Chapter 18: Why are you here?

Myeong-gyu was somewhat of a known figure in a village in Taehwa County, Gangseo—a so-called martial artist (though in the martial world, “martial artist” often just meant street thug).

Though barely even third-rate, he had still trained in martial arts and led a group of self-proclaimed “heroes” (read: jobless hoodlums who bullied others) in Sinpung County. He took some pride in his strength.

And, as is common with men who gain power, he began to dream bigger.

“Hey! How long are we gonna mess around in this small pond?”

“You’re right, boss!”

That’s why Myeong-gyu led his crew to Namchang, the capital of Gangseo Province.

Unfortunately, his hometown was a tiny village tucked away in the mountains of Gangseo—a place that left him completely ignorant of what the real martial world was like. He and his group were nothing more than frogs in a well.

Yet, oblivious to the true nature of the martial world, they strutted into Namchang with overinflated confidence.

To celebrate their arrival and bond, they headed to Cheonryonggak, a restaurant recently gaining fame as the best in Namchang…

“Damn… guys, is this right?”

True to its audacious name, invoking both “heaven” and “dragon,” the prices were astronomical.

But as men of pride, they couldn’t back down after drawing their metaphorical swords.

“Boss… should we leave?”

“Leave? Hell no! Order whatever you want!”

They were about to burn through the funds they’d scraped together (likely at the expense of their parents), but retreating now would be too humiliating.

That wasn’t the way of men!

Swallowing their tears, they ordered food and downed some drinks. Soon, the sting of the bill faded, and their spirits lifted.

And, as luck would have it, they’d come at a time when Cheonryonggak was hosting a sword dance.

It was a rare performance, as the dancer appeared unpredictably, but those who’d seen it unanimously praised her as moving like a celestial maiden… a woman in white performing a sword dance.

“…Wow.”

Myeong-gyu was utterly smitten.

That’s why he ended up causing this mess.

A bit drunk and brimming with confidence from spending so much, he thought, Why not make a move?

“Hey, wait! Miss!”

He rushed outside and grabbed the arm of the lone woman.

Her face was obscured by a veil, but her slender frame and graceful lines made it obvious she was a beauty.

His intentions weren’t grand—just a drink in a quiet place, some friendly chatter, and, if things clicked, maybe something more.

That’s all Myeong-gyu wanted.

But.

“…”

No matter what he said or how hard he pulled, the woman didn’t budge.

It was like talking to a stone statue.

‘Damn it…’

Here’s where the alcohol became a problem.

Liquor clouds a man’s judgment.

Being so thoroughly ignored, Myeong-gyu, already closer to a beast than a man, felt his temper flare.

Shing!

“You wench, how dare you ignore me!”

He’d entered the classic “Do you know who I am?” mode.

Brandishing a dagger, he pressed it to her throat.

“What’re you looking at, you bastards!”

“Keep walking if you don’t want to die!”

His lackeys backed him up, intimidating the crowd. Though he’d initially hesitated, their support reignited his confidence.

But.

“…”

The woman still didn’t react, just staring at him.

This is where Myeong-gyu should’ve noticed something was off.

A woman who doesn’t scream or flinch with a blade at her throat is not ordinary.

Unfortunately, if Myeong-gyu had the brains to realize that, he wouldn’t have caused a scene in Baek Clan territory in the first place.

Then.

“That’s enough.”

A voice cut through the chaotic market like a splash of cold water.

The surroundings fell silent.

Not because it was some clichéd line only a powerhouse would utter.

“…What’s with that kid?”

The problem was that the voice belonged to a child, sounding far too young.

Step. Step.

As if on cue, the crowd parted, and a child holding a sword walked slowly toward them.

The girl was dressed ornately, gripping a slightly shorter-than-average sword.

She didn’t exude any intimidating aura.

Myeong-gyu let out a scoff.

“Kid, put away your toy and get lost.”

He was an equal-opportunity thug, ready to swing at anyone—man, woman, or child.

The dagger that had been aimed at the woman now pointed at the child, just an inch away.

“You don’t want to get cut by a blind blade, do you?”

But here, Myeong-gyu made another mistake.

He didn’t know the three types of people to be wary of in the martial world.

The elderly, women, and…

Shing!

Children.

“…Hic.”

Swish.

The fine silk robe Myeong-gyu had bought for his trip to Namchang fell to the ground in tatters.

Not because he had a weird habit of stripping during a fight.

He simply hadn’t noticed the girl’s sword shredding his clothes.

Left bare-chested in the winter cold, something overwhelmed the chill.

“Want to keep going?”

The realization that he was screwed.

“Crazy bastard, drawing a sword in Baek Clan territory? You won’t get it until your head’s separated from your neck.”

The child, with language far too crude for her age, twirled her sword.

The alcohol’s buzz vanished instantly.

Even with his rock-hard head, Myeong-gyu knew about the Baek Clan.

If he didn’t, he’d be better off dying face-first in a ditch than wandering as a so-called martial artist.

And from what the kid said, her identity was clear.

‘Damn it, even the kids in the Baek Clan are masters.’

She was someone from the renowned Baek Clan.

“Boss…”

“W-What do we do?”

His trembling lackeys whispered.

Myeong-gyu ground his teeth.

What do you mean, what do we do?

Thugs like him had only one thing.

Pride.

Or, put another way—

“Please spare us, young hero!”

When it came to survival, pride was the only thing they could afford to lose.

Thud!

Myeong-gyu slammed his head to the ground before a kid half his age.

—

…What’s with this guy?

“Ugh… just get lost.”

Not even worth beating up.

“Thank you! Thank you, young hero!”

At my words, the thugs scrambled through the crowd like they had motors on their legs.

Watching their pathetic retreat, I clicked my tongue.

‘Get a grip, you idiots.’

No idea where these small fries came from, but they should be grateful they ran into me.

Otherwise, they’d have pissed off real martial artists and lost their heads.

I haven’t just been lazing around in the Baek Clan for two years.

I learned swordsmanship from Song Hwa and occasionally from the cross-dressing young master, mastering the basics of the Baek Clan’s Wolbaek Sword.

Sure, it’s a foundational technique, but it’s enough to keep me from getting killed by some stray blade.

Still, my mindset is closer to a modern person than a martial artist.

I’m not some psychopath who’d kill someone just for being annoying.

‘Honestly, I’m not ready to actually kill anyone yet.’

The reason I stepped in was simple.

“Are you okay?”

As a decent person, how could I ignore a woman being harassed?

Plus, this market is Baek Clan territory, so I had a duty to protect people.

The crowd was too thick for the woman to slip away, so she stood frozen.

“…I’m fine. Thank you for helping.”

At my question, she turned her head and replied in a barely audible, trembling voice.

She must’ve been really shaken…

…Wait.

Hold on a second.

Why does she seem so familiar?

I narrowed my eyes, focusing on the face barely visible through the veil.

In martial arts novels, a veiled woman is usually revealed to be a peerless beauty once the veil comes off.

Conversely, no one recognizes her face before that.

But back when I read those stories, I always questioned it.

A veil’s just a thin piece of cloth, right?

How could it completely hide someone’s face?

If it’s a stranger, maybe, but if it’s someone you know, you’d recognize them at a glance.

…Like now.

‘…The cross-dressing young master?’

I couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

It’s Baek Taehyuk.

‘What are you doing out here?’

And in such a ridiculous getup, no less.