Chapter 8

Chapter 8

“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.

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.