Like Minds
Like minds. The guests in the other private rooms sent over a flood of grateful thanks. In truth, it wasn’t purely from sincere appreciation. Anyone who could afford a private room was no ordinary customer—they were big shots who dropped gold like it was nothing for a single night of drinking. To people like them, personal connections were the most valuable treasure in the world. So they offered thanks under the guise of repaying a favor, used it as an excuse to extend invitations, and figured that one drink, then two, might lead to real friendship. If they could mobilize their entire families and end up related by marriage, even better. And if not? Well, no real loss.
The big shots who had brought their daughters along shot meaningful glances at the girls. The daughters, for their part, figured that a handsome, promising young hero from the martial world was a hundred times better than some faceless political marriage partner. The moment the interests of fathers and daughters aligned, the women’s sharp instincts immediately zeroed in on the easiest targets. Two girls latched onto Changbin, two onto Jo Hak-cheo. The rest of the young heroes could only swallow their disappointment. If they were upset, they should have raised their own realms higher.
As a result, Jo Hak-cheo’s mouth was split in a massive grin. Changbin, on the other hand, looked extremely uncomfortable.
“Great Hero, Great Hero, please accept my drink as well.”
“Mm.”
“Oh my, how taciturn you are. As expected, a real man proves himself through actions rather than words, doesn’t he?”
“By the way, Great Hero? Do you perhaps have any other duties tonight?”
“Cough, hack.”
“Goodness, even your coughing is so bold. Oh, that’s right—lately it feels like there are mice running around my room. If it’s not too much trouble, could you help this girl out? To-night.”
“M-male and female… should remain… distinct… how could…”
Changbin’s eyes were spinning in circles. And in the middle of all that, there was one woman focused on a rather different objective.
“This Rangrang has gained great enlightenment. So this is the terror of human greed. Indeed, it devours everything.”
Then she raised a finger and poked Cheong right in the upper belly.
“Miss, what are you doing?”
“I poked you to see if you would burst. You are incredibly firm.”
Rangrang had slipped into the victory banquet about two hours after it started. She sat on her knees beside Cheong, staring blankly at the sight of people eating as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world. Every so often she would insert a flat, robotic “Oh. Wow. Amazing.” in a tone that suggested she wasn’t the least bit surprised, all while maintaining an utterly expressionless face.
“I’m going to get indigestion at this rate. Are you done watching? Why are you staring holes through people while they eat?”
“To speak honestly, across the entire span of time Rangrang has existed, this is without doubt an exceedingly rare spectacle. Rangrang guarantees it. You may take pride in yourself, Heavenly Flower Sword.”
“Miss, go away.”
“The Heavenly Flower Sword cannot compel Rangrang’s free will.”
“Ugh, seriously. I’m starting to seriously consider using physical force here?”
“Violence is acceptable, but any harm directed at Rangrang would be undesirable.”
As Rangrang spoke, she smoothly slid backward without even seeming to move her knees. Did she have wheels under her or something?
It was right then that Jo Hak-cheo—who apparently thought having women on both sides wasn’t enough—approached Cheong’s table with two more girls in tow. He spotted Rangrang, flinched, and asked,
“O-beautiful young lady? Have we perhaps met before?”
“Rangrang does not wish to answer.”
Cheong’s face brightened. Yeah, hit on her. Hit on her. First time I’ve ever been glad to see Jo, that bastard. Maybe I’ll take this chance to go help Changbin, who’s clearly suffering under that aggressive frontal assault. Wow, look at them. They’re straight-up rubbing their chests on him. At this rate Changbin’s forearms are going to turn into breasts. On second thought, maybe there’s no need to ruin the best moment of Changbin’s life. I should probably go comfort the Hwaryong-jo guys who look like their eyes are about to pop out from envy.
Just as Cheong was about to stand up—
“Ah! Lady Ha-hu! It’s me, Jo Hak-cheo! Don’t you remember?”
“This guy still has zero tact. And yet he never forgets a woman’s face. What a disgusting, persistent bastard.”
“Huh? Lady?”
The term “pyo-mae” technically referred to a cousin, but in the Central Plains people usually didn’t bother distinguishing cousins from siblings with separate titles. If one really wanted to be specific, it would mean a very distant relative.
“You two know each other?”
“Ah. She is my cousin sister.”
“Incorrect. Rangrang has no such cousin.”
Their opinions diverged. Yet neither of them was actually lying. The Jo and Ha-hu clans were roughly on the level of sworn brotherhood families. Cheong had only flipped through the Romance of the Three Kingdoms like it was a picture book, but she immediately understood how the Jo and Ha-hu clans had become sworn brothers.
Perfect. I’ll leave the relatives to catch up and go do my round of the tables.
Cheong was just about to heave her heavy rear off the seat when—
“Rangrang is simply Rangrang. The Ha-hu clan has been exterminated. Ha-hu Rangrang is a dead person who no longer exists in this world.”
“That… is unfortunate. About your clan…”
“It is fine. However, I will gratefully accept your condolences.”
Jo Hak-cheo’s expression turned somber. No matter how much of a woman-crazed bastard he was, even he wasn’t shameless enough to chase skirts in front of a cousin whose entire family had been massacred.
Cheong, who had been shifting her weight to stand, awkwardly settled back into position. Damn it, why did the mood suddenly turn into a funeral?
“It is true. Rangrang no longer harbors any lingering attachment. The past is simply the past. Rangrang looks only toward a solid future.”
Jo Hak-cheo’s expression grew even more pained. Rangrang tilted her head.
“This is the utmost truth. Why do you not believe it? Ah, I understand. Is it because Rangrang has no expression? That is because after the extermination, my emotions ceased to connect with my facial muscles. It is not that I lack emotions entirely, so the lecherous bastard of the Jo clan may rest easy.”
Even without an expression, the phrase “lecherous bastard of the Jo clan” was already radiating intense displeasure. Jo Hak-cheo seemed to read it as well; his face relaxed into a bitter smile.
“Right. If you ever need help, come to the Jo family home anytime.”
“I require help even now. Rangrang intends to observe—no, to attend the Heavenly Flower Sword in order to repay the life-saving grace.”
“Huh? I don’t need—Hui-mae? What’s wrong?”
A soft, voluminous sensation suddenly wrapped around Cheong’s arm. Cheong stopped mid-sentence and turned her head. For some reason, Gyeon Po-hui’s face was right in front of her, gazing with desperate, pleading eyes.
Regardless, Rangrang continued speaking.
“There is no need to decline.”
“It’s not declining, I just don’t want to—who said you could—”
“I refuse your refusal. The Heavenly Flower Sword cannot compel Rangrang’s heart. Because Rangrang’s heart belongs to Rangrang.”
“Miss, where did a woman like you even come from?”
“Yeah. Where did a woman like you even come from?”
Gyeon Po-hui chimed in agreement. However, Rangrang’s expression remained completely unchanged.
“Very well. For that reason, Rangrang currently requires a large amount of money in order to enjoy her sole hobby—gastronomy. Brother Jo, please provide material assistance to Rangrang immediately.”
“You only call me brother when you need something. That hasn’t changed.”
“Hand it over quickly, lecherous bastard of the Jo clan.”
At that, Jo Hak-cheo pulled out a whole stack of promissory notes from his robes and offered it without hesitation.
“It should be around a hundred guan.”
The women clinging to both sides of Jo Hak-cheo gasped audibly. After all, they had just witnessed someone hand over a hundred guan of gold as casually as giving pocket money. Even Cheong looked at him with renewed respect. Well, I guess that’s why people say he’d be an admirable big brother if he didn’t chase every skirt in sight.
“Thank you. However, Rangrang will not visit the Jo clan. Past connections only cause Rangrang to recall unpleasant memories.”
“I see. That makes sense. Then I suppose I should disappear. Ladies, shall we go somewhere quiet and have a proper conversation?”
“Yes!”
“Sounds good!”
The two women’s eyes sparkled.
“Would the Lady Seomun also like to—”
“Brother Jo, do you want to get hit with a pig’s trotter again?”
Respect? Forget respect. Cheong sincerely hoped she would never have to see him again. As Jo left with the two women, still babbling about “next time,” Cheong grabbed a fistful of perfectly seasoned pig trotters and hurled them at the back of his head. The trotters flew in a graceful arc and embedded themselves neatly in Jo Hak-cheo’s hair. Receiving envious stares from every direction, Jo departed with the pig trotters now part of his hairstyle.
Once he was gone, the only one left was Rangrang, who had stealthily drawn closer again.
“Are you curious about Rangrang’s past? It is nothing special. The Ha-hu clan was exterminated for the crime of treason.”
“Ah.”
The Emperor again? Just what the hell is wrong with this country?
When Cheong’s face twisted, Rangrang shook her head.
“There is no need for sympathy. It is true that they were preparing treason.”
“Ah. So it really was like that.”
“The Ha-hu clan was exterminated because their power was insufficient. Had it been otherwise, the imperial family would have fallen. That is the whole story. Rangrang holds no resentment regarding this matter.”
“Ah. I see.”
Yeah… I have no idea what to say to that.
Rangrang spoke again.
“However, if you are willing to offer emotional support to such a Rangrang, I would like to inform you that the Heavenly Flower Sword’s undignified, filthy, and vulgar eating habits are providing this Rangrang with an unprecedented level of enjoyment. To think that a human’s eating scene could bring such great pleasure. Rangrang has gained great enlightenment.”
“I’m begging you, can you please just go away?”
“I am sorry. Rangrang does not wish to grant your request. I am sorry. That was a lie. In truth I am not sorry at all.”
“Ugh, seriously. Just go over there.”
Not long ago, an old man had set out on a long, winding journey—crossing mountains and rivers. It was a form of escape, so he had hurried, making the trip difficult for his aged body. Yet the old man was not lonely, for he had reliable children and cold-blooded beasts he raised like his own. The old man who kept many venomous snakes in his robes was called Sasa-ui Bo-yeol by the people of the Jianghu. He also had a newly taken disciple. The boy was a bit slow—teach him ten things and he might understand one—but he listened well. Since Bo-yeol hadn’t chosen him for talent in the first place, that was fine.
Having finally reached Hubei Province—Zigui!—the moment the Seol Clan Merchant Group’s estate appeared in the distance, Bo-yeol’s heart grew complicated.
They said it was a small merchant group, but it really is tiny. No, why would she introduce me to an actual small merchant group? That girl didn’t trick me again, did she?
He had come because Seomun Cheong had recommended it, but the merchant group’s estate was far too small. There was no way this could serve as a safe haven. Of course, merely staying in Hubei would make it difficult for the Evil Sect to reach him. There wasn’t much the Evil Sect could do in the territory of the Righteous Path. The real problem was the Righteous Path itself. Could this tiny little merchant group truly be a safe refuge from the grudges of the orthodox factions?
Still, the one in need was Bo-yeol. Even if it didn’t work out, invoking the name of the Heavenly Flower Sword might at least earn him a few coins. Even if I can’t eat well, I should at least prepare a nourishing meal for my children (the snakes). Having spent only one season in Guangxi, he had already forgotten how harsh the winters were in the Central Plains proper. Cold was the natural enemy of snakes, after all.
So he first told his disciple to settle their luggage at an inn, then headed toward the Seol Clan Merchant Group. But the closer he got… something felt off.
The men pulling carts, the porters carrying loads on their backs, even the woman pushing a vegetable cart—everyone kept glancing at him. It wasn’t covert observation. It was closer to a warning: We are openly watching you.
Every single laborer coming and going from the Seol Clan Merchant Group was, without bothering to hide it, a Peak realm expert. Here and there were even Transcendent experts, with the occasional First-class mixed in. This was no ordinary merchant group.
Bo-yeol swallowed nervously.
When he finally arrived at the main gate, the gatekeepers were also Peak experts.
“Greetings. May I ask what business brings you to our merchant group, elder?”
Bo-yeol spoke carefully.
“Is this the Seol Clan Merchant Group? I am the physician called Sasa-ui. I have some connection with the Heavenly Flower Sword—Seomun Cheong, that is—and she said I might be able to lend a hand, so she gave me an introduction.”
Suddenly the gatekeeper’s aura changed completely—for the better. The man’s face bloomed into a bright smile.
“Aigo, you were introduced by our young lady? You should have said so sooner! Please come inside. Oh my, isn’t the cold especially harsh this winter? May I ask whether you prefer warm tea or liquor?”
“Um, I enjoy tea.”
“Ah, perfect. We happen to have some excellent Luqing in stock. I will guide you to the main building where the association head is.”
Luqing was Hubei’s local specialty and the representative tea of the province. Like most regionally famous teas, it was extremely expensive. As a tea connoisseur, Bo-yeol unconsciously began to salivate and smile—right up until the moment—
“Hey, did you hear? It’s the young lady’s guest! Disperse!”
All at once, the countless people who had been passing by on the street in front of the merchant group scattered in every direction, each heading a different way. What made it even creepier was that every single one of them was grinning ear to ear.
A chill ran down Bo-yeol’s spine. The high-level experts disguised as workers had been a feint. The main force had been the “passersby,” standing at full alert with blades ready. Bo-yeol’s tension ratcheted up another level.
Just what… exactly what is this? Why had the Heavenly Flower Sword planted such a force right in the heart of the Righteous Path’s territory—practically under the nose of her own sect, the Sinnyeo Sect?