Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Will You Go Out With Me?
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It's no lie that taking better care of yourself includes sprucing up your appearance.
From my past experiences, Heaven truly has a twisted sense of humor, so these kinds of puns can pop up out of nowhere at any moment.
And appearance is the first thing you show others in social interactions. Once you start grooming yourself, your mindset naturally becomes healthier too.
'Not that I should be saying this.'
It's not like I have any room to talk, always hiding my face and figure completely like this. But mine is a special case.
I don't want to get kidnapped and sold off.
No matter how pretty or handsome you are, it doesn't mean a thing if you lack the strength to protect yourself.
'Thank goodness for the shop window, at least.'
Without it, I probably never would have even thought of stepping outside these mountains.
A plain cloak has its limits when it comes to concealing your looks.
"...Still not done?"
Unlike me, who was still full of energy, the woman looked exhausted as she asked the question.
"Tired already?"
"...I'm just not used to this sort of thing."
One thing I'd learned while traveling with her: surprisingly, she didn't do any special maintenance on her appearance.
'To think her looks are this good without even trying.'
It was the kind of statement that would make women who obsessed over every 0.1kg or single wrinkle burn with murderous intent.
Even my Master put some effort into her appearance.
[Oh... then if I sell it, I could buy some meat...]
[I'm using it.]
[...Do I have to be the one grinding it?]
[You catch on quick.]
My arms ached from all the grinding, but what came next was even worse after I handed over the finished product.
[You apply it for me.]
[...Pardon?]
[There are limits to what you can reach on your own. It's such a rare herb—we should use it thoroughly, don't you think?]
'...Ugh.'
I decided not to dwell on the memories.
There were plenty more incidents, like her clinging to me because she was too lazy to get up, forcing me to bathe her myself.
Anyway, back to the point.
"Even just a little more effort like this, and you'd look so much prettier. Don't you think it's a shame?"
With just the slightest makeup and accessories, her beauty had blossomed dramatically.
As a man, I even felt a swell of pride at having produced these results.
Before she pulled her Bloodstained Cloak back over her head out of embarrassment from the stares, people around us had been gawking nonstop—what more needed to be said?
If the plum blossom embroidery on her sleeves hadn't been visible, clueless guys definitely would have approached her.
"Ah, well, I'll head back now. That's enough for today..."
"I was just about to grab some food. Leaving already?"
"...Food?"
"Yes. I asked a merchant earlier—there's a pretty good inn just a short walk from here. If you're too tired, we can part ways here for the day..."
"...I can already hear the excitement in your voice."
"..."
"Famous for its liquor, huh?"
"...Yes."
"Haa..."
I heard her sigh.
But still, I wondered how good Hanam liquor really was.
A daoist doesn't go back on his word!
I'll cover the drinks! Drink your fill!
"I'll drink in moderation, so how could it be a problem?"
She had a point, but the image of last dawn's inaction lingered in my mind, making it hard to speak carelessly.
"Fine, lead the way. I promised as an apology, so I won't go back on my word. Drink as much as you want—I won't mind."
"Th-thank you!"
Our positions seemed to reverse in an instant, but truthfully, she was the one in charge from the start.
'I wonder what Hanam liquor tastes like.'
I smacked my lips as we headed to the inn I'd scouted earlier.
"..."
"Kuhaha! How is it? As good as the rumors?"
"Man, it's just like they say. To think you'd polish off that much in one go. Who'd have imagined that famous figure from Shaanxi would come all the way here?"
Tap... tap...
I was tapping the table with my fingertips.
The Faceless Golden Ghost had already befriended the other drinkers and was off playing with them.
"..."
And this was the treatment I got after coming all the way here.
I wished he'd pay a little more attention to me...
Twitch.
'Wh-what was that thought I just had.'
This was beyond pathetic.
No matter that my body was back in its youthful prime—this was no mindset for someone my age.
"Haa..."
It must be because I'd been out of the world for so long—my heart was fluttering too much.
To seek a woman's happiness with the body of a daoist... If my Master from my younger days had known, she'd have given me a severe scolding.
Especially when I still hadn't found that child...
"..."
Slurp.
The warm tea settled in my body, warming my heart as well.
There were so many things I needed to focus on.
I had to find that child and atone for my disciple's sins. I couldn't slack on preparing for the Demonic Cult and the Heavenly Demon, who might strike at any time.
I'd set out on this trip to relieve training fatigue while searching for the child, but at this rate, I'd just invite new heart demons.
Of course, he didn't seem to approach me with any impure intentions. If anything, that made it more of a problem.
'I thought I was used to such ploys...'
Even in my youth, I'd dealt with countless such tricks.
No matter how much time had passed, experience doesn't vanish. Yet strangely, this man kept stirring odd feelings in me.
Was it because I wondered if he might be that child? Or some other reason? I couldn't tell.
'What use is mastery in martial arts if I can't even control my own heart...'
As I considered leaving him behind with his drinking buddies and heading upstairs alone,
"...Excuse me. Sorry. I'll apologize properly later."
The Faceless Golden Ghost's whisper came suddenly.
"Ooooooh!!!"
Cheers erupted from around us, and
"Will you go out with me?"
The Faceless Golden Ghost was holding out a white flower to me.
My thoughts nearly blanked for a moment, but my honed martial arts allowed me to grasp the situation quickly.
He must have made a bet with the drinkers, lost, and was now carrying out the penalty.
That had to be it.
Thump.
Just a silly drinking game.
Thump.
So I just had to ignore it and not react...
Thump.
"...Huh?"
A dumb sound slipped from my lips.
My mind went blank; no thoughts came.
My heart pounded, ignoring my will, refusing to calm down.
"Oh, the lady's blushing too!"
"Ooooooh!!!"
The drinkers' chatter snapped me back to reality.
.
.
.
"Even if it's a drinking promise, you shouldn't make bets that could offend others!"
"Sorry..."
"Raise your hand higher!"
Even if it was a joke, even if fake—there are things you do and don't do. How could he pull something like this and just brush it off?
The other drinkers scolded him sharply too, dragging him to an upstairs room for a lecture.
"I knew it was a joke, but imagine if another woman misunderstood, and you only said it was a prank afterward. Do you have any idea how insulting that would be to a lady?!"
"I know..."
"Then why would you do such a thing?!"
"...I have no excuse, even with ten mouths."
He'd done this before too—a man completely lacking in integrity.
Man or woman, relationships between the sexes demand utmost purity...
Tremble.
"Um... my arm's really starting to give out now..."
"No whining!"
"It's not whining—it's real... I've been frail since childhood; not a scrap of muscle on me."
"..."
He truly grated on me, but I decided to let it slide this once.
His face was hidden, but he seemed remorseful enough.
"Be more careful from now on."
I approached and lowered his trembling arm myself.
His slender arm was slick with sweat—just from that?
His scent had already filled the narrow room.
I'd need to air it out before bed.
As I prepared to send him back to his room now that the lecture was over,
"...Um, miss."
"What now."
"If it's not too much trouble, could you help me stand...? My legs are cramping too..."
"Hoo..."
Such a frail body.
With a sigh, I grabbed his outstretched arm and pulled him up. He was lighter than expected.
In the process, our bodies inevitably pressed close, and his scent hit me even stronger.
"..."
"Th-thank you..."
"Get back to your room. It's late."
After he shuffled out, gripping the wall for support, I opened the window to air out the room's lingering fra... no, scent.
"...Haa..."
Thump thump.
Master was right—people's hearts are far harder to deal with than any sword.
There wasn't a word of it that was wrong.