Je Gwon-in quietly looked around and then disappeared into the crowd, blending in with passersby. It was a cautious attitude betraying his wariness and prudence, but he didn't seem particularly on the lookout for me. Well, if he had intended to tail me, he wouldn't have lingered in that alley for a full quarter-hour.
So that gaze I sensed must have been someone else... No. It was definitely Je Gwon-in. Seeing his behavior, he seemed to have recognized my face and was deliberately avoiding me.
Perhaps since he knows I'm a house guest of the Underworld Information Clan, he saw no reason to expose himself by confronting me here. I glanced around the alley by the smithy to see if anyone else appeared, then stepped out onto the street. Beyond the people coming and going, I could see Je Gwon-in's back as he walked slowly.
The afternoon sun beating down on my face was typically harsh for summer. Even holding my left hand over my brow to make shade couldn't completely cover my face. Had I known this would happen, I should have brought a bamboo hat.
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I used the people ahead as moving cover and tailed Je Gwon-in from a reasonable distance. Je Gwon-in was neither a wandering swordsman nor some martial artist. He was a military officer belonging to the Zhongqing branch.