Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Homecoming
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Dunhuang was a city closer to the Border Wastelands than the Central Plains, but just the fact of returning filled Ak Muyoo's chest with emotion. He took a deep breath, drawing the Central Plains air deep into his lungs. It was the same air, but it felt different. Sweeter, perhaps.
After several deep breaths, he entered the inn.
"Got money?"
As Ak Muyoo headed casually into the inn, Ara asked. She remembered how they'd practically robbed Mookbu-seong and Seo Haran because they had none.
"Of course."
"Just eight taels?"
"There's more besides that."
"From Madam Lu?"
"You think I'd squeeze the liver out of a flea? How do you carry money through a warzone?"
"Then?"
"Let's go in first."
The group entered an inn with a sign reading Taihua Inn. It was fairly crowded inside.
"Why are there so many people?"
Ak Muyoo tilted his head.
"Welcome."
A waiter approached and greeted them.
"Got rooms?"
Ak Muyoo asked.
"All seven of you staying?"
"Yeah. Leaving tomorrow."
"I'll handle this. You go do other things."
A plump middle-aged man approached and sent the waiter away. Ak Muyoo looked at the middle-aged man.
"That's the owner."
"Ah! We'd like to stay the night..."
"There's one annex left."
"Give us that."
"Follow me."
"Need to drop the luggage first."
"Luggage..."
"Fourteen camels' worth."
"From the desert?"
"Yeah. What's your cut on selling camels?"
"Ten percent of the price."
"Sell all but two. They're top-grade, so no lowballing."
"Understood."
Ak Muyoo and Mok Woo's group went to the camels, gathered their luggage, and headed to the rear garden. There stood a modest building.
"Four rooms, and a bathroom too."
"Where do we eat?"
"You can come to the dining hall or eat here."
"Dining hall. But what's with all the people?"
"You wouldn't know coming from the desert. It's because of the Absolute Six Heavens treasures."
"Absolute Six Heavens treasures?"
"Rumors are spreading that a bunch were found at the old Absolute Six Heavens site."
"Were they really found?"
"Nobody knows."
"That damn rumor..."
"I'll take my leave then."
"Most of these are martial artists from Central Plains factions, right?"
"Yes."
"Any from the Shandong Ak family?"
"Possibly. Want me to check?"
"I'll tip you."
"What should I say?"
"Say you've got something to tell them about the Latent Dragon."
"Got it. I'll look around."
"Water in the bath ready?"
"Yes."
"For dinner, prepare your house specialty."
"Understood. Rest well."
The owner bowed and left.
The group entered the rooms. They were standard inn fare: table, wardrobe, beds.
"Our clothes are too ragged, huh?"
Ak Muyoo said.
Not just him, but Ara and Mok Woo's group too—their outfits were so worn they could pass for Beggars' Sect disciples.
"Stink too. Let's wash up before going out."
Ara said.
"Sounds good."
Ak Muyoo nodded.
"We'll head to the main building to wash."
Mok Woo's group went out.
"You first."
"Yeah."
Ara went into the bathroom.
When she came out, Ak Muyoo went in next. He shaved with the sword he'd picked up in the Western Pure Land Plains. Would've liked a haircut too, but that wasn't a solo job.
After shaving and washing, he dressed and came out.
"Better hide the luggage?"
"Up on those beams."
Ara pointed to the rafters.
"Here."
Ak Muyoo handed up the luggage. Ara leaped to the ceiling, stashed it, and came down.
The group left the inn and headed to the market.
Dunhuang's market was quite different from the Central Plains. Dealing with desert travelers, it was full of travel goods.
"Over there."
Ak Muyoo pointed to a clothing shop.
"Money?"
"When a man puffs out his chest, it means he's got money. Remember that."
Ak Muyoo strode into the shop.
"That guy..."
Ara tilted her head and followed.
"Welcome."
There were two clerks, a man and a woman.
Ak Muyoo went first to the women's section. The female clerk followed.
"Pick out clothes for this lady. Three outer robes, at least ten undergarments."
"Got it."
Ara left it to her and went to the men's side, where the man assisted.
"Two each should do, right?"
Ak Muyoo asked Mok Woo.
"Plenty."
"Pick what you like."
Ak Muyoo quickly scanned the clothes. He settled on a rat-gray martial robe. Changed into it right there and tossed the old one. Had to cut the sleeves short for the Mad Demon Armor on his arm.
Bought a windbreaker cloak too.
After selecting everything, he asked the price and pulled out his pouch. It was bulging.
―Where'd that come from?
Ara asked, eyeing the money pouch Ak Muyoo pulled out.
"Didn't I say good deeds bring good fortune?"
"Good deed? You mean those guys..."
She recalled burying the corpses at the Dunhuang entrance. Ak Muyoo had been the one tossing them into the pit. Must've pocketed the pouch then.
"For crossing to the afterlife, you don't need heavy cash—just light paper money."
Ak Muyoo grinned, took the clothes, and headed out.
"What's that?"
Ak Muyoo pointed to a shop with a "Hair Cutter" sign. It meant exactly that: cutting hair.
"Most folks here keep their hair short."
Ara said.
"So it's a barber?"
"Seems like."
"Perfect."
Ak Muyoo opened the door and entered. Ara was right; it was a barber shop.
"Welcome."
The barber was a Border Wastelands native.
"Cut hair here?"
Ak Muyoo asked.
"Yes."
"Trim mine, please."
"How short?"
"Longest to jawline. Trim the rest neatly."
"Central Plains folk usually grow it long?"
"Washing long hair's a pain. I like short."
"Bangs?"
"Short enough not to block my view."
"Got it."
The barber cut Ak Muyoo's hair. Bobbed style, so quick work.
"You'll need a headband to tidy the forehead strands."
"This work?"
Ak Muyoo pulled a black gem-studded headband from his pouch—the Hero Band from Lu Ha.
"Perfect. Obsidian looks sharp."
"Yeah."
Ak Muyoo nodded.
The barber tied it on.
No topknot felt odd, but not bad. He topped it with his usual leather cap, open at the crown.
"Now, time to eat?"
Ak Muyoo asked outside.
"What?"
"Follow the smells."
Soon they reached the food street. Central Plains and Western Region foods mingled. The sudden influx of martial artists from the Border Wastelands had it packed.
The group barely found seats at a Central Plains street stall.
"Spicy noodles first, one each."
"Got it."
"Not done yet."
"More orders?"
"Pork knuckle ten portions, four fried chickens, three plates fresh veggie stir-fry. And most important: a bottle of Central Plains liquor."
"Got it."
The waiter grinned like he'd hit the jackpot and dashed to the kitchen.
Soon liquor and noodles arrived.
Poured a round for the group.
"Here."
Ara raised the bottle.
"Gotta drink at least one today, right?"
"Even if it kills me with the runs."
"Exactly."
Ak Muyoo's cup filled.
"Alright, grandly then..."
Ak Muyoo raised his cup high.
Everyone else followed.
"To us!"
"To us!"
Ak Muyoo shouted first; the rest echoed. They downed them in one go.
"Charge!"
They attacked the noodles like a battlefield.
Soon sweat beaded their foreheads. Undeterred, they kept chopsticking away.
Noodles gone, they set down bowls.
"Huh?"
Ak Muyoo's eyes widened as he set his down. Jaryuha hesitated in front of the stall.
"Isn't that Miss Ja?"
Ak Muyoo greeted first.
"Yes. We meet again."
Jaryuha bowed.
"Not eaten? Join us."
"Shall I?"
Jaryuha sat with Ak Muyoo's group.
"Order what you want."
"Spicy noodles for me too."
Jaryuha told the owner.
"Yes."
The owner snapped out of staring at her stunning beauty and replied. Soon her noodles, pork, and chicken arrived.
Ak Muyoo tore the chicken onto a platter.
"Ow, hot!"
He blew on his hands.
"Why use hands when you've got that tool on your wrist?"
"What tool?"
"The one on your forearm."
"Fried chicken's no good sliced. Gotta shred it like this. Just needs one more thing."
"What?"
"Owner!"
Ak Muyoo called.
"Yes."
The owner looked over.
"Some salt."
"Coming."
Owner brought a small dish of salt.
"Fried chicken with salt dip—best."
Ak Muyoo dipped lightly and ate. Others followed.
The pork was delicious too. Simmered with spices, no gamey taste, melted in the mouth. Ak Muyoo had two drinks, then stopped.
"Can we talk?"
Jaryuha set down her chopsticks.
"Somewhere else?"
"Yes."
Jaryuha nodded.
"Keep eating."
Ak Muyoo stood.
Jaryuha and Ak Muyoo left the market. South of the market, a river flowed. Narrow, about five zhang wide. Reeds lined the banks, lush and green.
"How was he?"
"Quiet type, barely talked. Sometimes mentioned bad relations with his parents. Said their expectations were too high for his talents, that he tried but they wouldn't see it."
"Yes. He always told me the same. Said he wasn't born with martial talent. But his parents pushed him. 'Just a bit more effort, don't rest when others do, don't play when they play—how else to catch up?' 'Nothing impossible with effort'..."
"They wanted him to be one of the Central Plains Ten Prodigies."
"Yes... Desperately. Becoming one of the Ten Prodigies means a guaranteed future."
"A perfect groom."
"..."
"Just a figure of speech."
"Right. I too..."
"Danger!"
Ak Muyoo shoved Jaryuha hard.
"Ah!"
Thud!
A dull thump erupted from Ak Muyoo's chest.
"Urk!"
Ak Muyoo screamed and collapsed.