Chapter 29: Reservations Are Honored
The Seomun Family.
Under the setting sun, Seomun Woong swelled with pride.
It had been a satisfying day.
No—calling it perfect would not be an exaggeration.
He had secured the Chief Administrator position from Cheonhwa Seogo and concluded the banquet splendidly.
His father, upon hearing the report, patted his shoulder and showered him with praise. There could be no better day than this.
And then—
“Brother, you seem to be in high spirits.”
“Ah, Ryeochan. It’s all thanks to you.”
“What have I done to deserve such credit?”
Pyo Ryeochan flushed with humility.
The sight of Ryeochan’s discomfort thrilled him.
The Crown Prince of Cheonhwa Seogo’s face also surfaced in his mind.
That bastard wore the same expression as Ryeochan.
The prince’s stunned look when Seomun proposed their sworn brotherhood remained vivid.
Huhu. Flustered and panicked.
“Your seven-stringed zither melted the guests’ hearts. How could your contribution be trivial?”
Ryeochan laughed. That worthless fool.
Just as Ryeochan played the zither for the Seomun Family, the Crown Prince would now knead shoulders and massage backs for their sake. The thought sent shivers racing down Seomun Woong’s spine.
After dismissing Ryeochan, he retreated to his quarters.
He dragged over the pile of gifts and began inspecting them.
The offerings from Daeryuk Jeonjang, Cheongwolmun, and Yeomhwak soured his mood. Alcohol? Really? Ogu Mun also sent liquor, while Baekhwajang contributed a bolt of silk.
These gifts were worse than receiving nothing.
Utterly useless.
Only Cheolsimhoe’s present earned a nod of approval.
A small box revealed twelve sewing needles of varying types.
Cheolsimhoe’s needles were too exquisite for mere stitching.
They were keepsakes of great value. His mother would adore them.
Next, he examined Cheonhwa Seogo’s gift.
Meticulously wrapped in silk, the box emitted a delicate fragrance.
The groveling Cheonhwa Seogo must have sent something extraordinary.
Unwrapping the silk uncovered the source of the scent—the packaging itself was crafted from rare white sandalwood. Suppressing a smirk, Seomun opened the box.
Inside lay three books.
Typical of Cheonhwa Seogo.
He’d already pilfered three martial manuals through the Chief Administrator:
Hwagong Wangjeongjin,
Pal Hwangdo Yosujinbeop,
Yuk Yangguryongjinbeop.
Yet they sent more books, knowing full well he’d stolen the originals. This was sycophancy taken to extremes.
He flipped one book open.
Blank pages stared back.
Every volume—completely empty.
His face twisted in rage.
What is this? Those Cheonhwa Seogo bastards!
This was blatant provocation. Then what had today’s goodwill been? The Crown Prince’s gracious hosting?
And the Chief Administrator?
He shot to his feet to report to his father—but froze.
The memory of his father’s proud smile anchored him in place. No. This might simply be petty resistance—the kind anyone might attempt.
The Chief Administrator would arrive tomorrow as promised at the banquet.
If they reneged, it would become leverage.
Yes, waiting until tomorrow to report wouldn’t hurt.
No need to sour his father’s night.
It’s fine. Nothing’s wrong. Absolutely nothing.
Unless... Unless these blank books symbolize their voluntary surrender, since we already took the originals?
His mood abruptly lifted.
“Hahahaha!”
Even as he laughed, Seomun Woong viciously shredded the three blank volumes.
**
Near Seomun Estate’s streets.
Late night. Two beggars rolled about the road.
“Little brother, you shouldn’t snatch money so eagerly. Tsk tsk...”
“But Elder Brother, thanks to that money, we’re eating chicken! Isn’t it delicious?”
“Mmm, yes... Sweet as honey...”
“It’s chicken, not honey, you fool. Slurp.”
A young and a middle-aged beggar lay sprawled, devouring fried chicken and sucking grease from their fingers. Nearby, their senior disciple Chunwoongae watched with disgust.
“Disgusting beggar brats. Even their eating habits are filthy.”
“Elder Brother, didn’t you crush a caterpillar with that hand earlier?”
“Eek!”
Chunwoongae hastily transferred the chicken breast to his other hand, wiping the original on his robe.
“Your robe’s filthier, stupid Eldest Brother.”
Socheonae sneered before continuing:
“Speaking of which, that Cheonhwa Seogo Crown Prince is odd.”
“Because he gave us money?”
“No. He told me to wash regularly. Said I’d get ‘laundered’ otherwise. Looks down on our Beggar’s Sect. Makes me furious!”
“Mad bastard.”
Eunangae chuckled, greasy fingers patting the youngest’s head in consolation.
Chunwoongae glared.
“Fools! He wasn’t lying. Cross the wrong people, and it’ll happen.”
“Nonsense. Stop being contrarian, old man.”
“You’re supposed to be our eldest brother! Show respect, you brats! Even our Sect Leader was once ‘laundered’!”
“Our Sect Leader?!”
“Who’d dare ‘clean’ the Beggar’s Sect Leader? You’re lying!”
“By Hougong himself! Shortly after becoming leader, he visited the Martial Alliance. Hougong said he reeked and should wash. Our leader scoffed, asking if the Alliance Chief dictated everything—then got dragged to the river!”
“No way...”
“When the world’s strongest decides to ‘launder’ you...”
“Shalalalala~~?”
Eunangae shook his head, sending a snowstorm of dandruff flying.
“Exactly! Came out sparkling clean. But Hougong supposedly regretted it.”
“Why?”
“The river turned black with filth. Our leader avoided the Alliance for ages afterward.”
“Elder Brother, all your Hougong stories end badly. Remember when he blew up a mountain peak because the Green Forest King annoyed him? Told him to ‘go raise cows’? The mighty king developed tremors for months!”
“Who cares? They say Green Forest cows were delicious. Probably all eaten by now.”
“Hougong’s the worst. Slurp.”
“Anyway, that Cheonhwa Seogo prince. Who does he think he is, ordering us around?”
“Exactly! If nothing interesting happens at Seomun Estate tonight, I’m storming Cheonhwa Seogo. Don’t try to stop me—I’ll crush everything!”
“But we have to go even if something happens...”
“Oh. Right.”
“Idiot. Moronic Eldest Brother. Slurp.”
“Heh heh heh...”
**
Seomun Estate.
Late night. Seomun Woong regained his composure after draining a bottle of potent bamboo-leaf liquor.
It’s fine.
Cheonhwa Seogo’s complaints meant nothing. Scholars expressing resentment through empty gestures—what else could they do?
Perhaps their Crown Prince now tossed in bed, regretting tonight’s petty rebellion.
He’ll think: The real gift arrives tomorrow. They’ll forget today’s incident.
Very well. I’ll magnanimously overlook this. A man of my stature can afford grace.
He raised the bottle, but only drops remained. Contemplating another, he shook his head and summoned a maid.
“Draw my bath.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Ah, and—”
He stopped the departing maid.
“The two new maids—Chohyang and Yuyeon. Fetch them for bath duties.”
The maid’s face momentarily darkened before she complied. Stupid bitch. Angry I didn’t choose her?
The two maids entered—Chohyang and Yuyeon.
Seomun appraised their figures approvingly.
He raised his arms for undressing. Their trembling hands amused him. When fully nude, the maids blushed, eyes darting nervously yet stealing glances.
Huhu. Already enchanted by me. Know your luck, wenches.
He sank into the bath, arms draped over the edges.
“Disrobe and join me.”
“Y-yes...”
They resigned themselves quickly—they’d heard stories before arriving. Hopes of serving a noble house had crumbled, but they had no choice. As they fumbled with sashes—
Crack.
Seomun’s head snapped sideways, eyes bulging with veins. The maids froze.
Why delay? His terrifying expression promised violence.
But Seomun’s panic surpassed theirs.
His neck had moved involuntarily. Muscles screamed as it twisted further.
“My neck won’t move. Why?”
“Young Master?”
He began slapping the water like a child—
Splash! Splash!
—faster, harder, soaking himself and the floor. His head remained fixed, eyes bloodshot. The maids collapsed, trembling.
Crack. Crack.
His neck rotated—once, twice, thrice—before jerking backward at an impossible angle.
“Gggeeehh...”
The maids muffled screams as he thrashed.
But Seomun’s terror dwarfed theirs.
Gyeoreung had activated. He couldn’t stop his arms or control his qi.
Splash! Splash! What’s happening?!
With a final roar, he channeled all energy into his right arm—
“AAAAARGH!”
A maid outside smirked at the noise.
So quick tonight.
But for Seomun Woong, it was only the beginning.
