Blood Is Thicker Than Water (1)
We watched as Myung So-in led the caravan into the distance. Even as he walked, pulling his cart, he kept glancing back at us before continuing on his way.
Is there something still bothering him? No matter how much he stares, I have no intention of tearing up that contract.
“It was a rather hectic trade journey.”
“Still, it’s fortunate we resolved the situation without swinging a sword even once.”
Lim Ha-jin looked at me with eyes full of admiration. That was his usual expression, but ever since I untangled the grudge between Myung So-in and the Nakilmun, it seemed to have doubled in intensity.
“Well… I just happened to have a good idea. More importantly, I hope the next time we meet Myung So-in, he’ll have become a proper adult.”
“Since he received such grace, of course he will repay it.”
This kid is still so naive.
In this world, while grudges might be common, how many people are truly diligent about repaying favors?
Ah, but this is the murim world. Maybe it’s different here?
If you don’t repay a favor, someone might come at you with a blade, shouting about ungratefulness. That wouldn’t even be strange in a place like this.
“Still, if we do as Uncle said, won’t Myung So-in faithfully carry out the agreement? The Elder even stamped the contract himself!”
Just as Lim Hye-ryeong said, it would be more beneficial for him to return as an adult and fulfill the contract we made. I’d prefer that outcome too.
It wasn’t easy to catch someone like this, and importing Western armor to the Central Plains was no simple task.
If we had to trade with another major merchant, we’d have to pay an astronomical sum. Even here, the value of plate armor was never light, and since it was military equipment, it was extremely difficult to obtain.
To avoid unnecessary suspicion, the best I could get was armor on the level of what I gave to Gambison. Even that would have required quite a troublesome process.
Enough with the annoying thoughts. Time to rest.
I fiddled with the plump money pouch in my chest and asked Elder Baek.
“Elder, do you know the best inn in Wuchang Prefecture?”
Since we received plenty of travel expenses, we might as well stay somewhere decent. No matter where we go, it would be better than pitching a shabby tent in the wilderness, and I had no desire to live like a pauper even in the Central Plains.
“Hmm. The Hong Family Inn is undoubtedly the finest in Wuchang Prefecture.”
“Uncle! Then let’s go to the Hong Family Inn!”
“What kind of place is that?”
You still haven’t learned that I can’t react to you calling me that, have you, Hye-ryeong? Only then did she begin explaining about the inn called the Hong Family Inn.
“The Hong Family Inn is one of the most famous inns in the northern part of Guangdong Province! It’s also well-known that the innkeeper is a former murim practitioner! It’s considered a must-visit landmark for travelers passing through Wuchang Prefecture!”
“How do you even know that?”
“Ta-da!”
Hye-ryeong pulled a book from her bosom. The cover read Records of Central Plains Travels.
Is this some kind of Central Plains travel guide? They really have everything in this era.
Of course, since this isn’t the medieval China I know but a murim world where martial arts exist, it’s not strange for something like this to be readily available.
“A former murim practitioner… that sounds dangerous.”
Isn’t that way too ominous a setup? It feels like we’d get dragged into an incident the moment we step inside.
I don’t know if the owner washed his hands of the murim life or not… but I really didn’t want to go there.
Perhaps my reluctance showed on my face, because Hye-ryeong opened the book and tried to persuade me.
“It’s also famous for having some of the best dishes in all of Guangdong Province!”
“That’s right. I had the chance to taste it once before, and for several days afterward, the food from the Hong Family Inn kept coming to mind.”
One of the best… dishes?
Delicious enough to linger in your memory for days?
“…I suppose one meal wouldn’t hurt.”
“Hehe, then it’s decided. We’ll head to the Hong Family Inn. I happen to be acquainted with the owner, so he’ll treat us generously.”
With Elder Baek’s support added to the mix, I no longer had any excuse to refuse. Since it’s his friend’s place, if I complained now I’d just look like the bad guy.
Anyway, if something does happen, the innkeeper will probably handle it himself.
And so, filled with anticipation, I headed to the Hong Family Inn with the group.
“…Huh?”
“Hmm.”
When I looked at Elder Baek after he let out a sigh, he was staring blankly up at the building. Following his gaze, I saw that the long space above the entrance—where a signboard would normally hang—was completely empty.
All that remained were traces showing that something had once been there.
Even setting that aside, the shop had a desolate atmosphere. It looked like it had closed down quite some time ago.
“But… this travel book came out not long ago…”
Hye-ryeong made a disappointed face, her voice mixed with confusion.
It seemed she had been looking forward to the food at the Hong Family Inn quite a bit.
Unfortunately, since it had gone out of business, we’d have to look for another place…
“Hmm, what in the world happened…”
It must be quite shocking to visit an old friend’s shop only to find it completely ruined. I spoke to Elder Baek, who was letting out a low groan.
“Since we have to stay here for at least one night anyway, how about we find another inn first? Once we secure a place to sleep, we can slowly look into why the Hong Family Inn went under. What do you think?”
“…Understood.”
Elder Baek turned around with a bitter expression. We followed behind him toward a new inn. But perhaps because this was a village located at the gateway to Hubei Province, it was overflowing with travelers and merchants.
There were almost no inns with vacancies. Even when we found one, there was usually only a single room available, so we had no choice but to turn away again and again.
“This is quite troublesome.”
“It seems we’ll have to settle for an inn on the outskirts, even if it’s a bit less presentable.”
“You are correct, Master. We are fine with anything…”
Mu-gwang, why are you glancing at Hye-ryeong?
I understand how you feel, but…
“Hehe, I’m okay with it!”
Aren’t you being a bit too overprotective? She’s a murim practitioner in her own right. Though I can understand it somewhat, given her position is essentially that of the sect leader’s daughter.
From what I can see, the elders of the Hainan Sword Sect seem to dote on her quite a bit as well.
“Then, one last—”
“Elder Baek-hyeon! It has been so long!”
A unfamiliar voice reached our ears just as we were about to leave in search of a new inn. I immediately turned my head toward the owner of the voice.
“Ma Ryang! Why are you in such ragged clothes, and hiding here of all places?”
An acquaintance? The age difference makes it seem more like father and son than friends.
A nephew, perhaps? Or a hidden son?
As I watched the two with great interest, the brown-haired young man called Ma Ryang noticed us and hurriedly brought his fist to his chest in greeting.
“My apologies! I was late with my greetings! I am Hong Ma-ryang, son of Hong Mu-gang, owner of the Hong Family Inn!”
“I am Lim Ha-jin. Though lacking, I walk the path of the sword at the Hainan Sword Sect.”
“I’m Hye-ryeong! I also walk the path of the sword at the Hainan Sword Sect!”
The warriors of the Hainan Sword Sect began introducing themselves one after another. Since there weren’t many of them, my turn came quickly as I stood at the back with my arms crossed.
I slightly lifted my gat and spoke.
“William Marshall. You can call me Wi So-hyeop.”
I really should come up with a proper Central Plains-style name soon.
But now everyone just calls me Wi something-or-other, so maybe there’s no need?
With such idle thoughts, I looked down at the shabby-looking man. From the looks of it, he didn’t seem to have learned any martial arts.
“A foreigner… Ah, I’m sorry! I just didn’t expect to see a foreigner here…”
“It’s fine.”
Reactions like yours aren’t exactly rare. There should be at least a few people who get surprised when they see my face.
Good thing I bought this gat and wear it pulled down low. Even so, I’m so tall that shorter people can still see me, but at least it blocks distant or overhead glances.
“Anyway, Ma Ryang, what exactly happened at the Hong Family Inn that you’re dressed like this and hiding out here?”
“…It’s not something I can speak of in the open. Would you please follow me for now?”
At the earnest tone in his voice, Elder Baek glanced at me.
It almost felt like I had become the decision-maker.
To be precise, since I was an outsider, they probably didn’t want to drag me into their personal affairs.
These kind-hearted people… what am I going to do with them?
“Let’s go take a look. How could someone who ignores a person in need call themselves a hero of the murim?”
“Hehe…”
I only gave a half-hearted answer, so why does he look so moved?
I was just saying what sounded good.
“Uncle…”
“Don’t you start too.”
Tsk.
If the captain hadn’t drilled “[Don’t ignore those in distress]” into my ears every single day, I would have just ignored it.
Why can’t I let go of chivalry even in the Central Plains?
I’m not even a knight anymore.
Pushing the pointless worries into a corner of my mind, I spoke.
“Young Master Hong. Will you lead the way?”
“Y-yes!”
His face, which had been tense when we first met, now looked much lighter as he nodded vigorously.