Shadows of the One-Eyed Gold Ghost
Ten days had passed since I started living with Hong Yeonhwa.
I had a reason to head down to the village.
"Rice is gone."
Even up here on the mountainside, I could handle most things somehow. Sure, chopping firewood, hunting animals, and hauling water was a pain in the ass. But ever since learning martial arts, my body had gotten tougher, so it wasn't that bad anymore. And doing it every day made it routine.
Still, there were some things I absolutely couldn't solve on the mountain. Rice was one of them. Unless I planned to farm it myself, I had to go down to the village below to buy it. Luckily, I had plenty of money. Plus, there was what Master had stashed away from his younger days, some awkwardly processed hides, and extra firewood. I sold those periodically to buy essentials... and now was the time.
I scraped the last of the rice into a big bowl of packed rice balls, and Hong Yeonhwa greeted me with a beaming smile.
"Ooh! More than usual! And even the meat this lady loves! What luxury for breakfast!"
At first, I thought it was because she'd passed out for days after waking up, but no—Hong Yeonhwa was just a glutton. She bounced around excitedly, clearing space on the table. In the process, her ample chest made its passionate case, and I watched with a pleased gaze before hurriedly schooling my expression.
With a stern, dignified, serious face, I set the table down and said,
"This is the last meal."
"...?"
Hong Yeonhwa, who had been humming a tune, tilted her head like she couldn't comprehend what she'd heard. That made me want to tease her a bit.
"Exactly what I said. The rice is all gone. We're gonna starve from now on. Not only did we gain an extra mouth, but it eats a ton too."
"Wh-what? Did this lady eat too much...?"
She made a face like a scholar who'd just spotted a platypus for the first time—pure shock. Then, in a gloomy voice, she said,
"Th-this lady has no appetite today. You eat her share too. ...And from now on, she won't even ask for meat."
Hong Yeonhwa squeezed her eyes shut tight, trembling. Uh... what was with that heroic resolve? I'd only meant to tease her a little, but it worked too well. I panicked a bit at her flustered state.
"Th-that... was a joke. The rice is gone, yeah, but we won't starve. I'll buy more in the village today."
"Is that so...? What a relief!"
I'd expected her to get mad like, How dare you trick this lady! But seeing her genuinely relieved stabbed at my conscience. No more food-related pranks on Hong Yeonhwa.
Anyway, I'd have to go to the village alone, right? It was still too soon to bring her. Her body had improved a lot, but her mind was still the same. Of course, I couldn't hide the truth forever.
"Let's see... rice, and what else are we out of?"
Might as well stock up on other necessities while I was at it. I rummaged through the house, mentally compiling a list. Finally, I loaded up a jiggly frame with hides and firewood, grabbed my money pouch, and headed out.
By now, Hong Yeonhwa was probably meditating or napping in her room. I'd mentioned going to the village over breakfast, so no need to disturb her—just slip out quietly.
Creeping across the yard for that reason, I heard a sudden clunk.
The door flew open, and Hong Yeonhwa poked her head out.
"You're heading out?"
"Yeah. Can't really starve, after all."
She came out silently, trotted right up to me, and straightened my clothes.
"Come back safe."
"...I'll be back."
Stunned by her unexpected send-off, I nodded dumbly and set off. After a few steps, I glanced back to see her waving vigorously with one arm. I couldn't help but chuckle.
Maybe living alone after Master died had made me lonely. It was nothing big, but... it felt surprisingly good. I waved back at Hong Yeonhwa and descended the mountain path.
Soon, I reached the village. Still smiling from the lingering warmth, I headed deeper in—only for someone to block my path.
"Hold up. Don't recognize your face..."
His tone dripped with suspicion. He had a sword at his waist, but his clothes were plain—not imperial troops, probably a martial artist. Around my level, maybe? My senses weren't that sharp, but I could get a rough read.
"I'm a Grade 1 warrior of the White Tiger Unit under the Murim Alliance. Mind sharing your identity and purpose here?"
The White Tiger Unit was one of the Murim Alliance's four elite forces. They operated mainly in this Hebei region. A Grade 1 meant first-rate realm.
Looking closer, his sleeve bore the character for "martial." Probably on his back too—that was the Murim Alliance symbol. But why was an Alliance warrior here? This was new; I'd never dealt with this before. Since when did they check travelers?
I stared blankly, and he gripped his sword hilt, his voice sharpening.
"I'll ask again. Where are you from, and what's your business here?"
He looked ready to draw steel. No plans to tangle with the Alliance, so I opened my mouth to explain—
"Huh? Oh dear! Sir warrior, that guy's no suspicious character!"
Right on cue, a chubby middle-aged man passing by—Hwang Daeung, who ran the village inn—rushed over, desperately intervening.
"This kid lost his parents young and lives up on the mountain! He comes down now and then to sell hides and firewood—probably here for that today!"
I smartly turned, showing off the load on my frame.
"Hunter's hides look rough. And too strong for a woodcutter. ...But he has come to the village regularly before. Heard about him from locals multiple times, even if I don't know his name."
The man muttered, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and stepped aside.
"Sorry for the trouble, young hero. With the bad rumors lately, we're tightening security around here—blocking paths like this."
"No problem. But what rumors have the Murim Alliance stepping up like this?"
"Hm... You've heard about the Fengyu Merchant Group massacre, right?"
"Yeah."
I flinched, thinking of Hong Yeonhwa waiting at home.
"Intel says Cheok An Geum Gwi, the culprit, was sighted nearby. Orders from above to catch him this time, so we're scrutinizing outsiders. He slipped our net before without checking villages—must have accomplices."
"Whoa..."
Why was Cheok An Geum Gwi popping up here?
"The White Tiger Unit leader's taking charge personally, so we'll nab him easy once we find him... but he might slip away again. Anyway, the innkeeper and others vouch for you. Go on in."
I didn't know who the White Tiger leader was, but if he said that, she must outclass Cheok An Geum Gwi. I bowed politely and entered the village. Beside me, Hwang Daeung watched anxiously.
Back when I was a kid in this world, before losing my parents here and meeting Master. Wandering villages, doing odd jobs for a meal—he always slipped me a dumpling. If not for Master, I might've ended up as his errand boy.
"Aigoo, Sochan. Bad timing. No trouble?"
"All good. How's the inn, Uncle Hwang? Sounds like Cheok An Geum Gwi's back."
"Eh? I'm fine. Not prosperous enough for him to target."
We walked, chatting casually. I got more details that way.
The rumors of Cheok An Geum Gwi resurfacing stemmed from after the Fengyu massacre. Their rapid growth came from luckily finding a Millennium Flower Carp. They sold its inner core for capital... but word was, the leader found two. They requested Alliance guards but paid most savings upfront, banking on the hidden one.
The second carp was baseless gossip, but thinking it over, not total bullshit. Even without another carp, something must've let them spend so freely. Problem was, Cheok An Geum Gwi might think the same.
Maybe that's why he shook the Alliance pursuit and looped back here. Greedy bastard obsessed with profit—fits.
A bad premonition hit me. If he was hunting Fengyu's hidden something... he might sniff out Hong Yeonhwa.
He didn't kill for fun—didn't profit. But if it smelled like money, he'd slaughter without hesitation. Or torture for the treasure. Either way, not the time to worry about her head. Bring her down now, get Alliance protection. With the White Tiger leader coming, a few days' holdout should work.
I dumped the firewood and hides on Hwang Daeung.
"Take this, Uncle Hwang."
"What's this all of a sudden?"
"Emergency—gotta run now. Tell the Alliance warriors I'm fetching a Fengyu survivor!"
"What? Survivor? Hey! Sochan!"
I bolted, ignoring his stunned shout.
Body lighter and inner energy boosting me, I got home way faster than the descent. Panting, I crossed the yard; sensing me, Hong Yeonhwa opened the door and tilted her head.
"Back already? But no purchases... and you look chased. What happened?"
"No time now. I'll explain on the way—let's get to the village fast."
I strode up, grabbed her hand, and yanked her along roughly. As we turned—
In the distance, on the mountain path, my eyes met a man's.
...A man with one eye covered by an eyepatch.
Fuck.