Chapter 26
Chapter 26
How long has it been, really..." Thanks to my youthful reversal of aging, I still looked young enough to pass for it on the surface. No one would glance at someone young and think, 'Could this be a rejuvenated master?' "...
Does 'young sir' bother you? I can use something else if—" "No, no. Young sir is fine." No woman hated being seen as youthful. And there was no reason to refuse it anyway. "Ah, you asked where I'm going? I've got someone to find in Anhui, so I'm hitching a ride like this. It's not urgent, so stopping in Henan for business on the way is fine." "Oh, our schedules overlap then. I'm not looking for anyone specific, though." It was pure coincidence. Who knew I'd run into someone like this just by hitching a ride on a random carriage? "Since we're here, why not travel together all the way to Anhui? I've only ever lived in the mountains and Shaanxi, so I don't know much about the wider world." Faceless Golden Ghost extended a hand toward me. Oddly, for his shady vibe, it was smaller than expected. 'Was it always this small?' Last time he came for a reading, it had felt average. But up close like this, something seemed off. Maybe it was some mystical sorcery, just like how his face stayed hidden. "I don't mind, but it's been ages since I've been to Henan or Anhui, so I can't promise to guide you properly." "Haha, that's fine. Better than a total newbie." When someone offers a handshake, you return it—that's manners. His hand felt soft and delicate, unlike his appearance. I hadn't noticed last time when I sent qi through to check his body. "Sir Taoists! We're off!" -Rumble! The carriage lurched into motion. . . . No matter how you sliced it, the Central Plains weren't small enough to reach your destination without camping at least once, even in a carriage. "Aigoo, this guy's nothing like he looks—he's a total boozehound!" "What do you mean 'nothing like he looks'? You can't even see his face." "Still, a guy has an aura, you know." "Grrrugh—!" As night deepened and they set up camp, the drinking party was in full swing. Faceless Golden Ghost must have been a social butterfly, because he'd already wormed his way into the merchants' circle and was betting drinks left and right. "...
Hmph." Naturally, I stayed well away from the booze, just picking at the food. As a Taoist, one should avoid alcohol. This realm of mine wouldn't get drunk from drink anymore, but habits and principles built over time were hard to shake. "Aigoo, at this rate, we'll sell out our booze before we even get to unload it. Should've brought more." That said, I didn't mind others drinking. I'm the one who avoids it, that's all. Still... "This booze tastes great! Bring more!" 'Isn't he drinking a bit too much...?' He wasn't a real Taoist, but as someone who handled heavenly secrets, getting lost in drink like that wasn't a good look. And since he'd introduced himself as my companion—and we both wore Bloodstained Cloaks, no less—what did that make me look like? "I've got plenty of money! You could even crack open that whole barrel over there..." ...
This wouldn't do. I quietly rose and approached Faceless Golden Ghost from behind. -Grab. "Just that one last cup." "..." The lively drinking atmosphere among the merchants went dead silent in an instant. I couldn't see his face, but I could feel his cloak slump in dejection. "C-Can I just have one more...?" "No." He hung his head low, swirling the half-empty cup. "Looks young, but he's henpecked." "Tsk tsk... A real man would show some spirit." "I saw that sword aura she used earlier. Even at a glance, it seemed higher than first-rate." "...
A man's way is to heed his lady's words." They'd gotten the wrong idea, and it rubbed them the wrong way. I had no interest in men to begin with, and even if I did, one obsessed with booze like this? Hard pass. "We're just casual acquaintances. Nothing like that." I addressed the merchants who were furrowing their brows and whispering my way. "Ahem... Sorry about that." "M-My apologies..." "...
Mind yourselves from now on." I swatted away his hand sneaking toward another bottle and pulled him back. We clearly needed to have a talk.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I wasn't thrilled about being dragged out by a woman right when the mood was heating up, but I didn't dare complain. From what I'd overheard, she was at least peak realm. 'Stronger than Dang Ayoung, huh.' No way I could mouth off to someone like that. 'No wonder her calluses were no joke.' Who knew she was peak realm. Judging by the youthful look peeking from under her Bloodstained Cloak, she didn't seem much older than Dang Ayoung either. Impressive. I'd thought Dang Ayoung was the strongest of her age group, but the world was vast indeed. 'Her speech doesn't sound like a twenty-something's, though.' Eh, speech patterns don't mean much in this world. I just figured she was quirky.
"...
Are you even listening properly?" "O-Of course!" "Sigh... Look, even if you're not a true cultivator of the Dao, as someone who handles heavenly secrets, drowning yourself in booze like that doesn't look good from a Taoist's perspective—" If I'd known it'd be like this, I should've waited for another carriage, even if it took longer. Cut back on booze? Fine, cut my lifespan instead—booze is non-negotiable. 'Sigh...' How could I sway this woman who looked twenty-something but acted so straitlaced? I'd already suggested traveling together to Anhui. Backing out now would make the rest of the trip awkward. 'Something she can't refute... What excuse would stick?' I needed words that left no room for counterargument, no matter what I said. 'Ah.' Got it. "...
Truth is, I don't drink because I enjoy it. There's a reason behind it all." "...
What is it?" She asked with an incredulous look, like she'd hear me out but wasn't buying it yet. By the way, she was quite the looker. If even my eyes—used to Master's beauty—found her pretty, she had to be top 0.1% by normal standards. Anyway, "Truth is... I have painful memories I want to forget." I launched into full acting mode. I poured all the sadness and torment I could into my voice. "There was this woman I trusted completely, gave her everything. She seemed like a good person on the surface back then, someone I could safely give my heart to." Her expression hardened instantly. I pressed on without missing the opening. "But in the end, she betrayed me. What I thought was love... wasn't. She took everything from me. We're broken up now, but even today, when her face flashes in my mind, it still hurts." "..." "That's why I drink. At least in those moments, I don't think of her at all." It was a contrived backstory I'd just cooked up, but she couldn't refute it. Unless she'd done a background check on me, anyway. What are you gonna do—prove it didn't happen? "You said you'd been living in the mountains..." I'd anticipated that reaction too. "Why do you think I left the mundane world for the mountains?" "..." Her face went completely stiff. She looked lost in thought. Moments later, she placed a hand on my shoulder. "...
Sorry. I pushed my views without knowing your circumstances." "...
So then." "Drink or do whatever you want. As an apology, I'll cover your booze until we reach Anhui. Go wild." See? People just need to know how to talk. Just like that, I'd scored a temporary sugar mama(?).