Episode 214: The Blood Rain Guest
As the Blood Rain Guest struck the back of Hong Geolgae’s neck, Hong Geolgae collapsed with a wide grin on his face.
Fainting was one thing, but if he hit his head on the ground while falling, it could be dangerous.
Unexpectedly, the Blood Rain Guest extended his sword sheath to gently cushion Hong Geolgae’s head.
After a brief glance at the unconscious Hong Geolgae, the Blood Rain Guest turned to Tang Mujin and his companions with an unexpected proposition.
“Let’s call it a day.”
He sheathed his sword as he spoke, leaving Tang Mujin bewildered.
“Wait. You’re just leaving?”
“Is that a problem?”
“Not exactly, but… why the sudden change?”
Without hesitation, the Blood Rain Guest replied, “Isn’t today a day to celebrate your friend’s breakthrough?”
Tang Mujin couldn’t believe his ears.
Such considerate words seemed out of place for a ruthless martial arts master. Even by ordinary standards, it was unusually kind.
‘What’s his angle?’
Tang Mujin suspected the Blood Rain Guest was making excuses to escape.
Most top-tier martial artists he’d encountered, except for someone like Yoo Jin-gwang, tended to be cautious.
However, Hong Geolgae’s strike, though insightful, wasn’t decisive enough to determine victory. The Blood Rain Guest had skillfully minimized the impact at the last moment.
As if confirming Tang Mujin’s suspicions, the Blood Rain Guest showed no signs of discomfort.
Continuing the fight would likely put Tang Mujin and his group back on the defensive.
The Blood Rain Guest added, “I didn’t come here to fight. You picked a quarrel, and I simply obliged.”
Tang Mujin reconsidered the situation from the Blood Rain Guest’s perspective.
While sitting in the inn, Jeong Taeryeong had fired the Rain of Blossoms Needle. The Blood Rain Guest subdued him, and Tang Mujin’s group provoked further conflict. That was it.
…No, there was something else.
“But you attacked the innkeeper and the staff.”
“I only restrained them because they tried to throw me out when I asked to wait inside. If you don’t believe me, ask them yourself.”
The Blood Rain Guest gestured with his sword sheath behind Tang Mujin.
The innkeeper and staff, who had fainted, were now awake, staring grimly at the inn’s wall, which the Blood Rain Guest had sliced through.
The Blood Rain Guest continued, “I came looking for the creator of the Rain of Blossoms Needle. And that person is you, isn’t it?”
He pointed directly at Tang Mujin.
“How did you know?”
“The needle was poisoned, wasn’t it? You’ve mastered poison techniques and handled the poisoned needle skillfully. At the very least, you’re connected to its creator.”
The Blood Rain Guest paused, glancing around.
Hundreds of onlookers were watching, eager to know what was being discussed between him and Tang Mujin’s group.
Pulling his hat lower, the Blood Rain Guest whispered, “Too many people here. I’ll be back soon.”
With that, he vanished.
After the peculiar end to the fight, Tang Mujin and his companions returned to the inn.
Tang Mujin worried about how to handle the crowd that might swarm them.
Surprisingly, the onlookers dispersed quickly, having witnessed the group’s martial prowess.
They realized that forcing their way into the inn could cost them their heads.
The innkeeper looked at the square-cut wall with a troubled expression.
But when Namgung Myung handed him a few coins, his face brightened as if nothing had happened.
Tang Mujin suspected the innkeeper was using his expressions to earn money.
He then examined Jeong Taeryeong’s broken wrist.
Even without touching it, Jeong Taeryeong gritted his teeth, struggling to endure the pain.
“Is there a way to treat it?”
“I’m not sure if he’ll be able to wield a sword with his right hand again. But since the finger bones aren’t shattered, he should be able to hold a spoon.”
“That’s a relief, at least.”
Jeong Taeryeong, not wanting to show his pain, smiled despite the sweat pouring down his face.
Tang Mujin pressed Jeong Taeryeong’s acupoints to alleviate the pain as much as possible.
“It will hurt. Please bear with it.”
“Ugh!”
Tang Mujin firmly set the bones, though he wasn’t confident. The wrist’s many small bones meant the outcome could vary greatly.
He continued to press the acupoints, hoping to ease Jeong Taeryeong’s pain for as long as possible.
“We’ve caused you trouble. I’m sorry.”
But Jeong Taeryeong shook his head.
“No, it’s my fault for recklessly using the Rain of Blossoms Needle. It’s not your fault at all.”
He smiled faintly.
“In fact, I consider myself lucky. I attacked a top-tier martial artist and survived. How many people can say that? I’m the one who should apologize.”
“Apologize?”
“You helped me, but I messed everything up. With my right hand like this, I can’t continue in the martial arts tournament. I wish I’d learned to fight with my left hand…”
Jeong Taeryeong wasn’t wrong.
His last opponent wore padded clothes instead of heavy armor, acknowledging Jeong Taeryeong’s swordsmanship. Being slowed down would leave them vulnerable to his attacks.
But now that Jeong Taeryeong couldn’t wield a sword, his next opponent would likely wear more than just padded clothes. Relying solely on the Rain of Blossoms Needle for victory was overly optimistic.
Just then, a voice came from the inn’s entrance.
“Don’t worry about that.”
Two figures stood where the Blood Rain Guest had cut through the wall. An older man and a younger one.
Tang Mujin recognized the younger man. He’d seen him at the martial arts tournament, infatuated with Jeong Okryeong. He was the son of the head of the Jeongdo Trading Company.
Thus, he could guess the older man’s identity. It was likely the head of the Jeongdo Trading Company.
The head of the Jeongdo Trading Company entered the inn with his son and spoke.
“The Jeongdo Trading Company will withdraw from this marriage arrangement.”
“What?”
Jeong Taeryeong asked, bewildered, as the head of the Jeongdo Trading Company looked at Namgung Myung, who was lounging at a table.
“I thought we could compete on equal footing since Namgung Myung lost his family’s backing… No, I thought we were ahead. But after witnessing the fight outside the inn, I changed my mind. My son isn’t in the same league as Namgung Myung.”
The head of the Jeongdo Trading Company, with a merchant’s keen eye, assessed the situation.
Even without martial arts training, he could see the vast gap between his son and Namgung Myung.
It wasn’t just that Namgung Myung was better than his son. His martial prowess was beyond comparison with any peer.
If a merchant could see that, the gap would be even more apparent to martial artists.
The head of the Jeongdo Trading Company had made his calculations.
If he had to bet on Namgung Myung’s future, it was safer to wager on him returning to his family and becoming the head rather than remaining an outcast.
The Jeongdo Trading Company was large, but not large enough to risk a feud with the future head of the Namgung family. The conclusion was clear: they had to withdraw.
The son of the head of the Jeongdo Trading Company looked at Jeong Okryeong with a wistful expression.
“After seeing the fight with the Blood Rain Guest, I realized that even if I were as skilled as Namgung Myung, I wouldn’t have been able to participate. I don’t have what it takes to win Jeong’s heart. Everything is clear now. I will withdraw.”
Tang Mujin thought the son of the head of the Jeongdo Trading Company was overestimating Namgung Myung’s character. In terms of martial prowess, perhaps, but in character, the son was likely superior.
Tang Mujin swallowed the truth that rose to his throat and asked, “Are you withdrawing from the martial arts tournament?”
The son shook his head.
“No, I’ll see the tournament through to the end. I’ve come this far. I’m just giving up on the bet.”
The situation had taken an unexpected turn.
Jeong Taeryeong would have to withdraw from the tournament, but he had achieved his goal.
However, even if the son of the head of the Jeongdo Trading Company won the tournament, he wouldn’t achieve his desired outcome.
Between Jeong Taeryeong and the son, it wasn’t clear who was the winner and who was the loser.
But there was one definite loser: the father of the Jeong siblings. The head of the Bowon Clan, Jeong Gunwi, wouldn’t be able to settle his debts through marriage.
“Please make Jeong happy.”
With those words, the father and son from the Jeongdo Trading Company left the inn.
Jeong Okryeong approached Namgung Myung with a bright smile.
“So, when should we have our wedding?”
Thanks to Jeong Okryeong’s bold statement, Namgung Myung realized he was now in a de facto marriage.
However, he wasn’t prepared for a wedding.
Even if they were to marry, Namgung Myung believed it was only right to achieve something more concrete before tying the knot. It was a matter of responsibility.
”…I’ll come for you when the time is right.”
Namgung Myung’s vague promise didn’t worry Jeong Ok-ryeong. She knew he wouldn’t abandon her for another woman.
Of course, the wait would be longer. But that wasn’t a significant issue for Jeong Ok-ryeong. The indefinite wait had become a promise, and for now, that was enough.
The next morning.
Hyeon-gong stepped out of his room, intending to have breakfast, and was startled. A man wearing a bamboo hat, the infamous Blood Rain Guest, was eating breakfast at the inn.
The innkeeper stood a little distance away, watching the Blood Rain Guest with a deeply uncomfortable expression.
Hyeon-gong considered retreating, but the Blood Rain Guest had already noticed him.
“Don’t be tense. I’m not here to fight,” the Blood Rain Guest said.
Hyeon-gong nodded, pondering how to proceed.
He thought about skipping breakfast and returning to his room, but that would seem disrespectful.
He had to eat, but where should he sit? At the same table? Or a little further away?
Sitting at a different table would be a poor choice, as it would openly display a desire for distance.
The only option left was to sit across from the Blood Rain Guest.
Though a bit nervous, Hyeon-gong wasn’t overly afraid.
In truth, if yesterday’s skirmish had been serious, at least one or two people should have lost their lives. Yet, the only one injured was Jeong Tae-ryeong, who had attacked the Blood Rain Guest first.
Even Hong Geol-gae, who had fainted, wasn’t injured. The Blood Rain Guest had even caught him to prevent any harm.
Hyeon-gong began to suspect that despite his fearsome reputation, the Blood Rain Guest might be a surprisingly gentle person.
He glanced at what the Blood Rain Guest was eating. It was a bowl of plain rice porridge, a common breakfast in Wuchang.
Without asking, the innkeeper quickly brought Hyeon-gong a bowl of porridge and some side dishes.
As Hyeon-gong took a spoonful, a satisfied smile appeared on the Blood Rain Guest’s face beneath his hat.
Hyeon-gong found the smile, and the way the Blood Rain Guest slowly ate his porridge, somewhat unsettling.
”…Is something the matter?” Hyeon-gong asked.
“Why do you ask?”
“You were smiling at me.”
“Ah.”
The Blood Rain Guest hesitated before replying.
“It’s been over ten years since I’ve shared a meal with someone who knows who I am. We may not know much about each other, but we did cross swords yesterday, so we’re not complete strangers.”
“Really?”
When Hyeon-gong asked for clarification, the Blood Rain Guest summarized.
“I’ve been eating alone for over ten years.”
Indeed, it would be unusual for anyone to willingly share a meal with someone like the Blood Rain Guest.
But that one statement made the meal feel awkward.
Hyeon-gong continued eating his porridge, desperately thinking of how to respond.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
…That sounds odd.
“You must not have many friends.”
That could provoke a fight.
“You must enjoy eating alone.”
That sounds sarcastic.
Hyeon-gong racked his brain and found a wise solution: change the subject.
“Um, sir.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
The Blood Rain Guest responded kindly, as if he had been waiting for a chance to continue the conversation.
It seemed Hyeon-gong wasn’t the only one struggling to keep the conversation going.
“You mentioned needing the Rainstorm Plum Blossom Needles. Why would someone like you need them?”
“For my retirement.”
The answer was puzzling.
As Hyeon-gong tried to make sense of it, the Blood Rain Guest elaborated.
“As you know, I’m not exactly young.”
“Really?”
When the Blood Rain Guest paused, Hyeon-gong added, “I was debating whether to call you ‘brother’ or ‘sir.’ I went with ‘sir’ to avoid seeming disrespectful…”
The Blood Rain Guest’s mouth curved into a pleased smile beneath his hat. He seemed to like the response.
“Well, I’m a bit too old to be called ‘brother.’”
“I had no idea.”
“Anyway, I can handle a sword well enough now, but that won’t last forever. In five years, maybe, but in ten or fifteen, I’ll be too weak to wield a sword.”
“I see.”
“And there are quite a few people who want me dead.”
“Oh… You must have made many enemies.”
The Blood Rain Guest shook his head.
“Not really. But many want to make a name for themselves by killing me. I’ve known a few other top martial artists, and most didn’t have a pleasant end.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
Hyeon-gong thought the Blood Rain Guest’s concerns were surprisingly practical as he slowly moved his spoon.
“Of course, a couple did live to a ripe old age.”
“You will too, sir.”
“No, it won’t be easy. Those guys had families and their own factions. They had people to protect them in their later years. But I never married, have no children, and no faction.”
Hyeon-gong recalled what he’d heard about the Blood Rain Guest.
A master of stealth, a lone wolf of the martial world.
It was an accurate assessment, though not by choice.
“That’s a shame. People haven’t recognized your true worth.”
“I think so too.”
“But people will gather around you eventually. That time always comes, sooner or later.”
”…I doubt it.”
The Blood Rain Guest hesitated before speaking.
“Anyway, I need to start planning.”
“You need the Rainstorm Plum Blossom Needles for a secure retirement?”
“Exactly. Martial artists will try to kill me to boost their reputations. But ordinary people, who know nothing of martial arts, won’t. I want to give the needles to simple village folk and ask them to protect me.”
The Blood Rain Guest finished his porridge and looked at Hyeon-gong from beneath his hat.
It wasn’t an illusion. Hyeon-gong could feel the intensity of the Blood Rain Guest’s gaze.
With a solemn voice, the Blood Rain Guest declared, “I plan to live until I’m old and gray, and die peacefully.”
Hyeon-gong thought the Blood Rain Guest was a bit pathetic.