11 – 01# Nine Deaths, One Life (11)

The coachman’s whip cracked, and the horse, bowels loosening, slowly moved away. Ashen storm clouds blanketed the sky, threatening to unleash another deluge.

Not wanting to become a drenched rat in this godforsaken place, I did the only thing I could; I first inquired about two rooms at the nearest inn.

Perhaps it was the cheerless weather, but the inn was mostly empty, the vacant tables adding to the dismal atmosphere. My first impression of the Northlands was, thus far, abysmal.

Only once Su-ah and I were securely seated did the waiter come hurrying over, breathless. Now, what sort of fare did they offer at an inn…?

“What would you recommend today?”

“Lately, the Glazed Pork has been receiving the most accolades!”

“Then two bowls of wheat noodles and one Glazed Pork, please. And two cups of green tea.”

“Right away!”

Glazed Pork was the closest modern counterpart to *tang-soo-yuk*. Though, unlike the *tang-soo-yuk* one might find in Korea, it possessed a distinctive sweetness and a subtle garlic fragrance.

As I ordered, I scanned the interior of the inn. I caught glances; the locals subtly eyeing the newcomers, but their curiosity was quickly sated.

If the Namgung Clan represented the Southlands, then the Moryong Clan represented the Northlands. It was curious that they didn’t recognize their own clan head’s daughter.

“You were right. There’s truly no need to conceal your face.”

“From a young age, I’ve never shown my face to anyone outside the Clan.”

“At your father’s command?”

“Yes. I was a person who existed, yet did not exist.”

On days when the Clan received guests, or during festivals, she was confined to her room all day. It was heartbreaking to hear her relate such a tale so casually.

*That Clan Head is more unfit as a parent the more I discover. Could he possibly have some connection to the Demonic Cult?*

Like an onion, the more I peeled, the more disturbing tales I uncovered. At this point, even a simpleton would realize that the current Clan Head of the Moryong Clan was not quite right in the head.

I’d heard that the Moryong Clan had long ceased interaction with the *Murim*. In other words, it was the perfect situation for the fiends of the Demonic Cult, who wouldn’t even dare approaching it otherwise, to discreetly groom.

But, as things stand, I couldn’t be certain. After all, I only possessed suspicions, not evidence. Thus, I decided to set that aside for the moment, and prioritize gathering information.

“Is there anyone within the Moryong Clan whom you can trust?”

“There is one person who comes to mind.”

“Who is that?”

“Senior Sister Moryong Hee-soo. She was a close friend of my brother, always looked out for me, and even when I was confined to my room, she would stay and talk with me.”

“Does she have any distinguishing features that would make her easily recognizable?”

“An integrity bloomed like a flower in a junkyard, that one. If nurtured, she could surely become a boon. Yet, for some reason, Sua narrowed her eyes.”

“If it isn’t impolite to inquire, might I ask the reason?”

“I intend to meet her directly, gather information. If your words hold true, she could be of help to us.”

“Ah, I see. A notable characteristic, you say… Senior Sister Hee-soo possesses hair as vividly red as a poppy, and she has a mole beneath her eye.”

“That is sufficient.”

* * *

“But contact is not feasible at this moment. Until now, opponents haven’t been top-tier, so I could manage somehow. But this place, plainly, is the Mo-yong Clan’s stronghold.”

‘The Mo-yong Clan, one of the Five Great Clans… Even if not at the Realm of Death’s Door, masters at the Profound Realm… or at least the Manifestation Realm, will exist here. To charge into such a place alone is akin to suicide.’

In that sense, even being spotted by a Mo-yong Clan warrior is immensely dangerous. High-level masters of the Mo-yong Clan would immediately give chase. I raised a hand, beckoning the waiter.

“I have a question to ask.”

“Yes, yes! Is there anything you require?”

“Is the inn usually this empty?”

“Ah, it isn’t, usually.”

An inn is the heart of exchange, where numerous people come and go. I may not be an insider, so I can’t acquire detailed information, but I should be able to discern the general flow.

“Actually, several days ago, a large number of Mo-yong Clan warriors were seen departing!”

“Departing? Where to?”

“That, I don’t know. However, they seemed to be searching for something.”

“Hmm, do you perhaps know a warrior named Mo-yong Hee-soo?”

“Of course, I do! She is a frequent, valued patron of our inn. She came yesterday, so she will likely come again today!”

In other words, staying here quietly meant there was a chance of meeting her. Of course, I would be forced to wait endlessly, but it would be better than charging or infiltrating the Mo-yong Clan alone, at least.

Furthermore, I had managed to confirm that a considerable number of Mo-yong Clan warriors had left. I slipped the waiter, who had faithfully provided information, a suitable reward.

“I see. Thank you for the detailed account. Consider this a token of my gratitude.”

“Thank you very much! Sir!”

“You are saying Senior Sister Hee-soo might be seen here?”

“If she did not leave this morning, then that is the case. Therefore, let us rest here for a little while and wait.”

* * *

For fully half a month, I had journeyed here by carriage without a single day of rest. So I could, for a fleeting moment, plant my backside and rest. And I needed to eat, for a start.

Just then, the waiter arrived with the dishes I had ordered earlier, placing them upon the table. But Sua, for some reason, did not immediately eat, but watched me warily.

“Are you perhaps not hungry?”

“N-no, it isn’t that.”

“Then is there some other problem?”

“It’s… for the last month I have been doing nothing but freeloading food, and I’m so sorry for it.”

“…?”

So, to summarize.

At the Moyong estate, Sua had to constantly please the head of the household to even get a meal. Otherwise, she would go hungry, so she had to undertake bone-grinding training every day.

In short.

He who does not work, neither shall he eat.

Only, that was excessively engraved in her mind.

No wonder her appetite had dwindled so much recently. So that was the reason? How could they break a child like that? Shaking my head, I spoke.

“There is a saying that if you don’t work, you don’t eat.”

“…”

“Then what do you think is the work you must do?”

“I, I don’t know.”

“It is to grow up healthy and righteously.”

Sua stared at me blankly, a look of shock on her face. As if all the values she had ever known were being denied. I smiled and offered her the chopsticks.

“Eat before it gets cold.”

You must be very hungry.

◇

After finishing our meal, as we waited at the inn, a woman clad in martial garb entered. Just as Sua had described, it was a woman with fiery red hair, as vibrant as a poppy.

There were few patrons at the inn. Naturally, her eyes fell on us, one of the small number of people present, and after a moment of hesitation, the woman cleared her throat and approached us.

“According to Moyong Sa’s report, you were hiding near Mount Geumhyeon. How did you manage to return?”

“Thanks to this daehyeop’s help, I was able to get here somehow.”

“…I see, so you are the benefactor who helped Sua.”

Why is it that everyone I meet for the first time treats me like an old man?

A surge of emotion welled up, but I suppressed it for now. I didn’t have the leisure to dwell on the accumulated grievances about my aged appearance. I had to rescue Moyong Hyeon as quickly as possible.

“I’ve heard much about you, Miss Moyong Huiseu. An elite warrior affiliated with the Uiryong Hall, I believe?”

“That is correct.”

“I will be direct. Do you know the location where Young Master Moyong Hyeon is being held?”

“…I do not know that much. Only the head of the household knows the location where the young master is imprisoned.”

“Is that so?”

“But if you give me just one day, I will somehow find out.”

Moyong Huiseu spoke confidently, saying she would find out for sure if given a day. I nodded appropriately and sent Moyong Huiseu back to the Moyong estate.

“This place is safest. Wait at this inn. I shall return no later than noon tomorrow.”

“I shall wait, trusting in you, Miss.”

“I won’t disappoint you.”

“I feel a weight lifted, Great Hero.”

As Mo Yong Hee-soo departed the inn, Soo-ah spoke, her expression visibly relieved. But when I rose from my seat without a word, Soo-ah tilted her head, questioning.

“Is something the matter?”

“They’ll likely descend on the inn tonight – a band of martial artists.”

“Huh? What does that…?”

“Still don’t understand?”

Reporting to Mo Yong without fail, using honorifics only for the Clan Head, knowing information that only the Clan Head would know, and even begging you to wait, promising to figure things out in a single day?

“Mo Yong Hee-soo is a traitor.”

Or, perhaps…

Maybe she approached us from the start, under orders.

To watch over Soo-ah.