Chapter 206: Chapter 206
Ascending Heaven Guest House (Deungcheon Guest House).
Among the guest houses existing in Kaifeng, the Ascending Heaven Guest House, which had the longest history, was crowded with guests every day.
Although there were many other guest houses, there were various reasons why so many guests flocked only to the Ascending Heaven Guest House, but the biggest reason was the food.
The chef, who was said to have once worked for the imperial family, showed off cooking skills that no one in the vicinity could follow, and served excellent dishes.
Was that all?
The guest house owner, wherever he got his connections from, sold famous liquors that were hard to even see.
Delicious food and famous liquors from each region.
Among guest houses of a similar level, the sources of pride that the Ascending Heaven Guest House put forward were enough to attract people.
Therefore, it showed a spectacle of guests lining up every day, but…
Particularly today, the Ascending Heaven Guest House was quiet.
“Huh? For what reason is there no line at the Ascending Heaven Guest House?”
“Oh, right?”
Those passing by made their eyes shine.
The food and famous liquors of the Ascending Heaven Guest House were things that could not be easily eaten normally.
Of course, it was also because it was expensive, but a bigger reason than that was because numerous people always flocked to the Ascending Heaven Guest House.
Furthermore, Kaifeng was the center of water transport where the Grand Canal flowed, making it a trading hub where numerous merchants came and went, wasn’t it?
There were many merchants who stopped by for a while and left, and they wanted to taste the food of the Ascending Heaven Guest House even if they had to wait in line while they were at it.
Therefore, it was natural to stand in line, but since there was no line today, some people wondered while discreetly checking the atmosphere as they went inside.
And a moment later.
“Ahem. Let’s eat somewhere else today.”
“Ha, haha. That would be good.”
Those who had gone in all rushed back out in a flurry with terrified expressions.
The guest house manager, who came out following the two running out, smiled bitterly and opened his mouth.
“I ask that you visit next time.”
Having greeted their backs as they had already quickly left, he went into the guest house.
And at the sight immediately visible, he let out a faint sigh without realizing it himself.
‘I do not know how many times it has been already.’
Four tables were fully occupied centering around the table in the middle of the Ascending Heaven Guest House.
And those sitting at the tables were all wearing the exact same attire.
That was exactly the reason why the guests who had just entered left as if running away.
The manager, who was looking at those wearing pitch-black martial uniforms embroidered with the character ‘Tang’ on their chests, shook his head.
‘To think the Tang Clan would visit.’
“Haa.”
He looked around the inside of the guest house with a sigh.
Excluding the martial artists of the Tang Clan in the center, the tables were in a completely empty state.
They had not bought out the guest house.
It was just that the guests left on their own like an ebbing tide simply due to their appearance.
And they were eating their meals naturally as if they were used to it.
‘Today is a lost cause.’
He pressed on his throbbing forehead.
He had received many martial artists as guests.
However, the Tang Clan were not just martial artists.
Because unlike other martial artists, they mainly mastered poison arts.
It would be uncomfortable to eat together with them.
Even he himself did not have the courage to eat together with them in the same place.
‘Haa. It would be nice if they quickly finished their meal and went into their rooms.’
The manager glanced at them.
“Hmm, it wasn’t for nothing that they said to stop by the Ascending Heaven Guest House when going to Kaifeng.”
“This liquor is really good.”
“Isn’t the cooking really good too?”
His head hurt even more upon hearing their conversation.
Because no matter how he looked at it, they didn’t show any signs of finishing their meal.
Rather, they were raising their hands as if trying to order more.
“D-did you call?”
The waiter approached while trembling his body.
Although he was still at a young age, his complexion was not good, whether he knew of the Tang Clan’s notoriety from hearing about it.
However, the young man who called the waiter spoke while waving his hand, regardless of whether he was scared or not.
“One more of the exact same thing as this.”
“I-I will bring it right away.”
The waiter bowed his head and retreated.
The manager, having seen that, closed his eyes.
‘Is the only fortunate thing that they spend a lot more money than other guests?’
When he forcefully looked for a good point.
Chwarreureuk…
The neatly arranged beaded curtain shook.
The manager reflexively stood up from his seat and bowed his head to those who entered.
“Welcome.”
“As expected, if it’s Kaifeng, it’s the Ascending Heaven Guest House!”
An old man in neat attire who was striding in along with a broad-minded voice frowned upon seeing the martial artists of the Tang Clan.
“Huh?”
The manager harbored a bitter smile at the old man’s reaction shown for a moment.
‘They will leave again.’
Like this, guests continued to come in steadily, but they were prone to running away every time they saw the martial artists of the Tang Clan.
However.
“I wondered why there were no people, but it was because those guys were here.”
The old man muttered as if it was no big deal even after seeing the martial artists of the Tang Clan.
Around the time the manager was bewildered by that.
“Would room and board be possible?”
A question was heard from behind.
The manager turned his head to look at the refreshing voice that softly wrapped his ears.
A single woman was there.
The woman was wearing a bamboo hat that draped a black veil descending down to her shoulders, in a state where her face could not be seen.
“Is it not possible?”
The manager quickly put on a smile.
“No. It is possible.”
“I would like to request three rooms.”
The woman, who was speaking, took out silver coins.
“Is this much enough?”
The manager’s eyes momentarily sparkled.
To think a guest who paid so refreshingly appeared while he was thinking about closing up business for today.
As a merchant, he could not let it go.
“Are you paying for the meals together as well?”
“Please do so for now. If it’s lacking, I’ll give it to you separately later.”
“Understood. I will prepare the three rooms as special suites. And I will prepare the meal right now to…”
At that time when the manager was hurriedly laying out the explanation.
Chwarreureuk…
The beaded curtain shook, and a young man entered.
“What are you doing? Standing blankly at the entrance.”
The young man spoke to the preceding guests, then stared at the manager who momentarily stopped his explanation and asked.
“Is it fine to sit anywhere?”
“Yes. It doesn’t matter, but…”
Around the time the manager was agonizing whether he should assign them a seat far from the place where the martial artists of the Tang Clan were with a ‘just in case’ thought, the young man moved.
“Over there will do.”
The young man, who spoke as if giving a notice, passed the old man and woman in front and walked straight.
And he flopped down on a place somewhat distanced from the table where the martial artists of the Tang Clan were sitting.
“This rotten bastard.”
As the old man grumbled and followed him, the woman spoke to the manager again.
“I will request the food and liquor as the things this guest house is most confident in.”
“The price comes out to be quite a bit, but would that be okay?”
“It is okay.”
“Understood.”
The woman, who finished the conversation, slightly bowed her head, then went to the table where the two were sitting and sat on the chair.
‘I wonder if they truly have a big liver (are bold), or if they do not know the fearfulness of the Tang Clan…’
The manager worried upon seeing the party calmly sit at the table and pour the tea the waiter brought despite the martial artists of the Tang Clan staring at them, but he soon shook his head.
‘Whichever it is, could they possibly start any trouble with the Tang Clan?’
Looking at the swords the young man and woman were wearing, they seemed to be martial artists of the Jianghu.
If so, separate from not being afraid, it would be certain that they would be all the more reluctant for problems to arise with the Tang Clan.
He, who erased the vain thoughts, gestured to the waiter who was trembling in the corner after bringing the tea.
“D-did you call me?”
“Tell the chef to prepare the most confident dish today. And you know the liquor we newly brought out this time, right? Pack that separately too and to that table…”
Around the time the manager was instructing this and that to the waiter.
“Is it that delicious here?”
The young man, Cheon-hwi, asked while pouring the tea.
“Was there a place that was tasteless among the places I have mentioned until now?”
“The Spring Fragrance Pavilion (Spring Fragrance Pavilion) in Luoyang was a bit like that though.”
“Ahem! I didn’t choose that incorrectly. How could I have known the owner had changed.”
“It’s not like that here too, right?”
“Are you doubting me?”
“Look around.”
Cheon-hwi nodded his head.
He, who leisurely surveyed the inside of the guest house, stared at Heavenly Ear Beggar and opened his mouth.
“You said we might not be able to eat because it’s overflowing with guests, but it’s too quiet.”
Heavenly Ear Beggar frowned.
“Did you not even see those guys?”
Along with his words, he subtly gestured with his eyes toward the table where the martial artists of the Tang Clan were.
“Huh? Tang? Ah, the Sichuan Tang Clan was here.”
Cheon-hwi only then understood the situation.
“If so, it’s understandable that it’s quiet.”
“You only knew now?”
“I thought they were just guests.”
Heavenly Ear Beggar looked at Cheon-hwi with a dumbfounded expression.
To think he only knew that now when none other than the martial artists of the Sichuan Tang Clan were right in the center.
‘No, is that guy some ordinary guy?’
He let out a ‘phew’ and shook his head side to side.
If it was the Cheon-hwi he had seen all this time, he was a guy who wouldn’t have even cared even if they were sitting right at the entrance.
“It is comfortable thanks to them.”
Cheon-hwi spoke towards the party.
While stopping by famous places during the journey all this time, they were satisfied, but regrettable points were bound to exist.
The biggest among them was that since they were famous places, people flocked to them, making it annoying in various ways.
Right now, since it was completely quiet, it was good.
“On top of that, we didn’t even need to stand in line to wait thanks to those guys, didn’t we.”
Heavenly Ear Beggar also agreed and spoke.
As someone who had spent a long time in Kaifeng, he knew the fame of the Ascending Heaven Guest House better than anyone.
No, was it only knowing?
He had even eaten there a few times.
No matter how much of a beggar he was, he was the Grand Supreme Elder of the Beggars’ Sect. When he met with other Martial World renowned seniors, he used to push for eating here.
The corners of Heavenly Ear Beggar’s mouth, who recalled the dishes of the Ascending Heaven Guest House he ate before, crept up.
“Hehe, I am eating properly again today.”
Although it was even before the cooking had arrived, he was already smacking his lips.
“I am looking forward to this dish too.”
Danmok Rin from the side also chimed in.
She liked the current journey very much.
In fact, even just on the first day they left for the journey, she had complaints.
Because it was a journey she was looking forward to leaving alone with Cheon-hwi, but an uninvited guest named Heavenly Ear Beggar suddenly barged in.
However, she was now rather enjoying the journey together with Heavenly Ear Beggar.
‘It is my first time on such an enjoyable journey.’
A smile cast over her mouth.
For her, who had spent most of her life inside the clan, her long-term outing was the second time this time.
And for the first case, since it was a journey to find the Divine Physician, she had no room in her heart, so she couldn’t properly enjoy it.
But how was it this time?
Famous scenic spots as a matter of course, and even guest houses and taverns, they were unconditionally stopping by places that were said to have some name.
That too with Cheon-hwi.
She was extremely happy.
To the point she doubted whether such happy days were allowed to continue.
Meanwhile, Cheon-hwi was also anticipating quite a bit.
‘So you’re saying this is the place where the cooking Heavenly Ear Beggar praised so highly comes out?’
Despite being a beggar, Heavenly Ear Beggar had a rather picky mouth and excellent knowledge in gastronomy.
While he ate food that well at tolerable guest houses, he was sure to complain in between.
When he ate delicious food at other guest houses, the place he always compared it to was exactly the food of this Ascending Heaven Guest House.
A moment while the three waited with anticipation.
“I brought the meal.”
The waiters brought the food.
Starting with placing the steaming Tangculiji (Sweet and Sour Pork) in the middle, Xiaocong Bandoufu (Tofu Mixed with Scallions) and Jiang Niurou (Braised Beef), etc…
As about eight dishes completely filled the table, the manager brought a liquor bottle.
“This is fruit liquor personally brewed by our chef ten years ago.”
He, who put down the liquor bottle, retreated.
“I cannot endure it!”
Heavenly Ear Beggar shook his body up and down.
Unable to endure the smell digging into his nose in the end, he stretched his chopsticks out.
Contrary to that, Cheon-hwi grabbed the liquor bottle first.
Jjoreureu…
The corners of Cheon-hwi’s mouth, who smelled the scent of the fruit liquor poured into the teacup, slowly went up.
“The smell is good.”
A moment after smelling the scent, he immediately drank the liquor.
A deeper smile was drawn on Cheon-hwi’s mouth.
The sweet liquor fragrance hovering in his mouth and the softness cleanly passing down his throat.
It was a very satisfactory liquor.
Cheon-hwi, who liked the liquor he first laid his hands on, right away picked up his chopsticks and picked up the food.
And the moment he put it in his mouth and chewed.
“Hmm?”
Cheon-hwi’s eyes slightly widened.
As soon as he chewed, the meat juice completely filling his mouth harmonized with the fruit liquor he drank first, amplifying the taste.
“This is truly delicious.”
Cheon-hwi, whose gaze changed, poured the liquor again and rapidly began to eat the food.
It was a faster speed than ever before.
Danmok Rin, who was staring blankly at the two excitedly eating the food, also picked up her chopsticks.
And lifting her veil, she began her meal.
It was a dining method that had no match in discomfort, but she proficiently put it in her mouth, and.
“…!”
She covered her mouth with her hand as if slightly surprised as well, then rapidly moved her chopsticks.
When the three were engrossed in their meal like that, the table where the martial artists of the Tang Clan were was in a quiet state, as if water had been poured over them.
However, that too was for a moment.
“An old man and two young man and woman…”
A handsome youth possessing a beautiful appearance muttered while staring at Cheon-hwi’s party.
Soon, he gently turned his head and opened his mouth.
“Do you perhaps know who they are, Uncle?”
“They are people I am seeing for the first time.”
The middle-aged man next to him frowned and answered.
Right now, his gaze was stuck on the old man and the veiled woman, not moving.
“But they are not ordinary.”
The young man took on a slightly surprised gaze.
The one he just called Uncle was an expert counted on one hand within the Sichuan Tang Clan.
He was someone called the Hidden Form Dagger Guest (Eunhyeong Bigaek) in the Jianghu, being a target of fear.
Such a person was on guard.
The young man, Tang Jeok, smiled.
“I wonder if they are going to the Zhuge Clan too?”
“It is likely there is a high possibility of that.”
The Hidden Form Dagger Guest nodded his head.
Looking at the party’s attire and actions, they were not people staying in Kaifeng.
“If so, I should exchange greetings once.”
Tang Jeok got up from his seat, then approached the table where Cheon-hwi’s party was.
“I apologize for disturbing you during your meal.”
He politely took a fist salute.
Since he knew that the most important thing when facing someone for the first time was the first impression, he wore a smile all over his face.
“This lowly one is called Tang Jeok of the Sichuan Tang Clan. If you are perhaps okay with it, would you not share a table with us?”
Cheon-hwi, who was sipping his teacup, gently looked at Tang Jeok, then opened his mouth.
“I refuse.”
Tang Jeok twitched his eyebrows.
It was because he thought they would naturally accept his proposal.
It was himself, the Second Young Master of the Sichuan Tang Clan, and the one called the Poison Dragon for displaying outstanding activities at the last Dragon and Phoenix Gathering.
When he revealed his clan and name, most martial artists were busy requesting to share a table saying they would treat him first, but right now the party in front seemed to have no interest.
However, he did not give up.
‘If it is to the extent Uncle has an interest.’
Tang Jeok opened his mouth again to persuade them in order to share a table with them no matter what.
“Still, the Four Seas are of the same path…”
Tang Jeok handed them his words, however.
“This is okay too.”
“Mumble, gulp, I told you, didn’t I? The taste of the Ascending Heaven Guest House is the best.”
They let Tang Jeok’s words flow past them.
‘They’re openly ignoring me now?’
Veins popped up on Tang Jeok’s forehead.
His anger surged up for a moment, but he, who endured it, wore a smile and spoke one more time.
“Let’s share a table together and have a good meeting…”
“It is certainly the best among the places I have tasted recently.”
“Of course.”
“It is a really good guest house.”
When even the woman calmly barged into the conversation and ignored him now, Tang Jeok, who couldn’t endure it in the end, shouted loudly.
“Are you ignoring me right now?!”
A stillness flowed for a moment.
Cheon-hwi, who stopped his chopsticks, gently looked at Heavenly Ear Beggar with a dumbfounded expression and asked.
“Why is he like that?”
“Would I know?”
Heavenly Ear Beggar glanced at Tang Jeok, then focused on the food in front of his eyes again.
“More than that, I am eating this.”
“You’re not even paying, so save it, okay?”
“It’s not your money either, is it?”
“Her money is my money. Isn’t that right?”
Danmok Rin nodded her head.
“That is right.”
“Look at that.”
“Eing, taking that guy’s side… whatever. Yeah, if you are going to eat it, eat it first.”
When the three, who were lightly conversing, tried to naturally start their meal again.
Bang!
Tang Jeok slammed the table with his hand.
“Do not ignore me!”
That moment.
Thud.
The liquor bottle tipped over and spilled.
As the fruit liquor, with about half still left, flowed down and dripped under the table.
“…He is crazy.”
Heavenly Ear Beggar muttered and swept up his food. And Danmok Rin, who was eating in small bites while lifting her veil from the side, also quickly stopped her chopsticks and gently stood up.
When the two, who had already grasped Cheon-hwi to some extent through the journey so far, widened the distance, Tang Jeok revealed bewilderment.
He hadn’t hit him directly, and the liquor had barely just spilled after hitting the table.
But their reaction was far too excessive.
‘Huh? Why are they overreacting like that?’
That time when Tang Jeok was wondering.
“They say you don’t even touch a dog when it’s eating…”
Cheon-hwi, who muttered like a whisper while looking at the falling liquor, placed his chopsticks ‘clack’ on the table.
After that, he slowly looked up at Tang Jeok and opened his mouth with an annoyed face.
“What kind of stunt is this?”
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