Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Arc 3. Fate is Unfathomable, and the Ways of the World Cannot Be Predicted Even an Inch Ahead (2)
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Five Springs Mountain preserved a legend from the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, when General Huo Qubing struck the ground with his whip to bring forth five springs for his thirst-stricken soldiers.
Crimsonrock Stronghold was perched midway up that very mountain. The sprawling complex, with its dozens of grand and modest halls standing prominently, had no equal even in Lanzhou.
Alongside the Kongtong Sect rooted in Kongtong Mountain, Crimsonrock Stronghold stood firmly as one of the two pillars of Gansu's martial world. As such, its main gate was perpetually thronged with visitors.
For the past few days, the number of people flocking to Crimsonrock Stronghold had multiplied several times over. It was all because the stronghold master's sixtieth birthday banquet was just two days away.
Countless individuals visited to celebrate Yi Sinpung, the local overlord's, milestone birthday.
Among them were opportunists hoping to curry favor and gain his aid, but there were also many congratulatory envoys from prestigious sects across the land.
In particular, every martial arts school based in Gansu Province had sent their greetings without exception.
Under these circumstances, Crimsonrock Stronghold was suffering from an influx of endless crowds. Servants and even low-ranking warriors had been fully mobilized to receive the guests.
"Fortress Lord, they're asking for more people at the guest hall right now."
"The lodging is short— what should we do?"
Outer Hall Leader Yu Gwanso was tearing his hair out from the constant stream of people seeking him.
His current duty was classifying guests by importance and assigning them lodging. Normally, Chief Steward Gu Jung-myeong would handle all this, but he was tied up with more critical matters.
"There's no manpower here either, so tell the guest hall to make do by squeezing every last person they've got."
"But if we do that..."
"What 'but'? If they've got complaints, tell them to come here themselves. For the lodging shortage, direct them to Inner Hall Leader Jong Pyeong. He's converting the warehouses into rooms."
"Understood."
At Yu Gwanso's stern command, the servants hurried off.
Watching them go, Yu Gwanso wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Damn it! When the hell is this going to end?"
"You're still working hard as ever, Outer Hall Leader."
"Who... Oh, Head Chef Song?"
Yu Gwanso brightened at the middle-aged man who had appeared before him. It was Song Hwan, the stronghold's senior chef in charge of meals.
Behind Song Hwan were several wagons loaded with ingredients and a group of servants.
"Did you procure everything you need?"
"Yes. There shouldn't be any more trips out."
"That's a relief. Just having the servants you took return to their posts will ease things considerably."
"My apologies."
"Nah, don't mention it! It was for the fortress master's banquet that we pulled them anyway. And no more demands on them is good news. Haha!"
Yu Gwanso let out a hearty laugh. Song Hwan responded with a gentle smile.
For a warrior, Yu Gwanso was remarkably unpretentious. That was why he got along so well with Song Hwan.
Yu Gwanso's gaze suddenly shifted to the unfamiliar figures behind Song Hwan: Damho on his black horse and plump Bang Jinbo on his white steed.
"And them?"
"Ah, people I met in Lanzhou. The one on the black horse is the brother, and the chubby kid is the younger brother."
"But why bring them?"
"The kid makes amazing food."
"Oh! So that's why..."
"Yes! I brought them to lend a hand, even if just a little."
"You've got it rough, Head Chef Song. Losing two chefs all of a sudden."
"We'll make do somehow."
As Song Hwan spoke, Yu Gwanso examined Damho and Bang Jinbo more closely.
There was no doubt about Bang Jinbo. His rotund build clearly had nothing to do with martial arts. But Damho was different.
Yu Gwanso asked Damho,
"Do you practice martial arts?"
Damho nodded silently. The perceived arrogance irked Yu Gwanso, furrowing his brow slightly.
"What's your name?"
"Damho."
Only then did Damho speak.
Yu Gwanso tilted his head.
"Never heard that name before."
He eyed Damho once more. The build and aura were unmistakably those of a trained warrior.
"Get off the horse."
For some reason, Damho dismounted from Black Ghost without protest. At that moment, a glint flashed in Yu Gwanso's eyes. He had noticed Damho's slight limp.
It wasn't an illusion. Damho's foot was subtly twisted. That wasn't something one could fake.
"Tch!"
Yu Gwanso clicked his tongue unwittingly. Noticing this, Song Hwan also looked at Damho's leg.
For a martial artist to have a crippled leg was as good as a death sentence. At least, that was their common understanding.
"How'd you get injured?"
"An accident."
At Damho's curt reply, Yu Gwanso looked sympathetic. But only briefly—soon he made a decision and turned to Song Hwan.
"Any empty rooms left in the chefs' quarters?"
"There are still rooms from the ones who quit."
"Then put them there."
"That's what I had in mind."
"Very well. Take them in."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Song Hwan bowed in gratitude.
Normally, those of uncertain background weren't allowed into Crimsonrock Stronghold. It was a long-standing rule, yet Yu Gwanso had broken it with this exceptional permission.
"No need for thanks between us..."
"I'll send some late-night snacks over through the kids tonight."
"You're busy preparing for the banquet— no need to go that far..."
"It's no trouble at all. Don't worry. Well then!"
Song Hwan bowed to Yu Gwanso and entered the stronghold, with Damho and Bang Jinbo following.
"Wow!"
The moment they stepped into Crimsonrock Stronghold, a cry of awe burst from Bang Jinbo's mouth. The halls looked several times more majestic up close, teeming with people.
Bang Jinbo had never seen such a massive cluster of buildings or so many warriors in his life.
"No time to gawk. This way."
"Yes!"
Song Hwan's sharp voice rang in Bang Jinbo's ears. Snapping to, Bang Jinbo hurried after him.
Song Hwan led them to a guesthouse behind a mid-sized hall. Built to enclose the hall's rear garden, it had over twenty doors connected in a row. Song Hwan opened one.
The room was empty save for basic furniture. Just a single blanket. Nothing to do but sleep.
Song Hwan said to Damho,
"You can stay here while your brother works. If you get bored, feel free to wander the stronghold, but please—no causing trouble. As you see, with all these crowds, the guards are on high alert."
"Got it."
"There's a stable behind the guesthouse for the horse."
"Mm."
Damho nodded, and Song Hwan turned to Bang Jinbo.
"You, come with me."
"Right now?"
"Got a problem?"
"No."
"Let's go."
"Yes!"
Bang Jinbo glanced at Damho, then followed Song Hwan.
Damho silently watched their retreating backs before entering the room.
The space was cramped—barely enough for two adults to lie down. But it posed no issue for Damho.
Compared to where he'd lived before, this was paradise.
Damho leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and sat. But his mind wouldn't settle.
In the end, he couldn't endure even a quarter-hour and stepped out.
"Wow!"
Another exclamation escaped Bang Jinbo.
Fitting for the kitchen responsible for feeding the stronghold's vast household, it occupied an entire mid-sized hall.
Five chefs cooking, ten assistants, and over a dozen servants handling chores.
Bang Jinbo stood speechless before the overwhelming scene he'd never imagined.
As Song Hwan entered, a servant spotted him and shouted.
"The head chef is here!"
The cooking chefs halted in unison and greeted him boisterously.
"You're here?"
"Mm!"
Song Hwan nodded and surveyed the kitchen.
On a table opposite the stoves sat piles of finished dishes, prepared for the new arrivals' dinner.
Song Hwan picked one up and tasted it. As he ate, the chefs watched tensely.
"Not bad."
"Phew!"
A collective sigh of relief echoed.
Song Hwan's palate was notoriously picky, befitting the head chef. Any dish failing his approval was discarded on the spot.
Vice Head Chef Woo Bokgyeom approached Song Hwan.
"Who's the kid?"
"A boy I met at Lanzhou market. Decent skills— give him a stove."
"A stove?"
Woo Bokgyeom's eyes widened.
A stove meant a cooking station. It implied Bang Jinbo was chef material.
Bang Jinbo was barely thirteen or fourteen. Younger than the bustling assistants.
In normal circumstances, he'd be washing dishes at best. Entrusting him a stove was unbelievable.
Woo Bokgyeom asked again.
"You're sure about giving this kid a stove?"
"His father was a chef. Better than most— no arguments, just assign him one."
"Understood."
With Song Hwan insisting, Woo Bokgyeom couldn't object further. If it passed Song Hwan's exacting taste, the skill was genuine.
The age was still an issue. Song Hwan might not care, but kitchens had hierarchies.
Woo Bokgyeom told Bang Jinbo,
"Use that stove. When the assistants prep ingredients, start cooking."
"What dish?"
"Twice-cooked pork. Can you handle it?"
"Yes!"
"Really?"
"I can."
With Bang Jinbo's firm double affirmation, Woo Bokgyeom dropped his doubts.
"Fine. Make a plate. I'll taste and decide."
Song Hwan didn't interject. As the second-in-command, Woo Bokgyeom had some authority.
"Yes!"
Bang Jinbo replied energetically and unpacked the bundle from his back, revealing his wok and ladle.
"Hoh! Your own tools?"
Woo Bokgyeom murmured in surprise.
Not flashy new ones— well-worn from use.
'So he's no novice.'
Bang Jinbo deftly placed the wok on the stove. Always maintained with lard, it gleamed.
He arranged the ingredients beside the stove and began cooking on the wok.
Sizzle!
Smoke rose from the searing-hot wok.
Gripping the wok with one hand and ladling with the other, Bang Jinbo's technique was far from novice.
"Ooh!"
Awe rippled through the kitchen. Not everyone, though.
'That fatso!'
A seventeen- or eighteen-year-old boy gnashed his teeth at Bang Jinbo.
His name was So Jinseo. Until Bang Jinbo arrived, he was the top candidate for a stove.
Now, his time as an assistant would drag on. Envy burned in his eyes as he glared at Bang Jinbo.