Chapter 543
Chapter 543
Chapter 543. The Life-Taking Guest (3)
I asked the Life-Taking Guest.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, it is nothing.” (Life-Taking Guest)
“There is no time to dawdle. If we get held up here, we will waste time. Let us go quickly.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, understood.” (Life-Taking Guest)
Like that, we left that place behind, leaving the disappointed people behind us.
After we had gotten some distance away, the Life-Taking Guest asked,
“But did you have to refuse so coldly? They seemed very disappointed…….” (Life-Taking Guest)
“It was not something I did in order to receive payment, so what does it matter? And right now, they will be out of their minds taking care of the aftermath. Making them worry about repaying us in a situation like that would only make things harder for them.” (Eun Seoho)
“Uh…….” (Life-Taking Guest)
Looking at him, flustered, I continued speaking.
“Putting that aside, if you fail to distinguish priorities again and speak recklessly like you did earlier, then I might beat you.” (Eun Seoho)
“That was my fault. I apologize.” (Life-Taking Guest)
“Please be careful from now on.” (Eun Seoho)
“I will.” (Life-Taking Guest)
Like that, we traveled for several more days, and at last, we reached the river.
Normally, we would have ridden the Crimson River Horses and crossed the river, but this time, since we had a companion, we had to take a boat across.
Fortunately, it was a place with active water transport, so we were able to cross the river by boat without much difficulty.
After crossing the river, we soon arrived at Kaifeng.
“As expected of Kaifeng.” (Eun Seoho)
“Indeed, sir.” (Palgap)
It was certainly worthy of being counted among the Empire’s foremost cities.
I said to the Life-Taking Guest,
“Let us rest here for a day and depart again.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Life-Taking Guest)
We moved to look for a suitable inn.
“How about that place?” (Life-Taking Guest)
“The food is not good.” (Eun Seoho)
“That place seems decent, though?” (Life-Taking Guest)
“The soundproofing is poor.” (Eun Seoho)
I rejected every inn the Life-Taking Guest recommended.
By my standards, a suitable inn had to satisfy both the quality of its facilities and its food, but most of all, it had to be a place where information could be protected.
Though not as much as Luoyang, where the Martial Alliance was located, Kaifeng was the base of the Beggars Sect, their main source of information.
So it would be better not to stand out too much.
“That place would be good.” (Eun Seoho)
It was also the inn where I had stayed when I came to the Beggars Sect in order to shake off the group chasing me back when I went to deliver a letter to Lord Bang Hyomyeong as an errand for the Emperor.
That was already about two years ago.
Time really does pass quickly.
By the way, this inn is rather expensive.
“If you do not have money to stay here, I can instead…….” (Eun Seoho)
“Did I not say before? I said it was all right because I have plenty of money.” (Life-Taking Guest)
True, he did give off the particular ease of someone with a lot of money.
But now I am suddenly curious.
“What did you do to earn so much money?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, he answered.
“The property my master left to me is quite considerable. Since before my grandmaster, there have been quite a few businesses and lands passed down through the generations.” (Life-Taking Guest)
Phew.
I let out a sigh.
I feel as if that was given not so that he could waste it however he pleased like this, but so that, since it is passed down through a single line of succession, he could carry on the martial arts properly without going hungry.
“Did your master leave any words regarding that property?” (Eun Seoho)
“Nothing in particular. One day, he suddenly disappeared without a trace. I learned of the inherited property thanks to the chief administrator who manages it.” (Life-Taking Guest)
“Then is the reason you are traveling around the Empire like this to look for your master?” (Eun Seoho)
“You could say that.” (Life-Taking Guest)
He nodded.
“Then one day, I met a martial artist, and got into a dispute with him. He was a fellow called Three Benevolences Sword Wolf or something, but he was not so benevolent as to deserve using the character benevolence three times. So taking that fellow’s alias was the beginning of this Life-Taking Guest.” (Life-Taking Guest)
By chance, I ended up hearing about the beginning of the Life-Taking Guest.
“So at first, it began for a fairly righteous reason.” (Eun Seoho)
Though now, he was receiving resentment from people and building up infamy along with it.
“…….” (Life-Taking Guest)
At my words, he could not say anything.
After unpacking our luggage at the inn, we came outside.
No matter how much we had to be mindful of the Beggars Sect, we had come to Kaifeng for the first time in a while, so keeping everyone inside the inn would be too cruel.
Even Palgap looked as if he was itching to move.
On our way out, I saw the Life-Taking Guest drinking tea on the first floor.
“We are thinking of looking around the marketplace for a while. Would you like to come with us?” (Eun Seoho)
At my suggestion, he readily nodded.
“Good.” (Life-Taking Guest)
Like that, we left the inn.
And we went sightseeing here and there around Kaifeng.
In particular, we looked mainly around the shops and markets, because by looking at the stalls there, one could also see what things were popular and what people were interested in.
While looking around, I also bought dried meat, a specialty of Kaifeng.
I glanced behind me.
“It would be best to rest for a while at a teahouse.” (Eun Seoho)
“……That would be good.” (Life-Taking Guest)
Kaifeng was a commercially prosperous place, but its teahouses were also quite famous.
Perhaps because there were many people with enough leisure to spend time in teahouses.
As one of the great cities close to Beijing, it was also a place with many wealthy families.
That was why many poets from Kaifeng had participated in the poetry and prose competition last time, and their results had been good as well.
We entered a nearby, suitable teahouse.
“Welcome!” (Waiter)
A waiter greeted us and guided us to our seats.
“Will you order?” (Waiter)
“I will have Bihai.” (Eun Seoho)
Bihai was a tea made by our Eunhae Trading Company itself, and by mixing several kinds of tea, it gave a refreshing feeling as if looking at the blue sea.
It had been made to commemorate Eunhae Trading Company’s first trade expedition last time, and I had heard it was selling fairly well.
Once the weather became hotter, it would sell even better.
And I myself also rather liked Bihai.
At my order, my party ordered the same thing, and the Life-Taking Guest ordered Wuyi rock tea.
Wuyi rock tea was a tea produced near Mount Wuyi in Fujian Province, and it was a tea in which one could feel both a clear and sweet taste.
Come to think of it, the Life-Taking Guest was from Fujian Province.
Soon, the tea we had ordered came out, and as I drank the tea with the refreshments served alongside it, I said in a small voice,
“There is someone tailing us.” (Eun Seoho)
“I know. They are waiting outside the teahouse now.” (Life-Taking Guest)
“It seems they are aiming for you…….” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, he let out a sigh and bowed his head slightly.
“Phew. I apologize.” (Life-Taking Guest)
“Were you being chased?” (Eun Seoho)
“In truth, there are not just one or two people chasing this body.” (Life-Taking Guest)
Well, of course.
That was how many aliases he had taken, regardless of whether they belonged to the white path or the black path. Those waiting inside the teahouse for the Life-Taking Guest to come out were of the black path.
They were probably tailing us and looking for an opening because the force of the guards traveling with me was not ordinary.
If they were from the white path, rather than tailing us so openly, they would have approached more secretly.
Come to think of it…… did they not say that when the Life-Taking Guest died, no one had expected his death?
Even the one who killed him had supposedly been surprised.
It was an attack he had expected him to avoid easily, but for some reason, he could not dodge it and died after being stabbed by the sword.
Perhaps someone who bore a grudge had done something.
Though I do not know what method they used.
If he built up that much infamy, that could happen.
He really causes all kinds of trouble.
I let out a sigh.
“It cannot be helped.” (Eun Seoho)
I was the one who had invited him to accompany us, so this must be something I have to deal with as well.
“What is it they want?” (Eun Seoho)
“Would it not be to take their names back from me and restore their pride?” (Life-Taking Guest)
“Then can you not simply return them?” (Eun Seoho)
“Do you know how I gathered those? How can you say such a thing!” (Life-Taking Guest)
The Life-Taking Guest shook his head and objected.
Well, to him, that must be no different from the honor he had spent his whole life building.
“Is it not all useless if you die?” (Eun Seoho)
“…….” (Life-Taking Guest)
“Then how do you intend to resolve this? Surely you do not want to be chased around your entire life.” (Eun Seoho)
“I can kill them. Then there will be no more people to chase me.” (Life-Taking Guest)
No.
That will only call forth another hatred and thirst for revenge.
“You will regret that.” (Eun Seoho)
“Do you think I would be defeated by such lowly fellows?” (Life-Taking Guest)
“I will tell you an old saying about battle that has been passed down since very ancient times.” (Eun Seoho)
“What is it?” (Life-Taking Guest)
“No matter how outstanding a martial artist may be, no one can withstand being ganged up on.” (Eun Seoho)
In vulgar terms, was it called a dogpile?
And this place was the great city of Kaifeng.
If we caused trouble, we would go through quite a bit of hardship, and our schedule would also be delayed.
That could not happen.
When I rose from my seat, he asked me,
“Where are you going?” (Life-Taking Guest)
“I am going to resolve it in your place.” (Eun Seoho)
“Why would you?” (Life-Taking Guest)
“Because I dislike becoming inconvenienced because of those chasing you.” (Eun Seoho)
And I also think it would be good if I made the Life-Taking Guest owe me a debt with this matter.
“Phew, if I only watch while you deal with them in my place, then my name as the Life-Taking Guest will weep. Stop. I will resolve it.” (Life-Taking Guest)
“With that sword?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is so.” (Life-Taking Guest)
I smiled faintly.
“I can use a sword as well, but that is not the answer to everything.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking while looking at the Life-Taking Guest, who laughed as if dumbfounded after hearing something that made no sense.
“What will you do if I send them away without drawing my sword?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is impossible.” (Life-Taking Guest)
“It is possible.” (Eun Seoho)
I lifted the corner of my mouth and continued speaking.
“Shall we make a bet?” (Eun Seoho)
“If there is such entertainment on this journey, it is a good thing. It feels like a contest within a contest.” (Life-Taking Guest)
After thinking for a moment at my words, he said,
“Well, it is no loss for me. Then if you fail, let us say I have accumulated one virtuous chivalry.” (Life-Taking Guest)
“Good. Instead, if I succeed, call me hyung-nim until we arrive at the Jegal Family.” (Eun Seoho)
“……Good.” (Life-Taking Guest)
Like that, the bet was made.
I rose from my seat and went down from the teahouse with my party. Then I approached the group from the black path who were waiting outside the door.
When I approached, they moved warily.
Since they had watched me and the Life-Taking Guest traveling together the whole time, it was only natural.
So I got straight to the point.
“Do you perhaps have business with the Life-Taking Guest?” (Eun Seoho)
“……!” (Black Path Member)
Their expressions showed their confusion, as if they had not expected me to ask so directly.
“Ah, for reference, it would be best not to draw your swords. As you know, since even members of the Imperial Family are present here in Kaifeng, it is a place where the Imperial Guards patrol frequently. It would be troublesome if you were caught for nothing, would it not?” (Eun Seoho)
“I, it does not matter!” (Black Path Member)
“If we can reclaim the alias hyung-nim lost…….” (Black Path Member)
“Tsk tsk.” (Eun Seoho)
I clicked my tongue.
“Would the person you call hyung-nim feel at ease if you were thrown in prison for nothing? If things go wrong, the one you call hyung-nim may also be implicated in the same crime.” (Eun Seoho)
“Th, that is…….” (Black Path Member)
“Moreover, this is a place even the Martial Alliance pays attention to. Nothing good will come of being marked by them.” (Eun Seoho)
“…….” (Black Path Member)
They cannot say anything.
“So what is the alias your hyung-nim had taken from him?” (Eun Seoho)
“Mad Dog of Shanxi.” (Black Path Member)
Mad Dog of Shanxi……
I do not understand why he would cling to such an alias and try to take it back.
Well, I have no need to understand that now.
There are very many things in the world that are hard to understand, and at times like that, it is good for one’s mental health to simply accept that such things exist and move on.
“That alias must have looked extremely impressive.” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course!” (Black Path Member)
“But if it were me, rather than reclaiming that alias, I would create an even more impressive one.” (Eun Seoho)
“An even more…… impressive alias?” (Black Path Member)
“Yes. Since you said Mad Dog of Shanxi, he must live in Shanxi.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is so.” (Black Path Member)
“Then how about Gallant Tyrant of Shanxi, or Fierce Tiger of Shanxi?” (Eun Seoho)
“Oooh!” (Black Path Member)
At my words, their faces brightened.
“There was such a method!” (Black Path Member)
“Is it not even more impressive than Fierce Dog of Shanxi?” (Black Path Member)
I spoke to them with an expression of sympathy.
“I understand your feelings. Honestly, you chased the Life-Taking Guest because, in your frustration, you wanted to vent your anger at least, did you not?” (Eun Seoho)
“…….” (Black Path Member)
Seeing them unable to answer and avoid my gaze meant that my words were correct.
For the sake of their hyung-nim was probably just an excuse, and venting their anger must have been the real purpose.
“In truth, I am currently in the middle of an alias contest with the Life-Taking Guest.” (Eun Seoho)
“Is, is that true?” (Black Path Member)
“It is. That fellow is trying to take my alias, Seonhyeop Mirang.” (Eun Seoho)
“Huk! Then you are that famous Seonhyeop Mirang!” (Black Path Member)
“As expected, I thought you were handsome!” (Black Path Member)
They nodded.
“To think you would give advice even to people like us! I am moved.” (Black Path Member)
“By the way, that bastard really is a rotten bastard! Of all the aliases he could aim for, he targets the alias Seonhyeop Mirang?” (Black Path Member)
“Exactly!” (Black Path Member)
I smiled at their honest reaction.
“In truth, if I send you all away without drawing my sword, the Life-Taking Guest has agreed to call me hyung-nim. Does that not sound truly amusing?” (Eun Seoho)
“Oooh!” (Black Path Member)
“That prideful bastard calling someone younger than himself hyung-nim!” (Black Path Member)
“That will be worth seeing!” (Black Path Member)
“So please help me a little.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, they nodded.
“If it is that sort of thing, we must help! It will also relieve our anger!” (Black Path Member)
“Of course! That is right!” (Black Path Member)
“Thank you for your cooperation.” (Eun Seoho)
“It is nothing…….” (Black Path Member)
They all look delighted to death, as if they have imagined the sight of the Life-Taking Guest calling me hyung-nim.
“Then I will look forward to an even more impressive alias.” (Eun Seoho)
“Hahaha! Look forward to it!” (Black Path Member)
Like that, they obediently left, and I looked up at the teahouse.
I saw the Life-Taking Guest with an expression as if he had bitten into a rotten cucumber.
Heh! Then am I hyung-nim from now on?
.
.
.
A short while later.
We returned to the inn.
“Today, to commemorate me becoming hyung-nim, I will buy dinner.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, the Life-Taking Guest spoke with a reluctant expression.
“I, I do not feel like…….” (Life-Taking Guest)
At those words, Palgap said,
“If you skip a meal, your body will feel unwell during the journey, sir.” (Palgap)
“…….” (Life-Taking Guest)
In the end, he sighed and answered.
“Understood, hyung-nim.” (Life-Taking Guest)
“If you are calling him hyung-nim, should you not also speak at length, sir?” (Palgap)
Grit.
I think I just heard the sound of teeth grinding.
Hehehe, as expected of Palgap.
How does he understand my heart so well?
“Under…… stood. Hyung-nim.” (Life-Taking Guest)
Listening to the Life-Taking Guest’s answer, I grinned inwardly.
For some reason, it feels as if a ten-year-old indigestion has gone down.