The Scapegoat

“Haha, I will cherish your advice like a golden rule, Young Master……. S-so, shall we head up to our rooms now? You must need to wash up.”

I tried desperately to change the subject. But the bomb had already dropped, and like most martial artists, the man was not one to let an insult slide.

“You, there. Did you just refer to me as a ‘mere groom’?”

“I did.”

“Ha! Are your eyes so blind that you cannot see the martial robes of the Qingcheng Sect?”

The man shouted, thumping his chest. At that, Seol Ah-heon looked at the man again.

‘He’s from the Qingcheng Sect!’

No wonder he seemed like he belonged to a famous sect. I just didn’t realize it would be the Qingcheng Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects and One Union.

The Qingcheng Sect was based right here in Sichuan. They were of the Taoist lineage, and from what I knew, they primarily used swords.

‘Then who is this guy……?’

A few martial artists from the Qingcheng Sect had appeared in The Chronicles of Mount Hua, though none were major supporting characters. Still, as a pillar of the Great Sects, they had interacted with the Mount Hua Sect, so I wasn’t entirely without information. Specifically, the Sect Leader of Qingcheng had even helped Kang Seon grow stronger.

‘He’s too young to be the Sect Leader……. Besides, if he were the leader, he wouldn’t be raising his voice in an inn like this.’

While Seol Ah-heon was trying to recall the minor Qingcheng disciples mentioned in the novel, Baek Geon-ha spoke recklessly.

“Qingcheng? Ah, is that the name of the stable you work for?”

The atmosphere, which had been as fragile as thin ice, shattered completely at those words. The Taoists of the Qingcheng Sect, who had been watching the situation warily, jumped to their feet.

“How dare you refer to the Qingcheng Sect as a stable! And on this very soil of Sichuan!”

“You must have a death wish to be so bold……!”

“Acknowledge your mistake and apologize this instant!”

Seol Ah-heon felt like he wanted to faint right where he stood.

‘……What do I do?’

What could he do? Baek Geon-ha, the root of the problem, had to resolve this. But far from having any intention of fixing it, Baek Geon-ha seemed determined to escalate the situation.

“Not a groom? You seemed to know every detail of what happened in the stables, so I naturally assumed you were one. How strange. You even carry that foul stench of a stable with you.”

“What?!”

“Who are you to speak so arrogantly? Reveal your name at once!”

Seol Ah-heon was horrified once again. Even by his 21st-century modern standards, Baek Geon-ha’s behavior was incredibly rude. By the standards of this world, it was far worse. One’s sect was like one’s very foundation. Defiling the sect’s honor was a greater sin than defiling one’s own.

No disciple would endure such an insult. The Qingcheng Taoists looked ready to draw their swords at any moment.

“To insult the Qingcheng Sect in Sichuan is nothing short of foolish.”

“Can you not distinguish heaven from earth? Or have you lost your mind?”

Baek Geon-ha countered with his usual oily attitude.

“Well. I do it precisely because I can distinguish them. Is there any reason I should treat you with respect?”

“Y-you……!”

Seol Ah-heon was the one who wanted to ask. What kind of grudge did he have that he was provoking the Qingcheng Sect so relentlessly? Whatever the reason, he prayed the man would stop. At this rate, he would be dragged into the suffering too.

If you touch the high pride of a prestigious Orthodox sect, would they stay still unless they were spineless? They would certainly show this ruffian and his companions a lesson. Even so, Baek Geon-ha and Mu Il-young would be fine. He, on the other hand, might get seriously hurt if things went south.

“……I am sorry!”

Having assessed the situation, Seol Ah-heon bowed his head. The Qingcheng Taoists, and even Baek Geon-ha, glared at him as if asking, ‘Who do you think you are?’ But Seol Ah-heon ignored them and continued his apology.

“The Young Master I serve has spoken out of turn. As his servant, I offer my apologies in his stead. I am truly sorry.”

I am just a mere servant. Unlike this madman, I am sensible. I even apologized!

He bowed repeatedly to emphasize this. Honor? Who cares about that? He had survived being hit by a truck to live in another world, and he had survived the Demonic Cult’s dungeon; it would be a shame to die in a place like this.

“Ahem! At least one of you has their head on straight. I will accept your apology, but this is a matter between me and that fellow.”

“If you are a martial artist, reveal your name at once!”

“I must know which famous sect produced such an ill-mannered disciple.”

Every single one of them was speaking the truth. Having no way to stop them further, Seol Ah-heon swallowed a groan.

Instead, Baek Geon-ha spoke.

“Are you suggesting we test our skills?”

“Exactly!”

“Hmm. The opportunity to see the martial arts of a ‘stable’ is rare indeed. I shall gladly entertain you.”

“Y-you dare!”

The furious Taoist shouted. His face was flushed red. Seol Ah-heon was worried the man might collapse from a qi deviation or a brain hemorrhage.

“Words are useless. Draw your sword. Today, I shall teach you the meaning of manners!”

Baek Geon-ha curled his lips into a smile, as if this was exactly what he wanted. For a brief second, Seol Ah-heon could read his thoughts.

He intended to kill the Qingcheng Taoist.

“You mustn’t, Young Master!”

He had to stop it somehow. Seol Ah-heon braved his fear and grabbed Baek Geon-ha’s sleeve.

‘How can I just stand by and watch an innocent person die……!’

The cultists tortured in the dungeon were people who had harmed others or were caught in power struggles—they fit the bill for the Demonic Cult. But these were Taoists practicing their path. He couldn’t just watch them lose their lives to the Young Cult Leader’s sword. Regardless of martial arts, as a human, he had to intervene.

“Young Master, please don’t do this. There’s no need to shed blood, is there? Please…….”

“Oh? And who said anything about shedding blood?”

“Step aside!”

Before he could finish, the Qingcheng Taoists shouted in unison. Baek Geon-ha gently brushed Seol Ah-heon’s hand off and said:

“Then. Will you face them in my stead?”

“……Excuse me?”

His hand firmly gripped Seol Ah-heon’s wrist. It looked like a delicate, jade-like hand, but the grip strength was incredible—enough to make his wrist ache.

‘What answer does he want?’

Seol Ah-heon’s eyes darted around. He wasn’t in a position to say what he wanted, but rather what the other person wanted to hear. And what Baek Geon-ha wanted from him was likely……

“I-if that is what the Young Master wishes, I am at your service.”

Was that the right answer?

It probably was. Baek Geon-ha wouldn’t have suggested, “Will you face them in my stead?” if he didn’t want him to step forward.

Sure enough, he spoke to the Qingcheng Taoists.

“Did you hear? My servant says he will face you.”

“A servant? You’re putting forward a mere servant? If you’re so great, step up yourself!”

“Don’t worry. If my servant loses, I will face you then. Or are you afraid of losing to a mere servant?”

“Ha! Do you think I’ll fall for such a blatant provocation!”

While Seol Ah-heon stood frozen, voices were raised between Baek Geon-ha and the Qingcheng Taoists. The sheer pressure felt like it would bring the inn down. Looking at the nearly catatonic waiter, Seol Ah-heon offered a silent, hollow apology. Whenever this sort of thing happens, it’s the commoners caught in the middle who suffer most.

“Fine! I’ll deal with your servant first. Do not forget your promise to kneel and apologize if your servant loses!”

This was no time to worry about others. By the time he snapped to his senses, the deal had been struck.

‘……What? What did he believe in to make such a promise?’

Cold sweat ran down his back. Baek Geon-ha seemed to trust the skills of the ‘Ice Block,’ but just because they shared the same body didn’t mean they shared the same talent. He could see a future where he got beaten to a pulp, like a thug challenging a boxing champion.

“Follow me!”

The man who seemed to be the leader turned sharply. Following him, the Qingcheng Taoists exited the inn. Only then did Baek Geon-ha release Seol Ah-heon’s wrist.

“What are you doing? Let’s go.”

“…….”

Seol Ah-heon forced his feet to move as if he were being led to a slaughterhouse. The sword at his waist felt exceptionally heavy today.

‘Baek Geon-ha started the fight, so why am I the one who has to fight……!’

No matter how loudly he screamed it in his heart, there was no one to listen. Swallowing his tears, Seol Ah-heon stepped out of the inn.