The RoFan Novel Fan Has Reincarnated Into A Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 26

Chapter 26. Old Memories

"Gate Master, Hwang Bo Yeon has left Baekha Escort Agency," the Sword Captain reported.

Eom Gilyeon opened his eyes.

"She’s coming alone again?"

"Yes. Only her escort is accompanying her."

"Hah, I only meant to scare her a little, yet she actually accepted the invitation. What a fearless girl."

"She’s the daughter of a noble clan. She must have been raised delicately," the Sword Captain muttered bitterly.

Eom Gilyeon glanced at him with amusement.

"Are you jealous?"

"What? Of course not. That’s..."

"Don’t worry. Once we properly establish our trading group, we’ll hold as much power as any noble clan."

"Yes, Gate Master."

The Sword Captain’s answer was quiet. Eom Gilyeon’s gaze drifted away, lost in thought.

"This reminds me of the old days. Back when Red Flower Gate was just a small sword sect, we had to bow our heads countless times—to those damned noble clan leaders."

"That’s true," the Sword Captain agreed.

"But look at us now. Ever since we received the Cult’s blessings, no one dares look down on us. And this is just the beginning. We will soon become the greatest trading group, one that even the noble clans can’t compete with. When that day comes, I will never, never go back to the way things were!"

"Yes, Gate Master..."

After calming himself down, Eom Gilyeon asked,

"So, is everything ready?"

"I’ve arranged for the Flower Princes to entertain Hwang Bo Yeon. I selected ones who don’t seem too vulgar. I also set aside a courtesan just in case."

"And Baekha Escort Agency?"

"We sent a group of unorthodox fighters there. They’re crude but skilled enough. That place won’t last the night."

"Good. Well done."

Eom Gilyeon grinned ominously, convinced everything was in place.

"By tomorrow morning, we’ll have both women in our grasp. Maybe I should send a letter to the Hwang Bo family head—tell him how much I’m enjoying the daughter he raised so well."

"...I’ll make sure to inform the late Escort Chief in the afterlife," the Sword Captain added.

"What? Hah! Since when do you make jokes, Sword Captain? Go ahead, do as you please!"

Laughter started small but grew louder and louder. It echoed beyond the chamber, filling the Red Flower Gate, and did not stop for a long time.

****

For the second time today, Yeon stood before the gates of Red Flower Gate. The wooden doors were wide open, as if welcoming a guest.

Lining the familiar stone path were rows of orange lanterns. The procession of lights illuminated the night, giving the illusion of a festival. If the circumstances were different, it might have been a pleasant sight.

"If Monk Gongye saw this, he would’ve loved it. Should’ve brought him along."

Beneath his Infiltration Mask, Cheon-gang chuckled at Yeon’s joke.

Gongye had remained at Baekha Escort Agency with Soso, who was busy tending to patients. Yeon had asked him to stay on alert—though whether he would actually listen was a different matter.

"I’d be lucky if he isn’t drinking right now."

Just then, a man approached them. Well-dressed and courteous, he bowed politely.

"Good evening. You must be Lady Hwang Bo Yeon and her escort. Please, this way."

As Yeon began walking, Cheon-gang followed closely, scanning the surroundings. He was behaving exactly like a real bodyguard, and Yeon found herself enjoying it a little too much.

"Ugh, I really want to hire him as my personal bodyguard. But bodyguards should wear suits."

She pictured Cheon-gang in a well-fitted suit, holding a gun. Just imagining those broad shoulders and the way the dress shirt would stretch across his chest—

"Damn. He’d look like a walking action movie."

"Guys like that always get called 'Chief' in stories. Chief Cheon-gang. Mm, yes, that sounds nice."

"This way, please."

Yeon quickly snapped out of her thoughts when the guide spoke.

"Oh, yes."

Inside, people were already gathered, laughing and chatting. There were no martial artists in sight, but that didn’t mean she could let her guard down.

"They wouldn’t bare their fangs right away."

Just as she was about to step further inside—

"Lady Yeon, wait a moment."

Cheon-gang moved ahead of her, scanning the interior. He inspected every corner with sharp precision before finally stepping aside.

"It’s safe. Please, go ahead."

Yeon held back a laugh at how serious he looked.

"Yes, Chief."

"......?"

Pretending not to notice his reaction, Yeon strode forward into the lion’s den.

Her last joke was lighthearted, but her eyes were sharp.

Cheon-gang followed, his shoulders subtly shifting as he smirked.

****

Meanwhile, at Baekha Escort Agency, those left behind struggled to sleep, burdened with anxiety.

Baek Ju-a, in particular, was extremely restless, and Tang Soso was no different. The absence of Yeon was deeply felt.

One person, however, did not share their concern. Gongye let out a long yawn.

"Yaaaawn."

As he closed his mouth, he suddenly felt someone’s gaze.

It was Tang Soso, who had momentarily paused in her work.

When their eyes met, Gongye flashed her a cheerful smile. It was meant to be friendly, but she flinched and quickly looked away, sighing under her breath.

"Tsk, what is Tang Benefactor so worried about? I feel so free now that Hwang Bo Benefactor is gone."

Just as he was wishing he could remove his wig, the door opened, and a young boy walked in carrying a tray. His complexion had improved greatly—Baek Cho-un.

"Sorry to bother you. I thought you might be hungry."

"Baek Young Master!"

Tang Soso immediately stood up and took the tray from his hands. There were a few simple side dishes and dried beef on the plates.

"Thanks to you, my mother finally regained consciousness. She’s still too weak to get up, but she wanted me to thank you on her behalf."

"There’s no need for that," Soso said sincerely.

Baek Cho-un then turned to Gongye, holding out another set of dishes.

"It’s not much, but please have some."

Unlike before, his speech was clear, and his eyes were no longer red. Thanks to Soso’s care, he had recovered faster than his mother.

Looking at him now, he seemed like a proper heir to the escort agency. Gongye pressed his hands together in prayer before taking the dish.

"I accept your kindness."

Then, Soso suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, wait—he doesn’t eat meat."

"Oh! I’m sorry. I’ll bring something else."

Baek Cho-un reached for the plate, but Gongye grabbed his hand.

"Hahaha, why would I not eat meat? I’m not a monk, am I? Isn’t that right, Lady Tang?"

He turned to Soso with his signature smile. She stared at him in shock, unable to respond.

"Yes! Finally, my peaceful world begins!"

At that moment, Baek Cho-un asked,

"Actually, would you like some wine as well? We still have some left from the escort warriors."

"W-Wine?"

Gongye’s eyes lit up. He almost clapped his hands.

"This kid—he’s going to grow into a great man!"

"If you wouldn’t mind, Young Master, I would be most grateful! Hahaha! Hahaha!"

A moment later, Baek Cho-un returned with a white porcelain wine bottle, smiling proudly as if he had accomplished something great.

"Here you go. Let me know if you need more."

"Ah..."

Ignoring Soso’s soft groan, Gongye reverently accepted the bottle with both hands.

"My gratitude, my endless gratitude!"

Gulp, gulp, gulp.

Gongye carefully poured the wine, tilting the cup so not a single drop would spill, then raised it to his lips and downed it in one go.

Gulp.

"Ahhh...!"

The burn of the liquor washed down all the hardships of the day. He took a bite of meat, savoring the taste, and for a moment, it felt as if all worldly suffering had melted away. Not that he had much suffering to begin with—but it was the thought that counted.

Tang Soso, who had been watching him in silence, eventually gave up and started eating as well. The only sounds in the room were the clinking of chopsticks, the pouring of wine, and the occasional murmurs of satisfaction.

Sitting with his knees together, watching them eat, Baek Cho-un suddenly spoke.

"This reminds me of the old days. I used to eat like this with the escort warriors and the head ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) guard. They always said eating at a table was nice, but they were more used to eating on the road."

"Did they, now?"

Gongye answered absentmindedly, sampling the different side dishes. As expected, the meat was the best, just as Baek Cho-un had said, but the others weren’t bad either.

"I never got to go on an escort mission myself, but I always liked hearing about them. My mother scolded me for it, but my father never did. He said the heir to an escort agency couldn’t afford to grow up sheltered."

"Sounds like a fine father."

"...Yeah, my father was really great. He’s gone now, though."

"Of course, he’s... Wait, what?"

Gongye nearly choked on his food. He turned his head sharply, catching sight of Tang Soso, who was staring at him with a horrified expression.

"Monk, for the love of—!"

Her eyes practically screamed at him. Gongye cleared his throat.

"Ahem. I... I didn’t know. My condolences."

Tang Soso quickly lowered her head, either out of embarrassment or frustration.

"I really didn’t know, though."

In truth, Gongye knew almost nothing about the situation at Baekha Escort Agency. And he hadn’t particularly cared to find out. He had seen signs of poisoning and intrigue here and there, but wasn’t that just how the world worked?

As he chewed over this thought, Baek Cho-un continued.

"But honestly, I never really wanted to inherit the escort agency."

"Oh? And why is that?"

This time, Gongye answered with a bit more interest. He had momentarily looked away, but his focus was still on the beef.

"In the end, it all comes back to meat."

He savored the texture as Baek Cho-un replied.

"I wanted to join the Shaolin Temple."

"Cough!"

Gongye nearly choked. He hastily grabbed his cup and chugged the wine, pounding his chest until he could breathe again.

"You—you were thinking what?"

"Huh?"

"You must never entertain such thoughts!"

"Wait... Did you just call me Benefactor?"

"I-It just slipped out! I was too shocked!"

Baek Cho-un tilted his head in confusion but soon accepted it with his usual innocence.

"I know it would be tough. My mother would never allow it. But still, it seems better than running an escort agency."

"Hah..."

"One day, I’d love to learn Shaolin martial arts. Maybe when I get older, I could enter as a secular disciple."

Baek Cho-un’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. Gongye stared at him with a deeply conflicted expression.

"This boy has so much potential... yet he’s fallen for such a dangerous delusion. I must guide him onto the right path. Amitabha."

Resolving himself, Gongye picked up another piece of meat—a large, juicy one this time.

"Baek Young Master, tell me... What exactly is so great about the Shaolin Temple? Spending your whole life locked away, never once tasting this delicious meat, hm? No meat, no wine, just staring at wall carvings until you pass away—"

Realizing he was being a bit too blunt, he quickly adjusted his tone.

"Ah, what I meant was... leading a life of enlightenment, of course."

"But Shaolin is the most righteous sect! And the strongest, too!"

Gongye shook his head solemnly.

"This poor child has been utterly brainwashed. Has he been reading stories where monks are the main heroes?"

Baek Cho-un’s enthusiasm dimmed slightly at Gongye’s lack of response. After a brief silence, he spoke again.

"Actually, after my sister left for Shaolin, I prayed every day."

"......."

"I was too sick to even stand some days, but I never skipped a prayer. Because if a Shaolin monk came, they would defeat the bad guys. Then our escort agency could go back to how it used to be."

Baek Cho-un’s voice wavered, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. He wasn’t crying, but he couldn’t quite suppress the tremor in his words.

Tang Soso, who had been silent until now, finally asked,

"And what was it like before?"

"...When we all ate together."

At that, the clinking of chopsticks ceased entirely. Tang Soso said nothing, simply watching Gongye.

After a long silence, Gongye finally spoke.

"Baek Young Master."

"Yes?"

"Would you... happen to have more wine?"