Chapter 226
Chapter 226
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: Disciples
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There are many spectacles in the world, but the one people love most is undoubtedly watching a fight.
A back-alley brawl among loafers is entertaining enough. But if you can witness a life-or-death duel between famous masters, that's even better, of course.
People gathered at the Tang Family Manor for the finest show imaginable.
Those quick on the uptake who had lingered around the manor were allowed inside the walls, but others had to perch on top of the walls or climb trees.
Countless more couldn't even manage that. They clamored to be let in, but Dang Mujin had no way—and no reason—to resolve such issues.
Those who had made it inside in time fixed their eager gazes on the small platform.
Who would bravely step forward to call out Blood Rain Guest on his past wrongs?
But the mood flowed differently than expected. The large crowd simply remained quiet.
After about half a shichen had passed like that, one bold soul shouted out.
"Anyone here with a grudge against Blood Rain Guest?"
A low ripple of laughter spread. But that was it. No real challengers emerged easily.
Just as impatience got the better of a few hotheads who started to leave, a woman's high-pitched voice pierced the crowd.
"I am the Lady of the Underworld, Kang Yeoran, from Panhyeon in Guizhou!"
All eyes turned to Kang Yeoran.
She appeared to be in her forties. Yet she must have been quite the beauty in her youth, with skills well beyond the average wanderer.
The crowd marveled that the first challenger was a woman.
Most of those who flocked to the Tang Family Manor for entertainment and gossip were enthusiasts of such spectacles.
People who loved to talk, loved to listen, and knew every rumor inside out.
Sure enough, a few recognized Kang Yeoran and murmured among themselves.
"A big name right from the start. But wasn't her nickname Underworld Fox, not Lady of the Underworld?"
"Unorthodox fighters slap whatever nicknames they want on themselves all the time. At least she has some conscience—she ditched her old 'Underworld Lass' moniker. Then again, claiming to be a 'lass' past forty isn't easy."
"'Lass' or 'lady,' it's all the same..."
There were plenty of such mutterings, so they surely reached Kang Yeoran's ears.
Yet she showed no reaction. She knew reacting to every whisper would only make her look ugly.
Blood Rain Guest stood with arms crossed, pondering for a moment before clapping his hands lightly as if recalling something.
The crowd held their breath, awaiting his words.
"Kang Yeoran. Didn't we meet near Liuzhi about five years ago?"
A faint smile touched her lips, surprised that a famous figure like Blood Rain Guest remembered her.
Kang Yeoran puffed out her chest confidently.
"You remember me?"
"Of course. Plenty have come at me, but women are rare. A skilled beauty, even rarer."
Blood Rain Guest's voice trembled faintly. He seemed unused to speaking before so many.
But the content flowed smoothly enough. He'd apparently picked up some odd habits from carousing with Hyeon Gong.
Kang Yeoran replied a touch coyly.
"You sure took your time recognizing me, for all that."
"I knew it was you right away. Just couldn't quite recall where we'd met."
The warmer-than-expected response gave her pause.
But having stepped forward before the crowd, she had to say her piece. Kang Yeoran declared boldly once more.
"I take issue with you abandoning your pride as an unorthodox warrior and trying to join the orthodox sects."
The crowd gasped in admiration at her daring words.
The onlookers clenched their fists tensely. It felt like Blood Rain Guest might unleash a shower of blood any second.
But he merely looked sheepish.
"I'm not trying to become an orthodox warrior. I just want to leave the martial world and live as an ordinary man."
"...In any case, if you defeat me with your sword, I'll set aside all grievances and withdraw."
Truth be told, Kang Yeoran had no real grudge even if he quit the unorthodox life. What she wanted was another chance to cross swords with him.
Years ago, her reckless challenge against him had miraculously granted her enlightenment, pushing her past the peak realm. She'd come to Chengdu hoping for more gains this time.
She wasn't afraid. Back then, she'd realized his strikes were far gentler than his reputation suggested.
In a way, she planned to use him—but Blood Rain Guest welcomed the situation.
What cleaner resolution for a warrior?
"Fine. Warriors speak with swords, after all."
Blood Rain Guest and Kang Yeoran drew their blades simultaneously.
No ceremonial stances, no yielding initiative. Blood Rain Guest unleashed dazzling lightness skill to exploit her openings, while Kang Yeoran hastily parried his sword.
Watching it unfold, Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong conversed.
"The gap's clear."
"Brother Jang doesn't seem eager to end it quickly."
"He can afford that much consideration."
Had Blood Rain Guest gone all out, Kang Yeoran wouldn't have lasted three or four exchanges.
Instead, he claimed victory just slowly enough to spare her face.
Kang Yeoran looked deeply satisfied, as if gaining insight from this bout too.
"I, the Lady of the Underworld Kang Yeoran, accept the result."
"Thank you."
The unexpectedly cordial end encouraged others with similar hopes to step up.
Kang Yeoran had even provided a handy excuse.
"Blood Rain Guest! How dare you deny your past deeds and speak of a new life? You'll have to defeat me first!"
"You must be the one from Nanping. Let's see how much you've improved."
Blood Rain Guest remembered most of when and where he'd met his attackers.
Warriors tucked away in memory challenged him one after another.
After a string of unorthodox fighters, even orthodox ones began eyeing opportunities. Their excuses were similar.
"We must check if you're infiltrating the orthodox world with foul intentions."
"How can we know?"
"Warriors learn everything once swords clash!"
The duels, starting early in the day, continued until sunset.
Even for the skilled, enduring endless bouts is no easy feat—especially at Blood Rain Guest's age.
Exhausted but content, Blood Rain Guest noted that once blades met, every challenger acknowledged him and withdrew.
Two days passed like that, bringing the eve of the lunar month's end.
*
The Tang Family Manor's mood was harmonious.
Blood Rain Guest, orthodox and unorthodox warriors alike, onlookers, even Elder Yeongheo—all were pleased.
The only grumbler was Tang Yeong, miffed at disrupted naps by the crowds.
By the final day, people realized something belatedly.
Those gathering at the manor offered flimsy excuses for duels with Blood Rain Guest, but no one aired genuine grudges or debts.
'Did he kill all who held grudges? Or did they just not come? That's odd. Was Blood Rain Guest never one to accrue many enemies? Unlikely.'
The crowd pondered individually.
But around shenshi on the new moon eve, someone different ascended the platform—not one, but three.
They say a man must own his face as he ages.
Looks can't be helped, but a face reveals one's deeds and character.
Some faces don't match personalities. Yet when three traveling together share a similar vibe, take it seriously.
The trio atop the platform had poor impressions.
Unlike rugged but honest unorthodox warriors, they looked like the 'low-quality' sort. Their skills seemed lower than any prior challengers.
Yet Blood Rain Guest's demeanor was odd.
Over two days, he'd faced famed experts with unwavering poise. Now, he looked flustered.
The bushy-haired man among them spoke.
"Master."
...Master?
Dang Mujin recalled Blood Rain Guest's words. He'd mentioned disciples once.
They'd expected brutality from him, so he'd fled in unease.
Blood Rain Guest mumbled awkwardly.
"Uh... long time no see."
The bushy-haired man scolded.
"You vanished suddenly—do you know how flustered we were?"
"...Sorry."
"It messed up our lives pretty bad."
"...Huh?"
Dang Mujin considered intervening but opted to watch.
He didn't know the full story, and it was Blood Rain Guest's to handle.
"Messed up how?"
"What do you expect when your master disappears right after taking us in? We missed our prime training window because of you."
Blood Rain Guest's voice shrank.
"Prime window? You weren't young when we met."
"True. But timing was bad. Had we known you'd vanish, we'd have become disciples of Blood Tyrant Sword instead. We rejected his offer to follow you, only for you to disappear."
"There was no Blood Tyrant Sword talk then. Besides, we were together barely four days..."
"Four days or four years—what difference? By the time you left, he'd already gone. We missed our chance because of you!"
Second-rate thugs intimidating a transcendent master—an bizarre scene. Yet Blood Rain Guest floundered apologetically.
"I see... Sorry. I had my reasons—forgive me."
Hyeon Gong nudged Dang Mujin from the side.
"Why?"
"Up close, they don't seem talented. Think that Blood Tyrant Sword really offered to take them?"
"Who knows. No proof otherwise, so believe for now."
Dang Mujin didn't buy it either. They looked more like swindlers or thugs than proper martial artists.
The bushy-haired man raised his voice at Blood Rain Guest.
"We let that slide. Four days as your disciples—no grudges. But we traveled far to see you, and you'd taken a new disciple."
Eyes turned to Nam Woong, who scowled at the sudden attention.
Blood Rain Guest floundered harder.
"Th-that just happened. Sorry."
The bushy-haired man sighed deeply and continued.
"We won't nitpick your past cleanup. But!"
"But?"
"Take us back as disciples. We'll stay at the Tang Family Manor too."
"Taking disciples is one thing, but staying here's not up to me. I'm not the manor lord."
"Master!"
The bushy-haired man bellowed, cutting him off.
He pressed aggressively, thinking he'd seized momentum.
"That's an excuse. You're just betraying us again!"
Not just him—the other two's faces hardened too.
Hyeon Gong read their expressions and felt certain.
'They know Blood Rain Guest's temperament inside out.'
Relations aren't set by skill alone.
The upright and cool stand tall even before superiors.
The naive and awkward fret even before inferiors.
Sadly, Blood Rain Guest was textbook latter.
The bushy-haired man sighed deeply.
"Fine. We'll understand everything. Abandoning us after taking us in, messing our lives, the new disciple—all forgiven. No hard feelings for not apologizing on sight. But if you're sorry, let us stay. It's not hard."
Dang Mujin eyed Blood Rain Guest's 'disciples' askance.
Their plight was pitiful, but their tone itched for a punch.
Glancing around, Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong spotted two onlookers frowning and whispering from afar.
They seemed acquainted with the trio, so the pair sidled over.
"...Those bastards must've caused trouble. What gives them that attitude?"
Dang Mujin interjected.
"Pardon—what were you saying? Know something about them?"
The onlookers recognized Dang Mujin.
Seizing the chance, they spilled eagerly.
"Those scum. From their hometown... Guangxi area. Infamous there."
"Infamous how?"
"Not for skill—for being rotten. They did everything that'd make folks grimace."
"Thugs?"
"Thugs? Way worse. Groping taken women was routine, they've raped plenty, and murder rumors swirled thick."
"Hmm."
"Wanting to stay here? Probably fled some unfixable mess. Planning to leech off the manor and Blood Rain Guest for safety. Listen, Dragon Physician."
"Yes."
"Tell the Tang lord—don't let them in. I guarantee it."
Such conviction about others is rare.
Meant they were truly vile.
But meddling in Blood Rain Guest's disciple drama wasn't ideal now. He had to settle his own karma here.
As Blood Rain Guest squirmed, a booming voice rang from the crowd.
"Blood Rain Guest. Shall I tell you why you're flustered?"
Eyes sought the source.
A gray-skinned monk towering a head above most—Three-Eyed Buddha.
Blood Rain Guest didn't reply, but Three-Eyed Buddha pressed on.
"They're demanding apologies, but you're not even sure you owe them one. Right?"
"Well, brother... I did wrong, and karma must be settled."
"Hah!"
Three-Eyed Buddha strode toward the platform.
No one dared block him; the crowd parted hastily.
"Listen. Is settling karma just words? You're still unorthodox till haishi turns to zishi, becoming a new man. You've lived unlike one till now—end it properly, unorthodox style."
"Unorthodox way?"
Three-Eyed Buddha nodded at Blood Rain Guest's sword.
"One swing of that waist blade clears karma, erases apologies. Why hesitate?"
Blood Rain Guest still wavered.
Three-Eyed Buddha's face twisted—pitying, or exasperated.
He pressed his thick fingers to his temples, murmuring low.
"Brother. Not unorthodox way, but shall I resolve it Demonic Cult style?"
Three-Eyed Buddha crouched, then sprang onto the platform with unnatural speed for his bulk.
His pot-lid palm then hurtled at the three disciples.
Killing intent clear, yet they didn't even register the attack.
The famed Three-Eyed Buddha—unlike Blood Rain Guest's ill-gotten infamy, a true Demonic Cult killer with earned notoriety.
Even first-rate or peak experts struggle against his grasp; riffraff stood no chance.
A moment's hesitation, and all three would die.
Clang!
Metal clashed.
Three-Eyed Buddha's palm halted by a sword, sparing the trio's skulls.
Blood Rain Guest had instinctively swung to block.