The past I know about the Black Cat is quite fragmentary.
Her father passed away early, and she grew up with her mother. And her mother runs a textile shop.
Also, because of the endless problems caused by the Taeeum chronic illness, she couldn’t bear it anymore and eventually fled from home.
Thus, she roamed the world alone and created the Wolbok-dang to solve her problems and protect herself.
That was about it.
So I was a bit surprised when I heard that the Black Cat’s hometown was in Ak-yang.
Because Ak-yang is one of the most famous tourist spots in the world.
And when I arrived in Ak-yang and beheld the Soga Textile Shop, I was stunned twice by its size, which was gigantic compared to the petty shops you would find in any village or city.
By scale alone, it should be called the So Family Association rather than just a textile shop.
What does the name ‘Yeon-hwa’ mean?
In this martial arts world, the name Yeon-hwa originates from the meaning of martial artist comfort or being ordinary. In other words, it reflects the parents’ wish for their child to live a smooth, untroubled life rather than a life full of twists and turns.
That’s why the name Yeon-hwa is one of the most commonly used names for women. It’s also why the Black Cat’s real name overlaps with Moyong Yeon-hwa.
The Black Cat’s real name is Yeon-hwa, and I heard she couldn’t suppress the commotion that happened as she grew up, so I believed that the Soga Textile Shop would be a modest storefront hoping for a peaceful life, but it turned out to be a massive textile shop, which left me a little perplexed.
Reflecting on such sentiments, I observed the Soga Textile Shop for a while and noticed that the Black Cat wasn’t getting out of the cart, so I jumped down from the driver’s seat and opened the cart door.
Maybe she was trying to gather her thoughts.
The Black Cat was staring intently at the textile shop through the window of the fast cart.
“…I’m back.”
“Yeah.”
Feeling the deep emotion in the Black Cat’s single word, I grasped her hand. The tension in her grip tightened painfully the moment I held it, but she silently endured it.
The Black Cat had lived a life that thoroughly distanced herself from her family.
This was evidence that she cherished her mother that much.
Wasn’t there a part of her that wanted to return to her hometown and meet her mother?
Yet, she held it all in and kept her distance, likely hoping that the incidents caused by the Taeeum illness wouldn’t reach her mother anymore.
So, she must be scared.
The thought of visiting the Soga Textile Shop and meeting her mother could shatter the peace she currently enjoyed, causing a repeat of the chaos from her childhood.
The tremor in the hand holding mine was probably due to being overcome by such thoughts.
“It’s okay.”
Miss Yeo Il-ye grasped the Black Cat’s empty hand. The Black Cat looked surprised and gazed at Yeo Il-ye, who smiled softly at her.
“No need to be afraid. Whatever happens, I, Yeo Il-ye, a member of the Ten Prodigies, will draw my sword for you.”
“Exactly!”
Hyeok Gi-rin also grabbed the Black Cat’s hand.
“If anyone dares to misuse my authority, I’ll smash them to pieces, so don’t worry!”
“I can help if there’s anything I can do.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa also smiled gently, supporting the Black Cat.
“Me too. We’re not just ordinary companions, are we? We’re bonded in heart.”
Finally, Dokgo I-seol chimed in with a wink.
“Ah…”
The Black Cat looked at our group with a blank expression. While she only looked at our group, I squeezed her hand to let her know I was here and on her side.
The Black Cat was no longer a helpless child.
She was the leader of the world’s number one information organization, the Wolbok-dang, and an expert at Peak Stage who mastered Minor Divine Skill.
And how about those who accompany such a Black Cat?
The Ten Prodigies from the Jeomchang Faction and the princess of the Huang Nation. The news lord from the Dark Dragon Sect and a direct line member of the Moyong Clan.
Plus, an expert from Hwa-gyeong, who had beaten down the Black Dragon and snatched a line of wisdom left by the First Heavenly Demon.
Even if the problems that troubled the young Black Cat visit again, she had more than enough power to solve them.
So I confidently declared,
“Who am I? The Hero Brain Knife Outcast Ho Cheon-an. Just trust and follow me.”
“Pfft..!”
I was more serious than ever, but the Black Cat burst into laughter. After a moment of giggles, she brightened with a smile and pulled my hand, lifting herself up.
“Thank you, everyone. I’ll go see my mother.”
The group waved their hands to send us off, and the Black Cat and I held hands, heading toward the Soga Textile Shop. As we approached, the Martial Artist guarding the main gate responded politely.
“What business do you have at this textile shop?”
“We’re here to see the shop owner.”
“Are you perhaps someone who has made a prior appointment?”
When I shook my head, a look of distress appeared on the Martial Artist’s face. In fact, if there’s no appointment, the standard response would be to send us away to reschedule. However, the well-dressed Black Cat and my own appearance—dressed in expensive garments rather than tattered martial attire—made us look too precious to chase away.
Then I decided to end the Martial Artist’s dilemma with my words.
“Sorry for the late introduction. I am Ho Cheon-an, known as the Hero Brain Knife Outcast in the Martial World.”
The Martial Artists’ jaws dropped. After a moment of scrutiny, one spoke with a confused expression.
“First, I must apologize. There’s barely any rumor about the appearance of the Hero Brain Knife Outcast, so I couldn’t possibly recognize you with my limited insight…”
Well, that’s true.
I always wore that Black Rib covering my face, so it’s normal that no one knew what I looked like.
Crack!
Thus, I showed the Martial Artist the most definite means to prove I am indeed the Hero Brain Knife Outcast.
“Hoop!”
I demonstrated my skill by lifting a rock into mid-air using empty energy and placing it in the Martial Artist’s hand.
The Martial Artist was one of the brains of Hwa-gyeong. To my knowledge, I was the only one in the martial world with such abilities, so there was no better way to prove myself than to display this empty energy.
The Martial Artists rushed inside, and in an instant, the textile shop became chaotic.
In that commotion, the Black Cat clutched my hand tightly. To ease her nerves, I spoke,
“It’s okay. It’s just a simple visit to see your mother, so why so tense? You don’t need to worry about meeting her after such a long time.”
“Well, that’s the thing…”
The Black Cat shot an eye at me.
“Separately from that, I’m on my way to introduce a man to my mother. How can I not be nervous?”
…Oh.
It was then I realized my position.
The reason why I had come to the Soga Textile Shop in Ak-yang was to help the Black Cat recover her lost past.
But what kind of relationship do the Black Cat and I have?
I had proposed to her, and while she hadn’t explicitly accepted, she had implicitly given a half-acknowledgment. So, visiting the Black Cat’s mother together means…?
It’s essentially like going to greet my mother-in-law!
“…Senior?”
Emergency! Code Red!
I hastily adjusted my outfit and groomed myself. The Black Cat looked at me with a puzzled expression, but I had no time to care about her gaze.
“Whew, whew.”
I took a long breath to calm the rising tension like a furious storm.
Who am I, Ho Cheon-an?
An expert of Hwa-gyeong. The Hero of the Martial World. The most sought-after man in this martial world right now. Surely, any mother-in-law would welcome a son-in-law like me with open arms. A sudden greeting shouldn’t even be a problem.
I desperately hypnotized myself.
Right, is there anything truly wrong with me?
I have no family or relatives, just a lone wolf.
I’ve only lived as an outcast all my life.
I’ve dabbled a little in gambling.
And at the moment, I have no place to go.
Yet, I have four beautiful companions waiting in the cart.
Just because I’m a guy with a mismatched vibe for the daughter named ‘Yeon-hwa,’ who was given to live a peaceful life free from turmoil, isn’t that just a bit off?
“Senior, why are you sitting down all of a sudden?!”
I’m doomed!
Completely toast! Who would give their precious daughter to a guy like me, who’s a total wreck!
I looked up at the Black Cat, who stared at me with wide eyes, and wailed.
“I can’t go on like this. At the very least, I need a cozy house where I can lay my head! And a fat safe to go with it! Before I fill that safe with gold, I absolutely cannot meet your mother!”
“What the heck are you talking about! Stand up, now?!”
The Black Cat exclaimed as she tried to pull me up, but I resisted desperately. If I meet her mother like this…! My self-esteem would be shattered!
“What’s all this noise?”
Just then, a cold voice rang out while the struggle between the Black Cat and I continued.
Our gazes turned toward the direction of the voice, and we all held our breath.
It was the serene gaze of a middle-aged lady, impeccably dressed.
No.
It was because this middle-aged lady’s face looked a lot like the Black Cat’s.
Thus, I left the worst possible first impression on my mother-in-law.
