Rumors had begun to spread long ago about Geum Myeong-wol being the Inspector General of the Hounam region in Ak-yang.

More precisely, this gossip started circulating shortly after the Geum Myeong-wol Inn became famous across the world.

Guests invited to the Sogapo Merchant’s Inn, along with the officials and members of the Imperial Army who frequented the government office, could only be astounded when they laid eyes on the Geum Myeong-wol Inn.

Wasn’t it shocking that someone they thought was the Inspector General was prominently featured in the Geum Myeong-wol Inn’s illustrations?

This incredible news quickly spread among the residents of Ak-yang, and merchants catering to the influx of tourists from all over the country were not exempt.

Merchants spread this astonishing news to tourists, but the responses were cold.

“No, it’s true! There are countless officials and soldiers who have witnessed Geum Myeong-wol!”

Despite the merchants protesting their innocence, the return responses were dismissive or angry.

“Do you think I’ve never heard of the ridiculous rumors circulating in various regions? Geum Myeong-wol is from our area!”

The rumors discussed among the Ak-yang residents were something tourists simply couldn’t accept.

“It’s true! There are countless witnesses!”

“Ha! Can you even believe Geum Myeong-wol is from Nangyang? Moreover, a martial artist is an official?”

“…From Nangyang?”

“Isn’t that what you’re claiming? An individual chosen to rise up to the center must have a significant reputation from their hometown! How could a nobody be recognized and promoted to an official position? Yet, Geum Myeong-wol suddenly attained the prestigious role of Inspector General without a trace of rumors; the only explanation left is that they must have grown up in Nangyang or nearby!”

Ak-yang Tower, a sacred site for the officials. Among the tourists passing through Ak-yang, there were those well-versed in official positions, and the merchants could only fall silent against their rebuttals.

“Ak-yang has produced a martial world hero called So Yeon-hwa? Such reckless talk!”

“No, really, there are witnesses…”

“Ha! Every place has its own backstory about the ridiculous rumors!”

“I-I apologize…”

Most merchants kept their mouths shut to please the tourists, but not everyone shared that sentiment.

“No, but I’m saying it’s true!”

Thus, arguments frequently erupted between residents and tourists in Ak-yang, and when tourists from other regions began to quarrel about Geum Myeong-wol’s origin, the merchant association stepped in and imposed a gag order.

“Alright, that’s enough.”

“But…!”

“Hey, get a clue. Is it wise to keep mentioning the incident where the governor and high officials lost their heads? It’s certainly not something the government would appreciate. Besides, Geum Myeong-wol is merely a guest at the Sogapo Merchant’s Inn. The inn itself wouldn’t be thrilled about this ruckus either.”

Eventually, clueless merchants and residents zipped their lips, and the claim that Geum Myeong-wol was the Inspector General seemed to fade away among the many absurd rumors floating around at the time.

If it weren’t for the rumor spreading that Geum Myeong-wol was Hyeok Gi-rin of the Jeomchang Faction, that would have been the case.

The question shifted from where Geum Myeong-wol was from to what their true identity was—prompting the people of Ak-yang to jump at the chance to share their thoughts, and the rumor of Geum Myeong-wol being the Inspector General quickly spread throughout the Central Plains.

Though lacking solid proof, the circumstances led many to regard the absurd rumors from the Dark Dragon Sect as credible, unlike Ak-yang’s claims, which were backed by numerous witnesses.

“Heh.”

The moment Jang Yi heard the rumors spreading in Ak-yang, he couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief.

The Geum Myeong-wol he firmly believed was a hero turned out to be a man who had once been a disciple of the Jeomchang Faction and was now an Inspector General.

How on earth was he supposed to wrap his head around that?

Unable to come to a conclusion himself, Jang Yi headed to the bookstore.

Groups of familiar faces were gathered around the bench outside the bookstore, discussing various topics.

“Surely Geum Myeong-wol isn’t Hyeok Gi-rin?”

“It’s confirmed that Geum Myeong-wol is the Inspector General. There are so many witnesses it’s hard to count! No way can two people who look exactly alike be invited to Sogapo Merchant’s Inn. Geum Myeong-wol’s identity is clearly established, so there’s no need to suspect their gender.”

“Phew, so it’s confirmed that Geum Myeong-wol is a woman.”

At the mumbling from the family of the innkeeper, those gathered around let out a sigh of relief.

“If that’s the case, then it’s also confirmed that Geum Myeong-wol is from Nangyang.”

However, the atmosphere quickly turned awkward again with the following murmurs.

“Ahem, but at least not from Gwangju…”

“Such a pity, such a pity.”

Everyone fell silent, wearing expressions of disappointment, and with that uncomfortable atmosphere, one by one began to leave, and Jang Yi had no choice but to head back to the inn.

Back at the inn, Jang Yi’s mind remained in turmoil.

“Geum Myeong-wol’s true identity isn’t Hyeok Gi-rin but rather the Inspector General?”

“Why would an official join forces with the Brain Knife Outcast to suppress the Blood Sect…?”

How could the hot topic of the world avoid Jang Yi’s inn? Naturally, the guests continued to chatter about Geum Myeong-wol, and while Jang Yi busied himself, he couldn’t help but be haunted by the name Geum Myeong-wol.

Once the sun had completely set, and after confirming that the drunkards who had been chatting away with Geum Myeong-wol had finally retreated to their rooms, Jang Yi exhaustedly tossed himself onto the bed in his own room.

In that moment, his lethargic gaze turned toward the book titled [Geum Myeong-wol Inn] next to his pillow.

As he stared at the cover of the book, Jang Yi couldn’t help but chuckle.

He had become excited upon learning that a martial world hero emerged from Gwangju, leading to his interest in Geum Myeong-wol, which ultimately resulted in his purchase of the book.

Thus, when rumors began to circulate that Geum Myeong-wol might be from Sacheon, he felt a deep sense of disappointment.

He even thought he had washed his hands of any lingering feelings for Geum Myeong-wol.

But then…

Upon hearing that Geum Myeong-wol supposedly was Hyeok Gi-rin and a man, he found himself intrigued, his ears perked up to hear more rumors.

Anticipating the latest gossip, when the latest news from Ak-yang arrived, he felt a mix of relief and confusion.

Ultimately, he felt relieved that Geum Myeong-wol had been definitively established as a woman. Yet, the unexpected identity left him bewildered, not to mention a tiny lingering attachment to the notion of Geum Myeong-wol being from Gwangju – something he thought he had given up on long ago.

He was truly on tenterhooks due to the mere name Geum Myeong-wol.

“Hehehe.”

Jang Yi couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief at the whole situation himself.

As someone running an inn, constant gossip about martial artists and heroes had been a part of his life for ages.

His feelings about countless martial world rumors were quite simple: These individuals were nothing like him—they lived in an entirely different world.

Martial artists were superhumans, and the martial world was a playground for such superhumans. After realizing this, Jang Yi found himself unable to genuinely immerse in the rumors of the martial world.

So why on earth had he become so deeply invested in the hero Geum Myeong-wol?

There shouldn’t be any reason to like Geum Myeong-wol anymore.

Or perhaps, they weren’t just a hero but a mysterious individual who was an official instead, and even with the revelation of such knowledge, he found it impossible to shake off thoughts of Geum Myeong-wol.

“I don’t know. I just don’t know.”

Still lacking certainty about his feelings, Jang Yi remained puzzled.

Then, a week later, a new piece of news arrived to finally unravel his confusion.

“Geum Myeong-wol claims they’ll clarify this rumor directly in Nangyang!”

As soon as Jang Yi heard that news, he locked up the inn and headed straight for Nangyang.