By Zephyria Sixth Young Master (2)
Even though persistently demanding to know the name of someone who clearly didn’t want to reveal it was impolite, the Wudang Sect didn’t back down.
‘They already know who I am.’
A strange nobleman with Baek Ryeo-il was enough to raise suspicion. And Seong Mu-yeon’s attitude seemed to confirm their suspicions.
He sighed.
‘I didn’t want to cause any trouble.’
Since they already knew, avoiding them would only raise more suspicion. Just as he was about to step forward, Baek Ryeo-il moved.
“Excuse me, but we’re busy, so we’ll be going now.”
He gently pushed Seong Mu-yeon’s back, moving him out of the Wudang Sect’s sight.
The Wudang Sect was caught off guard, and they quickly moved away. Seong Mu-yeon didn’t dare to look back and diligently walked forward with Baek Ryeo-il.
Only after they were far enough away did he glance back over his shoulder, and the Wudang Sect was standing still, watching them with meaningful eyes.
Fortunately, they didn’t seem to be chasing after them.
“That almost got noisy.”
“Don’t wander around alone. You never know what they might try to use against you.”
“I understand.”
Wandering around alone in a place guarded by orthodox sect martial artist with their eyes wide open was like walking into a tiger’s den.
“Don’t worry! I will protect Seong Mu-yeon Young master!”
Gang Woong shouted passionately. Seong Mu-yeon stroked his head.
The three soon arrived at a small, elegant manor located slightly away from the main street.
“Welcome. I’ve already heard from the Sect leader. I’ll show you to your rooms, shall I? This way, please.”
The Flying Swallow Sect was excited about the headquarters Disciples’ visit. The three were the center of the Disciples’ curious gazes as they followed the Sect leader inside.
After asking the Sect leader, they were able to get new clothes in no time.
‘How should I meet Luzhu?’
Seong Mu-yeon pondered this as he waited for Baek Ryeo-il and Gang Woong to change their clothes. Luzhu, who ran a large tea house, wouldn’t just meet anyone who asked. Moreover, if she was hiding a Demonic Cult Young master, she wouldn’t have ordinary morals…
Creak.
Seong Mu-yeon turned his head at the sound of Baek Ryeo-il opening the door.
“Teacher, I’ve roughly planned some things…”
Baek Ryeo-il was standing there in the plain martial uniform that had been prepared for him, looking down at him. The light-colored clothes, instead of his usual dark Hwasan Sect martial uniform, were unfamiliar yet bright, making his face stand out. A silk cloth was tightly wrapped around his slender waist, and a sword was fastened on top of it.
“Seong Mu-yeon?”
“Yes?”
“What plan?”
Seong Mu-yeon startled back to his senses.
It wasn’t the first time he had seen Baek Ryeo-il in different clothes. When they first met, he had changed his appearance to hide his identity and approach Seong Mu-yeon. But without realizing it, he had been staring blankly at Baek Ryeo-il, who was exuding a different kind of aura.
“Ah, that’s… I’ve made some plans.”
Seong Mu-yeon tried to calm his fluttering heart and continued speaking.
As the sun set, the streets filled with tea houses were packed with people who had come out to drink, and the bright lights illuminated the surroundings, making it lively.
Seong Mu-yeon looked up at the tea house. Immortal Moon Tower was the tallest and most extravagant of them all.
“You must stay still and quiet, no matter what I do. Don’t say a word. You two are my bodyguards right now. Understand?”
Seong Mu-yeon reminded the two martial artist standing behind him once again. Baek Ryeo-il and Gang Woong, wearing well-made martial uniforms and swords, didn’t look like Hwasan Sect at all. They looked like capable bodyguards belonging to a private individual. It was thanks to the Flying Swallow Sect leader’s excellent taste in clothing.
Seong Mu-yeon steeled his heart and stepped into the tea house.
The first floor’s general seating area was filling up with ordinary commoners who had come to drink. A Server quickly approached and bowed.
“Welcome…!”
“Get me a private room.”
Seong Mu-yeon abruptly placed a silver coin on the table. The Server’s eyes widened at the sight of the gleaming silver.
“Of course! This way!”
The Server bowed obsequiously and led them upstairs.
“What are you doing? Why are you spending money?”
Baek Ryeo-il whispered in a small voice as he followed behind.
He had followed Seong Mu-yeon’s instructions, but he hadn’t expected this situation.
‘What did you expect me to do?!’
Seong Mu-yeon shrugged.
If it were the Baek Ryeo-il he knew, it was obvious without even seeing it. Baek Ryeo-il would have started beating people up and barged deep into the tea house. As he beat them, someone stronger and higher in status would appear. By repeating that, Luzhu would eventually show up…
Baek Ryeo-il’s method wasn’t bad, but they needed to move discreetly without attracting attention, so he put it on hold for now.
The Server led them to a luxurious private room.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
Not long after he left, beaming, the chief manager of this tea house, Janggwi, came running barefoot. He plastered a business smile on his face and fawned over Seong Mu-yeon.
“Thank you for visiting our Immortal Moon Tower! We will serve you diligently so that you can have the best time tonight.”
Even the female entertainers with instruments rushed in, but Seong Mu-yeon waved them away.
“No music. I want to drink quietly.”
“Yes, yes! An excellent choice!”
Janggwi recommended food and drinks, and Seong Mu-yeon ordered as he suggested. Janggwi’s face was filled with smiles at the thought of making a hefty profit.
When the food came out and the table was set, Seong Mu-yeon offered Janggwi a drink.
“I don’t have any friends to drink with.”
“Oh, thank you. Let me pour you a drink.”
Seong Mu-yeon received the drink from Janggwi and glanced back. Baek Ryeo-il, who was standing against the wall like a bodyguard, was, as expected, smacking his lips at the sight of the alcohol.
Then, he raised an eyebrow at Seong Mu-yeon, who was holding the glass of alcohol. Seong Mu-yeon flinched and put down the glass.
With a drink or two, the atmosphere ripened enough to bring up the main topic. Seong Mu-yeon repeatedly offered food and drinks, subtly probing Janggwi.
“Is Luzhu at Immortal Moon Tower today?”
Janggwi paused. Seong Mu-yeon saw his face stiffen out of the corner of his eye, but he pretended not to notice and leisurely poured a new glass of alcohol, handing it to Baek Ryeo-il as well.
“You guys sit down and listen too.”
“Yes!”
Baek Ryeo-il quickly sat down and gulped down the alcohol. You shouldn’t even drink cold water carelessly in front of children, and Gang Woong, his disciple, was also eyeing the Wine Jar with curiosity.
“Lu, Luzhu, what do you need Luzhu for…?”
Janggwi asked first when the other party didn’t seem to be thinking of continuing.
Seong Mu-yeon’s hand, which was holding chopsticks, stopped in mid-air.
“…Do I look like I’m here to answer your questions?”
Janggwi hurriedly lowered his head.
“Ah, no. I’m sorry. I’ll inform Luzhu. But recently, Luzhu hasn’t been showing up in front of guests very often…”
“Tell her I’m here to find someone.”
“Yes…! Then, please enjoy yourselves!”
After Janggwi left, Seong Mu-yeon dismissed all the servants as well.
“Have you done this kind of thing often?”
Baek Ryeo-il asked when only the three of them were left. He hurriedly gulped down the Wine Jar before anyone came.
“No. It’s my first time.”
“But why are you so used to it? The way you handle people, too.”
“Isn’t Teacher too much of a flower grown in a greenhouse?”
“Me? That’s absurd.”
Seong Mu-yeon snatched the Wine Jar from Baek Ryeo-il and poured alcohol into his glass.
“You were raised delicately in a different sense. Because you’re a Hwasan Sect Disciple. Who would dare to ignore you when you wear that martial uniform?”
From the beginning, the way they approached people was different.
“Those kinds of guys are similar everywhere. If someone looks stronger and has more than them, they’ll believe it to be true, regardless of the facts.”
He subtly pushed away Gang Woong’s hand, which was reaching for the Wine Jar, and pushed a plate of fruit towards him instead.
“By now, Janggwi will have run to Luzhu and said this: ‘A high-ranking person has come.’ They have a lot of money and skilled bodyguards. But they didn’t reveal their name. And they didn’t properly explain their purpose.”
“So?”
“The Luzhu who hears the report will be busy in their head. They must have done a lot of things that make them uneasy, so they won’t be able to guess who the person who came is. They’ll quickly think of the worst-case scenario. And.”
Thud, thud, thud!
Urgent and heavy footsteps echoed loudly, and soon a voice was heard from outside the door.
“Luzhu has arrived.”
“…See? I’m saying they’ll come to check like this.”
Gang Woong clapped softly. Seong Mu-yeon raised his voice confidently towards the outside.
“Tell them to come in.”
Creak.
When the door opened, a man with wide, excited eyes was standing there. Relief washed over Luzhu’s face when he saw the person sitting inside. He had avoided the worst-case scenario he had expected.
Soon, an annoyed expression crossed his face.
“Who are you to be looking for m—”
Luzhu couldn’t finish his sentence. He gasped as if he had seen a ghost when he saw Seong Mu-yeon.
“Why are you doing that, Luzhu? Is my face perhaps familiar?”
It was understandable. From a long time ago, Seong Mu-yeon and Seong Mu-jae had often been told that they looked just like their father.