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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Cheap Gaoliang Liquor is the Best
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Opening my eyes, I found myself in the early dawn light, moonlight flickering through the window. How long had I been out?
The sensation in my hand made me turn, and there was Wolhyang, clutching it as she lay beside me.
"You're awake?"
Was she waiting for me to stir?
"Sorry. I worried you for no reason."
"What do you have to be sorry for, brother?"
For some reason, her expression looked lonely. Was it just my imagination?
I tried to sit up, but my body still wouldn't obey.
"Are you okay?"
It was rare to see worry cloud her usually bright face. Even in my past life, she'd force a smile to avoid burdening me.
"I'm fine. Probably just didn't sleep well last night."
Wolhyang's lips moved as she stared at my hand for a long while. She seemed to chew over words she wanted to say, only to swallow them back. Finally, she composed herself, her gaze steady and serious as she spoke.
"You know, brother. I've been so happy lately. Eating delicious food, sleeping in a good bed, wearing pretty clothes. It feels like a dream, and every night before bed, I worry it might end."
Yes, that's why I'm living this second life—to keep you happy.
"No waking from this dream. I promise."
Wolhyang looked away. The faint smile on her lips felt somehow forlorn.
"I'm not naive enough to think my happiness fell from the sky. I know there's effort and sacrifice behind it."
Her words sank into me, weighing on my heart.
"Tell me honestly. That day you suddenly changed into someone else—what happened?"
I'd always seen her as a child.
But she'd held back her questions, thinking only of me.
Looking back, my sister had always surpassed my expectations, showing a strength I never imagined.
In my past life, she'd watch me head to battle each day with that same lonely smile.
I thought I knew everything about her, yet as her closest family, I'd ignored the issues right in front of me.
Hiding things from her now wouldn't be right.
"The truth is..."
Buoyed by her courage, I mustered my own.
"I've already died once."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I told Wolhyang about my past life.
Stories of the wars I fought, how I became known as the Blood Demon, and the moment she left this world.
Wolhyang listened silently, tears streaming soundlessly from her eyes.
"Why are you crying?"
"But... it's just so heartbreaking that you lived such a cruel life, brother."
Watching her wipe her tears with her sleeve made my chest ache for no reason.
"I'm fine. If I can protect your smile in this new life, that's enough for me."
For the first time, I stood before her not as the lone wanderer of the martial world, the Blood Demon of decades, but as myself.
"I've done you wrong."
It couldn't be pleasant for your lifelong family to suddenly return with memories of another life.
If Wolhyang came back with past-life memories and told me I'd die in a few years, how would I feel?
I couldn't even imagine her pain.
"Make a promise."
Wolhyang extended her pinky.
"Even if I die in this life, you won't become some Blood Demon for revenge. You won't let your life be mired in suffering."
I hesitated to link my finger with hers so lightly.
"That won't happen. Even if the whole world turns against me, I'll protect you."
I couldn't bring myself to touch her pure white finger with the filthy hand that had killed countless.
"If my death drags you into lifelong torment, and I know it as I die, I'll never find peace—not even in my last moments. So promise me. Live this life for yourself."
I met her bright eyes, shining in the moonlight.
How could such delicate fingers hold such resolute eyes?
I feared losing her again.
From the moment I returned to the past, that was my only fear.
But if I truly cared for her, shouldn't I fear her unhappiness more?
In the end, I hooked my finger over hers.
"I promise."
After decades, the Blood Demon had family once more.
We talked through the night, sharing fragile stories I'd kept safe in my heart. I laid them out carefully before her.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Xining's streets were changing day by day. Far from causing trouble, Fallen Ghosts Pavilion was now reining in the riffraff, and even the local thugs were starting to behave.
Finally, the seven days I'd agreed with Haun passed, and the people visibly brimmed with energy.
"Hey, Azure Righteous Sword! Come have a bite before you go!"
"Azure Righteous Sword, sir, I'll give you a deal on some clothes—need any?"
And I'd earned a new moniker: Azure Righteous Sword. It didn't quite suit me, but it didn't sound bad.
Better to have a title than none.
"Azure Righteous Sword? You've gone full wandering hero."
"This was your plan from the start—don't play coy."
I was walking the streets with Taeu.
She'd suddenly dragged me out, saying she wanted to go somewhere, and we'd ended up in the slums alley where we lived.
In just a week, we'd changed enough that we drew stares unlike before—our refined attire clashing with the slums. People eyed us warily and stepped aside.
"Why'd you bring us here all of a sudden?"
"You'll see."
Taeu strode ahead confidently. The path felt familiar.
Deep in the slums, we reached the ruined house where I'd first met her—and where Dongcheol had died.
"Not much time has passed, but why does it feel so strange?"
Thoughts swirling in her dark eyes, Taeu slowly looked around.
Come to think of it, I knew nothing of Taeu's past. I'd only assumed it mirrored mine and never pried.
"You and Dongcheol were close?"
"I'd like to say yes, but... yeah. Not that close."
Taeu continued in a flat tone.
"Truth is, back then he used to bully me, saying I was just pretending to be pitiful."
Was that why he'd hated me in my past life?
"But once he learned my story, he invited a stray like me to join the group."
Taeu stared endlessly at the bloodstained floor, as if remembering the kids who'd died here.
"For a while, this place was home—sheltering me from rain and blocking the sun."
She uncorked the bottle she'd brought, poured some over the stain, took a swig, and offered it to me.
It was the same cheap gaoliang liquor as before—barely three-tenths quality.
The taste that once felt sweet now turned bitterly sharp.
"Felt like you and I should come back here at least once."
"Yeah. This is where it all started for us."
Taeu was breaking out of her shell.
Everyone faces that moment—shattering their world, leaving the nest to fly.
When it comes, we often revisit our roots one last time.
For her, it was here.
"We're moving forward. Might never come back. So stay ready. Once we leave, we might lose what's precious forever."
Taeu gazed at her old home, eyes filled with resolve not to lose anything.
Remembering those who'd left, we shared the bottle.
Bitter smiles mingling with the cheap gaoliang's bite.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Young hero Azure Righteous Sword, you've come."
The Fallen Ghosts Pavilion members—fewer now—greeted me respectfully.
"Is the pavilion lord in?"
"Yes, sir. Inside."
I came and went from Fallen Ghosts Pavilion like it was my own home.
Occasionally I'd squeeze them for money, spirit herbs, or booze—making great use of them.
No longer collecting tribute, they earned honestly by guarding inns and taverns.
They still clashed with street thugs or minor unorthodox groups now and then, but if things escalated, I'd step in and set them straight.
Partly to cover the spirit herbs they'd received, but mostly because a solid Fallen Ghosts Pavilion would keep other Xining unorthodox groups in check.
A perfect case of using barbarians against barbarians. Not that I'd crowned my obedient puppet king or anything.
"What brings you here?"
New pavilion lord Haun eyed me warily.
"Just checking if you're staying reformed."
"Sigh. Admit it—you're here for spirit herbs or money."
Busted.
Tch, sharp-eyed bastard.
"Anyway, uh, no luck on that thing I asked about before?"
"If you mean the inn, we've searched all over Xining but no sign yet."
"You guys should know Qinghai gossip. If you spot one anywhere in Qinghai, tell me right away."
"Yes, sir. So... what do you need today?"
"Just happened to swing by. Have a drink with me."
"Suddenly?"
Haun looked horrified, like an underling roped into drinks with the boss. Not far off.
"We could commemorate your predecessor, who died by my hand. You against it?"
"Ah... well, if it's that."
I plunked down a bottle of bargain gaoliang from the market—barely three-tenths.
"What's this cheap swill?"
"Cheap gaoliang is the best for memorials."
I shared drinks with Haun.
Apparently, he'd been childhood friends with former lord Gu Yeom. Similar skill, but Haun had yielded the seat due to Gu Yeom's bolder spirit.
"If I'd known he'd pull that idiocy and die by your hand, I'd have stopped him from the start."
Haun's face grew wistful.
"Should've reined in his stupidity yourself."
"He wouldn't listen. Back then, I thought we'd do anything to survive."
"Not anymore?"
Haun gazed out at Xining's streets before replying.
"Now I know being able to look out this window is a good thing."
Before, people would've scurried past with heads down. Now even kids laughed as they walked by.
Haun could smile along with them.
"Keep it this way."
"Yes, sir."
We shared the bitter cheap gaoliang, watching the world outside.