Then I'll Prepare You
Jo Un stood speechless for a long while. He stared blankly up at Kang Yeon floating in midair, mouth hanging open. With the sun at his back, Kang Yeon stood naturally in the air as if it were solid ground, looking for all the world like an immortal.
"Is... is this real?"
Jo Un muttered in a trembling voice. Kang Yeon slowly descended. Landing lightly on the ground, he grinned at Jo Un.
"Hard to believe, I know. But it's true."
Jo Un sank onto a stone in the backyard as if his legs had given out. He clutched his head and muttered.
"Then... then our family has been living with the strongest man in Murim this whole time? The Kang Yeon I've known since I was a kid is the Absolute Martial God?"
Memories of childhood raced through Jo Un's mind—playing together, the occasional pranks, and the day Kang Yeon had suddenly vanished. Everything took on a new meaning now.
"Then the reason you left the inn..."
"Murim business. I was too young to explain it properly back then."
The moment he had woken in the inn and realized he was from Earth, Kang Yeon had sensed the immense power hidden within him. He simply hadn't known how to use it yet. Only after growing to a certain point did he understand why that power had been given to him.
So he had left the inn that very day.
He wandered Murim and accumulated countless experiences.
And once everything was settled, he returned to the inn. Explaining all that had happened in between would have been far too long and difficult.
Jo Un shook his head.
"I just can't believe it. No—I do believe it, but... it's too much of a shock. So I've been speaking casually to the Absolute Martial God this whole time?"
Kang Yeon snorted a laugh.
"What does that matter? I'm just Kang Yeon, the cook at the West Lake Number One Inn."
"No way! The Absolute Martial God is... he's a legend! And that legend is our Kang Yeon?!"
There was a strange mix of excitement and pride in Jo Un's voice. As a martial artist, he had always looked up to the Absolute Martial God. The fact that the legendary figure was his own family was simply astonishing.
"Hyung, keep this a secret from Uncle and Seol for now."
"Why? They're family. Why hide it? Father and Seol aren't the type to treat you differently just because you're the Absolute Martial God."
Jo Un made an awkward face.
"Well... I might change a bit myself..."
Kang Yeon's expression turned serious.
"Just knowing I'm the Absolute Martial God can put people in danger. Especially Seol—she's still young."
Jo Un nodded.
Only now did he understand why Kang Yeon had pulled him out of the martial hall.
"So something truly dangerous could happen?"
"It's already started."
Kang Yeon explained the Black Wind Association incident to Jo Un in detail. By the time he finished, Jo Un's face had gone grave.
"If I'd still been there, I really could've been in serious trouble."
"Yeah. They wouldn't have left you alone—one way or another."
They still didn't know Blood Shadow Tower's true intentions or who stood behind them. But anyone targeting the Absolute Martial God had to be a formidable force.
"Anyway. From now on, stay at the inn. Help with the cooking, and I'll teach you martial arts bit by bit."
Jo Un's face lit up.
"Th... thank you. Yeon."
The next morning, an unusual atmosphere hung over the inn. From early on, Dan U-ryeong had been moving through every corner of the building, installing something.
"Dan Oppa, what are you doing?"
Jo Seol, sweeping the yard, asked with curious eyes. Dan U-ryeong was carving something into the ground and the building itself—patterns that, even at a glance, were far from ordinary.
"This? We've been getting more customers, so I'm tightening security a bit."
"Security?"
"Yeah. The inn's gotten famous, so the occasional strange character shows up. Just installing some defensive measures just in case."
Jo Seol nodded at the explanation. Thinking of the Blood Wolf Pavilion, Crimson Lotus Gate, and everything else that had happened in such a short time, preparing ahead of time didn't seem like a bad idea.
"Good thinking. Our family's safety comes first. Want me to help?"
"No need. This is precision work—better if I do it alone."
Just then, Nang Hyeon showed interest as well.
"Young Master Dan, that formation doesn't look ordinary."
Nang Hyeon had plenty of Murim experience. He could tell the formation Dan U-ryeong was installing was no common thing.
"It's not that impressive. Just an alarm system. Enough to let us know if someone dangerous arrives."
Installing the Infinite Eight Gates Formation would take time, so this was a temporary supplement.
Of course, "not that impressive" was by Dan U-ryeong's standards. Once Dan U-ryeong finished the basic structure of the formation, Kang Yeon appeared.
"Perfect timing. Formation's done—give it a once-over."
Kang Yeon stirred his energy lightly and checked the installation.
"As expected of Dan U-ryeong. The formation's perfect."
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
Nang Hyeon asked as if he'd been waiting for the chance.
"Young Master Dan's skill is truly remarkable. Which sect are you from?"
Kang Yeon and Dan U-ryeong exchanged a glance. When Dan U-ryeong nodded, Kang Yeon shrugged.
"Well... it's about time we told him."
Kang Yeon led Nang Hyeon to the backyard.
And a short while later—
A cry of pure shock erupted from the backyard.
"Whaaaaat?!"
Having joined the inn, Jo Un began learning to cook in the kitchen. Jo Hwan himself stepped forward, declaring he would first teach the fundamentals.
"Un-ah, the first step in cooking is knowing your ingredients."
Jo Hwan laid out fresh vegetables and spoke. His face was full of the joy of a long-awaited moment finally arriving.
"See this radish? Firm and glossy, right? A good radish makes a clear sound when you tap it. Give it a try."
Jo Un awkwardly tapped the radish.
Tok-tok.
The sound was clearer than expected.
"Oh, that sounds nice."
"Right? And this cabbage..."
Jo Hwan continued with passionate explanations. For the first time in his life, Jo Un listened seriously to talk of cooking, something he had always ignored. Strangely, as he listened to his father, he began to realize cooking had its own complexity and depth.
"Father, then how do you pick a good carrot?"
"Ohhh! Excellent question!"
Jo Hwan's eyes sparkled. His son was asking questions of his own accord—even a basic beginner's question got a huge reaction from him.
"Carrots should have a vivid color and a smooth surface. And the root end shouldn't be too split..."
Meanwhile, watching from one side of the kitchen, Kang Yeon snorted a quiet laugh.
"Uncle's really happy."
"Of course. It's been his lifelong wish."
Jo Seol, who had come in specifically to watch Jo Un's first day in the kitchen, whispered beside him.
"Oppa showing interest in cooking... look how happy Dad is."
Indeed, Jo Hwan's expression was as bright as if he'd just won a grand prize.
"All right, now I'll teach you how to hold a knife."
Jo Hwan held up a kitchen knife.
"Hold it like this... and when you cut vegetables..."
Jo Un gripped the knife with clumsy hands. His martial arts training gave him basic stability, but a kitchen knife was completely different from a sword.
"Take it slow. Don't rush. You're still awkward, so focus on accuracy over speed."
Jo Hwan took Jo Un's hands and guided him directly.
"Ah, so that's how."
Jo Un gradually got the hang of it. Thanks to the precision his hands had gained from martial training, he adapted faster than expected.
"Oh? Hyung Un's handwork is pretty decent."
Kang Yeon said with admiration. Jo Seol's eyes sparkled.
"Really? The martial arts practice must be helping."
Kang Yeon nodded.
"It does. Martial arts is ultimately about controlling the body."
Just then—
"Welcome!"
Nang Hyeon's loud voice rang out from the front of the inn—much louder than usual.
"Huh? Looks like a lot of customers."
Kang Yeon stepped out of the kitchen and saw a long line at the entrance. Most of them looked like martial artists.
"Welcome! Please wait just a moment!"
Jo Seol bustled about, guiding the guests. Watching the crowd pour in, the corner of Kang Yeon's mouth curved up in satisfaction.
"Nang Hyeon, way too many customers."
"I know. Today seems especially busy."
Nang Hyeon looked just as puzzled. But the reason for the sudden rush soon became clear. Murmurs rose among the customers.
"I heard the cook here is a martial arts master—is that true?"
"Yesterday at the Black Wind Association hall, Hall Master Jo got knocked out in a single hit, right?"
Listening to the conversations, Kang Yeon pieced it together.
Word of what had happened at the martial hall yesterday had already spread.
"Young Master, what should we do?"
Nang Hyeon asked with a worried face.
"What else? We do business."
Kang Yeon answered calmly and headed back to the kitchen.
"Uncle, Hyung Un! We've got a ton of customers!"
"How many?"
Jo Hwan stepped out of the kitchen and his eyes went wide.
"Wh... what is this? This many people?"
The inn was packed inside and out with people all wanting to taste the West Lake Number One Inn's cooking. Panic flickered across Jo Un's face. His first day helping with the business, and the road ahead already looked brutal.
"Father, what do we do?"
Jo Hwan rolled up his sleeves.
"What else? We cook! Un-ah, real combat from day one!"
Jo Un answered, tensing up as well.
"Y-yes!"
The kitchen instantly became a battlefield. Kang Yeon skillfully prepared multiple dishes at once, while Jo Hwan assigned Jo Un simple tasks and accepted his help. The whole family was mobilized to serve the customers. Jo Un was clumsy at first, but he helped diligently.
"Hyung, you're pretty good at chopping vegetables."
Kang Yeon said, watching Jo Un's knife work. There was still some awkwardness, but his martial training kept his hands steady.
"Yeah? It's more fun than I expected."
Jo Un looked surprised himself. He had only ever been interested in martial training, yet cooking turned out to have its own appeal.
"But once today's business is over, you're really going to teach me martial arts, right?"
Kang Yeon grinned.
"Yeah. Look forward to it."
At those words, strength flowed into Jo Un's hands and he picked up speed. Kang Yeon and Jo Hwan cooked nonstop for hours, sending dish after dish out. Every customer ate with a look of pure satisfaction.
"Just like the Taste Guide said."
"With flavor like this, calling this the best inn at West Lake is no exaggeration."
The family's faces filled with pride at the praise.
"Whew..."
At last, after a morning service that ran longer than usual, the final customer left and peace returned to the inn. Everyone looked exhausted, but they were full of a sense of accomplishment.
"Un-ah, you did really well for your first time."
Jo Hwan clapped Jo Un on the shoulder.
"Running a business was more fun than I thought."
Jo Un said honestly. He was genuinely starting to find cooking interesting. It almost made him understand why Kang Yeon had come back to the inn.
Jo Hwan spoke with emotion in his voice.
"Then rest a bit before lunch service. I'll get ready for the lunch rush."
"Yes!"
Jo Un looked at Kang Yeon. Now that morning service was over and rest time had arrived, his eyes clearly begged for martial arts lessons. Kang Yeon snorted a laugh.
"Morning service was just the start. Better save your strength. Martial arts after evening service."
Jo Un answered with a face full of regret.
"Ah... okay."
Just then—
"Young Master Kang, I have something to say."
Once morning service ended, Jang Mu-eon came looking for Kang Yeon. The two headed to the backyard. Once they arrived, Jang Mu-eon spoke as if he had made up his mind.
"Young Master Kang Yeon, I intend to return to the Black Wind Association now."
Kang Yeon's eyes gleamed.
"Going back right now doesn't seem like a great choice."
"But I cannot stay here and cause more harm."
Kang Yeon snorted a laugh.
"What harm? I'm going to charge you full price for staying at the inn anyway."
"I am grateful for your consideration. But because of Dark Shadow Blade's betrayal, the Black Wind Association's interior must be in turmoil. Loyal subordinates who truly follow me remain—I must go back."
There was resolve in Jang Mu-eon's voice. Even with an unfathomable power behind the scenes and Blood Shadow Tower involved, he was worried about his men.
Kang Yeon looked satisfied.
"Is that so... Then I'll prepare you."
"Prepare me?"
"It's too dangerous for you to return to the Black Wind Association alone right now. I'm not cold-blooded enough to just watch someone walk off to die. I'll give you the strength to go back and reclaim the Black Wind Association."
Jang Mu-eon was moved by Kang Yeon's consideration.
"Thank you. Truly... I don't know how I can ever repay this kindness..."
Kang Yeon smiled as he spoke.
"What kindness... Just think of it as something I need as well. Come to the backyard after business ends today."
Jang Mu-eon gave a deep martial salute.
"Yes, Young Master."