"So he really did return."
"I heard he went through something incredible."
"My clan received a letter. Asking to confirm the contents..."
It was never pleasant to hear people gossiping about you, especially those you'd never even conversed with before.
Still, he had reason to listen closely.
There were truths to be gleaned from the things people blurted out.
The value of such information depended on the listener—wasn't that how the Beggar's Union worked?
'The rumors have already spread far and wide.'
Naturally so—after all, there had been no shortage of witnesses to what happened at Shaolin.
Never mind the fact that he'd attended the Shaolin Assembly with a changed face thanks to the norigae; there had been plenty of martial artists who'd seen the moment he'd rushed at the enemy atop the cliff.
Yet Jeong-un walked expressionlessly, not paying the glances any mind.
He was not one to attach much importance to reputation anyway.
Not so long ago, he had mingled with the precious offspring of the great martial clans.
In fact, he'd been wearied by their obsession with gaining fame.
So he kept walking, even passing the pavilion where Zhuge Cheon-woo's office was located—a place he'd entered once before.
This was the first time he had ever come so deep into the heart of the Heavenly Martial Hall.
Now, even the number of martial officers he encountered dwindled sharply.
At last, they reached a huge pavilion.
Even at a glance, it was clear this was the very center of the Heavenly Martial Hall's grounds.
He had arrived at the innermost part of the Hall.
"Let's go in."
The guards stationed in front were not wearing the Heavenly Martial Hall's martial garb.
Their dark blue uniforms bore no gold embroidery on the left arm.
Upon seeing Yeom Baek, they nodded and opened the doors.
As Jeong-un passed, he could sense in their eyes a curious glint of interest.
'Experts.'
Regardless of what the guards thought of him, Jeong-un likewise made a quick assessment of them.
Even as he passed, he could feel the immense ki contained within their ki pathways.
Perhaps it made sense, seeing as they were the guards for the Hall Lord's office.
Even the officers posted at the door were unusual.
Not that a peerless expert like the Hall Lord really needed bodyguards, but still.
They climbed a few steps.
Standing before the Hall Lord's office, Yeom Baek called out.
"Hall Lord."
"Ah, come in."
No sooner had Yeom Baek spoken than a reply sounded from inside.
Just from the voice, it seemed a kindly old man. As Jeong-un was about to imagine his appearance, the door opened.
"Ah, you must be..."
He came face to face with the Heavenly Martial Hall Lord.
Jeong-un stopped dead in his tracks and stared quietly at the old man before him.
'So this is the man...'
Contrary to his gentle voice, his forehead was astonishingly straight, projecting a sense of firmness and uprightness.
Beneath it, his facial features were strong and well-defined, attesting to once-exceptional looks in his youth.
Even the long white beard suited him perfectly.
'What overwhelming ki...'
He was nothing like what Jeong-un had vaguely pictured from his voice: his physique was immense, and the aura radiating from his body was tremendously intense.
Jeong-un stood still, feeling the pressure of his ki waves throughout his body, staring at the old man until Yeom Baek called out to him.
"Yu Jeong-un."
"... Ah."
Only then did he take another step forward, regaining his composure.