Chapter 131: Old Ties and New Ties Come Calling (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 131: Old Ties and New Ties Come Calling (2)
I was lost in thought as I emerged from the forest.
‘Fortunately, this will allow me to keep tabs on the Blood Witch’s Blood Gu. If she were to use her immense internal energy to kill the parasite, I would have no way of knowing and would be left completely vulnerable to her. But now, if the Blood Gu inside her dies, the one in this box will die as well. I can react without panicking. Thanks to Gan Cheon-seong, my biggest worry has vanished in an instant.’
“Hmph! What is the reason for your sudden trip out here?”
The Blood Witch, who had followed me at some point, glared at me with a frigid gaze.
Still, it wasn't as bad as when we first met. After I chased away the fools who had come seeking revenge against her, her coldness had thawed considerably. Even so, her resentment over being afflicted by the Blood Gu ran deep, and she snapped at me every time we spoke.
“Just taking a walk,” I replied with a smirk.
“Slippery bastard,” she muttered.
With the Blood Witch acting as my bodyguard, I strolled leisurely out of the forest as if I were merely enjoying the scenery.
From that day on, I developed a habit of occasionally opening the box to check on the parasite. Part of it was to feed the Gu, but the main reason was to ensure nothing had happened to the one inside the Blood Witch.
Having stayed at Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress for a month, I had fully adjusted to the comfortable life I had always craved.
‘This is exactly why I worked so hard to become a master.’
Occasionally, I would head to the training grounds to oversee the warriors' martial arts. Living as both a Guardian and a Training Instructor of Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress, I was enjoying a very peaceful existence.
Some might criticize me for not roaming the Murim to perform acts of heroism, but I truly loved this lifestyle.
Just as my life of leisure was reaching its peak, I headed toward a tavern with the Blood Wind Squad. I hadn't had much time to bond with them lately, and as the saying goes, there is no better way for men to solidify their brotherhood than over drinks.
I decided to spend a bit of the money I had saved up today.
“Where should we go?”
“Let’s go to the best tavern in town,” Poison Wolf Ibu suggested.
“No, no. Haven't you heard the saying about putting new wine in new wineskins? A new tavern opened recently, and I heard it’s excellent.”
“Aha, I see. You’re only saying that because you heard there are many beauties there, aren't you?”
“Exactly! I heard that ‘Night Candle’s Radiance’ is filled with lovely ladies.”
“That’s not all. Word is the tavern owner is a peerless beauty. They say anyone who sees her once can never forget her. Let’s go see her face for ourselves.”
Hearing that, I chose the tavern with the peculiar name: Night Candle’s Radiance. It wasn't because I believed the rumors about the owner being a peerless beauty, but because I liked the name—it suggested a candle shining in the dark.
Strangely, my heart fluttered whenever I heard the word 'candle.' I even remembered the lines involving candles from the Thousand Character Classic. The tavern’s name seemed to be derived from a phrase in that book: Eun-chok-wi-hwang (The silver candle shines with brilliant splendor).
“The name has a nice poetic ring to it. Let’s go there.”
At my word, everyone headed toward the establishment. The Blood Witch followed at a distance, looking thoroughly displeased.
When we arrived at Night Candle’s Radiance and pushed aside the beaded curtains to enter, the interior was surprisingly quiet. Since the drinks were expensive, it seemed the average patron couldn't afford to step foot inside.
“Whoa! It’s the Blood Wind Squad!”
The Blood Wind Squad was already well-known throughout Sichuan, and the people already drinking inside shouted as they saw us.
“Oh! It’s the New Dragon of Sichuan!”
Upon seeing me, the patrons stood up one after another and offered fist-and-palm salutes.
The woman who had been about to greet us hurried into the inner quarters. Soon, another woman emerged. Judging by her gait, she looked like someone who had been in this business for a long time. She was quite pretty, and the members of the Blood Wind Squad looked pleased.
“Ho! Now they’re finally treating us properly,” Poison Wolf Ibu said, rubbing his chin.
However, as the woman drew closer, I felt a sense of familiarity.
‘Who is she?’
As I stared intently at her, the woman approached with a bright smile, only to freeze in surprise when she saw me.
“Could it be?”
She stepped closer and peered into my face.
“It really is you, Young Master! When I heard the name ‘New Dragon of Sichuan,’ I thought it was just someone with the same name. But to think it’s actually you!”
The Blood Wind Squad looked on with puzzled expressions as the woman greeted me with such delight.
“And you are?” I asked.
The woman pouted slightly.
“Oh my. To think you’ve forgotten me after only a few years. It’s me, Wol Hwa.”
Gasp! Wol Hwa? Chun Mi and Wol Hwa were women I had met back when I was wandering between minor sects, just trying to secure a meal. I had happened upon a tavern and gotten to know them.
But these women were definitely from a shabby tavern in some county whose name I could barely recall. I had held them in my arms a few times, so there was no way I wouldn't recognize them. Among them, Wol Hwa was particularly memorable for her voluptuous figure.
Her chest was still as tight and full as ever.
“Oh! You haven't changed a bit. It’s been a long time.”
I felt a bit embarrassed to acknowledge our past intimacy in front of my subordinates, so I gave her a subtle wink. The quick-witted Wol Hwa smiled and replied.
“I knew you would be successful, Young Master, but I never imagined you would become such a great figure.”
Wol Hwa bowed politely and said, “Please follow me. I will lead you to a private annex.”
We followed her inside.
‘This is incredible. To think I’d run into Wol Hwa in a place like this. And doesn't she look like she’s in charge here? How did a girl who used to pour drinks in a run-down tavern become so successful?’
I chuckled to myself. Then again, my own rise to success was even more dramatic than hers. Everyone has their own story, after all.
Soon, the table in our room was laden with so much food and drink that the legs seemed ready to snap.
“Wow! This place really is different.”
“Right? Didn't you see the way that woman looked at our Squad Leader? It was like she was looking at her husband!”
“Our Leader really is a man of refined tastes!”
The men began to joke and drink merrily among themselves. However, feeling a bit uneasy, I only sipped the alcohol they poured for me.
Meanwhile, Wol Hwa headed straight for the deepest part of the tavern.
“Tavern Owner.”
“What is it?” a clear, elegant voice answered from inside the room.
“I have something to report.”
“Come in.”
Wol Hwa entered the room. Inside, a woman was painting a landscape in ink. Wol Hwa felt as if the woman painting was actually a figure who had stepped out of a masterpiece.
If Wol Hwa’s beauty was like a firefly, the Tavern Owner’s beauty was like the sun. It was enough to inspire awe rather than jealousy. One only feels jealous of those on a similar level; the Tavern Owner’s beauty transcended such comparisons.
“What is it? For you to come find me, it must be important,” the Tavern Owner asked without looking up.
“Eo Ja-seo, the New Dragon of Sichuan, has arrived at the tavern.”
At those words, the hand holding the brush froze over the rice paper. Ink dripped from the brush, ruining the carefully crafted landscape, but she didn't seem to care.
The Tavern Owner placed the brush on the inkstone and straightened her posture.
“Did he come alone?”
“No. He came with the Blood Wind Squad. It seems he’s just here to drink with them today. I don't think he knows anything.”
“Hmm, I suppose so. Very well. Attend to him well until I give further orders.”
“Yes, Tavern Owner.”
After Wol Hwa left, the Tavern Owner broke into a smile.
“Hoho, I knew we were fated. Candlelit Shadow Agent No. 4.”
Seol A-young muttered to herself, laughing loudly as if she were having the time of her life. A hint of mischief glinted in her pearl-black eyes.
*
We drank heartily for the first time in a long while. Drinking with beauties by my side without worrying about the bill was a luxury I was experiencing for the first time in my life.
I glanced at Jeok Yeong and the Twin Heroes of Guiyang beside me and smiled. While the rest of the Blood Wind Squad were gulping down alcohol like starved ghosts, the Twin Heroes of Guiyang barely touched their drinks, seemingly focused on their duty to protect me. Jeok Yeong didn't care much for alcohol either, only taking small sips of what I poured for him.
As time passed and he became somewhat tipsy, So Gu-chi spoke up.
“I heard the Silver Dragon has appeared again recently. Apparently, he’s only hunting down bandits.”
Sim Geol replied, “You heard that too? He’s already caught three famous bandits in Sichuan. Only the Shadowless Fighting Ghost is left. I wonder if the Silver Dragon can catch him.”
As So Gu-chi and Sim Geol brought up the Silver Dragon, the members of the Blood Wind Squad began to chime in with their own stories.
“But since the Silver Dragon only appears in Sichuan, he must be someone who can't leave the province. I bet he’s a master from one of the local Great Families.”
Po Zhongyin’s comment made Poison Wolf Ibu shake his head.
“From what I saw during my days as a vagabond, the Silver Dragon always appears to slaughter the villains who escape from the authorities. Based on that, he’s definitely a master from the government.”
It had been a while since I’d heard the name Silver Dragon.
He was one of the Four Dragons of Sichuan and was originally called the Hidden Dragon of Sichuan. Because his identity was unknown and he was shrouded in mystery, he was given the title 'Hidden Dragon' (Eun-ryong). However, because he always appeared wearing a silver mask, the 'Hidden' (Eun) in his name eventually changed to 'Silver' (Eun).
In fact, the Silver Dragon was the most famous among the Four Dragons of Sichuan. Because he performed acts of chivalry in secret, gossips had invented many rumors about him. He was also highly skilled and had executed many notorious villains, making him particularly popular among children. The fact that gray-painted masks mimicking his silver one were sold in markets showed just how famous he was.
I also suspected, like Poison Wolf, that the Silver Dragon was a government master. Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to specifically target only the villains who had slipped through the authorities' fingers.
While we were debating the Silver Dragon’s identity, Wol Hwa’s voice came from outside the door.
“Young Hero Eo, may I see you for a moment?”
The attention of everyone in the room shifted to me.
“What is it?” I asked.
Wol Hwa replied softly, “The Tavern Owner wishes to see you. Could you spare a moment?”
As I hesitated, not particularly inclined to go, the Blood Wind Squad began to clamor.
“Leader! Go see the Tavern Owner, who’s rumored to be the most beautiful woman in Sichuan, and tell us all about it!”
Smiling Face Sword asked Wol Hwa, “I heard the Tavern Owner has never personally invited a guest before. Not even powerful officials or famous warriors have been summoned by her. Why is she calling our Leader?”
“How could the New Dragon of Sichuan be compared to anyone else?”
At Wol Hwa’s flirtatious response, Smiling Face Sword laughed heartily.
“Indeed! Our Leader is different!”
Practically pushed by the Blood Wind Squad, I followed Wol Hwa out. In truth, I wasn't that curious about beauties, but I was curious about the owner of such a successful tavern. It never hurt to be on good terms with a tavern owner.
As Wol Hwa led me toward the owner’s quarters, I asked, “So, how did you end up working here?”
Wol Hwa gave me a bright smile; she truly seemed happy to see me.
“I heard they were hiring women to work at the tavern, so I came. The pay was good, and I caught the Tavern Owner’s eye, so now I manage the place. But you haven't changed at all, sir.”
I smirked. “Is that so?”
“If anything has changed, it’s that you used to call me ‘Hwa-mae,’ but now you speak to me so formally. It makes me a little sad.”
Wol Hwa’s expression stiffened for a moment as she looked at Chu Bong-hwa, who was following me.
“Who is this lady?”
“Ah, she’s my bodyguard.”
I didn't have a better explanation, so I just made something up.
“A female bodyguard?” Wol Hwa seemed surprised.
“She’s a much greater master than I am.”
“Really? She’s so beautiful that it’s hard to imagine her as a bodyguard.”
As she looked on suspiciously, I added, “She is far stronger than me. I wouldn't be able to last a single move against her.”
Wol Hwa seemed to take my words as a joke, but she continued to keep a close eye on Chu Bong-hwa.