CRS Chapter 21

“I have a method that can make all of that possible.”

Surin, who had joined the table discussion, demonstrated her capabilities as the leader of the Hao Sect by presenting various secret strategies.

Chief Steward Jang’s exclamations of amazement doubled.

Watching this scene, the corners of Ha Jin-wi’s mouth turned upward.

Though he had a cold impression similar to Eunho’s, unlike Eunho’s sardonic (?) smile, his was a gentle one.

‘They say the ways of the world are unfathomable.’

It felt like just yesterday that the fallen Eunho had awakened.

Yet after learning martial arts and traveling the world, he had somehow managed to surround himself with such remarkable individuals.

Though his son was a bit arrogant, he had to admit that the boy was blessed when it came to people.

The five individuals, including Eunho, settled in and began their discussion.

Surin, in particular, had followed Eunho to seduce him, so she made an effort to appear charming to Ha Jin-wi.

Of course, to a being who had lived for over a thousand years, her actions were as transparent as a child’s lie.

“But didn’t you say you had business in Wuhan?”

“…It’s not a particularly urgent matter.”

“Hmm, I see. Well, it’s fortunate that Wuhan has many nice accommodations.”

Though his words were indirect, their meaning was clear.

Get out of my house!

Surin’s expression turned slightly disappointed.

Sensing the atmosphere between the two, Ha Jin-wi gave a peculiar smile.

“Is there any need to find separate accommodations? The Cheonha Merchant Guild has over a dozen spare rooms. That is, if Miss Surin doesn’t mind.”

Surin’s expression brightened so much it was almost unrecognizable.

“Would that really be alright?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? A friend of our Eunho is like a child to me as well.”

“Oh my, may I call you Father?”

“Hahaha, what an interesting young lady. Please, make yourself comfortable and stay as long as you like.”

If anyone from the Hao Sect had heard this, they would have wanted to wash their ears with water.

The leader of the Hao Sect was famous for being as cold as ice.

To think she would show such a friendly attitude.

Of course, she had an important goal in mind: “Eunho.”

With Eunho’s martial talent, he could easily reach the Transformation Realm.

Considering his age, even becoming the next World’s Greatest wasn’t just a pipe dream.

‘I must capture him no matter what!’

Surin’s mind was already filled with fantasies of marrying the World’s Greatest and growing the Hao Sect into the strongest and most prominent organization in the Central Plains.

Surin and Ha Jin-wi faced each other, laughing “Haha” and “Hoho.”

For entirely different reasons, of course.

Eunho was displeased by this sight.

Come on, when did they even meet?

Why is my father suddenly your father?

Eunho felt thoroughly uncomfortable.

Suddenly, Ha Jin-wi looked at Chief Steward Jang and asked:

“By the way, these people usually maintained at least a minimal level of decency. Why are they suddenly resorting to violence? Did we perhaps give them a justification?”

Even bandits can’t afford to make enemies of everyone in the world.

If they were to harm someone from a merchant guild rather than a martial arts sect, the world would be outraged, and the Martial Alliance would step in.

In other words, they couldn’t use violence without justification.

That’s why the Cheonha Merchant Guild’s branch offices strived not to give the Green Forest any justification.

“The branch manager isn’t the type to be so incompetent. However, there is some new information…”

The gazes of Chief Steward Jang and Surin simultaneously turned towards Eunho.

Eunho tilted his head for a moment, then spoke as if he had realized something:

“Ah, could it be that?”

“…”

Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed everyone had something in mind.

Except for one person – Ha Jin-wi.

Chief Steward Jang carefully opened his mouth while gauging Ha Jin-wi’s reaction.

“Guild Master. There’s actually something I haven’t told you…”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Don’t you think our young master is quite admirable and clever?”

Ha Jin-wi was puzzled.

What was he trying to say by laying such groundwork?

“Haha, his master did say he had quite the martial talent.”

Ha Jin-wi’s face showed pride as he looked at Eunho.

“Indeed. To single-handedly wipe out the Aso Bandits, what more needs to be said?”

“Hahaha! Yes, yes, my son took care of the Aso… What?”

Ha Jin-wi abruptly stood up from his seat.

The chair fell over with a clatter.

His son had single-handedly charged into the Green Forest bandits’ lair.

What parent wouldn’t be worried?

Especially for Ha Jin-wi, who was unaware of Eunho’s true level, his insides were burning with anxiety.

“Huh?”

He’s gone.

It seems his son’s martial prowess was more incredible than he thought.

To disappear so quickly.

He’d have to have a serious talk with Eunho sometime.

At the very least, shouldn’t he know about his son’s achievements?

Ha Jin-wi didn’t know.

He would confirm his son’s martial might sooner than he expected.

***

Eunho stretched, basking in the sunlight breaking through above his head.

After training and sleeping to his heart’s content, his whole body felt refreshed.

Daily life at the Cheonha Merchant Guild was pure happiness for Eunho.

No one feared him, and no one envied him.

There was no need to unnecessarily accumulate more merit, and no need to fight.

Well, maybe he did miss the thrill of combat a little.

As usual, Eunho headed to the dining hall, licking his lips, but he was greeted by an unusual sight.

“What is this…”

Yi-ryang and Surin were seated between his father, Somi, and Chief Steward Jang.

Well, he had brought Yi-ryang himself, so that was one thing, but…

“I guess she’s decided to stay for good?”

They seemed to be getting along quite well.

Somi was even busy bringing side dishes to Surin, calling her “Unni, Unni.”

She must have secretly envied friends who had older sisters.

Still, this was too much.

He felt oddly left out.

“Oh, Eunho, you’re up.”

Ha Jin-wi greeted Eunho while pretending not to notice him.

“Yeah, well…”

Eunho sat down with a displeased expression.

They each greeted Eunho briefly before focusing back on their conversation.

“So even the Samhwi Counting House was hit this time.”

The topic of discussion was about the “Divine Thief^[1].”

Eunho shook his head.

Just yesterday they were talking about Inwang Fortress, and now the subject had already changed.

Being rich wasn’t all good, it seemed.

So many things to worry about.

Regardless, Eunho focused on his meal.

It was a time that no one could interrupt.

As bright red stir-fried tofu was sucked into Eunho’s mouth, the conversation intensified.

Recently, large and small counting houses in the Central Plains had been robbed.

And by a single person, at that.

People called him the Divine Thief.

The counting houses sought protection from martial arts sects or schools they had connections with, but it was of no use.

And last night.

Finally, even the Samhwi Counting House, one of the four great counting houses of the Central Plains, had been hit.

“The Samhwi Counting House even sought protection from the Moyong Clan, but they were still robbed.”

Ha Jin-wi’s expression was deadly serious.

This was no longer a matter to be taken lightly.

The fact that they were robbed even under the protection of the Moyong Clan, one of the Five Great Families, meant this was no ordinary thief.

A master who had cultivated the arts of stealth!

“The Martial Alliance must be losing face. They’ll soon formally request cooperation from the Alliance.”

Ha Jin-wi nodded at Surin.

“Haha, you really do know everything. As a matter of fact, a letter arrived from the Martial Alliance this morning.”

The more he saw her, the more clever she seemed.

In truth, he had a good idea of her true identity.

The information she had poured out all night was not something an ordinary woman could access.

Even so, he didn’t pay it much mind.

Whatever her reasons, she clearly held goodwill towards Eunho, and her eyes showed no intention of harming the Cheonha Merchant Guild.

He prided himself on his ability to judge people better than anyone else in the Central Plains.

“By the way, our Cheonha Merchant Guild should be on alert too.”

“Probably… the Cheonha Merchant Guild will be fine.”

As she said this, Surin looked at Eunho.

The Samhwi Counting House probably didn’t have a Transcendent master.

It’s not like Transcendent masters were so common that you’d trip over them.

Even taking on the protection of a counting house would have been quite a blow to their pride.

But the Cheonha Merchant Guild had a Transcendent master standing firm.

And deep inside, with eyes blazing.

Regardless, Eunho was still focused intently on his meal.

Yi-ryang chimed in to support Surin’s words.

“I’ve reinforced the formation all night, so please don’t worry too much.”

Unlike Surin, he had no particular ulterior motive, but Yi-ryang also had no intention of just freeloading.

“It’s reassuring to hear you both say so.”

However, contrary to his words, Ha Jin-wi’s expression remained dark.

The Samhwi Counting House wasn’t some small neighborhood counting house.

The fact that it was robbed meant that even the Cheonha Merchant Guild couldn’t feel safe.

News of the Samhwi Counting House being robbed spread in an instant.

Those who had deposited money were anxiously withdrawing their funds.

Less money to operate the counting house?

This was truly the worst-case scenario.

It was obvious what the face of the Samhwi Counting House’s master would look like right now.

It didn’t feel like someone else’s problem at all.

Eunho, having finished his meal, looked at his father’s gloomy expression.

“Shall I catch him?”

“Huh?”

Everyone’s attention at the meal turned to Eunho.

“That thief.”

Look at that confident spirit!

Ha Jin-wi, with a dumbfounded expression, shook his head.

If it was robbed even under the Moyong Clan’s protection, the opponent was clearly a master.

He understood that his son was capable, but what father would push his son into danger?

“As Miss Surin said, an investigator dispatched by the Alliance will arrive soon, so let’s wait and see for now.”

Eunho merely shrugged his shoulders once.

***

After dropping Somi off at the academy and returning, Eunho lightly leaped over the wall that was over a jang (about 3 meters) high.

“It’s bustling as usual today.”

Since there were so many people coming and going at the Cheonha Merchant Guild, crossing the wall like this was more convenient for Eunho.

Eunho leaped again to fly towards the inside of the Cheonha Merchant Guild, but then…

“What’s that?”

He suddenly twisted his body, kicked off the air, and landed back on the original wall.

If someone had seen it, they would have made a fuss about it being the legendary “Soaring Sky Step,” but for Eunho, it was just an everyday occurrence.

Eunho lowered his head to look at the bottom of the wall.

Below his feet, he could see numerous merchants entering and leaving the Cheonha Merchant Guild.

And one man with an out-of-place appearance.

For his lean build, he had well-developed leg muscles, and the balance of his steps was slightly more focused on the toes compared to an ordinary person’s gait.

It was such a subtle difference that if one hadn’t looked closely, they wouldn’t have noticed the oddity.

Moreover, he was subtly erasing his presence.

There were only two types of people like this.

Either an assassin or a thief.

Eunho continued to stare at the man from atop the wall.

“He doesn’t seem like an assassin here to kill someone…”

It would be a shame if he caught an innocent assassin.

After pondering for a while, Eunho shook his head.

“I might as well ask.”

The man had used his qi to erase his presence, making it difficult for even someone who had just encountered him to clearly remember his face.

He was slowly but surely approaching the interior of the Cheonha Merchant Guild in this manner.

At that moment, Eunho dropped down from the sky and blocked his path.

The man was startled when someone suddenly blocked his way and stared at him intently.

“Ahem.”

He cleared his throat and tried to step aside to pass.

Swoosh.

Eunho also stepped sideways to block his path again.

“…?”

The man tried to move to the opposite side, and…

Eunho followed, blocking him again.

It was clearly an intentional obstruction!

“What are you trying to do?”

When the man asked confrontationally, Eunho apologized.

“I’m sorry. There’s just something I’m too curious about to hold back, so I ended up blocking your way like this.”

“It’s nothing. I’m a busy person, so go find someone else.”

As he said this and tried to walk past Eunho…

“I’m just asking because I’m not sure. Are you an assassin or a thief?”

“!”

The man’s movement stopped abruptly.

He was somewhat flustered, but he was always prepared for situations like this.

Quickly regaining his composure, the man said:

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m a merchant.”

Eunho’s eyes narrowed.

“You don’t seem to have any goods.”

“Huh, what are you saying?”

The man boldly took out a small pouch from his chest and showed it.

“Here, look all you want. Satisfied?”

Eunho lowered his head to peer inside.

The pouch contained small handicrafts made of carved wood.

“Hmm, really a merchant…”

At that moment, the man suddenly drew a dagger and swung it at Eunho.

Eunho easily dodged by lightly bending his body.

“…is not likely.”

The man ran without looking back.

He hadn’t aimed to take Eunho’s life from the start.

He just wanted to divert attention to buy time to escape.

He was confident in his lightness skill, if nothing else.

He had a track record of evading even several Transcendent masters.

No one in the Central Plains should be able to catch him.

Fighting? That was a luxury for a thief.

The man, running for his life, leaped into a narrow, shaded alley.

He intended to hide his presence in the darkness.

But someone was standing in the alley he entered.

The figure stood with arms crossed, as if waiting for someone, but their face was obscured by the shadows, making it hard to see clearly.

He needed to hide first.

“Hey, you there! Don’t block the way and get the fu— Ugh! Shit!”

It was Eunho, whom he thought he had just shaken off.

The man tumbled backward in shock.

“H-How are you here?”

He had run for his life, but could Eunho have arrived even faster?

No. That’s impossible.

Maybe he has a twin?

…Even more unlikely.

Eunho slowly walked towards the man.

“So you are a thief after all. With those skills, you couldn’t kill anyone.”

Eunho was satisfied with his deduction.

1. 신투(神偸)[↩]