Surely there aren't any madmen looking for an antidote here too? There is only one path out of the mountains. The traitors of the Tang Clan must have passed through here.
There's no way those bastards only used poison on the bandits. That's why everyone hesitated to enter the inn, even after getting off the carriages. Tang Hye-seo, who was beside me, shook her head.
“They poisoned dozens of bandits, so they should have almost no Soul-Slicing Acid left.”
"Don't those bastards have any other poisons?"
Tang Hye-seo was silent for a moment before she spoke.
“Soul-Slicing Acid is the only poison whose energy can be neutralized to be used for control.”
So she was saying the Tang Clan traitors had other deadly poisons as well. Just what and how much did they steal to have a pursuit squad sent after them? Won Seo-gang, who was watching the inn's entrance where the driver had just gone in, joined the conversation.
"Shouldn't it be fine? I heard this inn belongs to the Underworld Information Clan."
“Even if it belongs to the Underworld Information Clan, what can they do if they're poisoned and on the brink of death?”
Betrayal is not something only committed by those with a rotten nature. Falling into a trap set by someone, being pushed by circumstances, or having unavoidable reasons—any of these can ruin a good and decent person. Won Seo-gang must have known this, but he seemed quite composed.
“If they poison the waiters, would they dare draw their blades against martial artists? At most, they would poison the food. There's nothing more ridiculous than using poison against the Tang Clan.”
He had a point. Waiters are different from bandits. I glanced over and saw that the atmosphere around Tang Do-hun and the members of the Extermination Hall was still murderous.
It was only natural for them to be on edge, since traitors of the Tang Clan had used the clan's own poison to attack them. The only one in the group whose robes were not stained with blood, a monk, was looking up at the sky with an indifferent expression. The driver, named Mang-seok, came out with a middle-aged man.
"This is the innkeeper."
The middle-aged innkeeper did not seem frightened or intimidated even after seeing the martial artists who still reeked of blood and emanated a lingering murderous intent. One doesn't become that bold just by dealing with many martial artists.
Perhaps being within the sturdy fence of the Underworld Information Clan allowed him to look at us as if we were fierce beasts in a cage. Tang Do-hun asked bluntly.
“Does this inn belong to the Underworld Information Clan?”
"It does."
"How many people are inside?"
“Myself, two waiters, and two cooks.”
"Have them all come out. I need to check if they've been poisoned."
“As you wish.”
Perhaps he had heard about what happened in the mountains, for the innkeeper moved as instructed without any panic. Tang Do-hun took out a needle case and stepped forward himself. Just as Tang Hye-seo had done in the mountains, he stuck needles into the bodies of the innkeeper, waiters, and cooks, and examined them.
I didn't know what he was doing, but it seemed none of them were poisoned. Once it was confirmed that there was nothing wrong, the conversation moved to the next step.
“The targets entered this village yesterday afternoon. They didn't stop at any inn and drove their carriage straight out to the south. We tailed them, and it seems they camped in the mountains.”
"How many were there?"
“One young woman, and a man who appeared to be her lover. And three martial artists they hired as swordsmen in the Western Village.”
An elopement...
The picture was clear. Even in an ordinary household, it wasn't easy to marry someone you fell in love with. It went without saying for a great family like the Tang Clan.
One had to tie the knot with a partner they had never even seen, as arranged by the family head and elders who prioritized the family's interests.
Most obediently accepted their roles, thinking of it as repaying the grace of being born into a good family and living in comfort, but there were some who occasionally abandoned their family for love. The strange thing was that they stole the Tang Clan's poisons and hidden weapons while fleeing.
It didn't make sense if it was just a means to shake off the pursuit squad. If they had just fled quietly, they wouldn't have been pursued like this in the first place. Tang Do-hun took a banknote from his pouch.
"We will be renting the entire inn for the night, so don't accept any guests."
The innkeeper smiled with satisfaction after checking the amount written on the banknote.
"I expected as much and have already cleared it out. The meal will be ready soon, so please wash up first."
The drivers took the carriages to the stable behind the inn. We all entered the inn together. A waiter took down the flag hanging on the inn and barred the door.
“Is there a place to wash up around here?”
The waiter pointed beyond the back door.
"If you go straight down that way, you'll find a river. The terrain is gentle, so the current isn't strong, making it a good place to bathe."
I told Tang Hye-seo I was going to wash up and headed for the back door. Won Seo-gang followed me. Walking under the still piercingly strong sunlight, two martial artists soaked in blood, I felt just like a wild dog.
After crossing a low hill, just as the waiter had said, a fairly wide river was flowing calmly, not having dried up even under the hot summer sun.
"Let's take turns washing."
"I'll go first."
"Where did all respect for your elders go?"
"You want to go first when it's your time to die, too?"
I quickly put my long knife next to my bundle and undid the dagger on my ankle, my pouch, and the bamboo tube on my wrist. My martial robes, on which the blood had already dried, had hardened like a shell. As I took off my clothes, they made an unpleasant rustling sound and flakes of dried blood fell off.
I threw my robes aside and jumped into the river. I regretted it immediately. The river water was so cold it took my breath away.
Pushing through the electrifying chill that struck my whole body, I dove down to the riverbed. I watched the small fish swimming between the pebbles, then scrubbed my body with my hands. The dried blood dissolved into a red cloud.
No matter how much I scrubbed, it seemed to flow out endlessly. It was both refreshing and unsettling. I broke the surface of the water and came up, patting my body and limbs here and there to check for injuries.
When you fight in a state of excitement, you often don't even realize you've been hurt. It was common to feel a bit of stiffness in your leg, think it was just a cramped muscle, and touch your thigh only to find it damp with blood. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
All the blood washed from my body belonged to those nameless bandits. After washing my hair, face, behind my ears and neck, and every nook and cranny of my body, I came out onto the land. I took a cotton cloth from my bundle, dried myself, and put on the fresh underclothes and martial robes I had prepared.
My old leather shoes were also stained with blood and had a hole near the big toe. In the past, I would have found a way to mend and use them, but now my pockets were full. I just threw them away and took out a pair of hemp sandals from my bundle to wear.
Putting on new shoes always feels good. It's because of the strange sense of anticipation that I might be able to walk a new path. Of course, it was just a feeling; the path I walked did not change.
I threw the blood-soaked robes and leather shoes into the river. After watching them float slowly away with the current, I turned and shouted.
"I'm done! You can wash now!"
Won Seo-gang, who had been lying in the shade of a tree, got up and stretched. He unfastened his sword, took off his clothes, and strode down to the riverbank. I only saw his back, so I couldn't tell the size of his assets, but the sword scars on his bronze, tanned back were clearly visible.
The sharply drawn scars were so intricate they almost resembled flower petals. He must have fought an unfathomably powerful master and somehow managed to escape. I washed my hands and lay down in the shade of the tree.
The battle with the bandits from earlier replayed in my mind. It's always like this after a fight. Even if I don't want to, it keeps replaying in my head, forcing me to review it.
I suppose that's why I'm still alive and haven't died yet. I felt not a shred of guilt as I slaughtered the bandits. I showed no mercy and did not hesitate.
I even tested out the sword path I learned from Won Seo-gang. It's not that I enjoyed killing, but... what should I say? The familiar sensation, as if tasting it again after a long time, was quite chilling.
When I took on the job of escorting Tang Hye-seo, I had no particular intention of killing anyone. But thinking back on it, a part of me had expected something like this to happen. And yet, I didn't think much of it.
Is it because I'm sick of it, but also used to it? When you think about it, the others were the same. Won Seo-gang, Tang Do-hun, and the members of the Extermination Hall were one thing, but even Tang Hye-seo, who looked to be barely twenty, killed the bandits without hesitation.
She was unfazed even when she saw me covered in blood. Even seeing dozens of dismembered corpses reeking of the sickening smell of blood, she didn't faint; instead, she stuck needles into them to check if they were poisoned. Faced with a scene of carnage that resembled a portrait of hell, not a single person trembled or showed distress.
If you were to ask if that's just what a martial artist is, I would have nothing to say. But if you were to ask if that's what a human is... I don't know.
I've become a murderous fiend myself... I felt it keenly once again, how incredibly difficult it is to start a new life. Just as I threw away my blood-soaked robes, perhaps I should let this life flow away with death.
Maybe it will be possible in the next life. Having finished washing and getting dressed, Won Seo-gang came over, drying his hair.
“Why the troubled face? Is it because of the sword path? I told you it's not that easy.
If you're not careful, your sword art could collapse..." "It's not that. I killed people."
"Huh?"
Won Seo-gang blinked as if he didn't understand. “What are you talking about? In the mountains earlier, you were so excited, diligently reviewing what you learned...”
"...
I wasn't exactly excited. I just did what had to be done." To think that the thing I'm best at is killing people.
It's deeply regrettable, but I can't complain. The world is full of idiots who are clumsy even at that and end up dying a miserable death. "Don't think too deeply about it.
Just think of it as saving the masses. Are bandits innocent common folk? They are evil men who live by killing and robbing travelers crossing the mountains.
They kill the men and rape the women; that's their business. They only let people pass quietly after taking a toll when their opponents are formidable. We left because we were in a hurry, but if we had searched their fortress, there would probably be more than one or two captive women.”
"I know."
Listening to a speech meant for a martial arts novice trembling after his first kill, I suddenly felt like an idiot. I changed the subject with a sullen voice.
"What do you think will happen tomorrow?"
“We'll see more blood.”
The ones fleeing are also from the Tang Clan. They would know the Tang Clan's strength better than anyone. They wouldn't have expected to shake off the Tang Clan's pursuit squad with a few dozen pathetic bandits in the first place.
"If they're caught, it's certain death, so they'll be desperate. Who knows what crazy things they'll do to buy time to escape."
"You said it was a simple escort job, and here we are, covered in blood on the first day."
"In an age like this, overflowing with human butchers, did you think they'd just give you three silver taels a day for nothing?"
It seemed Won Seo-gang also knew it would turn out something like this when he came. Is this the way of the world? Just as when money comes in, something happens that makes you spend it, if you carry a blade, you'll eventually have to see blood.
After drying my hair and resting for a bit, I returned to the inn. In the spacious first floor, only Tang Hye-seo and her subordinate were present. Tang Do-hun and the members of the Extermination Hall were not in sight, presumably upstairs.
Tang Hye-seo beckoned to us.
"Let's have some tea together.” Perhaps she had a bathtub brought in and washed up in the meantime, for Tang Hye-seo's face was clean and her clothes were new. Her subordinate's face was also clean. As we sat facing each other, drinking cooled tea, Tang Hye-seo suddenly pointed at my left arm. “What is that hidden in your sleeve? It doesn't look like a sleeve weapon."
I flinched and looked up over my teacup, my eyes meeting Tang Hye-seo's. It was too late to pretend otherwise.
“When did you see it?”
“I knew as soon as I saw you at the detached house. When people of the Tang Clan look at someone, they always check both sleeves first." So that's why she was staring at me so intently back then. She must have been wondering what kind of madman had a bamboo tube attached to his sleeve. "It could be a sleeve weapon, couldn't it?”
"Is it a sleeve weapon? Hmm, it looks a bit different from mine.” "How far do you plan on chasing the traitors?” When I quickly changed the subject, Tang Hye-seo answered curtly, as if it were obvious. “Until we catch them." “The period for which you've hired me and Great Hero Won as escorts is five days. After today, there are four days left. Will that be possible?"
“I heard an extension is possible, but it seems neither of you is keen on it. It doesn't seem to be because of the bandits. Is it a matter of payment?"
"It's never good for outsiders to get involved in another family's problems, is it?"
Tang Hye-seo held up her right hand and folded down her thumb.
“Four more days is plenty. It might even end before that.”
Won Seo-gang studied Tang Hye-seo intently. His eyes grew cold, but his voice was calm.
“It seems there's a lot we don't know.”
“Because it's an internal matter of the Tang Clan.”
Since it was a Tang Clan matter, it was awkward to probe further, so I just drank my tea. Then, the cook brought out dinner. Cold noodles in chilled tea water with vinegar, stir-fried chicken and vegetables, and dumplings...
Similar dishes were sent up to the second floor. After eating my fill, I got up. Tang Hye-seo glanced towards the stairs and secretly lowered her voice.
“Both of you, be ready to sneak out when the sun goes down.”
Tang Hye-seo's subordinate knocked on my room door around the time the day had ended and the moon was hanging over the eaves of the roof. When I opened the door, I saw Won Seo-gang behind the subordinate. Glancing warily at the other rooms, the subordinate urged me on.
"Let's go, quickly."
We all went down the stairs and out through the back door. Tang Hye-seo, changed into black night clothes, was waiting for us. The subordinate went back into the inn.
“Let's go."
Without any explanation, Tang Hye-seo took the lead and headed for the village. The village, faintly lit by the hazy moonlight, was dim and deserted. As our group entered, a stray dog that had been loitering about barked a few times and ran off.
The alleyway winding between the thatched-roof houses was crooked. I walked with my senses on high alert, ready to draw my blade at any moment. The figure of a person flashed past the end of the alley.
A black shape, running quickly. Tang Hye-seo gestured with her hand and slowed down. We all tiptoed out of the alley on the balls of our feet.
In the distance, a person was running towards the mountains. It was a black-robed figure wearing a straw hat.
"Is that him?"
In response to my question, Tang Hye-seo's eyes and voice burned coldly in the darkness.
“Yes.
If all goes well, it will end tonight."
"Good."
Won Seo-gang muttered lowly and looked at me. When our eyes met, I nodded as well. We knew without speaking.
This was the reason Tang Hye-seo had hired us as escorts.
“We won't lose him, but we can't be too late.”
"Wait."
Tang Hye-seo, who was about to run again, looked back.
“Have you ever tailed someone at night?" "A few times.”
“Then I'll take the lead. I've done this sort of thing until I'm sick of it.”
Tang Hye-seo did not argue and obediently stepped back. Won Seo-gang and I escorted her from the front and back, moving while staying as close to the walls as possible, hiding our bodies in the shadows. Keeping a generous distance, we followed the black-robed figure out of the village and towards the mountains.