Chapter 187
Episode 187
"Speak, Master."”
“I’m… well….”
“Yes. I’m listening.”
I smiled to tell him to speak comfortably, and Jin-sung took a small, deep breath and swallowed hard.
“May I…… send a letter to Young lady?”
Jin-sung’s voice trembled slightly as he asked cautiously. I chuckled at the unexpectedly bland question.
“Yes? Of course, you can. Why are you asking such a difficult question like it’s a big deal? You’ll be staying at the main temple, right?”
“That is correct.”
“I don’t know where I’ll be going, so I’ll send a letter first. Please reply to that.”
“……I understand.”
Only then did Jin-sung’s wrinkled brow relax. He seemed a little happy.
My mood improved along with his.
I didn’t expect Jin-sung to contact me first. We’ve become quite close, haven’t we?
I grinned and winked.
“Look forward to it, Master. I’ll definitely beat you next time we meet.”
“Yes. I will look forward to it.”
Jin-sung, who was looking at me with gentle eyes, slowly clasped his hands in a fist.
“Please take care of yourself, Young lady.”
“You too, Jinseong disciple.”
“Yes. Then I will be on my way.”
Jin-sung, who bowed his head, turned around. Instead of Jin-sung fading into the distance, the sound of chanting mantras flew on a gust of wind.
I stood still and watched the day begin at the Taoist temple.
It was the last morning on Wudang Mountain.
\ \ \
I wore a dark Cape over my Green Robe and pressed my Bamboo hat low. I held the snack bundle that Madam Ma had prepared in my hand and looked around the empty Guest quarters.
After erasing all traces, it finally felt like it was time to leave Wudang Mountain.
Come to think of it, I didn’t get to try the Langmei fruit. I was curious.
I clicked my tongue in regret and looked up at the sky. Looking at the sun slowly descending, it seemed like Shinshi was approaching.
Before long, the surroundings became noisy with people leaving the Taoist temple.
“Ju-ryeong. Let’s go out too.”
“Kiee.”
“You know, right? Don’t come out until we get to the inn.”
“Kit!”
I pushed Ju-ryeong deep into my sleeve and subtly mingled with the Pilgrims going down the mountain.
The faces of those returning home were full of joy.
There was a child holding their parents’ hands and walking bravely on their own feet, and there was a man carrying an old woman on his back, who seemed to have visited the Taoist temple with his elderly mother, and descending the slope.
I also saw sisters sharing water from a gourd and relying on each other as they walked.
I shortened my stride and walked slowly. I couldn’t completely hide that I was a Martial Artist, but I wanted to avoid being noticed by others.
As I walked among these perfectly ordinary people, I suddenly felt like an alien being.
It was strange that their lives felt foreign to me, even though I had lived a normal life for much longer than I had lived as a Martial Artist.
As I walked, feeling a strange sense of loneliness, Yeon-ryang’s muttering came to mind.
‘If I have some leeway…… should I start an inn in a quiet place?’
I wondered why it had to be an inn…….
Today, I felt like I understood Yeon-ryang’s heart a little.
Yeon-ryang had also vaguely longed for the ordinary life that he had never experienced in his life.
There were only a few ordinary lives that he could imagine. One of them must be an inn.
I swallowed a sigh and fiddled with the bundle that Madam Ma had given me.
There’s the Demonic Sect issue, and it’ll be difficult right now, but……. When I meet Yeon-ryang, should I subtly bring up the inn story? If I contact Young Lady Jang, she’ll find a good place for me.
With Yeon-ryang’s skills, there would be a constant stream of customers every day without having to hire a separate cook.
No, it wouldn’t be good if it became too famous. If we go, we should go to a remote mountain valley where news of the Martial Arts World doesn’t even reach.
Maybe this incident is an opportunity to end the life of a Wanderer. Yeon-ryang must be tired of a life stained with blood too.
I shook my head, lost in thought.
Whether it’s an inn or hiding in a remote mountain valley, the first thing to do is to ask Yeon-ryang what he thinks.
I want to see my brother soon.
\ \ \
Yeon-ryang, who had finished bathing and purifying himself, tidied up his appearance.
He trimmed his beard once again, which his sister disliked, and neatly tied his hair.
Then, he put on his cleanest clothes. He tightly fastened the sleeves of his Martial attire, applied fine powder to his face, and began to attach something.
“Is it done?”
“Yes, Old Master.”
“Come out.”
Yeon-ryang, who raised his head at Taeheo’s call, slowly got up.
His face wearing a Human Skin Mask was revealed in the blazing torchlight. Unlike Yeon-ryang’s real face, it was an impression without presence.
“What’s with that bland face? It’s disgusting to look at.”
“A runaway can’t go around showing his bare face, can he?”
Yeon-ryang, who chuckled at the blunt rebuke, pressed down on the excited Human Skin Mask around his mouth and looked at Taeheo.
“Old Master. My sword…….”
“I will not return the sword.”
Trouble appeared on Yeon-ryang’s face at Taeheo’s firm refusal. He politely put his hands together and opened his mouth again.
“Please allow me to keep it, Old Master, even if I don’t draw it.”
“Keeping it in your sight will only leave you with regrets. You must abandon the sword.”
“But it is a sword that my sister gifted me.”
“Didn’t I tell you not to? I clearly warned you not to give affection to the sword. Throw it away!”
Yeon-ryang, who lowered his gaze at the cold rebuke, replied bitterly.
“……Yes. I understand. Then please take good care of it, Old Master. It’s just that I’m attached to it because it’s the first gift this one has ever received.”
Taeheo made a disgusted face as if it was a strange sight at the slightly dejected voice.
“Tsk, tsk, don’t act disgustingly like a bear-sized man. Is your sister that special to you?”
“You’re stating the obvious. She’s the child who pulled me out of Avici Hell.”
Yeon-ryang, who answered, smiled brightly. He looked at the sky with sparkling black eyes.
“……I wanted to be a good adult for a child who doesn’t know the ways of the world. So, as I pretended to be an adult and a decent human being, I really changed that way.”
“Heo, you rascal.”
“It’s a mysterious thing. Even a guy like me can do his part as a human being.”
Taeheo, who was listening quietly, smiled.
“You foolish rascal. You didn’t change because you were imitating. You were originally that kind of guy.”
“Yes? What is it? Are you trying to say something nice as a last resort?”
“Ryang-ah.”
“O, Old Master. Why are you being so embarrassing? Did you eat something wrong?”
Yeon-ryang, who was disgusted by the affectionate call, hurriedly stepped back. Taeheo only laughed at the sight of him rubbing his goosebumped arms and being horrified.
“Live a long life, you rascal.”
“……I will try. Please take care of yourself too, Old Master.”
“Okay.”
“I have unintentionally caused you a lot of trouble. I will not forget this grace.”
“That’s enough. Forgetting is helping. You and I must never have met. There’s no need to talk anymore. Now, go your way.”
Taeheo waved his hand as if telling him not to bother him.
Yeon-ryang, who nodded, respectfully clasped his hands in a fist towards his benefactor and left the cave.
Taeheo muttered bitterly as he watched the man’s back disappearing into the darkness.
“That guy will definitely draw his sword…….”
But how could he break the pride of a Martial Artist?
All Taeheo could do was hope that those poor siblings would be safe.
40. The Identity of the Imposter
Was it because I came down the mountain at the same pace as those who were not Martial Artists? It was late at night when I arrived at the inn.
I locked myself in the guest room and waited for Chukshi (1-3 AM) while playing with Ju-ryeong.
It’s about time he came.
As I bit my lip anxiously, someone made a sound in front of the door.
“Kkyuk!”
The corners of my mouth naturally turned up at Ju-ryeong’s excited behavior as he ran out.
When I hurriedly opened the door, a welcome bulk came into view.
Although the face was different, I could tell right away as soon as I saw his eyes. It was Yeon-ryang.
Yeon-ryang, who strode into the room, smiled and stroked my head.
However, there was no sword hanging from his waist.
……Did the Sword Immortal take it away? Did he accept it?
I smiled along, pretending not to notice, and pulled Yeon-ryang to the table.
“Brother, you must be hungry. I thought you’d be sick of Grain-avoidance pill, so I ordered steamed meat. Let’s eat quickly.”
“You didn’t eat dinner and waited for me? Tsk, you should have eaten first.”
“I waited to eat together. You look docile today. This is good. You look like you can’t even kill an ant.”
“I carefully chose it so that our sister wouldn’t be surprised. I even cleaned up my beard today. Did I do well?”
Yeon-ryang, who chuckled, turned his face this way and that. At the tone as if asking for praise, I patted Yeon-ryang’s back.
“You did well. You get a perfect score today.”
Yeon-ryang, who rested his chin on his hand while chuckling at my reply, whispered softly while being conscious of his surroundings.
“Have you decided where to go?”
“I was just about to ask. Brother, how about we go to Yueyang first? There’s something I want to get help with from Young Lady Jang.”
“You’re not wondering how much Young Lady Jang has increased So-hye’s money, are you?”
“Oh, I’ve been caught. Let’s take a boat this time.”
We exchanged jokes and started a late meal while chuckling.
There were many things I was curious about and wanted to say, but we couldn’t have many conversations in Gyunhyeon, where we didn’t know what kind of expert might be around.
We were wary of our surroundings and gauging the time, and as soon as the dawn stars rose, we went to the pier.
I was planning to go to Yueyang through the waterway, considering Yeon-ryang’s physical condition.
Just as I was about to pay the boat fare and ask for a private room, a strange sound came from the deck.
“No matter how much wealth you have, it’s not easy to do that. A Rising Star who performs chivalry has emerged from the Tang Clan.”
The guests waiting for the boat to depart were talking about the Tang Clan.
Is it about Dang Hwa-yeop? He’s not that good of a guy. I guess you can’t trust rumors.
I pricked up my ears out of curiosity and listened to the tales of chivalry that had spread from Gangneung to the Yueyang area, but the following words were a little strange.
“That’s amazing. So, the Poison Butterfly is still staying at the Golden Dragon Merchant Group?”
“That’s what I heard. Guests are constantly flocking to the Golden Dragon Merchant Group just to see the Poison Butterfly’s face once.”
I frowned, exchanging glances with Yeon-ryang at the incomprehensible words.
What are they talking about? I’ve been on Wudang Mountain the whole time?
