Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Part 4. There Are Things You Absolutely Shouldn't Touch (1)
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Plop, plop!
Rain poured down.
Raindrops pelted the water's surface, creating countless ripples that formed and vanished. The clamor of the downpour rattled everyone's ears.
As the rain bucketed down, most people hurriedly dashed into the cabins. But not everyone. The warriors guarding the carriage stood firm.
Even amid the torrent like a wall of water, they didn't budge, steadfastly protecting the carriage. Their glaring eyes radiated a grim resolve.
Damho sat on the railing, silently watching them.
Black Ghost stood beside him. Rain streamed down the horse's pitch-black body.
Sensing Damho's gaze, the leader of the warriors looked up at him.
He was a sturdy middle-aged man built like a boulder. His piercing gaze was so fierce that only those with stout hearts could meet it.
The man's eyebrows twitched.
Thud!
The boat arrived at the dock on the opposite riverbank.
"Everyone, disembark!"
The crew shouted vigorously.
The middle-aged man tore his eyes from Damho and bellowed at his men.
"Get the carriage off now!"
"Yes!"
The warriors responded with a hearty shout and began unloading the carriage.
It passed right in front of Damho.
Creak!
The deck groaned perilously under the wheels, as if it might collapse any second. Through a gap in the carriage, a pair of black eyes appeared once more.
In that instant, one warrior blocked the gap with his body, and the eyes vanished. The carriage rolled off the boat and sped away in a flash.
Damho led Black Ghost off the boat as well. The rain showed no sign of letting up.
He spurred his horse onward without a care. Black Ghost snorted roughly, seemingly thrilled by the gallop through the storm.
Black Ghost lived up to its nickname of Thousand-Li Steed. After charging through the rain for over half a day, it showed no fatigue whatsoever.
A city appeared in the distance.
It was Wah County, one of the larger cities in Anhui Province. But Damho didn't know that.
The sun was setting, and the rain unrelenting, so he simply thought it was time to rest.
Perhaps due to the downpour, the streets of Wah County were eerily deserted. Damho entered the first inn he saw.
A young girl, barely into her teens, scampered out to greet him.
"Welcome!"
"Is there a stable?"
"Of course! We just laid down fresh straw—it's so soft and fluffy. Your horse will love it."
"Stall the horse and give it good feed."
"Right away! Staying the night?"
"Mm."
"Wait inside just a moment. I'll settle the horse and be right back."
The girl took Black Ghost's reins and headed to the stable. The sight of the tiny girl straining to lead the massive steed was impressively determined.
Damho entered the inn.
It was just as deserted inside, thanks to the rain. Of the dozen or so tables, only two had customers; the rest stood empty.
Damho sat at one and gazed out the window. Soon, the girl rushed over, breathless.
"Huff, huff! He's all settled in the stable, with oats and prime feed. I fetched a full bucket of fresh water too, so no worries tonight."
Her cheeks flushed, she beamed happily.
Damho handed her a coin. Her smile widened even more.
"Wow! Thank you!"
"Bring something simple to eat."
"Yes! Wine too?"
"Yes."
She darted to the kitchen like a squirrel at his nod.
Damho rarely drank, but tonight he felt like having some. Maybe it was the rain.
He stared silently at the pouring rain for a while.
How much time passed? The girl returned, struggling with a tray bigger than herself.
"Roast duck and our inn's specialty, red wine. My dad brews it himself—it's out of this world."
As she boasted, the red wine's sweet aroma wafted out. Any drunkard would lose their wits to that heavenly scent.
"Smells good."
"Eat up! Call if you need anything. Oh, sir, your room is the first one up the stairs on this floor."
"Mm."
She scampered back to the kitchen at his reply, still squirrel-like.
Left alone, Damho poured himself a cup of red wine.
Its taste matched the sweet aroma perfectly. This was the caliber of wine served as a house specialty anywhere.
The roast duck was delicious too. Lean and flavorful, it suited Damho's palate well.
He savored the red wine, using the rain outside and the duck as companions. Since venturing into the world, this was his first time enjoying such a serene moment alone.
That was when he spotted two horses galloping toward the inn through the window.
Each carried a rider. The girl ran out to take their reins, and the pair entered.
"It's really coming down out there."
"Miss, this way, please."
The newcomers wore large bamboo hats and rain capes.
They removed their hats first upon entering. A refined woman and a wrinkled old man emerged.
The woman exuded a mystical aura. Her hair, shimmering with a faint red sheen, was captivatingly enchanting.
She shrugged off her cumbersome rain cape next. Beneath her refined features lay a voluptuous figure that contrasted sharply.
Sweeping back her wet hair, she said,
"With rain like this, no choice. We'll stay here tonight."
"No one can fight the heavens in a storm like this."
"But time is of the essence..."
"It's just half a day at most. His condition won't worsen that quickly. Relax. We can ride harder tomorrow."
The elderly warrior consoled her.
"You're right. How can man defy the will of heaven? With even the weather against us, let's rest easy tonight."
"Wise decision."
"You've endured so much lately. Shall we feast properly for once?"
"Will you pay, miss?"
"I have more money than you, Hwano."
"Mine is all clan funds."
"Like a corrupt official, eh?"
"Public and private must be strictly separated, miss."
"Sigh."
She shook her head at his shameless reply, but soon smiled.
"Fine. Tonight, I'll treat you, Hwano."
"My thanks, miss. Time to eat my fill."
"Just this once."
"Naturally."
"Over here, little one."
She beckoned the girl.
The girl, hovering nearby, hurried over.
"You called?"
"What food do you do well here?"
"Everything! My dad's the cook."
"Perfect."
The woman ordered. The girl stared at her, entranced.
Puzzled by the reaction, the woman tilted her head.
"What's wrong?"
"You're... so beautiful."
"Thank you. You're pretty now, so you'll be even more stunning grown up."
"Really?"
"Absolutely!"
The girl grinned brightly.
"What's your name, sis?"
"Jongriyeon."
"Pretty name. Mine's so rustic. Second born in winter, so Dongi. No idea what Dad was thinking."
Dongi pouted adorably. Jongriyeon smiled warmly, stroking her head.
"Dongi is a lovely name. And it's from your father—cherish it."
"Yes! Sis, I'll go order."
Dongi dashed to the kitchen with gusto.
Jongriyeon watched her back with a smile.
"You're too kind-hearted, miss. Even fussing over a serving girl like that."
"Don't say that, Hwano. No one knows her future. Who knows? She might shake the martial world as a heroine someday."
Hwano just chuckled silently at Jongriyeon's words.
His lady was too naive about the world.
'In this day and age, a child's limits are their parents'. Without heaven-shaking talent, becoming a warrior is impossible for a girl like Dongi.'
But Hwano kept his thoughts to himself.
He liked Jongriyeon's innocence. In this harsh world, one dreamer like her wasn't bad.
While waiting for food, Hwano scanned the inn. His eyes landed on Damho.
Tousled black hair, tattered black robes. Damho stood out anywhere.
The moment Hwano saw him, every hair on his body stood on end.
Unnoticed before, now every nerve screamed alert.
'Who the hell is that guy?'
Though retired from the martial world to guard Jongriyeon, Hwano had been a renowned master in his prime.
He prided himself on vast experience and meeting countless people, yet no one chilled his spine like Damho on sight.
"What's wrong, Hwano?"
Seeing his face stiffen, Jongriyeon asked innocently. Hwano shook his head hastily.
"Nothing."
"Your expression was scary just now..."
"Just lost in thought."
He changed the subject quickly.
Jongriyeon glanced at Damho. She'd noticed Hwano's gaze on him.
'Is there something special about that man?'
She tilted her head.
They say you see as much as you know.
At her level, she couldn't sense Damho's menace.
Unaware or uncaring of her gaze, Damho steadily sipped his wine.
Time passed; the rain persisted. The bottle before Damho emptied.
He rose without regret. Time to rest for tomorrow.
That was when,
Clunk!
The inn door burst open. A group of about twenty men stormed in.
All exuded extraordinary auras. They scanned the room and strode toward Jongriyeon and Hwano.
Their apparent leader addressed Jongriyeon.
"Are you the Divine Healer Jongriyeon?"
"Yes?"
"We are from the Southern Palace Clan. The clan needs your help now."
Divine Healer Jongriyeon.
One of Anhui Province's most famous figures.
She was a physician. An exceptional one.
They said she could save anyone not yet dead. Rumors even claimed she revived the deceased.
Hence her moniker, Divine Healer.
Anyone residing in Anhui knew her—and sought connections.
Knowing the Divine Healer meant securing a spare life.
The Southern Palace Clan warrior, having introduced himself, bowed politely with clasped fists.
"Please aid the Southern Palace Clan, Miss Jongri."
Jongriyeon looked troubled.
"What to do? I'm en route to an urgent patient."
"Whatever the circumstance, switch the order. Compensation will be generous."
"That's difficult. A life hangs in the balance."
"Ours too."
The Southern Palace warrior's tone hardened.