Chapter 297

Late in the evening, Pyo Wol returned to the inn.

The members of the Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe were already gathered inside the inn.

After a full day of roaming around Runan and putting on small performances, their faces held a pleasant weariness.

“People were so surprised they couldn’t close their mouths.”

“This should be enough to spread the word about our performance, right?”

“Of course! We made such a scene.”

“I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s performance.”

The entertainers chattered as they tilted their cups.

Pyo Wol glanced around at them for a moment. But So Gyeoksan was nowhere to be seen.

Just then, Lee Ok-ran spotted Pyo Wol and approached him.

“You’re back?”

“Where is Gyeoksan?”

“He went out to take care of something.”

“Something?”

“Yes! He said he’d be back tomorrow evening at the earliest.”

“So the performance will be without him?”

“The Unit Leader of an acrobatic troupe rarely performs himself. Besides, we’ve been handling the performances on our own from the start. So it’s not a problem even if he’s not here.”

Pyo Wol nodded at Lee Ok-ran’s explanation.

“If you haven’t had dinner yet, would you like to join us? It’s been bothering me that we haven’t properly treated an acquaintance of our Unit Leader.”

“It’s fine.”

“Please, just give us one chance. You’re the first person I’ve met who knows about the Unit Leader’s past, so I really want to treat you.”

“He hasn’t told you about his past?”

“No!”

“Then I can’t tell you either.”

“But…”

“If you’re curious, ask him yourself. Don’t make things difficult for people.”

“I see I’ve made things difficult. I’m sorry.”

Lee Ok-ran readily admitted her mistake and apologized. However, she hadn’t given up on having a meal with Pyo Wol.

“In that case, I’ll just treat you to a meal. That should be fine, right?”

Pyo Wol thought she was quite persistent. But he had no further grounds or reason to refuse.

“Fine.”

“Thank you.”

Only then did Lee Ok-ran smile with a happy expression.

“Hey! Clear a table and bring out some new food.”

As Lee Ok-ran gave the order to the members, those who had been laughing and talking began to move in perfect unison.

The male members cleared a table, and the female members went to the kitchen to bring out food themselves.

In an instant, the table was laden with food.

“Please, sit.”

At Lee Ok-ran’s words, Pyo Wol took a seat. As if on cue, a female member sat down next to him.

When Pyo Wol furrowed his brow slightly, Lee Ok-ran smiled and said.

“Don’t feel burdened. She’s doing it because she wants to.”

“That’s right! From the moment I first saw you, I wanted to sit next to you.”

The female member said with a bashful smile.

Lee Ok-ran added an explanation.

“To be honest, living as a member of an acrobatic troupe isn’t easy. As you know, many people look down on us as a lowly class. Pretty girls like the one sitting next to you often become prey for men of high status.”

“First I’m hearing of it.”

“I’m sure it is. It’s not well-known, but it’s actually a very common occurrence.”

People enjoyed the performances of acrobatic troupes, yet they tended to think of the performers as very lowly beings. This was especially true for those of high status.

They wouldn’t leave a beautiful woman in an acrobatic troupe alone.

Sometimes with threats, sometimes with wealth, they would win over the troupe’s unit leader, and the unit leader who succumbed would throw the female members to the high-status men as playthings for a night.

Such things happened all the time in the world they belonged to.

“But our Unit Leader was different. No matter how much money they brought, if a member didn’t want it, he would never, under any circumstances, hand them over. And he protected us, never yielding to any threat. The reason we can perform with such bright expressions is all thanks to our Unit Leader.”

“He seems to be a good unit leader for you all.”

“That’s right. He’s incomparable to anyone else.”

“Honestly, there’s no one like our Unit Leader. Before he came, we had to live a life like hell.”

The female member sitting next to Pyo Wol said as she served him food from the dishes in front of them onto his plate.

The female member’s name was Gahyang.

Gahyang had a cute appearance and a beautiful voice, which made many men covet her. There were times when she was actually forced to sell her body. But the profits from it never ended up in her pocket.

The money she should have received only served to fill the belly of the previous unit leader. With that money, the previous unit leader lived in luxury.

She wanted to escape, but she couldn’t.

The previous unit leader ruled them through violence.

If So Gyeoksan hadn’t appeared, their hellish lives would have continued to this day.

To Pyo Wol, their words sounded quite unexpected.

It was because there was a discrepancy with the So Gyeoksan he knew.

The So Gyeoksan in the underground cavern was more somber than anyone and, much like Pyo Wol himself, never showed his true feelings.

He worked with So Yeowol, Song Cheonwoo, and others out of necessity, but he was always ready to betray them.

Because of that, he was imprinted in Pyo Wol’s mind as someone who couldn’t be trusted. But to these people, he seemed to be a rather dependable protector.

Gahyang pressed herself close to Pyo Wol’s side and said.

“The Unit Leader says it doesn’t matter if we don’t make a profit from our performances. Honestly, our shows aren’t always successful, and there are more times we run a deficit. But the Unit Leader brings wealth from somewhere and fills our empty coffers. We know very well that it’s not possible through normal means. That’s why we’re curious. About the Unit Leader’s past.”

“I’ve already said it, but if you’re curious, ask him yourself.”

“Oh my! How heartless.”

Gahyang smiled with her eyes at Pyo Wol.

Though her words called him heartless, her eyes, curved like half-moons, were filled with affection.

Lee Ok-ran looked at Gahyang and said.

“It seems you’ll never be short of trouble with women. Gahyang isn’t one to give her heart away so easily.”

“What woman wouldn’t like such a handsome man? Just looking at him is such a pleasure for the eyes…”

“You wench! Looks aren’t everything. What’s truly important is…”

“I know. The heart. I’ve heard it so much my ears are about to bleed.”

“You wench…”

“I don’t care. For you, Unnie, it might be the heart, but for me, it’s looks.”

Gahyang stuck her tongue out at Lee Ok-ran.

Lee Ok-ran looked dumbfounded. But soon, she let out a chuckle.

Originally, Gahyang wasn’t such a bright child. Seeing the once introverted girl assert herself so strongly was actually a welcome sight. It was proof that her personality had brightened that much. However, Pyo Wol himself seemed to have no interest in Gahyang.

‘Then again, how many women must show interest in that man?’

Gahyang probably wasn’t unaware of that fact. She, too, had been through thick and thin. Yet, seeing her with her eyes sparkling, so captivated by Pyo Wol, made Lee Ok-ran’s heart ache even more.

Pyo Wol ate his meal in silence, and Gahyang gazed at him endlessly. And so, the night deepened.

＊＊＊

From morning, the inn was bustling with noise.

The members of the Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe had woken up at dawn to prepare for their performance. They moved about busily, checking their makeup and props.

Today was the day of the main performance at the Jin Clan.

The payment they received would depend on the outcome of today’s performance. Because of that, all the members of the Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe were on edge.

Furthermore, So Gyeoksan had not returned to the inn last night. Although they were used to performing without him, they couldn’t help but be concerned.

Thanks to Lee Ok-ran taking charge and leading from the front, everyone was able to keep their composure and focus on the preparations.

When all the preparations were complete, Lee Ok-ran said loudly.

“Let’s go! To the Jin Clan…”

“Yes!”

All the members answered in one voice.

They packed all their belongings and headed for the Jin Clan.

After the Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe had left, Pyo Wol came down the stairs.

The empty inn was not just silent, but still. Having spent the last two days in the same inn as the troupe, the quiet atmosphere felt unfamiliar.

Pyo Wol headed straight for the stables.

The horse in the stables saw Pyo Wol and snorted, as if in greeting. Pyo Wol stroked the horse’s neck. The horse closed its eyes and quietly enjoyed Pyo Wol’s touch.

“Let’s go!”

After some time had passed, Pyo Wol mounted the horse and headed for the Jin Clan.

The road to the Jin Clan was crowded with people.

Having heard the news of the Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe’s performance, people were heading to the Jin Clan from early in the morning.

Excitement filled people’s faces at the thought of seeing an acrobatic troupe’s performance after a long time. Looking at their faces, Pyo Wol thought that the Jin Clan’s ploy had worked.

Just by reviving the atmosphere of Runan, which had stagnated after the fight with Snow Blade Sword Manor, the Jin Clan had achieved its initial goal.

A long line of people waiting to enter had formed in front of the Jin Clan. They were all waiting for the entrance to the Jin Clan to open.

When Pyo Wol appeared, one of the Jin Clan’s martial artists recognized him and approached.

He made a Fist-Palm Salute and then spoke.

“The Young Clan Head has ordered that Great Hero Pyo be let straight inside. Please follow me.”

“Mm.”

Pyo Wol nodded and followed the martial artist.

The martial artists guarding the entrance made a Fist-Palm Salute to Pyo Wol and cleared a path.

Pyo Wol entered the Jin Clan on horseback.

The Jin Clan, which had been reduced to ruins, had almost regained its former appearance. This was thanks to the massive funds and numerous laborers that had been brought in after contracts with merchants.

The atmosphere was still a bit chaotic due to some unfinished houses, but it was still a splendid reconstruction.

In the open space in the center of the village, a large stage had been erected. On the stage, the members of the Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe were preparing for their performance.

Just then, someone approached Pyo Wol.

“Hyung-nim!”

The one greeting Pyo Wol with a smile was none other than Jin Si-woo.

His expression was much brighter than when Pyo Wol had seen him a few days ago.

Pyo Wol dismounted and said.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“It’s nothing to speak of. Others are taking care of all the practical work.”

“The Golden Sky Society?”

“They haven’t arrived yet. They should be here soon.”

Jin Si-woo’s expression turned bitter.

He tried to put on a bright face for Pyo Wol, but his heart was in turmoil.

The reason Jang Mu-guk insisted on visiting the Jin Clan today was to secure his legitimacy.

By visiting the home of the first Society Leader, Jin Geum-woo, he intended to be officially recognized as the second Society Leader.

Jin Si-woo knew his dark intentions but had no justification to stop him.

Pyo Wol silently patted his shoulder.

It was then.

“Opening the entrance!”

The voice of the martial artist guarding the entrance was heard.

Jin Si-woo said to Pyo Wol.

“I have to go.”

“Go on.”

Jin Si-woo hurried toward the stage.

Although he was displeased with today’s event, he had the responsibility to see it through successfully.

The entrance opened, and the waiting crowd poured in.

Jin Si-woo directed the Jin Clan’s martial artists to guide them to where the stage was set up.

The vast training ground in front of the stage quickly filled with people.

As the people gathered, music began to flow from the stage.

The musicians had begun to play.

“Waaaah!”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

A moment later, singers began to sing along with the musicians’ performance.

The atmosphere of the venue heated up in an instant.

The Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe certainly knew how to liven up a mood.

They first drew the crowd’s attention with song, and then, when everyone was focused, they began the acrobatic performance.

In particular, the technique called Chě Liǎn, where a person’s face changes in an instant, was enough to completely captivate the audience.

Chě Liǎn was a technique where faces were drawn on silk, layered on top of each other over the face, and then instantly torn away to change the face.

To those who didn’t know the principle, Chě Liǎn looked like the work of a demon.

As the people were engrossed in the troupe’s performance, a group of martial artists appeared at the Jin Clan.

It was Jang Mu-guk and Dokgo Hwang, leading the martial artists of the Golden Sky Society.

Dokgo Hwang looked at the training ground filled with people and smirked.

“Looks like they’ve prepared a performance like this for us. It’s good to see such a commotion.”

Everyone in the Golden Sky Society knew that wasn’t the truth. But not a single person contradicted Dokgo Hwang’s words.

Just then, Dokgo Hwang’s gaze fell upon a man standing alone.

The man who didn’t even glance their way despite the arrival of the Golden Sky Society was none other than Pyo Wol.

In an instant, the smile vanished from Dokgo Hwang’s face.