The Qi Arts Master Chapter 29
Shortly thereafter, Tian Ailang and his group safely returned to the escort agency's campsite. Escort Leader Chu Sang-un approached and greeted them warmly.
"Welcome back! Thank goodness you're all safe. Hmm? Who's this?"
Song Sogeol, catching the escort leader's gaze, bowed energetically.
"Name's Song Sogeol. You must be the escort leader. Pleased to meet you."
"Pleased to meet you..."
Chu Sang-un shot Tian Ailang and Chanh Ho a questioning look, silently asking if this Song Sogeol was trustworthy. Chanh Ho sighed, while Tian Ailang smiled and spoke up.
"He should be fine. He protected the villagers single-handedly from the Yunam Ten Ghosts."
Hearing about Song Sogeol's exploits, the escort leader's wary expression softened a bit.
"Well, I'll be... Impressive. But was it really the Yunam Ten Ghosts? In that case, what about them...?"
"I killed them all."
"Well, I'll be..."
The escort leader's eyes filled with awe beyond mere admiration. But soon his face darkened sharply.
"What's wrong?" Tian Ailang asked with concern.
The escort leader sighed. "I was too caught up earlier to think about it, but we've had recent intel on the Yunam Ten Ghosts. The Jegal family occasionally sends out notices about precautions for our escort operations, and there was something about them in the latest one."
"What did it say?"
"They were sighted near Shansi and Hebei recently—be on guard. And they've apparently joined the Blood Cult, so avoid them at all costs. That's why I'm worried the Blood Cult might come seeking revenge."
Song Sogeol, who had been listening quietly to Chu Sang-un's words, spoke up. "That won't happen."
Chu Sang-un tilted his head at Song Sogeol's confident tone. "How can you be so sure?"
Song Sogeol sighed as everyone turned to him. "Haa... Why is it that no one here thinks to treat someone covered in blood first?"
"...Sorry. But for safety's sake, I need to hear the details first."
The escort leader apologized but pressed for more. Song Sogeol clicked his tongue lightly and continued.
"I have a habit of wandering, so I've picked up a fair bit of info wandering around. One recent tidbit is the brewing war between the Demonic Cult and the Blood Cult. The Blood Cult's got backing from the imperial court, but the Demonic Cult's trying to take it back, and tensions are boiling over in Peking—the atmosphere's downright ominous."
All the escort agency folks, who had been setting up camp, gathered around, holding their breath and listening intently. If the Blood Cult came tracking them, they'd have to abandon camp and move. Plus, as folks from the Hebei Shijiazhuang branch—where their main operations were near Peking—this was critical info. And if Song Sogeol was right about a Demonic Cult-Blood Cult war, law and order would crumble across Hebei, including Peking. Heading that way carelessly could mean getting caught in the crossfire.
"And...?"
The clerk leaned right up to Song Sogeol's face.
"Ugh... Back off a bit..."
Song Sogeol shoved him away, uncomfortable, and scooted back.
"The Yunam Ten Ghosts only recently joined the Blood Cult and hold no real sway there, so the odds of the cult bothering with them are slim to none. Honestly, the Blood Cult barely has the bandwidth for something like this. They've got the Demonic Cult to deal with, plus keeping an eye on the expanding Murim Alliance."
Song Sogeol shrugged at the rapt audience.
"They were probably just acting on their own here. Sure, there could be some ulterior motive, but it doesn't seem tied to the imperial power struggles. So no need to worry about Blood Cult pursuit right now."
"Phew..."
"What a relief."
"Tell me about it."
The escorts sighed in unison with relief.
"Don't let your guard down, though. Stay vigilant and focus on your duties," the escort leader scolded the now-relaxed crew.
"Get these folks some prepared meals," the clerk instructed the laborers, who saw to the group's food. Then everyone bustled off to their tasks.
"..."
After watching the Infinite Escort Bureau in action, Song Sogeol finally snapped.
"Damn it! I said I'm bleeding buckets here! Can't you see? I even shared premium intel, and they treat me like I'm invisible?!"
Tian Ailang approached with a smile. "Sogeol, I'll stand guard for you. Go treat your wounds."
Song Sogeol grinned. "Hey, that sounded pretty friendly just now, huh? Hehe."
"Huh?"
Tian Ailang eyed Song Sogeol's oddly thin laugh.
Song Sogeol cleared his throat. "Ahem. I need to change clothes, but is there a carriage?"
"It's all guys here— just change," Chanh Ho said flatly.
"...No way. I'm super shy..."
"Hmph. Shy, my ass—you wouldn't shut up earlier."
"Ugh... Anyway, carriage? Yes or no?"
Chanh Ho shook his head firmly. "No carriage. Cargo's on horseback, and we're moving fast."
"Argh... Fine, gimme some golden sore salve then. I'll patch up and change—just make sure no one comes near. Got it?"
Ignoring the grumpy Chanh Ho, Song Sogeol appealed to Tian Ailang. Recalling his grandfather's words about how the world was full of oddballs, Tian Ailang nodded.
"Sure."
Song Sogeol glared at Chanh Ho before darting into the woods.
"Ailang, why do you put up with that guy so much?"
Chanh Ho sidled up to Tian Ailang and plopped down on a tree root jutting from the ground. Tian Ailang sat on a nearby rock and smiled faintly.
"He feels lonely."
"Huh?"
"Like I told you, I lived twenty years with just Grandpa. Back then, it felt normal—I didn't know what loneliness was. But after he passed and I ventured out, I realized how utterly alone I was."
"..."
"Sure, I've met good people, but I still felt like an outsider in this world. Like I lacked any real sense of belonging."
"I see..."
Chanh Ho nodded in empathy, lost in thought.
"Yeah. But the first time I met you, I sensed a similar loneliness behind your smile."
"..."
Chanh Ho's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"You mentioned losing the woman you loved. I don't fully get romantic love between men and women yet. I just roughly understand it through my feelings for Grandpa. Even so, imagining your grief at losing her—like mine when I lost him—lets me grasp how much it must've hurt."
Hearing Tian Ailang's comfort, Chanh Ho felt the lingering void in his heart begin to fill.
"Thanks."
Tian Ailang shook his head at Chanh Ho's gratitude. "No, thank you. Things have changed a lot for me, but reaching out first still feels awkward. Your kindness meant a lot. I'm grateful you suggested we be friends."
Embarrassed by Tian Ailang's honesty, Chanh Ho looked up at the sky framed by maple leaves.
"Then let me say thanks too. I never had friends. Truth is, I mustered the courage because I was drawn to you."
"Huh?"
"Haha, surprised?"
"Wouldn't anyone be?"
"As I told you, I'm from a fairly prominent family. The strict atmosphere meant no real peers to open up to growing up. Plenty wanted to impress me, though. I ran from that stifling house, and the first person I truly shared my heart with was that woman."
Tian Ailang watched Chanh Ho's sad, reminiscing expression.
Chanh Ho continued. "She wasn't a stunning beauty, but she was wise and made me feel at ease. After she died and I wandered in grief, I met you—a friend. Now I wonder if this encounter isn't her gift to me."
"Really...?"
Wearing a bittersweet yet joyful expression, Chanh Ho said, "I drowned in booze for a year over the loss of her. Haven't been sober long. When I snapped out of it, I had no money left. Joined this escort run to earn travel funds—and met you. Fate, right?"
"Well, I'll be..."
"Hahaha! Seems like coincidence, but I call it fate. Some sage once told me: 'Fate is the realm of heavenly force, not human effort—all that's left for us is acceptance.'"
"Hm?"
Fate. Tian Ailang's heart quickened.
"Hahaha! I've been cursing that sage as a shit-talking mutt all this time. But looking at you, I wanna apologize to him for all the trash talk. Never in my life have I felt this at ease with someone or talked this much."
Tian Ailang smiled back at the beaming Chanh Ho.
"Haha! Same here."
"We've only known each other a short while, but if we can be this comfortable, it must be true destiny—real fate."
"Can't argue there."
"Bet Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei felt the same."
"Oh yeah, I've heard that tale. The Peach Garden Oath, right?"
Chanh Ho leaned toward Tian Ailang, serious. "What if we swear to be true brothers like them?"
Tian Ailang clapped. "Oh ho! Sounds good."
Tian Ailang burst into happy laughter with Chanh Ho. He hadn't known friendship could be this joyful. In their brief time together, it felt like they'd been old pals forever. They clicked perfectly—no calculating gains, just easy rapport. Tian Ailang savored the new emotion.
Then Song Sogeol burst from the woods, shouting, "Me too! Me too!"
Tian Ailang and Chanh Ho stared at him in disbelief. Song Sogeol blurted desperately, "I wanna do the Peach Garden Oath too!"
"..."
As they stayed silent, Song Sogeol pleaded earnestly. "Me too! I wanna do it! I've always dreamed of a bond like that!"
"Hmph. When did we ever meet you? How do we trust you?"
Chanh Ho glared suspiciously. Song Sogeol wilted like a drenched puppy.
Tian Ailang spoke calmly. "Sogeol, how old are you?"
"D-Don't treat me casually—er, nineteen..."
Tian Ailang leaned close to Chanh Ho and whispered telepathically.
'Chanh Ho, no harm in it. Makes three—that's fun.'
Chanh Ho shot Song Sogeol a side-eye.
'When'd we meet him? How to trust?'
'We just met too. And I trust him fine?'
'You're different. He's too loud.'
'Haha, take him as the little bro and watch him? He wants it bad. Doesn't seem bad.'
'Hmm...'
'Haha. You said fate exists, right?'
Chanh Ho glared at Song Sogeol, pondered, then nodded slightly.
'Ahem... Fine. Your call.'
Tian Ailang smiled at Song Sogeol. "We're two years older, so promise to respect us as big brothers, and you're in."
"Huh?"
"What’s with that face?" Chanh Ho grumbled.
Song Sogeol chuckled awkwardly and bowed hastily. "N-No, it's just... Your skills are so elite, I figured you were older. Haha! Happy to call you big bros!"
Tian Ailang smiled and spread his arms wide before the massive maple tree. "We lived separate lives, but met here today."
Chanh Ho smirked and stood; Song Sogeol bounced over excitedly. Tian Ailang smiled lightly and cupped his fists in salute.
"I, Tian Ailang, can't swear to die on the same day as Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei—but I pledge our brotherhood will endure forever. Whether together or apart, we think of each other; I pray to Great Nature that our bond holds. A brother's affairs are my own; I promise to share joy and sorrow alike. Under this maple tree today, may Great Nature bless our brotherly oath."
Tian Ailang took the sword Chanh Ho offered, smiling at his ready gesture. He lightly sliced his left palm and clenched his fist.
Drip. Drip.
His blood fell onto the maple's roots. Chanh Ho took the sword next and cut his palm.
"I, Chanh Ho, thank the heavens for true friends. My sword will always prioritize a brother's cause. I pray this blood spares my brothers' in the future."
Chanh Ho clenched his fist; blood dripped steadily.
Song Sogeol wiped his trembling, sweaty hands on his pants, then barely nicked his palm with his sword.
Drip.
Only after clenching till his fist shook did a single drop fall. Chanh Ho shot him a sharp look, but Song Sogeol—thrilled regardless—proclaimed:
"I, Song Sogeol, am honored to serve two new big brothers. Short time known, but righteous men—my privilege."
Tian Ailang smirked at him. "Sogeol, we'll be watching you."
"Watching."
Chanh Ho echoed the warning. Undeterred, Song Sogeol beamed.
"Yessir~ Whee! Never thought I'd share a bond like this. Oath under the maple—how about Maple Grove Oath?"
"Nice."
Tian Ailang grinned brightly. Chanh Ho nodded approvingly.
Song Sogeol flung his sleeves with a whoosh and overdid the salute dramatically. "Big bros, your lil' bro Song Sogeol↗ greets you↘ once more~~"
Tian Ailang roared with laughter at the theatrics; even Chanh Ho smirked.