Rainy Inn
"A nameplate."
What the bastard had dropped was a palm-sized nameplate.
Engraved on it were just two characters: Sahwang.
It was proof of affiliation with the Sahwangryeon, the alliance of the world's unorthodox factions.
Of course, it could be a fake like the one I carried, but the material and the engraved patterns suggested it was genuine.
"Fuckin' hell. Bigger fish than I thought."
Should've gotten his name before killing him.
Still, he gave less experience than that color demon prick.
Meaning he wasn't all that great.
I pocketed the nameplate roughly and collected the scattered flying blades one by one.
Easy to throw, a pain to pick up.
With the cleanup done, I approached my untethered horse, and the carefree beast was dozing off with its head bobbing.
"You lazy fuckhorse. Owner's busting his ass."
I smacked its neck hard. It neighed and shook its head.
"Let's go, you."
I vaulted into the saddle and lightly kicked its side.
Hiiing!
Clop. Clop. Clop.
It dragged its feet with obvious reluctance.
No sign now of the life-or-death clash that had just gone down. The surroundings were dead quiet.
Even the blood-red sky was darkening to indigo, stars beginning to twinkle.
The start of an utterly ordinary journey.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Five days since leaving Jingzhou.
But unlike usual, assholes picking fights left and right.
Random bandits, crazy unorthodox fuckers.
The world's always been a shitshow, but these past few days felt like the end times.
Shwaaaaa!
"Goddamn it."
Even the heavens weren't helping.
I eyed the downpour starting from the sky and dug my heels into the horse's flanks.
"Hyah!"
Of all places, nowhere to shelter right here.
Mountain blocking the front, no houses around.
But pushing the horse a bit farther, a small inn appeared at the mountain's base.
"There it is."
The rendezvous spot with the Hao Sect member holding the jewel intel.
Just as marked on the map.
I quickly stabled the horse and stepped inside the inn.
"My word, hole in the sky or what."
A few guests already inside.
Two looking like merchants, three travelers, and one warrior in the corner.
They all paused their meals, staring at my rain-soaked, bedraggled state.
"Welcome! Weather's awfully fickle, isn't it?"
A kindly-faced woman, probably the innkeeper, greeted me with a smile.
"Got food?"
"Of course. Have a seat."
I took a spot in the opposite corner from the warrior.
Only then did the guests lose interest and resume eating and chatting.
"Going far?"
The innkeeper smiled as she brought hot tea.
I cupped the steaming mug in both hands.
"Something like that."
"What'll it be?"
"Something simple."
"How about thin noodles with boiled dumplings?"
"Sounds good."
"Warm up a bit."
I sipped the tea. Nice and hot.
Rain drummed on the roof, the world outside a foggy abstract blur through the window.
Murmured conversations, surprisingly cozy interior.
The inn had a snug feel to it.
Who's the contact?
I casually scanned the guests, sizing up who might be the Hao Sect guy.
Unlike regular sects, Hao Sect was paranoid about revealing identities.
Hard to tell just by looks.
Who'd guess Monghwan Lou was a branch?
Not those guys.
The merchants and travelers glanced my way now and then, but nothing suspicious.
And that one... even less likely.
The lone warrior sipping booze gave off too sharp an edge for Hao Sect.
Should've grabbed the contact's description.
My fuckup rushing out.
But they'll know me.
I might've arrived first.
Nothing urgent. Wait patiently, and the contact would show.
Relaxing with my tea like that.
A subtle presence amid the pounding rain outside.
What the?
I closed my eyes, expanding my senses.
Four presences.
Someone approaching the inn fast.
One, maybe just dodging rain. But from all four directions at once? Definitely up to something.
I opened my eyes.
Met the gaze of the warrior across the way.
That guy's it.
Middle-aged man in yellow martial robes, dignified look.
Well-groomed beard, impeccable attire—like a scholar at first glance. But those fierce eyes said otherwise.
Who is he?
I rapidly recalled known warriors in my head.
Too much info to pinpoint instantly.
And then.
The four presences encircled the inn.
At the same moment, the warrior's right hand went to his sword hilt on the table.
Gold Snake Shadow Sword. You didn't get far.
The voice echoed, mixed with the rain, hard to pinpoint direction.
Even the voices blending—four weirdos speaking in unison.
"Gasp! Wh-what?!"
"Where's that voice from?"
"G-Gold Snake Shadow Sword?!"
The inn's guests jumped up in shock.
The innkeeper and a cook-looking guy burst out from the kitchen, startled.
Only me and the warrior stayed calm.
I sipped tea; the presumed Gold Snake Shadow Sword lifted his tiny cup to his lips.
No reaction to the weirdos' voices, but a glint in his eyes watching me.
Gold Snake! You dare ignore us?!
Clink.
The presumed Gold Snake set down his cup.
Gold Snake Shadow Sword, huh.
I knew the moniker.
One of the righteous swordsmen active in Sichuan, wields a freakish sword like a living snake.
Then, Gold Snake spoke.
"Poison Hand. Turn back. That's not for the Dang Clan to handle."
Hahaha! You think our home base is a joke? Let's see just how good you really are, Gold Snake!
Piiiing!
Before "let's see" finished.
A eerie sound from outside.
Hidden weapons!
But the spread was too wide.
Innocents in the inn would get hit too.
Shing! Shing!
Me and Gold Snake drew swords almost simultaneously.
Dang Clan?
Only one Dang Clan in the world.
One of the Five Great Families, classified as righteous, but masters of poison and hidden weapons, ruthless hands—feared by all Jianghu folk.
Because the family name got mentioned, they weren't just after Gold Snake anymore. Hidden weapons flying to kill everyone inside.
Whoosh!
Couldn't save them all.
Not some apostle of justice, no reason to bother.
But hadn't eaten my noodles yet, so at least spare the innkeeper couple.
I kicked off the floor, shooting in front to block them.
"Huuuup!"
Drew a deep breath.
Senses heightened to the max.
Inner power surged from dantian through my body.
The lines slicing through the air sharpened in my vision.
Thin needles.
Black hair needles.
Kagagagang!
I swung my iron sword.
Not a full sword barrier, but enough to block this level of hidden weapons.
"Gasp!"
"Kyaaak!"
The couple collapsed backward in terror.
At least they were safe.
The other guests screamed death cries, crumpling to the floor.
"Uwaaak!"
"Kuhk!"
Gold Snake, having deflected his share, backed to the corner, eyeing me.
Panting hard—hit in a few spots.
Then.
Four men burst through door and windows.
"Hmph."
Cloaked in raincoats and wide hats.
Impossible to tell affiliation from looks.
"Thought the cornered rat was taking it easy. Turns out you had backup."
The one through the door removed his hat, looking at me.
Younger than expected, pupils tiny relative to his eyes—eerie vibe.
"Who the hell are you?"
The man asked me.
Last few years, I'd avoided clashes with great sects and families as much as possible.
But shit doesn't always go your way.
Here we are.
Fine. Can't eat this rice forever without running into 'em eventually.
Still, to dodge the worst, I whipped out the nameplate from my bosom and flung it.
Experience was experience, but clashing with a great family was dicey for now.
The man snatched the flying plate, frowning.
"Sahwang... ryeon."
"Ah."
Fuck.
Forgot I tossed the Murim Alliance plate—instead grabbed the Sahwangryeon one from a few days back.
"Wait, that's a misunder—"
"Hahahahaha!!!"
As I tried to explain.
Gold Snake burst into loud laughter.
"Dang Clan. Did you think you could keep the secret forever?"
"Mm..."
Gold Snake's eyes sparkled at me.
Like gazing at a long-awaited lover—creepy as hell.
"Don't know who you are, but tell your alliance leader: In Sichuan—"
"...?"
"Shut your trap!"
Shing! Shing! Shing! Shing!
Hidden weapons poured from all sides.
This time, zeroed right on Gold Snake.
The inn filled with green haze—poison and weapons blotting vision.
Pukpukpuk!
"Kuhuk!"
Couldn't dodge this time—Gold Snake bristled like a porcupine, knees hitting the floor.
Face turning black fast.
Even then, he looked up at me with his dying words.
"Jang Bodoga... has appeared..."
Slash!
Gold Snake's head flew into the air.