Chapter 139
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Street Noodles with the North Heaven Dragon
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Seol Hwa-un, following behind Gu Hye-ryeong, asked.
“But is it really okay for you to be wandering around alone like this? It doesn’t seem like you have any secret escorts.”
She flashed a confident smile.
“I left my escorts behind. I’m no match for the North Heaven Dragon, but I’m pretty confident in my martial arts.”
Seol Hwa-un nodded. Indeed, Gu Hye-ryeong’s aura was in no way inferior to any of the Orthodox faction’s rising stars.
‘If she were in the Orthodox faction, she’d have been a Sword Dragon by now.’
Still, he couldn’t quite understand why she had no escorts at all.
“No matter what, this isn’t Orthodox territory, is it? A woman from an evil sect might be in danger.”
“That’s why I’m wearing this veil.”
Gu Hye-ryeong had put on a veiled bamboo hat the moment they stepped out of the Righteous Heaven Alliance.
“Even if someone recognizes me, it’s safer right in front of the Righteous Heaven Alliance, don’t you think? After all, I’m an officially invited guest.”
“…….”
“Besides, I have the famous North Heaven Dragon by my side. You wouldn’t turn a blind eye if I got into trouble, would you?”
Seol Hwa-un gave a wry smile.
“Of course not.”
He accepted her bold words more readily than expected. It wasn’t because he was smitten with her, but because he considered her position.
‘If one dinner can improve relations with the Dark King Sect even a little, it’s a gain.’
At Seol Hwa-un’s agreement, Gu Hye-ryeong lit up and took the lead toward a famous inn she knew.
After leaving the Righteous Heaven Alliance that way, they circled around downtown Hefei twice.
She usually had maids or escort warriors to guide her, so it hadn’t been obvious, but Gu Hye-ryeong was actually hopelessly directionally challenged.
“It was definitely this way…….”
She stopped at a crossroads and kept looking around.
At this point, even Seol Hwa-un had to ask.
“Are you sure you know the way?”
“I thought I did…… but apparently not.”
Gu Hye-ryeong made an embarrassed face and stuck out her tongue.
In the end, Seol Hwa-un stepped up.
“What’s the name of the inn?”
“Luxurious Inn.”
“Got it.”
He asked a passerby nearby where the Luxurious Inn was.
“Thanks.”
After thanking the passerby who gave detailed directions, Seol Hwa-un said.
“Now I know the way. Follow me.”
“Yes.”
Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at Seol Hwa-un’s broad back while following him.
‘He really is a handsome man. So reliable.’
Gu Hye-ryeong felt pleased at the thought of having an intimate dinner alone with Seol Hwa-un.
But things didn’t go as easily as she hoped.
“Sorry, guests. We have no empty seats right now…….”
“Couldn’t a spot open up soon?”
Gu Hye-ryeong clung to a thread of hope and asked again, but the Luxurious Inn’s waiter shook his head.
“There are already over ten people waiting…… I won’t stop you if you want to wait, but it’ll be at least half a shichen.”
Gu Hye-ryeong looked frustrated.
“Ugh! No helping it. Seol young hero, let’s go to another inn.”
“…….”
But it was pointless. It was peak dinner time, and most inns were full.
It wasn’t usually like this, but the aftermath of the Righteous Heaven Alliance Lord’s inauguration had drawn crowds.
“Th-this can’t be!”
Seol Hwa-un spoke to her as she despaired.
“How about just going to the Righteous Heaven Alliance’s dining hall?”
“No way!”
Going back would mean eating with the Dark King Sect group or the North Sea Ice Palace crew.
‘I’m definitely eating alone with him no matter what!’
But Gu Hye-ryeong’s determination alone wasn’t enough.
They wandered inns for over two gak but failed to find an empty seat.
‘If I’d known, I should’ve just said we’d wait at the Luxurious Inn.’
Thinking about it, waiting alone with Seol Hwa-un wouldn’t have been bad.
‘There’s no place as good as that inn, though. Should we go back?’
Just then, Seol Hwa-un muttered.
“Hm, it’ll be trouble if we’re much later.”
“Huh?”
“I have evening training with my subordinates. What to do…….”
That was when something caught Gu Hye-ryeong’s eye.
“How about that place?”
“Hm?”
The spot she pointed to was a noodle street stall.
Seol Hwa-un looked surprised.
“I don’t mind, but is that okay with you? Given your status, young lady Gu, I doubt you’ve ever eaten at a street stall.”
Gu Hye-ryeong smiled brightly.
“You’re right. But I’ve always wanted to try it once.”
“Understood. Let’s eat there then.”
Upon arriving at the stall, Seol Hwa-un politely greeted.
“Granny, two bowls of noodles please.”
The stall’s old woman said without even looking up.
“Ten nyang in iron coins.”
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes widened slightly.
“That’s pricey for a street stall.”
“Don’t want it? Then don’t eat!”
“Haha, no, that’s fine.”
With crowds flooding Hefei, prices had soared accordingly. The stall had no choice but to follow suit.
Seol Hwa-un handed over the iron coins without hesitation, and the old woman deftly poured broth over bowls filled with noodles and various vegetables once she took the money.
Soon, two bowls of noodles were ready.
“Here!”
The bowls were large, and the portions generous. Seol Hwa-un took both.
“Thank you.”
“Eat quick and go.”
“Yes.”
Seol Hwa-un passed one bowl to Gu Hye-ryeong and grabbed some chopsticks stuck haphazardly in a holder.
“Ah!”
Gu Hye-ryeong’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the noodle bowl.
“It looks delicious.”
Seol Hwa-un also smiled faintly.
“Good. Let’s go over there.”
Many people were already sitting on small stools by the roadside, slurping noodles. Seol Hwa-un led her to a relatively less crowded spot.
They sat facing each other on the small stools.
“Use these.”
“Yes.”
Gu Hye-ryeong took the chopsticks Seol Hwa-un offered and brought her nose to the noodles.
“Mmm, smells great.”
She grabbed a big clump of noodles with her chopsticks and stuffed them into her mouth.
Slurp.
The moment she carefully chewed the noodles.
“……!”
Her eyes went wide.
“It’s delicious!”
“Hahaha.”
Starving as she was, she began devouring the noodles voraciously.
Even with the veil, she ate without any awkwardness, as if accustomed to it.
‘Wow, why haven’t I tried something like this before?’
Seol Hwa-un smiled warmly and soon focused on his own meal.
A moment later.
“Wah! I’m stuffed!”
Surprisingly, she polished off the entire bowl, broth and all.
Even Seol Hwa-un couldn’t hide his surprise.
‘Huh, I thought she’d leave some with that portion size.’
“Ugh, I ate so mindlessly because it was too good…….”
She clutched her bulging belly with a pained expression.
“I’ll have to eat here often.”
Gu Hye-ryeong said excitedly.
“You’re right! I regret not knowing how good this was all this time.”
A glint appeared in Seol Hwa-un’s eyes.
‘I thought she was delicately raised, but she has this unexpected side too.’
“Actually, many street stalls taste bad. In those cases, picking a crowded one like this lowers the chance of disappointment.”
“I see.”
With that, the two opened up and chatted about this and that. Contrary to appearances, Gu Hye-ryeong had a straightforward personality, and they got along surprisingly well.
“……They wouldn’t let me go out like that. I resented it back then, but now I understand. I think I get a bit of what it’s like to be a father with a daughter.”
“I see.”
“But I still throw tantrums sometimes…… Oh, have I been talking only about myself?”
“It’s fine. It was a pleasant conversation. ……That said, there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”
At his words, Gu Hye-ryeong’s eyes sparkled.
“Ask away. Oh, and for reference, I don’t have a lover yet.”
Seol Hwa-un’s expression turned serious.
“If it’s difficult, you don’t have to answer. It seems like the Dark King Sect might target me soon— what do you think, young lady?”
The unexpected question made Gu Hye-ryeong’s face stiffen.
“Are you…… asking me to leak information about my sect right now?”
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“No. I’m just curious about the atmosphere. As I said, it’s fine if it’s difficult.”
“…….”
“I just wanted to convey my stance. At the very least, I don’t want any clashes with the Dark King Sect during the truce period.”
“What, are you scared of our sect?”
“Of course not. The Ice Palace fears no enemy. Promises exist to be kept, so I just don’t want to lose trust.”
Gu Hye-ryeong suddenly snapped to attention.
‘Right. No matter how much I like this man…… we’re enemies.’
Her expression quickly turned sullen.
Whether he sensed Gu Hye-ryeong’s feelings or not, Seol Hwa-un added.
“I also think relations between our sects can improve anytime.”
“……!”
“For example, if you and I build a good relationship, it could reduce hostilities even a little.”
Gu Hye-ryeong’s eyes lit up brightly.
* * *
The moment news arrived that Gu Hye-ryeong had returned, Pa Cheon-gun came rushing.
“Hye-ryeong! Is it true you ditched your escort warriors to go eat with that North Heaven Dragon bastard?”
Sure enough. In the rear garden of their lodging, Gu Hye-ryeong’s escort warriors were kowtowing on the dirt ground.
Gu Hye-ryeong answered calmly.
“Yes.”
Pa Cheon-gun pleaded earnestly.
“Hye-ryeong, I’ve told you many times, but the North Heaven Dragon is the enemy. What if that bastard had bad intentions and kidnapped you?”
“Do you know what kind of evil sect guy he is?”
“Huh?”
“The North Heaven Dragon isn’t Orthodox, but he walks the righteous path more than any Orthodox. That’s why he’s trustworthy.”
Gu Hye-ryeong narrowed her eyes and pressed him.
“Father, are you still planning to attack this strategist and the North Heaven Dragon?”
“Ahem! That’s…….”
“Please keep the truce you promised the North Sea Ice Palace. You’re the top evil sect— are you that scared of the North Heaven Dragon that you can’t honor a simple promise?”
“……!”
“I don’t ask for anything else. Just keep the truce promise. Otherwise…… I’ll be really disappointed in you, Father.”
Pa Cheon-gun couldn’t hide his dismay.
“H-Hye-ryeong!”
“I’ve said all I have to say.”
She left the room just like that.
“…….”
Left alone, Pa Cheon-gun stared blankly before slowly speaking.
“Yi strategist.”
At his call, Yi Jeong-myeong entered from outside.
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“You heard?”
“Yes.”
“Phew.”
Pa Cheon-gun let out a deep sigh and said.
“……Cancel the plan.”
Yi Jeong-myeong’s pupils shook violently.
“But, Sect Leader!”
“Do it. Say no more.”
He had no choice but to bow his head.
“……Understood.”