Chapter 226
Chapter 226
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: Fierce Waves Sweep Away the Sandcastle (1)
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While the world buzzed with the Great War between Righteousness and Evil, Sakju was experiencing an unprecedented boom. Countless martial artists had flooded in to defend the jianghu's justice, but the Sakju branch couldn't accommodate them all.
Those who couldn't stay at the Sakju branch had to rent rooms at inns, filling Sakju's lodgings to the brim at all times.
Even though the front lines had now stabilized north of Sakju, no one knew when war might engulf this place too. Yet the overall mood remained upbeat.
The Azure Breeze Inn was one of the larger establishments among Sakju's many inns. It housed plenty of martial artists, but spotting them there in broad daylight was rare. Most headed to the northern front lines during the day.
"What a mess. Total chaos."
A-chil, the errand boy at the Azure Breeze Inn, muttered as he cleared the cluttered dining hall. Exhaustion was plain on his face. He'd been run off his feet serving martial artists all night.
Warriors fresh from the front lines, where life and death hung in the balance, drowned their heavy burdens in drink the night before. The traces lingered in the first-floor dining hall, meaning A-chil had pulled an all-nighter hauling booze.
Swish!
The sound of robes brushing the floor caught his ear. A-chil looked up, and his face lit up in awe.
'A fairy. She's a real fairy.'
A stunning beauty descended the inn's stairs. She'd arrived at the Azure Breeze Inn last night. Good thing she'd veiled her face, or her looks might have sparked a brawl among the smitten warriors.
She adjusted her veil as she came down. A-chil was the only one who'd glimpsed her true beauty.
Considering it a stroke of luck, A-chil rushed over.
"Did you sleep well, miss?"
"Yes, thanks to you. I slept soundly."
"Shall I bring breakfast?"
"I'll eat out."
"Oh, really?"
A-chil's face fell briefly at her reply. But she brushed past without a care and stepped out of the inn.
Staring after her, A-chil murmured.
"I wonder which sect's heroine she is? If I learned martial arts, could I court a woman like that?"
He thought he'd spoken softly, but her sharp ears caught every word.
The woman was none other than Yin Yu-gyeong.
The Demonic Cult's Saintess had appeared in Sakju.
To enter Sakju, she'd gone to great lengths. She'd fabricated an identity as the last disciple of the long-defunct Spear Flash Sect, using the alias Song Chae-ryeong.
If her true status as the Demonic Cult's Saintess were exposed, she'd face pursuit from every warrior in Sakju. Yet she had no choice but to come.
'I must find the sacred relic.'
That was why she'd come.
'According to the Thousand Days Secret Record, only two remained in the sacred hall until the end of the final war: the Divine Blade Mad King, Jeong Yul-hwi, and the Taeeul Immortal of the Mystic Sword Sect. Of them, Jeong Yul-hwi vanished over twenty years ago, untraceable. That leaves just one: the Mystic Sword Sect's leader, the Taeeul Immortal.'
After those two fled the sacred hall, the relic vanished too. So Yin Yu-gyeong's suspicions naturally fell on them.
Fortunately, the Taeeul Immortal had led his Mystic Sword Sect disciples straight to Sakju. For her, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Once in Sakju, Yin Yu-gyeong discreetly inquired about the Taeeul Immortal and his sect's whereabouts.
The news wasn't good. The Mystic Sword Sect was lodged deep within the Martial Alliance's Sakju branch—the innermost sanctum.
Approaching it wouldn't be easy for her now. But she couldn't just sit idle.
Steel ing her resolve, Yin Yu-gyeong headed for the Sakju branch.
'I hope this identity holds up.'
All she could do was pray her forged credentials passed muster. At least they were based on a real person.
Yin Yu-gyeong walked toward the Sakju branch with feigned calm. Her veil hid her face, but it couldn't conceal her allure entirely—especially her curvaceous figure, which drew countless stares.
Normally she'd ignore them, but given the circumstances, tension gripped her.
She crossed the main road and reached the Sakju branch's main gate.
As expected, security was ironclad. The guards drew weapons at the sight of an unfamiliar woman.
"Halt! State your origin and name."
"I'm Song Chae-ryeong of the Spear Flash Sect."
"Spear Flash Sect?"
The guards exchanged puzzled glances. It was an unfamiliar name. But one spoke up.
"Isn't that the sect from Jinchang in Gansu Province?"
"Yes. I'm glad someone still remembers."
"But didn't it get wiped out thirty years ago?"
"That's right. It was nearly annihilated in the first Great War."
"Then how...?"
"My father was the last survivor—and the sect's young lord."
"Any proof of that? You know we can't admit anyone of uncertain identity to the Sakju branch. And if you're lying..."
The guard trailed off. Everyone present knew what he meant.
The guards shifted into ready stances. But Yin Yu-gyeong stayed composed, handing over her nameplate and relic token.
Alliance-affiliated sects registered symbolic relics. Guard posts received ledgers depicting them, detailing each sect's history and key figures.
The outer guard compared her token meticulously against the ledger.
"The relic matches. So, Song Hyeon-tae, the Spear Flash Sect's young hero, was your father?"
"Yes. After the war, he met my mother and had me."
"Hmm."
"Here's my traveler's tag too—check it."
They scrutinized the tag closely.
"Very well. What brings you here?"
"Revenge. My father lost everything in the first Great War and burned with vendetta. He always told me never to forget the Spear Flash Sect's grudge."
"Hmm."
Her clear answer made the guards glance at each other. It rang true to anyone.
"Finally, we'll need to see your face. Please remove the veil."
Yin Yu-gyeong obliged without hesitation.
"Ah!"
The guards gasped involuntarily. A beauty beyond their wildest dreams stood before them.
She flashed a sweet smile.
"May I enter now?"
***
"Hmm-hmm!"
Bang Jin-bo hummed cheerfully, stirring the ladle.
A massive pot bubbled with hogua stew. Wild boar from the mountains mingled with vegetables, filling the air with a savory aroma.
He wielded the ladle while circulating his Five Elements Scholarly Art. It sharpened his senses to a razor's edge.
The airborne scents painted a vivid picture. How much longer to boil for peak flavor, which bowl would preserve it best—even things he'd never noticed before now felt tangible.
"Mmm! Perfect."
A voice sounded right behind him.
"Whoa! Sis."
Bang Jin-bo jumped, turning to find Jong Ri-yeon sniffing the aroma.
"These ingredients are top-notch. Extra ginger to warm the insides, licorice to neutralize toxins. This isn't food—it's medicine. Food as medicine, huh?"
"Wow! How'd you know?"
Food as medicine—the principle Bang Jin-bo pursued.
Jong Ri-yeon grinned mischievously.
"I'm a physician, aren't I? You've put real effort in."
"I still have a long way to go. Barely know herbs, and ingredient balance needs work."
"Researching this far on your own is impressive enough."
"Hehe!"
Blushing, Bang Jin-bo scratched his head sheepishly. No one disliked praise—especially from a beauty like Jong Ri-yeon.
In truth, she found him admirable.
She'd known him only days, but his dedication had moved her deeply.
His creed of healing and benefiting people through food deserved respect.
"Want some help?"
"You, sis?"
"I'll teach you about herbs."
"Really?"
His eyes widened round. A beaming smile spread across his face.
He knew Jong Ri-yeon's prowess well. Inducing a trance in Hyeonso the Immortal and curing his poison proved she outclassed ordinary physicians.
Her herbal knowledge would let him craft even healthier dishes.
"Sis, be my master!"
"Master? I'll just share basic herb lore."
"Still great! Hehe!"
Bang Jin-bo's innocent grin lifted everyone's spirits. Jong Ri-yeon smiled softly too.
Young as she was, her medical knowledge was vast. Teaching it all to one person wasn't feasible, but select herbal basics? Yes—to save more lives.
"Come on. Lots of folks await your food."
"Yes!"
Bang Jin-bo hefted the huge pot with a vigorous reply. Impossible before, but the Five Elements Scholarly Art had boosted his strength.
As Jong Ri-yeon and Bang Jin-bo emerged, the kids swarmed first.
"Waaah! Bro, what's for today?"
"Mmm! Smells yummy."
The children clamored, noses twitching.
Living with Bang Jin-bo, they'd plumped up and glowed with health.
He fussed over their nutrition, alongside Hyeonso the Immortal's. Results showed plainly.
The kids adored his cooking. Compared to the doyen's plain fare, it was heavenly.
"You little rascals! Give your big bro some air—stop hanging on!"
Hyeonso the Immortal grumbled, but they ignored him.
"But Jin-bo bro's food is too good!"
"Yeah! Jin-bo bro's the best!"
"Ah! So hungry."
Their racket drowned him out. Hyeonso looked exasperated, then broke into a warm smile.
"Wonderful, isn't it?"
He addressed Dam-ho, standing silently nearby.
Dam-ho nodded wordlessly.
The sight of Bang Jin-bo and the kids blooming with laughter filled him with joy too.
They'd carry these childhood memories forever—joys he'd never known. Such recollections would shape kind hearts, unlike his own, fostering warm adults.
"Alright, everyone sit. No seat, no hogua."
"Waaah!"
"Sitting!"
The kids scrambled to their spots like chicks awaiting feed.
Dam-ho, Jong Ri-yeon, and Hyeonso the Immortal took seats too. Bang Jin-bo served Hyeonso first, then Dam-ho and Jong Ri-yeon.
Next came the kids.
Steaming rice, rich hogua, and tasty sides whetted their appetites.
Eyes sparkling, the children watched Hyeonso the Immortal. He confirmed full bowls, then lifted his chopsticks.
"Let's eat."
"Yes!"
"Bon appétit!"
Their hearty replies rang out as they dug in.
Even while eating, the kids never quieted—laughing, chattering, shouting freely.
It might seem rowdy, but no one minded.
Hyeonso the Immortal's gaze on them was crystal clear. Sitting still, pure qi flowed naturally from him.
It enabled their carefree joy, embracing all, softening the air.
Dam-ho ate Bang Jin-bo's food in silence. His downcast eyes held profound depths.
Hyeonso the Immortal's gaze turned to him.
'Hoya.'
Everyone reveled in happiness—except Dam-ho, adrift on the fringes.
Hyeonso the Immortal gently closed his eyes.