Chapter 68 : Chapter 68
Chapter 68 : Street Thugs
A short while ago.
A few days since we left the Ice Palace by carriage.
My party had already arrived in Yulin City, Shaanxi Province before we knew it.
Having been to Potala Palace once, crossing into the Central Plains was not very difficult now.
Furthermore,
“We should have taken a carriage earlier.”
“Are we in the coachman's seat again?”
“Escort Baek, you always ride in the coachman's seat.”
“Look over there. Isn't the Vice Captain setting an example by training Tae Un-seo!”
I smirked while listening to the conversation between Baek Mu-yong and Wi Ji-yeong.
Currently, inside the carriage were the Divine Physician, Seol Ye-rin, and Cheon Deung-jin.
“Since we have entered Shaanxi, shouldn't you go inside too, Captain?”
“No. Let's quickly get to an inn and rest.”
In the current Central Plains, the perception of martial artists regarding the Ice Palace and the Demonic Cult was not good.
Wherever we go, if we reveal our identity, it is certain that a quarrel will break out.
Therefore, we disguised ourselves as the Seol Clan with the help of Moyong Geum.
“We must faithfully perform the role of escort warriors of the Seol Clan.”
We did not know who might be watching us from where.
Plus.
‘Since there might be those who recognize the Divine Physician.’
From here on, it was better for everyone to really act.
-It reminds me of old times, Master.
-Kulkul, first time going forth into the Jianghu. Are you feeling restless?
‘I am not feeling restless.’
Since I am not going out with the intention of sweeping through Murim, no great emotion was felt.
‘There is no fight right away, is there?’
The first destination of the journey is Dongting Lake.
Unless we reveal our identities as people of the Ice Palace and the Demonic Cult, there is no way a fight would break out while sightseeing at Dongting Lake.
-That is true, but I thought maybe the feeling would be different if you cross into the warm Murim after being in the snowy fields.
-Would there really be no fights?
Just as I was about to answer the Demon Queen’s story.
“Captain, I see an inn over there.”
[Yulin Inn]
“Let's go there.”
Although the party came riding a carriage, it was no different from a forced march.
Since we ate food made by Tae Un-seo while even sleeping outdoors in between, everyone was inevitably exhausted.
We need to eat our fill quickly and relieve our fatigue in a warm place.
Although the Small Snow Squad is trained to some extent.
It must be the first time Seol Ye-rin has done such a forced march.
Since the Divine Physician elder is also old, it was visible that he was having a hard time.
“We will head straight to the inn, Young Clan Head.”
“Yes, please do so.”
From the moment we entered Shaanxi, we decided to perform our assigned roles.
Seol Ye-rin became the Young Clan Head of the Seol Clan and the Small Snow Squad as escorts.
Cheon Deung-jin as a martial artist coincidentally going the same way.
And the Divine Physician too.
If counting Wi Ji-yeong and Tae Un-seo, and Baek Mu-yong and Eun Bin, a large group of eight people including me was moving.
‘It looks plausible enough.’
However, if we meet a master, it will all likely be revealed.
Since most masters can estimate the opponent's martial prowess, there was a high probability they would notice where we came from.
-It won't happen, but just in case, if you encounter the Ten Venerables under the Heavens, everyone runs away. Do you understand?
-The Jianghu is so vast, there is no way we will meet the Ten Venerables under the Heavens.
-Well, there is a one in a ten thousand chance, so we are deciding in advance. I trust you understood.
We even decided in advance just in case.
Until now, fortunately, it was a smooth journey where no big incidents occurred.
Creak-
As we entered Yulin Inn.
“Welcome!”
A waiter welcomed us.
“Huh?”
…It seemed the waiter learned martial arts.
***
The waiter who learned martial arts, Yu So-dong, quickly told the warriors in the coachman's seat where to park the carriage.
He led the guests to a table.
“How should I take the order?”
Glance, glance.
Even while taking the order, Yu So-dong's gaze inevitably kept scattering.
At first, he recognized the Divine Physician elder and his gaze was stolen, but then his gaze went to the woman wearing a face veil who entered after him.
Even to the handsome man next to her.
‘The escort standing behind also has incredible visuals. Who on earth are they…….’
Where are they from?
“We would like you to serve the best food in this inn matching the number of people.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
If it were any other time, he would have asked exactly what food they wanted to eat, but not now.
They did not look like they had no money.
Since there was a person big enough to eat everything even if he brought out a lot, Yu So-dong thought he should show off his cooking skills after a long time.
Soon, Yu So-dong went into the kitchen to cook.
“He learned martial arts.”
“It seems the waiter cooks personally too?”
“Does that waiter run this inn alone?”
“I am very curious what kind of dish he will make.”
Tae Un-seo and the Small Snow Squad sat at another table.
The Divine Physician, Cheon Deung-jin, and Seol Ye-rin were at the same table, and I stood behind Seol Ye-rin until the food came out.
“Why don't you sit too, Captain?”
We decided to unify the title calling me Captain.
“Please let me be like this at least until the food comes out.”
“…Yes, okay.”
I watched Yu So-dong who was making food.
The qi he possessed was quite pure, so it seemed he learned Taoist martial arts.
It also seems to be above a certain level.
What kind of story does he have to start running an inn alone?
I wanted to ask.
“It would be appreciated if you talk to the waiter a bit when the food comes out.”
“You mean ask why he happens to be running an inn in a place like this, right?”
Seol Ye-rin was seeing through my heart without me speaking.
Bubble bubble, sizzle sizzle.
The sound of food being made can be heard up to here.
They say even Diamond Mountain is better after eating.
It seemed better to talk to the waiter after eating first.
Just as I was expecting the dish to come out thinking so.
Cling~
The inn door opened and a group entered.
“What, there are guests?”
The group that entered the inn was wearing martial arts uniforms with red plum blossoms embroidered on black clothes.
There was no martial artist here who did not know which sect that uniform belonged to.
-The number is five in total.
-They are Mount Hua martial artists.
-What do we do?
-Act as usual.
It was rather good.
Being recognized as the Seol Clan in front of Mount Hua martial artists might be more helpful in traveling around Shaanxi Province in the future.
“Where are you from?”
Those wearing Mount Hua uniforms approached our side.
Young-looking faces appeared to be prodigies.
As the guys approached, I placed my hand on my sword hilt and blocked Seol Ye-rin's front, fitting my assigned role.
“Oh? You put your hand on your sword even after seeing this symbol now?”
“Eldest Senior Brother, look there.”
At that time, the guy behind pointed at Seol Ye-rin who was wearing a face veil.
“She seems to be a huge beauty.”
“Ho-oh?”
The guy smiling lecherously upon seeing Seol Ye-rin.
“…It is doubtful if they are truly Mount Hua martial artists.”
Seeing the Mount Hua prodigies, Cheon Deung-jin made a pathetic expression.
“Doubtful?”
Perhaps Cheon Deung-jin's words were bothersome, one of the martial artists raised his eyebrows and retorted.
One martial artist standing behind him with hands behind his back took over the words.
“I rather suspect you guys. Conspiring in an inn like this where there are no guests?”
That guy talking with his hands behind his back.
I remembered the guy behind calling him Eldest Senior Brother a moment ago.
“Un-gang, let's start by dealing with that guy who put his hand on the sword hilt just now. It is very suspicious that you are using an inn run by an expelled disciple of Mount Hua.”
“Expelled disciple?”
I muttered at the words of the guy called Eldest Senior Brother.
My party turned their gaze and looked at the kitchen at that moment.
The sound of cooking had stopped before we knew it.
The waiter knew the Mount Hua prodigies had entered the inn, but he was not coming out.
“Owner. There are people persecuting guests, aren't you going to come out?”
When the Divine Physician, unable to watch anymore, opened his mouth.
Flinch.
The Mount Hua prodigies were startled.
“…There was an old monster?”
It seemed they did not even notice the Divine Physician was there.
No matter if the Divine Physician was deliberately reducing his presence as much as possible.
‘To think these immature simpletons without a shred of discretion are acting arrogantly. Mount Hua also has many problems.’
Those like noble red plum blossoms blooming alone in winter.
They would have been called Mount Hua.
Who called the current Murim an era of peace?
Stagnant water is bound to rot.
If it is the Mount Hua Sect, people said they are those who believe in righteousness and chivalry like a mirror-like calm water, are noble, and walk the Orthodox path.
Judging by the current behavior, I wonder if only the shell and rags remain.
“Young Clan Head, what shall we do?”
I asked Seol Ye-rin for instructions as an escort of the Seol Clan Young Clan Head.
“…They seem to be young masters of the Mount Hua Sect, let's listen to their story a bit more.”
“Yes.”
As I took my hand off the sword hilt, the guys muttered.
“Young Clan Head?”
“Reveal the name of which clan you are from.”
“If you are disciples of the Great Mount Hua Sect, shouldn't revealing your names first be the priority?”
Cheon Deung-jin found fault.
-…Eldest Senior Brother, what shall we do?
-Even if it is not a famous clan, if she is a Young Clan Head of a clan…….
-It is better not to touch…….
-Then shall we bring that Un-so guy out first?
-Let's do that.
Everything they conversed via telepathy was visible.
“Un-so! What are you doing not coming out quickly!”
At the shout of the Mount Hua martial artist, everyone looked at the kitchen.
Now everyone in my party figured out the fact that the waiter who came to take the order a while ago was actually an expelled disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.
Whether they did or not, the waiter was slowly coming out from the kitchen holding a tray full of food.
“…The food is served.”
“Huh?”
Tae Un-seo quickly approached, received the food, and started carrying it.
There was a reason why he did not come out even while knowing the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect entered the inn.
It seemed clear he focused more on my party's order whom he welcomed as guests.
Watching such behavior of the waiter, I understood the situation.
‘It seems clear this is not the first or second time the Mount Hua immature ones are doing this.’
If he was a person who belonged to the sect, even if he is an expelled person, his body would have reacted to the sect people first.
However, dealing with them after focusing more on my party's order means he has already experienced such things to the point of being fed up or knows well how it is better to handle it.
‘If he responds to guests after dealing with the Mount Hua Sect’s immature ones, everything would become a mess. He is not a foolish friend.’
I felt a favorable impression at the waiter's response.
Furthermore.
At the feast pouring out in an instant.
“Un-so, did you ignore our words just now?”
As if feeling offended, the prodigies raised their eyes fiercely.
The waiter also did not stay still this time.
Only after setting all the food, the waiter called Un-so clasped his hands towards the Mount Hua prodigies and opened his mouth.
“Aren't there guests here?”
“Ha, that quiet personality is still the same even after being expelled.”
“I am sorry, I will go outside and deal with them, so I would appreciate it if you enjoy your meal.”
“Are you saying mere guests are more precious than your Senior Brothers?”
It was too vivid what would happen to that waiter if he went out like that.
Although I knew that fact, I was looking only at Seol Ye-rin without saying anything.
The current me was just a mere escort of the Seol Clan.
“Captain, where is the famous spot in Shaanxi Province?”
Seol Ye-rin opened her mouth, and I answered immediately.
“The Central Plains Five Great Mountains. I know Mount Hua as the most famous spot.”
“Then it seems there is no need to visit Mount Hua. It reeks.”
“What?”
“Since it is disturbing the meal, please remove them from my sight now.”
Grin.
The Small Snow Squad rose from their seats.
It looked like everyone was just waiting for Seol Ye-rin's order.
“Ha, what, you want to have a go now?”
“Young Master, please calm down. If you touch Mount Hua in Shaanxi… you might get into big trouble.”
As it seemed a fight would eventually spread,
The waiter started to dissuade us.
I asked while looking at such a waiter.
“So, in this situation where we are insulted as mere guests and even our meal is disturbed, are you telling us to endure?”
I asked while looking down at the waiter who was bowing his head and clasping his hands towards me.
At this, the waiter raised his head and,
“I apologize for offending your feelings with their words. Since I will receive that punishment, please calm your anger now.”
‘Look at this.’
The gaze of the waiter speaking to me was clear and unyielding.
Why on earth did they expel such a person, the current Mount Hua.
And,
“Un-so, after dealing with these guys, you are next.”
“The Young Clan Head needs to eat, so let's go outside.”
“Ha, saying a mere clan's escort can be our opponent…….”
Pa-at-!
Because their continuous chattering was annoying, I punched the empty air.
An Empty Space Palm was emitted and hit the chest of the guy called Eldest Senior Brother.
Kwang!
The guy flew outside breaking the door as it is, without even being able to respond properly.
“Didn't I say you are disturbing the meal.”
Towards these things whose heads haven't even dried of blood yet, who are full of vibes like street thugs rather than martial artists of the Mount Hua Sect, my party drew their swords.