Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Flower Plucking
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'Surprisingly, these three have formed a bond like sworn siblings... But why on earth did Elder Song Myeong-cheon end up at odds with this Tak Bu-yong? He looks perfectly decent...'
The scenes flashed by once more. At first, it had made him dizzy, but now Han Ibi was getting used to it.
Bok Yeon-hwa was still as beautiful as ever.
But... he noticed a stark difference in her expression.
A smile.
A genuine smile.
Her radiant smile shone even brighter when she was with Song Myeong-cheon than when she was with Tak Bu-yong.
Tak Bu-yong was no fool. Han Ibi could sense the deep unease in his expression.
'Ah-ha! I get it now. This woman, Bok Yeon-hwa, must have feelings for Elder Song, not Tak Bu-yong. She treats him warmly, sure, but it feels more like the affection between siblings than romantic love. Haha. What is it about the elder that charms her so...'
The scenes flashed by again, and soon it was the day of Bok Yeong-jeon's sixtieth birthday banquet.
The Qingcheng Sect's scale had shrunk considerably, but its lingering fame still drew envoys from various mid- and small-sized factions in droves to offer congratulations.
As such, the event was quite lively.
Among them, the most standout guests were undoubtedly Yeon Tae-nam and Tak Bu-yong from the Wudang Sect.
Just those two elevated the banquet's prestige several times over.
The other guests were all scrambling to build connections with the Wudang representatives while they had the chance.
'Sheesh. Politics is the same everywhere you go...'
Then, Bok Yeon-hwa and Tak Bu-yong whispered in a corner before seeming to reach some agreement.
The moment they grabbed passing Song Myeong-cheon...
Han Ibi was once again absorbed into the young Song Myeong-cheon.
Bok Yeon-hwa grinned and said,
"Come on, let's go."
Han Ibi asked in confusion,
"Go where?"
Bok Yeon-hwa frowned and replied,
"What? Didn't you hear? We're parting ways tomorrow."
At that moment, Tak Bu-yong, who had been in the background behind her, winked with one eye and mimed tipping back a drink.
Only then did Han Ibi realize that the hardcore drinker wanted one last round.
The sixtieth banquet was already heating up anyway.
Everyone was desperate to share a drink with Yeon Tae-nam, one of the true powers in the current martial world.
No one seemed to care if a few young disciples slipped away.
With nothing better to do, Han Ibi decided to follow them.
Bok Yeon-hwa and Tak Bu-yong headed to a remote guest hall.
The place was practically abandoned, half in ruins.
Long ago, back when the Qingcheng Sect was at its peak...
It had been hastily built to accommodate overflow visitors.
Now, aside from the occasional cleaner, no one set foot there.
Perfect for a secret party.
The three entered the largest room. Someone was already inside.
A familiar face. Senior Brother Gu Gab-hwi.
Gu Gab-hwi winked at the arriving group. A lavish spread of pilfered baijiu and food was laid out.
Bok Yeon-hwa beamed brightly and said,
"Thank you, Senior Brother Gu. Your skills are as outstanding as ever."
Gu Gab-hwi chuckled and struck a pompous pose.
"Of course. Who do you think I am? Heh heh heh. And... it's for our lovely junior sister, whom we won't see for a long while after tomorrow, right?"
Tak Bu-yong grinned mischievously and cupped his fists in formal greeting.
"Tak Bu-yong of Wudang sincerely thanks Hero Gu for his generosity."
Gu Gab-hwi waved his hand dismissively.
"Oh, come on, Hero Tak. Don't say that. If we ever share a table in the future, just don't pretend you don't know me."
His acting was so over-the-top, like a scheming sycophant, that the four burst into laughter without realizing it.
Han Ibi thought,
'Whoa... this takes me back to those college MT trips.'
Gu Gab-hwi said,
"Well then, I've done my part, so I'll be off now..."
Tak Bu-yong interjected,
"No, no, what are you saying? You've gone to all the trouble of preparing this. You have to join us."
Gu Gab-hwi scratched his head and replied,
"Well... I'm not much of a drinker..."
Bok Yeon-hwa shot him a glare.
"Senior Brother, are you trying to run away? Sit down already."
Gu Gab-hwi raised his cupped fists awkwardly over his head.
"Oh dear, you ghosts who live in liquor jars. This humble one can't keep up, so please let me go unscathed. Hey! Myeong-cheon! What are you doing? Your senior brother's in a bind here. You know I can't hold my drink!"
Han Ibi grinned and said,
"Yeah, sure... Take a seat."
"What? You little punk..."
Bok Yeon-hwa quickly shoved Gu Gab-hwi's back, forcing him to sit.
"Come on, Senior Brother. Let's drink before the snacks get cold."
Gu Gab-hwi feigned utter despair.
"Alas, these people... repaying kindness with enmity."
Tak Bu-yong burst into hearty laughter. He looked even more handsome when he laughed.
"My apologies, Hero Gu. Next time you're at Wudang Mountain, I'll treat you to a big one, so don't feel slighted."
Gu Gab-hwi shuddered dramatically.
"Oh no! Don't say that, Hero Tak. If you pour me one, I'll end up drowning in booze without a clue."
Bok Yeon-hwa poured a cup and boldly raised it.
"What, wait until then to die? Let's drop dead right now!"
"Eek, I'm doomed."
Gu Gab-hwi looked miserable, face scrunched up, but he didn't seem truly upset.
And so their little private banquet began.
The mood quickly heated up, toasting back and forth until it rivaled the main event.
Topics ranged from the current state of the martial world and national worries to idle gossip about celebrities' scandals.
Universal across nations and eras.
The first to drop, as predicted, was Gu Gab-hwi.
"Eek... I'm... hic... done for. Gonna head out first."
He wobbled like a top but somehow staggered out without falling.
By then, everyone was nicely buzzed, so no one stopped him.
Only Bok Yeon-hwa said,
"Senior Brother, thanks for today. Want us to walk you if you're beat?"
Gu Gab-hwi waved a hand behind his head.
"Nah, don't be ridiculous. I'm not that fragile. Just don't overdo it yourselves."
"Got it, Senior Brother. See you in the morning."
Gu Gab-hwi whistled a tuneless melody as he headed outside.
Han Ibi, downing cup after cup without refusal, felt the buzz rising.
How realistic was this system?
He could even feel the intoxication...
Looking at him now, Elder Song had been a hopeless drunk since youth... No wonder he pounded booze daily...
Then it happened.
Han Ibi felt his sync with Song Myeong-cheon break. A floating sensation, like an out-of-body experience.
Song Myeong-cheon became fully himself again. Han Ibi watched objectively.
'What the? It's not a soccer match... We were just getting to the fun part. Why pull me out now?'
Song Myeong-cheon staggered to his feet.
"Gonna hit the outhouse."
Bok Yeon-hwa said,
"You're not planning to puke and come back, are you?"
"Hmph. No way. I can still handle it."
Song Myeong-cheon was tough as nails.
Meanwhile, Bok Yeon-hwa and Tak Bu-yong's eyes were half-lidded.
In the brief moment Song Myeong-cheon was gone, Bok Yeon-hwa started dozing off while seated.
Tak Bu-yong gently supported her torso, guiding her to slump over the table.
His arm trembled faintly. No matter how kindly Han Ibi tried to interpret it, it looked laced with lust.
'That bastard's been waiting for this... What a black-hearted snake under that pretty face. Well, he's in his prime, after all...'
Tak Bu-yong looked pretty wasted himself. Suddenly, he reached into his robe.
He pulled out an oil-paper packet and held its edge to the liquor bottle.
'What the hell? Is that punk cheating?'
He dumped some powder from the paper and shook the bottle vigorously.
Mixing in some mystery substance.
Then he let out a long sigh, 'Phew-.'
The alcohol had hit him hard; he looked drained.
'Look at that jerk. Can't win fair, so he spikes the booze.'
Han Ibi was sure the powder was some kind of 'meng hun yao' from wuxia tales—an aphrodisiac or knockout drug.
Losing on skill, so he resorts to tricks. Then boasts about his "victory."
Footsteps approached. Song Myeong-cheon was back.
He looked refreshed, like he'd recharged.
That monstrous old man...
Han Ibi desperately wanted to warn him, but he was strictly an observer now.
Tak Bu-yong said boldly,
"Brother Song! Let's go another round!"
Song Myeong-cheon glanced at the passed-out Bok Yeon-hwa and sat, shouting,
Tak Bu-yong filled Song Myeong-cheon's cup—with the drugged liquor, of course.
Song Myeong-cheon reached for it.
"Fine, Brother Tak. Let's do this for real!"
Then—
Bok Yeon-hwa shot up from the table. Tak Bu-yong jolted in shock. She yelled,
"Yeah! Bring it! I'll show you what I've got!"
And in a flash, she snatched and downed the drugged cup.
'Oh no...!'
Han Ibi vaguely recalled a zombie-like female junior from back in the day.
What a headache type.
Tak Bu-yong's face flashed 'screwed' for a split second upon seeing her drink, but he quickly composed himself and refilled Song Myeong-cheon and Bok Yeon-hwa's cups.
'Clink!'
The clear chime rang through the guest hall.
Song Myeong-cheon and Bok Yeon-hwa downed another. But Tak Bu-yong only pretended to drink, secretly dumping his.
Too drunk to notice, unfortunately.
They had two more rounds like that.
The drug took effect slowly at first, but once it kicked in, it was unstoppable.
'Thud!'
With the chair toppling, Song Myeong-cheon collapsed backward. He lay motionless, like death itself, feeling no pain.
Bok Yeon-hwa slumped over the table again.
"I win."
Tak Bu-yong muttered.
Winning like this seemed crucially important to him.
He stared at the fallen pair for a moment, then stood.
He shook Bok Yeon-hwa's shoulder.
"Junior Sister. Wake up. Junior Sister."
He shook harder. She didn't stir.
Tak Bu-yong hesitated briefly but decided he couldn't leave her like this.
He hoisted her onto his back. The limp body felt heavier than usual, forcing him to circulate his qi.
Her skin was warm against his back. Soft and yielding. Her breath tickled his neck from behind.
Soft... soft...
The rhythmic breathing's allure.
As Tak Bu-yong walked, he felt as if he'd taken the aphrodisiac himself.
He shook his head vigorously and muttered,
"You idiot. This isn't a brothel."
Five more steps, and he muttered again,
"You fool. She's... not a courtesan."
'Huff-! Huff-!'
Yet his breathing grew ragged. Unbefitting a rising star of the martial world carrying just one woman.
But that breath... tickling his ear...
Tak Bu-yong's face flushed crimson.
And then... he abruptly flung open another room's door and entered.
Han Ibi was utterly shocked.
'What the hell is that bastard doing?'
(To be continued)