Chapter 532

The young man thought deeply.

Where did it all go wrong?

Was it when he forced himself to swallow someone else’s dumplings? Or was it when he ignored the dull pain in his stomach and dozed off while standing guard?

He had no idea exactly where or how things started going wrong. But one thing was certain.

Kwaang! The sudden explosion that rang out the moment he entered the latrine had ended everything for him.

“Ahh, it’s warm… One time, Captain said this—he said giving up makes things easier.

He was right. The sensation was euphoric, and the warmth spreading through his lower half felt like a mother’s embrace.

Then why were tears streaming down his cheeks?

‘Why else. Fuck. I shat myself. I really did.’

And it happened in the latrine of a large inn right off a bustling street, swarming with people.

The only silver lining was that it was a high-end inn—frequented only by those with money—so each stall was at least separated by partitions. But that didn’t change the fact that there was no way he could walk out like this and live.

‘If someone sees me like this, it’s over.’

Just imagining it sent chills down his spine and twisted his insides.

A Murim man without pride or martial arts is just a bag of skin.

If this sight got out and became a rumor, he would rather face a life-or-death duel against a brutal dark martial artist.

‘What do I do?’

The dilemma of a lifetime.

His pants and underclothes were beyond saving. Even the leather shoes he splurged on recently were unsalvageable.

So what if he took everything off, wrapped his upper garment around his face, and ran with all his strength…

‘I’d die.’

If someone spotted a naked man flailing across a busy street, it would be perfectly legal in Murim to strike him down on the spot.

Every Murim man nearby would rush out, weapons drawn. He could end up taking heavier damage than he would from any demon of Dark Heaven.

‘Then I’ll have to rely on someone else. Maybe the busboy?’
That wasn’t a bad idea. If he called the busboy and handed over a few silver coins, he’d likely bring cloth to wipe himself and a change of clothes. If the boy recognized him, there might be extra costs, but it was still cheaper than a funeral.

‘As for the others… No. I must never let Captain or the Sea Serpent Guild guys see me like this!’
Hyuk Mu-jin vowed firmly.

Unfortunately, the people he traveled with were more tenacious than snakes. If they got wind of this weakness, they’d tease him for ten years at the very least—maybe even thirty.

No, they probably wouldn’t stop even on his deathbed.

‘Mu-jin…

– “Oh no, it’s that bastard from the Hyuk Clan!”
– “Heh heh, just in time, Captain. And Master Gong.”
– “Boo-hoo. Of course we came on time! You soiled yourself that day because you were late, but I wasn’t!”
– “Rest in peace, Hyuk. Now you can stink of shit behind the folding screen all you want.”

‘…Please, just stop.’

Even just imagining it felt like the most humiliating end.

He considered having the busboy go call Cheongpung, who was still at the lodging, but that would be digging his own grave.

“Whoa, I’ve never seen someone shit themselves like that before! At first, I thought it was a snake! It looked like the legendary Thousand-Year Venomous Horned Serpent!”
“Wait, Young Master Cheong! Just wait!”
“Stay here. I’ll go get the others! Excuse me! Taoist from Wudang, passing by! Someone I know just shit himself right over there…”
‘No, you bastard. I’d rather hang a sign around my neck that says “The Shit-Stained One” and parade through the streets.’

Just then, as Hyuk Mu-jin shivered with horror at the visions flooding his mind—

Clatter.

A door opened, and he felt someone’s presence.

Hyuk Mu-jin’s eyes flew open as he cleared his throat.

“Ahem. Hem.”

When there was no response from outside, he cleared his throat louder.

“Ehh-hem! Anyone there? Cough, is anyone out there? Cough!”

“Hmm?”

Finally, a reaction. Swallowing dryly, Hyuk Mu-jin forced his voice to sound dignified.

“Is that the busboy?”

The response came from a young man outside, his tone casually familiar.

“Sounds like you’re looking for the busboy. Sorry, but I’ve got no time to worry about that. You heard the commotion just now, didn’t you? It was pretty loud.”

How could he not? That damned explosion was the final nail in his coffin. Though the building hadn’t collapsed, everyone else seemed busy handling the aftermath.

‘Still, I’ll take comfort in the fact that someone swung by the latrine during all this.’
Just as Hyuk Mu-jin mumbled inwardly—

“Then I’ll leave you be.”

The indifferent words were followed by the sound of retreating footsteps. Alarmed, Hyuk Mu-jin shouted,

“W-Wait! Wait a moment!”

“Hmm?”

“I’m sorry, but could you please help me? I really need help.”

“Well, I’m kind of busy myself.”

“It’s just… a small issue came up.”

“If it’s small, take care of it yourself.”

“Please, sir! Brother! Kind soul!”

After a short silence, the voice responded again.

“Did you… soil yourself?”

“Soil yourself. Soil yourself. Soil yourself…”
The words echoed in his ears like a curse. Hyuk Mu-jin responded in a tearful voice.

“…Yes.”

“Big one? Or little one?”

“…Both?”

Sniff. Sob.

The man outside muttered quietly,

“They say when you handle a big problem, the small ones take care of themselves…”

“Please, I’m begging you. Help me…”

“If I pass by a busboy, I’ll let him know.”

“C-Can’t you bring it now? It might dry up by then…”

“…Disgusting. I’ve got someone to meet, so I’ll take my leave.”

“W-Wait!”
Panicking, Hyuk Mu-jin clenched his eyes shut and shouted,

“I—I am Hyuk Mu-jin! Judging from your voice, you’re a fellow Murim man. If you help me just this once and keep quiet, I will never forget your kindness!”

“Hyuk Mu-jin? Wait, aren’t you that ‘toe of the Blazing Fire Dragon’ guy?”

“…That’s right. And it’s not the toe—it’s the right arm.”

Hyuk Mu-jin’s vision dimmed. He had suspected the man outside was from Murim, but he hadn’t expected him to recognize his identity immediately.

But at the very least, his intention to stop the departing man’s footsteps had succeeded.

“Coincidence or fate, I wonder. Interesting.”

Flap.

Just as Hyuk Mu-jin tilted his head in confusion, a soft chuckle accompanied a flowing silk overcoat that drifted down over his head.

Caught off guard, Hyuk Mu-jin barely managed to grab the robe and muttered a stammered thanks.

“Th-Thank you.”

“Clean up decently and come out. I’ll give you a chance to repay this favor.”

“By any chance, do you know our Captain…”

“First time meeting. But I doubt the Blazing Fire Dragon would treat me poorly.”

The voice continued gently.

“After all, I’m the one who helped his little toe—no, his right arm.”

Hyuk Mu-jin realized then. He didn’t know who this man was, but he had definitely gotten himself into serious trouble.

But it was already too late for regrets. With a hardened expression, Hyuk Mu-jin spoke.

“Did you throw me this robe just for this?”

“Why? Changed your mind? Then I’ll just take the robe ba—”

“If you’re going to do this, at least bring me something I can wear. Just wiping won’t fix this.”

* * *

Gowolru.

That was the name of the luxurious three-story inn.

Perhaps because of its size, trouble occurred frequently. The moment we stepped inside, the innkeeper approached with about a dozen hired martial artists in tow.

With a threatening face, he opened his mouth.

“I don’t know who you are, but no matter how distinguished you are in the martial world, compensation must—”

I cut him off before he could finish.

“My apologies for the disturbance. How much are the repair costs?”

“…What?”

“The repairs.”

“About two hundred nyang, I’d say…”

“Then let’s round it up to three hundred nyang with damages included.”

“…What?”

At most, only part of the third-floor railing and a bit of wall had collapsed.

The owner probably thought I was crazy for responding with three hundred nyang when he boldly asked for two.

But I wasn’t fazed despite offering a huge sum. The reason was simple.

It wasn’t my money anyway.

“Just write it under the name Hwangbo Clan. And if the brat who calls himself the young clan leader causes a fuss, just tell him Jin Taekyung sent you.”

“How would I even… Wait. Jin Taekyung?”

The innkeeper and the hired swordsmen all widened their eyes as they stared at me with suspicion.

“J-Jin Taekyung? The Jin Taekyung of the Taewon Jin Clan?!”

“Gasp! The Blazing Fire Dragon! It’s the Blazing Fire Dragon!”

“I, Jin Taekyung, have arrived.”

To operate an inn of this scale along the main road in Hanam, one had to be competent.

And this innkeeper at Gowolru certainly had a sharp sense.

“To be visited by the great Jin Taekyung! It’s the honor of a lifetime!”

“Let’s make it the honor of your family line. By the way, my throat’s been parched for a while…”

“I’ll have a feast fit to snap the table legs prepared immediately! What are you all standing around for?! Move!”

As expected, nothing soothes rage like financial compensation.

As the innkeeper, now sparkling with enthusiasm, led his swordsmen away, a soft laugh flowed beside me.

I turned toward the source of the voice, which made my ears tickle just from hearing it.

“What’s so funny?”

Ju Hwaran, the Hidden Thorn Flower. She responded with forget-me-not eyes.

“Nothing. Just reminded me of last time.”

“Last time? Oh.”

“You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“Of course not.”

The dispute between Yongbong Escort Agency and the Zhongnan Sect.

On my way to Sichuan to treat Jeok Cheon-Gang, I had gotten involved in that mess and ended up snapping the Taiyi Merciless Sword mid-swing before stepping into the negotiation process.

‘I pulled out at least two or three of Zhongnan’s main pillars that time.’

Ju Hwaran was clearly recalling that moment. Her gaze glimmered softly.

“It wasn’t that long ago, but it feels like ages.”

“Yeah. Strange, isn’t it?”

What was truly strange was something else entirely. That making eye contact during conversation felt this difficult.

“Why do you keep avoiding my gaze?”

“Strabismus. I’m looking right at you.”

“Pfft.”
“W-Why are you laughing?”
Did I say something wrong?

As I grew flustered, Ju Hwaran responded with a gentle smile.

“You’re still the same, Jin Taekyung. You haven’t changed one bit.”

“You too, Lady Ju… You haven’t changed either.”

There was something I almost blurted out unintentionally, but barely held back.

It was partly due to the narrowed eyes of several people beside us, watching intently.

Feigning a cough, I secretly sent a [transmitted voice] message.

– Gong Gi-bang. Stop staring like that unless you want a fist through your solar plexus.

~ Ahem. Hem.

One cleared.

But three still remained.

I gazed deeply at the most useless-looking of the bunch.

– Hey, Kunlun’s Soaring Dragon Hakwoo, the top rising star from Kunlun who I stomped into the arena floor during the Seongrade Tournament prelims.

Now suffering from a circular bald spot, he flinched under my gaze and replied with a [transmitted voice].

– Wh-What is it, Jin Taekyung?

– Nothing big, just… seemed like you were busy.

– Hmmm?

– Be honest—aren’t I busy?

– Amita Buddha. I’m not busy…

– Wrong. You’ve got something urgent that just came up.

– I already got permission from the monastery for today’s outing. Nothing urgent…

– Hey, Mister Hak.

– Amita Buddha?

– Leave. Unless you want every hair on your head plucked out.

To a balding man, hair is as precious as life. Finally catching on, Hakwoo turned to Ju Hwaran with a tearful face and spoke.

“Um, Lady Ju.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“I just remembered something urgent I need to take care of. I’m truly sorry, but…”

“No worries. Please, go ahead.”

“But still, it’s discourteous—”

“You won’t go far. Stay safe.”

“Wait, at least let me finish—”

“I’ll see you next time!”

Seems Ju Hwaran is more impatient than she lets on.

As Kunlun’s Soaring Dragon Hakwoo disappeared with eyes that looked on the verge of tears, glancing back and forth between me and Ju Hwaran, my gaze naturally shifted to the two others yet to be dealt with.

“Just so you know, I’m not going anywhere. I’m Lady Ju’s direct escort under the Ministry of Rites.”

The escort sitting in a slouched position, holding a sword in his arms—Song Ilseom—spoke bluntly, prompting me to shrug.

“I never told you to go. Didn’t plan to, either.”

“Hmph. I’ll take your word for it.”

On the surface, Song Ilseom was known as Ju Hwaran’s bodyguard, but few knew his secret identity.

He was the last surviving member of the Iron-Blooded Martial Clan, the Guangdong Jin Clan, which had been annihilated by the Demonic Cult during the Great War of Justice and Evil. In the past, he was called the Soul-Hunting Guest, an undefeated vagabond.

‘Still the same, this guy.’

I was famous back then, too, but it didn’t compare to my current reputation.

Yet Song Ilseom remained just as unflinching and prickly as he had been when we first met.

Perhaps that’s why I liked him even more.

But the last guy…

“I’m hungry. The food’s too late.”

What’s with this shameless attitude?

A mysterious giant. Why did this guy even follow us?

I didn’t know the reason, but I hadn’t bothered to stop him. Because I was curious about who exactly he was.

Using [Qi Perception], I could only determine his level and name at best. To figure out his sect or affiliations, I’d have to talk to him.

“Must be really hungry.”

“Yeah. I’m really hungry.”

The giant continued with a grim look.

“Today. I only had six meals. I’m dying.”

Six meals. Is that for real?

I didn’t know his sect, but if he kept eating like this, he might bankrupt them—and might just be dangerous enough to give Hyuk Mu-jin a run for his money.

…Wait a sec. Hyuk Mu-jin?

Come to think of it, didn’t that guy say he was going to the bathroom? Why hasn’t he come back?

Just as I finally noticed Hyuk Mu-jin’s absence and looked around—

“C-Captain!”

A shout filled with inexplicable unease.

But my gaze wasn’t on Hyuk Mu-jin, who had finally reappeared.

It was on the unfamiliar man standing behind him, smiling gently in our direction. Our eyes met, and I murmured softly,

“Who… might that be…?”