Chapter 87

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 87

Chapter Title: Partings Make Reunions All the Sweeter (2)

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If Older Sister Seol was a cyber happy-happi ghost...

Then Narang and I were like living, breathing happy girls charging at me at full tension.

I’m not that much of an extrovert, so sometimes they drain my energy a bit.

But still, something about their warmth gets to me...

"Kyuit!"

"Hehe, Young Master. You must've waited a long time. Are you hungry?"

"No, I just got here myself."

"Phew! Eutssa!"

Ever since I asked on Murim Talk if she'd eaten lunch, I'd been secretly looking forward to it a little.

The moment Narang set the massive bundle on the table, a savory aroma began wafting up enticingly.

This is...!

Something I'd never experienced in my past or current life.

The legendary bento date that only existed in dramas...!

My heart swelled.

"Hmm, I wonder if it'll suit your taste, Young Master. But you've helped me out so, so much these past days—I really wanted to treat you once. Hehe."

Narang beamed innocently as she neatly placed eight stacked food boxes on the table with skillful hands.

I'd been worried one might be empty, but...

"Whoa..."

The food was packed so neatly and abundantly that pure admiration escaped my lips.

And it didn't stop there.

She started artfully transferring the side dishes from the boxes into a variety of bowls and plates.

Is this the elegance of a cooking pouch...?

"Kyuuit!"

"No, Darami! Young Master hasn't eaten yet."

"Kyuhiiing..."

Darami, eyeing the nuts in the dessert box—peeled by hand, no less—got scolded and made a sad face.

"Haha... It's fine. You haven't eaten either, right, Narang? Let's dig in together. Here, Darami, have one."

I grabbed a handful of peanuts and placed them in front of Darami.

"Kyuit!"

Darami wagged her fluffy squirrel tail like a loyal dog and bared her front teeth.

I picked up my chopsticks and began savoring the feast.

"This flavor...!"

Trollololong!

Ooh! Ooooh!

A Big Bang of sensations exploded at the tip of my tongue in an instant.

This was bliss...

No, exquisite taste!

"Narang, you cook amazingly well...!"

Not flattery, but genuine praise poured from my mouth.

"Hehe, it's nothing. I'm so glad you like it!"

Narang smiled brightly and accepted the compliment lightly.

Usually, I'd eat anything like a mutt without complaint.

But I had standards when it came to food—my palate was picky.

And by my judgment...

It was nearly two Michelin stars' worth of excellence.

No wonder she had no talent for martial arts.

Her gift was in cooking...!

"Here, want to try this too?"

!

Huh?!

Narang was feeding me directly—with chopsticks...!

I couldn't pass up this chance.

I leaned in coolly and chomped the meatball.

As I savored that deeply moving taste…

"Huh...?"

I spotted something that shouldn't exist in this era or place, lurking like a spy.

"Hehe, you noticed! Try that one too. I made it after hearing you mention it last time, but I'm not sure if I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠got the taste right."

I picked up a piece with my chopsticks as if entranced and popped it in my mouth.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Thinly sliced meat.

Based in soy sauce, tenderized with apples and onions, then simmered with finely chopped mushrooms for flavor, and grilled to perfection.

Korean bulgogi...!

Of course, this primitive ancient uncivilized China had soy-based meat stews too.

But unlike their overt honey sweetness, the subtle fruit notes and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness were incomparable.

It brought back that sushi buffet–level emotion from before..

"It's really, really delicious..."

I'd only mentioned it casually, like "there was this dish I want to try again someday," as a nostalgic topic.

Yet she remembered.

And recreated it this perfectly.

One round of applause for her cooking skills.

One for her attentive memory.

One for her warm heart in making it.

I engraved three waves of emotion in my heart and devoured the bulgogi.

After stuffing myself until even my trained abs protested, belly full to bursting...

"That was truly delicious."

"I'm glad it suited your taste! I prepared it from dawn. Hehe."

"From dawn...?"

The variety suggested she'd started the day before, but who cares when she began?

What mattered was the care packed inside.

"You've helped me so much, but I haven't repaid you properly... You overlooked my bad deeds with Darami, taught me the Heavenly Beast Heart-Returning Art. Thank you so much!"

Now that she mentioned it...

Hmm, I'd definitely shaped one person.

The burden melted away, replaced by comfort.

"No need to thank me. You've made my time here enjoyable too."

At least for eye candy happiness, Narang was undisputed No. 1.

Uuu...

Mamma...

"Yes?"

"Ah, nothing."

I shook off the food devil in my head tempting my tummy.

"Where are you headed, Narang?"

"Me? I'm from the Jeomchang Sect! In Yunnan! Close to home, so that's good. Hehe."

"Is the Beast Palace in Yunnan?"

"Yes. Near a city called Xishuangbanna, a bit south. Hehe."

Unfamiliar name, but here, nodding makes me a pro listener.

Here goes.

A bit more courage.

"I'm taking my grade completion exam at the Tang Family in Sichuan, but I have business in Yunnan too. Mind if I visit sometime? I like animals. Haha."

I expected ready agreement.

"Uh, um..."

...Narang hesitated slightly.

No way.

Was it one-sided...? Only I felt the chemistry...!

The bento was just pure gratitude...!

As embarrassment flooded my cerebral cortex...

"One month!"

Narang suddenly shouted.

"Come in one month...! I have some tidying up to do, so...!"

Her eyes burned with resolve, fists clenched tight.

What?

Conquer the Beast Palace with her fists in a month and greet me as champion?

No lie in her words.

It was a deferral, not refusal.

"Haha, got it."

I laughed heartily, promising our next meeting.

* * *

One week later.

"Then, I'll be off."

"How long since academy life ended, and you're off on another long trip... Take care, Sihyeon."

"Yes, Mother."

"Bring back treats!"

"Eat peanuts in the kitchen."

After flipping off Geum Siyoo...

I exited the Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress gates.

I desperately wanted more rest, but...

Everyone else had already left Xi'an.

Narang shared a final feast with me then headed straight to Yunnan; I saw her off beyond the city gates.

Luri left three days ago.

- I, don't wanna, go...!

Too spoiled as my pet Luri.

She showed separation anxiety, clinging and whining until Teacher Ttolbu dragged her off by the nape.

At least whispering, "Partings make reunions sweeter, Luri," helped calm her a bit.

I worship you, Changseop...

Ah, not a direct oracle from Changseop God.

Anyway.

Older Sister Seol and Yongtaek headed far north, muttering about Harbin Station or whatever.

Even on departure day, Kyungdu-jang spammed the gallery with nonsense.

Mid-post, she seemed to sober up—maybe took meds—but anyway, "stamping the dojo" sounded like a real estate grab.

I prayed for her mooning.

And.

- I'd love to travel together, but I need to stop by our Chongqing headquarters. Want to swing by the Beggars' Sect with me, Brother Geum?

- Haha! Brother Sihyeon, I'm heading home to the family first, then off on a mission.

Unhak and Brother Nangong visited home then left for missions too.

"Kyau!"

"Yeah, yeah. Ate well, rested well? I'll let you run wild soon, so hang in there today."

"Kyauu...!"

Just me and the wolf pup on the journey.

Better that way.

No telling after the Tang Family.

My path ahead wouldn't be smooth; dragging friends along risked them too.

Didn't want others endangered for me.

Plus, alone, certain people would pounce.

Riding the wolf pup or official roads would've been faster, but...

I deliberately took quiet mountain ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠paths at a leisurely pace.

How long had I walked?

The presence I'd detected with Soul Moon Divine Eyes long ago approached boldly.

Confirmed no one around, huh.

Moments later.

"Geum Sihyeon, on the official road? Meeting here."

The man from Hundred Flowers Academy whose grudge I hadn't settled properly.

Nangong Baek blocked my path.

"Coincidences don't exist. This must be fate, Instructor Nangong... Or would 'Azure Heaven Society dog' suit you better?"

Nangong Baek's face twitched uncomfortably, then smoothed into a smile.

"Still so arrogant. Cutting down riffraff bandits doesn't make a peak expert easy prey."

Nangong Baek slowly drew his sword.

More words were just boring philosophizing.

Daring to bare teeth at me twice, failing both times, now stepping up personally?

I invoked the Chugwi Eunhyeong from the former Ghost Killer Squad leader.

Further, I summoned the essence of Dark Assassination.

"Wh-what?!"

As Nangong Baek lost my position and panicked...

My body was already behind him.

"What, you're easy."

Mad? Learn assassin arts next life.

I swung at his neck.