A Nose-Breaking Horse Ride to Shinyang
"Ugh…."
Namgoong Juhee clutched her broken nose.
Riding a horse wasn't something you could just hop on and do. Horses were skittish, sensitive creatures by nature. That's why not just anyone could climb aboard.
Normally, you needed at least some basic rapport first. Lock eyes to convey you meant no harm. Signal that you were about to mount up. And once on, soothe it with a gentle "whoa, whoa."
But Namgoong Juhee knew nothing about horses as living beings. She didn't even see them that way—just convenient mounts. So she leaped straight onto the saddle.
Predictably, she tumbled right off.
"Hee-ah! Are you okay?"
Yi Hayeon came rushing over, her face full of guilt. After rooming together these past few days, she'd grown somewhat accustomed to Juhee's recklessness and ignorance. How impulsive did someone have to be to act like that? Even a single moment in her company made it obvious how shallow her thinking was.
Yet Hayeon hadn't stopped the mishap. Who could've guessed she'd hurl herself onto a horse without knowing how to ride? That level of eccentricity had caught even Hayeon off guard. And that was why she felt so guilty.
"Oh no, what do we do… Blood's pouring… Someone fetch a physician!"
"Nah, it's fine. Just a minor injury. It'll heal soon enough."
"Of course it's an injury! What are you talking about?!"
Juhee snorted out the blood and stood up. Her nose wasn't shattered or anything—just bleeding a bit. A wound like this would knit right back together with a little reconnection. That's what she figured, anyway.
"Seriously, I'm good."
"Still, Hee-ah, shouldn't you at least get a quick check-up?"
"No time for that. I wanna push on to the next spot anyway. Oh yeah, what yummy stuff does Sichuan have?"
Hayeon's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. After breaking her own nose, the first thing on her mind was food. It was pathetic enough to momentarily erase any feelings of debt or friendship.
But Namgoong Juhee had her own defense. They'd headed to Sichuan for the cuisine in the first place.
Sichuan jjajang.
One of the most beloved instant ramen flavors back in her hometown. Mention stir-fried ramen, and Buldak came first—but Sichuan jjajang was never far behind, third at the latest. She was determined to try the real deal here. Even if jjajang was originally Korean fare.
"Jjajang. Know any good spots for jjajangmyeon? Couldn't find any no matter where I looked."
"Jjajang? Sichuan's famous for malatang, though."
"Ooh, mala. Mala sounds good. Load it with lotus root, extra lamb… Mouth's watering already."
"And there's a great zhajiangmian place in Shinyang, where we're staying tonight."
"Zhajiangmian? What's that? Let's go now. I can't hold out."
"Hee-hee, you're in such a hurry."
Honey dripped from Hayeon's eyes once more. Her affection had dipped for a split second, but she saw Juhee's blunt honesty as a virtue. Sure, her thoughts were short-sighted, but what could you do? It was awfully rude to think that right in front of her, though.
"I'll handle the reins."
Hayeon locked eyes with the horse, then vaulted aboard in a flash.
"Whoa."
"Just follow my lead."
Namgoong Juhee mimicked her roughly, and this time, she managed to keep her balance atop the saddle.
"Hee-hee, as expected of you."
"Yeah, I'm pretty great."
"Now hug tight from behind."
Hayeon pointed to her own side. Only then did Juhee's gaze shift forward. They were close enough to feel each other's breath, her waist slim and soft-looking. Juhee's face flushed a beat late.
"…Huh?"
"Can't have you falling off again. Come on, quick."
"No, but… 'Men and women shouldn't sit together after seven' and all that…."
"Hee-ah's a girl."
"Uh… yeah. What are you—hey, what are you doing?!"
Hayeon grabbed Juhee's arms and wrapped them around her waist. The touch was softer than expected. The faint soap scent brushing her nose was unbearably teasing. And the press of breasts against her back? A sensation utterly new in Juhee's life.
"Hayeon, let go for real. This ain't right."
"Why? You said you wanted to get going."
"No, how about renting two horses now? Or a carriage?"
"Pfft, I told you—every coachman in Hefei's on strike. Alright, here we go?"
"W-wait!"
"Hyah!"
Juhee's suggestion was casually ignored. Hayeon was a merchant at heart, after all—haggling was second nature. Juhee, too drained to fight back, had no choice but to cling tight to her waist to stay on.
Namgoong Juhee and Hayeon spent a full six hours on horseback. Any onlooker would've called it insane—a grueling forced march.
Horseback riding wasn't easy on anyone, horse or rider.
For the horse, it meant hauling two people over long distances. Paved roads were one thing, but dirt paths and slopes? It demanded pulling on innate qi just to cope.
Humans fared no better. Sitting in a comfy chair for six hours was tough enough—imagine bouncing up and down with no backrest. Stamina drained, and your waist gave out first.
Yet the trio pressed on because of Hayeon. She knew Juhee too well. Let her dismount for a break, and she'd never climb back on. She'd stubbornly insist on walking and rent another horse.
That wasn't what Hayeon wanted. True friends needed heart-to-heart talks and body-to-body contact. Chances to press flesh and share breaths like this were rare.
So Hayeon cheerfully ditched rest. A little physical strain was worth preserving the moment.
The horse probably felt like it'd been struck by lightning, but Hayeon leaned more villain than saint. She'd sacrifice any beast's suffering for her desires.
And so they reached Shinyang. Straddling the north-south border with mountains and rivers, it offered diverse charms—quite famous among literati. Most agreed it could've shone brighter elsewhere.
The catch? A far superior city nearby: Wuhan. Unknowable to 21st-century folk? Had Juhee heard, she'd have pushed on despite the fatigue.
But her knowledge of the Central Plains was still spotty, and exhaustion had her beat. The horse had barely stopped before she peeled her chest away and hit the ground like lightning.
"Hee-ah, we're here. Oh dear, why are you sweating so much?"
"…It's nothing."
Juhee fanned herself with a hand. Two bodies pressed under the blazing sun generated insane heat. Non-martial artists might succumb to heatstroke amid the downpour of sweat. And for Juhee, there was an extra factor. Damp cloth between flesh? Overkill stimulation for a guy. Especially with a beauty right there. Her head was overheating for a reason.
"Next time, two horses. Extra coin'll get someone off strike, right?"
"Hmm… Fair point."
"Fair point?"
"Hee-hee, what's wrong?"
Juhee scowled at the evasive tone. Lately, she'd noticed herself going along with Hayeon's whims. Serious issue. Games were for fun—getting bossed by an NPC? Unacceptable. Time to lay down the law and knock her down a peg.
She opened her mouth to do just that.
"Hee-ah, wanna eat?"
"Ooh, food. What's good? That zhajiangmian from earlier? Let's start there."
"Don't worry about money—eat your fill. Knew you'd say that, so I packed plenty."
Juhee's expression melted instantly.
Come to think of it, what had Hayeon done wrong? Fed her daily, tended to her, wrangled the horse—handled all the hassles. I'm just cranky from the ride, Juhee thought as she headed into the inn.
What followed was a massacre. As if venting the day's ordeal on the menu, she devoured everything in sight.
Zhajiangmian, chicken rice balls, umbrella fish, pork belly soup, sweet-and-sour pork, braised tofu.
None stood a chance against Namgoong Juhee. Her white teeth ground them to mush—the textures were divinely soft.
"Fuu…."
"…Impressive. You ate all that."
"That enough for you, Hayeon? One more honey bun?"
"No thanks. I'm stuffed—might burst."
"Suit yourself."
Juhee popped the honey bun into her mouth like she'd never planned to share. Finish the plate, then bath and bed—that was the plan.
"…Pardon, but aren't you Namgung Sojeo?"
A man's voice came from behind.
Unfamiliar. He'd probably overheard her name in the chat with Hayeon. Having endured plenty of shady advances in this woman's body, Juhee could tell.
"Sigh… Should've gotten a private room."
Mouth full of honey bun, she turned with an annoyed glare. Sure enough, a stranger. And what was with all the blood on his hands? What now?
Juhee's eyes narrowed.
