Chapter 11 – Brush with Death(11)
The horse defecated profusely from its rear under the coachman’s whip and slowly moved away. The gray clouds covering the sky looked as if they might pour rain at any moment.
I didn’t want to get drenched like a wet mouse in a place where I had no connections, so I had no choice but to stop first at the nearest inn and get two rooms.
Was it because of the gloomy weather? The inn was depressingly empty, with most seats vacant and few customers. My first impression of Gangbuk had been the worst so far.
Only after Sua and I had firmly settled into our seats did the server hurry over to us. Wait—what food did they sell at this inn again?
“What’s the best dish today?”
“Recently, the guapoyuk has been getting the best reviews!”
“Then two bowls of somyeon with one guapoyuk—and two cups of green tea as well.”[TL/N: Somyeon is a thin Korean wheat noodle used in soups and cold dishes.]
“Understood, sir!”
Guapoyuk is the dish most similar to modern sweet and sour pork. However, unlike the sweet and sour pork eaten in Korea, it has a distinctive sweet taste with a hint of garlic flavor.
While ordering, I observed the interior of the inn. I could feel curious gazes cast upon us as unfamiliar outsiders, but soon that interest faded away.
If the Namgung family represents Gangnam, then the Murong family represents Gangbuk. Yet it was surprising that they couldn’t recognize the daughter of that family.
“You’re right; there really is no need to cover your face.”
“I have never shown my face to anyone outside the family since childhood.”
“Was it because of your father’s orders?”
“Yes. I was someone who existed but didn’t exist.”
She explained that whenever guests visited the family—or during festivals—she was locked in her room all day. It was pitiful that she could talk about such things so casually.
‘That family head seems more unqualified as a parent the more I hear. Could he possibly have formed some kind of relationship with the Evil Sect?’
Like an onion, the more layers you peel, the more horror stories emerge. At this point, anyone who isn’t a fool would immediately realize that the current head of the Murong family isn’t normal.
I heard that the Murong family had been cut off from the martial arts world for a long time. That means it’s the perfect situation for those Evil Sect bastards to infiltrate and manipulate.
But I can’t be certain right now. After all, I only have circumstantial evidence and no physical proof. So for now, I’ll set this matter aside and prioritize gathering information.
“Is there anyone in the Murong family you can trust?”
“There’s one person who comes to mind.”
“Who is that?”
“There’s Master Murong Heesu. She’s my brother’s close friend and has always taken care of me. Even when I was confined to my room, she was the one who continued to talk with me until the end.”
“Are there any distinguishing features I can recognize her by?”
A personality like a flower blooming in a garbage dump—such a person would surely be able to help us. But for some reason, Sua narrowed her eyes.
“If it’s not rude to ask, may I know the reason?”
“I’m thinking of meeting her directly to get information. If what you say is true, she could help us.”
“Ah, I see. A distinctive feature would be… Master Heesu has strikingly brilliant red hair, like a poppy, and a beauty mark under her eye.”
“That’s enough.”
But I can’t make contact right away. Until now, I’ve been able to handle opponents because they weren’t first-class, but this place is clearly the headquarters of the Murong family.
“Since the Murong family is one of the Five Great families. Even if they don’t have warriors at the level of the Realm of Life and Death, they must have masters at the Profound Realm… or at the very least, the Flower Realm. Charging into such a place alone would be akin to suicide.”
In that sense, it’s also very dangerous for Sua to be spotted by warriors affiliated with the Murong family. They would immediately pursue us with their masters. I raised my hand to call the server.
“I have something to ask.”
“Yes, yes! Do you need anything?”
“Is the inn always this empty?”
“Oh no, it’s not.”
Inns are central hubs where many people come and go. Although I wouldn’t be able to get detailed information since I’m not an insider, I should at least be able to discern the general flow.
“Actually, a few days ago, I saw many warriors from the Murong family leaving!”
“They left? Where to?”
“I don’t know much, but they seemed to be searching for something.”
“Hmm, do you also know a warrior named Murong Heesu?”
“Of course I do! She’s a regular customer who frequently visits our inn. She came yesterday too, so she’ll probably come today as well!”
In other words, if I wait here, I could meet her. Of course, I might have to wait indefinitely, but it’s better than charging into or infiltrating the Murong family alone.
Additionally, I was able to confirm that many Murong family warriors had left. I gave a suitable reward to the server who had diligently provided the information.
“I see, thank you for sharing in detail. Consider this a token of my appreciation.”
“Thank you very much, sir!”
“Are you saying we can meet Master Heesu here?”
“If she didn’t leave this morning, then yes. So let’s rest here for a while and wait.”
We had been traveling by carriage for fifteen days without a single day of rest to get here, so it wouldn’t hurt to sit down and rest for a little while—and we needed to eat anyway.
Just then, the server brought the food we had ordered and set it down on the table. But for some reason, Sua didn’t immediately start eating; she seemed to be cautiously observing the situation.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“N-no, it’s not that.”
“Then is there some other problem?”
“Well… I haven’t done anything for a month, so I feel guilty about receiving free food.”
“…??”
To summarize, it was like this:
In the Murong family, Sua always had to please the family head in order to eat. If she didn’t, she couldn’t eat, and she had to undergo grueling training every day.
In other words:
He who does not work shall not eat.
This principle had been deeply ingrained in her mind.
No wonder her food intake had decreased significantly recently. So that was the reason? How do you raise a child to end up like this? I clicked my tongue and spoke.
“It’s true that those who don’t work shouldn’t eat.”
“…”
“Then what do you think your job is?”
“I… don’t know.”
“It is to grow up healthy and right.”
Sua stared at me blankly with a shocked expression, as if all the values she had known until now were being denied. I smiled and handed her the chopsticks.
“Eat before it gets cold.”
She must be very hungry.
◇
After finishing our meal and waiting at the inn, a woman dressed in martial arts clothing entered. Indeed, as Sua had said, she was a woman with brilliant red hair like a puppy.
Since there weren’t many people in the inn, her gaze naturally fell on us—one of the few patrons there. The woman flinched momentarily, then cleared her throat and approached.
“According to Murong Sa’s report, you were supposed to be hiding near Mount Geumhyeon. How did you manage to return?” she asked.
“With the help of this great warrior, we were somehow able to come here,” I replied.
“…I see, so you are the benefactor who helped Sua, Elder.”
Why does everyone I meet for the first time treat me like an old man?
I felt a surge of anger but suppressed it for now. There was no time to vent my grievances about my aging appearance—we needed to rescue Murong Hyun as soon as possible.
“I’ve heard much about you, Miss Murong Heesu. You’re a first-class warrior affiliated with the Righteous Dragon Hall?” I inquired.
“That’s correct,” she responded.
“Let me ask you directly: Do you know where Young Master Murong Hyeon is being detained?”
“…I don’t know that much. Only the family head knows where the young master is being held.”
“Is that so?”
“But if you give me just one day, I’ll somehow find out,” she said confidently.
Murong Heesu assured me that she could definitely find out if given one day. I nodded appropriately and sent her back to the Murong family.
“It’s dangerous elsewhere, so please wait at this inn. I’ll return by noon tomorrow at the latest.”
“I’ll trust you and wait, miss.”
“I won’t disappoint you.”
“I feel relieved now, great warrior,” she added.
After Murong Heesu left the inn, Sua spoke with a relaxed expression. But when I silently rose from my seat, Sua tilted her head and asked again.
“Is there a problem?”
“Warriors will probably raid the inn tonight,” I replied.
“What? What do you mean…?”
“You still don’t understand?” I pressed.
She continuously receives reports from Murong Sa, always uses honorifics for the family head, and insists that she can find out information that only the family head knows in just one day—even earnestly asking us to wait.
“Murong Heesu is a traitor.”
Or perhaps—
Maybe she was sent to approach us from the beginning, to monitor Sua.
