Chapter 176
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 176
Chapter Title: It's Tomorrow
"What an intriguing inn. Now you've got me curious too. When's the next day off?"
The food that drove people mad was noodles one day, dumplings the next.
Even Ha Mu-baek felt his curiosity piqued.
Innkeeper Jo Suk-su smiled faintly at Ha Mu-baek's question.
"Tomorrow."
"Perfect timing, then. How about lunch together tomorrow?"
"Sounds good."
Ha Mu-baek finished his meal like that and left the Devouring Dragon North Pavilion.
Dusk had already settled over the surroundings.
Even if the days were getting a bit longer, it was still winter.
By the time he stepped out after dinner, it was pitch black.
Ha Mu-baek headed straight to his lodging and turned in for the night.
He woke up between deep midnight and the early hours past midnight, completed his solo training, and went back to sleep for a bit before heading to the training grounds.
This was Ha Mu-baek's routine at the Dragon Training Pavilion.
Since he trained while others slept,
during the hours when people were awake, he always showed a lazy, sleep-prone side.
Dang Jin-san was, as expected, the intelligence hub for Fierce Dragon Corps Squad Seven.
During the morning training break,
he'd heard who-knows-where and was now enthusiastically recounting tales of the Moon Dragon Inn's food.
Ha Mu-baek lay obliquely against a rock, eyes closed, looking like he was napping as he listened.
"I've been to all the famous inns and taverns in Chengdu, but nothing as bizarre as that place."
All six disciples' gazes turned to Dang Jin-san at his words.
In truth, among them, he was the only one with experience at renowned inns worthy of being called gourmet spots.
So naturally, they focused on his story.
"The taste is ordinary. Really ordinary. Nothing special. It's on par with Devouring Dragon Pavilion grub. No, Un-roe's mother's cooking is way better."
A faint smile tugged at Dan Mok Un-roe's lips at Dang Jin-san's words.
"But get this. One or two days after eating, you go crazy wanting more. For me, it was roast chicken. Beggar's chicken."
Ju Woo-myung tilted his head at Dang Jin-san's words and asked,
"Isn't that a fancy dish?"
Dang Jin-san flinched.
Beggar's chicken got its name from beggars stealing chickens, coating them in mud, and roasting them.
But in reality, it was a labor-intensive dish.
Wrapped in lotus leaves, smeared with clay, and baked, it was easy to burn if you weren't skilled—requiring real technique.
If he'd known any other disciple had gone for something tasty, Dang Jin-san would've teased them mercilessly.
But these six lacked that playful streak.
Which only made Dang Jin-san feel more awkward.
Ju Woo-myung had asked out of pure curiosity if it was high-end cuisine.
Now, a twinge of guilt settled in his chest, like he'd snuck off alone for some fancy meal.
"Anyway. What did that 'going crazy for it' feeling feel like exactly?"
Yeon Ha-min's question.
It shifted the briefly awkward atmosphere.
"It's just... exactly like that? It keeps popping into your head. Your mouth waters constantly, and your chest feels tight."
"Ah, so that's what was up."
Dan Mok Un-roe nodded.
She'd noticed Dang Jin-san struggling to focus on training these past few days.
"How about now?"
Baek Ri-pyeong's question.
"Hm... It's been better since yesterday."
"That's mysterious."
Ha Seol-ran tilted her head.
"Anyway, thanks to that, all the inns set up by that Dan-an Merchant Group are booming. The best one's still the Moon Dragon Inn right by Moon Dragon Manor."
The disciples reacted with a mere 'huh, weird stuff happens' to Dang Jin-san's explanation.
Frustrated by their nonchalance, Dang Jin-san slapped his chest.
"This isn't something to brush off lightly."
The clueless disciples.
"The better the Moon Dragon Inn does, the more it eats into Golden Dragon Merchant Group's hold on Wuchang's commerce."
Baek Ri-pyeong tilted his head at Dang Jin-san's explanation.
"Isn't Wuchang just divvied up among small and mid-sized merchants?"
He was recalling conversations with dockside traders.
"Most of those small outfits are backed by Golden Dragon Merchant Group. Not fully owned, but they hold fifty to sixty percent shares usually."
The disciples looked at Dang Jin-san in wonder.
They were martial artists, warriors.
Naturally ignorant of merchant affairs, so his detailed knowledge stood out.
"Golden Dragon shrinking a problem? By your logic, merchant competition should benefit us, right?"
Yeon Ha-min's sharp question hit the core.
Dang Jin-san nodded vigorously.
"Good point. Normally, yeah. Even for Wuchang folk short-term. But not for us."
"Us?"
"Precisely, the Dragon Training Pavilion."
Ha Mu-baek was listening intently now to Dang Jin-san's tale.
The guy had a knack for captivating storytelling.
"Golden Dragon Merchant Group's head is Pavilion Lord Namgung Hwa of our Golden Hall. Meaning it's the Dragon Training Pavilion's own merchant outfit."
When did she arrive?
Han Seol-bing spoke up.
Everyone looked shocked.
No one knew the pavilion ran a merchant group.
"Golden Dragon's revenue is the pavilion's budget, so yeah, Jin-san's right—we could be in trouble."
The disciples' faces hardened slightly at Han Seol-bing's words.
"Monthly stipends too?"
Dan Mok Un-roe asked cautiously.
"They probably won't touch Fierce Dragon Corps pay... but mine's already worrying me."
A shadow crossed Dan Mok Un-roe's face at Han Seol-bing's reply.
For him, stipends meant his family's livelihood.
"Devouring Dragon Pavilion meals might drop back to old quality."
Last March.
Since Ha Mu-baek flipped the place, high-quality meals had been standard.
Nak Woo-jin's face darkened at Dang Jin-san's words.
Good food was one of his joys.
"So anyway, I'm going tonight to figure out what's up. Who's in?"
Dang Jin-san scanned the six.
All looked eager.
But the food prices were the issue.
Nak Woo-jin and Dan Mok Un-roe especially hesitated.
Han Seol-bing crossed her arms, watching, then,
"You've been diligent even during break. Dinner's on me tonight."
She cut in suddenly.
All seven disciples' gazes snapped to her.
Dang Jin-san's lips crept up slyly.
"Anything we want?"
His playful question made Han Seol-bing furrow her brow slightly.
"Instructor stipend ain't much. But fine, special occasion."
"Yahoo!"
Dang Jin-san whooped, and the others beamed.
Especially Dan Mok Un-roe, Nak Woo-jin, and Ha Seol-ran lit up.
"Alright, back to training?"
At Han Seol-bing's words, the seven scattered to their spots, diving deeper into practice.
Their movements seemed even more forceful somehow.
'Noodles, dumplings, and beggar's chicken...'
From Jo Suk-su and Dang Jin-san's tales, the food truly appealed universally.
Ha Mu-baek figured he needed to try it himself.
He took a light nap like that, opening his eyes near lunchtime.
"Nngh."
Stretching, he hopped down from the rock.
Ha Mu-baek's gaze went first to Ha Seol-ran, of course.
Her training brimmed with newfound vigor.
He knew exactly when the change started.
Right after Han Seol-bing offered to treat.
Even now, a smile played on her lips as she focused.
'That girl.'
Her look was cute, yet pitiful too.
Come to think of it, he'd been too oblivious.
Had he ever taken Seol-ran out for good eats since arriving in Wuchang? Nope.
'Zero points as a brother. Way too neglectful.'
He'd been so wrapped up resolving the disciples' issues, running around, but neglected Seol-ran.
'Gotta pay more attention from now on.'
With that thought, he headed to Devouring Dragon North Pavilion.
He needed to meet Jo Suk-su to head out.
On the way to Moon Dragon Inn,
Ha Mu-baek asked Jo Suk-su about must-visit inns and sights in Wuchang.
Figuring the innkeeper would know best.
He was spot on.
Jo Suk-su's mouth never stopped the whole way.
Ha Mu-baek found none of it boring.
He tucked it all away in memory.
Planning to take Seol-ran everywhere once.
They arrived at Moon Dragon Inn meanwhile.
It was packed.
A long line snaked out the door.
The picture of a smash-hit inn.
"Gonna have to wait a bit."
Ha Mu-baek nodded at Jo Suk-su's words and took his place at the end.
'No trouble, I hope?'
Ha Mu-baek eyed the line.
Crowded inns with long queues often sparked fights.
The line shrank gradually.
After about an hour, it was down a quarter.
Though behind him, it had grown longer.
"Should've come earlier, huh."
Jo Suk-su said sheepishly.
"Not like skipping a meal kills you. This is a novel experience."
Ha Mu-baek brushed it off casually.
After a long wait, they finally entered and sat.
This crowded? No way beggar's chicken was feasible.
'Was craving it after Jin-san's talk.'
The two ordered quickly: half roast duck, stir-fried greens, beef noodles—three different dishes.
Just as described.
Nothing exceptionally tasty.
Standard fare, easy to find anywhere.
"Your cooking's far superior."
"You're too kind."
Jo Suk-su smiled bashfully.
"Honest review. What do you think?"
Jo Suk-su nodded too.
"Nothing special. All perfectly basic."
Jo was late twenties, but started kitchen work at twelve.
Over fifteen years' experience.
Sure, just grunt work and peeking at first.
His skills outshone his age.
Wasted at Devouring Dragon North Pavilion.
Ha Mu-baek wasn't a foodie, but based on what he'd eaten, yeah.
The food vanished fast.
Taste ordinary, but chopsticks kept going.
Both noticed.
"Mysterious."
"Isn't it?"
They rose, puzzled.
Plates clean already.
With the line outside, no lingering.
They left Moon Dragon Inn and returned to the pavilion.
Ha Mu-baek rolled on his bunk, sensing the disciples stirring, then stepped out.
That lunchtime line stuck with him.
Dinner wouldn't be different.
Trouble might brew.
'Seol-bing's there, though.'
Still, with Seol-ran involved, Ha Mu-baek moved quietly.
Urged by Dang Jin-san, the disciples and Han Seol-bing hurried.
Full dinner rush was still half a shichen away.
Sky still bright.
"Aren't you rushing too much?"
Dang Jin-san shook his head at Dan Mok Un-roe's question.
"No clue. They say you gotta line up now. Hit peak time, and we're freezing outside who-knows-how-long in this winter chill."
He quickened pace, itching to use lightness skill.
"If so... we're already too late."
Ha Seol-ran's words drew Dang Jin-san's gaze.
"You can sense that far?"
Squad Seven knew her sensing talent from training. But from here to the inn?
"Feels like tons of people gathered."
Ha Seol-ran answered curtly.
Moon Dragon Inn upon arrival.
As Dang Jin-san and Ha Seol-ran said.
Short line out front.
"Already?"
Dang Jin-san scowled.
Thought it'd be clear by now.
Business better than expected.
He sent the group to line up and headed to the entrance.
"Hey, what? Back of the line first."
The front guy grumbled.
"Ah, party's behind me. Dishes take time, so pre-ordering."
Dang Jin-san called the server, rattled off a bunch of premium dishes, finished ordering, and returned.
"Wh-what'd you order?"
Nak Woo-jin asked, stunned.
"All the pricey, top stuff. Chengdu Playboy-approved. Though here, probably all similar."
Dang Jin-san recalled his beggar's chicken visit.
Taste truly meh.
The scary part came after eating.
That insane craving a day later.
The addiction—that was terrifying.
Short line, so Fierce Dragon disciples' turn came quick.
Then.
A mob of brutish-faced hulks swarmed toward Moon Dragon Inn.
They looked desperately urgent.