Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Meeting and Parting Like the Waves of the Yangtze (1)
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Thud!
With a heavy thud, the Yunma Great River Ship docked at the pier. The spot where the Yunma Great River Ship had anchored was Jingzhou's pier.
Due to the relentless downpour, the Yangtze's waters had swelled, creating rapids and whirlpools everywhere.
The ship's captain judged it too dangerous to continue sailing like this and decided to stay in Jingzhou until the rain let up.
"We'll stay anchored here until the rain stops. It looks like we'll be here at least two days, so everyone get off and rest on land. If the ship gets swept away, it'll be a disaster."
At the captain's words, the passengers hurried ashore.
Rain poured down like a hole had opened in the sky. No one knew when it would stop. The escorts and merchants unloaded their cargo from the ship as well.
If the anchored ship got carried off by the rapids, they could lose everything.
Dam Ho and Bang Jin-bo each led their horses off the ship.
"We should find an inn first."
"Mm."
Dam Ho nodded at Bang Jin-bo's words.
The pier teemed with people who'd disembarked. Everyone bustled about, desperate to secure a room.
The sudden influx had filled every inn near the pier to the brim. They checked several, but none had vacancies.
"What do we do?"
Bang Jin-bo stomped his feet in frustration at not finding a room.
That's when Dam Ho grabbed his shoulder.
"Over there."
The place Dam Ho pointed to was an abandoned warehouse near the pier. It was barely holding together, but the roof seemed intact enough to shield them from the rain and wind.
Bang Jin-bo caught on and nodded.
"No choice."
Bang Jin-bo was no stranger to sleeping rough—he'd done it plenty. He didn't want to do it again here, but there was nothing for it.
The two entered the warehouse. Broken timber littered the floor inside, but it was cleaner than expected.
Bang Jin-bo smiled.
"This'll do for a day or two."
"Mm."
"I'll get food ready."
Bang Jin-bo gathered the broken wood first and lit a fire.
Dam Ho didn't idle either. He collected usable timber and quickly built a simple platform. It would be enough to block the chill rising from the floor.
Bang Jin-bo unpacked his bundle beside the bonfire and laid out his ingredients. He'd grumbled when they first entered, but now a smile lit his face.
Many of the items in his bundle were ingredients he'd gathered bit by bit on the journey, perfect for cooking.
As Bang Jin-bo pondered what dish to make, happy in his dilemma—
"Oh, my clothes are soaked."
"I'm sorry, miss. Please rest here just a moment."
A familiar voice entered with someone.
"Huh? Jin-bo."
"So-cheong?"
The girl who widened her eyes at Bang Jin-bo was Eun So-cheong. Beside her stood Jong Ri-su.
Bang Jin-bo looked stunned.
"How'd you end up here?"
"Finding an empty room is like chasing stars. You too?"
"Yeah."
Bang Jin-bo nodded.
Eun So-cheong's eyes sparkled at the ingredients lined up before him.
"You're cooking here?"
"Yeah."
"Perfect. Mind if I eat too?"
Jong Ri-su panicked at her words.
"Miss, I've sent people to find rooms. Please bear with it just a little."
"What's the harm? No guarantee we'll find one anyway."
"Miss, still..."
"We can go once we snag a room."
Eun So-cheong plopped down in front of Bang Jin-bo. Jong Ri-su let out a quiet sigh at the sight.
Eun So-cheong gazed at Bang Jin-bo with sparkling eyes. The moment Bang Jin-bo saw those shining pupils, his heart seemed to drop with a thud.
"Y-You're really gonna eat my cooking?"
"Yeah! I'm starving. That a no?"
"No, it's not..."
"Heehee! Make it tasty."
"Yeah!"
Bang Jin-bo nodded vigorously and gripped his knife.
He placed various ingredients on a small portable cutting board and began slicing.
Tap-tap-tap!
The knife danced across the board.
"Wow!"
Eun So-cheong let out an exclamation at Bang Jin-bo's nimble movements.
The straight blade moved so fast it blurred from sight, almost like a martial arts master wielding a sword.
Lost in his cooking, Bang Jin-bo forgot Eun So-cheong was even there. A faint smile played on his lips.
Eun So-cheong watched his utterly joyful expression with wonder.
Young as she was, she'd met many people. None smiled with such vibrant life as Bang Jin-bo.
"Hmm."
Eun So-cheong rested her chin on her hand, gazing at him.
Sizzle!
He oiled a hot wok, added the prepped ingredients in order.
Finally, he tossed in dried sea cucumber and stir-fried vigorously one last time.
It was a dish called Golden Thread Black Dragon.
"Wow!"
Eun So-cheong gasped at how quickly it came together. Even Jong Ri-su was impressed.
But Bang Jin-bo wasn't done. He set a large pot on the fire, dumped in well-dried grain flour and the leftover ingredients from the Golden Thread Black Dragon.
He rummaged through his bundle for lamb jerky and various spices. He shredded the jerky into the pot, seasoned with salt, then flavored it with the spices.
"Perfect!"
What emerged was lamb porridge. Lacking fresh meat, it wasn't as rich, but the flavor was still vibrant.
"Hehe! Sorry for the wait. All done."
Bang Jin-bo ladled some into a wooden bowl and handed it to her.
"Looks delicious."
Eun So-cheong took the bowl with a blissful smile.
Bang Jin-bo offered a bowl to Jong Ri-su too.
"Have some, brother."
"I..."
As Jong Ri-su hesitated—
"Oh! So good. How can it taste this amazing..."
Eun So-cheong's praise echoed through the warehouse. Seeing her genuine delight, Jong Ri-su accepted his bowl.
Bang Jin-bo grinned and passed a bowl to Dam Ho.
Jong Ri-su cautiously scooped a bite. His eyes twitched.
Her praise wasn't empty. It was tastier than any porridge he'd ever had.
"Try this too. It's amazing."
Eun So-cheong was already devouring the Golden Thread Black Dragon. Her cheeks stuffed, chewing away—it couldn't look prettier.
Jong Ri-su followed suit and tasted the Golden Thread Black Dragon.
"Ah!"
The instant it touched his tongue, admiration burst forth.
He'd sampled plenty of dishes guarding Eun So-cheong, but none were as clean-tasting and delicious as Bang Jin-bo's.
"This has to be better than old man Jang the head chef back home."
"..."
Jong Ri-su said nothing, but inwardly agreed.
'Truly delicious. Who knew a young boy could cook like this.'
He eyed Bang Jin-bo anew with fresh appreciation.
Bang Jin-bo beamed, watching them enjoy his food.
Jong Ri-su's gaze shifted to Dam Ho, quietly eating on the platform. Even with their arrival, Dam Ho hadn't uttered a word.
He'd heard himself called taciturn, but Dam Ho took quiet to another level.
Jong Ri-su observed him discreetly.
'He practices martial arts, that's clear.'
Jong Ri-su had to consider every possibility.
Dam Ho showed no hostility, but he couldn't drop his guard.
He probed constantly, but Dam Ho was like mist—everything vague and elusive.
Unlike the vigilant Jong Ri-su, Eun So-cheong savored her meal with pure delight. Emptying her bowls at last, she wore the world's happiest smile.
"So good. You're amazing."
"Hehe!"
"No food I've had beats what you made."
Bang Jin-bo's face flushed at her lavish praise.
Making others happy with his cooking—that's what gave Bang Jin-bo life's spark. Their joy fueled him.
Bang Jin-bo turned to Dam Ho.
"How was it, brother?"
"Delicious."
"Hehe!"
"Good meal."
Dam Ho handed back his empty bowl.
"Rest up. I'll wash these quick."
Bang Jin-bo gathered everyone's bowls into the pot and headed out.
He'd rinse them with rainwater dripping from the eaves.
Eun So-cheong watched his smiling back with a grin.
"He's so nice. Never seen anyone so happy cooking."
"I agree, miss."
Jong Ri-su nodded.
Eun So-cheong looked to Dam Ho.
"Uncle, you staying here awhile?"
"..."
"Can I come visit for his food?"
"If Jin-bo's okay with it."
"So just get Jin-bo's okay?"
Dam Ho nodded, and Eun So-cheong beamed.
Young as she was, her beauty already shone. Her smile dazzled. Dam Ho figured in a few years, she'd shake the jianghu as a stunning beauty.
Suddenly, Eun So-cheong dashed to Bang Jin-bo.
"Miss!"
Jong Ri-su called from behind, to no avail.
She said something to Bang Jin-bo, who scratched his head sheepishly.
Then Jong Ri-su's men entered the warehouse—the ones sent to find rooms.
"We snagged the last room, sir."
"Good work."
Jong Ri-su nodded, then glanced at Dam Ho.
He clasped his hands in a fist salute toward Dam Ho.
"Thanks for the fine meal. We were treated well. Until next time."
Dam Ho didn't reply, and Jong Ri-su hadn't expected one—he turned to leave.
Jong Ri-su and his men approached Eun So-cheong.
"We got a room. Let's go, miss."
"Yeah!"
She answered with a bright smile.
She waved to Bang Jin-bo.
"See you!"
"Yeah!"
"Make something tasty next time too."
"Yeah!"
Bang Jin-bo replied energetically.
Eun So-cheong and the others dashed into the rain.
Bang Jin-bo stared blankly at her receding figure.
The next day, Bang Jin-bo cooked expecting her visit. But Eun So-cheong never came.
After the rain stopped and they'd boarded the ship again, he heard from merchants at the same inn that her group had left in a hurry the day after parting from him.