Hebei's Finest (2)
The woman spoke after hearing the story.
"That young master of yours is too much. Anyone can see your brother here has a weak body—making him work so hard isn't right, is it?"
She pointed from Cheolno's head to his toes with her index finger, her face full of pity.
Cheolno's coppery face shook with delight.
In truth, anyone would see Cheolno as sturdy and robust.
He might not practice martial arts, but his physique alone rivaled that of a first-rate warrior.
It was the kind of situation where anyone would sigh and think the woman's eyes were playing tricks on her.
But Cheolno just waved happily.
"Our young master isn't like that. And the important thing is, my body's not weak. Back in my day..."
Cheolno thumped his chest and launched into one of his tall tales starting with "back in my day."
After bragging until his mouth went dry, Cheolno suddenly remembered something and glanced around quickly.
"Oh, right—are the preparations ready?"
The woman answered his serious question.
"Yes, Brother Cheolno. I've got everything set. I even bathed and purified myself for today."
"Aw, you didn't have to go that far."
"No, you said cleanliness is essential for this."
As the woman scratched the back of her head, Cheolno nodded.
"Well, yeah—cleanliness is the basics for this job."
"Exactly."
"Alright, then. Let's get started."
"Yes, Brother Cheolno."
With that, the woman led the way.
She headed to the kitchen, directly opposite the inn's main entrance.
Entering the kitchen, shrouded by heavy curtains, she pointed to a large cutting board.
"These are the ingredients you mentioned, Brother. I prepared as much as I could."
"Good. Now let's begin."
Finishing his words, Cheolno rolled up his sleeves first and washed his hands in the prepared water nearby.
The woman watched him with a dazed expression.
Her name was Jang Sujung.
She had inherited and now ran this place, the Crystal Noodle Shop, from her father.
But what she took the most pride in wasn't the shop itself.
It was the cooking secrets her father had passed down to her.
Those secrets had thankfully caught on with the locals, keeping her afloat.
Then one day, a stranger came in, devoured the dumplings with relish, and let out a sigh.
His blissful eating had her expecting praise, but that sudden sigh piqued her curiosity.
Out of curiosity, she asked—and out came a scathing critique of her dumplings.
It struck a nerve with Jang Sujung.
It was the first time as an adult she'd grabbed someone by the collar and fought.
They went at it so fiercely she even tore the man's collar.
That man was Cheolno.
After their fight and parting ways, Jang Sujung mulled over his words.
'Dumplings have to taste like dumplings!'
'The flavor shouldn't leak out—it needs to be locked inside to bring out the true taste.'
'The dough has to be like this. And like that.' And so on.
They were all spot on.
Which only made her feel more bitter.
That was her first encounter with Cheolno, now a bittersweet memory tucked away.
On a day when she was smirking wryly, thinking their meeting was fated enmity, Cheolno showed up at closing time with food packed in a bamboo steamer.
He slammed it on the table and tossed out a single line.
'Give it a try.'
Half-doubting, she picked up a dumpling and bit in.
The thrill of that moment...
Her reverie broke at the sound of Cheolno kneading dough.
Thud. Thud.
Under Cheolno's deft hands, the dough danced across the cutting board.
Jang Sujung drank in the sight.
That skill was one she'd seen a lot lately.
After their first meeting, Cheolno would drop by occasionally to make dumplings for her.
Thanks to him, the Crystal Noodle Shop was booming now.
The taste of Hebei's finest, appearing unpredictably at the shop.
Not knowing when it would come only tormented the people of Hebei Province and made their mouths water more.
Jang Sujung wanted that taste for herself.
Cheolno had gladly agreed to her request.
Today was the day he'd pass on the secret.
Thud. Thud.
As he kneaded, Cheolno glanced at Jang Sujung.
"The dough needs just the right amount of air. Watch closely."
Thud.
He slammed the dough onto the large board.
Jang Sujung nodded carefully at the display.
"Yes, Brother Cheolno."
At her words, Cheolno focused back on the dough.
Why did Cheolno hold such affection for dumplings?
The reason lay with Han Bin.
Back when Han Bin was bullied in the family, all Cheolno could do for him was make his favorite dumplings.
Tailoring them to Han Bin's taste led Cheolno to make them himself, perfecting the current recipe.
* * *
Cheolno and Jang Sujung's dawn hours flew by.
As opening time approached for the Crystal Noodle Shop, Cheolno emerged from the kitchen and sat by the window.
Jang Sujung, having tidied up the kitchen, sat across from him.
"What are you thinking about so deeply, Brother Cheolno?"
"Our young master just popped into my head."
"Again with the young master?"
"Nah, not exactly about him—about the friend who became his disciple."
"What about him?"
"His name's Yi Mu-myeong. After first crossing swords with our young master, he said it reminded him of the legend of Baek Ya and Jong Gi-gi."
"That's a story about the qin, isn't it?"
"The sword's like music, he said. Finding someone who truly gets your sword made him feel like Baek Ya. But that's how I feel."
"What do you mean, Brother?"
"You're the one who truly gets the real taste of my dumplings."
Cheolno gave Jang Sujung an awkward smile.
"... "
Jang Sujung blushed without a word.
Noticing, Cheolno asked,
"You feeling okay? You look flushed—maybe we overdid it since dawn."
"N-no, I'm fine."
"Shouldn't you rest today?"
"No."
She averted her gaze and waved it off.
Just then, the shop's door opened with the chime of a wind bell.
Ding.
Cheolno remarked,
"First customer's here. Better head back."
"The errand boy hasn't arrived yet. And we don't open for another hour anyway."
With that, Jang Sujung scurried to the customer, announced closing time, and sent him away.
Back at her seat, she told Cheolno,
"Got it. But one thing you should know."
"What’s that?"
Cheolno tilted his head, and she smiled.
"Hee-hee. You're not the only one who knows how great Brother Cheolno's dumplings are."
"Aw, you were the second to truly get it."
"And the first was the young master?"
"Now you get it."
They were chatting when the door opened again.
Jang Sujung turned and her eyes widened.
Cheolno asked,
"What's up?"
"Keep your voice down, Brother Cheolno. Those guys look like rough customers."
She whispered tensely.
Cheolno glanced at the newcomers.
There were four of them.
Black snake tattoos marked their necks.
Cheolno, who ate at the Hebei Paeng Family's table, was part of the martial world in a way.
As the saying went, even a dog in a private academy could recite poetry after three years—Cheolno knew the sects around Hebei well enough.
Those black snakes on their necks belonged to the Black Snake Gate, a Sapa group with some pull in the Hebei region.
Among Sapa, the Black Snake Gate was notoriously brazen.
The biggest reason? No one had the power to rein them in.
Though based north of the river, they weren't part of the North River Sapa Alliance.
They were a subordinate group of the White Snake Gate, the largest Sapa south of the river, and answered to the South River Sapa Alliance.
That let them act with impunity.
One of them shouted toward Cheolno's table.
"Hey! Take our order already!"
As Jang Sujung started to rise, Cheolno grabbed her hand.
Best to humor them and send them on their way, he figured.
He hurried over, bowed, and asked,
"What can I get for you?"
"Heard the dumplings here are famous. Twenty plates, and five bottles of bamboo leaf liquor. Quick!"
"Yes, sir. Right away."
Cheolno bowed again and rushed to Jang Sujung.
The two dashed to the kitchen to prepare.
One of the men watching them eyed the scene with greed.
His name was Seol Muik.
Son of the Black Snake Gate lord.
He excelled more in schemes than martial arts.
Stealing others' livelihoods for profit was his daily bread.
Seol Muik had spent a long stretch in Henan at the call of the main sect, White Snake Gate.
Back on Hebei soil after so long, he buzzed with excitement for the trouble he'd stir.
First up: this Crystal Noodle Shop.
He'd come for the dumplings famous even in the capital.
Plan was to steal the recipe and take over the shop.
Moments later.
Cheolno laid out twenty plates of dumplings on Seol Muik's table.
"Your dumplings, sirs."
"And the liquor?"
Seol Muik glanced at them and asked. Cheolno bowed slightly and set down the bamboo leaf liquor.
"Liquor as well."
"Good. You're dismissed."
Seol Muik waved him off.
Heading back to the kitchen, Cheolno cocked his head.
Something felt off.
Twenty plates of dumplings?
Even for martial artists, that was excessive.
And here they were, ignoring the food they'd waited for and scanning the shop.
As Cheolno eyed them suspiciously from the kitchen,
Jang Sujung whispered,
"What's wrong, Brother Cheolno?"
"Something fishy's up."
"Should I get ready to report to the authorities?"
"Yeah, signal me if I gesture."
"Got it, Brother."
Jang Sujung nodded grimly.
The time to sip a cup of tea passed.
Then Cheolno's worry came true.
A loud slam shook the table.
Bang!
The stacked plates of dumplings flew into the air.
Crash. Clatter.
Dumplings scattered like a fountain, raining to the floor.
Splat. Roll.
Steamed buns and bowls tumbled across the ground.
Cheolno signaled Jang Sujung, then rushed over.
"Sirs, what seems to be the problem?"
"Get the chef out here."
"Tell me instead."
Cheolno bowed, and Seol Muik pointed to a half-eaten dumpling on the table.
"What's this?"
"Something wrong with the dumpling?"
"Look here. Why's there a silver needle in it? I nearly died eating this."
"A silver needle?"
"You blind? See?"
Seol Muik dug into the dumpling, pulled out the needle, and shoved it in Cheolno's face.
Cheolno narrowed his eyes at it.
It was definitely a silver needle. But no way it was in a dumpling he and Jang Sujung made.
This was a frame job.
Cheolno met Seol Muik's gaze calmly.
The greed in those eyes wasn't simple.
Having endured years of torment from the young masters at the Hebei Paeng Family, Cheolno knew what that look meant.
This wasn't petty trouble—something bigger lurked.
Best not to get tangled deeper. Cheolno said politely,
"No charge for the food, sirs."
"Think this ends with comped food? What about the cut in my mouth?"
Seol Muik grabbed a dumpling and hurled it at Cheolno's face.
Splat.
Cheolno dodged in an instant.
Seol Muik smirked.
"Well, aren't you quick?"
To his taunt, Cheolno replied gravely,
"How would you like us to compensate you?"
Seol Muik's eyes gleamed.
"Compensate? You think you're in a position to?"
"Not me—but our young master can."
As he spoke, Cheolno recalled Han Bin's parting words.
Han Bin had told him: if anything he couldn't handle came up, bring it to Cheonsu Manor.
Cheolno planned to follow that now.