The Road to Wudang (2)
Why do inns always erupt into chaos the moment I step inside?
I adjusted my bamboo hat and walked toward the corner of the inn where the commotion was unfolding. The guests who had been watching the spectacle parted like the Red Sea the moment they saw me approaching, clearing a path without a word.
Being this big does have its conveniences.
Anyway, I reached the scene of the incident in no time, unhindered by anyone.
“Gu Seong-yeon! Are you really trying to start a war?!”
“The real problem is that you dared to insult our young master!”
Tsk. These guys have no real skill, yet their mouths run faster than their swords. I sighed as I glanced between the man named Kang-something, who was clutching his shoulder and shouting, and the man named Gu-something, who was brandishing a bloodstained blade in fury.
They’d be better off training instead of swinging swords around.
Do martial clans not teach their heirs to eat quietly at inns? Seeing how rowdy things get in the birthplace of Confucianism makes me appreciate how impressive Joseon’s reputation as the Eastern Land of Courtesy really was.
“What’s the relationship between those two that they’re drawing blades like this?”
“A-a Westerner speaks the Central Plains tongue?”
The man I addressed flinched and looked up at me, and soon everyone else’s eyes followed.
At this rate, they ought to start charging admission. I’m no superstar, yet they keep staring.
“Westerner or not, just answer the question.”
“W-well… those two are the direct heirs of the Kang and Gu clans, the most prominent martial families in this city. Because the houses are rivals, their successors are constantly at each other’s throats.”
“How typical.”
So these obscure clans throw their weight around in this small city. Makes sense they’d draw blades in a crowded place when they think no one can stop them.
“Young hero, you’d best not get involved. Those two wield power here like local kings. Meddle and you might bleed for it.”
“I appreciate the warning, but it’s unnecessary. Just enjoy the show.”
I strode straight toward the two young masters who had already noticed my presence. They looked ready to shout at me, but after sensing the aura I released, they addressed me with noticeably more restraint.
“W-who are you?”
“D-don’t interfere in our affairs…!”
When the two heirs shrank like scolded puppies, the guards who looked like their escorts stepped forward to block me. Not that it mattered—bodyguards of petty tyrants in a backwater town were barely first-rate at best.
I lifted my bamboo hat slightly with a finger and posed a perfectly reasonable question to today’s targets of discipline.
“What is an inn for?”
“W-what do you mean…”
“Answer.”
“I-it’s a place to eat.”
“Is it a place for sword fights?”
“B-but he started it…!”
“You look old enough to know better. If you’re an adult, you should at least follow basic manners.”
Good grief. These spoiled brats are more trouble than they’re worth. Can’t they just eat in peace? Is that really so hard? Do they think an inn is a training ground?
What, practicing chair shots?
And they certainly won’t be paying for the broken dishes and furniture at this rate.
“You there, the one who got cut.”
“M-my name is Kang Seok-ho…”
“I don’t need your name. Get treated first. Then pay for the table and chairs you broke.”
“I didn’t break them!”
“I’m not saying only you pay. That guy over there has to cover half too.”
“Why should I listen to you? I am Gu—”
“Do you think your families raised you just so you could act like spoiled brats?”
If you come from a respectable house, your conduct should match its standing.
Gu-whatever looked ready to explode, but the quick-witted escort beside him grabbed his shoulder and whispered something. The young master lowered his eyes and sheathed his sword.
“…Understood.”
“Escorts, take your young masters and explain what happened here. If they’re heirs of great clans, they should at least show proper conduct, shouldn’t they?”
At my words, a middle-aged guard from the Gu clan clasped his hands and bowed before asking,
“Understood. Might I ask the honored guest’s name?”
“William. In the jianghu, I’m known as the Lion Sword Hero.”
“The Lion Sword Hero!”
“Isn’t he the champion of this year’s Azure Dragon Tournament?!”
“Really? I’ve never heard the name before—”
“You fool! How do you expect to survive in this harsh world if you’re this ignorant of rumors? He’s an exceptionally skilled Western swordsman!”
“I never expected to meet him here!”
The peanut gallery was getting noisy. Either way, the matter was settled, so I could return to my seat. Without lingering, I turned my back and walked away.
When I got back, Hye-ryeong, who had been watching me with a worried expression, spoke up.
“Mister, is everything resolved?”
“It was just a heated argument. Nothing to worry about. Let’s just eat.”
The food had gone cold because of those idiots, but demanding compensation for that felt excessive. I bit into a slightly tough dumpling and resumed my meal.
The one who approached me next, just as I was settling back into a pleasant meal, was the man who appeared to be the innkeeper.
“Hero William. Thank you for resolving the disturbance. Thanks to you, it didn’t escalate into something worse.”
“I only did what needed to be done. Think nothing of it.”
“No, it’s not that simple. Everyone here has been crushed under those two clans’ influence. Even when the young masters caused trouble, no one could speak up. You handled it cleanly, so we’re truly grateful.”
How badly had they been tormented to say something like that? I set down my chopsticks and studied the innkeeper’s haggard face.
“This isn’t the first or second time, is it?”
At my prompt, the innkeeper began pouring out his grievances like a dam had burst.
“They’ve been fighting for dominance for ages, overturning shops countless times! They toss a few coins as ‘apology money,’ but once they got older they started drawing blades, injuring customers. I’ve seriously considered leaving this city. And lately the two clans have been openly clashing…”
“You’ve had it rough.”
“Exactly! You’re the first person who’s ever made them back down without a peep. I’m truly grateful. I won’t charge you for the meal.”
“There’s no need to go that far…”
I deflected politely while watching him. The innkeeper was sharp enough not to push after one refusal and offered again.
“Please, it would ease my mind.”
“If you insist…”
Free food was always welcome. Meals tasted best when they cost nothing.
“And I’ll have fresh dishes brought out. Hey! Wang Chil! Serve the honored guest new dishes!”
“Yes, sir!”
Free food plus extra dishes. Excellent.
“Then I’ll go clean up. Enjoy your meal.”
“Take care.”
I turned my gaze from the departing innkeeper to Mok-gyeong and Hye-ryeong. The two had been quietly watching our conversation, and once we were alone again, they spoke.
“Mister, you really looked like a true hero just now!”
“Benefactor, as expected of you.”
“I just got annoyed and said a few words.”
“But when everyone else was too scared to act, you scolded them! I think that’s also the mark of a true hero!”
They were laying it on thick. I brushed off their words and sipped the now-lukewarm soup.
We had barely resumed eating when Hye-ryeong, who had been sipping tea after finishing her meal, opened her small mouth.
“Mister, do you think they’ll come back later to cause trouble?”
“We’re not the sort of people who’d suffer from petty revenge. Besides, they’re not strong enough to threaten us anyway.”
No matter how important these brats thought they were in this town—too big to call a village, too small to call a proper city—they couldn’t possibly be stronger than me.
If someone stronger than me lived here, rumors would have spread already. At best, they might be on Mok-gyeong’s level.
“Let’s stay at the inn tonight and leave tomorrow morning.”
“Okay~”
“Understood.”
“…Ah, before that, I should stop by the market.”
“The market?”
“We need to stock up on provisions before we go.”
The Central Plains were vast; there was no telling how long it would take to reach the next city, so it was wise to buy supplies.
And…
“Mok-gyeong, you said you’ve never tried sugar before, right?”
“Y-yes…”
“I’ll show you what sweet tastes like.”
I smiled as I caught the aroma of the new dishes being placed on the table.