SYM 103

Beijing was different right from the entrance of the city gates.

The soldiers guarding the gates were disciplined, refraining from idle chatter or unnecessary words. Their demeanor was so stern that it was difficult to even speak to them casually. Naturally, there was no sign of anything like accepting bribes.

Although numerous people were waiting to enter the city, soldiers patrolling the fortress in perfect formation ensured that there was no commotion or noise.

Seeing this atmosphere, Eun-hyeon understood why it was difficult for the Amhon to cross the gates.

While waiting in line, Eun-hyeon subtly craned his neck to peek at the inspection process of the person in front of him.

“State your identity tag and purpose of visit.”

“Here is my identity tag. I am here for a funeral at my relative’s house.”

“So, you will only stay for the duration of the funeral? Where does your relative live?”

“My relative runs Yoon’s Silk Shop in Hongqiao Market. My primary purpose is to attend the funeral, but I might help out if they are short-handed.”

“Ah, Yoon’s Silk Shop in Hongqiao Market. I know who you mean. Sign here. And if you are staying longer than the funeral, you must come to the government office for verification.”

“Ah, do I need to get verification? Then…”

They recorded the purpose of coming to Beijing, how many days he would stay, and where he would reside. After that, even his luggage was inspected. Passing through the city gates seemed much more difficult than expected.

Eun-hyeon glanced at Cheong-un with some worry, but Cheong-un simply smiled.

Cheong-un was currently disguised in an ordinary appearance, not Ha Yeo-un’s face. He had even created a long scar on his face.

How long had they waited? Eun-hyeon and Cheong-un’s turn was approaching.

“Identity tag and name.”

“Namgung Eun-hyeon.”

Eun-hyeon handed his identity tag to the officer with a blunt face.

“…Namgung?”

The officer raised his head to look at Eun-hyeon and blinked.

“Are you perhaps from the Namgung Clan in Hapcheon?”

At the mention of the Namgung Clan, everyone around them turned to look at Eun-hyeon. Eun-hyeon was a little embarrassed by the greater-than-expected attention.

At that moment, Cheong-un stepped forward.

“That’s right. This person is a direct descendant of the Namgung Clan. I am Cheong-un, the escort warrior serving him.”

The officer took the identity tags that Cheong-un handed over and frowned.

“Wait a moment. The entry of Martial World people must be reported to the higher-ups, so I need to report to my superior.”

Just as the officer sighed and was about to get up, Cheong-un spoke again.

“Our Young master of the Namgung family is a direct descendant of Namgung, but he has not learned Martial Arts. So, he cannot be called a Martial World person.”

“Ah! That sickly Eldest Young Master of Namgung…!”

The officer inadvertently blurted out the derogatory term ‘sickly Eldest Young Master,’ then quickly shut his mouth with a startled expression and glanced around.

It was well-known that the Eldest Young Master of the Namgung Clan, who had now stepped down, was weak and unable to learn Martial Arts. Since he had not learned Martial Arts, it was unreasonable to call him a Martial World person, even if he was from the Namgung Clan.

Seeing the officer’s troubled expression, Cheong-un continued.

“I am a Second-rate Warrior, and I am Wandering the Martial World with Young master of the Namgung family. Young master of the Namgung family will be staying at Number One Building Under Heaven while in Beijing, is there any problem?”

The officer scratched his head at those words.

The identity tag and status were all confirmed, and since he was not a Martial World person, there was no particular problem. However, he still felt uneasy about letting them in.

“…What is the purpose of your visit to Beijing?”

The officer asked Eun-hyeon with a much more polite attitude than before.

“I was Wandering the Martial World and stopped by because I was curious about Beijing.”

The officer glanced at the escort warrior with a scar on his face. He seemed quite loyal, but his skills as a Second-rate Warrior seemed insufficient as an escort.

“Is he the only escort you have?”

“I have a few more escorts besides him, but I told them to wait outside since there was no need to enter the city.”

“I understand. Go ahead.”

The hesitant soldier eventually nodded and handed back the identity tags.

Eun-hyeon sighed as he passed through the city gates.

“Hah, Beijing is indeed Beijing. Even entering is not easy.”

“Young master of the Namgung family, let’s go to Number One Building Under Heaven and unpack first.”

Eun-hyeon flinched at Cheong-un’s stiff address of him as ‘Young master of the Namgung family.’ Then, Cheong-un sent a Telepathic Transmission.

[We have been followed. It seems they are following us to confirm if we are really going to Number One Building Under Heaven, so it would be best to go straight there.]

“Alright. I’m tired, so I need to go to the inn and rest. Let’s go quickly.”

Eun-hyeon nodded and moved his feet.

* * *

Number One Building Under Heaven was a magnificent five-story pavilion, befitting its name.

Right in front of it was a large lake, with boats floating on it. Thanks to this, the humid heat felt much cooler.

“…Is this Number One Building Under Heaven?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Indeed. The scale is impressive.”

Unlike his previous life spent only in the mountains, Eun-hyeon had seen quite a few inns and Pleasure houses while traveling with Cheong-un. Even to Eun-hyeon’s eyes, Number One Building Under Heaven seemed worthy of the name ‘Number One Under Heaven.’

Cheong-un took the lead and went inside. After exchanging a few words with the waiter, the two were guided to the highest, fifth floor.

“This place is reserved in advance, so ordinary guests will not come here.”

“Ah…”

Eun-hyeon looked around the place where there was no one but him and Cheong-un.

The space, with its small rooms and large banquet hall, felt luxurious and secluded, more like a well-decorated villa than a Pleasure house.

Eun-hyeon subtly grabbed Cheong-un’s sleeve. He couldn’t send Telepathic Transmission, so he meant for Cheong-un to deploy a Qi barrier.

Cheong-un nodded lightly and deployed a Qi barrier to block the sound.

“You can speak now.”

“Cheong-un. What do you mean by ‘we have been followed’? Do we have to keep being careful?”

“The ones who followed us from the city gates disappeared after seeing us enter Number One Building Under Heaven. But the government troops are more cautious than I thought. I didn’t think they would be this wary since Master doesn’t know Martial Arts. Head Jeong-hyeon and Namgung Family Head must be under even stricter surveillance.”

“I see. At this rate, it won’t be easy to move around in Beijing.”

Cheong-un could perfectly conceal his Martial Arts prowess, so he could pretend to be a Second-rate Warrior and enter, but it seemed difficult for Namgung Juwon or Jeong-hyeon to do the same.

“Cheong-un, what are you going to do from now on?”

“The Namgung Family Head and Head Jeong-hyeon will be even more closely watched once they join us at Number One Building Under Heaven, so I should investigate the Third Prince before that happens.”

Eun-hyeon nodded.

“Yoon Ju-myeong will be here before tonight is over. Tell Yoon Ju-myeong to disguise himself as the escort warrior Cheong-un.”

“Understood.”

“I have placed Demonic Sect members from Beijing around Number One Building Under Heaven. If anything happens to Master while I am away, they will risk their lives to protect him.”

“Ah…”

Eun-hyeon nodded. He had been with him all the time, but he didn’t know when he had made such preparations.

“I am planning to scout the Third Prince’s palace and the places he frequents. In the meantime, Master…”

“I won’t go out and will only stay here, so don’t worry.”

Cheong-un chuckled softly at Eun-hyeon’s words.

* * *

Leaving Eun-hyeon behind was unsettling, but it couldn’t be helped this time.

Judging by the way things were going, getting involved with those orthodox faction guys would restrict even his movements.

Cheong-un, with the help of the spies he had planted in advance, changed his clothes several times and altered his face differently.

The surveillance of Martial World people in Beijing was stricter than he had expected. He could sense the presence of considerable experts everywhere, whether they were from the Eastern Depot or the Brocade Guard.

They were concealing their presence quite secretly, comparable to the Amhon. Therefore, Cheong-un had no choice but to pay close attention to his movements.

The Third Prince had received the title of Prince Aejang and was granted a royal residence in Beijing. However, recent rumors said that he spent more time at his villa on the outskirts of the city than at the royal residence.

The royal residence in Beijing was not very large, so it didn’t seem possible to accommodate a thousand people there.

But first, he decided to search the nearby royal residence, in case the Third Prince had left any traces.

There were experts in the royal residence, so it was impossible to sneak in with ordinary skills, but it was not a problem for Cheong-un.

Cheong-un lightly kicked off the ground and flew like a bird over the wall of the Prince’s residence.