Moonlit Night Chapter 11 (Patreon)

Chapter 11

Cheong-ra recalled that everyone couldn't properly rest at the inn because of Dang Ran-yeong. Glancing at the slightly dejected junior brothers, he approached a woman selling dumplings on the street.

"Please give me ten."

The woman, who had been absentmindedly putting the dumplings in a reed container, looked up and was lost in a daze. It was because a jade-boned immortal had suddenly appeared in front of her. With a straight forehead, a high and sharp nose bridge, and a slightly flushed complexion from the alcohol, she couldn't take her eyes off him. Only when the customer took out money from his pouch did she come to her senses and realize that there were well over ten dumplings in the container.

"Hmm."

Looking at the food-filled reed container, Cheong-ra paused for a moment, then, as if he was used to this situation, took out more money and placed it on the stall. The woman, with a flushed face, waved her hands in embarrassment.

"No, no, the rest is on the house for you, noble sir..."

"I cannot accept food made with sincerity without paying for it."

Leaving behind the woman who was staring at him blankly, lost in a daze again, Cheong-ra returned to his group. Then, he distributed the dumplings to the junior brothers and Jong-wi, who were swallowing their saliva. Seeing the junior brothers flocking like puppies and munching on the dumplings, Jong-wi couldn't help but exclaim in admiration at how affectionate Cheong-ra's gaze was towards them.

"Young Hero Baek Ri, you are perfect not only in appearance and skills but also in character."

"Contrary to what it seems, I have many shortcomings."

"Where exactly are you lacking? Being so humble on top of that, I would really like to have a senior brother like Young Hero Baek Ri."

He only smiled and didn't answer further, but what Cheong-ra said to Jong-wi was sincere. Otherwise, why wouldn't the sensation of painful tightness between his legs disappear since meeting Dang Ran-yeong? Cheong-ra planned to ask his master for permission to go on a chivalrous journey under the guise of a trip once this matter was over. The unusually boiling desire showed no signs of subsiding.

He often didn't understand his own tendencies. It wasn't like he purely enjoyed sparring like the Great Senior Brother Gong Hyeok-rin, nor did he want to win. Simply losing in a spar couldn't satisfy his yearning. Who in the world would want to be utterly defeated and submit to others?

Just imagining someone discovering this strange desire was terrifying, so he always made sure to tie the cloth around his penis properly. Rather than being caught with an erection while sparring with a junior or senior brother, or while fighting someone else, it was better to end his life on the spot.

Still, fighting evil factions was the only thing that somewhat fulfilled Cheong-ra's desires. He had earned the nickname Moonlight Flashing Sword a few years ago thanks to his inability to control his youthful passion and going around eliminating evil factions under the name of chivalry.

So Cheong-ra had no choice but to think that his character was far from virtuous and perfect. True chivalry wouldn't be carried out with such impure intentions. As he smiled bitterly inwardly, the day had already completely set.

***

"Since the spirit beast appeared three days ago, there is a high possibility it will appear again tonight."

When it was completely dark, Jong-wi explained. Usually, it appeared between the hour of the rat (11 PM to 1 AM) and the hour of the ox (1 AM to 3 AM), so there was still about an hour left.

"Looking around various places today, it seems the spirit beast doesn't appear in a place it has attacked once before, is that correct?"

"Ah, now that you mention it, that's true."

"Then, how about we first deploy the martial artists in places where it hasn't appeared yet and set up a signal?"

"That's a good idea. I will consult with the sect leader."

Cheong-ra's suggestion was readily accepted as it was not difficult to implement. The martial artists each took a whistle and a hand bell and scattered in all directions of Dragon Spring. As they waited for a long time, enduring the night dew, the sound of a whistle was heard loudly from somewhere. They immediately ran over, but by the time Cheong-ra arrived, the spirit beast had already fled. The martial artist from the Dragon Gate Sect who had been waiting at the spot explained.

"As soon as it heard the sound of the whistle, it ran away. I don't know if it was because it was an unfamiliar sound or if it sensed something suspicious."

"But I clearly saw its appearance. It was a golden-furred bear, and its size was easily over one zhang (about 3 meters)."

Another martial artist testified with a frightened face. A golden bear with a size exceeding one zhang. Hearing that it fled as soon as the whistle was blown, it seemed to be quite intelligent and wary. Nevertheless, it was also persistent enough to come down to human settlements. It was the most difficult type of opponent to deal with.

It didn't seem like the creature that had run away once would appear again, and since it was late at night, everyone sighed and returned to the Dragon Gate Sect.

The quarters provided by the Dragon Gate Sect for Cheong-ra's group were quite large and clean. The junior brothers, who had been walking around all day and waiting tensely until late at night, fell asleep instantly without even properly washing up.

Although Cheong-ra was just as tired, he persevered and recited the Moonlight on Snow, Mind and Heart Formula, washed his body clean, changed into sleepwear, and only then lay down. Originally having insomnia, he tossed and turned for a long time, ruminating on the day's events before finally falling asleep.

The next day, Cheong-ra woke up to the sound of a rooster crowing and confirmed that the junior brothers were still sleeping. Instead of waking them up, he properly covered them with blankets. Then, as he was about to leave the room, Cheong-ra's gaze fell on a pile of clothes stacked like a mountain. It was what the junior brothers had shed like a snake's skin when they returned exhausted last night.

"As a senior brother, it's only right to take care of the junior brothers."

Muttering like that, Cheong-ra took the clothes outside and dusted them off. He also cut off the loose threads and then neatly folded each one and placed them by the owner's pillow. While he was at it, he also tidied up the shoes that had been taken off haphazardly, and only then did a satisfied look appear on his face.

After doing some morning exercise, he also trained in the courtyard until the morning sun rose. Even after more time passed, the junior brothers finally woke up one by one, making groaning sounds.

"Oh, Senior Brother! When did you wake up?"

Lim Jeong, who had woken up first and was coming out with a big yawn, was startled. Then, with an embarrassed face, he hurriedly went back into the room. Perhaps it was awkward to see Cheong-ra, who had tidied up his attire and was drinking tea. When he came out again, he looked a bit neater.

"While Senior Brother woke up so early, I was being lazy... I will reflect on myself."

"No, it's understandable that everyone was tired after working late yesterday."

"But that applies to Senior Brother too. Did you get some sleep?"

Lim Jeong, who knew well about Cheong-ra's insomnia, asked in a small, worried voice. Instead of answering yes, Cheong-ra drank another cup of tea and stood up.

"I will take another look around this place. Junior Brother Lim, have a meal and get some more rest."

"Ah, no. I will also..."

Lim Jeong, who stood up abruptly to follow, was made to sit back down. Just then, a young disciple from the Dragon Gate Sect was coming with breakfast in quick steps. Seeing the food, Lim Jeong hesitated, and in the meantime, Cheong-ra swiftly moved his steps and left the quarters.

Fortunately, there was not much damage from last night's spirit beast attack, so the atmosphere in Dragon Spring today was not so gloomy. Cheong-ra walked the streets with slow steps, stopped by an inn to buy some bamboo leaf tea and simple snacks. He stopped in front of a dirty beggar. When he handed over the food, the beggar quickly accepted it and bowed his head.

"Oh, thank you, Hero. Thanks to you, I can have breakfast. You have a kind heart that matches your appearance."

Cheong-ra's gaze turned to the knot on the beggar's waist. It was a beggar's token with two knots tied. After politely clasping his hands, Cheong-ra took out a letter from his bosom and handed it to the beggar.

"May I ask you to deliver this letter to my master Oh Tae-ryeong at Moon Lake Sect?"

"Of course. How could I refuse a request from a benefactor who treated this hungry beggar to warm food and drink?"

The beggar grinned and readily accepted the letter, carefully putting it in his bosom. The Beggar Sect, a sect composed of beggars, specialized in gathering information and rumors like the Owl Sect. They also took on the task of delivering letters, utilizing the characteristic of beggars being widely spread throughout the martial arts world of the Central Plains. Cheong-ra took out a pouch from his bosom again and placed a small bundle of copper coins.

"And I would like to know about the White Jade Merchant Group in this town and its owner."

The beggar quickly took the copper coins, grinned, showing his teeth, drank the alcohol first, and then began to explain.

According to him, it had already been two weeks since Dang Ran-yeong, the owner of the White Jade Merchant Group, had arrived. It was a few days after the day Cheong-ra had encountered him at Full Moon Lake. Since arriving in Dragon Spring, Dang Ran-yeong had been idly lounging and doing nothing at the branch of the White Jade Merchant Group.

"Was the damage suffered by the branch of the White Jade Merchant Group due to the spirit beast that severe?"

"How could that be? The guards at the branch are so strong that they didn't suffer any damage."

At the beggar's words, Cheong-ra slightly frowned.