Chapter 031
Luoyang's Dragon Gate Escort Agency headquarters was always bustling with people. Even on non-festival days, the place was packed with those wanting to entrust their valuables for transport—befitting the largest escort agency in Luoyang. The security guards and martial artists maintained an imposing presence. Now, just after the Double Ninth Festival, it seemed even more crowded than usual.
"Owner, at this rate we'll be swept away by the crowd before we can even meet the Agency Master...!"
"This is overwhelming..."
Baek Sugyeong wore a daunted expression at the enormous queue filling the entrance of the Luoyang Escort Agency. The agency had been thriving even before he quit, but something must have happened while he was stuck in Wuhan. There were far too many people crowding around. At this rate, he worried whether they could even meet Ji Wisang.
Namgung Somin spoke up.
"Teacher, this seems difficult. There are too many people waiting, and even if we do wait, who knows if Master Ji of the Dragon Pattern Sword will still be here..."
"Hmph, what's your intention behind such discouraging words, Lady Namgung?"
In response to So Ssanga's reaction, Namgung Somin coldly replied,
"I'm simply being realistic, Guild Leader So."
"There was no need to say such things in front of the Owner, was there?"
"Then how do you suggest we pass this tedious time?"
The tension between them was fierce.
While sparks flew between So Ssanga and Namgung Somin, Gal Yerung covered her mouth with her fan and smirked. Her gaze turned toward Baek Sugyeong.
"Since it's still hot in the sun, why don't we find some shade to rest in, Teacher Baek?"
"We might as well sit and rest for a while. The crowd should thin out eventually."
When Baek Sugyeong naturally followed her suggestion, the two women who had been arguing turned their attention to Gal Yerung.
'There she goes again!'
'How dare she try to manipulate the teacher as she pleases!'
'Hmph, if you're jealous, act more wisely.'
A tense atmosphere flowed between the three women.
As they walked through Luoyang's streets looking for a shaded establishment, Baek Sugyeong felt fortunate that his face wasn't widely known. After all, the wanted posters with his likeness had only been distributed around the Murim Alliance headquarters in Xuchang. Before leaving the Murim Alliance, he had asked Jang Hyoun to collect and destroy all remaining wanted posters, which had likely been done.
"It's still hot during the day despite being October..."
"The summer is lingering unusually long. Such a prolonged summer isn't good."
This year, summer was strangely extended. Even in early October, the scorching heat continued during the day—an unusually long summer. The days were getting shorter, yet the daytime remained hot.
"Well, I suppose it's better than being cold."
Gal Yerung naturally took a seat across from Baek Sugyeong. Namgung Somin and So Ssanga, arriving shortly after, eyed each other warily as they claimed their seats.
At least Gal Yerung had the decency not to sit right next to Baek Sugyeong, though that too was a calculated move. Had she taken the seat directly beside him, she would have had to face the other two head-on.
'That would be troublesome. The Namgung Clan girl is the direct descendant of the Azure Sky Sword King, and even the Guild Leader isn't to be underestimated.'
True to her reputation for cunning and survival instincts as the Left Commander of the Hao Sect, Gal Yerung had calculated even this detail.
As a result, only Namgung Somin and So Ssanga were left glaring at each other.
Baek Sugyeong wore a tired expression at the atmosphere flowing between the three women. The stares from people around them, directed at him with three women in his company, were uncomfortably intense. For Baek Sugyeong, who until recently had aimed for an ordinary civilian life, these gazes were harsh.
"Let's get a light meal for now. Isn't it boring to just wait with nothing to eat?"
"If that's what you say, Teacher."
"If the Owner wants to, I have no objections..."
"Perfect timing. You're quite perceptive, Teacher Baek."
"Luoyang is famous for its water banquet dishes, but the soup dishes are also excellent. The Hundred Bowl Lamb Soup would be convenient for a quick meal."
"Water banquet?"
In response to So Ssanga's belated question, Baek Sugyeong nodded.
"This is the ancient capital called Millennium Luoyang, isn't it? Among its most representative features, most people would first mention the water banquet cuisine."
Luoyang is known for its particularly harsh winters. To endure the cold, vegetable soup dishes were specially developed, which eventually became known to the imperial palace. The water banquet is precisely these dishes with added imperial culinary secrets.
Baek Sugyeong continued.
"There's a saying: 'A table full of mountain delicacies, all contained in a single bowl of soup.' It's commonly mentioned when discussing Henan cuisine."
"It means the essence of delicacies piled like mountains is found in a single bowl of soup."
"Lady Gal is correct."
Having lightly shown off her knowledge, Gal Yerung said:
"The water banquet was a favorite of Empress Wu Zetian. It features 24 different dishes, all soup-based. The commercial version is reduced to about 12 dishes."
Gal Yerung fanned herself gently as she spoke.
"It's too heavy for a simple meal. The Hundred Bowl Lamb Soup is less burdensome. But given the hot weather, wouldn't something cooler be better?"
Ignoring Gal Yerung's suggestion, So Ssanga addressed Baek Sugyeong.
"Twenty-four different soup dishes... Wouldn't your stomach burst, Owner?"
"Of course, only the imperial court would serve all 24 dishes. As Lady Gal mentioned, establishments only serve 12 carefully selected dishes. Is this your first time hearing about it, Guild Leader So?"
"Well, I'm a Wuhan native. Besides, when would I have time to pay attention to such things?"
Watching Baek Sugyeong chatting amicably with So Ssanga, Gal Yerung narrowed her eyes.
'How dare she...'
'Trying to monopolize the Owner's attention with such trivial knowledge display—does she think I'll let her?'
'They're fighting well.'
Namgung Somin didn't seem particularly concerned, sitting like an observer and simply drinking the cold water brought by the waiter.
'If they fight like this, it's no loss to me.'
The tension between the three women surrounding Baek Sugyeong continued unabated.
Amidst their silent battle, Baek Sugyeong raised his hand to call the waiter.
"Waiter!"
"Yes, coming!"
"Do you serve Yantsai?"
The waiter rubbed his hands at Baek Sugyeong's question.
"Yantsai is always available. What would you like to order?"
"Just the Peony Yantsai and the Farewell Soup. Those two will do."
Yantsai is a water banquet dish made by thinly slicing radish like noodles and pouring broth over it.
The Peony Yantsai is named for its resemblance to a peony flower blooming on the table. The Farewell Soup is the final soup dish in the water banquet, literally meant to see guests off. Originally, the water banquet is a course meal with dishes served in sequence. But Baek Sugyeong, having spent over three years in Luoyang during his eight years in the Central Plains, knew there was no need to order the entire course.
"It's been a while since I've seen someone order just one type of water banquet dish. There used to be an inspector at the Dragon Gate Escort Agency who often did that..."
"Oh?"
Baek Sugyeong wore a strange expression, surprised that a waiter remembered his ordering habits. For now, he feigned ignorance.
"I see there was such a person. How unusual."
"Indeed. Would you like to order any drinks?"
Baek Sugyeong asked:
"Do you perhaps have Bamboo Leaf Green?"
"Thanks to the Wudang Sword Hero, there's now a brewery in Luoyang dedicated to making Bamboo Leaf Green. It's not fully aged, but mature enough to drink."
"That's... quite surprising."
Though he knew it had become famous, this seemed excessive.
With that thought, Baek Sugyeong ordered the Bamboo Leaf Green, Peony Yantsai, and Farewell Soup.
Watching the excited waiter run off, cold sweat ran down the back of his neck.
Perhaps, as Namgung Somin had said, he had underestimated the influence of the Wudang Sword Hero. Who would have thought that a dedicated Bamboo Leaf Green brewery would be established in Henan's Luoyang, quite far from Sichuan?
Gal Yerung said:
"Teacher Baek, you seem to underestimate the Wudang Sword Hero more than I expected. You're surprised by something so minor?"
"What do you mean?"
"With Wudang recovering its forgotten martial arts and regaining its former glory, how long will you remain so modest?"
"I have nothing to say to that. But I've always wanted to live as an ordinary citizen."
Taking a sip of the cold water the waiter had quickly brought, Baek Sugyeong continued:
"I never intended my writing to become entangled with martial sects. I wrote it out of frustration, that's all."
"But you're already entangled with the martial world, far from ordinary life. Why do you insist on denying that, Teacher Baek?"
"It's not easy to accept. After all, I was never a martial artist to begin with."
Hearing Baek Sugyeong's words, Gal Yerung inwardly chuckled.
'What a good liar.'
A master who had achieved Return to Simplicity had descended to the mortal world seeking further enlightenment, yet could say such things with a straight face. Indeed, he was an eccentric.
'The more I see him, the more peculiar he seems...'
Though she couldn't fathom why he had descended to the mortal world, considering his influence on the Central Plains, she understood why Master Yanoe, who preferred the light to the shadows, was interested in him. His first novel had stirred the entire Central Plains—what might his next work do?
'If the sect wants to step into the light, persuading this man would be the most convenient method.'
So Ssanga and Namgung Somin looked with displeasure at Gal Yerung as she fanned herself.
'We need to get rid of that woman.'
'Clinging to the teacher by showing off her intellect—she's a troublesome opponent.'
"Your food is here!"
As the waiter brought their food, Baek Sugyeong turned his head and noticed someone sticking out their foot.
"Whoa!"
The waiter tripped over that foot and tumbled down, sending the food flying.
"Ah! Hot!"
"You crazy waiter!"
"What do you think you're doing!"
Clang, clang, clang.
Enraged at having food spilled on their clothes, several martial artists immediately drew their swords and stood up. The waiter, who had also been splashed with some of the Farewell Soup, could only watch as hot broth dripped from his clothes while the martial artists glared at him.
"My expensive clothes are soaked! Will you compensate for this, you lowly wretch?!"
"I'm sorry! It was my mistake! Please, just this once, forgive me!!"
Among those who looked ready to strike with their swords at any moment, a young man in food-soaked formal attire said angrily:
"No need! Bring me his head!"
"Yes, sir!"
The men who appeared to be the young man's bodyguards raised their swords.
As the terrified waiter screamed, a golden flash of light gleamed.
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📚 Author's Note:
Big thanks to Dao_of_Reader for the 3 shiny Power Stones!
🐧