Chapter 217
Chapter 217
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 217
Chapter Title: Dang Family Manor
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Ships traveling along the Yangtze move much slower than people imagine. But their advantage isn't speed—it's that they keep going without rest.
Lazing around on a boat that runs day and night, you'll find yourself at your destination before you know it.
Dang Mujin's group arrived in Chongqing without any trouble.
"Thank you for everything."
"Thanks for what? We just shared the same boat."
"You taught me quite a bit of martial arts, though."
"I just polished up the skills you already knew."
Dang Mujin stood a few steps away, watching Nam Woong bow deeply to the Blood Rain Guest.
Nam Woong was the man who'd boarded near the southern regions. He looked to be in his early thirties. On the surface, he was indistinguishable from any ordinary merchant.
But Dang Mujin suspected him. Or rather, he was certain.
Nam Woong practiced martial arts, unbefitting a merchant—and highly practical ones at that.
That much could be overlooked. Merchants traveling long distances often learned martial arts for self-defense.
Of course, his skill level was impressive for mere self-defense, but it could be chalked up to exceptional talent. The world was full of gifted people.
The real issue came next.
True to the saying "a leopard can't change its spots," Namgung Myeong had secretly peeked into Nam Woong's backpack one day. Inside, he'd found a coarsely bundled sackcloth and a single sword. Nothing else.
Carrying a sword made sense. If he knew martial arts, it was only natural.
But the sackcloth made no sense at all.
It took up space but barely amounted to even a single bolt—let alone enough for a full roll.
Moreover, as far as Dang Mujin knew, sackcloth from near Wuchang wasn't worth hauling to Chongqing to sell.
Even if he found the right buyer, the profit would be a couple of silver taels at best. No one would pay fifty taels for boat passage just for that.
The two men who'd boarded with Nam Woong had similar loads in their packs.
'This guy's a pirate chief, no matter how you slice it, bringing his underlings along.'
But Dang Mujin couldn't just lop off Nam Woong's head. The Blood Rain Guest had grown too fond of him too quickly.
The Blood Rain Guest still saw Nam Woong as an honest merchant. Even if he learned the truth, he probably wouldn't cast him out easily.
The Blood Rain Guest spoke to Nam Woong.
"Nam Woong, what are your plans once you've sold your goods?"
"I'll have to stock up again and head back down the Yangtze."
"What goods are you thinking of taking?"
The Blood Rain Guest asked out of pure curiosity. But Nam Woong hesitated, unable to answer right away.
He had to come up with a convincing excuse to avoid suspicion, but he had no idea what to buy in Chengdu for profit. He was a pirate, not a merchant.
In the end, Nam Woong mumbled vaguely.
"...I'll figure that out later."
"Then how about traveling with me while you look?"
The atmosphere suggested their chief might get stuck with the Blood Rain Guest. Nam Woong's two underlings quickly raised their hands. They had no desire to follow their boss into the fire.
"Our hometown's near Chongqing, so we'll head back there now."
"Oh, your home's around here? Safe travels, then."
Fearing they'd be collared, the two politely cupped their fists and vanished in a flash.
But Nam Woong had let slip during chats with the Blood Rain Guest that his home was a distant island in the south, so he couldn't use the hometown excuse to slip away.
"I... um."
"Or how about sticking with me for good?"
"Pardon?"
"I'll teach you more martial arts. Come along. You've got talent. Probably more for martial arts than merchanting."
The Blood Rain Guest was the type to take someone as a disciple over such a fleeting connection.
And the offer was so unexpected that Nam Woong looked dubious.
The Blood Rain Guest pressed harder, with conviction.
"Out of everyone I've taught so far, no one's had talent like yours."
Dang Mujin was certain the Blood Rain Guest hadn't taught many—if any—before Nam Woong.
But Nam Woong didn't know that.
"I can't teach you the full inner cultivation method, so you won't master my arts completely. Still, it'll help build your foundation. And you seem to have great adaptability too."
On top of that, it was an offer far beyond what Nam Woong deserved. How many in the world ever got a chance to become the disciple of an absolute peak expert?
"Uhmm."
Dang Mujin didn't mind the situation either.
Nam Woong was one of the worse sorts among pirates. If they parted here, countless innocents would die by his hand.
Better for him to stick with the Blood Rain Guest, learn martial arts, and live like a human being. Spending time with someone as soft-hearted as the Blood Rain Guest might even soften his nature a bit.
Dang Mujin spoke up.
"You know this isn't an opportunity that comes often. Learn proper martial arts, then go home and open a dojo. Your hometown's that southern island, right? Not much competition there."
Dang Mujin fixed Nam Woong with a chilling gaze.
If he refused, Dang Mujin planned to shake off the Blood Rain Guest and quietly hunt him down later.
Of course, Nam Woong had no idea.
But he did know one thing: if he ever got a chance to change his life, this was it.
"I'll do it."
Nam Woong decided to become the Blood Rain Guest's disciple.
*
Dang Mujin thought about staying a few days in Chongqing to meet Fairy Huayeon, but he changed his mind. He'd been away from Chengdu too long.
'I can visit later and say hello. No rush.'
His group raced toward Chengdu with barely a delay.
Having rested well on the boat, they weren't tired even pulling all-nighters. Wang Jin-cheong's lightness skill was still novice, but they could carry him in turns.
Thanks to that, it took only two days to return from Chongqing to Chengdu.
"Isn't that Mujin?"
"Word was you went north. Back already? Who's with you?"
"People I met wandering around."
The locals naturally crowded around Dang Mujin, greeting him like old friends.
He was a neighborhood celebrity, and young at that.
With prior connections, it was easy to chat him up. And Dang Mujin always responded graciously.
The Blood Rain Guest liked Chengdu's vibe.
It felt far more prosperous and relaxed than south of the Yangtze. Even the neighborhood kids had rosy cheeks and bright faces. Sichuan's reputation for good farming wasn't just talk.
Plus, Dang Mujin seemed highly respected locally. When the host was popular, his guests got treated well too.
'Promising.'
Joy seeped into the Blood Rain Guest's steps.
But as they neared home, Dang Mujin grew awkward. He'd boasted to the Blood Rain Guest about the Dang Family Manor, but the clinic wasn't quite a grand estate yet.
Sure, with the money they'd earned, it had more than enough to expand into a proper manor. But for now, it was middling.
When they arrived at the Dang Clinic, though, Dang Mujin and his friends looked puzzled.
"Uh... things look a bit different?"
"Yeah, the vibe's changed a lot."
When Dang Mujin had left, they'd just torn down the fence and were haphazardly stacking a stone wall.
He'd hoped that wall was at least finished, but the half-built one was gone. In its place stood a tall, sturdy stone wall like those around high officials' homes—as if built from scratch.
A proper gate had even appeared in front.
"Look at that."
Hyun Gong pointed above the gate. More ornate than the wall, it bore a plaque reading [Dang Family Manor].
The Blood Rain Guest and Wang Jin-cheong beamed even brighter at the sight.
The Blood Rain Guest pictured his retirement.
As far as he knew, the only absolute peak expert in all Sichuan was Elder Yeongheo, head of the Qingcheng Sect.
A righteous sect's pinnacle was awkward company, but there was decent distance between Qingcheng Mountain and Chengdu. Live quietly without crossing paths, and a comfortable old age was assured.
He had no intention of hiding away completely. He'd keep a low profile from the Qingcheng Sect while strutting a bit for the locals.
No need to threaten anyone—just teach Nam Woong and let neighborhood youths join in, and that should do it.
"...Let's head in."
Dang Mujin opened the gate, revealing the interior of the Dang Family Manor.
Unlike the impressive outer walls, there weren't many buildings inside.
Just one modest, slightly shabby structure, plus a couple of new ones around it.
But with all the open space left, adding more buildings wouldn't be hard if they wanted.
Dang Mujin called out.
"I'm back."
A figure squatting in the courtyard turned around.
A monk covered in scars. That alone was striking, but even more so was his inhuman gray skin.
No one else in the world looked like that, so the Blood Rain Guest recognized him instantly.
'...The Demonic Cult's Three-Eyed Monk?'
The Blood Rain Guest shrank back involuntarily. A top Demonic Cult expert's aura. If they fought, he'd probably lose eight or nine times out of ten.
'...A trap to lure me in?'
Betrayal and sorrow filled the Blood Rain Guest's eyes. He felt like crying.
As if confirming it, the Three-Eyed Monk lumbered toward him.
As the Blood Rain Guest flinched and reached for his sword, the Three-Eyed Monk spread his arms and hugged Dang Mujin.
"Took you long this time. Picked up three more, huh."
"Picked up? That's a bit..."
The Three-Eyed Monk chuckled.
"Dan Seol-yeong said you always bring people back from your trips. No exceptions."
"It just happened that way."
"Let's see. This one's... ah, right."
The Three-Eyed Monk pondered, then clapped his palms as it came to him.
"Blood Rain Guest. That's you, right? Welcome to the Dang Family Manor."
He extended a pot-lid-sized hand and warmly patted the Blood Rain Guest's back.
"The room next door's empty. Move in with me."
"Ah... sure."
Before he knew it, the hierarchy between the Blood Rain Guest and the Three-Eyed Monk was set. The Blood Rain Guest had no complaints.
The Three-Eyed Monk turned back to Dang Mujin.
"By the way, do you know how desperately Dan Seol-yeong waited for you?"
Dang Mujin tensed.
"By any chance, where's Seol-yeong right now?"
"Behind me... no, here she comes."
Just then, Dan Seol-yeong appeared and widened her eyes at Dang Mujin.
She'd been working hard—sweat beaded on her forehead and nape.
"Dang Mujin!"
Hiding none of her joy, she ran straight over and hugged him.
Her skin was damp with sweat, carrying a thick musky scent. But it didn't feel bad. It finally hit him: he was home.
Hyun Gong, Namgung Myeong, and Hong Geolgae watched the emotional reunion with envy and annoyance.
A moment later, they seemed to realize something and slyly put distance between themselves and Dang Mujin. The newcomers—Blood Rain Guest, Nam Woong, and Wang Jin-cheong—showed no reaction.
Still in Dang Mujin's arms, Dan Seol-yeong wrapped around his waist, breathing deeply to savor his scent.
After a bit, her surging joy began to ebb.
Reason crept into a corner of her mind.
'When did Mujin leave?'
Last autumn. Hong Geolgae had returned from the north around then, and Dang Mujin had packed up and headed north right after.
Now it was late summer. Nearly a year had passed.
'He said he'd be back in a couple months when he left.'
Dan Seol-yeong unwrapped her arms from his waist.
A small gap opened between them, and they finally met eyes again.
Dang Mujin sensed something subtly different in her gaze.
Dan Seol-yeong stared at him, then pointed at the gate.
"Out."
"Yes."
Dang Mujin obeyed without a word and stepped outside.