Dripping Rain Pierces Stone

The invitation to the martial arts gathering arrived at the Eminent Mountain Sect three months ago.

Go In-kyung, who had devoted himself solely to martial arts training, had no intention of attending.

The letter lacked sincerity anyway.

Moreover, it was hosted by the Yellow Stone Sect, which made it even less appealing.

“However, Sect Leader Go, if you can’t read the trends, you can’t lead the sect properly. At the very least, we should find out what their intentions are for holding this gathering. Also, I hear the new sect leader of the Yellow Stone Sect is quite spirited—wouldn’t this be a good chance to meet him?”

Eldest Martial Uncle Baek Cheon’s advice was reasonable.

There was no need to cater to them, but they needed to know their plans.

That way, they could avoid being manipulated like last time and make wise decisions for the Eminent Mountain Sect.

“Then I’ll go alone. No need to announce it. I can’t help being recognized, but there’s no reason to make a fuss about my identity.”

At over ninety years old, Baek Cheon was a flexible man.

He understood In-kyung’s concerns better than anyone and didn’t interfere further.

Instead, it was his close friend and confidant, Yeong-jun, who expressed more worry.

“Unpyeong again, that awful place? Even if you go, shouldn’t we move as safely as possible? Alone? If you insist, at least let me come with you.”

In-kyung couldn’t bear to brush Yeong-jun off, whose loyalty bordered on excessive affection.

Thus, the two arrived in Unpyeong a month before the martial arts gathering.

“They say Haegum Inn is the largest in the capital, and it’s true. You meet all sorts of people here.”

As Yeong-jun said, the inn was packed to the brim.

They were barely guided to a corner on the second floor, and even that would’ve been taken if they’d arrived any later.

“Still, I can’t forget the taste of those noodles from back then.”

As the noodles arrived, In-kyung suddenly thought of Kang Yun-seon.

What has become of him since? Would they meet again?

“You’re right. A disciple of the Taiyi Divine Sect, but our benefactor. What an odd fate.”

The two exchanged awkward smiles.

For years, the events at the Unpyeong Escort Bureau had been an unspoken taboo.

Their only goal had been to grow stronger, avoiding reopening that day’s wounds.

But wounds, if not treated properly, are bound to fester and burst open.

This journey might be to confront those unhealed wounds.

“By the way, that young lady looks quite young, but she’s eating so much alone. Did the adult with her step away for a bit?”

In-kyung glanced around and saw only two women in the inn.

One was quietly eating a bowl of noodles in a corner, while Yeong-jun pointed to a young girl.

She was devouring greasy food, with a table laden to the point of bending.

She looked barely thirteen or fourteen at most.

Her shabby clothes made one wonder if she could even pay for the meal.

Many in the inn, sharing In-kyung’s thoughts, glanced at the girl and whispered.

“Looks like trouble’s brewing, doesn’t it?”

In-kyung nodded slightly in agreement with Yeong-jun’s words.

He wondered if he should step in if something happened.

At that moment,

“Well, look who it is! Quite a brazen girl, aren’t you?”

Two men in blue, with a dragon (龍) sash around their waists, plopped down in front of the girl, picking a fight.

“Who told you to sit?”

Contrary to expectations that she’d be scared, the girl retorted sarcastically, astonishing the inn’s patrons.

With such an entertaining spectacle, all eyes turned to the scene.

“Thanks to your clever tricks, we nearly met the grim reaper last night.”

As one man shouted, the inn fell silent for a moment.

It seemed something terrible was about to happen to the girl.

“Sect Leader, it’s the Dragon-Calling Hall.”

Even before Yeong-jun whispered, In-kyung recognized them at a glance.

They weren’t the same men from that incident, but their attire bore the unmistakable Dragon-Calling Hall emblem.

“Where’s your proof? Instead, aren’t you the ones who killed my parents to sell me? Oh, now I see it’s true.”

Far from panicking, the girl pressed the men.

Sensing the crowd’s attention, she suddenly burst into tears.

“Now I’m an orphan with a pitiful fate. To be sold as a courtesan for a few coins—I want to give up on this harsh life.”

Her sobbing was so heart-wrenching that some patrons wiped away tears, moved by her plight.

The atmosphere shifted instantly, leaving the two men flustered and at a loss.

“That’s really unfortunate.”

Tears welled in Yeong-jun’s eyes.

He felt so sorry that, if he had money, he’d pay generously to save her.

“Yeong-jun, you’re too naive. Would a girl who just lost her parents come to a big inn like this and order so much food? And if they tried to kidnap her with poison, would they expose their shame in such a crowded place? I too hold a grudge against Dragon-Calling Hall, but this time, they seem to be the victims.”

As Yeong-jun nodded in admiration of In-kyung’s insight,

a middle-aged man with neatly tied hair approached the girl.

“Young lady, I am Heo Yun, Deputy Hall Master of Dragon-Calling Hall. First, I apologize for my subordinates’ impudence. So, please stop crying, and let’s talk.”

The two flustered men changed their demeanor as soon as the Deputy Hall Master appeared.

Feeling reassured, they quickly regained their composure.

Heo Yun waved them back and stood before the girl, continuing.

“I’m sorry about your parents. However, contrary to your claims, our people were gravely injured, so we can’t let this slide.”

“And if I don’t?”

Wiping tears with her sleeve, the girl asked sharply.

Her delicate, pitiful appearance made Heo Yun seem like an irredeemable villain.

“Come to our Hall, and we’ll sort out the truth. If you’ve been wronged, shouldn’t we clear your name?”

A deep sense of dismay flashed across the girl’s face.

She had planned to shame the men publicly to drive them away, but things weren’t going as hoped.

With such a polite approach, she had no more excuses to avoid him.

“Fine, let’s do that. But I haven’t eaten since last night and am starving, so could you wait a bit?”

With such a pitiful expression, Heo Yun couldn’t refuse.

Sitting awkwardly in front of her, he felt embarrassed and irritated at losing face.

“Cough cough!”

The girl, eating hurriedly, coughed as if something was stuck in her throat.

She then waved toward the teapot in front of Heo Yun.

Flustered, he handed her the teapot’s handle as if bewitched.

“Phew, I’m saved.”

Gulping from the teapot’s spout, the girl made a fuss.

“If not for you, I’d have choked to death. You truly are my savior.”

Heo Yun waved off the excessive gratitude, but the girl kept thanking him.

The surrounding patrons, seeing the girl as kind and polite, smiled warmly.

“Let’s go now.”

As her plates emptied, Heo Yun stood first.

Not knowing what excuse this cunning girl might make next, he wanted to take her and settle things quickly.

But then,

“Yes, alright… Oh? Ouch… Ahh…”

The girl, rising from her seat, suddenly clutched her stomach and rolled on the floor.

“Oh, I’m dying! My insides are twisting! Ahh!”

The inn erupted into chaos again.

Waiters rushed over, and patrons stood, gathering around them in a circle.

The girl, drenched in sweat, was now screaming in agony.

“It seems they poisoned the tea! Oh, I’m dying!”

Only then did Heo Yun realize he’d been tricked by this kid.

Already hot-tempered and fickle, he could no longer contain his anger.

“This brat has lost all fear!”

Heo Yun raised his palm, gathering internal qi.

It was Dragon-Calling Hall’s signature technique, Dragon’s Hand Palm.

It was a bit too lethal for a young girl, but he had no patience to care.

He had planned to take the girl and sell her for a high price.

Her pretty face would fetch a good sum.

The previous night’s incident was due to his subordinates’ incompetence, not a big issue.

But now, having been personally humiliated, he was so furious he wanted to crush her head.

“Argh! This man is trying to kill me!”

The girl hopped around, trying to hide among the crowd.

She had gambled that in such a situation, someone might save her.

Unfortunately, it was a complete miscalculation.

“Hmph! Foolish girl, who in Unpyeong would dare oppose Dragon-Calling Hall?”

A man from Dragon-Calling Hall, watching with arms crossed, sneered vilely.

The country girl’s life now hung by a thread.

Could she survive after provoking the Deputy Hall Master?

At least they’d gotten revenge for the previous night, which felt satisfying.

“Stop.”

Just as Heo Yun was about to strike, a bluish blade blocked his path.

Seizing the moment, the girl quickly hid behind her rescuer.

They say there’s always a way out, and this was exactly that moment.

Confirming the girl was safely hidden, In-kyung faced Heo Yun and bowed politely.

“Withdraw your hand and speak with me.”

Heo Yun’s eyebrows twitched like worms.

Who was this good-looking young man?

It seemed today was an exceptionally unlucky day.

“If we’re not acquainted, step aside. That girl has disgraced Dragon-Calling Hall, and I won’t let her live.”

Heo Yun had no intention of backing down.

If things went wrong, he’d deal with this young man too.

In Dragon-Calling Hall’s stronghold, no one could stop them.

“If you insist on harming the young lady, I’ll have to intervene.”

Though they didn’t show it openly, everyone in the inn silently cheered for the young man.

In Unpyeong, there wasn’t a soul who didn’t despise Dragon-Calling Hall.

They hoped the Hall would be thoroughly humiliated this time.

The silent inn filled with cheers for the young man.

As the crowd’s support tilted toward the other side, Heo Yun grew angrier.

“Fine. If you defeat me in a duel, I’ll let the girl go and withdraw.”

The outcome was obvious.

He didn’t know where this guy came from, but he looked like he’d just completed training at some obscure sect.

He likely had no real sparring experience, so his reckless bravado was unsurprising.

Shiing!

With a crowd watching, flashy swordsmanship was the way to go.

Heo Yun borrowed a sword from his subordinate and assumed a basic stance.

Though Dragon’s Hand Palm was his specialty, few in the martial world could match his swordsmanship.

“Make the first move.”

In-kyung bowed politely again, then assumed a defensive stance.

It was the first form of the Waxing Moon Sword.

‘Arrogant fool! You’ll regret allowing me the first move!’

Heo Yun smirked and unleashed a fierce technique.

Would breaking an arm quell his anger?

In his mind, defeat was never an option.

“Tch tch, didn’t you say you didn’t want to be noticed?”

Due to the unexpected duel, more and more spectators crowded into Haegum Inn.

Yeong-jun shook his head at the sight.

우수천석 (雨垂穿石), Dripping Rain Pierces Stone:

A drop of water can wear away a stone. Originally, this proverb meant that even small mistakes, when accumulated, can lead to great danger. Today, however, it is used to illustrate that even the smallest, seemingly insignificant effort, when sustained over time, can achieve great things.