Chapter 168
168
I was dumbfounded, but I couldn't exactly call her out for spreading rumors.
It was a clever move to raise my reputation while buying time to solidify the inner workings of the Merchant Guild using me as a shield.
While I understood it in my head, my face kept heating up with embarrassment. I fanned myself and asked Jin-sung,
"But why 'Poisonous Butterfly'?"
"I heard it's because of the way your long robe sleeves flutter. I think it's a fitting title for Young Miss."
"Pardon?"
"Because you move so gracefully, like a butterfly."
"I, I see..."
This Taoist also has a knack for saying embarrassing things without batting an eye.
Made awkward by Jin-sung's earnest gaze, I quickly changed the subject.
"There's a carriage over there! I'll go ask if it's going to Gyunhyeon."
"Yes."
Hurriedly passing Jin-sung, I ran to the coachman and began haggling over the fare.
\ \ \
The journey to Gyunhyeon was smooth to the point of being suspicious.
The carriage didn't break down, and no bandits caused trouble.
Perhaps because a Wudang Taoist was accompanying us, people were also kind.
"Wudang Sect Immortal, please have some of this."
"It's alright."
"Come on, don't be like that. The dumplings are perfectly steamed. Would I take money from an immortal?"
Everywhere we went, friendly gazes followed us, and Jin-sung seemed used to the goodwill.
Wow, a Wudang Taoist gets free dumplings just for existing.
It wasn't just the servants of wealthy families who had it good. Belonging to a major Orthodox Faction was the best.
Experiencing firsthand how kind the world was to disciples of a great and prestigious Orthodox Faction, I could understand why the Rising Stars of the Orthodox Factions eagerly looked forward to their Rookie of Jianghu from a young age.
The hospitality and generous travel expenses that came with the Sect's backing, and a guardian accompanying them on their Jianghu journey, was no different from a sightseeing tour of a guaranteed safe scenic spot.
I was the only one who risked my life, tumbling around the Central Plains Martial Arts World.
...Hah, the haves.
At my jealous gaze, Jin-sung hesitantly offered me a dumpling.
"Would you like one?"
"Oh, sure. I'll gladly take it."
Nodding, I put the dumpling he handed me into my mouth.
But before long, I had to spit out the dumpling I was chewing, coughing and sputtering.
"Did you hear the rumor? Apparently, at the Geumryong Merchant Guild in Akryang..."
Whatever Jang Mi-ryeo had said, the me in the rumors had become a chivalrous hero straight out of a heroic tale.
"The Merchant Guild Leader's daughter saw it herself, they say. Appearing at the moment of utter desperation to defeat the evil-doers, the sleeves of her long robe fluttered so beautifully..."
That Young Miss didn't see anything. Jang Mi-ryeo was passed out.
"She threw Flying Daggers like shook, and in the blink of an eye, twenty evil-doers fell like dominoes!"
"Wasn't it thirty?"
"I heard it was forty?"
It wasn't that many... The story's gotten a bit exaggerated.
"They say the Merchant Guild's people would have been annihilated if it weren't for the Poisonous Butterfly?"
That... might have been true. If my uncle had taken over the Merchant Guild, the people would have been slowly drained of their essence by the Demonic Cultists.
Listening quietly, Yeon-ryang's lips curled up into a smirk.
"Brother. Don't laugh."
"I'm not laugh-, pfft!"
"I said don't laugh."
I irritably covered Yeon-ryang's mouth, then recoiled in disgust at the strange texture of the Human Skin Mask and let go.
"Butterfly Young Miss. You must have been busy taking down forty evil-doers. I bet you could handle a hundred next time."
"I told you not to..."
I glared at Yeon-ryang with a fierce look, but an absurd laugh escaped my own lips as well.
I'm not an Absolute Master, how could I take down forty people alone? So this is how rumors about Martial Artists are made.
The rumors must have spread quite widely, because there were people who glanced at me whenever I got out of the carriage.
But most of them were more interested in Jin-sung than me.
"Isn't that the Wudang Sect's top disciple, the young Taoist who took the lead in suppressing the bandits?"
"Where? Oh, that's right! That's him! The Wudang Sword Dragon!"
"They say he's a disciple of The Greatest Sword Under Heaven?"
Some people call me a butterfly, and others call him a dragon. Well, he was called Sword Dragon during the Martial Arts Tournament too. He's a skilled Martial Artist that everyone acknowledges.
Agreeing, I quietly listened to the surrounding conversations. Apparently, Jin-sung had played a big role in the Alliance's bandit suppression, enough to earn a title.
"By the way, what do you think would happen if the Azure Sky Divine Dragon and the Wudang Sword Dragon fought?"
"Hey, you there. How old are they? Why are you comparing the two? Young Patriarch Namgung is only fifteen. You can't ignore age."
"That's what makes it even more amazing. He's called Divine Dragon at fifteen, how much stronger will he be when he's the Sword Dragon's age?"
My eyes widened at the familiar title.
Azure Sky Divine Dragon? Namgung Hwi also participated in the bandit suppression?
Happy to hear the name after so long, my conscience stung with guilt.
It was because I had snatched away more than one or two of his opportunities.
I feel a little bad, but seeing how well he's grown, it's probably... alright? That little kid is even being called a dragon... A lot of time has passed.
It felt like a distant memory when I used to walk around the Tang Clan's estate, catering to the whims of the Young Master.
Scratching my cheek, I asked Jin-sung,
"Jin-sung disciple. Did you happen to meet Young Patriarch Namgung at the Alliance?"
"Yes. I met him."
"What was he like?"
"Pardon?"
Jin-sung blinked as if wondering what I meant. Only then did I realize that my question was vague, and I hurriedly added,
"Ah, it's nothing, I was just wondering how he's doing. I met him a few years ago. He was very young back then."
"I didn't have a deep conversation with him, but he was a talented Swordmaster."
"Has he grown much taller? When I last saw the Young Patriarch, he was this tall."
"He seemed to be about 5 ja 8 chi."
5 ja 8 chi? He's grown that much?
I tried to imagine Namgung Hwi, who had grown more than a span taller, but I couldn't quite picture it.
I wouldn't recognize him if I met him again. I should treat him well if we ever run into each other.
The Ten Thousand Poisons Pill and Ghost Hand Divine Doctor's things are unavoidable, but I felt like I had to repay this debt of gratitude someday.
It was late evening when we arrived in Gyunhyeon, checking on Yeon-ryang's condition.
Tilting my head at the familiar sight of the inn, I realized that this was the inn where I had first met Jin-sung.
'This girl has been rude. Taoist. I seem to have lost my mind for a moment. You are even more radiant up close.'
The memory of my past self spouting nonsense while pretending to be shy made my toes curl.
He probably doesn't remember, right? He must have forgotten.
As embarrassing memories flooded in, I bit my lip, and Yeon-ryang giggled and teased me.
"Let's see. I wonder if there's a radiant Taoist here today."
"Be quiet."
Pinching Yeon-ryang's side, I entered the inn, and saw an old Taoist sitting alone, sipping from a wine cup.
Jin-sung's face brightened when he saw him.
"Master."
"I thought you'd be here around this time. Was the journey alright, Young Miss? Did this blockhead bother you?"
Unlike when I saw him at the Safehouse, he was dressed like an immortal. If Jin-sung hadn't called him Master, I wouldn't have recognized him as the same person.
"Ah, hello, Elder. Last time..."
"Hahaha, there's no need to apologize. It was an old man's prank, don't worry about it."
Waving his hand with a hearty laugh, the Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk got up and handed the wine bottle he was drinking to Yeon-ryang.
"I can take this guy with me, right?"
"Pardon? Now?"
"Of course. Now is the time. Alright, you come with me. Jin-sung, I'll call you later, so take good care of the guest."
"Yes. Master."
Waving his hand lightly, the Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk patted Yeon-ryang on the back and left the inn.
As I gaped in bewilderment, Yeon-ryang smiled as if to tell me not to worry and winked.
"It's okay. I'll be with Young Master Sodo."
"What are you dawdling for! Come out quickly!"
"Eek. I'll be back, Brother."
Startled by the Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk's shout, Yeon-ryang hurriedly followed him out. Left alone with Jin-sung in an instant, I blinked blankly.
\ \ \
The Three Great Disciples of Wudang were busy inspecting the guest quarters.
It was common for guests to stay in Wudang's guest quarters, but today was a little different.
It was the first time that Jin-sung, their Martial Uncle, had invited someone to the main Sect.
"Song-hwa, shouldn't we change the bedding to silk? She's a Tang Clan Young Miss, after all."
"Silk bedding is too much for a Taoist temple, Senior Brother. We shouldn't make it obvious that we're trying too hard. The guest will feel burdened."
"Is that so... Then should we change the lamp oil to something better? This one leaves soot."
"That much should be fine."
Curious about the Three Great Disciples' bustling movements, an old Taoist craned his neck over the wall and asked.
"Who's coming that you're making such a fuss?"
"Song-gwang greets Martial Uncle Jin-hyeon."
"Song-hwa greets Martial Uncle Jin-hyeon."
"Greetings are enough. Silk bedding, who on earth is it that you're putting in so much effort?"
Rolling his eyes at the Sect Elder's question, Song-gwang whispered.
"Um, Martial Uncle. Have you heard that Martial Uncle Jin-sung made a young Young Miss cry?"
"Haha, I heard that. He turned pale and asked what to do when a young Young Miss cries, didn't he? I laughed so hard."
"That's right. That Young Miss that Martial Uncle made cry is coming. He went to pick her up fifteen days ago, so he should be arriving soon."
A look of bewilderment appeared on the old Taoist's face at Song-gwang's answer.
"...My junior brother is bringing someone?"
"He went to pick up the Young Miss that Martial Uncle made cry. She's a pretty Tang Clan Young Miss."
Another old Taoist who was passing by widened his eyes and interjected into the conversation.
"What? Jin-sung is going to pick up a woman? Why? Is he going to get permission for an engagement or something?"
"I don't think so, Senior Martial Uncle."
Song-gwang smiled awkwardly and bowed his head.
"What are you talking about, Senior Brother? What engagement is a Taoist going to have?"
Jin-hyeon shrugged at Jin-hye's rebuke.
"Is Jin-sung like us? We abandoned the secular world of our own free will, but he didn't. If that guy said he wanted to get married, Fourth Uncle would step up and send a marriage proposal, what."
At his words, an old Taoist who popped out from somewhere yawned and asked.
"Senior Brother, what are you talking about? Jin-sung is sending a marriage proposal?"
"Marriage proposal? What did our youngest junior brother do?"
Song-gwang smiled awkwardly and trembled his legs.
The Jin-ja generation of old Taoists were gathering around the guest quarters.
T, this is bad!
He had been scolded severely not long ago for gossiping, and if it was revealed that Song-gwang was the source of the false rumors, he might be beaten so badly that he would have to rest for fifteen days.
Cold sweat streamed down Song-gwang's back. He seemed to have made a slip of the tongue.
