Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Serendipity at Dongpo Inn
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After arriving at the Manmokbang in southern Anhui's Huangshan and submitting their commission.
The carriage carrying Baek Yang-hui and Adu raced unimpeded down the broad road stretching toward Zhejiang Province.
"Ehehehe."
"That happy, huh?"
"Yeah!"
Adu was grinning from ear to ear, fondling a wooden Buddha statue that fit perfectly in his hand.
If it's that great, you should've carried one around from the start. Plenty of master carpenters in Songshan where Shaolin sits.
"Getting all joyful and down over one little wood carving. Don't you know all is of the mind? Everything depends on the heart."
Saying this, Baek Yang-hui clutched a beautiful wooden carving of his own.
Nanchang, the provincial capital of Jiangxi—even there, crafting streets of premier scale was no small task.
Naturally, the commission fee had been a king's ransom.
"The god of fortune graces us!"
"Come on in!"
"Entrust all your work to our head branch, and we'll meet every demand!"
They spent two days at Manmokbang ironing out the commission details.
In that time, Baek Yang-hui and Adu received treatment fit for an emperor.
As a bonus, his silver tongue won them over, netting piles of wooden carvings as gifts.
If I'd known he'd love it this much, I would've bought him one ages ago.
I'd pegged him for a glutton monk who never chanted sutras, just mumbling "Amitabha" now and then.
"Be straight with me. You'll pawn that Buddha for rice cakes when hunger hits later, right?"
"What?"
Despite no malice, his words came out gruff, and Adu puffed out his cheeks.
"Yang-hui. Wanna go to hell? Keep it up, and you will."
"A monk who can't save a soul but spouts that—some use is he?"
"Believe, and blessings come. Disbelieve, and hell awaits! Hell! Hell-bound, Amitabha."
"...You little punk?"
They traded silly banter and teased Adu as the days slipped by.
The carriage, never slowing, finally reached Hangzhou.
Hangzhou.
Zhejiang's capital, the easternmost province in the Central Plains.
What folks called paradise on earth.
Adu's eyes bulged, an awed gasp bursting out.
"Whoa!"
"Pretty dazzling, right?"
"Yeah! The buildings are all mountain-tall!"
Baek Yang-hui chuckled, gazing at the whale-like pavilions crammed along Hangzhou's bustling streets.
If Kaifeng was the world's grandest city, Hangzhou was its flashiest.
Even famed Su Dongpo and Bai Juyi had immortalized its beauty in verse.
"Food first. Stomach's rumbling."
"Food! Yes!"
Now, which inn to fill up at?
Last life, when I'd come to Hangzhou... Ah.
Come to think of it, there's another prize to claim here.
He slyly curled his lips and called out.
"You've hit Hangzhou—first stop, West Lake! Let's go!"
West Lake: immense even among Central Plains' waters, boasting peerless beauty.
Hangzhou's crown jewel.
Baek Yang-hui steered toward its shore.
Flashy streets stretched endlessly.
Come nightfall, the whole district would blaze like daylight.
"Young master! Feeling peckish?"
"Taste Hangzhou's top ten chefs' handiwork! To Tian Sheng Lou!"
"Ehey! Eyes before belly! Heavenly beauties await you... Ah, monk's with you..."
The closer to West Lake, the more touts and errand boys swarmed.
The area's Hangzhou's liveliest spot, after all.
"Young master! This way! Our Chu Xing Lou has carriage space!"
He scanned the sticky crowd, eyes drifting farther off.
Slick talkers, but Baek Yang-hui's savvy ran too deep for their pitches.
"Kid. Belly empty?"
The beggar boy sucking his thumb in the shadows jumped at the voice.
"Y-Young master. This one's fine."
Yet his gaze glued to the sword at Baek Yang-hui's belt.
No wonder he hadn't begged—sword scared him off.
"Fine? You look starved. Point me to a quiet inn with killer food, get one tael silver."
The boy's eyes saucered.
One tael: a grown man's full-day wage.
Way too much for a tip and charity.
"Touts everywhere—why me...?"
"Beggars know the real gems."
"True... Uh, I'll tell you an inn."
"Lead on. Craving Su Dongpo's favorite delicacy, so Dongpo pork spot if you can!"
Dongpo pork: braised pork belly, named for Su Dongpo.
Su Dongpo... Tang-Song Eight Masters' elite, greatest literatus ever.
No need to spell out the fame—dishes bore his name.
The kid brightened.
"Ah, Dongpo pork? Got just the place you'll love!"
He followed the scampering boy by carriage for about 30 minutes.
They reached an inn off the West Lake shore.
"Dongpo Inn. New spot—hidden gem folks don't know yet."
This kid's sharp.
Of all places, Dongpo Inn.
"Thanks. But silver depends on taste. Eat with us?"
"Eh? Beggar at an inn...? Chef'll hate it."
"Extra tip'll smooth it."
He dragged the flustered boy inside.
"Welcome! Eh, Third brat?"
"Chef, brought a guest."
"Worth the free meals, kid. Sit, young master."
Face too young for a vet chef.
A grin slipped out.
"Chef Su."
"Huh? How'd you know Su's my surname?"
"Saw Su Dongpo in your face."
"High honor, haha. Sharp eye, young sir."
Ordered Dongpo pork and Adu's dish from the cheeky chef, then sat.
Food arrived quick; mouthwatering aroma hit.
"Mmm. Heaven's pinnacle."
No patrons; watching chef beamed with pride.
"Haha, my Dongpo pork's Hangzhou's finest. Other dishes too. Beats me why business stinks."
Location's the killer. Too tucked away, Chef Su.
"Kid. Delectable—here's your tael."
"Gasp! No need. Full belly's plenty."
Shoved silver in his fist anyway.
"Man's word is bond. Embarrassed? Spread word: Jiangxi's Baek Clan Manor young master is generous."
"Thank you! Will do!"
"Chef, join? Wine too."
"Young master's making my day."
Chef Su grinned, grabbed a chair.
"From Jiangxi?"
"Yep."
"Hangzhou's charms worth the trek."
"Somewhat. Business: opening a brothel, fancy Hangzhou courtesans."
"Ah."
Beggar kid and Chef Su mirrored faces.
Like: Good luck prying them away.
Few'd ditch Hangzhou for sticks.
"Know any? Introduce, get reward."
"Not none, but..."
Then, inn door's bell tinkled softly.
"Chef Su. Here. Ah... guests."
Gazing at her, a smile bloomed unbidden.
Inevitable.
Someone whose face alone sparked joy on sight.
Plus, beauty to melt any man's reserve.
So Sojeo. Dongpo Inn regular already, huh.
So Wol-hyang: Baek Yang-hui's true aim for Hangzhou.
She eyed the group—him, Adu, beggar, chef—with dismay.
"Welcome, Wol-hyang Sojeo."
"Yes. Tough to dine today. Next time."
He glanced 'tween troubled Chef Su and departing So Wol-hyang.
Better if she joined, broke ice.
Direct ask? She'd think I'm flirting.
-Adu. Invite her to eat.
Adu, mid-dumpling, beamed innocently.
"Dumpling?"
"..."
"Not hungry? Bye then."
Baek Yang-hui clutched his forehead.
Fool move, asking him.
"Sorry, Sojeo. Monk's simple. Join if you like? Not crass enough to flirt with him here."
"..."
She paused, then softly.
"Then, if I may, young master."
Yang-hui knew she'd shun strange men, but Adu clinched it.
Or Dongpo pork craving hit hard.
Past life: here every three days.
How he knew the inn.
"Dig in."
"Thanks. I'll pay mine."
"Nah. Flush."
"Can't mooch off strangers."
Mooch. Past life, she loathed debts.
"Baek Musa's favor—I'll repay. Please."
Wistful flicker; he replied.
"Hate debts? Tell me your house."
"...Proposal?"
"West Lake trek means brothel fun. Hope for someone Sojeo-grade."
She stiffened, eyed Chef Su.
He scrambled.
"No, Sojeo! Said zip!"
Gaze swung back.
He raised his cup to her stare.
"Fingertip calluses: gayageum player. Graceful steps: dancer extraordinaire. Just a hunch."
"...Astute young master."
"Well? Share?"
"Not for sharing seats. Farewell."
She rose quietly, headed out.
Expected; no fluster.
"No regrets?"
She halted, head-turn cold glare.
"Regrets? You'd curse me so?"
"Misread me. You hold what I seek."
"Divine stranger's heart? Clairvoyant."
Sneer, jeer. Bell jingled.
Open door framed her retreating silhouette.
"Young master. Why say that?"
Chef Su chided.
Kick-out vibes if not paying.
His So Wol-hyang tie explained it.
But.
"Had to. No regular lost—chill, chef."
Different meet? Fine. This? Essential.
Her type: bold hook leaves deeper mark than bows.
No time for games either.
Fail her wish? Moot point.
No sweat.
Got connections... ties that bind.
Life's regional, blood, school ties.
School tie? Master tie?
Same: shared master's school.
Recalling Gokyeolsan's duo, he smirked.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Damn it all."
Tinier than ants crawling, a faint whisper.
Plenty loud for Eumhu's ears.
"Seolha! Forgot my lecture on filthy mouths?"
Jeon Gal-seolha's oops-face melted to a grin.
"Ahaha... caught that?"
Eumhu blanked a beat, then sighed.
"Makes me wonder who you think your master is."
"Heavenly Martial Ten Lords! Sky-Splitting Voice Rear!"
"..."
Breezy, brazen retort.
Eumhu sighed deeper.
Then thought of his lay disciple.
'That young hero botched it all.'