The Head Chef of Geumgyeoru (2)
There were still a few days left until Captain Yong Eung-wan finished selecting his crew, so in the meantime, I figured I should look into this Geumgyeoru place.
It wasn't just because I was bored or anything like that.
I have so much to do right now!
I just thought it would be a shame if a place that made food delicious enough to move me and my parents to tears disappeared.
After finishing our meal, we came down to the first floor.
"That was delicious."
"It really was."
We exchanged greetings with Pavilion Mistress Jang Eun-ok and left Geumgyeoru.
"Father, Mother, you go ahead. I'll settle the bill and catch up."
"Alright."
I asked the pavilion mistress,
"How much is it all together?"
"Yes, altogether..."
Whoa, the bill came out way higher than I expected.
But for food like this, it wasn't a waste at all.
"And I'd like to reserve the third floor for tomorrow evening. Is that possible?"
"Yes, of course."
Tomorrow, I planned to have a gathering with some peers I hadn't seen in a while.
"Then we'll reserve the third floor for dinner tomorrow as well."
"Understood. We'll prepare it."
"Alright, I'll be off."
I gave a fist salute in farewell and left the place.
Once we were a short distance away from Geumgyeoru, Jin Yu Warrior spoke up.
"My lord, about that Hwang chef earlier."
"Yes."
Had Jin Yu Warrior sensed something off too?
It was odd for a martial artist to be working as a chef in a place like this, and his energy felt a bit strange...
"He was an assassin."
Ah... That explained why his energy had felt so peculiar.
It was like he was right in front of me but somehow not there at all?
That lack of presence must have been a trait of his internal energy.
Setting that aside for now, the important thing was why someone like that was working there.
"An assassin? So he's working as a chef to kill someone?"
"Hm, I don't think so."
Jin Yu Warrior shook his head.
"He's definitely from the assassin world, but not anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"There's no blood scent."
I tilted my head at Jin Yu Warrior's words.
"But how do you sense that blood scent?"
"Pardon?"
"Honestly, I don't really get it myself."
You get a bad feeling or a sense of alert when you see certain people.
Thanks to that, I've escaped danger more than a few times.
But Jin Yu Warrior had specifically said "blood scent," and that piqued my curiosity.
"Is it actually the smell of blood?"
Jin Yu Warrior nodded at my question.
"Yes. It reeks."
"Really? For real?"
I wasn't the only one surprised. The other guards looked shocked too.
Seo-u Warrior stroked his chin and said,
"Come to think of it, I heard something like that before. Assassins who reach a certain level can smell their own kind."
Jin Yu Warrior nodded.
"That ability awakened after I'd survived near-death about thirty times."
"..."
His words left me speechless.
He'd told me before: training assassins was seeing the extremes of ruthlessness.
Gaining that kind of ability meant he'd endured immense suffering.
Impressive that he hadn't gone mad after crossing the line between life and death so many times.
There must have been something sustaining him.
I didn't know what it was yet.
"Anyway, after that, I could track down any assassin and even gauge their level."
Ah... So that's how he always found assassins so easily.
"Ah, by 'level,' I don't mean just martial realm, but assassin rank."
Seo-u Warrior added an explanation.
"Of course, higher rank means better at killing."
True enough.
Martial arts were used for mental cultivation too, but generally, they were killing arts.
"But that doesn't mean they're good at assassination. Martial artists kill openly; they don't prefer stealth."
"That's true."
That's why martial artists get caught in so many cycles of grudges.
"The rank Jin Yu Warrior mentioned is about how stealthily they can kill."
"So assassins have grades too."
"Exactly."
Jin Yu Warrior's voice transmission echoed in my mind.
— The pinnacle of those ranks is the Assassin King.
Assassin King? If it's Assassin King...
I turned to look at Palgap.
Always there yet not, right by my side.
"Need somethin', young master?"
"...No."
***
Hwang Seok stepped out after cleaning the kitchen.
"All done?"
"Ah, Eun-ok."
It was Pavilion Mistress Jang Eun-ok who had called him.
His wife, whom he still couldn't stop staring at.
She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and asked,
"What's up? Something wrong?"
He caressed her arms and said,
"Just... autumn's coming."
"I see."
Autumn.
Autumn was a special season for the couple. It was the season when Hwang Seok had put down his sword and picked up a chef's knife.
"You worked hard today."
"You too."
There had been a large group tonight. The Eunhae Merchant Group had rented out the entire third floor.
It had been tiring preparing so much food, but the revenue let him give bonuses to the errand boys.
"You must be tired. Go ahead and rest."
"Just a bit longer."
Hwang Seok smiled softly at her words.
Honestly, before meeting her, he'd never imagined a future like this.
'I'd have either died under torture after failing a mission or taken my own life.'
She had given meaning and courage to his hopeless existence.
Because of her, he could quit being an assassin.
He recalled the tense moment a few days ago.
An assassin had visited Geumgyeoru as a customer.
One who had reached the Assassin Immortal realm.
Assassins had ranks too.
The first kill was called Slayer Child—innocent as a child.
Once proficient, Slayer Lord.
True assassins became Assassin Immortals.
Beyond that was the supreme realm: Assassin King.
A level where no one could escape if you willed their death.
Oddly, among that Immortal assassin's group was someone with Assassin King energy.
For such people to visit his noodle shop meant they had a purpose.
Had they heard about him and come to recruit?
Either way, unwelcome.
He'd been on high alert, but...
"Whoa! This is seriously good!"
"Ain't it? Can we order more?"
"We already added this."
"...No?"
"...Order it."
They'd just gorged on spicy chicken stew and left.
He'd checked the bones thoroughly for hidden messages, but nothing.
All he could tell was they'd deboned it cleanly, without wasting a scrap.
Not even knowing if it was spicy or soy chicken stew.
He was puzzled when they returned as customers again.
That's when he learned they were from the Eunhae Merchant Group.
That day, the Eunhae leader wanted to thank him personally and called him over.
He hadn't wanted to meet, but couldn't refuse a customer.
And... up close, he could tell.
The Immortal assassin had quit killing long ago.
Hardly any blood scent.
And the one with Assassin King energy had none at all.
Assassin Kings could mask their scent, but this was different.
Just a servant.
Only then did he realize he'd overreacted.
"Hwang, my dear."
"What is it?"
"Do you regret leaving that path?"
"How could I? I regret not leaving it sooner."
He turned, caressing Jang Eun-ok's cheek.
"You look tired. Go rest."
"Just a bit longer."
"I'll follow soon. Go on."
She finally nodded and went inside.
Hwang Seok watched her go until she vanished, then turned.
"Come out."
Someone appeared before him.
"Seeing you again."
"Greetings, senior."
"Tsk tsk. No senior. I left that path."
"That's why I call you senior."
"...?"
"I left it too."
"So... why seek me out?"
"To relay my lord's message."
"Message?"
"Yes. If trouble befalls Geumgyeoru—if you can't have that spicy chicken stew anymore—call for help anytime."
"...?"
"My lord seems to love the spicy chicken stew."
"Does he?"
Suddenly, a question arose.
"But... does your lord know your background?"
"Of course. He pulled me out himself."
"And the one with Assassin King energy?"
"Ah, the servant."
"Servant?"
"Yes, my lord's servant. Both he and my lord know his talent."
"Yet he doesn't use it?"
"He is using it."
"What do you mean? To me, he's just a servant..."
"Yes. As a servant, he's using it well. I'm teaching him assassin techniques... and he loves how it helps with servant duties."
"Your lord?"
"Doesn't mind at all."
"Truly remarkable man, your lord."
"Not remarkable—exceptional."
With that, Jin Yu continued,
"So, don't forget my lord's message."
***
Back at the inn, I headed straight to my room.
I had backlog work to handle.
After a while,
"My lord. Jin Yu here."
"Ah, come in."
The door opened, and Jin Yu Warrior entered.
"Did you deliver the message?"
"Yes."
He nodded.
I'd asked him to pass a message to Geumgyeoru's chef.
From my past life's memories, something big would wipe out the whole place soon.
I didn't know what.
But better than watching it vanish idly.
Waiting for Captain Yong Eung-wan anyway, and Father had business keeping us longer.
.
.
.
Dawn broke.
Today, off to the Baek Yeom Merchant Group.
Their owner, the branch leader, had formally invited me.
And tonight, dinner with Deputy Branch Leaders Bok Yun, Sa Gang, Han Baek-geon, and Dam Sim—still in the area.
Venue: Geumgyeoru.
Good places deserve to be spread far and wide.
"Then, I'll be off."
"Take care."
"Be safe, dear."
"Yes."
I bid my parents farewell and left the inn.
Stopped by the market for a suitable gift, then headed to Baek Yeom.
"Where from?"
Maybe because they dealt in ironware, or recent trouble—the gatekeeper's demeanor was stern.
"Eun Seo-ho of Eunhae Merchant Group. Here to see the branch leader..."
Before I finished, he bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Deputy Leader Eun."
"Welcome! We've been waiting."
The sudden shift startled even me.
"And..."
The gatekeeper continued,
"We heard you saved our young master. Thank you sincerely."
It showed how much they cherished Young Master Ho-kyung.
I replied smoothly,
"Just did what needed doing."
"Knew you'd say that. I'll guide you."
He led me in; an attendant took over to the reception room.
Sitting, a maid served tea and snacks.
Whoa...
The spread drew a gasp.
It told me exactly how Baek Yeom viewed me.
In theory, treat all guests equally, but reality differs.
Snacks vary wildly in price; can't serve luxury to everyone.
Experienced folks gauge treatment by the refreshments.
And they should.
To avoid overstepping and ruining ties.
Mine: dried apricots topped with honey and gold dust...
Can I even eat this?
That's how grateful they were.
Sipping tea, I was glad I'd saved Young Master Ho-kyung.
Suddenly, that odd feeling from seeing him resurfaced.
What was it?