Just Like in My Previous Life
The four young martial artists standing at the door looked utterly bewildered.
Jin Ok-ryong is buying us food?
For ordinary warriors like us?
They weren't the same wide-eyed recruits who'd joined the Wulin Alliance chasing dreams of glory in the Blue Cloud.
It had been ages since they'd bitterly realized their limits in background and talent. They knew Jin Ok-ryong belonged to a different world altogether.
"You guys not coming? Should I ask someone else?"
One bushy-haired youth shouted in a panic.
"W-We are! We'd love to!"
The others hurriedly chimed in.
Jeong Gwang led Baek Seung-mu and the ordinary warriors away.
The Wulin Alliance grounds were vast, so they passed many people on the way to the main gate.
These were fellow uninvited rank-and-file warriors, and seeing the famous Jeong Gwang walking among their own kind left them puzzled.
"Hey, where are you headed?"
"He said he's treating us to a meal…"
"What?"
Jeong Gwang was hailed as a genius surpassing even the Nine Dragons Eight Phoenixes.
Having become the joint inheritor of three among the Ten Supremes, who could guess how mighty he'd grow?
Sharing a meal with him was a rare honor.
The ordinary warriors envied Jeong Gwang's chosen companions, murmuring among themselves.
"Damn, I wanna join too."
"As if that'll happen."
Their whispers reached Jeong Gwang's ears clearly.
Good grief.
The Wulin Alliance was something else.
How badly were they feeding these guys to make them act like this?
Even when he'd sneaked into the kitchens before, it had been a mess—but this was ridiculous.
Not that he planned to buy for every last one of them…
…Hold on.
The original group heading to Yimi Noodle Shop was six: himself, Baek Seung-mu, and the four youths.
People can only eat so much.
Last time, with two Beggars' Sect beggars along, they'd polished off heaps without waste.
But these four couldn't match that appetite.
And I can't just order a little.
Jeong Gwang wore the ornate daoist robes gifted by the Qinghai Province Lord.
To Central Plains folk, they symbolized the Kunlun Sect.
If word spreads that I'm wasting food like some spoiled brat…
The food-conscious Kunlun daoists would nag him endlessly.
But if I bring them all…?
No rumors, and he could sample everything.
Cost a bit more? Whatever.
He was loaded.
"Hey."
"…?"
All eyes turned to him.
"Let's all go together."
"…!"
Jeong Gwang led the cheering ordinary warriors out the main gate.
He looked like a general marching off to battle with high-spirited troops.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Whew."
Was this how a general felt, storming an enemy camp only to find it deserted?
"No seats left?"
The familiar waiter bowed apologetically.
"Sorry the Sword Immortal's back, but it's this time of day…"
Lunch hour had passed, yet Yimi Noodle Shop brimmed with customers.
What now? Other spots…
Manhyang House, recommended by the Beggars' Sect Leader, was a brothel—closed now.
That leaves Lianhua Inn.
He'd stayed there ages; not appealing.
Still, maybe head there anyway?
"Um…"
The bushy-haired youth spoke up hesitantly.
"I'm a local. I know a good spot."
"Really good?"
The youth puffed out his chest.
"Not fancy like here, but cheap, tasty, huge portions, and generous service…"
"You getting paid for this?"
"No way! Absolutely not!"
Looking around, several warriors nodded—they knew the place.
No better options anyway.
Expensive doesn't always mean better.
Cheap has its own charm.
Especially if well-made.
"Let's check it out."
"I'll guide you!"
The bushy-haired youth took the lead.
They walked quite a ways.
The houses and shops grew shabbier by the block.
Finally, they arrived at…
An empty lot?
A clearing before a small grove, with a tiny noodle stall plunked down.
So small, it barely fit the owner, let alone customers.
Takeout only?
Around the stall stood rough plank tables pieced together.
Chairs? Tree stumps.
This place is supposed to be good?
Jeong Gwang stared incredulously at the bushy-haired youth.
"You're really not getting paid?"
"No! Trust me!"
His shout drew a middle-aged woman from the stall.
She startled at the dozens of burly warriors, then sighed in relief at the youth.
"Son. You brought customers?"
Jeong Gwang nearly smacked him.
Son?
His son?
"Hey."
"Y-Yes? Yes?"
The youth trembled at Jeong Gwang's icy tone.
"You selling me snake oil right now?"
"N-No, absolutely not!"
"Keep saying no. Well, yeah, you wouldn't charge."
"Exactly!"
"'Cause it's your mom. Of course you'd say her food's great."
A few warriors sighed softly.
Loved endlessly by moms, but never fed like kings.
But the bushy-haired youth stood tall.
"Not because she's my mom. Mom's cooking is the best."
"Doesn't look like business is booming, though."
"Folks around here aren't well-off. They're working hard now. Mealtime's packed."
His confidence swayed Jeong Gwang.
"Alright, let's eat."
"You won't regret it!"
Jeong Gwang turned to the woman.
She'd been glancing nervously between him and her son, and jumped.
"Hello. Make everything you can. And booze too."
"Y-Yes. Just a moment."
"You handling it alone?"
"Oh, with my son. No worries."
The bushy-haired youth was already rolling up sleeves, diving in.
What a character.
Jeong Gwang chuckled, sitting at a corner table with Baek Seung-mu.
"Everyone, sit wherever's comfy."
They hesitated, then obeyed.
Perched on a stump, Jeong Gwang gazed skyward.
White clouds drifting in blue eased his mind.
A familiar sight.
Kunlun's.
Wonder if everyone's doing alright.
Of course not.
Un Hu, dantian mended, was drilling under Jeong Gwang's harsh regimen.
Repaying it twofold to others, no doubt.
But that's not enough. They're not the type to sit idle.
His past-life subordinates came to mind.
They'd groveled after his martial mastery, but before? Relentless challengers.
Kunlun had improved, but the foe was the world's top sect: the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Pang Clan has to take Alliance Leader.
Then he could dispatch Alliance experts to Qinghai, roam the land carefree.
To make that happen, first…
A dish hit the table.
"Dig in! Our pride: seasoned greens!"
Jeong Gwang's brow twitched.
So many dishes in the world, and seasoned greens are the star?
What the—
The bushy-haired youth beamed with utter confidence.
"No other stars?"
"As expected of Jin Ok-ryong. Plenty more."
He radiated first-class master vibes at food talk.
Jeong Gwang shook his head, picking up chopsticks for the greens.
"Huh."
"Haha! The best, right?"
"Not bad. Decent."
"…"
The youth deflated from peak confidence.
Baek Seung-mu, watching, consoled him.
"Sajae's 'decent' means it's delicious. I'll enjoy it too."
Baek Seung-mu ate heartily.
The youth's face reignited.
"More coming right up!"
Jeong Gwang grabbed him as he turned.
"Hey."
"Yes? Anything you need…"
"Meat and booze too."
"…But Sword Immortal, you're a daoist…"
"My junior isn't."
"Ah, plain clothes. Lay disciple, got it."
"He eats like a pig."
"Haha. I'll load the table till legs snap!"
As the youth left, Baek Seung-mu sighed deeply.
"Sajae, I'm neither lay disciple nor pig."
"You don't even have a dao title yet. And what's wrong with pigs? It's all mindset."
"Then think greens are meat and eat up."
"What nonsense. How's grass gonna be meat?"
"…I'll shut up."
The youth and his mom were fast—taste and hands alike.
Dishes poured endlessly for dozens, no lull.
Cheap baijiu flowed, surprisingly fine.
"Kuh. Hits good after so long."
"Here, have a cup."
The warriors, stiff around Jeong Gwang, loosened with booze.
Relaxed eyes caught new sights.
They gaped at Jeong Gwang.
Insane! Possible?
Flash.
Munch munch.
Flash.
Gulp gulp.
Chopsticks and cup blazed like lightning.
Incredible technique!
Not sword light—chopstick light and cup light!
Jeong Gwang just moved fast to snag meat and booze unnoticed.
But they couldn't fathom it, awestruck.
Not just talent!
Even eating and drinking as cultivation!
Admiration filled their gazes.
They'd thought him lucky-born genius turned master.
But witnessing: tireless, valiant true warrior.
And personality's not like the rumors.
Treats so many, never boasts.
Eats quietly in corner so we don't feel awkward.
Jeong Gwang's rep laundered spotless.
Meet to know the man.
Worthy of 'True Dragon'.
Kunlun breeds no degenerates.
Ordinary warriors warmed to Kunlun.
Humble, kind—who wouldn't?
Compared to other famed sects' experts…
Sigh. Gets me mad again.
Not all famed disciples arrogant, but most were.
Memories of slights and humiliations sparked gossip.
"Heard? Huashan and Zhongnan tearing hair out lately. Shaanxi…"
"Heh. Serves 'em. Namgung estate, the patriarch roared because…"
Gossip pairs best with booze. They spilled seen-and-heard tales wildly.
Whispering out of respect for Jeong Gwang and Baek Seung-mu—but both heard every word.
Baek Seung-mu shook his head.
"From grave matters to trivia—everything. How do they know?"
"Obvious."
"Why?"
"Where's info king in jianghu?"
"Beggars' Sect."
"Why?"
"Beggars everywhere… Ah! Got it."
Ordinary warriors dotted every Alliance corner.
See much, hear much, know much.
Baek Seung-mu chided his oversight.
"I'm so narrow-minded…"
"Not always."
"Huh?"
"Power makes you ignore the powerless."
Famed sect folk rarely pondered what ordinary warriors did or how to use them.
Jeong Gwang differed.
Just do it like my previous life?
From "Poison Heart Evil Soul" youth days, he'd fought the mighty.
Only powerless low-rank cultists backed him.
From them, he'd gained much—including intel.
Time to mine a bit.
His Kunlun-gazing thoughts solidified.
Jeong Gwang rose, approaching the warriors.
"S-Sajae! What mischief now…"
Baek Seung-mu panicked, trailing.
Warriors froze, tense.
But.
Jeong Gwang was polite.
"Everyone, have a drink."