shouted, the savage sparring halted instantly. It was a spine-tingling display of unity.

“Our manor’s benefactor, Warrior Jang Chun-sik, has arrived! Everyone, come and pay your respects!”

The warriors surged forward and lined up before him.

“Everyone, attention!”

Clack!

“Bow to Warrior Jang!”

“Greetings, warrior!”

They raised their fists in salute in unison, voices booming with strict discipline.

Jang Chun-sik’s legs trembled and the muscles in his cheeks twitched.

Until yesterday, whenever he met anyone he had to bow low and crawl on the ground.

But today’s Jang Chun-sik was different—pretty servants brought him food, and stern warriors bowed their heads to him.

“Ahem! Ahem! Ahem! Pleased to meet you! I am Jang Chun-sik, under the same heaven as you all!”

Yang Gwan-wol watched the elated Jang Chun-sik and thought, I see why the captain ordered this. Doesn’t he like it a little too much?

While the External Protection Troops greeted him, Bukgung Yoon appeared in the distance.

Seeing her approach, Jang Chun-sik felt as if he might faint for real.

The recluse lady Bukgung Yoon!

Who would have thought he’d one day see a member of the Bukgung bloodline in his life?

Moreover, Bukgung Yoon was unbearably beautiful in his eyes—every beauty he’d seen before paled beside her.

It was the first time Jang Chun-sik understood that beauty could transcend age.

“Hello, Deputy Captain Yang.”

“Good day, Manor Lord.”

“And this one?”

“Ah, this is the one who has been sponsoring our manor…”

“Ah.”

Bukgung Yoon gave a light courtesy as she greeted him. “Nice to meet you. I am Bukgung Yoon, the manor lord of Flying Swallow Manor.”

Jang Chun-sik bowed with a reddened, flattered face. “Greetings!”

His throat was parched; sweat beaded down his spine.

At that moment, Bukgung Yoon took his hand and helped him up. “Thank you for sponsoring our Flying Swallow Manor.”

“Ha!”

“I was told you’re on intimate terms with Captain Yeon.”

“Ye… yes?”

“Captain Yeon spoke very highly of you. He has a particular interest in our Flying Swallow Manor.”

Jang Chun-sik nearly choked.

“Thanks to someone like Warrior Jang, our manor can prosper. We thank you again.”

“No, no!”

Bukgung Yoon extended her hand to shake his again; after several nervous rubs, he managed to take her fingertips.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

She smiled gently and departed.

Jang Chun-sik stared after her as if bewitched.

Yang Gwan-wol watched him and thought, He seems completely bewitched by the lady…

“What? What did you say?”

“We need to fetch that stash.”

A Cocoon Silkworm Clan member stared at their leader in disbelief.

“Clan leader.”

“What?”

“Are you insane?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You want to go fetch the slush fund hidden under the Ten Flowers Guesthouse now? At this point? Do you have two lives? Don’t you know you could lose your head the moment you step outside? Why go there now!”

“Because there’s money hidden there…”

“And it’s money you hid there, secretly from the External Protection Troops!”

Jang Chun-sik clamped his hand over the man’s mouth and looked around. “Shh! Quiet. Isn’t there a saying that words of day are heard by birds and words of the night by dogs?”

“Why hand over money hidden from that dog of a man?”

“No, I thought it over carefully.”

“And?”

“Flying Swallow Manor seems safer than we thought, and since the Bukgung Family has shown us such favor and courtesy, shouldn’t we repay them somehow?”

“We have already paid, didn’t we? Now it feels like we’re being shaken down.”

“Not like that—this time, with good intentions, once more…”

“It’s not even ten days since they gave money; you want to dig up what we buried and hand it over? Has the leader lost his mind?”

“I’m telling you, no.”

“Then why!”

“It’s with good intentions!”

The clan muttered among themselves, baffled.

Where did stingy Jang Chun-sik go, and why was he insisting on handing over money he wasn’t asked for?

They couldn’t understand that today he’d gained something money couldn’t buy.

One thing was certain: this clan leader wouldn’t be swayed by words anymore.

“Ah, I can’t do it. I won’t. If you’re going to, send someone else.”

“Hey! How can I send someone when my money’s buried there!”

“Then go alone!”

“Those assassins outside are sharpening their blades waiting for us—you want to send the clan leader alone?”

“If you want to die, go die cleanly by yourself!”

“You ungrateful wretch who doesn’t know the favor you were raised with!”

Jang Chun-sik and the clan member grabbed each other’s collars and scuffled.

They didn’t notice a shadow drop over them.

“Gasp!”

“Aaaah!”

When they turned, that dog was glaring at the two of them.

Yeon Mujin hung upside down, foot hooked on a tree branch, and asked Jang Chun-sik, “Chun-sik, what did you just say?”