The Taste of Warmth

Im Beomhyeon sprang up while spreading his legs wide in a combat stance, his brows furrowed and his eyes immediately turned fierce.

"Seo Sowoo, are you looking for a beating? Come on, it's been ages since we sparred—let's have a go today!"

Seo Sowoo immediately set the wooden bucket down and leapt backward, his face full of alarm. "No, no! Brother Im, I know you're strong—please don't fight me…"

As he spoke, he kept retreating, shrinking back into himself, a complete change from his previous demeanor.

Im Beomhyeon cracked his knuckles and let out a cold laugh.

Suddenly, a thick wooden stick smacked hard against Im Beomhyeon's leg.

It was Second Uncle, who had picked up a piece of firewood and struck him without hesitation.

Im Beomhyeon grabbed his leg, grimacing and hopping around in pain.

Before he could say anything, Second Uncle shot him a glare and said in his deep, gruff voice, "If you're tending the fire, then tend the fire. If not, get lost!"

Feeling wronged, Im Beomhyeon sat back down and continued feeding the stove with firewood.

Seo Sowoo who is now grinning from ear to ear, walked over and patted Bok Taejin on the shoulder. "Little brother, hurry up and eat. The meat soup that Second Uncle made is best when it's hot."

Bok Taejin suspected something suspicious might drip from the corner of Seo Sowoo's mouth.

He wanted to push him away but didn't quite dare to.

The people here were terrifying!

Why was everyone so big and burly?

Even the Second Uncle seemed incredibly tall when he stood up…

He had started practicing the Life and Death Technique, but he was only at the beginning!

Besides, could someone who is unable to sense the world's spiritual energy really cultivate anything worthwhile?

Second Uncle seems the most formidable one here.

He can ask him later.

"Has the food been brought out?"

Seo Sowoo immediately let go of Bok Taejin and sprinted back toward the houses.

Bok Taejin watched his retreating figure thoughtfully, then glanced at the large wooden bucket placed on the ground.

Was this whole thing filled with food?

And even a whole bucket wasn't enough?

He slowly sipped the meat soup, its flavor incredibly rich and mellow.

It had just been scooped from the boiling pot, so even though he drank slowly, the heat still made his back slightly damp with sweat.

Gradually, as the soup warmed his stomach, a comforting heat spread through his entire body.

Tiny bits of meat, softened from long cooking, floated in the broth, melting instantly upon touching his tongue.

Unknowingly, Bok Taejin had already finished most of the bowl.

As the remaining bits of meat increased, he swirled the bowl lightly, letting the broth carry everything into his mouth at once.

Finally, he could savor the taste of the meat itself.

It seemed to be pork, but it tasted far better than any pork he had ever had.

The meat used for this soup must have been of exceptional quality.