Chapter 44: Encountering the Blood Lama (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 44: Encountering the Blood Lama (1)
Hwang Chu, who hadn't said a word during our entire journey, finally spoke as he looked at me.
"You earn money so effortlessly. I truly admire that."
He looked up at me with genuine respect.
There was a time when I, too, found it incredibly difficult to earn even a single penny. But once people started believing I had power, money began to flow in on its own.
Money loves those with power—whether that power is real or fake.
"It’s only hard for you because you are weak."
Hwang Chu’s eyes widened at my blunt remark. Regardless of his reaction, I hopped onto my horse, humming a tune.
As we drew closer to Sinryong, the members of the Demon Subjugation Group, who had been in high spirits, began to look grim. Two days had passed since we escorted the moneylender’s family to another village and resumed our hurried pace. A heavy tension hung in the air, born from the realization that we might soon face true masters, and our conversations grew sparse.
It’ll be trouble if we head straight to Seong Estate like this. Isn't there some way to slip away?
Just then, a small village came into view. Thinking this was a perfect opportunity, I spoke up.
"Let’s take a short break."
Until then, Ye Woon and the Sword Palace Squad had been looking quite dejected. After training their lives away, they had nearly died in actual combat and had to be rescued by "small fries" like us. It was only natural they felt hollow and pathetic.
However, they had to overcome this psychological hurdle to become a stronger Sword Palace Squad and transform into true masters. Since meeting the Blood Lama or going to Seong Estate in this gloomy atmosphere wouldn't do us any favors, I decided we would rest in the village for two shijin [four hours].
It was more of a hamlet than a village. There were only about ten dilapidated houses in sight. It was a settlement of slash-and-burn farmers who made their living by clearing the nearby hillsides with fire. We entered the hamlet because the horses needed rest, water, and hay, but I quickly realized we might have come to the wrong place.
The Twin Heroes of Guiyang called out to a passing elderly man.
"Old man, would you happen to have any hay for the horses?"
The old man didn't even straighten his hunched back as he mumbled his reply.
"How could we have such a thing here? If you're looking for grass, there’s a stream and a patch of green over that ridge. Feed them there."
Fortunately, such a place existed, so we could give the horses some relief.
"Let’s rest here for a while."
As I dismounted, Ye Woon spoke up.
"Why don't we just push through? If we delay here, we might lose another whole day."
Why is this guy so anxious?
He seemed desperate to achieve some military merit through combat, but he didn't realize that things weren't that simple.
"We need rest, but so do these horses. If we don't, they’ll all collapse on the road."
When I spoke coldly, Ye Woon didn't dare utter another word and followed my lead. Ever since the incident with the bandits, his spirit had been broken by me, so he didn't push back much. I felt a bit sorry for him, but he was easy to control this way, so I didn't bother offering any words of comfort.
"I don't see any young people in this hamlet," I remarked.
The old man replied dejectedly, "Why would the young ones stay in a place like this? There’s nothing to eat but scraps of potatoes and corn. They’ve all gone to the large prefectures to earn money."
The old man held a hoe in his hand. To the left of the village, there was a blackened, scorched field where a few other elderly people were tilling the soil. Whether in the past or the present, if you don't have money, you have to work yourself to the bone even in old age. Seeing that, I reminded myself to save up and plan well for my retirement.
Then, a thought struck me. If I helped these farmers, I could stall for a day or two. The Murim Alliance was urging us to get to Seong Estate quickly, which meant a clash with the Blood Lama was imminent. I figured I could avoid it this way.
"While the horses are resting, why don't we help till the fields for these farmers?"
Ye Woon immediately objected.
"We don't have time for that, Young Hero Eo."
I had already prepared a rebuttal for exactly this response.
"Why did we leave Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress in the first place?"
"To eliminate the Blood Lama," Ye Woon answered without hesitation.
"Exactly. But why are we trying to eliminate the Blood Lama? For what purpose? Is it for ourselves? Or is it for chivalry? Why are we risking our lives for something we could just ignore?"
"That... that is..."
He was at a loss for words. It was a fundamental, theoretical question.
"Isn't it for the sake of the powerless? We stepped up because innocent people are dying, didn't we?"
"T-That’s true."
"Then what about helping these people here? Is that chivalry or not?"
Even if it wasn't "grand" chivalry, helping those in need was a natural duty for a warrior. Knowing this, Ye Woon had no other way to respond.
"I believe helping these people right now is more chivalrous than killing Blood Lamas."
No one could argue against my forced logic. When someone claims something is an act of chivalry, who would dare call it an injustice? This was exactly why I held the position of Acting Squad Leader—to use it at times like this.
"Fine. Let’s help them quickly and then leave."
If you think we can finish all that in one morning, I’ll change my damn name.
I gave a faint smile and nodded.
Tilling a scorched field in the middle of the day under the scorching sun was pure agony.
"You should eat something before you continue. I’ll go boil some potatoes," one of the old men said.
I immediately stood up.
"Please, stay and rest, old man. I’ll go boil the potatoes myself."
I couldn't pass up this golden opportunity to escape the field.
"The potatoes are in a basket in the kitchen, and there’s some takju [rice wine] in the jar. Bring that out too."
I stripped off my upper garment because of the heat and headed toward the house. I gave the potatoes a quick wash at the well and went into the kitchen.
Suddenly, I saw someone approaching from a distance. Their stride was vigorous; they definitely weren't the elderly villagers.
Are there young people here after all?
But as they got closer, I noticed something strange. Their heads were shaved and glistening in the sunlight, and they were wearing red clothing.
Those clothes are odd. It looks less like a garment and more like something draped over them.
As I got closer to the three individuals, the reality of the situation dawned on me.
Gasp! Why are those bastards here?
They were Blood Lamas draped in red kasayas.
I was so shocked I nearly dropped the basket. By the time I recognized them, they were within ten zhang [approx. 30 meters], and I had already lost my chance to run. If I suddenly turned and fled, it would arouse suspicion, so I tried to maintain a nonchalant expression, pretending to be a local youth.
However, my legs were shaking like those of a newborn calf.
"What brings you monks to a place like this?"
I tried to put on the most innocent, rustic smile possible. At first, they were wary, but seeing me as just a simple country bumpkin, they lowered their guard.
They looked at my basket and asked bluntly, "What is that?"
"This? Can't you tell by looking? They're potatoes, sir."
I spoke like a simpleton, acting as foolish as possible.
"Good. We came to this hamlet because we were hungry, and it seems there’s food after all. Boil more than just those. We need to take some with us."
"But... we were going to eat these as a snack..."
One of them raised his hand menacingly.
"What nonsense is this! Do you want to die?"
His palm turned a deep red. I recognized it immediately as the martial art of the Blood Lamas. I shrank back, acting terrified, and stammered.
"Oh! My apologies, sir! I’ll boil them for you right away. Please wait here for a moment. I’ll go get more potatoes from the field."
The potatoes were actually in the kitchen, but a thought suddenly occurred to me. I told them I was going to get more and headed back toward the field. Believing I was truly a youth from the village, they let me go without suspicion.
By the way, the rumors were true—the Blood Lamas of the Blood Thunder Temple had all learned the language of the Central Plains and could speak like natives.
I hurried up to the field and looked for the Seven Cats first. I decided that the fact that the Blood Lamas were in the village had to remain a secret for now. The Sword Palace Squad, who still lacked real combat experience, struggled even against ordinary warriors; they would be completely overwhelmed by these monsters.
Even for our Demon Subjugation Group, killing the Blood Lamas would be a tall order. Yet, waiting for them to leave the village was also foolish. If they happened to run into the rest of the group, a fight would inevitably break out.
To prepare for a fight, I needed to weaken them first. That was why I sought out the Seven Cats.
"What is it, Master?"
At my call, Il Myo approached with a pickaxe over his shoulder. He had been faithfully following my instructions and working hard in the field.
"Do you guys have any energy-dissipating poison or anything like that?"
"Huh? Why so suddenly?"
"Just answer the question. Do you have it or not?"
"We don't."
"What? Didn't you guys used to carry poisons and energy-dissipating toxins all the time?"
Il Myo scratched his head and replied, "That was before we met you, Master. But after meeting you and choosing to pursue true chivalry, we threw away all those cowardly things. We didn't want to tarnish your glorious name with such methods."
You idiot!
Those things wouldn't tarnish my name at all! If you're a "small fry," live like one! Are you trying to act like high-level masters too? What kind of "frozen-to-death" chivalry is this when our lives are on the line?
"Fine. Go back to tilling the field."
Leaving a bewildered Il Myo behind, I headed for my own bundle.
I guess I have no choice. I’ll have to use that. Energy-dissipating poison would have been better, but I’ll have to substitute it with the laxatives I’ve been keeping as a secret trump card. That should be enough to lower their combat effectiveness.
I pulled a small cotton pouch from my bundle. With it in hand, I returned to where the monks were waiting.
"What about the potatoes? Why are your hands empty?"
They were clearly hungry and growing irritable.
"There were no fresh potatoes in the storage. I’ll just boil the ones left in the kitchen for you."
When I spoke with a terrified expression, they calmed down slightly. Seeing them radiate such murderous intent toward a commoner, it was clear they wouldn't hesitate to kill on a whim.
As I boiled the potatoes, I added the laxatives. I also poured a generous amount into the jar of takju.
This will drain them right down to their intestines.
This was a medicine I always kept ready during my days as a "small fry" to escape dangerous situations. I never imagined it would be this useful. It really pays to be prepared for anything.
"Eating just potatoes might give you indigestion, so please have some takju as well."
The Blood Lamas lowered their guard slightly at my hospitality and even chuckled.
"This kid finally knows how to treat his guests."
They moved to the shade and began devouring the potatoes and wine.
"Please eat while I boil the rest for you to take."
But just then, Ye Woon and the Sword Palace Squad, who had been working in the field, began heading down toward the village.
Uh-oh. This is bad. They need to eat enough of the potatoes and wine for the laxatives to kick in. If a fight starts before then, we’re the ones who’ll get slaughtered.
I quickly dashed out of the kitchen and ran toward Ye Woon.