Chapter 222
Chapter 222
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 222
Chapter Title: Dang Family Manor
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The next morning, Dang Mujin headed to the backyard of the clinic at Namgung Myeong's summons. Hyun-gong and Hong Geolgae were already crouched there. Their eyes met.
Dang Mujin's chest tightened.
There was no way Namgung Myeong had gathered them for good news. He must have caused some kind of trouble.
The problem was that the people he'd called to clean it up were this bunch.
The moment Dang Mujin couldn't hold back a sigh, Hyun-gong and Hong Geolgae sighed in unison as if on cue.
The three began speculating among themselves about what mess Namgung Myeong had gotten into.
"As expected, he probably got caught rifling through someplace to celebrate his return to Chengdu, right? What's left in Sichuan Province that Namgung Myeong hasn't hit yet?"
"From what I know, three big spots. Qingcheng Sect headquarters, Emei Sect headquarters, and the Three-Eyed Buddha Elder's place."
"He wouldn't have called us in just for getting nabbed sneaking into the Three-Eyed Buddha Elder's house, so Qingcheng or Emei."
"Can't be Qingcheng headquarters either. Even going all out with lightness skills, you couldn't make a round trip in one night."
"Then Emei Sect?"
"Most likely."
At least causing trouble at Emei Sect was better than Qingcheng.
With the powerful mediator Flower Blaze Nun there, there was a high chance they could somehow hush it up.
Of course, there were no eternal secrets in the world, but that was Namgung Myeong's problem to handle.
As the three spun their theories, Namgung Myeong appeared. As expected, his face was serious, unlike his usual self.
Hong Geolgae asked,
"Did you sneak into Emei Sect and run into Abbess Hiangbaek or something?"
"Why bring up Abbess Hiangbaek out of nowhere? Nothing like that."
"Then why'd you call us?"
"I'll explain now."
The group figured, as always, that Namgung Myeong would ramble on about something trivial.
But the more they heard, the graver their expressions grew.
"Hmm."
Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae could understand Namgung Myeong's story with their heads, but they couldn't feel it deep in their hearts.
Neither had grown up in a martial sect or clan, nor been martial artists since childhood.
Even thinking of it as grudges between unorthodox and orthodox warriors felt a bit vague.
But Hyun-gong was different.
"I'd actually been thinking something like this might happen. I know how hostile orthodox warriors are toward unorthodox ones."
"Really? Had no idea."
"Wudang Sect took heavy losses in the last Righteous-Demonic War too, so they grind their teeth at any unorthodox warrior."
"What about the Namgung Clan?"
At Dang Mujin's question, Namgung Myeong shook his head firmly.
"A bit different. The Namgung Clan didn't suffer much in the last war. We're in southern Anhui Province down south, and the last war hit the north hardest. Of course, we didn't sit it out completely—lost a couple people, and Uncle lost an arm. But that's it. Minor compared to other sects."
Dang Mujin recalled Namgung Myeong's uncle he'd met before, the Poison Eagle Brain Sword Namgung Jinya.
He'd been struck by an assassin called Shadowless Guest, his arm rotting away, when some mysterious figure cut off the rotten limb. Apparently during the Righteous-Demonic War.
"So the Namgung Clan doesn't hold much grudge against unorthodox warriors?"
"Not quite. On the flip side, if southern unorthodox warriors start a war, the Namgung Clan has to stand on the front lines, so we naturally see them like bugs."
Dang Mujin thought of Kongtong Sect.
The Kongtong Sect that had tried to embrace unorthodox warriors even while fighting them up north.
Many pointed fingers, calling them half-hearted orthodox.
But Dang Mujin knew they'd made a tough choice, walking a hard path.
It was just regrettable how it all tangled up in such a bad direction.
Hong Geolgae asked Namgung Myeong,
"But you and Hyun-gong both acted without much aversion around Elder Blood Rain Guest, didn't you?"
Namgung Myeong replied maturely.
"I'm not narrow-minded. Traveling the Central Plains has broadened my horizons more than most. Just as orthodox has good and bad people, so does unorthodox. I don't plan to treat every warrior south of the Yangtze as an enemy."
Dang Mujin took Namgung Myeong's words from another angle.
If there was one orthodox warrior closest to unorthodox, it'd be Namgung Myeong without a doubt.
People naturally feel affinity for their own kind.
Given his situation, it made sense his view of unorthodox warriors had shifted.
Hyun-gong, lost in thought for a moment, spoke up.
"Bottom line, the issue is one thing. If Elder Blood Rain Guest stays at the Dang Family Manor, the whole manor could get dragged into the fire."
"Exactly."
"Then the solution's simple, right? Kick him out now."
The group recoiled in shock. They might have understood if someone else said it. But not Hyun-gong. He'd been on brotherly terms with Blood Rain Guest.
Dang Mujin asked,
"You serious?"
"Of course. This isn't something to take lightly. If it blows up, it won't just be Elder Blood Rain Guest suffering—the entire Dang Family Manor will. Everyone who fled the Demonic Cult and settled here, you and your family, Dang Mujin, Hong Geolgae, Namgung Myeong. All of you."
But Dang Mujin opposed Hyun-gong's view.
"No. You know how wide my connections are. I have ties to all the major sects, so it won't get that bad."
Hyun-gong scoffed.
"Shaolin Temple and Jecheon Sword Sect have deep ties, so they'll look the other way. Wudang might step back a pace. But the others? You think your personal friendships can cover the lives of dozens, hundreds? Even nearby Qingcheng and Emei turning their backs wouldn't be surprising."
Cold, emotionless logic. No one could refute it.
Hyun-gong paused, then added one more line.
"Remember, before greater grudges, even friendships fade. There's no eternal enemy or eternal ally in this world."
The conversation stalled.
But Dang Mujin, Namgung Myeong, and Hong Geolgae showed no sign of liking Hyun-gong's solution. And knowing what kind of man Blood Rain Guest was, they harbored subtle resentment toward Hyun-gong for suggesting they abandon him.
Hyun-gong quietly gauged the mood with his eyes, then clapped his hands cheerfully as if nothing was wrong.
"Good. As expected of my friends."
"What?"
"I was worried you might get swayed by talk like that."
"What? You weren't serious?"
"Of course not. When pushing something like this, you can't have hesitators mixed in, so I was just testing."
Hong Geolgae nodded slightly, as if he'd known it.
But Dang Mujin narrowed his eyes. If it were anyone else, fine—but coming from Hyun-gong, it was hard to tell jest from earnest.
Sensing the awkwardness, Hyun-gong smoothly changed the subject.
His way of referring to Blood Rain Guest had naturally shifted too.
"Anyway, seems we're all agreed on helping Brother Jang. Time to think of a plan. Anyone got a good idea?"
The three excluding Hyun-gong pondered. This wasn't easy.
People admire martial artists. But few actually walk that path.
Not just lack of talent.
Even the filthiest pond blooms the brightest lotus. Those from lowly jobs, the poor, lives untouched by swords—many grip one and their world flips.
Dang Mujin was one such case.
People know a single sword can change their lives, yet hesitate to grasp it. Not for lack of talent, but practical reasons.
Too busy earning a living. No master to teach. Fear of the killing. And above all, knowing martial artists' ends are rarely good.
Those in great sects or clans fare better. Elders pass on experience and arts; strong disciples protect masters.
But those outside? Different story.
Young, they strut. Old, most end up gutted and sprawled.
Unburied, torn by beasts, forgotten. People fear that fate.
Level of martial arts doesn't solve it.
Nameless small fry might escape by changing names and fleeing. Who's recognize them?
But those who made names in the Central Plains without affiliation almost always met miserable ends. Just as Blood Rain Guest feared.
Dang Mujin spoke.
"Couldn't Elder Blood Rain Guest just take off the bamboo hat and live openly? The only real clues to spotting him are his high skill and the hat, right?"
Namgung Myeong countered.
"You said it yourself last time. Those who'll find him will, hat or no."
"Could be different this time."
"No way. Even Flower Blaze Nun came all this way on rumors of Blood Rain Guest appearing. Word's already out. Plenty will come looking."
"You that sure?"
"I'll bet my left wrist."
Namgung Myeong wiggled his distinctly ringed left wrist.
Hyun-gong cut in with a proposal.
"The problem's the rumor that Brother Jang's at the Dang Family Manor, right? So why not flip it?"
"How?"
"Have him ditch the hat, then help him head somewhere far from the manor... No, help him leave altogether. Rumors say Brother Jang's here, but surprise—he's not. Safer that way."
This time, Dang Mujin and Namgung Myeong both shook their heads. No way Blood Rain Guest hadn't tried that before.
But no better ideas came no matter how they racked their brains.
Makes sense—centuries of wild wanderers pondering, unsolved. No sudden epiphany.
Then, Hong Geolgae, silent till now, spoke.
"Back when I was in Zhuul Village."
Out of left field. Eyes turned to him.
"You know how kids in the neighborhood fight and scrap all the time. Afterward, grudges linger."
"Yeah."
Everyone agreed. Boys usually trade a few punches growing up.
"Zhuul Village is small, not many kids. But grudges piled up till they couldn't even play together. Ended up with an unspoken rule."
"What?"
"Before Lunar New Year's first day, clear out last year's grudges. Rematch with fists, apologize, or just let it go—whatever."
"...Does setting that actually work?"
"Wipes 'em clean? No. But it works. Gather for New Year's Eve dinner still sulking over last year? Other kids mock you, call you petty idiots."
Kids' fights have no stakes. Just pride. Children can't endure the petty idiot label.
That's why kids' and warriors' principles overlap somewhat.
"Nice idea. Too bad the martial world doesn't have rules like that."
Agreeing, Dang Mujin prompted Hong Geolgae on.
"If no rules, make 'em, right? Tell Elder Blood Rain Guest: he'll quit being an unorthodox martial artist this year, so anyone with beef stop dragging it out—come settle before year's end. Set a deadline, clear the grudges."
Dang Mujin recalled Shaolin's Precepts Elder.
The elder's decision to create a firm trigger, sealing the leak about Dang Mujin's Hundred Lotus Divine Fist and Shadowless Lotus Step.
But that worked because Shaolin was a tight-knit group like Zhuul Village.
Dang Mujin shook his head.
"Not realistic."
"Which part?"
"Think about it. Central Plains isn't Zhuul Village. How do you spread word to that many people?"
Hong Geolgae didn't hesitate.
"You, Dang Mujin, you've been everywhere, wide network. Ask your contacts. Shaolin, Jecheon Sword Sect, Wudang, Myriad Gold Hall. Not hard. Tell 'em all to spread the word."
Straightforward, but amateurish like a kid's idea. Dang Mujin pressed.
"They're not next door. How long to relay to all?"
"Send flocks of messenger pigeons. You're loaded."
"Money... True. But it'll take time."
"Tell 'em come by Spring Festival at latest—they'll make it. Summer's not even over, months left."
Dang Mujin pondered, then raised another issue.
"...And there'll be more than a few coming for blood."
"That's on Elder Blood Rain Guest. Besides, he's still spry. Better to fight while strong than doddering old."
Common sense solution anyone could think of—but no commoner could pull off.
Yet worldly problems mostly solve with connections and cash.
And Dang Mujin had both.
His friends' eyes fixed on him.
Eyes full of intrigue.
Men get drawn to weird ventures, things no one's tried.
All thought the plan idiotic. Even proposer Hong Geolgae.
Which is why the decision was set.
"Let's do it."
Seven days and nights later, countless people set off for Sichuan.
