“Hoo.”
Black Cat felt uncomfortable under the gazes of the people around her. Whenever she attracted attention, incidents followed without fail.
How long had it been since she had acted with such awareness of the eyes on her?
As she awaited Ho Cheon-an, she briefly diverted her eyes from the curious onlookers to read the letter in her hands.
‘Great Hero Hyeok Gi-rin, or rather, Princess Yuya seems to be starting her activities in earnest.’
The high-ranking officials were on high alert due to Princess Yuya’s sudden return. With the battle for power unfolding secretly among the powerful nobles and the emperor, her appearance stirred chaos as everyone scrambled to figure out her intentions.
In Nangyang, political moves had become so tumultuous that even Wolbok-dang, which had intentionally kept a low profile, could feel it.
‘Senior Ho.’
Having witnessed a gambling match with Dogwi at the Nangyang gambling den, Black Cat had come to understand Ho Cheon-an’s true nature. Therefore, she was moving diligently.
‘Once the training for the Cadets of the Golden Guards is over, Senior will surely be off again in a frenzy.’
While Black Cat knew that Ho Cheon-an sometimes envied her talent, it was laughable from her perspective.
It was true that Ho Cheon-an had benefited from numerous external factors in his growth.
He had received assistance from the Jeomchang Faction and even benefited from a series of spiritual medicines gleaned from Hyeong-gyeong’s master, alongside the diagnosis and prescriptions of the Poison Doctor to overcome his physical limitations.
‘Talent for martial arts isn’t everything.’
While the process was important, what ultimately remained were the results. Admittedly, Ho Cheon-an was not exceptionally gifted in martial arts. But what of it? Having resolved his physical issues, he had grown at an astounding pace.
Even Black Cat, who possessed the talent Ho Cheon-an envied, had not experienced such explosive growth in just a few months.
Ho Cheon-an would grow rapidly. And that process would not be merely about relentless training. He would seek other ways to strive for the top, not just sweating through training sessions.
That was why Black Cat had allied with Hyeok Gi-rin, who had shown his emotions toward Ho Cheon-an, and waited outside despite the gazes of others.
For a month while Ho Cheon-an was bound as a training instructor for the Golden Guards, it seemed stagnant, but he was actually laying the groundwork for his future. He was devising plans targeted at his trainees while replenishing what he needed from the Imperial Palace’s archives, planning for the future.
‘So I must develop as well.’
Black Cat was above Ho Cheon-an. In terms of martial skills, and as the leader of an information organization like Wolbok-dang. But she did not feel at ease. In fact, she was filled with a sense of crisis.
The image of Ho Cheon-an displayed at the gambling table remained deeply etched in her heart.
Rather than fearing danger, he looked only for opportunities.
To call it madness would be too simplistic and to call it blind would completely miss his intellectual edge.
‘If I become complacent thinking I’m above him, I’ll be caught off guard in an instant.’
That was why Black Cat was currently outside. She sought to take a step forward while Ho Cheon-an stood still. She aimed to train to conceal her identity, not relying solely on the Black Shadow Qi Technique.
Had she perhaps chosen too difficult an opponent? Feeling discomfort from the scrutinizing gazes from all around, Black Cat sighed to herself.
Of course, that discomfort wouldn’t lead her to flee back to her private room.
While Black Cat was striving to overcome the unwelcomed stares, the trio of trainees also arrived at the Yongsang Inn and settled down.
“Truly, one could say this is the beauty of the world!”
Jo Ga-ju remarked with poise. In truth, he hadn’t entirely believed the rumors surrounding Black Cat. How could one ascertain whether she had the best looks in the world while hiding behind a veil?
“The saying goes, you can’t hide the sun with your palm.”
Even Jo Ga-ju, who had initially been skeptical, could only admire Black Cat upon seeing her in person. It was an overwhelming presence that could hardly be concealed by a mere veil.
“Wow, I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman with my own eyes!”
Okryong exclaimed in awe. The Yongsang Inn was well-known in Nangyang, and it was hard to believe that such a popular place would be filled to the brim just because of a merchant’s boasting.
Kang Chumo-ru also chimed in, gazing at Black Cat.
“If we had arrived a bit later, we might not have found a place to sit. I’d have felt unjust if I had missed this opportunity!”
At the entrance, Jeomsoi was seen bowing to three young men, telling them to leave as the inn was full. Had they arrived just a bit later, they would have had to leave like those three men standing there.
“Hey, Jeomsoi! Can you take our orders?”
“Yes, my lords! I’ll be right there!”
With a smile, Jeomsoi approached the three, who placed their food orders.
“Two bottles of Jukyeopcheong and Baeksangju, and anything good that’s suitably greasy?”
“The beef noodle soup here is top-notch!”
“Sounds good. And how about a greasy pork dish…”
Just then, Okryong lifted his head. The three young men from earlier stood behind Jeomsoi.
“Do you have business with us?”
Kang Chumo-ru frowned as he asked, to which one of the young men replied.
“Aren’t you the trainees of the Golden Guards?”
“…That’s right.”
“So, you must be the trainees of the Twelfth Squadron. We are the trainees of the Seventh Division.”
Kang Chumo-ru and Jo Ga-ju exchanged glances with Okryong, but Okryong shook his head. While he was well connected, ever since Ho Cheon-an started training, there hadn’t been any opportunity for interaction with other squads. Each day was filled with grueling training, leaving him too busy to think of anything else.
“Could we share a table? We also wanted to eat here at the Yongsang Inn.”
“Hmm.”
The expressions of the three trainees slightly darkened. The other eleven squads looked down on the Twelfth Squad, which Ho Cheon-an led. There hadn’t been a direct clash, but there were plenty of people pointing and laughing at the Twelfth Squad’s grueling training.
The first trainee to speak wore a sheepish expression, knowing well that there was no way for the Twelfth Squad to have good feelings towards the other squads.
At that moment, one of the trainees behind him clapped a hand on his shoulder and stepped forward, shouting.
“Hey, you Seventh Division losers, get out of the way!”
“…What did you just say?”
Jo Ga-ju spat out in a chilly voice.
Frowning at Jo Ga-ju’s tone, the trainee raised his voice even more.
“You’re the ones from the Twelfth Squadron, merely doing basic physical training instead of advancing in martial arts. It’s practically a given you’d be eliminated! What makes losers like you think you can sit in an upscale establishment like this?”
Fire blazed in the eyes of the three. Okryong understood why that trainee was acting so aggressively. Perhaps drawn by the ruckus, Black Cat’s mysterious figure was now casting her gaze over here.
Did these guys just look down on us? Even though he wanted to charge in with his fists clenched, Okryong felt them trembling instead with restraint.
While they were not lacking in martial prowess, the one in front was a peak expert, but Jo Ga-ju was also a peak expert, and the other two were elite. They could definitely hold their own, but…
The issue was that they were in the Yongsang Inn.
‘News that we, the Twelfth Squadron, are here would certainly reach Instructor Ho Cheon-an if a fight broke out.’
There was no way that Ho Cheon-an wouldn’t hear about a disturbance caused by the Twelfth Squadron, the very squad they provided supplies to daily.
“Oh, what a pitiful bunch with no sense of pride! Why don’t you hurry and leave?”
The unaware trainee from the Seventh Division saw that the three were scared and shouted even more fiercely.
“What are you, a punk!”
Kang Chumo-ru, losing patience, made a move to charge in, but Jo Ga-ju stopped him.
“Enough! If you get us grounded for next week’s outing, how are we supposed to face our peers?”
“…Damn it!”
Watching Kang Chumo-ru’s fists quiver, the trainee from the Seventh Division attempted to provoke them again.
“Over here, young heroes!”
The calm voice of Ok-eum quashed the ruckus at the Yongsang Inn instantly.
All eyes turned to Black Cat. Even the trainees from the Golden Guards, the very ones in the conflict, turned to look away.
“Would you join me at my table?”
“Ahh! It’s an honor!”
The Seventh Division trainee quickly responded, but Black Cat’s return was icy.
“Not you. I’m referring to the Twelfth Squadron there.”
The face of the Seventh Division trainee turned beet red. But Jo Ga-ju, Kang Chumo-ru, and Okryong had already forgotten all about that trainee. Wait, a beauty like her wants to sit with us? Why?
“Are you unwilling?”
Of course, the three couldn’t refuse.
*
The disarrayed inn was now calm. The embarrassed trainees from the Seventh Division couldn’t handle the humiliation and bolted out, leaving their seats to a lucky new guest.
‘…An expert.’
Jo Ga-ju admired the sight of Black Cat close up while simultaneously raising his guard. He couldn’t grasp the level of the opponent. Not only was it hard to assess, but he occasionally questioned if she even existed in reality. Was she perhaps someone who had mastered advanced assassination techniques?
“Thank you for inviting me here, Miss.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Jo Ga-ju felt chills at Kang Chumo-ru’s attempt to sound suave, thinking to shapeshift his voice to something more alluring.
Okryong, shy by nature, couldn’t bear to meet Black Cat’s gaze.
“No, it’s nothing. Those earlier rascals… while they might have been no match for us, causing a ruckus in an inn isn’t the way of a rogue, so I appreciate your help.”
“I merely crossed paths with people in need and lent a hand, so please don’t feel any burden.”
Kang Chumo-ru gulped. Which of the four guys among them ever had a connection with such a breathtaking beauty? The three exchanged glances but only saw each other’s bewildered expressions.
“Um… if you don’t mind, could you tell us how we’re connected?”
“Haha, well, you’ll find out soon enough.”
Kang Chumo-ru’s happiness circuitry revved up. Could it be that it was a long-lost connection from their youth? Yes, back in his boyhood, he was quite the charmer. She could well have been someone he had a crush on back then.
In an instant, the table hosted an array of drinks and food. The top priority for service in the Yongsang Inn was obviously Black Cat. They knew precisely who was turning full houses day and night.
“Cadets of the Golden Guards, you all must be working hard.”
“Haha! We’re just tirelessly putting in the effort for the Huang Nation.”
“Ah, I see. Drink up.”
Black Cat filled glasses with the red liquor, pouring for the three. They raised their cups and drank.
So sweet!
So Hongju had a long history and, depending on the quality, could taste vastly different. Yet, the three would realize they would never again drink any beverage that could compare to this.
“Mm!”
The three indulged in rich dishes like Hwa Gwa Yuk and Gyeong Jang Yuk Sa, each delectably prepared better than ever to serve their esteemed guest, Black Cat.
Okryong sniffled and said, “I’m so glad we went out…”
“Hoho.”
“Haha!”
Black Cat chuckled at Okryong’s words, prompting the other two to relax and laugh along.
Happiness!
As the three felt euphorically light on cloud nine, Black Cat waved at the entrance.
“Over here!”
The three turned their gazes in her direction, and there stood Ho Cheon-an.
The trio froze. As Ho Cheon-an approached, they found themselves involuntarily sitting up.
“What are you doing here?”
There was no way the three could respond with their minds wiped clean. Cold sweat ran down their backs as Black Cat chuckled.
“We met by coincidence, recognizing one another, so we sat together for a moment.”
“Is that so? But why are you suddenly standing?”
The three sat down at lightning speed.
“So, have you made some progress?”
“Hmm. I was hoping to drop by the archives if I had time, but it seems that’s going to be tough. I’ll have to diligently visit the archives every Sunday from now on.”
The trio held their breaths. Black Cat’s enchanting presence with the veil! Despite the cover, anyone could see the look of a lover in her eyes.
And they were swept up in a chill of terror. Especially Kang Chumo-ru, who trembled all over.
Instantly, they had fallen from heaven to hell!
“You guys are something else. After enjoying the meals at the Yongsang Inn, you decide to come back out here?”
Ho Cheon-an shook his head while the three watched his expression, pale-faced.
“Oh, you seem to be quite strict with your teachings?”
“I’m just doing as taught. You all. Here, the main branch is just one guest out of many. Don’t just sit there frozen—grab a drink!”
“Ah! No..! Yes!”
The trio drank the cups filled by Ho Cheon-an, thinking that the exact same So Hongju felt entirely tasteless compared to before.
Ho Cheon-an, aiming to ease the atmosphere, posed a question.
“By the way, Jo Ga-ju, did you hit your mark?”
“Yes! I’ll report immediately!”
Jo Ga-ju, who had already been tense, immediately began recounting what had occurred earlier at the Gwang Jae-ryeon’s shop.
“Hmm. So Gwang Jae-ryeon’s workshop was like that…”
With a thoughtful scratch to his chin, Ho Cheon-an chuckled awkwardly. He had drifted into contemplation with unexpected information suddenly presented.
Looking at the trio, still frozen stiff, he knew the atmosphere seemed unlikely to lighten.
Then the best course was to give them a break.
“Okay. Drink moderately, and don’t stay out too late.”
“Ah! No, yes!”
As the trio exhaled deeply, finally relieved, they watched Ho Cheon-an leave for his room, along with Black Cat following right after him.
Once they fully vanished from sight, they let out deep sighs of relief.
“Phew…”
“It felt like my grandfather was just in front of me…”
Having plummeted from heaven to hell in an instant and then coming back to life, the three collapsed, utterly exhausted.
How long had they been like that?
Okryong murmured, “I’m so damn envious of the instructor…”
Without a word, Jo Ga-ju refilled his comrades’ glasses. The trio toasted silently, drinking heavily.
The sweet, sweet So Hongju that held no flavor turned out to be unbelievably bitter.
