Staying long at an inn inevitably means encountering many people.

Bu Eunseol, having received three thousand nyang for killing Black Snake Blade Seok Jeong. The first thing he did was rent a small house far away from the village. He would be handling missions for the Yueyang Branch for the time being. In the meantime, Bu Eunseol created a hideout of his own where he could rest at ease.

“Now I need to fill it up.”

The next thing Bu Eunseol did was buy equipment necessary for missions.

“No need to use the items in the bookstore warehouse.”

The equipment piled in the secret warehouse of the old bookstore was of poor quality and completely unmaintained. Likely because no one felt any sense of belonging to the branch.

“Welcome.”

Going to a smithy in the deepest alley of the market street, Bu Eunseol bought a longsword made of Hundred Refined Steel and an assassin’s sword he could carry on his back.

“Customer.”

The blacksmith, seeing that Bu Eunseol not only bought an assassin’s sword but also had a bosom full of bank notes, smiled slyly and whispered.

“Do you perhaps need hidden weapons or needle tubes?”

“Hidden weapons?”

Bu Eunseol’s eyes sparkled.

Occasionally, there are smithies that manufacture hidden weapons. But places selling ominous items like needle tubes are usually only found among back-alley fences.

“Do you have such things here?”

“Of course. Follow me.”

The blacksmith guided Bu Eunseol to a small annex installed inside the smithy. There, throwing hidden weapons like flying daggers and darts, as well as hidden weapon mechanisms like Extreme Violent Needle Tube and Spiral Flash Bomb, were packed tightly.

“Among our blacksmiths, there is one who makes hidden weapons incredibly well. How is it?”

Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol picked up an object that looked like a metal wrist guard.

“Oho, you have an eye for quality.”

The blacksmith wore the metal guard on his own wrist.

Click.

As the blacksmith, having fastened the guard, flicked his wrist, a spring mechanism became visible with a ping sound.

“It is a genuine hidden weapon device manufactured by Death Scent. You just need to insert ox hair needles into this spring mechanism.”

Death Scent…

Looking at the hidden weapon device, crimson blood-light soared from Bu Eunseol’s eyes.

“Do you know where to get hidden weapon devices from Death Scent?”

When Bu Eunseol, who had been consistently gentle and calm, suddenly emitted killing intent, the blacksmith was greatly startled and stepped back.

“H-How would we know such a place?”

“Then how did you get this item?”

Seeing Bu Eunseol’s eyes shooting beams of blood-light, the blacksmith trembled his lips and said, ”W-We just cheaply bought what was floating around as stolen goods. The fences didn’t know this was a hidden weapon and thought it was a wrist guard…”

True, there’s no way this small smithy could have opened trade with Death Scent, the grandmaster of hidden weapons. I got too excited.

Fixing his expression again, Bu Eunseol extended his hand.

Click.

He removed the hidden weapon device from the blacksmith’s wrist and wore it on his own.

“No, that is…”

As the blacksmith stammered and reached out, Bu Eunseol pressed a bundle of bank notes taken from his bosom into his hand.

Ten notes.

Bu Eunseol had paid a thousand nyang for a single hidden weapon device.

‘I met the God of Wealth!’ Counting the notes in his hand, the blacksmith bowed deeply toward Bu Eunseol leaving the door.

“Thank you!”

***

Bu Eunseol, trying to leave the market street and return to his hideout, stopped his steps. Because a savory smell wafted from somewhere. Passing through a winding alley following the smell, he saw a street stall selling dumplings in a corner.

I should buy some dumplings to take back.

Bu Eunseol’s hideout was quite far from the village, so there was nothing to eat nearby.

“How much for one dumpling?”

“Five mun.”

“Five mun…”

Bu Eunseol, asking the stall owner the price, soon wore a bitter smile.

Giving a hundred-nyang note to a dumpling vendor at a stall… they wouldn’t be able to give change.

“I will come again next time.”

Just as Bu Eunseol turned his body and was about to leave the alley…

“Young Master.”

Suddenly, a young waiter carrying a dishcloth on his shoulder stood in front of him, smiling brightly.

“We meet again.”

The waiter smiled happily like meeting an old acquaintance and bowed deeply.

Searching his memory, Bu Eunseol raised one eyebrow. The young waiter before him was the one from Mirror Pavilion whom he had encountered when he first came to Yueyang.

He recognized me?

The encounter with the waiter back then was very brief. Also, at that time, he was dressed in high-quality clothes, disguised as a descendant of a famous family touring the area. But now, Bu Eunseol was wearing black martial robes, and hadn’t he even changed his face with the Face Changing Bone Altering Art?

“Do you know me?”

At Bu Eunseol’s question, the young waiter blinked and answered with a nonchalant expression. “Didn’t I see you here a while ago?”

He didn’t recognize my face.

Bu Eunseol’s curiosity was piqued. Hundreds of people must pass through this market street daily. How did he recognize him when he didn’t even remember his face?

“If you don’t mind…”

“Let’s go.”

Cutting off the waiter’s words, Bu Eunseol nodded.

“I was hungry anyway.”

Mirror Pavilion, a high-class restaurant situated far from the bustling market street, offered an exquisite dining experience. The restaurant’s exterior showcased a breathtaking view of Dongting Lake, creating a serene ambiance. Guests could indulge in aged wine and savor exquisite cuisine while taking in the picturesque scenery.

“Please ascend this way.”

Despite reaching the second floor, the waiter suggested going one floor higher to Bu Eunseol. That was where special rooms were installed, with seats costing over a hundred nyang of silver.

“I will take a window seat.”

Bu Eunseol pointed to an empty seat in a corner of the 2nd floor.

“Will you?”

The waiter didn’t press further and guided Bu Eunseol to the window seat.

“Fortunately, a good seat is empty.” The waiter bowed and said, ”What food…”

“I have one thing to ask.”

“Please speak.”

“How did you recognize me? Our encounter back then was very brief.”

“Hahaha. If people like us can’t remember customers’ faces, we can’t make a living.”

As the waiter wiped his nose and chatted glibly, Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed.

As expected, he doesn’t remember the face.

From that answer, Bu Eunseol could realize two facts.

That the young waiter didn’t recognize his changed appearance.

And the reason he didn’t tell the secret of how he could recognize him.

“I want to hear the secret in detail.”

Bu Eunseol took out a bank note and held it out, but the waiter waved both hands.

“You give this much as a tip?”

“I have no change.”

“Then I will deduct a little for my share when calculating. Please keep it for now.”

“Good.”

When Bu Eunseol nodded coolly, only then did the waiter whisper the secret in a low voice.

“Even if we can’t remember faces, remembering voices is our job.”

Voice.

That is something that doesn’t change even if one changes clothes or changes face.

The Art of Crowing Like a Rooster and Stealing Like a Dog broadly expressed the essence of disguise techniques with the word ‘atmosphere’. Thinking conversely, voice was also included in the word atmosphere.

“Voice… I see.”

Every profession has its own secrets.

Even waiters, whom he thought simply carried dishes and wiped tables, were making efforts in unseen places.

“It was a big help.”

It was sincere.

He had learned the most important point of the Face Changing Bone Altering Art and the Art of Crowing Like a Rooster and Stealing Like a Dog from none other than a waiter.

“Oh my, you flatter me.” The waiter smiled brightly and said, ”What shall I bring for your meal?”

“Hmm.”

Originally, he intended to eat leisurely and observe people. But sitting leisurely in such a bustling restaurant would inevitably attract attention.

I should order a bit generously.

“Bring three… no, four of the dishes this place does best.”

“Do you not need alcohol?”

“Alcohol?”

“Our restaurant has special Yellow Wine made from high-quality glutinous rice.”

The waiter whispered low as if reading Bu Eunseol’s mind.

“Our restaurant makes its profit from alcohol. If you order a bottle of special Yellow Wine and empty it slowly, you can sit leisurely without worrying about others.”

This young waiter was not only bright but also very quick-witted.

Smirk.

Bu Eunseol burst into a smile involuntarily.

“Do so. Give me a bottle of alcohol too.”

When Bu Eunseol smiled revealing his teeth, the waiter blinked. It was clearly an ordinary impression, but when he smiled, his face seemed to brighten like sunlight reflected in a river.

“What are you staring at?”

“Yes? Yes.”

Regaining his senses, the waiter bowed deeply and shouted.

“Please wait a moment!”

Soon, appetizing braised fish, cold vegetables made with five ingredients, stir-fried beef, and shrimp dishes appeared on the table.

“Hmm.”

Seeing the appetizing dishes, Bu Eunseol felt a hunger he hadn’t felt before. He didn’t care much about the taste of food, but the scent of wine flowing from the yellow bottle stimulated his appetite.

“Mmm.”

He had never touched alcohol, nor was it alcohol he ordered to drink. But as the deep and sweet scent tickled his nose, Bu Eunseol filled his glass without realizing it.

Gulp.

Draining the alcohol in one breath, Bu Eunseol wiped his mouth.

“Strange.”

It was a little different from what he heard.

He heard it was originally bitter and a bit strong… how could it be so sweet?

Gulp.

Unexpectedly, one glass, then two glasses kept going in.

In a short time, Bu Eunseol emptied three bottles of Yellow Wine. But far from being drunk, his mind seemed to become clearer the more he drank.

“Oh dear… no seats.”

At that moment, a young man who came up to the 2nd floor looked around and clicked his tongue.

Had he just passed twenty?

He carried a sword at his waist, but unlike a martial artist, his body lines and limbs were slender. However, his features were very distinct, and his eyes were large and clear, making his atmosphere look dashing.

“Oh.”

The young man, about to turn away with a dismayed face, shouted in exclamation upon seeing Bu Eunseol sitting alone by the window emptying alcohol.

“Well, well, it’s been a long time!”

The young man sat opposite Bu Eunseol as if meeting a close friend and waved both hands happily.

“I don’t know how long it’s been!”

As Bu Eunseol’s brow narrowed, the young man spoke nonsense.

“To think your complexion is fine even after emptying three bottles of this strong Yellow Wine? I don’t even remember when I last saw such a manly man!”

At the man’s nonsense, Bu Eunseol shut his mouth.

“Traditionally, true men all have a high tolerance for alcohol!”

Chattering once more, the young man cleared his throat and whispered, ”Are you perhaps waiting for someone?”

When Bu Eunseol shook his head, the young man asked again, ”Then you mean you were drinking alone?”

When Bu Eunseol nodded, the young man slapped the table and spoke in a hearty voice.

“That works out well! I can’t just pass by after seeing a manly man like you, brother. Look here!” The young man shouted toward a passing waiter. “Bring a large bowl here, and five more bottles of special Yellow Wine! And for snacks…”

Then, looking at the perfectly fine dishes on the table, the young man narrowed his eyes and shouted, ”For snacks… a plate of peanuts!”

Thud. Thud.

Since he ordered five bottles of expensive Yellow Wine, the waiter ran over in a hurry and set down the wine kettles.

When Bu Eunseol looked with an absurd gaze, the young man waved his hand dismissively.

“Ah, don’t worry! The alcohol is my treat.”

Holding a wine bottle, the young man filled Bu Eunseol’s glass to the brim.

And he filled a large bowl, the size of a child’s face, with Yellow Wine for himself.

“Here, here, drink up.”

Gulp gulp.

As if possessed by a ghost who died unable to drink, the young man greedily drained the bowl.

“Kuh. This is the taste!”

Wiping his mouth, the young man grinned broadly and asked, ”Do you know why the Yellow Wine here has an exceptionally good scent?”

When Bu Eunseol shook his head, the young man filled the large bowl with alcohol again and said, ”Other places use old glutinous rice for Yellow Wine, but this Mirror Pavilion uses fresh glutinous rice. The price is a bit expensive, but… that’s not something for drinkers to consider, is it? Hahaha!”

And raising his glass again, he shouted, ”Here, have another drink.”

Bu Eunseol stared blankly at the young man who popped out of nowhere and thrust a wine glass at him.

In the past, he would have chased the young man away or left the seat himself.

A master. Of the Orthodox factions…

But Bu Eunseol saw through that the young man before him was not only a martial artist but a considerable master of the Orthodox factions.

Righteous is Clear, Demonic is Domineering.

The True Energy of the Orthodox is clear, and the True Energy of the Demonic is domineering.

When they first clinked glasses, clear and distinct True Energy wrapped around Bu Eunseol’s pulse through the glass. The technique was so subtle that a demonic practitioner would never have detected it, but Bu Eunseol could feel it instantly.

Swallowing Both Clear and Turbid.

Meaning swallowing both the clear and the turbid, it was also a phrase that well represented the Polarity Reversal Cultivation Art, which combined the advantages of Orthodox and Demonic cultivation arts.

“It seems you have just entered the martial world, brother!”

The eyes of the young man, who constantly offered wine to Bu Eunseol, narrowed.