Chapter 88
Episode 88
"No, I wasn’t crying!"”
“Yeah, okay.”
“I really wasn’t crying.”
“I said, okay.”
I giggled and slapped Dang Yeon-ryang’s arm.
Of course, Yeon-ryang didn’t even flinch. He mimicked my expression, twisting his lips into a smirk.
“I thought I was looking at a kid who lost their parents. Making a face like the world had ended, like this…”
“Ah, stop it! Seriously!”
He was so annoying. It wasn’t that bad.
My face flushed at his teasing.
Yeon-ryang chuckled and ruffled my hair wildly. I batted his hand away, smoothed my hair, and glared at him.
I thought he was acting mature for once. He’s the same as always.
“By the way, I can’t pay you anymore. I spent it all on your brother’s food expenses.”
He ate so well that all the money I’d shaken out of Gae-bul was spent on food. …Or was it Go-bul? Anyway.
All that was left were a couple of silver coins.
Even with my honest confession, Yeon-ryang remained nonchalant.
“What does it matter? My sister’s good at something. When we run out of money, let’s go rob a mountain village.”
“Huh? Do you think I’ve got money stashed with the Green Forest?”
I let out a hollow laugh at his absurd answer. It was the kind of idea a member of the Unorthodox Faction would have.
…Feels like I’m spitting on my own face.
I looked around and whispered.
“Let’s go rob someone after we leave Wuhan. Rich and weak guys.”
“Alright, alright.”
Yeon-ryang shrugged and chuckled. Ju-ryeong also cried out happily and hopped onto Yeon-ryang’s shoulder.
“Kee-ee!”
“Yeah, fluff ball. My shoulder’s a better place to see the world than your sister’s shoulder, right?”
“Koo-rook!”
Yeon-ryang chuckled, stroked Ju-ryeong’s head, and turned to me.
“Then, sister, shall we go now?”
The words I always heard were strangely welcome, probably because I was happy to see him. I quickly stood beside him.
“Yes, let’s go.”
Yeon-ryang seemed to know the geography of Wuhan well, as if he’d been there before.
He naturally led me to a street lined with restaurants and bought me a pancake.
“The pancakes here are delicious, sister. Try it.”
Seeing Yeon-ryang pointing at the pancake with his cheeks bulging made my mouth water. We walked around the street, munching on pancakes side by side.
“Ah, sister. Dragon Gate Inn is over there. The Murim Alliance headquarters is behind it.”
Yeon-ryang said, pointing beside me. When I turned my head, I saw an inn with a magnificent signboard revealing its grandeur.
Dragon Gate Inn.
Dozens of red-painted pillars soared high. With that size, it must have hundreds of rooms.
As I looked up at the inn in admiration, Yeon-ryang grinned, revealing his white teeth.
“Alright. Let’s stay here tonight.”
“Um, brother. Do we really have to stay at this inn? How about going somewhere else?”
“Are you worried it’ll be expensive? The prices are reasonable. Don’t worry, sister. I’ll pay.”
No. The name is ominous.
But it wasn’t like we were in the middle of the desert, and we weren’t the only guests, so I couldn’t insist that I didn’t like it.
The facilities also looked the best of any inn we’d stayed at so far.
I nodded hesitantly and followed Yeon-ryang into the inn.
The spacious first floor of the inn was noisy with people eating.
The second and third floors also seemed to be used as restaurants, but they were like private rooms for guests who wanted to eat quietly. The guest rooms seemed to be on the fourth floor and above.
I hope we get a high floor. The view would be nice.
After a brief observation, I looked at Yeon-ryang.
“Are we going to eat?”
“Of course. Shall we have a drink too? We’ve come all the way to Wuhan.”
Yeon-ryang winked, pretending to pour a drink.
Is this guy even Korean?
I let out a hollow laugh and replied.
“Okay. Just one bottle. I’m not that hungry. Is there anything light to eat?”
“Let’s ask the Jeomsoi. First, let’s sit… Ack.”
The moment Yeon-ryang took a step towards the table, saying, “First, let’s sit,” a person fell from the second floor with a tremendous crash.
Thwack! Bang! Crrrack!
“Ugh…!”
The person who fell, splitting the table in half, groaned, clutching their waist.
I poked Yeon-ryang and looked at him with eyes that asked what that was, and he replied nonchalantly.
“I told you. When rookies of Jianghu from the countryside gather, there’s bound to be a commotion.”
“You bastard…!”
“Please dine quietly. Don’t bother people. You insects.”
“You impudent… Keuk!”
Another person fell after that.
Wow. I’m witnessing a genre cliché right before my eyes. It would be perfect if someone ordered bamboo leaf wine and noodles.
As I stared blankly at the second floor, I saw a man in a jade-colored long robe fanning himself with a fan.
I tilted my head at the familiar face and realized that I knew him.
He was the guy Jegal Hyo-gang grabbed by the collar at the Clan Gathering. What was his name again?
Jegal Hyo-gang? That’s right. That was his name.
I hurriedly covered my face.
Jegal Hyo-gang might not know who I am, but I felt uneasy seeing a familiar face.
Come to think of it, the Zhuge Clan is also in Hubei. This neighborhood is a real den of Orthodox Factions.
Yeon-ryang asked as I frowned.
“What’s wrong, sister? Is it someone who looks like someone again?”
“This time, it’s someone only I know.”
“Oh dear. Sister, you seem to have many men in your heart. But in your brother’s opinion, the young Taoist priest from Gyunhyun is the most handsome…”
This guy is talking nonsense again.
I stepped on his foot and sat at a table, avoiding the fallen people.
I didn’t know how the fight started, but seeing them attack the young master of the Zhuge Clan, they were probably rookies of Jianghu from the countryside, as Yeon-ryang said.
Jegal Hyo-gang, who had been fanning himself with a displeased expression, slowly came down to the first floor of the inn.
The Jeomsoi, who thought he was about to leave, hurriedly ran over and bowed.
“M-Mister. If you wait a moment, I will clean the private room on the third floor for you. Just a moment…”
“It’s alright. I’ll sit on the first floor, so just make a place for six people.”
“Yes, yes! Of course!”
The Jeomsoi, his face brightening, hurriedly began to make a place.
“Let’s sit too, sister.”
“Okay.”
I glanced at Jegal Hyo-gang and sat at the table.
Starting with Jegal Hyo-gang sitting down, his group, who had come down from the second floor, sat around him in a circle.
A Martial Artist sitting next to him asked.
“Young Master, when will the Three Great Disciples sent by Wudang arrive?”
“I believe it was your role to find out and report to me. Vice-Leader.”
The face of the man who asked the question flushed red at Jegal Hyo-gang’s cold reply.
“…Yes, I apologize.”
“This is a matter for the Murim Alliance. Refrain from speaking carelessly about it outside.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Oh, that pettiness is still there.
Judging by being called Young Master, Jegal Hyo-gang seemed to hold a fairly high position in the Murim Alliance.
Jegal Hyo-gang, who had lowered his gaze indifferently, opened his mouth.
“A Letter Carrier Bird came this morning, so they will arrive tomorrow or the day after.”
“Thank you. Next time, I will check and report first.”
“If you wish.”
…Are all Zhuge Clan people like that?
If that’s the case, I understand why Brother Woon hates External Martial Arts.
I clicked my tongue and was about to curse him when I moved my gaze to the table and narrowed my eyes at the Gaiwan placed in front of Yeon-ryang.
The way he put down the Gaiwan and chopsticks was exactly the same as the signal Hwahong had once taught me to call the Lowborn Sect.
When Yeon-ryang tapped the table, the Jeomsoi, who had rushed over, bowed.
“Ah, Mister. What do you need?”
“The Gaiwan is chipped, so please replace it. Ah, I don’t need water.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll replace it right away. How can I help you with your order?”
“What would you like to eat, sister?”
“What kind of noodle dishes are there that are light?”
“We have Hot Dry Noodles, young lady. It’s a dish of boiled noodles lightly stir-fried with oil and seasoned with sesame oil.”
“I’ll have that.”
“Two Hot Dry Noodles. A bottle of wine that goes well with Wuchang Fish Stew. Prepare two guest rooms as well. We’ll be staying one night.”
“Yes, Mister. I’ll prepare it right away.”
The Jeomsoi, who had taken the order, took Yeon-ryang’s Gaiwan away.
“Sister. Have you ever eaten Wuchang Fish? The freshwater fish dishes are delicious in this area.”
“No, I haven’t.”
“The flesh marinated in the sauce is tender. You can look forward to it.”
Yeon-ryang chattered with a bright smile, but I couldn’t concentrate on the conversation with him.
‘If you send a signal and wait for a moment, a Jeomsoi or a courtesan will approach and ask if you need anything. Answer that the Gaiwan is chipped and ask them to replace it. Then, they will guide you to a secret room.’
It was certain because Hwahong had told me directly. Yeon-ryang had sent a signal to the Lowborn Sect.
Why is Yeon-ryang making contact with the Lowborn Sect?
The food didn’t taste good because of the uneasiness.
I barely ate and stared at Yeon-ryang. It seemed like I had discovered another one of his secrets.
\ \ *
After finishing the meal, as soon as we received the guest rooms, Yeon-ryang handed me a bundle of coins.
“Sister. I’ll give you some pocket money, so go buy some Candied fruit and have fun. I’ll be back in about two hours.”
“Geez, brother. Do you think I’m a kid?”
“You are a kid.”
“Let’s say I am. Where are you going?”
“When you’re around my age, you need some adult time. I’ll be back.”
Yeon-ryang, leaving behind incomprehensible words, patted my shoulder and turned away.
Where is he going?
I quietly followed him, trying to suppress my presence, and frowned when I confirmed the building Yeon-ryang had entered.
What is that guy saying while going to a brothel?
If I didn’t know the circumstances, I would have kicked Yeon-ryang in the shins.
Seeing him call the Lowborn Sect at the inn and then go to the brothel, I wondered if he was meeting the Lowborn Sect there.
No matter how I thought about it, there was only one reason for Yeon-ryang to meet the Lowborn Sect.
Antidote of Solitude.
I heard that you can only receive the antidote by reporting to the Demonic Sect. The two hours Yeon-ryang mentioned might be the time it takes to report.
Then what is the relationship between the Lowborn Sect and the Demonic Sect?
Are they just transporters? Or is there a Demonic Sect force within the Lowborn Sect?
Considering the members of the Lowborn Sect, it seemed entirely possible to hide their identity and infiltrate the Lowborn Sect as spies.
It would be rare to thoroughly check the background of courtesans, grooms, or Jeomsoi.
I glanced at the brothel and swallowed hard. I wanted to know what Yeon-ryang was doing in contact with the Lowborn Sect.
Just as I was about to sneak to the back door of the brothel, someone grabbed me by the scruff of the neck.
