Chapter 1821. Side Story – Journey Outside (2)

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"Haha, it's nothing much, but I have a favor to ask."

"Th- That won't work."

"Huh? How can you say no before even knowing what I'm going to ask? Sasuk, do you have something against me? If it's feelings we're talking about, I have some too."

"It's, it's not that. You're going to ask us to buy alcohol, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

Cheong Myeong's eyes widened. His expression clearly said, 'Since when was this guy so sharp?'

"How did you know?"

"It's not that I figured it out. Cheong Mun told me not to do it no matter what. He said... that if all other methods fail, you might try to threaten me…"

Was he a ghost? Or was he really the reincarnation of Zhuge Liang? He had even predicted this far?

"So no, I can't do it. I've also been banned from entering. Honestly, because of you, almost half of the Baek generation disciples can't go into Huayin Tavern. If you don't believe me, go ask the tavern owner yourself."

"Ha…"

Cheong Myeong let out a dumbfounded laugh. This wasn't just being under Buddha's palm—this was worse.

"Ugh."

Realizing there was no way around it, Cheong Myeong let out a deep sigh.

"You understand now, right?"

"Ah, damn it! You're really no help at all!"

"S-sorry."

Cheong Myeong kicked the ground in frustration and turned away.

"Whew…"

Just as Baek Wei let out a sigh of relief, feeling like he had barely escaped the tiger's jaws…

"But."

"Hu, uh?"

Cheong Myeong slightly turned his head and looked at Baek Wei.

"Where are you coming from right now?"

"Oh, we just got back from Xi'an on the Elder's orders."

"Where? Xi'an?"

"Yes, but why? Is something wrong…"

"Did you just say… Xi'an?"

Cheong Myeong's eyes sparkled. At that moment, Baek Wei instinctively knew that something was about to go very wrong.

"W-wait. Cheong Myeong, you can't go to Xi'an. The Sect Leader strictly forbade anyone below Baek generation from going there."

"I know, I know. Of course, I know."

No, he definitely doesn't know…

"I was just curious. What's in Xi'an? I heard it's bigger than Huayin."

"What's there…? Nothing particularly special. It's just a big city."

"How does it compare to Huayin?"

"It's hard to compare. Xi'an is a city, while Huayin is just a small village. Xi'an has more people, more buildings."

"And more taverns?"

"Yes, it has more tav—oh."

Baek Wei's expression stiffened.

"So that's how it is?"

Cheong Myeong grinned. His expression alone made it obvious what he was thinking.

"W-wait, Cheong Myeong. Don't do anything reckless."

"Sasuk."

"Hm?"

"Which way is Xi'an?"

"..."

Ah, there was no stopping him.

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"Whoa…"

Cheong Myeong's eyes widened as he looked around. People, people, people, and more people. There were so many that it was dizzying just to look at them.

"So many people…"

On the massive street, which looked three times the size of Huayin's, street vendors had set up their stalls, and an enormous crowd was moving between them. For someone who had never seen a city before, it was an overwhelming sight.

"Move! Don't block the road!"

"Why are you standing there? You're in the way!"

"S-sorry."

Even as he quickly stepped aside, Cheong Myeong couldn't stop looking around in amazement.

"Wow… so this kind of world exists."

It wasn't just the number of people; the entire scene was different. In Huayin, you could barely find one or two tall buildings, but here, they were packed closely together in every direction.

From the open windows, laughter spilled out from people already drinking in broad daylight. If there was ever a perfect example of the word 'lively', this was it.

"No wonder they were so determined to keep me away from Xi'an."

Cheong Myeong's smirk grew wider. What he liked even more was that, here, the hands of Mount Hua wouldn't be able to reach him. He could do whatever he wanted.

"Nice!"

Grinning, Cheong Myeong sprinted toward the most lavish building in sight.

"Waiterrrrrr!"

"Yes, sirrrrrr!"

The moment he raised his hand, a young waiter, looking even younger than him, rushed over.

"Welcome, customer! What can I get you?"

"Oh?"

Cheong Myeong studied the waiter with curiosity. Seeing someone this young working as a server was rare in Huayin, where older folks usually handled customers.

"Shall I bring you a bottle of alcohol first?"

Impressed by the smooth service, Cheong Myeong smirked.

"What's good here?"

"Our establishment is the best tavern in Xi'an…"

"Ah, skip the preamble. Just the important part."

"Yes! Our specialty is Chojakmyeon (vinegar-fried noodles)! It has a wonderfully tangy flavor. If you need something nourishing, our hot Yangtang (lamb soup) is a must-try!"

"I'll have that and a few more dishes. As for the alcohol… bring a few bottles of your finest."

"Yas, yas. Sure. But when you say good liquor...?"

Tak! Cheong Myeong took out a silver coin from his pouch and placed it on the table. Then, he slipped a small coin into the hand of the young server.

"Keep this for yourself."

"Oh, there's no need for this..."

"Something delicious. You know what I mean?"

"Yeees! I'll bring out the best one."

"Ahh! You understand me."

"Of course, of course. That's only natural. Please wait just a moment, dear guest!"

The young server eagerly took the silver coin and dashed toward the kitchen. Watching the boy run off, Cheong Myeong grinned in satisfaction.

At the taverns in Huayin, the staff always had reluctant expressions, which was always a source of dissatisfaction for him. But this young server was so eager to please—how delightful!

Perhaps the food had been prepared in advance, or maybe the extra coin had worked its magic and diverted a dish meant for another table. Either way, before long, his table was filled with an array of delicious dishes.

"I made sure to set aside these dumplings just for you."

"Oh, you didn't have to do that."

"Please enjoy your meal, sir!"

Watching the boy bow deeply one last time before leaving, Cheong Myeong chuckled contentedly. A future great talent of the upper world, indeed.

"Alright then."

Rubbing his hands together, Cheong Myeong's eyes gleamed as he looked over the food spread before him.

There were good taverns in Huayin too, but the food in Xian was different, even in appearance. And well-presented food always enhanced one's appetite.

"Let's see."

Cheong Myeong swiftly picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of well-fried pork, and popped it into his mouth.

"Oh?"

It was greasy. Incredibly greasy, to the point that the richness immediately surged up. But rather than being disappointed, Cheong Myeong's eyes sparkled as he eagerly uncorked a bottle and poured the liquor straight into his mouth.

"Keuuuuuh!"

This was it! This wasn't food meant just to taste good—this was a side dish meant to knock you out! The overwhelming greasiness of the food perfectly heightened the taste of the liquor.

Cheong Myeong's eyes shone even brighter.

"To think such a paradise existed! This is it—today is complete!"

His chopsticks began to dart across the table at an astonishing speed.

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"That's what I mean. Sahyung!"

Jin Seokrim [진석림(秦夕林)] was in a great mood. Two months from now, the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, held once every ten years, was set to take place. In the internal sparring matches leading up to it, he had achieved an overwhelming victory.

That was expected. However, what truly pleased him was the elders of the sect watching the match had said, 'This year's Dragon-Phoenix Gathering will be worth anticipating'.

That meant that even among the many talents in the world, he was regarded as one of the best.

"Shaolin is strong, but this time, Sahyung will surely win."

"What kind of talk is that, Saje? Winning is already guaranteed. The real question is how I will win."

"Haha, of course! I misspoke."

The lighthearted banter only lifted his spirits further. But Jin Seokrim soon shook his head.

"Shaolin... I don't really care about them."

"Why is that, Sahyung?"

"I've heard that due to the nature of their martial arts, Shaolin disciples aren't particularly impressive in their youth. But later on, as their cultivation deepens, they become true to the name of Shaolin. In other words, winning or losing against them now doesn't hold much meaning."

"Ah, I see."

"But Wudang is different."

Jin Seokrim's eyes sharpened.

"I hear the young talents of Wudang and Namgung are particularly outstanding. My goal in this tournament is to defeat them."

"I have no doubt you will succeed."

"If not Sahyung, who else could defeat Wudang and Namgung and make Zhongnan the greatest sword sect under the heavens?"

"Don't flatter me too much. I might get arrogant."

Jin Seokrim waved his hand dismissively. But his saje had no intention of stopping.

Because it wasn't just empty words. They truly believed Jin Seokrim could become the greatest swordsman in the world.

Even though they all trained in the same swordsmanship and underwent the same rigorous practice, the gap between them and Jin Seokrim was like the difference between heaven and earth. Even their master, a highly respected figure, couldn't help but admire Jin Seokrim's talent.

Of course, being the direct heir of the prestigious Jin family in Zhongnan meant he had grown up consuming countless rare medicinal herbs, but his talent alone could not be explained merely by his environment.

"If not Sahyung, then who?"

"Indeed, there's no doubt about it."

Jin Seokrim smiled and raised his cup.

"This is also a chance to put those Mount Hua bastards in their place—"

"Saje!"

Jin Seokrim's eyes narrowed. Those who heard his tone instinctively swallowed hard. Bringing up 'Mount Hua' in front of him was practically a taboo.

"Ah, no. That's not what I meant—"

The one who had misspoken began sweating nervously, scrambling to salvage the situation, but the atmosphere had already turned heavy.

Tak. Jin Seokrim set his cup down with an expression that made no effort to hide his displeasure.

"I apologize, Sahyung."

A short sigh escaped Jin Seokrim's lips.

'Damn it.'

Even when he didn't want to, just hearing the name Mount Hua put him in a foul mood.

Zhongnan was by no means an inferior sect compared to Mount Hua. In fact, in terms of influence and wealth, they even had an edge.

The problem was skill. His master's reputation as Zhongnan's Greatest Sword paled in comparison to the famed Supreme Sword of Plum Fragrance, Baek Oh. [Tl note: Ilgeom Maehyang, Baek Oh's title]

And the title of 'Shaanxi's Greatest Sword'—a title they took as a matter of pride—had also naturally fallen to Baek Oh. Jin Seokrim couldn't stand it.

But that alone wouldn't have made the mere mention of Mount Hua ruin his mood so thoroughly.

Sensing the awkward tension, Yang Gwanjeong [양관정(梁寬正)] chuckled and spoke up.

"Isn't it actually a good thing that Mount Hua's reputation is so high?"

Jin Seokrim frowned and looked at Yang Gwanjeong.

"What do you mean?"

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[Tl note: previously I said I would translate it one chapter per day for this side story, but I think I'll just try to finish it if I have time, lmao]