OGHOU C18

Chapter 18

 

Cheongyeon followed him but could not shake off the uneasy feeling. The words of the woman—who had looked at him and recited the fateful destiny from the original story—kept echoing in his mind.

“This way.”

The room Songwon led him into had windows overlooking the entire first floor. Cheongyeon sat down and drank the tea prepared for him to quench his thirst.

“You said that woman used to be a fortune teller?”

“Ha ha, are you still worried about that? It’s nonsense, so just forget it. You’re really innocent sometimes.”

Innocent, indeed…

Cheongyeon gave up and gazed out the window. The gambling that had taken place downstairs was over. People sat quietly around the central space, which was left empty in a circle, waiting for something.

Soon, a man who appeared to be the host jumped into the center, stood on a chair, and shouted,

“Now, it has begun! Our Sang Geum Jang’s exclusive! Tonight, various prizes are prepared—look forward to them!”

Prizes? Was this gambling too?

“Master Danju, will you participate?”

At Cheongyeon’s question, Songwon smiled faintly and shook his head.

“No, watching is enough for me.”

“What kind of prizes?”

“Rare items. Sometimes elixirs or secret manuals, and sometimes…”

At that moment, people who looked like employees of the gambling hall appeared carrying black boxes. An elegantly patterned box was held by the host, who raised it high, seemingly to excite the crowd as he made a lap around the room.

“That looks like an elixir.”

Songwon said with a bored expression, as if expecting something else.

The host opened the box, revealing a single round pill inside.

“The first prize is! The Shaolin Summoning Pellet1)!”

The audience erupted in cheers. Even Cheongyeon, who hadn’t expected much, was surprised and asked Songwon,

“A summoning pellet is a very rare elixir, isn’t it? How do they get such things…”

“All money eventually flows to places like this.”

He still looked indifferent. Meanwhile, Cheongyeon became interested, stretching his neck to look at who would claim the Summoning Pellet.

The host closed the box lid, cleared his throat, and said,

“This round will be decided by ‘tail attaching.’ Those who wish to participate, come forward and sit at this table.”

Unlike the thunderous cheers, few people stepped forward eagerly.

Only two stepped up: a man who looked in his twenties and a middle-aged man Cheongyeon couldn’t forget—the very Jang who had been beaten at the inn not long ago.

‘Good grief. Even after all that, he hasn’t quit?’

Cheongyeon stuck out his tongue in disbelief. Having lost everything to gambling and nearly beaten to death, here he was again. People obviously don’t change easily.

“Why would a man like him covet an elixir?”

Muttering to himself, Cheongyeon heard Songwon’s reply,

“It’s all about money. He’ll sell it to gamble again.”

“Do you know Jang, Master Danju?”

“Of course. I see him every time I come here.”

The two at the table had long since begun the match. All eyes were on them.

“What happens to the loser in this match where the winner takes the summoning pellet?”

“They pay a corresponding price.”

“Jang probably doesn’t have that kind of money.”

“Doesn’t have to be paid in money.”

Cheongyeon felt a chill in Songwon’s voice.

‘If not money, what then?’

“Then…”

“Look there. I think Jang is going to lose.”

As he said, Jang tore at his hair in agony and then laid down his cards. Clear defeat.

“The winner has been decided.”

The Summoning Pellet went into the young man’s hand, who hugged the box in joy. Meanwhile, Jang’s face was pale as death.

“What happens now?”

“Well, as far as I know, today was Jang’s last chance…”

Soon, burly men flooded out and surrounded Jang. He stomped his feet and screamed madly,

“Ah! Please spare me! Just one more chance! I’ll definitely win the next round! Please!”

But it was too late. The gambler’s fate was as expected.

Dragged away, Jang struggled fiercely. Even after he disappeared, his desperate screams echoed for some time.

Cheongyeon was speechless. The unexpected situation unsettled him, leaving him wanting only to go home.

Silence fell in the room, and soon the next game began. This time the prize was a large, long item wrapped in plain cloth, making it hard to guess its identity.

“Oh, this one’s interesting.”

Songwon lowered his hand from his chin and sat up straight.

“A sword? Or a blunt weapon…”

The host raised the item like before, but this time it appeared so heavy he needed the help of others.

“The prize will be revealed.”

After the plain cloth was slowly removed, a great sword appeared—its sight alone chilling.

The black, glossy sheath was decorated with a red tassel, and the broad blade curved slightly upward, giving it a fierce look. Even the untrained could tell it was no ordinary weapon. It seemed so lethal that even a slight touch could sever limbs.

“This is no ordinary great sword but a demonic blade.”

The host continued.

“A ruthless weapon that has severed thousands of necks on the battlefield. It is imbued with blood and spirit, containing evil energy. Depending on its wielder, it can bring glory or disaster. A normal person foolish enough to swing it will surely bring about their own destruction.”

The crowd murmured. The sword’s ominous aura and sinister energy stirred excitement.

Watching this, Cheongyeon pressed a hand to his throbbing temple.

‘Why are you coming out now…?’

He shouldn’t be here yet. He had a long way to go before his appearance. Just go away! Get lost!

That great sword was the weapon Muho used after becoming the Heavenly Demon in the original story.

After the fall of Sichuan to the cult, it was found in the weapon storehouse of the Cheongseong Sect and taken by the Heavenly Demon. Though it looked rougher than a sword, it had incredible destructive power and was named Hyunwoldo by Muho himself.

Cheongyeon had wondered why a primarily sword-wielding sect like Cheongseong would have such a weapon. So it had come into their possession in that way? Had someone sold it?

“This time, since the prize is so precious, we will gamble in a more special way.”

In front of the host were two bowls. Both contained opaque black liquid, seemingly identical in appearance.

“One bowl contains a tonic to restore energy. The other contains a deadly poison that will kill with a single sip.”

…What?

“Again, we invite these two gentlemen to choose a bowl each and drink. The one who survives will be the winner.”

Cheongyeon inhaled sharply, his head spinning.

‘What are you saying? Now they want to gamble with their lives? Just to win that sword?’

This was insanity—something no human should do. It seemed like everyone had lost their minds.

“Uh… uh… Master Danju, I think I should leave now.”

Cheongyeon hastily stood. He didn’t want to waste time watching such nonsense. Better to return to the inn and teach Muho some writing.

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

Songwon grabbed Cheongyeon’s wrist, subtly applying pressure. Cheongyeon suppressed a bad feeling and replied firmly,

“I’m uncomfortable here.”

“Sit down.”

His tone was cold and commanding. His sharp gaze swept Cheongyeon over. His ever-smiling face had hardened into someone completely different.

“Don’t spoil the mood.”

His slightly curled lips contrasted eerily with his cold eyes.

“……”

A cold sweat dripped down Cheongyeon’s spine.

He had picked the wrong place. He didn’t know what scheme was unfolding, but his instincts warned him staying here was dangerous.

“I just remembered something urgent. I have to go. Maybe next time… ugh.”

Suddenly, his strength left him; his limbs felt numb. Slumping back into his chair, he stared at the teacup before him.

“Yes, you have been poisoned.”

Songwon smiled leisurely.

“Why…”

All Cheongyeon could do was blink and move his tongue. He wondered what Songwon wanted from him but found no answer.

“Don’t worry too much. The paralysis will pass with time. Until then, innkeeper, you can chat with me.”

“Chat?”

“About the item you’ve hidden.”

What was he talking about? Hidden item?

His heart pounded. It felt as if a secret from his unknown past was about to be revealed immediately.

Songwon slowly lifted the teacup, took a sip, and calmly spoke,

“Yoo Sehwa. Is that really your name?”

Footnotes

1. Shaolin Summoning Pellet (소림사의 소환단, 少林寺召還丹): A rare and powerful elixir reputed to summon aid or enhance martial abilities, a treasured item in martial arts fantasy worlds.

2. Danju (단주, 團主): Leader or head of a merchant guild or trading caravan.

3. Hyunwoldo (현월도, 玄月刀): The name of Muho’s famed great sword—“Dark Moon Blade”—with immense destructive power.