Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Deels and the Girl on Horseback
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After flying for three and a half hours on Olivia Snow's private jet, they arrived in Mongolia.
The airport was named after the legendary Genghis Khan International Airport, but for an international hub near the capital, it was on the smaller side.
With a massive group of thirteen people—Yeonwoo, Olivia Snow, Chae Hayeon, Ellis and Yuri, Annosuke, O Jaehoon, plus three of Yeonwoo's bodyguards and three of Olivia Snow's—they rented a limousine bus.
"Something about this feels a bit uncomfortable."
Olivia Snow grumbled as she eyed the limousine bus.
To her, who always insisted on the absolute best, it was a somewhat disappointing choice.
"In Mongolia, luxury cars might be one thing, but a bus at your level is tough to come by, Olivia. Should we switch to cars right now?"
At Jaehoon's question, Olivia Snow glanced at Yeonwoo.
"Sister, I'd like us all to go together."
Olivia Snow let out a sigh at Yeonwoo's words before saying,
"My master says so."
"Then shall we all board?"
O Jaehoon smiled and gestured toward the bus. A Mongolian man, who would serve as both guide and driver, was already inside.
"Hello! I'm Bartbold. Nice to meet everyone!"
"Wow, your Korean is super fluent!"
At Chae Hayeon's comment, he turned to her with wide eyes. Then he scanned the group.
"Ah, I know a few of you."
"How do you know us?"
"I worked in Korea until last year. I saw you there. Olivia Snow—lots of people know her even in Mongolia."
The Korean Wave had slowed a bit, but Mongolia, with its special affinity for Korea, still showed strong support for it.
Plus, plenty of Mongolians worked in Korea, and Bartbold seemed especially familiar, having come back after working there himself.
"Yuin, I know your songs well. Especially the ones sung by Chae Hayeon here—they're my favorites. I still listen to them while driving."
"Thank you."
Yeonwoo gave Bartbold a deep bow from the waist.
Bartbold said it was an honor to guide such people, loaded everyone's bags onto the bus by himself, and helped the group aboard.
"Where would you like to go first?"
Before taking his seat at the wheel, he asked the group.
All eyes turned to Yeonwoo.
This trip had been organized around him, after all.
As if he'd been waiting for it, Yeonwoo said,
"To Narantuul Market!"
Bartbold nodded knowingly.
"To buy dels, right? Sounds good."
He chuckled and climbed into the driver's seat.
Yuri turned to Yeonwoo.
"What's a del?"
"Mongolian traditional clothing. Since we're in Mongolia, we're gonna wear them, ride horses, and gallop across the steppe."
"Wow, going all out, huh?"
Seeing Yuri speak fluent Korean, Ellis asked in surprise,
"You speak Korean really well, Yuri. I heard you speaking English fluently on the flight too."
"Ah, my mom's Korean. Grandpa was American. So I speak Korean, Japanese, and English. Oh, and thanks to Grandma, I know some Uchinaaguchi too."
"Uchinaaguchi?"
"It's the Okinawan language. It's almost gone these days, but Grandma says we can't lose the Ryukyuan spirit, so she uses it alongside Japanese."
"Wow..."
Ellis realized Yuri had way more backstory than she'd imagined.
Parts like that could be seen as weaknesses in some lights, but they also made for great conversation starters—perfect for a star.
Great singer, compelling story, and looks beyond question. She wondered where they'd found a kid like this.
"Alright, let's head out."
Bartbold started driving the bus.
Before long, the group arrived at Narantuul Market.
Bartbold led them skillfully to the del vendors.
There were dels in simple solid colors that gave a refined feel, and others boasting vibrant patterns.
"Which one's good?"
Everyone's eyes turned to the displayed dels. They each grabbed one right away.
Not for themselves.
"Yeonwoo, try this one on!"
They'd picked out ones they thought would suit Yeonwoo.
Yeonwoo looked over the colorful dels, shook his head, and chose a purple silk one.
Embroidered with gold thread, it almost resembled a dragon robe.
"I like this one!"
"This other one seems better."
"No, I want this."
As Yeonwoo dug in his heels, those who knew his stubborn streak backed off.
With that settled, everyone picked out dels they liked, bought and changed into them, then boarded the bus again and headed to the hotel.
Their first meal as a group ended up at the hotel restaurant.
They had mutton steaks along with Mongolian staples like buuz, khorkhog, and tsuivan.
"Hmm..."
Everyone wore confused expressions.
It wasn't the mutton they were used to from Korea.
"This smells way too strong."
After chewing on the meat for a while, Yeonwoo set down his fork.
Having surpassed omnivorous and gluttonous realms to reach gourmet heights, he couldn't handle the intense mutton flavor wafting through.
"Guess Mongolians are desensitized to gamey meat."
"Or maybe this is a flavor in itself."
"But it sure doesn't match our tastes at all."
"These dumplings and noodles are good, though. The meat's tough."
They all echoed the same complaints.
Only Annosuke ate on calmly. Yuri watched him devour even the pushed-aside mutton steak with gusto.
"Doesn't it smell to you?"
"Huh? It's fine for me."
"Guess that's the bear cub in you..."
"Maybe I should eat your head instead of the steak."
Anyway, skipping the steaks, they filled up on the rest and headed back to their rooms early.
Yeonwoo ended up sharing a room with Olivia Snow.
He'd planned to room with Jaehoon, but Olivia insisted on Yeonwoo since he was the only one she was close with.
As soon as they entered the room, Olivia Snow ordered champagne via room service.
"Sister, don't you usually prefer wine?"
"Maybe it's the mutton, but I want something carbonated to freshen my mouth."
"I see."
Yeonwoo grabbed a zero cola from the fridge and took a sip.
"Yeah, I get what you mean. Feels refreshing."
"Right? Carbonation hits the spot sometimes."
Truth be told, Yeonwoo had avoided carbonated drinks to protect his throat.
But their allure was impossible to escape. Once you knew the taste, quitting was hard.
'Is it okay for me to drink this?'
Yeonwoo asked Kim Beomsin's fairy. It mimed chugging carbonation right there in his seat.
Seemed fine.
Reassured, Yeonwoo gulped down more cola. Just then, the phone in Yeonwoo and Olivia Snow's room rang.
"What's that? Someone looking for us?"
"Sister, you get it."
"Mm."
Olivia Snow picked up. She had a long English conversation before hanging up and looking at Yeonwoo.
Yeonwoo, who'd been engrossed in his tablet during the call, asked,
"What? Who was it?"
"Call from the Mongolian President's secretariat."
The President's secretariat?
"Why from there?"
"They feel bad for not properly hosting VIPs like us. They're inviting us to the presidential palace."
"What'd you say?"
"I told them this is just an informal trip with close colleagues, but thanks anyway."
"Good call."
"Yeah, but they said to let them know if we need anything—they'll handle it right away. And to snap a photo before we leave."
Politics could get complicated, but Mongolia was isolated due to China.
The photo wasn't just fan service; it was a diplomatic gesture showing big shots visiting and hanging with the president.
Anyway, with offers to help, Yeonwoo thought of something and said,
"Could you ask if they can arrange a meeting with some khöömii experts?"
"Want me to check?"
Olivia Snow called the contact they'd given her and requested throat singers.
"They say most are in the west, but luckily there's an Oirat tribe nearby. They'll connect us."
"Where are they?"
"Bulganhangai. About five hours from here, a bit less."
Yeonwoo scratched his head.
"Guess we need to tweak the plan. Check if there are ger lodgings there too."
"They'll prepare gers through the government!"
"Awesome."
They'd originally booked a ger experience about four hours away.
Different spot, but distance and time were similar.
The hardship was the same, though.
Riding the bus over unpaved roads.
The moment they left Ulaanbaatar, they bounced across the rugged steppe in the bus—a far from easy ride.
Especially tough for people from advanced countries like the US, Japan, or Korea who'd never endured hours on dirt roads.
"I'd have puked without motion sickness pills."
"I took them and still feel like hurling."
Yuri and Annosuke groaned in agony, while Ellis kept standing and sitting, clutching her back.
Olivia Snow retreated to the back and lay flat out.
Surprisingly, Chae Hayeon seemed unfazed, settling in comfortably. Yeonwoo sat beside her, eyes sparkling as he gazed at the steppe.
O Jaehoon chatted with Bartbold up front.
The bodyguards suffered most. The hulking men looked ready to die.
Cell service was spotty too.
The long journey piled discomfort on boredom. Only Yeonwoo's vibe stayed serene to the end.
Gazing at the steppe, he composed music in his head.
No, this won't do.
For the bored group, Yeonwoo fired up a keyboard app on his tablet and began playing a tune he'd just made using the fairies.
A song fitting the vast steppe filled the bus. Bartbold quietly turned off his music, and everyone tuned in.
It wasn't about the steppe's expanse.
It captured the exhilaration, the sense of escape, you'd feel galloping solo on horseback.
Lively, upbeat, fast-paced.
Yeonwoo started with a steppe theme but soon wove in complex chords and techniques.
Lost in the dazzling melody, the group lost track of time—and before they knew it, they'd reached Bulganhangai.
"Huh?"
That's when Yeonwoo heard an unfamiliar sound from outside. He stopped playing and peered out the window.
About Yeonwoo's age?
A girl in a short del rode horseback alongside the bus, young men trailing behind her.
As Yeonwoo watched the girl handle the horse with ease, she looked right back at him through the window.
Their gazes met.