It was nothing like the foxes or rabbits he’d caught till now.

But—

“If we work on it now, we won’t reach the village today.”

At that, Gyo-ha smacked his lips in regret.

Then he set the deer down.

“Be careful from now on, okay?”

It was not something that a kidnapper should say, yet the deer dipped its head as if it understood and bolted.

Noh-sam gazed at Gyo-ha.

Maybe because of life with his master, he didn’t kill casually.

He only killed when Noh-sam gave the okay.

And he only raised a hand when someone struck first.

A mindset far from the ordinary.

‘Dangerous.’

It was fine in the wild, but not for the human world.

But Noh-sam’s thoughts went no further.

“Anyway, I’m hungry—let’s hurry!”

Because Gyo-ha grabbed Noh-sam by the waist.

This was different from anything he’d done so far.

“Why are you—urk!”

Before he could even ask, Noh-sam was airborne.

Tucked under Gyo-ha’s arm…

Gyo-ha sprinted through the brush.

Noh-sam’s body shook wildly the whole time.

After a good while, Gyo-ha glanced down at him.

“Uncle, it’s this way, right? Yeah, uncle?”

Noh-sam was already out cold, limp.

Gyo-ha looked at him with pity.

“Guess you’re tired and taking a nap. Your body’s really weak.”

It never crossed his mind that him being tucked under his arm while he was sprinting might be the reason.

Beyond the hill, paddies and fields stretched on without end.

Their patchwork of colors was a sight to behold.

And beyond them, a cluster of houses could be seen.

“Wow.”

Pushing through the brush, Gyo-ha blinked at the sight of Mudo.

It couldn’t be compared to the village in Cheonsu where he’d lived as a child.

Seeing his wide-eyed wonder, Noh-sam smiled.

A kid was still a kid.

‘He’ll faint dead away when he sees the capital.’

Mudo was sizable, but nothing next to Lanzhou, Gansu’s capital.

“Uncle!”

Gyo-ha had already run down the hill; Noh-sam hurried after.

His amazement only grew when they entered Mudo.

Barkers called from all sides.

Stalls lined the streets in rows.

The smells wafting up made his head swim.

Of course he was spellbound.

‘Since we’ve got time, there’s no harm in a little look around.’

As Noh-sam nodded to himself, he noticed something off.

Gyo-ha’s gaze had drifted from the food to the people.

More precisely, to the weapons they wore.

In other words, he was staring at Murim martial artists.

With their keen senses, the Murim folks noticed.

Their eyes hardened.

Just as things were about to turn ugly, drool trickled down.

‘That lady’s got a sword wrapped at her waist. How do you even swing that? That guy’s saber is odd? It has a ring on it.’

How did they fight with those?

Questions puffed up like clouds.

Gyo-ha stared, oblivious to the drool hitting the ground.

The Murim people flinched, then looked away.

The simple face, gone vacant, just looked dumb.

They must’ve thought, Ah, he’s slow, and went on.

Noh-sam yanked his collar in a hurry.

“Young master.”

“Yeah?”

Gyo-ha blinked—eyes innocent, having no idea what he’d done.

Noh-sam sighed and spoke.

“It’s rude to stare at people like that.”

“Ah.”

Gyo-ha exclaimed, a beat too late.

Noh-sam glanced around.

They were lucky. Among the people in Murim, many had foul tempers.

It was more often than not.

Trouble could’ve started over nothing.

Reluctantly, Gyo-ha tore his gaze away.

“Coming through!”

Just then, a small shadow dashed toward Noh-sam.

“Eek—sorry!”

It was a little kid. As he waved and tried to bolt, someone grabbed him.

“Ow! What are you—!”

“Bad habit you’ve got.”

The boy fell silent at the words of a youth in a scholar’s robe.

He squeezed, and a pouch dropped to the ground.

Noh-sam checked it and his eyes widened.

“Hey! My pouch!”

Only then did the youth let go.

The kid clicked his tongue and ran.

Handing over the pouch, the youth spoke.

“First time in Mudo?”

He snapped open a fan, drawing sighs from nearby women.

Blue scholar’s robe and a hero’s headscarf. The youth was handsome like a painting.

“There are lots of pickpockets. Be careful.”

“Ah, thank you. I don’t know how to repay you.”

Noh-sam bowed.

The youth smiled gently and shook his head.

“It’s fine. Are we not all brothers within the four seas? If it’s your first time, visit the northern hill. The flowers are beautiful this season. It’s the specialty of this village.”

With a polite bow, he left.

“Didn’t think we’d see a youth like that these days.”

As Noh-sam marveled, he noticed Gyo-ha staring after him and tilted his head.

“Young master, what is it?”

“That guy. He was watching us before the kid even came near.”

Noh-sam blinked.

Truth was, Gyo-ha had noticed the pickpocket and was about to act when the youth stepped in.

“Ah, it must’ve been a coincidence. If not, then he probably just thought the kid looked suspicious.”

There were always more than a few pickpockets in places like this.

He could’ve just been keeping an eye out.

‘Maybe.’

Gyo-ha thought a moment, then nodded.

Noh-sam said carefully,

“Sorry about before. I should’ve been paying attention.”

Unlike Gyo-ha, this wasn’t his first time. He shouldn’t have let him get distracted.

Gyo-ha smiled and shook his head.

“It’s fine.”

He’d have gotten it back anyway.

Gyo-ha had been watching for another reason.

Not knowing that, Noh-sam looked at him with moved eyes.

“Come on. I know a good inn. We’ll eat there, then check out the spot that young hero mentioned this evening.”

Gyo-ha just stared, a little sulky at Noh-sam’s words.

“There’s a famous tavern by it—the food’s excellent.”

“Oh.”

Now his face brightened.

“Wanderers frequent it, too.”

“Ooh!”

“It’s pricey, but for one day it’s fine.”

Noh-sam grinned, and Gyo-ha beamed back.

The fields ablaze with color were just as stunning as the youth had said.

On the hill stood a big tavern.

It was a perfect spot overlooking the fields.

No wonder business flourished.

Inside, lively noise tickled Gyo-ha’s ears.

But he didn’t mind.

There were Murim people everywhere.

“Young master.”

“I know. I won’t stare, right?”

At Noh-sam’s low reminder, he swallowed his regret and looked away.

Only his eyes moved.

His nose and ears twitched, taking stock of the Murim people.

Noh-sam shook his head.

“Let’s order first. A bit later and we’d have missed a table.”

Gyo-ha nodded.

They called the server, and soon dishes piled high on the table.

“Whoa.”

For this moment, Gyo-ha forgot the Murim people.

He was entranced by dishes he’d never seen.

He glanced at Noh-sam, eyes shining, and Noh-sam gave a small nod.

Gyo-ha’s hands shot into motion.

He handled chopsticks much better than before.

Noh-sam smiled and sighed in relief inside.

‘Good thing we stopped at the market first.’

They’d already had snacks.

Even so, the food vanished fast.

Otherwise, filling him up would’ve been hard.

Mouth stuffed, Gyo-ha looked at Noh-sam.

“Yoo too, Unco.”

“…Young master, swallow before you speak to people.”

Munch, munch.

Gulp. Then he said,

“You eat too, Uncle!”

“Right.”

Noh-sam chuckled and picked up his chopsticks.

Only after more than half the dishes were gone did their pace slow.

Then Gyo-ha’s eyes started roaming again.

“Unco.”

“Young master.”

At the quiet call, he swallowed.

“Uncle, we really can spar with wanderers, right?”

At that, Noh-sam’s thoughts went to the pouch at his waist.

It was fairly heavy with bandit money.

“I’m no martial artist, but this should hire three or four named wanderers.”

Not to rough anyone up or guard someone—

Just to ask for a friendly bout.

That was enough.

But Gyo-ha clicked his tongue.

“…Four times.”

Seeing his face fall, Noh-sam spoke.

“If it’s not enough, we can loop toward Tamchang. Many caravans pass there, so there’ll be plenty of bandits, too.”

“Ooh!”

“Or you could take on wanderer jobs.”

With his skill, there’d be demand.

He had a grown body, but inside he was just a kid.

But in this world, skill was everything.

‘And it’s not like oddballs are rare.’

Relieved, Gyo-ha reached for more food.

Then, spotting something, his eyes sparkled.

Noh-sam followed his gaze and let out a sound.

The handsome youth from earlier was coming downstairs.

Two lavishly dressed women were with him.

He saw them too and brightened.

He sent the women off and approached.

“We meet again. It seems we’re fated.”

The words were not suited between men, but it came out naturally from the youth.

Noh-sam rose, pleased.

The youth glanced over the table and said,

“The Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork here is great—have you tried it?”

“Is it?”

Noh-sam blinked. Contrary to the youth’s guess, he wasn’t new here.

Catching that, the youth smiled and went on.

“It’s a hidden menu item. Since we’re fated, let me buy you a bowl.”

“No, that’s not—”

Noh-sam waved his hands, startled.

The youth patted his shoulder.

“It’s fine. I know the owner, so he won’t overcharge me.”

With that, he strode off.

He exchanged a few words with a middle-aged man who was likely the owner.

The owner glanced over at them.

Catching his eye, Noh-sam gave an awkward nod.

The youth passed over some coins and returned.

“Well, I’ll be going. Thanks for today.”

He waved and left the tavern.

Watching him go, Noh-sam cocked his head.

‘Thanks… for what?’

It was odd, but he let it pass.

Soon, the dish he ordered arrived.

Stir-fried small-cut pork and vegetables.

A spicy aroma pricked their noses.

As if bewitched, both of them reached out with their chopsticks.