Translator: Nox

Chapter 250

Episode 250

Brown hair fluttered in the wind. The woman who had removed her veil was a graceful beauty, as if painted with ink.

I greeted her with a fist salute, searching my memory, and hesitated before speaking.

“Um… by any chance, were you with Dang Seo-heon before…?”

“You remember. Binni was Dang Sojeo’s opponent. I am Hongeun, the second disciple of Emei. Bo-hyeon Satae is my master.”

She replied cheerfully, introducing herself with a smile. Yang Gyo-jin chimed in brightly.

“Monk Hongeun can drink as well as So-hye? Shouldn’t you two have a drinking contest?”

“Hey. You brought her here just to set up a contest, didn’t you?”

“Yup.”

“Tsk, no way. The competition is tomorrow. And you shouldn’t offer alcohol to a monk. It’s rude.”

I glared and poked Yang Gyo-jin in the side, and Hongeun chuckled softly. She tried to hide it, but it was obvious she found us endearing.

I cleared my throat and looked at her.

“But what brings you to me?”

“It’s a personal curiosity. I wanted to meet the Exclusive Patron in private. If you don’t mind, could we have a little chat?”

Hongeun’s gentle voice had a familiar quality.

I blinked at the strange sense of déjà vu, and soon realized who she resembled.

This person’s way of speaking is similar to Jang Mi-ryeo’s. Her hair color and overall feel are similar too.

Is that why Gyo Jin likes her?

The sudden proposal was unexpected, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to talk to a disciple of Emei.

I was also curious about Martial Artists from other Sects.

I glanced at Dang-un, and he took a step back with a smile.

“I’ll head back first, so go ahead. I’ll explain everything to Grandfather, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, Brother. I’ll be back. Then, let’s go somewhere quiet for some tea…”

“Binni is fine with Fermented Rice Wine too.”

“…Ah. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Hiding my embarrassment, I smiled awkwardly, and Hongeun covered her mouth and giggled.

There’s no one following the rules, whether they’re from Buddhist or Taoist Sects. Is Jinseong disciple unique, or is he the only normal one…?

“Then let’s go outside the Alliance! I found an inn with delicious Baijiu a few days ago!”

Yang Gyo-jin, with an excited look on his face, wedged himself between me and Hongeun, naturally linking arms and dragging us along.

I chuckled and followed him.

\ \ *

Hongeun didn’t touch any of the side dishes on the table. She said she couldn’t eat food that involved killing.

Instead, she gulped down alcohol like water.

“…Monk. Are you alright?”

I wondered if she was the type who didn’t show when she was drunk, so I asked cautiously. Hongeun put down her cup and replied kindly.

“Of course. I’m finally relaxing. I’ve wanted to meet you ever since I heard the rumors about you, Patron, so it’s an honor to meet you like this.”

I was inwardly impressed by how clearly Hongeun spoke without slurring a single word.

She was an incredible drinker who could empty an entire jug of alcohol without even changing her complexion.

“Ahaha, thank you for your kind words.”

“Oh my. I mean it sincerely. Binni has been looking forward to a day like this for a long time.”

“How did you know about me…”

“Your modesty is excessive, Patron. Who in Sichuan hasn’t heard of you? You’ve made a name for yourself as a Knight-errant in the Central Plains, even though they look down on people from Sichuan as country bumpkins. I was curious about what kind of person you were.”

Rumors? What rumors? What’s with the Knight-errant talk?

As I chewed on the stir-fried vegetables with a puzzled look, Yang Gyo-jin answered for me.

“I think she’s talking about the rumors Mi-ryeo cleaned up?”

“What rumors did Head Jang clean up? I don’t remember… Ah, ah!”

The nonsense that guy who impersonated me spread?

Those rumors spread all the way to Sichuan? It wasn’t just circulating around Yueyang for a while?

I felt my face flush with embarrassment as I recalled the ridiculous tales of chivalry. I fanned myself and hurriedly made excuses.

“That wasn’t me…”

“The rumors may have been exaggerated as they spread, but the essence remains that you couldn’t stand injustice and acted chivalrously. You don’t need to be ashamed.”

No. It really wasn’t me.

I was at a loss for words at Hongeun’s reaction, who had clearly misunderstood.

I awkwardly moved my lips and sighed softly, and Hongeun smiled knowingly and changed the subject.

“Actually, I wanted to meet you before and sent a letter to the Tang Clan. But it seems it didn’t reach the Exclusive Patron.”

“You sent me a letter?”

“Yes. So I tried to contact you through Branch Leader Danmok, but he said you were in seclusion and he had no way to reach you, so I was disappointed. It seems you’ve been busy preparing for the competition.”

Is she talking about when I was trapped in the training grounds? I didn’t receive anything.

My eyes widened at the unexpected story, and Hongeun tilted her head in surprise.

“You didn’t refuse on purpose?”

“No. Actually, I never even imagined anyone would be looking for me.”

“You didn’t receive any of them? Many people besides me must have requested a meeting… Since you didn’t respond to any of them, Seol and I assumed you were trying to avoid making things difficult within the family.”

“It wasn’t intentional, I really didn’t receive the letters. I apologize for the unintentional rudeness, Monk.”

“It’s alright. I didn’t bring it up to blame you, Patron. Don’t worry about it. We’ve met like this, haven’t we?”

Hongeun waved her hand and closed her mouth with an understanding expression. Her eyes seemed to say she thought it was a power struggle within the Clan.

I nodded slightly, swirling my drink and wetting my dry lips.

I wondered if Grandfather had deliberately blocked the contacts, but considering that the letters sent by Jinseong and Jang Mi-ryeo had arrived properly, it didn’t seem like he had intervened separately.

Ju-ryeong had brought me the letters that the Letter Eagle brought to my residence without fail, so I suspected that the letters collected at the Gwan Ga Won had disappeared somewhere.

Who interfered? I need to ask Dang Gyeong-won about this.

As my expression turned serious, Yang Gyo-jin slipped a piece of meat into my mouth.

“So-hye. Eat first. Eat and beat them up.”

“Who am I supposed to beat up? I’m not beating anyone up.”

I shook my head in dismay and pressed my throbbing temples.

Even if I leave the Tang Clan after Joining the League, I can’t keep letting people mess with my reputation.

I intended to go straight to Dang Gyeong-won and ask about the letters.

“Aww, then I’ll follow So-hye inside. Let’s go together.”

Just as Yang Gyo-jin, who had changed his mind, was pushing my back, Sama Hoseon’s shout was heard.

“Young hero Yang! You were here! I’ve been looking for you!”

“Didn’t you say you were going gambling today? You came out early.”

“Haha, I already had a good run. I won a lot. I bought some commemorative drinks, would you like a drink? It’s been a while, Dang Sojeo. Would you like to join us?”

Sama Hoseon, who showed off the bottle in his hand, also acknowledged me.

However, he kept glancing at me with an uneasy look.

My eyes narrowed at the subtle scent rising from the mouth of the bottle.

He put something in the alcohol. A little Mountain Air Poison and Paralysis Poison?

The sweet scent smells like Dream Spirit Grass powder…

Sama Hoseon flinched and quickly averted his gaze as I smiled coldly.

Look at this guy. He brought it on purpose.

I was simultaneously impressed and annoyed by his audacity to bring poisoned alcohol to a place where Tang Clan Martial Artists were present.

Yang Gyo-jin also noticed the strangeness.

Yang Gyo-jin, who had already wiped the smile off his face, rested his chin on my shoulder and stared intently at Sama Hoseon.

“Sama Hoseon. How much did you get paid?”

“I was lucky today. I won a whopping thirty percent…”

“No. Not that. How much did you get paid? I’ll give you more, so tell me.”

“…Pardon?”

“You know. I like you because you’re funny.”

“Of course, I like Young hero Yang too… But what are you talking about all of a sudden…”

“But if you betray me, I have to kill you, right?”

Yang Gyo-jin, who spoke calmly, fiddled with his sword hilt and narrowed his eyes.

“So don’t sell me out for a few coins, just take the money I give you. If you don’t want to die.”

Sama Hoseon, frozen by the murderous voice, dropped the bottle he was holding.

Thud.

Rumble.

The bottle that had fallen powerlessly soaked the dirt floor.