Fist Demon of Mount Hua - Chapter 57

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 57. Fate is Unknowable, and the World’s Affairs Lie Beyond Foresight—Part 1
Tap-tap-tap!
Bang Jin Bo’s knife struck against the cutting board. The vegetables fell away in neat pieces, severed with a speed that was nearly invisible to the eye.
“Phew!
Bang Jin Bo set down his knife and wiped the sweat from his forehead. On one side of the counter, a basket overflowed with the various vegetables he had prepared.
He had made the garnishes, the noodles. Everything was ready for business.
“How is it? Grandmother?”
“Perfect. I couldn’t do it this well myself.”
The Old Woman shook her head as though tired of praising him.
In more than twenty years running this stall, she had never seen anyone work with a knife like Bang Jin Bo. And his temperament—it was so good. She felt more affection for him than for her own grandchildren.
That was why she found herself teaching him all her secrets: the method for making the broth, the formula for the dough. Yet she had no regrets. Her shoulders weren’t good anyway; she wouldn’t be able to work much longer.
Just then a few customers approached. One of them greeted the Old Woman as though they knew each other.
“What’s this? Aren’t you the one usually cooking today?”
“My arm is giving me trouble today, so this boy will help out instead.”
“What? You’ve got a hidden grandson somewhere?”
“You ask too many questions. Do you want to eat or not?”
“Well, for someone with such a personality… Fatty, make Beef Noodle Soup for everyone here.”
“Right away! Just a moment, please.”
Bang Jin Bo smiled and dropped the noodles he had prepared earlier into the boiling water. Then he readied the bowls and arranged the vegetables and garnishes he would need.
His movements were remarkably practiced.
“Oh! He seems to know what he’s doing.”
“Indeed! I wonder how it tastes?”
The customers watched Bang Jin Bo’s handiwork with curiosity.
Moments later, the noodles were cooked. Bang Jin Bo transferred them to the bowls, and as he poured the broth, a respectable Beef Noodle Soup came into view.
“Here, your Beef Noodle Soup.”
Bang Jin Bo placed the bowls in front of the customers.
“Well, let’s see how this fatty’s Beef Noodle Soup tastes.”
The customers picked up their chopsticks and began to eat. At first, their expressions were tinged with doubt, but soon they were absorbed in the flavor of the soup.
“Wow! This is even better than what the grandmother makes.”
“It really is. The sweat just pours down, and the tiredness melts away.”
Bang Jin Bo’s face lit up at their praise.
Strangers he had never met before were eating the food he had made, savoring it. The sight of it moved him deeply.
‘I want to make food that brings happiness to people. I want to see that smile bloom on the faces of everyone who tastes what I’ve created.’
The Beef Noodle Soup he made was still using the Old Woman’s secrets; in time, he would develop his own.
Suddenly Bang Jin Bo’s eyes turned toward Dam Ho. Even as he had been absorbed in his cooking, Dam Ho had not moved from his place.
Bang Jin Bo quickly made another bowl of Beef Noodle Soup and set it before Dam Ho.
“Here, try some.”
Dam Ho tasted the Beef Noodle Soup in silence.
He savored it slowly, chopstick by chopstick.
Bang Jin Bo watched Dam Ho’s reaction with nervous anticipation. After a long moment, Dam Ho set down his chopsticks—the bowl was empty, broth and all.
“Delicious.”
“Haha! I’m so glad.”
Bang Jin Bo’s expression brightened at once.
Dam Ho’s judgment mattered to him more than anyone else’s. It wasn’t because Dam Ho’s palate was refined or his praise particularly generous.
It was a matter of trust. He believed Dam Ho’s words without question. Bang Jin Bo trusted and relied on Dam Ho in that way.
As if to prove Dam Ho’s judgment, more customers came flooding in.
Their reactions were all the same.
At first they eyed Bang Jin Bo with doubt, wondering if he could truly replace the Old Woman in making the Beef Noodle Soup, but soon their skepticism turned to admiration.
Bang Jin Bo was kept busy, but even with the rush of customers, he remained calm and composed.
The Old Woman marveled at Bang Jin Bo’s competence.
“He’s better than I am.”
The Beef Noodle Soup he made tasted even better than her own.
But she felt no envy. Perhaps it was because she had weathered so many hardships in life that she knew her time was not far off.
The Old Woman gazed at Bang Jin Bo with the warmth of one looking upon a beloved grandson.
The materials and broth that had been prepared were nearly exhausted, and what appeared to be the last customer arrived.
He was a middle-aged man with a mustache. At first glance, he looked like someone quite particular and exacting.
“One bowl of Beef Noodle Soup.”
“Right away!”
Bang Jin Bo prepared the Beef Noodle Soup for the man and then stretched himself.
“Ah! It’s finally done. I’m exhausted.”
He said he was going to die, but his face wore an expression of genuine pleasure.
The Old Woman reached out and patted Bang Jin Bo’s head.
“Oh my, what hardship you’ve endured! What a pretty boy you are, going through all this trouble for an old woman you’ve never met before.”
“Hard work? Not at all—it was fun because of you. And I learned a new cooking technique from you, too.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I’m grateful. Thanks to you, the broth I’d worked so hard on didn’t go to waste.”
The Old Woman and Bang Jin Bo looked at each other and smiled.
That was when it happened.
“Old woman, was it that boy who made this Beef Noodle Soup?”
“Yes, indeed. My shoulder’s been aching, so I had to close up shop today, and this lad volunteered to make it for me instead.”
“Is that so? His skill is impressive—the way he prepared the ingredients shows real technique. The noodles were cooked with good instinct. Where did he study?”
The last question was directed at Bang Jin Bo.
“My father was a head cook.”
“I see. It doesn’t look like you’re her blood grandson. Am I right?”
“Yes!”
“Then I’ll speak plainly. Could you help me with my work for a few days?”
“What kind of work?”
“I’m Song Hwan, the head chef of Hong Aum Mountain Lodge. The Lodge Master’s 60th Birthday Celebration is upon us, and we’re sorely short-handed.”
“Ah!”
“So I’d like you to help me with this.”
Song Hwan’s offer sounded too good to be true, and Bang Jin Bo’s expression grew uncertain. Yet the look in Song Hwan’s eyes was so serious that it didn’t seem like a lie.
Song Hwan had come to the Market early that morning to procure ingredients for the celebration. It seemed best that he personally verify the materials, given the importance of the occasion.
It was while browsing the Market that he had watched Bang Jin Bo preparing ingredients for the Beef Noodle Soup. At first, Song Hwan had thought the boy was just playing around, but the longer he watched, the more evident his skill became.
Just then, two of Hong Aum Mountain Lodge’s cooks had suddenly become unable to work, so Song Hwan made this offer to Bang Jin Bo.
Bang Jin Bo looked at Dam Ho with a bewildered expression, unsure how to answer such an unexpected proposal. But Dam Ho offered him no reply at all.
This was Bang Jin Bo’s decision to make. Whatever he chose, Dam Ho would not interfere.
“What will you do? I haven’t much time.”
“Will I be of any use?”
“If I could, I’d borrow a cat’s paws. I’m not asking for much—just enough to lighten the burden on my other cooks a little.”
“If I’ll do, I’ll help you.”
“Good. Can you leave right now, with me?”
“I’m staying at an Inn, so I need to go gather my things.”
“In one hour, I’ll meet with Hong Aum Mountain Lodge’s people in the open ground ahead. Gather your things by then.”
“Also, is it all right if I bring my brother along?”
Bang Jin Bo gestured toward Dam Ho.
Song Hwan’s brow furrowed for a moment. There was something unsettling about Dam Ho’s entirely black appearance. But the kitchen situation was too urgent to refuse Bang Jin Bo.
“I’ll tell my steward to prepare lodging for him. Come together.”
“Thank you.”
Bang Jin Bo bowed respectfully to Song Hwan.
Song Hwan paid the Old Woman and stood to leave.
“I’ll see you later then.”
Bang Jin Bo watched Song Hwan’s departing figure with flushed cheeks, then suddenly let out a shout of excitement.
“Yes!”
The Old Woman smiled at his clenched fist and jubilant cry.
“You’re that pleased?”
“Of course I am.”
“Be careful. I hear that Hong Aum Mountain Lodge has many fearsome people skilled in Martial Cultivation. One wrong move could spell disaster.”
“I will! Don’t worry.”
Bang Jin Bo glanced at Dam Ho.
Even now, Dam Ho said nothing.
“Thank you, brother. I’m sorry I might be taking up your time for nothing.”
“It’s fine.”
With those words, Dam Ho turned and walked away.
Bang Jin Bo handed all of that day’s earnings to the Old Woman and hurried after Dam Ho.
The Old Woman’s voice followed him from behind.
“Why are you giving me all of it? You worked so hard to earn it.”
“But you taught me the secret technique in return. Please take care of yourself and stay healthy. I’ll be going now.”
Bang Jin Bo waved goodbye to the Old Woman and followed after Dam Ho.
Back at the Inn, Bang Jin Bo hurriedly packed his things.
“Skewer, ladle… dried ginseng, dried venison.”
Once Bang Jin Bo confirmed that nothing was missing, he shouldered his bundled pack. A look of nervous anticipation crossed his face.
The moment he thought about entering Hong Aum Mountain Lodge and cooking, his body had already begun to stiffen.
‘I can do this. Come on!’
After drawing several deep breaths, the trembling in his chest gradually subsided.
“Let’s go now.”
“Right.”
The two men stepped outside.
As they approached the stable, Heuk Gwi whinnied with evident joy. It was the moment Dam Ho reached out to pat the horse’s neck.
“Is this your horse?”
A cold voice rang out in Dam Ho’s ear.
He turned his head and recognized the faces—Mun Su Gyeong and Jwa Sang Cheon. They had brought horses as well.
Jwa Sang Cheon approached Heuk Gwi’s side.
“It’s too fine a steed for a commoner to ride.”
In Jwa Sang Cheon’s eyes glowed naked covetousness.
Even an outsider could see that Heuk Gwi’s bearing was utterly without peer. The proof lay in how all the other horses in the stable kept their eyes fixed on him alone.
“Sell me that horse. I’ll pay well for it.”
“That’s improper.”
Mun Su Gyeong was alarmed and tried to restrain Jwa Sang Cheon. But he paid her no mind and continued.
“Why not? I said I’d pay proper coin.”
“Stop it!”
Unable to hold back, Mun Su Gyeong cried out sharply, and Jwa Sang Cheon’s scowl deepened as he took a step backward.
‘Women, always women.’
He found Mun Su Gyeong tiresome, constantly throwing obstacles in his path, but she was after all the Master’s daughter. He had to maintain at least basic courtesy.
“Fine, fine. I was merely remarking on what a splendid animal it is. No harm meant.”
As he withdrew, Jwa Sang Cheon’s eyes remained fixed on Heuk Gwi. He was utterly captivated by the horse’s magnificence.
‘For now I’ll back down, but one day I’ll make that beast mine.’
As it is said, every treasure must have a worthy master.
A fine horse deserves an owner of matching caliber.
Jwa Sang Cheon believed himself to be precisely such a man.
Mun Su Gyeong apologized to Dam Ho on Jwa Sang Cheon’s behalf.
“I’m sorry. He’s not usually like that—he was quite rude. Please forgive him.”
……
“But didn’t you say you were heading to Dong Jeong Lake?”
“We’ll be stopping at Hong Aum Mountain Lodge as well.”
“Mm?”
“I promised to help with the kitchen work there.”
“But you said you were going to Dong Jeong Lake?”
“I did, but the head cook at Hong Aum Mountain Lodge asked me to lend a hand. So I’ll be working in the lodge’s kitchen for a few days.”
“That’s fortunate.”
Mun Su Gyeong smiled and clasped her fist respectfully toward Dam Ho.
“Then I’ll see you again at Hong Aum Mountain Lodge. Farewell.”
She turned and walked toward where Jwa Sang Cheon stood.
‘Now that I think of it, I’ve never heard that man speak. Could he be mute?’
Mun Su Gyeong glanced back for a moment. But by then Dam Ho had already mounted Heuk Gwi.
Dam Ho and Bang Jin Bo were riding out past the inn.
Mun Su Gyeong found herself unable to look away from Dam Ho’s receding figure.
“Aren’t you coming?”
Had Jwa Sang Cheon’s voice not reached her at that moment, she might have continued staring at Dam Ho’s back indefinitely.
“Yes, I’m coming.”
Mun Su Gyeong shook her head and walked toward Jwa Sang Cheon. But he was not looking at her.
His gaze was fixed on the direction where Dam Ho had vanished.
‘So he’s heading to Hong Aum Mountain Lodge as well?’
The light of covetousness flickered once more in his eyes.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————