Episode 27: This Time, Don't Get Lost
Won Seung casually sipped his tea as if he were visiting a neighbor's house.
'This guy's got guts. He's not afraid...'
Hwa Cheon Woon, despite his calm exterior, was inwardly flustered.
The young man before him, with bright, intelligent eyes, showed no signs of hiding anything. While those who conceal their intentions often appear uneasy, this boy was completely at ease, leisurely savoring the tea.
'Does he not know what the Clear Water Sect is?'
Hwa Cheon Woon reviewed what he knew.
After hearing Jo Bang-un's report that the boy was from the Prince Yeong's household, he quickly conducted a background check.
He reached a similar conclusion to Jo Bang-un.
He believed that the suspicious man in brown clothes had issued a challenge and involved the boy to divert attention.
Jo Bang-un had speculated, but Hwa Cheon Woon had secured testimony. He even heard from the noodle shop owner about the conversation between the two.
He quickly sent people to investigate. He learned about the incident at the Cloud Flower Pavilion and that the boy, dressed in shabby clothes, had bought the finest clothes from the best tailor in Xiangyang.
Fortunately for Won Seung, Hwa Cheon Woon hadn't heard about his stay at a shabby inn for two weeks, his exchange of a sword for silver, or his conversion of banknotes to silver.
The warrior tracking Won Seung had missed these details because his appearance and attire changed drastically before and after visiting the tailor.
'Is he really from the Prince Yeong's household?'
It was hard to believe. If not, he was a con artist, but the boy seemed too composed for that. Moreover, his tea-drinking mannerisms showed the elegance of someone from a well-taught family.
Hwa Cheon Woon pondered deeply.
'Could it be true that he's on a secret mission? But for someone from the Prince Yeong's household to appear so suddenly...'
The Prince Yeong's household and the Clear Water Sect had no particular relationship, good or bad.
Since they managed the logistics south of the Xiang River, they occasionally handled goods for the Prince Yeong's household. They always did their best, so there was no reason for the Prince Yeong's household to hold anything against them.
As Hwa Cheon Woon stared intently at him, Won Seung acted cautiously. He pretended to admire the calligraphy and paintings in the room while sipping tea, contemplating his next move.
'He's on a different level than Jo Bang-un. He knows some of the inside story.'
He would know how much the other party knew from their first words. However, the deeply scheming Hwa Cheon Woon showed no intention of speaking first. He silently poured tea, waiting for Won Seung to speak.
'No matter what... they won't find out about me.'
Conversation tactics for different situations were part of the training at the Assassin Training Center, and Won Seung had received top grades.
Feigning impatience, Won Seung adjusted his expression and asked politely, "The tea is delightful, but the Third Elder's expression is rather cold. I wonder if I've done something wrong."
"Do you mean to say you don't know why you're here?"
"Of course, I know. It's because of the challenge the Second Elder received, isn't it?"
"That's right. That's why you're being detained at the Clear Water Sect. I'm curious how a scholar like you got involved with the martial world."
Won Seung sighed lightly. "Naturally, I have no connection. I was sitting in a noodle shop when that man suddenly approached me, ate his noodles in a hurry, and left. It was truly bewildering for me."
"Then what business did you have at the main sect? This is a remote place, and unless you have business with the Clear Water Sect, it's hard to come here on purpose. Especially for a scholar, it's not a place to visit, yet you coincidentally ate noodles in front of the main sect."
"Indeed, it's unfortunate..."
Won Seung shook his head as he spoke.
"I drank too much yesterday, so I had no appetite for breakfast. I went for a walk, suddenly felt hungry, and decided to have a bowl of noodles, which led to this. Surely, you understand that a scholar like me associating with someone crazy enough to challenge the Second Master of the Clear Water Sect is absurd."
Hwa Cheon Woon frowned. Using conversation techniques to draw out the other's acknowledgment, this boy was no ordinary person.
"But you said something interesting to the Chief Steward."
"Hahaha."
Won Seung laughed heartily, as if amused.
"So you knew. They suddenly grabbed me and interrogated me, so I decided to have a little fun. Jo Bang-un, was it? Watching his face turn red and him storm off was quite a sight."
When asked about impersonating someone from the Prince Yeong's household, Won Seung skillfully dodged the question.
Hwa Cheon Woon couldn't directly ask if he was from the Prince Yeong's household. If Won Seung claimed he was, they would have to treat him as such.
That would mean immediately providing a guest room and a maidservant. Of course, treating him poorly would be difficult. If they acted on Won Seung's word without evidence and it turned out to be false, the Clear Water Sect would be made a fool.
Conversely, questioning him without evidence would also be beneath the dignity of the Clear Water Sect's Third Master. So, pretending not to know was the best move.
Hwa Cheon Woon coldly remarked, "So you're saying... you toyed with the Chief Steward of the Clear Water Sect?"
"The Clear Water Sect was the one who unjustly detained me first."
Won Seung replied confidently, leaving Hwa Cheon Woon speechless. Referring to the Clear Water Sect as if it were a neighborhood sect was astonishing. But then he thought, what would a scholar know about martial sects?
'Could this boy really have been caught up by chance?'
Hwa Cheon Woon pondered for a moment before changing the subject.
It was a topic-switching technique he often used.
"What was your reason for approaching Yeowol?"
Won Seung was taken aback and asked, "Approaching Yeowol? What do you mean?"
Feigning seriousness, Hwa Cheon Woon glared at Won Seung. This kind of pressure often made people reveal a piece of truth. However, Won Seung's skin was surprisingly thick.
"Are you suggesting I have designs on Miss Hwa? That's impossible. I have no interest in older women. Besides, I already have a fiancée. It was just a chance encounter."
Won Seung also diverted the topic.
It was true. He had a fiancée through a womb betrothal. Though he was missing, she might have married elsewhere.
"Hmm."
Hwa Cheon Woon couldn't find any flaws in Won Seung's words. Could meeting Yeowol two days in a row be just a coincidence? Even when glaring at him as if he knew everything, Won Seung continued speaking without concern.
"I met Miss Hwa at the Cloud Flower Pavilion yesterday. Today, while touring the Outer Courtyard, I ran into her again and we just had a pleasant time. I understand your concern for your daughter, but there's no need to worry. It was merely a greeting while passing by."
'This boy?'
Treating Hua Yeo-wol as an old maid unable to find a match, even the calm Hwa Cheon Woon felt a father's indignation.
She was his precious only daughter, talented in both martial and scholarly pursuits, even sent to the Cheongsan Academy. Yet, Won Seung seemed to dismiss her as unworthy.
'No interest in older women, huh?'
A cold glint flashed in Hwa Cheon Woon's eyes, but Won Seung merely sipped his tea, pretending not to notice.
'This boy is certainly arrogant. And very cunning. But he couldn't act like this without backing.'
Impersonating someone from the Prince Yeong's household was a beheading offense. Yet, he did it openly, suggesting he might really be from there.
Hwa Cheon Woon inwardly sighed.
Whether Won Seung was from the Prince Yeong's household or not, as long as he wasn't hostile to the Clear Water Sect, there was no reason to worry.
Honestly, if he was truly from the Prince Yeong's household, it would be best to keep a distance. Rumors of treason involving the Prince Yeong's household were spreading, and getting involved wouldn't be beneficial. It was better to pretend ignorance.
'I need to investigate his background first.'
Realizing there was nothing more to gain from pressing Won Seung, Hwa Cheon Woon relaxed his expression and said, "In any case, I hope you'll stay at the guest house until my subordinates finish their investigation."
"That's not difficult. But I would appreciate some good tea. The tea at the guest house was disappointing, tarnishing the Clear Water Sect's reputation in Xiangyang."
Won Seung said as he stood up.
'Hmm.'
Hwa Cheon Woon turned to a servant and said, "Take him to the guest house."
Then he said to Won Seung, "This time, be careful not to get lost."
A warning to stay away from Hua Yeo-wol.
*
Jong Bi returned only at the third watch, looking half out of his mind from rushing.
'He's quite capable.'
Won Seung thought to himself as he accepted the gold plaque, realizing once again the talents of those from the Assassin Training Center.
In that short time, Jong Bi had visited the government office to shake off the Clear Water Sect's tail, retrieved gold from the bank, and rented a forge to make the gold plaque.
The gold plaque, adorned with red silk thread, gleamed brightly.
"Is this really a plaque from the Prince Yeong's household?"
"Probably."
He had seen So Chu playing with one as a child. So Chu's mother was Lady Ju, and her brother, the current Prince Yeong, doted on his nephew and gave him a gold plaque.
As Won Seung examined the plaque, Jong Bi's eyes were filled with killing intent.
To make the plaque, Jong Bi had to spend all the money he had saved.
Grinding his teeth, Jong Bi said, "It cost a fortune to make this."
"I know. You did well."
Jong Bi bristled at the comment, as if praising a servant.
"I didn't do it for praise. As a senior, I helped a junior. If you understand my sincerity, you should give me the antidote."
Won Seung replied with a light laugh, "It's not even close to a month yet."
"I did everything you asked. Are you really going to make me your servant?"
"You're mistaken. I'm doing this to save you."
"What?"
"We're in this together. You've been exposed. If I fail the mission, you'll be a target too. Do you think Red Blood Mountain will let you go? They'll just cut you off."
Won Seung mimed slicing his neck with his hand.
"They'll sever the tail. Now we really have to complete the Ten Perfect Killer Mission."
Jong Bi frowned. "The Ten Perfect Killer Mission?"
"Yes, a death so perfectly disguised that no one knows if it was murder or natural causes."
"Hmm."
Jong Bi groaned.
To eliminate one of the Top 100 Masters of the Central Plains without a trace?
It seemed impossible.
But Won Seung spoke confidently, "Don't worry. We'll succeed in the mission. Then I'll give you the antidote and detoxify the Blood Drying Powder."
Tempting him with the promise of detoxification, Won Seung continued with a smile, "The best part is, we can enjoy ourselves. We have half a year left. Let's enjoy that time."
"Hmm. You're really crazy. Thinking about having fun while on a mission."
Jong Bi said in distress. Though his mind screamed that following this madman was insanity, he had no choice.
"Do you have any money left?"
"No. How much do you think we earn from missions? I spent everything I had."
He flatly denied it and avoided eye contact. Won Seung thought the opposite.
'Hmm? He must have some hidden money!'
As Won Seung placed the teapot on the brazier, he said, "We'll be working together for a while, so shouldn't we get to know each other better?"