Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Section 7. The Sandstorm Calls Blood (1)
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“Today we’ve got five more foals. What a blessing, a real blessing! Heh heh!”
“Damn it! Even the horses are having kids, but not me…”
“You’ve got something just as good as a horse down there, don’t you? Take pride in it.”
“What pride? It’s useless…”
“You’re right! Totally useless. The heavens really are fair!”
“Ha ha ha! Quit teasing him. Chun-saeng’s gonna cry.”
The laborers, having finished their work, had gathered together to drink. It was just cheap grain liquor they’d brewed themselves, but they seemed genuinely delighted, roaring with laughter.
They looked so happy.
Laughing, chatting, savoring the simple joys of everyday life.
Life was harsh and grueling, but they found their own ways to be content.
Bang Jin-bo was right there among them, laughing along. He had fully adapted, blending in like he’d always been one of the ranch hands.
The others liked Bang Jin-bo too. They loved the food he cooked and enjoyed talking with him.
Geum So-hye especially adored him. She trailed after him all day like a baby chick.
Bang Jin-bo didn’t seem to mind the attention. Whenever he was with them, a big grin naturally spread across his face.
One of the laborers called out to Jin-bo.
“Jin-bo.”
“Yes!”
“You said you’re heading to Hunan Province, right?”
“That’s right. Specifically, Dongting Lake.”
“Why bother going all the way to Hunan? Stay here and live with us.”
“Huh?”
“No need to trek to Hunan. Let’s just stay here together. It might look barren, but life here isn’t so bad. Good water, good people, nothing to worry about. Sure, wandering for pasture is tough, but once you get used to it, it’s fine.”
“Yeah! Just watching the horses run across the wide plains clears your mind. No need for all that complicated worldly stuff—you can find happiness right here, like us.”
The other laborers chimed in, agreeing noisily.
Bang Jin-bo’s expression wavered for a moment, tempted.
Truth be told, he liked it here too. Spending the rest of his life cooking at the ranch didn’t sound half bad.
Ranch owner Geum Gwancheon treated him like gold, and So-hye followed him around like a big brother. It was the first happiness he’d known since losing his father.
Honestly, he didn’t want to let go of this joy. But something felt empty in his heart.
Bang Jin-bo smiled. He tried even harder to smile brightly.
He laughed and chatted with the others. And so, his happy days at the ranch passed by.
“Heh heh!”
Bang Jin-bo entered the room, chuckling. As soon as he did, he spotted Dam Ho. He was sitting on the bed, gazing out the window.
“Brother!”
“You’re back?”
“Heh heh! I’m here.”
Bang Jin-bo plopped down beside Dam Ho.
“What are you doing?”
“Watching.”
“Watching what?”
“Everything…”
Dam Ho answered calmly.
“There’s no such thing as watching everything.”
Bang Jin-bo widened his eyes and peered out the window in the direction Dam Ho was looking.
It was a guesthouse far from the main compound, offering a full view of the ranch.
The vast pastures stretched out, dotted with frolicking horses and people. It was the usual, ordinary scene—nothing special.
Yet Dam Ho was gazing at this unremarkable vista.
‘How does the world look through brother’s eyes?’
The thought suddenly crossed his mind.
He wondered what thoughts and feelings Dam Ho had as he viewed the world.
“Jin-bo.”
“Yes! Brother!”
“We leave tomorrow.”
“Already?”
Bang Jin-bo’s eyes went wide.
Dam Ho finally turned to look at him.
“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to come.”
“What are you talking about? Of course I’m going with you.”
“Life here wouldn’t be bad for you. No need to travel far.”
It was the first time Dam Ho had spoken at such length to Bang Jin-bo since they’d met.
“Brother?”
Tears welled up in Bang Jin-bo’s wide eyes.
“Are you… trying to leave me behind?”
“I’m not abandoning you.”
“Brother!”
“I think this place suits you.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Bang Jin-bo shook his head vigorously. Tears trickled down his cheeks.
Then he jumped up and started packing his things in a hurry.
“I’m going too.”
“Jin-bo.”
“I have to follow you. Don’t try to stop me.”
Dam Ho’s gaze deepened.
He’d realized it clearly during their days here.
‘This peace doesn’t suit me.’
He felt like a drop of oil on water, floating apart from everything. This world, this tranquil life—it wasn’t for him.
No matter how long he stayed, there was no place for him here.
If peace didn’t fit, then only the chaos of the battlefield remained.
The blood in Dam Ho’s veins, his very nature, whispered as much.
These past days had merely confirmed it. That’s why he was leaving.
“It might be dangerous.”
“It’s fine. And you promised. You said you’d take me to the Heavenly First Pavilion.”
“Right.”
“So keep your promise.”
“Right.”
Dam Ho nodded.
He would keep it.
It was the first promise he’d made since entering the world.
***
“Horse ranch?”
Joy lit up Shim Ok’s eyes.
She’d raced here blindly, with no idea what lay ahead. She’d just kept using her lightness skill until she arrived.
“This is where I get a horse.”
Once she had one, she could cross Gayok Pass and shake off pursuers. Then she’d find a way to contact the Blood Scale Net.
She knew better than anyone that shaking them off wouldn’t last long, even if she’d slowed them down for now.
The forces of Western Sky Manor she’d witnessed were terrifying. Even the Blood Scale Net couldn’t guarantee they could stand against them.
Especially Silver River Star’s prowess—it was horrifying. Even her most trusted Black Fury wouldn’t have been his match.
If Silver River Star acquired the Blood Demon’s ultimate arts too, no one in the Divine Realm could stop him.
The only ones who might block Silver River Star and Western Sky Manor now were the Blood Scale Net. The Central Plains sects didn’t care about events beyond their borders.
“So I have to be ruthless.”
The laborers were sprawled here and there, sleeping off what looked like a feast the night before.
Shim Ok didn’t hesitate, vaulting over the ranch’s fence. The workers were ordinary folk—they’d never sense her presence.
Her sharp eyes scanned the ranch.
One horse stood out alone in her view. Among the many, this black one exuded unmatched presence.
Having practically lived on horseback since childhood, Shim Ok instantly recognized it as an exceptional steed.
“That one?”
Ecstasy crossed her face.
A horse like that could easily cover a thousand li in a day. No more worrying about pursuers.
Shim Ok shot toward the black horse without delay.
Thud! Thud!
Two pushes off the ground brought her right beside it.
Despite her sudden appearance, the black horse didn’t flinch. Its gaze, looking down from on high, made Shim Ok bite her lip. It seemed to mock her, like a thief sneaking over a fence.
“It’s for the greater good.”
Even as she said it, she felt ridiculous—making excuses to a mere animal.
“Let’s go.”
She grabbed the reins and pulled. But the black horse didn’t budge.
“What?”
Shim Ok glared, eyes narrowing. Still, it refused to move.
Whinny!
It snorted and backed away instead, dragging her along.
Shim Ok realized the horse was rejecting her.
“Don’t do this. The fate of the Divine Realm hangs in the balance.”
She pleaded, but the horse ignored her. Infuriated by its arrogance, she couldn’t waste more time here.
As she reached for the reins again,
“Who’s there?”
One laborer had woken to her presence. Others stirred, opening their eyes.
“Damn!”
Shim Ok’s face twisted in dismay.
The laborer stared blankly at her gripping the black horse’s reins, then shouted.
“Thief!”
“Thief?”
Hearing it, the others scrambled up.
Now branded a thief, Shim Ok gritted her teeth. No choice—she’d brazen it out.
She mounted the black horse.
“Go!”
She kicked its sides. Any normal horse would bolt. But not this one.
Whinny!
It stood firm, unmoving.
The black horse was none other than Black Ghost.
“Damn horse.”
In the end, Shim Ok cursed and gave up on it, seeking another.
“Thief!”
“Horse thieves!”
The laborers came running, yelling. She ignored them.
Even wounded, her skills outmatched them easily.
‘No time to explain or buy one. I’ll compensate later. Escaping comes first.’
Using lightness skill, she leaped onto the nearest horse. It looked inferior to Black Ghost, but beggars couldn’t be choosers.
“Go.”
As she prepared to kick it into motion,
“Hold it.”
Someone blocked her path.