Chapter 2: Where is the Sword Saint (2)

For the first time in a while, Soho Tavern was filled with energy, as all five of its tables were packed with guests.

They were soldiers of the government army, clad in iron plates over red combat uniforms. Judging by the tasseled helmets worn by two of them, they were officers. One of them spoke in a hurried voice.

“Tavern keeper. We don’t have much time, so serve us whatever comes out fastest.”

“Then I will prepare the specialty of Soho Tavern: meat noodles.”

No dish was easier to prepare than noodles. All he had to do was pour the pork broth he had simmered in advance over boiled noodles, and garnish it with sliced meat and a few vegetables.

While So-mu was busy cooking, a serious conversation took place outside the kitchen between the two officers.

“Yan’an has been breached, so they will sweep in here by tomorrow.”

“So even General Hwang could not hold them back?”

“The momentum of the Hui army is terrifying. I don’t know where they got such a sudden influx of monster-like generals, but our garrisons in every region are being swept away like dry leaves.”

“Is that all? Who could have predicted Kaifeng would fall and His Majesty would flee to the south? At this point, news of defeat doesn’t even surprise me anymore. Sigh…”

The deep sighs of the officers echoed all the way to So-mu’s ears in the kitchen.

“Still, I cannot understand why Great General Yue Fei ordered us to abandon the defense of Chang’an and gather at Xiangyang. How could he give up such a vital strategic location so easily?”

“It just shows how dire the situation is. Dire enough that we have to abandon the entire Shaanxi region.”

“Not all generals in Shaanxi are withdrawing, though.”

“What? Who in their right mind would remain here under these circumstances?”

“I heard General Jang-yang is hastily recruiting new soldiers in Hanzhong. A futile effort, if you ask me.”

“Even elite troops are being pushed back, and he wants to defend the place with recruits? They will be wiped out by the Hui army before they even finish their training.”

“My thoughts exactly. In the end, it will only boost the enemy’s morale. I only feel pity for the recruits who will die without knowing a thing.”

Just as their conversation grew heavy, the meat noodles were finished. So-mu approached, carrying seven bowls of noodles balanced across his arms and shoulders. The soldiers gasped at the display, which looked almost like an acrobatic feat.

The officer who had been watching stared at him and said, “Balancing all those bowls is no easy task. You must have an incredible sense of balance. Tavern keeper, have you trained in martial arts?”

“Heaven forbid. It is just a trick I picked up from doing this day in and day out.”

Ordinarily, those who trained in martial arts would project their energy outward in some form, unless they had reached the realm of Return to Simplicity and Truth, where their inner light was completely concealed.

The officer scrutinized So-mu with a suspicious gaze, but soon shook his head and muttered, “Right. There is no way an expert who has surpassed the peak realm would be working in a kitchen here.”

The two officers simultaneously picked up their chopsticks and began devouring the noodles, and the other soldiers followed suit. Eating as if they were running out of time, they finished every last drop in less than a quarter of an hour.

“Tavern keeper, how much is it?”

“Forty copper coins.”

The two officers hesitated, exchanging looks. They were clearly short on funds.

There was no way So-mu would fail to notice this.

“If you are short, you may pay the rest later.”

“We were in such a hurry to deploy that we couldn’t bring much money. All we have right now is ten copper coins.”

Even though he was receiving barely a fraction of the bill, So-mu’s expression remained unchanged.

“You may settle it next time. Have a safe journey.”

So-mu casually accepted the ten copper coins and bowed.

The officer looked at him with a complicated expression. “I like your character, tavern keeper. But we will not be returning here. In other words, we won’t be able to pay the remaining balance.”

“I know.”

“Then why do you not show any anger?”

Looking at So-mu’s calm face, the officer sighed. “Instead of the money, I will give you a piece of information. It should be worth far more than the remaining copper coins.”

“Then I will gladly accept it.”

The officer’s face turned serious as he whispered in a low voice, “The Hui army will descend upon this town tomorrow. Their looting and violence are beyond description, and this tavern will not be spared. Pack your things immediately and flee to Sichuan or Hubei. Only then will you escape disaster.”

“Thank you.”

Instead of showing fear or panic, a soft smile appeared on So-mu’s face.

Baffled by his unnatural composure, the officer simply turned his back. They could not afford to waste any more time.

“Depart for Xiangyang!”

Even after the soldiers departed, So-mu’s routine remained the same. He cleaned the tables and prepared to welcome guests once more, looking like someone completely unaffected by the fires of war.

However, no matter how long he waited that day, no other customers arrived. Even Cheong-hae of the Mount Hua Sect, who visited daily, was nowhere to be seen.

Having finished his work for the day, So-mu began his nightly routine. Squatting in front of the kitchen hearth, he lifted the lid of the large steamer. A thick cloud of white steam billowed out, filling the tavern with a fragrant aroma.

“Haha. The smell is wonderful.”

Inside the steamer were about twenty large dumplings, each larger than an adult’s fist.

So-mu picked up one dumpling, turning it over to check if it was cooked through. Though it was hot enough to cause severe burns, he did not seem to feel the heat at all.

Placing the dumplings in a wide bamboo basket, he stepped out of the tavern. He walked along the main road for about two hundred zhang before taking a narrow dirt path for another thirty zhang.

Soon, he reached a half-ruined temple. It was the hideout of the local beggars and orphans in Baiyang County.

As he drew closer, So-mu’s expression softened.

“The kids must be waiting anxiously.”

They were a pitiful sight, dressed in tattered rags and covered in dirt. Most of them were children orphaned by the war.

Among them, there was one child So-mu cherished above the rest: a young girl of about six with large, clear eyes, who always welcomed him with the purest joy.

Spotting So-mu, Yoo-hwa’s small face lit up with a bright smile.

“Ah! Mister is here!”

All eyes turned to him. Yoo-hwa ran forward without hesitation and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Mister! I’ve been waiting for so long.”

“You little rascal. You’ve gotten better at exaggerating.”

Yoo-hwa buried her face in his clothes and sniffled. “Sniff… I really waited a long time.”

“You saw me just yesterday.”

Stroking Yoo-hwa’s hair, So-mu felt a warm comfort wash over him. She was the only person he had grown genuinely attached to.

“I want to see you every day, Mister.”

“You rascal… what is there to like about me?”

“I don’t know… I just do.”

A faint smile touched So-mu’s lips.

“Let’s share the dumplings with the others first, shall we?”

So-mu began handing out the dumplings to the eager children.

“Thank you, Mister!”

“We will eat well!”

Watching the children eat happily warmed his heart. After all, he had been an orphan himself.

A hazy memory from his past drifted back to him. When he was about six years old, he had begged for food in front of a tavern, only to be beaten within an inch of his life by a waiter. That was why his gaze toward these children was always so tender.

“It’s so delicious, hehe!”

Holding their dumplings, the children hummed and ate greedily. Having starved all day, they were bound to be famished.

“Mister, you eat too!”

So-mu looked down. Yoo-hwa was splitting her dumpling in half, holding one piece out to him with her tiny hands.

“Haha. I already ate two before coming here.”

So-mu’s gaze then shifted to a young beggar standing behind Yoo-hwa.

With a sharp look hidden behind a subservient expression, it was Ha-chil, the leader of the local orphans.

So-mu walked over to him and spoke in a low voice, “Let’s talk for a moment.”

Even while chewing his dumpling, Ha-chil’s eyes darted around. He followed So-mu down the path, waiting for him to speak.

“I want you to take the children and leave this place tonight.”

“Where would we go? This town is the last stop for people like us who aren’t accepted anywhere else.”

“I heard the Hui army will arrive tomorrow. If you stay here, all of you will be in grave danger. You’ve taken good care of the kids so far, haven’t you?”

“Why would the Hui army care about beggars like us?”

“I gather information while running the tavern. I heard that when those bastards occupy a town, they massacre civilians to spread terror.”

Ha-chil shook his head, showing no intention of complying.

“If we lose the begging routes in Baiyang County, we’ll starve anyway. Dying by the enemy’s sword or by starvation is the same thing. There’s no point in going through all that trouble just to die.”

As if expecting this response, So-mu reached into his robe and pulled out six silver coins. A single silver coin was worth enough to feed an ordinary family for three months.

Ha-chil’s eyes widened to the point of tearing.

“It is not much, but it is the money I saved from the tavern. It will be more than enough for your travel expenses. Take good care of the children.”

Ha-chil snatched the silver coins, his attitude shifting instantly as he bowed repeatedly.

“Thank you, My Lord! I swear on my life that I will protect the children as you requested.”

“Go to Henan and find a sect called the Sect of the Righteous Way. If you tell them that a man named So-mu sent you, they will look after all of you.”

“Understood. Leave it to me.”

“I am counting on you. If you arrive safely, I promise an additional reward.”

“Yes, My Lord…”

So-mu looked past the bowing Ha-chil. Yoo-hwa was staring at him intently.

When he gestured for her to come, she ran over and clung to his waist once more, looking like a small cicada holding onto a tree branch.

“Mister, where are you going?”

“I’m not going anywhere. But Yoo-hwa, you are going to a new place. There, you can eat delicious food to your heart’s content and wear pretty clothes.”

“Can’t you come with us?”

“I ran away from my home, so I cannot return there. The home known as the Jianghu…”

Burying her face in his waist, Yoo-hwa burst into tears and shook her head. “No! If we leave, I won’t be able to see you anymore!”

So-mu placed a warm hand on Yoo-hwa’s trembling shoulder.

“We might not see each other for a short while, but we will meet again soon.”

“Do you promise?”

“Yes…”