Reincarnated Sword Ghost

Chapter 67 : Greetings

Greetings

The distance from Hanyang Prefecture to Jinju Prefecture was such that even if one drove a horse relentlessly without rest, it would still take three days to cover.

Since none of them were peak experts capable of flying over mountain ranges, they had no choice but to travel honestly along the main road.

However, horses too had stamina and eventually became exhausted.

They needed to plan their route around relay stations managed by the Murim Alliance branches.

Gong'an County was one such spot.

While it wasn't a fully bustling city, the existence of a Murim Alliance branch meant it had enough of a marketplace to be called a town.

"I'm quite hungry now."

Baek Il-gang murmured as he plopped down in his seat. They had just handed their horses to the Murim Alliance branch relay station and entered a guesthouse within the city walls.

It was right after Jeong-un had told them that they would only have a simple meal before setting out again.

"To really run without rest... I think taking care of our stamina is important as well, isn't it?"

"We have to consider those who are waiting for us."

When Jo Gwang grumbled under his breath, Tang Yerin furrowed her delicate brow, scolding him quietly.

"There could be people still suffering because of those bandits, even right now."

"Now that you mention it, you are right."

Jo Gwang quickly nodded in reply. Beside him, Baek Il-gang gave a brief laugh.

"May I help you with your order?"

A servant from the guesthouse, watching for the right moment, cautiously approached.

While his voice didn't tremble, he was clearly very careful.

Understandably so, given that there were four martial artists with swords at their hips—it was only natural to be wary, even choosing words with caution.

After all, no matter how crowded the streets, there would always be those quick to draw their swords without hesitation.

'Even in a city with a Murim Alliance branch...'

Even in such small instances of daily life, one could glimpse the harsh realities of the times.

Many people went around with hidden swords beneath their clothes, even without martial arts training.

Commoners survived by reading these people's moods, always steering clear when needed.

"A bowl of noodles per person, and also yuxiang shredded pork and kungpao chicken."

Jo Gwang snapped up the order as if he'd been waiting for the chance.

The servant nodded furiously, but then Jo Gwang seemed to remember something and added,

"Oh, what kind of alcohol do you have?"

"We received some Shaoxing wine from Zhejiang Province recently."

"One bottle of that, then—"

But then, he locked eyes with Tang Yerin, who was looking at him coldly.

"... Actually, never mind."

"Ah, yes, understood. So four bowls of noodles, yuxiang shredded pork, and kungpao chicken, correct?"

Once the servant had double-checked the order and moved away, Tang Yerin spoke up.

"We're on a mission right now. How could you even think of alcohol?"

Jo Gwang opened his mouth, ready to make an excuse, looking as if he'd been caught, when Baek Il-gang cut in from the side,

"That shouldn't really be a problem, should it?"

"What?"

Tang Yerin questioned him with a puzzled look. Baek Il-gang replied in a voice tinged with laughter,

"We've already even gone to a tavern during a mission, after all."

"We? Who do you mean?"

Without a word, Baek Il-gang pointed at Jeong-un with his eyes.

Tang Yerin immediately gazed wide-eyed at Jeong-un, clearly asking if this was true.

The sight made Baek Il-gang burst out laughing.

"You must not know very well, but our Young Hero Yu is thoroughly familiar with the rules within the jurisdiction. He's already confirmed there's no rule that says you can't drink on the job."

"No way..."

Tang Yerin's face still looked like she found it hard to believe—which was understandable.

'Drinking...?'

Even within the Hall, Jeong-un was someone who only ever traveled between his quarters and the training yard.

If anyone even tried to see his face, they could always find him without needing to ask where he was.

Yet he supposedly visited taverns while out on business?

At this, Jeong-un finally parted his lips, looking a little awkward.

"It's true that it happened once..."

"Haa..."

Tang Yerin involuntarily let out a sigh, as if it was impossible to believe.

"You see?"

Baek Il-gang said gleefully, clearly enjoying Tang Yerin's bewilderment.

"Then... Young Hero Jeong-un, did you drink too? Together with Young Hero Baek?"

"I did not."

Jeong-un shook his head.

"While on a mission, young hero Baek merely suggested stopping by to collect information. I didn't have a drop, even after entering."

"So that was it."

With the explanation out, Tang Yerin shot Baek Il-gang a glare. Baek Il-gang, however, responded cheerfully,

"I never said that he drank, now did I? I only said we went to the tavern together."

"Leaving out the part that it was all for intelligence gathering, I see."

"Either way, is it not true that there's no regulation in the code forbidding alcohol?"

"Did you never consider that the reason it wasn't written is because it's so obvious it shouldn't need to be?"

"The Heavenly Martial Hall is the kind of place that records absolutely everything, even the tiniest details. If something wasn't written down, that in itself is significant."

"..."

Tang Yerin was about to retort, her face incredulous, when Jeong-un intervened.

"I also don't think it's a bad idea."

"What?"

Jeong-un recalled what had happened in the Yangyang tavern. People in the martial world were sometimes surprisingly simple.

People who had been very wary relaxed and spilled their stories after a few rounds of drink.

It had been very effective for grasping the local situation.

Of course, it wasn't like he'd obtained any extraordinary secrets.

But even minor rumors were still information—value only changed depending on interpretation.

Like how the little bits of gossip collected by the Beggar's Union often turned into precious intelligence.

'Just like with the Black Dragon Gang.'

The incident with the herb gatherer and the Black Dragon Gang had turned out to be a plot by the Demonic Cult.

Such a simple rumor had drawn plenty of attention from martial artists.

Looking back, their only mistake was getting caught up in that rumor.

"It certainly was effective."

"... All right."

Tang Yerin nodded reluctantly. Baek Il-gang tried and failed to stifle his laughter.

As Tang Yerin shot Baek Il-gang another sharp look, the servant began bringing out their food.

"..."

Jeong-un quietly regarded the dishes placed on the table.

Yuxiang shredded pork was stir-fried pork cut thin, and kungpao chicken was a dish made with diced chicken.

Ordinary people often ate these, but given the ongoing long drought, that was no longer the case.

Yet, at this random guesthouse, they had ordered them without difficulty—proof that this area had some measure of affluence.

"Perhaps because the town is near the Yangtze River, people's faces aren't gloomy at all."

Tang Yerin commented as she picked up a piece of yuxiang shredded pork, apparently of the same mind.

Indeed, the streets bustled with crowds as they passed through earlier.

Merchants with street stalls hawked their wares to passersby, and guesthouse servants called out for business.

The very fact that so much trade was taking place was a sign of relative prosperity.

'There really is a big difference between regions.'

The Central Plains was vast. In some places, people surely suffered bitterly because of famine.

As he mused on this, a group of men entered the guesthouse.

"My, young masters! You're here!"

"Is there a table?"

"I'll make one if I must!"

The guesthouse cook—not a servant—hurried out to greet them, which said a lot about their frequent visits and presumably high social standing.

The men marched straight in and sat at a table not far from Jeong-un's group—there were four of them, all dressed in smooth silk robes, each with a sword at his waist.

"Martial artists encountered in a guesthouse, huh..."

Baek Il-gang murmured with interest. Jo Gwang gave him a sidelong glance,

"Don't make such a fuss. It's nothing unusual."

"... I never thought I'd hear you, of all people, say not to make a fuss."

"What?"

Guesthouses were mingling spaces for both locals and outsiders.

Locals came on rare occasions for a meal, while outsiders usually stopped for food or lodging.

And to be considered an outsider, one was usually from a merchant guild, security bureau, or a martial artist.

So as Jo Gwang said, it wasn't uncommon for martial artists to run into one another in such places.

There was even a saying: the history of the Central Plains flows through the guesthouses.

That didn't mean something always erupted every time.

Usually, since the guesthouse was a place for rest, unspoken rules led everyone to avoid eye contact.

"..."

Except for special cases—such as now, when someone was staring intently.

The men, who had been quietly chatting, started to stare fixedly at Jeong-un's group.

"Hm, seems like they have business with us."

Baek Il-gang leisurely looked them over, his manner unbothered.

"What in the world is..."

By contrast, Jo Gwang looked genuinely flustered, as if something might really happen.

Jeong-un felt the same way.

"Is it common for people to openly stare like this?"

Jeong-un had little experience in the martial world.

After leaving the Yu household, he'd gone straight to the Heavenly Martial Hall, even sleeping on the roadside to avoid trouble.

Since then, he had only left the Hall for missions a few times; in truth, he had almost no experience actually traveling the martial world.

"Usually..."

Tang Yerin started to reply, her own eyes sparkling as if this was a rare experience for her as well.

"If you're not already acquainted, it usually doesn't mean anything good."

Gong'an County wasn't a small town. With a sizable population, several martial sects based nearby naturally held sway.

Of course, if an outsider martial artist appeared, they would be the most vigilant.

At that moment, one of the men rose and strode over.

"I greet the heroes of the Heavenly Martial Hall."

He was a young man in an elegant blue silk robe.

He looked about the same age as Jeong-un, still bearing traces of youth.

He bowed and offered a martial salute with disciplined movements.

'Is he from a local martial clan?'

Jeong-un's eye for people had become more discerning.

If someone looked strictly trained, they were usually the child of a martial clan.

"I am Yu Jeong-un of the Heavenly Martial Hall."

Jeong-un stood and returned the salute, straightforwardly mentioning his affiliation.

Their opponents had already noticed their black martial uniforms.

"...?"

The young man seemed puzzled that Jeong-un had stepped forward for the greeting—normally, the most senior group member would do this.

Jo Gwang, who was older, Baek Il-gang, who exuded an extraordinary presence, and Tang Yerin, whose fair skin and glossy hair attested to noble background—compared to them, it was odd for the youngest-looking, Jeong-un, to rise and greet him.

"Do you have business with us?"

"Ah."

Snapped out of his thoughts by Jeong-un's inquiry, the young man composed himself and spoke.

"I am Gu Yong-hyeon from Righteous Sword Gate, a small nearby military hall. My friends and I came here to dine, and when I saw the martial artists from the Heavenly Martial Hall, I felt I couldn't pass up the chance to greet you. Please excuse the imposition."

"I see."

Hearing this, Jo Gwang laughed and commented,

"I thought so. Martial artists at a guesthouse—always just here to say hello."

He was referencing Baek Il-gang's previous statement. Baek Il-gang, too, lost interest and turned back to his noodles.

"So bland, so bland."

He muttered under his breath, though it was unclear what exactly he meant. Jeong-un glanced at him, then calmly spoke.

"Is that all for the greetings?"

"Yes...?"

Jeong-un spoke formally to Gu Yong-hyeon, who blinked in surprise.

"Then, if you wouldn't mind, could you return to your table? We're a bit pressed for time."

"...!"

For a moment, Jo Gwang's face grew stiff, while Baek Il-gang's expression brightened.