Chapter 524: The Heroines Have Sent a Dish
Chapter 524: The Heroines Have Sent a Dish
Hwi, who was at the reins of the carriage, looked up at the sky.
Dark clouds were gathering, looking as if they might pour down rain at any moment.
"We’ll stop at a village today."
Hwi turned the carriage away from their original route and headed toward a nearby settlement.
Geom Mu-geuk leaned his head out of the window and spoke.
"It would be nice if this village had a beautiful young lady who might catch our Huangquan Pavilion Master’s eye."
At those words, Seo Dae-ryong’s face turned bright red from his seat next to the driver. However, he did not back down.
"I shall recite a poem for such a lady!"
Just then, the sound of thunder rumbled in the distance.
Rumble!
Seo Dae-ryong flinched.
Of all the times for it to thunder!
As he sat there looking dejected, the voice of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon reached his ears.
"Looks aren't everything. A man's worth lies in his heart!"
Seo Dae-ryong’s expression brightened instantly at his master’s encouraging words.
"Yes! Master! A man is indeed all about his heart!"
Truly, if he were just a bit closer to Hwi, he would have asked: Warrior Hwi, which side are you on? It’s the heart, right? Isn’t it?
Feeling the man’s excitement drifting on the wind, Geom Mu-geuk, who was still leaning out the window, chuckled silently. Indeed, what woman wouldn't like you once she got to know the kind of person you are?
The road widened as the carriage entered the marketplace.
Beside a fruit merchant bickering with a customer over whether to throw in one more apple, an old herbalist was setting up a tent in preparation for the rain.
A street vendor selling dumplings beckoned Hwi and Seo Dae-ryong to come and try his wares, while a clerk at a fabric shop was pulling in the silks displayed outside.
Children ran about amidst the bustling noise and delicious aromas.
Geom Mu-geuk watched the scene unfolding outside the window in silence.
If the primary goal of this trip was to build memories with his father, the second was this very moment. Mu-geuk hoped his father would see every corner of the Central Plains with his own eyes.
Father, if war breaks out, we will only focus on where, how, and how many of our Cult’s warriors are killing or being killed. But in the meantime, that merchant will die, and those children will die too. Those lives won't be captured in our statistics.
That was why every moment was precious. While the memory of tilling a field together was good, the reason it was important for his father to leave behind a banknote for an old couple’s grandson’s wedding was the same.
Thus, every moment was a time for leisure, but simultaneously, it was a moment of confrontation with his father’s perspective.
The carriage eventually came to a halt in front of the largest inn in the village.
Hwi booked all six rooms on the second floor and requested the innkeeper to ensure no other guests or waiters came upstairs.
After deciding to unpack and rest before eating, everyone headed to their respective rooms.
Whenever Geom Mu-geuk had time to himself, he would invariably enter the space created by the Space-Time Displacement Technique to practice the Time Heaven Secret Technique.
Today, however, he spread himself out on the bed.
Sometimes, when he was too absorbed in training, he felt as if he might be consumed by his own martial arts. If he practiced on a day like today, that thought would surely haunt him. Let’s rest. Let’s just rest today.
He lay on the bed, staring blankly at the dark clouds through the window, and eventually drifted off to sleep.
How long had he slept?
Shhhhhhh.
He woke to the sound of pouring rain. He found that waking up to the rhythm of the rainfall felt surprisingly good.
Then, he suddenly remembered that he used to hate the rain before his regression. Back then, when he traveled alone to gather materials for the Great Regression Art, the rain only served to amplify his loneliness and depression.
But now, he liked the rain.
This leisure—rolling around on a bed while listening to the rain—was something he wouldn't trade for anything in the world.
But that feeling didn't last long. Perhaps because he had spent his life constantly running and moving, his body grew restless, and he could no longer stay lying down.
He got up and left his room.
He checked for signs of life in front of Seo Dae-ryong’s room across the hall. He wondered if the man was sleeping, but he was awake.
"What are you doing? Can I come in?"
"Yes, please enter."
When he opened the door, he found Seo Dae-ryong reading a book. It was the collection of poems and paintings that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had bought for him.
"Is it interesting?"
"To be honest, it’s not exactly 'fun'... but as I read, there are verses that unexpectedly pull me into deep reflection."
Perhaps it was because he knew the man was intelligent and hardworking, but the sight of Seo Dae-ryong reading a book of poetry actually suited him quite well.
"Since it’s raining, shall we have a drink?"
At Mu-geuk’s suggestion, Seo Dae-ryong closed the book as if he had been waiting for the offer.
"I’d love to."
They left the room and passed the rooms of Mu-geuk's father, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, and Hwi.
When Geom Mu-geuk playfully moved to stop in front of their doors, Seo Dae-ryong whispered from behind as if he had anticipated it.
"No! You can't!"
A drinking session with the Cult Leader and Lord Blade Demon? He could already see how much the poor man would suffer.
When they reached the first floor, about a dozen guests were scattered around, eating and drinking.
Geom Mu-geuk and Seo Dae-ryong sat in a spot with a good view of the outside and ordered wine and snacks.
The rain was coming down in a refreshing torrent.
Small bamboo trees planted beside the building across from the inn swayed in the rain, and ripples spread incessantly across the puddles.
Pedestrians wearing straw raincoats and bamboo hats ran past, while others took shelter under the eaves in the distance. It was a landscape that brought peace to the mind just by watching it.
In the meantime, the wine and food arrived.
"Have a drink, Young Cult Leader."
Seo Dae-ryong politely poured the wine. After receiving it, Geom Mu-geuk filled Seo Dae-ryong’s cup in return.
"It’s been a while. The two of us having a drink like this."
"It is a moment I have looked forward to."
Regardless of what anyone said, he was someone who missed Mu-geuk and truly wanted to spend time with him.
The two of them drained their first cups.
After refilling them, they watched the rain in silence. Listening to the sound of the rain, they didn't even feel the need for snacks.
"The smell of rain is nice."
At Mu-geuk’s remark, Seo Dae-ryong flared his nostrils.
"Does rain have a smell?"
"It does."
"Now that you mention it, I don't think I've ever consciously tried to smell the rain."
There are things you can never see unless you pay attention, and smells you can never catch unless you are conscious of them.
"It’s good—the smell of the rain today."
At Mu-geuk’s words, Seo Dae-ryong took a deep breath through his nose, trying to catch the scent.
They had a drink while listening to the rain, and another while talking about the past.
They continued to exchange drinks back and forth.
"When did you learn to fish?"
To have beaten the Cult Leader three times, it was clearly a matter of skill. Young Cult Leader, is there anything you can't do?
"You were pretty good at fishing yourself."
"That was just luck."
But as if he had been waiting for this very topic, Seo Dae-ryong’s eyes sparkled. He looked around and lowered his voice.
"I cannot forget the thrill of that tug on the line."
Opening and closing his hands, pulling and pushing his arms, he couldn't hide his excitement as he mimicked the motions of fishing.
"Who would have thought I’d beat the Cult Leader and my Master at fishing? I’m only telling this to you, Young Cult Leader. You must never tell anyone else. Even if we compete again, I am confident I can beat the Cult Leader and Master at fishing. Master said it was just beginner’s luck, but who knows? Maybe I was born with the talent of a fisherman."
Geom Mu-geuk smiled and asked.
"How does that thrill compare to when you first performed the Heaven Extermination Great Blade Form?"
Seo Dae-ryong pondered for a moment.
"Well, even so, it can't quite compare to the Heaven Extermination Great Blade Form."
Right then, Seo Dae-ryong noticed it. Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze was fixed on something behind him.
Startled, Seo Dae-ryong’s voice dropped to a tiny whisper.
"It’s not them, is it? Please tell me it’s not."
Then, a cold voice drifted from behind.
"You seemed to be thinking quite deeply about which thrill you prefer."
At the sound of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s voice, Seo Dae-ryong bolted upright.
"Oh! No, Master!"
When he turned around, it wasn't just his master. Geom Wu-jin was standing right beside the Blade Demon. Surely they didn't hear the part about me being confident I could beat the Cult Leader at fishing, right?
"If the thrill is that good, you should put down your blade and pick up a fishing rod."
"No, Master. It’s a misunderstanding."
Geom Mu-geuk stepped in for the pale-faced Seo Dae-ryong.
"I saw the two of you coming down and threw out a little bait, and our Huangquan Pavilion Master got hooked just like that. Fishing for people is much more fun than fishing for fish. Come, sit here."
And so, including Hwi who was behind them, the five of them sat together. Geom Mu-geuk poured drinks for everyone in turn.
The poetic sentiment that rain offers was the same for the Heavenly Demon, the Young Cult Leader, the Demon Lord, the Escort Captain, and the Huangquan Pavilion Master alike. They all drank, soaking in the atmosphere.
As he drank, Geom Mu-geuk looked at his father.
Was it because of the rain? His father’s eyes, which looked exceptionally lonely today, were not looking at the rain before him. What was reflected in his pupils were clearly fragments of memories.
Who are you thinking about?
Regardless of how much closer he had become to his father, moments like this made him realize he still didn't know much about the man.
Instead of his father, Geom Mu-geuk asked the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
"Elder, is there someone you think of on rainy days?"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head.
"No. What about you?"
"Same here. I just hate it because it’s slippery when I use my Lightness Skill. I live such a dry life."
"A young fellow like you, complaining about life!"
Even as he scolded him, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was smiling.
"But now, I have some."
"Now? What do you mean?"
"The people here. Having gathered like this to watch the rain today... won't I think of today whenever it rains in the future?"
At Mu-geuk’s words, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon thought of his own master.
Master, you never met a truly sentimental person. That’s why you said I was being dramatic.
Perhaps the reason he had heard such things from his master in the first place was because he had been influenced by this truly dramatic brat.
Master should have had a taste of this sentimentality sooner.
Would his master’s life have changed then? He had said he wouldn't think of his master anymore, yet the rain brought the memories back.
Shhhhhhh.
Thus, they all drank while staring at the falling rain, lost in their own thoughts.
Just then, new guests entered the inn.
They were female martial artists carrying swords. As they took their seats and removed their travel cloaks and bamboo hats, Seo Dae-ryong’s eyes widened.
He had been consciously trying not to look since they entered, but one of the three women immediately caught his eye.
As he stared blankly for a moment, his eyes met hers.
While he was inwardly flustered, the woman gave a slight nod in greeting. Seo Dae-ryong responded by giving a light fist salute.
It was nothing more than a common greeting between martial artists, but Seo Dae-ryong’s heart began to pound like a hammer. It was an excitement he couldn't handle alone.
— Did you see that? That lady just greeted me. She even smiled.
At Seo Dae-ryong’s excited voice transmission, Geom Mu-geuk replied.
— That smile was for me.
— What are you talking about! It was for me, definitely me.
Seo Dae-ryong drank to calm his excitement, but his heart only beat faster.
— Ah, but unfortunately, they look like women from the Orthodox Faction.
— That’s probably a relief for them.
— Young Cult Leader!
— I’m joking, sorry.
Geom Mu-geuk laughed and refilled his cup.
Seo Dae-ryong took another drink and stole a glance toward the women.
— Ah, our eyes met again. That lady is conscious of us too.
— Which one of the three?
— Don't look!
It had been a long time since Seo Dae-ryong had felt such a pleasant excitement. The feeling of being alive, the feeling of I am a man!
In that moment, overcome by the mood, a poem flowed from Seo Dae-ryong’s lips.
Before Geom Mu-geuk could even stop him, Seo Dae-ryong, his face flushed red from the alcohol, had already set out on the night road as a lonely swordsman in the rain.
"...A lonely shadow hides in the wind, while the dreams of the Jianghu are answered by the rain."
Since he had been conversing with Geom Mu-geuk via voice transmission until now, it appeared to the others as if Seo Dae-ryong had suddenly burst into poetry.
When the gazes of Geom Wu-jin, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, and Hwi focused on him, Seo Dae-ryong realized his mistake.
In that moment, he truly hadn't seen the Cult Leader or his Master. His only thought had been to recite a cool poem in front of the ladies.
Did the poem have an effect?
The women glanced over and whispered among themselves. They were definitely talking about the poem he had just recited.
A moment later, the innkeeper brought over a dish.
"The heroines over there have sent a dish."
Geom Mu-geuk asked.
"To whom among us did they send it?"
Seo Dae-ryong, of course, expected the following words:
— The heroines say they enjoyed the poem.
Then, the innkeeper placed the dish down in one spot. Everyone looked at the recipient with surprised expressions. The person the innkeeper had served was none other than Geom Wu-jin.
Geom Wu-jin was still staring at the falling rain as if he had no interest.
A silence fell.
Seo Dae-ryong sent a voice transmission in a mournful but still hopeful voice.
— It probably wasn't sent by my lady.
Geom Mu-geuk didn't have the leisure to reply to that transmission.
He looked back and forth between his father and the dish with eyes full of jealousy.
"I think it was delivered to the wrong person."
Geom Mu-geuk pulled the dish toward himself.
"At a glance, my father and I look alike, so the innkeeper must have made a mistake. This is right, isn't it?"
Then, Geom Wu-jin, who had shown no reaction while looking outside until now, turned his head. With the unmistakable, haughty smile of a winner, he pulled the dish back in front of himself.
"It is mine."