Chapter 94
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Outing
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Even if direct spars or clashes with blades were off-limits, this was Beijing.
The empire's capital, the heart of the Central Plains, the most bustling and prosperous city in the world.
Which meant there was plenty to see.
"So, we're heading out today?"
So-hyang gave a gentle smile to Il-ho, who asked in a small voice from beside her.
"That's right. We'll eat a hearty breakfast first."
"...! Sounds good!"
The stoic expression he'd maintained as an assassin melted away into a beaming grin at the mention of food.
So-hyang couldn't help but chuckle at his honest joy, bursting forth like the dawn.
-----
With Zhu Yeonhwa officially returned to the palace, she now had escorts from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Moon Shadow, who had served as her dedicated guard and secretary from the start, was one thing, but Il-ho—still more of an outsider despite being recruited—had no real reason to tag along as an escort.
In other words, Il-ho suddenly found himself with nothing to do.
"The mission's essentially over, but I still have over a year before I report back...?"
What am I supposed to do in the meantime?
Il-ho's face went blank.
"What else? Eat, of course."
"Whoa, food!"
And that had been the intention all along—of Lee Chun, the head of the Palace Killing Sect and Il-ho's grandfather.
Sending him away under the pretext of a mission, but in reality setting him free.
Children must eventually leave their parents' side to see the world and broaden their horizons.
They needed to learn objective views while cultivating their own subjective gaze upon the world.
Especially if those "parents" weren't exactly model educators.
The Palace Killing Sect hadn't mistreated Il-ho out of malice, but their actions hadn't exactly been exemplary.
"Today, I tried something different—a veggie-focused meal."
Sauté sliced zucchini and eggplant in oil, add garlic, onions, and various veggies, stir-fry a bit more.
Pour in slow-cooked tomato sauce, season with salt and pepper, toss in bay leaves for aroma.
Simmer until nicely saucy, then use Samadhi True Fire to crisp the surface in place of an oven. Breakfast was complete.
A magically delicious dish made solely from vegetables: ratatouille.
"...! So many colors!"
A vibrant stew of colorful veggies, highlighting their natural flavors—a dish kids usually shunned.
But...
"Heh heh, delicious...!"
Il-ho, whose life had mostly been sustained on coarse grains and jerky, had no room for picky eating.
His eyes sparkled as he shoveled it in, cheeks puffed full.
"Is it any good?"
"The veggies soaked in all that oil are so tasty...! And... this lumpy red apple-thing? First time trying it, but weirdly amazing!"
He still went wild for food, but unlike before—when he'd devour anything edible—this was different.
He was starting to savor it, bit by bit.
From the five basic tastes to the ingredients' inherent flavors; he'd even noticed the tomatoes were key.
Precisely the growth So-hyang had guided.
A palate too finicky was no good, but too dull wasn't ideal either.
Especially for a martial artist honing all senses razor-sharp.
So-hyang's creed: refining the senses ties directly to martial prowess, and they're all interconnected.
Training taste to deepen control over all senses.
It was working, too.
Lately, Il-ho's skills deepened just from eating.
"I saw these in the kitchen—called serhongsi. Real name's tomato, though..."
"To-to-ma-to...?"
"...Il-ho, no need to struggle pronouncing it."
Raised as an assassin under vows of silence, Il-ho wasn't fluent in language.
His native tongue was rusty from disuse, and even Central Plains speech came out a bit halting.
"Tch, those Palace Killing Sect bastards—"
So-hyang's brows furrowed, lips twisting in subtle displeasure.
Even if desperation blinded them, how could they neglect their own blood like this?
"Next time I see their faces, I'll roll 'em till they beg—makes my blood boil..."
"S-So-hyang?"
"-Hm? Did you call me?"
Her fierce look vanished into a smile as she turned; Il-ho had already polished off the whole pot.
"Sorry. I ate all the broth too... but I'm still kinda hungry..."
Ecstasy lit So-hyang's face.
"Haha, no worries. I'll mix some rice for you...!"
Thus, one pot of ratatouille, five bowls of bibimbap, a jug of sikhye, and a tray of rice cakes later—Il-ho patted his bulging belly contentedly.
"Heh heh..."
-----
So-hyang observed the streets with amused curiosity.
Buildings neatly aligned as if planned by the state, pristine roads, well-placed drains.
Not just lavish infrastructure—traces of deliberation for foot traffic flow.
So rigidly structured yet not cold, thanks to aesthetic care and, above all, the lively crowds.
Faces showed smiles, exhaustion, myriad emotions—but brimming with vitality.
Bright mood, assured future.
The empire's governance shone so brilliantly.
"Whoa..."
Unlike So-hyang's habitual analysis, Il-ho just gaped in awe.
Bustling energy, throngs of people, dazzling sights everywhere.
His big eyes darted side to side nonstop, soft cheeks jiggling with endless gasps.
"Wowww..."
Pure childlike wonder, the world expanding beyond his narrow well.
So-hyang smiled warmly, tinged with envy.
"Wowwwwww!"
But he stood frozen like a statue, mouth agape—so she poked his cheeks to snap him out.
"You'll miss out standing there. Let's check other spots, yeah?"
"...!"
Il-ho nodded eagerly.
The addictive squish of his cheeks drew a soft laugh from her.
Even when scrawny from poor eating, those cheeks had presence; now plump from recent nourishment.
Yes, this is how kids should be.
"Mind guiding us to some sights?"
She addressed their new companion.
A close ally from their blade-and-foot clash, a top-tier master she regretted not fully testing.
Southern General of the Golden Army.
Thunderbreaker Fist, Gu Yang-geuk.
"Y-You think I'm some tour guide, White Lotus Sword...?"
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Zhu Yeonhwa had swept the prior commotion under the rug, but So-hyang remained a person of interest.
A supreme master, asymmetric warfare incarnate—able to crush armies solo.
Imperial princess ties or not, her track record meant no full freedom.
Regular soldiers? Useless against a true supreme master.
Her unique status—guest and suspect—forced unconventional measures from the Golden Army.
Hence, a general as her outing escort.
"This okay for you? Aren't generals busy?"
"...A general's job is exactly this."
Overseeing a capital district's security meant handling threats beyond regular troops.
Annihilating invading forces in one stroke, swiftly resolving chaotic melees...
Escorting supreme masters like now.
Paperwork existed, but aides could handle it.
"Don't worry. You're enjoying guest rights; I'm fulfilling military duty."
So-hyang nodded in understanding, repeating her question.
"Know any good sights?"
"...Sigh. Follow me."
Not one for tourism, but he knew the hotspots.
Trouble spots drew crowds—tourist areas, naturally.
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The first stop: a place breeding beasts from afar for public viewing.
"Whoa, a zoo...?"
"Officially, Myriad Beasts Grove."
"Eeeek!? N-Neck, neck, neeeeeck!?"
Short Il-ho had to crane his head back almost breakingly to see its face.
The long-necked beast: giraffe.
"B-Birds swimming...!?"
Adorable Antarctic predator captivating all ages: penguin.
"Eeeek!! Tiger!!"
Genetically etched terror: tiger.
Il-ho's eyes spun, tiny heart pounding wildly.
"Stalls sell snacks nearby. Grab something."
"E-Eeek! Those people are eating clouds...!?"
"Huh, cotton candy?"
A modern treat in her past life, but this world ignored timelines.
"Cotton confection, I think? Kids love it."
Made by machine-melting sugar, here via sorcery.
"Hello, one cotton candy please?"
"Sure thing! Right up!"
Il-ho beamed childlike joy holding the fresh fluff.
"...! Delicious...!!"
He was a child, after all.
"Y-You two want some...?"
"Haha, sure. Two more, vendor?"
"Coming up!"
"I don't care for sweets, but—"
"Come on, at least pretend."
Can't spurn a kid's goodwill. So-hyang smiled sweetly, thrusting candy like a blade.
"...Hand one over."
Post-zoo—a classic tourist staple—they hit more attractions.
Street troupe acrobatics.
"...!? S-Sword! Sword at the throat...!?"
"Stretch the stomach straight, swallow long things. I can do it—want a demo?"
"N-No...! I'm good...!"
Lecturer's dramatic novel reading.
"H-How?! Princess! The princess...!"
"...Il-ho, it's fiction. Just enjoy."
"W-What, no way..."
Gold and dice flying in gambling dens...
"General?"
"...Pass."
After myriad sights and experiences, their final stop.
The empire's academic pinnacle.
Tower of all knowledge.
Hub of wisdom, scholars' haven.
Imperial Sorcery Academy.
Commonly, the Academy.
-----
Prior outings were pure fun—mainly for Il-ho.
So-hyang enjoyed them too, but not the goal.
Her true aim: visit the Academy, deepen sorcery insight.
Sorcery and martial arts diverged; rarely boosting each other.
But So-hyang's martial foundation was Spirit Sword—rooted in sorcery divine object.
Time in the jianghu yielded gains, but naming eluded her.
Imbue identity via name, solidify existence.
She sensed: without it, breaching Transformation Realm impossible.
Thus, auditing lectures, consulting professors...
"What did you do for such firm dharma-treasure bond? Practically one entity sorcery-wise..."
Binding School agape.
"My god, such material density, processing—what revolution in refinement...!"
Refinement School stunned.
"Wait, this is... spirituality? Materialized...? Impossible, our lifelong quest—!? P-Please teach us!! My soul as assistant—anything!!"
Spirit Flow School on knees.
"Hmm...?"
A familiar déjà vu from her past life; So-hyang smiled awkwardly.