Chapter 280. Don't Live Like Me.
I looked at the innkeeper, and at the three men grinning foolishly. Just as two of them suddenly reached for their blades, and one bastard pulled something from inside his clothes.
I had already sent cold energy through my left palm.
To cut off any variables, I unleashed a proper Full Moon Palm Force.
In an instant, the bastards who had grabbed their blades and the one who had taken a medicine bottle from his clothes froze solid. I could confirm anew that my mastery of the Lunar Shadow Heartless Art had deepened from the state of the frozen men.
I turned my head and locked eyes with the innkeeper.
The innkeeper had his right hand raised, but froze when our eyes met.
Even so, his gaze was fiercely murderous.
It was the gaze of a man who had killed many people.
I glanced at the trashy food for a moment, then waited for the innkeeper to speak.
"I'll let you live, so eat this garbage yourself."
"......."
"You don't want to?"
Using the Wooden Chicken Finger Technique, I struck the end of the chopsticks, driving them into the innkeeper's forehead. At the thud— the innkeeper fell backward, and only then did peace settle over the tiny inn.
"......."
I hadn't wanted to kill them with my sword because it felt like the blade would be contaminated. Regardless of their skill, truly evil bastards were exactly this kind of people.
I drew the Flash Dagger and tapped the medicine bottle the man had tried to throw; thanks to the Ice Arts, it hadn't broken.
I infused the Flash Dagger with heat energy to warm the bottle, then shattered it. Black liquid dripped down and melted the frozen man's foot.
A foul stench wafted out, so I held my breath.
There wasn't even a scream, perhaps because he had already frozen to death from the chill of the Ice Arts. Now that I thought about it, this was also my first time seeing someone carry around an entire bottle of such vicious Bone-Dissolving Powder.
It was a discordant sight—people who looked like they had no money carrying around expensive items.
Holding the Flash Dagger, I entered the kitchen and went out the back door, where I found a pile of miscellaneous clothing in an incineration area. They were most likely the original innkeeper's clothes, or the clothes of people who had come in to eat and become victims.
I suddenly heard birdsong and looked up to see a birdcage hanging under the eaves on the right side of the inn. Unlike the messy state of the inn and kitchen, two perfectly fine birds were trapped inside—trained messenger pigeons.
I cut the cage's lock with the dagger and opened the door. A messenger pigeon poked its head out and looked around.
It seemed they needed to be fed or have a letter tied to their feet before they would set off.
I didn't know why messenger pigeons were in an inn like this, but I had no letter to send, so I tapped the cage with the Flash Dagger.
"You're free. Go anywhere."
Just how much training had they received?
I shook the cage, but the pigeon wouldn't leave, so this time I struck it hard enough to make a tang— sound.
Only then did the two startled messenger pigeons soar into the sky.
I had released them to give them freedom, but the two flew off in the same direction. Even though I hadn't fed them, they seemed to be flying along their trained route.
Then they were slave messenger pigeons.
When humans are broken, animals become slaves too. When those messenger pigeons arrived somewhere, the bastard who enslaved them would learn that something had gone wrong at this shitty inn.
I got the feeling that this place was a temporary relay point that had been suddenly seized.
Since it was an isolated space where the flames wouldn't spread, I burned the entire inn down shortly after.
Come to think of it, I realized that frozen corpses would leave different traces, but I left them as they were. A fairly smart person would come and examine the remains, realizing they had fallen to a master of the Ice Arts.
There weren't many experts in the martial world who used the Ice Arts.
At most, me, the lecher, and perhaps some experts from the Demonic Cult.
It was possible that the White-Robed Scholar and others related to the Seojae had mastered Ice Arts as well, but even if you combined all martial artists, they probably wouldn't exceed ten.
Truthfully, Ice Arts weren't the problem—training deeply in them was difficult. Spiritual medicines were already rare, but those that aided the Ice Arts were even rarer.
I watched the inn engulfed in flames until my eyes grew stiff, then set off again.
The sun had risen, but it was time to sleep, so my eyelids were heavy. Eventually, I changed direction toward a base closer than Ilyang and returned.
* * *
Why did it feel like I'd returned after so long?
I appeared with stiff eyes and looked around at those training. There were faces I knew and faces I didn't.
Here and there, people spotted me and shouted out loud.
"Lord!"
For a moment, I wondered who they were calling before realizing it was me.
I had returned as the Lord of Heukmyo Bang. I looked around at the monkeys training and entered Heukmyo Bang.
"Have you all been well?"
To think I was still the Lord…….
I arrived at the inner courtyard feeling refreshed. So Gunpyeong, Steward Byeok, Ho Yeoncheong, and even Madam Son had come out to greet me in the main hall. Everyone was smiling brightly, which made my mood even stranger.
Steward Byeok was the first to make a fuss.
"My word, Lord. Why have you returned after such a long absence?"
So Gunpyeong also approached with a smile.
"You have arrived."
"Something like that."
I exchanged glances with people I hadn't seen in a while, and even greeted the plum blossom tree.
I suddenly noticed Ho Yeoncheong and Madam Son standing side by side and stared at them. Now that I looked, they were of similar age.
The moment I noticed the changed atmosphere between them, I asked.
"...Are you two dating?"
Steward Byeok's eyes went wide, and he was the first to answer.
"How did you know?"
"Dunno. I could tell the moment I saw you. Don't tell me you've already gotten married?"
Ho Yeoncheong answered with a flustered expression.
"Ah, no, not yet."
"Let's go inside for now."
Strangely, every time I met them after a long time, it felt like the number of couples kept increasing by one. Was it because I was alone that I could easily pick up on lovers' air? Who knew.
I entered the main hall of Heukmyo Bang after a long time and sat down in the head seat I always occupied. I couldn't sleep right after arriving, after all.
If Ho Yeoncheong and Madam Son were leisurely dating, it seemed nothing much had happened at Heukmyo Bang, so there wasn't much to ask.
So Gunpyeong, whom I hadn't seen in a while, spoke to me.
"Lord, your atmosphere has changed so much I barely recognized you."
"Really? In what way?"
So Gunpyeong tilted his head and answered.
"Haven't you become much stronger than before?"
"That's about right. Nothing happened?"
"Yes."
"Nothing special on my end either. Killed a few public enemies, killed some crazies, killed some poison users at an inn. Gained a disciple, ate some spiritual medicines. My martial arts improved a bit, but nothing special. I can't even remember who else I killed by now."
Steward Byeok nodded.
“I see.”
“Ah, I also met Cheonak, one of the Three Calamities, and the leader of the Beggars’ Sect, but nothing much happened.”
Chief Steward Byeok answered with a flustered expression.
“Ah, yes. An astonishing amount of nothing much happened, then.”
“Exactly. As for Cheonak’s comrade, I suppose you’d call him? I’m in the middle of a dispute with a man called the Life-Chasing Scholar, but that hasn’t been resolved yet. He’s after me, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes.”
“There’s a force of survivors from the Hundred Schools of Thought, commonly referred to as the Scholars, including the Life-Chasing Scholar…… and they’re very strong. Among them, I’ve formed an alliance with the Mohists, and become enemies with the Legalists, so keep that in mind.”
“I will remember it.”
I looked around at Chief Steward Byeok, So Gunpyeong, Madam Son, and Hoyeon Cheong, then said,
“I’d like to hear the details, but right now I haven’t slept for about three days.”
“Good heavens……”
“I’ll get some sleep and come back out, so we’ll talk about the rest then.”
“Understood.”
“If anyone who seems to be tracking me appears, wake me immediately. In particular, if a martial artist dressed like a scholar shows up, you must treat him with courtesy. They’re madmen through and through.”
So Gunpyeong nodded.
“I will keep it in mind. Please sleep at ease. We will keep watch over a wide area.”
“There aren’t all that many places in the world where one can sleep comfortably. I did well to come to the Black Cat Gang. Then I’m going to sleep for now.”
I got up and headed to my room, and on the way I ran into some maidservants I had never seen before. Since they were staring at me with startled faces, I reassured them.
“Don’t be alarmed. I’m the leader of the Black Cat Gang.”
“Ah, yes. Gang Leader, your room has always been kept clean.”
I stopped for a moment and looked the maidservants up and down.
“Anyone here learned martial arts?”
The maidservants looked at one another, then shook their heads. Among them was a young woman of particularly outstanding beauty, so I asked her outright.
“Where did you come from?”
“Me? I came in because I heard they were hiring workers.”
“Who hired you?”
“I came in through Chief Steward Son.”
“Madam Son?”
I glared at the pretty young woman.
“Fine. If anyone suspicious approaches you, tell So Gunpyeong in advance. Don’t let things grow into a mess later.”
“Understood.”
As soon as I reached my room, I untied my bundle, lay down, and closed my eyes. When I closed my eyes, the pitch-black sky spun round and round.
If nothing much had happened at the Black Cat Gang all this time, I thought I should hand over the position of gang leader to So Gunpyeong, and I also hoped that today the Scholar forces or the black path would not bother me.
It was not simply because I was sleepy that I slept.
Because the energy of the elixirs was seeping into the Heavenly Jade, I fell asleep as though succumbing to a familiar minor illness.
* * *
I thought I had fallen asleep during the day, but when I opened my eyes, it was still bright outside. I was slightly disoriented, so I couldn’t even tell whether this place was the Zaha Inn or the Black Cat Gang. How wonderful would it be if one could regulate one’s qi and breathing even while asleep?
I barely managed to get up, and woke properly while washing.
I changed into clean clothes in the room, put on the black robe of the Mansang Sect, then went out to the main hall and called for So Gunpyeong. While So Gunpyeong was on his way, I remembered something I had forgotten, so I went back to my room and returned with my bundle.
I said to So Gunpyeong, who was waiting.
“Pavilion Master So.”
“Yes.”
“When I’m not here, think of yourself as the acting leader of the Black Cat Gang and conduct yourself accordingly.”
“Understood.”
“How are the Four Divine Generals?”
“I have not seen them since we parted near Baek Eungji last time. We have already established a communication network with carrier pigeons, so there is no great difficulty in summoning them. Since it has been a while since you came, shall I call them?”
“No.”
I took the smallest hundred-year fleeceflower root from my bundle and held it out to So Gunpyeong.
“Eat it.”
“What is this?”
“An elixir. A hundred-year fleeceflower root. Well, I’m not sure whether it’s really a hundred years old or not.”
So Gunpyeong accepted the hundred-year fleeceflower root and stared at it silently, then asked me,
“For some reason, this seems like an elixir I shouldn’t be eating.”
“Then who should eat it?”
“You should, Sect Master.”
“I ate a lot of fleeceflower root, so I’m a little sick of it. Just eat it yourself.”
“How do I eat it?”
“Just chew and swallow it. Right here.”
“Understood.”
I waited until So Gunpyeong had chewed up the entire hundred-year fleeceflower root, then said,
“Rest today. Go in and spend the whole day regulating your qi and breathing or something. Call Chief Steward Byeok before you go in.”
“Understood.”
As soon as So Gunpyeong disappeared, I checked my bundle. Now there were three large fleeceflower roots left, and about four that were slightly smaller than those. A short while later, Chief Steward Byeok appeared with several books tucked under his arm and sat down beside me.
“You called for me?”
When I nodded, Chief Steward Byeok put the books down one by one and said,
“This is the cash ledger, and this one has maps attached because we purchased some land. This is a register containing the personal details of the newly hired people.”
“You bought land?”
“To be precise, we acquired several places whose business had become difficult. As you know, far too much money is tied up in the Black Cat Gang. We have not sent people to operate them immediately, but I contacted Yeon Jaseong and he is making some repairs to a few of them. So I have also written down in detail the costs paid to Sect Master Yeon Jaseong. Most of it was expenses such as materials and meals, so it was carried out more cheaply than ordinary construction costs. Ah, and we purchased a few places on the recommendation of Strategist Sima Bi.”
I cleared my throat, then looked at Chief Steward Byeok.
“That is truly excellent.”
“Thank you.”
Now that I looked at it, Haomun was being run by Chief Steward Byeok. It was very surprising news even to me. In truth, I had only intended to give one to So Gunpyeong, but I had no choice but to take a small hundred-year fleeceflower root from my bundle and hold it out to Chief Steward Byeok.
“Chief Steward Byeok, have a taste of hundred-year fleeceflower root.”
Chief Steward Byeok’s eyes widened.
“Goodness, you didn’t have to give me something like this. I don’t really practice martial arts……”
“Is there any law saying only people who practice martial arts can eat elixirs? You eat it to be healthy.”
“May I truly eat this?”
When I gestured with my hand, Chief Steward Byeok smacked his lips and began chewing on the fleeceflower root.
It occurred to me anew that Haomun needed an herb gatherer.
‘……How absurd.’
Perhaps because Chief Steward Byeok was getting on in years, he suddenly thumped his chest while chewing the fleeceflower root.
“Honestly……”
I got up, brought over the kettle, and poured him a cup of water. Chief Steward Byeok, who had been making choking sounds, hurriedly drank the water, then wiped around his mouth and said,
“Thank you, Gang Leader.”
“Not at all…… You mustn’t die while taking a spirit medicine.”
“Yes, sir.”
I looked out beyond the wide-open main hall, then watched the plum blossom petals fluttering down in the wind.
I had left to obtain spirit medicines for my disciples, but it seemed there would be none left. I had nothing else to give the people who had suffered in my absence, so there was no helping it.
Chief Steward Byeok, who had chewed up the entire hundred-year-old fleeceflower root, kept drinking water and even let out a refreshing belch.
“Buuurp…… Goodness, my apologies.”
“Chief Steward Byeok, don’t go around handling everything yourself. Pick two or three messengers from within and leave it to them.”
“Yes, sir.”
“How are the new maidservants?”
“We did put up a notice saying we were looking for workers, but a fairly large teahouse nearby went under, so they came in droves. Madam Son spoke with them and selected only the youngest women. They are all from this area originally. I verified their places of origin myself.”
“Thorough, aren’t you.”
It occurred to me that if Chief Steward Byeok had not been here, Haomun might have collapsed again. Perhaps King Wen felt much the same when he obtained Jiang Taigong. Since I had nothing in particular to say, I asked something pointless.
“How did Hoyeon Cheong and Madam Son end up falling for each other?”
Chief Steward Byeok suddenly let out a sigh and replied.
“……The truth is, I confessed to her first and was rejected. As it turned out, Madam Son seemed to have liked Master Hoyeon first. In any case, that is how it happened.”
I drank a cup of water before answering.
“Ah, Chief Steward Byeok, you didn’t have a wife?”
Chief Steward Byeok replied with a dispirited expression.
“She passed away ten years ago.”
I met Chief Steward Byeok’s eyes for a moment, then turned my gaze elsewhere. Chief Steward Byeok murmured.
“Painting is my solace.”
“I see. That’s better than me. I don’t even have a hobby.”
“Would you like to learn painting?”
“Not interested.”
“Yes, sir.”
“In any case, you’ve worked hard, Chief Steward Byeok. Since So Gunpyeong needs to circulate his qi and regulate his breathing today, I’ll stand guard in his place. If there’s anyone who won’t listen or needs an audience, send them to me. Go rest.”
“Understood, Sect Leader.”
Chief Steward Byeok walked to the doors of the main hall and gazed blankly at the falling plum blossom petals.
Suddenly, Chief Steward Byeok looked back at me and said something unnecessary.
“Sect Leader, do not live as I have. You will grow lonely.”
It was not as though I could curse at him, so I answered half-heartedly.
“All right.”