Chapter 21: ~ The frost of time progresses with the tone - III ~
"How about this?" the innkeeper placed a small box in front of me, opening the lid as a strong smell of herbs wafted into my nose.
"This one is nice, it is strangely refreshing and sweet!" I was excited to bath with the scrub that looked like smooth white powder. The fragrance quite a bit strong.
I had came downstairs to shop for scented scrubs, since Xi Ken had left early morning as was planned. But unlike yesterday the innkeeper was too friendly and humble to me as soon as he saw me.
His tone inviting and warm.
I was a bit confused for a while, over the change, but I felt like rolling my eyes when the innkeeper told me he had heard the scuffle I had with Haido but was unable to intervene because Haido was very senior to him, yet he was very relieved when he saw the Ink Master, surprised that I had such a good backing.
No wonder he was getting so friendly with me.
It seemed like everyone in town knew who Xi Ken was, except for me. Which was just sad.
"I want his one." I pointed at the herbal scent and also at a flowery one. They both smelled nice and also seemed to be cheaper than many.
"Should I pack this one as well?" he showed me a transparent liquid vial. "It is very effective if you put in a few drops in your bathing water."
"But they smell odd," I scrunched my nose under the strong odor. Did people really liked such scents?
"No no no no, brother the scent changes when you put it in water, the liquid reacts and changes its composition in a different medium."
"I see."
"I will give this to you for free," he added with a grin, "I know the revered master would be pleased with you if you use this."
I raised an eyebrow at him, "And why would I want to please him?" Wasn't he looking too much into it? Were all towns so full of nosy people?
He snickered nervously, "You should simply try it brother."
"Alright then, pack it for me."
He blinked, "Wouldn't you use it today? I will even take it back if you don't like it."
Well, testing it wouldn't harm me. So no issues in trying.
~~
The innkeeper had told me to put in at least 5 to 7 drops in a medium sized pail of water, yet when it came to it, I only put on 1 drop, the odor making me scared that the scent would not be that great.
However, only one drop was enough for me since the water smelled very alluring with just one mix.
"Wow, this is nice," I murmured, sniffing a bit from the bucket... but after a few sniffs, I started to feel dizzy, the scent suddenly becoming strong.
"And that innkeeper told me to put in 5 to 7 drops, was he crazy?"
Although the scent was inviting, it did not seem to have one particular characteristics to it, it was more like a mix of many. Surely, to give away such a composed liquid, the innkeeper must appreciate Xi Ken a bit too much.
I shrugged, quickly trying out the water.
~~
"Did you hear about the meat restaurant by the corner?" a lady no older than myself whispered loudly to another, both of them sitting by the stairs and sipping some kind of a tea, looking to be chatting. They must be the other guests staying over at the inn, since they looked rich. The silk hanbok-style clothing, printed with various floral patterns.
"I heard that they tried to cheat the revered Ink Master Xi Ken, so they are now permanently shut down."
As soon as I heard the name, I slowed down my pace, coming to a halt in front of them, "Excuse me, the revered master?"
They both were a bit surprised to see me, but they were also eager to chat.
"Yes, the ink master has returned, like he does every year. Although he never stays for long, only a few days."
"Oh, is that so, it seems he is some great figure head in this town."
Hearing me they both huffed, as if disgruntled to know how uneducated I was.
Well... sorry girls, I somehow transmigrated into another's body who happened to look just like me.
"The revered Ink Master is one of the three most powerful people in the world, his ink is said to be so dark, that the power behind them alone can defeat an entire army. He is famous all over the world, and is supposed to be immortal, although we aren't sure," both the girls nodded at that, making me tense with cold sweat.
How did I manage to meet such a highly regarded personnel? Was this a dream? Or a nightmare?
"Feels like he has plenty of admiration directed at him," I spoke awkwardly.
They both nodded, almost with excitement, "Not many see him, but those who do, say he changes his appearance every year."
"He can do that?" my eyes widened, feeling scared of such a man.
"Well appearance as in the style of dressing, and hair, one cannot change his body even if they are god."
I sighed, some sort of relief filling me.
"Then you two have seen him?"
They both shook their heads, "Even if people see him, they wouldn't know they are seeing Xi Ken, so even we don't know if we have seen him or not."
I nodded, "I really don't know how to feel about that. But is it true that he is blind?" I felt bad for asking total strangers about his eyes, but I really wanted to know and didn't have much guts to face the real thing. Asking him once had been grilling enough.
"Well," the first girl chirped, twirling her pigtails, "they say nobody has seen his eyes, and those who do, they die of seizure. So the myth is that you will receive your wish if you see his eyes, although only if the wish you desire is to leave this world of the living."
Well the saying seemed true now, curiosity killed the cat.
I gulped, all the excitement draining away, as I thanked God for not letting me have that fate. Good that I wasn't much curious yesterday night.
"You alright? You look pale," the second girl asked, peering at me in concern.
"Haha, I am fine," I waved their concern away with awkwardness, "and what else have you heard?"
"Oooo, well well," the first girl hopped slightly, looking extra cute, "word has it that he also brought in a companion with him this time, and not just any sort, but a lover."
I choked dry in bafflement, almost scaring the girls.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone