Kang Sogun

Gu Yangun, the third young master of the Heavenly Martial Faction, looked up at the sign of the Crimson Dusk Inn.

"Crimson Dusk? What kind of name is this for an inn? Isn't it a brothel?"

Gu Yangun, well-dressed in martial arts attire, had a handsome face, skin as white as jade, and lips as red as a woman's.

His handsome features and luxurious clothing made it clear at a glance that he was no ordinary scion of a prestigious family.

"It is an inn, sir. It's quite a well-known inn here in Yueyang."

"Is that so? You're saying Yeon Hwasim is here?"

"Yes. We confirmed her entry and have been watching all night. Unless she sprouted wings and flew to the sky or burrowed into the ground, she must still be here."

As Gu Yangun asked, a martial artist standing behind him bowed his head and answered.

The martial artist had a sturdy build and sharp, hawk-like eyes.

"Haha. What brings the treasured jewel of the Three Blade Sect all the way to Yueyang? They say she's the number one beauty of Hubei, shall I go see her face?"

"The man with her seems to be quite skilled with the sword. Wouldn't it be better for us to go in and subdue them first?"

"Hey, Bang Geon! What do you take me for?"

The martial artist called Bang Geon was the first team leader of the Heavenly Martial Faction's Heaven’s Mandate Brigade.

At Gu Yangun's words, he hastily bowed his head.

"I only said so because I thought it might be a bother for you."

"To win a beauty, one must endure some bother."

Gu Yangun swaggered into the inn. Four escorting warriors followed him.

When Bang Geon raised his hand, the warriors of the Heavenly Martial Faction took up ambush positions on every street and even climbed onto the roof of the inn.

At a glance, there were at least thirty of them.

***

"What is it that you want?"

As soon as the meal was over, Jang Mugang asked.

"We need to leave the inn without anyone knowing. Can you help us?"

Jang Mugang stroked his thick beard and frowned.

"You mean you want me to get rid of the ones watching from outside."

Jang Mugang had also noticed that the inn was being watched.

He was indeed no ordinary chef.

"Do you know who they are?"

"Perhaps..."

Yeon Hwasim's words trailed off.

The Heavenly Martial Faction was one of the Four Great Powers of the world and the hegemon of the Hubei region. And now, they were expanding their influence in all directions.

Yueyang should also be considered a place under the Heavenly Martial Faction's influence.

It was doubtful whether Jang Mugang would help her even if he knew the identity of her opponents.

"I know they are from the Heavenly Martial Faction. What is the reason you are being chased by them?"

"..."

Yeon Hwasim hesitated for a moment. She was reluctant to reveal the Three Blade Sect's affairs to an outsider.

"Depending on the circumstances, this could mean making an enemy of the Heavenly Martial Faction. Shouldn't I at least know the reason?"

Yeon Hwasim, who had been biting her lip, seemed to have made a decision and looked straight at Jang Mugang as she spoke.

"My name is Yeon Hwasim. The Heavenly Martial Faction is forcing an alliance on the Three Blade Sect."

The Heavenly Martial Faction was either annexing smaller sects in the vicinity or bringing them under its fold under the pretext of an alliance.

They had sent a letter demanding an alliance to the Three Blade Sect a month ago.

"After sending the alliance letter, they secretly started monitoring the Three Blade Sect. And when I left the sect, they followed me."

"They followed you simply because you left the Three Blade Sect?"

Yeon Hwasim hesitated for a moment before telling the truth.

"My marriage is also a condition of the alliance."

"..."

Jang Mugang seemed to understand what had happened.

The Three Blade Sect Master, Yeon Seongyeol, had a gentle yet firm character, strong on the inside despite his soft exterior. It was highly unlikely that he would accept a marriage alliance when he would be hesitant to accept even a simple alliance.

Jang Mugang knew how much Yeon Seongyeol doted on his daughter.

"I heard Sect Master Yeon has a daughter. So it's you."

At Jang Mugang's words, Yeon Hwasim became inwardly tense.

A year ago, when she was leaving for Yueyang, her father, Yeon Seongyeol, had only told her to find the Crimson Dusk Inn and hang three lanterns if she was in danger. She hadn't heard any detailed information, such as who he was or how much he could help.

This time, she had left without her father's knowledge, so it wasn't even certain if she could get help.

Furthermore, even if Jang Mugang helped, it was questionable whether they could safely escape the inn.

"What brings you to Yueyang?"

Yeon Hwasim bit her lip.

It was a habit she had when she was anxious.

After hesitating for a moment, Yeon Hwasim sighed as if she had no choice.

"I have business at White Dragon Temple."

"White Dragon Temple?"

White Dragon Temple was on a hill overlooking Dongting Lake. It was an old temple, but it was small and rarely visited.

"People who come to Yueyang usually climb Yueyang Tower. Not many people visit White Dragon Temple."

"I must go. I can't tell you the reason why."

When Yeon Hwasim was reluctant to reveal the reason, Jang Mugang didn't ask any further.

"White Dragon Temple is outside the west gate. It's not far."

"I know where it is. I just need to get out of the inn safely."

Chef Jang was lost in thought for a moment before speaking.

"Alright. Come to the inn's kitchen in an hour."

Yeon Hwasim's face brightened considerably.

After leaving the annex, Jang Mugang went straight to the kitchen.

Normally, this would be a time to rest after breakfast, but all the chefs were bustling in the kitchen.

"What's going on? At this hour."

When Jang Mugang asked, one of the chefs grumbled and answered.

"Some young nobleman has ordered all sorts of dishes. It seems he's planning to hold a banquet."

"A young nobleman?"

"He has four escorts with him."

Jang Mugang frowned.

It seemed it wasn't just the Heavenly Martial Faction's grunts who had come.

Just then, a waiter ran in with a tray of fish dishes.

"What is it?"

"He says the fish is too salty. He wants it redone."

One of the chefs picked at the fish with his chopsticks and tasted it.

"It's fine."

As the chef tilted his head in confusion, another waiter came in with a soup bowl.

"He says the soup is too bland."

The chef tasted the broth in the soup.

"No, it's not."

Just then, another waiter brought a stir-fried meat dish.

"He says the meat is too tough."

The chefs looked at each other. It was clear that he was finding fault.

"What on earth is his game? Is he trying to pick a fight?"

As the chefs grumbled, the dried abalone dish was finally ready.

"I'll take it."

Jang Mugang took the abalone dish himself.

Gu Yangun's party was sitting by the window on the first floor. It was a spot where they could see everyone coming and going through the inn's door at a glance.

"Here is your abalone dish."

Jang Mugang placed the abalone dish down.

Gu Yangun glanced at Jang Mugang, then picked up his chopsticks and put a piece of abalone in his mouth. Then he immediately spat it out.

"What is this? It's like a piece of wood, not abalone."

Jang Mugang bowed his head.

"My apologies. It seems our inn's skills are not up to par with the young master's palate. We will not be able to serve any more food. We will not charge you for the food you ordered."

At Jang Mugang's words, Gu Yangun stared at him with a look of disbelief. He had never imagined that a lowly inn chef would dare to ask him to leave.

After glaring at Jang Mugang's menacing face with its scar for a moment, Gu Yangun suddenly let out a smirk and said.

"You seem to have lived a rough life. I admire your spirit. But you'll have to compensate me. For wasting my time with such terrible food."

"How should I compensate you?"

"Tell the inn owner to come here."

"I am the owner."

At Jang Mugang's consistently calm attitude, Gu Yangun frowned in displeasure.

Gu Yangun slowly leaned back in his seat and looked at Jang Mugang. His face was full of arrogance.

"Is that so? I won't beat around the bush. A man and a woman came in last night. Tell them to come out here."

But Jang Mugang didn't move.

"It seems you had other business. You must resolve issues between guests yourselves. The inn cannot order guests to come and go."

Still a calm voice.

Gu Yangun was annoyed. He had never thought there would be a person who would talk back to the third young master of the Heavenly Martial Faction.

"I can. Bring them out when I'm asking nicely, will you?"

Gu Yangun cracked his neck to both sides with a pop. It was a habit he had before he used his hands.

"What can't be done, can't be done. Even if the Heaven Blessed Martial Lord himself came."

Jang Mugang still spoke politely and calmly.

But the moment the name Heaven Blessed Martial Lord came out of Jang Mugang's mouth, not only Gu Yangun but also his escorts' demeanor changed.

"!"

A moment of silence flowed.

A sharp, blade-like energy was directed at Jang Mugang.

Finally, Gu Yangun opened his mouth. His previously playful voice had become chillingly cold.

"You're no ordinary chef, are you? You're acting like this even though you know I'm from the Heavenly Martial Faction? And what's more..."

Gu Yangun couldn't continue his words.

In the current martial world, was there anyone who would disregard the Heavenly Martial Faction Master, Heaven Blessed Martial Lord Gu Yeongang? The very fact that his name was being mentioned by a mere chef was a disgrace. And to be disregarded on top of that?

A murderous intent flickered in Gu Yangun's eyes.

As Gu Yangun stood up from his seat and held out his hand, an escort behind him offered a sword.

Gu Yangun gripped the hilt and drew the sword.

Screech.

As the sword was drawn, it emitted a sharp aura.

A few guests, sensing the unusual atmosphere, quietly slipped out of the establishment.

Gu Yangun's sword moved slowly and rested on Jang Mugang's shoulder. If he slashed, his head would fly off.

"Do you wish to die?"

Jang Mugang didn't even glance at the sword on his shoulder and said.

"They say the power of the Heavenly Martial Faction pierces the heavens, and it seems to be true. To think of killing someone in broad daylight in the middle of Yueyang."

When Jang Mugang responded calmly even with a knife at his throat, Gu Yangun was inwardly surprised.

'This bastard? Is he a master?'

He felt himself unconsciously shrinking back at Jang Mugang's calm gaze.

But he had more numbers on his side.

He had brought thirty men from three teams of the Heaven's Mandate Brigade, the vanguard of the Heavenly Martial Faction.

"I'll give you one last chance. I'll count to three."

Gu Yangun let out a sneer and pressed the sword against Jang Mugang's neck. A little blood flowed as the sharp blade grazed his skin.

"One!"

As Gu Yangun counted to one, Jang Mugang let out a smirk.

"You're laughing?"

"I'm curious to see whose neck will fall after you count to three."

Jang Mugang's hand reached for the kitchen knife tucked into his waist.

Clang!

Gu Yangun's escorts also drew their swords.

"Insolent..."

Gu Yangun stopped talking, his face turning pale.

A killing intent erupted from Jang Mugang's entire body and enveloped Gu Yangun and his escorts.

In the face of the explosive killing intent, Gu Yangun froze like a frog facing a snake.

He was the one holding the sword to the other's neck, but it was his own neck that felt cold.

"You, who are you?"

Gu Yangun asked, stammering in his confusion.

"All those who asked that question are dead."

Gu Yangun's escorts, unable to withstand the killing intent, unconsciously pointed their swords at Jang Mugang.

"All those who pointed their swords at me are also dead."

The tips of the escorts' swords trembled.

"!"

Gu Yangun couldn't move. All he had to do was slash, but he felt that if he did, his own neck would be cut.

"It seems you have no intention of counting to three."

Jang Mugang withdrew his killing intent and gently pushed down the sword on his neck.

"..."

Gu Yangun couldn't believe it.

He had never thought that a man who could subdue him with killing intent alone would be an inn chef.

"If the food doesn't suit your taste, the guest should leave."

Jang Mugang stepped aside.

After glaring at Jang Mugang for a moment with a flushed face, Gu Yangun turned and left the inn.

"Big Brother Jang, are you alright?"

The chefs rushed over. They hadn't felt the killing intent, so they didn't know why Gu Yangun had suddenly retreated.

Jang Mugang said to the chefs and waiters.

"Close the doors. We're not taking any guests today. Ask for the understanding of the guests who are already here and send them to other inns."

As soon as Jang Mugang's words fell, the waiters hurriedly bolted the doors.

A moment later, the chefs and servants went home, and only a few resident chefs and waiters remained at the inn.

(End of Chapter)