Chapter 25: Seeing Through Stealth
As they strolled leisurely through the marketplace, Songhwa chattered away.
“Young Master, do you really have to go to the Seomun Family?”
“You seem worried.”
“Yes! I’m already anxious the Seomun Family’s young master might suffer great humiliation. My heart won’t calm down.”
What a loyal kid.
Songhwa tossed out a joke, perhaps trying to lighten the mood.
Despite his internal praise, Hou Gong snorted.
“Hmph. Seems you’ve taken a liking to that fellow. With such low standards, where will you end up?”
“Hehe, but Young Master, do you really have to go? Though many guests are invited and nothing dangerous may happen, I can already picture the mockery...”
“Enough nonsense. Find us a good eatery. How long will you make me walk?”
“Yes!”
Mockery, huh?
Listening to Songhwa, Hou Gong suddenly recalled the Dokgo Family.
Even among prestigious clans, some stray from basic human decency. Many hide their rot behind lavish facades of nobility.
While there are well-bred youths like those from Cheongwolmun, many noble scions grow into spoiled brats. Coddled since childhood, they develop unconscious arrogance from their family’s prestige, looking down on others until they become full-fledged delinquents.
When such brats’ ambitions outpace their abilities, disaster follows. A decade ago, a Dokgo Family young master poisoned his elder brother and imprisoned his father to seize succession. When his schemes unraveled, he met a gruesome end.
The Dokgo incident was merely one that surfaced. Powerful families’ inner workings are never peaceful. Just a year prior, the Hwangbo Family endured a succession war dubbed the “Prince’s Rebellion.” Such houses commonly exploit their influence for gain, expanding power through bloodshed.
“Young Master, this place is famous for Dongpa Yuk. That other spot supposedly has incredible Yupokha.”
“What do you want to eat?”
“Hmm... I’d like Yupokha.”
“Good. Then we’ll go for Dongpa Yuk.”
Songhwa’s mouth puffed out like a trumpet.
As the group entered the restaurant, two figures watched them—Gaebang’s beggars.
- Senior Brother, doesn’t the Cheonhwaseogo young master look like a total fool?
- Gulp.
The middle-aged beggar’s Adam’s apple bobbed instead of answering.
- When someone speaks, you should listen! What are you eating?
- Swallowed my spit.
- Must be delicious. Then I’ll do it too. Gulp.
Even as they swallowed spit, their gazes remained fixed.
- Why’s that guy sitting by the window devouring Dongpa Yuk? So envious. Must be nice being rich—eating whatever he wants.
- Exactly. Senior Brother’s just a beggar brat.
- Are you subtly insulting me?
- No, that’s your inferiority complex talking.
The two beggars leaned against a wall corner.
About 20 zhang away stood the restaurant where Cheonhwaseogo’s young master sat by the window—a perfect vantage point.
People passed the sprawled beggars without a glance. No—they couldn’t see them.
The beggars were invisible, hidden through Gaebang’s stealth technique: Gungjamhyeongheosul (Ultreme Stealth Void Art), blending into their surroundings.
Their conversation used sound transmission—inaudible to others.
Only their stench remained, making passersby wrinkle their noses.
- If you insult me again, I’ll kill you. Even veiled insults mean death.
- My family’s motto is ‘Kill anyone who says ‘I’ll kill you if insulted.’’ Funny coincidence.
- You brat! Your family has thousands of mottos! I’ll end your lineage today!
- Heh. Do you think Cheonhwaseogo will pretend nothing happened?
- Then I’d be sorely disappointed.
- Why? Cheongwolmun seems uninvolved, leaving only Seomun Family. Bookworms can’t oppose such formidable foes.
- Cheonhwaseogo aren’t ordinary bookworms! They’re geniuses! With brains like theirs, they’ll manage.
- ......
When no reply came, the middle-aged beggar scowled at his junior.
- You little shit! The venerable Senior Brother speaks, yet you space out?
- Senior Brother, that’s not it—
- Then what?!
- Look there.
- Huh?
- The Cheonhwaseogo young master is watching us.
- What?
The beggar leader’s face went slack as he stared up at the inn’s window.
“Uh...”
Not just watching—the young master was grinning at them. Shock made them forget even sound transmission.
- What’s that? He’s smiling?
- The bookworm’s smiling.
This shouldn’t happen. Stealth techniques aren’t so easily pierced.
Gaebang’s reputation for omnipresent invisibility wasn’t unearned—their pride in perfected stealth arts was unparalleled.
“Young Master, what’s so amusing?”
Songhwa peeked outside, curious about her master’s expression.
But where his gaze fell—nothing.
Assuming he’d imagined something pleasant, she sat back down.
As they finished eating:
“Songhwa.”
“Yes, Young Master?”
“When paying, buy this house’s most expensive alcohol.”
“From here?”
“Yes.”
Songhwa was baffled. Their library stored rare vintage wines—why buy cheap liquor here?
As Hou Gong exited with guards, the beggars panicked.
- Senior Brother, look at my arm! Holy shit—when that young master looked through the window earlier, I got full-body goosebumps! If we run now, we’ll be fried chicken!
- My skin’s already peeling.
- Didn’t they say he’s been severely depressed? Maybe he learned some inner energy technique during melancholy? Cheonhwaseogo’s young master knows martial arts? If he sees through stealth, he might fight me!
- Fool! That’s not the main issue.
The middle-aged beggar frowned at the retreating figure.
- Then what’s important?
- Junior.
- What?
- Plan to live without thinking forever? Is your head just an eyeball storage?
- That’s why I’m asking—what’s important, Senior Brother?!
- Just follow me, you brat!
As Hou Gong reached the mountain’s edge:
“Halt!”
Guards instantly shielded him at the sudden shout—then relaxed upon seeing two shabby beggars.
Songhwa stepped forward.
“Honored beggars, what brings you?”
“I should ask! If you summon someone, shouldn’t you speak properly instead of vanishing?!”
“You must be mistaken. We’ve never met.”
“Stay quiet, girl. Fan Gongzi—speak.”
Fan Gongzi?!
Songhwa’s eyes widened. Her master had only recently begun going out—how did these beggars know him?
Gaebang’s Chui Yun-Gai scratched his neck, glaring at Hou Gong.
Unlike his junior, he fully grasped the situation. The young master learning martial arts was surprising, but more shocking was him revealing it to them—a clear invitation.
“Today, I merely wished to acquaint myself with Gaebang’s masters. I’ll contact you when assistance is needed.”
“Hah...”
The beggars laughed hollowly.
The truth was clear—while they’d observed him, he’d observed them back. Choosing Dongpa Yuk’s visible seat was deliberate.
Even Songhwa and the guards were stunned. When had this mutual awareness formed? How did their rarely-outgoing master know these beggars?
“Have we met before? Cheonhwaseogo produces geniuses, but this is absurd.”
Chui Yun-Gai tilted his head suspiciously. He couldn’t shake the feeling this bookworm knew him intimately.
Of course.
Hou Gong smiled faintly. Chui Yun-Gai was Gaebang Leader Kun Wushin’s disciple—someone Hou Gong had met twice through Kun Wushin.
As the leader’s top disciple, Chui Yun-Gai was a capable martial artist and likely successor. During their first meeting at the martial alliance, Chui Yun-Gai had challenged the “weak-looking fatty” to a race—earning a near-fatal beating from Kun Wushin.
“Have we met?”
At Hou Gong’s question, Chui Yun-Gai blinked.
“No.”
“Then we haven’t.”
“Heh. Remarkable.”
“Until next time. Though meager, I prepared alcohol to avoid sending you empty-handed.”
Songhwa gaped at the bottle she carried. Seeing Hou Gong nod, she hurriedly handed it over.
Chui Yun-Gai chuckled, accepting it.
“No wonder I like you. I’m Chui Yun-Gai of Gaebang.”
The younger beggar waved.
“Hey~ I’m Eun Ang-Gae! But why only one bottle? Rich much?”
Fragrant white sandalwood incense filled the room.
Yoon and Bumong finished wrapping tomorrow’s gift for the Seomun Family—a white sandalwood box tied with blue silk.
Though Bumong wished they could go empty-handed, protocol demanded otherwise. Other nobles’ scions would bring gifts too, however modest.
“Brother... will this be enough?”
Bumong’s face clouded as he stared at the silk bundle.
Yoon frowned.
“It’s fine. Should we present a golden chest instead?”
“No, but...”
“White sandalwood alone is precious.”
Bumong scratched his head.
They’d called maids, then changed their mind—personally loading the gift onto tomorrow’s carriage.
Moonlight bathed their slow nighttime stroll.
Bittersweetness accumulated in their hearts with each step.
Though composed, this night would feel endless for their eldest brother. Having overcome death’s shadow to become the family’s pillar, he showed no worry—but adults’ burdens stay hidden.
Tears welled in soft-hearted Bumong’s eyes.
Yoon nudged his shoulder.
“Stop being gloomy. Our eldest has never been ordinary. Besides, there’s good news.”
“Huh?”
“Have you forgotten the letter from Brother Juyang?”
“Ah!”
Bumong finally remembered—Juyang, their eldest brother’s sole close friend!
The second son of Silver River Trading—North River’s wealthiest tycoon. A man of unwavering integrity, impervious to jokes.
Even during their darkest days, he’d exchanged letters with their brother. Now he’d sent word of his impending visit.
“Will we keep it secret from eldest brother?”
The letter had come addressed to Yoon.
“Obviously. Don’t slip up. Brother Juyang insisted on surprising him—don’t ruin it.”
“Hehe, I won’t! I’m already excited!”
Bumong’s worries vanished into a grin.
Once the Seomun Family matter concluded, joyous days would come.
