Chương 60: Chapter 57 - Shooting Star

The man who called himself Nam Gwansoo puffed on his pipe and stared at the clouds just now beginning to dribble overhead. The air was heavy with the scent of water, and the wind felt clammy on his skin. Monsoon season already, when the Everstorm over the western Fenglang Ocean spun heavy rain down over the continent. It looked like his fun was going to come to an end. A pity. He laid his gat down on the wooden deck beside him and let the first droplets land upon his hair.

Cold pinpricks left goosebumps behind where they touched. He took another long drag of the southern Hunan broadbottom leaf and let it out in a circle of blueish-white smoke. A fine vintage that he'd purchased while skirting around the jungles of Yunnan on his jaunt through the provinces. It had the faint musk of oak and had a sweet aftertaste not unlike apples. It was the little things that made these trips worth it.

He knew that others in the family found his niece to be eccentric, but he was returning with myriad specialties and the names of incredible, if lesser known craftspeople to grace her desk. She may not have a head for business, but her collection of oddities would soon be unmatched by any outside the Hao sect. It was a shame that this season was always so rough on his poor bones. Whenever the dark clouds rolled in, he found it more and more difficult to sleep.

These days it took the calming effect of broadleaf to help him finally doze off. As he turned to enter the waystation's inn, a large building in imperial style with curled eaves and multiple levels, he spotted something strange in the distance. A point of light that was growing closer and closer, streaking across the plains like the moon trying to outrun the monsoon. Was it some kind of Demonic Beast? You could never be sure with Nakjo.

The sheer vastness of the plains was almost as bad as the southern jungles for hiding strange and terrible demons. Gwansoo slowly changed direction towards the stables; nothing could outrun his beloved steed Jajangmyeon in the dark. The point of light slowed down as it came into view, before collapsing to the ground. Signal fires sprang to life at the waystation's guard-tower as the alarm went up – the night guard must have spotted it as well.

The strange starlight began to flicker and dim, and as his eyes adjusted, Gwansoo was able to make out the form of a horse and rider. The horse had collapsed, bearing its rider down with it, who was now struggling to stand. From the size of the rider, Gwansoo realized it must be a child, or a young woman. What were they doing out in the monsoon at this time of night!? He recalled the village of Changpo that they'd just passed through. Had there been a raid? Or an attack by the rumoured grasswolves?

His heart chilled, and he trotted out towards the figure along with the contingent of armoured soldiers that erupted from the inn. Gwansoo recognized guard captain Cho and pulled in alongside him.

"They came from Changpo," Gwansoo said, pointing off in the distance.

"Damn. I hope nothing happened. There's over two dozen cursed cultivators in that village. Anything that could cause them a problem will be a serious headache." Cho groused. The old combat veteran scratched at his greying beard and adjusted his hastily thrown on iron lamellar armor. He stepped on his cape as he did so, and he nearly fell back.

"Damn this cape. The worst part about being made captain. I'd willingly be broken down to private just to take it off again."

"Ah, but you're the most righteous man in all of Chengdu, Captain Cho. There can be no better man to take care of His Imperial Majesty's subjects than you." Gwansoo replied, only a little cheekily.

"Hah. If you really believe that, then you should stop trying to bribe me," Captain Cho laughed bitterly.

"You and all the rest of that den of tigers they call –" Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"Ah ah! I'm traveling incognito, you know." Gwansoo held his finger to his lips, his pencil moustache pulling up in a smile.

"Harumph I've seen your wares. Some incognito."

"What, can't an old man have a little fun? Seeing the wide eyes from the provincials when I reveal my wares is one of the true joys in this world. And who knows? Maybe some bright young hidden dragon will have a secret family fortune, and then I'll be their fortuitous encounter!"

"You cultivators and your fortuitous encounters. The only fortuitous encounter I want these days is a cold wine with a hot concubine in a warm bed," Captain Cho scoffed.

"That's because you army types lack imagination." Gwansoo kept pace with the Captain, trusting in the army, as well as the clan cultivators hidden in the shadows to keep him safe in case this turned out to be a demonic trap. Shock flew across Gwansoo's face when the small figure came into view. It was a boy – one he recognized. Lee Song had been his name!

Gone was the fine deel and proud gaze, and in its place was a disheveled wreck, black hair strewn every which way, and his half naked body covered in furs and wrappings. The boy's eyes were dull, and he was barely conscious.

"A Demon!" Captain Cho shouted, and the five soldiers behind him immediately fell into formation and drew their spears.

"No! Wait! I know him!" Gwansoo shouted, dashing ahead and catching the lad as he collapsed once more. Gwansoo slowly lowered the boy to the ground, holding him tight while maneuvering to block his open stomach from the rain. Beside them on the ground, the brown gelding's eyes were closed, and its chest heaved even as its breaths came out weaker and weaker.

"Merchant Nam…" The boy said, his voice shaky.

"I must see Merchant Nam." Immortals above, the boy was cold as ice. Song's lips were a dark blue and his skin was hard to the touch.

"Lukewarm water! And some blankets! Tell the inn to put on some warm rice porridge!" Gwansoo shouted at the soldiers.

"He's freezing!" The soldiers looked at their captain who sighed, and gestured to one at the end to deliver the message.

"Do you know the boy?" Captain Cho asked, bending down, concern in his voice.

"What's he doing out here in that getup?"

"Merchant Nam," Song repeated. Through his chattering teeth, he repeated over and over like a mantra. His eyes floated over Nam Gwansoo, but clearly didn't register him.

"Neither snow, nor rain… nor sleet, nor gloom of night, shall… keep this cultivator from his delivery. Merchant Nam…. I must…see…Merchant Nam." What was this!? Gwansoo held the boy tight, lending him some body heat.

"I'm Merchant Nam. You made it boy. What's happening? Damn you, Cho, get me those blankets!"

"I'm not a nursemaid!" The imperial Captain snapped back.

"It's coming. Boy! Was there an attack on Changpo?" Slowly, Song's eyes focused on the Captain. Oh so slowly, he nodded.

"Grasswolves. Almost…dozen. I.. had to fight them off."

"You mean they attacked the village?" Gwansoo hazarded. Surely the warriors of Changpo could handle a mere dozen grasswolves! Song shivered, and let out a wracking cough.

"No. Attacked me… on the way here. Foundation wolf and… others. I must… see Merchant Nam. Want to buy… must buy…" Gwansoo and Cho shared a look. This boy had fought a foundation level demon and maybe a dozen more alone?? Gwansoo took Song's face in his hand and looked into his whirling eyes.

"I'm Merchant Nam, Song. I gave you the doll. Remember? Jajangmyeon? My Black Bean Noodle?"

"Merchant Nam!" Song gasped, recognition finally dawning. His rigid arms grabbed hold of Gwansoo's hanfu, and he pulled at it desperately. Life sprang back into his eyes, albeit briefly.

"Oak Heart! We need your Oak Heart! We can pay!"

"What??" Whatever Gwansoo had been expecting, it hadn't been that.

"Mae! Mae needs it! The girl I bought the doll for. Doctor… says cure… but need Oak Heart. We can pay! Please!!!" Frozen tears flowed down the boy's face, and he was wracked with coughs once more. The soldier finally came running up with blankets, and Gwansoo gently wrapped the boy up.

"Take him inside. Warm him up slowly, with lukewarm water. The Innkeeper should know what to do if she's any good at her dao," Gwansoo said, handing the boy over to Cho. He was so light, much like his own little niece. Fiercely, Gwansoo turned and headed for the stables.

"Where're you going!?" Cho asked, desperate.

"If the boy's to be believed the plains are full of grasswolves!"

"Then send your men out!" Gwansoo snapped.

"If I don't answer that boy – no, young cultivator's determination, what kind of a man am I!?"

"A dead one!" Cho called.

"Bah. Nothing can catch Jajangmyeon in the dark." Gwansoo replied, his eyes full of fire and fury. So they wanted a Five-Thousand-Year Oak Heart enough to send that young hero out alone on a night like this and dressed up like that? They'd get an Oak Heart. And a talking to! Assuming of course, they could afford it. He still was a merchant after all, and he must follow his dao. The talking to was a free added service.