Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Bombshell Statement
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'He's really going. This mad bastard.'
Han Ibi let out heavy sighs from atop his horse.
The journey was tough enough already...
Despite Han Ibi and Yeo Nan-ju coaxing, soothing, and even threatening him...
His determination to stop by Hubei Province wouldn't budge an inch.
'Fine. Your shit's thick.'
Han Ibi had given up everything to follow along, but with time dragging on, the sighs were inevitable.
On top of that, listening to Yeo Nan-ju's constant chatter was pure torment.
She tried sharing all sorts of stories with Jong Ri-hyeok, the man she adored so much,
but it was all met with ironclad defense.
She seemed to have made picking fights with Han Ibi her sole joy to stave off the boredom.
'Aigoo. Talking to you, it's no wonder you didn't become the main heroine. With no tact like this...'
In contrast, So Eun-ri was the epitome of silence.
Looking at the taciturn Jong Ri-hyeok and So Eun-ri marching on in quiet, they truly seemed like a match made in heaven.
'This'll tank the novel. That's fitting for classic wuxia, not modern stuff. These days, you need some spice, something to break the mold to hit big.'
Of course, it was ironic coming from a failed web novel aspirant like himself...
Still, whether in entertainment or content creation, no one—not even a daughter-in-law—could predict what would trend these days.
Anyway, they pressed on diligently.
Fortunately, the bad weather held off.
After about half a day, decent-sized, proper inns started appearing.
Yeo Nan-ju practically jumped for joy.
"I thought I'd suffocate to death from my own stench. This is a relief. They even have bathwater here."
No one said it, but everyone was inwardly thrilled for the same reason.
Jong Ri-hyeok, managing the travel funds from the Qingcheng Sect, splurged a bit today on new clothes.
Yeo Nan-ju had her flaws galore, but if you forced yourself to look, she had merits too.
Namely, her 'affability.'
She utterly ignored the weak, of course, but with peers or superiors, she was charming as could be.
If she'd joined a big corporation, she'd have been an executive easy.
Thanks to her schmoozing, perhaps,
they decided to let loose at the inn tonight, forgetting all hardships.
Even the stoic Jong Ri-hyeok and So Eun-ri didn't object this time.
Han Ibi was dying for a beer.
But given the place, just getting to taste liquor felt like a blessing.
Han Ibi and Jong Ri-hyeok finished bathing quickly and sat in the inn's first-floor hall, waiting for the women.
Han Ibi said,
"Man... women take forever no matter what. It's real hardship."
Jong Ri-hyeok seemed to smirk faintly.
Emboldened, Han Ibi kept chattering.
"Gotta do makeup... dressing's so complicated... Huh? Speak of the tiger. Here they come."
They watched the women descending from the inn's second floor.
Their hair, still damp and fresh, swayed as they walked.
Though dressed in the neutral, lightweight outfits Jong Ri-hyeok had bought, the women post-bath exuded an inexplicable allure.
Han Ibi thought,
'As expected... protagonists are protagonists. Such small heads...'
He glanced at Jong Ri-hyeok beside him.
'This guy's got a tiny noggin too... Did people like this really exist in ancient China?'
Whereas he himself...
His face wasn't ugly, but the frail, sickly vibe—like some mystery illness—gave off a weird impression, it was true.
'Damn it. One bad fruit... no, absorbing it ruined me. I was pretty decent before...'
Han Ibi said,
"Bro. Those girls must be beauties around here. Look, all the inn guys are drooling and staring."
Sure enough, every eye in the inn—men and women alike—locked on them.
Men with 'wolfish gazes'...
Women with 'jealous glares'...
Piiiik.
Rowdy groups even whistled.
Yeo Nan-ju flicked her earlobe up, clearly relishing the attention.
But So Eun-ri still dripped icy coldness.
Thud.
The two women sat at Han Ibi and Jong Ri-hyeok's table.
Seeing the men in their group, most wolves backed off and nursed their drinks.
And why not...
With a handsome guy like Jong Ri-hyeok, who could compete...
Then whispers reached Han Ibi's ears.
"One guy's drop-dead gorgeous... but the other? Looks like he never saw sunlight, all pallid... a servant?"
"Must be. Look at that noble-looking guy. He'd travel without a servant?"
"Ah! Yeah, makes sense."
His blood boiled!
Han Ibi nearly jumped up yelling he wasn't a servant.
But... he swallowed it down hard.
Like packing century-old rice...
Anyway, he had to prevent any unexpected incidents.
In wuxia novels, inns were cliché spots for conflicts.
Caution upon caution.
This plot was derailed enough already.
Then Yeo Nan-ju spoke.
"Senior Brother. Let's eat something tasty. My stomach's stuck to my back."
Jong Ri-hyeok shook his head stubbornly.
"Clothes cost more than expected. Let's keep it simple today."
Yeo Nan-ju made a pouty little-sister face.
"Aw, come on. It's been ages since we feasted. I'll pay today."
Without waiting for his reply, she ordered the priciest dishes from the waiter.
Come to think of it, she was from a wealthy family.
Rich folks were different. A twinge of envy.
Jong Ri-hyeok let it slide.
Yeo Nan-ju even ordered baijiu.
Seeing it, Han Ibi thought of his master, feeling a bit down.
He tossed the potent baijiu into his mouth.
Heat surged from his gut.
The others downed a few shots with beef dishes.
Not gourmet, but perfect drinking food.
Then, cheeks flushed, Yeo Nan-ju said,
"Sister. Got anyone you like?"
Whoa.
Bombshell.
Everyone froze solid.
Even ice queen So Eun-ri blushed faintly.
Yeo Nan-ju pressed,
"Knew it. Why no answer? Not from Qingcheng Sect, right?"
Her tongue was slurring—she was pretty drunk.
So Eun-ri finally snapped,
"What nonsense. We're on our way to..."
"I know. I know. Heading to the Martial Alliance on urgent business. But..."
Yeo Nan-ju sobered her face and continued,
"...he's not here with us, is he?"
Everyone flinched.
This girl... way too drunk!
Neck red from booze or talk, So Eun-ri hurriedly said,
"You're too drunk. We should head up and rest."
Jong Ri-hyeok's voice held real anger.
"What the hell? You're drunk—everyone, let's call it and rest."
"Hey... it was a joke. A joke. Why freak out so much? Unless... kekekeke."
Yeo Nan-ju laughed uproariously, then whipped her head to So Eun-ri.
"Senior Brother Jong Ri is mine, so don't even think about it."
Jong Ri-hyeok shot up, face beet-red.
"Junior Sister Yeo! You'll only straighten up after a beating!"
His shout drew every eye in the inn, wondering what happened.
'Aigoo... why's embarrassment always my lot.'
Han Ibi jumped up to smooth things over.
"Alright, alright. Thanks to Miss Yeo, we ate well today. Long road ahead, so let's head in. Gotta ride at dawn to deliver news to Yeo Pioneer Escort Agency."
Jong Ri-hyeok nearly flared again but stopped at that.
Han Ibi was right.
With the escort agency's people possibly in peril, fooling around here was improper.
'Knew that straight-laced guy would bite on that.'
Han Ibi wrapped it up and led the group to their rooms.
"Miss So. Miss Yeo's pretty wasted—take care of her."
So Eun-ri just nodded lightly.
She seemed embarrassed about earlier.
Well, in a way, good thing.
Story had to follow the story.
Fated connections would connect somehow.
But that tiny emptiness in his heart...
Probably just missing his late master Song Myeong-cheon, he guessed alone.
Was it just water under the bridge?
Or too embarrassed to speak?
The four rode out before dawn, but no one spoke.
Yeo Nan-ju looked especially sheepish.
Han Ibi thought,
'Guess she has a shred of conscience.'
The detour through Hubei was longer but not a huge bypass.
Maybe two and a half to three days extra.
After riding hard, they finally reached Hubei Province.
Han Ibi said,
"Hubei's nothing special. Just people living their lives."
Yeo Nan-ju replied,
"What'd you expect? All places with people are the same."
"Miss Yeo talks like you've been here before."
"Do you need to visit to know?"
While they bantered nonsense, Jong Ri-hyeok asked locals for Yeo Pioneer Escort Agency directions.
Its reputation was solid—no trouble finding it.
They hurried there.
- Yeo Pioneer Escort Agency (輿先鏢局)
Four bold characters on the signboard.
Old but vigorous calligraphy.
The four dismounted, gripping reins.
Jong Ri-hyeok eyed Han Ibi.
Meaning: announce presence.
'Tch. Acts clueless other times, but milks the big brother treatment.'
Grumbling inwardly, Han Ibi boomed,
"Anybody ho— Wait, no. Anyone home?"
He added a modern knock just in case.
No response.
Han Ibi tried again,
"Is no one here?"
Still nothing.
He asked Jong Ri-hyeok,
"What now, bro?"
Jong Ri-hyeok frowned, pondering.
Tsk.
My fault for expecting from that straight arrow.
Han Ibi looked up,
"Rich folks sure got high walls."
Made bank in the escort biz, huh.
Then Yeo Nan-ju said,
"I'll hop over."
Jong Ri-hyeok quickly,
"No. We're from a righteous sect..."
"Bro... emergency times, remember."
Yeo Nan-ju chimed in,
"Right. No time to waste."
She leaped toward Han Ibi's shoulder.
'Huh? Stepping on me?'
A bit annoyed, Han Ibi dodged then changed mind, cupping hands to boost her.
Yeo Nan-ju startled,
"What're you— Whoa!"
He launched her sky-high.
Partly to mess with her.
But her lightness skill was impressive.
Three midair flips, then over the wall easy.
Then silence.
'No landing sound? Something wrong?'
As Han Ibi leaned to listen at the gate,
Clank.
"Eek."
Han Ibi startled back.
(To be continued in the next chapter)