"Someone who can't drink much will get drunk quickly if they drink like that."
"What makes you think I can't drink that much?"
"Real drinkers don't down their first glass like that. They savor it slowly, letting their body feel the alcohol gradually. Actually, drinking slowly and savoring the alcohol is harder, due to that, beginners tend to drink quickly and end up getting drunk fast."
It was the first time she had heard such words. Well, I don't really drink that much in the first place.
Anyway, what does it matter to you?
"I'm worried for you. Although bamboo leaf liquor is a common drink that people tend to underestimate, it is actually quite strong."
Indeed, it was strong. After just one glass, the sensation of heat had already spread throughout my body.
"Remember to eat some snacks on the side, and sip on it slowly."
His voice carried a tone of concern.
At that moment, the waiter came back in, showing off by bringing four dishes at once, two in each hand.
"Wow! Over here, over here! It smells amazing and looks delicious!"
The man's innocent delight for his meal made Cha-Ryun smile without realizing it.
It was an expression that couldn't be imitated without actually feeling joyful.
Cha-Ryun sat back down, wondering how he would complete all this food.
The man rubbed his hands together, savoring the aroma of the food.
"The old masters I've met always speak of the three joys of life: having one's family safe, being able to face the world without shame, and educating the talented. Of course, those are good words, but I think the real list should be eating well, defecating well, and sleeping well. What could be more enjoyable than that?"
Do you really have to say that in front of food? And there's a problem here–the food at this place is really bad. Judging from the first bite I took out of this vegetable dish, it was clear.
The man tore off a duck leg and took a big bite.
"Wow!"
He exclaimed so loudly that the inn seemed to shake.
Then he spat out the chewed meat back into the platter.
"…It's so bad."
Cha-Ryun burst into laughter at the sight.
"Hahaha!"
It was truly satisfying.
The man tasted each dish one by one.
"Ugh! What is this?"
He grimaced and stuck his head out the door.
"Hey! Call the person who made this food! Tell them to write their will before coming here! Tell them to make sure to put their heart and soul into whatever they're cooking, because that will be the last dish they ever make! They should remake the broth from scratch, even if they have to dip their hands in to make it better!"
He really was a boisterous bastard; he couldn't stay still for even a moment. Whether it was because they were actually busy or pretending not to hear, no one came.
Cha-Ryun couldn't stand his shouting and spoke up.
"It's your fault."
"Huh?"
"Ordering so much food on such a busy day without knowing the quality of the food here, isn't that a mistake that you made?"
The man obediently admitted that was the case.
"You're right, it's my mistake."
Did he really admit it so easily?
"I tend to overeat when I'm feeling anxious."
The man's tone became quite serious.
"I have something big coming up."
"Why? Because of the tournament?"
"No, I'll obviously win that."
Oh, sure you will.
"Then what is it?"
"I'm planning to conquer Hubei. That's my goal for this year."
It was so absurd that I couldn't even laugh this time.
Yeah, when hearing such absurd words people usually reach for either their swords or a drink.
Cha-Ryun chose alcohol. The second glass was emptied effortlessly. Her insides felt as though they were ablaze.
Unaware of Cha-Ryun's turmoil, the man continued with a serious tone.
"One-on-one fights are manageable, but seizing control of an entire region is a different matter. It's not something that can be solved by just beating up the guys running things here. There's a lot to worry about and a lot to do. In times like these, I crave meat."
Then he took another bite of the meat he said was disgusting a moment ago. Even while grimacing, he still ate it well.
Even if you have such grand goals, why tell me? Are you going to tell the waiter your aspirations as well?
Cha-Ryun shook her head and spoke.
"I live in Hubei too… So, it seems that I'll be conquered as well."
It was a provocative statement.
The man silently stared at Cha-Ryun. Suddenly serious, Cha-Ryun became tense. His expression was entirely different from when he was speaking frivolously. This man's demeanor shifts drastically between smiling and being expressionless.
"Will you let me take you over?"
His voice was so serious that Cha-Ryun became flustered.
But I'm different from the woman in your fantasies.
"I can kill you."
At Cha-Ryun's fierce gaze, the man smirked and returned to his original expression. Chewing on the duck meat, he said.
"In the Snow Mountain range, there's a bird called the Ice Bird. If you catch it and wrap it in clay, and then roast it over a bonfire for about an hour, sprinkle a little salt, and drink it with some Ice Snow Wine... Wow! Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. I miss it so much."
The Snow Mountain range is more than three thousand miles away from here. Beyond being known for its bone-chilling cold weather and the rugged terrain, it's also the main base of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, a place where outsiders can't just roam around as they please. Moreover, the Ice Snow Wine he spoke about is a very rare liquor–a delicacy known to be only enjoyed by the Palace Lord of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Did he really drink that at the peak of Snow Mountain? He spoke with such conviction that if a naive person were listening, they would be completely deceived.
Oh, but isn't one of the Eight Great Masters of the martial world the daughter of the Northern Sea Ice Palace Lord?
"There's a cute girl among the daughters of the rulers of that area."
Could he be referring to the Northern Sea Ice Palace like that?
"She went crazy over me, so I had a hard time getting away. Even her parents came after me. They were furious, saying they'd freeze me to death."
If what he said is true, it means the Northern Sea Ice Palace Lord came. This guy is definitely the biggest braggart in the martial world.
"So?"
Even if it's a boast, some boasts make you curious about the end.
"Well, I just left."
"Why?"
"If it turned into a fight between adults, my family would have a significant advantage."
I really don't know what this guy is talking about, and I don't want to understand it either.
"Just stop already!"
Cha-Ryun's voice bellowed around the inn. Maybe she had too much to drink?
"Stop what?"
"That bragging! How can you lie every time you open your mouth?"
"I'm not lying."
At that moment, the door opened slightly, and someone peeked inside.
"Oh, it's you. I thought the voice sounded familiar."
The person who entered with a cheerful greeting was Hyuk Lee-Sang, the successor of Dragon Tiger Sect.
"Wow! Long time no see!"
Hyuk Lee-Sang was a childhood friend from Cha-Ryun's neighborhood. They used to hang out a lot when they were kids, but as they grew older, they saw each other less and naturally became distant. The little Hyuk Lee-Sang now looked quite grown-up.
"How have you been?"
"So-so. You?"
It was awkward to speak informally, but Hyuk Lee-Sang reacted more comfortably than expected.
"Well, anyway, you've become even more beautiful. Hey, let's commemorate this reunion and have a drink."
Without waiting for her answer, Hyuk Lee-Sang called the people waiting in the hallway. Three people, one man and two women, came in. Judging by their attire, they were from noble families, and the man who entered looked familiar.
"Let me introduce you. This is Young Master Jang from Palm Heart Clan."
Cha-Ryun's expression momentarily hardened.
Jang In-Gyeol, upon being introduced, greeted her with a gaze that scanned her body from bottom to top. His habit of examining the body before the face remained, and it was very unpleasant.
"Long time no see."
That arrogant face and annoying voice.
Ah, what a turn of events.
Hyuk Lee-Sang continued the introductions.
"This beautiful lady is Young Master Jang's sister, Young Lady In-Hwa."
Jang In-Hwa possessed a glamorous beauty, accentuated by heavy makeup. If she was Jang In-Gyeol's sister, she would be around Cha-Ryun's age or younger, yet she exuded a mature charm well beyond what one would have at the age of twenty. She was indeed, very attractive.
Perhaps due to the negative impression left by Jang In-Gyeol, Cha-Ryun's first impression of her was not favorable either. She appeared to be easily irritable and troublesome. She should either carry a sword or remove the makeup, or she might run into some troublesome situations.
Jang In-Hwa quickly discerned that Cha-Ryun did not like her.
Jang In-Hwa was a woman who lived by the firm belief that a woman's greatest enemy is another woman. She immediately responded with a mocking gaze.
Well, what do you expect from that bastard's sister?
Hyuk Lee-Sang introduced the last person.
"And this is my sister."
The last girl, petite in appearance, gave her a bright smile, and greeted her warmly.
"I'm Hyuk Song-Hwa. Do you remember me?"
Of course. That little Song-Hwa has grown so much.
"Nice to see you. It's been a while."
"Yes, it has. You've become even prettier."
Hyuk Song-Hwa had always been cheerful since she was young. She was the most welcoming person among the entourage.
"Please, have a seat."
Hyuk Song-Hwa sat down first, and as everyone took their seats, Hyuk Lee-Sang asked in a low tone.
"Who is that person?"
Even though new people had entered the room, the man was still focused on his meal. The duck was already reduced to bones.
Ah! What a scary guy.
"Is he with you?"
Hyuk Lee-Sang asked again.
It was hard to say whether I knew him or not, but he was still a stranger to me.
Cha-Ryun shrugged, indicating she didn't know him, and Jang In-Gyeol stepped forward.
Jang In-Gyeol approached the man's table.
"Could you give up your seat if you're done eating?"
Though he was asking, his intimidating gaze was pressuring him to leave.
Damn it. How many people have had to suffer because of that gaze?
The man, still chewing, mumbled incoherently. Bits of food sprayed towards Jang In-Gyeol. He stepped back, grimacing.
"You bastard!"
Jang In-Gyeol shouted. As the heir of Palm Heart Clan, everything usually went the way he wanted it to.
As Jang In-Gyeol exuded blatant hostility, the atmosphere in the room turned icy. All this over such a trivial matter–so impressive, Jang In-Gyeol.
Finally swallowing his food, the man spoke.
"I'm not done yet."
"It looks like you are."
Jang In-Gyeol said menacingly.
"I'm just getting started."
"It seems finished to me."
Was he intimidated by that fierce look?
The man glanced sideways at Cha-Ryun, as if asking if she would just watch this unfold.
Cha-Ryun felt a pang of guilt.
Though the man was a chatterbox and really annoying, he didn't deserve to be kicked out while eating. Besides, nothing warranted Jang In-Gyeol's behavior, he was just trying to bully him.
"He was here first, so we should move."
Jang In-Gyeol raised his hand, signaling to leave it to him. He then pulled out some silver coins from his pocket and dropped them on the table, one by one, in a very unpleasant manner.
Five coins rolled across the table.
Cha-Ryun frowned.
What a trashy bastard.
His actions reaffirmed how frighteningly accurate rumors in the martial world could be.
"Is this enough?"
To be honest, the five silver coins were quite a lot of money.
The man stacked the coins one by one. Then, with his greasy mouth, he pouted.
"This isn't enough."
"What?"
Looking at the table, there was indeed a lot of food.
"There are still more dishes to come, this is definitely not enough for me to get up."
Since Cha-Ryun was watching, Jang In-Gyeol felt the need to show off to protect his pride.
"Hmph! Then take more."
Jang In-Gyeol reached into his pocket to find some more coins, but it was empty. Instead, he pulled out a banknote and was about to throw it at the man, but he hesitated.
'Damn it!'
It was a hundred-nyang note.
He should have exchanged it earlier, but he had come straight from another drinking party, planning to exchange it at the inn.
In this situation, he couldn't ask for change after he paid for food.
He should have just told him to leave after paying for the food himself.
But giving away a hundred nyang?
To this annoying guy who was smirking up at him?
If he threw it, the man would happily take the money and leave. Even as the heir of the Palm Heart Clan, a hundred nyang was a significant sum. It was money allocated specifically for socializing with other sects' heirs at the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament.
Should he give it and then follow him to kill him? Would there be enough time? Perhaps he could excuse himself to the restroom?
In that fleeting moment, countless thoughts raced through Jang In-Gyeol's mind.
Everyone in the room read his dilemma.
Realizing his thoughts were exposed, Jang In-Gyeol's face flushed. His hand, clutching the note, trembled.
'Damn it! I should just throw it in his face.'
Cha-Ryun silently chuckled, which Jang In-Hwa noticed causing her to bite her lip in irritation.
"You bastard!"
Jang In-Gyeol seized the man's collar and lifted him.
"Stop it!"
Cha-Ryun shouted, immediately regretting it.
As soon as he was grabbed, the man held onto the dishes in front of him to prevent them from spilling–looking closely, both were dishes with meat.
It happened so quickly that it was hard to believe.
Even Jang In-Gyeol was momentarily taken aback, forgetting to throw a punch.
Then he noticed the sword and saber propped up beside the man.
"Oh? You're a martial artist?"
Normally, he would instinctively step back to protect himself.
The martial world was perilous; one could perish without ever knowing how. Grabbing a martial artist's collar without caution was fraught with risk.
But this guy.
With grease still dripping from the corners of his mouth.
With a face that looked like he would cry if slapped.
Didn't seem menacing at all. Even his tattoos appeared silly. He was either an amateur or a rogue swordsman. And from experience, such individuals were easy to handle.
"Carrying such big weapons. Let's see them."
Jang In-Gyeol reached for the saber wrapped in cloth.
"Ugh."
A gasp escaped his lips.