Chapter 168
I was dumbfounded, but I couldn’t exactly demand to know why she had spread those rumors.
It was a clever move. She had raised my reputation while using me as a shield to buy herself time to stabilize the merchant guild from within.
I understood the reasoning, but I kept feeling my face heat up from embarrassment. Fanning myself with my hand, I asked Jinseong,
“But why Poison Butterfly?”
“I heard it was because of the way your green sleeves flutter when you move. I believe it is a sobriquet that suits you well.”
“What?”
“You move as gracefully as a butterfly.”
“I-I see...”
This Daoist really had a talent for saying embarrassing things without the slightest hesitation.
Feeling awkward under Jinseong’s serious gaze, I quickly changed the subject.
“There’s a carriage over there! I’ll go ask if they’re headed to Jun County.”
“Yes.”
I hurried past Jinseong and ran over to the coachman to begin negotiating the fare.
*****
The journey to Jun County was so smooth that I found myself wondering if it was really all right.
The carriage never gave us trouble, and no bandits appeared to cause trouble.
Perhaps because a Wudang Daoist was traveling with us, people were especially kind.
“Immortal of Wudang, please try some of these.”
“I’m fine.”
“Ah, don’t refuse. The dumplings came out especially well today. How could I possibly take money from an immortal?”
Everywhere we went, people greeted him with warm gazes, and Jinseong seemed completely accustomed to such treatment.
Wow. A Wudang Daoist could receive free dumplings just by standing there.
It wasn’t only the servants of great families who had easy lives. Martial artists really had it best when they belonged to a great sect.
After experiencing firsthand how kind the world was toward disciples of renowned orthodox sects, I began to understand why young talents of the orthodox faction eagerly looked forward to entering the martial world from a young age.
With their sect’s backing, generous travel expenses, and a protector accompanying them, traveling the martial world was no different from visiting a famous scenic destination with guaranteed safety.
Meanwhile, I had been rolling around the Central Plains risking my life.
...Hah. The privileged really do have it easy.
At my jealous stare, Jinseong hesitantly held out a dumpling.
“Would you like one?”
“Oh, sure. Thank you.”
I nodded and put the dumpling he gave me into my mouth.
But before long, I had no choice but to spit it out while coughing.
“Have you heard the rumors? Apparently, at the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild in Yueyang...”
Whatever Jang Miryeo had said, the person in the rumors had become some kind of legendary hero straight out of a tale of valor.
“The merchant guild head’s daughter saw it herself. They say she appeared at the most desperate moment and defeated the villains, and her green sleeves fluttered so beautifully that...”
She didn’t see that.
Jang Miryeo had been unconscious.
“She sent her butterfly blades like this—whoosh! They say twenty villains collapsed before anyone could blink!”
“Wasn’t it thirty?”
“I heard forty.”
It wasn’t that many.
The story had gained a lot of weight.
“They say if it weren’t for Poison Butterfly, the merchant guild’s people would have been slaughtered.”
Well... that part might have been true.
If Uncle had taken control of the merchant guild, the people there would have been slowly drained of their vital essence by the members of the Demonic Sect.
Listening silently, Yeon Ryang’s lips twitched upward.
“Brother. Don’t laugh.”
“I wasn’t laughing—pfft!”
“I said don’t laugh.”
I irritably covered Yeon Ryang’s mouth, then immediately recoiled in disgust at the strange sensation of his human-skin mask and pulled my hand away.
“Miss Butterfly. To defeat forty villains, you must have been quite busy. At this rate, next time you’ll probably handle the One Hundred and Eight Arhats with ease.”
“I told you to stop...”
I glared at Yeon Ryang with narrowed eyes, but even I couldn’t stop an absurd laugh from escaping.
I wasn’t some peerless master. How could I possibly defeat forty people alone?
So this was how rumors about martial artists were born.
The rumors must have spread quite far, because every time I stepped down from the carriage, there were people stealing glances at me.
However, most of them were more interested in Jinseong than me.
“Isn’t that Wudang’s first-generation disciple? The young Daoist who led the suppression of the water bandits?”
“Where? Oh, you’re right! That’s him! He’s the Wudang Sword Dragon!”
“I heard he’s the disciple of the greatest swordsman in the world.”
Some people called me a butterfly, while others called him a dragon.
Then again, he had been called Sword Dragon during the martial tournament as well. His skill was recognized by everyone.
I nodded in understanding and quietly listened to the conversations around me. From what I heard, Jinseong had performed a great enough feat during the Martial Alliance’s suppression of the water bandits to earn his sobriquet.
“But what do you think would happen if the Azure Sky Divine Dragon and the Wudang Sword Dragon fought?”
“Watch your words. How can you compare them when their ages are so different? The young head of the Namgung Clan is only fifteen. Age cannot be ignored.”
“That’s exactly why it’s so impressive. He was called a Divine Dragon at fifteen. Imagine how strong the Sword Dragon will be when he reaches that age.”
At the familiar sobriquet, I widened my eyes.
Azure Sky Divine Dragon? Did Namgung Hwi participate in the suppression of the water bandits too?
The happiness of hearing a familiar name for the first time in a while was quickly followed by a prick of guilt.
I had stolen more than one of his opportunities.
I felt a little bad, but seeing that he had grown up well, it should be fine... right?
That little kid was already being called a dragon...
A lot of time really had passed.
Suddenly, the days when I had wandered around the Tang Clan estate trying to please that young master’s temper felt like something from a distant past.
Scratching my cheek, I asked Jinseong,
“Daoist Jinseong. Did you happen to meet the young head of the Namgung Clan at the Alliance?”
“Yes. I did.”
“What was he like?”
“Pardon?”
Jinseong blinked as if he didn’t understand what I meant. Realizing my question had been too vague, I quickly added,
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just wondering if he was doing well. I met him a few years ago. He was much younger back then.”
“I did not have a deep conversation with him, but he was a talented swordsman.”
“Did he grow taller? The last time I saw the young head of the clan, he was only this tall.”
“He appeared to be around five feet eight inches.”
Five feet eight inches?
Had he grown that much?
I tried imagining Namgung Hwi suddenly towering over me by more than a head, but I couldn’t quite picture it.
I probably wouldn’t recognize him if we met again.
If I encountered him someday, I should treat him well.
There was nothing I could do about the Myriad Poisons Pill or the Divine Physician of Ghost Hands’ belongings, but someday I felt I would need to repay this debt.
By the time we arrived at Jun County while checking on Yeon Ryang’s condition, it was already late evening.
I tilted my head at the sight of a familiar inn, then realized it was the same inn where I had first met Jinseong.
“I apologize, Daoist. I must have lost my composure for a moment. Looking at you up close, you are even more handsome.”
Remembering how I had pretended to be shy while saying such nonsense made my toes curl.
He doesn’t remember, does he?
He must have forgotten, right?
As I bit my lip against the flood of embarrassing memories, Yeon Ryang chuckled and teased me.
“Let’s see. I wonder if there’s a handsome Daoist here today or not.”
“Be quiet.”
I pinched his side and entered the inn, only to spot an old Daoist sitting alone and sipping from a cup of wine.
Jinseong’s face brightened at the sight of him.
“Master.”
“I figured you would arrive around this time. Was the journey pleasant, Miss? Did this stiff fellow trouble you?”
Unlike when I had seen him at the safe house, he was dressed like an immortal. If Jinseong had not called him Master, I might not have recognized him as the same person.
“Ah, hello, Elder. About last time...”
“Hahaha! There is no need to apologize. It was only an old man’s prank, so do not concern yourself with it.”
The Taiji Sword Immortal laughed warmly and waved his hand. Then he stood up and handed the wine bottle he had been drinking from to Yeon Ryang.
“This old Daoist may take this fellow away, correct?”
“Excuse me? Right now?”
“Of course. Now is the time. Come, you follow me. Jinseong, I will call for you later, so take good care of our guest.”
“Yes, Master.”
The Taiji Sword Immortal waved lightly, patted Yeon Ryang on the back, and left the inn with him.
I stared blankly with my mouth slightly open, completely caught off guard.
Yeon Ryang smiled and winked as if telling me not to worry.
“It’s fine. I’ll be with the young Daoist.”
“What are you waiting for? Hurry up!”
“Yikes. Your brother will be back.”
Startled by the Taiji Sword Immortal’s shout, Yeon Ryang hurriedly followed after him.
In an instant, I was left alone with Jinseong, blinking in confusion.
******
The third-generation disciples of Wudang were busy inspecting the guest quarters.
Guests staying at Wudang’s guest quarters was nothing unusual, but today was different.
It was the first time their senior uncle-disciple, Jinseong, had invited someone to the main mountain.
“Songhwa, shouldn’t we replace the bedding with silk? She is a Tang Clan young lady, after all.”
“Silk bedding is excessive for a Taoist monastery, Senior Brother. We must not make it seem like we are trying too hard. The guest will only feel burdened.”
“Is that so...? Then should we replace the lamp oil with a better one? This one leaves soot behind.”
“I think that much should be fine.”
Curious about the commotion, an old Daoist stretched his head over the wall and asked,
“Who is arriving that you are putting so much effort into this?”
“Songgwang greets Senior Uncle Jinhyun.”
“Songhwa greets Senior Uncle Jinhyun.”
“No need for greetings. Silk bedding? Who exactly are you preparing so carefully for?”
At the elder’s question, Songgwang rolled his eyes before whispering,
“Senior Uncle, did you hear that Jinseong made a young lady cry?”
“Haha! I heard. Didn’t he turn pale and ask what he should do when a young lady cried? I laughed so hard.”
“That’s right. The young lady Senior Uncle Jinseong made cry is coming here. He went to bring her back half a month ago, so she should arrive soon.”
At Songgwang’s answer, confusion appeared on the old Daoist’s face.
“...Your junior brother is bringing someone here?”
“The young lady he made cry. She’ll be staying at the main mountain for a while. She’s a beautiful Tang Clan young lady.”
Another old Daoist passing by widened his eyes and joined the conversation.
“What? Jinseong is going to bring back a woman? Why? Is he seeking permission for a betrothal?”
“I don’t think so, Senior Uncle.”
Songgwang gave an awkward smile and bowed his head.
“What nonsense are you talking about? A Daoist seeking a betrothal?”
Jinhye’s rebuke made Jinhye tilt his shoulders with a shrug.
“Is Jinseong the same as us? We turned away from the secular world by our own choice, but he didn’t. If he simply said he wanted to marry, Senior Uncle would immediately send a formal proposal. What’s the issue?”
A moment later, an old Daoist who had appeared from somewhere yawned and asked,
“Senior Brother, what do you mean? Jinseong would send a formal proposal?”
“Formal proposal? What did our youngest junior brother do?”
Songgwang forced an awkward smile while his legs trembled.
The old Daoists of the Jin generation were gathering around the guest quarters.
Th-This was bad!
He had already been severely scolded once recently for speaking carelessly. If they discovered that the source of this ridiculous rumor was Songgwang, he might be beaten so badly he would need half a month of recovery.
Cold sweat poured down Songgwang’s back.
It seemed he had made a mistake.