The most famous inn in Wuhan was the Tranquility Inn.
It was the largest in scale and, above all, the food was delicious. Even famous chefs lined up over here, making it a must-visit place for travelers in Wuhan.
Cha-Ryun, who had been wandering aimlessly, stood in front of the Tranquility Inn but couldn't muster the courage to enter.
The first floor was packed with customers, and the waiters were shouting as if they were fighting a war. The owner's shouts could be heard from all the way across the street to where she was standing. She could already tell that it was packed, there was no need to check out their second or third floor to find a spot.
Cha-Ryun turned her steps away.
She was hungry from walking around so much, but she didn't want to go home yet. Moreover, meeting that strange guy had made her even more uneasy.
Suddenly, Cha-Ryun thought of the Bright Blossom Inn on the outskirts of the city. She had been there a few times with her father, although it was a few years ago. Compared to the Tranquility Inn, the facilities and taste were inferior, but she thought it would be quiet since it was in a remote location.
She headed there.
Young martial artists were all along the roads she traversed. Their conversations were mostly about the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament, and they went like this:
"This Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament is going to be phenomenal."
"I heard the victor will receive tremendous benefits."
"The top contender is Young Master Lim from the Northern Sky Clan."
"Young Master Yang from the Southern Peak Sect is also a formidable competitor."
"Especially this time, there's a rumor that the young talents from the Four Great Martial Families, who have refused to participate until now, will all compete. The showdown between them and the various heirs of the martial world will be a spectacle to behold."
Those were the types of tales being told. There were also stories about something secret being planned for the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament and conflicts arising among the masters.
Meanwhile, the men she passed by kept glancing at Cha-Ryun's figure. Some bold ones even whistled and teased her. She was too hungry to bother responding to each one.
After walking for about two miles, she arrived at Bright Blossom Inn.
Even the usually quiet place was bustling with customers. It was another moment to realize the popularity of the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament and the Heavenly Dragon Tournament.
As she lingered at the entrance, the innkeeper hurried out.
"The first floor is full, but there's a special room available on the second floor. Would that be alright?"
A special room? She knew this inn didn't originally have special rooms. She had already braced herself for some overcharging.
Cha-Ryun followed the innkeeper to the second floor. After passing through a narrow corridor, they entered a special room in the corner of the second floor.
She thought it would be a private room, but there were three tables, and one customer had already arrived. Originally, it was a place that only accepted one group of guests at a time, but it seemed they were now operating in a different manner. The innkeeper gave her a look, silently asking for understanding, and guided her to a seat by the window.
"The view here is fantastic."
She sat down without a word.
After the innkeeper left, she took off her bamboo hat and placed it on the table.
"Huh?"
The man who had arrived first looked at her in astonishment. Cha-Ryun also recognized his face and was equally surprised.
"Huh?"
It was the man she had encountered during the street performance earlier.
'Damn!'
Unlike her awkwardness, the man greeted her with a cheerful smile.
"Long time no see?"
Even after seeing her without the bamboo hat, the man showed no particular reaction.
"If I had known we would meet like this, we could have come together."
Cha-Ryun silently looked out the window.
How fickle the human heart is. She had been annoyed by those looks directed at her just a moment ago, but now she felt a bit hurt that the man showed no reaction to her appearance.
"Could this be destiny as well?"
What an absurd notion.
"Think about it. Have you ever coincidentally encountered someone twice in a single day?"
Reflecting on it, it might have happened once or twice. But who would remember such trivial things?
"This is an incredibly fateful encounter."
It's not fate. It's just a coincidence.
"By the way, who did you choose that martial arts attire that you're wearing?"
When he asked about the uniform, Cha-Ryun finally looked at him.
"The white uniform, it's pretty but…"
She sensed that his next words would be rude.
"But?"
"It's an impractical outfit. If blood splatters, it'll look terrible, and it's easy to spot when running or hiding. Of course, it's definitely pretty, but still."
She felt even more annoyed by his last words. It was like saying she was a clueless woman who only cared about looks and forgot about practicality.
This guy, is he picking a fight?
At that moment, the innkeeper came back in.
He recognized Cha-Ryun without her bamboo hat.
"Oh? Aren't you the Second Young Lady of the Righteous Sword Sect?"
She was quite a famous figure in Wuhan. Her appearance was unforgettable after seeing her once.
"I just want to enjoy a drink in peace."
At her words, the innkeeper gave a quick-witted smile.
"Of course, of course. It's an honor to have you visit our inn. What would you like to have?"
At that moment, the man banged on the table and shouted.
"Innkeeper! I arrived first! Take my order first!"
The innkeeper gave him a slight frown. He gave Cha-Ryun a look that said there are all kinds of customers, then turned to the man.
"I apologize. What would you like?"
The man looked at the menu and asked.
"Is everything on here available?"
"Of course."
"Then I'll have a whole roast duck, sweet and sour pork, and Teppanyaki beef without green onions. For dessert, sweet cucumbers, and separately, stir-fried pork and boiled chicken. For drinks, give me grain liquor. I'll order more if I want something later."
Both the innkeeper and Cha-Ryun were surprised. It was rare for someone to order so much food alone. The innkeeper narrowed his eyes, suspecting the man might dine and dash.
Then the man placed something on the table.
The small, gold lump was something he liked the most in the world. It was worth several times the cost of the dishes he ordered. The innkeeper's waist bent in half.
"I'll bring it out as quickly as possible."
The innkeeper then approached Cha-Ryun.
"What would you like?"
The innkeeper gave her a look that said, 'Isn't he a strange one?' But Cha-Ryun ignored the middle-aged man's subtle gaze. She ordered a simple vegetable dish and bamboo leaf liquor.
The man interrupted.
"You look hungry. Will that be enough? Why not order some duck too?"
When Cha-Ryun glared at him, the man smacked his lips in response.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to eat so much alone."
Then why don't you offer me a leg at least? He ordered so much but didn't even seem to think about sharing any of it.
"Mind your own business."
The man grinned and pretended to look elsewhere. That expression… It was very annoying.
"Just the vegetable dish and the liquor, please."
"I'll make sure it comes out especially delicious."
As soon as the innkeeper left, the man spoke again.
"They say you can tell all you need to know about a place by tasting its food. How's the food over here? It looks good, doesn't it?"
My friend, if that's the case, you've come to the wrong place. The food here is really not that great. Cha-Ryun held back from breaking the news. If she said one word, he would probably respond with a hundred.
Despite her cold attitude, the man was very talkative. But his next words piqued
her interest.
"Do you know who the most beautiful woman in the world is?"
Cha-Ryun was slightly nervous upon hearing this topic, as she took pride in her own beauty.
"Have you heard of the Eight Beauties of the martial world?"
Of course. The eight women are considered the most beautiful in the martial world. Hyang Lee always said that if the Righteous Sword Sect was regarded as one of the great families, then Cha-Ryun would definitely be included among the Eight Beauties.
She didn't think that statement was far from the truth. Would she be called the most beautiful in Wuhan if she wasn't from the Righteous Sword Sect? There might even be a woman more beautiful than her among the daughters of peasants in Wuhan. She thought that's just the way the world works.
You need power first in order to gain a reputation.
"Have you ever seen any of them?"
Cha-Ryun shook her head. Even if she were a person who traveled around the Central Plains often, they were not women she could meet very easily. She had no time to travel anyways, as she had been immersed in her training at the Righteous Sword Sect. She hadn't even seen her own cousin for a couple years, where would she find the time to see the Eight Beauties?
The man spoke proudly.
"I've met two of them, and after that, I realized who the most beautiful woman in the martial world is."
"Who is it?"
She couldn't help but ask. But she soon regretted even asking the question.
"It's my mother."
"What?"
Cha-Ryun was shocked and made a bewildered expression. The man squinted his eyes.
"What? Are you looking down on my mother because she's old? Do you think old women can't be beautiful?
"Oh, no, that's not…"
Damn, why am I flustered? What did I do wrong!
"I was speaking objectively. They really couldn't measure up to my mother. The so-called 'Eight Beauties' were pathetic compared to their title. I came to that conclusion after meeting them."
Wow, what a filial son. This guy must be one of those who lived while being wrapped around their mother's apron strings.
The man sighed.
"That's why I'm looking forward to this tournament. They say many young women will participate, so there will be many beautiful women, right?"
"Are you planning to participate too?"
"Of course."
Is he really a martial artist?
Cha-Ryun looked at him again.
The large sword and saber that were wrapped in cloth caught her eye again. They seemed like they would be perfect to display at the entrance of a weapon shop.
The man spoke proudly.
"How about it? Don't they look cool? Once I draw this…"
He made a slicing motion across his neck with his hand. Maybe it was because of the tattoo of an evil spirit on the back of his hand, but she had an eerie feeling from his actions. However, the man soon grinned.
"Well, I probably won't have to draw it."
This guy, I don't want to talk to him, but he keeps making me want to ask questions.
"Why not?"
The man clenched his fist and swung it around. This time, a blue dragon danced on the back of his hand.
Are his fists really that impressive? Ah, I shouldn't have entertained his chatter in the first place. A sigh escaped her lips.
"Do you know how to register for the tournament? When's the deadline?"
Even someone like her, who wasn't interested in the tournament, knew that there were three days left to register.
The man looked excited.
"There will be many slender and stunning women participating, right?"
Oh come on, does he really only have such thoughts?
"These days, there are pretty women with good personalities as well–they must have grown up well without any hardships."
Sure, whatever you say.
"My face is one that attracts a lot of women. Even the Eight Beauties of the martial world went crazy over me."
This guy must have some kind of congenital brain disease.
Cha-Ryun hoped it was one with a nasty name.
But what's with this guy?
If he's excited about seeing pretty women at the tournament, does that mean he doesn't recognize my beauty?
A slight wrinkle started to appear on Cha-Ryun's forehead.
"Since we met like this, it must be fate…"
Ah, here it comes. Now he's showing his true colors. Is he going to ask me to compete in the tournament with him? There's no way. Just try to say it and I'll show you what true embarrassment is.
"Would you come and cheer for me at the tournament? I don't know anyone here, and the people around me are old and dull. What do you think of this proposition?"
Bang!
Cha-Ryun slammed the table and stood up.
She was about to storm out when the door opened.
Just then, the waiter came in with the food. Since she had ordered a simple dish, it was the one that came out first.
"There's no hope for this place. You should serve the one who ordered first!"
The man banged on the table again.
Seeing that the food and alcohol came out, Cha-Ryun regained her cool.
As she stood, she silently poured herself a drink.
Then she downed it in one gulp. A burning sensation passed through her throat down to her stomach. She poured herself another drink.
As she was about to drink the second glass, the man grinned at her.
"Why are you laughing?"