Journey Outside. (2)
“Haha, it’s nothing really. It’s just that I have a favor to ask.”
“Ah, no.”
“Huh? How do you know what I’m about to ask, and you’re already saying no from the start? Sasuk, do you have something against me? Because if you do, I’ve got something too.”
“N-Nothing like that. You’re trying to ask us to buy you some alcohol right now, aren’t you?”
“Huh?”
Chung Myung’s eyes grew round, him wearing an expression that seemed to say, ‘Was this guy always this smart?’
“How did you know?”
“I… I didn’t figure it out myself. Chung Mun told me to never do it. He said that if you… if all your other means are blocked, you might grab me and threaten me…”
A ghost? Or maybe he’s really the reincarnation of Zhuge Liang? He even managed to predict this much?
“So it’s impossible. I’ve been banned from going there, too. Honestly, because of you, half of the Baek disciples can’t even step foot in Hwaeum’s tavern. If you don’t believe me, go ask the owner yourself.”
“Huh….”
Chung Myung couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. This isn’t even close to Sun Wukong being trapped in the Buddha’s palm.
“Ugh.”
Realizing there was no other way, Chung Myung let out a deep sigh.
“Y-You get it, right?”
“Ah, damn it! You’re really no help at all!”
“S-Sorry.”
Chung Myung kicked the ground in frustration, then turned around.
“Phew…..”
At that very moment, Baek Oe – who had just barely escaped the tiger’s jaws – let out a long sigh.
“But.”
“Huh? Y-Yes?”
Chung Myung turned his head slightly to look at Baek Oe.
“Where are you coming from right now?”
“Ah, we were just in Xian on the Elder’s orders.”
“Where? Xian?”
“B-But, why? Is something wrong…”
“Xian…… you say?”
Chung Myung’s eyes sparkled. The moment Baek Oe saw that gleam, he sensed that something had gone wrong.
“W-Wait a minute. Chung Myung. You can’t go to Xian. The Sect Leader has strictly forbidden anyone below the Baek disciples from going there, remember?”
“I know, I know. Of course I do.”
No… it doesn’t seem like you do…
“I’m just curious – what’s in Xian? I heard it’s bigger than Hwaeum.”
“What’s in it, you ask. There’s nothing particularly special. It’s just a somewhat larger city, that’s all.”
“Compared to Hwaeum?”
“Comparing it to Hwaeum… is a bit difficult. Xian is a city, and Hwaeum is just a small village. Xian has more people and more buildings.”
“More taverns, too?”
“Right. More taverns… oh.”
Baek Oe’s gaze began to tremble.
“So that’s how it is, huh?”
Chung Myung snickered. Just from that expression alone, anyone could tell exactly what he was thinking.
“W-Wait, Chung Myung. Don’t do this…”
“Sasuk.”
“Yes?”
“Which way is Xian again?”
“…”
Ah, there’s no stopping him now.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Wow…”
Chung Myung’s eyes grew wide as he looked around. People, people, people, and more people. There were so many that his head was spinning.
“Just how many people…”
A massive street, seemingly three times the size of Hwaeum’s, was filled with makeshift stalls, and an enormous crowd was flowing through. For Chung Myung, who was seeing a city for the first time, it was overwhelming.
“Don’t block the way, move aside!”
“Why are you standing here?! You’re in the way!”
“S-Sorry.”
Even as he hastily stepped to the side, Chung Myung kept glancing around.
“Wow… so this kind of world exists.”
It wasn’t just the number of people: the entire scene was different. In Hwaeum, you might find one or two tall pavilions at most, but here they were crowded together on all sides.
From the open windows, laughter from people already drinking in broad daylight spilled out without pause. So this is what they mean by ‘lively,’ he thought.
“No wonder… they wouldn’t let me come to Xian no matter what.”
Chung Myung’s lips curled higher and higher. The best part was that, here, Hwasan’s clutches couldn’t reach him, so he could do as he pleased.
“Great!”
With a mischievous grin, Chung Myung dashed towards the most splendid-looking pavilion in sight.
“Waiter!”
“Yes, Sirrrrr!”
No sooner had Chung Myung raised his hand after taking a seat than a waiter, who looked even younger than he did, rushed over.
“Welcome, dear customer! What can I get for you?”
“Huh?”
Chung Myung studied the young waiter curiously. Even seeing such a youthful server was something he rarely encountered in Hwaeum, where older folks usually handled the hosting.
“Shall I bring a bottle of alcohol first?”
Chung Myung gave a broad grin at the smooth response.
“What’s good here?”
“Our establishment is the best tavern in all of Xian…”
“Ah, enough with the introductions. Just get to the point!”
“Yes, Sir! Our house specialty is Chojak-myeon [초작면(醋斫麵) a noodle dish] – it’s wonderfully tangy and delicious. If you need something restorative, our steaming hot Yangtang [양탕(羊湯) – soup on lamb bone] is also a delicacy!”
“I’ll have that and a few other dishes. And as for the alcohol… bring me a few bottles of some gooood stuff.”
“Yes, yes, we can do that. But when you say ‘good‘…?”
Tap! Chung Myung took out a silver coin from his pouch and placed it on the table. Then he slipped a small coin into the waiter’s hand as well.
“This is for you to keep.”
“You really didn’t have to…”
“Just make sure it’s delicious. Got it?”
“Yes, Sir! I’ll bring out our finest.”
“Heh! Now we’re speaking the same language.”
“Yes, of course. Naturally so. Please wait just a moment, Sir!”
The young waiter secured the silver coin and dashed towards the kitchen. Watching his retreating figure, visibly satisfied, Chung Myung chuckled to himself.
At the tavern in Hwaeum, everyone always had rather sour faces, which had been a constant annoyance. How nice it was to have someone so eager and cheerful.
Whether they already had some dishes prepared, or whether that coin worked its charm and diverted food meant for other tables, the space before him quickly filled with mouthwatering dishes.
“I brought these dumplings especially for you.”
“You really didn’t have to.”
“Enjoy your meal, Sir!”
Watching the boy bow deeply until the very end, Chung Myung smiled broadly. He’ll be a great pillar of society someday.
“Well then.”
Rubbing his hands together as he looked at the food on the table, Chung Myung’s eyes sparkled.
Although Hwaeum also has good taverns, there was something distinct about Xian’s cuisine right from the start. Indeed, a dish that looks appetizing always boosts the appetite.
“Let’s see.”
Chung Myung quickly picked up his chopsticks and popped a perfectly-fried piece of pork into his mouth.
“Oh?”
It was greasy. So fatty that the richness hit him immediately. But rather than being disappointed, Chung Myung’s eyes shone as he pulled the cork out of a bottle and poured liquor into his mouth.
“Yeeeeah!”
This is it! This food wasn’t made to be delicious on its own – it was made to go with alcohol. The greasy flavor of the side dish perfectly accentuated the taste of the liquor.
Chung Myung’s eyes sparkled even brighter.
“I can’t believe a world like this existed! Everyone’s done for today!”
His chopsticks began to roam over the table at a fearsome speed.
“That’s what I’m saying, Sahyeong!”
Jin Seokrim [진석림(秦夕林)] was in a great mood. Two months ahead of the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly [용봉지회(龍鳳支會)*], which was being held for the first time in ten years, he had claimed an overwhelming victory in the internal sparring contest.
That much was only natural, but what truly satisfied him was the elders’ remark, after watching the match, that ‘this year’s Dragon-Phoenix Assembly is something to look forward to.’
Those words meant that among the countless talents under heaven, he was fully capable of ranking at the top.
“Though they say Shaolin is strong, this time it looks like you’ll take first place, Sahyeong.”
“What do you mean by ‘it looks like’? If it’s our Sahyeong, then victory is already a sure thing. The important part is how he’ll win.”
“Haha, you’re right. I misspoke.”
Even that frivolous flattery sounded pleasant to Jin Seokrim’s ears. But then he shook his head.
“Shaolin, huh… I’m not particularly interested in Shaolin.”
“Why is that, Sahyeong?”
“Shaolin, due to the nature of their martial arts, supposedly isn’t all that remarkable in one’s youth. Instead, as time passes and their cultivation deepens, they gradually become worthy of the Shaolin name. Which means defeating them now or losing to them doesn’t mean much.”
“Ah, I see.”
“But Wudang is different.”
Jin Seokrim’s gaze grew sharp.
“I’ve heard that the younger generations of Wudang and Namgung are quite exceptional. My goal in this tournament is to face them and win.”
“You can certainly do it, Sahyeong.”
“If not you, Sahyeong, who else could defeat Wudang and Namgung and make Jongnam the greatest sword sect under heaven?”
“Don’t heap too much praise on me. I’m worried it’ll make me arrogant.”
Jin Seokrim waved his hand dismissively, but his fellow disciples had no intention of stopping.
It wasn’t just flattery. They genuinely believed Jin Seokrim could become the best swordsman in the world.
They all trained under the same sword style and the same teachers, yet the gap between them and Jin Seokrim was as vast as between the heavens and the earth. Even his Master, who taught him personally, couldn’t help but marvel at his talent.
Though Jin Seokrim was the direct heir of the Jin family [진가(秦家)], a prestigious lineage of Jongnam, and had grown up taking countless elixirs, even that environment alone couldn’t explain his level of talent.
“If not you, Sahyeong, then who could do it?”
“Exactly. Of course.”
Jin Seokrim smiled and raised his cup of liquor when someone spoke up.
“This would be a perfect chance to put those Hwasan’s bastards in their place…”
“Saje!”
Jin Seokrim’s eyes narrowed. Those who saw his expression swallowed nervously. Mentioning ‘Hwasan’ in front of Jin Seokrim was practically a taboo.
“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant.”
The one who slipped up began sweating profusely, trying to smooth things over, but the atmosphere did not lighten so easily.
Tap. Jin Seokrim set down his cup without bothering to hide his displeasure.
“I’m sorry, Sahyeong.”
A short sigh escaped Jin Seokrim’s lips.
‘Damn it.’
Even though he tried not to, merely hearing the word ‘Hwasan’ ruined his mood.
Jongnam wasn’t in any way an inferior sect compared to Hwasan. In fact, in terms of influence and resources, it even surpassed Hwasan in certain aspects.
The problem was pure skill. His Master, known as the Greatest Sword of Jongnam, still could not match the reputation of Baek Oh – called the Greatest Sword of Hwasan – Ilgeom Maehyang [일검매향(一劍梅香)**].
As the result, the title ‘Greatest Sword of Shaanxi,’ which was practically a matter of pride, naturally belonged to Baek Oh instead. Jin Seokrim could never accept that.
And if that were all, he wouldn’t be this upset over merely hearing the word ‘Hwasan.’
As the atmosphere grew tense, Yang Gwanjeong [양관정(梁寬正)] spoke up with a laugh.
“Isn’t it fortunate that Hwasan’s fame is so high?”
Jin Seokrim frowned and looked at Yang Gwanjeong.
“What do you mean?…”
________
*용봉지회(龍鳳支會) – yongbongjihoe – a concept frequently appearing in wuxia. Simply put, it is the martial arts version of the “World’s Strongest Martial Arts Tournament.” It is a martial arts competition hosted by the Just Sects. The participants are typically young martial artists (rising stars of Gangho).
**일검매향 – there is no hanja in the raws, this is what I think: 一劍梅香. One sword that carries the fragrance of plum blossoms (香 the same as in the name of Chung Myung’s sword 암향매화검(暗香梅花劒) – amhyang-maehwageom).
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