Chapter 114

Pyo Wol’s public name was Im Gwon-ok.

He was born into a good family, with a gentle and calm personality.

He had a talent for business, greatly increasing the fortune his parents left him. Once he had amassed a satisfactory amount of wealth, he began to seriously learn music, a childhood hobby.

That was Im Gwon-ok’s history.

Im Gwon-ok was a real person. He had set out on a business trip a few years ago, encountered robbers, and lost his life. Go Chonggwan had kept his history and created it as Pyo Wol’s identity.

Because he was a real person, no one suspected Pyo Wol’s identity.

Pyo Wol went up on stage, holding a geomungo.

The stage was nothing more than a slightly elevated platform.

The courtesan who had performed before him had thoroughly roused the audience’s excitement, so the eyes of the people watching him were full of anticipation.

The recitals that Master Yuedu periodically held to assess his students’ progress were one of Chengdu’s famous attractions. Because of this, quite a lot of people came to watch the performances.

Pyo Wol sat down and began to play.

Tung-da-dang!

A calm melody of strings echoed through the hall.

Music was one of the indicators of a person’s character.

Depending on the heart with which one played, even the same sheet music could sound different.

Pyo Wol’s performance was calm, yet sharp in some indefinable way. It felt as if it were probing one’s emotions with a sharp awl.

Master Yuedu and his disciples closed their eyes and appreciated Pyo Wol’s performance. It was the same for the others who had come to listen.

Won Gayoung was impressed by Pyo Wol’s playing.

“His technique is nothing extraordinary, but the power in his music is incredible. Each and every note is precise and filled with a strong will.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! Judging by his clumsy technique, it doesn’t seem like he’s been learning the geomungo for long. It’s a shame; if he had learned it a little earlier, he would have become a great musician.”

Won Gayoung coolly assessed Pyo Wol’s skill level. But Jin Geum-woo let her words go in one ear and out the other.

Jin Geum-woo had no interest in Pyo Wol’s performance.

What interested him was the man named Pyo Wol himself.

Pyo Wol, playing with his eyes half-closed and his back ramrod straight, overflowed with dignity.

He even had the air of a master, as if he had lived his entire life playing only the geomungo. But Jin Geum-woo felt that Pyo Wol’s appearance was more like a swordsman holding a sword than a musician.

His smooth, flawless white hands were busily moving over the strings.

‘What if those hands were holding a sword?’

Just imagining it sent a chill down his spine.

Jin Geum-woo’s gaze intensified.

It was the first time he had shown this much emotion recently. Won Gayoung noticed the change in Jin Geum-woo’s emotions and wore a puzzled expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“That man…”

“What about him?”

“Can you find out who he is?”

“Why? Is there something bothering you about him?”

“I’m just… curious.”

At Jin Geum-woo’s answer, Won Gayoung tilted her head slightly. She had known him for a long time, but this was the first time she had seen Jin Geum-woo pay this much attention to another person.

“I’ll look into it.”

“Thank you.”

Won Gayoung disappeared from her seat for a moment.

Left alone, Jin Geum-woo watched Pyo Wol play with his arms crossed.

He couldn’t be sure because Pyo Wol’s eyes were lowered, but Jin Geum-woo was certain it was the same gaze he had seen at the Four Seas Pavilion.

There was a high probability that he was a customer who had been at the Four Seas Pavilion. The problem was that Jin Geum-woo had never seen a face like Pyo Wol’s in the crowd.

Jin Geum-woo’s memory was exceptionally sharp; he never forgot something he had seen once. To others, it might have looked like he was just glancing around, but he remembered everything he saw.

Of course, it was possible he hadn’t seen him because he was mixed in with the crowd. It wasn’t as if he could identify the face of someone he hadn’t seen.

But it felt too unsettling to just let it go.

Just then, Pyo Wol, who had been engrossed in his performance, lifted his head.

Jin Geum-woo’s intense gaze and Pyo Wol’s placid gaze met in mid-air.

Jin Geum-woo focused his eyes.

His already piercing gaze shone even more intensely. Even when faced with a fearsome gaze that would make even a decent martial artist’s blood run cold, Pyo Wol’s expression showed no change.

Perhaps he was so engrossed in his performance that he hadn’t noticed Jin Geum-woo’s gaze. But Jin Geum-woo thought that was impossible.

Because Pyo Wol’s eyes had clearly met his.

At that moment, a soft smile formed on Pyo Wol’s lips, and he soon shifted his gaze back to the strings of the geomungo.

He was once again engrossed in his performance.

Perhaps their eyes meeting was just a coincidence. Perhaps, being a musician, he hadn’t recognized the power contained in his eyes.

‘No, he definitely looked straight into my eyes. And he showed no agitation whatsoever.’

Jin Geum-woo’s gaze grew deep in thought.

Finally, Pyo Wol’s performance ended.

“Woooow!”

“Incredible. That was moving.”

The audience cheered for Pyo Wol.

Master Yuedu and his disciples also smiled with satisfaction. Their ears had been delighted throughout Pyo Wol’s performance.

Master Yuedu spoke.

“Well played. At this level, you won’t tarnish my reputation anywhere you go.”

“Thank you.”

Pyo Wol bowed his head respectfully to Master Yuedu to show his courtesy, then stepped back.

Just then, Won Gayoung returned to Jin Geum-woo.

“I found out. His name is Im Gwon-ok. He’s a Chengdu native and a man of great business acumen. Although he inherited a large fortune from his parents, he increased it even more with his outstanding merchant skills. Once he had accumulated a satisfactory amount of wealth, he began to walk the path of an artist, which he had always been interested in.”

“A Chengdu native? Are you sure?”

“I cross-checked with several people. He’s definitely from Chengdu.”

“Hmm!”

At Won Gayoung’s unexpected words, Jin Geum-woo looked momentarily confused. But it was only for a moment.

“I’ll know if I see him in person.”

“See him in person?”

Won Gayoung’s eyes widened.

That was how unexpected Jin Geum-woo’s words were.

Jin Geum-woo walked past Won Gayoung and strode backstage.

Pyo Wol was backstage, putting away his geomungo.

Jin Geum-woo approached Pyo Wol without hesitation and made a Fist-Palm Salute.

“I enjoyed your performance very much. My name is Jin Geum-woo.”

“Ah! My name is Im Gwon-ok. Thank you.”

Pyo Wol made a Fist-Palm Salute with a slightly flustered expression.

He was clearly taken aback by someone showing up so suddenly.

“I was deeply moved by Young Hero Im’s performance. That’s why I’ve taken the liberty of coming to see you so abruptly. Please forgive me.”

“Ah, not at all.”

“If you don’t mind, may I buy you a drink?”

“I’m sorry. I can’t hold my liquor…”

“Then how about we have some tea together?”

“Th-Then I’ll have just one cup.”

“Thank you. For accepting my rude request. After hearing Young Hero Im’s performance, I truly wanted to get to know you.”

“Ah, yes!”

Pyo Wol replied with an awkward expression.

Right now, he was Im Gwon-ok.

If it were his true self, there would be no reason to be flustered, nor would he stammer. But Im Gwon-ok was different.

He was a man who had greatly increased his parents’ fortune with his outstanding business talent. In the process of amassing that wealth, he had been scammed quite a few times and had experienced countless types of people. Because of that, he couldn’t help but be wary of strangers he was meeting for the first time.

There was no way such an Im Gwon-ok would easily open his heart to a complete stranger.

Pyo Wol was faithful to Im Gwon-ok’s persona.

He followed behind Jin Geum-woo with a wary gaze, clutching the large geomungo to his chest. But his inner thoughts were different.

‘Did he notice?’

He thought he had hidden himself thoroughly, but Jin Geum-woo had clearly seen something.

Pyo Wol thought the ways of the world were truly amusing.

Someone tries so hard to hide, yet someone else glimpses a fragment of the truth hidden behind the facade and becomes suspicious.

Until now, Pyo Wol had always been the one observing and seeing through others. But now, faced with Jin Geum-woo’s suspicion, the tables had turned.

He had to hide himself completely.

The place Jin Geum-woo headed to was a nearby Teahouse.

It hadn’t even opened yet, but the rich aroma of tea was already wafting out.

The three of them, including Won Gayoung who had followed, entered the Teahouse.

Jin Geum-woo said to the Teahouse owner.

“I’ll have Longjing tea, if you have it.”

“A fine batch just came in a few days ago. And for the others?”

Pyo Wol and Won Gayoung also ordered teas that suited their tastes.

While waiting for the tea, Jin Geum-woo spoke.

“I truly enjoyed Young Hero Im’s performance. May I ask what the piece you played was?”

“It’s a piece called Heavenly Incense. It’s a favorite of mine.”

“A scent from the heavens? I’m curious. If such a scent truly exists. But it was truly wonderful to listen to.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I’ve only been learning for a short time, so I’m still clumsy.”

“It was excellent.”

Jin Geum-woo replied, emphasizing his words once more.

Won Gayoung watched Jin Geum-woo in silence.

The Jin Geum-woo she knew was not a man to be moved by the sound of a geomungo. For him to speak like that, he must have a clear intention.

‘What did Orabeoni Jin Geum-woo see in that man?’

Though she was looking at the same person, Won Gayoung didn’t feel anything strange about Pyo Wol.

Pyo Wol’s outward appearance was ordinary.

Not that his looks were ordinary, but he showed none of the characteristics a martial artist should have.

There were no calluses on his fists, as if he had never held a weapon in his life. His skin was so fair it looked as if it had never seen the sun.

At least from his appearance alone, he was no different from a scholar.

Jin Geum-woo asked.

“Has Young Hero Im always lived in Chengdu?”

“Yes! I’m from Chengdu.”

“I see. Could you perhaps recommend any places worth visiting near Chengdu? Since this is my first time here, I know nothing about Chengdu or Sichuan Province.”

“Well, I’ve only been focused on business, so I don’t really know… Ah! If you’d like, you could try visiting Mount Qingcheng or Mount Emei. They are the most famous places around Chengdu, after all.”

“Qingcheng and Emei? I’ve always wanted to visit them. Unfortunately, it seems I won’t be able to go this time.”

“Why? Ah, is it because of what happened recently? That the Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect suffered great damage and have closed their gates…”

“You seem to be well-versed in the affairs of the Jianghu as well?”

“Living in Chengdu, it’s impossible not to know. The whole city was buzzing about it for a while.”

“Is that so?”

Jin Geum-woo asked as if he were hearing it for the first time.

“Many people died that day, and many shops were damaged. It’s impossible not to know.”

“I see. Then you must know well what happened that day?”

“I only know what everyone else knows.”

“Is it true that a single assassin turned Chengdu upside down that day?”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Is it true that the assassin deployed a Celestial Net against the Qingcheng Sect and the Emei Sect?”

“How would I know that?”

“You really don’t know?”

In that instant, Jin Geum-woo’s eyes glinted chillingly.

At Jin Geum-woo’s words, which thrust forward like a sharply honed blade, Pyo Wol answered without a hint of hesitation.

“I don’t know.”

Jin Geum-woo stared intently into Pyo Wol’s eyes.

“They say the assassin used cowardly tricks to inflict great damage on the Qingcheng Sect and the Emei Sect. It is a great tragedy for the Jianghu that such a despicable sort exists. What are your thoughts, Young Hero Im?”

“I think the exact same as you, Young Hero Jin.”

“Really?”

Pyo Wol said with a smile.

“Is there any reason for me to lie? Are you perhaps in Chengdu to find that assassin?”

“That’s right.”

“Why would someone like you, Young Hero Jin, be looking for such an assassin?”

“There’s something I need to find out. So I intend to meet him and ask him directly.”

“That won’t be easy.”

“Why do you think so?”

“An assassin would naturally live in hiding, wouldn’t he? Or he might have already left Chengdu.”

“I don’t think so. He is definitely here.”

Jin Geum-woo put particular emphasis on the word ‘here’.

At that moment, Pyo Wol stood up from his seat.

“I’d like to stay longer, but I must be going.”

“You’re leaving without even having your tea?”

“As it is, my sales have dropped a lot because I’ve been neglecting my business to learn the geomungo. I have to show my face once in a while so my workers at least pretend to work.”

“Is that so? If there’s a chance, could we perhaps meet again next time?”

“If you come to the Celestial Music Hall, you can meet me anytime.”

“Then I’ll see you next time.”

“Farewell!”

Pyo Wol made a Fist-Palm Salute to Jin Geum-woo and then walked out of the Teahouse.

As he disappeared, Won Gayoung chided Jin Geum-woo.

“He seems like an ordinary merchant, why were you interrogating him like that?”

“Ordinary? He is no ordinary man.”

“Pardon?”

“He didn’t ask a single thing about me. Normally, when meeting someone for the first time, they should show at least a little curiosity, but he had none of that. That’s a reaction that’s impossible unless he already knows about me.”

Jin Geum-woo’s gaze was fixed on Pyo Wol’s back, which was receding beyond the window, and did not move.